Determining the location of user equipment using adaptive phase change devices

Abstract

Techniques and apparatus for determining the location of a user equipment (UE 110) using adaptive phase-change devices (APDs 181, 182, 183) are described. In each aspect, a base station (120) transmits radio signals (731, 732, 733) for the UE towards a corresponding reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) of the adaptive phase-change devices (APDs 181, 182, 183). The APD can guide the reflection of the radio signals (732, 734, 736) in a direction such as toward the UE (110) based on the configuration of the RIS of the APD (180). The base station (120) receives identifiers of the reflections (732, 734, 736) of the radio signals received by the UE (110) via a wireless connection (540). In some cases, the base station (120) also receives signal quality parameters associated with the reflections arriving at the UE. The base station (120) determines the angle information based on the corresponding identifiers and / or signal quality parameters of the reflections (732, 734, 736). Based on the angle information of the APDs (181, 182, 183) and the known location, the base station (120) determines the location of the UE (110).

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Evolving wireless communication systems, such as fifth-generation (5G) and sixth-generation (6G) technologies, employ various techniques to determine the location of user equipment (UEs) communicating over wireless networks. As an example, UEs can transmit or receive various location signals or reference signals associated with pre-existing wireless technologies. Transmitting signals in low-frequency bands enables non-line-of-sight (non-LoS) communication between the base station and UE, but using non-LoS communication to determine UE location often yields inaccurate results. For instance, in various urban canyons or indoor environments, non-LoS location or reference signals are susceptible to multipath fading due to structures, foliage, or other LoS damage located between the base station and UE. Therefore, it is desirable to avoid or mitigate the effects of fading to improve accuracy in determining UE location. Summary of the Invention

[0002] This document describes the techniques and apparatus used to determine the location of a User Equipment (UE) using an Adaptive Phase Change Device (APD). In each aspect, the base station transmits a radio signal for the UE towards a corresponding reconfigurable Smart Surface (RIS) of the APD. The APD, based on the configuration of the RIS of the APD, guides the reflection of the radio signal in a direction such as toward the UE. The base station receives, via a radio connection, an identifier of the reflected radio signal received by the UE from the UE. In some cases, the base station also receives signal quality parameters associated with the reflection reaching the UE. The base station determines angle information based on the corresponding identifier of the reflection and / or the signal quality parameters. Based on the angle information of the APD and the known location, the base station determines the location of the UE.

[0003] In various aspects, the base station implements a method for determining the location of a UE by transmitting a first radio signal for the UE toward a first RIS of a first APD and receiving a first identifier of a first reflection of the first radio signal received by the UE via a wireless connection. The base station also transmits a second radio signal for the UE toward a second RIS of a second APD and receives a second identifier of a second reflection of the second radio signal received by the UE. In some cases, the base station transmits a third radio signal for the UE toward a third RIS of a third APD and receives a third identifier of a third reflection of the third radio signal received by the UE. The method implemented by the base station includes determining corresponding angle information for the first and second APDs based on the first identifier of the first reflection and the second identifier of the second reflection. The base station then determines the location of the UE based on the corresponding angle information and location information of the first and second APDs. By doing so, the base station can quickly determine the location of the UE without coordinating communications through other base stations or aggregating information from other base stations, which also reduces the latency or network overhead associated with pre-existing processes for determining the location of user equipment.

[0004] Details of one or more embodiments for determining the location of a user equipment using an adaptive phase-change device are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the specification, drawings, and claims. This summary is provided to introduce the subject matter which will be further described in the detailed description and drawings. Therefore, this summary should not be considered as describing essential features, nor should it be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Attached Figure Description

[0005] The following figures illustrate details of one or more aspects used to determine the location of a user equipment by employing an adaptive phase-change device. The same numbers are used in the figures to refer to the same features and components:

[0006] Figure 1 The illustration shows an example operating environment in which various aspects of determining the location of a user equipment can be achieved by using an adaptive phase-change device.

[0007] Figure 2 The illustration shows an example device diagram of an entity that can determine various aspects of the location of a user equipment by using an adaptive phase-change device.

[0008] Figure 3 The illustration shows an example device diagram of an adaptive phase change device that can be used to determine the location of a user equipment based on one or more aspects.

[0009] Figure 4A and 4BThe illustration shows an example of a base station using an adaptive phase-change device to communicate with a user equipment, depending on one or more aspects.

[0010] Figure 5A and 5B The illustration shows examples of base stations using adaptive phase-change devices to reflect wide-beam or narrow-beam transmissions to user equipment, depending on one or more aspects.

[0011] Figure 6A and 6B The illustration shows an example of a base station using an adaptive phase-change device to perform beam scanning on the reflection of wireless signals toward a user device, depending on various aspects.

[0012] Figure 7 The illustration shows an example of a base station using an adaptive phase-change device to determine the location of a user equipment based on one or more aspects.

[0013] Figure 8A and 8B The illustration shows an example of using an adaptive phase-change device to determine the location of multiple user equipment based on various aspects.

[0014] Figure 9 The illustration shows example details of signaling and control transactions between entities that determine the location of a user equipment by using an adaptive phase-change device, based on one or more aspects.

[0015] Figure 10 The illustration shows example details of signaling and control transactions between entities that select and configure a set of adaptive phase-change devices for use in determining the location of a user equipment, based on one or more aspects.

[0016] Figure 11 The illustration shows example details of signaling and control transactions between devices that use adaptive phase-change devices to perform beam scanning of reflections of wireless signals toward a user device, based on one or more aspects.

[0017] Figure 12A and 12B The illustration shows an example of signaling and control transactions between devices that use adaptive phase-change devices to determine the corresponding locations of multiple user devices.

[0018] Figure 13 The illustration shows an example method for determining the location of a user equipment using an adaptive phase-change device based on one or more aspects.

[0019] Figure 14 The illustration shows an example method for selecting and configuring a subset of adaptive phase-change devices for use in determining the location of a user equipment, based on one or more aspects.

[0020] Figure 15 The illustration shows an example method for beam scanning using the reflection of wireless signals by an adaptive phase-change device, based on one or more aspects.

[0021] Figure 16 The illustration shows an example method for concurrently determining the corresponding locations of multiple user devices by using an adaptive phase-change device, based on one or more aspects. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Evolved wireless communication systems employ various techniques to determine the location of user equipment (UEs) associated with a wireless network. These techniques can be used to improve communication with UEs or provide location-based services. However, known techniques for determining UE location can be inaccurate due to the communication of reference or probe signals in the low-frequency bands of pre-existing wireless systems. While signals transmitted in these low-frequency bands enable non-LoS (LoS) communication between the base station and UE, these signals are susceptible to multipath and other types of fading due to structural obstacles, barriers, or other LoS impairments between the base station and UE. Furthermore, coordinating and processing these signals typically relies on communication with or between multiple base stations in the wireless network, which is complex, time-intensive, and increases network overhead. This factor can further impair the accuracy of location determination using non-LoS communication, particularly for non-stationary or rapidly moving UEs. Therefore, techniques for determining UE location implemented using pre-existing network technologies are generally inaccurate, relatively slow, and increase network overhead.

[0023] This disclosure describes an improvement in determining the location of a user equipment (UE) using an adaptive phase-change device that can be deployed in fifth-generation new radio (5G NR) and sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks. To improve wireless network system performance and deliver larger volumes of user data, evolving wireless communication systems (e.g., 5G, 6G) can transmit at higher frequencies (e.g., millimeter-wave range), sometimes via LoS communication between UEs and base stations of next-generation wireless network systems. While such high-frequency LoS communication enables more accurate and faster determination of UE location, LoS obstacles (e.g., buildings, utility poles, weather, or foliage) can block high-frequency signals, or UEs may not always have a LoS communication channel with the base station. As an example, mmWave signals offer high throughput and low latency under LoS conditions, but UEs may not have unobstructed LoS conditions consistent with a base station (e.g., non-stationary UEs) or multiple base stations to provide sufficient corresponding angle and distance information for calculation to determine the UE's location.

[0024] As described herein, adaptive phase-change devices (APDs) can be used to address this or other problems by enhancing wireless communication through controlled reflection of radio frequency (RF) waves or signal rays. In various aspects, an APD can be configured to reflect or direct wireless signals emitted by a base station toward user equipment (UE) that may not have a direct Loss of Sense Time (LoS) communication channel with the base station, or to provide additional communication paths for information at different angles. Thus, an APD enables a base station to use reflected signals that can be directed toward UEs around obstacles or to communicate high-frequency signals to UEs at different angles. In the context of determining the location of a UE, a base station can use an APD at different locations to direct or guide the reflection of high-frequency signals toward the UE. Based on the angle used to direct or guide the reflection toward the UE, the base station can quickly and accurately determine the location of the UE. By doing so, the base station can determine or update the location of the UE without involving other base stations or network entities, thereby reducing the time, complexity, and network overhead associated with determining the location of the UE.

[0025] To achieve reflection or signal transformation, the APD includes a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), which, when properly configured, reflects and / or modifies propagated signals in a controlled manner based on the RIS configuration. In some aspects, the location function of the base station enabling the APD configures the APD's RIS to direct or guide the reflection of incident radio signals emitted by the base station toward the user equipment. Typically, the APD's RIS includes configurable surface materials or elements that control how incident signals impacting the surface of the material are transformed and reflected. For example, the configuration of the surface material or element can affect the direction, phase, amplitude, and / or polarization of the transformed signal reflected by the surface. Therefore, modifying the surface configuration of the RIS changes how the signal is guided or transformed, enabling the base station to guide the reflection of the radio signal toward the user equipment with precise control. Alternatively or additionally, the base station or APD modulates beam identifiers (e.g., transmit beam ID or reflect beam ID) on one or more portions of the radio signal, which are transmitted to the user equipment as identifiers of reflections (e.g., reflections reaching the user equipment) or reflection identifiers via the reflection of the radio signal. The user equipment (UE) can then decode the reflected identifier and signal quality parameters of the reflected radio signal and report them back to the base station to help determine which specific reflection of the radio signal (e.g., a signal ray) reached the UE. In some cases, the base station establishes a low-frequency or anchored radio connection with the UE to receive feedback from the UE on the reflected identifier and / or signal quality parameters (e.g., reference signal received strength). Alternatively or additionally, the base station utilizes an APD to implement a control channel via a wired link or a low-frequency radio link, enabling the selection and configuration of one or more APDs for operations associated with determining the location of one or more UEs. As an example, the base station may transmit an indication of RIS configuration or beam scanning pattern to the APD so that the APD directs the reflection to the UE. These are merely a few example aspects of determining the location of UEs using adaptive phase-change devices; other aspects are described throughout this disclosure.

[0026] In determining the location of a user equipment (UE) using an Adaptive Phase Change Device (APD), the base station transmits radio signals for the UE towards the corresponding reconfigurable Smart Surface (RIS) of the Adaptive Phase Change Device (APD). Based on the configuration of the RIS of each APD, the APD can guide the reflection of the radio signal in a direction such as toward the UE. In some cases, the base station uses one or more APDs to implement a beam scanning pattern to directionally scan the reflections of incident radio signals toward the estimated location of the UE, which allows the base station to narrow down the UE's location when determining its location. The base station receives identifiers of the reflections of the radio signals received by the UE from the UE via a radio connection. In some cases, the base station also receives signal quality parameters associated with each reflection arriving at the UE. The base station determines angle information based on the corresponding identifiers and / or signal quality parameters of the reflections. Based on the angle information of the APD and the known location, the base station calculates the UE's location.

[0027] In some aspects, a base station implements a method for determining the location of a UE by transmitting a first radio signal for the UE toward a first RIS of a first APD and receiving, via a wireless connection, a first identifier of a first reflection of the first radio signal received by the UE. The base station also transmits a second radio signal for the UE toward a second RIS of a second APD and receives a second identifier of a second reflection of the second radio signal received by the UE. In some cases, the base station transmits a third radio signal for the UE toward a third RIS of a third APD and receives a third identifier of a third reflection of the third radio signal received by the UE. Alternatively or additionally, the base station may communicate directly with the UE (e.g., without an APD) to obtain or determine information related to the location of the UE relative to the base station. The method includes determining corresponding angle information for the first and second APDs based on the first identifier of the first reflection and the second identifier of the second reflection. The base station then determines the location of the UE based at least on the corresponding angle information associated with the first and second APDs and the location information of the first and second APDs. By doing so, the base station can quickly and accurately determine the location of the UE without needing to coordinate communications through other base stations or aggregate information from other base stations, which also reduces the network overhead associated with determining the location of the user equipment.

[0028] While the features and concepts of the systems and methods described for determining the location of a UE using an APD can be implemented in any number of different environments, systems, devices and / or various configurations, the various aspects of determining the location of a UE using an APD are described in the context of the following example devices, systems and configurations.

[0029] Example Environment

[0030] Figure 1An example environment 100 is illustrated, comprising a user equipment 110 (UE 110) that can communicate with a base station 120 (illustrated as base stations 121 and 122) via one or more wireless communication links 130 (wireless link 130) illustrated as wireless links 131 and 132. Alternatively or additionally, wireless link 130 includes a wireless link 133 between at least one base station 120 (e.g., base station 121) and an adaptive phase-change device 180 (APD 180) to control the surface configuration of the APD 180. In other embodiments, base station 120 includes a wired interface for communicating control information with the APD 180. For simplicity, UE 110 is implemented as a smartphone, but can be implemented as any suitable computing or electronic device, such as a mobile communication device, modem, cellular phone, gaming device, navigation device, media device, laptop computer, desktop computer, tablet computer, smart appliance, vehicle-based communication system, or Internet of Things (IoT) device such as a sensor, repeater, or actuator. Base station 120 (e.g., Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network Node B, E-UTRAN Node B, Evolved Node B, eNodeB, eNB, Next Generation Node B, gNode B, gNB, ng-eNB, etc.) can be implemented in macro cells, micro cells, small cells, pico cells, distributed base stations, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0031] One or more base stations 120 communicate with user equipment 110 using radio links 131 and 132, which can be implemented as any suitable type of radio link. Radio links 131 and 132 include control plane information and / or user plane data, such as downlinks communicating user plane data and control plane information from base station 120 to user equipment 110, uplinks communicating other user plane data and control plane information from user equipment 110 to base station 120, or both. Radio link 130 may include one or more radio links (e.g., radio links) or bearers implemented using any suitable communication protocol or standard, such as 3GPP LTE, 5G NR, 6G, etc. In various aspects, base station 120 and UE 110 can be implemented for operation in sub-gigahertz bands, sub-6 GHz bands (e.g., frequency range 1), and / or higher-6 GHz bands defined by one or more of the 3GPP LTE, 5G NR, or 6G communication standards (e.g., frequency range 2, millimeter-wave (mmWave) bands) (e.g., 26 GHz, 28 GHz, 38 GHz, 39 GHz, 41 GHz, 57-64 GHz, 71 GHz, 81 GHz, 92 GHz bands, 100 GHz to 300 GHz, 130 GHz to 175 GHz, or 300 GHz to 3 THz bands). Multiple radio links 130 can be aggregated using carrier aggregation or multi-connectivity techniques to provide higher data rates for UE 110. Multiple radio links 130 from multiple base stations 120 can be configured for coordinated multipoint (CoMP) communication with UE 110.

[0032] In some implementations, the wireless links (e.g., wireless link 131 and / or wireless link 132) utilize wireless signals, wherein an intermediate device (e.g., APD 180) reflects or transforms rays of the wireless signals. For example, signal rays 190 and 191 correspond to rays of the wireless signals (e.g., wide-beam or narrow-beam) used to implement wireless link 131. In environment 100, rays 190 and 191 correspond to rays of downlink wireless signals from base station 121 to UE 110, but these rays may alternatively or additionally correspond to uplink wireless signals from UE 110 to base station 121. As part of communicating with UE 110 via wireless link 131, base station 121 directionally transmits downlink wireless signals intended for UE 110. A first ray of the downlink wireless signal (e.g., signal ray 190) propagates toward UE 110 in a line-of-sight (LoS) manner, and a second ray of the downlink wireless signal (e.g., signal ray 191) propagates toward APD 180. Signal ray 191 strikes the surface of APD 180 and is transformed into signal ray 192, which propagates towards UE 110 as a reflection of signal ray 191. In other words, signal ray 191 strikes the surface of the Loss of APD 180, which directs its reflected signal ray 192 towards UE 110. Note that Loss signal ray 190 can be dynamically blocked or attenuated by leaves, human bodies, water vapor, or other materials (not shown).

[0033] Base station 121 configures the RIS of APD 180 to guide how the RIS alters the signal characteristics of the radio signal (e.g., direction, phase, amplitude, polarization). For example, base station 121 uses radio link 133 to transmit RIS surface configuration information to APD 180, which may include an Adaptive Phase Change Device Slow Control Channel (APD Slow Control Channel) or an Adaptive Phase Change Device Fast Control Channel (APD Fast Control Channel). In various implementations using APD to determine the location of user equipment, base station 121 determines the surface configuration for APD 180 to guide or direct the reflection of radio signals emitted by base station 120 toward UE 110. Alternatively or additionally, base station 121 determines the configuration for APD 180 based on downlink signal quality parameters received from UE 110, uplink quality parameters generated by base station 121, and / or link quality parameters obtained from historical data records, as further described.

[0034] Base station 120 is commonly a radio access network 140 (e.g., RAN, Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network, E-UTRAN, 5G NR RAN, or NR RAN). Base stations 121 and 122 in RAN 140 are connected to core network 150. Base stations 121 and 122 are connected to core network 150 at 102 and 104 respectively via NG2 interfaces for control plane signaling, and use NG3 interfaces for user plane data communication when connected to a 5G core network, or S1 interfaces for control plane signaling and user plane data communication when connected to an evolved packet core (EPC) network. At 106, base stations 121 and 122 can communicate via the Xn interface using the Xn Application Protocol (XnAP), or via the X2 interface using the X2 Application Protocol (X2AP) to exchange user plane and control plane data. User equipment 110 can connect to a public network such as the Internet 160 via core network 150 to interact with remote service 170.

[0035] Example device

[0036] Figure 2 Example device diagram 200 illustrates user equipment 110 and base station 120. Generally, device diagram 200 describes network entities that can be implemented by using adaptive phase-change devices to determine various aspects of the location of the user equipment. Figure 2 Examples of UE 110 and base station 120 are shown. UE 110 or base station 120 may include, for visual simplicity, [details omitted]. Figure 2 Additional functions and interfaces are omitted. UE 110 includes an antenna 202, a radio frequency front-end 204 (RF front-end 204), and a radio frequency transceiver, which includes any one or more of an LTE transceiver 206, a 5G NR transceiver 208, and / or a 6G transceiver 210 for communication with the base station 120 in the RAN 140. The RF front-end 204 of UE 110 can couple or connect the LTE transceiver 206, the 5G NR transceiver 208, and the 6G transceiver 210 to the antenna 202 to facilitate various types of wireless communication.

[0037] The antenna 202 of UE 110 may include an array of multiple antennas configured similarly or differently from each other. The antenna 202 and RF front-end 204 may be tuned to and / or tunable to one or more frequency bands defined by the 3GPP LTE and 5G NR communication standards, and are implemented by the LTE transceiver 206 and / or the 5G NR transceiver 208. Additionally, the antenna 202, RF front-end 204, LTE transceiver 206, 5G NR transceiver 208, and / or 6G transceiver 210 may be configured to support beamforming for transmission and reception of communications with base station 120. As an example and not a limitation, antenna 202 and RF front end 204 can be implemented for operation in sub-gigahertz bands (e.g., 700MHz, 800MHz, 900MHz bands), sub-6GHz bands (e.g., low-frequency bands, 1800MHz, 1900MHz, 2100MHz, 3500MHz bands), and / or higher-6GHz bands (high-frequency bands) as defined by 3GPP LTE and 5G NR communication standards (e.g., 57-64GHz, 28GHz, 38GHz, 71GHz, 81GHz, or 92GHz bands).

[0038] UE 110 includes sensors 212 that can be implemented to detect various characteristics such as temperature, orientation, acceleration, proximity, magnetic field, position, distance, supplied power, power usage, battery state, etc. Therefore, the sensors of UE 110 may include any one or a combination of accelerometers, gyroscopes, depth sensors, magnetometers, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) sensors (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers), distance sensors, temperature sensors, thermistors, battery sensors, and power usage sensors.

[0039] UE 110 also includes a processor 214 and a computer-readable storage medium 216 (CRM 216). Processor 214 may be a single-core or multi-core processor implemented using homogeneous or heterogeneous core architectures. The computer-readable storage medium described herein excludes propagated signals. CRM 216 may include any suitable memory or storage device, such as random access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), read-only memory (ROM), or flash memory capable of storing device data 218 of UE 110. Device data 218 includes any combination of user data, multimedia data, codebooks, applications, and / or operating systems of UE 110. In some implementations, device data 218 stores processor-executable instructions executable by processor 214 to enable user plane communication, control plane signaling, and user interaction with UE 110.

[0040] The CRM 216 of UE 110 may optionally include a User Equipment Adaptive Phase Change Device Manager 220 (UE APD Manager 220). Alternatively or additionally, the UE APD Manager 220 may be implemented wholly or partially as hardware logic or circuitry integrated or separate from other components of UE 110. In various aspects, the UE APD Manager 220 of UE 110 decodes reflection identifiers, analyzes link quality parameters, and generates various APD feedback messages for the base station. Alternatively or additionally, the UE APD Manager 220 maintains an anchored connection with base station 120 via a low-frequency band (e.g., less than 6 GHz) to provide signal reflection or beaming information for high-frequency signals (e.g., above 6 GHz) used for establishment and operation to determine the location of UE 110 using APD 180. Therefore, when communicating with base station 120, UE 110 can implement carrier aggregation (CA) to communicate in two frequency bands to realize the aspect of using APD to determine the location of user equipment.

[0041] Figure 2 The device diagram of base station 120 shown includes a single network node (e.g., gNode B). The functionality of base station 120 can be distributed across multiple network nodes or devices and can be distributed in any manner suitable for performing the functions described herein. Base station 120 includes an antenna 252, a radio frequency front-end 254 (RF front-end 254), one or more LTE transceivers 256, one or more 5G NR transceivers 258, and / or one or more 6G transceivers 260 for communicating with UE 110. The RF front-end 254 of base station 120 can couple or connect the LTE transceivers 256, 5G NR transceivers 258, and 6G transceivers 260 to antenna 252 to facilitate various types of wireless communication. The antenna 252 of base station 120 may include an array of multiple antennas configured to be similar or different from each other. Antenna 252 and RF front-end 254 can be tuned to and / or tunable to one or more frequency bands defined by the 3GPP LTE and 5G NR communication standards, and are implemented by LTE transceiver 256, 5G NR transceiver 258, and / or 6G transceiver 260. Additionally, antenna 252, RF front-end 254, LTE transceiver 256, 5G NR transceiver 258, and / or 6G transceiver 260 can be configured to support beamforming, such as massive MIMO, for transmission and reception of communications with UE 110.

[0042] Base station 120 also includes processor 262 and computer-readable storage medium 264 (CRM 264). Processor 262 may be a single-core or multi-core processor made of various materials such as silicon, polysilicon, high-k dielectric, copper, etc. CRM 264 may include any suitable memory or storage device, such as RAM, SRAM, DRAM, NVRAM, ROM, or flash memory capable of storing device data 266 of base station 120. Device data 266 includes network scheduling data, radio resource management data, applications, and / or the operating system of base station 120, which may be executed by processor 262 to enable communication with UE 110. Device data 266 also includes codebook 268 and APD information 270 for APD 180 associated with base station 120. Codebook 268 may include any suitable type or combination of codebooks, including a surface configuration codebook storing surface configuration information for RIS of APD and a beam scanning codebook storing pattern, sequence, or timing information for implementing multiple surface configurations that can be used to guide APD to perform various directional reflections. In some aspects, the surface configuration codebook and beam scan codebook include phase vector information, angle information (e.g., calibrated to the corresponding phase vector), timing / synchronization information, and / or beam reflection configuration information. APD information 270 may include the corresponding identifier, capabilities, command and control information, location, and orientation (e.g., static or last known) of the APD 180 with which the base station 120 communicates. The base station 120 may generate or revise APD information 270 to add newly detected APDs 180, update information on known APDs 180, or delete deprecated existing APDs 180.

[0043] In various aspects, CRM 264 includes an APD-enabled location function (APF) 272, which manages or implements aspects of determining the location of user equipment using APDs. Alternatively or additionally, APF 272 may be implemented, in whole or in part, as hardware logic or circuitry integrated or separate from other components of base station 120. Typically, APF 272 can use multiple APDs 180 (e.g., at least two APDs) to quickly calculate or determine the location of one or more user equipments with a high level of accuracy. In various aspects, the base station 120's APF 272 manages the use of APDs 180 to direct or guide the reflection of radio signals (e.g., signal rays or beams) toward one or more user equipments. To manage the use of APD 180, APF 272 can identify APD 180s near UE 110, determine the surface configuration (e.g., RIS configuration) for APD 180, or select the beam scanning direction or pattern for APD 180, such as guiding or directing reflections of downlink radio signals (e.g., BS-initiated reference signals) toward UE 110. Based on analysis of the identifiers of the reflections (e.g., the beam ID modulated by the BS and / or APD) and / or the signal quality parameters of the reflections reaching UE 110, APF 272 can determine which surface configurations (e.g., phase vectors) are associated with those reflections received by UE 110. Surface configurations can be calibrated or pre-determined to correspond to the respective angles of the reflections, and APF 272 uses these angles to determine the angle information of the reflections of radio signals received by UE 110. Alternatively or additionally, APF 272 may use signal quality parameters, such as the reflected reference received power (RSRP), or estimate the distance between APD 180 and UE 110 when determining the angle information of APD 180. Using angle information from multiple APDs 180 and known locations, and optionally non-APD-based location information, APF 272 performs triangulation and / or trilateration of the location of UE 110. This is merely one example of determining the location of the UE using APDs that can be implemented by APF 272 or base station 120; other examples are described throughout this disclosure.

[0044] CRM 264 also includes a base station manager 274 for managing various functions and communication interfaces of base station 120. Alternatively or additionally, base station manager 274 may be implemented, in whole or in part, as hardware logic or circuitry integrated or separate from other components of base station 120. In at least some aspects, base station manager 274 configures antenna 252, RF front-end 254, LTE transceiver 256, 5G NR transceiver 258, and 6G transceiver 260 for communication with UE 110, APD 180, and / or with the core network. Base station 120 includes an inter-base station interface 276, such as an Xn and / or X2 interface, which base station manager 274 configures to exchange user plane and control plane data between another base station 120 to manage communication between base station 120 and UE 110. Base station 120 also includes a core network interface (not shown), which base station manager 274 configures to exchange user plane data and control plane information with core network functions and / or entities.

[0045] Figure 3 Example device diagram 300 of APD 180 is illustrated. Typically, device diagram 300 describes an example entity that can be used to determine the location of a user equipment based on one or more aspects. Reference Figure 3 The example APD 180 described may include additional functions and interfaces that are omitted from the device diagram 300 for visual simplicity.

[0046] The Adaptive Phase Change Device (APD) 180 is an apparatus that includes a reconfigurable Smart Surface (RIS) 322 and components for controlling the RIS 322 (e.g., by modifying the surface configuration of the RIS), as further described below. In some embodiments, the APD 180 may also include components for modifying the location (or position) of the APD 180 itself, which in turn modifies the position of the RIS 318. The APD 180 includes one or more antennas 302, a radio frequency front end 304, and one or more radio frequency transceivers 306 for wirelessly communicating with the base station 120 and / or the UE 110. The APD 180 may also include a location sensor, such as a GNSS module, which provides location information based on the location of the APD 180.

[0047] The antenna 302 of the APD 180 may include an array of multiple antennas configured similarly or differently from each other. Additionally, the antenna 302, RF front-end 304, and transceiver 306 may be configured to support beamforming for transmission and reception of communications with the base station 120. By way of example and not limitation, the antenna 302 and RF front-end 304 may be implemented for operation in sub-gigahertz bands, sub-6 GHz bands, and / or above 6 GHz bands. Therefore, the antenna 302, RF front-end 304, and transceiver 306 provide the APD 180 with the ability to receive and / or transmit communications with the base station 120, such as information transmitted using an APD control channel (e.g., an APD slow control channel or an APD fast control channel), as further described.

[0048] APD 180 includes a processor 310 and a computer-readable storage medium 312 (CRM 312). The processor 310 may be a single-core or multi-core processor implemented using a homogeneous or heterogeneous core architecture. The computer-readable storage medium described herein excludes propagated signals. CRM 312 may include any suitable memory or storage device, such as RAM, SRAM, DRAM, NVRAM, ROM, or flash memory capable of storing device data 314 of APD 180. Device data 314 includes user data, multimedia data, applications, and / or the operating system of APD 180, executable by the processor 310 to enable dynamic configuration of APD 180, as further described. Device data 314 also includes one or more codebooks 316 of any suitable type or combination, and location information 318 of APD 180. Location information 318 may be obtained or configured using a position sensor 308, or may be programmed into APD 180, for example, during installation. Location information 318 indicates the location of APD 180 and may include location, geographic coordinates, orientation, elevation information, etc. Base station 120 or APF 272 may use location information 318 when calculating angle or distance information such as between base station 120 and APD 180 and / or between APD 180 and the UE 110 of interest. Codebook 316 may include a surface configuration codebook storing surface configuration information for the RIS of the APD and a beam scan codebook storing patterns, sequences, or timing information (e.g., phase vectors and reflection identifiers) of multiple surface configurations that can be used to guide the APD to perform various directional reflections of incident radio signals. In some aspects, the surface configuration codebook and beam scan codebook include phase vector information, angle information (e.g., calibration to the corresponding phase vector), and / or beam configuration information.

[0049] In determining the location of a user equipment using an APD, the CRM312 of the APD 180 includes an Adaptive Phase-Change Device Manager 320 (APD Manager 320). Alternatively or additionally, the APD Manager 320 may be implemented, in whole or in part, as hardware logic or circuitry integrated or separate from other components of the APD 180. Typically, the APD Manager 320 manages the surface configuration of the APD 180, such as by processing information exchanged with the base station via radio link 133, and using that information to configure the reconfigurable smart surface 322 (RIS 322) of the APD 180. For example, the APD Manager 320 receives an indication of surface configuration via radio link 133 (APD control channel), uses that indication to extract the surface configuration from codebook 316, and applies the surface configuration to the RIS 322. Alternatively or additionally, the APD Manager 320 initiates the transmission of uplink messages to the base station via radio link 133, such as acknowledgment / negative acknowledgment (ACK / NACK) for various APD configuration or management commands. In some aspects, the APD manager 320 receives an indication of a beam scan pattern (e.g., a beam scan pattern index) via a wireless link 133 and applies a sequence of various surface configurations to the RIS based on the beam scan pattern and / or according to the synchronization or pattern timing indicated by or received using the indication. Optionally, the beam scan pattern may include reflection identifier information, through which the APD 180 modulates or applies one or more reflection identifiers to the downlink signal or reference signal reflected by the APD 180 (e.g., using the RIS).

[0050] The RIS 322 of the APD 180 includes one or more configurable surface elements 324, such as configurable electromagnetic elements, configurable resonator elements, or configurable reflective array antenna elements. Generally, the configurable surface elements 324 can be selectively or programmably configured to control how the RIS 318 reflects (e.g., directivity) and / or transforms the incident waveform. By way of example and not limitation, the configurable electromagnetic elements include electrically connected scattering particles (e.g., via PIN diodes). Implementations use electronic connections to arrange the scattering particles, such as based on the principle of reflection, to control the directivity, phase, amplitude, and / or polarization of the transformed waveform (from the incident waveform). The RIS 322 may include an array of configurable surface elements 324, wherein the array may include any number of elements of any size.

[0051] In some aspects, the position and / or orientation of the APD 180 is configurable, and the APD 180 includes a motor controller 326 that communicates with one or more motors 328 operatively coupled to the physical rack of the APD 180. Based on commands and control information received from base station 120, the motor controller 326 can send commands to the motors 328 to alter one or more kinematic behaviors of the motors 328, which may include any suitable type of stepper motor or servo mechanism. For example, the motor controller 326 can issue commands or control signals specifying the axis rotation of a stepper motor in degrees, the axis rotation rate of a stepper motor in revolutions per minute (RPM), the linear movement of a linear motor in millimeters (mm), or the linear speed of a linear motor in meters per second (m / s). One or more motors 328 may then be connected to a mechanism that mechanically positions and supports the physical frame or platform of the APD 180 (e.g., avionics of a UAV, a drive for a linear orbit system, a gimbal within a base station, a linear bearing within a base station). Commands and signals generated by the motor controller 326 and sent to the motors 328 can alter the physical position, location, or orientation of the APD 180 (and / or the platform supporting the APD 180). In response to receiving a location configuration from the base station, the APD manager 320 transmits a movement command to the motor controller 326 based on the location configuration, such as via a software interface and / or a hardware address. In the aspect of using the APD to determine the location of a user equipment, the base station 120 may reposition or reorient one or more APDs 180 to improve or enable radio signal reflections to be directed to the user equipment.

[0052] Typically, the APD 180 may include multiple motors, each corresponding to a different direction of rotation or linear movement. Examples of motors 328 that can be used to control the orientation and position of the APD include linear servo motors that may be part of: (i) a track system mounted on the APD, (ii) motors controlling the orientation and pitch, yaw, and roll of the UAV carrying the APD, and (iii) radial servo or stepper motors that rotate the axis if the APD is in a fixed position or on a gimbal, etc. For clarity, the motor controller 326 and motors 328 are illustrated as part of the APD 180, but in alternative or other implementations, the APD 180 communicates with a motor controller and / or motor external to the APD. For example, the APD manager 320 transmits position configuration to the motor controller, which mechanically positions the platform or rack supporting the APD 180. In all aspects, the APD manager 320 uses a local wireless link (e.g., Bluetooth). TMThe position configuration is transmitted to the motor controller via a Zigbee, IEEE 802.15.4, or hardwired link. The motor controller then uses one or more motors to adjust the platform based on that position configuration. The platform can correspond to or be attached to any suitable mechanism that supports rotation and / or linear adjustment, such as a drone, a track propulsion system, a hydraulic lifting system, etc.

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown, the position of APD 180 can be defined relative to a three-dimensional coordinate system, in which the X-axis 330, Y-axis 332, and Z-axis 334 define spatial regions and provide frames for indicating positional configuration through rotation and / or linear adjustments. While these axes are typically labeled as X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, other frames can be used to indicate positional configuration. For example, an aerodynamic frame might refer to the axes as the vertical (yaw) axis, lateral (pitch) axis, and longitudinal (roll) axis, while other movement frames might refer to the axes as the vertical axis, sagittal axis, and frontal axis. As an example, position 336 typically points to the center of APD 180 corresponding to the baseline position (e.g., position (0,0,0) using XYZ coordinates).

[0054] In various aspects, the APD manager 320 transmits rotational adjustments (e.g., rotational adjustment 338) about the X-axis 330 to the motor controller 326, where the rotational adjustment includes the direction of rotation (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise), the amount of rotation (e.g., degrees), and / or the speed of rotation. Alternatively or additionally, the APD manager 320 transmits linear adjustments 340 along the X-axis, where the linear adjustment includes any combination of the direction, speed, and / or distance of adjustment. Sometimes, the APD manager 320 also transmits adjustments about other axes, such as any combination of rotational adjustments 342 about the Y-axis 332, linear adjustments 344 along the Y-axis 332, rotational adjustments 346 about the Z-axis 334, and / or linear adjustments 348 along the Z-axis 334. Thus, the positional configuration can include combinations of rotational and / or linear adjustments in all three spatial degrees of freedom. This allows the APD manager 320 to transmit physical adjustments to the APD 180. Alternatively or additionally, the APD manager transmits RIS surface configurations, as further described.

[0055] Determining the UE's location using an APD

[0056] To address the inaccuracies and latency issues of pre-existing techniques for determining the location of user equipment (UEs), such as those associated with multipath effects and network-based communications, the use of APDs (Adaptive Phase-Change Devices) enables base stations to determine the location of one or more UEs based on the reflection of radio signals. In doing so, the base station can accurately and quickly determine the location of UEs using low-latency, high-frequency signals (e.g., mmWave signals) with reduced multipath effects. Furthermore, by using multiple adaptive phase-change devices, the base station can determine the location of UEs without involving other network entities (e.g., other base stations), thereby reducing the complexity, latency, and network overhead associated with determining UE location.

[0057] Figures 4A to 8B The illustrations depict some examples of base stations using adaptive phase-change devices (APDs) to communicate with user equipment, depending on one or more aspects. The described examples include: using an APD to reflect a radio signal ray to the UE (e.g., ...). Figure 4A and 4B Various beam identifiers are modulated onto the wireless signal and its reflection to provide a reflection identifier (e.g., Figure 5A and 5B ), using an APD to perform beam scanning by reflecting signal rays (e.g., Figure 6A and 6B ), using multiple APDs to determine the location of the UE (e.g., Figure 7 ), and using APD to determine the corresponding locations of multiple UEs (e.g., Figure 8A and 8B The aspects described with reference to one example can be combined with other aspects to implement operations for determining the location of a user equipment (UE location) by using an adaptive phase-change device in various ways or scenarios. For example, a base station can control or manage an APD to perform horizontal or vertical beam scanning when refining or determining the location of one or more UEs. These examples are illustrated in the context of various combinations of entities, communications, and scenarios, which can be separated or combined differently than shown to implement various aspects of using an adaptive phase-change device to determine the location of a UE.

[0058] Figure 4A and 4B The illustration shows an example of a base station using an adaptive phase-change device to communicate with a user equipment, depending on one or more aspects. (Reference) Figure 4A Example 400 illustrates the use of APD 180 (e.g., APD 181) by base station 120 to direct or guide the reflection of radio signals to user equipment 110. Example 400 includes base station 120, UE 110, and Figure 1Multiple instances of the general-purpose APD 180 are shown as APD 181, 182, and 183. Figure 4B Example 450 illustrates the configuration of APD 180 according to one or more aspects. APD 181, 182, 183 can be selected as a subset of APD 180 from a larger set of APD 180 deployed within the communication range of base station 120. Therefore, base station 120 can select or configure any of the APD 181, 182, 183, or other APD 180 within the range for use in communication with UE 110 (or other UEs). Alternatively or additionally, refer to... Figure 4A and 4B The operations described can be used to determine various aspects of the location of a user equipment, such as reference. Figures 5A to 12B or Figures 13 to 16 The methods described herein.

[0059] Typically, base station 120 transmits downlink wireless signal 402 covering a spatial area defined by the transmitting antenna radiation pattern (e.g., narrow beam or wide beam) via wireless link 131 (see...). Figure 1The base station 120 communicates with the UE 110. Alternatively or additionally, the base station 120 may transmit reference signals or location reference signals (e.g., independent of the active radio link) toward the APD 181 and / or the UE 110 to implement aspects of determining the location of the user equipment using the APD. For example, the radio signal 402 transmitted by the base station 120 includes a signal ray 190 propagating in a LoS manner toward the UE 110, a signal ray 191 propagating toward the APD 181, and a signal ray 193 propagating toward an obstacle 404 (shown as a structure and foliage), which prevents the signal ray 193 from reaching the UE 110. To implement aspects of determining the location of the user equipment using the APD, the base station 120 typically utilizes a direct signal ray (e.g., signal ray 191) propagating toward the APD 180 and optionally utilizes a direct signal ray (e.g., signal ray 190) propagating toward the UE 110 to transmit the radio signal 402. In alternative or additional embodiments, base station 120 may transmit radio signals in a direction toward UE 110, such that radio signal 402 includes a direct signal ray (e.g., signal ray 190) propagating directly toward UE 110, and optionally utilizes a direct signal ray (e.g., signal ray 191) propagating toward APD 181. In various aspects, base station 120 transmits radio signals toward APD 180 in a high-frequency band at or above 6 GHz, such that signal rays 190 and / or 193 may be blocked by obstacles (e.g., a temporary Loss of Spectrum (LoS) barrier, not shown) for signal ray 190. The respective signal rays 190, 191, 193 of radio signal 402 may be transmitted simultaneously (e.g., wide beam) or at different times (e.g., narrow beam). Alternatively or additionally, UE 110 communicates with base station 120 by transmitting uplink radio signals via radio link 131 or another radio connection to base station 120 (e.g., a low-frequency anchored connection below 6 GHz). Figure 4A In the context of this, various implementations of wireless communication between base station 120 and UE 110 are described with reference to APD 181, and can be implemented similarly or differently using APD 182 and 183 or any other APD 180 within the transmission range of base station 120.

[0060] In various implementations, APD 181 (or other APDs) participates in uplink, downlink, and / or location-determining related communications (e.g., reference signals) between base station 120 and UE 110 by using a RIS-transformed (e.g., reflected) waveform of APD 181 having a surface configuration determined by base station 120. For example, signal ray 191 strikes the surface of APD 181, which is shown as a reconfigurable smart surface 410 (RIS 410), and transforms into signal ray 192 directed toward UE 110. UE 110 may receive signal ray 190 and signal ray 192 (but not signal ray 193) as part of receiving radio signal 402. In one implementation, base station 120 configures RIS 410 to guide how signal ray 191 transforms into signal ray 192 and is reflected from APD 181 for downlink and / or reference signal (e.g., location reference signal (PRS)) communications. Alternatively or additionally, for uplink communication, base station 120 instructs RIS 410 how to transform an incident signal ray from UE 110 on a path similar to signal ray 192 into another signal ray reaching base station 120 along a path similar to signal ray 191.

[0061] In determining the location of a user equipment (UE) using APDs, base station 120 or APF 272 associated with base station 120 may selectively determine the use and configuration of multiple APDs 180 to communicate downlink or reference signals (e.g., location reference signals (PRS)) with one or more UEs 110. For example, based on the initial estimated location of UE 110, base station 120 may select a subset of APDs 180 located within a first radius (e.g., a first threshold distance) of base station 120 and also within a second radius (e.g., a second threshold distance) of UE 110. The two radii may be the same or different. For example, base station 120 may estimate the initial location of UE 110 based on GNSS-based location reported by UE 110, angle of arrival of UE uplink signals, RSRP of UE uplink signals, etc. In this way, base station 120 can use various link quality parameters to obtain or determine the initially estimated UE location, such as by power level, departure or arrival angle, and / or timing information (e.g., observed arrival time) of uplink or downlink communication with UE 110. These link quality parameters can be determined or obtained by base station 120 through anchored connections (e.g., radio links 131 or 132) in low-frequency channels (e.g., channels below 6 GHz, such as, but not limited to, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, or 900 MHz channels). Using this general location information, base station 120 can identify an APD within the geographical overlap of (1) a first circle centered on base station 120 and (2) a second circle centered on the estimated location of the UE, wherein the first circle has a first radius equal to 110% of the estimated distance between BS 120 and UE 110, and the second circle has a second radius equal to 80% of the estimated distance between BS 120 and UE 110. Of course, these percentages used to determine the radius can vary and change based on the deployment terrain of BS 120, the history of successful UE positioning near the estimated location, the metrics used for the initial estimated UE location, and other factors. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 can use the estimated UE location to access historical data records indicating the history of successful APD-enabled communications (e.g., which APDs 180 and corresponding RIS configurations) in which UE 110 approached the estimated UE location.

[0062] In response to estimating the approximate location of the UE (e.g., within an accuracy of 3 to 10 meters), base station 120 selects and configures multiple APDs 180 for determining the location of UE 110 with increased accuracy. In the context of this example, base station 120 or APF 272 selects a surface configuration of RIS 410 for APD 181 that transforms at least a portion of a radio signal (e.g., signal ray 191) into a reflection (e.g., signal ray 192) directed toward UE 110. In various aspects, base station 120 modulates a base station beam identifier (e.g., BS beam ID) onto the radio signal (e.g., signal ray 191), and the reflection (e.g., signal ray 192) transmits that radio signal to UE 110 as a reflection identifier or a reflection identifier. Typically, the beam identifier (e.g., BS beam ID) modulated onto the radio signal by base station 120 can correspond to or be used as an identifier for the reflection of the radio signal arriving at UE 110. In other aspects, base station 120 transmits a wide beam including signal rays 190, 191, and 193 without a BS beam ID. APD 181 may also modulate an APD beam ID or a reflection beam ID onto ray 191 as at least part of a reflection identifier to generate a signal ray 192 with a reflection identifier. At the UE, the received ray 192 with the reflection identifier can be compared or distinguished from the received LoS ray 190 of a wide beam that does not include a reflection identifier or only carries a beam identifier modulated by BS. In other aspects, the identifier of the reflection of the radio signal arriving at UE 110 may include or indicate both the BS beam ID modulated on the radio signal by base station 120 and the APD beam ID modulated on the reflection of the radio signal by APD 180 (e.g., a combined or layered reflection identifier).

[0063] In various aspects, UE 110 decodes identifiers (e.g., BS beam ID and / or APD reflection ID) received using the reflection of a radio signal (e.g., signal ray 192). The UE can also obtain or determine signal quality parameters indicating the quality or strength of the reflected radio signal. In other aspects, UE 110 receives a LoS signal ray 190 with an identifier containing only the BS beam ID and a reflected signal ray 192 with identifiers containing both the BS beam ID and the APD reflection ID. To enable base station 120 to determine angle information associated with the APD, UE 110 provides base station 120 with the identifiers of the reflected radio signal and / or the identifiers of the directly received radio signal via a wireless connection between base station 120 and UE 110, such as an anchoring connection (e.g., wireless link 133). Typically, UE 110 may report to base station 120 the identifiers of received reflected and / or non-reflected radio signals (e.g., direct or LoS signal rays), and optionally the corresponding signal quality parameters of any received reference signals or reflections of reference signals (e.g., 190 and 192).

[0064] Based on UE 110 feedback (e.g., reflection information) and / or signal quality parameters of a reflection identifier of a wireless signal (e.g., signal ray 192 or reflection from APD 181) and / or a reflection identifier of the reflected wireless signal, the base station can determine angular information of the reflected wireless signal arriving at UE 110. The reflection identifier can indicate this angular information (e.g., a specific phase vector), which may include the reflection angle of the wireless signal from APD 181 and the incident angle of the wireless signal waveform arriving at UE 110. In various aspects, different configurations of the surface of APD 181 (e.g., RIS 410) can be calibrated such that specific or reference angular information is associated with a surface configuration (e.g., a corresponding phase vector) that enables base station 120 to determine angular information related to the signal transmitted to APD 181, the signal reflected by APD 181, and / or the signal arriving at UE 110. Using this angular information and other signal quality parameters, such as reference signal received power, base station 120 can calculate angular information about the direction and / or estimated distance from APD 181 to UE 110. In various aspects, similar operations and calculations are performed using multiple APDs 180 (e.g., at least two APDs), and these operations and calculations are combined to provide angular information that enables base station 120 to quickly and accurately determine the location of UE 110 (e.g., within a few centimeters). This is merely one example of using APDs to determine the location of user equipment; other examples are described throughout this disclosure.

[0065] To implement various implementations of determining the location of a user equipment (UE) using an APD, base station 120 configures RIS410 such that APD 180 transforms and / or reflects radio signals (e.g., signal ray 191) to direct or guide the reflection of radio signals (e.g., signal ray 192) toward the UE 110 of interest. In various aspects, base station 120 selects a surface configuration from a surface configuration codebook. As an example, base station 120 analyzes the codebook to identify surface configurations that modify and / or transform various signal characteristics of the incident radio signal, such as modifying one or more desired directivity, phase characteristics, one or more amplitude characteristics, polarization characteristics, modulating the APD reflection beam identifier onto the incident radio signal, etc. In some implementations, base station 120 uses calibrated angle information or historical data records to select a surface configuration. For example, the base station obtains the estimated UE location and the UE's current link quality parameters and uses the estimated UE location to access calibrated angle information, where historical data records include surface configurations that have previously caused radio signals (e.g., reference signals) to arrive at the estimated UE location of UE 110.

[0066] As an example, consider Figure 4B The illustration shows an example 450 of configuring APD 180 according to one or more aspects. Example 450 includes an instance of base station 120 and APD 180, which can be referenced as shown in the reference. Figures 1 to 3 The implementation is similar. The RIS implemented by APD180 includes an array of "N" configurable surface elements, such as configurable surface element 411, configurable surface element 412, configurable surface element 413, etc., where "N" represents the number of configurable surface elements of the RIS.

[0067] In this implementation, base station 120 manages the configuration of the RIS 410 of APD 180 using a surface configuration codebook 420, which may be pre-configured and / or known by both base station 120 and APD 180. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 may also manage the time-varying configuration of the RIS of APD 180 using a beam scanning codebook, such as a reference... Figure 6A , 6BAs described in 11 and 15. In some cases, base station 120 uses radio link 133 to transmit surface configuration codebook 420 and / or beam scan codebook via an APD slow control channel using one or more messages. In various aspects, base station 120 uses the APD slow control channel to transmit large amounts of data, to transmit data without low latency requirements, and / or to transmit data without timing requirements. Sometimes, base station 120 transmits multiple surface configuration codebooks to APD 180, such as a first surface configuration codebook for downlink communication, a second surface configuration codebook for uplink communication, a phase vector codebook, a beam scan codebook, etc. In response, APD 180 stores surface configuration codebook 420 and / or other codebooks in a CRM, represented as shown in reference 180. Figure 3 The codebook 316 in the CRM 312. Alternatively or additionally, the APD 180 obtains surface configuration and other codebooks by storing the surface configuration codebook 420 and other codebooks in the CRM 312 of the APD 180 during the manufacturing (e.g., programming), calibration, or installation process, or by manually adding or updating codebooks by an operator.

[0068] Surface configuration codebook 420 includes configuration information that specifies surface configurations for some or all of the configurable surface elements (e.g., element 324) of the RIS forming APD 180. As an example, each index of the codebook corresponds to a phase vector having configuration information for each configurable surface element of APD 180. For example, index 0 maps phase configuration 0 to configurable surface element 411, phase configuration 1 to configurable surface element 412, phase configuration 2 to configurable surface element 413, and so on. Similarly, index 1 maps phase configuration 3 to configurable surface element 411, phase configuration 4 to configurable surface element 412, phase configuration 5 to configurable surface element 413, and so on. Surface configuration codebook 420 may include any number of phase vectors that specify configurations for any number of configurable surface elements, such that a first phase vector corresponds to a first surface configuration for APD 180 (by configuration for each configurable surface element in the RIS), a second phase vector corresponds to a second surface configuration for APD 180, and so on. In various embodiments, one or more surface configurations or phase vectors can be mapped or calibrated to specific angular information of incident and / or reflected wireless signals (e.g., reference signals), signal rays, beam scanning transmissions of base station 120, etc. In various implementations, base station 120 can use this angular information corresponding to the surface configuration or phase vector to determine angular information for calculating the position of UE 110.

[0069] Although Figure 4BThe surface configuration codebook 420 includes phase vector information, but alternative or additional codebooks store beam configuration information, such as a first surface configuration specifying a first beam with a first (propagation) direction, a second surface configuration specifying a second beam with a second direction, etc. Therefore, in various embodiments, the surface configuration codebook 420 corresponds to a beam codebook, which enables the APD 180 to perform directional reflection or reflection guidance of incident radio signals. Similarly, to configure the surface of the APD 180, the base station determines the desired beam configuration for a transformed signal and identifies entries in the beam codebook corresponding to the desired beam configuration. In some aspects, the beam scan codebook indicates the pattern of surface configurations and / or beam configurations, such as those indicated by the surface configuration codebook 420, and the beam configurations specified by the beam codebook. For example, the beam scan codebook indicates the order of surface configurations and optionally indicates that the APD reflection beam identifier cycles through to perform beam scanning in the horizontal or vertical direction. Alternatively or additionally, the beam scan codebook indicates the duration for which each surface configuration is applied to effectively guide reflected beams or wireless signals in a specific direction within that duration.

[0070] The surface configuration information stored in the codebook can correspond to a complete configuration specifying an exact configuration (e.g., configured using that value), or an incremental configuration specifying a relative configuration (e.g., modifying the current state using that value). In one or more embodiments, the phase configuration information specifies the directional increment and / or angular adjustment between the incident signal and the transformed signal. For example, phase configuration 0 can specify an angular adjustment configuration for element 411, such that the configurable surface element 411 reflects the incident waveform with a relative angular or directional offset of "phase configuration 0". Figure 4B As shown, base station 120 transmits an indication specifying a surface configuration to APD 180. In this example, the indication specifies a surface configuration index 460 (SC index 460) that maps to the corresponding surface configuration of APD 180. In response to receiving the indication, APD manager 320 retrieves the surface configuration from surface configuration codebook 420 using the index and applies the surface configuration to the RIS. For example, APD manager 320 configures each configurable surface element as specified by the corresponding entry in surface configuration codebook 420.

[0071] In various implementations, base station 120 transmits timing information (not shown) to APD 180, which may be included along with a surface configuration or beam scan index. For example, base station 120 may sometimes indicate to APD 180, and using radio link 133, the start time for applying the indicated surface configuration or beam scan pattern. In various aspects, base station 120 transmits transition times indicating when to remove and / or change the surface configuration or beam scan pattern. When changing the surface configuration, APD 180 may, via APD manager 320, apply a default surface configuration, revert to a previous surface configuration (e.g., a surface configuration used before the indicated surface configuration), and / or apply a new surface configuration to control the direction in which APD 180 reflects radio signals. To maintain synchronization timing with base station 120, APD 180 receives and / or processes base station synchronization signals.

[0072] By specifying timing information, base station 120 can synchronize and / or configure APD 180 to a specific UE (e.g., UE 110) to enable location determination operations even when the UE is moving. For example, base station 120 configures APD 180 using a revised beam scanning pattern to track a specific UE by specifying start and stop times corresponding to the time slots assigned to that UE. In various aspects, base station 120 uses the APD fast control channel to transmit surface configuration indications and / or timing information, which allows base station 120 to dynamically configure APD 180 on a time-slot-by-time basis. For example, base station 120 transmits surface configuration schedules to the APD, indicating when to apply different surface configurations to RIS / configurable surface elements. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 uses signaling on the APD fast control channel to transmit surface configuration changes on a time-slot-by-time basis. These allow base stations to configure APDs for multiple UEs, such as when assigning different time slots or parameter sets to different UEs, and enable the concurrent determination of the corresponding locations of multiple UEs, improving data rates, spectral efficiency, data throughput, and reliability for multiple UEs and their corresponding wireless networks.

[0073] Figure 5A and 5BExamples 500 and 550 illustrate base stations using adaptive phase-change devices to reflect signal rays to user equipment according to one or more aspects. Specifically, example 500 shows base station 120 using APD 181 to reflect wide-beam transmission signal rays toward UE 110. Example 550 shows base station 120 using APD 181 to reflect narrow-beam transmission signal rays toward UE 110. In examples 500 and 550, base station 120 and / or APD 180 modulate or encode radio signals using identification information, which can be used when selecting APD 180 or determining the location of UE 110. The aspects described with reference to examples 500 and / or 550 can be implemented by, or utilize any suitable entity, which may include references to Figure 1 To Figure 4 or Figures 6A to 15 The entities shown or described. In some aspects, as previously described, APD 181 is selected as part of a subset of APDs from a plurality of APDs 180 deployed within the communication range of base station 120. Therefore, base station 120 can use APD 181 and other APDs 180 within its range to reflect radio signals toward UE 110 (or other UEs). Prior to implementation, or when using APD 180 to reflect identifiable radio signals toward UE 110 and the reflection of radio signals, base station 120 may refer to Figure 4 and... Figures 6A to 12B or Figures 13 to 16 The method described above for selecting, configuring, managing, or using APD 180.

[0074] In various aspects, base station 120 (or APD-enabled location function (APF) 272 implemented by base station 120) manages or interacts with multiple APDs 180 of the wireless network to determine the location of UE 110. Typically, each of the APDs 180 has a known location, which may include the location of the APD 180 and the orientation of the surface of the APD 180. For example, APD 181 may have a fixed location set at installation time or determined by the location sensor 308 (GNSS receiver) of the APD 180. In various aspects, base station 120 or APF 272 obtains location and / or orientation information from APD 181 via APD control channel 520, which may include an APD slow control channel or an APD fast control channel implemented via wireless link 133. In this example, the APD control channel is implemented as a separate APD control channel 521 between base station 120 and APD 181. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 may include, for example, via contact, [the following is included in the original text]. Figure 1 The core network 150 has servers that can query the server for location information and / or the ability of APD to approach UE110.

[0075] To determine angular or other information between APDs 181, 182, and 183 and UE 110, the base station transmits radio reference signals toward the APDs, which then transform the radio reference signals to provide corresponding reflections that can be guided and directed toward UE 110 in a controlled manner. Typically, the transmitted reference signals and their reflections include identifiers or transmit identifiers to UE 110. UE 110 may include BS-specific and / or APD-specific identification information that enables UE 110 or base station 120 to identify the source of the reference signals or reflections. UE 110 decodes these identifiers and optionally measures signal quality parameters, which are provided to base station 120 as feedback information via anchoring connection 540. In all aspects, when calculating the location of UE 110, base station 120 establishes and maintains anchoring connection 540 with UE 110. Based on feedback information including identifiers of reflections reaching UE 110, base station 120 can determine which reflected radio signals arrive at UE 110 from which specific APDs 181, 182, 183. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 can communicate directly with UE 110, such as via a narrowband or wideband beam that includes signal rays that are not reflected from the APDs before reaching UE 110. In some cases, base station 120 utilizes beam ID modulation of direct or Loss-of-Sight (LoS) signal rays, enabling UE 110 to provide feedback information to the base station for LoS or non-APD-based signals.

[0076] refer to Figure 5A Base station 120 transmits a wide beam 530 toward APD 181, UE 110, or any point (e.g., geometric midpoint) between APD 181 and UE 110, such that the signal rays of the beam can reach both APD 181 and UE 110. The wide beam 530 includes multiple signal rays, some of which can reach UE 110 indirectly by reflection from APD 181, rather than directly from APD 180. In this example, the wide beam 530 includes signal ray 531, which is transformed by APD 181 into a reflection 532 toward UE 110. The wide beam 530 also includes signal rays 533, 534, and 535, where signal ray 535 is a LoS signal ray that directly reaches UE 110. In order to enable the identification and use of reflected signal rays (reflected) or LosS signal rays (e.g., direct or non-APD signal rays) arriving at UE 110, base station 120 and / or APD 180 may modulate a corresponding signal beam identifier on the transmitted radio signal, or modulate a reflected beam identifier on the reflected radio signal.

[0077] In various aspects of modulating wireless signals using identification information, the reference signal or its reflection may include or convey different combinations of identification information based on the BS or the APD. For example, the table at 501 illustrates some combinations of modulated or encoded identifiers that the wireless signal or its reflection may include. As shown in the table at 501, the incident wireless signal and its reflection may be modulated using the same or different identification information. Typically, base station 120 modulates the transmitted beam or wireless signal (e.g., a signal ray or PRS) using beam identifier modulation (beam ID modulation) 502 (e.g., the base station identifier (BS-ID) in table 501), and / or the APD modulates the reflection of the wireless signal (e.g., a reflected signal ray) using reflected beam ID modulation 504 (e.g., the APD identifier (APD-ID) in table 501). In various embodiments, the reflected identifier or reflection ID 506 may include or carry information modulated from one or both identifiers implemented by base station 120 (BS-ID) and / or APD 180 (APD-ID). In this example, the reflection ID 506 of the reflection 532 of the wireless signal 531 may include BS-ID modulation (beam ID 502), APD-ID modulation (reflection beam ID 504), or both BS-ID and APD-ID modulation. Because APD 181 does not modulate a direct or Loss signal ray (e.g., signal ray 535), the signal ray ID 508 may include empty information or BS-ID modulation (beam ID 502).

[0078] For cases where both the direct signal ray 535 and the reflected signal ray 532 consist only of base station-ID modulation (e.g., BS-ID), UE 110 and / or base station 120 can use the observed difference in arrival time to determine which of the received signal rays is reflected by APD 180 and which signal ray is received directly from base station 120. As shown in the table at 511, the reflection information modulated onto the signal ray or the reflection of the signal ray can include any suitable information that can be used to distinguish from which APD 180 the reflection was received. In this example, base station 120 modulates using the beam ID 502 prefix (e.g., 1.x). Figure 5AThe signal ray 512 (which includes signal rays 531, 533, 534, and 535) is modulated by the APD 180 using the reflection beam ID 504 suffix (e.g., x.3) to modulate the reflection 514 of the signal ray (reflected signal ray 532). When received at or by the UE 110, the UE 110 decodes the reflection identifier 506 (e.g., "1.3") of the reflected signal ray 532 and the signal ray identifier 508 (e.g., "1.0") of the Loss signal ray 535, and provides this as feedback to the base station 120 via the anchoring connection 540 to facilitate the analysis of angular information used to calculate the position of the UE 110.

[0079] In the context of narrow beam transmission, Figure 5B The illustration shows a narrow beam, including signal ray 571, emitted by base station 120 toward APD 181 via RIS. This signal ray 571 is reflected toward UE 110 as signal ray 572. Base station 120 may also concurrently or at different times emit another narrow beam, including signal ray 573 emitted directly toward UE 110, which is not reflected from APD 181. In this example, and referring to the table shown at 551, when APD 181 modulates APD-specific information or adds it to the reflected signal ray, the direct signal ray 512 (e.g., signal ray 573) and the reflected signal ray 514 (e.g., reflected signal ray 572) arriving at UE 110 may carry different identification information. Alternatively or additionally, as shown in the table at 551, because narrow-beam transmissions are separate transmissions, base station 120 can use different information to modulate signal rays 571 and 573, thereby enabling UE 110 or base station 120 to distinguish the signal rays arriving at UE 110 from each other without needing to resolve timing information, unlike some wide-beam transmissions. In this example, when received by UE 110, UE 110 can decode the reflection identifier 506 (e.g., "11.9") of reflected signal ray 572 and the signal ray identifier 508 (e.g., "15.0") of Loss signal ray 573 without needing timing information. To facilitate calculations to determine the location of UE 110, UE 110 provides the reflection identifier 506 and the signal ray identifier 508 as feedback to base station 120 via anchor connection 540. These are just some examples of how base station 120 or APD 180 can use information available to identify various signal rays arriving at UE 110 to modulate or encode signal rays or reflected signal rays.

[0080] Figure 6A and 6BExamples 600 and 650 illustrate base stations using adaptive phase-change devices to perform beam scanning on reflections of wireless signals toward a user equipment, according to various aspects. Examples 600 and 650 include a base station 120 managing APDs 181, 182, and 183 to perform beam scanning on reflections of wireless signals toward a UE 110. The aspects described with reference to Examples 600 and 650 can be implemented by or utilize any suitable entities, including... Figure 6A and 6B The entities or references shown Figures 1 to 5B or Figures 7 to 16 Other entities described. Prior to implementation or when using APD 180 to perform beam scanning of reflections of wireless signals toward UE 110, base station 120 may, as referenced... Figures 4A to 5B , Figures 7 to 12B or Figures 13 to 15 The method described above for selecting, configuring, managing, or using APD 180.

[0081] Examples 600 and 650 correspond to communications that can occur during different durations. As shown, example 600 corresponds to a first time point (or a first duration), and example 650 corresponds to a second, arbitrarily later time point (or a second duration), during which the corresponding beam scanning operation is performed. Therefore, in Figure 6A and 6B Examples 600 and 650 in the diagrams together illustrate an aspect of using an APD to perform beam scanning on the reflection of wireless signals, which can be used to calculate the location of user equipment. The environments of Examples 600 and 650 include a base station 120, an APD 180, and a UE 110, which can be as described in the reference... Figures 4A to 5B , Figure 7 , Figure 8A or Figure 8B This is achieved as described above. For visual simplicity, Figure 6A and 6B The illustration shows base station 120 using APD 180 to determine the location of a single UE 110. However, for alternatives or other scenarios involving multiple UEs, the base station can perform simultaneous beam scanning, directional reflection, or manipulation to determine the location of multiple UEs (such as reference beams). Figure 8A , 8B The APD 180 can be used in place of UE 120 (as described in 12A, 12B and 16). For example, the use of an APD 180 can be time-cycled so that the base station 120 can determine the corresponding locations of multiple UEs 110.

[0082] In various aspects, base station 120 may use APD 180 to perform beam scanning to guide or direct the reflection of radio signals toward UE 110. Based on feedback provided by UE 110 regarding the reflection of radio signals arriving at the UE (e.g., reflection identifiers and RSRPs), base station 120 may calculate corresponding angle information for each APD. Base station 120 may then combine the angle information associated with multiple APDs with the known locations of the APDs to determine the UE's location via triangulation and / or trilateration. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 may augment non-APD-based UE location information, such as UE-reported GNSS-based location, from APD-based location information from one or more APDs to determine or refine the location of UE 110. In some implementations, base station 120 uses or controls APD 180 to perform horizontal and / or vertical beam scanning to obtain information that can be used to determine the more precise location of UE 110. In this example, the aspect of APD-based beam scanning for determining the location of a user equipment is described with reference to beam scanning operation in the generally horizontal direction, and can be similarly applied to beam scanning in the generally vertical direction or beam scanning across an arbitrary axis selected by the base station 120 for determining the location of a user equipment.

[0083] When determining the location of one or more UEs 110, base station 120 can configure multiple APDs 180 using a surface configuration or beam scan pattern. Through this surface configuration or beam scan pattern, base station 120 or APF 272 selectively controls or manages the directivity of reflected radio signals associated with determining the location of the user equipment. In some cases, the beam scan pattern may include a sequence of surface configurations, phase vectors, calibrated angle information, timing information (e.g., time slot timing), APD reflection beam ID 504, etc. Therefore, the beam scan pattern implemented by APDs 180 may include a surface configuration index, reflection beam ID 504, and a sequence of timing information, through which APD manager 320 configures the RIS of APDs 180 before or during beam scan operations. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 may select and coordinate the encoding or modulation of BS beam ID 502 on a transmitted reference signal (e.g., reference signal 631) or a location reference signal, which may indicate the associated APD or a sequence of surface configurations corresponding to the beam scan pattern. Thus, base station 120 can use APD 180 to perform beam scanning on a reference signal with reflection identifier 506 (e.g., BS beam ID 502 and / or APD reflection beam ID 504) toward UE 110 via a selected phase vector. In other cases, base station 120 can use APD 180 to perform beam scanning on portions of each reference signal encoded with reflection identifier 506 (e.g., BS beam ID 502 and / or APD reflection beam ID 504) toward UE 110 at different corresponding directions or angles via a sequence of phase vectors. To enable identification of the phase vector associated with the reflection of the received radio signal, base station 120 can temporally align the encoding of BS beam ID 502 on the transmitted signal with the sequence of phase vectors implemented at the APD. In other words, APD 180 can scan (e.g., advance) through a sequence configured on the APD surface while reflecting incident signals emitted by base station 120 with multiple BS beam IDs 502 to beam scan a sequence of identifiable signal rays toward UE 110. Alternatively or additionally, APD 180 can also scan through a sequence of reflected beam IDs 504 to modulate the sequence of signal rays using reflection identifiers 506. Thus, in some cases, the reflection identifiers 506 of the reflected signal rays or reference signals arriving at UE 110 may include information of the BS beam IDs 502 modulated by base station 120 on the incident signal rays and information of the APD reflected beam IDs 504 modulated by APD 180 on the reflected signal rays (e.g., combined or layered reflection identifiers).In other cases, the reflection identifier 506 of the reflected signal ray or reference signal received by UE110 may include information from any of the BS beam IDs 502 modulated by base station 120 on the incident signal ray, or information from the APD reflection beam ID 504 modulated by APD 180 on the reflected signal ray.

[0084] As an example, consider example 600 where base station 120 utilizes a first APD 181 from a set of multiple APDs 180 selected for use in determining the location of UE 110 to perform beam scanning. Based on the initial estimated location of UE 110 (e.g., GNSS-based UE location or base station-UE low-frequency signaling), base station 120 or APF 272 can select a wide beam scanning pattern, such as a pattern that spans or scans a spatial area of ​​approximately 70 to 90 degrees. In this example, base station 120 sends a beam scanning pattern index 602 (BS index 602, e.g., BS index 13) to APD 181 via APD control channel 521. Beam scanning index 602 can indicate or communicate to APD 181 which beam scanning codebook, beam scanning pattern, APD beam ID, or phase vector sequence to use when performing beam scanning of an incident radio signal (e.g., a BS-initiated location reference signal). Based on beam scan index 602, APD manager 320 accesses the beam scan codebook (not shown) of APD 181 and selects the corresponding beam scan pattern 604 (e.g., beam scan pattern 13). As shown at 601 in the table for beam scan information of APD 181, example beam scan pattern 13 includes entries for a set of phase vectors 606 and corresponding reflection angles 608, which can be calibrated or verified for one or more phase vectors 606. Note that beam scan pattern 604 may also include a reflected beam ID 504 for the reflected wireless signal modulated by APD 181 (which is omitted in this example).

[0085] In order to enable the identification of signals or reflections received by UE 110, base station 120 modulates or encodes beam ID 502 on the signal or portion of the signal transmitted to UE 110 via APD 180. Note that in this example, base station 120 modulates beam ID 502 onto the signal ray corresponding to the reflection identifier 506 received by UE 110, and APD 180 does not modulate or add reflection beam ID 504 on the reflection of the signal ray. See reference Figure 5A and 5BThe APD 180 can also modulate the reflected beam ID 504 on the incident signal transformed by the RIS of the APD 180, such that the reflection identifier 506 includes information about the APD reflected beam ID 504 in addition to or instead of the BS beam ID 502. In this example, the base station 120 selects a set of BS beam IDs 502 (beam IDs 502) and modulates them onto the reference signal 631 transmitted to the APD 181 to achieve beam scanning. In other aspects, the base station 120 can select a single BS beam ID 502 and modulate it onto each reference signal transmitted toward the RIS of the APD 181. Thus, the reference signal 631 can represent a continuous transmission of reference signals modulated using a sequence of BS beam IDs 502 (and / or reflected beam IDs 504, not shown), or a series of individually transmitted reference signals each modulated using different BS beam IDs 502 (and / or reflected beam IDs 504, not shown). By coordinating or synchronizing the transmission of radio signals (e.g., reference signal 631) and RIS reconfiguration at the APD 181 that implements beam scanning, each reflection 514 may have and / or correspond to a reflection identifier 506 (reflection ID 506) that can be used by the UE 110 and / or base station 120 to identify the APD 180 and phase vector 606 associated with the reflection.

[0086] The BS beam ID 502 and / or APD reflection beam ID 504 (not shown) can be configured using any suitable structure or syntax and can identify the associated APD 180, reference signal, and / or specific portions of the reference signal involved in the communication or reflection of the radio signal received by UE 110. In some aspects, base station 120 uses the BS beam ID 502 to modulate the reference signal as a first part of the reflection identification information, and APD 180 uses the reflection beam ID 504 to modulate the reflection of the reference signal as a second part of the reflection identification information (e.g., a combined or layered reflection identifier). In this example, each beam ID 502 includes a prefix (1.x) specifying the APD and a suffix (x.10 to x.60) corresponding to the reflection ID 506, and can be used to identify the transformed radio signal or reflection received by UE 110 (e.g., reflection ID "1.30"). Base station 120 coordinates the transmission of reference signal 631 and the implementation of beam scan pattern 604 via APD 181 to perform beam scanning on a set of reflected radio signals or reflection 514 including reflection ID 506 toward UE 110. For visual simplicity, these reflections are illustrated as reflections 632, 633, 634, 635, and 636, which cover a horizontal scan of approximately 90 degrees toward UE 110. Note that for the first or preliminary beam scan operation to determine the location of the user equipment, base station 120 or APD 272 may configure beam scan pattern 604 to cover a relatively wide area based on an initial or coarse estimate of the location of UE 110. In various aspects, base station 120 may refine or narrow the beam scan pattern of subsequent beam scan operations based on updated or revised UE location information provided by previously APD-enabled beam scan operations. By doing so, the location of UE 110 can be determined more quickly and accurately by base station 120 alone.

[0087] Returning to Example 600, UE 110 receives one or more reflections 514 of a reference signal 631 with reflection ID 506, scanned towards UE 110 by the APD 181 beam. In various aspects, UE 110 may decode or demodulate reflection ID 506 and / or obtain one or more signal quality parameters (e.g., RSRP) of the radio signal reflection received at UE 110. In this example, UE 110 receives and is able to decode reflection ID 506 of five reflections 514, including reflection 634 of reference signal 631. UE 110 also determines or obtains an RSRP value 610 for each of the received reflections 514. As shown in the table at 601, other reflections of the reflections 514 may not reach UE 110, or may reach UE 110 with insufficient signal strength (e.g., less than -140 dBm) or signal quality to allow decoding of reflection ID 506. In various aspects, User Equipment 110 transmits the reflection ID 506 (e.g., BS beam ID 502) and RSRP value 610 of the received reflection 514 to Base Station 120 via Anchoring Connection 540. Based on Reflection ID 506 and RSRP value 610, Base Station 120 can determine angular information and / or estimate the distance between APD 181 and UE 110. For example, based on RSRP value 610, Base Station 120 can determine that using phase vector 91 in beam scanning results in reflection 634 reaching UE 110 with the highest level of signal power. Thus, Base Station 120 can determine, based on phase vector 191, that the position of UE 110 is approximately 89 degrees from the angle of incidence of reference signal 631 on the RIS of APD 181. Alternatively or additionally, Base Station 120 can estimate the distance to UE 110 based on signal quality parameters measured for reflections at UE 110 or other low-frequency band base station-UE communication. As described herein, base station 120 can combine the angle and / or distance information determined by one APD 180 with the corresponding angle and / or distance information associated with other APDs 180 to calculate the position of UE 110.

[0088] In various aspects, base station 120 or APF 272 performs multiple iterations of beam scanning using one or more APDs 180. In some cases, base station 120 performs beam scanning in a generally horizontal direction using one APD 180 to calculate first angle information, and then performs beam scanning in a generally vertical direction using an APD 180 to calculate second angle information. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 performs a first beam scanning operation using one APD 180 to calculate the first angle information, and also performs a second beam scanning operation using another APD 180 to calculate the second angle information. In various aspects, base station 120 or APF 272 revises the position calculation for UE 110 based on the angle information and / or distance information determined by the current or previous beam scanning operation. Therefore, the parameters of subsequent beam scanning operations can be refined or revised based on the angle information of previous beam scanning operations or the revised estimate of the UE 110's position (e.g., the GNSS-based UE position reported by the UE).

[0089] Continuing from Example 600, Figure 6BExample 650, in which base station 120 performs another beam scan operation, is illustrated. As indicated, example 650 corresponds to a second, arbitrary later time point (or a second duration) during which a subsequent beam scan operation can be performed after the operation of example 600. In example 650, base station 120 performs a beam scan using a third APD 183 from a set of multiple APDs 180 selected for use in determining the location of UE 110. Here, it is assumed that the base station has already performed a second round of beam scan using a second APD 182 from the set of multiple APDs 180. Based on a revised or updated estimated location of UE 110 achieved by the previous beam scan operation, base station 120 or APF 272 can select a narrow or narrow beam scan pattern, such as a pattern that spans or scans a spatial region of approximately 25 to 35 degrees (e.g., smaller than the previous beam scan pattern). In this example, base station 120 sends beam scan pattern index 652 (BS index 652, e.g., BS index 27) to APD 183 via APD control channel 523. Beam scan index 652 can indicate or communicate to APD 183 which beam scan codebook, beam scan pattern, or phase vector sequence to use when implementing beam scanning of an incident radio signal (e.g., a BS-initiated location reference signal (PRS)). Based on beam scan index 652, APD manager 320 accesses the beam scan codebook (not shown) of APD 183 and selects the corresponding beam scan pattern 604 (e.g., beam scan pattern 27). As shown at 651 in the example beam scan information table at 601, example beam scan pattern 27 includes entries for a set of phase vectors 606 and corresponding reflection angles 608, which can be calibrated or verified for one or more phase vectors 606.

[0090] Base station 120 also selects a set of BS beam IDs 502 and modulates them onto reference signals 671 transmitted to APD 183 to achieve beam scanning. In other embodiments, base station 120 may select a BS beam ID 502 or an APD reflection beam ID 504 (not shown) and modulate it onto each reference signal transmitted toward APD 183. Thus, reference signal 671 may represent a continuous transmission of reference signals modulated using a set of multiple BS beam IDs 502 (each BS beam ID being modulated onto the reference signal at different points in time), or a series of individually transmitted reference signals, each reference signal modulated using a different BS beam ID 502. By coordinating or synchronizing the transmission of radio signals (e.g., reference signal 671) and RIS reconfiguration at the APD 183 controlling beam directivity, each reflection 514 may have and / or correspond to a reflection ID 506 (e.g., BS beam ID 502 and / or APD reflection beam ID 504, not shown) that can be used by the UE 110 and / or base station 120 to identify the APD 180 and phase vector 606 associated with the reflection.

[0091] For reference Figure 6A The beam ID 502 of the reference signal 671 or the reflection ID 506 of the reflection 514 can be configured using any suitable structure or syntax and can identify the associated APD 180, reference signal, and / or specific portions of the reference signal involved in the communication or reflection of the wireless signal received by the UE 110. In this example, each beam ID 502 includes a prefix (3.x) and a suffix (x.10 to x.40) of a designated APD that can be used to identify the transformed wireless signal or reflection (e.g., reflection ID "3.25") received by the UE 110. The base station 120 coordinates the transmission of the reference signal 671 and the implementation of beam scanning pattern 604 (e.g., beam scanning pattern 27) by the APD 183 to beam scan a set of reflected wireless signals or reflections 514 including reflection ID 506 toward the UE 110. For visual simplicity, these reflections are illustrated as reflections 672, 673, and 674, covering a horizontal scan of approximately 30 degrees toward UE 110. Note that for second or subsequent beam scanning operations to determine the location of the user equipment, base station 120 or APF 272 can configure beam scanning pattern 604 to cover a relatively narrow area based on a revised or updated estimate of the location of UE 110. By doing so, the location of UE 110 can be determined more quickly and accurately by base station 120 and / or APD 180 with less power consumption.

[0092] Returning to Example 650, UE 110 receives one or more reflections 514 of a reference signal 671 scanned toward UE 110 by the APD 183 beam. In various aspects, UE 110 may decode or demodulate reflection ID 506 and / or obtain one or more signal quality parameters (e.g., RSRP) of the radio signal reflection received at UE 110. In this example, UE 110 receives and is able to determine reflection ID 506 of three reflections 514 that include reflection 673 of reference signal 671. UE 110 also determines or obtains an RSRP value 610 for each of the received reflections 514. As shown at 651, other reflections of the reflections 514 may not reach UE 110, or may reach UE 110 with insufficient signal strength (e.g., less than -140 dBm) or signal quality to allow decoding of reflection ID 506. In each aspect, User Equipment 110 transmits the reflection ID 506 and RSRP value 610 of the received reflection 514 to Base Station 120 via anchored connection 540 (e.g., a low-frequency band radio link). Based on reflection ID 506 (e.g., BS beam ID 502 and / or APD reflection beam ID 504) and RSRP value 610, Base Station 120 can determine angle information and / or estimate the distance between APD 183 and UE 110. For example, based on RSRP value 610, Base Station 120 can determine that the reflection 673 caused by APD 183 using phase vector 431 in beam scanning reaches UE 110 with the highest level of signal power. Thus, Base Station 120 can determine, based on phase vector 431, that the position of UE 110 is approximately 102 degrees from the incident angle of the reference signal 631 on the RIS of APD 181. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 may estimate the distance to UE 110 based on signal quality parameters measured for reflections at UE 110. As described herein, base station 120 may combine angle and / or distance information determined using one APD 180 with corresponding angle and / or distance information associated with other APDs 180 to calculate the position of UE 110.

[0093] Figure 7 An example 700 is illustrated where a base station uses an adaptive phase-change device to determine the location of a user equipment (UE) based on one or more aspects. Example 700 is illustrated as base station 120 using a plurality of APDs 180, including APDs 181, 182, and 183, to determine the location of UE 110. The aspects described with reference to example 700 can be implemented by or utilize any suitable entity, which may include references to... Figures 1 to 6B or Figures 8A to 16The entities shown or described. In some aspects, as previously described, APDs 181, 182, and 183 are selected as a subset of APDs from a larger set of APDs 180 deployed within the communication range of base station 120. Therefore, base station 120 uses any one of APDs 181, 182, and 183, or other APDs 180 within the range of base station 120, to determine the location of UE 110 (or other UEs). Before implementation or while performing the operation of determining the location of UE 110, base station 120 may refer to... Figures 4A to 6B , Figures 8A to 12B ,or Figures 13 to 16 The method described above for selecting, configuring, managing, or using APD 180.

[0094] In various aspects, base station 120 (or APD-enabled location function (APF) 272 implemented by base station 120) manages or interacts with multiple APDs 180 of the wireless network to determine the location of UE 110. Typically, each APD 180 has a known location, which may include the location of the APD 180 and the orientation of the surface of the APD 180. To determine angular information between APDs 181, 182, and 183 and UE 110, the base station transmits radio reference signals 731, 733, and 735 (e.g., PRS) toward the APDs, which then transform the radio reference signals to provide corresponding reflections 732, 734, and 736, which can be guided and directed toward UE 110 in a controlled manner. (See reference...) Figures 4A to 6B The base station 120 can use the APD 180 and perform identifiable reflections of radio signals directed or beam-scanning toward the UE 110. Based on feedback (e.g., reflection identifier 506) provided to the base station 120 by the UE 110 via the anchoring connection 540, the base station 120 can determine which reflected radio signals arrive at the UE 110 from which specific APDs 181, 182, 183.

[0095] In various aspects, the feedback of UE 110 includes either BS-modulated beam ID 502 or APD-modulated reflected beam ID 504 (e.g., as referenced). Figures 5A to 6BThe information (not shown) indicates the specific APD, reflection angle (or phase vector), and / or signal quality parameters (e.g., RSRP) of the received reflected radio signal. Using this information, base station 120 calculates angle information and / or distance information of UE 110 relative to the known locations of APDs 181, 182, and 183. The base station can then determine or calculate the location of UE 110 by performing triangulation and / or trilateration using the angle information (e.g., multiple angles). In various aspects, base station 120 can use APD location signaling and / or APD-based location information to enhance or refine any low-frequency band location signaling (e.g., base station-UE based triangulation, trilateration, polygonation) and / or GNSS-based UE location determination. For example, base station 120 can use angle information determined by high-frequency band communication via two APDs combined with one of UE 110's reported GNSS-based location or direct base station-UE low-frequency band location signaling (e.g., angle of arrival, RSRP, or timing advance information) to determine the UE's location with increased accuracy.

[0096] In various implementations, base station 120 communicates in separate frequency bands to achieve the aspect of determining the location of user equipment using an APD. For example, base station 120 communicates a location reference signal with the UE in a first operating frequency band (e.g., radio link 131) (such as a frequency band above 6 GHz as defined by 3GPP LTE and 5G NR communication standards) and in a second operating frequency band (e.g., low-band anchored connection 540). In other words, base station 120 may transmit radio signals (e.g., location reference signals) via APD 180 to reach UE 110 in a high-frequency operating frequency band (e.g., mmWave) while communicating with UE 110 via a different operating frequency (e.g., low-band anchored connection) in carrier aggregation configurations, multiple connectivity, or other settings. Base station 120 may also communicate with the APD using an APD control channel in a third operating frequency band different from the first and second operating frequency bands (e.g., for signals used in radio link 133). In other aspects, the base station uses the same operating frequency band for both APD communication and at least one connection with the UE.

[0097] In this example, base station 120 communicates with APDs 181, 182, and 183 using APD control channels, which are illustrated as corresponding APD control channels 521, 522, and 523 for each APD. Base station 120 also implements a low-frequency band anchored connection 540 to communicate with UE 110, such as receiving information associated with radio signals (e.g., high-frequency band reference signals) received by UE 110 (e.g., reflection identifier 506 and signal quality parameters). In some cases, base station 120 implements carrier aggregation to communicate with UE 110 using high-frequency band communication in a first frequency band (e.g., above 6 GHz) and low-frequency band communication in a second frequency band (e.g., below 6 GHz). Typically, the high-frequency (mmWave) communication from the base station to the APD 180 is enhanced or supplemented by the UE's APD control channels 521, 522, 523 and / or low-band anchoring connection 540. This may include reference signals 731, 733 and 735 transmitted via the APD 180 to the UE 110 for determining the location of the user equipment. In other words, the APD control channels and the UE anchoring connection can operate in a different frequency band (e.g., below 6 GHz) than the operating frequency band (e.g., above 6 GHz) used by the base station 120 to transmit downlink signals or location reference signals for determining the UE's location to the UE 110. In various embodiments, the base station 120 transmits surface configuration information and / or beam scanning information to the APD 180 via the APD control channels 521, 522 and 523, which may be implemented via one or more radio links (e.g., APD slow control channels or APD fast control channels) operating in one or more frequency bands.

[0098] In various aspects, base station 120 utilizes surface configuration or beam scanning patterns to configure APDs 181, 182, and 183 to direct or guide the reflection of radio signals to UE 110, such as... Figure 7 As shown. Regarding the surface configuration of APD 180, one or more phase vectors applied to the incident waveform by the surface of the APD can be calibrated, allowing base station 120 to use phase vector knowledge and the reflection identifier 506 to calculate the direction of the radio signal arriving at UE 110 or the reflected wavefront. In some implementations, base station 120 combines the corresponding APD phase vector (e.g., angle information) and the RSRP reported by the UE for each specific APD device, along with the known location of the APD, to calculate the UE's location. Alternatively or additionally, when determining the precise location of UE 110, base station 120 may combine the APD phase vector and the reflected RSRP information from APD 180 with other UE information associated with non-reflective base station-UE signals (e.g., anchored connection 540 or radio link 131), such as timing advance values ​​or RSRP.

[0099] Figure 8A and 8B Example 800 illustrates the use of an adaptive phase-change device (APD) to determine the corresponding locations of multiple user equipments (UEs) based on various aspects. Example 800 is illustrated as base station 120 using APDs 181, 182, and 183 to determine the corresponding locations of UEs 111 and 112. The aspects described with reference to Example 800 can be implemented by or utilize any suitable entity, which may include... Figure 8A and 8B Those shown, or referenced Figures 1 to 7 or Figures 9 to 16 Other entities described. In some aspects, APDs 181, 182, and 183 are selected as a subset of APDs from a larger set 180 of APDs deployed within the communication range of base station 120. Therefore, base station 120 uses any one of APDs 181, 182, and 183, or other APDs 180 within the range of base station 120, to determine the location of UEs 111 and 112 (or other UEs). In some aspects, the use of an APD 180 can be time-cycled so that base station 120 can determine the corresponding locations of multiple UEs 110. Before implementation or while performing the operation of determining the location of UEs 111 and 112 using APDs 181, 182, and 183, base station 120 can refer to... Figures 4A to 7 , Figures 9 to 12B ,or Figures 13 to 16 The method described above for selecting, configuring, managing, or using APD 180.

[0100] Typically, base station 120 can implement at least some operations for concurrently or in parallel determining the corresponding locations of multiple UEs 110 to reduce the amount of time consumed in determining the corresponding locations of multiple UEs. For example, while base station 120 is performing transmit and reflect (e.g., reflect feedback / information collection) operations for a first UE 111 using a first APD 181, the base station can also perform transmit and reflect operations for a second UE 112 using a second APD 182. Base station 120 can asynchronously utilize each APD 180 to perform a corresponding set of operations, such as in response to detecting a UE 110 within the communication range of base station 120, in response to detecting that APD 180 can reach UE 110 via reflection, or in response to a request from a location-based service. In some aspects, the base station uses a time-division multiplexing (TDM) scheme to coordinate or schedule location determination operations using different combinations of APD 180 and UE 110. For example, a base station can use a first APD 181 for transmission and reflection operations with a first UE 111 and a second APD 182 for transmission and reflection operations with a second UE 112 in the same time slot. In subsequent time slots, the base station can use the second APD 182 for transmission and reflection operations with the first UE 111 and the first APD 181 for transmission and reflection operations with the second UE 112, and so on. Therefore, in the case where APD 180 serves multiple UEs 110, base station 120 can implement a TDM-based scheme so that APD 180 can support operations for determining the corresponding locations of multiple UEs 110 at different times (e.g., in different predefined time slots). By doing so, base station 120 can utilize APD 180 to perform concurrent transmission and reflection operations to quickly determine the corresponding locations of multiple UEs 110.

[0101] For example, consider the TDM scheduling information table at 801, which includes time slot 802 during which the base station schedules the use of transmit and transmit APD 804 for interaction with different APDs among multiple APDs including APDs 181, 182, and 183. For visual simplicity, Figure 8A and 8BThis includes the first UE 111 and the second UE 112, and omits the third UE 113 listed in the TDM information table. Although not shown, the described transmit and reflect operations can be implemented for the third UE 113 or any number of other UEs, provided that a sufficient number of APDs are available to the base station to implement at least some of the transmit and reflect operations in parallel. Alternatively or additionally, the base station can communicate with a subset of multiple UEs during one or more time slots 802 scheduled by the TDM. For example, when fewer APDs (e.g., three APDs) than the number of UEs (e.g., four UEs) are available, the base station can use the available APDs (e.g., by time loop) to implement concurrent transmit and reflect operations in a given time slot for fewer than all UEs. Therefore, even with fewer APDs than the number of UEs, the base station can still reduce the amount of time consumed in determining the location of multiple UEs by implementing concurrent transmit and reflect operations.

[0102] Reference Figure 8A and 8B Three examples of concurrent transmission and reflection operations implemented by base station 120 are illustrated at 800, 850, and 875, corresponding to time slots 1 806, 2 808, and 3 810 of the TDM information table. Typically, in order to determine the angular information between APDs 181, 182, and / or 183 used to determine the location of user equipment and UEs 111 and 112, base station 120 transmits a series of reference signals (e.g., PRS) for each UE toward different APDs in the APDs, and collects reflection information from UEs 111 and 112 as specified by time slot 802 of the TDM information table.

[0103] At 800, during time slot 1806, base station 120 selects APD 181 for transmission and reflection operations with the first UE 111, and selects APD 182 for transmission and reflection operations with the second UE 112. Prior to the transmission and reflection operations, base station 120 may send RIS and / or beam scanning pattern information to APD 181 or APD 182 via APD control channels 521 or 522. Base station 120 transmits a reference signal 831 for the first UE 111 toward APD 181, and a reference signal 835 for the second UE 112 toward APD 182. Based on the corresponding surface configuration, APDs 181 and 182 transform reference signals 831 and 835 to guide reflections 832 and 836 toward UE 111 and UE 112, respectively. Based on the received reflections 832 and 836, UEs 111 and 112 provide reflection information, such as reflection identifier 506 and RSRP value 610, to base station 120 via corresponding anchored connections 541 and 542, which can be referenced as follows. Figures 5A to 7The implementation is described above. The base station then determines the angle information of the current combination of the APD and the UE, which can be used to refine subsequent transmit and reflect operations (e.g., narrowed beam scanning) and / or combined with angle information of other combinations of the APD and the UE to enable determination of the UE's location. In the context of this example, base station 120 advances from time slot 1 806 to time slot 2 808 to obtain additional reflection information for different combinations of the APD and the UE.

[0104] At 850, during time slot 2 808, base station 120 selects APD 182 for transmission and reflection operations with the first UE 111, and selects APD 183 for transmission and reflection operations with the second UE 112. Prior to the transmission and reflection operations, base station 120 may send RIS and / or beam scanning pattern information to APD 182 or APD 183 via APD control channels 522 or 523. For example... Figure 8B As shown, base station 120 transmits a reference signal 871 for a first UE 111 toward APD 182 and a reference signal 875 for a second UE 112 toward APD 183. Based on the corresponding surface configuration, APDs 182 and 183 transform reference signals 871 and 875 to guide reflections 872 and 876 toward UEs 111 and 112. Based on the received reflections 872 and 876, UEs 111 and 112 provide reflection information, such as a reflection identifier 506 and an RSRP value 610, to base station 120 via corresponding anchoring connections 541 and 542. Base station 120 then determines angle information for the current combination of APDs and UEs, which can be used to refine subsequent transmission and reflection operations (e.g., narrowed beam scanning) and / or combined with angle information of other combinations of APDs and UEs to enable determination of the UE's location. In the context of this example, base station 120 advances from time slot 2 808 to time slot 3 810 to obtain additional reflection information for different combinations of APD and UE.

[0105] At 875, during time slot 3 810, base station 120 selects APD 183 for transmission and reflection operations with the first UE 111, and selects APD 181 for transmission and reflection operations with the second UE 112. Prior to the transmission and reflection operations, base station 120 may send RIS and / or beam scanning pattern information to APD 183 or APD 181 via APD control channels 523 or 521. Base station 120 transmits a reference signal 891 for the first UE 111 toward APD 183, and a reference signal 895 for the second UE 112 toward APD 181. Based on the corresponding surface configuration, APDs 183 and 181 transform reference signals 891 and 895 to guide reflections 892 and 896 toward UE 111 and UE 112, respectively. Based on the received reflections 892 and 896, UEs 111 and 112 provide reflection information, such as reflection identifier 506 and RSRP value 610, to base station 120 via corresponding anchoring connections 541 and 542. Base station 120 then determines angle information for the current combination of APD and UE, which can be used to refine subsequent transmit and reflect operations (e.g., narrowed beam scanning) and / or combined with angle information from other combinations of APD and UE to enable determination of the UE's location.

[0106] In the context of this example, base station 120 combines angle information used for different combinations of APD and UE. Because the transmit and reflect operations for UE 111 and 112 are performed at least partially in parallel, the base station is able to generate angle information in significantly less time than if these operations were performed sequentially. This time reduction and efficiency gain are further amplified when using APD to concurrently determine the corresponding locations of three or more user equipments. At the end of this example, base station 120 determines the locations of UE 111 and UE 112 by using angle information (e.g., multiple angles) to perform triangulation and / or trilateration.

[0107] Signaling and control transactions used to determine the location of the UE using the APD

[0108] By using adaptive phase-change devices to determine various aspects of the location of user equipment (UEs), base stations can determine the location of one or more UEs based on the reflection of radio signals. In doing so, base stations can accurately and quickly determine the location of UEs using low-latency, high-frequency signals (e.g., mmWave signals) with reduced multipath effects. Furthermore, by using multiple adaptive phase-change devices, base stations can determine the location of UEs without involving other network entities (e.g., other base stations), thereby reducing the complexity, latency, and network overhead associated with determining UE location.

[0109] Figures 9 to 12B Examples of signaling and control transactions performed between entities (such as base stations, adaptive phase-change devices, and user equipment) based on one or more aspects are provided. The described examples include using multiple APDs to determine the location of the UE (e.g., Figure 9 Select and configure the APD used to determine the location of the UE (e.g., Figure 10 ), using an APD to perform beam scanning on the reflection of wireless signals toward the UE (e.g., Figure 11 ), and using APD to determine the corresponding locations of multiple UEs (e.g., Figure 12A and Figure 12B ). refer to Figures 9 to 12B The various operations described can be found in the reference. Figures 1 to 8A Any entity described with Figures 9 to 12B Combined with or in conjunction with other examples of operations Figures 13 to 16 The methods illustrated in the diagram are performed in combination. For example, base station 120 may estimate the approximate location of UE 110 (e.g., an initial location within 3 to 10 meters) based on Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements, reported GNSS-based UE location, or observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA). Based on the approximate location of UE 110, base station 120 selects a set of APDs near the approximate location and configures the corresponding RIS of the APDs to reflect signals toward UE 110. Base station 120 may then transmit radio signals toward the configured RIS of the APDs and guide or directionally scan for reflections toward UE 110 from each APD 180. Using feedback received from UE 110 on a low-frequency anchored connection, such as a reflection identifier 506 and an indication of signal strength (e.g., RSRP) or signal quality, base station 120 determines the angle information of the reflection and the corresponding APD from which UE 110 receives the reflection. Based on the known position and angle information of APD180, base station 120 can determine the position of UE 110 with sub-meter accuracy (e.g., centimeters).

[0110] Figure 9 The illustration at 900 illustrates example details of signaling and control transactions between entities that enable base station 120 or APD-enabled location function 272 to determine the location of user equipment 110 based on radio signals reflected by APD 180, according to one or more aspects. Base station 120, APDs 181, 182, 183, and / or UE 110 may be similar to those in reference [reference missing]. Figures 1 to 8B The entity described is used to implement this. This example is presented in the context of determining the location of the user device, but references are also available. Figure 9 The described operations can be initiated or performed by an entity independently of determining the location of the user equipment, such as referencing Figures 9 to 12B or Figures 13 to 16The method described herein. For example, base station 120 may determine the location of user equipment before or simultaneously with, as referenced Figure 10 , Figure 11 , Figure 14 and / or Figure 15 The described selection and / or configuration of multiple APD 180s.

[0111] In the example, base station 120 selects and configures multiple APDs 181, 182, and 183 at 905 to determine the location of UE 110. Base station 120 may select an APD based on analyzing one or more identifiers of radio signal reflections arriving at the UE. In addition to analyzing one or more reflection identifiers 506, the base station may also analyze or compare corresponding signal quality parameters (e.g., RSRP) of radio signal reflections received by UE 110. In some cases, the base station configures the APDs by determining a surface configuration or beam scanning pattern for one or more of the APDs 181, 182, and 183.

[0112] At 910, base station 120 transmits a radio signal (e.g., a first radio signal) toward the RIS of APD 181. The radio signal may include a reference signal or a location reference signal, which includes one or more identifiers modulated or encoded on the radio signal (e.g., BS beam ID 502 and / or APD reflection beam ID 504). At 915, APD 181 transforms the radio signal to guide the reflection of the radio signal toward UE 110. In some cases, base station 120 may use APD 181 to beam scan the reflection of the reference signal with reflection identifier 506 toward UE 110 via a selected phase vector. In other cases, base station 120 may use APD 181 to beam scan the reflection of each portion of the reference signal encoded with reflection identifier 506 toward UE 110 via a sequence of phase vectors.

[0113] At 920, UE 110 transmits information associated with the reflection (e.g., first reflection) of the radio signal received by UE 110. In some cases, UE 110 decodes or demodulates the reflection identifier 506 (e.g., BS beam ID 502 or APD reflection beam ID 504) and / or obtains one or more signal quality parameters (e.g., RSRP) of the radio signal reflected at UE 110. UE 110 then sends the indication of the reflection identifier 506 and / or one or more signal quality parameters back to base station 120, enabling base station 120 to determine angle information and / or estimate the distance between APD 181 and UE 110.

[0114] Optionally, prior to implementing operation 925, base station 120 may implement operation 905 of selecting a different APD 180 or reconfiguring APD 182. For example, base station 120 may determine that another APD with better signal performance can be used in transmission and reflection operations. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 may select a different beam scanning pattern or refine (e.g., narrow) the currently selected beam scanning pattern of APD 182 based on a revised estimate of the location of UE 110 (e.g., by analyzing previously received reflection information or non-APD UE location information).

[0115] At 925, the base station transmits a radio signal (e.g., a second radio signal) toward the RIS of APD 182. The radio signal may include a reference signal or a location reference signal, which includes one or more identifiers modulated or encoded on the radio signal (e.g., BS beam ID 502). At 930, APD 182 transforms the radio signal to guide the reflection of the radio signal toward UE 110. In some cases, base station 120 may use APD 182 to beam scan the reflection of a reference signal with a single reflection identifier 506 toward UE 110 via a selected phase vector. In other cases, base station 120 may use APD 182 to beam scan the reflection of each portion of the reference signal encoded with the reflection identifier 506 toward UE 110 via a sequence of phase vectors.

[0116] At 935, UE 110 transmits information associated with the reflection (e.g., a second reflection) of the radio signal received by UE 110. In some cases, UE 110 decodes or demodulates the reflection identifier 506 and / or obtains one or more signal quality parameters (e.g., RSRP) of the radio signal reflected at UE 110. UE 110 then sends the indication of the reflection identifier 506 and / or one or more signal quality parameters back to base station 120, enabling base station 120 to determine angle information and / or estimate the distance between APD 182 and UE 110.

[0117] Optionally, prior to operation 940, base station 120 may perform operation 905 to select a different APD 180 or reconfigure APD 183. For example, base station 120 may determine that another APD with better signal performance can be used in transmit and reflect operations. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 may select a different beam scanning pattern or refine (e.g., narrow) the currently selected beam scanning pattern of APD 183 based on a revised estimate of the location of UE 110.

[0118] At 940, the base station transmits a radio signal (e.g., a third radio signal) toward the RIS of APD 182. The radio signal may include a reference signal or a location reference signal, which includes one or more identifiers modulated or encoded on the radio signal (e.g., BS beam ID 502). At 945, APD 183 transforms the radio signal to guide the reflection of the radio signal toward UE 110. In some cases, base station 120 may use APD 183 to beam scan the reflection of a reference signal with a single reflection identifier 506 toward UE 110 via a selected phase vector. In other cases, base station 120 may use APD 183 to beam scan the reflection of each portion of the reference signal encoded with the reflection identifier 506 toward UE 110 via a sequence of phase vectors.

[0119] At 950, UE 110 transmits information associated with the reflection (e.g., third reflection) of the radio signal received by UE 110. In some cases, UE 110 decodes or demodulates the reflection identifier 506 and / or obtains one or more signal quality parameters (e.g., RSRP) of the radio signal reflected at UE 110. UE 110 then sends the indication of the reflection identifier 506 and / or one or more signal quality parameters back to base station 120, which enables base station 120 to determine angle information and / or estimate the distance between APD 183 and UE 110.

[0120] At 955, base station 120 analyzes the corresponding APD and reflection information to determine the angle information of the reflection of the radio signal arriving at UE 110. Based on the analysis of the reflection identifier 506 and / or signal quality parameters of the reflections arriving at UE 110, the base station can determine which surface configurations (e.g., phase vectors) are associated with those reflections received by UE 110. The surface configurations can be calibrated or predetermined to correspond to the corresponding reflection angles, which the base station uses to determine the angle information of the reflection of the radio signal received by UE 110. Alternatively or additionally, the base station may use reflected signal quality parameters, such as RSRP values, and / or estimate the distance between APDs 181, 182, and / or 183 and UE 110 in determining the angle information of APD 180.

[0121] At 960, base station 120 determines the location of UE 110 based on the angle information determined for APDs 181, 182, and 183. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 may determine the location using non-APD location information (such as UE location information) based on GNSS-based location reported by low-frequency base station-UE communication or UE 110. The angle information derived from APD reflections can indicate the relative angle and / or distance between APDs 181, 182, and 183 and UE 110. Using the angle information of multiple APDs 181, 182, and 183 and the known location, as well as optionally other non-APD-based supplementary location information, the base station performs triangulation and / or trilateration of the location of UE 110.

[0122] Figure 10 At 1000, example details are illustrated of signaling and control transactions between entities enabling base station 120 to select and / or configure for use in determining the location of a user equipment, according to one or more aspects. Base station 120, APDs 181, 182 and 183, and / or UE 110 may be similar to reference Figures 1 to 8A The entity described is used to implement this. This example is presented in the context of selecting or configuring an adaptive phase-change device at a base station, but references are available. Figure 10 The described operations can be initiated or performed by an entity independently of determining the location of the user equipment, such as referencing Figure 9 , Figure 11 , Figure 12A and 12B ,or Figures 13 to 16 The method described above. For example, base station 120 can implement... Figure 10 The operation involves selecting and / or configuring multiple APD180s, and then determining the location of the user equipment or performing actions as described in the reference. Figure 9 , Figures 11 to 13 , Figure 15 and / or Figure 16 The described beam scanning operation.

[0123] In the example, at 1005, user equipment 110 optionally transmits the UE location to base station 120. UE 110 may transmit an indication of an approximate UE location (e.g., within 3 meters), such as one obtained via UE 110's GNSS sensor or GPS receiver. At 1010, base station 120 receives the indication of the approximate UE location from UE 110.

[0124] Optionally, at 1015, user equipment 110 transmits an uplink (UL) signal to base station 120, which may include an uplink reference signal or sounding reference signal (SRS) transmitted by UE 110. At 1020, base station 120 receives the UL signal transmitted by UE 110 and / or transmits additional downlink (DL) signals (e.g., DLPRS, not shown) to UE 111. In some aspects, UE 110 and / or base station 120 transmit one or more reference signals (e.g., DL PRS and / or UL SRS) or generate any other suitable radio signals for estimating the approximate location of the UE (e.g., initial UE location). For example, the base station and / or UE 110 may measure one or more of the following: uplink angle of arrival (UL-AOA), uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA), uplink relative time of arrival (UL-RTOA), downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA), downlink reference signal time difference (DL RSTD), downlink departure angle (DL-AoD), multi-cell round-trip time (RTT), or enhanced cell ID (E-CID) based on radio resource management (RRM) measurement.

[0125] At 1025, base station 120 estimates the location of UE 110 based on information provided by one or more of operations 1005, 1010, 1015, and / or 1020. The base station may estimate the UE location based on an indication of the UE location received from UE 110. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 may estimate the location of UE 110 based on one or more of UL-AOA, UL-TDOA, UL-RTOA, DL-TDOA, DL-RSTD, DL-AoD, multi-cell RTT, or E-CID, as determined by communication between UE 110 and base station 120 and / or other base stations. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 may generate non-APD location information that can be used to refine or narrow the UE's location. In some cases, base station 120 augments APD-based location information with non-APD-based location information to accurately determine or resolve the location of UE 110.

[0126] At 1030, base station 120 selects a set of multiple candidate APDs to evaluate their potential use in determining the location of the user equipment. The set of multiple candidate APDs includes at least two APDs. Base station 120 may select candidate APDs based on their proximity to the estimated location of UE 110. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 may, for example, include via contact... Figure 1 The core network 150 has servers that can query the server for location information and / or the ability for the APD to approach the UE 110.

[0127] At position 1035, the base station transmits a corresponding radio signal (e.g., a reference signal) toward the surface of each APD in the set of candidate APDs. Base station 120 transmits corresponding signals toward the surface of each APD in the set of candidate APDs 181, 182, and 183, as well as other nearby candidate APDs. In each aspect, base station 120 modulates a different BS beam ID 502 and / or APD reflection beam ID 504 on the corresponding radio signal transmitted to each candidate APD. By doing so, base station 120 can determine whether the reflection from a particular candidate APD reaches UE 110 based on feedback from UE 110.

[0128] At 1040, APD 181 modulates the radio signal transmitted by base station 120 to guide the reflection of the radio signal toward UE 110. In some cases, base station 120 can use APD 181 to guide the radio signal toward UE 110 via a selected phase vector. At 1045, APD 182 modulates the radio signal transmitted by base station 120 to guide the reflection of the radio signal toward UE 110. In some cases, base station 120 can use APD 182 to guide the radio signal toward UE 110 via a selected phase vector. At 1050, APD 183 modulates the radio signal transmitted by base station 120 to guide the reflection of the radio signal toward UE 110. In some cases, base station 120 can use APD 183 to guide the radio signal toward UE 110 via a selected phase vector. Alternatively or additionally, APD 180 may modulate APD beam ID 502 onto the corresponding reflection, such that the identifier of the reflection includes information provided by the BS beam ID of base station 120 and / or APD reflection beam ID 504 provided by APD 180.

[0129] At position 1055, UE 110 transmits reflection information to base station 120. For reflections arriving at UE 110, UE 110 can decode or demodulate reflection identifier 506 and / or obtain at least one signal quality parameter (e.g., RSRP) of one or more reflections received from the corresponding APD in the candidate APDs. UE 110 then sends the reflection identifier 506 and / or the indication of the signal quality parameter back to base station 120, enabling base station 120 to determine which candidate APDs' reflections can reach UE 110 and / or the associated signal strength of the reflections.

[0130] At 1060, base station 120 receives reflection information transmitted by UE 110. As described above, the reflection information may include a reflection identifier 506 and / or signal quality parameters provided by the candidate APD. At 1065, the base station selects a subset of at least two APDs from a set of multiple candidate APDs for use in determining the location of the user equipment. In some cases, the base station analyzes the RSRP level of the reflections provided by the candidate APDs and determines that the RSRP level meets a predetermined threshold. In response to determining that the RSRP level meets the threshold, base station 120 determines to include a specific APD in the subset. Alternatively, if the RSRP level does not meet the threshold, the base station may exclude an APD from the subset or reconfigure the APD (e.g., RIS configuration) and transmit another radio signal to determine whether the performance of the reconfigured APD is sufficiently improved for use in the location determination operation.

[0131] At 1070, the base station configures a subset of APDs. In some aspects, the base station 120 determines the corresponding RIS configuration for each selected APD and instructs each APD to apply the corresponding RIS configuration to the corresponding RIS, as shown in reference [reference missing]. Figures 4A to 7 Alternatively or additionally, the base station may select a beam scanning pattern for one or more selected APDs and send an indication (e.g., a beam scanning index) to the selected APDs of the selected beam scanning pattern, such as a reference diagram. Figure 6A and 6B or Figure 8A and 8B As stated above.

[0132] Figure 11 At 1100, an example detail is illustrated of signaling and control transactions between entities that enable base station 120 to use an adaptive phase-change device to perform beam scanning on reflections of wireless signals toward a user equipment, according to one or more aspects. Base station 120, APDs 181, 182 and 183, and / or UE 110 may be similar to reference... Figures 1 to 8B The entity described is used to implement this. This example is presented in the context of beam scanning of reflections of wireless signals directed towards a user device, but references are also available. Figure 11 The described operations can be initiated or performed by an entity independently of determining the location of the user equipment, such as referencing Figure 9 , Figure 10 , Figure 12A and 12B ,or Figures 13 to 16 The method described above. For example, base station 120 can implement... Figure 11 The operation involves beam scanning of the reflected wireless signal to select the APD 180 or determine the location of the user equipment 110, as shown in the reference. Figure 9 , Figure 10 , Figures 12A to 14and / or Figure 16 As stated above.

[0133] In the example, at 1105, base station 120 configures APD 180 for beam scanning. In some cases, base station 120 sends one or more beam scanning pattern codebooks to APD 180. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 may reposition or reorient the surface or RIS of APD 180 based on the approximate location of UE 110.

[0134] At 1110, base station 120 selects a beam scanning pattern for APD 180. In some cases, the beam scanning pattern is selected based on the estimated location of the UE or using a revised estimate of the UE's location. The selected beam scanning pattern can be configured to perform directional scanning of radio signal reflections in the horizontal or vertical direction. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 can select a wide or narrow beam scanning pattern that is pre-configured to span or scan a corresponding spatial area.

[0135] At 1115, base station 120 transmits a beam scanning pattern indication to APD 180. In various aspects, the base station transmits a beam scanning pattern index to APD 180 via APD control channel 520, such as a reference... Figure 6A Or as described in 6B. Beam scan index 602 can indicate or communicate to APD 180 which beam scan codebook, beam scan pattern, APD reflective beam ID, or phase vector sequence to use when performing beam scanning of the incident radio signal (e.g., a BS-initiated reference signal or PRS).

[0136] At 1120, the APD receives an indication of the selected beam scan pattern transmitted by the base station 120. Based on the beam scan index, the APD manager 320 of the APD can access the beam scan codebook of the APD and select the corresponding beam scan pattern for use in guiding or directing the reflection of the incident signal. In some cases, the parameters of the selected beam scan pattern are loaded into the memory of the APD 180. The execution of the beam scan pattern can be scheduled for the time slot selected by the base station 120. Alternatively or additionally, the APD 180 can implement or initiate the beam scan pattern in response to the synchronization field or preamble of the incident reference signal transmitted by the base station 120, which can be received via the receiver of the APD 180.

[0137] At 1125, base station 120 instructs APD 180 to initiate a beam scan pattern. Base station 120 can instruct the APD to initiate a beam scan pattern at a predefined time to configure the APD's RIS according to the beam scan pattern. Alternatively, base station 120 can use the APD control channel to initiate the beam scan pattern or use a synchronization field or preamble modulated onto the reference signal transmitted to APD 180. At 1130, APD 180 initiates a beam scan pattern in response to the direction of base station 120.

[0138] At 1135, base station 120 transmits a radio signal toward the RIS of APD 180. In some cases, the base station transmits one or more reference signals toward the RIS of APD 180. Base station 120 may also use BS beam ID 502 to modulate the radio signal, which corresponds to an identifier of reflections generated from the transformation of the radio signal by the APD. In this case, the transmission of the radio signal can be synchronized with the implementation of the beam scanning pattern of APD 180 to guide identifiable reflections according to the beam scanning pattern. At 1140, APD 180 uses or transforms the radio signal via the RIS according to the beam scanning pattern. In all aspects, this enables base station 120 to use APD 180 to beam scan identifiable reflections (e.g., reflection identifier 506) of the radio signal toward UE 110 via one or more selected phase vectors.

[0139] At position 1145, UE 110 transmits reflection information to base station 120. For beamformed reflections reaching UE 110, UE 110 can decode or demodulate reflection identifier 506 and / or obtain at least one signal quality parameter (e.g., RSRP) of one or more reflections. UE 110 then sends the indication of reflection identifier 506 and / or signal quality parameter back to base station 120, enabling base station 120 to determine angle information and / or estimate distance information between APD 180 and UE 110.

[0140] At 1150, the base station analyzes the reflection information received from UE 110. The base station can also analyze APD information to determine the angle information of the reflected radio signal arriving at UE 110 from APD 180. In some cases, base station 120 updates or revises the estimated location of UE 110 based on the angle information of one or two APDs before determining the location of UE 110. In this case, base station 120 can select a beam scanning pattern based on the updated estimated location for the next iteration of the beam scanning implemented by returning to 1110. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 can reduce the number of phase vectors in the beam scanning pattern based on the updated estimated location of the user equipment to narrow the beam scanning pattern (e.g., from 70 degrees to 30 degrees).

[0141] In some aspects, after multiple iterations of operations 1110 to 1150 to determine the angle information of multiple APDs 180, the base station at 1155 uses the corresponding angle information of the APDs 180 and other APDs to determine the location of the UE 110. The angle information may indicate the relative angle and / or estimated distance between at least two APDs 180 (e.g., three APDs 180) and the UE 110. Using the angle information of multiple APDs 180, the estimated distance and / or known location, and optionally non-APD-based location information, the base station performs triangulation and / or trilateration of the location of the UE 110.

[0142] Figure 12A and 12B Example details of signaling and control transactions between entities, according to one or more aspects, enabling a base station to use an adaptive phase-change device to determine the corresponding locations of multiple user equipments are illustrated at 1200 and 1235. Base station 120, APDs 181, 182 and 183, and / or UEs 111 and 112 can be similar to those in the reference. Figures 1 to 8B The entity described is used for implementation. This example is presented in the context of concurrently performing at least some operations to determine the location of multiple user devices, but references are not included. Figure 12A and 12B The described operation can be initiated or executed by an entity independently of determining the corresponding locations of multiple UEs, such as reference. Figures 9 to 11 or Figures 13 to 16 The method described herein. For example, base station 120 may perform the operation of determining the location of multiple UEs using the APD before or simultaneously as described in the reference. Figure 10 , Figure 11 , Figure 14 and / or Figure 15 The described selection and / or configuration of multiple APD180s.

[0143] In the example, base station 120 selects and configures multiple APDs 181, 182, and 183 at 905 for determining the locations of UEs 111 and 112. Base station 120 may select the APDs based on one or more identifiers 506 and / or corresponding signal quality parameters (e.g., RSRP) analyzed from the radio signal reflections received by UEs 111 and 112. Alternatively or additionally, the base station configures the APDs by determining a surface configuration or beam scanning pattern for one or more of the APDs 181, 182, and 183.

[0144] At 1202, base station 120 transmits a radio signal (e.g., a reference signal) toward the RIS of APD 181. At 1204, APD 181 modulates the radio signal to guide the reflection of the radio signal toward UE 111. In some cases, base station 120 may use APD 181 to perform beam scanning on the reflection of the reference signal with reflection identifier 506 toward UE 111 via a selected phase vector. At 1206, base station 120 transmits a radio signal (e.g., a reference signal) toward the RIS of APD 182. At 1208, APD 182 modulates the radio signal to guide the reflection of the radio signal toward UE 112. In some embodiments, base station 120 may use APD 182 to perform beam scanning on the reflection of the reference signal with reflection identifier 506 toward UE 112 via a selected phase vector.

[0145] At locations 1210 and 1212, UEs 111 and 112 transmit information associated with the reflection of radio signals received by UEs 111 and 112. In some cases, UEs 111 and 112 decode or demodulate the reflection identifier 506 and / or obtain one or more signal quality parameters (e.g., RSRP) of the corresponding radio signals reflected by UEs 111 and 112. UEs 111 and 112 then send the corresponding indication of the reflection identifier 506 and / or one or more signal quality parameters back to base station 120, which enables base station 120 to determine angle information and / or estimate the distance between APD 181 and UE 111 and / or between APD 182 and UE 112.

[0146] At 1214, the base station analyzes the reflection information received from UEs 111 and 112. The base station can analyze the reflection information and corresponding APD information (e.g., APD location) to determine the angle information of the reflections of radio signals arriving at UEs 111 and / or UEs 112. Based on the analysis of reflection identifiers 506 (e.g., BS beam ID 502 and / or APD reflection beam ID 504) and / or signal quality parameters of the reflections arriving at UEs 111 and / or 112, the base station can determine which surface configurations (e.g., phase vectors) are associated with those reflections received by the UEs. Surface configurations can be calibrated or pre-determined to correspond to specific reflection angles, which the base station uses to determine the angle information of the reflections of radio signals received by UEs 111 and / or 112 from APDs 181 and 182.

[0147] Optionally, prior to implementing operation 1222, base station 120 may implement operation 905 of selecting a different APD 180 or reconfiguring APDs 182 and 183. For example, base station 120 may determine that another APD with better signal performance can be used in transmission and reflection operations. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 may select a different beam scanning pattern or refine (e.g., narrow) the currently selected beam scanning pattern of APDs 182 and 183 based on a revised estimate of the location of UE 110 (e.g., updated based on analysis of previously received reflection information at 1214).

[0148] At 1222, base station 120 transmits a radio signal (e.g., a reference signal) toward the RIS of APD 182. At 1224, APD 182 transforms the radio signal to guide the reflection of the radio signal toward UE 111. In some cases, base station 120 may use APD 182 to perform beam scanning on the reflection of a reference signal toward UE 111 with a reflection identifier 506 based on BS beam ID 502 and / or APD reflection beam ID 504 via a selected phase vector. At 1226, base station 120 transmits a radio signal (e.g., a reference signal) toward the RIS of APD 183. At 1228, APD 183 transforms the radio signal to guide the reflection of the radio signal toward UE 112. In some cases, base station 120 may use APD 183 to perform beam scanning on a reference signal with a reflection identifier 506 toward UE 112 via a selected phase vector.

[0149] At locations 1230 and 1232, UEs 111 and 112 transmit information associated with the reflection of radio signals received by UEs 111 and 112. In some cases, UEs 111 and 112 decode or demodulate the reflection identifier 506 and / or obtain one or more signal quality parameters (e.g., RSRP) of the reflection of the corresponding radio signals received at UEs 111 and 112. UEs 111 and 112 then send the corresponding indication of the reflection identifier 506 and / or one or more signal quality parameters back to base station 120, which enables base station 120 to determine angle information and / or estimate the distance between APD 182 and UE 111 and / or between APD 183 and UE 112.

[0150] At 1234, the base station analyzes the reflection information received from UEs 111 and 112. The base station can analyze the reflection information and the corresponding APD information to determine the angle information of the reflection of the radio signals arriving at UE 111 and / or UE 112, as described in reference operation 1214 or Figure 5. Typically, the base station uses the reflection information to determine the angle information of the reflection of the radio signals received by UE 111 and / or 112 from APDs 182 and 183.

[0151] Optionally, prior to implementing operation 1242, base station 120 may implement operation 905 to select a different APD 180 or reconfigure APDs 181 and 183. For example, base station 120 may select a different beam scanning pattern or refine (e.g., narrow) the currently selected beam scanning pattern of APDs 181 and 183 based on a revised estimate of the location of UE 110 (e.g., updated at 1234 based on analysis of previously received reflection information).

[0152] At 1242, base station 120 transmits a radio signal (e.g., a reference signal) toward the RIS of APD 183. At 1244, APD 183 modulates the radio signal to guide the reflection of the radio signal toward UE 111. In some cases, base station 120 may use APD 183 to perform beam scanning on the reflection of the reference signal with reflection identifier 506 toward UE 111 via a selected phase vector. At 1246, base station 120 transmits a radio signal (e.g., a reference signal) toward the RIS of APD 181. At 1248, APD 181 modulates the radio signal to guide the reflection of the radio signal toward UE 112. In some cases, base station 120 may use APD 181 to perform beam scanning on the reflection of the reference signal with reflection identifier 506 toward UE 112 via a selected phase vector.

[0153] At locations 1250 and 1252, UEs 111 and 112 transmit information associated with the reflection of radio signals received by UEs 111 and 112. In some cases, UEs 111 and 112 decode or demodulate the reflection identifier 506 and / or obtain one or more signal quality parameters (e.g., RSRP) of the corresponding radio signals reflected from the UEs 111 and 112. UEs 111 and 112 then send the corresponding indication of the reflection identifier 506 and / or one or more signal quality parameters back to base station 120, which enables base station 120 to determine angle information and / or estimate the distance between APD 183 and UE 111 and / or between APD 181 and UE 112.

[0154] At 1254, the base station combines the APD and the reflection information used for UEs 111 and 112. The base station can also analyze the reflection information transmitted by UEs 111 and 112 at 1250 and 1252, along with the corresponding APD information, to determine the angle information of the reflected radio signals arriving at UEs 111 and / or UE 112. At 1270, base station 120 determines the positions of UEs 111 and 112 based on the known position and angle information of APDs 181, 182, and 183. Optionally, base station 120 can also use non-APD-based position information (e.g., angle of arrival, timing advance value, or RSRP for base station-UE communication) to help calculate the position of UE 110. The angle information can indicate the relative angle and / or distance between APDs 181, 182, and 183 and UEs 111 and 112. Using angle information from multiple APDs 181, 182, and 183 and known locations, the base station performs triangulation and / or trilateration on the corresponding locations of UE 111 and UE 112.

[0155] Example method for determining the location of a UE using an APD

[0156] Based on one or more aspects of determining the location of user equipment using adaptive phase change devices. Figures 13 to 16Example methods 1300 to 1600 are described. The order of the method blocks is not intended to be construed as limiting, and any number of the described method blocks can be skipped or combined in any order to implement the method or an alternative method. Generally, any of the components, modules, methods, and operations described herein can be implemented using software, firmware, hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry), manual processing, or any combination thereof. Some operations of the example methods can be described in the general context of executable instructions stored on computer-readable storage memory local and / or remote on a computer processing system, and implementations may include software applications, programs, functions, etc. Alternatively or additionally, any functionality described herein may be performed at least in part by one or more hardware logic components such as, but not limited to, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), application-specific standard products (ASSPs), system-on-a-chip (SoCs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), etc.

[0157] Figure 13 The illustration depicts an example method 1300 for determining the location of a user equipment (UE) using an adaptive phase-change device, based on one or more aspects. In various embodiments, the operation of method 1300 is controlled by a base station, an APD, or a location function that enables the APD (such as a reference device). Figures 1 to 12B The method 1300 is performed or used by any of the base stations 120, APD 180, and / or APF 272 described herein. Sometimes, aspects of method 1300 are combined with aspects of method 1400, method 1500, and / or method 1600.

[0158] At box 1305, the base station transmits radio signals for the User Equipment (UE) toward the reconfigurable Smart Surface (RIS) of the Adaptive Phase Change Device (APD). The radio signals may include reference signals modulated or encoded by the base station using one or more identifiers (e.g., BS beam ID 502). For example, in Figure 7 In this context, base station 120 transmits a radio signal (e.g., reference signal 731) toward APD 181. In some aspects, the base station implements, as in reference... Figure 9 The operation described is used to transmit wireless signals for a user equipment. From block 1305, method 1300 can proceed to block 1310 to optionally receive reflected signal quality parameters received by the UE at block 1315. Alternatively, method 1300 can proceed directly from block 1305 to block 1320.

[0159] Optionally, at block 1315, in response to transmitting a radio signal, the base station receives from the UE a signal quality parameter (e.g., RSRP) of the reflected radio signal received by the UE. In some cases, the signal quality parameter is received from the UE via a low-frequency band anchored connection. The signal quality parameter used for the reflection may include one of the following: Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) level, Signal-to-Interference-Ratio (SINR), or Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) determined by the UE based on the reception of the reflected radio signal. In some aspects, when the base station and / or the UE implements a reference signal received power parameter (RSRP), the base station receives the signal quality parameter (RSRP) of the reflected radio signal received by the UE. Figure 9 During the operation described, the base station receives the quality parameters of the reflected signal.

[0160] At block 1320, in response to transmitting a radio signal, the base station receives from the UE an identifier of the reflected radio signal (e.g., reflection identifier 506) of the radio signal received by the UE. In some cases, the identifier is received from the UE via a low-frequency band anchored connection. The identifier of the reflected radio signal may include the BS beam ID and / or APD beam ID, as referenced... Figures 5A to 6B As described in any of the above. For example, base station 120 receives a reflection identifier from UE 110 via anchoring connection 540, corresponding to the BS beam ID for reflection 532 to reach UE 110. In some aspects, when the base station and / or UE implement as described in reference... Figure 9 During the operation, the base station receives the reflected identifier.

[0161] In each aspect, the base station iteratively transmits radio signals toward the corresponding RIS of different APDs and iteratively receives identifiers and / or signal quality parameters of the reflected radio signals received by the UE. Therefore, method 1300 can proceed at 1325 and return to block 1305 to perform another iteration of transmitting radio signals and obtaining identifiers of the reflected signals and signal quality feedback to the UE.

[0162] For example, in the context of iteration frames 1305, 1315, and 1320, base station 120 transmits a first radio signal toward the RIS of first APD 181 and receives a first reflected identifier 506 and RSRP, such as a reference Figure 9 As described in 910 and 920. Then, base station 120 transmits a second wireless signal toward the RIS of the second APD182 and receives the second reflected second identifier 506 and RSRP, as referenced. Figure 9 As described in 925 and 935. Next, in some cases, base station 120 also transmits a third radio signal toward the RIS of the third APD183 and receives the third reflected third identifier 506 and RSRP, as referenced. Figure 9As described in 940 and 950, etc. While method 1300 illustrates a sequential process from blocks 1305, 1315, and 1320 to 1325 performing another iteration or to 1330 determining angle information, the base station sometimes implements the operations of blocks 1305, 1315, 1320, and 1335 to allow multiple APDs to occur concurrently and / or simultaneously. For example, the base station can concurrently determine the angle information of one APD while its transmitter transmits a radio signal to the RIS of the next APD in the iterative operation sequence. Therefore, base station 120 can use the UE's angle information or revised location to update or change the transmissions scheduled for other APDs, such as by selecting an appropriate beam scanning pattern or reducing the spatial area covered by the beam scanning pattern.

[0163] In some aspects, the method may optionally advance from block 1320 to block 1335 at 1330, wherein the base station determines the corresponding angle information of at least two APDs. The base station or APF 272 may also combine the corresponding angle information of at least two APDs with optionally non-APD-based location information (e.g., GNSS information of UE 110). For example, base station 120 determines the angle information by analyzing the corresponding reflection information associated with at least two APDs, such as reference... Figure 9 As described in 955. At block 1350, the base station determines the location of the UE based on the corresponding angle information of at least two APDs and a known location. For example, base station 120 determines the location of UE 110 based on the corresponding angle information of three APDs and a known location, the three APDs including those mentioned in reference 955. Figure 9 The APDs 181, 182, and 183 described in 960.

[0164] Figure 14 An example method 1400 is illustrated for selecting and configuring a subset of adaptive phase-change devices for use in determining the location of a user equipment, based on one or more aspects. In various embodiments, the operation of method 1400 is controlled by a base station, an APD, or a location function that enables the APD (such as in…). Figures 1 to 12B The method 1400 may be performed or used by any of the aforementioned base stations 120, APD 180, and / or APF 272. Sometimes, aspects of method 1400 may be operated in combination with aspects of method 1300, method 1500, and / or method 1600.

[0165] At box 1405, the base station estimates the location of the UE based on its radio connection with the UE. For example, base station 120 estimates the location of UE 110 based on communication via its radio connection with the UE, as referenced. Figure 10As described in 1015 and 1020. Optionally, UE110 may report the initial position of the UE to the base station based on the UE's GNSS sensors. In some aspects, base station 120 receives at least one link quality parameter, position reference signal, or time reference signal from the UE via a wireless connection, and uses as described in Figure 10 At least one link quality parameter, location reference signal, or time reference signal described at 1025 is used to generate the estimated or initial location of the UE. Alternatively or additionally, the base station 120 receives the estimated location of the UE 110 via low-frequency band communication from the UE 110, such as a reference signal. Figure 10 As stated in 1010.

[0166] At box 1410, the base station selects a set of candidate APDs based on the estimated location of the UE. In some cases, base station 120 obtains location and / or orientation information from APD 180 via an APD control channel, which may include an APD slow control channel or an APD fast control channel. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 may, for example, obtain location and / or orientation information via contact with... Figure 1 The core network 150 servers query the server for location information and / or the ability of APDs to approach UE 110. For example, base station 120 selects a set of at least two candidate APDs (e.g., APD 181, APD 182, APD 183, and other nearby APDs) based on the estimated location of UE 110, as referenced. Figure 10 As described in 1030. In some aspects, base station 120 queries a storehouse of historical data indicating combinations of nearby APDs based on the estimated location of the UE.

[0167] At box 1415, the base station transmits a corresponding signal toward the surface of each APD in the set of candidate APDs. For example, base station 120 transmits a corresponding signal toward the surface of each APD in the set of candidate APDs 181, 182, and 183, as well as other nearby candidate APDs, as shown in reference. Figure 10 As described in 1035. In some cases, base station 120 transmits a corresponding signal toward the surface of a first APD (e.g., APD 181) in the candidate APD set, and directs at least some other APDs in the candidate APD set that are different from the first APD (e.g., APD 182, APD 183) to switch to a disabled state. By doing so, base station 120 can ensure that reflection information is obtained for the active APD rather than other nearby disabled APDs.

[0168] At block 1420, the base station receives one or more identifiers for the reflection of at least some of the corresponding signals emitted toward the surface of each APD. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 receives one or more signal quality parameters with the reflection identifiers from the UE. For example, base station 120 receives one or more reflection identifiers 506 and RSRP values ​​for reflection from UE 110 via a wireless connection, as referenced. Figure 10 As described in 1060. Typically, one or more identifiers and / or signal quality parameters correspond to the reflection of at least some of the respective signals emitted toward the surface of each APD.

[0169] At box 1425, the base station selects a subset of at least two APDs from a set of multiple candidate APDs based on one or more signal identifiers analyzed from the radio signal reflections arriving at the UE. In addition to analyzing one or more signal identifiers, the base station may also analyze or compare corresponding signal quality parameters (e.g., RSRP) used for reflection. In some cases, the base station analyzes the RSRP level and determines that the RSRP level meets a predetermined threshold. In response to determining that the RSRP level meets the threshold, base station 120 determines to include a specific APD in the subset. Alternatively, if the RSRP level does not meet the threshold, the base station may exclude an APD from the subset or reconfigure the APD (e.g., RIS configuration) and transmit another radio signal to determine whether the performance of the reconfigured APD is sufficiently improved for use in location determination operations. A reflection with a higher RSRP may indicate that the associated APD is closer to the UE, has a clear signal path to the UE, or is better able to reach the UE with the reflected radio signal. For example, base station 120 analyzes the corresponding reflection identifiers and RSRP values ​​provided by UE 110 for reflections from candidate APDs. Based on the RSRP level and reflection identifier of the reflected signal reaching the UE, the base station 120 selects a subset of at least two APDs (e.g., APD 181, APD 182) from the set of candidate APDs that transmit radio signals to it.

[0170] At box 1430, the base station is configured to use a selected subset of at least two APDs for determining the location of one or more user equipments. For example, base station 120 may determine a corresponding RIS configuration for each APD in the selected subset of APDs and instruct each APD to apply the corresponding RIS configuration to the corresponding RIS, as described with reference to Figures 4 and 7. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 may select a beam scanning pattern for one or more of the selected APDs and transmit an indication of the selected pattern (e.g., a beam scanning index) to the selected APDs, such as a reference... Figure 6A and 6B or Figure 8A and 8B As stated above.

[0171] Figure 15 The illustration depicts an example method 1500 for beam scanning using the reflection of wireless signals via an adaptive phase-change device, according to one or more aspects. In various embodiments, the operation of method 1500 is controlled by a base station, an APD, or a location function that enables the APD (such as as shown in the reference). Figures 1 to 12B Any of the aforementioned base stations 120, APD 180, and / or APF 272) may be used to perform or execute the method. Sometimes, aspects of method 1500 may be combined with aspects of method 1300, method 1400, and / or method 1600.

[0172] At box 1505, the base station selects a beam scanning pattern for the APD. In some cases, the beam scanning pattern is selected based on the estimated location of the UE or using a revised estimate of the UE's location. The selected beam scanning pattern can be configured to achieve beam scanning of radio signal reflections in the horizontal or vertical direction. For example, base station 120 selects a beam scanning pattern for APD 180, as referenced... Figure 11 As stated in 1110.

[0173] At box 1510, the base station transmits an indication of the beam scan pattern to the APD. Prior to transmitting the indication, the base station may transmit one or more surface configurations and / or beam scan codebooks to the APD for use in beam scanning operation. In some cases, the base station transmits a beam scan index, through which the APD accesses the beam scan codebook to determine a sequence of phase vectors used to guide or direct the reflection of a radio signal. For example, base station 120 transmits an indication of the selected beam scan pattern (e.g., a beam scan index) to APD 180, as referenced. Figure 11 As stated in 1115.

[0174] At box 1515, the base station instructs the APD to initiate a beam scan pattern. In some cases, the base station instructs the APD to initiate a beam scan at a predefined time, during a selected time slot, or based on the synchronization field of the incident radio signal. For example, base station 120 instructs APD 180 to initiate a beam scan pattern, as shown in the reference... Figure 11 As stated in 1125.

[0175] At box 1520, the base station transmits a radio signal for the UE toward the RIS of the APD. The base station may transmit one or more reference signals toward the RIS of the APD. In some cases, the base station uses a beam ID (e.g., BS beam ID 502) or base station-specific identification information to modulate or encode the reference signal. In this case, the transmission of the radio signal can be synchronized by the APD's implementation of a beam scanning pattern to guide identifiable reflections according to the beam scanning pattern. For example, base station 120 transmits a radio signal modulated using a BS beam ID sequence toward the RIS of APD 180, such as a reference signal. Figure 11 As stated in 1135.

[0176] At box 1525, the base station receives from the user equipment (UE) a corresponding identifier and signal quality parameters of the reflection of a radio signal received by the UE. The base station may receive the corresponding reflection identifier and signal quality parameters via a low-frequency band anchoring connection with the UE. For example, base station 120 receives from UE 110 a corresponding reflection identifier and / or signal quality parameters for beam scan reflections arriving at the UE, as referenced. Figure 11 As stated in 1145.

[0177] In some aspects, method 1500 iteratively performs beam scanning operations by reselecting the beam scanning pattern for the same APD or different APDs. For example, block 1525 may optionally advance to block 1505 at 1530 to select a second beam scanning pattern, indicate the second beam scanning pattern to the APD at 1510, instruct the APD to initiate the second beam scanning pattern at 1515, transmit a signal toward the RIS at 1520, and receive the corresponding reflection identifier and / or signal quality parameters at 1525.

[0178] In other aspects, box 1525 advances from 1535 to box 1540, where the base station analyzes the corresponding reflection identifier 506 and signal quality parameters of the beam scan reflection to determine the angle information of the APD associated with the UE. For example, base station 120 analyzes the corresponding identifier and signal quality parameters of the wireless signal reflection to determine the angle information, as referenced... Figure 11 As described in 1150. At block 1545, the base station determines the location of the user equipment (UE) based on angle information, angle information of other APDs, known APD locations, and optionally, non-APD-based location information of the UE. For example, base station 120 determines the location of UE 110 based on angle information for APD 180 (e.g., APDs 181, 182), utilizing mmWave signaling directed by UE 110, known APD locations, such as those mentioned in reference... Figure 11 As stated in 1155.

[0179] Figure 16An example method 1600 is illustrated for concurrently determining the corresponding locations of multiple user equipments using an adaptive phase-change device, based on one or more aspects. In various implementations, the operation of method 1600 can be performed via a base station, an APD, or a location function enabled by the APD (such as referenced in [reference]). Figures 1 to 12B The method 1600 may be performed or used by any of the described base stations 120, APD 180, and / or APF 272. Sometimes, aspects of method 1600 may be combined with aspects of method 1300, method 1500, and / or method 1600.

[0180] Method 1600 is generally described in the context of determining the respective locations of two UEs 110 using a set of at least two APDs 180 associated with base station 120. Alternatively or additionally, base station 120 may determine non-APD-based location information of the UEs by engaging in direct high-frequency or low-frequency communication with them. The operation of method 1600 can be extended to any suitable number of UEs 110 by the availability and use of a minimum number of APDs 180 that enable concurrent transmission of corresponding radio signals to at least two UEs 110 via a subset of APDs. Thus, the location determination operation of method 1600 can be implemented by base station 120 having two APDs 180 to concurrently locate two UEs 110.

[0181] At box 1605, the base station selects a set of at least two APDs for use in concurrently determining the locations of the first UE and the second UE. In some cases, the base station selects a set of three APDs for use in determining the locations of the first UE and the second UE. For example, base station 120 selects a set of three APDs 180 (such as APD 181, APD 182, and APD 183) for use in concurrently determining the locations of the first UE 111 and the second UE 112. In other cases, it is available for the base station to select a set of at least two APDs 180 having direct LoS communication with UEs 111 and 112. In some aspects, by implementing reference... Figure 9 or Figure 14 Method 1400 describes the operations for selecting and / or configuring a set of APDs 180.

[0182] At box 1610, the base station selects a subset of two APDs from the set of APDs as receivers of the radio signal. Two APDs are selected for use in reflecting or directing the corresponding radio signal to the first UE and the second UE, respectively. A subset of APDs can be selected so that angle information is obtained when the base station lacks angle information for that APD associated with one of the UEs. For example, base station 120 selects APDs 181 and 182 to receive radio signals reflected toward UEs 111 and UE 112, such as reference signals. Figure 8A and 8B As described above. Additionally, the base station can implement a reference... Figure 9 and 10 The described operation is used to configure a subset of two APDs to reflect or beam scan wireless signals.

[0183] At block 1615, the base station transmits a radio signal for a first UE toward the corresponding RIS of one APD in a subset of the two APDs. Similarly, at block 1620, the base station transmits a radio signal for a second UE toward the corresponding RIS of the other APD in a subset of the two APDs. For example, base station 120 transmits a first radio signal (e.g., reference signal 831) toward the RIS of APD 181 and a second radio signal (e.g., reference signal 835) toward the RIS of APD 182. In some aspects, by implementing a reference... Figure 8A , 8B The operations described in 12A and / or 12B (e.g., 1202 and 1206) are used to transmit wireless signals.

[0184] At block 1625, the base station receives from the first UE an identifier of the reflected radio signal received by the first UE. Similarly, at block 1630, the base station receives from the second UE an identifier of the reflected radio signal received by the first UE. Additionally, the base station may receive signal quality parameters of the reflected radio signals received by the first UE and / or the second UE. For example, base station 120 receives a reflection identifier 506 (e.g., BS beam ID 502 and / or APD reflection beam ID 504) and an RSRP value for the reflected radio signal received by the first UE 111 from the first UE 111. Base station 120 also receives a reflection identifier 506 and an RSRP value for the reflected radio signal received by the second UE 112 from the second UE 112. For example, base station 120 may receive the identifier of the reflected radio signal received by the first UE 111 from the first UE 111, as shown in... Figure 12A and 12B As described at 1210, 1230 and 1250, and an identifier of the reflected wireless signal received by the second UE can be received from the second UE 112, as in Figure 12A and Figure 12B As described at positions 1212, 1232 and 1252.

[0185] At box 1635, the base station analyzes the corresponding identifiers and signal quality parameters of the reflections received by the first UE and the second UE to determine the corresponding angle information of a subset of the two APDs. Alternatively, the base station can determine the angle information or estimate the distance information of a subset of the two APDs based on the reflected signal quality parameters (e.g., RSRP). For example, base station 120 determines first angle information for APD 181 and the first UE 111, and determines second angle information for APD 182 and the second UE 112. In some aspects, by implementing as referenced... Figure 12B The described operation (e.g., 1260) determines the corresponding angle information.

[0186] From box 1635, method 1600 may advance at 1640 to return to box 1610 to select a different subset of the APDs used to perform the operation of determining the positions of the first and second UEs. Alternatively, method 1600 may advance to box 1645 to combine multiple reflected angle information and signal quality parameters received by each UE. For example, the base station determines whether to analyze a different subset of the APDs by analyzing a subset of the previously selected APDs and UEs and / or the angle information obtained from the previously selected subset. If the base station requires additional angle information from other combinations of the APDs and UEs, method 1600 advances at 1640 to select another subset of the APDs for which angle information is to be obtained. In response to determining a different subset of the APDs and UEs to be analyzed, the method advances at 1640, returns to box 1610, and performs another iteration from boxes 1610 to 1635 to determine the corresponding angle information for different combinations of the APDs and UEs.

[0187] In response to determining that sufficient angle information has been obtained and / or sufficient combinations of APDs and UEs have been analyzed together to calculate the location of the first UE and / or the second UE, method 1600 proceeds from block 1635 to block 1645. At block 1645, the base station combines angle information and signal quality parameters from multiple reflections received by each UE. In some cases, the base station combines this APD-based angle and distance information with non-APD-based location information for one of the UEs 110. For example, for the first UE 111, base station 120 may combine a first set of angle information including angle information for each of APDs 181 and 182 with angle and distance information obtained through direct LoS communication via high-frequency band signals (e.g., mmWave signaling) or low-frequency band signals (e.g., sub-6 GHz signaling). As another example, for the second UE 112, base station 120 may combine a second set of angle information including angle information for each of APDs 181, 182, and 183 based on reflections received by the second UE 112.

[0188] At box 1650, the base station determines the positions of the first and second UEs based on the corresponding angle information of at least two APDs and their known positions. For example, base station 120 determines the positions of the first UE 111 and the second UE 112 based on the corresponding angle information of APDs 181, 182, and 183 and their known positions, such as by reference. Figure 12B As described above. In some aspects, by implementing a reference... Figure 12B The described operations (e.g., 1254, 1270) determine the positions of the first and second UEs.

[0189] Although aspects of determining the location of a user equipment using an adaptive phase-change device have been described in feature- and / or method-specific language, the subject matter of the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, specific features and methods are disclosed as exemplary embodiments using multiple APDs to determine the location of a user equipment, and other equivalent features and methods are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the appended claims include a list of features that can be selected “in any combination thereof,” which includes combining any number and any combination of the listed features. Furthermore, various different aspects have been described, and it should be understood that each described aspect can be implemented independently or in combination with one or more other described aspects.

[0190] The following text describes several examples of using an APD to determine the location of a UE.

[0191] Example 1. A method performed by a base station for determining the location of a user equipment (UE) using an adaptive phase-change device (APD), the method comprising: transmitting a first radio signal for the UE toward a first reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) having a first location of a first APD; receiving, via a wireless connection, a first identifier of a first reflection of the first radio signal received by the UE from the UE; transmitting a second radio signal for the UE toward a second RIS having a second location of a second APD; receiving, via a wireless connection, a second identifier of a second reflection of the second radio signal received by the UE from the UE; determining, based on the first identifier, a first reflection angle of the first reflection of the first radio signal leaving the first APD; determining, based on the second identifier, a second reflection angle of the second reflection of the second radio signal leaving the second APD; and determining, based on the first reflection angle, the second reflection angle, the first location of the first APD, and the second location of the second APD, the location of the UE.

[0192] Example 2. The method according to Example 1 further includes receiving signal quality parameters from the UE via a wireless connection for at least one of: a first reflection of a first wireless signal; or a second reflection of a second wireless signal.

[0193] Example 3. The method according to Example 2, wherein the signal quality parameters include an indication of one of the following: the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) of the first reflection and / or the second reflection; the Signal-to-Interference-Ratio (SINR) of the first reflection and / or the second reflection; or the Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) of the first reflection and / or the second reflection.

[0194] Example 4. The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein: the first position of the first APD includes the first orientation of the first APD, and / or the second position of the second APD includes the second orientation of the second APD; and determining the position of the UE further includes querying the first APD for first orientation information and / or querying the second APD for second orientation information.

[0195] Example 5. A method performed by a base station for determining the location of a user equipment (UE) using an adaptive phase-change device (APD), the method comprising: transmitting a first radio signal for the UE toward a first reconfigurable smart surface (RIS) having a first location; receiving, via a wireless connection, a first identifier of a first reflection of the first radio signal received by the UE from the UE; transmitting a second radio signal for the UE toward a second RIS having a second location; receiving, via a wireless connection, a second identifier of a second reflection of the second radio signal received by the UE from the UE; determining, based on the first identifier, a first reflection angle of the first reflection of the first radio signal leaving the first APD; determining, based on the second identifier, a second reflection angle of the second reflection of the second radio signal leaving the second APD; directly communicating a third radio signal with the UE; determining, based on the third radio signal, non-APD-based location information for the UE; and determining the location of the UE based on the first reflection angle, the second reflection angle, the first location of the first APD, the second location of the second APD, and the non-APD-based location information for the UE.

[0196] Example 6. The method of claim 5 further comprises determining at least one of the following as at least a portion of non-APD-based location information: angle information for the UE based on the angle between the base station and the UE, relating to the angle between the base station and the UE, based on the third radio signal; distance information for the UE based on the distance between the base station and the UE, relating to the distance between the base station and the UE, based on the third radio signal; or approximate location of the UE based on the third radio signal.

[0197] Example 7. The method according to Example 6, wherein: the approximate position of the UE includes an estimated position of the UE based on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals received by the UE, and the method further includes: receiving from the UE via a third radio signal an indication of the estimated position of the UE determined by the UE based on the GNSS signals.

[0198] Example 8. The method according to Example 6, wherein the angle information for the UE includes at least one of the following: an angle of arrival measurement of an uplink signal or a probe reference signal transmitted by the UE as a third radio signal; or an angle of departure measurement of a downlink signal or a position reference signal transmitted by the base station as a third radio signal.

[0199] Example 9. The method according to Example 6, wherein the distance information for the UE includes at least one of the following: a time difference of arrival measurement of a downlink signal or location reference signal transmitted by the base station as a third radio signal; a time difference of arrival measurement of an uplink signal or probe reference signal transmitted by the UE as a third radio signal; a timing advance associated with a downlink transmitted by the base station as a third radio signal to the UE; a round-trip time measurement of non-APD-based communication between the base station and the UE including the third radio signal; a signal quality parameter measurement associated with a downlink signal or location reference signal transmitted by the base station as a third radio signal; or a signal quality parameter measurement associated with an uplink signal or probe reference signal transmitted by the UE as a third radio signal.

[0200] Example 10. A method performed by a base station for selecting an adaptive phase-change device (APD) for use in user equipment location calculation (UE location calculation), the method comprising: estimating the location of a user equipment (UE); selecting a set of multiple candidate APDs based on the estimated location of the UE; transmitting a corresponding signal from the base station toward a surface of each APD in the set of multiple candidate APDs; receiving, via a wireless connection, one or more identifiers of reflections of at least some of the corresponding signals transmitted toward the surface of each APD; and selecting a subset of at least two APDs from the set of multiple candidate APDs as APDs for use in UE location calculation based on analysis of the one or more identifiers of the reflections.

[0201] Example 11. The method according to Example 10 further includes: receiving one or more signal quality parameters from the UE based on transmission; and wherein selecting a subset of at least two APDs from a set of multiple candidate APDs further includes: selecting a subset of at least two APDs based on analysis of one or more signal quality parameters.

[0202] Example 12. The method according to Example 11, wherein receiving one or more signal quality parameters further includes: receiving a reference signal received power (RSRP) level for a specific APD in a set of candidate APDs, and wherein selecting a subset of the set of candidate APDs includes: determining that the RSRP level exceeds a threshold; and in response to determining that the RSRP level exceeds the threshold, determining that a specific APD is included in the subset.

[0203] Example 13. The method according to Example 12, wherein receiving the RSRP level further includes: using low-frequency band communication to receive the RSRP level.

[0204] Example 14. The method according to any one of Examples 10 to 13, wherein estimating the location of the UE comprises: estimating the distance between base stations based on at least one of a location reference signal initiated by a base station or a probe reference signal initiated by the UE; and / or estimating the angle from the base station to the UE based on at least one of a location reference signal initiated by a base station or a probe reference signal initiated by the UE.

[0205] Example 15. The method according to any one of Examples 10 to 14, wherein estimating the location of the UE comprises: receiving the estimated location of the UE from the UE in low-frequency band communication based on the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals received by the UE.

[0206] Example 16. The method according to any one of Examples 10 to 15, wherein selecting a set of multiple candidate APDs based on the estimated location of the UE includes: using the estimated location of the UE to query historical data indicating a combination of APDs based on that location.

[0207] Example 17. The method according to any one of Examples 10 to 16 further includes: determining a corresponding reconfigurable smart surface RIS configuration for each APD in a subset of at least two APDs; and instructing each APD in the subset of at least two APDs to apply the corresponding RIS configuration to the corresponding RIS.

[0208] Example 18. The method according to any one of Examples 10 to 17, wherein transmitting a corresponding signal toward the surface of each APD in the set of a plurality of candidate APDs further comprises: transmitting a first wireless signal toward a first APD in the set of a plurality of candidate APDs; and directing at least one other APD in the set of a plurality of candidate APDs, different from the first APD, to switch to a disabled state.

[0209] Example 19. The method according to any one of Examples 10 to 18 further includes performing the method of any one of Examples 1 to 9 using two APDs from a subset of at least two APDs as a first APD and a second APD.

[0210] Example 20. A base station apparatus comprising: at least one wireless transceiver; a processor; and a computer-readable storage medium including instructions that, in response to execution by the processor, are used to instruct the base station apparatus to use the at least one wireless transceiver to perform any one of the methods described in Examples 1 to 19.

[0211] Example 21. A computer-readable storage medium including instructions that, in response to execution by a processor, cause the method according to any one of Examples 1 to 19 to be performed.

Claims

1. A method performed by a base station for determining a location of a user equipment (UE) by using a plurality of adaptive phase-changing devices (APDs), the method comprising: transmitting, toward a first reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) of a first APD located at a first location among the plurality of APDs, a first wireless signal; receiving, from the UE via a wireless connection, a first identifier associated with a first reflection of the first wireless signal received by the UE from the first APD; transmitting, toward a second RIS of a second APD located at a second location among the plurality of APDs, a second wireless signal; receiving, from the UE via the wireless connection, a second identifier associated with a second reflection of the second wireless signal received by the UE from the second APD; determining, based on the first identifier, a first reflection angle of the first reflection off the first RIS of the first APD for the first wireless signal; determining, based on the second identifier, a second reflection angle of the second reflection off the second RIS of the second APD for the second wireless signal; and determining a location of the UE based on the first reflection angle of the first reflection, the second reflection angle of the second reflection, the first location of the first APD, and the second location of the second APD.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of: using the first identifier to identify the first APD as a source of the first reflection of the first wireless signal, and determining, based on the first identifier, a first phase vector implemented by the first RIS of the first APD to direct the first reflection toward the UE; and using the second identifier to identify the second APD as a source of the second reflection of the second wireless signal, and determining, based on the second identifier, a second phase vector implemented by the second RIS of the second APD to direct the second reflection toward the UE.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising at least one of: if the first identifier is used to identify the first APD as the source of the first reflection, determining the first reflection angle of the first reflection off the first RIS of the first APD based on the first phase vector implemented by the first RIS; and if the second identifier is used to identify the second APD as the source of the second reflection, determining the second reflection angle of the second reflection off the second RIS of the second APD based on the second phase vector implemented by the second RIS.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, transmitting the first wireless signal comprises: modulating, by the base station, a beam identifier corresponding to at least a portion of the first identifier of the first reflection of the first wireless signal onto the first wireless signal; and / or modulating, by the base station, a beam identifier corresponding to at least a portion of the second identifier of the second reflection of the second wireless signal onto the second wireless signal. directing the first APD to modulate a reflected beam identifier corresponding to at least the portion of the first identifier of the first reflection of the first wireless signal onto the first reflection.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising implementing a beam sweep of a reflection of the first wireless signal by: selecting a first beam sweep pattern for the first APD; sending an indication of the first beam sweep pattern to the first APD; directing the first APD to initiate configuration of the first RIS at a predefined time according to the first beam sweep pattern; and transmitting the first wireless signal via the first APD based on the predefined time, the reflection of the first wireless signal including at least the first reflection of the first wireless signal.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein: the first beam sweep pattern comprises a sequence of phase vectors for configuring the first RIS during a beam sweep procedure to implement the beam sweep of the reflection of the first wireless signal, and the method further comprises: modulating, by the base station, a sequence of reflected beam identifiers onto respective portions of the first wireless signal; and at least a portion of the first identifier of the first reflection corresponds to at least a portion of the sequence of reflected beam identifiers.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: configuring the sequence of phase vectors of the first beam sweep pattern to implement a sweep of reflections of the first wireless signal in a horizontal direction; and / or configuring the sequence of phase vectors of the first beam sweep pattern to implement a sweep of reflections of the first wireless signal in a vertical direction.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein: the determination of the first reflection angle off the first RIS of the first APD occurs prior to transmission of the second wireless signal, and the method further comprises: updating an estimated position of the UE based on the first reflection angle and the first position of the first APD to provide an updated estimated position of the UE; and at least one of: selecting a second beam sweep pattern for the second APD based on the updated estimated position of the UE; and reducing a number of phase vectors of the second beam sweep pattern for the second APD based on the updated estimated position of the UE to effectively narrow the second beam sweep pattern.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein: determining the position of the UE further comprises: receiving non-APD-based position information from the UE; and / or transmitting at least a third wireless signal directly with the UE by the base station without using any of the plurality of APDs.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: receiving the third wireless signal as an uplink signal or a sounding reference signal from the UE, and the non-APD-based position information comprises an angle of arrival measurement; and / or ​ ​ ​ transmitting the third wireless signal to the UE as a downlink signal or a position reference signal, and the non-APD-based position information comprises an angle of departure measurement.

11. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: the UE is a first UE; the first wireless signal or the second wireless signal for the first UE is transmitted towards one of the first RIS and the second RIS during a predefined time slot, and the method further comprises: transmitting another wireless signal for a second UE towards the other of the first RIS and the second RIS during the predefined time slot to concurrently determine respective positions of at least the first UE and the second UE.

12. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: the wireless connection between the base station and the UE is a first wireless connection implemented in a first frequency band below 6 GHz, and the method further comprises: transmitting the first wireless signal and / or the second wireless signal directed to the UE as part of a second wireless connection implemented in a second frequency band at or above 6 GHz.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising using carrier aggregation to communicate with the UE via the first wireless connection implemented in the first frequency band and the second wireless connection implemented in the second frequency band.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: receiving from the UE in the first frequency band an indication of a signal quality parameter for the first reflection of the first wireless signal or the second reflection of the second wireless signal; estimating a first distance from the first APD to the UE or a second distance from the second APD to the UE based on the signal quality parameter for the first reflection or the second reflection, respectively, and wherein the determination of the position of the UE is further based on the first distance or the second distance.

15. A base station, comprising: a wireless transceiver; a processor; and a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, direct the base station to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 14. ​

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