Positioning optimization for multiplexing low latency downlink traffic

Abstract

Techniques for wireless communications are disclosed. In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) receives, from a network entity, a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration that indicates a pattern of PRS resources transmitted by at least one network node, and transmits, to a serving network node, a proposed measurement gap pattern that enables the UE to measure at least a subset of the PRS resources transmitted by each of the at least one network node, the proposed measurement gap pattern determined based on the pattern of PRS resources.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This patent application claims priority to Indian Patent Application No. 202041024332, filed on June 10, 2020, entitled “POSITIONING OPTIMIZATIONSFOR MULTIPLEXING LOW LATENCY DOWNLINK TRAFFIC”, which has been assigned to the assignee of this application and is clearly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The various aspects of this disclosure generally relate to wireless communications. Background Technology

[0004] Wireless communication systems have evolved through several generations, including first-generation analog radiotelephone service (1G), second-generation (2G) digital radiotelephone service (including transitional 2.5G and 2.75G networks), third-generation (3G) high-speed data, wireless services supporting the Internet, and fourth-generation (4G) services (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) or WiMax). Currently, there are many different types of wireless communication systems in use, including cellular and Personal Communication Services (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), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), etc.

[0005] The fifth-generation (5G) wireless standard, known as New Radio (NR), advocates for higher data transmission speeds, a greater number of connections, better coverage, and other improvements. According to the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGC), the 5G standard is designed to provide tens of megabits per second (Mbps) of data rate for each of tens of thousands of users, and 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) of data rate for dozens of employees 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 should be significantly improved compared to the current 4G standard. Furthermore, signaling efficiency should be improved and latency significantly reduced compared to the current standard. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The following is a simplified overview relating to one or more aspects disclosed herein. Therefore, the following summary should not be considered an exhaustive overview relating to all contemplated aspects, nor should it be regarded as identifying important or key elements relating to all contemplated aspects or describing the scope associated with any particular aspect. Thus, the sole purpose of the following summary is to present, in a simplified form, certain concepts relating to one or more aspects of the mechanisms disclosed herein before the detailed embodiments given below.

[0007] In one aspect, a wireless communication method performed by a user equipment (UE) includes: receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration from a network entity, the PRS configuration indicating a pattern of PRS resources transmitted by at least one network node; and transmitting a proposed measurement gap pattern to a serving network node, the proposed measurement gap pattern enabling the UE to measure at least a subset of the PRS resources transmitted by each of the at least one network node, the proposed measurement gap pattern being determined based on the pattern of the PRS resources.

[0008] In one aspect, a wireless communication method performed by a network node includes: receiving from one or more network nodes a user equipment (UE) one or more location reference signal (PRS) configurations, each PRS configuration indicating a pattern of PRS resources transmitted by a corresponding network node among the one or more network nodes; and transmitting a PRS to the UE based on the UE's PRS configuration, the UE's PRS configuration being determined based on the one or more PRS configurations.

[0009] In one aspect, a wireless communication method performed by a serving base station includes: receiving from a user equipment (UE) an indication that the UE does not require additional time to load and unload a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) measurement mode; and configuring a measurement gap pattern for the UE that does not include the additional time for the UE to load and unload the PRS measurement mode.

[0010] In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) includes: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor being configured to: receive a location reference signal (PRS) configuration from a network entity via the at least one transceiver, the PRS configuration indicating a pattern of PRS resources transmitted by at least one network node; and transmit a proposed measurement gap pattern to a serving network node via the at least one transceiver, the proposed measurement gap pattern enabling the UE to measure at least a subset of the PRS resources transmitted by each of the at least one network node, the proposed measurement gap pattern being determined based on the pattern of the PRS resources.

[0011] In one aspect, a network node includes: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor being configured to: receive, via the at least one transceiver, one or more Position Reference Signal (PRS) configurations of a user equipment (UE) from one or more network nodes, each PRS configuration indicating a pattern of PRS resources transmitted by a respective network node among the one or more network nodes; and transmit a PRS to the UE via the at least one transceiver based on the UE's PRS configuration, the UE's PRS configuration being determined based on the one or more PRS configurations.

[0012] In one aspect, a serving base station includes: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor being configured to: receive, via the at least one transceiver, from a user equipment (UE) an indication that the UE does not require additional time to load and unload a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) measurement mode; and configure a measurement gap pattern for the UE that does not include the additional time for the UE to load and unload a PRS measurement mode.

[0013] In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) includes: components for receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration from a network entity, the PRS configuration indicating a pattern of PRS resources transmitted by at least one network node; and components for transmitting a proposed measurement gap pattern to a serving network node, the proposed measurement gap pattern enabling the UE to measure at least a subset of the PRS resources transmitted by each of the at least one network node, the proposed measurement gap pattern being determined based on the pattern of the PRS resources.

[0014] In one aspect, a network node includes: components for receiving one or more Position Reference Signal (PRS) configurations of a user equipment (UE) from one or more network nodes, each PRS configuration indicating a pattern of PRS resources transmitted by a respective network node among the one or more network nodes; and components for transmitting PRS to the UE based on the UE's PRS configuration, the UE's PRS configuration being determined based on the one or more PRS configurations.

[0015] In one aspect, a serving base station includes: components for receiving from a user equipment (UE) an indication that the UE does not require additional time to load and unload a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) measurement mode; and components for configuring a measurement gap pattern for the UE, the measurement gap pattern not including the additional time for the UE to load and unload the PRS measurement mode.

[0016] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to: receive a Position Reference Signal (PRS) configuration from a network entity, the PRS configuration indicating a pattern of PRS resources transmitted by at least one network node; and transmit a proposed measurement gap pattern to a serving network node, the proposed measurement gap pattern enabling the UE to measure at least a subset of the PRS resources transmitted by each of the at least one network node, the proposed measurement gap pattern being determined based on the pattern of the PRS resources.

[0017] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a network node, cause the network node to: receive from one or more network nodes a location reference signal (PRS) configuration of a user equipment (UE), each PRS configuration indicating a pattern of PRS resources transmitted by a corresponding network node among the one or more network nodes; and transmit a PRS to the UE based on the UE's PRS configuration, the UE's PRS configuration being determined based on the one or more PRS configurations.

[0018] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a serving base station, cause the serving base station to: receive from a user equipment (UE) an indication that the UE does not require additional time for switching in and out of a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) measurement mode; and configure a measurement gap pattern for the UE that does not include the additional time for the UE to switch in and out of the PRS measurement mode.

[0019] Based on the accompanying drawings and detailed embodiments, other objects and advantages associated with the aspects disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The accompanying drawings are provided to help describe various aspects of this disclosure, and are provided only to illustrate these aspects and not to limit them.

[0021] Figure 1 An example wireless communication system according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0022] Figure 2A and Figure 2B Example wireless network architectures according to various aspects of this disclosure are shown.

[0023] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C These are simplified block diagrams of several example aspects of components that can be adopted in user equipment (UE), base stations, and network entities and configured to support the communications taught herein.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example frame structure according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating various downlink channels within example downlink time slots according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a diagram of an example positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a given base station PRS transmission according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0027] Figure 7 It is a diagram of an example location reference signal (PRS) resource set with different time intervals according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0028] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of the set of measurement gaps requested according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0029] Figures 9 to 11 Example methods of wireless communication according to various aspects of this disclosure are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0030] 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 may be omitted or not described in detail so as not to obscure the relevant details of this disclosure.

[0031] The terms “exemplary” and / or “example” are used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” and / or “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over 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.

[0032] Those skilled in the art will understand that any of a variety of different technologies and processes can be used to represent the information and signals described below. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the following specification can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof, depending in part on the specific application, in part on the required design, in part on the corresponding technology, etc.

[0033] Furthermore, multiple aspects are described according to sequences of actions to be performed by elements of, for example, a computing device. It should be understood that the various actions described herein can be performed by specific circuitry (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 to be fully embodied 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, for example, as "logic configured to perform the actions."

[0034] As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the terms “User Equipment” (UE) and “Base Station” are not intended to be specific or otherwise limited to any particular Radio Access Technology (RAT). Generally, a UE can be any wireless communication device (e.g., mobile phone, router, tablet computer, laptop computer, consumer asset locating 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 can (e.g., at certain times) be stationary and can communicate with a Radio Access Network (RAN). As used herein, the term “UE” can be interchangeably referred to as “Access Terminal” or “AT”, “Client Equipment”, “Wireless Equipment”, “Subscriber Equipment”, “Subscriber Terminal”, “Subscriber Station”, “User Terminal” or “UT”, “Mobile Equipment”, “Mobile Terminal”, “Mobile Station”, or variations thereof. Generally, a UE can communicate with a core network via the RAN, and through the core network, a UE can connect to external networks such as the Internet and to other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms for connecting to the core network and / or the Internet are also possible for the UE, such as through wired access networks, wireless local area network (WLAN) networks (e.g., based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, etc.).

[0035] A base station may operate according to one of several RATs used to communicate with the UE, depending on the network in which it is deployed, and may be alternatively referred to as an Access Point (AP), Network Node, NodeB, Evolved NodeB (eNB), Next Generation eNB (ng-eNB), New Radio (NR) NodeB (also referred to as gNB or gNodeB), etc. A base station may primarily be used to support the UE's radio access, including supporting data, voice, and / or signaling connections for the supported UE. 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.). As used herein, the term Traffic Channel (TCH) may refer to an uplink / reverse or downlink / forward traffic channel.

[0036] The term "base station" can refer to a single physical transmit / receive point (TRP) or multiple physical TRPs that may or may not be co-located. For example, when the term "base station" refers to a single physical TRP, the physical TRP can be the antenna of a base station corresponding to a cell (or several cell sectors) of the base station. When the term "base station" refers to multiple co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRPs can be an array of antennas of the base station (e.g., as 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 TRPs, the physical TRPs can be a distributed antenna system (DAS) (a network of spatially separated antennas connected via a transmission medium to a common source) or a remote radio head (RRH) (a remote base station connected to a serving base station). Alternatively, a non-co-located physical TRP can be the serving base station from which the UE receives measurement reports, as well as neighboring base stations whose reference radio frequency (RF) signals are being measured by the UE. Because, as used herein, a TRP is the point at which a base station transmits and receives radio signals, references to transmissions from or receptions at a base station will be understood to refer to a specific TRP of the base station.

[0037] In some implementations that support UE positioning, the base station may not support the UE's radio access (e.g., it may not support data, voice, and / or signaling connections for the UE), but instead transmits reference signals to the UE that can be measured by the UE, and / or can receive and measure signals transmitted by the UE. Such a base station may be referred to as a positioning beacon (e.g., when transmitting signals to the UE) and / or as a location measurement unit (e.g., when receiving and measuring signals from the UE).

[0038] An “RF signal” refers to an electromagnetic wave of a given frequency that transmits information across the space between a transmitter and a receiver. As used herein, a transmitter may send a single “RF signal” or multiple “RF signals” to a receiver. However, due to the propagation characteristics of RF signals through multipath channels, a receiver may receive multiple “RF signals” corresponding to each transmitted RF signal. The same transmitted RF signal on different paths between the transmitter and receiver can be referred to as a “multipath” RF signal. As used herein, an RF signal may also be referred to as a “wireless signal” or simply a “signal,” where, as is clear from the context, the term “signal” refers to a wireless signal or an RF signal.

[0039] Figure 1 An example wireless communication system 100 according to various aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 100 (also referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) may include various base stations 102 (labeled "BS") and various UEs 104. Base station 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, the macro cell base station may include an eNB and / or ng-eNB in ​​which the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an LTE network, or a gNB in ​​which the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an NR network, or a combination of both, and the small cell base station may include femtocells, picocells, microcells, etc.

[0040] Base station 102 can collectively form a RAN and interface with core network 170 (e.g., evolved packet core (EPC) or 5G core (5GC)) via backhaul link 122, and connect to one or more location servers 172 (e.g., location management function (LMF) or secure user plane location (SUPL) location platform (SLP)) via core network 170. Location server 172 can be part of core network 170 or external to core network 170. Among other functions, base station 102 can also perform functions related to one or more of the following: transmission of 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, distribution of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, RAN sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and device tracking, RAN information management (RIM), paging, location, and delivery of warning messages. Base stations 102 can communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via EPC / 5GC) through a backhaul link 134, which can be wired or wireless.

[0041] Base station 102 can wirelessly communicate with UE 104. Each of base stations 102 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110. In one aspect, base station 102 can support one or more cells in each geographic coverage area 110. 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 an identifier (e.g., Physical Cell Identifier (PCI), Enhanced Cell Identifier (ECI), Virtual Cell Identifier (VCI), Cell Global Identifier (CGI), etc.) used to distinguish cells operating via the same or different carrier frequencies. In some cases, different cells can be configured based on 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)) or others. Because a cell is supported by a specific base station, the term “cell” can refer to one or both of the logical communication entity and the base station supporting it, depending on the context. Furthermore, since the TRP is typically the physical transmission point of the cell, the terms “cell” and “TRP” are used interchangeably. In some cases, the term "cell" can also refer to the geographical coverage area (e.g., sector) of a base station, provided that the carrier frequency can be detected and used for communication within certain parts of the geographical coverage area 110.

[0042] Although 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' (labeled "SC" for "small cell") may have a geographic coverage area 110' that substantially overlaps with the geographic coverage areas 110 of one or more macro cell base stations 102. A network that includes both small cell base stations and macro cell base stations can be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include a home eNB (HeNB) that can provide service to a restricted group referred to as a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG).

[0043] The communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 104 may include uplink (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 techniques including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link 120 may use one or more carrier frequencies. Carrier allocation may be asymmetric relative to the downlink and uplink (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated to the downlink compared to the uplink).

[0044] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) 150 that 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 free channel assessment (CCA) or listen-before-talk (LBT) to determine whether the channel is available before communication.

[0045] 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 NR technology and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum as WLAN AP 150. Small cell 102' employing LTE / 5G in unlicensed spectrum can increase coverage and / or capacity of the access network. NR in unlicensed spectrum can be referred to as NR-U. LTE in unlicensed spectrum can be referred to as LTE-U, Licensed Assisted Access (LAA), or MulteFire.

[0046] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a millimeter-wave (mmW) base station 180, which can operate at mmW and / or near-mmW frequencies, communicating with the UE 182. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that contains radio frequency (RF). EHF ranges 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-mmW can extend down to frequencies of 3 GHz with wavelengths of 100 mm. Ultra-high frequency (SHF) bands extend between 3 GHz and 30 GHz and are also referred to as centimeter waves. Communication using mmW / near-mmW radio 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 should 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 any aspect of the disclosure herein.

[0047] Transmit beamforming is a technique that focuses RF signals 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 the receiving device with a faster and stronger RF signal (in terms of data rate). To change the direction 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 array of antennas (called a "phased array" or "antenna array") that generates beams that can be "guided" to point RF waves in different directions without actually moving the antennas. Specifically, RF currents from the transmitters are fed to the individual antennas with the correct phase relationship, such that the radio waves from the individual antennas are added together to increase radiation in the desired direction while canceling out radiation in undesired directions.

[0048] Transmit beams can be quasi-co-located, meaning they appear to the receiver (e.g., UE) as having the same parameters, regardless of whether the transmit antennas of the network nodes are physically juxtaposed. In NR, there are four types of quasi-co-located (QCL) relationships. Specifically, a given type of QCL relationship means that certain parameters about the second reference RF signal on the second beam can be derived from information about the source reference RF signal on the source beam. Therefore, if the source reference RF signal is QCL type A, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, and delay spread of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type B, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and Doppler spread of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type C, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and average delay of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type D, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the spatial reception parameters of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel.

[0049] 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 the RF signal received from that direction (e.g., increase its gain level). Therefore, when we say that a receiver is beamforming in a certain direction, it means that the beam gain in that direction is high relative to the beam gain along other directions, or that the beam gain in that direction is the highest compared to the beam gain of all other receive beams available to the receiver in that direction. This results in a higher 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.

[0050] Transmit and receive beams can be spatially related. Spatial relationship means that the parameters of a second beam (e.g., transmit or receive beam) used for a second reference signal can be derived from information about a first beam (e.g., receive or transmit beam) used for a first reference signal. For example, a UE can use a specific receive beam to receive a reference downlink reference signal (e.g., a synchronization signal block (SSB)) from a base station. The UE can then form a transmit beam for transmitting an uplink reference signal (e.g., a sounding reference signal (SRS)) to that base station based on the parameters of the receive beam.

[0051] Note that a "downlink" beam can be either a transmit or receive beam, depending on the entity forming it. For example, if a base station is forming a downlink beam to transmit a reference signal to a UE, then the downlink beam is a transmit beam. However, if a UE is forming a downlink beam, then it is a receive beam to receive the downlink reference signal. Similarly, an "uplink" beam can be either a transmit or receive beam, depending on the entity forming it. For example, if a base station is forming an uplink beam, then it is an uplink receive beam, and if a UE is forming an uplink beam, then it is an uplink transmit beam.

[0052] In 5G, the spectrum in which wireless nodes (e.g., base stations 102 / 180, UEs 104 / 182) operate is divided into several frequency ranges: FR1 (from 450 to 6000 MHz), FR2 (from 24250 to 52600 MHz), FR3 (above 52600 MHz), and FR4 (between FR1 and FR2). The mmW band typically includes the FR2, FR3, and FR4 frequency ranges. Therefore, the terms "mmW" and "FR2" or "FR3" or "FR4" are often used interchangeably.

[0053] In multi-carrier systems (such as 5G), one of the carrier frequencies is called the "primary carrier," "anchor carrier," "primary serving cell," or "PCell," while 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) used by UE 104 / 182 and the cell in which UE 104 / 182 performs the initial Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or initiates the RRC connection re-establishment procedure. The primary carrier carries all common and UE-specific control channels and can be a carrier on a licensed frequency (but not always). The 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. In some cases, the secondary carrier can be a carrier on an unlicensed frequency. Secondary carriers may contain only necessary signaling information and signals; for example, UE-specific information and signals may not exist 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 to balance the load on different carriers. Because a "serving cell" (whether PCell or SCell) corresponds to the carrier frequency / component carrier through which a base station is communicating, the terms "cell," "serving cell," "component carrier," and "carrier frequency" are used interchangeably.

[0054] For example, still refer to Figure 1 One of the frequencies utilized by the macro cell base station 102 can be an anchor carrier (or "PCell"), and other frequencies utilized by the macro cell base station 102 and / or 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 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).

[0055] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a UE 164 that can communicate with a macro cell base station 102 via a communication link 120 and / or with an mmW base station 180 via an 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.

[0056] exist Figure 1 In the example, any user device shown (for simplicity, in) Figure 1 The UE 104 (shown as a single user equipment 104) may receive signal 124 from one or more Earth-orbiting spacecraft (SV) 112 (e.g., satellites). In one aspect, SV 112 may be part of a satellite positioning system, which the UE 104 may use as a separate source of location information. A satellite positioning system typically includes a transmitter system (e.g., SV 112) positioned such that receivers (e.g., UE 104) can determine their location on or above the Earth based at least in part on positioning signals (e.g., signal 124) received from the transmitter. Such transmitters typically transmit signals marked with a set number of repeating pseudo-random noise (PN) codes. Although typically located in SV 112, transmitters may sometimes be located at ground-based control stations, base stations 102, and / or other UEs 104. The UE 104 may include one or more dedicated receivers specifically designed to receive signal 124 from SV 112 for deriving geographic location information.

[0057] In satellite positioning systems, the use of signal 124 can be enhanced by various satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS). These SBAS can be associated with or otherwise support use with one or more global and / or regional navigation satellite systems. For example, SBAS can include augmentation systems that provide integrity information, differential correction, etc., such as Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), Multifunctional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS), GPS-assisted Geo-Augmented Navigation, or GPS and Geo-Augmented Navigation System (GAGAN). Therefore, as used herein, a satellite positioning system can include any combination of one or more global and / or regional navigation satellites associated with one or more such satellite positioning systems.

[0058] In one aspect, SV 112 may additionally or alternatively serve as part of one or more non-terrestrial networks (NTNs). Within an NTN, SV 112 connects to an earth station (also referred to as a ground station, NTN gateway, or gateway), which in turn connects to elements within the 5G network, such as the modified base station 102 (without a terrestrial antenna) or network nodes in the 5GC. This element, in turn, provides access to other elements within the 5G network and ultimately to entities outside the 5G network, such as internet network servers and other user equipment. Thus, UE 104 can receive communication signals (e.g., signal 124) from SV 112, rather than from terrestrial base station 102 or anything else.

[0059] The wireless communication system 100 may also include one or more UEs (such as UE 190) that are indirectly connected to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links (referred to as "side 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., UE 190 can indirectly obtain cellular connectivity through this link 192); and a D2D P2P link 194 with a WLAN STA 152 connected to a WLAN AP 150 (UE 190 can indirectly obtain WLAN-based Internet connectivity through this link 194). In the example, D2D P2P links 192 and 194 can be connected via any known D2D RAT (such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct (WiFi-D)). (etc.) to support.

[0060] Figure 2A An example wireless network architecture 200 is illustrated. For example, the 5GC 210 (also referred to as the Next Generation Core (NGC)) can be functionally considered as a control plane (C-plane) function 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and a user plane (U-plane) function 212 (e.g., UE gateway function, access to data networks, IP routing, etc.), which can operate collaboratively to form the core network. A user plane interface (NG-U) 213 and a control plane interface (NG-C) 215 connect the gNB 222 to the 5GC 210, specifically to the user plane function 212 and control plane function 214, respectively. In another configuration, the ng-eNB 224 can also connect to the 5GC 210 via the NG-C 215 to the control plane function 214 and the NG-U 213 to the user plane function 212. Furthermore, the ng-eNB 224 can communicate directly with the gNB 222 via a backhaul connection 223. In some configurations, the next-generation RAN (NG-RAN) 220 may have one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations include one or more of both ng-eNBs 224 and gNBs 222. Either or both of the gNBs 222 or ng-eNBs 224 can communicate with one or more UEs 204 (e.g., any UE described herein).

[0061] Another optional aspect may include location server 230, which can communicate with 5GC 210 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 distributed 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 location server 230 via the core network, 5GC 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 (e.g., a third-party server, such as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) server or a service server).

[0062] Figure 2B Another example wireless network architecture 250.5GC 260 is shown (which can correspond to...). Figure 2AThe 5GC210 in the document can be functionally viewed as a control plane function provided by the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 264 and a user plane function provided by the User Plane Function (UPF) 262, which operate collaboratively to form the core network (i.e., 5GC260). The AMF 264's functions include registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful interception, delivery of session management (SM) messages between one or more UEs 204 (e.g., any UE described herein) and the Session Management Function (SMF) 266, a transparent proxy service for routing SM messages, access authentication and access authorization, delivery of short message service (SMS) messages between UE 204 and the Short Message Service Function (SMSF) (not shown), and a Security Anchor Function (SEAF). The AMF 264 also interacts with the Authentication Server Function (AUSF) (not shown) and UE 204, and receives an intermediate key created as a result of the UE 204's authentication process. In the case of authentication based on the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), the AMF 264 retrieves security material from the AUSF. The AMF 264 also includes Security Context Management (SCM). The SCM receives a key from the SEAF, which it uses to derive access network-specific keys. The AMF 264 also includes location service management for regulatory services, transmission of location service messages between the UE 204 and the Location Management Function (LMF) 270 (which acts as a location server 230), transmission of location service messages between the NG-RAN 220 and the LMF 270, Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearer identifier allocation for interoperability with EPS, and UE 204 mobility event notification. Furthermore, the AMF 264 also supports functions for non-3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) access networks.

[0063] The functions of UPF 262 include: acting as an anchor point for intra-RAT / inter-RAT mobility (where applicable), acting as an external Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session point for interconnection with a data network (not shown), providing packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, user plane policy rule enforcement (e.g., gating, redirection, traffic steering), lawful interception (user plane collection), traffic usage reporting, user plane Quality of Service (QoS) processing (e.g., uplink / downlink rate enforcement, reflective QoS marking in downlink), uplink traffic verification (Service Data Stream (SDF) to QoS stream mapping), transport-level packet marking in uplink and downlink, downlink packet buffering and downlink data notification triggering, and sending and forwarding one or more "end markers" to the source RAN node. UPF 262 can also support the transmission of location service messages between UE 204 and location servers (such as SLP 272) via the user plane.

[0064] 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 traffic guidance at UPF 262 to route traffic to appropriate destinations, control of policy enforcement and QoS, and downlink data notification. The interface through which SMF 266 communicates with AMF 264 is referred to as the N11 interface.

[0065] Another optional aspect may include an LMF 270, which can communicate with the 5GC 260 to provide location assistance to the UE 204. The LMF 270 may 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 may be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204, which may connect to the LMF 270 via the core network, the 5GC 260, and / or via the Internet (not shown). SLP 272 can support similar functionality to LMF 270, but while LMF 270 can communicate with AMF 264, NG-RAN 220, and UE 204 via the control plane (e.g., using interfaces and protocols designed to convey signaling messages rather than voice-to-data), SLP 272 can communicate with UE 204 and external clients (not in the control plane) via the user plane (e.g., using protocols designed to carry voice and / or data, such as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and / or IP). Figure 2B shown in) communication.

[0066] User plane interface 263 and control plane interface 265 connect 5GC 260, specifically UPF 262 and AMF 264, to one or more gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224 in NG-RAN 220, respectively. The interface between gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224 and AMF 264 is referred to as the "N2" interface, while the interface between gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224 and UPF 262 is referred to as the "N3" interface. The gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224 of NG-RAN 220 can communicate directly with each other via backhaul connection 223 (referred to as the "Xn-C" interface). One or more gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224 can communicate with one or more UE 204 through a radio interface referred to as the "Uu" interface.

[0067] The functions of gNB 222 are divided between gNB Central Unit (gNB-CU) 226 and one or more gNB Distributed Units (gNB-DU) 228. The interface 232 between gNB-CU 226 and one or more gNB-DU 228 is referred to as the "F1" interface. In addition to the functions specifically allocated to gNB-DU 228, gNB-CU 226 is a logical node that includes base station functions such as user data transmission, mobility control, radio access network sharing, positioning, and session management. More specifically, gNB-CU 226 hosts the Radio Resource Control (RRC), Serving Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) protocols of gNB 222. gNB-DU 228 is a logical node that hosts the Radio Link Control (RLC), Media Access Control (MAC), and Physical Layer (PHY) of gNB 222. Its operation is controlled by gNB-CU 226. One gNB-DU 228 can support one or more cells, and a cell is supported by only one gNB-DU 228. Therefore, UE 204 communicates with gNB-CU 226 via RRC, SDAP, and PDCP layers, and with gNB-DU 228 via RLC, MAC, and PHY layers.

[0068] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C This illustrates what can be incorporated into UE 302 (which may correspond to any UE described herein), base station 304 (which may correspond to any base station described herein), and network entity 306 (which may correspond to or embody any network function described herein, including location server 230, LMF 270, or alternatively may be independent of UE 302). Figure 2A and Figure 2BThe diagram depicts several example components (represented by corresponding blocks) in the NG-RAN 220 and / or 5GC 210 / 260 infrastructure (such as a private network) used to support file transfer operations as taught herein. It should be understood that these components can be implemented in different types of devices with different implementations (e.g., in an ASIC, in a system-on-a-chip (SoC), etc.). The components shown can also be incorporated into other devices in a communication system. For example, other devices in the system may include components similar to those described to provide similar functionality. Furthermore, a given device may contain one or more of these components. For example, a device may include multiple transceiver components that enable the device to operate on multiple carriers and / or communicate via different technologies.

[0069] UE 302 and base station 304 each include one or more Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) transceivers 310 and 350 providing components (e.g., components for transmitting, components for receiving, components for measuring, components for tuning, components for suppressing transmission, etc.) for communication via one or more wireless communication networks (not shown) (such as NR networks, LTE networks, GSM networks, etc.). WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 may each be connected to one or more antennas 316 and 356 for communication with other network nodes, such as other UEs, access points, base stations (e.g., eNB, gNB), via at least one designated RAT (e.g., NR, LTE, GSM, etc.) through a wireless communication medium of interest (e.g., a set of time / frequency resources in a specific spectrum). According to the specified RAT, WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 can be configured in various ways to transmit and encode signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.), and conversely, to receive and decode signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.). Specifically, WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 each include one or more transmitters 314 and 354 for transmitting and encoding signals 318 and 358, respectively, and WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 each include one or more receivers 312 and 352 for receiving and decoding signals 318 and 358, respectively.

[0070] In at least some cases, UE 302 and base station 304 also include one or more short-range radio transceivers 320 and 360, respectively. The short-range radio transceivers 320 and 360 can be connected to one or more antennas 326 and 366, respectively, and provide access via at least one designated RAT (e.g., WiFi, LTE-D, etc.). PC5, Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC), Wireless Access for Vehicle Environments (WAVE), Near Field Communication (NFC), etc., and components for communicating with other network nodes (such as other UEs, access points, base stations, etc.) via a wireless communication medium of interest (e.g., components for transmitting, components for receiving, components for measuring, components for tuning, components for suppressing transmission, etc.). According to the specified RAT, short-range transceivers 320 and 360 can be configured in various ways to transmit and encode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.), and conversely, to receive and decode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.), respectively. Specifically, short-range transceivers 320 and 360 each include one or more transmitters 324 and 364 for transmitting and encoding signals 328 and 368, respectively, and one or more receivers 322 and 362 for receiving and decoding signals 328 and 368, respectively. As specific examples, the short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 can be WiFi transceivers, transceiver and / or Transceivers, NFC transceivers, or vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and / or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) transceivers.

[0071] In at least some cases, UE 302 and base station 304 also include satellite signal receivers 330 and 370. Satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 can be connected to one or more antennas 336 and 376, respectively, and can each provide components for receiving and / or measuring satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378. Where satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 are satellite positioning system receivers, satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378 can be Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) signals, Galileo signals, BeiDou signals, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NAVIC), Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), etc. Where satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 are non-terrestrial network (NTN) receivers, satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378 can be communication signals originating from a 5G network (e.g., carrying control and / or user data). Satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 can include any suitable hardware and / or software for receiving and processing satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378, respectively. Satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 can request appropriate information and operations from other systems, and in at least some cases, use measurements obtained through any suitable satellite positioning system algorithm to perform calculations to determine the locations of UE 302 and base station 304, respectively.

[0072] Base station 304 and network entity 306 each include one or more network transceivers 380 and 390 that provide components (e.g., components for transmitting, components for receiving, etc.) for communicating with other network entities (e.g., other base stations 304, other network entities 306). For example, base station 304 may employ one or more network transceivers 380 to communicate with other base stations 304 or network entities 306 via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links. As another example, network entity 306 may employ one or more network transceivers 390 to communicate with one or more base stations 304 via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links, or to communicate with other network entities 306 via one or more wired or wireless core network interfaces.

[0073] Transceivers can be configured to communicate via wired or wireless links. A transceiver (whether wired or wireless) includes transmitter circuitry (e.g., transmitters 314, 324, 354, 364) and receiver circuitry (e.g., receivers 312, 322, 352, 362). In some implementations, the transceiver may be an integrated device (e.g., including transmitter and receiver circuitry in a single device); in some implementations, the transceiver may include separate transmitter and receiver circuitry; or in other implementations, the transceiver may be implemented in other ways. The transmitter and receiver circuitry of a wired transceiver (e.g., network transceivers 380 and 390 in some implementations) may be coupled to one or more wired network interface ports. Wireless transmitter circuitry (e.g., transmitters 314, 324, 354, 364) may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366) (such as antenna arrays) that permit corresponding devices (e.g., UE 302, base station 304) to perform transmit beamforming, as described herein. Similarly, wireless receiver circuitry (e.g., receivers 312, 322, 352, 362) may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366) (such as antenna arrays) that permit corresponding devices (e.g., UE 302, base station 304) to perform receive beamforming, as described herein. In one aspect, transmitter and receiver circuitry may share the same multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), such that the corresponding devices can only receive or transmit at a given time, and cannot receive or transmit simultaneously. Wireless transceivers (e.g., WWAN transceivers 310 and 350, short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360) may also include network listening modules (NLMs) for performing various measurements.

[0074] As used herein, various wireless transceivers (e.g., transceivers 310, 320, 350, and 360 in some implementations, and network transceivers 380 and 390) and wired transceivers (e.g., network transceivers 380 and 390 in some implementations) can generally be expressed as "transceiver," "at least one transceiver," or "one or more transceivers." Thus, it is possible to infer whether a particular transceiver is a wired or wireless transceiver based on the type of communication being performed. For example, backhaul communication between network devices or servers generally involves signaling via a wired transceiver, while wireless communication between a UE (e.g., UE 302) and a base station (e.g., base station 304) generally involves signaling via a wireless transceiver.

[0075] UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 also include other components that can be used in conjunction with the operation disclosed herein. UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 each include one or more processors 332, 384, and 394 for providing functions related to, for example, wireless communication and for providing other processing functions. Thus, processors 332, 384, and 394 may provide components for performing processing, such as components for determining, components for calculating, components for receiving, components for transmitting, components for indicating, etc. In one aspect, processors 332, 384, and 394 may include, for example, one or more general-purpose processors, multi-core processors, central processing units (CPUs), ASICs, digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), other programmable logic devices or processing circuits, or various combinations thereof.

[0076] UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 each include memory circuitry implementing memories 340, 386, and 396 (e.g., each including a memory device) for maintaining information (e.g., information indicating reserved resources, thresholds, parameters, etc.). Therefore, memories 340, 386, and 396 can provide components for storage, retrieval, maintenance, etc. In some cases, UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 may each include positioning components 342, 388, and 398. Positioning components 342, 388, and 398 may be hardware circuitry that is part of or coupled to processors 332, 384, and 394, respectively, which, when executed, cause UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 to perform the functions described herein. In other respects, positioning components 342, 388, and 398 may be external to processors 332, 384, and 394 (e.g., part of a modem processing system, integrated with another processing system, etc.). Alternatively, positioning components 342, 388, and 398 may be memory modules stored in memories 340, 386, and 396, respectively, which, when executed by processors 332, 384, and 394 (or a modem processing system, another processing system, etc.), cause UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 to perform the functions described herein. Figure 3A Possible locations of the positioning component 342 (which may be, for example, one or more WWAN transceivers 310, memory 340, one or more processors 332 or any combination thereof, or may be a separate component) are shown. Figure 3B Possible locations of the positioning component 388 (which may be, for example, one or more WWAN transceivers 350, memory 386, one or more processors 384 or any combination thereof, or may be a separate component) are shown. Figure 3C Possible locations of the positioning component 398 (which may be, for example, one or more network transceivers 390, memory 396, one or more processors 394 or any combination thereof, or may be a separate component) are shown.

[0077] UE 302 may include one or more sensors 344 coupled to one or more processors 332 to provide motion and / or orientation information independent of motion data derived from signals received from WWAN transceiver 310, one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320, and / or satellite signal receiver 330. As an example, sensor 344 may include accelerometers (e.g., microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices), gyroscopes, geomagnetic sensors (e.g., compasses), altimeters (e.g., barometric altimeters), and / or any other type of motion detection sensor. Furthermore, sensor 344 may include multiple different types of devices and combine their outputs to provide motion information. For example, sensor 344 may use a combination of multi-axis accelerometers and orientation sensors to provide the ability to calculate position in a two-dimensional (2D) and / or three-dimensional (3D) coordinate system.

[0078] In addition, UE 302 includes a user interface 346 that provides components for providing instructions to the user (e.g., audio and / or video instructions) and / or for receiving user input (e.g., when the user activates a sensing device (such as a keyboard, touchscreen, microphone, etc.)). Although not shown, base station 304 and network entity 306 may also include user interfaces.

[0079] Referring more specifically to one or more processors 384, in the downlink, IP packets from network entity 306 can be provided to processor 384. One or more processors 384 can implement the functions of the RRC layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and Media Access Control (MAC) layer. One or more processors 384 may provide RRC layer functions associated with broadcasting system information (e.g., Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB)), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-RAT mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression, security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functions associated with upper-layer PDU transmission, error correction via Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ), concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC Service Data Units (SDUs), resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, scheduling information reporting, error correction, priority processing, and logical channel prioritization.

[0080] Transmitter 354 and receiver 352 can implement Layer-1 (L1) functions associated with various signal processing functions. Layer-1, including the physical (PHY) layer, can include error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. Transmitter 354 processes the mapping to the signal constellation based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), M-phase shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The encoded and modulated symbols can then be divided into parallel streams. Each stream can then be mapped to orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) subcarriers, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in the time and / or frequency domains, and then combined using inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a time-domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM symbol stream is spatially precoded to generate multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from the channel estimator can be used to determine the coding and modulation schemes, as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimates can be derived from a reference signal and / or channel condition feedback transmitted by UE 302. Each spatial stream can then be provided to one or more different antennas 356. Transmitter 354 can use the corresponding spatial stream to modulate an RF carrier for transmission.

[0081] At UE 302, receiver 312 receives signals via its corresponding antenna 316. Receiver 312 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides this information to one or more processors 332. Transmitter 314 and receiver 312 implement Layer-1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. Receiver 312 can perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial stream destined for UE 302. If multiple spatial streams are designated to UE 302, they can be combined by receiver 312 into a single OFDM symbol stream. Receiver 312 then uses a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to transform the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain. The frequency domain signal comprises a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. By determining the most probable signal constellation point transmitted by base station 304, the symbols and reference signals on each subcarrier are recovered and demodulated. These soft decisions can be based on a channel estimate calculated by a channel estimator. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally transmitted by base station 304 on the physical channel. Then, data and control signals are provided to one or more processors 332, which implement layer-3 (L3) and layer-2 (L2) functions.

[0082] In the uplink, one or more processors 332 provide demultiplexing, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing between the transport and logical channels to recover IP packets from the core network. One or more processors 332 are also responsible for error detection.

[0083] Similar to the functions described in the downlink transmission description of base station 304, one or more processors 332 provide RRC layer functions associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connectivity, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functions associated with upper-layer PDU transmission, error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs to transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction via Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ), priority processing, and logical channel prioritization.

[0084] Transmitter 314 can use a channel estimate derived by a channel estimator from a reference signal or feedback transmitted by base station 304 to select an appropriate coding and modulation scheme and facilitate spatial processing. The spatial stream generated by transmitter 314 can be provided to different antennas 316. Transmitter 314 can use the corresponding spatial stream to modulate an RF carrier for transmission.

[0085] Uplink transmissions are processed at base station 304 in a manner similar to that described in conjunction with the receiver function at UE 302. Receiver 352 receives signals via its respective antenna 356. Receiver 352 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides that information to one or more processors 384.

[0086] In the uplink, one or more processors 384 provide demultiplexing, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing between the transport channel and the logical channel to recover IP packets from UE 302. IP packets from the one or more processors 384 can be provided to the core network. The one or more processors 384 are also responsible for error detection.

[0087] For convenience, UE 302, base station 304 and / or network entity 306 are in Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C The document is shown as including various components that can be configured according to the various examples described herein. However, it should be understood that the components shown may have different functionalities in different designs. Specifically, Figures 3A to 3C Various components are optional in alternative configurations, and aspects include configurations that can vary due to design choices, cost, equipment usage, or other considerations. For example, in Figure 3A In certain cases, a specific implementation of UE 302 may omit WWAN transceiver 310 (e.g., wearable devices, tablets, PCs, or laptops may have Wi-Fi and / or Bluetooth capabilities but not cellular capabilities), or may omit short-range wireless transceiver 320 (e.g., cellular only), or may omit satellite signal receiver 330, or may omit sensor 344, and so on. In another example, in Figure 3B In certain cases, a specific implementation of base station 304 may omit WWAN transceiver 350 (e.g., a Wi-Fi "hotspot" access point without cellular capabilities), or short-range wireless transceiver 360 (e.g., cellular only), or satellite receiver 370, and so on. For simplicity, examples of various alternative configurations are not provided herein, but they will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

[0088] Various components of UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 can be communicatively coupled to each other via data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392, respectively. In one aspect, data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392 can form or be part of a communication interface between UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306. For example, when different logical entities are contained within the same device (e.g., gNB and location server functions are combined into the same base station 304), data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392 can provide communication between them.

[0089] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C Components can be implemented in various ways. In some implementations, Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3CThe components can be implemented in one or more circuits (such as one or more processors and / or one or more ASICs, which may include one or more processors). Here, each circuit may use and / or include at least one memory component for storing information or executable code used by the circuit to provide functionality. For example, some or all of the functions represented by boxes 310 to 346 can be implemented by the processor and memory components of UE 302 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). Similarly, some or all of the functions represented by boxes 350 to 388 can be implemented by the processor and memory components of base station 304 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). Furthermore, some or all of the functions represented by boxes 390 to 398 can be implemented by the processor and memory components of network entity 306 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). For simplicity, various operations, actions, and / or functions are described herein as being performed "by the UE", "by the base station", "by the network entity", etc. However, it is understood that such operations, actions and / or functions can actually be performed by specific components or combinations of these components (such as processors 332, 384, 394, transceivers 310, 320, 350 and 360, memory 340, 386 and 396, positioning components 342, 388 and 398, etc.) of UE 302, base station 304, network entity 306, etc.

[0090] In some designs, network entity 306 can be implemented as a core network component. In other designs, network entity 306 may operate differently from the network operator or cellular network infrastructure (e.g., NG RAN 220 and / or 5GC 210 / 260). For example, network entity 306 may be a component of a private network that can be configured to communicate with UE 302 via base station 304 or independently of base station 304 (e.g., via a non-cellular communication link such as WiFi).

[0091] NR supports various cellular network-based positioning technologies, including downlink-based, uplink-based, and downlink-and-uplink-based positioning methods. Downlink-based positioning methods include Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) in LTE, Downlink Time Difference of Arrival (DL-TDOA) in NR, and Downlink Angle-of-Departure (DL-AoD) in NR. During OTDOA or DL-TDOA positioning, the UE measures the difference between the times of arrival (ToA) of a received reference signal (e.g., a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS)) from the base station, referred to as the Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD) or Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) measurement, and reports them to the positioning entity. More specifically, the UE receives identifiers (IDs) of a reference base station (e.g., a serving base station) and multiple non-reference base stations in auxiliary data. The UE then measures the RSTD between the reference base station and each non-reference base station. Based on the known locations of the involved base stations and the RSTD measurement, the positioning entity can estimate the UE's location.

[0092] For DL-AoD positioning, the positioning entity uses beam reports from the UE, which measure the received signal strength of multiple downlink transmitted beams, to determine the angle between the UE and the transmitting base station. The positioning entity can then estimate the UE's location based on the determined angle and the known location of the transmitting base station.

[0093] Uplink-based positioning methods include uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA) and uplink angle-of-arrival (UL-AoA). UL-TDOA is similar to DL-TDOA, but it is based on uplink reference signals (e.g., sounding reference signals (SRS)) transmitted by the UE. For UL-AoA positioning, one or more base stations measure the received signal strength of one or more uplink reference signals (e.g., SRS) received from the UE on one or more uplink receive beams. The positioning entity uses the signal strength measurement and the angle of the receive beam to determine the angle between the UE and the base stations. Based on the determined angle and the known location of the base stations, the positioning entity can then estimate the UE's location.

[0094] Downlink and uplink-based positioning methods include Enhanced Cell ID (E-CID) positioning and Multi-Round-Trip Time (RTT) positioning (also known as "Multi-Cell RTT"). During RTT, the initiator (base station or UE) sends an RTT measurement signal (e.g., PRS or SRS) to the responder (UE or base station), and the responder sends an RTT response signal (e.g., SRS or PRS) back to the initiator. The RTT response signal includes the difference between the ToA of the RTT measurement signal and the transmission time of the RTT response signal, referred to as the receive-to-transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference. The initiator calculates the difference between the transmission time of the RTT measurement signal and the ToA of the RTT response signal, referred to as the transmit-to-receive (Tx-Rx) time difference. The propagation time (also known as "time of flight") between the initiator and the responder can be calculated based on the Tx-Rx and Rx-Tx time differences. Based on the propagation time and the known speed of light, the distance between the initiator and the responder can be determined. For multi-RTT positioning, the UE performs RTT procedures with multiple base stations to enable it to determine its location based on the known locations of the base stations (e.g., using multilateration). RTT and multi-RTT methods can be combined with other positioning technologies, such as UL-AoA and DL-AoD, to improve positioning accuracy.

[0095] The E-CID positioning method is based on radio resource management (RRM) measurements. In E-CID, the UE reports the serving cell ID, timing advance (TA), and identifiers of detected neighboring base stations, along with estimated timing and signal strength. The UE's location is then estimated based on this information and the known locations of the base stations.

[0096] To assist in the positioning operation, a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272) can provide auxiliary data to the UE. For example, auxiliary data may include the identifier of the base station (or the cell / TRP of the base station) based on its measured reference signal, reference signal configuration parameters (e.g., the number of consecutive positioning subframes, the period of the positioning subframes, the muting sequence, the frequency hopping sequence, the reference signal identifier, the reference signal bandwidth, etc.), and / or other parameters applicable to a particular positioning method. Alternatively, auxiliary data may be derived directly from the base station itself (e.g., in periodically broadcast overhead messages, etc.). In some cases, the UE may be able to detect neighboring network nodes itself without using auxiliary data.

[0097] In the case of OTDOA or DL-TDOA positioning procedures, auxiliary data may also include the expected RSTD value and the associated uncertainty or search window around the expected RSTD. In some cases, the expected RSTD value may range from + / - 500 microseconds (μs). In some cases, when any resources used for positioning measurements are in FR1, the expected RSTD uncertainty may range from + / - 32 μs. In other cases, when all resources used for positioning measurements are in FR2, the expected RSTD uncertainty may range from + / - 8 μs.

[0098] Location estimation can be referred to by other names, such as position estimation, location, positioning, fixed location, etc. A location estimate can be geodetic and include coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and possibly, elevation), or it can be urban surveying and include street addresses, postal addresses, or some other verbal description of the location. A location estimate can also be defined relative to another known location or in absolute terms (e.g., using latitude, longitude, and possibly, elevation). A location estimate can include anticipated errors or uncertainties (e.g., by including an area or volume, anticipating that the location is included within that area or volume at a specified or default confidence level).

[0099] Various frame structures can be used to support downlink and uplink transmissions between network nodes (e.g., base stations and UEs). Figure 4 Figure 400 illustrates an example of a frame structure according to various aspects of this disclosure. Other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures and / or different channels.

[0100] In LTE, and in some cases NR, OFDM is used on the downlink and single-carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) on the uplink. However, unlike LTE, NR can also choose to use OFDM on the uplink. OFDM and SC-FDM divide the system bandwidth into multiple (K) orthogonal subcarriers, which are often referred to as tones or bins. Each subcarrier can be modulated with data. Generally, OFDM is used to transmit modulation symbols in the frequency domain, and SC-FDM is used to transmit modulation symbols in the time domain. The spacing between adjacent subcarriers can be fixed, and the total number of subcarriers (K) can depend on the system bandwidth. For example, the subcarrier spacing can be 15 kHz, and the minimum resource allocation (resource block) can be 12 subcarriers (or 180 kHz). Therefore, for system bandwidths of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 MHz, the nominal FFT size can be equal to 128, 256, 512, 1024, or 2048, respectively. System bandwidth can also be divided into subbands. For example, a subband can cover 1.08MHz (i.e., 6 resource blocks), and for system bandwidths of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20MHz, there can be 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 subbands, respectively.

[0101] LTE supports a single set of parameters (subcarrier spacing (SCS), symbol length, etc.). In contrast, NR can support multiple sets of parameters; for example, subcarrier spacings of 15kHz (μ=0), 30kHz (μ=1), 60kHz (μ=2), 120kHz (μ=3), and 240kHz (μ=4) or larger are available. Within each subcarrier spacing, there are 14 symbols per slot. For a 15kHz SCS (μ=0), there is one slot per subframe, 10 slots per frame, a slot duration of 1 millisecond (ms), a symbol duration of 66.7 microseconds (μs), and a maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) of 4K FFT size. For a 30kHz SCS (μ=1), there are two slots per subframe, 20 slots per frame, a slot duration of 0.5ms, a symbol duration of 33.3μs, and a maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) of 4K FFT size. For a 60kHz SCS (μ=2), each subframe has 4 time slots, each frame has 40 time slots, the time slot duration is 0.25ms, the symbol duration is 16.7μs, and the maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) for a 4K FFT is 200. For a 120kHz SCS (μ=3), each subframe has 8 time slots, each frame has 80 time slots, the time slot duration is 0.125ms, the symbol duration is 8.33μs, and the maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) for a 4K FFT is 400. For a 240kHz SCS (μ=4), each subframe has 16 time slots, each frame has 160 time slots, the time slot duration is 0.0625ms, the symbol duration is 4.17μs, and the maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) for a 4K FFT is 800.

[0102] exist Figure 4 In the example, a parameter set of 15kHz is used. Therefore, in the time domain, a 10ms frame is divided into 10 equal-sized subframes, each 1ms in size, and each subframe includes one time slot. Figure 4 In the diagram, the horizontal axis (on the X-axis) represents time, which increases from left to right, while the vertical axis (e.g., on the Y-axis) represents frequency, which increases (or decreases) from bottom to top.

[0103] A resource grid can be used to represent time slots, each of which includes one or more time-parallel resource blocks (RBs) (also known as physical RBs (PRBs)) in the frequency domain. The resource grid is further divided into multiple resource elements (REs). An RE can correspond to a symbol length in the time domain and a subcarrier in the frequency domain. Figure 4In the parameter set, for a normal cyclic prefix, the RB can contain 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 7 consecutive symbols in the time domain, for a total of 84 REs. For an extended cyclic prefix, the RB can contain 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 6 consecutive symbols in the time domain, for a total of 72 REs. The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0104] Some REs can carry reference (pilot) signals (RS). Depending on whether the frame structure shown is for uplink or downlink communication, the reference signals may include positioning reference signals (PRS), tracking reference signals (TRS), phase tracking reference signals (PTRS), cell-specific reference signals (CRS), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS), demodulation reference signals (DMRS), primary synchronization signals (PSS), secondary synchronization signals (SSS), synchronization signal blocks (SSB), sounding reference signals (SRS), etc. Figure 4 An example location of the RE carrying the reference signal (labeled "R") is shown.

[0105] The set of resource elements (REs) used for PRS transmission is called a "PRS resource". The set of resource elements can span multiple PRBs in the frequency domain and "N" (such as 1 or more) consecutive symbols in a time slot in the time domain. In a given OFDM symbol in the time domain, the PRS resource occupies a consecutive PRB in the frequency domain.

[0106] The transmission of PRS resources within a given PRB has a specific comb size (also known as "comb density"). The comb size 'N' represents the subcarrier spacing (or frequency / frequency modulation spacing) within each symbol of the PRS resource configuration. Specifically, for a comb size 'N', the PRS is transmitted in every Nth subcarrier of a symbol in the PRB. For example, for comb-4, for each symbol of the PRS resource configuration, the RE corresponding to every fourth subcarrier (such as subcarriers 0, 4, 8) is used to transmit the PRS of the PRS resource. Currently, comb sizes of comb-2, comb-4, comb-6, and comb-12 are supported for DL-PRS. Figure 4 An example PRS resource configuration for comb-6 (which spans six symbols) is shown. That is, the location of the shaded RE (marked as "R") indicates the comb-6 PRS resource configuration.

[0107] Currently, DL-PRS resources can span 2, 4, 6, or 12 consecutive symbols within a time slot using a fully frequency-domain staggered pattern. DL-PRS resources can be configured in downlink symbols or flexible (FL) symbols in any higher-layer configuration of the time slot. For all REs of a given DL-PRS resource, there exists a constant energy per resource element (EPRE). The following are the inter-symbol frequency offsets with comb sizes of 2, 4, 6, and 12 across 2, 4, 6, and 12 symbols. 2-symbol comb-2: {0,1}; 4-symbol comb-2: {0,1,0,1}; 6-symbol comb-2: {0,1,0,1,0,1}; 12-symbol comb-2: {0,1,0,1,0,1,0,1,0,1,0,1}; 4-symbol comb-4: {0,2,1,3}; 12-symbol comb-4: {0,2,1,3,0,2,1,3,0,2,1,3}; 6-symbol comb-6: {0,3,1,4,2,5}; 12-symbol comb-6: {0,3,1,4,2,5,0,3,1,4,2,5}; and 12-symbol comb-12: {0,6,3,9,1,7,4,10,2,8,5,11}.

[0108] A “PRS resource set” is a collection of PRS resources used for PRS signal transmission, where each PRS resource has a PRS resource ID. Furthermore, PRS resources in a PRS resource set are associated with the same TRP. A PRS resource set is identified by a PRS resource set ID and associated with a specific TRP (identified by a TRP ID). Additionally, PRS resources in a PRS resource set share the same period, common silence pattern configuration, and the same repetition factor (such as “PRS-resourcerectionfactor”) across time slots. The period is the time from the first repetition of the first PRS resource in the first PRS instance to the same first repetition of the same first PRS resource in the next PRS instance. The period can have a length selected from 2^μ*{4,5,8,10,16,20,32,40,64,80,160,320,640,1280,2560,5120,10240} time slots (where μ = 0,1,2,3). The repetition factor can have a length selected from {1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32} time slots.

[0109] The PRS resource ID in a PRS resource set is associated with a single beam (or beam ID) transmitted from a single TRP (where a TRP can transmit one or more beams). That is, each PRS resource in a PRS resource set can be transmitted on different beams; therefore, a "PRS resource," or simply a "resource," can also be referred to as a "beam." Note that this has no effect on whether the UE knows about the TRP and the beam on which the PRS was transmitted.

[0110] A “PRS instance” or “PRS timing” is an instance of a periodically repeating time window (such as a group of one or more consecutive time slots) during which a PRS is expected to be sent. A PRS timing may also be referred to as a “PRS positioning timing,” “PRS positioning instance,” “positioning timing,” “positioning instance,” “positioning repetition,” or simply “timing,” “instance,” or “repetition.”

[0111] A “positioning frequency layer” (also simply “frequency layer”) is a collection of one or more PRS resource sets spanning one or more TRPs, where the TRPs have the same values ​​for certain parameters. Specifically, the collection of PRS resource sets has the same subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix (CP) type (meaning that all parameter sets supported by the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) are supported for the PRS), the same point A, the same downlink PRS bandwidth value, the same starting PRB (and center frequency), and the same comb size. The point A parameter takes the value of the parameter “ARFCN-ValueNR” (where “ARFCN” stands for “Absolute Radio Channel Number”) and is an identifier / code specifying the physical radio channel pair used for transmission and reception. The downlink PRS bandwidth can have a granularity of 4 PRBs, with a minimum of 24 PRBs and a maximum of 272 PRBs. Currently, up to four frequency layers have been defined, and for each frequency layer, each TRP can be configured with up to two PRS resource sets.

[0112] The concept of a frequency layer is somewhat similar to that of component carriers and bandwidth portions (BWPs), but the difference is that component carriers and BWPs are used by a single base station (or a macro cell base station and a small cell base station) to transmit data channels, while a frequency layer is used by several (usually three or more) base stations to transmit PRS (Positioning Signals). When a UE (such as during an LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) session) transmits its positioning capabilities to the network, the UE can indicate the number of frequency layers it can support. For example, the UE can indicate whether it can support one or four positioning frequency layers.

[0113] Note that the terms "location reference signal" and "PRS" generally refer to specific reference signals used for positioning in NR and LTE systems. However, as used herein, the terms "location reference signal" and "PRS" can also refer to any type of reference signal that can be used for positioning, such as, but not limited to, PRS, TRS, PTRS, CRS, CSI-RS, DMRS, PSS, SSS, SSB, SRS, UL-PRS, etc., as defined in LTE and NR. Furthermore, the terms "location reference signal" and "PRS" can refer to downlink or uplink positioning reference signals unless the context otherwise indicates. If further differentiation of the type of PRS is required, a downlink positioning reference signal can be referred to as "DL-PRS," and an uplink positioning reference signal (e.g., SRS, PTRS used for positioning) can be referred to as "UL-PRS." Additionally, for signals that can be transmitted in both the uplink and downlink (e.g., DMRS, PTRS), "UL" or "DL" can be added before the signal to distinguish the direction. For example, "UL-DMRS" would be different from "DL-DMRS."

[0114] Figure 5 Figure 500 illustrates various downlink channels within an example downlink time slot. Figure 5 In the diagram, time is represented horizontally (on the X-axis), increasing from left to right, while frequency is represented vertically (on the Y-axis), increasing (or decreasing) from bottom to top. Figure 5 In the example, a parameter set of 15 kHz was used. Therefore, in the time domain, the time slot length shown is 1 millisecond (ms), divided into 14 symbols.

[0115] In NR, the channel bandwidth or system bandwidth is divided into multiple bandwidth portions (BWPs). A BWP is a set of consecutive RBs selected from a contiguous subset of common RBs of a given parameter set on a given carrier. Generally, a maximum of four BWPs can be specified in both the downlink and uplink. That is, a UE can configure up to four BWPs on the downlink and up to four BWPs on the uplink. At any given time, only one BWP (uplink or downlink) can be active, meaning that the UE can only receive or transmit on one BWP at a time. On the downlink, the bandwidth of each BWP should be equal to or greater than the bandwidth of the SSB, but it may or may not include the SSB.

[0116] refer to Figure 5The UE uses the Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS) to determine subframe / symbol timing and physical layer identity. The UE uses the Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS) to determine the physical layer cell identity group number and radio frame timing. Based on the physical layer identity and physical layer cell identity group number, the UE can determine the PCI. Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the location of the aforementioned DL-RS. The Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), carrying the Master Information Block (MIB), can be logically grouped with the PSS and SSS to form an SSB (also known as SS / PBCH). The MIB provides the number of RBs and the System Frame Number (SFN) in the downlink system bandwidth. The Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) carries user data and broadcast system information not transmitted through the PBCH, such as System Information Blocks (SIBs) and paging messages.

[0117] The Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) carries downlink control information (DCI) within one or more Control Channel Elements (CCEs). Each CCE includes one or more RE Group (REG) bundles (which can span multiple symbols in the time domain). Each REG bundle includes one or more REGs, and each REG corresponds to 12 resource elements (one resource block) in the frequency domain and one OFDM symbol in the time domain. The set of physical resources used to carry the PDCCH / DCI is called the Control Resource Set (CORESET) in NR. In NR, the PDCCH is confined to a single CORESET and transmitted using its own DMRS. This enables UE-specific beamforming for the PDCCH.

[0118] exist Figure 5 In the example, each BWP has a CORESET, and this CORESET spans three symbols in the time domain (although it may be one or two symbols). Unlike the LTE control channel, which occupies the entire system bandwidth, in NR, the PDCCH channel is confined to a specific region (i.e., the CORESET) in the frequency domain. Therefore, Figure 5 The frequency components of the PDCCH shown are represented as smaller than a single BWP in the frequency domain. Note that although the CORESET shown is continuous in the frequency domain, this is not mandatory. Furthermore, the CORESET can span fewer than three symbols in the time domain.

[0119] The DCI within the PDCCH carries information about uplink resource allocation (persistent and non-persistent) and a description of the downlink data being sent to the UE, referred to as uplink grant and downlink grant, respectively. More specifically, the DCI indicates resources scheduled for downlink data channels (e.g., PDSCH) and uplink data channels (e.g., Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH)). Multiple (e.g., up to eight) DCIs can be configured in the PDCCH, and these DCIs can have one of several formats. For example, different DCI formats exist for uplink scheduling, downlink scheduling, uplink transmit power control (TPC), etc. The PDCCH can be transmitted with 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 CCEs to accommodate different DCI payload sizes or coding rates.

[0120] Figure 6 This is a diagram of an example PRS configuration 600 for PRS transmission of a given base station according to various aspects of this disclosure. Figure 6 In the diagram, time is represented horizontally, increasing from left to right. Each long rectangle represents a time slot, while each short (shaded) rectangle represents an OFDM symbol. Figure 6 In the example, PRS resource set 610 (labeled "PRS resource set 1") includes two PRS resources, a first PRS resource 612 (labeled "PRS resource 1") and a second PRS resource 514 (labeled "PRS resource 2"). The base station transmits PRS on PRS resources 612 and 614 of PRS resource set 610.

[0121] PRS resource set 610 has a timing length of two time slots (N_PRS) and a period (T_PRS) of, for example, 160 time slots or 160 milliseconds (ms) (for a 15 kHz subcarrier spacing). Thus, PRS resources 612 and 614 are both two consecutive time slots in length, and repeat once every T_PRS time slots, starting from the time slot where the first symbol of the corresponding PRS resource appears. Figure 6 In the example, PRS resource 612 has a symbol length of two symbols (N_symb), and PRS resource 614 has a symbol length of four symbols (N_symb). PRS resource 612 and PRS resource 614 can be transmitted on separate beams of the same base station.

[0122] Each instance of the PRS resource set 610, shown as instances 620a, 620b, and 620c, includes a timing of length "2" (i.e., N_PRS = 2) for each PRS resource 612, 614 of the PRS resource set. PRS resources 612 and 614 are repeated once every T_PRS time slots until the repeated silence sequence period T_REP. Thus, a bitmap of length T_REP is needed to indicate which timings of instances 620a, 620b, and 620c of the PRS resource set 610 are silenced (i.e., not transmitted).

[0123] In one aspect, there may be additional constraints on PRS configuration 600. For example, for all PRS resources (e.g., PRS resources 612, 614) of a PRS resource set (e.g., PRS resource set 610), the base station may configure the following parameters to be the same: (a) timing length (T_PRS), (b) number of symbols (N_symb), (c) comb type, and / or (d) bandwidth. Furthermore, for all PRS resources across all PRS resource sets, the subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix may be configured to be the same for a single base station or for all base stations. Whether it is for a single base station or all base stations may depend on the UE's ability to support the first option and / or the second option.

[0124] NR supports various DL-PRS resource repetition and beam scanning options. DL-PRS resource repetition serves several purposes, including (1) receive beam scanning across repetitions, (2) gain for combined coverage extension, and (3) in-instance silence. The following shows the various parameters used to configure PRS repetition.

[0125]

[0126] Table 1

[0127] Figure 7 This is a diagram of example PRS resource sets with different time intervals based on various aspects of this disclosure. Figure 7 In the example, time is represented horizontally and frequency is represented vertically. Each block represents a time slot in the time domain and some bandwidth in the frequency domain.

[0128] Figure 7Two DL-PRS resource set configurations are shown: a first DL-PRS resource set configuration 710 and a second DL-PRS resource set configuration 750. Each DL-PRS resource set configuration 710 and 750 includes four PRS resources (labeled "Resource 1", "Resource 2", "Resource 3", and "Resource 4") and has a repetition factor of 4. A repetition factor of 4 means that each of the four PRS resources is repeated four times in the DL-PRS resource set (i.e., sent four times). In other words, in the DL-PRS resource set, each of the four PRS resources has four repetitions.

[0129] The DL-PRS resource set configuration 710 has a time slot of one time slot, meaning that each repetition of a PRS resource (e.g., "Resource 1") begins on the first time slot after the previous repetition of that PRS resource. Therefore, as shown in the DL-PRS resource set configuration 710, the four repetitions of each of the four PRS resources are grouped together. Specifically, the four repetitions of PRS resource "Resource 1" occupy the first four time slots of the DL-PRS resource set configuration 710 (i.e., time slots n to n+3), the four repetitions of PRS resource "Resource 2" occupy the second four time slots (i.e., time slots n+4 to n+7), the four repetitions of PRS resource "Resource 3" occupy the third four time slots (i.e., time slots n+8 to n+11), and the four repetitions of PRS resource "Resource 4" occupy the last four time slots (i.e., time slots n+12 to n+15).

[0130] In contrast, the DL-PRS resource set configuration 750 has a four-slot time interval, meaning that each repetition of a PRS resource (e.g., "Resource 2") begins in the fourth slot after the previous repetition of that PRS resource. Therefore, as shown in the DL-PRS resource set configuration 750, four repetitions of each of the four PRS resources are scheduled every fourth slot. For example, four repetitions of the PRS resource "Resource 1" occupy the first, fifth, ninth, and thirteenth slots of the DL-PRS resource set configuration 750 (i.e., slots n, n+4, n+8, and n+12).

[0131] Note that, as Figure 7 As shown, the duration spanned by a DL-PRS resource set containing repeating DL-PRS resources should not exceed the PRS period. Furthermore, the UE receive beam scan used to receive / measure the DL-PRS resource set is not specified but depends on the UE implementation.

[0132] In NR, two options have been specified for DL-PRS reception: with a measurement gap and without a measurement gap. In scenarios where a measurement gap is configured for the UE, the location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272) knows and may have already configured the PRS transmission instance of the relevant TRP (i.e., the TRP that sends the PRS to the UE), and therefore can configure the appropriate measurement gap for the UE. DL-PRS configuration (e.g., as...) Figure 6 (As shown) PRS resources are independent of the UE's downlink BWP. That is, PRS resources scheduled in the time domain (e.g., symbols, time slots, etc.) can span up to the entire operating frequency of the transmitting TRP in the frequency domain (e.g., frequency modulation, subcarriers, PRB, etc.). However, in the frequency domain, the UE only measures PRS resources falling within its active downlink BWP. To measure a larger PRS bandwidth or a completely different frequency, the UE needs to request one or more measurement gaps from the TRP. The UE can then measure PRS (or other downlink signaling) on ​​its other downlink BWPs during the requested measurement gap. Currently, the minimum measurement gap duration for the measurement portion of PRS reception is 0.5 ms. There are also additional 0.5 ms gaps for tune-in and tune-out from normal operation to PRS measurement mode. This means that the UE cannot receive downlink data (e.g., PDSCH, PDCCH, PBCH, DCI, etc.) for at least 1.5 ms (and possibly longer depending on the duration of the measurement itself).

[0133] In scenarios where no measurement gaps are configured for the UE, the serving TRP may (but should not be assumed to) know the PRS configurations of other TRPs. Because the UE is not configured with measurement gaps, it can only measure the PRS within its active BWP. Assuming the PRS has a lower priority than other downlink signaling, if the serving TRP indicates that data is scheduled on conflicting (overlapping) downlink resources (e.g., symbols, time slots, etc.), the UE will skip receiving the PRS. Even if the serving TRP does not schedule any downlink data during another TRP's PRS instance, some data interference from other TRPs is still expected, resulting in poor PRS reception quality.

[0134] Therefore, when no measurement gap is configured, improving DL-PRS reception at the UE will be beneficial. For example, better multiplexing of PRS, PDSCH, PDCCH, and other downlink channels will be beneficial. Furthermore, when a measurement gap is configured, improving system operation will be beneficial.

[0135] As the first solution described herein, when the UE is not configured with a measurement gap, the UE can request a measurement gap from the serving TRP. In one aspect, the UE receives PRS configurations from multiple TRPs and determines, based on the received PRS configurations, the set of symbols on which it can receive PRS. The UE can receive the PRS configurations from a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272) or the TRP itself. The PRS configurations can be received as part of a positioning session or in system information broadcast by the TRP. The UE then indicates to the serving TRP that it needs a measurement gap to perform PRS measurements for other TRPs in order to conduct a positioning session (assuming the UE does not need a measurement gap to measure PRS from the serving TRP). This indication should at least include the time resources (e.g., symbols, time slots, subframes, etc.) on which the UE is interested in measuring PRS from the involved TRPs, and may also include the frequency resources of the PRS (e.g., subcarriers, PRBs, etc.).

[0136] In response to this request / instruction, the serving TRP suppresses the scheduling of downlink data for the UE in the time / frequency resources indicated by the UE (and possibly, suppresses the scheduling of downlink data for other UEs to reduce interference). The requested or configured measurement gap may include one or more additional symbols in which the PRS is not configured to be transmitted but may be received due to the delay in receiving them from the corresponding TRP. The UE may include these additional symbols in its request, or the serving TRP may schedule these additional symbols based on the UE's request. Which entity adds the symbols may be based on the implementation, negotiated between the serving TRP and the UE, specified in applicable standards, etc.

[0137] In one aspect, the requested and / or configured measurement gaps can be defined for a specified bandwidth, at the per-symbol level. The location of the gap in the time domain can be determined relative to, for example, micro-slots, slots, subframes, or frame boundaries. The location of the gap in the frequency domain can be determined relative to, for example, a reference frequency resource (e.g., the SSB initiation frequency modulation). Local periods of the measurement gaps can be specified to account for PRS resource repetition. Large-scale periods (i.e., the period of the measurement gap pattern) can be specified to account for each PRS resource instance (e.g., 160 ms). Note that for on-demand PRS resources, the measurement gap pattern may be valid for only one PRS instance or for several PRS instances.

[0138] In one aspect, the requested measurement gap can be indicated in the uplink MAC control element (MAC-CE) or in upper-layer (e.g., RRC) signaling. MAC-CE is likely preferred due to the lower latency of these lower-layer messages. Where the UE indicates the requested measurement gap in the MAC-CE, the location of the gap can be determined relative to the timing of the MAC-CE if the UE can predict the timing at which it will send the MAC-CE.

[0139] Figure 8 Figure 800 shows an example configuration of the set of measurement gaps requested according to various aspects of this disclosure. Figure 8 The timeline 810 shows a PRS resource instance with four TRPs (labeled "TRP1", "TRP2", "TRP3", and "TRP4"), each PRS resource repeated four times. That is, across the span of the PRS instance, the PRS resource from each TRP is repeated four times. In one aspect, the UE may not request measurement gaps for all configured PRS resources. Instead, the UE may request measurement gaps only for a subset of the configured PRS resources. Thus, Figure 8 The PRS resources shown may only be a subset of the PRS resources sent by those TRPs.

[0140] Timeline 820 shows a pattern of the requested measurement gaps. In one aspect, the measurement gap pattern can be a combination (union) of measurement gaps requested for different sets of PRS resources configured for the UE. Furthermore, the UE can request one or more additional symbols after each PRS resource is configured to be sent to give the UE sufficient time to measure the PRS. More specifically, there is some propagation time between the TRP and the UE, followed by some further processing time to perform the measurement. Additional symbols allow this extra time required to perform the measurement. Note that, as stated above, although... Figure 8 The diagram shows that the UE adds these additional symbols to the requested measurement gap, but alternatively, the TRP can add these additional symbols.

[0141] In NR, there are two types of UEs. "Type 1" UEs can specify the start and end symbols of the time period within a time slot during which the UE will perform a PRS search. "Type 2" UEs specify the entire time slot as the period during which the UE will perform a PRS search. In this case, the UE provides a time slot index for the PRS search.

[0142] In one aspect, the resolution of the requested measurement gap (or PRS search space) can be provided as a feature of the UE category. That is, for a "Type 1" UE, the UE can specify the start and end symbols defining the requested measurement gap within a time slot. In this case, if the requested measurement gap differs from the PRS search window, the UE can provide two or more start and end symbol index pairs per time slot; that is, at least one pair for the PRS search window and at least one pair for the requested measurement gap. For a "Type 2" UE, the UE can specify the time slot in which it requests the measurement gap. In this case, the Serving TRP will provide the measurement gap for the entire time slot. This may be the same time slot used for the PRS search window.

[0143] In one respect, although the initial measurement gap for PRS search can be based on the maximum range determined by the LMF, the search space can be reconfigured after the Serving TRP / LMF processes the feedback provided by the UE.

[0144] As a second solution described herein, the network can configure measurement gaps for the UE when no measurement gap is configured for it. In one aspect, inter-base station and / or inter-TRP messages can be defined that allow base stations (or TRPs) to share their PRS configurations with other nearby base stations (or TRPs). These messages can be transmitted via wired or wireless interfaces between base stations (e.g., backhaul link 134). These messages can include downlink and uplink resource configurations for the respective base stations. Base stations can use these messages to coordinate transmissions between themselves for a specific UE, without affecting that UE. That is, each base station can schedule PRS resources for the UE such that the scheduled PRS does not interfere with PRS sent to that UE by other base stations. In this case, explicit scheduling of measurement gaps is not required.

[0145] In one aspect, the base station can send its respective PRS configuration to a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272). Based on this information, the location server can calculate the required number and length of measurement gaps and send the determined measurement gap pattern to the UE. The length of the measurement gap can be based on some intermediate or extreme value of the expected propagation delay between the UE and its respective base station. The UE can then measure the PRS during the measurement gap, knowing that it will not miss other downlink transmissions from the serving base station.

[0146] As a third solution described herein, for cases where PRS is scheduled outside the serving BWP (where the UE receives data from the serving TRP) and measurement gaps are required, the UE can include the required handover time in the measurement gap pattern it sends to the serving TRP. Alternatively, where the measurement gap pattern is configured by the network, the UE can notify the serving TRP or location server of the required handover time. For example, in some cases, the UE may be able to monitor a larger bandwidth that includes the UE's active BWP and PRS bandwidth. In this case, the UE does not need call-in and call-out times, and the UE can notify the serving TRP of this capability. Based on this information, the serving TRP can configure an optimized measurement gap pattern (e.g., a pattern without call-in and call-out periods), thereby improving media utilization. Note that when there is no cross-base station coordination, the serving TRP can configure the measurement gap pattern, and therefore the TRP is unaware of the PRS configuration of other base stations.

[0147] This is particularly beneficial in low-latency scenarios. For example, in Industrial IoT (IIoT) applications, power may not be a primary concern, while latency-optimized operations may have a higher priority. Therefore, it would be advantageous to eliminate the need for additional time to load and unload routine operations to measure PRS and to be able to notify TRP signaling of this situation.

[0148] Figure 9 An example method 900 for wireless communication according to various aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. In one aspect, method 900 can be performed by a UE (e.g., any UE described herein).

[0149] At 910, the UE receives a PRS configuration from a network entity (e.g., a location server, serving base station), which indicates a pattern of PRS resources sent by at least one network node (e.g., a base station). In one aspect, operation 910 can be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340, and / or positioning components 342, any one or all of which can be considered as components for performing this operation.

[0150] At 920, the UE sends a proposed measurement gap pattern to a serving network node (e.g., a serving base station). This proposed measurement gap pattern enables the UE to measure at least a subset of PRS resources transmitted by each of at least one network node. The proposed measurement gap pattern is determined based on a pattern of PRS resources. In one aspect, operation 920 can be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340, and / or positioning components 342, any one or all of which can be considered as components for performing this operation.

[0151] Figure 10 An example method 1000 for wireless communication according to various aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. In one aspect, method 1000 can be performed by a network node (e.g., any base station, TRP, or cell described herein).

[0152] At 1010, a network node receives one or more PRS configurations of a UE (e.g., any UE described herein) from one or more network nodes, each PRS configuration indicating a pattern of PRS resources sent by a corresponding network node among the one or more network nodes. In one aspect, operation 1010 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 350, one or more processors 384, memory 386, and / or positioning components 388, any one or all of which can be considered as components for performing this operation.

[0153] In 1020, the network node sends a PRS to the UE based on the UE's PRS configuration, which is determined based on one or more PRS configurations. In one aspect, operation 1020 can be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 350, one or more processors 384, memory 386, and / or positioning components 388, any one or all of which can be considered as components for performing this operation.

[0154] Figure 11 An example method 1100 for wireless communication according to various aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. In one aspect, method 1100 may be performed by a serving base station (e.g., any base station, TRP, cell, etc. described herein).

[0155] In 1110, the serving base station receives instructions from the UE (e.g., any UE described herein) that the UE does not require additional time to load and unload the PRS measurement mode. In one aspect, operation 1110 can be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 350, one or more processors 384, memory 386, and / or positioning components 388, any one or all of which can be considered as components for performing this operation.

[0156] At 1120, the serving base station configures a measurement gap pattern for the UE, which does not include the additional time for the UE to load and unload PRS measurement modes. In one aspect, operation 1120 can be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 350, one or more processors 384, memory 386, and / or positioning components 388, any one or all of which can be considered as components for performing this operation.

[0157] As will be understood, the technical advantage of methods 900 to 1100 is improved positioning performance.

[0158] As can be seen in the detailed description above, different features are combined together in the examples. This manner of disclosure should not be construed as having more features than expressly mentioned in each clause. Rather, aspects of this disclosure may include fewer features than those of the individual example clauses disclosed. Therefore, the following clauses should be considered as included in the specification, where each clause can serve as a separate example. Although each dependent clause may refer in the clause to a specific combination with one of the other clauses, aspects of that dependent clause are not limited to that specific combination. It should be understood that other example clauses may also include combinations of aspects of a dependent clause with the subject matter of any other dependent or independent clause, or any feature combined with other dependent and independent clauses. The aspects disclosed herein expressly include these combinations unless expressly stated or readily inferred not to be specific to a particular combination (e.g., contradictory aspects, such as defining an element as both an insulator and a conductor). Furthermore, it is intended to indicate that aspects of a clause may be included in any other independent clause, even if that clause is not directly subordinate to that independent clause.

[0159] Examples of implementation methods are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0160] Clause 1. A wireless communication method performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving from a plurality of network nodes a plurality of positioning reference signal (PRS) configurations, each PRS configuration indicating a pattern of PRS resources transmitted by a corresponding network node among the plurality of network nodes; determining a measurement gap pattern based on the plurality of PRS configurations, the measurement gap pattern enabling the UE to measure at least a subset of the PRS resources transmitted by each of the plurality of network nodes; and transmitting the measurement gap pattern to a serving network node.

[0161] Clause 2. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the determination includes: determining a set of time resources for each of a plurality of network nodes, during which the UE is able to receive at least a subset of PRS resources from the network nodes, wherein the measurement gap pattern is the union of the plurality of sets of time resources.

[0162] Clause 3. The method according to Clause 2, wherein the time resource includes orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols.

[0163] Clause 4. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 3, wherein the measurement gap pattern includes a plurality of measurement gaps.

[0164] Clause 5. The method according to Clause 4, wherein each of the plurality of measurement gaps includes one or more symbols after the last PRS resource within the measurement gap to allow for propagation time between the respective network node and the UE, as well as processing time at the UE.

[0165] Clause 6. The method pursuant to any of Clauses 4 to 5, wherein the plurality of measurement gaps are defined in a measurement gap pattern at the OFDM symbol level for a specified bandwidth.

[0166] Clause 7. The method according to any one of Clauses 4 to 6, wherein the position of the plurality of measurement gaps in time is determined relative to microslots, slots, subframes, or frame boundaries.

[0167] Clause 8. The method pursuant to any of Clauses 4 to 7, wherein the position of the plurality of measurement gaps in the frequency is determined relative to a reference frequency resource.

[0168] Clause 9. The method pursuant to any of Clauses 4 to 8, wherein the period of the plurality of measurement gaps is specified to account for the repetition of at least a subset of the PRS resources of each of the plurality of network nodes.

[0169] Clause 10. The method pursuant to any of Clauses 4 to 9, wherein the period of the measurement gap pattern is specified to take into account each PRS resource instance of multiple PRS configurations.

[0170] Clause 11. The method according to any one of Clauses 4 to 10, wherein the UE indicates the start and end symbols within a time slot for each of a plurality of measurement gaps in the measurement gap pattern.

[0171] Clause 12. The method according to any one of Clauses 4 to 10, wherein the UE indicates a time slot for each of a plurality of measurement gaps in a measurement gap pattern.

[0172] Clause 13. The method pursuant to any of Clauses 4 to 12 further includes: determining, based on the UE's ability to monitor both the UE's active bandwidth portion (BWP) and the PRS bandwidth of multiple network nodes, that the UE does not require additional time to load and unload PRS measurement modes.

[0173] Clause 14. The method according to Clause 13, wherein the UE does not include additional time for calling in and out of PRS measurement modes in multiple measurement gaps.

[0174] Clause 15. The method pursuant to any of Clauses 1 to 14, wherein the UE transmits a measurement gap pattern in the Media Access Control Control Element (MAC-CE).

[0175] Clause 16. The method according to Clause 15, wherein: the measurement gap pattern includes a plurality of measurement gaps, and the positions of the plurality of measurement gaps in time are determined relative to the timing of the MAC-CE.

[0176] Clause 17. The method pursuant to any of Clauses 1 to 14, wherein the UE transmits a measurement gap pattern in one or more Radio Resource Control (RRC) Protocol Data Units (PDUs).

[0177] Clause 18. The method pursuant to any of Clauses 1 to 17 further includes: measuring at least a subset of the PRS resources of each of the plurality of network nodes during the measurement of the gap pattern.

[0178] Clause 19. The method pursuant to any of Clauses 1 to 18, wherein the UE participates in a location session with multiple network nodes.

[0179] Clause 20. The method pursuant to any of Clauses 1 to 19, wherein the plurality of network nodes includes a serving network node.

[0180] Clause 21. A wireless communication method performed by a network node, comprising: receiving one or more Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) configurations of a user equipment (UE) from one or more network nodes, each PRS configuration indicating a pattern of PRS resources transmitted by a corresponding network node among the one or more network nodes; determining a PRS configuration of the UE based on the one or more PRS configurations; and transmitting a PRS to the UE based on the PRS configuration.

[0181] Clause 22. The method pursuant to Clause 21 further includes: sending PRS configuration to one or more network nodes.

[0182] Clause 23. The method pursuant to any of Clauses 21 to 22, wherein the network node receives one or more PRS configurations via a backhaul link between the network node and one or more network nodes.

[0183] Clause 24. The method pursuant to any of Clauses 21 to 23 further includes: sending a PRS configuration to a location server participating in a positioning session with the UE, so that the location server can determine a measurement gap pattern for the UE.

[0184] Clause 25. A wireless communication method performed by a network node, comprising: receiving from a user equipment (UE) an indication that the UE does not require additional time to load and unload a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) measurement mode; and configuring a measurement gap pattern for the UE, the measurement gap pattern not including the additional time for the UE to load and unload the PRS measurement mode.

[0185] Clause 26. The method pursuant to Clause 25 further includes: sending a PRS to the UE based on the measurement gap pattern.

[0186] Clause 27. The method pursuant to any of Clauses 25 to 26, wherein the network node receives the instruction based on both the UE's ability to monitor the UE's active bandwidth portion (BWP) and the PRS bandwidth of multiple network nodes.

[0187] Clause 28. An apparatus comprising a memory, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the memory, the at least one transceiver, and the at least one processor being configured to perform a method pursuant to any one of Clauses 1 to 27.

[0188] Clause 29. An apparatus comprising a component for performing a method pursuant to any one of Clauses 1 to 27.

[0189] Clause 30. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions including at least one instruction for causing a computer or processor to perform a method pursuant to any one of Clauses 1 to 27.

[0190] Additional implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0191] Clause 1. A method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration from a network entity, the PRS configuration indicating a pattern of PRS resources transmitted by at least one network node; and transmitting a proposed measurement gap pattern to a serving network node, the proposed measurement gap pattern enabling the UE to measure at least a subset of the PRS resources transmitted by each of the at least one network node, the proposed measurement gap pattern being determined based on the pattern of the PRS resources.

[0192] Clause 2. The method according to Clause 1 further includes: determining a set of time resources for each of at least one network node, during which the UE is able to receive at least a subset of PRS resources from at least one network node, wherein the proposed measurement gap pattern is the union of multiple sets of time resources.

[0193] Clause 3. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 2, wherein the proposed measurement gap pattern includes a plurality of measurement gaps.

[0194] Clause 4. The method according to Clause 3, wherein each of the plurality of measurement gaps includes one or more symbols after the last PRS resource within the measurement gap to allow for propagation time between the respective network node and the UE, as well as processing time at the UE.

[0195] Clause 5. The method pursuant to any of Clauses 3 to 4, wherein the plurality of measurement gaps are defined at the OFDM symbol level for a specified bandwidth in a proposed measurement gap pattern.

[0196] Clause 6. The method according to any one of Clauses 3 to 5, wherein the position of the plurality of measurement gaps in time is determined relative to microslots, slots, subframes, or frame boundaries.

[0197] Clause 7. The method according to any one of Clauses 3 to 6, wherein the position of the plurality of measurement gaps in the frequency is determined relative to a reference frequency resource.

[0198] Clause 8. The method according to any one of Clauses 3 to 7, wherein the period of the plurality of measurement gaps is specified to account for the repetition of at least a subset of the PRS resources of each of at least one network node.

[0199] Clause 9. The method pursuant to any of Clauses 3 to 8, wherein the period of the proposed measurement gap pattern is specified to take into account each PRS resource instance of the PRS configuration.

[0200] Clause 10. The method pursuant to any of Clauses 3 to 9, wherein the UE indicates the start and end symbols within a time slot for each of the plurality of measurement gaps in the proposed measurement gap pattern.

[0201] Clause 11. The method according to any one of Clauses 3 to 10, wherein the UE indicates a time slot for each of a plurality of measurement gaps in the proposed measurement gap pattern.

[0202] Clause 12. The method pursuant to any of Clauses 3 to 11 further includes: determining that the UE does not require additional time to load and unload PRS measurement modes based on the UE's ability to monitor both the UE's active bandwidth portion (BWP) and the PRS bandwidth of at least one network node.

[0203] Clause 13. The method according to Clause 12, wherein the UE does not include additional time for calling in and out of PRS measurement modes for multiple measurement gaps.

[0204] Clause 14. The method pursuant to any of Clauses 1 to 13, wherein the proposed measurement gap pattern is transmitted in a Media Access Control Control Element (MAC-CE).

[0205] Clause 15. The method according to Clause 14, wherein: the proposed measurement gap pattern includes a plurality of measurement gaps, and the positions of the plurality of measurement gaps in time are determined relative to the timing of the MAC-CE.

[0206] Clause 16. The method pursuant to any of Clauses 1 to 13, wherein the proposed measurement gap pattern is transmitted in one or more Radio Resource Control (RRC) Protocol Data Units (PDUs).

[0207] Clause 17. The method pursuant to any of Clauses 1 to 16, wherein the at least one network node includes a serving network node.

[0208] Clause 18. A wireless communication method performed by a network node, comprising: receiving from one or more network nodes a user equipment (UE) one or more location reference signal (PRS) configurations, each PRS configuration indicating a pattern of PRS resources transmitted by a respective network node among the one or more network nodes; and transmitting a PRS to the UE based on the UE's PRS configuration, the UE's PRS configuration being determined based on the one or more PRS configurations.

[0209] Clause 19. The method pursuant to Clause 18 further includes: sending the UE's PRS configuration to one or more network nodes.

[0210] Clause 20. The method pursuant to any one of Clauses 18 to 19 further includes: sending a PRS configuration to a location server participating in a positioning session with the UE, so that the location server can determine a measurement gap pattern for the UE.

[0211] Clause 21. A wireless communication method performed by a serving base station, comprising: receiving from a user equipment (UE) an indication that the UE does not require additional time to load and unload a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) measurement mode; and configuring a measurement gap pattern for the UE, the measurement gap pattern not including the additional time for the UE to load and unload the PRS measurement mode.

[0212] Clause 22. The method according to Clause 21 further includes: sending a PRS to the UE based on the measurement gap pattern.

[0213] Clause 23. The method pursuant to any of Clauses 21 to 22, wherein the instruction is received based on the UE's ability to monitor both the UE's active bandwidth portion (BWP) and the PRS bandwidth of multiple network nodes.

[0214] Clause 24. An apparatus comprising a memory, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the memory, the at least one transceiver, and the at least one processor being configured to perform a method pursuant to any one of Clauses 1 to 23.

[0215] Clause 25. An apparatus comprising a component for performing a method pursuant to any one of Clauses 1 to 23.

[0216] Clause 26. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions including at least one instruction for causing a computer or processor to perform a method pursuant to any one of Clauses 1 to 23.

[0217] Those skilled in the art will understand that information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and processes. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the foregoing specification can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0218] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability between hardware and software, various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally according to their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in different ways for each specific application, but such implementation decisions should not be construed as departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0219] The various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented or executed using a general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), ASIC, field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, a combination of one or more microprocessors with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0220] The methods, sequences, and / or algorithms described in conjunction with the aspects disclosed herein can be directly embodied in hardware, software modules executed by a processor, or a combination of both. Software modules can reside in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Example storage media are coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium can be integrated with the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a user terminal (e.g., a UE). Alternatively, the processor and storage medium can reside as discrete components in the user terminal.

[0221] In one or more examples, the described functionality can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functionality can be stored as one or more instructions or code on or transmitted via a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disc storage devices, magnetic disk storage devices or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Furthermore, any connection is appropriately referred to as a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technology (such as infrared, radio, and microwave), then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technology (such as infrared, radio, and microwave) can be included in the definition of medium. As used in this article, disks and optical discs include compact optical discs (CDs), laser discs, optical discs, digital universal discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, where disks typically copy data magnetically, while optical discs use lasers to copy data optically. Combinations of these should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0222] While the foregoing disclosure illustrates exemplary aspects of this disclosure, it should be noted that various changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The functions, steps, and / or actions of the method claims according to the aspects of this disclosure described herein need not be performed in any particular order. Furthermore, although elements of this disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, plural forms are also contemplated unless a limitation on the singular form is expressly indicated.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: Receive a Position Reference Signal (PRS) configuration from a network entity, the PRS configuration indicating a pattern of PRS resources sent by at least one network node; as well as A proposed measurement gap pattern is sent to the serving network node, the proposed measurement gap pattern enabling the UE to measure at least a subset of PRS resources sent by each of at least one network node, the proposed measurement gap pattern being determined based on a pattern of PRS resources.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: A set of time resources is determined for each of at least one network node, during which the UE is able to receive at least a subset of the PRS resources from the at least one network node, wherein the proposed measurement gap pattern is the union of multiple sets of time resources.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The proposed measurement gap pattern includes multiple measurement gaps.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, Each of the plurality of measurement gaps includes one or more symbols following the last PRS resource within that measurement gap to allow for propagation time between the respective network node and the UE, as well as processing time at the UE.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The plurality of measurement gaps are defined at the symbol level for a specified bandwidth in the proposed measurement gap pattern.

6. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The position of the plurality of measurement gaps in time is determined relative to micro-slots, slots, subframes, or frame boundaries.

7. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The positions of the plurality of measurement gaps in the frequency range are determined relative to a reference frequency resource.

8. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The period of the plurality of measurement gaps is specified to account for the repetition of at least a subset of the PRS resources of each of at least one network node.

9. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The period of the proposed measurement gap pattern is specified to take into account each PRS resource instance of the PRS configuration.

10. The method according to claim 3, wherein, In the proposed measurement gap pattern, the UE indicates the start and end symbols within the time slot for each of the multiple measurement gaps.

11. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The UE indicates a time slot for each of the multiple measurement gaps in the proposed measurement gap pattern.

12. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: Based on the UE's ability to monitor both the UE's active bandwidth portion (BWP) and the PRS bandwidth of at least one network node, it is determined that the UE does not require additional time to load and unload PRS measurement modes.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The UE does not include additional time for calling in and out of the PRS measurement modes in the multiple measurement gaps.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The proposed measurement gap pattern is transmitted in the Media Access Control Element (MAC-CE).

15. The method of claim 14, wherein: The proposed measurement gap pattern includes multiple measurement gaps, and The position of the multiple measurement gaps in time is determined relative to the timing of the MAC-CE.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The proposed measurement gap pattern is transmitted in one or more Radio Resource Control (RRC) Protocol Data Units (PDUs).

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one network node includes a serving network node.

18. A user equipment (UE), comprising: Memory; At least one transceiver; as well as At least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, is configured to: The location reference signal (PRS) configuration is received from the network entity via the at least one transceiver, the PRS configuration indicating a pattern of PRS resources sent by at least one network node; as well as A proposed measurement gap pattern is sent to the serving network node via the at least one transceiver. The proposed measurement gap pattern enables the UE to measure at least a subset of PRS resources sent by each of the at least one network node. The proposed measurement gap pattern is determined based on the pattern of the PRS resources.

19. The UE according to claim 18, wherein, The at least one processor is further configured to: A set of time resources is determined for each of at least one network node, during which the UE is able to receive at least a subset of PRS resources from at least one network node, wherein the proposed measurement gap pattern is the union of multiple sets of time resources.

20. The UE according to claim 18, wherein, The proposed measurement gap pattern includes multiple measurement gaps.

21. The UE according to claim 20, wherein, Each of the plurality of measurement gaps includes one or more symbols following the last PRS resource within that measurement gap to allow for propagation time between the respective network node and the UE, as well as processing time at the UE.

22. The UE according to claim 20, wherein, The plurality of measurement gaps are defined at the symbol level for a specified bandwidth in the proposed measurement gap pattern.

23. The UE according to claim 20, wherein, The position of the plurality of measurement gaps in time is determined relative to micro-slots, slots, subframes, or frame boundaries.

24. The UE according to claim 20, wherein, The positions of the plurality of measurement gaps in the frequency range are determined relative to a reference frequency resource.

25. The UE according to claim 20, wherein, The period of the plurality of measurement gaps is specified to account for the repetition of at least a subset of the PRS resources of each of the at least one network node.

26. The UE according to claim 20, wherein, The period of the proposed measurement gap pattern is specified to take into account each PRS resource instance of the PRS configuration.

27. The UE according to claim 20, wherein, In the proposed measurement gap pattern, the UE indicates the start and end symbols within the time slot for each of the multiple measurement gaps.

28. The UE according to claim 20, wherein, The UE indicates a time slot for each of the multiple measurement gaps in the proposed measurement gap pattern.

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