Passive location with sidelink assistance

Abstract

Techniques are provided for passive positioning of a user equipment (UE) with sidelink assistance. An example method for passive positioning includes receiving a first positioning reference signal from a first station at a first time, receiving a second positioning reference signal from a second station at a second time, receiving positioning assistance data associated with positioning reference signals received by a proximate user equipment, determining a reference signal timing difference based at least in part on the first time and the second time, and determining a current position based at least in part on the reference signal timing difference and the positioning assistance data.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Wireless communication systems have evolved through multiple 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 with internet capabilities, fourth-generation (4G) services (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) or WiMax), and fifth-generation (5G) services (e.g., 5G New Radio (NR)). Currently, many different types of wireless communication systems are 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), and TDMA variants of the Global System for Mobile Access (GSM).

[0002] It is typically desirable to know the location of a user equipment (UE) (e.g., a cellular phone). The terms "location" and "location" are synonymous and can be used interchangeably herein. Location services (LCS) clients may want to know the UE's location and may communicate with a location center to request the UE's location. The location center and the UE may exchange messages appropriately to obtain a location estimate for the UE. The location center may then return the location estimate to the LCS client, for example, for use in one or more applications.

[0003] Obtaining the location of mobile devices accessing a wireless network can be useful for many applications, including emergency calls, personal navigation, asset tracking, and locating friends or family members. Existing location methods include those based on measuring radio signals transmitted from various devices, including satellites in wireless networks and terrestrial wireless power sources such as base stations and access points. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An example method for passive positioning according to this disclosure includes: receiving a first positioning reference signal from a first station at a first time; receiving a second positioning reference signal from a second station at a second time; receiving positioning assistance data associated with the positioning reference signal received by a nearby user equipment; determining a timing difference of the reference signal based at least in part on the first time and the second time; and determining the current location based at least in part on the timing difference of the reference signal and the positioning assistance data.

[0005] Implementation of this method may include one or more of the following features: Positioning assistance data can be received from a nearby user equipment via a bypass. Positioning assistance data can be received from a service station. The positioning assistance data may include signal strength parameters associated with positioning reference signals received by the nearby user equipment. The positioning reference signals that can be received by the nearby user equipment are a first positioning reference signal and a second positioning reference signal. The positioning reference signals received by the nearby user equipment may be a first beamforming positioning reference signal transmitted from a first station and a second beamforming positioning reference signal transmitted from a second station. At least one of the positioning reference signals received by the nearby user equipment may be received at a time different from the transmission time of at least one of the first and second positioning reference signals. The positioning assistance data may be at least partially based on a timing difference value of a second reference signal based on the positioning reference signals received by the nearby user equipment. The positioning assistance data may be at least partially based on a synchronization error value of the positioning reference signals received by the nearby user equipment. Reception period information indicating the time period for transmitting positioning assistance data can be received.

[0006] An example method for providing positioning assistance data according to this disclosure includes: receiving a first positioning reference signal from a first station at a first time; receiving a second positioning reference signal from a second station at a second time; determining a timing difference between the reference signals based at least in part on the first time and the second time; and transmitting generated positioning assistance data such that the positioning assistance data is based at least in part on the timing difference between the reference signals.

[0007] Implementation of this method may include one or more of the following features: Positioning assistance data can be transmitted to a nearby user equipment via a bypass. Positioning assistance data can be transmitted to a service station. A signal strength parameter associated with at least one of a first positioning reference signal and a second positioning reference signal can be determined. At least one of the first and second positioning reference signals can be an omnidirectional positioning reference signal. At least one of the first and second positioning reference signals can be a beamforming positioning reference signal. Positioning assistance data can be a timing difference of the reference signals. Positioning assistance data can be at least partially based on the synchronization error value of the first and second positioning reference signals. Transmission period information indicating the time period for transmitting positioning assistance data can be received. Positioning assistance data can be transmitted via a bypass during the transmission period. The first and second positioning reference signals can utilize different frequency layers.

[0008] An example user equipment (UE) according to this disclosure includes: a memory; at least one transceiver; at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, and configured to: receive a first positioning reference signal from a first station at a first time; receive a second positioning reference signal from a second station at a second time; receive positioning assistance data associated with positioning reference signals received by neighboring user equipment; determine a timing difference of the reference signals based at least in part on the first time and the second time; and determine a current location based at least in part on the timing difference of the reference signals and the positioning assistance data.

[0009] The implementation of this UE may include one or more of the following features: Positioning assistance data can be received from a neighboring user equipment via a bypass. Positioning assistance data can be received from a service station. The positioning assistance data may include a signal strength parameter associated with a positioning reference signal received by the neighboring user equipment. The positioning reference signal received by the neighboring user equipment may be a first positioning reference signal and a second positioning reference signal. The positioning reference signal received by the neighboring user equipment may be a first beamforming positioning reference signal transmitted from a first station and a second beamforming positioning reference signal transmitted from a second station. At least one of the positioning reference signals received by the neighboring user equipment may be received at a time different from the transmission time of at least one of the first and second positioning reference signals. The positioning assistance data may be at least partially based on a timing difference value of a second reference signal based on the positioning reference signal received by the neighboring user equipment. The positioning assistance data may be at least partially based on a synchronization error value of the positioning reference signal received by the neighboring user equipment. At least one processor may also be configured to receive reception period information indicating the time period for transmitting the positioning assistance data.

[0010] An example user equipment (UE) according to this disclosure includes: a memory; at least one transceiver; at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, and configured to: receive a first positioning reference signal from a first station at a first time; receive a second positioning reference signal from a second station at a second time; determine a timing difference of the reference signals based at least in part on the first time and the second time; and transmit positioning assistance data such that the positioning assistance data is based at least in part on the timing difference of the reference signals.

[0011] An implementation of this UE may include one or more of the following features: Positioning assistance data may be transmitted to a nearby user equipment via a bypass. Positioning assistance data may be transmitted to a serving station. At least one processor may also be configured to determine a signal strength parameter associated with at least one of a first positioning reference signal and a second positioning reference signal. At least one of the first and second positioning reference signals may be an omnidirectional positioning reference signal. At least one of the first and second positioning reference signals may be a beamforming positioning reference signal. Positioning assistance data may be a timing difference of the reference signals. Positioning assistance data may be at least partially based on synchronization error values ​​of the first and second positioning reference signals. At least one processor may also be configured to receive transmission period information indicating a time period for transmitting positioning assistance data. Positioning assistance data may be transmitted via a bypass during the transmission period. The first and second positioning reference signals may utilize different frequency layers.

[0012] An example apparatus according to this disclosure includes: a device module for receiving a first positioning reference signal from a first station at a first time; a device module for receiving a second positioning reference signal from a second station at a second time; a device module for receiving positioning assistance data associated with the positioning reference signal received by a nearby user equipment; a device module for determining a timing difference of the reference signal based at least in part on the first time and the second time; and a device module for determining the current position based at least in part on the timing difference of the reference signal and the positioning assistance data.

[0013] An example apparatus according to this disclosure includes: a device module for receiving a first positioning reference signal from a first station at a first time; a device module for receiving a second positioning reference signal from a second station at a second time; a device module for determining a timing difference of the reference signals based at least in part on the first time and the second time; and a device module for transmitting positioning assistance data, wherein the positioning assistance data is based at least in part on the timing difference of the reference signals.

[0014] An example non-transitory processor-readable storage medium according to this disclosure, including processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors to determine a current location, includes: code for receiving a first positioning reference signal from a first station at a first time; code for receiving a second positioning reference signal from a second station at a second time; code for receiving positioning assistance data associated with the positioning reference signal received by a nearby user equipment; code for determining a timing difference of the reference signal based at least in part on the first time and the second time; and code for determining the current location based at least in part on the timing difference of the reference signal and the positioning assistance data.

[0015] An example non-transitory processor-readable storage medium according to this disclosure, including processor-readable instructions configured to enable one or more processors to provide positioning assistance data, includes: code for receiving a first positioning reference signal from a first station at a first time; code for receiving a second positioning reference signal from a second station at a second time; code for determining a timing difference of the reference signals based at least in part on the first time and the second time; and code for transmitting positioning assistance data, wherein the positioning assistance data is based at least in part on the timing difference of the reference signals.

[0016] The items and / or techniques described herein may provide one or more of the following capabilities, as well as others not mentioned. Two or more stations may transmit positioning reference signals. An assisting user equipment (AUO) with a known location may receive positioning reference signals from the two or more stations and determine the timing difference of the reference signals for the pairs of the stations. The AUO's location and the timing difference of the reference signals may be transmitted to a neighboring AUO via a sidelink. The neighboring AUO may utilize the received location and timing information to reduce synchronization errors associated with the two or more stations. The AUO may be configured to determine the synchronization error based on the received positioning reference signals and transmit the synchronization error to the neighboring AUO and the network. The network may be configured to provide synchronization error values ​​to other stations. Positioning estimation performed by the AUO may be improved. Positioning messaging overhead may be reduced. Other capabilities may be provided, and not every implementation according to this disclosure is required to provide any, let alone all, of the capabilities discussed. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a simplified diagram of an example wireless communication system.

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the block diagram of the components of an example user device.

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the components of an example send / receive point.

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the components of the example server.

[0021] Figure 5A and Figure 5B An example downlink positioning reference signal resource set is shown.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a diagram of an example subframe format used for positioning reference signal transmission.

[0023] Figure 7 This is an example round-trip time message stream between the user equipment and the base station.

[0024] Figure 8 This is an example message stream used for passive location services for user devices.

[0025] Figure 9 This is an example message flow between stations with associated send and receive time errors.

[0026] Figure 10 This is an example signaling diagram for passive positioning using bypass assistance.

[0027] Figure 11 This is an example signaling diagram for passive positioning using beamforming positioning reference signals and bypass assistance.

[0028] Figure 12 This is a diagram of an example network that utilizes passive localization with multiple bypasses.

[0029] Figure 13 This is a flowchart of an example method for locating user equipment using bypass assistance.

[0030] Figure 14 This is a flowchart of an example method for passive positioning of user equipment.

[0031] Figure 15 This is a flowchart of an example method for providing positioning assistance data based on received positioning reference signals. Detailed Implementation

[0032] This paper discusses techniques for passive location of User Equipment (UE) using bypass-assisted positioning. 5G NR includes several positioning methods, such as downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), DL Angle of Departure (AoD), UL Angle of Arrival (AoA), DL-Initiated Round Trip Time (RTT), and combinations of these methods. Generally, some TDOA methods may require network synchronization. Conversely, RTT-based methods do not rely on network synchronization. Simultaneous UE positioning in high-density areas (e.g., stadiums, conference centers, Internet of Things (IoT) facilities, and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)) can present challenges related to messaging and bandwidth limitations. For example, RTT methods require transmissions from each UE and may therefore be unscalable in UE-dense environments. However, DL-based TDOA methods utilizing time-synchronized NR networks can scale to a large number of devices without exceeding bandwidth limitations. For example, a fixed-overhead Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) transmission from the base station can be used. PRS transmissions are independent of the number of UEs and do not require UEs to send responses to PRS transmissions.

[0033] Generally, the accuracy of passive positioning depends on measuring the time of flight of the radio signals between two stations. The transmitter and receiver chain between antenna elements and corresponding signal processing units can introduce synchronization timing errors between the expected and actual transmission and reception times. Group delay and frequency response issues can also increase timing errors. Due to these synchronization timing errors, positioning estimates based on positioning reference signals may be inaccurate. For example, an error of 1 millisecond (msec) can lead to a positioning error of approximately 300 meters. The techniques presented in this paper can be used to reduce the impact of synchronization timing errors on the resulting positioning estimates. In the example, a network station can send a positioning reference signal (PRS) to a target user equipment (UE). The network station can also broadcast auxiliary data including timing values ​​associated with the PRS. An assisting UE with a known location can also detect the PRS. In IoT and IIoT use cases, the assisting UE can be a programmable logic controller (PLC) placed near the target UE. In Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) use cases, the assisting UE can be a roadside unit (RSU) configured to communicate with the target UE (e.g., a vehicle) when the target UE is within range. The assisting UE can also be another device located in a known location. The target UE observes the target reference signal timing difference (RSTD) of the PRS transmitted by the station. T), where RSTD T This includes synchronization timing errors between stations. The assisting UE also observes the PRS and determines the assisting RSTD (i.e., RSTD). H This includes the same synchronization timing error between stations. It assists the UE in providing RSTD to the target UE via a bypass channel and interface (e.g., PC5 or other device-to-device (D2D) technology). H and location information. The target UE is configured to perform RSTD. T and RSTD H The difference between them is used to effectively eliminate synchronization timing errors. That is, the target UE determines the RSTD based on the PRS, network auxiliary data, and auxiliary data provided by the assisting UE. T_true Due to RSTD T_true Synchronization timing errors are eliminated from the values, thus improving the accuracy of positioning estimates. Assisted UEs and additional assisted UEs can provide auxiliary data associated with other PRS and other stations. These techniques and configurations are examples, and other techniques and configurations can be used.

[0034] refer to Figure 1 Examples of communication system 100 include UE 105, radio access network (RAN) 135, here a fifth-generation (5G) next-generation (NG) RAN (NG-RAN), and 5G core network (5GC) 140. UE 105 can be, for example, an IoT device, a location tracker device, a cellular phone, or other device. The 5G network can also be referred to as a new radio (NR) network; NG-RAN 135 can be referred to as a 5G RAN or NR RAN; and 5GC 140 can be referred to as an NG core network (NGC). Standardization of NG-RAN and 5GC is underway within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Therefore, NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140 can conform to current or future standards from 3GPP for 5G support. RAN 135 can be another type of RAN, such as 3G RAN, 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) RAN, etc. Communication system 100 may utilize information from satellite launch vehicles (SVs) 190, 191, 192, 193, constellation 185 of a satellite positioning system (SPS) (e.g., a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)). These SPSs include GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, or other local or regional SPSs such as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), or the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). Additional components of communication system 100 are described below. Communication system 100 may include additional or alternative components.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, NG-RAN 135 includes NR nodeBs (gNB) 110a, 110b and a next-generation eNodeB (ng-eNB) 114, and 5GC 140 includes Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMF) 115, Session Management Functions (SMF) 117, Location Management Functions (LMF) 120 and Gateway Mobility Location Center (GMLC) 125. gNBs 110a, 110b and ng-eNB 114 are communicatively coupled to each other, each configured to communicate bidirectionally with UE 105, and each is communicatively coupled to AMF 115 and configured to communicate bidirectionally with AMF 115. AMF 115, SMF 117, LMF 120 and GMLC 125 are communicatively coupled to each other, and the GMLC is communicatively coupled to an external client 130. SMF 117 can act as the initial contact point for Service Control Functions (SCF) (not shown) to create, control, and delete media sessions.

[0036] Figure 1 A general description of various components is provided, any or all of which can be appropriately utilized, and each can be copied or omitted as needed. Specifically, although one UE 105 is shown, many UEs (e.g., hundreds, thousands, millions, etc.) can be used in communication system 100. Similarly, communication system 100 may include more (or fewer) numbers of SVs (i.e., more or fewer than the four SVs 190-193 shown), gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, AMF 115, external client 130, and / or other components. The connections of the various components in the connected communication system 100 shown include data and signaling connections, which may include additional (intermediate) components, direct or indirect physical and / or wireless connections, and / or additional networks. Furthermore, depending on the desired functionality, components may be rearranged, combined, separated, replaced, and / or omitted.

[0037] Although Figure 1A 5G-based network is illustrated, but similar network implementations and configurations can be used for other communication technologies such as 3G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), etc. The implementations described herein (whether for 5G technology and / or for one or more other communication technologies and / or protocols) can be used to transmit (or broadcast) directional synchronization signals, receive and measure directional signals at a UE (e.g., UE 105), and / or provide location assistance to UE 105 (via GMLC 125 or other location servers), and / or calculate the location of UE 105 at a location-capable device such as UE 105, gNB 110a, 110b, or LMF 120 based on measurements received at UE 105 for such directional transmission signals. Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 125, Location Management Function (LMF) 120, Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 115, SMF 117, ng-eNB (eNodeB) 114, and gNB (gNodeB) 110a, 110b are examples, and in various embodiments, they may be replaced by or include various other location server functions and / or base station functions, respectively.

[0038] UE 105 may include and / or may be referred to as a device, mobile device, wireless device, mobile terminal, terminal, mobile station (MS), SET supporting Secure User Plane Positioning (SUPL), or other names. Furthermore, UE 105 may correspond to a mobile phone, smartphone, laptop, tablet, PDA, tracking device, navigation device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, asset tracker, health monitor, security system, smart city sensor, smart meter, wearable tracker, or some other portable or mobile device. Typically, although not mandatory, UE 105 may support wireless communication using one or more Radio Access Technologies (RATs), such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), LTE, High-Speed ​​Packet Data (HRPD), IEEE 802.11 WiFi (also known as Wi-Fi). (BT), WiMAX, 5G New Radio (NR) (e.g., using NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140), etc. UE 105 can support wireless communication using a wireless local area network (WLAN), which can be connected to other networks (e.g., the Internet) using, for example, digital subscriber line (DSL) or packet cable. The use of one or more of these RATs can allow UE 105 to communicate with external client 130 (e.g., via...). Figure 1The elements of 5GC 140 not shown in the figure, or possibly via GMLC 125) and / or allow external client 130 to receive location information about UE 105 (e.g., via GMLC 125).

[0039] UE 105 may include a single entity or may include multiple entities, such as in a personal area network, where the user may use audio, video, and / or data I / O (input / output) devices and / or body sensors, as well as separate wired or wireless modems. The estimation of the location of UE 105 may be referred to as location, location estimate, location fixed, fixed, positioning, location estimation, or location fixed, and may be geographic, thus providing location coordinates (e.g., latitude and longitude) for UE 105, which may or may not include an elevation component (e.g., height above sea level, ground level, floor level, or basement level). Alternatively, the location of UE 105 may be represented as a city location (e.g., a postal address or designation of a point or small area within a building, such as a specific room or floor). The location of UE 105 may be represented as a region or volume (geographically or in the form of a city), within which UE 105 is expected to be located with a certain probability or confidence level (e.g., 67%, 95%, etc.). The location of UE 105 can be represented as a relative location, including, for example, distance and orientation from a known location. A relative location can be represented as relative coordinates (e.g., X, Y (and Z) coordinates) defined relative to an origin at a known location, where the known location can be defined, for example, geographically, in urban terms, or by reference to a point, area, or volume indicated, for example, on a map, floor plan, or building plan. In the description contained herein, the use of the term "location" can include any of these variations unless otherwise stated. When calculating the location of the UE, the local x, y, and possibly z coordinates are typically solved, and then, if necessary, the local coordinates are converted to absolute coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and altitude above or below mean sea level).

[0040] UE 105 can be configured to communicate with other entities using one or more of a variety of technologies. UE 105 can be configured to indirectly connect to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links. The D2D P2P links can be supported by any suitable D2D radio access technology (RAT), such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), etc. Etc. One or more UEs in a UE group utilizing D2D communication may be within the geographic coverage area of ​​one or more Transmit / Receive Points (TRPs) such as gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114. Other UEs in such a group may be outside such geographic coverage areas or may otherwise be unable to receive transmissions from the base station. UE groups communicating via D2D communication can utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each UE can transmit to other UEs in the group. TRPs can facilitate resource scheduling for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication may occur between UEs without involving TRPs.

[0041] Figure 1 The base stations (BS) in the NG-RAN 135 shown include NR Node Bs, referred to as gNBs 110a and 110b. The pairs of gNBs 110a and 110b in the NG-RAN 135 can be connected to each other via one or more other gNBs. Access to the 5G network is provided to UE 105 via wireless communication between UE 105 and one or more of gNBs 110a and 110b, where gNBs 110a and 110b can use 5G to provide wireless communication access to the 5GC 140 on behalf of UE 105. Figure 1 In this context, assume that the serving gNB of UE 105 is gNB 110a, although another gNB (e.g., gNB 110b) may act as the serving gNB (if UE 105 moves to another location), or may act as an auxiliary gNB to provide additional throughput and bandwidth to UE 105.

[0042] Figure 1 The base station (BS) in the NG-RAN 135 shown may include ng-eNB 114, also known as a next-generation evolved Node B. ng-eNB 114 may connect to one or more of the gNBs 110a and 110b in the NG-RAN 135, possibly via one or more other gNBs and / or one or more other ng-eNBs. ng-eNB 114 may provide LTE radio access and / or evolved LTE (eLTE) radio access to UE 105. One or more of the gNBs 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 may be configured to act as location-only beacons, which may transmit signals to help determine the location of UE 105, but cannot receive signals from UE 105 or other UEs.

[0043] Base stations 110a, 110b, and 114 may each include one or more TRPs. For example, each sector within a cell of the BS may include a TRP, although multiple TRPs may share one or more components (e.g., a shared processor but with separate antennas). System 100 may include macro TRPs, or system 100 may have different types of TRPs, such as macro, pico, and / or femto TRPs. Macro TRPs may cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and may allow unrestricted access for terminals with service subscriptions. Pico TRPs may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a pico cell) and may allow unrestricted access for terminals with service subscriptions. Femto or home TRPs may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a femto cell) and may allow restricted access for terminals associated with a femto cell (e.g., a user's terminal in a home).

[0044] As mentioned above, although Figure 1 The diagram depicts nodes configured to communicate according to 5G communication protocols, but nodes configured to communicate according to other communication protocols (e.g., LTE or IEEE 802.11x) can be used. For example, in an evolved packet system (EPS) providing LTE radio access to UE 105, the RAN may include an evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), which may include base stations including evolved Node Bs (eNBs). The core network for the EPS may include an evolved packet core (EPC). The EPS may include E-UTRAN plus EPC, where E-UTRAN corresponds to... Figure 1 The NG-RAN 135 is used, and the EPC corresponds to 5GC 140.

[0045] gNB 110a, 110b, and ng-eNB 114 can communicate with AMF 115, which in turn communicates with LMF 120 for positioning functions. AMF 115 can support the mobility of UE 105, including cell changes and handovers, and can participate in supporting signaling connections to UE 105, as well as possible data and voice bearers for UE 105. LMF 120 can communicate directly with UE 105, for example, via wireless communication. When UE 105 accesses NG-RAN 135, LMF 120 can support UE 105 positioning and can support positioning procedures / methods such as Assisted GNSS (A-GNSS), Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA), Real Time Kinematics (RTK), Precise Point Positioning (PPP), Differential GNSS (DGNSS), Enhanced Cell ID (E-CID), Angle of Arrival (AOA), Angle of Departure (AOD), and / or other positioning methods. LMF 120 can process location service requests for UE 105 received, for example, from AMF 115 or GMLC 125. LMF 120 can connect to AMF 115 and / or GMLC 125. LMF 120 may be referred to by other names, such as Location Manager (LM), Location Function (LF), Commercial LMF (CLMF), or Value-Added LMF (VLMF). Nodes / systems implementing LMF 120 may additionally or alternatively implement other types of location support modules, such as Enhanced Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC) or Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (SLP). At least some positioning functions (including deriving the location of UE 105) can be performed at UE 105 (e.g., using signal measurements obtained by UE 105 against signals transmitted by radio nodes such as gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114, and / or auxiliary data provided to UE 105, for example, by LMF 120).

[0046] GMLC 125 can support location requests for UE 105 received from external client 130 and can forward such location requests to AMF 115, which in turn forwards them to LMF 120, or can forward the location requests directly to LMF 120. Location responses from LMF 120 (e.g., containing location estimates for UE 105) can be returned to GMLC 125 directly or via AMF 115, and GMLC 125 can then return the location response (e.g., containing location estimates) to external client 130. GMLC 125 is shown connected to both AMF 115 and LMF 120, although in some implementations one of these connections may be supported by 5GC 140.

[0047] like Figure 1 As further illustrated, the LMF 120 can communicate with gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 using the new Radio Positioning Protocol A (which may be referred to as NPPa or NRPPa), as defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.455. NRPPa can be the same as, similar to, or an extension of the LTE Positioning Protocol A (LPPa) defined in 3GPP TS 36.455. NRPPa messages are transmitted via AMF 115 between gNB 110a (or gNB 110b) and LMF 120, and / or between ng-eNB 114 and LMF 120. Figure 1As further illustrated, LMF 120 and UE 105 can communicate using the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP), which is defined in 3GPP TS 36.355. LMF 120 and UE 105 can also, or alternatively, communicate using a new radio positioning protocol (which may be referred to as NPP or NRPP), which may be the same as, similar to, or an extension of LPP. Here, LPP and / or NPP messages can be transmitted between UE 105 and LMF 120 via AMF 115 and the serving gNB 110a, 110b, or serving ng-eNB 114 for UE 105. For example, LPP and / or NPP messages can be transmitted between LMF 120 and AMF 115 using the 5G Location Services Application Protocol (LCSAP), and can be transmitted between AMF 115 and UE 105 using the 5G Non-Access Stratum (NAS) protocol. The LPP and / or NPP protocols can be used to support the location of UE 105 using UE-assisted and / or UE-based location methods (such as A-GNSS, RTK, OTDOA, and / or E-CID). The NRPPa protocol can be used to support the location of UE 105 using network-based location methods (such as E-CID) (e.g., when used with measurements obtained from gNB 110a, 110b, or ng-eNB 114), and / or can be used by LMF 120 to obtain location-related information from gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114, such as parameters defining directional SS transmissions from gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114. In the example, LMF 120 can be co-located with NG-RAN 135 and configured to communicate with UE 105 via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

[0048] Using a UE-assisted positioning method, UE 105 can obtain location measurements and send them to a location server (e.g., LMF 120) to calculate a location estimate for UE 105. For example, location measurements may include one or more of the following: Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), Round-Trip Time (RTT), Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), and / or Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) for gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, and / or WLAN AP. Location measurements may also, or alternatively, include measurements of GNSS pseudorange, code phase, and / or carrier phase for SV 190-193.

[0049] Using a UE-based positioning method, UE 105 can obtain a location measurement (e.g., which may be the same as or similar to the location measurement of a UE-assisted positioning method) and can calculate the location of UE 105 (e.g., by means of auxiliary data received from a location server such as LMF 120 or broadcast by gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114 or other base stations or APs).

[0050] Using a network-based positioning method, one or more base stations (e.g., gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114) or APs can obtain location measurements (e.g., measurements of RSSI, RTT, RSRP, RSRQ, or Time of Arrival (TOA) of signals transmitted by UE 105) and / or can receive measurements obtained by UE 105. One or more base stations or APs can send the measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF 120) for calculating the location estimate of UE 105.

[0051] The information provided to the LMF 120 by the gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114 using NRPPa may include timing and configuration information for directing PRS or SS transmissions, as well as location coordinates. The LMF 120 may provide some or all of this information to the UE 105 as supplementary data via NG-RAN 135 and 5GC140 in LPP and / or NPP messages.

[0052] The LPP or NPP message sent from LMF 120 to UE 105 can instruct UE 105 to do any of a variety of things according to the desired functionality. For example, the LPP or NPP message can contain instructions for UE 105 to obtain measurements of GNSS (or A-GNSS), WLAN, E-CID, and / or OTDOA (or some other positioning method). In the case of E-CID, the LPP or NPP message can instruct UE 105 to obtain one or more measurements of directional signals transmitted within a specific cell supported by one or more of gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 (or supported by some other type of base station such as eNB or WiFi AP) (e.g., beam ID, beamwidth, average angle, RSRP, RSRQ measurements). UE 105 can send measurements back to LMF 120 via service gNB110a (or service ng-eNB 114) and AMF 115 in LPP or NPP messages (e.g., within 5G NAS messages).

[0053] As described above, although the communication system 100 is described in relation to 5G technology, the communication system 100 can be implemented to support other communication technologies for supporting and interacting with mobile devices such as UE 105 (e.g., implementing voice, data, location, and other functions), such as GSM, WCDMA, LTE, etc. In some such embodiments, 5GC 140 can be configured to control different air interfaces. For example, 5GC 140 can use the non-3GPP interoperability function (N3IWF) in 5GC 150. Figure 1 (Not shown) Connected to a WLAN. For example, the WLAN may support IEEE 802.11 WiFi access for UE 105 and may include one or more WiFi APs. Here, the N3IWF may connect to the WLAN and other components in 5GC 140, such as AMF115. In some embodiments, both NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140 may be replaced by one or more other RANs and one or more other core networks. For example, in EPS, NG-RAN 135 may be replaced by E-UTRAN containing eNBs, and 5GC140 may be replaced by EPC containing a Mobility Management Entity (MME) replacing AMF 115, an E-SMLC replacing LMF 120, and a GMLC similar to GMLC 125. In such EPS, the E-SMLC may use LPPa instead of NRPPa to send location information to and receive location information from eNBs in the E-UTRAN, and may use LPP to support UE 105's positioning. In these other embodiments, the positioning of UE 105 using directional PRS can be supported in a manner similar to that described herein for 5G networks, except that the functions and procedures described herein for gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, AMF 115 and LMF120 can, in some cases, be alternatively applied to other network elements such as eNB, WiFi AP, MME and E-SMLC.

[0054] As described above, in some embodiments, the positioning function can be implemented at least in part using directional SS beams, which are directed by the UE whose location will be determined (e.g., Figure 1 The UE (105) can transmit signals from base stations (such as gNB110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114) within its range. In some cases, the UE can use directional SS beams from multiple base stations (such as gNB110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, etc.) to calculate the UE's location.

[0055] Also refer to Figure 2UE 200 is an example of UE 105 and includes a computing platform comprising a processor 210, a memory 211 including software (SW) 212, one or more sensors 213, a transceiver interface 214 for transceivers 215 (including a wireless transceiver 240 and a wired transceiver 250), a user interface 216, a satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver 217, a camera 218, and a positioning (motion) device 219. The processor 210, memory 211, sensors(multiple) 213, transceiver interface 214, user interface 216, SPS receiver 217, camera 218, and positioning (motion) device 219 can be communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 220 (which can be configured, for example, for optical and / or electrical communications). One or more of the illustrated devices (e.g., camera 218, positioning (motion) device 219, and / or one or more sensors 213, etc.) may be omitted from UE 200. Processor 210 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. Processor 210 may include multiple processors, including a general-purpose / application processor 230, a digital signal processor (DSP) 231, a modem processor 232, a video processor 233, and / or a sensor processor 234. One or more of processors 230-234 may include multiple devices (e.g., multiple processors). For example, sensor processor 234 may include processors for, for example, radio frequency (RF) sensing (utilizing one or more wireless signal transmissions and reflections for identifying, mapping, and / or tracking objects) and / or ultrasound. Modem processor 232 may support dual SIM / dual connectivity (or even more SIMs). For example, one SIM (Subscriber Identity Module or Subscriber Identification Module) may be used by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), while another SIM may be used by the end user of UE 200 for connectivity. Memory 211 is a non-transitory storage medium, which may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk storage, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 211 stores software 212, which may be processor-readable, processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 210 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, software 212 may not be executed directly by processor 210, but may be configured to cause processor 210 to perform these functions, for example, when compiled and executed. The description may refer to processor 210 performing the functions, but this includes other implementations, such as processor 210 performing software and / or firmware. The description may refer to processor 210 performing the functions as a shorthand for one or more processors 230-234 performing the functions. The description may refer to UE 200 performing the functions as a shorthand for one or more suitable components of UE 200 performing the functions.In addition to and / or replacing memory 211, processor 210 may include memory with stored instructions. The functionality of processor 210 will be discussed more fully below.

[0056] Figure 2 The configuration of UE 200 shown is exemplary and not a limitation of this disclosure, including the claims, and other configurations may be used. For example, an exemplary configuration of the UE includes one or more of processors 230-234 of processor 210, memory 211, and wireless transceiver 240. Other exemplary configurations include processors 230-234 of processor 210, memory 211, wireless transceiver 240, and one or more of sensors 213, user interface 216, SPS receiver 217, camera 218, PMD 219, and / or wired transceiver 250.

[0057] UE 200 may include a modem processor 232 capable of performing baseband processing on signals received and down-converted by transceiver 215 and / or SPS receiver 217. Modem processor 232 may also perform baseband processing on signals to be up-converted for transmission by transceiver 215. Alternatively, baseband processing may be performed by processor 230 and / or DSP 231. However, other configurations may be used to perform baseband processing.

[0058] UE 200 may include multiple sensors 213, which may include, for example, an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) 270, one or more magnetometers 271, and / or one or more environmental sensors 272. IMU 270 may include one or more inertial sensors, such as one or more accelerometers 273 (e.g., jointly responding to acceleration of UE 200 in three dimensions) and / or one or more gyroscopes 274. The magnetometers may provide measurements to determine orientation (e.g., relative to magnetic north and / or true north), which may be used for any of a variety of purposes, such as supporting one or more compass applications. The environmental sensors 272 may include, for example, one or more temperature sensors, one or more atmospheric pressure sensors, one or more ambient light sensors, one or more camera imagers, and / or one or more microphones. The sensors 213 may generate analog and / or digital signals, the indications of which may be stored in memory 211 and processed by DSP 231 and / or processor 230 to support one or more applications, such as applications for positioning and / or navigation operations.

[0059] The multiple sensors 213 can be used for relative position measurement, relative position determination, motion determination, etc. Information detected by the multiple sensors 213 can be used for motion detection, relative displacement, dead reckoning, sensor-based position determination, and / or sensor-assisted position determination. The multiple sensors 213 can be used to determine whether the UE 200 is stationary or moving, and / or whether to report certain useful information about the UE 200's mobility to the LMF 120. For example, based on information obtained / measured by the multiple sensors 213, the UE 200 can notify / report to the LMF 120 that the UE 200 has detected movement or that the UE 200 has moved, and report relative displacement / distance (e.g., via dead reckoning, or sensor-based position determination, or sensor-assisted position determination implemented by the multiple sensors 213). In another example, for relative positioning information, the sensors / IMU can be used to determine the angle and / or azimuth of other devices relative to the UE 200, etc.

[0060] IMU 270 can be configured to provide measurements of the direction and / or velocity of motion of UE 200, which can be used for relative position determination. For example, one or more accelerometers 273 and / or one or more gyroscopes 274 of IMU 270 can detect the linear acceleration and rotational velocity of UE 200, respectively. The linear acceleration and rotational velocity measurements of UE 200 can be integrated over time to determine the instantaneous direction and displacement of UE 200. The instantaneous direction and displacement can be integrated to track the position of UE 200. For example, a reference position of UE 200 can be determined at one moment, for example, using SPS receiver 217 (and / or by some other means), and measurements from (multiple) accelerometers 273 and (multiple) gyroscopes 274 obtained after that moment can be used in dead reckoning to determine the current position of UE 200 based on the movement (direction and distance) of UE 200 relative to the reference position.

[0061] Multiple magnetometers 271 can determine the magnetic field strength in different directions, which can be used to determine the orientation of the UE 200. For example, the orientation can be used to provide a digital compass for the UE 200. The multiple magnetometers 271 may include two-dimensional magnetometers configured to detect and provide indications of magnetic field strength in two orthogonal dimensions. Alternatively, the multiple magnetometers 271 may include three-dimensional magnetometers configured to detect and provide indications of magnetic field strength in three orthogonal dimensions. The multiple magnetometers 271 may provide a device module for sensing magnetic fields and providing magnetic field indications to, for example, a processor 210.

[0062] Transceiver 215 may include a wireless transceiver 240 and a wired transceiver 250, configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 240 may include a transmitter 242 and a receiver 244 coupled to one or more antennas 246 for transmitting (e.g., on one or more uplink channels and / or one or more bypass channels) and / or receiving (e.g., on one or more downlink channels and / or one or more bypass channels) wireless signals 248, converting signals from wireless signals 248 into wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals, and from wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals into wireless signals. Therefore, transmitter 242 may include multiple transmitters that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or receiver 244 may include multiple receivers that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 240 can be configured to communicate and transmit signals according to various radio access technologies (RATs) (e.g., with TRPs and / or one or more other devices), such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone Systems), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), V2C (Uu), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, and WiFi Direct (WiFi-D). (LTE-D), Zigbee, etc. The new radio can use millimeter-wave frequencies and / or sub-6GHz frequencies. Wired transceiver 250 may include a transmitter 252 and a receiver 254 configured for, for example, wired communication with network 135, to transmit and receive communication from gNB 110a, for example. Transmitter 252 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or receiver 254 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. Wired transceiver 250 may be configured for, for example, optical and / or electrical communication. Transceiver 215 may be communicatively coupled to transceiver interface 214, for example, via optical and / or electrical connections. Transceiver interface 214 may be at least partially integrated with transceiver 215.

[0063] User interface 216 may include one or more of a plurality of devices, such as a speaker, microphone, display device, vibration device, keyboard, touch screen, etc. User interface 216 may include more than one of these devices. User interface 216 may be configured to enable a user to interact with one or more applications hosted by UE 200. For example, user interface 216 may store indications of analog and / or digital signals in memory 211 for processing by DSP 231 and / or general-purpose processor 230 in response to actions from the user. Similarly, applications hosted on UE 200 may store indications of analog and / or digital signals in memory 211 to present output signals to the user. User interface 216 may include audio input / output (I / O) devices, including, for example, speakers, microphones, digital-to-analog circuitry, analog-to-digital circuitry, amplifiers and / or gain control circuitry (including more than one of these devices). Other configurations of audio I / O devices may be used. Additionally or alternatively, user interface 216 may include one or more touch sensors that respond to touch and / or pressure on, for example, the keyboard and / or touch screen of user interface 216.

[0064] SPS receiver 217 (e.g., a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver) is capable of receiving and acquiring SPS signal 260 via SPS antenna 262. Antenna 262 is configured to convert the wireless signal 260 into a wired signal, such as an electrical signal or an optical signal, and may be integrated with antenna 246. SPS receiver 217 may be configured to process the acquired SPS signal 260, in whole or in part, to estimate the location of UE 200. For example, SPS receiver 217 may be configured to determine the location of UE 200 using trilateration with SPS signal 260. In conjunction with SPS receiver 217, general-purpose processor 230, memory 211, DSP 231, and / or one or more dedicated processors (not shown) may be used to process the acquired SPS signal, in whole or in part, and / or calculate the estimated location of UE 200. Memory 211 may store indications (e.g., measurements) of SPS signal 260 and / or other signals (e.g., signals acquired from wireless transceiver 240) for use in performing positioning operations. A general-purpose processor 230, a DSP 231, and / or one or more dedicated processors and / or a memory 211 can provide or support a location engine for processing measurements to estimate the position of the UE 200.

[0065] UE 200 may include a camera 218 for capturing still or moving images. Camera 218 may include, for example, an imaging sensor (e.g., a charge-coupled device or a CMOS imager), a lens, analog-to-digital circuitry, a frame buffer, etc. General-purpose processor 230 and / or DSP 231 may perform additional processing, conditioning, encoding, and / or compression on the signals representing the captured images. Additionally or alternatively, video processor 233 may perform conditioning, encoding, compression, and / or manipulation on the signals representing the captured images. Video processor 233 may decode / decompress stored image data for presentation on a display device (not shown), such as user interface 216.

[0066] The Positioning (Motion) Device (PMD) 219 can be configured to determine the location and possible motion of the UE 200. For example, the PMD 219 can communicate with, and / or include, some or all of the SPS receivers 217. The PMD 219 can also, or alternatively, be configured to use land-based signals (e.g., at least some of the signals 248) for trilateration to determine the location of the UE 200, to help obtain and use the SPS signal 260, or for both. The PMD 219 can be configured to use one or more other techniques (e.g., relying on the UE's self-reported location (e.g., part of the UE's positioning beacon)) to determine the location of the UE 200, and can use a combination of techniques (e.g., SPS and land-based positioning signals) to determine the location of the UE 200. PMD 219 may include one or more sensors 213 (e.g., multiple gyroscopes, multiple accelerometers, multiple magnetometers, etc.) capable of sensing the orientation and / or motion of UE 200 and providing their indications. Processor 210 (e.g., processor 230 and / or DSP 231) may be configured to determine the motion of UE 200 (e.g., velocity vector and / or acceleration vector). PMD 219 may be configured to provide an indication of the uncertainty and / or error of the determined positioning and / or motion.

[0067] Also refer to Figure 3Examples of TRP 300 in BS 110a, 110b, and 114 include a computing platform comprising a processor 310, a memory 311 including software (SW) 312, a transceiver 315, and (optionally) an SPS receiver 317. The processor 310, memory 311, transceiver 315, and SPS receiver 317 can be communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 320 (which can be configured, for example, for optical and / or electrical communications). One or more of the illustrated devices (e.g., a wireless interface and / or SPS receiver 317) may be omitted from the TRP 300. The SPS receiver 317 may be configured similarly to SPS receiver 217 to receive and acquire SPS signal 360 via SPS antenna 362. The processor 310 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. Processor 310 may include multiple processors (e.g., including general-purpose / application processors, DSPs, modem processors, video processors, and / or sensor processors, such as...) Figure 2 (As shown). Memory 311 is a non-transitory storage medium, which may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk storage, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 311 stores software 312, which may be processor-readable, processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 310 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, software 312 may not be executed directly by processor 310, but may be configured to cause processor 310 to perform these functions, for example, when compiled and executed. The description may refer to processor 310 performing the functions, but this includes other implementations, such as processor 310 performing software and / or firmware. The description may refer to processor 310 performing the functions as a shorthand for one or more processors included in processor 310 performing the functions. The description may refer to TRP 300 performing the functions as a shorthand for one or more suitable components of TRP 300 (and therefore one of BS 110a, 110b, 114) performing the functions. In addition to and / or replacing memory 311, processor 310 may include memory with stored instructions. The functionality of processor 310 will be discussed more fully below.

[0068] Transceiver 315 may include a wireless transceiver 340 and a wired transceiver 350, configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 340 may include a transmitter 342 and a receiver 344 coupled to one or more antennas 346 for transmitting (e.g., on one or more uplink channels) and / or receiving (e.g., on one or more downlink channels) wireless signals 348, converting signals from wireless signals 348 into wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals, and from wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals into wireless signals 348. Therefore, transmitter 342 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or receiver 344 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 340 can be configured to communicate and transmit signals according to various radio access technologies (RATs) (e.g., with UE 200, one or more other UEs, and / or one or more other devices), such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone Systems), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, and WiFi Direct (WiFi-D). (LTE-D), Zigbee, etc. The wired transceiver 350 may include a transmitter 352 and a receiver 354 configured for, for example, wired communication with network 140, to send and receive communications to and from LMF 120, for example. Transmitter 352 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or receiver 354 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wired transceiver 350 may be configured for, for example, optical communication and / or electrical communication.

[0069] Figure 3 The configuration of TRP 300 shown is an example and not a limitation of this disclosure, including the claims, and other configurations may be used. For example, the description herein discusses TRP 300 being configured to perform or perform several functions, but one or more of these functions may be performed by LMF 120 and / or UE 200 (i.e., LMF 120 and / or UE 200 may be configured to perform one or more of these functions).

[0070] Also refer to Figure 4An example of LMF 120 includes a computing platform comprising a processor 410, a memory 411 including software (SW) 412, and a transceiver 415. The processor 410, memory 411, and transceiver 415 can be communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 420 (which can be configured for, for example, optical and / or electrical communication). One or more of the illustrated devices (e.g., wireless interfaces) may be omitted from server 400. The processor 410 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The processor 410 may include multiple processors (e.g., including general-purpose / application processors, DSPs, modem processors, video processors, and / or sensor processors, such as… Figure 2 (As shown). Memory 411 is a non-transitory storage medium, which may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk storage, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 411 stores software 412, which may be processor-readable, processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 410 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, software 412 may not be executed directly by processor 410, but may be configured to cause processor 410 to perform these functions, for example, when compiled and executed. The description may refer to processor 410 performing the functions, but this includes other implementations, such as processor 410 performing software and / or firmware. The description may refer to processor 410 performing the functions as a shorthand for one or more processors included in processor 410 performing the functions. The description may refer to server 400 (or LMF 120) performing the functions as a shorthand for one or more suitable components of server 400 (e.g., LMF 120) performing the functions. In addition to and / or instead of memory 411, processor 410 may include memory with stored instructions. The functions of processor 410 will be discussed in more detail below.

[0071] Transceiver 415 may include a wireless transceiver 440 and a wired transceiver 450, configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 440 may include a transmitter 442 and a receiver 444 coupled to one or more antennas 446 for transmitting (e.g., on one or more downlink channels) and / or receiving (e.g., on one or more uplink channels) wireless signals 448, converting signals from wireless signals 448 into wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals, and from wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals into wireless signals 448. Therefore, transmitter 442 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or receiver 444 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 440 can be configured to communicate and transmit signals according to various radio access technologies (RATs) (e.g., with UE 200, one or more other UEs, and / or one or more other devices), such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone Systems), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, and WiFi Direct (WiFi-D). (LTE-D), Zigbee, etc. The wired transceiver 450 may include a transmitter 452 and a receiver 454, configured for, for example, wired communication with network 135, to send and receive communications to and from TRP 300, for example. Transmitter 452 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or receiver 454 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wired transceiver 450 may be configured for, for example, optical communication and / or electrical communication.

[0072] Figure 4 The configuration of server 400 shown herein is illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure, including the claims, and other configurations may be used. For example, wireless transceiver 440 may be omitted. Furthermore or alternatively, the description herein discusses server 400 being configured to perform or perform several functions, but one or more of these functions may be performed by TRP 300 and / or UE 200 (i.e., TRP 300 and / or UE 200 may be configured to perform one or more of these functions).

[0073] refer to Figure 5A and Figure 5BThe diagram illustrates an example downlink PRS resource set. Generally, a PRS resource set is a collection of PRS resources spanning a single base station (e.g., TRP 300) that share the same period, common silence pattern configuration, and the same repetition factor across time slots. A first PRS resource set 502 comprises 4 resources and a repetition factor of 4, with a time slot equal to 1 time slot. A second PRS resource set 504 comprises 4 resources and a repetition factor of 4, with a time slot equal to 4 time slots. The repetition factor indicates the number of times each PRS resource is repeated in each individual instance of the PRS resource set (e.g., values ​​1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32). The time slot represents the offset in time slots between two repeated instances of PRS resources corresponding to the same PRS resource ID within a single instance of the PRS resource set (e.g., values ​​1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32). The duration spanned by a PRS resource set containing repeated PRS resources does not exceed the PRS period. The repetition of PRS resources allows the receiver beam to sweep across the repetitions and combine RF gains to increase coverage. Repetition can also enable in-instance silence.

[0074] refer to Figure 6 This illustrates example subframes and time slot formats used for positioning reference signal transmission. The example subframes and time slot formats are included in... Figure 5A and Figure 5B The PRS resource set shown. Figure 6 The subframe and time slot formats described are examples and not limitations, and include a comb-2 format 602 with 2 symbols, a comb-4 format 604 with 4 symbols, a comb-2 format 606 with 12 symbols, a comb-4 format 608 with 12 symbols, a comb-6 format 610 with 6 symbols, a comb-12 format 612 with 12 symbols, a comb-2 format 614 with 6 symbols, and a comb-6 format 616 with 12 symbols. Generally, a subframe may include 14 symbol periods indexed from 0 to 13. The subframe and time slot formats can be used for the Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH). Typically, a base station may transmit PRS from antenna port 6 on one or more time slots in each subframe configured for PRS transmission. The base station may avoid transmitting PRS on resource elements allocated to the PBCH, Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), or Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), regardless of their antenna ports. A cell can generate a reference symbol for its PRS based on its cell ID, symbol periodicity index, and time slot index. Generally, a UE can distinguish PRSs from different cells.

[0075] A base station can transmit PRS on a specific PRS bandwidth, which can be configured by higher layers. The base station can transmit PRS on subcarriers spaced across the PRS bandwidth. The base station can also transmit PRS based on parameters such as the PRS period (TPRS), subframe offset (PRS), and PRS duration (NPRS). The PRS period is the period during which the PRS is transmitted. The PRS period can be, for example, 160, 320, 640, or 1280 milliseconds. The subframe offset indicates the specific subframe from which the PRS is transmitted. And the PRS duration indicates the number of consecutive subframes from which the PRS is transmitted in each period of PRS transmission (PRS timing). The PRS duration can be, for example, 1, 2, 4, or 6 milliseconds.

[0076] The PRS period (TPRS) and subframe offset (PRS) can be transmitted via the PRS configuration index (IPRS). The PRS configuration index and PRS duration can be configured independently by higher layers. The set of consecutive subframes that transmit the PRS (NPRS) can be called the PRS timing. Each PRS timing can be enabled or silenced; for example, the UE can apply a silence bit to each cell. The PRS resource set is a collection of PRS resources across base stations that have the same period, a common silence pattern configuration, and the same repetition factor across time slots (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32 time slots).

[0077] Generally speaking, Figure 5A and Figure 5B The PRS resource described herein can be a set of resource elements used to transmit the PRS. The set of resource elements can span multiple Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) in the frequency domain and N (e.g., one or more) consecutive symbols within a time slot in the time domain. In a given OFDM symbol, the PRS resource occupies a consecutive PRB. A PRS resource is described by at least the following parameters: PRS resource identifier (ID), sequence ID, comb size N, resource element offset in the frequency domain, start time slot and start symbol, number of symbols per PRS resource (i.e., duration of the PRS resource), and QCL information (e.g., QCL with other DL reference signals). Currently, one antenna port is supported. The comb size indicates the number of subcarriers carrying the PRS in each symbol. For example, a comb size of comb-4 means that every fourth subcarrier in a given symbol carries the PRS.

[0078] A PRS resource set is a collection of PRS resources used to transmit PRS signals, where each PRS resource has a PRS resource ID. Furthermore, PRS resources in a PRS resource set are associated with the same transmit-receive point (e.g., TRP 300). A PRS resource set is identified by a PRS resource set ID and can be associated with a specific TRP (identified by a cell ID) transmitted by the antenna panel of a base station. The PRS resource ID in a PRS resource set is associated with a single beam (and / or beam ID) transmitted from a single base station (where the base station can transmit one or more beams). Each PRS resource in a PRS resource set can be transmitted on a different beam; therefore, a PRS resource, or simply a resource, can also be referred to as a beam. Note that this has no impact on whether the UE knows the base station and beam transmitting the PRS.

[0079] In the example, the positioning frequency layer can be a collection of PRS resource sets spanning one or more base stations. Positioning frequency layers can have the same subcarrier spacing (SCS) and cyclic prefix (CP) type, the same point-A, the same DLPRS bandwidth value, the same starting PRB, and the same comb size value. The parameter set supported for PDSCH can also be supported for PRS.

[0080] A PRS timing is an instance of a periodically repeating time window (e.g., a group of one or more consecutive time slots) in which a PRS is expected to be sent. A PRS timing may also be referred to as a PRS positioning timing, positioning timing, or simply timing.

[0081] Note that the terms Positioning Reference Signal and PRS are reference signals that can be used for positioning, such as, but not limited to, the PRS signal in LTE, the Navigation Reference Signal (NRS) in 5G, the Downlink Positioning Reference Signal (DL-PRS), the Uplink Positioning Reference Signal (UL-PRS), the Tracking Reference Signal (TRS), the Cell-Specific Reference Signal (CRS), the Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), the Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), the Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), and the Sounding Reference Signal (SRS).

[0082] refer to Figure 7Example round-trip message flow 700 between user equipment 705 and base station 710 is shown. UE 705 is an example of UE 105, 200, and base station 710 can be gNB 110a-b or ng-eNB 114. Generally, RTT positioning methods utilize the time it takes for a signal to travel from one entity to another and back to determine the distance between two entities. This distance, plus the known location of the first entity and the angle between the two entities (e.g., azimuth), can be used to determine the location of the second entity. In multi-RTT (also known as multi-cell RTT), multiple distances from one entity (e.g., UE) to other entities (e.g., TRP) and the known locations of other entities can be used to determine the location of one entity. Example message flow 700 can be initiated by base station 710 using RTT session configuration message 702. The base station can configure the RTT session using LPP / NRPPa messages. At time T1, base station 710 can send DL PRS 704, which is received by UE 705 at time T2. In response, UE 705 may send a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) 706 for positioning messages at time T3, which is received by base station 710 at time T4. The distance between UE 705 and base station 710 can be calculated as follows:

[0083]

[0084] Where c = speed of light.

[0085] In intensive operating environments where numerous UEs exchange RTT messages with the base station, the bandwidth required for UL SRS for location messages can increase messaging overhead and consume additional network bandwidth. Passive positioning techniques can reduce the bandwidth required for positioning by eliminating transmissions from UEs.

[0086] refer to Figure 8Example message flow 800 for passive positioning of user equipment 805 is shown. The message flow includes UE 805, a first base station 810, and a second base station 812. UE 805 is an example of UE 105, 200, and base stations 810, 812 are examples of gNB 110a-b or ng-eNB 114. Generally, TDOA positioning technology utilizes the propagation time difference between an entity and other entities to determine the relative distances to other entities, and these, combined with the known locations of other entities, can be used to determine the location of an entity. Arrival and / or departure angles can be used to help determine the location of an entity. For example, the angle of arrival or departure of a signal, combined with the distance between the device (determined using the signal (e.g., propagation time, received power, etc.)) and the known location of one of the devices, can be used to determine the location of other devices. Arrival and / or departure angles can be azimuth angles relative to a reference direction such as true north. Arrival and / or departure angles can be zenith angles relative to the direct upward direction from the entity (i.e., radially outward from the Earth's center). In operation, the first base station 810 can provide a passive location start message 802 to the UE 805. The passive location start message 802 can be a broadcast message or other signaling such as RRC to notify the UE of the PRS transmission schedule, and can include transmission information (e.g., channel information, silence pattern, PRS bandwidth, PRS identification information, etc.). At time T1, the first station can send a first DL PRS 804, which can be received by the second base station 812 at time T2 (e.g.) and by the UE 805 at time T3. The second base station 812 can be configured to send a second DL PRS 806 at time T4, which can be received by the first base station 810 at time T5 and by the UE 805 at time T6. The time between T2 and T4 can be the turnaround time configured on the second base station 812, and is therefore a known time period. The time between T1 and T2 (i.e., flight time) can also be known because the first and second base stations 810 and 812 are in fixed positions. Turnaround time (i.e., T4-T2) and flight time (i.e., T2-T1) can be broadcast or otherwise provided to UE 805 for location calculation. UE 805 can observe the difference between T6 and T3, and the distance can be calculated as follows:

[0087]

[0088]

[0089]

[0090] Message flow 800 is generally sufficient when the first base station 810 and the second base station 812 have synchronized timelines and the corresponding transmit and receive chains are calibrated. Group delay and other device-related issues can cause timing delays between the RF circuitry and the antenna. Such synchronization timing errors can reduce the accuracy of the positioning estimates derived from the RSTD results of equations (2)-(4).

[0091] refer to Figure 9 and further reference Figure 8 An example message flow 900 between a first base station 810 and a second base station 812 is illustrated. The time-of-flight (T2-T1) and turnaround time (T4-T2) can be established based on the RTT exchange between the depicted first and second base stations 810, 812. Each time value (e.g., T1, T2, T4, T5) may include errors due to corresponding receive and transmit chain elements. For example, the time values ​​may have error ranges Δ1, Δ2, Δ4, Δ5, and the corresponding time values ​​may drift within the error range. RTT values ​​may also vary based on temperature changes. These changes may require frequent RTT calibration between base stations 810, 812 to support passive positioning. The passive positioning utilizing bypass described herein can be used to reduce or even eliminate the frequency of RTT calibration between network stations. These techniques can also reduce the need for network timing synchronization.

[0092] refer to Figure 10 and further reference Figure 8 Figure 1000 illustrates an example signaling diagram of passive positioning using bypass assistance. Figure 1000 includes a first station 1010, a second station 1012, a target UE 1005, and an assisting UE 1007. UEs 1005 and 1007 are examples of UEs 105 and 200, and stations 1010 and 1012 can be gNB 110a-b or ng-eNB 114 or other TRP 300. In the example, assisting UE 1007 can be other types of TRP 300, such as RSU, access point, femtocell, picocell, etc. The locations (e.g., time-of-flight values) of the first and second stations 1010 and 1012, and the turnaround time value of the second station 1012, are known. The time-of-flight and turnaround time values ​​can be provided to the target UE 1005 in the passive positioning start message 802, or via broadcast or other signaling techniques (e.g., RRC, SIB, LPP, etc.). The first stop, 1010, was at the first opportunity (for example, Figure 8 The second station 1012 sends a first PRS 1002 at a second time, which is received by the target UE 1005 and the assisting UE 1007. The second station 1012 sends a second PRS 1004 at a second time (e.g., ...). Figure 8The data is transmitted via a bypass transmission 1006 (T4), which is received by the target UE 1005 and the assisting UE 1007. The assisting UE 1007 is located at a known position, and therefore the distances to the first station 1010 and the second station 1012 are also known. The assisting UE 1007 determines the RSTD of the first and second PRS 1002, 1004, and transmits the RSTD and location information via a bypass transmission 1006. The bypass transmission 1006 can utilize the bypass physical layer structure and the corresponding parameter set. For example, in 5G NR, the bypass transmission can utilize the Physical Bypass Control Channel (PSCCH), Physical Bypass Shared Channel (PSSCH), Physical Bypass Broadcast Channel (PSBCH), etc. In V2X use cases, the PC5 interface can be used. Other technologies and interfaces can be used to support the bypass transmission 1006. The target UE 1005 is configured to use the RSTD and location of the assisting UE 1007, as well as the locations of the first and second stations 1010, 1012, to mitigate synchronization errors between stations. For example, based on the location of the corresponding antenna, the flight time between stations 1010 and 1012 (i.e., Figure 8 The turnaround time (T2-T1) is known. Figure 8 The T4-T2 distances are known because the corresponding distances between assisting UE 1007 and stations 1010 and 1012 are known. Therefore, the RSTD value observed on assisting UE 1007 eliminates station timing errors that may deviate from previously provided auxiliary data. In other words, the RSTD value observed on assisting UE 1007 is based on the actual transmissions of the first and second PRS 1004 and 1006, rather than the expected turnaround times included in the auxiliary data (e.g., as shown in the previous data). Figure 9 (As shown). The target UE 1005 can use the received RSTD and location information to improve the accuracy of the distance calculation provided in equations (2)-(4) associated with the first and second stations 1010 and 1012.

[0093] Although Figure 10A pair of stations 1010, 1012 and a single assisting UE 1007 are depicted. However, in operation, the target UE 1005 can receive PRS from other pairs and combinations of stations, and receive bypass assistance data from other assisting UEs. The assisting UE can be configured to provide bypass assistance data for various combinations of station pairs. In an embodiment, the PRS can be transmitted from one or more stations 1010, 1012 via a Uu interface. In another example, a bypass (e.g., PC5) from another UE can be used to transmit the PRS. Stations 1010, 1012 and their corresponding PRS can be on the same or different frequency layers. In embodiments, such as use cases with dynamic spectrum sharing, stations 1010, 1012 can be configured to transmit the PRS using different radio access technologies (e.g., LTE, 5G, sub-6GHz, mmW, etc.). PRS 1002, 1004 can be configured for on-demand PRS and can be transmitted in response to signals received from the target UE 1005.

[0094] refer to Figure 11 and further reference Figure 8 and Figure 10 Figure 1100 illustrates an example signaling diagram of passive positioning using beamforming positioning reference signals and bypass assistance. Figure 1100 includes a first station 1110, a second station 1112, a target UE 1105, and an assisting UE 1107. UEs 1105 and 1107 are examples of UEs 105 and 200, and stations 1110 and 1112 can be gNB 110a-b or ng-eNB 114 or other TRP 300. The first and second stations 1110 and 1112 can be configured to transmit beamformed PRS along various azimuth angles. Beamforming can also change the elevation angle and other beam dimensions, such as beamwidth. The first station 1110 is configured to transmit a first PRS on a first beam 1102a, which is received by the assisting UE 1107. The first station 1110 also transmits a first PRS on a second beam 1102b, which is received by the target UE 1105. The first PRS can be transmitted on the additional beam. Figure 11 (Not shown in the image). Reference Figure 5A and Figure 5BThe first PRS transmission can be based on multiple PRS resources, with each PRS resource configured to be transmitted along a different azimuth. Similarly, the second station 1112 is configured to transmit a second PRS on a first beam 1104a, which is received by the target UE 1105. The second station 1112 also transmits a second PRS on a second beam 1104b, which is received by the assisting UE 1107. Stations 1110 and 1112 can provide PRS beam information, including beam identifier, azimuth, timing, sequence, PRS bandwidth, and other beam parameters, to UEs 1105 and 1107 via broadcast or other signaling (e.g., RRC, SIB, LPP, etc.). The PRS beam information may also include flight time and turnaround time for various station and beam combinations. The assisting UE 1107 can determine the RSTD value associated with the first PRS, the first beam 1102a and the second PRS, and the second beam 1104b, and provide the RSTD and location information to the target UE 1105 via bypass 1106, as previously stated. Figure 10 As described above, the target UE 1105 can determine the synchronization error associated with the first station 1110 and the second station 1112 based on the RSTD measurement assisted by the UE 1107. Then, by combining beam timing and / or sequence information, the synchronization error can be applied to the first PRS, second beam 1102b, and second PRS, first beam 1104a received by the target UE 1105. This solution assumes that the synchronization error is consistent for each PRS beam transmitted by stations 1110 and 1112.

[0095] The assisting UE 1107 can be used to provide bypass auxiliary data for various combinations of beam pairs. Beam pairs can be on the same frequency layer or different frequency layers. PRS 1102a-b and 1104a-b can be transmitted using different radio access technologies. For example, the first PRS can be an omnidirectional PRS (e.g., LTE, sub 6GHz), and the second PRS can utilize beamforming technologies (e.g., 5G, mmW, etc.). PRS 1102a-b and 1104a-b can be configured as on-demand PRS and can be transmitted in response to signals received from the target UE 1105.

[0096] refer to Figure 12An example network 1200 utilizing passive positioning with multiple bypasses is illustrated. Network 1200 includes a first station 1210 configured to transmit at least a first PRS 1216, a second station 1212 configured to transmit at least a second PRS 1218, and a third station 1214 configured to transmit at least a third PRS 1220. In this example, PRS 1216, 1218, and 1220 can be transmitted via a Uu interface. Network 1200 includes multiple target and assisting UEs, such as a first assisting UE 1202a, a second assisting UE 1202b, and a third assisting UE 1202c. Figure 12 In the diagram, assisting UEs are represented by dashed circles. Target UEs include a first target UE 1204a and a second target UE 1204b. As an example, the locations and relative positions of stations and UEs in network 1200 are provided. In operation, network 1200 may include many UEs and stations located at different locations from each other. Furthermore, the line-of-sight (LOS) distance between UEs and stations may not be available for every combination of UEs and stations, and auxiliary data provided by some assisting UEs may be more useful than that provided by others. For example, the second assisting UE 1202b may be adjacent to building 1224 or other obstacles that may interfere with signals transmitted from the second station 1212. The second assisting UE 1202b may have a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) communication path with the second station 1212. In embodiments, other UEs ( Figure 12 (Not shown) can be configured to send PRS via a bypass (e.g., PC5).

[0097] Generally, the performance of passive positioning can depend on the timing of the first arrival path (FAP) detection and the quality of the PRS signal detected by the assisting UEs 1202a-c. An assisting UE with a LOS channel can generate a more accurate RSTD estimate compared to an assisting UE with an NLOS channel. For example, a first target UE 1204a can receive a first bypass assist transmission 1224 from a second assisting UE 1202 and a second bypass assist transmission 1226 from a third assisting UE 1202c. The first and second bypass assist transmissions 1224 and 1226 are associated with the PRS transmission between the first station 1210 and the second station 1212. The first bypass assist transmission 1224 may include an RSTD based on the NLOS PRS indication. The first target UE 1204a can then select the second bypass assist transmission 1226 from the third assisting UE 1202c, which is based on the LOS PRS with the first and second stations 1210 and 1212.

[0098] The RSTD value determined by the assisting UE can be based on previous PRS transmissions from various station pairs. In an embodiment, the assisting UE can include a timestamp along with the RSTD estimate and provide the timestamp information along with bypass assistance data to the target UE. For example, a first assisting UE 1202a and a second assisting UE 1202b can determine an RSTD value associated with a PRS transmitted from a first station 1210 and a third station 1214. In the example, the second assisting UE 1202b can determine the RSTD value at a first time, and the first assisting UE 1202a can determine the RSTD value at a second time after the first time. The second target UE 1204b can receive bypass assistance transmissions 1221 and 1222 from the corresponding first and second assisting UEs 1202a and 1202b. The target UE 1204b can utilize the RSTD value from the received bypass assistance transmission with the latest timestamp.

[0099] In an embodiment, the assisting UE can be configured to determine a signal strength measurement of the received PRS transmission. For example, RSRP and / or RSRQ values ​​can be associated with an RSTD measurement. The signal strength measurement can be provided to the target UE, and the target UE can be configured to select the RSTD measurement based on the signal strength. The RSRP strength can indicate the quality of the RSTD estimate provided by the assisting UE to the target UE. The target UE can be configured to determine how to utilize the assisting information from the assisting UE based on the LOS probability, the PRS timestamp, and the RSRP strength associated with the assisting UE's RSTD estimate, or a combination of these values.

[0100] In this embodiment, network resources such as LMF 120 can maintain location and capability information for assisting UE 1202a-c. Stations 1210, 1212, 1214, or other network devices can provide the target UE 1204a-b with the location and capability information associated with assisting UE 1202a-c. The target UE 1204a-b can utilize bypass assistance data provided by neighboring assisting UE 1202a-c.

[0101] In the example, the network (e.g., LMF 120 or other network resources) can determine which assisting UEs 1202a-c are available to provide bypass assistance data. These assisting UEs can be selected based on factors such as location, LOS probability, network link quality, capability, system state (e.g., available power, activity state, etc.), connectivity status, or other factors. In the example, the network can be configured to provide an activation time and duration to enable the assisting UE to transition from an idle or inactive state to an active state, thereby providing bypass assistance data. The target UE can also be configured to receive bypass assistance data while in an idle / inactive state. For example, the network can provide reception period information via one or more System Information Blocks (SIBs) or other network messages, including the periods for sending and receiving bypass assistance data. The target UE 1204a-b can be configured to measure the signal quality / RSSI / RSRP of neighboring assisting UEs 1202a-c and use assistance data with higher quality neighbor measurements. In the example, the RSTD and measurement information obtained by assisting UE 1202a-c can be provided to the network (e.g., LMF 120) and subsequently provided to the target UE 1204a-b via network signaling (e.g., broadcast, RRC, LPP, etc.).

[0102] In an embodiment, assisting UE 1202a can be configured to determine the timing synchronization error of the pair of stations 1210, 1212, and 1214, and provide the timing synchronization error value to the target UE instead of the RSTD value. Compared to the RSTD value, the timing synchronization error value may require fewer resources to transmit, thus reducing the service overhead used to transmit auxiliary data. In the example, assisting UE 1202a-c can provide auxiliary data to stations 1210, 1212, and 1214, which can be configured to determine the timing synchronization error between each pair of stations and provide the timing synchronization error to the target UE 1204a-b.

[0103] In embodiments, one or more UEs may be located at a fixed location and configured to perform some or all of the functions of the station described herein. For example, a UE may be configured to determine its location (e.g., using inertial, satellite, and / or terrestrial technologies) and transmit positioning reference signals to neighboring base stations and / or UEs. Based on the capabilities of the network and / or the UE, a UE in the network may be configured to transmit omnidirectional sounding reference signals (SRS) and / or beamforming SRS for positioning. For example, a UE configured for 5G sub 6GHz operation may utilize omnidirectional signaling, and a UE configured for higher frequencies may utilize analog beamforming. For example, a UE may use existing uplink and bypass communication interfaces (such as Uu and PC5) to transmit SRS for positioning.

[0104] refer to Figure 13 and further reference Figures 1-12 The method 1300 for locating a user device using bypass assistance includes the phases shown. However, method 1300 is an example and not a limitation. Method 1300 can be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, concurrently executing phases, and / or dividing a single phase into multiple phases.

[0105] In phase 1302, the method includes receiving a first positioning reference signal from a first station at a first time. The UE 200, including transceiver 215 and processor 230, is a device module for receiving the first PRS. In the example, the reference... Figure 10 TRP 300 (such as the first station 1010) is configured to send the first PRS 1002. The first PRS can be as follows: Figure 11 The omnidirectional or beamforming transmission is shown. The first PRS 1002 may be based on a set of PRS resources stored at the first station 1010 or another network resource (such as LMF 120). In response to a location request from the network, UE 1005 may receive the first PRS 1002. In the example, the transmission of the first PRS 1002 may precede a passive location start message 802 or other network signaling, such as a location SIB. UE 1005 may be configured to select a DL PRS based on established PRS scheduling information. In the example, the first PRS may be a user- or group-specific on-demand PRS. A second UE, such as assisting UE 1007, also receives the PRS 1002 or other PRS sent by the first station. For example, the second UE may receive a previous PRS transmission from the first station, or a beamforming PRS transmission from the first station.

[0106] At stage 1304, the method includes receiving a second positioning reference signal from a second station at a second time. UE 200, including transceiver 215 and processor 230, is a device module for receiving the second PRS. In an example, a second TRP 300 (such as second station 1012) is configured to transmit a second PRS 1004, which is received by UE 1005. The UE can be configured to select the second PRS 1004 based on established PRS scheduling information. In embodiments, the first and second PRSs can be on the same frequency layer or on different frequency layers and can utilize different technologies (e.g., LTE and 5G NR for dynamic spectrum sharing). The second PRS 1004 can also be received by a second UE (e.g., assisting UE 1007). The second UE can also be configured to receive a previous PRS transmission from the second station, or to receive a beamformed PRS transmission from the second station.

[0107] In stage 1306, the method includes receiving, via bypass, a location and a first reference signal timing difference associated with a neighboring user equipment, wherein the first reference signal timing difference is based on the corresponding arrival times of a first positioning reference signal and a second positioning reference signal at the neighboring user equipment. The UE 200, including transceiver 215 and processor 230, is a device module for receiving the location and the first reference signal timing difference. In the example, a second UE (such as assisting UE 1007) may receive first and second PRS 1002, 1004 and determine the corresponding arrival time difference between the two PRS. The second UE is located at a known location, and therefore the distances to the first station 1010 and the second station 1012 are known. The second UE determines the RSTD of the first and second PRS 1002, 1004 and transmits the RSTD and location information via bypass transmission 1006. The RSTD information determined by the assisting UE is an example of a first reference signal timing difference. Bypass transmission 1006 may utilize a bypass physical layer structure and a corresponding parameter set. For example, in 5G NR, bypass transmission can utilize the Physical Bypass Control Channel (PSCCH), Physical Bypass Shared Channel (PSSCH), Physical Bypass Broadcast Channel (PSBCH), etc. V2X use cases can utilize the PC5 interface. In the example, the assisting UE can be configured to provide location and RSTD measurement information to the network, and the target UE can receive location and RSTD information associated with the assisting UE from the network (e.g., via network signaling from the serving station).

[0108] At stage 1308, the method includes determining a second reference signal timing difference (RSTD) based at least in part on a first time and a second time. The UE 200, including processor 230, is a device module for determining the second reference signal timing difference. In the example, the UE 200 may receive turnaround time and time-of-flight information associated with the first and second PRS transmissions 1002 and 1004 from stations 1010, 1012, a serving station, or other network resources (e.g., LMF 120) to perform RSTD measurements. The received turnaround time may include errors based on transmit and receive delays at stations 1010 and 1012, as well as other group delays. The target UE 1005 is configured to utilize the location received at stage 1306 and the first reference signal timing difference value to improve the accuracy of the RSTD measurement.

[0109] In stage 1310, the method includes determining the current location based at least in part on a first reference signal timing difference, the location of a neighboring user equipment, and a second reference signal timing difference. The UE 200, including processor 230, is a device module for determining the current location. In the example, the target UE 1005 is configured to mitigate inter-station synchronization errors by utilizing the RSTD and location of assisting UE 1007 and the locations of first and second stations 1010, 1012. Based on the locations of the respective antennas, the time of flight between stations 1010, 1012 (i.e., Figure 8 The turnaround time (T2-T1) is known. Figure 8 The T4-T2 distances are known because the corresponding distances between the assisting UE 1007 and stations 1010 and 1012 are known. Therefore, the first reference signal timing difference observed on the assisting UE 1007 and received in stage 1306 eliminates station timing errors that may deviate from the previously provided auxiliary data. The first reference signal timing difference is observed on the assisting UE and is based on the actual transmission of the first and second PRS 1004 and 1006, rather than the expected turnaround time included in the auxiliary data (e.g., as shown in the previous data). Figure 9 (As shown). The target UE 1005 can utilize the first reference signal timing difference received in phase 1306, the second reference signal timing difference measured in phase 1308, and location information to improve the accuracy of the distance calculation provided in equations (2)-(4) associated with the first and second stations 1010, 1012. In the example, the first reference signal timing difference can be based on previous PRS transmissions from the first and second stations 1010, 1012 and can be used in phase 1310, where it is assumed that the synchronization error is relatively constant over a defined time period. In the example, UE 1005 can receive location and RSTD information from multiple neighboring UEs. UE 1005 can be configured to utilize the location and RSTD information based on the relative signal quality of multiple PRS transmissions observed by assisting UEs. For example, the target UE can use the LOS of the observed PRS transmission, timestamp information (e.g., age), and signal strength to select which received RSTD data to use for positioning.

[0110] In an embodiment, the station's functionality in method 1300 can be performed by an assisting UE. For example, UL PRS and device-to-device bypass (e.g., PC5) can be used to provide PRS or other reference signals, such as SRS for positioning. Other interfaces, such as the Uu interface, can be used to transmit one or more PRS.

[0111] refer to Figure 14 and further reference Figures 1-12The method 1400 for locating a user device includes the phases shown. However, method 1400 is an example and not a limitation. Method 1400 can be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, executing phases concurrently, and / or dividing a single phase into multiple phases.

[0112] In phase 1402, the method includes receiving a first positioning reference signal from a first station at a first time. The UE 200, including transceiver 215 and processor 230, is a device module for receiving the first PRS. In the example, the reference... Figure 11 TRP 300 (such as the first station 1110) is configured to transmit a first PRS on a first beam 1102a and a second beam 1102b. The first PRS beams 1102a-b may be based on PRS resources stored at the first station 1110 or another network resource (such as LMF 120). In response to a location request from the network, UE 1105 may receive the first PRS and the second beam 1102b. UE 1105 may be configured to select the PRS beam based on established PRS scheduling information. In the example, the first PRS beams 1102a-b may be user- or group-specific on-demand PRS. A second UE, such as assisting UE 1107, receives the first PRS beam 1102a or other PRS beams transmitted by the first station 1110. For example, the second UE may receive previous, beamformed PRS transmissions from the first station 1110.

[0113] At stage 1404, the method includes receiving a second positioning reference signal from a second station at a second time. UE 200, including transceiver 215 and processor 230, is a device module for receiving the second PRS. In the example, a second TRP 300 (such as second station 1112) is configured to transmit a second PRS first beam 1104a, which is received by UE 1005. The UE can be configured to select the second PRS beam based on established PRS scheduling information. In embodiments, the first and second stations 1110, 1112 can be configured to operate on the same or different frequency layers and can utilize different technologies (e.g., LTE and 5G NR for dynamic spectrum sharing). The second PRS second beam 1104b can be received by a second UE (e.g., assisting UE 1007). The second UE can also be configured to receive previous PRS transmissions from the second station.

[0114] In stage 1406, the method includes receiving positioning assistance data associated with positioning reference signals received by a neighboring user equipment. The UE 200, including transceiver 215 and processor 230, is a device module for receiving the positioning assistance data. In the example, a second UE (such as assisting UE 1107) can receive corresponding first and second PRS beams 1102a and 1104b from first and second stations 1110 and 1112, and determine the corresponding time difference of arrival (RTD) of these two PRS beams. The second UE is located at a known location, and therefore the distances to the first station 1110 and the second station 1112 are known. The second UE determines the RSTD of the corresponding beams 1102a and 1104b and transmits the RSTD and location information via bypass transmission 1106. The RSTD information determined by the assisting UE is an example of positioning assistance data associated with PRS received by a neighboring UE. Bypass transmission 1106 may utilize a bypass physical layer structure and a corresponding parameter set. For example, in 5G NR, bypass transmission can utilize PSCCH, PSSCH, PSBCH, etc. V2X use cases can utilize the PC5 interface. In the example, the assisting UE can be configured to provide location assistance information to the network, and the target UE can receive the location assistance information associated with the assisting UE from the network (e.g., via network signaling from the serving station).

[0115] At stage 1408, the method includes determining a reference signal timing difference based at least in part on a first time and a second time. The UE 200, including processor 230, is a device module for determining the reference signal timing difference. In the example, the UE 200 may receive turnaround time and time-of-flight information associated with corresponding beams 1102b and 1104a transmitted from stations 1110 and 1112. Reference Figure 5A and Figure 5BPRS resources (i.e., beams) can be transmitted on a predetermined schedule, such as time slot times associated with PRS resource sets 502 and 504. Known time intervals between PRS beam transmissions can be used for RSTD distance calculation. For example, the time interval between the first PRS first beam 1102a and the second beam 1120b can be a fixed value, and the timing interval between the second PRS first beam 1104a and the second beam 1104b can be another fixed value. Time values ​​associated with PRS beams can be provided to the UE by the network via auxiliary data transmissions (e.g., RRC, LLP, broadcast messages, etc.). The target UE 1105 is configured to utilize network auxiliary data and auxiliary data received by neighboring UEs in phase 1406 to improve the accuracy of RSTD measurements. For example, auxiliary data received from neighboring UEs may include the location of the neighboring UE, PRS beam identification information (e.g., PRS-ID), station identification information, and the observed time difference of arrival of the PRS transmission. In this example, auxiliary data received from neighboring UEs may be synchronization errors associated with a station and / or a specific PRS beam. Station pairs can have synchronization errors, which can be applied to the beams transmitted by the stations. In the example, synchronization errors can be calculated for each beam pair. Providing synchronization error results as positioning aid data saves bandwidth compared to transmitting RSTD measurements.

[0116] In stage 1410, the method includes determining the current location based at least in part on a reference signal timing difference and positioning assistance data. The UE 200, including processor 230, is a device module for determining the current location. In the example, the target UE 1105 is configured to mitigate synchronization errors between stations by utilizing positioning assistance data received from assisting UE 1107, PRS resource transmission time, and the locations of first and second stations 1110, 1112. Based on the positions of the respective antennas, stations 1110, 1112 (i.e., Figure 8 The flight time between T2 and T1 on the PRS beam transmission schedule (i.e., the turnaround time) is known. Figure 8The T4-T2 distances between the assisting UE 1107 and stations 1110 and 1112, as well as the PRS resource transmission schedule, are known. Therefore, the positioning assistance data determined by the neighboring UE and received in phase 1406 eliminates station timing errors that may deviate from previously provided assistance data. The target UE 1105 can utilize the positioning assistance data, the reference signal timing difference measured in phase 1408, and the network-provided assistance data to improve the accuracy of the distance calculations provided in equations (2)-(4) associated with the first and second stations 1110 and 1112. In the example, the positioning assistance data measured or calculated by the neighboring UE can be based on previous PRS transmissions from the first and second stations 1110 and 1112 and can be used in phase 1410, where it is assumed that the synchronization error is relatively constant within a defined time period. In the example, UE 1105 can receive positioning assistance data from multiple neighboring UEs. UE 1105 can be configured to select positioning assistance data based on the relative signal quality of the PRS transmissions observed by the multiple assisting UEs. For example, the target UE can use the observed LOS probability, timestamp, and signal strength of the PRS transmission to select which received location assistance data to use for locating the target UE.

[0117] In an embodiment, the station's functionality in method 1400 can be performed by an assisting UE. For example, UL PRS and D2D bypass can be used to provide PRS or other reference signals, such as SRS for positioning. Other interfaces, such as the Uu interface, can be used to transmit one or more PRS.

[0118] refer to Figure 15 and further reference Figures 1-14 The method 1500 for providing positioning assistance data based on received positioning reference signals includes the stages shown. However, method 1500 is an example and not a limitation. Method 1500 can be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, concurrently executing stages, and / or dividing a single stage into multiple stages.

[0119] In phase 1502, the method includes receiving a first positioning reference signal from a first station at a first time. The UE 200, including transceiver 215 and processor 230, is a device module for receiving the first PRS. In the example, the reference... Figure 12 TRP 300 (such as the first station 1210) is configured to transmit the first PRS 1216 as an omnidirectional signal or as one or more beamforming PRS resources. Assisting UEs (such as assisting UE 1202a) can receive the first PRS 1216 at the first moment.

[0120] In phase 1504, the method includes receiving a second positioning reference signal from a second station at a second time. The UE 200, including transceiver 215 and processor 230, is a device module for receiving the second PRS. In the example, a second TRP 300 (such as second station 1212) is configured to transmit the second PRS 1218 as an omnidirectional signal or as one or more beamformed PRS resources. The assisting UE 1202a can receive the second PRS 1218 at the second time. In embodiments, the first and second stations 1210, 1212 can be configured to operate on the same or different frequency layers and can utilize different technologies (e.g., LTE and 5G NR for dynamic spectrum sharing).

[0121] At stage 1506, the method includes determining a reference signal timing difference (RSTD) based at least in part on a first time and a second time. The UE 200, including processor 230, is a device module for determining the second reference signal timing difference. In the example, the assisting UE 1202a can receive auxiliary data including turnaround time and time-of-flight information associated with first and second stations 1210, 1212 and their corresponding PRS resources. The auxiliary data can be included in network messaging such as RRC, SIBS, LPP, etc. The assisting UE 1202a can receive first and second PRSs 1216, 1218 and determine the corresponding time difference of arrival for these two PRSs. The assisting UE 1202a is located at a known location, therefore the distances to the first station 1210 and the second station 1212 are known. The assisting UE 1202a is configured to determine the RSTD of the first and second PRSs 1216, 1218 and their corresponding first and second times. In the example, the assisting UE 1202a can determine the timestamp information of the first and second PRS 1216, 1218 (e.g., based on network time). Other signals and performance parameters such as LOS probability and signal strength can also be associated with the received PRS signals.

[0122] In stage 1508, the method includes transmitting positioning assistance data, wherein the positioning assistance data is at least partially based on a reference signal timing difference. The UE 200, including transceiver 215 and processor 230, is a device module for transmitting the assistance data. In the example, assisting UE 1202a may utilize the RSTD value and the current location as assistance data. Assisting UE 1202a may be configured to determine a synchronization error associated with the first and second stations 1210, 1212, and use the resulting synchronization error as assistance data. For example, assisting UE 1202a may utilize the known locations of stations 1210, 1212 and assisting UE 1202a to determine an ideal RSTD value, and calculate the synchronization error as the difference between the ideal RSTD value and the observed RSTD value. In the example, assisting UE 1202a may provide the network with a first time and a second time, as well as the current location coordinates (if needed), and network resources (e.g., LMF 120) may be configured to determine the RSTD value and / or the synchronization error. In the example, assisting UE 1202a can use bypass transmission 1221 to provide auxiliary data to a nearby target UE (such as a second target UE 1204b). Bypass transmission 1221 can utilize a bypass physical layer structure and corresponding parameter set. For example, in 5G NR, bypass transmission can utilize PSCCH, PSSCH, PSBCH, etc. Other bypass interfaces can also be used. In the example, assisting UE 1202a can send auxiliary data to the network via the Uu interface or other network signaling, and network resources (e.g., LMF 120 or other server 400) can be configured to provide auxiliary data to one or more target UEs. LMF 120 can be configured to selectively distribute auxiliary data received from the assisting UE based on location or other operating parameters associated with the measured PRS. For example, LMF 120 can utilize LOS standard, signal strength indication, and measurement timing as operating parameters. Other PRS beam parameters can also be used to improve the quality of the RSTD and / or synchronization error values ​​provided to the target UE.

[0123] Other examples and implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software and computers, the above-described functions can be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, hardwired, or any combination thereof executed by a processor. Features implementing the functions can also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that portions of the functions are implemented in different physical locations. For example, one or more functions or portions thereof discussed above that occur in LMF 120 can be executed outside LMF 120, such as by TRP 300.

[0124] Unless otherwise stated, the functional or other components shown in the accompanying drawings and / or discussed herein that are interconnected or communicating with each other are communicatively coupled. That is, they can be directly or indirectly connected to enable communication between them.

[0125] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” also include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, “processor” can include one or more processors. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and / or “including” as used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0126] As used herein, unless otherwise stated, a statement that a function or operation is “based on” an item or condition means that the function or operation is based on said item or condition and may be based on one or more items and / or conditions other than said item or condition.

[0127] Furthermore, as used herein, the “or” used in the list of items (which may begin with “at least one of…” or “one or more of…”) signifies a separate list, such that a list of, for example, “at least one of A, B, or C” or a list of, “one or more of A, B, or C” or a list of, “A or B or C” means A, or B, or C, or AB (A and B), or AC (A and C), or BC (B and C), or ABC (i.e., A and B and C), or a combination having more than one characteristic (e.g., AA, AAB, ABBC, etc.). Therefore, a statement that an item, for example, a processor, is configured to perform a function relating to at least one of A or B, or a statement that an item is configured to perform function A or function B, means that the item can be configured to perform a function relating to A, or can be configured to perform a function relating to B, or can be configured to perform functions relating to both A and B. For example, the phrase "a processor configured to measure at least one of A or B" or "a processor configured to measure A or measure B" means that the processor can be configured to measure A (and may or may not be configured to measure B), or can be configured to measure B (and may or may not be configured to measure A), or can be configured to measure both A and B (and can be configured to select which one or both of A and B to measure). Similarly, a description of a device module for measuring at least one of A or B includes a device module for measuring A (which may or may not be able to measure B), or a device module for measuring B (which may or may not be configured to measure A), or a device module for measuring A and B (which can select which one or both of A and B to measure). As another example, a description of an item, such as a processor, being configured to perform at least one of function X or function Y means that the item can be configured to perform function X, or can be configured to perform function Y, or can be configured to perform both functions X and Y. For example, the phrase "a processor configured to measure at least one of X or Y" means that the processor can be configured to measure X (and may or may not be configured to measure Y), or can be configured to measure Y (and may or may not be configured to measure X), or can be configured to measure both X and Y (and can be configured to select which one or both of X and Y). Substantial changes can be made depending on specific requirements. For example, custom hardware can also be used, and / or specific components can be implemented in hardware, software executed by the processor (including portable software such as applets), or both. Furthermore, connections to other computing devices, such as network input / output devices, can be used.

[0128] The systems and devices discussed above are examples. Various configurations may appropriately omit, substitute, or add various processes or components. For example, features described with respect to certain configurations may be combined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elements of a configuration may be combined in a similar manner. Furthermore, technology is evolving, therefore, many elements are examples and do not limit the scope of this disclosure or the claims.

[0129] A wireless communication system is a system that transmits communication wirelessly, that is, through electromagnetic waves and / or sound waves that propagate through the atmosphere, rather than through wired or other physical connections. A wireless communication network may not transmit all communications wirelessly, but is configured to transmit at least some communications wirelessly. Furthermore, the term "wireless communication device" or similar terms do not require that the device's function is specifically or even primarily for communication, or that the device is a mobile device, but rather indicate that the device includes wireless communication capabilities (one-way or two-way), such as including at least one radio device for wireless communication (each radio device is part of a transmitter, receiver, or transceiver).

[0130] Specific details are provided in the description to offer a comprehensive understanding of the example configurations (including implementations). However, the configurations can be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques have been shown without unnecessary detail to avoid obscuring the configurations. This description provides example configurations and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claims. Rather, the foregoing description of the configurations provides a description of the techniques described for implementing them. Various changes can be made to the function and arrangement of the elements without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0131] As used herein, the terms “processor-readable medium,” “machine-readable medium,” and “computer-readable medium” refer to any medium that participates in providing data that enables a machine to operate in a particular manner. Using a computing platform, various processor-readable media can participate in providing instructions / code to (or more) processors for execution, and / or can be used to store and / or carry such instructions / code (e.g., as signals). In many implementations, processor-readable media are physical and / or tangible storage media. Such media can take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile and volatile media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical discs and / or magnetic disks. Volatile media include, but are not limited to, dynamic memory.

[0132] A statement that a value exceeds (or is greater than or higher than) a first threshold is equivalent to a statement that the value meets or exceeds a second threshold slightly greater than the first threshold, for example, in the resolution of a computing system, the second threshold is one value higher than the first threshold. A statement that a value is less than (or within or below) the first threshold is equivalent to a statement that the value is less than or equal to a second threshold slightly lower than the first threshold, for example, in the resolution of a computing system, the second threshold is one value lower than the first threshold.

[0133] Implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0134] 1. A method for passive positioning, comprising:

[0135] Receive the first positioning reference signal from the first station at the first moment;

[0136] Receive the second positioning reference signal from the second station at the second time;

[0137] Receive positioning assistance data associated with positioning reference signals received from nearby user equipment;

[0138] The timing difference of the reference signal is determined at least in part based on the first time and the second time; and

[0139] The current position is determined at least in part based on the timing difference of the reference signal and the positioning assistance data.

[0140] 2. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the positioning assistance data is received from a nearby user equipment via a bypass.

[0141] 3. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the positioning assistance data is received from the service station.

[0142] 4. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the positioning assistance data includes a signal strength parameter associated with a positioning reference signal received by the nearby user equipment.

[0143] 5. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the positioning reference signal received by the nearby user equipment is the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal.

[0144] 6. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the positioning reference signal received by the neighboring user equipment is a first beamforming positioning reference signal transmitted from the first station and a second beamforming positioning reference signal transmitted from the second station.

[0145] 7. The method according to Clause 1, wherein at least one of the positioning reference signals received by the adjacent user equipment is received at a time different from the transmission time of at least one of the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal.

[0146] 8. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the positioning assistance data is at least partially based on a second reference signal timing difference of a positioning reference signal received by the nearby user equipment.

[0147] 9. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the positioning assistance data is at least partially based on the synchronization error value of the positioning reference signal received by the nearby user equipment.

[0148] 10. The method according to Clause 1 further includes receiving reception period information indicating the time period for sending the positioning assistance data.

[0149] 11. A method for providing positioning assistance data, comprising:

[0150] Receive the first positioning reference signal from the first station at the first moment;

[0151] Receive the second positioning reference signal from the second station at the second time;

[0152] The timing difference of the reference signal is determined at least in part based on the first time and the second time; and

[0153] Send positioning assistance data, wherein the positioning assistance data is at least partially based on the timing difference of the reference signal.

[0154] 12. The method according to Clause 11, wherein the positioning assistance data is transmitted to a nearby user equipment via a bypass.

[0155] 13. The method according to Clause 11, wherein the positioning assistance data is sent to a service station.

[0156] 14. The method according to Clause 11 further includes determining a signal strength parameter associated with at least one of the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal.

[0157] 15. The method according to Clause 11, wherein at least one of the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal is an omnidirectional positioning reference signal.

[0158] 16. The method according to Clause 11, wherein at least one of the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal is a beamforming positioning reference signal.

[0159] 17. The method according to Clause 11, wherein the positioning assistance data is the timing difference of the reference signal.

[0160] 18. The method according to Clause 11, wherein the positioning assistance data is at least partially based on the synchronization error value of the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal.

[0161] 19. The method according to Clause 11 further includes receiving transmission period information indicating the time period for transmitting the positioning assistance data.

[0162] 20. The method according to Clause 19, wherein the positioning assistance data is transmitted via a bypass during the transmission period.

[0163] 21. The method according to Clause 11, wherein the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal utilize different frequency layers.

[0164] 22. A user equipment (UE), comprising:

[0165] Memory;

[0166] At least one transceiver;

[0167] At least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, is configured to:

[0168] Receive the first positioning reference signal from the first station at the first moment;

[0169] Receive the second positioning reference signal from the second station at the second time;

[0170] Receive positioning assistance data associated with positioning reference signals received from nearby user equipment;

[0171] The timing difference of the reference signal is determined at least in part based on the first time and the second time; and

[0172] The current position is determined at least in part based on the timing difference of the reference signal and the positioning assistance data.

[0173] 23. The user equipment as described in Clause 22, wherein the positioning assistance data is received from a neighboring user equipment via a bypass.

[0174] 24. The user equipment as described in Clause 22, wherein the positioning assistance data is received from a service station.

[0175] 25. The user equipment as described in Clause 22, wherein the positioning assistance data includes a signal strength parameter associated with a positioning reference signal received by the neighboring user equipment.

[0176] 26. The user equipment according to Clause 22, wherein the positioning reference signal received by the neighboring user equipment is the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal.

[0177] 27. The user equipment according to Clause 22, wherein the positioning reference signal received by the neighboring user equipment is a first beamforming positioning reference signal transmitted from the first station and a second beamforming positioning reference signal transmitted from the second station.

[0178] 28. The user equipment according to clause 22, wherein at least one of the positioning reference signals received by the neighboring user equipment is received at a different time than the transmission time of at least one of the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal.

[0179] 29. The user equipment as described in Clause 22, wherein the positioning assistance data is at least partially based on a second reference signal timing difference of a positioning reference signal received by the neighboring user equipment.

[0180] 30. The user equipment as described in Clause 22, wherein the positioning assistance data is at least partially based on a synchronization error value of a positioning reference signal received by the neighboring user equipment.

[0181] 31. The user equipment according to Clause 22, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive reception period information indicating a time period for transmitting the positioning assistance data.

[0182] 32. A user equipment (UE), comprising:

[0183] Memory;

[0184] At least one transceiver;

[0185] At least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, is configured to:

[0186] Receive the first positioning reference signal from the first station at the first moment;

[0187] Receive the second positioning reference signal from the second station at the second time;

[0188] The timing difference of the reference signal is determined at least in part based on the first time and the second time; and

[0189] Send positioning assistance data, wherein the positioning assistance data is at least partially based on the timing difference of the reference signal.

[0190] 33. The user equipment as described in Clause 32, wherein the positioning assistance data is transmitted to a neighboring user equipment via a bypass.

[0191] 34. The user equipment as described in Clause 32, wherein the positioning assistance data is sent to a service station.

[0192] 35. The user equipment according to clause 32, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine a signal strength parameter associated with at least one of the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal.

[0193] 36. The user equipment according to Clause 32, wherein at least one of the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal is an omnidirectional positioning reference signal.

[0194] 37. The user equipment according to Clause 32, wherein at least one of the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal is a beamforming positioning reference signal.

[0195] 38. The user equipment as described in Clause 32, wherein the positioning assistance data is the timing difference of the reference signal.

[0196] 39. The user equipment according to Clause 32, wherein the positioning assistance data is at least partially based on the synchronization error value of the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal.

[0197] 40. The user equipment according to clause 32, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive transmission period information indicating a time period for transmitting the positioning assistance data.

[0198] 41. The user equipment according to clause 40, wherein the positioning assistance data is transmitted via a bypass during the transmission period.

[0199] 42. The user equipment according to Clause 32, wherein the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal utilize different frequency layers.

[0200] 43. An apparatus comprising:

[0201] A device module for receiving the first positioning reference signal from the first station at the first moment;

[0202] A device module for receiving a second positioning reference signal from a second station at a second time;

[0203] A device module for receiving positioning assistance data associated with positioning reference signals received by a nearby user equipment;

[0204] A device module for determining a reference signal timing difference based at least in part on the first time and the second time; and

[0205] A device module for determining the current position based at least in part on the timing difference of the reference signal and the positioning assistance data.

[0206] 44. An apparatus comprising:

[0207] A device module for receiving the first positioning reference signal from the first station at the first moment;

[0208] A device module for receiving a second positioning reference signal from a second station at a second time;

[0209] A device module for determining a reference signal timing difference based at least in part on the first time and the second time; and

[0210] A device module for transmitting positioning assistance data, wherein the positioning assistance data is at least partially based on the timing difference of the reference signal.

[0211] 45. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium, comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors to determine the current location, including:

[0212] Code used to receive the first positioning reference signal from the first station at the first moment;

[0213] Code used to receive a second positioning reference signal from a second station at a second time;

[0214] Codes used to receive positioning assistance data associated with positioning reference signals received from nearby user equipment;

[0215] Code for determining a timing difference of a reference signal based at least in part on the first and second times; and

[0216] Code for determining the current position based at least in part on the timing difference of the reference signal and the positioning assistance data.

[0217] 46. ​​A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium, comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors to provide location assistance data, including:

[0218] Code used to receive the first positioning reference signal from the first station at the first moment;

[0219] Code used to receive a second positioning reference signal from a second station at a second time;

[0220] Code for determining a timing difference of a reference signal based at least in part on the first and second times; and

[0221] Code for transmitting positioning assistance data, wherein the positioning assistance data is at least partially based on the timing difference of the reference signal.

Claims

1. A method for passive positioning, comprising: Receive the first positioning reference signal from the first station at the first moment; Receive the second positioning reference signal from the second station at the second time; Receive positioning assistance data associated with positioning reference signals received from nearby user equipment; The timing difference of the reference signal is determined at least in part based on the first time and the second time; as well as The current location is determined at least in part based on the reference signal timing difference and the positioning assistance data, wherein the positioning assistance data includes a second reference signal timing difference value based at least in part on a positioning reference signal received by the nearby user equipment.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The positioning assistance data is received from a nearby user equipment via a bypass.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The positioning assistance data is received from the service station.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The positioning assistance data also includes signal strength parameters associated with positioning reference signals received by the nearby user equipment.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The positioning reference signal received by the nearby user equipment is the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The positioning reference signals received by the nearby user equipment are a first beamforming positioning reference signal transmitted from the first station and a second beamforming positioning reference signal transmitted from the second station.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein, At least one of the positioning reference signals received by the nearby user equipment is received at a different time than the transmission time of at least one of the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The positioning assistance data also includes, at least in part, a synchronization error value based on a positioning reference signal received by the nearby user equipment.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving reception period information indicating the time period for sending the positioning assistance data.

10. A method for providing positioning assistance data, comprising: Receive the first positioning reference signal from the first station at the first moment; Receive the second positioning reference signal from the second station at the second time; The timing difference of the reference signal is determined at least in part based on the first time and the second time; as well as The positioning assistance data is transmitted, wherein the positioning assistance data is at least partially based on the timing difference of the reference signal, and wherein the positioning assistance data is transmitted to a nearby user equipment via a bypass.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The positioning assistance data is also sent to the service station.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising determining a signal strength parameter associated with at least one of the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein, At least one of the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal is an omnidirectional positioning reference signal.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein, At least one of the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal is a beamforming positioning reference signal.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The positioning assistance data is the timing difference of the reference signal.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein, The positioning assistance data is at least partially based on the synchronization error value of the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving transmission period information indicating the time period for transmitting the positioning assistance data.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, The positioning assistance data is transmitted via a bypass during the transmission period.

19. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal utilize different frequency layers.

20. A user equipment (UE), comprising: Memory; At least one transceiver; At least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, is configured to: Receive the first positioning reference signal from the first station at the first moment; Receive the second positioning reference signal from the second station at the second time; Receive positioning assistance data associated with positioning reference signals received from nearby user equipment; The timing difference of the reference signal is determined at least in part based on the first time and the second time; as well as The current location is determined at least in part based on the reference signal timing difference and the positioning assistance data, wherein the positioning assistance data includes a second reference signal timing difference value based at least in part on a positioning reference signal received by the nearby user equipment.

21. The user equipment according to claim 20, wherein, The positioning assistance data is received from a nearby user equipment via a bypass.

22. The user equipment according to claim 20, wherein, The positioning assistance data is received from the service station.

23. The user equipment according to claim 20, wherein, The positioning assistance data also includes signal strength parameters associated with positioning reference signals received by the nearby user equipment.

24. The user equipment according to claim 20, wherein, The positioning reference signal received by the nearby user equipment is the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal.

25. The user equipment according to claim 20, wherein, The positioning reference signals received by the nearby user equipment are a first beamforming positioning reference signal transmitted from the first station and a second beamforming positioning reference signal transmitted from the second station.

26. The user equipment according to claim 20, wherein, At least one of the positioning reference signals received by the nearby user equipment is received at a different time than the transmission time of at least one of the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal.

27. The user equipment according to claim 20, wherein, The positioning assistance data also includes, at least in part, a synchronization error value based on a positioning reference signal received by the nearby user equipment.

28. The user equipment according to claim 20, wherein, The at least one processor is further configured to receive reception period information indicating the time period for transmitting the positioning assistance data.

29. A user equipment (UE), comprising: Memory; At least one transceiver; At least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, is configured to: Receive the first positioning reference signal from the first station at the first moment; Receive the second positioning reference signal from the second station at the second time; The timing difference of the reference signal is determined at least in part based on the first time and the second time; as well as The positioning assistance data is transmitted, wherein the positioning assistance data is at least partially based on the timing difference of the reference signal, and wherein the positioning assistance data is transmitted to a nearby user equipment via a bypass.

30. The user equipment according to claim 29, wherein, The positioning assistance data is also sent to the service station.

31. The user equipment according to claim 29, wherein, The at least one processor is further configured to determine a signal strength parameter associated with at least one of the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal.

32. The user equipment according to claim 29, wherein, At least one of the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal is an omnidirectional positioning reference signal.

33. The user equipment according to claim 29, wherein, At least one of the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal is a beamforming positioning reference signal.

34. The user equipment according to claim 29, wherein, The positioning assistance data is the timing difference of the reference signal.

35. The user equipment according to claim 29, wherein, The positioning assistance data is at least partially based on the synchronization error value of the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal.

36. The user equipment according to claim 29, wherein, The at least one processor is also configured to receive transmission period information indicating the time period for transmitting the positioning assistance data.

37. The user equipment according to claim 36, wherein, The positioning assistance data is transmitted via a bypass during the transmission period.

38. The user equipment according to claim 29, wherein, The first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal utilize different frequency layers.

39. A device for passive positioning, comprising: A device module for receiving the first positioning reference signal from the first station at the first moment; A device module for receiving a second positioning reference signal from a second station at a second time; A device module for receiving positioning assistance data associated with positioning reference signals received by a nearby user equipment; A device module for determining a reference signal timing difference based at least in part on the first time and the second time; and A device module for determining a current location based at least in part on the reference signal timing difference and the positioning assistance data, wherein the positioning assistance data includes at least in part a second reference signal timing difference value based on a positioning reference signal received by the nearby user equipment.

40. An apparatus for providing positioning assistance data, comprising: A device module for receiving the first positioning reference signal from the first station at the first moment; A device module for receiving a second positioning reference signal from a second station at a second time; A device module for determining a reference signal timing difference based at least in part on the first time and the second time; and A device module for transmitting positioning assistance data, wherein the positioning assistance data is at least partially based on the timing difference of the reference signal, and wherein the positioning assistance data is transmitted to a nearby user equipment via a bypass.

41. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium, comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors to determine the current location, including: Code used to receive the first positioning reference signal from the first station at the first moment; Code used to receive a second positioning reference signal from a second station at a second time; Codes used to receive positioning assistance data associated with positioning reference signals received from nearby user equipment; Code for determining the timing difference of a reference signal based at least in part on the first time and the second time; and Code for determining the current location based at least in part on the reference signal timing difference and the positioning assistance data, wherein the positioning assistance data includes a second reference signal timing difference value based at least in part on a positioning reference signal received by the nearby user equipment.

42. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium, comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors to provide location assistance data, including: Code used to receive the first positioning reference signal from the first station at the first moment; Code used to receive a second positioning reference signal from a second station at a second time; Code for determining the timing difference of a reference signal based at least in part on the first time and the second time; and Code for transmitting positioning assistance data, wherein the positioning assistance data is at least partially based on the timing difference of the reference signal, and wherein the positioning assistance data is transmitted to a nearby user equipment via a bypass.

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