Design of positioning reference signal for low power tracking

Abstract

Embodiments of this disclosure relate to devices, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for PRS design in low-power tracking. The method includes receiving an indication from a second device that a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) will be used in the positioning process of a first device, unless another indication is received; and transmitting the SRS to a third and a fourth device, the third device being responsible for measuring the positioning of the first device during the positioning process. In this manner, one SRS can be applied to multiple cells, avoiding handover or SRS resource reconfiguration even during UE handover. This can reduce UE power consumption and positioning latency. Simultaneously, it can also reduce the signaling overhead for establishing RRC connections.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunications, and in particular, to devices, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for positioning reference signal (PRS) design for low power tracking. Background Art

[0002] Local positioning is already supported in New Radio (NR). Some solutions are specified for NR positioning in Release 16. For example, these solutions may include Downlink Time Difference of Arrival (DL-TDOA), Uplink Time Difference of Arrival (UL-TDOA), Downlink Angle of Departure (DL-AoD), Uplink Angle of Arrival (UL-AoA), and Multi-Cell Round Trip Time (Multi-RTT). These solutions are intended to implement both Radio Access Technology (RAT)-dependent and RAT-independent NR positioning techniques.

[0003] In Release 17, there will be further work on NR positioning, mainly focusing on the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). A key goal of the research for NR positioning in Release 17 is to support high accuracy (horizontal and vertical), low latency, network efficiency (scalability, RS overhead, etc.) and device efficiency (power consumption, complexity, etc.) requirements for commercial use cases. Summary of the invention

[0004] Generally speaking, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide solutions for PRS design for low power tracking.

[0005] In a first aspect, a first device is provided. The first device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the first device to at least receive an indication from a second device that an SRS is to be used for a positioning process of the first device unless another indication is received; and send the SRS to a third device and a fourth device, the third device being responsible for measuring the position of the first device in the positioning process.

[0006] In a second aspect, a second device is provided. The second device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device to generate an indication that the SRS is to be used for a positioning process of the first device based at least on a determination of a low power consumption requirement at the first device, unless another indication is received; and send the indication to the first device.

[0007] In a third aspect, a fourth device is provided. The fourth device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the fourth device to at least determine resources for sending the SRS in response to receiving the SRS from the first device; and mute the resources for sending the SRS.

[0008] In a fourth aspect, a method is provided. The method includes receiving an indication from a second device that an SRS is to be used for a positioning process of a first device unless another indication is received; and sending the SRS to a third device and a fourth device, the third device being responsible for measuring the position of the first device during the positioning process.

[0009] In a fifth aspect, a method is provided. The method comprises generating an indication that SRS is to be used for a positioning process of the first device, unless another indication is received, based on a determination of a low power consumption requirement at the first device; and sending the indication to the first device.

[0010] In a sixth aspect, a method is provided. The method includes, in response to receiving an SRS from a first device, determining resources for sending the SRS; and muting the resources for sending the SRS.

[0011] In a seventh aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising a component for receiving an indication from a second device that SRS is to be used for a positioning process of a first device unless another indication is received; and a component for sending SRS to a third device and a fourth device, the third device being responsible for measuring the position of the first device during the positioning process.

[0012] In an eighth aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising means for generating an indication that SRS is to be used for a positioning process of a first device based on a determination of a low power consumption requirement at the first device unless a further indication is received; and means for sending the indication to the first device.

[0013] In a ninth aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising means for determining resources for transmitting an SRS in response to receiving the SRS from a first device; and means for muting the resources for transmitting the SRS.

[0014] In a tenth aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by at least one processor of a device, causes the device to perform the method according to the fourth aspect.

[0015] In an eleventh aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by at least one processor of a device, causes the device to perform the method according to the fifth aspect.

[0016] In a twelfth aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by at least one processor of a device, causes the device to perform the method according to the sixth aspect.

[0017] Other features and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will also be apparent from the following description of specific embodiments read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The embodiments of the present disclosure are presented in an exemplary sense and their advantages are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0019] Figure 1 illustrates an example environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0020] Figure 2 shows a signaling diagram illustrating a PRS design process for low power tracking according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating an example method of PRS design for low power tracking according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating an example method of PRS design for low power tracking according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating an example method of PRS design for low power tracking according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 6 shows a simplified block diagram of a device suitable for implementing an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0025] Figure 7 A block diagram of an example computer-readable medium is shown in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described only for illustrative purposes and to help those skilled in the art understand and implement the present disclosure, rather than to impose any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various ways except for the way described below.

[0028] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0029] References in this disclosure to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc. indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with an example embodiment, it is considered to be within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

[0030] It should be understood that although the terms "first" and "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the functions of the various elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0031] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms "include", "comprises", "has", "has" and / or "contains" when used herein specify the features, elements and / or components, etc. described, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0032] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0033] (a) pure hardware circuit implementation (such as implementation in analog and / or digital circuitry only) and

[0034] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software such as (where applicable):

[0035] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and

[0036] (ii) any portion of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s), software and memory(s) that work together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions, and

[0037] (c) Hardware circuits and / or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or portions of microprocessor(s), that require software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when the software is not required for operation.

[0038] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of only a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, if applicable to a particular claim element, the term circuitry also covers a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0039] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that complies with any suitable communication standard, such as a fifth generation (5G) system, long term evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), high speed packet access (HSPA), narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), etc. In addition, the communication between the terminal device and the network device in the communication network can be performed according to any suitable generation of communication protocols, including but not limited to the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, future fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) communication protocol, and / or any other protocol currently known or to be developed in the future. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. In view of the rapid development of communication, there will certainly be communication technologies and systems of future types that can embody the present disclosure. It should not be regarded as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to the above-mentioned systems.

[0040] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services from it. A network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), such as a NodeB (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a NR next generation NodeB (gNB), a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, a low power node (such as a femto, pico, etc.), depending on the terminology and technology of the application. The RAN separation architecture includes a gNB-CU (centralized unit, hosting RRC, SDAP and PDCP) that controls multiple gNB-DUs (distributed units, hosting RLC, MAC and PHY). A relay node may correspond to the DU portion of an IAB node.

[0041] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. As an example and not limitation, a terminal device may also refer to a communication device, a user equipment (UE), a user station (SS), a portable user station, a mobile station (MS), or an access terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a VoIP phone, a wireless local loop phone, a tablet computer, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a desktop computer, an image capture terminal device (such as a digital camera), a game terminal device, a music storage and playback device, a vehicle-mounted wireless terminal device, a wireless endpoint, a mobile station, a laptop embedded device (LEE), a laptop computer mounted device (LME), a USB dongle, a smart device, a wireless client device (CPE), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a watch or other wearable device, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, medical equipment and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial equipment and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in the context of an industrial and / or automated processing chain), consumer electronic devices, devices operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, etc. The terminal device may also correspond to the mobile terminal (MT) part of an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node (also known as a relay node). In the following description, the terms "terminal device", "communication device", "terminal", "user equipment" and "UE" may be used interchangeably.

[0042] Although in various example embodiments, the functions described herein may be performed in fixed and / or wireless network nodes, in other example embodiments, the functions may be implemented in a user equipment device (such as a mobile phone or tablet or laptop or desktop or mobile IoT device or fixed IoT device). The user equipment device may, for example, be equipped with corresponding capabilities as described in conjunction with (multiple) fixed and / or wireless network nodes, as appropriate. The user equipment device may be a user device and / or a control device, such as a chipset or processor, which is configured to control the user equipment when installed therein. Examples of such functions include boot server functions and / or home subscriber servers, which may be implemented in the user equipment device by providing software to the user equipment device, which is configured to cause the user equipment device to perform from the perspective of these functions / nodes.

[0043] As mentioned above, local positioning is already supported in New Radio (NR). Some solutions for NR positioning were specified in Release 16. In Release 17, there will be further work on NR positioning, mainly focusing on the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

[0044] One use case in the Industrial IIoT is asset tracking. An asset tracker is a solution for tracking the location of mobile assets, which is becoming increasingly important in improving processes and increasing flexibility in industrial environments. For example, an asset tracking device will be some smart tag with lower power tags, with features such as disposable, persistent, and permanent. Therefore, this use case requires objects to combine positioning and wireless communication technologies in a cost- and power-efficient manner.

[0045] Figure 1 1 shows an example communication network 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. Figure 1 As shown, the communication network 100 may include a terminal device 110 (hereinafter may also be referred to as UE 110 or first device 110). The communication network 100 may also include a network device 120-1 (hereinafter may also be referred to as a serving gNB 120-1 or a fifth device 120-1). The network device 120-1 may be a serving gNB of the terminal device 110. The terminal device 110 may communicate with the network device 120-1.

[0046] In addition, the communication network 100 may also include network devices 120-2 and 120-3. In some scenarios, for example, when the positioning process of the terminal device 110 is initiated, the network device 120-2 may measure the positioning of the terminal device 110 based on the reference signal received from the terminal device 110, and generate a positioning measurement report for the terminal device 110. In the following, the network device 120-2 may also be referred to as a measuring gNB 120-2 or a third device 120-2. In this case, the network device 120-3 may also be referred to as a non-measuring gNB 120-3 or a fourth device 120-3, which may not be responsible for positioning measurements.

[0047] The communication network 100 may also include a location management function (LMF) 130, which may communicate with the terminal device 110 and the network devices 120-1, 120-2, and 120-3. The LMF 130 may be referred to as a management node in the core network.

[0048] It should be understood that Figure 1 The number of network devices and terminal devices shown in FIG. 1 is given for illustrative purposes and does not imply any limitation. Communication network 100 may include any suitable number of network devices and terminal devices.

[0049] Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) design is expected in NR to support UL-TDOA positioning algorithm to achieve low power tracking. SRS design includes aspects such as SRS sequence generation and SRS resource configuration. For example, in the communication network 100, the parameters of SRS sequence generation and SRS transmission timing are configured by the serving gNB 120-1. When the UE 110 moves from one cell to another using handover, the new serving gNB will reconfigure the parameters of the SRS sequence and SRS transmission timing, which will cause high power consumption for the asset tracking device.

[0050] For example, handover introduces additional signaling overhead and complexity. When the UE accesses a new gNB, it will re-establish an RRC connection with the new serving gNB. The UE then obtains SRS reconfiguration information through RRC signaling from the new serving gNB.

[0051] In addition, SRS resource reconfiguration will introduce additional complexity and power consumption at the UE. The UE will regenerate the SRS sequence and remap the SRS at the newly allocated resources, which also causes large power consumption and complexity.

[0052] Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention proposes a solution for SRS design for low power consumption tracking. In this solution, LMF can determine whether the UE will be set to low power mode based on the capabilities of the UE. If so, the LMF can instruct the UE to use SRS for the positioning process unless another instruction is received, even when the UE is to switch from one serving cell to another serving cell. In this way, the power consumption and positioning delay of the UE can be reduced. At the same time, the signaling overhead used to establish the RRC connection can also be reduced.

[0053] Combine the following Figures 2 to 5 The principle and implementation of the present invention are described in detail. Figure 2 A signaling diagram illustrating the process of PRS design for low power tracking according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 Describe process 200. Process 200 may involve UE 110, serving gNB 120-1, measuring gNB 120-2, non-measuring gNB 120-3, and LMF 130, as shown in Figure 1 shown.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, LMF 130 may send 202 a request for a capability report to UE 110. If UE 110 receives the request, UE 110 may generate a report including capability information regarding power consumption of UE 110. For example, the capability information may include a type of UE 110, such as, for example, whether UE 110 is a low tracking hysteresis or battery life of UE 110.

[0055] After generating the report, the UE 110 may send 204 the report to the LMF 130. Based on the report, for example, if the report indicates that the UE 110 requires low power consumption, the LMF 130 may determine a low power mode of the UE 110 and generate 206 an indication that the SRS will be used for a positioning procedure of the UE 110 unless a further indication is received. The indication may be considered as a low power mode indication. When the UE 110 receives the indication, it means that the UE 110 may not change the SRS used for the positioning procedure even if the UE 110 is to switch from a current serving cell to a new serving cell. In the following, the SRS is a reference signal that provides information about channel quality, and it may be, for example, a common SRS when the SRS is common to multiple cells about the UE or a dedicated SRS specific to the UE.

[0056] The LMF 130 may then send 208 a low power mode indication to the UE 110. For example, the indication may be sent from the LMF 130 to the UE 110 via a long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) similar to signaling. The LMF 130 may also send 210 a low power mode indication to the serving gNB 120-1 of the UE 110. When the serving gNB 120-1 receives the low power mode indication, the serving gNB 120-1 knows that the new configuration information for the SRS will not be reconfigured for the UE 110. For example, the indication may be sent from the LMF 130 to the serving gNB 120-1 via a radio positioning protocol such as NRPPa.

[0057] The above actions explain the initiation of the low power mode of UE 110. Then the process of determining the configuration information associated with SRS can be described using the following actions. It should be understood that the determination of the configuration information associated with SRS and the assignment of the configuration information associated with SRS to the UE can occur after the initiation of the low power mode. This means that when the UE receives the low power mode indication from LMF 130, the UE can be configured with the configuration information associated with SRS.

[0058] In some example embodiments, the configuration information associated with the SRS may be determined by serving gNB 120-1. Alternatively, the configuration information associated with the SRS may also be determined by LMF 130. LMF 130 may also send the configuration information associated with the SRS to UE 110 together with the low power mode indication.

[0059] The configuration information associated with the SRS may indicate the SRS sequence and the SRS transmission timing. The SRS transmission timing includes at least time / frequency resource allocation, port number, period, etc.

[0060] For the SRS sequence, in general, if the UE accesses a new gNB, the gNB should determine a new SRS sequence based on its own preference. Therefore, the UE needs to regenerate the SRS sequence when accessing a new cell. This will cause additional overhead and complexity for the UE.

[0061] In order to reduce complexity, the configuration information associated with the SRS disclosed in the present invention may design a dedicated SRS sequence for the UE, wherein the index of the SRS sequence may be bound to the index of the UE.

[0062] For example, the SRS sequence is based on The Zadoff-Chu sequence is given by the basic sequence The cyclic shift α of

[0063]

[0064] in is the length of the sequence, and δ is the size of the comb. Multiple sequences are defined from a single base sequence by different values ​​of α and δ. Definition of base sequence Depends on the sequence length M ZC , the length of the computer generated sequence is less than or equal to 36, and the length of the ZC sequence is higher than 36, u and v are the group and sequence numbers in the group respectively, which is the higher layer parameter sequenceId function.

[0065] For example, if we should not support group or sequence hopping for lower complexity, then the base sequence in the group is the first sequence (v=0), and the group u is completely determined by the SRS sequence ID parameter sequenceId It is defined as follows:

[0066]

[0067] To fix the SRS sequence, the sequence ID may be bound to the index of UE 110 (e.g., the tag index of UE 110). For example, a dedicated SRS sequence for UE 110 may be represented as:

[0068]

[0069] Where N Tag is the number of tags in a RAN tracking area, is the Tag index, and N SRS is the number of sequence IDs supported in the current system.

[0070] It should be understood that when multiple UEs share the same sequence ID When the SRS sequence of different UEs is configured in sequence group u, different parameters (such as cyclic shift and comb size) can be configured for the SRS sequences of different UEs to avoid conflicts.

[0071] As an option, the parameters for SRS sequence generation and SRS transmission timing may be determined at LMF 130. LMF 130 may configure an SRS resource that attempts to satisfy the requirements of all gNBs in a RAN tracking area. For example, LMF 130 may collect assistance information from gNBs and UEs in a RAN tracking area, such as Figure 1 1 and gNB 120-1 shown in FIG. 1 . The gNB's assistance information may include information such as traffic load, downlink / uplink subframe structure, SRS resource usage, and interference level. The UE's assistance information may include the UE's capabilities, such as supported frequency bands and port numbers.

[0072] Based on auxiliary information, such as Figure 2 As shown, LMF 130 may determine 212 configuration information associated with the SRS. LMF 130 may then send 214 the configuration information associated with the SRS to UE 110, for example, via LPP signaling. LMF 130 may also send 216 the configuration information associated with the SRS to serving gNB 120-1, for example, via NRPPa signaling.

[0073] As another option, parameters for SRS sequence generation and SRS transmission timing may be determined at the serving gNB 120-1. For example, the serving gNB 120-1 may determine 218 parameters for SRS sequence generation and SRS transmission timing based on traffic load, downlink / uplink subframe structure, SRS resource usage, and interference level. The serving gNB 120-1 may then send 220 configuration information associated with the SRS to the UE 110, e.g., via RRC signaling. The serving gNB 120-1 may also send 220 configuration information associated with the SRS to the LMF 130, e.g., via NRPPa signaling.

[0074] After the UE receives the configuration information associated with the SRS, a positioning procedure for UE 110 may be initiated when the UE moves to, for example, the edge of the coverage of the serving gNB 120-1.

[0075] For a positioning procedure for UE 110, LMF 130 may instruct a measurement gNB (e.g., measurement gNB 120-2) around a serving cell of UE 110 to perform a positioning measurement with configuration of UL positioning assistance information. For example, LMF 130 may send 224 configuration information associated with an SRS configured for UE 110 to measurement gNB 120-2.

[0076] When UE 110 moves to a new cell, UL SRS transmission of UE 110 for the positioning process may interfere with other UL transmissions of UEs in the new cell. Therefore, to avoid interference with other UL transmissions, LMF 130 may also send 226 configuration information associated with the SRS configured for UE 110 to a non-measurement gNB (e.g., non-measurement gNB 120-3).

[0077] Based on the received SRS configuration, UE 110 may generate 228 an SRS and send 230 an ULSRS to the measuring gNB 120-2 for positioning measurements at the SRS transmission opportunity.

[0078] Based on the UL positioning assistance information provided by LMF 130, measuring gNB 120-2 may perform positioning measurements during the window of SRS transmission opportunities and send 234 a measurement report to LMF 130. LMF 130 may then perform 236 a position calculation of UE 110 based on the measurement report.

[0079] UE 110 may also transmit 232 UL SRS to non-measured gNB 120-3. When non-measured gNB 120-3 receives UL SRS based on UL positioning assistance information provided by LMF 130, non-measured gNB 120-3 may determine resources for transmitting SRS and mute SRS transmission at the SRS transmission opportunity.

[0080] In some example embodiments, first device 110 may determine whether an interference level from SRS transmissions exceeds a threshold level. If non-measuring gNB 120-3 determines that an interference level from SRS transmissions exceeds the threshold level, then to avoid interference, non-measuring gNB 120-3 may mute SRS transmissions.

[0081] If the non-measuring gNB 120-3 determines that the interference level from the SRS transmission is below a threshold level, muting resources may not be required to improve resource utilization.

[0082] In this way, the power consumption and positioning delay of the UE can be reduced. At the same time, the signaling overhead for establishing the RRC connection can also be reduced.

[0083] Figure 3 1 is a flow chart showing an example method 300 for PRS design for low power tracking according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 300 may be implemented in a Figure 1 For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 Method 300 is described.

[0084] At 310 , the first device 110 receives an indication from the second device 120 that the SRS is to be used for a positioning process of the first device unless another indication is received.

[0085] In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may determine capability information regarding power consumption of the first device; and send a capability report to the second device based on the capability information.

[0086] At 320, the first device 110 transmits the generated SRS to the third device 120-2 and the fourth device 120-3, the third device 120-2 being responsible for measuring the positioning of the first device 110 in the positioning process and the fourth device 120-3 being different from the third device 120-2.

[0087] In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may receive configuration information associated with the SRS, the configuration information indicating a target SRS sequence associated with an index of the first device and a transmission timing of the SRS.

[0088] In some example embodiments, configuration information associated with the SRS is received from the second device via Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol signaling.

[0089] In some example embodiments, configuration information associated with the SRS is received from the fifth device 120 - 1 serving the first device via radio resource control signaling.

[0090] In some example embodiments, the SRS is generated based on an SRS sequence associated with an index of the first device, the SRS sequence being determined based on configuration information associated with the SRS.

[0091] In some example embodiments, if the first device determines that the first device is to switch from a serving cell to a target cell, the first device may generate an SRS based on configuration information associated with the SRS and determine a transmission timing of the SRS based on the configuration information associated with the SRS.

[0092] In some exemplary embodiments, the first device comprises a terminal device, the second device comprises a location management function, the third device comprises a network device, and the fourth device comprises a network device.

[0093] In some example embodiments, the fifth device comprises a network device.

[0094] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example method 400 for PRS design for low power tracking according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 400 may be as follows: Figure 1 As shown, it is implemented at the second device 130. For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 Method 400 is described.

[0095] At 410 , if the second device 130 determines a low power consumption requirement at the first device, the second device 130 generates an indication that a sounding reference signal SRS configuration is to be used for a positioning process of the first device unless another indication is received.

[0096] In some example embodiments, if the second device 130 receives a capability report from the first device, the second device 130 may determine the low power consumption requirement based on capability information regarding power consumption of the first device determined from the capability report.

[0097] At 420 , the second device 130 sends an indication to the first device.

[0098] In some example embodiments, the second device 130 may generate configuration information associated with the SRS indicating a target SRS sequence associated with an index of the first device and a transmission timing of the SRS; and send the configuration information associated with the SRS to the first device via LTE Positioning Protocol signaling.

[0099] In some example embodiments, the second device 130 may determine a reference SRS sequence and generate a target SRS sequence for the first device based on the reference SRS sequence and the index of the first device. The second device may also determine a transmission timing of the SRS based on the target SRS sequence and the transmission timing and generate configuration information associated with the SRS.

[0100] In some example embodiments, the second device 130 may obtain configuration information associated with the SRS from a fifth device serving the first device via a radio positioning protocol.

[0101] In some example embodiments, the second device 130 may generate positioning assistance information based at least on configuration information associated with the SRS; and send the positioning assistance information to a third device and a fourth device, the third device being responsible for measuring the position of the first device during the positioning process.

[0102] In some example embodiments, the second device 130 may transmit configuration information associated with the SRS to the fifth device serving the first device via a radio positioning protocol.

[0103] In some example embodiments, the second device 130 may send the indication to the fifth device, the third device, and the fourth device serving the first device, the third device being responsible for measuring the position of the first device in the positioning process.

[0104] In some example embodiments, the first device comprises a terminal device and the second device comprises a location management function.

[0105] In some example embodiments, the third device comprises a network device and the fourth device comprises a network device.

[0106] In some example embodiments, the fifth device comprises a network device.

[0107] Figure 5 1 is a flow chart showing an example method 500 for PRS design for low power tracking according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 500 may be performed in a Figure 1 For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 Method 500 is described.

[0108] In 510, if the fourth device 120-3 receives the SRS from the first device, the fourth device 120-3 determines a resource for transmitting the SRS.

[0109] At 520 , the fourth device 120 - 3 mutes resources used to transmit the SRS.

[0110] In some example embodiments, the fourth device 120-3 may receive positioning assistance information from the second device, the positioning assistance information including at least an SRS configuration used for a positioning process of the first device, determine an interference level of the SRS and resources for sending the SRS based on configuration information associated with the SRS. If the fourth device determines that the interference level exceeds a threshold level, the fourth device may mute resources for sending the SRS.

[0111] In some exemplary embodiments, the first device comprises a terminal device, and the fourth device comprises a network device.

[0112] In some example embodiments, the second device comprises location management functionality.

[0113] In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing method 300 (e.g., implemented at UE 110) may include components for performing the corresponding steps of method 300. The components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module.

[0114] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes components for receiving an indication from a second device that an SRS is to be used for a positioning process of a first device unless another indication is received; and components for sending the SRS to a third device and a fourth device, the third device being responsible for measuring the position of the first device during the positioning process.

[0115] In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing method 400 (e.g., implemented at LMF 130) may include components for performing the corresponding steps of method 400. The components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module.

[0116] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for generating an indication that the SRS is to be used for a positioning process of the first device based on a determination that an expected power consumption level of the first device is below a threshold level unless another indication is received; and means for sending the indication to the first device.

[0117] In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing method 500 (e.g., implemented at non-measuring gNB 120-3) may include components for performing corresponding steps of method 500. The components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module.

[0118] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for determining an interference level of the SRS in response to receiving the SRS from the first device; and means for muting transmission of the SRS based on the determination that the interference level exceeds a threshold level.

[0119] Figure 6 600 is a simplified block diagram of a device 600 suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 600 may be provided to implement a communication device, such as Figure 1 UE 110, LMF 130 and non-measurement gNB 120-3 are shown. As shown, the device 600 includes one or more processors 610, one or more memories 620 coupled to the processor 610, and one or more transmitters and / or receivers (TX / RX) 640 coupled to the processor 610.

[0120] The TX / RX 640 is used for bidirectional communication. The TX / RX 640 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication. The communication interface may represent any interface necessary to communicate with other network elements.

[0121] Processor 610 may be of any type suitable for the local technology network, and may include, as non-limiting examples, one or more of: a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Device 600 may have multiple processors, such as application specific integrated circuit chips that are time slaved to a clock of a synchronized main processor.

[0122] The memory 620 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 624, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disk, compact disk (CD), digital video disk (DVD), and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) 622 and other volatile memories that do not persist during power loss.

[0123] Computer program 630 includes computer executable instructions executed by associated processor 610. Program 630 may be stored in ROM 620. Processor 610 may perform any suitable actions and processes by loading program 630 into RAM 620.

[0124] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented by means of program 630, so that the device 600 can execute the following steps: Figures 2 to 5 Any process of the present disclosure discussed. The embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0125] In some embodiments, the program 630 may be tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium that may be included in the device 600 (such as in the memory 620) or in other storage devices accessible by the device 600. The device 600 may load the program 630 from the computer-readable medium to the RAM 622 for execution. The computer-readable medium may include any type of tangible non-volatile memory, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. Figure 7 An example of a computer readable medium 700 in the form of a CD or DVD is shown. The computer readable medium has a program 630 stored thereon.

[0126] In general, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software, which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representations, it should be understood that, as non-limiting examples, the boxes, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0127] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product, tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, which are executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor to perform the above referenced Figures 3 to 5Methods 300, 400 and 500 described herein. Typically, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. The functions of program modules can be combined or split between program modules as needed in various embodiments. Machine executable instructions for program modules can be executed in local or distributed devices. In distributed devices, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0128] The program code for executing the method of the present disclosure can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes can be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer or other programmable data processing device, so that the program code enables the functions / operations specified in the flow chart and / or block diagram to be implemented when executed by the processor or controller. The program code can be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine as an independent software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or completely on a remote machine or server.

[0129] In the context of the present disclosure, computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable an apparatus, device or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer readable media, etc.

[0130] The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor system, device or apparatus, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of computer readable storage media would include an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0131] In addition, although operations are described in a particular order, this should not be construed as requiring that the operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequence, or that all illustrated operations be performed to obtain the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to a particular embodiment. Certain features described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. On the contrary, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented separately or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple embodiments.

[0132] Although the present disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it should be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Instead, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A method of communication, comprising: receiving, at a user equipment, an indication from a location management function that a sounding reference signal (SRS) is to be used for a positioning process of the user equipment, the SRS not being reconfigured for the user equipment unless another indication is received; receiving configuration information associated with an SRS, the configuration information indicating a target SRS sequence associated with an index of the user equipment and a transmission timing of the SRS; as well as The SRS is sent to a measurement base station, where the measurement base station is responsible for measuring the position of the user equipment during the positioning process.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Determining power consumption capability information of the user equipment; as well as A capability report is sent to the location management function based on the capability information. 3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the SRS is generated based on an SRS sequence associated with an index of the user equipment, and the SRS sequence is determined based on configuration information associated with the SRS.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the SRS comprises: generating the SRS based on configuration information associated with the SRS according to a determination that the user equipment is to be handed over from the serving cell to the target cell; Determining a transmission timing of the SRS based on the configuration information; as well as The SRS is sent at the transmission opportunity.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the SRS is sent to a non-measurement base station, and the resource on which the SRS is sent will be muted by the non-measurement base station.

6. A method of communication, comprising: generating, at a location management function, an indication that a sounding reference signal (SRS) is to be used for a positioning process of the user equipment based on a determination of a low power consumption requirement at the user equipment, the SRS not being reconfigured for the user equipment unless another indication is received; and sending the indication to the user equipment; and Configuration information associated with the SRS is generated, where the configuration information indicates a target SRS sequence associated with an index of the user equipment and a transmission timing of the SRS.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: In response to receiving a capability report from the user equipment, the low power consumption requirement is determined based on the capability information regarding the power consumption of the user equipment determined from the capability report.

8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: The configuration information is sent to the user equipment via long term evolution positioning protocol signaling.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein generating the configuration information comprises: Determine a reference SRS sequence; generating the target SRS sequence for the user equipment based on the reference SRS sequence and the index of the user equipment; determining the transmission timing of the SRS; as well as The configuration information is generated based on the target SRS sequence and the transmission opportunity.

10. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: The configuration information is obtained from a serving base station serving the user equipment via a radio positioning protocol.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising: generating positioning assistance information based at least on the configuration information; as well as The positioning assistance information is sent to a measurement base station and a non-measurement base station, and the measurement base station is responsible for measuring the position of the user equipment during the positioning process.

12. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: The configuration information is sent to a serving base station serving the user equipment via new radio positioning protocol signaling A, NRPPa.

13. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: The indication is sent to a measuring base station, a non-measuring base station, and a serving base station serving the user equipment, wherein the measuring base station is responsible for measuring the position of the user equipment during the positioning process.

14. A method of communication, comprising: In response to receiving a sounding reference signal SRS from a user equipment, determining, at a non-measurement base station, resources for sending the SRS, the SRS not being reconfigured for the user equipment; as well as muting the resource used to send the SRS; Muting the resource includes: receiving positioning assistance information from a location management function, the positioning assistance information at least including an SRS configuration used for a positioning process of the user equipment, the SRS configuration indicating a target SRS sequence associated with an index of the user equipment and a transmission timing of the SRS.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein muting the resource further comprises: Determining, based on configuration information associated with the SRS, an interference level of the SRS and the resource used to send the SRS; as well as Based on a determination that the interference level exceeds a threshold level, the resources used to transmit the SRS are muted.

16. An apparatus for communication, comprising: means for receiving an indication from a location management function that a sounding reference signal, SRS, is to be used for a positioning process of said apparatus, said SRS not being reconfigured for the user equipment unless a further indication is received; A component for receiving configuration information associated with an SRS, the configuration information indicating a target SRS sequence associated with an index of the user equipment and a transmission timing of the SRS; as well as A component for sending the SRS to a measurement base station, wherein the measurement base station is responsible for measuring the position of the user equipment during the positioning process.

17. An apparatus for communication, comprising: means for generating an indication that a sounding reference signal, SRS, is to be used for a positioning procedure of a user equipment in dependence on a determination of a low power consumption requirement at the user equipment, the SRS not being reconfigured for the user equipment unless a further indication is received; A component for generating configuration information associated with an SRS, the configuration information indicating a target SRS sequence associated with an index of the user equipment and a transmission timing of the SRS; as well as means for sending the indication to the user equipment.

18. An apparatus for communication, comprising: means for determining, in response to receiving a sounding reference signal (SRS) from a user equipment, resources for transmitting the SRS, the SRS not being reconfigured for the user equipment; as well as means for muting said resources used to transmit said SRS based on a determination that an interference level exceeds a threshold level; Muting the resource includes: receiving positioning assistance information from a location management function, the positioning assistance information at least including an SRS configuration used for a positioning process of the user equipment, the SRS configuration indicating a target SRS sequence associated with an index of the user equipment and a transmission timing of the SRS.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are used to cause an apparatus to at least perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least perform the method according to any one of claims 6 to 13.

21. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least perform the method according to any one of claims 14 to 15.

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