Methods and equipment for supporting positioning in idle or inactive modes.

Abstract

When in an idle or inactive state, the User Equipment (UE) transmits a reference signal for positioning. When connected, the UE is pre-configured with a Reference Probe Signal (SRS) resource configuration, which includes at least one of Timing Adjustment (TA) and Uplink (UL) transmission spatial filters. In idle or inactive mode, the UE transmits the positioning SRS based on the pre-configured configuration. The TA and UL transmission spatial filters can be updated by the serving base station using control signals or paging messages received by the UE when in idle or inactive mode. The effectiveness of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters can be monitored using an expiration timer or a relative position change threshold. The transmitted reference signal can be based on the UE Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), which is insensitive to TA changes. Long-sequence PRACHs can be used to improve positioning accuracy.

Description

[0001] Claim priority under Section 119 of Title 35 of the United States Code.

[0002] This application claims the rights and priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 042,830, filed June 23, 2020, entitled “Method and apparatus for supporting positioning in an idle or inactive mode,” filed June 1, 2021, entitled “Method and apparatus for supporting positioning in an idle or inactive mode,” pursuant to Section 119 of Title 35 of the United States Code, both of which have been assigned to the assignee of this application and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The various aspects of this disclosure generally relate to the location of user equipment (UE). Background Technology

[0004] Wireless communication systems have evolved through various generations, including first-generation analog radiotelephone service (1G), second-generation (2G) digital radiotelephone service (including the transitional 2.5G networks), third-generation (3G) high-speed data, wireless services supporting the Internet, and fourth-generation (4G) services (e.g., Long-Term Evolution (LTE), WiMax). Currently, many different types of wireless communication systems are in use, including cellular and personal communications service (PCS) systems. Known examples of cellular systems include cellular analog Advanced Mobile Phone Systems (AMPS) and digital cellular systems based on code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), and TDMA-based Global System for Mobile Access (GSM) variants.

[0005] The fifth-generation (5G) mobile standard demands higher data transmission speeds, more connections, better coverage, and other improvements. According to the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGC), the 5G standard (also known as "New Radio" or "NR") aims to provide tens of megabits per second of data rate for each of tens of thousands of users, or 1 gigabit per second for dozens of workers on an office floor. To support large-scale sensor deployments, it should support hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections. Therefore, the spectral efficiency of 5G mobile communications will be significantly improved compared to the current 4G / LTE standard. Furthermore, signaling efficiency should be enhanced, and latency should be greatly reduced compared to the current standard. Summary of the Invention

[0006] When in an idle or inactive state, the User Equipment (UE) transmits a reference signal for positioning. When connected, the UE can be pre-configured with a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) resource configuration, which includes at least one of timing adjustment (TA) and uplink (UL) transmission spatial filters. In idle or inactive mode, the UE transmits the positioning SRS based on the pre-configured configuration. The TA and UL transmission spatial filters can be updated by the serving base station using control signals or paging messages received by the UE when in idle or inactive mode. The effectiveness of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters can be monitored using an expiration timer or a relative position change threshold. The transmitted reference signal can be based on the UE Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), which is insensitive to TA changes. Long-sequence PRACHs can be used to improve positioning accuracy.

[0007] In one implementation, a method for supporting UE location determination performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network includes: receiving from a serving base station an SRS resource configuration for transmitting a location detection reference signal (SRS), the SRS resource configuration including at least one of timing adjustment (TA) and uplink (UL) transmission spatial filter; entering an idle or inactive mode; transmitting the location SRS using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter while in the idle or inactive mode; receiving from the serving base station an update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter while in the idle or inactive mode; and transmitting the location SRS using the update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter while in the idle or inactive mode.

[0008] In one implementation, a UE configured to support location determination of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network includes: a radio transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with a base station in the wireless network; at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the radio transceiver and the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: receive via the radio transceiver an SRS resource configuration from a serving base station for transmitting a location detection reference signal (SRS), the SRS resource configuration including at least one of timing adjustment (TA) and uplink (UL) transmission spatial filter; enter an idle or inactive mode; transmit the location SRS via the radio transceiver using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter while in the idle or inactive mode; receive updates to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter from the serving base station while the UE is in the idle or inactive mode; and transmit the location SRS via the radio transceiver using updates to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter while in the idle or inactive mode.

[0009] In one implementation, a UE configured to support location determination of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network includes: means for receiving from a serving base station an SRS resource configuration for transmitting a location detection reference signal (SRS), the SRS resource configuration including at least one of timing adjustment (TA) and uplink (UL) transmission spatial filter; means for entering an idle or inactive mode; means for transmitting the location SRS using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter while in the idle or inactive mode; means for receiving an update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter from the serving base station while the UE is in the idle or inactive mode; and means for transmitting the location SRS using the update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter while in the idle or inactive mode.

[0010] In one implementation, a non-transitory storage medium includes program code stored thereon, the program code being operable to configure at least one processor in a user equipment (UE) to support location determination of the UE in a wireless network, the program code including instructions to: receive from a serving base station an SRS resource configuration for transmitting a location detection reference signal (SRS), the SRS resource configuration including at least one of timing adjustment (TA) and uplink (UL) transmission spatial filter; enter an idle or inactive mode; while in the idle or inactive mode, transmit the location SRS using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter; while the UE is in the idle or inactive mode, receive from the serving base station an update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter; and while in the idle or inactive mode, transmit the location SRS using the update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter.

[0011] In one implementation, a method for supporting location determination of a user equipment (UE) performed by a base station in a wireless network includes: sending to the UE an SRS resource configuration for transmitting a location detection reference signal (SRS) in an idle or inactive mode, the SRS resource configuration including at least one of timing adjustment (TA) and uplink (UL) transmission spatial filter; receiving a location SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; generating a location measurement using the location SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter; sending an update to the UE for at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; receiving a location SRS transmitted from the UE using the update for at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; and generating a location measurement using the location SRS transmitted from the UE using the update for at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter.

[0012] In one implementation, a base station configured to support location determination of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network includes: an external interface configured to wirelessly communicate with the UE in the wireless network; at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the external interface and the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: transmit, via the external interface, an SRS resource configuration for transmitting a location detection reference signal (SRS) in an idle or inactive mode to the UE, the SRS resource configuration including at least one of timing adjustment (TA) and uplink (UL) transmission space filter; and receive, via the external interface, information about the location of a user equipment (UE) in an idle or inactive mode. Location SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters; generating location measurements using the location SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters; sending updates to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters to the UE via an external interface when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; receiving location SRS transmitted from the UE via an external interface when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode using updates to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters; and generating location measurements using the location SRS transmitted from the UE via an external interface using updates to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters.

[0013] In one implementation, a base station in a wireless network configured to support location determination of a user equipment (UE) includes: means for transmitting to the UE an SRS resource configuration for transmitting a location detection reference signal (SRS) in an idle or inactive mode, the SRS resource including at least one of timing adjustment (TA) and uplink (UL) transmission spatial filter; means for receiving location SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of TA and UL transmission spatial filter when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; means for generating location measurements using the location SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of TA and UL transmission spatial filter; means for transmitting an update to at least one of TA and UL transmission spatial filter to the UE when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; means for receiving location SRS transmitted from the UE using the update to at least one of TA and UL transmission spatial filter when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; and means for generating location measurements using the location SRS transmitted from the UE using the update to at least one of TA and UL transmission spatial filter.

[0014] In one implementation, a non-transitory storage medium includes program code stored thereon, the program code being operable to configure at least one processor in a base station to support location determination of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network. The program code includes instructions to: send to the UE an SRS resource configuration for transmitting a location detection reference signal (SRS) in an idle or inactive mode, the SRS resource configuration including at least one of timing adjustment (TA) and uplink (UL) transmission spatial filter; receive a location SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; generate a location measurement using the location SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter; send an update to the UE for at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; receive a location SRS transmitted from the UE using the update for at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; and generate a location measurement using the location SRS transmitted from the UE using the update for at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter.

[0015] In one implementation, a method for supporting UE location determination performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network includes: entering an idle or inactive mode; and when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode, transmitting a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) for a UL positioning waveform, wherein the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform is configured for positioning accuracy by including a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence length (LRA) that is longer than that for a regular random access waveform.

[0016] In one implementation, a UE configured to support location determination by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network includes: a radio transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with a base station in the wireless network; at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the radio transceiver and the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: enter an idle or inactive mode; and, while the UE is in the idle or inactive mode, transmit a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) for a UL positioning waveform via the radio transceiver, wherein the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform is configured for positioning accuracy by including a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence length (LRA) that is longer than that for a conventional random access waveform.

[0017] In one implementation, a UE configured to support location determination of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network includes: means for entering an idle or inactive mode; and means for transmitting a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) for a UL positioning waveform when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode, wherein the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform is configured for positioning accuracy by including a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence length (LRA) that is longer than that for a regular random access waveform.

[0018] In one implementation, a non-transitory storage medium includes program code stored thereon, operable to configure at least one processor in a user equipment (UE) to support UE location determination in a wireless network, the program code including instructions to: enter an idle or inactive mode; and, when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode, transmit a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) for a UL positioning waveform, wherein the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform is configured for positioning accuracy by including a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence length (LRA) that is longer than that used for a conventional random access waveform.

[0019] In one implementation, a method for supporting location determination of a user equipment (UE) performed by a base station in a wireless network includes: receiving a physical random access channel (PRACH) for a UL positioning waveform transmitted by the UE when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode, wherein the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform is configured for positioning accuracy by including a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence length (LRA) that is longer than that for a regular random access waveform; and using the PRACH for UL positioning to generate a positioning measurement for the UE.

[0020] In one implementation, a base station configured to support location determination of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network includes: an external interface configured to wirelessly communicate with the UE in the wireless network; at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the external interface and the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: receive, via the external interface, a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) for UL positioning waveforms transmitted by the UE when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode, wherein the PRACH for UL positioning waveforms is configured for positioning accuracy by including a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence length (LRA) that is longer than that used for regular random access waveforms; and use the PRACH for UL positioning to generate positioning measurements for the UE.

[0021] In one implementation, a base station in a wireless network configured to support location determination of a user equipment (UE) includes: means for receiving a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) for UL positioning waveforms transmitted by the UE when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode, wherein the PRACH for UL positioning waveforms is configured for positioning accuracy by including a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence length (LRA) longer than that for regular random access waveforms; and means for generating positioning measurements of the UE using the PRACH for UL positioning.

[0022] In one implementation, a non-transitory storage medium includes program code stored thereon, operable to configure at least one processor in a base station to support location determination of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network. The program code includes instructions to: receive a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) for UL positioning waveforms transmitted by the UE when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode, wherein the PRACH for UL positioning waveforms is configured for positioning accuracy by including a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence length (LRA) that is longer than that used for regular random access waveforms; and use the PRACH for UL positioning to generate positioning measurements for the UE. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The accompanying drawings are provided to help describe various aspects of this disclosure, and are provided merely to illustrate these aspects and not to limit them.

[0024] Figure 1 Exemplary wireless communication systems according to various aspects of this disclosure are shown.

[0025] Figure 2A and Figure 2B An example wireless network architecture according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0026] Figure 3 It shows that it can be Figure 1 A block diagram of the design of a base station and a user equipment (UE) in a system, including one of the base stations and one of the UEs.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of an exemplary subframe sequence with positioning reference signal (PRS) timing.

[0028] Figure 5 An example of a UE transport with pre-configured SRS resources and potential TA adjustment is shown when in idle or inactive mode.

[0029] Figure 6An example of UE transmission with pre-configured location SRS resources with potential spatial filter adjustment is shown when in idle or inactive mode.

[0030] Figure 7 An example of a UE transport with pre-configured SRS resource positioning and updates to PRS / SRS resource configuration is shown when the UE is in idle or inactive mode.

[0031] Figure 8 The signaling flow is shown, which illustrates various messages sent between components of the wireless communication system in a positioning session, including positioning SRS sent using pre-configured TA and UL transmission space filters when the UE is in idle or inactive mode.

[0032] Figure 9 This is a graph showing the PRACH waveform.

[0033] Figure 10 The signaling flow is shown, which illustrates the various messages sent between components of the wireless communication system in a positioning session that uses PRACH waveforms sent when the UE is in idle or inactive mode.

[0034] Figure 11 A schematic block diagram is shown illustrating certain exemplary features of a UE that enable the use of reference signals for positioning transmitted when the UE is in idle or inactive mode to support UE positioning.

[0035] Figure 12 A schematic block diagram is shown illustrating certain exemplary features of a base station that enables the use of reference signals for positioning transmitted when in idle or inactive mode to support the positioning of a UE.

[0036] Figure 13 A flowchart is shown for an exemplary method for supporting UE location determination performed by a UE in a wireless network.

[0037] Figure 14 A flowchart is shown for an exemplary method for supporting UE location determination performed by a base station in a wireless network.

[0038] Figure 15 A flowchart is shown for another exemplary method for supporting UE location determination performed by a UE in a wireless network.

[0039] Figure 16 A flowchart is shown for another exemplary method for supporting UE location determination performed by a base station in a wireless network. Detailed Implementation

[0040] Various aspects of this disclosure are provided in the following description and associated drawings, which are for illustrative purposes and are intended to illustrate various examples. Alternative aspects may be devised without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, well-known elements of this disclosure will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of this disclosure.

[0041] The terms “exemplary” and / or “example” as used herein mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” and / or “example” is not necessarily to be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other aspects. Similarly, the term “aspects of this disclosure” does not require that all aspects of this disclosure include the features, advantages, or modes of operation discussed.

[0042] Those skilled in the art will understand that the information and signals described below can be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and methods. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be mentioned in the following description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, light fields or particles, or any combination thereof, depending in part on the specific application, in part on the desired design, and in part on the appropriate technology, etc.

[0043] Furthermore, many aspects are described in accordance with sequences of actions to be performed by elements of, for example, a computing device. It will be appreciated that the various actions described herein can be performed by a particular circuit (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), program instructions executed by one or more processors, or a combination of both. Moreover, the sequences of actions described herein can be considered entirely contained in any form of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a corresponding set of computer instructions that, when executed, will cause or instruct the associated processor of the device to perform the functions described herein. Therefore, various aspects of this disclosure can be embodied in a variety of different forms, all of which are considered to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, for each aspect described herein, the corresponding form of any such aspect can be described herein as, for example, "logic" "configured" to perform the described actions.

[0044] As used herein, the terms “User Equipment” (UE) and “base station” are not intended to be specific or limited to any particular Radio Access Technology (RAT) unless otherwise stated. Generally, a UE can be any wireless communication device (e.g., mobile phone, router, tablet, laptop, tracking device, wearable device (e.g., smartwatch, glasses, augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR), headset, etc.), vehicle (e.g., car, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.), Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.) used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network. A UE can be mobile or (e.g., at times) fixed and can communicate with a Radio Access Network (RAN). As used herein, the term “UE” is interchangeably referred to as “access terminal” or “AT,” “client device,” “wireless device,” “subscriber equipment,” “subscriber terminal,” “subscriber station,” “user terminal” or “UT,” “mobile terminal,” “mobile station,” or variations thereof. Typically, a UE can communicate with the core network via the RAN, and through the core network, the UE can connect to external networks such as the Internet and other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms for connecting to the core network and / or the Internet are also possible for the UE, such as wired access networks, wireless local area network (WLAN) networks (e.g., based on IEEE 802.11, etc.).

[0045] Depending on the network in which the base station is deployed, the base station may operate according to one of several RATs that communicate with the UE, and may be alternatively referred to as an Access Point (AP), Network Node, NodeB, Evolved NodeB (eNB), New Radio (NR) NodeB (also referred to as gNB or gNodeB), etc. Furthermore, in some systems, the base station may provide purely edge node signaling functions, while in others it may provide additional control and / or network management functions. The communication link through which the UE signals to the base station is referred to as an uplink (UL) channel (e.g., reverse traffic channel, reverse control channel, access channel, etc.). The communication link through which the base station signals to the UE is referred to as a downlink (DL) or forward link channel (e.g., paging channel, control channel, broadcast channel, forward traffic channel, etc.). The term Traffic Channel (TCH) used herein may refer to either a UL / reverse or DL / forward traffic channel.

[0046] The term "base station" can refer to a single physical transmission point or multiple physical transmission points, which may or may not be co-located. For example, when the term "base station" refers to a single physical transmission point, that physical transmission point may be a base station antenna corresponding to a base station cell. When the term "base station" refers to multiple co-located physical transmission points, the physical transmission points may be the antenna array of a base station (e.g., in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system or where the base station employs beamforming). When the term "base station" refers to multiple non-co-located physical transmission points, the physical transmission points may be a distributed antenna system (DAS) (a network of spatially separated antennas connected to a common source via a transmission medium) or a remote radio head (RRH) (a remote base station connected to a serving base station). Alternatively, non-co-located physical transmission points may be the serving base station from which the UE receives measurement reports and neighboring base stations where the UE is measuring its reference radio frequency (RF) signal.

[0047] Typically, UE positioning is only supported when the UE is in Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state. For example, in Release 16, NR positioning only supports UEs in RRC connected state. Idle or inactive states are power-saving states where data is typically not exchanged. Although some control and paging signals can be received by a UE in idle or inactive mode, communication between the UE and the base station usually requires the UE to switch to connected state. Whenever positioning is requested, a UE in RRC idle or inactive state is required to switch to RRC connected state. Such positioning requests increase UE power consumption and positioning latency, as well as network load and efficiency.

[0048] Support for UE positioning in idle or inactive modes is desired. However, the configuration of the UE receiving DL and transmitting UL reference signals for positioning purposes is problematic. For example, it has been proposed to pre-configure the UE with the desired DL and UL reference signal configuration when the UE is in a connected state, so that the UE can use such a configuration to receive and transmit reference signals when in an idle or inactive state.

[0049] Regarding UL reference signal configuration, the UE can be pre-configured to transmit a reference signal for positioning when the UE is in idle or inactive mode. However, a problem arises with timing advance, sometimes collectively referred to herein as Timing Adjustment (TA). The TA value corresponds to the length of time it takes for the signal to travel from the UE to the base station. Radio technologies such as LTE and NR allocate time slots to separate UEs sharing the same frequency in the radio interface. It is crucial that transmissions from the UE arrive at the base station at the allocated time slot; otherwise, the base station may not receive the transmission correctly, and the transmission may interfere with the transmissions of other UEs in the radio system. The distance between the base station and the UE can change, altering the time it takes for the transmitted signal to travel from the UE to the base station. The timing at which the UE is allowed to transmit the UL reference signal to the base station must be adjusted accordingly for proper reception and to prevent interference with other UEs. TA is a variable in the UL reference signal configuration that controls this adjustment. For example, the serving base station monitors transmissions from the UE and determines any necessary adjustments to the TA, then provides them to the UE. Continuously adjusted TA values ​​avoid interference from and to other UEs in adjacent time slots, thereby minimizing data loss and maintaining mobile QoS (Call Service Quality). When a UE is in idle or inactive mode due to potential UE mobility, the TA value obtained by a UE in connected mode in the pre-configuration for the UL reference signal may be invalid. Any UL transmissions made by a UE in idle or inactive mode without accurate TA may not be correctly received by the base station and may interfere with other UEs transmitting synchronization at the base station.

[0050] Another potential challenge in pre-configuring a UE using UL reference signals relates to the UL transmit spatial filter, sometimes referred to as beamforming, which can quickly become obsolete once the UE is in idle or inactive mode. Transmit beamforming is a technique where a UE can focus an RF signal in a specific direction. Traditionally, when a UE broadcasts an RF signal, it broadcasts the signal in all directions (omnidirectional). However, in certain situations, such as for certain 5G NR bands, such as Frequency Range 2 (FR2) or any other mmW band, directional transmission of the RF signal is desired, for example, to compensate for high path loss and short distances. For example, using transmit beamforming, a UE can project a stronger UL RF signal in a specific direction (e.g., the direction of the base station), thus providing a faster (in terms of data rate) and stronger RF signal to the receiving device. To vary the directivity of the RF signal during transmission, the UE can control the phase and relative amplitude of the RF signal at each of one or more antennas in an antenna array (called a "phase array" or "antenna array"), which creates beams that can be "manipulated" to point RF waves in different directions without actually moving the antennas. Specifically, the RF current from the transmitter is fed to the individual antennas in the correct phase relationship, so that the radio waves from the separate antennas are added together to increase the radiation in the desired direction.

[0051] The base station typically determines the specific direction the UE will use for beamforming and provides this information to the UE in the UL transmission spatial filter, which is received as part of the UL reference signal transmission configuration. The UL transmission spatial filter needs to be updated regularly because simply rotating the UE can change the direction the UE should perform beamforming for the base station to receive the signal. Therefore, when a UE is in idle or inactive mode due to potential UE movement, the UL transmission spatial filter obtained by a UE in connected mode in its pre-configured UL reference signal configuration may be invalid. Any UL transmissions made by a UE in idle or inactive mode based on an outdated UL transmission spatial filter may not be correctly received by the base station and could interfere with other UEs in the radio system.

[0052] This paper describes the implementation of solutions to problems related to UL reference signal transmission in idle or inactive modes, particularly those related to the effectiveness of pre-configured TA and / or UL transmission space filters.

[0053] Figure 1An exemplary wireless communication system 100 is illustrated. The wireless communication system 100 (also referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) may include various base stations 102 and various UEs 104. Base stations 102 may include macro cell base stations (high-power cellular base stations) and / or small cell base stations (low-power cellular base stations). In one aspect, macro cell base stations may include eNBs, where the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an LTE network, or gNBs, where the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to a 5G network, or a combination of both, and small cell base stations may include femtocells, picocells, microcells, etc.

[0054] Base station 102 can collectively form a RAN and interface with core network 170 (e.g., evolved packet core (EPC) or next-generation core (NGC)) via backhaul link 122, and interface with one or more location servers 172 via core network 170. Among other functions, base station 102 can also perform functions such as transmitting user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, and non-access stratum (NAS) operations.

[0055] The system includes one or more related functions such as message distribution, NAS node selection, synchronization, RAN sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and device tracking, RAN information management (RIM), paging, location, and warning message delivery. Base stations 102 can communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via EPC / NGC) through backhaul link 134, which can be wired or wireless.

[0056] Base station 102 can wirelessly communicate with UE 104. Each base station 102 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110. In one aspect, base station 102 in each coverage area 110 can support one or more cells. A “cell” is a logical communication entity used to communicate with a base station (e.g., via some frequency resources, referred to as carrier frequency, component carrier, carrier, frequency band, etc.) and can be associated with identifiers (e.g., physical cell identifier (PCID), virtual cell identifier (VCID)) to distinguish cells operating via the same or different carrier frequencies. In some cases, different cells can be configured according to different protocol types that can provide access for different types of UEs (e.g., machine-type communication (MTC), narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), etc.). In some cases, the term “cell” can also refer to a geographic coverage area of ​​a base station (e.g., a sector), as long as a carrier frequency can be detected and used for communication within certain portions of the geographic coverage area 110.

[0057] While the geographic coverage areas 110 of adjacent macro cell base stations 102 may partially overlap (e.g., in handover areas), some geographic coverage areas 110 may substantially overlap with larger geographic coverage areas 110. For example, a small cell base station 102' may have a coverage area 110' that substantially overlaps with the coverage areas 110 of one or more macro cell base stations 102. A network that includes both small and macro cell base stations can be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include home eNBs (HeNBs) that can provide service to restricted groups referred to as closed subscriber groups (CSGs).

[0058] The communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 104 may include UL (also known as reverse link) transmission from UE 104 to base station 102 and / or downlink (DL) (also known as forward link) transmission from base station 102 to UE 104. The communication link 120 may use MIMO antenna technologies, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link 120 may use one or more carrier frequencies. Carrier allocation may be asymmetrical relative to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated to DL than to UL).

[0059] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) 150, which communicates with a WLAN station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154 in unlicensed spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz). When communicating in unlicensed spectrum, the WLAN STA 152 and / or WLAN AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) before communication to determine whether a channel is available.

[0060] Small cell base station 102' can operate in licensed and / or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in unlicensed spectrum, small cell base station 102' can employ LTE or 5G technology and use the same 5GHz unlicensed spectrum as WLAN AP 150. Employing LTE / 5G in unlicensed spectrum can extend the coverage and / or increase the capacity of the access network. LTE in unlicensed spectrum can be referred to as unlicensed LTE (LTE-unlicensed, LTE-U), licensed assisted access (LAA), or MulteFire.

[0061] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a millimeter-wave (mmW) base station 180, which can operate at mmW frequencies and / or near-mmW frequencies in communication with the UE 182. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that contains radio frequency (RF). The EHF range is from 30 GHz to 300 GHz, with wavelengths between 1 mm and 10 mm. Radio waves in this band can be referred to as millimeter waves. Near-millimeter waves can extend down to frequencies of 3 GHz with wavelengths of 100 mm. The ultra-high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz and is also known as centimeter waves. Communication using millimeter-wave / near-millimeter-wave radio frequency bands has high path loss and relatively short range. The mmW base station 180 and the UE 182 can utilize beamforming (transmit and / or receive) on the mmW communication link 184 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range. Furthermore, it will be understood that, in alternative configurations, one or more base stations 102 may also use mmW or near-mmW and beamforming for transmission. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing description is merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this document.

[0062] Transmit beamforming is a technique that focuses an RF signal in a specific direction. Traditionally, when a network node (e.g., a base station) broadcasts an RF signal, it broadcasts the signal in all directions (omnidirectional). Using transmit beamforming, the network node determines the location of a given target device (e.g., a UE) (relative to the transmitting network node) and projects a stronger downlink RF signal in that specific direction, thus providing a faster (in terms of data rate) and stronger RF signal to (multiple) receiving devices. To vary the directivity of the RF signal during transmission, the network node can control the phase and relative amplitude of the RF signal at each of one or more transmitters broadcasting the RF signal. For example, the network node can use an antenna array (called a "phase array" or "antenna array") that creates an RF beam that can be "steered" to different directions without actually moving the antennas. Specifically, RF currents from the transmitters are fed to the individual antennas with the correct phase relationship, causing the radio waves from the separate antennas to add together to increase radiation in the desired direction and cancel out radiation in undesired directions.

[0063] In receive beamforming, a receiver uses a receive beam to amplify an RF signal detected on a given channel. For example, a receiver may increase a gain setting and / or adjust the phase setting of an antenna array in a specific direction to amplify (e.g., increase the gain level) the RF signal received from that direction. Therefore, when a receiver is said to be beamforming in a certain direction, it means that the beam gain in that direction is higher than the beam gain along other directions, or that the beam gain in that direction is the highest relative to the beam gain in all other directions available to the receiver. This results in a stronger received signal strength (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), etc.) of the RF signal received from that direction.

[0064] In 5G, the spectrum operated by radio nodes (e.g., base stations 102 / 180, UE 104 / 182) is divided into multiple frequency ranges: FR1 (from 450 to 6000 MHz), FR2 (from 24250 to 52600 MHz), frequency bands above 52600 MHz, and frequency bands between FR1 and FR2. In multi-carrier systems (such as 5G), one of the carrier frequencies is called the "primary carrier," "anchor carrier," "primary serving cell," or "PCell," and the remaining carrier frequencies are called "secondary carriers," "secondary serving cells," or "Scell." In carrier aggregation, the anchor carrier is the carrier operating on the primary frequency (e.g., FR1) utilized by UE 104 / 182 and the cell, in which UE 104 / 182 performs the initial RRC connection establishment process or initiates the RRC connection re-establishment process. The primary carrier carries all common and UE-specific control channels. A secondary carrier is a carrier operating on a second frequency (e.g., FR2). Once an RRC connection is established between UE 104 and the anchor carrier, the secondary carrier can be configured and used to provide additional radio resources. The secondary carrier may contain only necessary signaling information and signals; for example, UE-specific information and signals may not be present in the secondary carrier because both the primary uplink and downlink carriers are typically UE-specific. This means that different UEs 104 / 182 within a cell can have different downlink primary carriers. The same applies to the uplink primary carrier. The network can change the primary carrier of any UE 104 / 182 at any time. For example, this is done to balance the load on different carriers. Because a “serving cell” (PCell or Scell) corresponds to the carrier frequency / component carrier on which a base station is communicating, the terms “cell,” “serving cell,” “component carrier,” and “carrier frequency” are used interchangeably.

[0065] For example, still refer to Figure 1 One of the frequencies used by the macro cell base station 102 can be an anchor carrier (or "PCell"), while other frequencies used by the macro cell base station 102 and / or the mmW base station 180 can be secondary carriers ("Scell"). Simultaneous transmission and / or reception on multiple carriers allows the UE 104 / 182 to significantly increase its data transmission and / or reception rates. For example, compared to the data rate achieved by a single 20MHz carrier, the aggregation of two 20MHz carriers in a multi-carrier system would theoretically result in a doubling of the data rate (i.e., 40MHz).

[0066] The wireless communication system 100 may also include one or more UEs, such as UE 190, which are indirectly connected to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links. Figure 1 In the example, UE 190 has a D2D P2P link 192 with one of UEs 104 connected to one of base stations 102 (e.g., through which UE 190 can indirectly obtain cellular connectivity), and a D2D P2P link 194 with a WLAN STA 152 connected to a WLAN AP 150 (through which UE 190 can indirectly obtain WLAN-based internet connectivity). In one example, D2D P2P links 192 and 194 can be supported by any well-known D2D RAT, such as LTE Direct (LTE-D) or WiFi Direct (WiFi-D). wait.

[0067] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a UE 164, which can communicate with the macro cell base station 102 via communication link 120 and / or with the mmW base station 180 via mmW communication link 184. For example, the macro cell base station 102 may support PCells and one or more Scells for the UE 164, and the mmW base station 180 may support one or more Scells for the UE 164.

[0068] Figure 2A An example wireless network architecture 200 is illustrated. For example, NGC 210 (also referred to as "5GC") can be functionally considered as control plane functions 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and user plane functions 212 (e.g., UE gateway functions, access to data networks, IP routing, etc.) cooperating to form the core network. User plane interface (NG-U) 213 and control plane interface (NG-C) 215 connect gNB 222 to NGC 210, specifically to control plane functions 214 and user plane functions 212. In an additional configuration, eNB 224 can also connect to the control plane function 214 of NGC 210 via NG-C 215, and to the user plane function 212 via NG-U 213. Furthermore, eNB 224 can communicate directly with gNB 222 via backhaul connection 223. In some configurations, the new RAN 220 may have only one or more gNB 222s, while other configurations include one or more of both eNB 224 and gNB 222. One of the gNB 222 or eNB 224 can be used with UE 204 (e.g., Figure 1 The UE 204 can communicate with any UE depicted in the diagram. Another optional aspect may include one or more location servers 230a, 230b (sometimes collectively referred to as location server 230) (which may correspond to LMF 172), which may communicate with control plane function 214 and user plane function 212 in NGC 210 respectively to provide location assistance to UE 204. Location server 230 may be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules spread across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, each may correspond to a single server. Location server 230 may be configured to support one or more location services for UE 204, which UE 204 may connect to via core network NGC 210 and / or via the Internet (not shown). Furthermore, location server 230 may be integrated into a component of the core network, or alternatively, may be located outside the core network, such as in a new RAN 220.

[0069] Figure 2B Another example wireless network architecture 250 is shown. For example, the NGC 260 (also referred to as "5GC") can be functionally viewed as a control plane function provided by the access and mobility management function (AMF) 264, the user plane function (UPF) 262, the session management function (SMF) 266, the SLP 268, and the LMF 270, which work together to form the core network (i.e., NGC 260). The user plane interface 263 and the control plane interface 265 connect the ng-eNB 224 to the NGC 260, and specifically to the UPF 262 and AMF 264, respectively. In another configuration, the gNB 222 can also connect to the NGC 260 via the control plane interface 265 to the AMF 264 and the user plane interface 263 to the UPF 262. Furthermore, eNB 224 can communicate directly with gNB 222 via backhaul connection 223, with or without using the gNB direct connection to NGC 260. In some configurations, the new RAN 220 may have only one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations include one or more of both ng-eNB 224 and gNB 222. gNB 222 or ng-eNB 224 can communicate with UE 204 (e.g., Figure 1 The base station of the new RAN220 communicates with the AMF 264 via the N2 interface and with the UPF 262 via the N3 interface.

[0070] The AMF's functions include registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful interception, transmission of session management (SM) messages between UE 204 and SMF 266, transparent proxy service for routing SM messages, access authentication and access authorization, transmission of short message service (SMS) messages between UE 204 and the short message service function (SMSF) (not shown), and security anchor functionality (SEAF). The AMF also interacts with the authentication server function (AUSF) (not shown) and UE 204, and receives an intermediate key established as a result of the UE 204 authentication process. In the case of UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) subscriber identity module (USIM)-based authentication, the AMF retrieves security material from the AMF. The AMF's functions also include security context management (SCM). The SCM receives keys from the SEAF and uses these keys to derive network-specific keys for access. The AMF's functions also include location service management for supervisory services, transport of location service messages between UE 204 and Location Management Function (LMF) 270 (which may correspond to LMF 172) and between the new RAN 220 and LMF 270, Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearer identifier allocation for interaction with EPS, and UE 204 mobility event notification. Furthermore, the AMF supports functions for non-3GPP access networks.

[0071] The functions of the UPF include acting as an anchor point for intra-RAT / inter-RAT mobility (where applicable), acting as an external protocol data unit (PDU) session point (not shown) interconnecting with the data network, providing packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, user plane policy rule enforcement (e.g., gating, redirection, traffic redirection), lawful eavesdropping (user plane collection), traffic usage reporting, user plane quality of service (QoS) processing (e.g., UL / DL rate enforcement, reflected QoS marking in DL), UL traffic verification (service data flow (SDF) to QoS flow mapping), transport layer packet marking in UL and DL, DL packet buffering and DL data notification triggering, and issuing and forwarding one or more "end markers" to the source RAN node.

[0072] The functions of SMF 266 include session management, UE Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management, selection and control of user plane functions, configuration of service redirection at the UPF to route services to appropriate destinations, control of policy enforcement and QoS, and downlink data notification. The interface between SMF 266 and AMF 264 is called the N11 interface.

[0073] Another optional aspect may include an LMF 270, which can communicate with the NGC 260 to provide location assistance to the UE 204. The LMF 270 can be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, each may correspond to a single server. The LMF 270 can be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204, which can connect to the LMF 270 via the core network NGC 260 and / or via the Internet (not shown).

[0074] Figure 3 A block diagram of a design 300 for base station 102 and UE 104 is shown. Base station 102 and UE 104 can be... Figure 1 One of the base stations and one of the UEs. Base station 102 may be equipped with T antennas 334a to 334t, and UE 104 may be equipped with R antennas 352a to 352r, wherein typically T≥1 and R≥1.

[0075] At base station 102, transmitting processor 320 can receive data from one or more UEs from data source 312, select one or more modulation and coding schemes (MCS) for each UE based at least in part on channel quality indicators (CQI) received from the UEs, process (e.g., encode and modulate) the data of each UE based at least in part on the MCS selected for each UE, and provide data symbols for all UEs. Transmitting processor 320 can also process system information (e.g., semi-static resource partitioning information (SRPI) and other information) and control information (e.g., CQI requests, authorizations, upper-layer signaling, etc.), and provide overhead symbols and control symbols. Transmitting processor 320 can also generate reference symbols for reference signals (e.g., cell-specific reference signals (CRS)) and synchronization signals (e.g., primary synchronization signal (PSS) and secondary synchronization signal (SSS)). If applicable, the transmit (TX) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processor 330 can perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding) on ​​data symbols, control symbols, overhead symbols, and / or reference symbols, and can provide T output symbol streams to T modulators (MODs) 332a to 332t. Each modulator 332 can process its corresponding output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain an output sample stream. Each modulator 332 can further process (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and up-convert) the output sample stream to obtain a downlink signal. The T downlink signals from modulators 332a to 332t can be transmitted via T antennas 334a to 334t, respectively. Position coding can be used to generate synchronization signals to convey additional information, according to various aspects described in more detail below.

[0076] At UE 104, antennas 352a to 352r can receive downlink signals from base station 102 and / or other base stations, and can provide the received signals to demodulators (DEMODs) 354a to 354r respectively. Each demodulator 354 can adjust (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, and digitize) the received signal to obtain an input sample. Each demodulator 354 can further process the input sample (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain the received symbols. MIMO detector 356 can obtain the received symbols from all R demodulators 354a to 354r, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols if applicable, and provide the detected symbols. Receiver processor 358 can process (e.g., demodulate and decode) the detected symbols, provide the decoded data of UE 104 to data sink 360, and provide the decoded control information and system information to controller / processor 380. The channel processor can determine the Received Reference Signal Power (RSRP), Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Received Reference Signal Quality (RSRQ), Channel Quality Indicator (CQI), etc. In some respects, one or more components of UE 104 may be included in the housing.

[0077] On the uplink, at UE 104, the transmitting processor 364 can receive and process data from data source 362 and control information from controller / processor 380 (e.g., for reports including RSRP, RSSI, RSRQ, CQI, etc.). The transmitting processor 364 can also generate reference symbols for one or more reference signals. If applicable, the symbols from the transmitting processor 364 can be pre-encoded by the TX MIMO processor 366, further processed by modulators 354a to 354r (e.g., for DFT-s-OFDM, CP-OFDM, etc.), and transmitted to base station 102. At base station 102, uplink signals from UE 104 and other UEs can be received by antenna 334, processed by demodulator 332, detected by MIMO detector 336 (if applicable), and further processed by receiving processor 338 to obtain decoded data and control information transmitted by UE 104. The receiver processor 338 can provide decoded data to the data sink 339 and decoded control information to the controller / processor 340. The base station 102 may include a communication unit 344 and communicate with the network controller 130 via the communication unit 344. The network controller 130 may include a communication unit 394, a controller / processor 390, and a memory 392.

[0078] The controller / processor 340 of base station 102, the controller / processor 380 of UE 104, and / or Figure 3Any other component may perform one or more techniques associated with the UL transmission of the reference signal when in idle or inactive mode, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. For example, the controller / processor 340 of base station 102, the controller / processor 380 of UE 104, and / or Figure 3 Any other component can execute or direct, for example Figure 13 Process 1300 Figure 14 Process 1400 Figure 15 Process 1500, or Figure 16 The operation of process 1600 and / or other processes described herein. Memory 342 and 382 may store data and program code for base station 102 and UE 104, respectively. In some aspects, memory 342 and / or memory 382 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions for wireless communication. For example, when one or more instructions are executed by one or more processors of base station 102 and / or UE 104, the one or more instructions may perform or direct, for example... Figure 13 Process 1300 Figure 14 Process 1400 Figure 15 Process 1500, or Figure 16 The operation of process 1600 and / or other processes described herein. Scheduler 346 can schedule the UE to perform data transmission on the downlink and / or uplink.

[0079] As mentioned above, Figure 3 This is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from those provided. Figure 3 As described.

[0080] Figure 4 The structure of an exemplary subframe sequence 400 with positioning reference signal (PRS) timing according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Subframe sequence 400 can be adapted for broadcasting PRS signals from a base station (e.g., any base station described herein) or other network nodes. Subframe sequence 400 can be used in LTE systems, and the same or similar subframe sequences can be used in other communication technologies / protocols such as 5G and NR. Figure 4 In this diagram, the horizontal axis (e.g., on the X-axis) represents time, increasing from left to right, while the vertical axis (e.g., on the Y-axis) represents frequency, increasing (or decreasing) from bottom to top. Figure 4As shown, downlink and uplink radio frames 410 can each have a duration of 10 milliseconds (ms). For downlink frequency division duplex (FDD) mode, in the example shown, radio frame 410 is organized into ten subframes 412, each with a duration of 1 ms. Each subframe 412 includes two time slots 414, each with a duration of, for example, 0.5 ms.

[0081] In the frequency domain, the available bandwidth can be divided into evenly spaced orthogonal subcarriers 416 (also referred to as “tones” or “bins”). For example, with a normal-length cyclic prefix (CP) using, for example, a 15 kHz interval, subcarriers 416 can be grouped into a set of twelve (12) subcarriers. The resources of one OFDM symbol length in the time domain and one subcarrier in the frequency domain (represented as a block of subframe 412) are called resource elements (REs). Each group of 12 subcarriers 416 and 14 OFDM symbols is called a resource block (RB), and in the example above, the number of subcarriers in a resource block can be written as: For a given channel bandwidth, the number of available resource blocks on each channel 422 (also referred to as transmission bandwidth configuration 422) is indicated as follows: For example, for a 3MHz channel bandwidth in the example above, the number of available resource blocks on each channel 422 is given by the following formula. Note that the frequency components of a resource block (e.g., 12 subcarriers) are called a physical resource block (PRB).

[0082] Base stations can be based on and Figure 4 The frame configurations shown are similar or identical to those used to transmit radio frames (e.g., radio frame 410) or other physical layer signaling sequences that support PRS signals (i.e., downlink (DL) PRS). These frame configurations can be measured and used for location estimation of the UE (e.g., any UE described herein). Other types of wireless nodes in the wireless communication network (e.g., distributed antenna systems (DAS), remote radio heads (RRHs), UEs, APs, etc.) can also be configured to transmit in a similar (or identical) manner. Figure 4 The PRS signal is configured in the manner described.

[0083] A set of resource elements used for transmitting PRS signals is called a “PRS resource”. The set of resource elements can span multiple PRBs in the frequency domain and N (e.g., one or more) consecutive symbols within time slot 414 in the time domain. For example, a crosshair resource element in time slot 414 can be an example of two PRS resources. A “PRS resource set” is a collection of PRS resources used for transmitting PRS signals, where each PRS resource has a PRS resource identifier (ID). Furthermore, PRS resources in a PRS resource set are associated with the same transmit-receive point (TRP). The PRS resource ID in the PRS resource set is associated with a single beam transmitted from a single TRP (where a TRP can transmit one or more beams). Note that this makes no indication whether the TRP transmitting the signal and the beam are known to the UE.

[0084] PRS can be transmitted in specific positioning subframes grouped as positioning times. A PRS time is an instance of a periodically repeating time window (e.g., consecutive time slots) in which PRS is expected to be transmitted. Each periodically repeating time window may include a set of one or more consecutive PRS times. Each PRS time may include N PRS The number of consecutive positioning subframes. PRS positioning opportunities for cells supported by a base station can occur periodically at certain intervals, measured in milliseconds (T). PRS Or it can be represented by a subframe. As an example... Figure 4 The period of the positioning opportunity is shown, where N PRS Equals 4418, T PRS Greater than or equal to 20420. In some respects, T can be measured based on the number of subframes between the start of consecutive positioning events. PRS Multiple PRS events can be associated with the same PRS resource configuration; in this case, each such event is referred to as a "PRS resource event," etc.

[0085] PRS can be transmitted at constant power. PRS can also be transmitted at zero power (i.e., muted). Mute transmission of periodically scheduled PRS can be useful when PRS signals from different cells overlap due to simultaneous or near-simultaneous occurrence. In this case, PRS signals from some cells can be muted, while PRS signals from other cells are transmitted (e.g., at constant power). Mute can help the UE acquire signals from unmute PRS signals and measure time of arrival (TOA) and reference signal time difference (RSTD) (by avoiding interference from already muted PRS signals). Mute can be considered as not transmitting PRS for a given positioning time in a specific cell. A mute pattern (also known as a mute sequence) can be signaled to the UE using a bit string (e.g., using the LTE positioning protocol (LPP)). For example, in the bit string signaling the mute pattern, if the bit at position j is set to "0", the UE can infer that the PRS was muted at the j-th positioning time.

[0086] To further improve the audibility of the PRS, the positioning subframe can be a low-interference subframe transmitted in the absence of a user data channel. As a result, in an ideal synchronization network, the PRS may be interfered with by PRSs from other cells with the same PRS pattern index (i.e., the same frequency shift), but will not be affected by data transmission. The frequency shift can be defined as the PRS ID of the cell or other transport point (TP) (denoted as...). The function is defined as the Physical Cell Identifier (PCI) if no PRS ID has been assigned. The function of ) results in an effective frequency reuse factor of six (6).

[0087] To further improve the audibility of the PRS (e.g., when PRS bandwidth is limited, such as having only six resource blocks corresponding to a 1.4 MHz bandwidth), the frequency band of consecutive PRS positioning opportunities (or consecutive PRS subframes) can be varied in a known and predictable manner via frequency hopping. Furthermore, the cell supported by the base station can support more than one PRS configuration, where each PRS configuration may include different frequency shifts (vshifts), different carrier frequencies, different bandwidths, different code sequences, and / or a specific number of subframes (N) for each positioning opportunity. PRS ) and a specific period (T) PRSDifferent PRS positioning timing sequences. In some implementations, one or more PRS configurations supported in the cell can be used for directional PRS, and can then have additional different characteristics, such as different transmission directions, different horizontal angle ranges, and / or different vertical angle ranges.

[0088] As described above, the PRS configuration, including PRS transmission / silence scheduling, is signaled to the UE so that the UE can perform PRS positioning measurements. It is not expected that the UE will blindly perform the detection of the PRS configuration.

[0089] Note that the terms “positioning reference signal” and “PRS” can sometimes refer to specific reference signals used for positioning in LTE / NR systems. However, as used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the terms “positioning reference signal” and “PRS” refer to any type of reference signal that can be used for positioning, such as, but not limited to, PRS signals, navigation reference signals (NRS), transmitter reference signals (TRS), cell-specific reference signals (CRS), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS), primary synchronization signals (PSS), secondary synchronization signals (SSS), etc. in LTE / NR.

[0090] Similar to the DL PRS transmitted by the base station discussed above, the UE can transmit UL PRS for positioning. UL PRS can be, for example, a sounding reference signal (SRS) used for positioning. Using the DL PRS received from the base station and / or the UL PRS transmitted to the base station, various positioning measurements can be performed, such as Time of Arrival (TOA), Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD), Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), the time difference between signal reception and transmission (Rx-Tx), angle of arrival (AoA), or angle of departure (AoD), etc. In some implementations, DL PRS and UL PRS are received and transmitted jointly to perform multi-cell positioning measurements, such as multi-round trip time (RTT).

[0091] Various positioning technologies rely on DL PRS or UL PRS (or SRS for positioning). For example, positioning technologies using reference signals include downlink-based positioning, uplink-based positioning, and a combination of downlink and uplink-based positioning. Downlink-based positioning includes methods such as DL-TDOA and DL-AoD. Uplink-based positioning includes methods such as UL-TDOA and UL-AoA. Downlink and uplink-based positioning includes methods such as RTT (multiple RTT) with one or more neighboring base stations. Other positioning methods exist, including those that do not rely on PRS. For example, Enhanced Cell-ID (E-CID) is based on radio resource management (RRM) measurements.

[0092] As mentioned above, it is desirable to support the positioning of the UE in idle or inactive mode, during which the UE can transmit UL reference signals, such as SRS for positioning. When in connected mode, the UE can be pre-configured with UL SRS, but after the UE switches to idle or inactive mode, parameters such as TA and UL transmission space filters may quickly become outdated and invalid.

[0093] In one implementation, UE 104 can be configured with a TA expiration timer to transmit SRS for location when in idle or inactive mode. For example, when the TA timer expires, a TA obtained while UE 104 was in a connected state may no longer be considered valid. Therefore, once the TA timer expires, UE 104 will no longer transmit on the pre-configured location-related SRS resources. For example, the TA timer can be started upon receiving a pre-configured location-related SRS.

[0094] The length of the TA expiration timer can be configurable. For example, slow or low-mobility UEs, or UEs confined to relatively limited areas, can be configured with relatively longer TA expiration timers, while more mobile UEs can have relatively shorter TA expiration timers. Additionally, in some implementations, different location SRS resources can be configured with different TA expiration timers. For instance, some SRS resources may be more sensitive to TA errors than others, and therefore may require shorter TA expiration timers. For example, SRS resources configured for neighboring cells may require higher transmission power than those configured for the serving cell; therefore, TA errors in high-power transmissions to neighboring cells may cause more interference than the same TA errors in lower-power transmissions to the serving cell. Therefore, using different TA expiration timers for different SRS resources may be appropriate.

[0095] In one implementation, UE 104 can be configured with a relative position change threshold for transmitting SRS for positioning when in idle or inactive mode. For example, UE 104 can be configured with a threshold for changes in the power of received DL signals, such as a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) change threshold, for transmitting SRS for positioning when in idle or inactive mode. For example, a significant increase or decrease in RSRP provides an indication that the relative position between UE 104 and base station 102 has substantially changed, and therefore, a pre-configured or pre-indicated TA value may no longer be valid. Note that the pre-configured or pre-indicated TA value can be implicitly configured, where the TA value can be the latest TA value before the UE transitions to an idle or inactive state.

[0096] Therefore, for example, UE 104 can measure the DL RSRP from base station 102 when receiving TA pre-configuration or near TA pre-configuration, which can be used as a reference RSRP value. Alternatively, the reference DL RSRP value can be the latest DL RSRP measurement value before the UE transitions to an idle or inactive state. UE 104 can continue to monitor the DL RSRP from base station 102 and compare the difference between the latest RSRP and the reference RSRP value with a change threshold. When UE 104 observes that the change in DL RSRP exceeds the change threshold, UE 104 may stop transmitting on the pre-configured SRS resources used for positioning.

[0097] RSRP changes can be based on the reference path loss for each location SRS resource. For example, when the path loss reference used for the location SRS is configured as the serving cell, the RSRP change can be based on the RSRP measured from the serving cell, while when the path loss reference used for the location SRS is configured as a neighboring cell, the RSRP change can be based on the RSRP measured from that neighboring cell. Furthermore, different RSRP change thresholds can be configured for different location SRS resources. For example, as mentioned above, some SRS resources may be more sensitive to TA errors than others, and therefore may require shorter TA expiration timers. Therefore, using different RSRP change thresholds for different location SRS resources may be appropriate.

[0098] Furthermore, RSRP changes for positioning SRS resources can include more than one reference path loss. Therefore, for positioning SRS resources, RSRP changes on more than one reference path loss can be monitored, where the RSRP can be based on RSRP measured from the cell referenced by the path loss and some pre-configured neighboring cells. For example, for the serving base station, the same or different change thresholds can be used to monitor RSRP changes for the serving base station and one or more neighboring cells. In some implementations, if one of the RSRP changes exceeds the corresponding threshold, UE 104 may stop transmitting on the pre-configured SRS resources used for positioning. In another implementation, UE 104 may transmit on the pre-configured SRS resources used for positioning unless all RSRP changes exceed the corresponding thresholds.

[0099] In another implementation, UE 104 can be configured to additionally or alternatively use inertial or motion sensors to monitor a relative position change threshold, for example, using dead reckoning from the initial position when a pre-configured value is received, and if the relative position change exceeds the change threshold, SRS for positioning is no longer transmitted when in idle or inactive mode. Similar to the description above, the change threshold can be different for different SRS resources.

[0100] In some implementations, UE 104 may use both a TA expiration timer and a relative position change threshold, such as one or more of a Received Power Reduction (RSRP) or an inertial sensor. For example, if one or both of the TA expiration timer or the relative position change threshold indicate that the TA is no longer valid, UE 104 may stop transmitting SRS for positioning on pre-configured SRS resources.

[0101] The use of the TA expiration timer and the monitoring of relative location changes (e.g., RSRP changes) provide UE 104 with an indication of when the TA is no longer considered valid. Therefore, when UE 104 is in idle or inactive mode, the transmission of SRS for location should terminate. However, it may be expected that UE 104 will continue to transmit SRS for location for an extended period or despite significant movement, without having to transition to RRC connected state.

[0102] Therefore, in one implementation, UE 104 can receive updates to the TA in idle and inactive modes. For example, when UE 104 sends an SRS for positioning in idle or inactive mode, UE 104 can also monitor DL ​​transmissions from the serving base station to update the TA. The serving base station 102 can determine the UL TA of UE 104 based on the SRS for positioning transmissions. When UE 104 is in idle or inactive mode, base station 102 can provide TA adjustments in control messages monitored by UE 104, such as in the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), such as Downlink Control Information (DCI) or DL ​​Physical Data Sharing Channel (PDSCH). If UE 104 is not provided with a pre-configured Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), UE 104 does not need to provide feedback to the PDSCH. For example, UE 104 can be pre-configured for PDCCH monitoring at potential TA update times. In another example, base station 102 can use a paging message to provide TA adjustment to UE 104 in idle or inactive mode, while UE 104 monitors the paging message. For example, the paging message can provide TA updates but does not require UE 104 to reconnect.

[0103] Based on the base station's pre-configuration, a single TA update may be valid for one or more location SRS resources. Alternatively, base station 102 may jointly or separately publish multiple TA updates for multiple location SRS resources in one or more DCIs or PDSCHs.

[0104] In an implementation that uses TA expiration, UE 104 can reset the TA expiration timer each time it receives a TA update. Similarly, in an implementation where UE 104 monitors relative position changes (e.g., RSRP changes), UE 104 can update the reference RSRP (or initial position) each time it receives a TA update.

[0105] Figure 5 An example of a transmission of a pre-configured location SRS resource 500 with potential TA adjustments is shown for UE 104 in idle or inactive mode. As shown, for the corresponding blocks 502 and 504, when the TA is active, UE 104 can transmit location SRS on pre-configured resources 0 and 1. In block 506, UE 104 can receive one or more TA updates for SRS resources 0 and 1. Multiple TA updates can be provided for different location SRS resources in block 506, and these TA updates can be issued separately or jointly. Furthermore, a TA update may be applicable to a single or multiple location SRS resources, for example, based on base station pre-configuration.

[0106] At time 508, for example, after receiving a TA update, UE 104 can reset the TA expiration timer. Additionally, at time 508, UE 104 can update the relative position reference, for example, the RSRP reference used to monitor RSRP changes, or the initial position used for monitoring relative position changes using dead reckoning from inertial sensors.

[0107] As shown in the corresponding boxes 510 and 512, as long as the reset TA expiration timer has not expired or the location change threshold has not been exceeded, UE 104 can continue to transmit location SRS on pre-configured resource 0 and pre-configured resource 1 based on the updated TA received in box 510. UE 104 can receive additional TA updates before the TA expiration timer expires (and before the location change threshold is exceeded), and UE 104 can continue to transmit location SRS on pre-configured resource 0 and pre-configured resource 1 based on the updated TA.

[0108] If the TA expiration timer expires (or the location change threshold is exceeded) before receiving a TA update for one or more location SRS resources, UE 104 will no longer send location SRS on invalid location SRS resources.

[0109] In addition, as mentioned above, UE 104 may be pre-configured with a UL transmission space filter for SRS positioning transmission, which may become obsolete quickly after UE 104 switches to idle or inactive mode.

[0110] In one implementation, similar to the TA expiration timer discussed above for location SRS, UE 104 can be configured with a spatial filter expiration timer to transmit location SRS when in idle or inactive mode. When the spatial filter expiration timer expires, the spatial filter acquired while UE 104 was in a connected state may no longer be considered valid. Therefore, once the spatial filter expiration timer expires, UE 104 will no longer transmit on the pre-configured location SRS resources. For example, the spatial filter expiration timer can be started upon receiving a pre-configured location SRS.

[0111] The length of the spatial filter expiration timer can be configurable. For example, a low-mobility UE can be configured with a relatively long TA expiration timer, while a more mobile UE can have a relatively short TA expiration timer. Additionally, in some implementations, different location SRS resources can be configured with different spatial filter expiration timers. For instance, some SRS resources may be more sensitive to spatial filter errors than others, and therefore may require a shorter TA expiration timer. The spatial filter expiration timer can be independent of the TA expiration timer discussed above.

[0112] Furthermore, in one implementation, UE 104 can be configured with a relative position change threshold for transmitting SRS for positioning when in idle or inactive mode. For example, UE 104 can be configured with a relative position change threshold, which can be determined, for example, using dead reckoning using inertial sensors. When the relative position change exceeds the change threshold, the spatial filter may no longer be effective, and the UE may stop transmitting SRS for positioning when in idle or inactive mode. Similar to the description above, the change threshold can be different for different SRS resources.

[0113] In some implementations, UE 104 can use both a spatial filter expiration timer and a relative position change threshold based on inertial sensors. For example, if one or both of the spatial filter expiration timer or the relative position change indicates that the spatial filter is no longer valid, UE 104 can stop sending SRS for positioning on pre-configured SRS resources.

[0114] Additionally, in one implementation, UE 104 can receive spatial filter updates when in idle or inactive mode. UE 104 can receive spatial filter updates in a manner similar to the previously discussed TA updates. However, to support spatial filter updates, UL resources can be pre-configured for UE 104 so that UE 104 can scan multiple UL beams. In other words, UE 104 can transmit UL signals on pre-configured resources using multiple pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters. Base station 102 can determine the spatial filter update for UE 104 based on UL beam scanning and can provide spatial filter updates for positioning SRS transmission in one or more resources. When UE 104 is in idle or inactive mode, spatial filter updates can be provided to UE 104, for example, in PDCCH, DCI, or PDSCH messages or in paging messages. Base station 102 can jointly or separately publish multiple spatial filter updates for multiple positioning SRS resources in one or more DCI or PDSCH messages.

[0115] In the implementation that uses spatial filter expiration, UE 104 can reset the spatial filter expiration timer whenever a spatial filter update is received. Similarly, in the implementation that UE 104 monitors relative position changes, UE 104 can update the reference position each time a spatial filter update is received.

[0116] Figure 6An example of UE 104 transmitting pre-configured location SRS resources 600 with potential spatial filter adjustments when in idle or inactive mode is illustrated. As shown, for the corresponding blocks 602 and 604, UE 104 can transmit location SRS on pre-configured resources 0 and 1 when the spatial filter is active. In block 606, UE 104 performs beam scanning based on pre-configuration, for example, by transmitting UL signals on pre-configured resources using multiple pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters. Base station 102 receives the UL signals and, based on the beam scan, determines updates to the spatial filters for one or more SRS resources. In block 608, UE 104 can receive one or more spatial filter updates for SRS resources 0 and 1. Multiple spatial filter updates can be provided for different location SRS resources in block 608, and these spatial filter updates can be transmitted separately or jointly.

[0117] At time 610, for example, after receiving a spatial filter update, UE 104 can reset the spatial filter expiration timer. Additionally, at time 610, UE 104 can use dead reckoning from the inertial sensor to update the relative position reference used to monitor position change thresholds.

[0118] As shown in the corresponding boxes 612 and 614, as long as the spatial filter expiration timer has not expired or the location change threshold has not been exceeded, UE 104 can continue to transmit location SRS on pre-configured resource 0 and pre-configured resource 1 based on the updated spatial filter received in box 610. UE 104 can receive additional spatial filter updates before the spatial filter expiration timer expires (and before the location change threshold is exceeded), and UE 104 can continue to transmit location SRS on pre-configured resource 0 and pre-configured resource 1 based on the updated spatial filter.

[0119] If the spatial filter expiration timer expires (or the location change threshold is exceeded) before receiving a spatial filter update for one or more location SRS resources, UE 104 may stop sending location SRS on invalid location SRS resources.

[0120] In addition to updating TA and spatial filters, in one implementation, when UE 104 is in idle or inactive mode, the base station can update the PRS and SRS resource configurations for UE 104. For example, base station 102 can switch UE 104 to more frequent PRS or SRS for positioning with lower latency. In some implementations, for example, when UE 104 is in active RRC state, UE 104 can be pre-configured with multiple PRS / SRS configurations. After UE 104 enters an idle or inactive state, base station 102 can change the PRS or SRS resource configuration in UE 104 by issuing the desired configuration selection in signals monitored by UE 104 (e.g., PDCCH, DCI, or PDSCH messages or paging messages). If UE 104 is not provided with a pre-configured PUCCH, UE 104 does not need to provide feedback to the PDSCH. In some implementations, the UE can receive DL PRS configuration or UL positioning SRS configuration updates. For example, base station 102 may want UE 104 to receive DL PRS or send UL positioning SRS more frequently, thereby updating the DL PRS or UL positioning SRS configuration. PRS / SRS configuration updates can be performed separately from or in conjunction with TA and / or spatial filter updates, and can be used in conjunction with TA and / or spatial filter updates.

[0121] Figure 7 An example of the transmission of pre-configured location SRS resources 700 and updates to PRS / SRS resource configurations when UE 104 is in idle or inactive mode is illustrated. As shown, for the corresponding blocks 702 and 704, for example, when TA and spatial filters are active, UE 104 can transmit location SRS on pre-configured resources 0 and 1. In block 706, UE 104 can receive from the base station a selection of new PRS or SRS resource configurations for SRS resources 0 and 1, which comes from multiple pre-configured PRS or SRS resource configurations before UE 104 enters the idle or inactive state. In addition to selecting new PRS / SRS resource configurations, base station 102 can also update TA and / or spatial filters.

[0122] At time 708, assuming base station 102 updates the TA and spatial filter, UE 104 can reset the TA and spatial filter expiration timers. Additionally, at UE 104, the relative position reference can be updated, for example, using RSRP or an inertial sensor, to monitor position change thresholds.

[0123] As shown in the corresponding boxes 710 and 712, as long as the reset TA and spatial filter expiration timers have not expired, or the location change threshold has not been exceeded, UE 104 can send location SRS based on the new configuration of resource 0 and resource 1 based on the selection of the new PRS / SRS configuration received in box 706.

[0124] Figure 8 Signaling flow 800 is shown, which illustrates the signaling flow in the location session. Figure 1 The depicted wireless communication system 100 includes various messages sent between its components. This location session includes location SRS transmitted using pre-configured TA and UL transmission space filters when the UE 104 is in idle or inactive mode, as discussed herein. Flowchart 800 illustrates the UE 104, serving base station 102s (which may be an eNB or gNB), neighboring base station 102n, and location server 802, which may be, for example, location server 172, 230a, 230b, or LMF 270. Serving base station 102s and neighboring base station 102n may sometimes be referred to herein as base station 102. While flowchart 800 relating to 5G NR radio access is discussed for ease of illustration, similar flowcharts involving other types of high-frequency networks and base stations are also applicable. Figure 8 The signaling flow is clear to those skilled in the art. In signaling flow 800, it is assumed that UE 104 and location server 802 communicate using the LPP positioning protocol, although the use of NPP, a combination of LPP and NPP, or other future protocols (such as NRPPa) is also possible. Furthermore, Figure 8 It may not show all the messages sent between entities in the location session, such as capability requests, capabilities, responses, location requests, location responses, etc.

[0125] In Phase 1, when UE 104 is in a connected RRC state, the serving base station 102s can send an SRS resource configuration message to UE 104. The SRS resource configuration message pre-configures UE 104 with an SRS resource configuration including a TA and a spatial filter for sending location SRS when in idle or inactive mode. This configuration message can also indicate how the TA and spatial filter will be updated and provided to UE 104 when UE 104 is in an idle or inactive state. There may be separate TAs and / or spatial filters associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration may include separate expiration timers and / or spatial filters for the TAs associated with different location SRS resources. Additionally, there may be separate TAs and / or spatial filters associated with different location SRS resources, and for each location SRS resource, UE 104 can be configured with one or more location change thresholds, such as RSRP changes or relative location changes. For example, changes in the power of the received signal can be based on one or more reference path losses associated with the location SRS resource. Different thresholds can be used for each different location SRS resource and each different reference path loss. If the power variation of the received signal in any or all reference path losses exceeds the corresponding threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE can stop positioning SRS transmission when in idle or inactive mode. The UE 104 can also be pre-configured with multiple PRS / SRS resource configurations, which the base station 102 can utilize to switch the UE 104 between idle and inactive modes. Furthermore, as shown, expiration timers for the TA and spatial filters of one or more SRS resources are started.

[0126] In phase 2, UE 104 transitions from the connected RRC state to the idle or inactive state, where data communication between UE 104 and base station 102s is not exchange communication, but UE 104 continues to monitor control and paging messages and can receive PRS or send SRS for location.

[0127] In phase 3, UE 104 can transmit SRS for positioning based on pre-configured positioning SRS resources including the TA and UL transmission spatial filters received in phase 1. Base station 102 receives the positioning SRS and generates positioning measurements accordingly. UE 104 can monitor the expiration timers of the TA and spatial filters of one or more SRS resources, and can continue to transmit SRS for positioning based on the pre-configured positioning SRS resources as long as the TA and UL transmission spatial filters remain valid, i.e., the expiration timers have not expired. Furthermore, UE 104 can monitor a position change threshold for the positioning SRS resources, for example, based on changes in the power of signals (e.g., RSRP) received from one or more base stations 102 or changes in relative position determined using dead reckoning based on inertial sensors, and can continue to transmit SRS for positioning based on the pre-configured positioning SRS resources as long as the position change threshold is not exceeded.

[0128] In phase 4, UE 104 may optionally perform beam scanning based on pre-configuration, for example, by transmitting UL signals on pre-configured resources using multiple pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters. For example, beam scanning may be performed after each location SRS transmission, after a set number of location SRS transmissions, or it may be periodic or based on some other parameters.

[0129] In phase 5, base station 102s can determine updates to the SRS resource configuration, such as, in particular, the TA and spatial filter. For example, base station 102s can determine updates to the TA based on the positioning SRS received in phase 3 and / or the beam scan in phase 4, and can determine updates to the spatial filter based on the beam scan in phase 4.

[0130] In phase 6, base station 102s can send an update to the SRS resource configuration, for example, based on the updated TA and spatial filter determined in phase 5. For example, the update can be sent in a PDCCH, DCI, or PDSCH message, or in a paging message. As shown, the expiration timers for the TA and spatial filter can be reset for one or more SRS resources. Additionally, if UE 104 uses, for example, one or more received power or inertial sensors to monitor location change thresholds, the reference RSRP or reference position can be updated.

[0131] In phase 7, UE 104 can use the updated TA and UL transmission spatial filters received in phase 6 to transmit SRS for positioning based on the pre-configured positioning SRS resources. Base station 102 receives the positioning SRS and generates positioning measurements accordingly. As long as the TA and UL transmission spatial filters remain valid, i.e., the expiration timer has not expired and the location change threshold for the positioning SRS resources has not been exceeded, UE 104 can continue to use the updated TA and UL transmission spatial filters to transmit SRS for positioning.

[0132] In phase 8, the serving base station 102s can select a new PRS / SRS resource configuration from one of several PRS / SRS resource configurations pre-configured by the UE 104 in phase 1. The selection of the new PRS / SRS resource configuration can be sent, for example, in a PDCCH, DCI, or PDSCH message or in a paging message. The serving base station 102s can also provide updates to one or more TAs. If the UE 104 performs beam scanning based on a pre-configuration (e.g., as shown in phase 4), the serving base station 102s can further update the spatial filter. As shown, new expiration timers(s) for TAs and spatial filters can be started for the new SRS configuration of one or more SRS resources. Additionally, if the UE 104 uses, for example, one or more received power or inertial sensors to monitor location change thresholds, the reference RSRP or reference position can be updated.

[0133] In phase 9, UE 104 can use the updated TA and UL transmission spatial filters received in phase 6 to transmit SRS for positioning based on the new configuration for positioning SRS resources. Base station 102 receives the positioning SRS and generates positioning measurements accordingly. As long as the TA and UL transmission spatial filters remain valid, i.e., the expiration timer has not expired and the location change threshold for the positioning SRS resources has not been exceeded, UE 104 can continue to use the updated TA and UL transmission spatial filters to transmit SRS for positioning.

[0134] In phase 10, base station 102 may send location information to location server 802. For example, the location information may include any positioning measurements performed by base station 102 based on the UL positioning SRS received from UE 104. It should be understood that base station 102 may provide a location information report after each SRS transmission. Additionally, in some implementations, neighboring base stations 102n may provide location information reports to serving base station 102s, and serving base station 102s may provide location information reports to location server 802 on behalf of all base stations 102.

[0135] In phase 11, location server 802 can determine the UE location based on the positioning measurements provided in the location information received from base station 102 in phase 10.

[0136] In another implementation, when in idle or inactive mode, UE 104 can transmit a UL reference signal that does not require configuration and updates to the TA and UL transport space filters. For example, when in active RRC state, UE 104 can be pre-configured with a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) waveform, which will be transmitted as a UL reference signal for positioning when in idle or inactive mode. UE 104 can be pre-configured with UL resources to transmit the PRACH waveform to support positioning when in idle or inactive mode. The PRACH waveform is resistant to changes in TA; therefore, updating the UL resource configuration of the PRACH waveform is unnecessary when UE 104 is in idle or inactive mode. Furthermore, there is no need to use an expiration timer or relative position change threshold.

[0137] The accuracy of positioning measurements corresponds to the bandwidth of the reference signal used for positioning; that is, a larger bandwidth produces a larger positioning accuracy. To increase the bandwidth of the PRACH waveform and improve positioning accuracy, UE 104 can use a longer PRACH sequence than that used in the conventional Random Access Channel (RACH) procedure. For example, in the conventional RACH procedure, the PRACH waveform typically uses a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence length of 139 (L...). RA The PRACH waveform used for positioning can be configured to improve positioning accuracy and can use a ZC sequence length L greater than 139. RA For example, version 16 has introduced a PRACH waveform for the RACH process, with a ZC length L. RA A value greater than 139 can be used as a PRACH waveform for positioning with improved accuracy. For example, for 5G NR operating in unlicensed spectrum (NR-U), the PRACH waveform has been defined as having a ZC length L for a 30kHz subcarrier spacing. RA =571, or for a 15kHz subcarrier spacing, the ZC length L RA =1151, spanning approximately 20MHz, and for extended coverage, ZC length L is used for NR. RA =839. UE 104 can be configured to reuse these predefined sequence lengths of PRACH waveforms for positioning, for example, to improve positioning accuracy. Furthermore, the PRACH waveforms used for positioning can be configured with longer sequences (e.g., ZC length L). RA >1151), to further improve positioning accuracy.

[0138] For example, Figure 9This is a graph 900 showing the PRACH waveform. For example, the PRACH waveform 902 used for a normal RACH process has L... RA =139 ZC sequence length. In contrast, the PRACH waveform 904 used for positioning can use a longer sequence, for example, L RA =571 or longer ZC sequence length, which increases bandwidth and provides increased positioning accuracy relative to PRACH waveform 902.

[0139] Furthermore, UE 104 can be configured to transmit a PRACH waveform for positioning during the RACH process when in idle or inactive mode. For example, if UE 104 remains within a cell, the pre-configured PRACH waveform may only be valid. If UE 104 moves from one cell to another, the pre-configuration of the PRACH waveform for positioning or the positioning SRS may no longer be valid. To avoid needing to enter connected RRC state to obtain a new configuration for the PRACH waveform for positioning, UE 104 can instead transmit the PRACH waveform for positioning during the RACH process. Therefore, when in connected RRC state, pre-configuration of the PRACH or positioning SRS waveform is not required. When in idle or inactive state, UE 104 can instead use the PRACH preamble for positioning during the RACH process. It should be understood that the RACH process is used by UE 104 when in idle or inactive state and is not used for initial access to a new cell. As mentioned above, the PRACH waveform used in the preamble of the RACH process for positioning can use a longer sequence than that used in a normal RACH process; for example, the ZC sequence length L. RA >139. For example, the PRACH waveform can use a ZC length L RA The defined NR-U waveforms are 571, 839, and 1151, or a longer sequence can be used.

[0140] UE 104 can use a separate random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI) to transmit a separate PRACH waveform for positioning during a separate RACH timing. When UE 104 is in idle or inactive mode, base station 102 can send a paging message to UE 104 to instruct the UE to use the PRACH waveform for positioning during the corresponding RACH timing.

[0141] Figure 10 Signaling flow 1000 is shown, which illustrates the location session in... Figure 1The various messages sent between components of the wireless communication system 100 depicted herein, the location session using PRACH waveforms transmitted when UE 104 is in idle or inactive mode, as discussed herein. Flowchart 1000 illustrates UE 104, serving base station 102s (which may be eNB or gNB), neighboring base station 102n, and location server 1002, which may be, for example, location server 172, 230a, 230b, or LMF 270. Serving base station 102s and neighboring base station 102n may sometimes be referred to herein as base station 102. While flowchart 1000 relating to 5G NR radio access is discussed for ease of illustration, similar flowcharts involving other types of high-frequency networks and base stations are also applicable. Figure 10 The signaling flow will be clear to those skilled in the art. In signaling flow 1000, it is assumed that UE 104 and location server 1002 communicate using the LPP positioning protocol, although the use of NPP, a combination of LPP and NPP, or other future protocols (such as NRPPa) is also possible. Furthermore, Figure 10 It may not show all the messages sent between entities in the location session, such as capability requests, capabilities, responses, location requests, location responses, etc.

[0142] In Phase 1, when UE 104 is in a connected RRC state, the serving base station 102s may optionally send a PRACH waveform configuration message for positioning to UE 104. The PRACH waveform configuration message for positioning pre-configures UE 104 with UL resources to send PRACH waveforms to support positioning when UE 104 is in idle or inactive mode. If the PRACH waveform is sent by UE 104 during the RACH process for positioning, then the pre-configuration of the PRACH waveform in Phase 1 is unnecessary.

[0143] In phase 2, UE 104 transitions from the connected RRC state to the idle or inactive state, where data communication between UE 104 and base station 102s is not exchange communication, but UE 104 continues to monitor control and paging messages and can send SRS for positioning.

[0144] In phase 3, for example, if UE 104 was not pre-configured to send PRACH waveforms in phase 1, base station 102s may optionally send a paging message to UE 104, instructing UE 104 to use PRACH waveforms for positioning during the RACH process.

[0145] In phase 4, when UE 104 is idle or inactive, UE 104 may send a PRACH waveform for positioning to base station 102. Base station 102 may generate positioning measurements based on the received PRACH waveform for positioning. The PRACH waveform may be based on a pre-configuration received during phase 1. In another implementation, the PRACH waveform may be sent as a preamble for a RACH process for positioning, for example, in response to a paging message at phase 3, if used. Separate PRACH waveforms for separate RACH timings may be sent using a separate random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI). The PRACH waveform may include a ZC sequence length L greater than the length used by a regular RACH process. RA (For example, the length L of the ZC sequence) RA Positioning accuracy can be configured to be greater than 139, such as 571, 839, 1151 or greater.

[0146] In phase 5, base station 102 may send location information to location server 1002. For example, the location information may include any positioning measurements performed by base station 102 based on a PRACH waveform received from UE 104 for positioning. It should be understood that in some implementations, neighboring base stations 102n may provide location information reports to serving base station 102s, and serving base station 102s may provide location information reports to location server 1002 on behalf of all base stations 102.

[0147] In phase 6, location server 1002 can determine the UE location based on the positioning measurements provided in the location information received from base station 102 in phase 5.

[0148] Figure 11 The present disclosure illustrates a UE 1100 that enables the UE to support positioning using reference signals for positioning (such as SRS or PRACH waveforms for positioning) transmitted when in idle or inactive modes. Figure 1 A schematic block diagram of some exemplary features of UE 104 shown. UE 1100 can be configured to perform respectively in Figure 8 and 10 The signal streams 800 and 1000 shown in the figure, and respectively in Figure 13 and 15The processes 1300 and 1500 shown herein, and the associated algorithms described herein, are illustrated. For example, UE 1100 may include one or more processors 1102, memory 1104, and external interfaces such as a wireless transceiver 1110 (e.g., a wireless network interface) that may be operatively coupled to one or more connections 1106 (e.g., bus, line, fiber optic, link, etc.) to a non-transitory computer-readable medium 1120 and memory 1104. UE 1100 may also include inertial sensors 1116, such as accelerometers or gyroscopes, which may be used to determine relative position or changes in relative position based on dead reckoning. UE 1100 may also include additional items not shown, such as a clock that may be used to monitor an expiration timer, and a user interface that may include, for example, a display, keyboard, or other input device, such as a virtual keyboard on the display, through which a user can interact with the UE or a satellite positioning system receiver. In some example implementations, all or part of UE 1100 may take the form of a chipset, etc. The wireless transceiver 1110 may include, for example, a transmitter 1112 that enables the transmission of one or more signals via one or more types of wireless communication networks, and a receiver 1114 that receives one or more signals transmitted via one or more types of wireless communication networks.

[0149] In some embodiments, UE 1100 may include an antenna 1111, which may be internal or external. The UE antenna 1111 can be used to transmit and / or receive signals processed by the wireless transceiver 1110. In some embodiments, the UE antenna 1111 may be coupled to the wireless transceiver 1110. In some embodiments, the signals received (transmitted) by UE 1100 can be measured at the connection point between the UE antenna 1111 and the wireless transceiver 1110. For example, the measurement reference point for measuring received (transmitted) RF signals may be the input (output) terminal of receiver 1114 (transmitter 1112) and the output (input) terminal of UE antenna 1111. In a UE 1100 having multiple UE antennas 1111 or an antenna array, the antenna connector can be considered as a virtual point representing the aggregated output (input) of multiple UE antennas. UE 1100 may receive signals, for example, for SRS resource configuration or UL resource configuration, to transmit PRACH waveforms, and to transmit SRS or PRACH waveforms for positioning when in idle or inactive mode.

[0150] One or more processors 1102 may be implemented using a combination of hardware, firmware, and software. For example, one or more processors 1102 may be configured to perform the functions discussed herein by implementing one or more instructions or program code 1108 on a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as medium 1120 and / or memory 1104. In some embodiments, one or more processors 1102 may represent one or more circuits configured to perform at least a portion of a data signal calculation process or procedure related to the operation of UE 1100. Medium 1120 and / or memory 1104 may store instructions or program code 1108 containing executable code or software instructions that, when executed by one or more processors 1102, cause one or more processors 1102 to operate as a dedicated computer programmed to perform the techniques disclosed herein. Medium 1120 and / or memory 1104 may include one or more components or modules that may be implemented by one or more processors 1102 to perform the methods described herein. Although a component or module is shown as program code 1108 in medium 1120 that can be executed by one or more processors 1102, it should be understood that the component or module may be stored in memory 1104 or may be dedicated hardware in or outside of one or more processors 1102.

[0151] Multiple software modules and data tables may reside in medium 1120 and / or memory 1104 and be utilized by one or more processors 1102 to manage communications and the functions described herein. It should be understood that the organization of the contents of medium 1120 and / or memory 1104 shown in UE 1100 is merely exemplary, and therefore, the functionality of modules and / or data structures may be combined, separated, and / or constructed in different ways depending on the implementation of UE 1100.

[0152] The medium 1120 and / or memory 1104 may include an SRS resource configuration module 1122, which, when implemented by one or more processors 1102, configures one or more processors 1102 to receive SRS resource configuration for transmitting location SRS from the serving base station via a radio transceiver 1110. For example, the SRS resource configuration may include at least one of a TA and a UL transmission spatial filter. One or more processors 1102 may also be configured to receive updates to the TA and / or UL transmission spatial filter when in an idle or inactive mode. For example, updates may be received in one or more DL PDSCH messages, DLPDCCH messages, or paging messages, and the updates may be valid for one or more location SRS resources. Furthermore, separate updates may be received for each location SRS resource. For example, the SRS resource configuration may be one or more expiration timers for the TA and / or UL transmission spatial filter, where the processor 1102 is configured to stop location SRS transmission when in an idle or inactive mode if at least one expiration timer expires before the UE receives an update to the TA and / or UL transmission spatial filter. For example, a Transport Target (TA) may include separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration may include separate expiration timers for the TAs associated with different location SRS resources. Similarly, a UL transport space filter may include separate UL transport space filters associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration may include separate expiration timers for the UL transport space filters associated with different location SRS resources. An update to at least one of the TA and the UL transport space filter may reset the expiration timers for the TA and / or the UL transport space filter.

[0153] The medium 1120 and / or memory 1104 may include an idle / inactive module 1124, which, when implemented by one or more processors 1102, configures one or more processors 1102 to enter an idle or inactive mode.

[0154] The medium 1120 and / or memory 1104 may include an SRS module 1126, which, when implemented by one or more processors 1102, configures the one or more processors 1102 to transmit location SRS via radio transceiver 1110, using a TA and / or UL transmission spatial filter, in an idle or inactive mode. The one or more processors 1102 are configured to transmit location SRS via radio transceiver 1110, using updates to the TA and UL transmission spatial filters, in an idle or inactive mode. The one or more processors 1102 may be configured to stop transmission of location SRS in an idle or inactive mode if at least one expiration timer expires before the UE receives an update to the TA and / or UL transmission spatial filter.

[0155] The medium 1120 and / or memory 1104 may include a power monitoring module 1128, which, when implemented by one or more processors 1102, configures the one or more processors 1102 to monitor the power of signals (such as RSRP) received from one or more base stations when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode. The one or more processors 1102 may be configured to determine when a change in the power of the received signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, and if the change in the power of the received signal exceeds the threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the transmission of location SRS may be stopped when in an idle or inactive mode. The one or more processors 1102 may be configured to update a reference power used to determine when a change in the power of the received signal exceeds the threshold when the UE receives an update to the TA. For example, separate TAs may be associated with different location SRS resources, and at least one processor 1102 may be configured to vary the reference power of the received signal for each location SRS resource based on a first reference path loss associated with the location SRS resource. Different thresholds may be used for each different location SRS resource. In another example, one or more processors 1102 may be configured to vary the reference power of the received signal for each location SRS resource based on a second reference path loss, wherein a corresponding threshold is used for each reference path loss. One or more processors 1102 may be configured to stop location SRS transmission in an idle or inactive mode if the variation in the power of the received signal in either the first or second reference path loss exceeds the corresponding threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA.

[0156] The medium 1120 and / or memory 1104 may include a location module 1130, which, when implemented by one or more processors 1102, configures the one or more processors 1102 to monitor relative position based on inertial measurements, for example, from inertial sensor 1116, when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode. The one or more processors 1102 may be configured to determine when a change in relative position exceeds a predetermined threshold, and if the change in relative position exceeds the threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, to stop the transmission of the location SRS when in an idle or inactive mode.

[0157] Medium 1120 and / or memory 1104 may include a UL signal module 1132, which, when implemented by one or more processors 1102, configures the one or more processors 1102 to transmit UL signals over pre-configured resources via a wireless transceiver 1110 using a plurality of pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters. For example, in response to UL signals transmitted over pre-configured resources using a plurality of pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters, updates to the UL transmission spatial filters can be received from the serving base station.

[0158] Medium 1120 and / or memory 1104 may include a PRACH module 1134, which, when implemented by one or more processors 1102, configures one or more processors 1102 to transmit a PRACH for a UL positioning waveform via radio transceiver 1110 when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode. One or more processors 1102 may be configured to receive a configuration for the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform from the serving base station via radio transceiver 1110 before entering an idle or inactive mode. For example, one or more processors 1102 may configure the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform for positioning accuracy by including a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence length (LRA) longer than that used for a regular random access waveform. For example, the ZC sequence length (LRA) for a regular random access waveform is 139. In some implementations, the ZC sequence length (LRA) may be 571, 839, or 1151, or greater than 1151. For example, one or more processors 1102 can be configured to transmit a PRACH for the UL positioning waveform during a RACH process for positioning. One or more processors 1102 can be configured to transmit a separate PRACH for the UL positioning waveform corresponding to the timing of the separate RACH process using a separate RA-RNTI.

[0159] The medium 1120 and / or memory 1104 may include a paging module 1136, which, when implemented by one or more processors 1102, configures one or more processors 1102 to receive a paging message from a serving base station via a radio transceiver 1110, the paging message instructing the UE to send a PRACH for UL positioning waveform in the RACH process for positioning.

[0160] The methods described herein can be implemented through various means depending on the application. For example, these methods can be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. For hardware implementation, one or more processors 1102 can be implemented in one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or combinations thereof.

[0161] For firmware and / or software implementations, these methods can be implemented using modules (e.g., processes, functions, etc.) that perform the functions described herein. Any machine-readable medium that tangibly embodies the instructions can be used to implement the methods described herein. For example, software code can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium 1120 or memory 1104 connected to and executed by one or more processors 1102. The memory can be implemented within one or more processors or external to one or more processors. As used herein, the term "memory" means any type of long-term, short-term, volatile, non-volatile, or other memory, and is not limited to any particular type or number of memories, or the type of medium storing the memory.

[0162] If implemented in firmware and / or software, functionality can be stored as one or more instructions or program code 1108 on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as medium 1120 and / or memory 1104. Examples include computer-readable media encoded with data structures and computer-readable media encoded with computer program 1108. For example, a non-transitory computer-readable medium including program code 1108 stored thereon may include program code 1108 to support UE positioning in a manner consistent with the disclosed embodiments. Non-transitory computer-readable medium 1120 includes physical computer storage media. The storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disc storage, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code 1108 in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer; disks and optical discs as used herein include compact optical discs (CDs), laser optical discs, optical discs, digital versatile optical discs (DVDs), floppy disks and Blu-ray discs, wherein disks typically reproduce data magnetically and optical discs reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0163] In addition to being stored on the computer-readable medium 1120, instructions and / or data may be provided as signals on a transmission medium included in the communication equipment. For example, the communication equipment may include a wireless transceiver 1110 having signals indicating instructions and data. The instructions and data are configured to cause one or more processors to perform the functions outlined in the claims. That is, the communication equipment includes a transmission medium having signals indicating information to perform the disclosed functions.

[0164] Memory 1104 can represent any data storage mechanism. Memory 1104 may include, for example, main memory and / or secondary memory. Main memory may include, for example, random access memory, read-only memory, etc. Although shown in this example as separate from one or more processors 1102, it should be understood that all or part of the main memory may be provided within one or more processors 1102, or otherwise co-located / coupled with one or more processors 1102. Secondary memory may include, for example, memory of the same or similar type as the main memory and / or one or more data storage devices or systems, such as disk drives, optical disk drives, tape drives, solid-state drives, etc.

[0165] In some implementations, secondary storage may be operatively receiving, or otherwise configured to be coupled to, the non-transitory computer-readable medium 1120. Thus, in some example implementations, the methods and / or apparatuses presented herein may take the form, wholly or partially, of the computer-readable medium 1120, which may include computer-implementable code 1108 stored thereon, which, if executed by one or more processors 1102, may operatively enable the performance of all or part of the example operations described herein. The computer-readable medium 1120 may be part of memory 1104.

[0166] Figure 12 A schematic block diagram illustrating certain exemplary features of a base station 1200 in a wireless network, as disclosed herein, is shown. The base station 1200 is capable of supporting the UE's positioning using reference signals (such as SRS or PRACH waveforms for positioning) transmitted when the UE is in idle or inactive mode. For example, the base station 1200 may be an eNB or gNB. The base station 1200 can be configured to perform actions respectively in... Figure 8 and 10 The signal streams 800 and 1000 shown in the figure, and respectively in Figure 14 and 16 Processes 1400 and 1600 are shown in the diagram, along with the related algorithms described herein. Base station 1200 may include, for example, one or more processors 1202, memory 1204, and external interfaces. The external interfaces may include a wireless transceiver 1210 (e.g., a wireless network interface) and a communication interface 1216 (e.g., a wired or wireless network interface to other network entities and / or the core network). The communication interface 1216 may be operatively coupled to a non-transitory computer-readable medium 1220 and memory 1204 using one or more connections 1206 (e.g., a bus, line, fiber optic cable, link, etc.). In some implementations, base station 1200 may also include additional items not shown. In some example implementations, all or part of base station 1200 may take the form of a chipset, etc. The wireless transceiver 1210 (if present) may include, for example, a transmitter 1212 capable of transmitting one or more signals via one or more types of wireless communication networks, and a receiver 1214 capable of receiving one or more signals transmitted via one or more types of wireless communication networks. Communication interface 1216 may be a wired or wireless interface capable of connecting to other base stations in, for example, a RAN or network entity, such as... Figure 1 The location server shown is 172.

[0167] In some embodiments, base station 1200 may include antenna 1211, which may be internal or external. Antenna 1211 may be used to transmit and / or receive signals processed by wireless transceiver 1210. In some embodiments, antenna 1211 may be coupled to wireless transceiver 1210. In some embodiments, measurements of signals received (transmitted) by base station 1200 may be performed at the connection point of antenna 1211 and wireless transceiver 1210. For example, a measurement reference point for measuring received (transmitted) RF signals may be the input (output) terminal of receiver 1214 (transmitter 1212) and the output (input) terminal of antenna 1211. In base station 1200 having multiple antennas 1211 or antenna arrays, antenna connectors may be considered as virtual points representing the aggregated output (input) of multiple antennas. In some embodiments, base station 1200 may transmit signals, such as SRS resource configuration or UL resource configuration signals for PRACH waveforms, and receive SRS or PRACH waveforms for positioning transmitted by UE when in idle or inactive mode.

[0168] One or more processors 1202 may be implemented using a combination of hardware, firmware, and software. For example, one or more processors 1202 may be configured to perform the functions discussed herein by implementing one or more instructions or program code 1208 on a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as medium 1220 and / or memory 1204. In some embodiments, one or more processors 1202 may represent one or more circuits configured to perform at least a portion of a data signal calculation process or procedure related to the operation of base station 1200. Medium 1220 and / or memory 1204 may store instructions or program code 1208 containing executable code or software instructions that, when executed by one or more processors 1202, cause one or more processors 1202 to operate as a dedicated computer programmed to perform the techniques disclosed herein. Medium 1220 and / or memory 1204 may include one or more components or modules that may be implemented by one or more processors 1202 to perform the methods described herein. Although a component or module is shown as program code in medium 1220 that can be executed by one or more processors 1202, it should be understood that the component or module may be stored in memory 1204, or may be dedicated hardware in or outside of one or more processors 1202.

[0169] Multiple software modules and data tables may reside in medium 1220 and / or memory 1204 and be utilized by one or more processors 1202 to manage both communications and the functions described herein. It should be understood that the organization of the contents of medium 1220 and / or memory 1204 shown in base station 1200 is merely exemplary, and therefore, the functionality of modules and / or data structures may be combined, separated, and / or constructed in different ways depending on the implementation of base station 1200.

[0170] The medium 1220 and / or memory 1204 may include an SRS resource configuration module 1222. When implemented by one or more processors 1202, the SRS resource configuration module 1222 configures one or more processors 1202 to send SRS resource configuration to the UE via radio transceiver 1210 for sending location SRS when the UE is in idle or inactive mode. The SRS resource configuration can also be sent to the UE when the UE is in an RRC connected state. For example, the SRS resource configuration may include at least one of a TA and a UL transmission spatial filter. One or more processors 1202 may be configured to send updates to the TA and / or UL transmission spatial filters to the UE via radio transceiver 1210 when the UE is in idle or inactive mode. Updates to the TA and / or UL transmission spatial filters may be sent in one or more DL PDSCH messages, DL PDCCH messages, or paging messages, and may be valid for one or more location SRS resources. SRS resource configuration may, for example, include one or more expiration timers for TA and / or UL transport spatial filters. For instance, if at least one expiration timer expires before the UE receives an update to the TA and / or UL transport spatial filter, the UE may stop location SRS transmissions while in idle or inactive mode. For example, a TA may include separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration may include separate expiration timers for the TAs associated with different location SRS resources. Similarly, a UL transport spatial filter may include separate UL transport spatial filters associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration may include separate expiration timers for the UL transport spatial filters associated with different location SRS resources. An update to at least one of the TA and UL transport spatial filters may reset the expiration timers for the TA and / or UL transport spatial filters.

[0171] The medium 1220 and / or memory 1204 may include an SRS module 1224, which, when implemented by one or more processors 1202, configures the one or more processors 1202 to receive, via radio transceiver 1210, a location SRS transmitted from the UE using a TA and / or UL transmission spatial filter when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode. The one or more processors 1202 may also be configured to receive a location SRS transmitted from the UE using an update to the TA and / or UL transmission spatial filter when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode.

[0172] The medium 1220 and / or memory 1204 may include a location module 1226, which, when implemented by one or more processors 1202, configures the one or more processors 1202 to generate location measurements using a location SRS transmitted from the UE using a TA and / or UL transmission spatial filter, and using a location SRS transmitted from the UE using an update to the TA and / or UL transmission spatial filter. For example, location measurements such as UL-TDOA and UL-AoA, multiple RTT, or other location measurements may be generated. The one or more processors 1202 may be configured to generate location measurements for the UE via a radio transceiver 1210, for example, in a RACH process for location, using a PRACH for UL location received from the UE.

[0173] Medium 1220 and / or memory 1204 may include a UL signal module 1228, which, when implemented by one or more processors 1202, configures the one or more processors 1202 to receive UL signals from the UE on pre-configured resources via radio transceiver 1210 using a plurality of pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters. The one or more processors 1202 may be configured to generate updates to the UL transmission spatial filters based on the UL signals received on the pre-configured resources using the plurality of pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters.

[0174] Medium 1220 and / or memory 1204 may include a PRACH module 1230, which, when implemented by one or more processors 1202, configures one or more processors 1202 to receive a PRACH UL positioning waveform transmitted by the UE via radio transceiver 1210 when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode. For example, the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform may be configured for positioning accuracy by including a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence length (LRA) greater than the length of a regular random access waveform used to enter an idle or inactive mode, which may be 139. In some implementations, the ZC sequence length (LRA) may be 571, 839, or 1151, or greater than 1151. One or more processors may be configured to transmit the PRACH configuration for the UL positioning waveform to the UE via radio transceiver 1210 before the UE enters an idle or inactive mode. One or more processors 1202 may be configured to receive a PRACH for a UL positioning waveform during a RACH process for positioning, and for example, a separate PRACH for a UL positioning waveform corresponding to a separate RACH timing may be received using a separate RA-RNTI.

[0175] The medium 1220 and / or memory 1204 may include a paging module 1232, which, when implemented by one or more processors 1202, configures one or more processors 1202 to send a paging message to the UE via a wireless transceiver 1210 when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode. The paging message instructs the UE to send a PRACH for UL positioning waveform in the RACH process for positioning.

[0176] The methods described herein can be implemented through various means depending on the application. For example, these methods can be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. For hardware implementation, one or more processors 1202 can be implemented in one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or combinations thereof.

[0177] For firmware and / or software implementations, these methods can be implemented using modules (e.g., processes, functions, etc.) that perform the functions described herein. Any machine-readable medium that tangibly embodies the instructions can be used to implement the methods described herein. For example, software code can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium 1220 or memory 1204 connected to and executed by one or more processors 1202. The memory can be implemented within one or more processors or external to one or more processors. As used herein, the term "memory" means any type of long-term, short-term, volatile, non-volatile, or other memory, and is not limited to any particular type or number of memories, or the type of medium storing the memory.

[0178] If implemented in firmware and / or software, functionality may be stored as one or more instructions or program code 1208 on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as medium 1220 and / or memory 1204. Examples include computer-readable media encoded with data structures and computer-readable media encoded with computer program 1208. For example, a non-transitory computer-readable medium including program code 1208 stored thereon may include program code 1208 to support UE positioning in a manner consistent with the disclosed embodiments. Non-transitory computer-readable medium 1220 includes physical computer storage media. The storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code 1208 in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer; the disks and optical discs used herein include compact optical discs (CDs), laser optical discs, optical discs, digital versatile optical discs (DVDs), floppy disks and Blu-ray discs, wherein disks typically reproduce data magnetically and optical discs reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0179] In addition to being stored on the computer-readable medium 1220, instructions and / or data may be provided as signals on a transmission medium included in the communication equipment. For example, the communication equipment may include a wireless transceiver 1210 having signals indicating instructions and data. The instructions and data are configured to cause one or more processors to perform the functions outlined in the claims. That is, the communication equipment includes a transmission medium having signals indicating information to perform the disclosed functions.

[0180] Memory 1204 can represent any data storage mechanism. Memory 1204 may include, for example, main memory and / or secondary memory. Main memory may include, for example, random access memory, read-only memory, etc. Although shown in this example as separate from one or more processors 1202, it should be understood that all or part of the main memory may be provided within one or more processors 1202, or otherwise co-located / coupled with one or more processors 1202. Secondary memory may include, for example, memory of the same or similar type as the main memory and / or one or more data storage devices or systems, such as disk drives, optical disk drives, magnetic tape drives, solid-state memory drives, etc.

[0181] In some implementations, secondary storage may be operatively receiving, or otherwise configured to be coupled to, the non-transitory computer-readable medium 1220. Thus, in some example implementations, the methods and / or apparatuses presented herein may take the form, wholly or partially, of the computer-readable medium 1220, which may include computer-implementable code 1208 stored thereon, which, if executed by one or more processors 1202, may operatively enable the performance of all or part of the example operations described herein. The computer-readable medium 1220 may be part of memory 1204.

[0182] Figure 13 A flowchart is shown of an exemplary method 1300 for supporting UE location determination performed by a UE (e.g., UE 104) in a wireless network.

[0183] In box 1302, the UE receives from the serving base station an SRS resource configuration for transmitting a Position Detection Reference Signal (SRS). The SRS resource configuration may include at least one of a Time Base Adjustment (TA) and an Uplink (UL) transmission spatial filter, for example, such as... Figure 8 The phase 1 discussed above. When the UE is in Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state, it can receive SRS resource configuration. The means for receiving SRS resource configuration for transmitting Position Detection Reference Signals (SRS) from the serving base station can be, for example, a radio transceiver 1110 and one or more processors 1102, which have dedicated hardware or implement executable code or software instructions, such as..., in memory 1104 and / or medium 1120. Figure 11 The SRS resource configuration module 1122 in UE1100.

[0184] In box 1304, the UE can enter idle or inactive mode, for example, as Figure 8The stage discussed in section 2. The means for entering an idle or inactive mode may be, for example, one or more processors 1102 having dedicated hardware or executable code or software instructions implemented in memory 1104 and / or medium 1120, such as... Figure 11 Idle / inactive module 1124 in UE 1100.

[0185] In box 1306, when the UE is in idle or inactive mode, it uses at least one of the TA and UL transport spatial filters to transmit the location SRS, for example, as Figure 8 The device discussed in Phase 3. For transmitting location SRS using at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters when in idle or inactive mode, may be, for example, a wireless transceiver 1110 and one or more processors 1102 having dedicated hardware or executable code or software instructions implemented in memory 1104 and / or medium 1120, such as… Figure 11 The SRS module 1126 in UE 1100.

[0186] In box 1308, when the UE is in idle or inactive mode, the UE receives an update from the serving base station for at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters, for example, such as Figure 8 As discussed in stages 6 and 8, updates to at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters can be received in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or paging messages transmitted from the serving base station. This update may be valid for one or more location SRS resources. Furthermore, separate updates can be received for each location SRS resource. For example, separate updates can be received in one or more DLPDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging messages. The means for receiving updates to at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters from the serving base station when the UE is in idle or inactive mode can be, for example, a radio transceiver 1110 and one or more processors 1102, the processor 1102 having dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions, such as..., in memory 1104 and / or medium 1120. Figure 11 The SRS resource configuration module 1122 in UE 1100.

[0187] In box 1310, when in idle or inactive mode, the UE uses an update to at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters to transmit the positioning SRS, for example, as Figure 8The means for transmitting location SRS using updates to at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters when in an idle or inactive mode may be, for example, a wireless transceiver 1110 and one or more processors 1102 having dedicated hardware or executable code or software instructions, such as those implemented in memory 1104 and / or medium 1120. Figure 11 The SRS module 1126 in UE 1100.

[0188] In one implementation, the SRS resource configuration can be at least one expiration timer for at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters. If at least one expiration timer expires before the UE receives an update to at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters, the UE can stop positioning SRS transmissions while in idle or inactive mode, for example, as... Figure 8 As discussed in Phase 3, the TA may include separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration may include separate expiration timers for TAs associated with different location SRS resources, such as... Figure 8 The UL transmission space filter discussed in Phase 1 may include separate UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration may include separate expiration timers for the UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources, for example, as Figure 8 As discussed in Phase 1, updating at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters can reset at least one expiration timer of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters, for example, as... Figure 8 The sixth stage is discussed.

[0189] In one implementation, when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode (e.g., RSRP), the UE can further monitor the power of signals received from one or more base stations, for example, such as... Figure 8 This is discussed in Phase 3. Furthermore, the UE can determine when the change in the power of the received signal exceeds a threshold. If the change in the power of the received signal exceeds the threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE can stop the transmission of the location SRS while in idle or inactive mode, for example, as... Figure 8 The process discussed in Phase 3. When the UE is in idle or inactive mode, the means for monitoring the power of signals received from one or more base stations may be, for example, a wireless transceiver 1110 and one or more processors 1102, which have dedicated hardware or implement executable code or software instructions, such as..., in memory 1104 and / or medium 1120. Figure 11The power monitoring module 1128 in the UE 1100. The means for determining when a change in the power of a received signal exceeds a threshold may be, for example, one or more processors 1102, having dedicated hardware or executable code or software instructions implemented in memory 1104 and / or medium 1120, such as... Figure 11 The power monitor module 1128 in the UE 1100. When the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE can update a reference power used to determine when a change in the power of the received signal exceeds a threshold. The TA may include separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and for each location SRS resource, the change in the power of the received signal may be based on a first reference path loss associated with the location SRS resource, for example, as... Figure 8 This is as discussed in Phase 1. Different thresholds can be used for each different location SRS resource. In another example, for each location SRS resource, the change in the power of the received signal is also based on a second reference path loss, where a corresponding threshold is used for each reference path loss. If, before the UE receives an update to the TA, the change in the power of the received signal in one or both of the first and second reference path losses exceeds the corresponding threshold, the UE can stop location SRS transmission when in idle or inactive mode.

[0190] In one implementation, when the UE is in idle or inactive mode, the UE can monitor its relative position based on inertial measurements, for example... Figure 8 This is discussed in Phase 3. The UE can further determine when the change in relative position exceeds a threshold. If the change in relative position exceeds the threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE can stop the transmission of the Location SRS while in idle or inactive mode, for example, as... Figure 8 The process discussed in Phase 3. The means for monitoring the relative position of the UE based on inertial measurements when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode can be, for example, an inertial sensor 1116 and one or more processors 1102, which have dedicated hardware or executable code or software instructions implemented in memory 1104 and / or medium 1120, such as... Figure 11 The location module 1130 in the UE 1100. The means for determining when a change in relative position exceeds a threshold may be, for example, a wireless transceiver 1110 and one or more processors 1102, the processor 1102 having dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions, such as... Figure 11 The location module 1130 in UE 1100.

[0191] In one implementation, the UE can transmit UL signals on pre-configured resources using multiple pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters, wherein, in response to the UL signals transmitted on the pre-configured resources using the multiple pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters, updates to the UL transmission spatial filters are received from the serving base station. The means for transmitting UL signals on pre-configured resources using multiple pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters can be, for example, a wireless transceiver 1110 and one or more processors 1102, having dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions, such as..., in memory 1104 and / or medium 1120. Figure 11 The UL signal module 1132 in UE 1100.

[0192] In one implementation, the UE can receive multiple SRS resource configurations and use a first PRS resource configuration from the multiple SRS resource configurations to send a location SRS, for example, such as Figure 8 The UE can also receive updates to the SRS resource configuration by receiving a selection of a second SRS resource configuration from multiple SRS resource configurations, for example, as discussed in Phase 1. Figure 8 This is discussed in stage 8. Then, the UE can use the second SRS resource configuration to send a location SRS, for example, as... Figure 8 The stage discussed in section 9. It can receive selections of the second SRS resource configuration and updates to at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters, for example, as... Figure 8 The discussion is in stage 8. For example... Figure 9 As discussed in stage 8, the selection of the second SRS resource configuration can be received in one of the transmitted downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or paging message.

[0193] Figure 14 A flowchart is shown of an exemplary method 1400 performed by a base station (such as base station 102) in a wireless network to support the location determination of a UE (such as UE 104).

[0194] At box 1402, the base station sends an SRS resource configuration to the UE for transmitting a Position Detection Reference Signal (SRS) in an idle or inactive mode. This SRS resource configuration includes at least one of a Time Base Adjustment (TA) and an Uplink (UL) transmission spatial filter, for example, such as... Figure 8This is discussed in Phase 1. When the UE is in Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state, the UE can receive SRS resource configuration. The means for sending the SRS resource configuration to the UE for transmitting Location Detection Reference Signals (SRS) in idle or inactive modes can be, for example, a radio transceiver 1210 and one or more processors 1202, which have dedicated hardware or implement executable code or software instructions, such as..., in memory 1204 and / or medium 1220. Figure 12 The SRS resource configuration module 1222 in the base station 1200.

[0195] In box 1404, the base station receives a location SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL spatial filters when the UE is in idle or inactive mode, for example, as Figure 8 The stage discussed in section 3. The means for receiving location SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters when the UE is in idle or inactive mode can be, for example, a wireless transceiver 1210 and one or more processors 1202, the processor 1202 having dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions, such as... Figure 12 The SRS module 1224 in the 1200 base station.

[0196] In box 1406, the base station uses the positioning SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters to generate positioning measurements, for example, such as Figure 8 The device for generating a positioning measurement using a positioning SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters can be, for example, one or more processors 1202 having dedicated hardware or executable code or software instructions implemented in memory 1204 and / or medium 1220, such as Figure 12 The positioning module 1226 in the base station 1200.

[0197] In box 1408, when the UE is in idle or inactive mode, the base station sends an update to the UE for at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters, for example, such as Figure 8As discussed in Phase 6, an update to at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters can be sent in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or paging messages transmitted from the serving base station. This update may be valid for one or more location SRS resources. Furthermore, separate updates can be sent for each location SRS resource. For example, separate updates can be sent in one or more DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging messages. The means for sending an update to at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters to the UE when the UE is in idle or inactive mode can be, for example, a radio transceiver 1210 and one or more processors 1202, the processor 1202 having dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions, such as..., in memory 1204 and / or medium 1220. Figure 12 The SRS resource configuration module 1222 in the base station 1200.

[0198] In box 1410, the base station receives a positioning SRS transmitted from the UE when the UE is in idle or inactive mode, using an update of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters, for example, such as Figure 8 The stage discussed in section 7. The means for receiving a location SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters when the UE is in idle or inactive mode can be, for example, a wireless transceiver 1210 and one or more processors 1202 having dedicated hardware or executable code or software instructions implemented in memory 1204 and / or medium 1220, such as Figure 12 The SRS module 1224 in the 1200 base station.

[0199] At box 1412, the base station uses the positioning SRS sent from the UE with updates to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters to generate positioning measurements, for example, such as Figure 8 The device for generating a positioning measurement using a positioning SRS transmitted from the UE with an update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters can be, for example, one or more processors 1202 having dedicated hardware or executable code or software instructions, such as, implemented in memory 1204 and / or medium 1220. Figure 12 The location module 1226 in the base station 1200.

[0200] In one implementation, the SRS resource configuration can be at least one expiration timer for at least one of the TA and UL transport spatial filters. If at least one expiration timer expires before the UE receives an update for at least one of the TA and UL transport spatial filters from the base station, the UE can stop positioning SRS transmissions while in an idle or inactive mode, for example, as... Figure 8 As discussed in Phase 3, the TA may include separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration may include separate expiration timers for TAs associated with different location SRS resources, such as... Figure 8 The UL transmission space filter discussed in Phase 1 may include separate UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration may include separate expiration timers for the UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources, for example, as Figure 8 As discussed in Phase 1, updating at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters can reset at least one expiration timer of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters, for example, as... Figure 8 The sixth stage is discussed.

[0201] In one implementation, the base station can receive UL signals from the UE on pre-configured resources using multiple pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters, and generate updates to the UL transmission spatial filters based on the UL signals received on the pre-configured resources using the multiple pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters. The means for receiving UL signals on pre-configured resources using multiple pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters can be, for example, a wireless transceiver 1210 and one or more processors 1202, the processor 1202 having dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions, such as..., in memory 1204 and / or medium 1220. Figure 12 The UL signal module 1228 in the 1200 base station.

[0202] In one implementation, the base station can send multiple SRS resource configurations to the UE, wherein the positioning SRS configuration received from the UE includes a first PRS resource configuration from multiple SRS resource configurations, such as... Figure 8 This is discussed in Phase 1. The base station can update the SRS resource configuration by selecting a second SRS resource configuration from multiple SRS resource configurations. Subsequently, the positioning SRS received from the UE uses the second SRS resource configuration from the multiple SRS resource configurations, for example, as... Figure 8 The stage discussed in section 9. It is possible to send the selection of a second SRS resource configuration and an update to at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters, for example, as... Figure 8This is discussed in stage 8. The base station can send a selection of the second SRS resource configuration in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), the DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or a paging message, such as... Figure 9 The stage discussed in section 8.

[0203] Figure 15 A flowchart is shown of an exemplary method 1500 performed by a UE (such as UE 104) in a wireless network to support UE location determination.

[0204] In box 1502, the UE enters an idle or inactive mode, for example, as Figure 10 The stage discussed in section 2. The means for entering an idle or inactive mode may be, for example, one or more processors 1102 having dedicated hardware or executable code or software instructions implemented in memory 1104 and / or medium 1120, such as... Figure 11 Idle / inactive module 1124 in UE 1100.

[0205] In box 1504, when the UE is in idle or inactive mode, the UE can transmit a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) for UL positioning waveforms, for example, as Figure 10 The PRACH for the UL positioning waveform is discussed in Phase 4. It is configured for positioning accuracy by including a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence length (LRA) that is longer than that used for the regular random access waveform. For example, the ZC sequence length (LRA) for the regular random access waveform is 139. In some implementations, the ZC sequence length (LRA) can be 571, 839, or 1151, or greater than 1151. The means for transmitting the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) for the UL positioning waveform when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode can be, for example, a wireless transceiver 1110 and one or more processors 1102, the processor 1102 having dedicated hardware or implementing executable code or software instructions, such as..., in memory 1104 and / or medium 1120. Figure 11 The PRACH module 1134 in UE 1100.

[0206] In one implementation, the UE can receive the PRACH configuration for the UL positioning waveform from the serving base station before entering idle or inactive mode, for example, Figure 10 The device for configuring the reception of the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform from the serving base station before entering an idle or inactive mode, as discussed in Phase 1, may be, for example, a wireless transceiver 1110 and one or more processors 1102, which have dedicated hardware or implement executable code or software instructions, such as in memory 1104 and / or medium 1120. Figure 11 The PRACH module 1134 in UE 1100.

[0207] In one implementation, the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform can be transmitted during the Random Access Channel (RACH) process for positioning, for example, as... Figure 10 This is discussed in Phase 4. The UE can use a separate random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI) to transmit a separate PRACH for UL positioning waveform corresponding to the separate RACH timing, for example, as... Figure 10 This is discussed in Phase 4. In one example, the UE can also receive a paging message from the serving base station instructing the UE to send a PRACH for the UL positioning waveform during the RACH process for positioning, for example, as... Figure 10 The process discussed in Phase 3. The means for receiving from the serving base station a paging message instructing the UE to transmit a PRACH for UL positioning waveform during the RACH process for positioning can be, for example, a wireless transceiver 1110 and one or more processors 1102 having dedicated hardware or executable code or software instructions implemented in memory 1104 and / or medium 1120, such as... Figure 11 The paging module 1136 in UE 1100.

[0208] Figure 16 A flowchart is shown of an exemplary method 1600 performed by a base station 102 in a wireless network to support location determination for a UE (such as UE 104).

[0209] In box 1602, when the UE is in idle or inactive mode, the base station can receive the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) for UL positioning waveforms transmitted by the UE, for example, as Figure 10 The phase 4 discussed above. The PRACH used for the UL positioning waveform can be configured for positioning accuracy by including the Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence length (LRA), which is greater than the length of the regular random access waveform used to enter idle or inactive modes, for example, as Figure 10 The phase 4 discussed. For example, the ZC sequence length (LRA) of a conventional random access waveform is 139. In some implementations, the ZC sequence length (LRA) can be 571, 839, or 1151, or greater than 1151. The means for receiving the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) for UL positioning waveform transmitted by the UE when the UE is in idle or inactive mode can be a wireless transceiver 1210 and one or more processors 1202, which have dedicated hardware or implement executable code or software instructions, such as in memory 1204 and / or medium 1220. Figure 12 The PRACH module 1230 in the 1200 base station.

[0210] In box 1604, the base station can use PRACH for UL positioning to generate UE positioning measurements, for example, as Figure 10 The device used to generate UE positioning measurements using PRACH for UL positioning, as discussed in Phase 4, may be, for example, one or more processors 1202 having dedicated hardware or executable code or software instructions, such as, implemented in memory 1204 and / or medium 1220. Figure 12 The positioning module 1226 in the base station 1200.

[0211] In one implementation, the base station can send a PRACH configuration for the UL positioning waveform to the UE before the UE enters idle or inactive mode, for example, as... Figure 10 The stage discussed in section 1. The means for configuring the transmission of a PRACH for the UL positioning waveform to the UE before the UE enters an idle or inactive mode may be a wireless transceiver 1210 and one or more processors 1202, which have dedicated hardware or implement executable code or software instructions, such as..., in memory 1204 and / or medium 1220. Figure 12 The PRACH module 1230 in the base station 1200.

[0212] In one implementation, the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform can be transmitted during the Random Access Channel (RACH) process for positioning, for example, as... Figure 10 This is discussed in Phase 4. The base station can receive a separate PRACH for UL positioning waveform corresponding to the separate RACH timing using a separate random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI), for example, as... Figure 10 This is discussed in Phase 4. In one implementation, when the UE is in idle or inactive mode, the base station can also send a paging message to the UE. The paging message instructs the UE to send a PRACH for the UL positioning waveform during the RACH process for positioning, for example, as... Figure 10 The device used to send a paging message to the UE when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode to instruct the UE to send a PRACH for UL positioning waveform in the RACH process for positioning can be a wireless transceiver 1210 and one or more processors 1202, which have dedicated hardware or implement executable code or software instructions, such as in memory 1204 and / or medium 1220. Figure 12 The paging module 1232 in the base station 1200.

[0213] Throughout this specification, references to “an example,” “example,” “some examples,” or “exemplary implementation” mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with a feature and / or example may be included in at least one feature and / or example of the claimed subject matter. Therefore, the appearance of the phrases “in an example,” “in some examples,” or “in some implementations,” or other similar phrases throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same feature, example, and / or limitation. Furthermore, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be combined in one or more examples and / or features.

[0214] Some portions of the detailed description included herein are presented based on the algorithmic or symbolic representation of the operation of binary digital signals stored in the memory of a particular apparatus or dedicated computing device or platform. In the context of this particular specification, the term "dedicated apparatus," etc., includes a general-purpose computer (once it is programmed to perform specific operations according to instructions from program software). Algorithm descriptions or symbolic representations are examples of techniques used by those of ordinary skill in signal processing or related fields to communicate the substance of their operations to others skilled in the art. An algorithm herein is generally considered to be a self-consistent sequence of operations or similar signal processing that leads to a desired result. In such a context, the operation or processing involves the physical manipulation of physical quantities. Typically, although not strictly necessary, these quantities may take the form of electrical or magnetic signals that can be stored, transmitted, combined, compared, or otherwise manipulated. For general reasons, referring to such signals as bits, data, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, numerals, etc., sometimes proves convenient. However, it should be understood that all these or similar terms are associated with appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient notations. Unless otherwise stated, it is clear from the discussion herein that, throughout this specification, terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” and “determining” refer to the actions or processes of a particular piece of equipment, such as a dedicated computer, dedicated computing equipment, or similar dedicated electronic computing device. Therefore, in the context of this specification, a dedicated computer or similar dedicated electronic computing device capable of manipulating or converting signals is generally referred to as physical electronic or magnetic quantities within the memory, registers, or other information storage, transmission, or display devices of the dedicated computer or similar dedicated electronic computing device.

[0215] In the foregoing detailed description, numerous specific details have been set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the claimed subject matter can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods and apparatus known to those skilled in the art have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the claimed subject matter.

[0216] The terms “and,” “or,” and “and / or” as used herein can include a variety of meanings, which are also expected to depend at least in part on the context in which these terms are used. Typically, “or,” when used to associate lists such as A, B, or C, is intended to mean A, B, and C, here meaning inclusion, and A, B, or C, here meaning exclusion. Furthermore, the term “one or more” as used herein can be used to describe any feature, structure, or property in the singular form, or can be used to describe multiple features, structures, or properties or some other combination thereof. However, it should be noted that this is merely an illustrative example, and the claimed subject matter is not limited to this example.

[0217] While features that are presently considered exemplary have been illustrated and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various other modifications may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, numerous modifications may be made to adapt specific situations to the teachings of the claimed subject matter without departing from the main concepts described herein.

[0218] In view of this description, embodiments may include different combinations of features. Implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0219] Clause 1. A method for supporting UE location determination performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network, comprising: receiving from a serving base station an SRS resource configuration for transmitting a location detection reference signal (SRS), the SRS resource configuration including at least one of timing adjustment (TA) and uplink (UL) transmission spatial filter; entering an idle or inactive mode; transmitting the location SRS using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter while in the idle or inactive mode; receiving from the serving base station an update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter while in the idle or inactive mode; and transmitting the location SRS using the update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter while in the idle or inactive mode.

[0220] Clause 2. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the SRS resource configuration includes at least one expiration timer for at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters, wherein if at least one expiration timer expires before the UE receives an update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters, the UE stops locating SRS transmissions when in an idle or inactive mode.

[0221] Clause 3. The method according to Clause 2, wherein the TA includes separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes separate expiration timers for the TAs associated with different location SRS resources.

[0222] Clause 4. The method according to any one of Clauses 2 or 3, wherein the UL transmission space filter includes separate UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes separate expiration timers for the UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources.

[0223] Clause 5. The method according to any one of Clauses 2-4, wherein the update reset of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters is used for at least one expiration timer of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters.

[0224] Clause 6. The method described under any one of Clauses 1-5 further comprises: monitoring the power of received signals from one or more base stations when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; and determining when a change in the power of the received signals exceeds a threshold, wherein if a change in the power of the received signals exceeds the threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in an idle or inactive mode.

[0225] Clause 7. The method described in Clause 6 further includes: when the UE receives an update to the TA, updating a reference power used to determine when a change in the power of the received signal exceeds a threshold.

[0226] Clause 8. The method according to any one of Clauses 6 or 7, wherein the TA includes separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and for each location SRS resource, the variation in the power of the received signal is based on a first reference path loss associated with the location SRS resource.

[0227] Clause 9. The method described in Clause 8, wherein different thresholds are used for each different location SRS resource.

[0228] Clause 10. The method according to Clause 8, wherein, for each location SRS resource, the change in the power of the received signal is further based on a second reference path loss, and wherein a corresponding threshold is used for each reference path loss.

[0229] Clause 11. The method according to Clause 10, wherein if the power of the received signal in one of the first reference path loss or the second reference path loss exceeds a corresponding threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in an idle or inactive mode.

[0230] Clause 12. The method according to Clause 10, wherein if the change in power of the received signal in either the first reference path loss or the second reference path loss exceeds a corresponding threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in an idle or inactive mode.

[0231] Clause 13. The method according to any one of Clauses 1-12 further comprises: monitoring the relative position of the UE based on inertial measurement when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; and determining when a change in relative position exceeds a threshold, wherein if the change in relative position exceeds the threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in an idle or inactive mode.

[0232] Clause 14. The method according to any one of Clauses 1-13, wherein the UE receives an update on at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or paging messages transmitted from the serving base station.

[0233] Clause 15. The method described in Clause 14, wherein the update is effective for one or more location SRS resources.

[0234] Clause 16. The method according to Clause 14, wherein, for each location SRS resource, a separate update is received.

[0235] Clause 17. The method according to Clause 16, wherein a separate update is received in a single DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging message, or in multiple DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging messages.

[0236] Clause 18. The method according to any one of Clauses 1-17 further comprises: transmitting a UL signal on a pre-configured resource using a plurality of pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters; wherein, in response to the UL signal transmitted on the pre-configured resource using the plurality of pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters, an update to the UL transmission spatial filters is received from the serving base station.

[0237] Clause 19. The method according to any one of Clauses 1-18, wherein receiving SRS resource configuration from the serving base station includes receiving a plurality of SRS resource configurations, wherein transmitting the positioning SRS uses a first PRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations, further comprising receiving from the serving base station a selection of a second SRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations, and wherein transmitting the positioning SRS uses the second SRS resource configuration.

[0238] Clause 20. The method according to Clause 19, wherein the selection of a second SRS resource configuration and the update of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters are received.

[0239] Clause 21. The method according to Clause 19, wherein the UE receives a selection of a second SRS resource configuration from the serving base station in one of a downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), a DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or a paging message transmitted from the serving base station.

[0240] Clause 22. A UE configured to support location determination of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network, comprising: a radio transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with a base station in the wireless network; at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the radio transceiver and the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: receive, via the radio transceiver, from a serving base station an SRS resource configuration for transmitting a location detection reference signal (SRS), the SRS resource configuration including at least one of timing adjustment (TA) and uplink (UL) transmission spatial filter; enter an idle or inactive mode; transmit the location SRS via the radio transceiver, while in the idle or inactive mode, using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter; receive, via the radio transceiver, from a serving base station an update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter while the UE is in the idle or inactive mode; and transmit the location SRS via the radio transceiver, while in the idle or inactive mode, using the update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter.

[0241] Clause 23. The UE as described in Clause 22, wherein the SRS resource configuration includes at least one expiration timer for at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters, wherein if at least one expiration timer expires before the UE receives an update to at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters, the UE stops locating SRS transmissions when in an idle or inactive mode.

[0242] Clause 24. The UE as described in Clause 23, wherein the TA includes separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes separate expiration timers for the TAs associated with different location SRS resources.

[0243] Clause 25. The UE as described in any of Clauses 23 or 24, wherein the UL transmission space filter includes separate UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes separate expiration timers for the UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources.

[0244] Clause 26. The UE as described in any of Clauses 23-25, wherein an update reset of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters is used for at least one expiration timer of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters.

[0245] Clause 27. The UE according to any one of Clauses 22-26, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: monitor the power of received signals from one or more base stations when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; and determine when a change in the power of the received signals exceeds a threshold, wherein if the change in the power of the received signals exceeds the threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in an idle or inactive mode.

[0246] Clause 28. The UE according to Clause 27, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: when the UE receives an update to the TA, update a reference power used to determine when a change in the power of the received signal exceeds a threshold.

[0247] Clause 29. The UE as described in any of Clauses 27 or 28, wherein the TA includes separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and for each location SRS resource, the variation in the power of the received signal is based on a first reference path loss associated with the location SRS resource.

[0248] Clause 30. The UE as described in Clause 29, wherein different thresholds are used for each different location SRS resource.

[0249] Clause 31. The UE as described in Clause 29, wherein, for each location SRS resource, the variation in the power of the received signal is further based on a second reference path loss, and wherein a corresponding threshold is used for each reference path loss.

[0250] Clause 32. The UE as described in Clause 31, wherein if the power of the received signal in one of the first reference path loss or the second reference path loss exceeds a corresponding threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in an idle or inactive mode.

[0251] Clause 33. The UE as described in Clause 31, wherein if the power of the received signal in either the first reference path loss or the second reference path loss exceeds a corresponding threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in an idle or inactive mode.

[0252] Clause 34. The UE according to any one of Clauses 22-33, wherein at least one processor is further configured to: monitor the relative position of the UE based on inertial measurement when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; and determine when a change in relative position exceeds a threshold, wherein if the change in relative position exceeds the threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in an idle or inactive mode.

[0253] Clause 35. The UE as described in any of Clauses 22-34, wherein the UE receives an update on at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or paging messages transmitted from the serving base station.

[0254] Clause 36. The UE as described in Clause 35, wherein the update is valid for one or more location SRS resources.

[0255] Clause 37. The UE as described in Clause 35, wherein, for each location SRS resource, separate updates are received.

[0256] Clause 38. The UE as described in Clause 37, wherein a separate update is received in a single DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging message, or in multiple DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging messages.

[0257] Clause 39. The UE according to any one of Clauses 22-38, wherein at least one processor is further configured to: transmit UL signals on pre-configured resources using a plurality of pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters via a radio transceiver; wherein, in response to the UL signals transmitted on the pre-configured resources using the plurality of pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters, receive updates to the UL transmission spatial filters from the serving base station.

[0258] Clause 40. The UE according to any one of Clauses 22-39, wherein at least one processor is configured to receive SRS resource configurations from a serving base station via a radio transceiver by being configured to receive a plurality of SRS resource configurations, wherein the location SRS uses a first PRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations, wherein at least one processor is further configured to receive a selection of a second SRS resource configuration from the serving base station via a radio transceiver, and to use the second SRS resource configuration to transmit the location SRS.

[0259] Clause 41. The UE as described in Clause 40, wherein the selection of a second SRS resource configuration and an update of at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters are received.

[0260] Clause 42. The UE as described in Clause 40, wherein the UE receives a selection of a second SRS resource configuration from the serving base station in one of a downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), a DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or a paging message transmitted from the serving base station.

[0261] Clause 43. A UE configured to support location determination of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network, comprising: means for receiving from a serving base station an SRS resource configuration for transmitting a location detection reference signal (SRS), the SRS resource configuration including at least one of timing adjustment (TA) and uplink (UL) transmission spatial filter; means for entering an idle or inactive mode; means for transmitting the location SRS using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter while in the idle or inactive mode; means for receiving an update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter from the serving base station while the UE is in the idle or inactive mode; and means for transmitting the location SRS using the update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter while in the idle or inactive mode.

[0262] Clause 44. The UE as described in Clause 43, wherein the SRS resource configuration includes at least one expiration timer for at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters, wherein if at least one expiration timer expires before the UE receives an update to at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters, the UE stops locating SRS transmissions when in an idle or inactive mode.

[0263] Clause 45. The UE as described in Clause 44, wherein the TA includes separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes separate expiration timers for the TAs associated with different location SRS resources.

[0264] Clause 46. The UE as described in any of Clauses 44 or 45, wherein the UL transmission space filter includes separate UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes separate expiration timers for the UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources.

[0265] Clause 47. The UE as described in any of Clauses 44-46, wherein an update reset of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters is used for at least one expiration timer of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters.

[0266] Clause 48. The UE pursuant to any of Clauses 43-47 further includes: means for monitoring the power of a received signal from one or more base stations when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; and means for determining when a change in the power of the received signal exceeds a threshold, wherein if the change in the power of the received signal exceeds the threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in an idle or inactive mode.

[0267] Clause 49. The UE as described in Clause 48 further includes: means for updating a reference power for determining when a change in the power of a received signal exceeds a threshold when the UE receives an update to the TA.

[0268] Clause 50. The UE as described in any of Clauses 48 or 49, wherein the TA includes separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and for each location SRS resource, the variation in the power of the received signal is based on a first reference path loss associated with the location SRS resource.

[0269] Clause 51. The UE as described in Clause 50, wherein different thresholds are used for each different location SRS resource.

[0270] Clause 52. The UE as described in Clause 50, wherein, for each location SRS resource, the variation in the power of the received signal is further based on a second reference path loss, and wherein a corresponding threshold is used for each reference path loss.

[0271] Clause 53. The UE as described in Clause 52, wherein if the power of the received signal in one of the first reference path loss or the second reference path loss exceeds a corresponding threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in an idle or inactive mode.

[0272] Clause 54. The UE as described in Clause 52, wherein if the power of the received signal in either the first reference path loss or the second reference path loss exceeds a corresponding threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in an idle or inactive mode.

[0273] Clause 55. The UE pursuant to any of Clauses 43-54 further includes: means for monitoring the relative position of the UE based on inertial measurement when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; and means for determining when a change in relative position exceeds a threshold, wherein if the change in relative position exceeds the threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops transmitting the location SRS when it is in an idle or inactive mode.

[0274] Clause 56. The UE as described in any of Clauses 43-55, wherein the UE receives an update on at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or paging messages transmitted from the serving base station.

[0275] Clause 57. The UE as described in Clause 56, wherein the update is valid for one or more location SRS resources.

[0276] Clause 58. The UE as described in Clause 56, wherein, for each location SRS resource, separate updates are received.

[0277] Clause 59. The UE as described in Clause 58, wherein a separate update is received in a single DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging message, or in multiple DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging messages.

[0278] Clause 60. The UE according to any one of Clauses 43-59 further includes: means for transmitting a UL signal on a pre-configured resource using a plurality of pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters; wherein, in response to the UL signal transmitted on the pre-configured resource using the plurality of pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters, an update to the UL transmission spatial filters is received from the serving base station.

[0279] Clause 61. The UE according to any one of Clauses 43-60, wherein the means for receiving SRS resource configuration from the serving base station receives a plurality of SRS resource configurations, wherein the means for transmitting positioning SRS uses a first PRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations, further comprising means for receiving selection of a second SRS resource configuration from the serving base station, and wherein the means for transmitting positioning SRS uses the second SRS resource configuration.

[0280] Clause 62. The UE as described in Clause 61, wherein the selection of a second SRS resource configuration and an update of at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters are received.

[0281] Clause 63. The UE as described in Clause 61, wherein the UE receives a selection of a second SRS resource configuration from the serving base station in one of a downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), a DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or a paging message transmitted from the serving base station.

[0282] Clause 64. A non-transitory storage medium including program code stored thereon, the program code being operable to configure at least one processor in a user equipment (UE) to support location determination of the UE in a wireless network, the program code including instructions to: receive from a serving base station an SRS resource configuration for transmitting a location detection reference signal (SRS), the SRS resource configuration including at least one of timing adjustment (TA) and uplink (UL) transmission spatial filter; enter an idle or inactive mode; while in the idle or inactive mode, transmit the location SRS using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter; while the UE is in the idle or inactive mode, receive from the serving base station an update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter; and while in the idle or inactive mode, transmit the location SRS using the update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter.

[0283] Clause 65. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 64, wherein the SRS resource configuration includes at least one expiration timer for at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters, wherein if the at least one expiration timer expires before the UE receives an update to at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters, the UE stops locating SRS transmissions when in an idle or inactive mode.

[0284] Clause 66. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 65, wherein the TA includes separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes separate expiration timers for the TAs associated with different location SRS resources.

[0285] Clause 67. The non-transitory storage medium as described in any of Clauses 65 or 66, wherein the UL transmission space filter includes separate UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes separate expiration timers for the UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources.

[0286] Clause 68. A non-transitory storage medium as described in any of Clauses 65-67, wherein an update reset of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters is used for at least one expiration timer of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters.

[0287] Clause 69. The non-transitory storage medium as described in any of Clauses 64-68, wherein the program code further includes instructions to: monitor the power of received signals from one or more base stations when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; and determine when a change in the power of the received signals exceeds a threshold, wherein if the change in the power of the received signals exceeds the threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when in an idle or inactive mode.

[0288] Clause 70. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 69, wherein the program code further includes instructions to: when the UE receives an update to the TA, update a reference power used to determine when a change in the power of the received signal exceeds a threshold.

[0289] Clause 71. A non-transitory storage medium as described in any of Clauses 69 or 70, wherein the TA includes separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and for each location SRS resource, the variation in the power of the received signal is based on a first reference path loss associated with the location SRS resource.

[0290] Clause 72. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 71, wherein different thresholds are used for each different location SRS resource.

[0291] Clause 73. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 71, wherein, for each location SRS resource, the variation in the power of the received signal is further based on a second reference path loss, and wherein a corresponding threshold is used for each reference path loss.

[0292] Clause 74. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 73, wherein if the power of the received signal in one of the first reference path loss or the second reference path loss exceeds a corresponding threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in an idle or inactive mode.

[0293] Clause 75. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 73, wherein if the power of the received signal in either the first reference path loss or the second reference path loss exceeds a corresponding threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in an idle or inactive mode.

[0294] Clause 76. The non-transitory storage medium as described in any of Clauses 64-75, wherein the program code further includes instructions to: monitor the relative position of the UE based on inertial measurement when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; and determine when a change in relative position exceeds a threshold, wherein if the change in relative position exceeds the threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in an idle or inactive mode.

[0295] Clause 77. A non-transitory storage medium as described in any of Clauses 64-76, wherein the UE receives an update to at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters in one of a downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), a DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or a paging message transmitted from the serving base station.

[0296] Clause 78. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 77, wherein the update is valid for one or more location SRS resources.

[0297] Clause 79. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 77, wherein, for each location SRS resource, a separate update is received.

[0298] Clause 80. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 79, wherein a separate update is received in a single DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging message, or in multiple DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging messages.

[0299] Clause 81. The non-transitory storage medium as described in any of Clauses 64-80, wherein the program code further includes instructions to: transmit a UL signal on a pre-configured resource using a plurality of pre-configured UL transmission space filters; wherein, in response to the UL signal transmitted on the pre-configured resource using the plurality of pre-configured UL transmission space filters, an update to the UL transmission space filters is received from the serving base station.

[0300] Clause 82. The non-transitory storage medium according to any one of Clauses 64-81, wherein receiving instructions for SRS resource configuration from the serving base station includes receiving instructions for a plurality of SRS resource configurations, wherein locating the SRS uses a first PRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations, wherein the program code further includes receiving from the serving base station a selection of a second SRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations, and sending instructions for locating the SRS using the second SRS resource configuration.

[0301] Clause 83. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 82, wherein the selection of a second SRS resource configuration and an update of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters are received.

[0302] Clause 84. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 82, wherein the UE receives a selection of a second SRS resource configuration from the serving base station in one of a downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), a DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or a paging message transmitted from the serving base station.

[0303] Clause 85. A method for supporting location determination of a user equipment (UE) performed by a base station in a wireless network, comprising: sending to the UE an SRS resource configuration for transmitting a location detection reference signal (SRS) in an idle or inactive mode, the SRS resource configuration including at least one of timing adjustment (TA) and uplink (UL) transmission spatial filter; receiving a location SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; generating a location measurement using the location SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter; sending to the UE an update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; receiving a location SRS transmitted from the UE using the update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; and generating a location measurement using the location SRS transmitted from the UE using the update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter.

[0304] Clause 86. The method according to Clause 85, wherein the SRS resource configuration includes at least one expiration timer for at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters, wherein if the at least one expiration timer expires before the UE receives an update for at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters from the base station, the UE stops locating SRS transmissions when in an idle or inactive mode.

[0305] Clause 87. The method according to Clause 86, wherein the TA includes separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes separate expiration timers for the TAs associated with different location SRS resources.

[0306] Clause 88. The method according to any one of Clauses 86 or 87, wherein the UL transmission space filter includes separate UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes separate expiration timers for the UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources.

[0307] Clause 89. The method according to any one of Clauses 86-88, wherein the update reset of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters is used for at least one expiration timer of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters.

[0308] Clause 90. The method according to any one of Clauses 85-89, wherein the base station sends an update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), the DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or a paging message.

[0309] Clause 91. The method according to Clause 90, wherein the update is effective for one or more location SRS resources.

[0310] Clause 92. The method according to Clause 90, wherein, for each location SRS resource, a separate update is sent.

[0311] Clause 93. The method according to Clause 92, wherein the separate updates are sent in a single DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging message, or in multiple DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging messages.

[0312] Clause 94. The method according to any one of Clauses 85-93 further comprises: receiving UL signals from the UE on a pre-configured resource using a plurality of pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters; and generating an update to the UL transmission spatial filters based on the UL signals received on the pre-configured resource using the plurality of pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters.

[0313] Clause 95. The method according to any one of Clauses 85-94, wherein sending an SRS resource configuration to the UE includes sending a plurality of SRS resource configurations, wherein a location SRS received from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters is configured with a first PRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations, further comprising sending a selection of a second SRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations, and receiving a location SRS sent from the UE using the second SRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations.

[0314] Clause 96. The method according to Clause 95, wherein the selection of a second SRS resource configuration and the update of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters are sent.

[0315] Clause 97. The method according to Clause 95, wherein the base station transmits a selection of a second SRS resource configuration in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), the DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or a paging message.

[0316] Clause 98. A base station configured to support location determination of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network, comprising: an external interface configured to wirelessly communicate with the UE in the wireless network; at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the external interface and the memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: transmit via the external interface to the UE an SRS resource configuration for transmitting a location detection reference signal (SRS) in an idle or inactive mode, the SRS resource configuration including at least one of timing adjustment (TA) and uplink (UL) transmission spatial filter; and receive via the external interface a T... Location SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters; generating location measurements using the location SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters; sending updates to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters to the UE via an external interface when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; receiving location SRS transmitted from the UE via an external interface when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode using updates to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters; and generating location measurements using the location SRS transmitted from the UE via an external interface using updates to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters.

[0317] Clause 99. The base station according to Clause 98, wherein the SRS resource configuration includes at least one expiration timer for at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters, wherein if at least one expiration timer expires before the UE receives an update for at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters from the base station, the UE stops locating SRS transmissions when in an idle or inactive mode.

[0318] Clause 100. A base station as described in Clause 99, wherein the TA includes separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes expiration timers for separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources.

[0319] Clause 101. A base station as described in any of Clauses 99 or 100, wherein the UL transmission space filter includes separate UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes separate expiration timers for the UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources.

[0320] Clause 102. A base station pursuant to any of Clauses 99-101, wherein an update reset of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters is used for at least one expiration timer of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters.

[0321] Clause 103. A base station as described in any of Clauses 98-102, wherein the base station transmits an update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), the DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or a paging message.

[0322] Clause 104. A base station as described in Clause 103, wherein the update is valid for one or more location SRS resources.

[0323] Clause 105. The base station as described in Clause 103, wherein, for each location SRS resource, separate updates are sent.

[0324] Clause 106. The base station as described in Clause 105, wherein the separate updates are sent in a single DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging message, or in multiple DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging messages.

[0325] Clause 107. A base station according to any one of Clauses 98-106, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive UL signals from a UE on pre-configured resources using a plurality of pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters via an external interface; and generate an update to the UL transmission spatial filters based on the UL signals received on the pre-configured resources using the plurality of pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters.

[0326] Clause 108. A base station according to any one of Clauses 98-107, wherein at least one processor is configured to transmit SRS resource configurations to a UE via an external interface by being configured to transmit a plurality of SRS resource configurations, wherein a location SRS received from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters is configured with a first PRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations, wherein at least one processor is further configured to transmit a selection of a second SRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations via the external interface, and to receive a location SRS transmitted from the UE using the second SRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations.

[0327] Clause 109. The base station as described in Clause 108, wherein the selection of a second SRS resource configuration and an update of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters are transmitted.

[0328] Clause 110. The base station as described in Clause 108, wherein the base station transmits a selection of a second SRS resource configuration in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), the DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or a paging message.

[0329] Clause 111. A base station in a wireless network, configured to support location determination of a user equipment (UE), comprising: means for transmitting to the UE an SRS resource configuration for transmitting a location detection reference signal (SRS) in an idle or inactive mode, the SRS resource configuration including at least one of timing adjustment (TA) and uplink (UL) transmission spatial filter; means for receiving a location SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; means for generating a location measurement using the location SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter; means for transmitting an update to the UE of at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; means for receiving a location SRS transmitted from the UE using an update of at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; and means for generating a location measurement using the location SRS transmitted from the UE using an update of at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filter.

[0330] Clause 112. The base station according to Clause 111, wherein the SRS resource configuration includes at least one expiration timer for at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters, wherein if the at least one expiration timer expires before the UE receives an update for at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters from the base station, the UE stops locating SRS transmissions when in an idle or inactive mode.

[0331] Clause 113. The base station according to Clause 112, wherein the TA includes separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes expiration timers for separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources.

[0332] Clause 114. A base station as described in any of Clauses 112 or 113, wherein the UL transmission space filter includes separate UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes separate expiration timers for the UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources.

[0333] Clause 115. A base station according to any of Clauses 112-114, wherein an update of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters resets the at least one expiration timer for at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters.

[0334] Clause 116. A base station according to any of Clauses 111-115, wherein the base station transmits an update to at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), the DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or a paging message.

[0335] Clause 117. A base station as described in Clause 116, wherein the update is valid for one or more location SRS resources.

[0336] Clause 118. The base station as described in Clause 116, wherein, for each location SRS resource, separate updates are sent.

[0337] Clause 119. The base station as described in Clause 118, wherein the separate updates are sent in a single DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging message, or in multiple DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging messages.

[0338] Clause 120. The base station according to any one of Clauses 111-119 further includes: means for receiving UL signals from a UE on pre-configured resources using a plurality of pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters; and means for generating an update to the UL transmission spatial filters based on the UL signals received on the pre-configured resources using the plurality of pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters.

[0339] Clause 121. A base station according to any one of Clauses 111-120, wherein means for transmitting SRS resource configuration to a UE transmits a plurality of SRS resource configurations, wherein a location SRS configuration received from the UE using at least one of TA and UL transmission spatial filters has a first PRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations, further comprising means for transmitting a selection of a second SRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations, and means for receiving a location SRS transmitted from the UE using the second SRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations.

[0340] Clause 122. The base station according to Clause 121, wherein the selection of a second SRS resource configuration and the update of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters are transmitted.

[0341] Clause 123. The base station as described in Clause 121, wherein the base station transmits a selection of a second SRS resource configuration in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), the DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or a paging message.

[0342] Clause 124. A non-transitory storage medium including program code stored thereon, the program code being operable to configure at least one processor in a base station to support location determination of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network, the program code including instructions to: send to the UE an SRS resource configuration for transmitting a location detection reference signal (SRS) in an idle or inactive mode, the SRS resource configuration including at least one of timing adjustment (TA) and uplink (UL) transmission spatial filter; receive a location SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of TA and UL transmission spatial filter when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; generate a location measurement using the location SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of TA and UL transmission spatial filter; send to the UE an update to at least one of TA and UL transmission spatial filter when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; receive a location SRS transmitted from the UE using an update to at least one of TA and UL transmission spatial filter when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode; and generate a location measurement using the location SRS transmitted from the UE using an update to at least one of TA and UL transmission spatial filter.

[0343] Clause 125. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 124, wherein the SRS resource configuration includes at least one expiration timer for at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters, wherein if at least one expiration timer expires before the UE receives an update for at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters from the base station, the UE stops locating SRS transmissions when in an idle or inactive mode.

[0344] Clause 126. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 125, wherein the TA includes separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes separate expiration timers for the TAs associated with different location SRS resources.

[0345] Clause 127. The non-transitory storage medium as described in any of Clauses 125 or 126, wherein the UL transmission space filter includes separate UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes separate expiration timers for the UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources.

[0346] Clause 128. A non-transitory storage medium as described in any of Clauses 125-127, wherein an update reset of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters is used for the at least one expiration timer of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters.

[0347] Clause 129. A non-transitory storage medium as described in any of Clauses 124-128, wherein the base station transmits an update to at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), the DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or a paging message.

[0348] Clause 130. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 129, wherein the update is valid for one or more location SRS resources.

[0349] Clause 131. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 129, wherein, for each location SRS resource, separate updates are sent.

[0350] Clause 132. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 131, wherein separate updates are sent in a single DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging message, or in multiple DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging messages.

[0351] Clause 133. A non-transitory storage medium as described in any of Clauses 124-132, wherein the program code further includes instructions to: receive UL signals from the UE on a pre-configured resource using a plurality of pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters; and generate an update to the UL transmission spatial filters based on the UL signals received on the pre-configured resource using the plurality of pre-configured UL transmission spatial filters.

[0352] Clause 134. The non-transitory storage medium according to any of Clauses 124-133, wherein sending an instruction to the UE for an SRS resource configuration includes sending instructions for a plurality of SRS resource configurations, wherein a location SRS received from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters is configured with a first PRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations, wherein the program code further includes sending a selection of a second SRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations, and receiving instructions for a location SRS sent from the UE using the second SRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations.

[0353] Clause 135. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 134, wherein the selection of a second SRS resource configuration and an update of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters are transmitted.

[0354] Clause 136. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 134, wherein the base station transmits a selection of a second SRS resource configuration in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), the DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or a paging message.

[0355] Clause 137. A method for supporting UE location determination performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network, comprising: entering an idle or inactive mode; and, while the UE is in an idle or inactive mode, transmitting a physical random access channel (PRACH) for a UL positioning waveform, wherein the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform is configured for positioning accuracy by including a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence length (LRA) that is longer than that for a conventional random access waveform.

[0356] Clause 138. The method according to Clause 137, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) of the conventional random access waveform is 139.

[0357] Clause 139. The method according to Clause 137, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) is 571 or 839 or 1151.

[0358] Clause 140. The method according to Clause 137, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) is greater than 1151.

[0359] Clause 141. The method described under any of Clauses 137-140 further includes receiving configuration of the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform from the serving base station before entering an idle or inactive mode.

[0360] Clause 142. The method according to any one of Clauses 137-141, wherein the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform is transmitted during the Random Access Channel (RACH) process for positioning.

[0361] Clause 143. The method according to Clause 142 further includes transmitting a separate PRACH for UL positioning waveform corresponding to the separate RACH timing using a separate random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI).

[0362] Clause 144. The method described in Clause 142 further includes receiving a paging message from the serving base station, the paging message instructing the UE to send a PRACH for UL positioning waveform in a RACH process for positioning.

[0363] Clause 145. A user equipment (UE) configured to support location determination of the UE in a wireless network, comprising: a radio transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with a base station in the wireless network; at least one memory; at least one processor coupled to the radio transceiver and the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: enter an idle or inactive mode; and transmit a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) for a UL positioning waveform via the radio transceiver when the UE is in the idle or inactive mode, wherein the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform is configured for positioning accuracy by including a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence length (LRA) that is longer than that for a conventional random access waveform.

[0364] Clause 146. The UE as described in Clause 145, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) of the conventional random access waveform is 139.

[0365] Clause 147. The UE as described in Clause 145, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) is 571 or 839 or 1151.

[0366] Clause 148. The UE as described in Clause 145, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) is greater than 1151.

[0367] Clause 149. The UE as described in any of Clauses 145-148, wherein at least one processor is further configured to receive, via a radio transceiver, configuration of a PRACH for a UL positioning waveform from a serving base station before entering an idle or inactive mode.

[0368] Clause 150. The UE as described in any of Clauses 145-149, wherein the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform is transmitted during the Random Access Channel (RACH) process for positioning.

[0369] Clause 151. The UE as described in Clause 150, wherein at least one processor is further configured to transmit a separate PRACH for UL positioning waveform corresponding to the separate RACH timing via a radio transceiver using a separate random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI).

[0370] Clause 152. The UE as described in Clause 150, wherein at least one processor is further configured to receive a paging message from a serving base station via a radio transceiver, the paging message instructing the UE to transmit a PRACH for UL positioning waveform in a RACH process for positioning.

[0371] Clause 153. A user equipment (UE) configured to support location determination of the UE in a wireless network, comprising: means for entering an idle or inactive mode; and means for transmitting a physical random access channel (PRACH) for a UL positioning waveform when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode, wherein the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform is configured for positioning accuracy by including a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence length (LRA) that is longer than that for a conventional random access waveform.

[0372] Clause 154. The UE as described in Clause 153, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) of the conventional random access waveform is 139.

[0373] Clause 155. The UE as described in Clause 153, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) is 571 or 839 or 1151.

[0374] Clause 156. The UE as described in Clause 153, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) is greater than 1151.

[0375] Clause 157. The UE as described in any of Clauses 153-156 further includes means for receiving configuration of PRACH for UL positioning waveform from the serving base station before entering an idle or inactive mode.

[0376] Clause 158. The UE as described in any of Clauses 153-157, wherein the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform is transmitted during the Random Access Channel (RACH) process for positioning.

[0377] Clause 159. The UE as described in Clause 158 further includes means for transmitting a separate PRACH for a UL positioning waveform corresponding to a separate RACH timing using a separate random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI).

[0378] Clause 160. The UE as described in Clause 158 further includes means for receiving a paging message from a serving base station, the paging message instructing the UE to transmit a PRACH for UL positioning waveform in a RACH process for positioning.

[0379] Clause 161. A non-transitory storage medium including program code stored thereon, the program code being operable to configure at least one processor in a user equipment (UE) to support location determination of the UE in a wireless network, the program code including instructions to: enter an idle or inactive mode; and, when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode, transmit a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) for a UL positioning waveform, wherein the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform is configured for positioning accuracy by including a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence length (LRA) that is longer than that for a conventional random access waveform.

[0380] Clause 162. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 161, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) of the conventional random access waveform is 139.

[0381] Clause 163. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 161, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) is 571, 839, or 1151.

[0382] Clause 164. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 161, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) is greater than 1151.

[0383] Clause 165. The non-transitory storage medium as described in any of Clauses 161-164, wherein the program code further includes instructions to receive a configuration of PRACH for UL positioning waveforms from the serving base station before entering an idle or inactive mode.

[0384] Clause 166. The non-transitory storage medium as described in any of Clauses 161-165, wherein the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform is transmitted during the Random Access Channel (RACH) process for positioning.

[0385] Clause 167. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 166, wherein the program code further includes instructions to transmit a separate PRACH for a UL positioning waveform corresponding to a separate RACH timing using a separate random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI).

[0386] Clause 168. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 166, wherein the program code further includes instructions to receive a paging message from the serving base station, the paging message instructing the UE to send a PRACH for UL positioning waveform in the RACH process for positioning.

[0387] Clause 169. A method for supporting location determination of a user equipment (UE) performed by a base station in a wireless network, comprising: receiving a physical random access channel (PRACH) for a UL positioning waveform transmitted by the UE when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode, wherein the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform is configured to provide positioning accuracy by including a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence length (LRA) that is longer than that used by a conventional random access waveform; and using the PRACH for UL positioning to generate a positioning measurement for the UE.

[0388] Clause 170. The method according to Clause 169, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) of the conventional random access waveform is 139.

[0389] Clause 171. The method according to Clause 169, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) is 571 or 839 or 1151.

[0390] Clause 172. The method according to Clause 169, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) is greater than 1151.

[0391] Clause 173. The method described under any of Clauses 169-172 further includes sending a configuration of a PRACH for a UL positioning waveform to the UE before the UE enters an idle or inactive mode.

[0392] Clause 174. The method according to any one of Clauses 169-173, wherein the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform is transmitted during the Random Access Channel (RACH) process for positioning.

[0393] Clause 175. The method according to Clause 174 further includes receiving a separate PRACH for UL positioning waveform corresponding to the separate RACH timing using a separate random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI).

[0394] Clause 176. The method according to Clause 174 further includes sending a paging message to the UE when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode, the paging message instructing the UE to send a PRACH for UL positioning waveform during a RACH process for positioning.

[0395] Clause 177. A base station configured to support the determination of the location of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network, comprising: an external interface configured to wirelessly communicate with the UE in the wireless network; at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the external interface and the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: receive, via the external interface, a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) for UL positioning waveform transmitted by the UE when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode, wherein the PRACH for UL positioning waveform is configured for positioning accuracy by including a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence length (LRA) that is longer than that for a conventional random access waveform; and generate positioning measurements of the UE using the PRACH for UL positioning.

[0396] Clause 178. The base station as described in Clause 177, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) of the conventional random access waveform is 139.

[0397] Clause 179. The base station as described in Clause 177, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) is 571, 839, or 1151.

[0398] Clause 180. The base station as described in Clause 177, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) is greater than 1151.

[0399] Clause 181. A base station according to any of Clauses 177-180, wherein at least one processor is further configured to send a PRACH configuration for a UL positioning waveform to the UE via an external interface before the UE enters an idle or inactive mode.

[0400] Clause 182. A base station as described in any of Clauses 177-181, wherein the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform is transmitted during the Random Access Channel (RACH) process for positioning.

[0401] Clause 183. The base station according to Clause 182, wherein at least one processor is further configured to receive, via an external interface, a separate PRACH for UL positioning waveform corresponding to the separate RACH timing using a separate random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI).

[0402] Clause 184. The base station according to Clause 182, wherein at least one processor is further configured to send a paging message to the UE via an external interface when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode, the paging message instructing the UE to send a PRACH for UL positioning waveform in the RACH process for positioning.

[0403] Clause 185. A base station in a wireless network, configured to support location determination of a user equipment (UE), comprising: means for receiving a physical random access channel (PRACH) for a UL positioning waveform transmitted by the UE when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode, wherein the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform is configured for positioning accuracy by including a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence length (LRA) that is longer than that for a conventional random access waveform; and means for generating a positioning measurement of the UE using the PRACH for UL positioning.

[0404] Clause 186. The base station as described in Clause 185, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) of the conventional random access waveform is 139.

[0405] Clause 187. The base station as described in Clause 185, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) is 571, 839, or 1151.

[0406] Clause 188. The base station as described in Clause 185, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) is greater than 1151.

[0407] Clause 189. The base station according to any of Clauses 185-188 further includes means for transmitting a configuration of a PRACH for a UL positioning waveform to the UE before the UE enters an idle or inactive mode.

[0408] Clause 190. A base station as described in any of Clauses 185-189, wherein the PRACH for the UL positioning waveform is transmitted during the Random Access Channel (RACH) process for positioning.

[0409] Clause 191. The base station according to Clause 190 further includes means for receiving a separate PRACH for a UL positioning waveform corresponding to a separate RACH timing using a separate random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI).

[0410] Clause 192. The base station according to Clause 190 further includes means for sending a paging message to the UE when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode, the paging message instructing the UE to send a PRACH for UL positioning waveform in a RACH process for positioning.

[0411] Clause 193. A non-transitory storage medium including program code stored thereon, the program code being operable to configure at least one processor in a base station to support location determination of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network, the program code including instructions to: receive a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) for UL positioning waveform transmitted by the UE when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode, wherein the PRACH for UL positioning waveform is configured for positioning accuracy by including a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence length (LRA) that is longer than that for a regular random access waveform; and use the PRACH for UL positioning to generate a location measurement for the UE.

[0412] Clause 194. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 193, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) of the conventional random access waveform is 139.

[0413] Clause 195. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 193, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) is 571, 839, or 1151.

[0414] Clause 196. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 193, wherein the ZC sequence length (LRA) is greater than 1151.

[0415] Clause 197. A non-transitory storage medium as described in any of Clauses 193-196, wherein the program code further includes instructions to the UE to configure PRACH for the UL positioning waveform before the UE enters an idle or inactive mode.

[0416] Clause 198. A non-transitory storage medium as described in any of Clauses 193-197, wherein the PRACH waveform for UL positioning is transmitted during the Random Access Channel (RACH) process for positioning.

[0417] Clause 199. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 198, wherein the program code further includes instructions to receive a separate PRACH for a UL positioning waveform corresponding to a separate RACH timing using a separate random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI).

[0418] Clause 200. The non-transitory storage medium as described in Clause 198, wherein the program code further includes instructions to send a paging message to the UE when the UE is in an idle or inactive mode, the paging message instructing the UE to send a PRACH for UL positioning waveform in the RACH process for positioning.

[0419] Therefore, the subject matter to be claimed is not limited to the specific examples disclosed, but can also include all aspects that fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for supporting UE location determination performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network, comprising: Receive from the serving base station an SRS resource configuration for transmitting a positioning detection reference signal (SRS), the SRS resource configuration including at least one of timing adjustment (TA) and uplink (UL) transmission space filter; Enter idle or inactive mode; When in idle or inactive mode, at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters is used to transmit the location SRS; When the UE is in idle or inactive mode, it receives an update on at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters from the serving base station; as well as When in idle or inactive mode, location SRS is transmitted using an update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The SRS resource configuration includes at least one expiration timer for at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters, wherein if the at least one expiration timer expires before the UE receives an update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters, the UE stops locating SRS transmissions when in an idle or inactive mode.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The TA includes separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes expiration timers for separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein, The UL transmission space filter includes separate UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes separate expiration timers for the UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein, The update reset of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters is used for at least one expiration timer of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: When the UE is in idle or inactive mode, monitor the power of the received signals from one or more base stations; as well as Determine when the change in the power of the received signal exceeds a threshold, wherein if the change in the power of the received signal exceeds the threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in an idle or inactive mode.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: When the UE receives an update to the TA, the update is used to determine when the change in the power of the received signal exceeds a reference power threshold.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein, The TA includes separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and for each location SRS resource, the power variation of the received signal is based on a first reference path loss associated with the location SRS resource.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, Different thresholds are used for each different location SRS resource.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein, For each location SRS resource, the change in the power of the received signal is also based on a second reference path loss, wherein a corresponding threshold is used for each reference path loss.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, If the power change of the received signal in either the first reference path loss or the second reference path loss exceeds the corresponding threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in idle or inactive mode.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein, If the power variation of the received signal in either the first reference path loss or the second reference path loss exceeds a corresponding threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in idle or inactive mode.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: When the UE is in idle or inactive mode, the relative position of the UE is monitored based on inertial measurement. as well as Determine when the change in relative position exceeds a threshold, wherein if the change in relative position exceeds the threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in an idle or inactive mode.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein, The UE receives an update to at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or paging messages sent from the serving base station.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The update is effective for one or more location SRS resources.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein, For each location SRS resource, separate updates are received.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The separate update is received in a single DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging message, or in multiple DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging messages.

18. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: UL signals are transmitted on pre-configured resources using multiple pre-configured UL transmission space filters; Specifically, in response to a UL signal transmitted on a pre-configured resource using multiple pre-configured UL transmission space filters, an update to the UL transmission space filter is received from the serving base station.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein, Receiving the SRS resource configuration from the serving base station includes receiving multiple SRS resource configurations, wherein sending the positioning SRS uses a first PRS resource configuration from the multiple SRS resource configurations, and further includes receiving a selection of a second SRS resource configuration from the multiple SRS resource configurations from the serving base station, wherein sending the positioning SRS uses the second SRS resource configuration.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The selection of the second SRS resource configuration and the update of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters are received.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein, The UE receives a selection of a second SRS resource configuration from the serving base station in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or paging message sent from the serving base station.

22. A UE configured to support location determination of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network, comprising: A wireless transceiver, configured to communicate wirelessly with a base station in a wireless network; At least one memory; At least one processor, coupled to a wireless transceiver and at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: The SRS resource configuration for transmitting a location detection reference signal (SRS) is received from the serving base station via a wireless transceiver. The SRS resource configuration includes at least one of timing adjustment (TA) and uplink (UL) transmission space filter. Enter idle or inactive mode; Location SRS is transmitted via a wireless transceiver, using at least one of TA and UL transmission space filters, when in idle or inactive mode. When the UE is in idle or inactive mode, it receives updates to at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters from the serving base station via a radio transceiver; and Location SRS is transmitted via a wireless transceiver, using an update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters, when in idle or inactive mode.

23. The UE according to claim 22, wherein, The SRS resource configuration includes at least one expiration timer for at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters, wherein if the at least one expiration timer expires before the UE receives an update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters, the UE stops locating SRS transmissions when in an idle or inactive mode.

24. The UE according to claim 23, wherein, The TA includes separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes expiration timers for separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources.

25. The UE according to claim 23, wherein, The UL transmission space filter includes separate UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes separate expiration timers for the UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources.

26. The UE according to claim 23, wherein, The update reset of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters is used for at least one expiration timer of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters.

27. The UE according to claim 22, wherein, The at least one processor is further configured to: When the UE is in idle or inactive mode, monitor the power of signals received from one or more base stations; and Determine when the change in the power of the received signal exceeds a threshold, wherein if the change in the power of the received signal exceeds the threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in an idle or inactive mode.

28. The UE according to claim 27, wherein, The at least one processor is further configured to: When the UE receives an update to the TA, the update is used to determine when the change in the power of the received signal exceeds a reference power threshold.

29. The UE according to claim 27, wherein, The TA includes separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and for each location SRS resource, the power variation of the received signal is based on a first reference path loss associated with the location SRS resource.

30. The UE according to claim 29, wherein, Different thresholds are used for each different location SRS resource.

31. The UE according to claim 29, wherein, For each location SRS resource, the change in the power of the received signal is also based on a second reference path loss, wherein a corresponding threshold is used for each reference path loss.

32. The UE according to claim 31, wherein, If the power change of the received signal in either the first reference path loss or the second reference path loss exceeds the corresponding threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in idle or inactive mode.

33. The UE according to claim 31, wherein, If the power variation of the received signal in either the first reference path loss or the second reference path loss exceeds a corresponding threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in idle or inactive mode.

34. The UE according to claim 22, wherein, The at least one processor is further configured to: When the UE is in idle or inactive mode, its relative position is monitored based on inertial measurement; and Determine when the change in relative position exceeds a threshold, wherein if the change in relative position exceeds the threshold before the UE receives an update to the TA, the UE stops the transmission of the location SRS when it is in an idle or inactive mode.

35. The UE according to claim 22, wherein, The UE receives an update to at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or paging messages sent from the serving base station.

36. The UE according to claim 35, wherein, The update is effective for one or more location SRS resources.

37. The UE according to claim 35, wherein, For each location SRS resource, separate updates are received.

38. The UE according to claim 37, wherein, The separate update is received in a single DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging message, or in multiple DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging messages.

39. The UE according to claim 22, wherein, The at least one processor is further configured to: UL signals are transmitted over pre-configured resources using multiple pre-configured UL transmission space filters via a wireless transceiver. Specifically, in response to a UL signal transmitted on a pre-configured resource using multiple pre-configured UL transmission space filters, an update to the UL transmission space filter is received from the serving base station.

40. The UE according to claim 22, wherein, The at least one processor is configured to receive the SRS resource configuration from the serving base station via a radio transceiver by being configured to receive a plurality of SRS resource configurations, wherein the location SRS uses a first PRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive a selection of a second SRS resource configuration from the serving base station via a radio transceiver, and to use the second SRS resource configuration to transmit the location SRS.

41. The UE according to claim 40, wherein, The selection of the second SRS resource configuration and the update of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters are received.

42. The UE according to claim 40, wherein, The UE receives a selection of a second SRS resource configuration from the serving base station in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or paging message sent from the serving base station.

43. A method for supporting location determination of a user equipment (UE) performed by a base station in a wireless network, comprising: Send an SRS resource configuration to the UE for transmitting a location detection reference signal (SRS) in an idle or inactive mode, the SRS resource configuration including at least one of timing adjustment (TA) and uplink (UL) transmission space filter; When the UE is in idle or inactive mode, at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters is used to receive the positioning SRS sent from the UE. Location measurements are generated using a location SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters. When the UE is in idle or inactive mode, send an update to the UE for at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters; When the UE is in idle or inactive mode, receive the location SRS sent from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters; as well as Positioning measurements are generated using the positioning SRS sent from the UE with an update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters.

44. The method according to claim 43, wherein, The SRS resource configuration includes at least one expiration timer for at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters, wherein if the at least one expiration timer expires before the UE receives an update for at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters from the base station, the UE stops positioning SRS transmission when it is in an idle or inactive mode.

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein, The TA includes separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes expiration timers for separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources.

46. ​​The method of claim 44, wherein, The UL transmission space filter includes separate UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes separate expiration timers for the UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources.

47. The method of claim 44, wherein, The update reset of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters is used for at least one expiration timer of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters.

48. The method according to claim 43, wherein, The base station transmits an update to at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or paging messages.

49. The method according to claim 48, wherein, The update is effective for one or more location SRS resources.

50. The method according to claim 48, wherein, For each location SRS resource, separate updates are sent.

51. The method according to claim 50, wherein, The separate updates are sent in a single DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging message, or in multiple DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging messages.

52. The method of claim 43, further comprising: UL signals are received from the UE on pre-configured resources using multiple pre-configured UL transmission space filters; as well as An update to the UL transmission space filter is generated based on the UL signals received on pre-configured resources using multiple pre-configured UL transmission space filters.

53. The method according to claim 43, wherein, Sending the SRS resource configuration to the UE includes sending multiple SRS resource configurations, wherein a location SRS received from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters is configured with a first PRS resource configuration from the multiple SRS resource configurations, and also includes sending a selection of a second SRS resource configuration from the multiple SRS resource configurations, and receiving the location SRS sent from the UE using the second SRS resource configuration from the multiple SRS resource configurations.

54. The method according to claim 53, wherein, The selection of the second SRS resource configuration and the update of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters are sent.

55. The method according to claim 53, wherein, The base station sends a selection of the second SRS resource configuration in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), the DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or a paging message.

56. A base station configured to support location determination of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network, comprising: The external interface is configured to communicate wirelessly with the UE in the wireless network; At least one memory; At least one processor, coupled to an external interface and at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: The SRS resource configuration for transmitting a location detection reference signal (SRS) in an idle or inactive mode is sent to the UE via an external interface. The SRS resource configuration includes at least one of timing adjustment (TA) and uplink (UL) transmission space filter. The location SRS transmitted from the UE is received via an external interface when the UE is in idle or inactive mode using at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters; Location measurements are generated using a location SRS transmitted from the UE using at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters. When the UE is in idle or inactive mode, an update to at least one of the TA and UL transport space filters is sent to the UE via an external interface. Via an external interface, when the UE is in idle or inactive mode, receive location SRS transmitted from the UE using updates to at least one of the TA and UL transport spatial filters; and Positioning measurements are generated using the positioning SRS sent from the UE with an update to at least one of the TA and UL transmission spatial filters.

57. The base station according to claim 56, wherein, The SRS resource configuration includes at least one expiration timer for at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters, wherein if the at least one expiration timer expires before the UE receives an update for at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters from the base station, the UE stops positioning SRS transmission when it is in an idle or inactive mode.

58. The base station according to claim 57, wherein, The TA includes separate TAs associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes separate expiration timers for TAs associated with different location SRS resources.

59. The base station according to claim 57, wherein, The UL transmission space filter includes separate UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources, and the SRS resource configuration includes separate expiration timers for the UL transmission space filters associated with different location SRS resources.

60. The base station according to claim 57, wherein, The update reset of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters is used for at least one of the at least one expiration timer of the TA and UL transmission space filters.

61. The base station according to claim 56, wherein, The base station transmits an update of at least one of the following in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or paging message: the TA and UL transmission space filter.

62. The base station according to claim 61, wherein, The update is effective for one or more location SRS resources.

63. The base station according to claim 61, wherein, For each location SRS resource, separate updates are sent.

64. The base station according to claim 63, wherein, The separate updates are sent in a single DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging message, or in multiple DL PDSCH, DL PDDCCH, or paging messages.

65. The base station according to claim 56, wherein, The at least one processor is further configured to: UL signals are received from the UE on pre-configured resources via an external interface using multiple pre-configured UL transmission space filters; and An update to the UL transmission space filter is generated based on the UL signals received on pre-configured resources using multiple pre-configured UL transmission space filters.

66. The base station according to claim 56, wherein, The at least one processor is configured to transmit the SRS resource configuration to the UE via an external interface by being configured to transmit a plurality of SRS resource configurations, wherein the positioning SRS received from the UE using at least one of TA and UL transmission spatial filters is configured with a first PRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to transmit a selection of a second SRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations via the external interface, and to receive positioning SRS transmitted from the UE using the second SRS resource configuration from the plurality of SRS resource configurations.

67. The base station according to claim 66, wherein, The selection of the second SRS resource configuration and the update of at least one of the TA and UL transmission space filters are sent.

68. The base station according to claim 66, wherein, The base station sends a selection of the second SRS resource configuration in one of the downlink (DL) physical data sharing channel (PDSCH), the DL physical data control channel (PDCCH), or a paging message.

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