Signalling considerations for new radiolocation using disjoint bandwidth segments

Abstract

Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory media for providing signaling considerations for wireless positioning using disjoint bandwidth segments. For example, one or more indications of a preferred bandwidth configuration may be transmitted by a user equipment (UE). Based on the one or more indications, the UE may receive a positioning configuration that includes disjoint bandwidth segments containing positioning reference signals based on the preferred bandwidth configuration indication. In response, the UE may determine one or more positioning measurements based on the positioning reference signals in the disjoint bandwidth segments.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless positioning, among other things. In some implementations, examples are described for providing wireless positioning using disjoint bandwidth segments. Background Art

[0002] Wireless communication systems have evolved over many generations, including first-generation analog wireless telephone service (1G), second-generation (2G) digital wireless telephone service (including intermediate 2.5G networks), third-generation (3G) high-speed data internet-enabled wireless services, and fourth-generation (4G) services (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE), WiMax). Currently, many different types of wireless communication systems are in use, including cellular and Personal Communications Service (PCS) systems. Examples of known cellular systems include the cellular analog Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), and digital cellular systems based on code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Global System for Mobile Access (GSM), and the like.

[0003] The fifth generation (5G) mobile standard calls for higher data transmission speeds, more connections, and better coverage, among other improvements. The 5G standard (also known as "New Radio" or "NR") according to the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance is designed to provide data rates of tens of megabits per second to each of thousands of users, for example, providing gigabit connection speeds to dozens of users in a common location such as an office floor. To support large sensor deployments, hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections should be supported. Therefore, the spectral efficiency of 5G mobile communications should be significantly improved compared to the current 4G / LTE standards. In addition, signaling efficiency should be enhanced and latency should be significantly reduced compared to current standards. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A simplified overview of one or more aspects disclosed herein is provided below. Therefore, the following overview should not be considered an exhaustive overview of all contemplated aspects, nor should it be considered as identifying key or important elements related to all contemplated aspects, or as delineating the scope associated with any particular aspect. Therefore, the sole purpose of the following overview is to present certain concepts related to one or more aspects related to the mechanisms disclosed herein in a simplified form prior to the detailed description presented below.

[0005] Disclosed are systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable media for performing wireless positioning using disjoint bandwidth segments. According to at least one example, a method for wireless positioning is provided. The method may include: transmitting, by a user equipment, one or more indications of a preferred bandwidth configuration; receiving, at the user equipment, a positioning configuration including disjoint bandwidth segments containing positioning reference signals based on the preferred bandwidth configuration indications; and determining, at the user equipment, one or more positioning measurements based on the positioning reference signals in the disjoint bandwidth segments.

[0006] In another example, an apparatus for wireless positioning is provided, comprising a memory, a transceiver, and a processor (e.g., configured in a circuit) coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to: transmit, via the transceiver, one or more indications of a preferred bandwidth configuration; receive, via the transceiver, a positioning configuration including disjoint bandwidth segments of positioning reference signals based on the preferred bandwidth configuration indication; and determine, at a user equipment, one or more positioning measurements based on the positioning reference signals in the disjoint bandwidth segments.

[0007] In another example, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising at least one instruction stored thereon, which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to: send one or more indications of a preferred bandwidth configuration; receive, via a transceiver, a positioning configuration containing disjoint bandwidth segments of positioning reference signals based on the preferred bandwidth configuration indication; and determine one or more positioning measurements based on the positioning reference signals in the disjoint bandwidth segments.

[0008] In another example, an apparatus for wireless positioning is provided. The apparatus includes: means for transmitting one or more indications of a preferred bandwidth configuration; means for receiving a positioning configuration including disjoint bandwidth segments of positioning reference signals based on the indication of the preferred bandwidth configuration; and means for determining one or more positioning measurements based on the positioning reference signals in the disjoint bandwidth segments.

[0009] In another example, a method for wireless positioning is provided. The method may include: receiving, at a base station, one or more indications of preferred bandwidth configurations sent by a user equipment for signaling consideration; determining, at the base station, a positioning configuration indicating disjoint bandwidth segments containing positioning reference signals based on the preferred bandwidth configurations; and providing, by the base station, the positioning configuration indicating the disjoint bandwidth segments to the user equipment, so that the user equipment determines one or more positioning measurements based on the positioning reference signals in the disjoint bandwidth segments.

[0010] In another example, an apparatus for wireless positioning is provided, comprising a memory, a transceiver, and a processor (e.g., configured in a circuit) coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to: receive, via the transceiver, one or more indications of a preferred bandwidth configuration for signaling consideration sent by a user equipment; determine, based on the preferred bandwidth configuration, a positioning configuration indicating disjoint bandwidth segments containing positioning reference signals; and provide, via the transceiver, the positioning configuration indicating the disjoint bandwidth segments to the user equipment, so that the user equipment determines one or more positioning measurements based on the positioning reference signals in the disjoint bandwidth segments.

[0011] In another example, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising at least one instruction stored thereon, which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to: receive one or more indications of preferred bandwidth configurations sent by a user equipment for signaling consideration; determine, based on the preferred bandwidth configurations, a positioning configuration indicating disjoint bandwidth segments containing positioning reference signals; and provide the positioning configuration indicating the disjoint bandwidth segments to the user equipment so that the user equipment determines one or more positioning measurements based on the positioning reference signals in the disjoint bandwidth segments.

[0012] In another example, an apparatus for wireless positioning is provided. The apparatus includes: means for receiving one or more indications of preferred bandwidth configurations for signaling consideration sent by a user equipment; means for determining, based on the preferred bandwidth configurations, a positioning configuration indicating disjoint bandwidth segments containing positioning reference signals; and means for providing the positioning configuration indicating the disjoint bandwidth segments to the user equipment so that the user equipment determines one or more positioning measurements based on the positioning reference signals in the disjoint bandwidth segments.

[0013] In another example, a method for wireless positioning is provided. The method may include: receiving, at a user equipment, an indication of phase coherence of a plurality of reference signals associated with a plurality of bandwidth segments; determining, based on the indication of phase coherence, whether to aggregate reference signals associated with each of the plurality of bandwidth segments; and, in response to the determination to aggregate the reference signals associated with each bandwidth segment, determining, at the user equipment, one or more positioning measurements based on the aggregated reference signals from the plurality of bandwidth segments.

[0014] In another example, an apparatus for wireless positioning is provided, comprising a memory, a transceiver, and a processor (e.g., configured in circuitry) coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to: receive, via the transceiver, an indication of phase coherence of a plurality of reference signals associated with a plurality of bandwidth segments; determine, based on the indication of phase coherence, whether to aggregate the reference signals associated with each of the plurality of bandwidth segments; and, in response to a determination to aggregate the reference signals associated with each bandwidth segment, determine one or more positioning measurements based on the aggregated reference signals from the plurality of bandwidth segments.

[0015] In another example, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising at least one instruction stored thereon, which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to: receive an indication of phase coherence of multiple reference signals associated with multiple bandwidth segments; determine, based on the indication of phase coherence, whether to aggregate the reference signals associated with each of the multiple bandwidth segments; and, in response to the determination to aggregate the reference signals associated with each bandwidth segment, determine one or more positioning measurements based on the aggregated reference signals from the multiple bandwidth segments.

[0016] In another example, an apparatus for wireless positioning is provided. The apparatus includes: means for receiving an indication of phase coherence of a plurality of reference signals associated with a plurality of bandwidth segments; means for determining whether to aggregate the reference signals associated with each of the plurality of bandwidth segments based on the indication of phase coherence; and means for determining one or more positioning measurements based on the aggregated reference signals from the plurality of bandwidth segments in response to a determination to aggregate the reference signals associated with each bandwidth segment.

[0017] In another example, a method for wireless positioning is provided. The method may include: determining, at a base station, an indication of phase coherence of multiple reference signals associated with multiple bandwidth segments; transmitting, by the base station, an indication of phase coherence of multiple reference signals for wireless positioning, each bandwidth segment of the multiple bandwidth segments being associated with a reference signal in the multiple reference signals; and receiving, at the base station, one or more positioning measurements based on aggregated reference signals from the multiple bandwidth segments, the aggregated reference signal determined by a user equipment based on the indication of phase coherence.

[0018] In another example, an apparatus for wireless positioning is provided, comprising a memory, a transceiver, and a processor (e.g., configured in a circuit) coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to: determine an indication of phase coherence of multiple reference signals associated with multiple bandwidth segments; transmit, via the transceiver, the indication of phase coherence of the multiple reference signals for wireless positioning, each bandwidth segment of the multiple bandwidth segments being associated with a reference signal in the multiple reference signals; and receive, via the transceiver, one or more positioning measurements based on aggregated reference signals from the multiple bandwidth segments, the aggregated reference signal determined by a user device based on the indication of phase coherence.

[0019] In another example, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising at least one instruction stored thereon, which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to: determine an indication of phase coherence of multiple reference signals associated with multiple bandwidth segments; send an indication of phase coherence of multiple reference signals for wireless positioning, each bandwidth segment of the multiple bandwidth segments being associated with a reference signal in the multiple reference signals; and receive one or more positioning measurements based on aggregated reference signals from the multiple bandwidth segments, the aggregated reference signal being determined by a user device based on the indication of phase coherence.

[0020] In another example, an apparatus for wireless positioning is provided. The apparatus includes: means for determining an indication of phase coherence of a plurality of reference signals associated with a plurality of bandwidth segments; means for transmitting the indication of phase coherence of the plurality of reference signals for wireless positioning, each bandwidth segment of the plurality of bandwidth segments being associated with a reference signal in the plurality of reference signals; and means for receiving one or more positioning measurements based on aggregated reference signals from the plurality of bandwidth segments, the aggregated reference signal determined by a user equipment based on the indication of phase coherence.

[0021] In some aspects, the apparatus is a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone or so-called "smartphone" or other mobile device), a wearable device, an extended reality device (e.g., a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, or a mixed reality (MR) device), a personal computer, a laptop vehicle, a server computer, or other device, or a portion thereof. In some aspects, the apparatus includes a camera or multiple cameras for capturing one or more images. In some aspects, the apparatus further includes a display for displaying one or more images, notifications, and / or other displayable data. In some aspects, the apparatus may include one or more sensors that can be used to determine the location of the apparatus, the state of the apparatus (e.g., temperature, humidity level, and / or other state), and / or for other purposes.

[0022] This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The inventive subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all of the drawings, and each claim.

[0023] Other objects and advantages associated with the aspects disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the accompanying drawings and detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings are presented to aid in describing various aspects of the disclosure and are provided solely for illustration of these aspects and not limitation thereof.

[0025] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication system according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0026] Figure 2A and 2B An example wireless network structure according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0027] Figure 3 An example block diagram of a computing system of a user device according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0028] Figure 4 An example diagram illustrating a frame structure according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0029] Figure 5 An example of a radio frequency signal spanning contiguous component carriers to increase the effective bandwidth of the radio frequency signal, thereby resulting in increased positioning measurement accuracy, is shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 6 Example graphs showing time domain waveforms for two separate frequency bands according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 7 An example of received radio frequency (RF) signals on three disjoint frequency layers measured over consecutive time periods is shown, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 8A Example frequency bands and their associated phase coherence according to some aspects of the present disclosure are shown.

[0033] Figure 8B According to some aspects of the present disclosure Figure 8A Example bitmap of component carriers.

[0034] Figure 9 Example frequency layers and resources are shown according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 10 Example phase-coherent groups are shown in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 11 An example table of comb symbol patterns is shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 12 An example diagram illustrating a comb symbol pattern according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0038] Figure 13 A flowchart illustrating an example process for performing wireless positioning using disjoint bandwidth segments by a user equipment, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, is shown.

[0039] Figure 14 An example flow diagram of a process for performing wireless positioning using disjoint bandwidth segments by a base station in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0040] Figure 15 An example flow diagram of a process for performing wireless positioning using phase coherence and disjoint bandwidth segments by a user equipment is shown, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 16 An example flow diagram of a process for performing wireless positioning using phase coherence and disjoint bandwidth segments by a base station in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0042] Figure 17 An example computing system according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] For the purpose of illustration, certain aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure are provided below. Without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, alternative aspects can be designed. In addition, the well-known elements of the present disclosure will not be described in detail, or the well-known elements of the present disclosure will be omitted to avoid blurring the relevant details of the present disclosure. Some of these aspects and embodiments described herein can be applied independently, and some of them can be applied in combination, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In the following description, for the purpose of explanation, specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the application. However, it is apparent that various embodiments can be put into practice without these specific details. The accompanying drawings and description are not restrictive.

[0044] The following description provides only exemplary embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure. On the contrary, the following description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing the exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes may be made to the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application as set forth in the appended claims.

[0045] The terms "exemplary" and / or "example" are used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" and / or "example" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Likewise, the term "aspects of the disclosure" does not require that all aspects of the disclosure include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode of operation.

[0046] This document describes systems, apparatuses, processes (also referred to as methods), and computer-readable media (collectively referred to herein as systems and techniques) for signaling considerations for new radio positioning using disjoint bandwidth segments. As described in more detail below, the systems and techniques can utilize disjoint bandwidth segments (e.g., frequencies, frequency bands, frequency layers and resources, component carriers, etc.) to allow a network (e.g., a base station, new radio, gNodeB, etc.) to better communicate with one or more user equipment (UE) devices (e.g., wireless devices, mobile devices, vehicles, and / or other UEs) with desired resources and configurations (e.g., when a wider total bandwidth is required to meet target accuracy requirements). For example, a UE can process aggregate bandwidth from disjoint frequency bands.

[0047] In some examples, the UE may provide information indicating one or more bandwidth implementations and / or algorithms that the UE may be capable of using to process aggregated bandwidth from disjoint frequency bands. For example, the UE may determine a preferred bandwidth implementation for signaling considerations and may provide the preferred bandwidth implementation to a base station, a location server, and / or other network entity. Signaling considerations for positioning may include which signals, resources, frequency layers, frequencies, frequency bands, bandwidths, and / or component carriers to use for positioning purposes (e.g., positioning reference signal resources). The UE may receive an allocation of disjoint bandwidth segments for wireless positioning based on the preferred bandwidth implementation and may receive positioning data from the base station on the downlink using the allocation of disjoint bandwidth segments.

[0048] In some examples, the UE is configured with multiple frequency layers. For each layer, there can be multiple transmit-receive points (TRPs) associated with a base station, and each TRP can have multiple resources. As described below, the TRP can include one or more antennas of the base station. The base station can provide an indication of phase coherence information associated with the multiple frequency layers and / or resources of the multiple frequency layers to the UE (e.g., via signaling). In some examples, various signaling mechanisms can be used to provide indications of phase coherence, such as by sending an indicator list (e.g., a Boolean indicator), a bitmap (or bit array), one or more lists and / or using other signaling mechanisms. Using an explicit indication of whether there is phase coherence across frequency layers and / or resources, the UE can group frequency-adjacent layers with coherent phases into one or more larger bandwidth units, such as before wireless position estimation (e.g., time of arrival (ToA) estimation). Using larger bandwidth units can improve the accuracy of wireless position estimation.

[0049] Other aspects of the disclosure are described in more detail below.

[0050] As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the terms "user equipment" (UE) and "base station" are not intended to be specific or otherwise limited to any particular radio access technology (RAT). In general, a UE can be any wireless communication device (e.g., a mobile phone, router, tablet, laptop, and / or tracking device, etc.), wearable device (e.g., smart watch, smart glasses, wearable ring, and / or extended reality (XR) device such as a virtual reality (VR) headset, augmented reality (AR) headset or glasses, or mixed reality (MR) headset), vehicle (e.g., car, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.), and / or Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.) used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network. A UE can be mobile or can be stationary (e.g., at certain times) and can communicate with a radio access network (RAN). As used herein, the term "UE" can be interchangeably referred to as an "access terminal" or "AT," "client device," "wireless device," "subscriber device," "subscriber terminal," "subscriber station," "user terminal," or "UT," "mobile device," "mobile terminal," "mobile station," or variations thereof. Typically, a UE can communicate with a core network via a RAN, and through the core network, the UE can connect to external networks such as the Internet and other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms for connecting to the core network and / or the Internet are also possible for the UE, such as through a wired access network, a wireless local area network (WLAN) network (e.g., based on the IEEE 802.11 communication standard, etc.), and the like.

[0051] A base station may operate according to one of several RATs for communicating with a UE, depending on the network in which it is deployed, and may alternatively be referred to as an access point (AP), a network node, a NodeB (NB), an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation eNB (ng-eNB), a new radio (NR) NodeB (also referred to as a gNB or gNodeB), etc. A base station may primarily be used to support wireless access for UEs, including supporting data, voice, and / or signaling connections for the supported UEs. In some systems, a base station may provide edge node signaling functionality, while in other systems, a base station may provide additional control and / or network management functionality. The communication link through which a UE may send signals to a base station is referred to as an uplink (UL) channel (e.g., a reverse traffic channel, a reverse control channel, an access channel, etc.). The communication link through which a base station may send signals to a UE is referred to as a downlink (DL) or forward link channel (e.g., a paging channel, a control channel, a broadcast channel, or a forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term traffic channel (TCH) may refer to an uplink, reverse or downlink, and / or forward traffic channel.

[0052] The term "base station" may refer to a single physical transmit receive point (TRP), or may or may not be a plurality of physical TRPs that are co-located. For example, where the term "base station" refers to a single physical TRP, the physical TRP may be an antenna of the base station corresponding to the cell (or several cell sectors) of the base station. Where the term "base station" refers to a plurality of co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRP may be an antenna array of the base station (e.g., as in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system or where the base station employs beamforming). Where the term "base station" refers to a plurality of non-co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRP may be a distributed antenna system (DAS) (a network of spatially separated antennas connected to a common source via a transmission medium) or a remote radio head (RRH) (a remote base station connected to a serving base station). Alternatively, the non-co-located physical TRPs may be a serving base station that receives measurement reports from a UE and a neighboring base station for which the UE is making measurements of its reference RF signals (or simply "reference signals"). Because the TRP is the point from which a base station transmits and receives wireless signals, as used herein, references to transmission from or reception at a base station should be understood to refer to the specific TRP of that base station.

[0053] In some implementations supporting UE positioning, a base station may not support wireless access for the UE (e.g., may not support data, voice, and / or signaling connections for the UE), but may instead transmit a reference signal to the UE for measurement by the UE, and / or may receive and measure signals transmitted by the UE. Such a base station may be referred to as a positioning beacon (e.g., when transmitting a signal to the UE) and / or as a position measurement unit (e.g., when receiving and measuring signals from the UE).

[0054] Radio frequency signals, or "RF signals," include electromagnetic waves of a given frequency that transmit information through the space between a transmitter and a receiver. As used herein, a transmitter may transmit a single "RF signal" or multiple "RF signals" to a receiver. However, due to the propagation characteristics of RF signals through multipath channels, a receiver may receive multiple "RF signals" corresponding to each transmitted RF signal. The same RF signal transmitted over different paths between a transmitter and a receiver may be referred to as a "multipath" RF signal. As used herein, an RF signal may also be referred to as a "wireless signal" or simply as a "signal," where the context clearly indicates that the term "signal" refers to either a wireless signal or an RF signal.

[0055] According to various aspects, Figure 1 An exemplary wireless communication system 100 is shown. The wireless communication system 100 (which may also be referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) may include various base stations 102 and various UEs 104. The base stations 102 may include macrocell base stations (high-power cellular base stations) and / or small cell base stations (low-power cellular base stations). In one aspect, the macrocell base stations may include eNBs and / or ng-eNBs corresponding to an LTE network, or gNBs where the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an NR network, or a combination thereof, and the small cell base stations may include femtocells, picocells, microcells, etc.

[0056] The base stations 102 may collectively form a RAN and interface with a core network 170 (e.g., an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC)) via backhaul links 122 and connect to one or more location servers 172 (which may be part of the core network 170 or may be external to the core network 170) via the core network 170. Among other functions, the base stations 102 may perform functions related to one or more of: transmitting user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, distribution of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, RAN sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and device tracking, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of warning messages. The base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via the EPC or 5NGC) via backhaul links 134, which may be wired and / or wireless.

[0057] Base stations 102 can communicate wirelessly with UEs 104. Each base station 102 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110. In one aspect, base station 102 can support one or more cells in each coverage area 110. A "cell" is a logical communication entity used to communicate with a base station (e.g., on a certain frequency resource referred to as a carrier frequency, component carrier, carrier, frequency band, etc.) and can be associated with an identifier (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCI), a virtual cell identifier (VCI), a cell global identifier (CGI)) used to distinguish between cells operating via the same or different carrier frequencies. In some cases, different cells can be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., machine type communication (MTC), narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), or others), which can provide access to different types of UEs. Because a cell is supported by a specific base station, the term "cell" can refer to one or both of the logical communication entity and the base station supporting it, depending on the context. In addition, because a TRP is typically the physical transmission point of a cell, the terms "cell" and "TRP" can be used interchangeably. In some cases, the term “cell” may also refer to a geographic coverage area (eg, a sector) of a base station, so long as a carrier frequency can be detected and used for communications within some portion of the geographic coverage area 110 .

[0058] While the geographic coverage areas 110 of adjacent macrocell base stations 102 may partially overlap (e.g., in a handover region), some geographic coverage areas 110 may substantially overlap with a larger geographic coverage area 110. For example, a small cell base station 102' may have a coverage area 110' that is substantially the same as the coverage area 110 of one or more macrocell base stations 102. A network that includes both small cell and macrocell base stations may be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include a Home eNB (HeNB), which may provide services to a restricted group known as a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG).

[0059] The communication link 120 between the base station 102 and the UE 104 may include uplink (also known as reverse link) transmissions from the UE 104 to the base station 102 and / or downlink (also known as forward link) transmissions from the base station 102 to the UE 104. The communication link 120 may utilize MIMO antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link 120 may be over one or more carrier frequencies. The allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to the downlink and uplink (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated for the downlink than for the uplink).

[0060] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) 150 that communicates with a WLAN station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154 in an unlicensed spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz). When communicating in the unlicensed spectrum, the WLAN STA 152 and / or the WLAN AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) or listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure before communicating to determine whether the channel is available. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may include devices (e.g., UEs, etc.) that communicate with one or more UEs 104, base stations 102, APs 150, etc. using an ultra-wideband (UWB) spectrum. The UWB spectrum may range from 3.1 to 10.5 GHz.

[0061] The small cell base station 102' can operate in a licensed spectrum and / or an unlicensed spectrum. When operating in an unlicensed spectrum, the small cell base station 102' can employ LTE or NR technology and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum used by the WLAN AP 150. The small cell base station 102' using LTE and / or 5G in the unlicensed spectrum can enhance coverage to the access network and / or increase the capacity of the access network. NR in the unlicensed spectrum can be referred to as NR-U. LTE in the unlicensed spectrum can be referred to as LTE-U, License Assisted Access (LAA), or MulteFire.

[0062] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a millimeter wave (mmW) base station 180 that can operate at mmW frequencies and / or near-mmW frequencies for communicating with the UE 182. Extremely high frequencies (EHF) are part of the RF spectrum in the electromagnetic spectrum. The frequency range of EHF is 30 GHz to 300 GHz, with a wavelength of 1 mm to 10 mm. Radio waves in this frequency band may be referred to as millimeter waves. Near-mmW can extend down to a frequency of 3 GHz with a wavelength of 100 mm. The super-high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz and is also known as centimeter waves. Communications using mmW and / or near-mmW radio frequency bands have high path loss and relatively short distances. The mmW base station 180 and the UE 182 can utilize beamforming (transmitting and / or receiving) on ​​the mmW communication link 184 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short distance. In addition, it should be understood that in alternative configurations, one or more base stations 102 may also transmit using mmW or near-mmW and beamforming. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing diagrams are merely examples and are not to be construed as limiting the various aspects disclosed herein.

[0063] Transmit beamforming is a technique for focusing an RF signal in a specific direction. Traditionally, when a network node (e.g., a base station) broadcasts an RF signal, it broadcasts the signal in all directions (omnidirectional). With transmit beamforming, the network node determines where a given target device (e.g., a UE) is located (relative to the transmitting network node) and projects a stronger downlink RF signal in that specific direction, thereby providing the receiving device with a faster (in terms of data rate) and stronger RF signal. To change the directionality of an RF signal while transmitting, the network node can control the phase and relative amplitude of the RF signal at each of the one or more transmitters broadcasting the RF signal. For example, the network node can use an antenna array (referred to as a "phased array" or "antenna array") that creates an RF beam that can be "steered" to point in different directions without actually moving the antenna. Specifically, the RF current from the transmitter is fed to each antenna in the correct phase relationship so that the radio waves from the separate antennas add together to increase radiation in the desired direction while canceling out to suppress radiation in unwanted directions.

[0064] The transmit beams can be quasi-collocated, meaning that they appear to have the same parameters to a receiver (e.g., a UE) regardless of whether the transmit antennas of the network nodes themselves are physically collocated. In NR, there are four types of quasi-collocated (QCL) relationships. More specifically, a given type of QCL relationship means that certain parameters about the second reference RF signal on the second beam can be derived from information about the source reference RF signal on the source beam. Thus, if the source reference RF signal is QCL type A, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, and delay spread of the second reference RF signal sent on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type B, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and Doppler spread of the second reference RF signal sent on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type C, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and average delay of the second reference RF signal sent on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type D, the receiver may use the source reference RF signal to estimate spatial reception parameters of a second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel.

[0065] In receive beamforming, a receiver uses a receive beam to amplify the RF signal detected on a given channel. For example, the receiver may increase the gain setting and / or adjust the phase setting of the antenna array in a particular direction to amplify (e.g., increase the gain level) the RF signal received from that direction. Thus, when a receiver is considered to be beamforming in a certain direction, it means that the beam gain in that direction is high relative to the beam gain along other directions, or the beam gain in that direction is highest relative to the beam gain of other receive beams available to the receiver. This results in a stronger received signal strength (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR), etc.) for the RF signal received from that direction.

[0066] The receive beams may be spatially correlated. The spatial relationship means that the parameters of the transmit beam of the second reference signal may be derived from the information about the receive beam of the first reference signal. For example, the UE may receive one or more reference downlink reference signals (e.g., positioning reference signal (PRS), tracking reference signal (TRS), phase tracking reference signal (PTRS), cell-specific reference signal (CRS), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), synchronization signal block (SSB), etc.) from a base station using a specific receive beam. The UE may then form a transmit beam based on the parameters of the receive beam for sending one or more uplink reference signals (e.g., uplink positioning reference signal (UL-PRS), sounding reference signal (SRS), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), PTRS, etc.) to the base station.

[0067] Note that a "downlink" beam can be either a transmit beam or a receive beam, depending on the entity forming it. For example, if a base station is forming a downlink beam to transmit a reference signal to a UE, the downlink beam is a transmit beam. However, if a UE is forming a downlink beam, the downlink beam is a receive beam to receive the downlink reference signal. Similarly, an "uplink" beam can be either a transmit beam or a receive beam, depending on the entity forming it. For example, if a base station is forming an uplink beam, the uplink beam is an uplink receive beam, and if a UE is forming an uplink beam, the uplink beam is an uplink transmit beam.

[0068] In 5G, the spectrum in which wireless nodes (e.g., base stations 102 / 180, UEs 104 / 182) operate is divided into multiple frequency ranges, FR1 (from 450 to 6000 MHz), FR2 (from 24250 to 52600 MHz), FR3 (above 52600 MHz), and FR4 (between FR1 and FR2). In a multi-carrier system such as 5G, one of the carrier frequencies is called the "primary carrier" or "anchor carrier" or "primary serving cell" or "PCell", while the remaining carrier frequencies are called "secondary carriers" or "secondary serving cells" or "SCells". In carrier aggregation, the anchor carrier is the carrier operating on the primary frequency (e.g., FR1) used by the UE 104 / 182 and the cell in which the UE 104 / 182 performs an initial radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or initiates an RRC connection re-establishment procedure. The primary carrier carries all common and UE-specific control channels and can be a carrier in a licensed frequency (however, this is not always the case). A secondary carrier is a carrier operating on a second frequency (e.g., FR2). Once an RRC connection is established between a UE 104 and an anchor carrier, the secondary carrier can be configured and used to provide additional radio resources. In some cases, the secondary carrier can be a carrier in an unlicensed frequency. The secondary carrier can contain only necessary signaling information, and since the primary uplink and downlink carriers are typically UE-specific, UE-specific signals, for example, may not be present on the secondary carrier. This means that different UEs 104 / 182 in a cell can have different downlink primary carriers. The same is true for uplink primary carriers. The network can change the primary carrier for any UE 104 / 182 at any time. This is done, for example, to balance the load on different carriers. Because a "serving cell" (whether a PCell or SCell) corresponds to the carrier frequency and / or component carrier on which a base station communicates, the terms "cell," "serving cell," "component carrier," "carrier frequency," etc., are used interchangeably.

[0069] For example, still referring to Figure 1, one of the frequencies used by the macrocell base station 102 may be an anchor carrier (or "PCell"), and the other frequencies used by the macrocell base station 102 and / or the mmW base station 180 may be secondary carriers ("SCells"). In carrier aggregation, the base station 102 and / or the UE 104 may use spectrum with a bandwidth of up to Y MHz (e.g., 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, 20 MHz, 100 MHz) per carrier, for a total of up to Yx MHz (x component carriers) for transmission in each direction. The component carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other in the spectrum. The allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to the downlink and uplink (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated for the downlink than for the uplink). Simultaneous transmission and / or reception of multiple carriers enables the UE 104 / 182 to significantly increase its data transmission and / or reception rate. For example, two 20 MHz aggregated carriers in a multi-carrier system would theoretically result in a two-fold increase in data rate (i.e., 40 MHz) compared to the data rate achieved by a single 20 MHz carrier.

[0070] In order to operate on multiple carrier frequencies, the base station 102 and / or the UE 104 are equipped with multiple receivers and / or transmitters. For example, the UE 104 may have two receivers, “receiver 1” and “receiver 2,” where “receiver 1” is a multi-band receiver that can be tuned to either band (i.e., carrier frequency) ‘X’ or band ‘Y’, and “receiver 2” is a single-band receiver that can be tuned only to band ‘Z’. In this example, if the UE 104 is served in band ‘X’, band ‘X’ will be referred to as the PCell or activated carrier frequency, and “receiver 1” will need to tune from band ‘X’ to band ‘Y’ (SCell) in order to measure band ‘Y’ (and vice versa). Conversely, regardless of whether the UE 104 is served in band ‘X’ or band ‘Y’, thanks to the separate “receiver 2,” the UE 104 can measure band ‘Z’ without interrupting service on band ‘X’ or band ‘Y’.

[0071] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a UE 164, which may communicate with the macrocell base station 102 over a communication link 120 and / or with the mmW base station 180 over a mmW communication link 184. For example, the macrocell base station 102 may support a PCell and one or more SCells for the UE 164, and the mmW base station 180 may support one or more SCells for the UE 164.

[0072] The wireless communication system 100 may also include one or more UEs, such as UE 190, that are indirectly connected to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links (referred to as “sidelinks”). Figure 1 In the example of FIG, UE 190 has a D2D P2P link 192 with one of UEs 104 connected to one of base stations 102 (e.g., through which UE 190 can indirectly obtain cellular connectivity), and has a D2D P2P link 194 with WLAN STA 152 connected to WLAN AP 150 (through which UE 190 can indirectly obtain WLAN-based Internet connectivity). In the example, D2D P2P links 192 and 194 can be provided by any well-known D2D RAT (such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), Wi-Fi Direct (Wi-Fi-D), Bluetooth etc.) to support.

[0073] According to various aspects, Figure 2A An example wireless network architecture 200 is shown. For example, 5GC 210 (also known as the Next Generation Core (NGC)) can be functionally considered to include control plane functions 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and user plane functions 212 (e.g., UE gateway functions, access to data networks, IP routing, etc.), which operate in conjunction to form the core network. A user plane interface (NG-U) 213 and a control plane interface (NG-C) 215 connect gNBs 222 to 5GC 210, and specifically to control plane functions 214 and user plane functions 212. In alternative configurations, ng-eNBs 224 can also connect to 5GC 210 via NG-C 215 to control plane functions 214 and NG-U 213 to user plane functions 212. Furthermore, ng-eNBs 224 can communicate directly with gNBs 222 via backhaul connections 223. In some configurations, the new RAN 220 may have only one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations may include one or more of both ng-eNBs 224 and gNBs 222. The gNB 222 or the ng-eNB 224 may communicate with the UE 204 (e.g., Figure 1 Any UE described in ) communication.

[0074] Another optional aspect may include a location server 230 that can communicate with the 5GC 210 to provide location assistance for the UE 204. The location server 230 can be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, each can correspond to a single server. The location server 230 can be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204, which can connect to the location server 230 via the core network, the 5GC 210, and / or via the Internet (not shown). Furthermore, the location server 230 can be integrated with components of the core network or alternatively can be external to the core network. In some examples, the location server 230 can be operated by the operator or provider of the 5GC 210, a third party, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), or other parties. In some cases, multiple location servers may be provided, such as a location server for the operator, a location server for the OEM of a specific device, and / or other location servers. In this case, location assistance data can be received from the operator's location server, and other assistance data can be received from the OEM's location server.

[0075] According to various aspects, Figure 2B Another example wireless network architecture 250 is illustrated. For example, the 5GC 260 can be functionally considered to include control plane functions provided by the access and mobility management function (AMF) 264 and user plane functions provided by the user plane function (UPF) 262, which operate in collaboration to form the core network (i.e., the 5GC 260). A user plane interface 263 and a control plane interface 265 connect the ng-eNB 224 to the 5GC 260, and specifically to the UPF 262 and AMF 264, respectively. In other configurations, the gNB 222 can also connect to the 5GC 260 via a control plane interface 265 to the AMF 264 and a user plane interface 263 to the UPF 262. Furthermore, the ng-eNB 224 can communicate directly with the gNB 222 via a backhaul connection 223, with or without a direct gNB connection to the 5GC 260. In some configurations, the new RAN 220 may have only one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations may include one or more of both ng-eNBs 224 and gNBs 222. The gNB 222 or the ng-eNB 224 may communicate with the UE 204 (e.g., Figure 1 The base station of the new RAN 220 communicates with the AMF 264 via the N2 interface and communicates with the UPF 262 via the N3 interface.

[0076] The functions of the AMF 264 include registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful interception, transmission of session management (SM) messages between the UE 204 and the session management function (SMF) 266, transparent proxy services for routing SM messages, access authentication and access authorization, transmission of short message service (SMS) messages between the UE 204 and the short message service function (SMSF) (not shown), and security anchor functionality (SEAF). The AMF 264 also interacts with the authentication server function (AUSF) (not shown) and the UE 204 and receives intermediate keys established as a result of the UE 204 authentication process. In the case of authentication based on the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), the AMF 264 retrieves security materials from the AUSF. The functions of the AMF 264 also include security context management (SCM). The SCM receives keys from the SEAF for deriving keys specific to the access network. The functions of the AMF 264 also include location service management for regulatory services, transmission of location service messages between the UE 204 and the Location Management Function (LMF) 270 (which serves as the location server 230), transmission of location service messages between the new RAN 220 and the LMF 270, allocation of Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearer identifiers for interworking with EPS, and notification of mobility events of the UE 204. In addition, the AMF 264 also supports functions for non-3GPP access networks.

[0077] The functions of the UPF 262 include serving as an anchor point for intra-RAT / inter-RAT mobility (if applicable), serving as an external protocol data unit (PDU) session point for interconnection with a data network (not shown), providing packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, user plane policy rule enforcement (e.g., gating, redirection, traffic steering), lawful interception (user plane collection), traffic usage reporting, user plane quality of service (QoS) processing (e.g., uplink and / or downlink rate enforcement, reflective QoS marking in the downlink), uplink traffic verification (traffic data flow (SDF) to QoS flow mapping), transport level packet marking in the uplink and downlink, downlink packet buffering and downlink data notification triggering, and sending and forwarding one or more "end markers" to the source RAN node. The UPF 262 can also support the transmission of location service messages on the user plane between the UE 204 and a location server (such as a secure user plane location (SUPL) location platform (SLP) 272).

[0078] The functions of the SMF 266 include session management, UE Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management, selection and control of user plane functions, configuring traffic steering at the UPF 262 to route traffic to the appropriate destination, controlling some policy enforcement and QoS, and downlink data notification. The interface through which the SMF 266 communicates with the AMF 264 is called the N11 interface.

[0079] Another optional aspect may include an LMF 270 that can communicate with the 5GC 260 to provide location assistance for the UE 204. The LMF 270 can be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, each can correspond to a single server. The location server 270 can be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204, which can connect to the LMF 270 via the core network, the 5GC 260, and / or via the Internet (not shown). The SLP 272 may support functionality similar to that of the LMF 270, but whereas the LMF 270 may communicate with the AMF 264, the new RAN 220, and the UE 204 via a control plane (e.g., using interfaces and protocols intended to carry signaling messages rather than voice or data), the SLP 272 may communicate with the UE 204 and external clients (e.g., using protocols intended to carry voice and / or data, such as the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and / or IP) via a user plane (e.g., using interfaces and protocols intended to carry voice and / or data, such as the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and / or IP). Figure 2B Communicate with the

[0080] In one aspect, the LMF 270 and / or SLP 272 may be integrated with a base station, such as a gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224. When integrated with the gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224, the LMF 270 and / or SLP 272 may be referred to as a "location management component" or "LMC." However, as used herein, references to the LMF 270 and SLP 272 include both the case where the LMF 270 and SLP 272 are components of a core network (e.g., 5GC 260) and the case where the LMF 270 and SLP 272 are components of a base station.

[0081] Figure 3An example of a computing system 370 of a user equipment (UE) 307 is shown. In some examples, the UE 307 may include a mobile phone, a router, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a tracking device, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, glasses, an XR device, etc.), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, and / or other devices used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network. The computing system 370 includes software and hardware components that can be electrically coupled via a bus 389 (or can communicate in other ways where appropriate). For example, the computing system 370 includes one or more processors 384. The one or more processors 384 may include one or more CPUs, ASICs, FPGAs, APs, GPUs, VPUs, NSPs, microcontrollers, dedicated hardware, any combination thereof, and / or other processing devices or systems. The bus 389 may be used by the one or more processors 384 to communicate between cores and / or with one or more memory devices 386.

[0082] The computing system 370 may also include one or more memory devices 386, one or more digital signal processors (DSPs) 382, ​​one or more subscriber identification modules (SIMs) 374, one or more modems 376, one or more wireless transceivers 378, an antenna 387, one or more input devices 372 (e.g., a camera, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch-sensitive screen, a touchpad, a keypad, a microphone, etc.), and one or more output devices 380 (e.g., a display, speakers, a printer, etc.).

[0083] The one or more wireless transceivers 378 can transmit and receive wireless signals (e.g., signals 388) via antennas 387 to and from one or more other devices, such as one or more other UEs, network devices (e.g., base stations such as eNBs and / or gNBs, WiFi routers, etc.), cloud networks, etc. As described herein, the one or more wireless transceivers 378 can include a combined transmitter / receiver, a separate transmitter, a separate receiver, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the computing system 370 can include multiple antennas. The wireless signal 388 can be transmitted via a wireless network. The wireless network can be any wireless network, such as a cellular or telecommunications network (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G, etc.), a wireless local area network (e.g., a WiFi network), a Bluetooth TM) network and / or other networks. In some examples, one or more wireless transceivers 378 may include a radio frequency (RF) front end that includes one or more components such as amplifiers, mixers for down-converting signals (also known as signal multipliers), frequency synthesizers (also known as oscillators) that provide signals to the mixers, baseband filters, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), one or more power amplifiers, etc. The RF front end may generally handle the selection and conversion of wireless signals 388 to baseband or intermediate frequencies, and may convert the RF signals to the digital domain.

[0084] In some cases, computing system 370 may include an encoding-decoding device (or codec) configured to encode and / or decode data transmitted and / or received using one or more wireless transceivers 378. In some cases, computing system 370 may include an encryption-decryption device or component configured to encrypt and / or decrypt data transmitted and / or received by one or more wireless transceivers 378 (e.g., according to the AES and / or DES standards).

[0085] One or more SIMs 374 can each securely store an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) number and associated keys assigned to a user of the UE 307. The IMSI and keys can be used to identify and authenticate the subscriber when accessing a network provided by a network service provider or operator associated with the one or more SIMs 374. One or more modems 376 can modulate one or more signals to encode information for transmission using one or more wireless transceivers 378. One or more modems 376 can also demodulate signals received by one or more wireless transceivers 378 to decode the transmitted information. In some examples, the one or more modems 376 can include a 4G (or LTE) modem, a 5G (or NR) modem, a Bluetooth modem, a modem configured for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, and / or other types of modems. In some examples, the one or more modems 376 and the one or more wireless transceivers 378 can be used to transmit data for the one or more SIMs 374.

[0086] The computing system 370 may also include (and / or communicate with) one or more non-transitory machine-readable storage media or storage devices (e.g., one or more memory devices 386), which may include, but are not limited to, local and / or network accessible storage, disk drives, drive arrays, optical storage devices, solid-state storage devices such as RAM and / or ROM, which may be programmable, flash-updatable, etc. Such storage devices may be configured to implement any suitable data storage, including, but not limited to, various file systems, database structures, etc.

[0087] In various embodiments, the functionality may be stored as one or more computer program products (e.g., instructions or code) in the memory device 386 and executed by the one or more processors 384 and / or the one or more DSPs 382. The computing system 370 may also include software elements (e.g., located within the one or more memory devices 386), including, for example, an operating system, device drivers, executable libraries, and / or other code (such as one or more application programs), which may include computer programs that implement the functionality provided by the various embodiments and / or may be designed to implement methods and / or configure systems as described herein.

[0088] As described above, carrier aggregation is a technique in which a UE (e.g., UE 307) can simultaneously receive and / or transmit on multiple carrier frequencies, which can increase downlink and uplink data rates. In some cases, UE 307 can simultaneously utilize a first radio tuned to one carrier frequency (e.g., an anchor carrier) and a second radio tuned to a different carrier frequency (e.g., a secondary carrier). Additionally, each of the first and second radios can be tuned to multiple different frequencies at once.

[0089] Various frame structures may be used to support downlink and uplink transmissions between network nodes (eg, base stations and UEs). Figure 4 is a diagram 400 illustrating an example of a downlink frame structure according to aspects of the present disclosure. Other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures and / or different channels.

[0090] LTE, and in some cases NR, utilizes OFDM on the downlink and single-carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) on the uplink. However, unlike LTE, NR also has the option of using OFDM on the uplink. OFDM and SC-FDM divide the system bandwidth into multiple (K) orthogonal subcarriers, which are often also called tones, bins, etc. Each subcarrier can be modulated with data. In general, modulation symbols are sent in the frequency domain with OFDM and in the time domain with SC-FDM. The spacing between adjacent subcarriers can be fixed, and the total number of subcarriers (K) can depend on the system bandwidth. For example, the subcarrier spacing can be 15 kHz, and the minimum resource allocation (resource block) can be 12 subcarriers (or 180 kHz). Therefore, the nominal FFT size can be equal to 128, 256, 512, 1024, or 2048 for system bandwidths of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 megahertz (MHz), respectively. The system bandwidth may also be divided into subbands. For example, a subband may cover 1.08 MHz (ie, 6 resource blocks), and there may be 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 subbands for system bandwidths of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 MHz, respectively.

[0091] LTE supports a single numerology (subcarrier spacing, symbol length, etc.). In contrast, NR can support multiple numerologies (μ). For example, 15kHz, 30kHz, 60kHz, 120kHz, and 240kHz or larger subcarrier spacing (SCS) are available. Table 1 provided below lists some of the different numerologies for different NR numerologies.

[0092]

[0093] Table 1

[0094] In one example, a 15 kHz parameter set is used. Thus, in the time domain, a 10 ms frame is divided into 10 equally sized subframes of 1 ms each, and each subframe includes one time slot. Figure 4 , time is represented horizontally (eg, on the X-axis), with time increasing from left to right, and frequency is represented vertically (eg, on the Y-axis), with frequency increasing (or decreasing) from bottom to top.

[0095] A resource grid can be used to represent a time slot, each of which includes one or more time-concurrent resource blocks (RBs) (also called physical RBs (PRBs)) in the frequency domain. The resource grid is further divided into multiple resource elements (REs). One RE can correspond to one symbol length in the time domain and one subcarrier in the frequency domain. Figure 4In the parameter set for the normal cyclic prefix, an RB can contain 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 7 consecutive symbols in the time domain, for a total of 84 REs. For the extended cyclic prefix, an RB can contain 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 6 consecutive symbols in the time domain, for a total of 72 REs. The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0096] Some REs carry downlink reference (pilot) signals (DL-RS). DL-RS may include PRS, TRS, PTRS, CRS, CSI-RS, DMRS, PSS, SSS, SSB, etc. Figure 4 Exemplary locations of REs carrying DL-RSs (labeled "R") are shown.

[0097] A set of resource elements (REs) used for PRS transmission is called a "PRS resource." A set of resource elements can span multiple PRBs in the frequency domain and N (e.g., 1 or more) consecutive symbols within a slot in the time domain. In a given OFDM symbol in the time domain, a PRS resource occupies consecutive PRBs in the frequency domain.

[0098] The transmission of PRS resources within a given PRB has a specific comb size (also called "comb density"). The comb size 'N' represents the subcarrier spacing (or frequency / tone spacing) within each symbol of the PRS resource configuration. Specifically, for comb size 'N', PRS is transmitted in every N subcarriers of a symbol of the PRB. For example, for comb-4, for every fourth symbol of the PRS resource configuration, the PRS of the PRS resource is transmitted using the REs corresponding to every fourth subcarrier (e.g., subcarriers 0, 4, 8). Currently, comb sizes of comb-2, comb-4, comb-6, and comb-12 are supported for DL-PRS. Figure 4 An exemplary PRS resource configuration for comb-6 (which spans six symbols) is shown. That is, the positions of the shaded REs (labeled "R") indicate the comb-6 PRS resource configuration.

[0099] A "PRS resource set" is a set of PRS resources used for transmission of a PRS signal, where each PRS resource has a PRS resource ID. In addition, the PRS resources in the PRS resource set are associated with the same TRP. A PRS resource set is identified by a PRS resource set ID and is associated with a specific TRP (identified by the TRP ID). In addition, the PRS resources in the PRS resource set have the same periodicity, a common muting pattern configuration, and the same repetition factor (e.g., PRS-ResourceRepetitionFactor) across time slots. A period is the time from the first repetition of the first PRS resource of the first PRS instance to the same first repetition of the same first PRS resource of the next PRS instance. A period may have a length selected from 2μ·{4, 5, 8, 10, 16, 20, 32, 40, 64, 80, 160, 320, 640, 1280, 2560, 5120, 10240} time slots, where μ=0, 1, 2, 3. The repetition factor may have a length selected from {1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32} slots.

[0100] The PRS resource ID in a PRS resource set is associated with a single beam (and / or beam ID) transmitted from a single TRP (where a TRP can transmit one or more beams). That is, each PRS resource of a PRS resource set can be transmitted on a different beam, and therefore, a "PRS resource" or simply a "resource" may also be referred to as a "beam." Note that this has no effect on whether the UE knows the TRP and beam on which the PRS is transmitted.

[0101] A "PRS instance" or "PRS opportunity" is an instance of a periodically repeating time window (e.g., a group of one or more consecutive time slots) in which a PRS is expected to be transmitted. A PRS opportunity may also be referred to as a "PRS positioning opportunity," "PRS positioning instance," "positioning opportunity," "positioning instance," "positioning repetition," or simply "opportunity," "instance," or "repetition."

[0102] A "positioning frequency layer" (also simply referred to as a "frequency layer" or "layer") is a collection of one or more PRS resource sets across one or more TRPs that have the same values ​​for certain parameters. Specifically, the set of PRS resource sets has the same subcarrier spacing (SCS) and cyclic prefix (CP) type (meaning that all parameter sets supported for PDSCH are also supported for PRS), the same Point A, the same downlink PRS bandwidth value, the same starting PRB (and center frequency), and the same comb size. The Point A parameter takes the value of the parameter ARFCN-ValueNR (where "ARFCN" stands for "Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number") and is an identifier and / or code that specifies a pair of physical radio channels for transmission and reception. The downlink PRS bandwidth can have a granularity of four PRBs, with a minimum of 24 PRBs and a maximum of 272 PRBs. Currently, up to four frequency layers have been defined, and each frequency layer can be configured with up to two PRS resource sets per TRP.

[0103] The concept of frequency layer is somewhat similar to the concept of component carrier and bandwidth part (BWP), but the difference is that component carrier and BWP are used by one base station (or macro cell base station and small cell base station) to send data channels, while frequency layer is used by several (usually three or more) base stations to send PRS. The UE can indicate the number of frequency layers it can support when it sends its positioning capabilities to the network, such as during an LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) session. For example, the UE can indicate whether it can support one or four positioning frequency layers.

[0104] In some implementations, NR supports multiple cellular network-based positioning technologies, including downlink-based, uplink-based, and downlink and uplink-based positioning methods. Downlink-based positioning methods include observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) in LTE, downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA) in NR, and downlink angle of departure (DL-AoD) in NR. In the OTDOA or DL-TDOA positioning process, the UE measures the difference between the arrival time (ToA) of the reference signals (e.g., PRS, TRS, NRS, CSI-RS, SSB, etc.) received from paired base stations, which is called reference signal time difference (RSTD) or arrival time difference (TDOA) measurement, and reports them to the positioning entity. More specifically, the UE receives identifiers of a reference base station (e.g., a serving base station) and multiple non-reference base stations in the assistance data. The UE then measures the RSTD between the reference base station and each non-reference base station. Based on the known positions of the base stations involved and the RSTD measurements, the positioning entity can estimate the position of the UE. For DL-AoD positioning, a base station measures the angle of a downlink transmit beam used to communicate with a UE and other channel properties (eg, signal strength) to estimate the UE's position.

[0105] Uplink-based positioning methods include uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA) and uplink angle of arrival (UL-AoA). UL-TDOA is similar to DL-TDOA, but is based on uplink reference signals (e.g., SRS) transmitted by the UE. For UL-AOA positioning, the base station measures the angle of the uplink receive beam used to communicate with the UE and other channel properties (e.g., gain level) to estimate the UE's position.

[0106] Downlink and uplink-based positioning methods include enhanced cell ID (E-CID) positioning and multi-round trip time (RTT) positioning (also known as "multi-cell RTT"). In the RTT process, the initiator (base station or UE) sends an RTT measurement signal (e.g., PRS or SRS) to the responder (UE or base station), and the responder sends an RTT response signal (e.g., SRS or PRS) back to the initiator. The RTT response signal includes the difference between the ToA of the RTT measurement signal and the transmission time of the RTT response signal, which is called the received to transmitted (Rx-Tx) measurement. The initiator calculates the difference between the transmission time of the RTT measurement signal and the ToA of the RTT response signal, which is called the "Tx-Rx" measurement. The propagation time (also known as "flight time") between the initiator and the responder can be calculated from the Tx-Rx and Rx-Tx measurements. Based on the propagation time and the known speed of light, the distance between the initiator and the responder can be determined. For multi-RTT positioning, the UE performs an RTT process with multiple base stations so that its position can be triangulated based on the known positions of the base stations. RTT and multi-RTT methods can be combined with other positioning technologies such as UL-AoA and DL-AoD to improve positioning accuracy.

[0107] The E-CID positioning method is based on radio resource management (RRM) measurements. In E-CID, the UE reports the serving cell ID, timing advance (TA), and the identifiers, estimated timing, and signal strength of detected neighboring base stations. The UE's position is then estimated based on this information and the known locations of the base stations.

[0108] To assist in positioning operations, a location server (e.g. Figure 2A Location server 230, Figure 2B The LMF 270 of the UE 104 may provide assistance data to the UE. For example, the assistance data may include an identifier of the base station (or cell and / or TRP of the base station) from which the reference signal is to be measured, reference signal configuration parameters (e.g., the number of consecutive positioning subframes, the periodicity of the positioning subframes, the muting sequence, the frequency hopping sequence, the reference signal identifier (ID), the reference signal bandwidth, etc.), and / or other parameters applicable to the specific positioning method. Alternatively, the assistance data may come directly from the base station itself (e.g., in a periodically broadcast overhead message, etc.). In some cases, the UE 104 may be able to detect the neighboring network node itself without the use of assistance data.

[0109] A location estimate may be referred to by other names, such as a location estimate, location, location, location calibration, calibration, etc. A location estimate may be geodetic and include coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude), or may be urban and include a street address, postal address, or some other description of the location. A location estimate may also be defined relative to some other known location or in absolute terms (e.g., using latitude, longitude, and / or altitude). A location estimate may include an expected error or uncertainty (e.g., by including an area or volume within which the location is expected to be included, with some specified or default confidence level).

[0110] Technologies are needed that support high accuracy (horizontally and vertically), low latency, network efficiency (scalability, RS overhead, etc.), and device efficiency (power consumption, complexity, etc.) for commercial positioning use cases (including general commercial use cases and (I)IoT use cases in particular). For example, with reference to accuracy requirements, the accuracy of the position estimate depends on the accuracy of the positioning measurements (e.g., ToA, TDoA, etc.) determined based on one or more received positioning reference signals (PRS). The larger the bandwidth of the PRS, the more accurate the positioning measurements.

[0111] As described above, this document describes systems and techniques for performing multi-frequency layer PRS stitching to increase PRS bandwidth. Multi-frequency layer PRS stitching enables location measurements to be made using PRS resources that span contiguous component carriers. In some cases, multi-frequency layer PRS stitching can use PRS resources that span non-contiguous frequency or component carriers for location measurements (e.g., for devices such as UEs that support smaller bandwidths but can skip bandwidth provided by gNBs or other network entities). For example, if the UE supports 20 MHz, but the gNB supports 100 MHz, the UE can only occupy 20 MHz at a time, but can move around 100 MHz over time. By spanning such contiguous or non-contiguous component carriers, the effective PRS bandwidth can be increased, such as Figure 5 As shown in Figure 2, the positioning measurement accuracy is increased. For example, the component carrier can be defined as 100 MHz. By using three component carriers, as in Figure 5 In the example shown in FIG, the effective bandwidth of the measured PRS is 300 MHz. Note that when implementing multi-frequency layer PRS splicing, assumptions between consecutive component carriers (e.g., QCL, same antenna port, etc.) need to be defined so that the effective PRS bandwidth (for both UL and DL-PRS) can be increased. The aggregated PRS includes a collection of PRS resources sent from the same TRP so that the UE can assume that the same antenna port is sent. Each PRS resource of the aggregated PRS is referred to herein as a PRS component. Each PRS component can be physically sent on different component carriers, frequency bands, frequency layers, or different bandwidths on the same frequency band.

[0112] Bandwidth is a key resource for achieving higher accuracy in ToA estimates. However, network operators typically do not own very wide contiguous portions of available bandwidth. Instead, smaller portions of fragmented carrier bandwidth are typically allocated across multiple carrier bands. Therefore, efficient aggregation and utilization of bandwidth strips across disjoint bands can enable the ability to perform high-precision positioning in wireless networks (e.g., 5G networks). Additionally, the ability to span disjoint bands or aggregate bandwidth over multiple measurements in time can enable faster and more accurate position fixes compared to having to repeatedly perform measurements across multiple disjoint bands until the desired accuracy is achieved. Additionally, bandwidth aggregation allows operators to reduce costs by purchasing fragmented spectrum and be able to use this spectrum in vertical industries that require high accuracy and low latency, such as automotive and IIoT use cases.

[0113] There are problems with time-domain based methods for determining the ToA of PRS over non-continuous bandwidths. For example, for channels with multiple taps, it is difficult to distinguish between the main lobe and the side lobes. Figure 6 As shown in Figure 6 is a graph showing example time domain waveforms for two separate frequency bands. Figure 6 As shown, while the peaks of band 1 are easily distinguishable, the combined peaks of bands 1 and 2 are not. In addition to the time domain problem of identifying the earliest peak for accurate ToA estimation, phase coherence is also an issue.

[0114] Under certain conditions, such as for devices with limited bandwidth support, the UE cannot perform concurrent measurements of resources in different frequency layers. As a result, timing measurements on each frequency layer are performed in a time division multiplexing (TDM) manner, such as Figure 7 shown. Specifically, Figure 7 An example of received RF signals (eg, PRS) on three disjoint frequency layers measured in consecutive, rather than concurrent, time periods is shown. Figure 7 The graph shown has time (t) on the x-axis and frequency (f) on the y-axis.

[0115] The goals of high-precision positioning may include developing solutions that can support high accuracy (e.g., horizontal and vertical), low latency, network efficiency (e.g., scalability, reference signal (RS) overhead, etc.), and device efficiency requirements (e.g., power consumption, complexity, etc.) for commercial use cases (including general commercial use cases and IoT-specific use cases). Such solutions can be developed by evaluating the achievable positioning accuracy and latency in certain scenarios (e.g., Internet of Things (IoT) scenarios, etc.) and identifying performance gaps. Other examples include identifying and evaluating positioning technologies, DL / UL positioning reference signals, signaling and processes for improving accuracy, reducing latency, network efficiency, and device efficiency. Enhancements to positioning technologies may also be prioritized.

[0116] In some instances, as described herein, when aggregated bandwidth is utilized, signaling may be required for positioning. Aggregated bandwidth may include bandwidth segments that are connected in the frequency domain. The system and / or UE may utilize advanced processing techniques to aggregate and combine bandwidth segments, which may include disjoint bandwidth segments. Although the bandwidth segments may be disjoint, the system / network and / or UE may combine component carriers, frequency bands, and / or resources within frequency bands to combine disjoint bandwidth segments to improve positioning accuracy. By utilizing disjoint bandwidth segments, the system / network and UE may achieve higher accuracy while reducing latency.

[0117] In communications or signal processing, converting a wideband frequency domain to the time domain produces a narrow pulse function. The wider the bandwidth in the frequency domain, the narrower the pulse in the time domain. For example, given a wide bandwidth, there are two propagation paths for transmission and reception. One propagation path is line of sight from transmission to reception, while the second propagation path may be a reflection. These two propagation paths can be separated in the time domain by relative delay. If the separation between the two propagation paths is large enough, the two propagation paths can be distinguished in the time domain. However, when the two paths are close to each other, depending on the width of the pulse function in the time domain, the two propagation paths may be indistinguishable. If the two propagation paths cannot be distinguished, the resolution in the time domain will be poor. Therefore, if there is better resolution in the time domain, improved accuracy can be achieved. For completely continuous wide bandwidths, there may not be a problem. However, in the case where the bandwidth includes non-intersecting segments as described in the present disclosure, splicing the non-intersecting segments (e.g., different discrete frequency bands) can allow the utilization of a wider bandwidth, thereby improving the arrival time estimation accuracy.

[0118] With respect to new radio (NR) wireless positioning, a "positioning frequency layer" may be a collection of downlink (DL) positioning reference signal (PRS) resource sets spanning one or more transmit-receive points (TRPs) that may include the same set of parameters (e.g., sounding reference signal (SCS) and cyclic prefix (CP) type), the same carrier frequency (e.g., center frequency), and the same starting point (e.g., point A). DL PRS resource sets may belong to the same positioning frequency layer while having the same DL PRS bandwidth value and starting physical resource block (PRB). DL PRS resource sets may also belong to the same positioning frequency layer while having the same set of parameters (e.g., comb size value).

[0119] At a high level, a frequency layer may include a frequency domain or resource (e.g., bandwidth) that may be shared across multiple TRPs and may be used to transmit on downlink PRS resources. The UE may perform measurements across the bandwidth and derive a channel impulse response based on the channel measurements. The resulting time domain waveform may be analyzed to identify the time of arrival of the signal, which may then be used to provide information to a triangulation algorithm to calculate the position of the UE. For example, a TRP may utilize the bandwidth to transmit a signal (e.g., PRS) to a UE, which may then measure the signal and estimate the time of arrival of the signal. An illustrative example of a bandwidth band may be a 400 MHz band. By having a wider effective bandwidth, for example, by aggregating disjoint bandwidth segments, better performance may be achieved when utilizing a triangulation algorithm that uses TOA estimation.

[0120] In some examples, the systems and techniques described herein can utilize multi-frequency layer PRS splicing to achieve higher positioning accuracy. Multi-frequency layer PRS splicing can include enabling position measurement using PRS across consecutive component carriers (CCs), such as Figure 5 Increasing the effective PRS bandwidth can improve the time of arrival (TOA) measurement accuracy. Appropriate assumptions (e.g., QCL, same antenna port, etc.) between consecutive CCs can be defined so that the effective PRS bandwidth can be increased (e.g., for both UL and DLPRS).

[0121] In some examples, systems and techniques can stitch non-contiguous CCs to form disjoint frequency bands. Each CC of a disjoint frequency band can be disjoint from each other, or a CC can be disjoint from other CCs that are contiguous with each other. In some cases, CCs can be inter-band or intra-band. In the case of quasi-positioning of antennas, measurements can be made at different CCs to stitch together a wide bandwidth. In some examples, phase coherence across CCs can be used to determine which frequencies to combine in a wide bandwidth. For example, if two PRS CCs are out of phase and therefore non-phase coherent when performing positioning measurements (e.g., one measurement for the upper portion of a wider bandwidth and another measurement for the lower portion of the wider bandwidth), then in the time domain (e.g., if the CCs are converted to the time domain), the result will not be a proper impulse response because there is a phase break or discontinuity between the upper and lower portions. In this case, existing algorithms cannot combine the two measurements from the out-of-phase bandwidth portions and use the combined CCs for positioning. By determining that the CCs are phase coherent, a UE or other device can use disjoint or disjoint CCs (with phase coherence) for positioning.

[0122] By utilizing the wide bandwidth of disjoint (e.g., non-contiguous) CCs, better resolution and more accurate positioning in the time domain are possible, for example, when utilizing positioning algorithms. In some cases, when frequency domain channel responses are observed, frequency domain-based algorithms can be utilized to determine which frequencies and CCs will be spliced ​​into disjoint frequency bands. When time domain channel responses are observed, time domain-based algorithms can be utilized to determine which frequencies and / or CCs will be spliced ​​into disjoint frequency bands. However, depending on the desired implementation, either type of frequency domain and / or time domain-based algorithms can be used for both domain types.

[0123] An example of an algorithm that can be used to stitch non-contiguous frequencies and / or CCs is the matrix pencil algorithm. The matrix pencil is used to represent the power delay profile (PDP) of an RF signal in the frequency domain. When an RF signal is received through a multipath channel, the PDP of the RF signal indicates the strength of the RF signal as a function of time delay. The frequency domain representation of the PDP of the RF signal using the matrix pencil is given by:

[0124]

[0125] where k is the subcarrier index, n is the channel tap index, r is the total number of taps, j is the complex imaginary number, τ n is the delay of the nth path, d n is the complex amplitude of the nth path, and Δf is the subcarrier spacing.

[0126] The matrix is ​​represented as:

[0127] X=V L×r ×d

[0128] in:

[0129]

[0130] And among them:

[0131] z n =exp(-j2πΔfτ n ), X=(X[0],X[1],…,X[L-1]) T

[0132] In the above equation, V L×r is the Vandermonde matrix.

[0133] Aggregated PRS includes a collection of PRS resources transmitted from the same TRP, so that the UE can assume that the same antenna port is transmitted. Each PRS resource of the aggregated PRS can be referred to as a PRS component. Each PRS component can be physically transmitted on different component carriers, frequency bands, frequency layers, and / or different bandwidths on the same frequency band.

[0134] Bandwidth is a key factor for high positioning accuracy. However, due to the scarcity of frequency resources, the total bandwidth owned by operators is usually segmented. In order to fully utilize the available bandwidth across non-overlapping frequency bands, operators can jointly process measurements on the aggregated bandwidth based on the systems and techniques described herein. As described herein, different algorithms can be implemented by different UEs to provide better performance. In some cases, a UE may have different UE preferences based on the specific algorithm used by the UE or in order to provide better performance. Such preferences may include preferences for PRS resource configurations (e.g., band combinations, parameter sets, comb symbol patterns, etc.), preferences regarding the ability to exploit phase coherence across non-overlapping resources, and the like.

[0135] With the ability to leverage UE preferences and capabilities as described herein, the network can better communicate with UEs with desired resources and configurations when a wider overall bandwidth is needed to meet target accuracy requirements. New signaling information that can be provided according to the systems and techniques described herein may include UE preferences for PRS resource configurations on disjoint bandwidths, the UE's ability to leverage phase coherence between frequency-disjoint PRS resources as discussed further in this disclosure, and / or other information. With this new signaling information conveyed to the network, the location management function (LMF) and gNB can better serve UEs when disjoint bandwidths are allocated to achieve higher accuracy.

[0136] Each frequency layer carrying one or more PRS resources may be disjoint from other frequency layers carrying the one or more PRS resources, or different groups of frequency layers may be adjacent to each other but disjoint from other groups of frequency layers.

[0137] In some cases, phase coherence can be essential information for common processing of PRS measurements across frequency layers. For example, when consistent timing and phase across PRS resources are applicable, measurements on contiguous bandwidth segments allocated to different frequency layers and / or resources can be effectively "stitched" into a single wideband. Examples of "stitching" include combining, adding, supplementing, allocating, grouping, and / or assigning frequencies, frequency bands, or CCs as described herein.

[0138] Different CCs use different transceivers and, in turn, may have different oscillators. Therefore, the phase of each CC may be different. For example, there may be a phase difference (Δphase) in measurements across different CCs. When CCs with different phases are spliced ​​together, the CCs may not be aligned. The timing of the CC measurements may also be different because a different clock may be associated with each CC. In these cases, phase coherence or timing coherence becomes an important factor, and a process may be performed to align the phase and / or timing coherence.

[0139] When receiving DL PRS resources, the UE may not know whether the resources belonging to the two frequency layers are phase coherent. Therefore, by default, the UE may assume that phase coherence does not apply because the wide bandwidth may not be effective if the frequency layers are not phase coherent. Although the wide bandwidth with non-phase coherent frequency layers is still available, the wide bandwidth with non-phase coherent frequency layers may not be more efficient or more accurate than measuring from each non-phase coherent frequency layer separately, which may result in performance degradation. In other cases, if the UE is not aware that the frequency resources are phase coherent, the UE may not be able to splice the frequency-contiguous resources into a single larger bandwidth even if phase coherence is present.

[0140] In some cases, the network (e.g., a base station such as a gNB, a location server or LMF, or other network entity) may send an explicit indication (e.g., an indication including calibration information) to the UE regarding whether there is phase coherence (e.g., Δphase) across frequency layers and resources. With such an explicit indication, the UE may group or adjust phase-coherent frequency-adjacent layers into a larger bandwidth before estimating TOA, which may improve the accuracy of TOA and / or associated position estimates. In some cases, the network may send an explicit indication to the UE to provide phase coherence information for frequency layers and resources. The UE may then utilize the phase coherence information to determine which frequencies to use as a single larger bandwidth. The UE may also receive an indication from the network regarding which frequencies to combine into a larger bandwidth based on the phase coherence information determined by the network.

[0141] In some cases, the UE may be configured to operate with multiple frequency layers (e.g., in lower-level and higher-level frequency layers). In some cases, there may be multiple TRPs per frequency layer, each with multiple resources. Phase coherence information for the TRPs may be communicated from the network to the UE according to the following example.

[0142] In one example, for TRP, if the phase is consistent across the resources in each frequency layer, the network may send information to the UE indicating to the UE whether the TRP has any layers with different phases (e.g., a layer-based approach). In this example, the UE assumes that the phase is consistent across the resources of each respective frequency layer. Alternatively, the UE may assume that the resources of each respective frequency layer are not phase coherent and may wait to receive phase coherence information from the network. Various methods may be used to send information from the network to the UE. For example, the network (e.g., a base station such as a gNB, a location server, or LMF, or other network entity) may send a list of indicators (e.g., a Boolean indicator), a bit array (or bitmap) of frequency layers, a list of frequency layers and the resources of the frequency layers that are phase coherent, or any combination thereof.

[0143] For example, the list of Boolean indicators may include a list of frequency layers and corresponding Boolean indicators. The Boolean indicators may indicate which frequency layers are phase coherent. A Boolean indicator may be associated with each pair of frequency layers of the TRP. In some cases, the frequency layers of each pair may be phase coherent with each other, such as Figure 8A As shown (described below). In some cases, a Boolean indicator can be associated with a bitmap. In one illustrative example, the list of Boolean indicators can include four frequency layers with a bitmap of six different pairs and six bits long. The bitmap can include values ​​such as 0 and 1, which can indicate which frequency layers are phase coherent (e.g., one value such as 0 indicates phase coherence with the previous frequency layer, while another value such as 1 indicates non-phase coherence with the previous frequency layer). In addition, based on the bitmap of the Boolean indicator list, the UE can determine which frequency layers and their corresponding resources are phase coherent. The list of frequency layers and their corresponding Boolean indicators can be an exhaustive list of frequency layers indicating which frequency layers are phase coherent and / or which frequency layers are to be combined.

[0144] Figure 8A Example frequency bands and their associated phase coherence according to some examples of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 8A In the example, phase-coherent continuous frequency bands are shown in the same pattern. In this example, four frequency layers are shown on four non-overlapping bandwidth segments. Two pairs of frequency bands are shown as CC0:CC1 and CC2:CC3. Component carriers CC0 and CC1 are phase-coherent with each other, and CC2 and CC3 are phase-coherent with each other. In this example, CC0 and CC1 are not phase-coherent with CC2 and CC3. Figure 8A As shown, the bitmap 802 provides an indication of the phase coherence between various frequency bands (e.g., CC0, CC1, CC2, and CC3). For example, the bitmap 802 may include an (n-1) bit array with n frequency layers (where Figure 8A , n=4). In some examples, fewer bits or more bits may be provided, such as 5 bits, 8 bits, 10 bits, or another number of bits, which in some cases may depend on the number of frequencies or component carriers. The nth bit may be set to 1 if the (n+1)th layer is phase coherent with the nth layer, or may be set to 0 if the (n+1)th layer is not phase coherent with the nth layer. Figure 8AAs shown, the bitmap includes three bits, including a bit value of 1 for CC1, a bit value of 0 for CC2, and a bit value of 1 for CC3. A bit value of 1 for CC1 indicates that CC1 is phase-coherent with CC0. A bit value of 0 for CC2 indicates that CC2 is not phase-coherent with CC1. A bit value of 1 for CC3 indicates that CC3 is phase-coherent with CC2. In some examples, the bitmap 802 may include a group value or name for each component carrier to indicate one or more phase-coherent component carrier groups (e.g., CC0 and CC1 are phase-coherent and may have a common group name or value, CC02 and CC03 are phase-coherent and may have a common group name or value, etc.).

[0145] Figure 8B is a further illustration of some examples according to the present disclosure Figure 8A A table of bitmap 802 of component carriers. Similar to Figure 8A The bitmap 802 may include a bitmap having n frequency layers (e.g., Figure 8A and 8B An (n-1) bit array of four frequency layers (as shown), where the nth bit can be set to 1 if the (n+1)th layer is phase coherent with the nth layer, and can be set to 0 if the (n+1)th layer is not phase coherent with the nth layer. Figure 8B As shown, CC1 may include a bit value of 1 (CC1:1), CC2 may include a bit value of 0 (CC2:0), and CC3 may include a bit value of 1 (CC3:1). Figure 8A and Figure 8B The bitmap 802 in the example includes three bits, but in some examples fewer bits or more bits may be provided, which may depend on the number of frequencies or component carriers. Figure 8B As shown, the bitmap 802 may also include a group value (which may be predetermined) to indicate one or more groups of component carriers that are phase coherent and may therefore be grouped together to form a larger bandwidth. Figure 8B As shown, phase-coherent CC0 and CC1 are in a first group (group value 1), and phase-coherent CC2 and CC3 are in a second group (group value 2). In some cases, CC0 may not include a bit value, but may include a group value of 1.

[0146] The network (e.g., a base station such as a gNB, a location server or LMF, or other network entity) may send a bitmap 802 to the UE as an explicit indication of whether phase coherence (e.g., Δphase) exists across component carriers CC0, CC1, CC2, and CC3. Using the information in the bitmap 802, the UE may group or adjust phase-coherent frequency-adjacent layers into a larger bandwidth before determining its position (e.g., by estimating TOA). Figure 8A Based on the information provided by the bitmap, the UE can stitch CC0 and CC1 together (based on determining a bit value of 1 for CC1 or determining a group value of 1 for CC0 and CC1, which indicates that CC1 and CC0 are phase-coherent) and / or can stitch CC2 and CC3 together (based on determining a bit value of 1 for CC3 or determining a group value of 2 for CC2 and CC3, which indicates that CC3 and CC2 are phase-coherent) to form a larger bandwidth.

[0147] In some cases, an indication of phase coherence may be signaled when the phase changes across resources for one or more TRPs. For example, if the phase also changes across resources for one TRP, the network (e.g., a base station such as a gNB, a location server or LMF, or other network entity) may signal to the UE that the TRP has different phases across different resources and layers. In some examples, this information may be sent to the UE in one or more lists. For example, each list may include information summarizing groups of frequency layers and resources that are phase coherent. The lists need not be exhaustive, but may include specific frequency layers and resources. Figure 9 and Figure 10 Provide illustrative examples.

[0148] Figure 9 Example frequency layers and resources (e.g., resource 1 - resource 6) are shown according to some aspects of the present disclosure. For example, Figure 9 Two frequency layers (including frequency layer 0 and frequency layer 1) and three corresponding resources for each frequency layer (including resource 1, resource 2, and resource 3 of frequency layer 0 and resource 4, resource 5, and resource 6 of frequency layer 1) are shown. In this case, the two frequency layers with three resources each provide six different combinations of phase coherence relationships. As described above, if the phase also changes across resources for one TRP, the network (e.g., a base station such as a gNB, a location server or LMF, or other network entity) can signal to the UE that the TRP has different phases across different resources and layers. For example, referring to Figure 9 If resource n of frequency layer 0 (e.g., resource 1, 2, or 3) and resource m of frequency layer 1 (e.g., resource 4, 5, or 6) are not on any common list, the UE considers that resource n of frequency layer 1 and resource m of frequency layer 2 are not phase-coherent.

[0149] Figure 10 Shows about Figure 9 Example phase coherent groups of frequency layers and resources shown in 1005. For example, Figure 10 Resource groups and their corresponding phases are shown. For example, group 0 includes resource 1, group 1 includes resources 2 and 4, group 2 includes resources 3 and 5, and group 3 includes resource 6. Figure 10Also shown is a phase coherent list 1010 including Group 1 and Group 2 from the phase coherent group 1005 and phase coherent resources, with a single member group omitted from the phase coherent list. Figure 10 In the example shown, group 1 (including resource 2 from frequency layer 0 and resource 4 from frequency layer 1) and group 2 (including resource 3 from frequency layer 0 and resource 5 from frequency layer 1) are listed as phase-coherent groups. Once the network generates a phase coherence list (e.g., phase coherence list 1010), the network can send the phase coherence list to the UE. Based on the information in the phase coherence list, the UE can determine a list of phase-coherent resource groups. Using the non-overlapping phase-coherent resources identified in the phase coherence list, the UE can triangulate its position and / or exchange positioning data with the network.

[0150] In some examples, the UE may implement different algorithms for processing aggregate bandwidth across disjoint frequency bands, such as by performing PRS splicing. To achieve better performance or algorithmic requirements (e.g., on downlink PRS or uplink SRS), the UE may have specific bandwidth implementation preferences and provide them to the network to determine which frequency bands to allocate to the UE. In some examples, the UE may include an information element (IE) or control element (CE) in a signaling message to indicate its configuration preference for PRS splicing. The UE may send a signaling message with the information or control element to the network (e.g., to a base station, location server, or other network entity). For uplink transmissions from the UE to the network (e.g., in one or more SRS resources), transmissions may be initiated by the UE rather than the network. In some cases, the UE may provide a timing difference to the TRP when used to transmit data. A set of example parameters including various signaling methods is described below, where the parameters may be explicitly signaled by the UE or implicitly derived (in this case, the information element (IE) is not explicitly signaled).

[0151] Explicit signaling occurs when a UE sends information including an explicit implementation preference to the network (e.g., a base station such as a gNB, a location server or LMF, and / or other network entity), such as by signaling one or more IEs indicating the implementation preference. Explicit signaling (e.g., one or more IEs) may be provided in a Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB), Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, MAC Control Element (MAC-CE), Downlink Control Information (DCI), and / or other signaling messages or resources. Implicit derivation occurs when the network (e.g., a base station, location server or LMF, or other network entity) implies to the UE that it has a particular preference based on information signaled by the UE or based on unsignaled information. Implicit derivation can also be defined as a default signaling implementation used by the network and UE (not based on any signaling).

[0152] In some aspects, the preference for a UE's frequency band combination may be explicitly signaled or implicitly derived by the network (e.g., a base station, location server, or LMF, or other network entity). Examples of preference information that the UE may explicitly signal may include an indication of whether the UE supports only inter-band or only intra-band, an indication of whether the UE supports only non-contiguous frequency bands or only contiguous frequency bands, an indication of whether the UE supports only the same frequency (FRx) or cross-frequency (FRx+FRy, such as FR1+FR2). In addition, the UE may explicitly signal in an IE a list of specific frequency bands (e.g., carrier bands), CCs, and / or frequencies that the UE prefers for positioning triangulation purposes. In cases where applying a time-domain based ranging algorithm does not benefit from widely separated non-intersecting frequency bands, the UE may only provide a preference for contiguous frequency bands. In cases where the UE employs advanced algorithms that can utilize non-intersecting frequency bands with gaps, the UE may request or provide a preference for non-contiguous inter-band or intra-band support. Thus, the UE may select a frequency band combination as its preferred bandwidth implementation. As described herein, it can be difficult to obtain large, contiguous blocks of bandwidth. The techniques described herein, which allow the use of disjoint frequency bands, alleviate this difficulty in obtaining contiguous blocks of bandwidth. By selecting frequency band combinations using disjoint bandwidths, greater bandwidth is provided. Greater bandwidth can provide more accurate positioning measurements and can reduce multipath or false peak detection, among other benefits.

[0153] In some examples, the preference for a UE's frequency band combination can be implicitly derived by the network (e.g., a base station, location server, or LMF, or other network entity) (e.g., without including an IE). For example, if the network determines that the UE does not provide an IE indicating specific preference information, the network can imply the UE's preference. In one illustrative example, if the UE does not signal IE information, the network can imply that the UE supports only intra-band, only FRx, and only contiguous bands.

[0154] In other aspects, the UE's preference for parameter sets and comb symbol patterns may be explicitly signaled by the UE (e.g., in one or more IEs) or may be implicitly derived by the network (e.g., a base station, location server, or LMF, or other network entity). Examples of preference information that the UE may explicitly signal may include an indication of the same parameter set, an indication of the same comb symbol pattern across frequency layers, an indication of the same PRS frequency spacing after dejittering, and / or other information. The indication may be different parameter sets and comb symbol patterns across frequency layers or component carriers across frequency layers.

[0155] By applying a time-domain based ranging algorithm, the UE may not benefit from non-uniform frequency sampling (e.g., due to the splicing of two adjacent frequency bands with different parameter sets) because the shape of the corresponding time-domain waveform may introduce ambiguity in estimating the signal arrival time. Advanced frequency-domain based algorithms can utilize frequency samples to estimate the signal arrival time.

[0156] Depending on the algorithm used by the UE, the UE may indicate to the network (e.g., by signaling one or more IEs to a base station, location server, or LMF or other network entity) the preferred parameter sets and / or comb symbol patterns for different component carriers for PRS transmission. In addition, the UE's selection of preferences may include timing drift between component carriers to confirm that the component carriers are synchronized. The algorithm used by the UE may also include delay tolerance, which may utilize measurements across different component carriers to calculate the timing drift and adjust accordingly. Thus, the UE may select a parameter set and / or comb symbol pattern as its preferred bandwidth implementation.

[0157] Table 2 below provides examples of parameter sets and comb symbol patterns that may be preferred and / or used by the UE and may also be provided to the network (e.g., by sending one or more IEs to a base station, location server, or LMF or other network entity). In this case, the parameter set selection range is 0-4, and the comb symbol pattern includes values ​​in the range 12-14.

[0158] Parameter set (μ) Comb symbol pattern 0 14 1 13 2 12 3 14 4 13

[0159] Table 2

[0160] Other parameter sets and comb symbol patterns are contemplated in this disclosure. Different combinations of parameter sets and comb symbol groups can also be preferred and / or used by the UE on different component carrier frequencies, which can then be provided to the network. The PRS interval can also be a factor selected by the UE. The PRS signal can be separated from the frequency domain across multiple symbols.

[0161] In some cases, if two signals (e.g., a first signal and a second signal) use the same comb symbol, the transmission in the frequency domain can be shifted between the two signals to avoid overlap in the frequency domain of the two signals, which is called interleaving. "Deinterleaving" means that the frequency allocation of the PRS tones does not intersect or overlap from one symbol to another. In one example, there can be a frequency separation of, for example, 240 kHz for different PRSs (e.g., PRS position spacing in the frequency domain). After performing the interleaving process across multiple tones, there may be a spacing of approximately 30 kHz between the PRS tones. In some cases, the same comb can be used across different component carriers, and after the interleaving process, the UE can determine whether the PRS frequency spacing is sufficient. In this case, the UE can prefer the same PRS frequency after the interleaving and / or deinterleaving process. This process can be used in 5G or LTE dynamic spectrum settings (including asset tracking in industrial IoT settings that can track macro narrowband LTE IoT signals, which can leave the industrial IoT setting for pure narrowband IoT configurations).

[0162] Figure 11 An example table of comb symbol patterns according to some examples of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 12 An example diagram of a comb symbol pattern according to some examples of the present disclosure is shown. For example, in Figure 11 and Figure 12 The pattern of DL PRS resources within a time slot is shown in Figure 1. DL PRS resources can span consecutive symbols in time slots 2, 4, 6, and 12 in a full frequency domain staggered pattern. DL PRS resources can also be configured in any higher-layer configured DL or FL symbol in a time slot. In addition, a constant energy per resource element (EPRE) can be used for the REs of a given DL PRS resource.

[0163] In some cases, if the UE does not signal a preference, the parameter set, comb symbol pattern, and / or PRS frequency spacing may be derived based on default settings. In one illustrative example, if the UE does not signal a preference in one or more IEs, the network (e.g., a base station, location server, or LMF, or other network entity) may infer that the UE prefers only the same parameter set, the same comb and symbol across frequency layers, and the same PRS frequency spacing after de-jittering.

[0164] In yet another aspect, the UE can employ advanced algorithms to estimate and compensate for timing drift and timing errors between different PRS layers and / or resources. Understanding the UE's tolerance to timing drift can provide better resource allocation for UE performance and network efficiency. Therefore, the UE can select timing drift as its preferred bandwidth implementation and provide the network with the appropriate range.

[0165] In addition, the UE may explicitly (e.g., in one or more IEs) signal the time period error or difference (e.g., Δ time period) between PRS resources from different frequency layers as a preference to the network (e.g., a base station, a location server, or a LMF, or other network entity). If the timing between two PRS resources is too small or too large, the aggregate bandwidth of the two PRS resources may not provide the improvement of wide bandwidth as discussed herein. Therefore, the UE may send timing-related information such as PRS resource timing accuracy to the network to utilize resources with low timing error. In some cases, the network may implicitly derive the time period difference and / or other information.

[0166] In some examples, the UE may explicitly signal one or more IEs indicating a preference for PRS resource timing accuracy, such as a timing error between PRS resources from different frequency layers. The timing error may include information about PRS resources with a time difference less than x seconds and within a y-second window. In other cases, the UE may indicate a preference for near-perfect synchronization of timing from the network between PRS resources or assistance data.

[0167] In some examples, the network (e.g., a base station, location server, or LMF, or other network entity) can implicitly derive (e.g., when one or more IEs are not signaled by the UE) the PRS resource timing accuracy preference. In one illustrative example, the network can infer that the UE prefers near-perfect synchronization. In another illustrative example, the network can infer that the UE prefers that the network provide assistance data to the UE for timing purposes.

[0168] In addition to the listed preferences described herein, the UE may also indicate its capabilities. For example, the UE capabilities may include information regarding its ability to exploit information that transmissions are phase-coherent on PRS resources. In one example, in an intra-band scenario, the UE may be able to stitch contiguous frequency bands into a single, larger bandwidth while maintaining phase coherence across PRS resources. In some other cases (e.g., FR1+FR2), the algorithm may jointly process PRS resources from FR1 and FR2, but this may not fully exploit the coherence information. By knowing the UE's ability to exploit Tx coherence, the gNB can avoid unnecessary processing by not attempting to maintain coherence for UEs that cannot exploit it initially. Additionally, in the event that the UE is unable to provide its capabilities at the start of the process described herein, the UE may provide an indication in the measurement of whether the UE is able to provide a preference to the network.

[0169] In some aspects, a preference related to the UE's ability to use phase coherence information may be explicitly signaled or implicitly derived by the network (e.g., a base station, location server, or LMF, or other network entity). Examples of preference information related to phase coherence that the UE may explicitly signal may include an indication of the UE's ability to use phase coherence information across PRS resources. In some instances, the phase coherence information may be used for splicing as described herein.

[0170] In some aspects, a network (e.g., a base station, a location server, or a LMF, or other network entity) may implicitly derive a preference related to a UE's ability to use phase coherence information based on the UE's default preference (e.g., without including an IE). In one illustrative example, if the UE does not signal information regarding its ability to use phase coherence information, the network may imply that the UE does not use phase coherence information when performing splicing.

[0171] In some examples, the methods and systems described herein can be used on the uplink (e.g., SRS), where transmissions can be initiated by the UE rather than the network. In some cases, the examples described herein can be used with a sounding reference signal (SRS) for positioning or downlink PRS, which can be used in a similar manner as described above with respect to TRP.

[0172] Figure 13 An example flow chart of a process 1300 for performing signaling consideration operations for wireless positioning using disjoint bandwidth segments by a user device according to some examples of the present disclosure is shown. At operation 1302, process 1300 may include sending one or more indications of a preferred bandwidth configuration by the user device. In some examples, the preferred bandwidth configuration is as follows: Figure 8A and Figure 8B In some implementations, the bandwidth combination preferences include: Figure 8A and Figure 8B In some cases, the preferred bandwidth configuration is as follows Figure 11 and Figure 12 In some examples, the parameter set preferences include Figure 11 and Figure 12 Comb and symbol information across frequency layers shown in .

[0173] In some implementations, the preferred bandwidth configuration is a timing error tolerance preference. For example, the UE may explicitly signal one or more IEs indicating a preference for PRS resource timing accuracy, such as the timing error between PRS resources from different frequency layers. The timing error may include information about PRS resources with a time difference less than x seconds and within a y-second window. In other cases, the UE may indicate a preference for near-perfect synchronization of timing from the network between PRS resources or assistance data.

[0174] At operation 1304, process 1300 may include receiving, at a user equipment, a positioning configuration indicating disjoint bandwidth segments containing positioning reference signals based on a preferred bandwidth configuration. For example, signaling considerations for positioning may include which signals, resources, frequency layers, frequencies, frequency bands, bandwidths, and / or component carriers to use for positioning purposes (e.g., positioning reference signal resources).

[0175] In some examples, disjoint bandwidth segments such as Figure 7 In some implementations, as shown, multiple frequency layers are included. Figure 9 As shown, each frequency layer in the plurality of frequency layers is discontinuous with each other frequency layer. In some cases, such as Figure 10 As shown, the plurality of frequency layers form a plurality of frequency layer groups, and one frequency layer in the plurality of frequency layers is discontinuous with one of the plurality of frequency layer groups.

[0176] At operation 1306, process 1300 may include determining, at the user equipment, one or more positioning measurements based on positioning reference signals in the disjoint bandwidth segments. For example, the UE may receive an allocation of disjoint bandwidth segments for wireless positioning based on a preferred bandwidth implementation and may utilize the allocation of the disjoint bandwidth segments on a downlink to receive positioning data from a base station.

[0177] In some examples, process 1300 includes receiving, at a user equipment, a request from a base station for a preferred bandwidth configuration.

[0178] Figure 14 An example flow chart of a process for performing wireless positioning using disjoint bandwidth segments by a base station according to some examples of the present disclosure is shown. At operation 1402, process 1400 may include receiving, at a base station, one or more indications of a preferred bandwidth configuration for signaling consideration sent by a user equipment. In some examples, the preferred bandwidth configuration is as follows: Figure 8A and Figure 8B In some implementations, the bandwidth combination preferences include: Figure 8A and Figure 8B In some cases, the preferred bandwidth configuration is as follows Figure 11 and Figure 12In some examples, the parameter set preferences include Figure 11 and Figure 12 Comb and symbol information across frequency layers shown in .

[0179] In some implementations, the preferred bandwidth configuration is a timing error tolerance preference. For example, the UE may explicitly signal one or more IEs indicating a preference for PRS resource timing accuracy, such as the timing error between PRS resources from different frequency layers. The timing error may include information about PRS resources with a time difference less than x seconds and within a y-second window. In other cases, the UE may indicate a preference for near-perfect synchronization of timing from the network between PRS resources or assistance data.

[0180] At operation 1404, process 1400 may include determining, at the base station, a positioning configuration indicating disjoint bandwidth segments containing positioning reference signals based on the preferred bandwidth configuration. For example, signaling considerations for positioning may include which signals, resources, frequency layers, frequencies, frequency bands, bandwidths, and / or component carriers to use for positioning purposes (e.g., positioning reference signal resources).

[0181] In some examples, disjoint bandwidth segments such as Figure 7 The diagram includes multiple frequency layers. In some implementations, each frequency layer in the multiple frequency layers is discontinuous with each other frequency layer. In some cases, the multiple frequency layers form multiple frequency layer groups, and one frequency layer in the multiple frequency layers is discontinuous with one of the multiple frequency layer groups.

[0182] At operation 1406, process 1400 may include providing, by the base station, a positioning configuration indicating disjoint bandwidth segments to the user equipment, such that the user equipment determines one or more positioning measurements based on positioning reference signals in the disjoint bandwidth segments. For example, the UE may receive an allocation of disjoint bandwidth segments for wireless positioning based on a preferred bandwidth implementation, and may utilize the allocation of the disjoint bandwidth segments on a downlink to receive positioning data from the base station and determine one or more positioning measurements.

[0183] In some examples, process 1400 includes providing, by a base station, a request for a preferred bandwidth configuration to a user equipment.

[0184] Figure 15 An example flow chart of a process for performing wireless positioning using phase coherence and disjoint bandwidth segments by a user device according to some examples of the present disclosure is shown. At operation 1502, process 1500 may include receiving, at a user device, a signal related to a phase coherent signal. Figure 10An indication of phase coherence of multiple reference signals associated with the multiple bandwidth segments shown in . Examples of reference signals may include a positioning reference signal (PRS), a sounding reference signal (SRS) used for positioning, and the like. The multiple reference signals for which the phase coherence indication is provided may include reference signals of the same type (e.g., PRS, SRS, etc.).

[0185] In some examples, the indication of phase coherence includes a list of Boolean indicators for pairs of frequency layers. In some implementations, the list of Boolean indicators includes one or more bitmaps associated with the pairs of frequency layers. For example, the list of Boolean indicators can include a list of frequency layers and corresponding Boolean indicators. The Boolean indicators can indicate which frequency layers are phase coherent. A Boolean indicator can also be associated with each pair of frequency layers of the TRP. In some cases, each pair of frequency layers can be phase coherent with each other, such as Figure 8A In some cases, a Boolean indicator may be associated with a bitmap. In one illustrative example, a list of Boolean indicators may include four frequency layers with six different pairs and a bitmap that is six bits long.

[0186] In some cases, the indication of phase coherence includes a bit array of multiple frequency layers. In some examples, the multiple frequency layers are ordered from low frequency to high frequency. In some implementations, the indication of phase coherence includes a list of frequency layers and resources in which phase coherence is present. In some cases, the UE can determine which frequency layers and their corresponding resources are phase coherent. The list of frequency layers and their corresponding Boolean indicators can be an exhaustive list of frequency layers.

[0187] At operation 1504, process 1500 may include: Figure 9 and Figure 10 The indication of phase coherence is shown to determine whether to aggregate reference signals associated with each of the plurality of bandwidth segments.

[0188] In some examples, multiple bandwidth segments such as Figure 10 The diagram includes a plurality of frequency layers. In some implementations, each frequency layer in the plurality of frequency layers is discontinuous with each other frequency layer. In some cases, the plurality of frequency layers form a plurality of frequency layer groups, and a frequency layer in the plurality of frequency layers is discontinuous with a group in the plurality of frequency layer groups. In some examples, the plurality of frequency layers includes both contiguous and discontinuous frequency layers.

[0189] At operation 1506, in response to determining to aggregate reference signals associated with each bandwidth segment, process 1500 may include determining, at the user equipment, one or more positioning measurements based on the aggregated reference signals from the multiple bandwidth segments. For example, the UE may receive an allocation of disjoint bandwidth segments for wireless positioning based on a preferred bandwidth implementation and may utilize the allocation of disjoint bandwidth segments on a downlink to receive positioning data from a base station. The user equipment may determine the one or more positioning measurements using the aggregated reference signals from the disjoint bandwidth segments.

[0190] Figure 16 An example flow chart of a process for performing wireless positioning using phase coherence and non-overlapping bandwidth segments by a base station according to some examples of the present disclosure is shown. At operation 1602, process 1600 may include determining at a base station Figure 9 and Figure 10 An indication of phase coherence of multiple reference signals associated with multiple bandwidth segments shown in .

[0191] In some examples, the indication of phase coherence includes a list of Boolean indicators for pairs of frequency layers. In some implementations, the list of Boolean indicators includes one or more bitmaps associated with the pairs of frequency layers. For example, the list of Boolean indicators can include a list of frequency layers and corresponding Boolean indicators. The Boolean indicators can indicate which frequency layers are phase coherent. A Boolean indicator can also be associated with each pair of frequency layers of the TRP. In some cases, each pair of frequency layers can be phase coherent with each other, such as Figure 8A In some cases, a Boolean indicator may be associated with a bitmap. In one illustrative example, a list of Boolean indicators may include four frequency layers with six different pairs and a bitmap that is six bits long.

[0192] In some cases, the indication of phase coherence includes a bit array of multiple frequency layers. In some examples, the multiple frequency layers are ordered from low frequency to high frequency. In some implementations, the indication of phase coherence includes a list of frequency layers and resources in which phase coherence is present. In some cases, the UE can determine which frequency layers and their corresponding resources are phase coherent. The list of frequency layers and their corresponding Boolean indicators can be an exhaustive list of frequency layers.

[0193] At operation 1604, process 1600 may include transmitting, by a base station, an indication of phase coherence of a plurality of reference signals for wireless positioning, such as Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, each bandwidth segment of the plurality of bandwidth segments is associated with a reference signal of the plurality of reference signals.

[0194] In some examples, multiple bandwidth segments such as Figure 10The diagram includes a plurality of frequency layers. In some implementations, each frequency layer in the plurality of frequency layers is discontinuous with each other frequency layer. In some cases, the plurality of frequency layers form a plurality of frequency layer groups, and a frequency layer in the plurality of frequency layers is discontinuous with a group in the plurality of frequency layer groups. In some examples, the plurality of frequency layers includes both contiguous and discontinuous frequency layers.

[0195] At operation 1606, process 1600 may include receiving, at a base station, one or more positioning measurements based on aggregated reference signals from a plurality of bandwidth segments. The aggregated reference signal may be determined by the user equipment based on an indication of phase coherence. For example, the UE may receive an allocation of disjoint bandwidth segments for wireless positioning based on a preferred bandwidth implementation and may utilize the allocation of disjoint bandwidth segments to receive positioning data from the base station on a downlink.

[0196] In some examples, the processes described herein (e.g., processes 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, and / or other processes described herein) can be performed by a computing device or apparatus. In one example, processes 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600 can be performed by Figure 17 1700 as shown in FIG.

[0197] The computing device may include any suitable UE or device, such as a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone), a desktop computing device, a tablet computing device, a wearable device (e.g., a VR headset, an AR headset, AR glasses, a connected watch or smartwatch or other wearable device), a server computer, an autonomous vehicle or a computing device of an autonomous vehicle, a robotic device, a television, and / or any other computing device with resource capabilities to perform the processes described herein (including processes 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600). In some cases, the computing device or apparatus may include various components, such as one or more input devices, one or more output devices, one or more processors, one or more microprocessors, one or more microcomputers, one or more cameras, one or more sensors, and / or other components configured to perform the steps of the processes described herein. In some examples, the computing device may include a display, a network interface configured to communicate and / or receive data, any combination thereof, and / or other components. The network interface may be configured to transmit and / or receive data based on an Internet Protocol (IP) or other types of data.

[0198] Components of a computing device may be implemented in circuits. For example, the components may include and / or be implemented using electronic circuits or other electronic hardware, which may include one or more programmable electronic circuits (e.g., a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), a vision processing unit (VPU), a network signal processor (NSP), a microcontroller (MCU), and / or other suitable electronic circuits), and / or may include and / or be implemented using computer software, firmware, or any combination thereof to perform the various operations described herein.

[0199] Processes 1300, 1400, 1500, and 1600 are illustrated as logical flow diagrams, the operations of which represent a sequence of operations that can be implemented in hardware, computer instructions, or a combination thereof. In the context of computer instructions, an operation represents a computer-executable instruction stored on one or more computer-readable storage media that, when executed by one or more processors, performs the described operation. Generally, computer-executable instructions include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform a specific function or implement a specific data type. The order in which the operations are described is not intended to be construed as limiting, and any number of the described operations can be combined in any order and / or in parallel to implement a process.

[0200] In addition, processes 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600 and / or other processes described herein may be executed under the control of one or more computer systems configured with executable instructions and may be implemented by hardware or a combination thereof as code (e.g., executable instructions, one or more computer programs, or one or more applications) that is collectively executed on one or more processors. As described above, the code may be stored on a computer-readable or machine-readable storage medium, for example, in the form of a computer program comprising multiple instructions that can be executed by one or more processors. The computer-readable or machine-readable storage medium may be non-transitory.

[0201] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a system for implementing certain aspects of the present technology. Specifically, Figure 17 An example of a computing system 1700 is shown, which can be, for example, an internal computing system, a remote computing system, a camera, or any computing device in which components of the system communicate with each other using connection 1705. Connection 1705 can be a physical connection using a bus, or directly connected to processor 1710, such as in a chipset architecture. Connection 1705 can also be a virtual connection, a networked connection, or a logical connection.

[0202] In some embodiments, computing system 1700 is a distributed system, in which the functionality described in this disclosure can be distributed across a data center, multiple data centers, a peer-to-peer network, etc. In some embodiments, one or more of the described system components represents a plurality of such components, each of which performs some or all of the functionality of the described component. In some embodiments, the components can be physical or virtual devices.

[0203] The example system 1700 includes at least one processing unit (CPU or processor) 1710 and connections 1705 that couple various system components including system memory 1715 such as read-only memory (ROM) 1720 and random access memory (RAM) 1725 to the processor 1710. The computing system 1700 may include a cache 1712 as high-speed memory directly connected to the processor 1710, in close proximity to the processor 1710, or integrated as part of the processor 1710.

[0204] Processor 1710 may include any general-purpose processor and hardware or software services, such as services 1732, 1734, and 1736 stored in storage device 1730, configured to control processor 1710, as well as specialized processors where software instructions are incorporated into the actual processor design. Processor 1710 may essentially be a completely independent computing system, containing multiple cores or processors, buses, memory controllers, caches, etc. Multi-core processors may be symmetric or asymmetric.

[0205] To enable user interaction, computing system 1700 includes input device 1745, which can represent any number of input mechanisms, such as a microphone for voice, a touch screen for gesture or graphical input, a keyboard, a mouse, motion input, voice, etc. Computing system 1700 can also include output device 1735, which can be one or more of a variety of output mechanisms. In some instances, a multimodal system can enable a user to provide multiple types of input / output to communicate with computing system 1700. Computing system 1700 can include communication interface 1740, which can generally govern and manage user input and system output.

[0206] The communication interface may use wired and / or wireless transceivers to perform or facilitate receiving and / or transmitting wired or wireless communications, including using audio jacks / plugs, microphone jacks / plugs, Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports / plugs, lightning Ports / plugs, Ethernet ports / plugs, Fiber optic ports / plugs, Proprietary wired ports / plugs, Bluetooth Wireless signal transmission, Low energy (BLE) wireless signal transmission, Wireless signal transmission, radio frequency identification (RFID) wireless signal transmission, near field communication (NFC) wireless signal transmission, dedicated short range communication (DSRC) wireless signal transmission, 802.11 Wi-Fi wireless signal transmission, wireless local area network (WLAN) signal transmission, visible light communication (VLC), world interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), infrared (IR) communication wireless signal transmission, public switched telephone network (PSTN) signal transmission, integrated services digital network (ISDN) signal transmission, 3G / 4G / 5G / LTE cellular data network wireless signal transmission, ad hoc network signal transmission, radio wave signal transmission, microwave signal transmission, infrared signal transmission, visible light signal transmission, ultraviolet light signal transmission, wireless signal transmission along the electromagnetic spectrum, or some combination thereof, those transceivers.

[0207] The communication interface 1740 may also include one or more global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers or transceivers that are used to determine the location of the computing system 1700 based on one or more signals received from one or more satellites associated with one or more GNSS systems. GNSS systems include, but are not limited to, the United States-based Global Positioning System (GPS), the Russian-based Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), the Chinese-based BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), and the European-based Galileo GNSS. There is no limitation to operating on any particular hardware arrangement, and therefore, as improved hardware or firmware arrangements are developed, the basic features herein may be easily replaced with improved hardware or firmware arrangements.

[0208] The storage device 1730 may be a non-volatile and / or non-transitory and / or computer-readable memory device and may be a hard disk or any type of computer-readable medium that can store computer-accessible data, such as a magnetic cassette, a flash memory card, a solid-state storage device, a digital versatile disk, a magnetic cassette, a floppy disk, a collapsible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, a magnetic stripe / strip, any other magnetic storage medium, a flash memory, a memristive memory, any other solid-state memory, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) disc, a rewritable compact disc (CD) disc, a digital video disc (DVD) disc, a Blu-ray disc (BDD) disc, a holographic disc, another optical medium, a secure digital (SD) card, a micro secure digital (microSD) card, card, a smart card chip, an EMV chip, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a mini / micro / nano / pico SIM card, another integrated circuit (IC) chip / card, a random access memory (RAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a flash EPROM (FLASH EPROM), a cache memory (L1 / L2 / L3 / L4 / L5 / L#), a resistive random access memory (RRAM / ReRAM), a phase change memory (PCM), a spin transfer torque RAM (STT-RAM), another memory chip or cartridge, and / or a combination thereof.

[0209] Storage devices 1730 may include software services, servers, services, etc., which, when the code defining such software is executed by processor 1710, causes the system to perform a function. In some embodiments, a hardware service that performs a particular function may include a software component stored in a computer-readable medium that interfaces with the necessary hardware components, such as processor 1710, connection 1705, output device 1735, etc., to perform that function. The term "computer-readable medium" includes, but is not limited to, portable or non-portable storage devices, optical storage devices, and various other media capable of storing, containing, or carrying instructions(s) and / or data. A computer-readable medium may include a non-transitory medium in which data may be stored, and the non-transitory medium does not include carrier waves and / or transient electronic signals propagated wirelessly or over a wired connection.

[0210] Examples of non-transitory media may include, but are not limited to, disks or tapes, optical storage media (such as compact disks (CDs) or digital versatile disks (DVDs)), flash memory, memory, or memory devices. Computer-readable media may store code and / or machine-executable instructions thereon, which may represent any combination of a process, function, subroutine, program, routine, subroutine, module, software package, class, or instruction, data structure, or program statement. A code segment may be coupled to another code segment or hardware circuit by passing and / or receiving information, data, independent variables, parameters, or memory contents. Information, independent variables, parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or sent via any suitable means including memory sharing, message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.

[0211] Specific details are provided in the above description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments and examples provided herein, but those skilled in the art will recognize that the present application is not limited thereto. Therefore, although the illustrative embodiments of the present application have been described in detail herein, it should be understood that the concepts of the present invention can be embodied and used differently in other ways, and the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including such changes, unless limited by the prior art. The various features and aspects of the above-mentioned applications can be used individually or in combination. In addition, without departing from the broader spirit and scope of this specification, the embodiments can be used in any number of environments and applications outside the environments and applications described herein. Therefore, this specification and the accompanying drawings are regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. For illustrative purposes, the method has been described in a particular order. It should be understood that in alternative embodiments, the method can be performed in a different order than described.

[0212] For explanation clarity, in some instances, the present technology can be presented as including individual functional blocks, which include devices, device components, steps or routines in the method embodied in software, or a combination of hardware and software. In addition to those components shown in the figures and / or described in this article, additional components can also be used. For example, circuits, systems, networks, processes and other components can be shown as components in block diagram form, so as not to confuse the embodiments in unnecessary details. In other instances, known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures and techniques are shown without unnecessary details to avoid blurring the embodiments.

[0213] In addition, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, circuits and algorithmic steps described in conjunction with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software or a combination of the two. In order to clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits and steps have been generally described above in terms of their functionality. Whether this functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints imposed on the entire system. The technician can implement the described functions in a varying manner for each specific application, but this implementation decision should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of this disclosure.

[0214] Individual embodiments may be described above as processes or methods, which may be depicted as flowcharts, flow diagrams, data flow diagrams, structure diagrams, or block diagrams. Although flowcharts may describe operations as sequential processes, many operations may be performed in parallel or concurrently. Furthermore, the order of operations may be rearranged. A process terminates when its operations are completed, but other steps may not be included in the diagram. A process may correspond to a method, function, procedure, subroutine, subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination may correspond to the function returning to the calling function or the main function.

[0215] The processes and methods according to the examples described above can be implemented using computer-executable instructions stored in or otherwise accessible from a computer-readable medium. Such instructions may include, for example, instructions and data that cause or otherwise configure a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or a processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. Some of the computer resources used may be accessible via a network. The computer-executable instructions may be, for example, binary files, instructions in intermediate formats such as assembly language, firmware, source code, etc. Examples of computer-readable media that can be used to store instructions, information, and / or information created during the methods according to the examples described include magnetic or optical disks, flash memory, USB devices with non-volatile memory, networked storage devices, and the like.

[0216] In some embodiments, computer-readable storage devices, media, and memories may include cables or wireless signals containing bit streams, etc. However, when referred to, non-transitory computer-readable storage media explicitly excludes media such as energy, carrier signals, electromagnetic waves, and signals themselves.

[0217] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and methods. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips referenced throughout the specification above may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof, depending in some cases on the specific application, the desired design, the corresponding technology, etc.

[0218] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or executed using hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof, and may take any of a variety of form factors. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware, or microcode, the program code or code segments that perform the necessary tasks (e.g., a computer program product) may be stored in a computer-readable or machine-readable medium. (Multiple) processors may perform the necessary tasks. Examples of form factors include laptops, smartphones, mobile phones, tablet devices, or other small form factor personal computers, personal digital assistants, rack-mounted devices, stand-alone devices, etc. The functionality described herein may also be embodied in peripheral devices or plug-in cards. As a further example, such functionality may also be implemented between different chips or different processes executed in a single device on a circuit board.

[0219] Instructions, media for transmitting such instructions, computing resources for executing them, and other structure for supporting such computing resources are example means for providing the functionality described in this disclosure.

[0220] The techniques described herein may also be implemented in electronic hardware, computer software, firmware, or any combination thereof. These techniques may be implemented in any device such as a general-purpose computer, a wireless communication device handset, or an integrated circuit device having multiple uses, including applications in wireless communication devices handsets and other devices. Any features described as modules or components may be implemented together in an integrated logic device, or individually as separate but interoperable logic devices. If implemented in software, the techniques may be implemented at least in part by a computer-readable data storage medium comprising program code, the program code comprising instructions for executing one or more of the above methods, algorithms, and / or operations when executed. The computer-readable data storage medium may form part of a computer program product, which may include packaging materials. The computer-readable medium may include a memory or data storage medium, such as a random access memory (RAM) (such as synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM)), a read-only memory (ROM), a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, magnetic or optical data storage medium, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, these techniques may be implemented at least in part by a computer-readable communication medium that carries or transmits program code in the form of instructions or data structures (e.g., a propagating signal or wave) and that can be accessed, read, and / or executed by a computer.

[0221] The program code can be executed by a processor, which can include one or more processors, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), general-purpose microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuits. Such processors can be configured to perform any of the techniques described in this disclosure. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in an alternative, the processor can be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Therefore, the term "processor" as used herein may refer to any of the aforementioned structures, any combination of the aforementioned structures, or any other structure or device suitable for implementing the techniques described herein.

[0222] One of ordinary skill will understand that the less than ("<") and greater than (">") symbols or terms used herein may be replaced with less than or equal to ("≤") and greater than or equal to ("≥") symbols, respectively, without departing from the scope of the present specification.

[0223] Where a component is described as being “configured to” perform certain operations, such configuration may be achieved, for example, by designing electronic circuits or other hardware to perform the operation, by programming programmable electronic circuits (e.g., a microprocessor or other suitable electronic circuits) to perform the operation, or any combination thereof.

[0224] The phrase “coupled to” refers to any component that is physically connected directly or indirectly to another component, and / or any component that communicates directly or indirectly with another component (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection and / or other suitable communication interface).

[0225] Claim language or other language that lists "at least one of" a set and / or "one or more" a set indicates that one member of the set or multiple members of the set (in any combination) satisfies the claim. For example, claim language that lists "at least one of A and B" or "at least one of A or B" means A, B, or A and B. In another example, claim language that lists "at least one of A, B, and C" or "at least one of A, B, or C" means A, B, C, or A and B, or A and C, or A and B and C. The language "at least one" of a set and / or "one or more" of a set does not limit the set to the items listed in the set. For example, claim language that lists "at least one of A and B" or "at least one of A or B" can mean A, B, or A and B, and can additionally include items not listed in the A and B sets.

[0226] Illustrative aspects of the present disclosure include:

[0227] Aspect 1. An apparatus comprising: at least one memory; a transceiver; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory, the at least one processor being configured to: send one or more indications of a preferred bandwidth configuration via the transceiver; receive, via the transceiver, a positioning configuration of non-overlapping bandwidth segments containing positioning reference signals based on the preferred bandwidth configuration indication; and determine one or more positioning measurements based on the positioning reference signals in the non-overlapping bandwidth segments.

[0228] Aspect 2. The apparatus according to aspect 1, wherein the preferred bandwidth configuration is a bandwidth combination preference including a list of preferred carrier frequency bands.

[0229] Aspect 3. The apparatus according to any one of Aspect 1 or Aspect 2, wherein the preferred bandwidth configuration is a parameter preference including comb and symbol information across frequency layers.

[0230] Aspect 4. The apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the preferred bandwidth configuration is a timing error tolerance preference.

[0231] Aspect 5. The apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the disjoint bandwidth segments include a plurality of frequency layers.

[0232] Aspect 6. The apparatus according to aspect 5, wherein each frequency layer of the plurality of frequency layers is discontinuous with each other frequency layer.

[0233] Aspect 7. The apparatus according to any one of Aspect 5 or Aspect 6, wherein the plurality of frequency layers form a plurality of frequency layer groups, and one of the plurality of frequency layers is discontinuous with one of the plurality of frequency layer groups.

[0234] Aspect 8. The apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive a request for a preferred bandwidth configuration from a base station.

[0235] Aspect 9. An apparatus comprising: at least one memory; a transceiver; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory, the at least one processor being configured to: receive, via the transceiver, one or more indications of a preferred bandwidth configuration for signaling consideration sent by a user equipment; determine, based on the preferred bandwidth configuration, a positioning configuration indicating non-intersecting bandwidth segments containing positioning reference signals; and provide, via the transceiver, the positioning configuration indicating non-intersecting bandwidth segments to the user equipment so that the user equipment determines one or more positioning measurements based on the positioning reference signals in the non-intersecting bandwidth segments.

[0236] Aspect 10. The apparatus according to aspect 9, wherein the preferred bandwidth configuration is a bandwidth combination preference including a list of preferred carrier frequency bands.

[0237] Aspect 11. The apparatus according to any one of Aspect 9 or Aspect 10, wherein the preferred bandwidth configuration is a parameter preference including comb and symbol information across frequency layers.

[0238] Aspect 12. The apparatus according to any one of Aspects 9 to 11, wherein the preferred bandwidth configuration is a timing error tolerance preference.

[0239] Aspect 13. The apparatus according to any one of aspects 9 to 12, wherein the disjoint bandwidth segments comprise a plurality of frequency layers.

[0240] Aspect 14. The apparatus according to aspect 13, wherein each frequency layer of the plurality of frequency layers is discontinuous with each other frequency layer.

[0241] Aspect 15. The apparatus according to any one of Aspect 13 or Aspect 14, wherein the plurality of frequency layers form a plurality of frequency layer groups, and one frequency layer in the plurality of frequency layers is discontinuous with one of the plurality of frequency layer groups.

[0242] Aspect 16. The apparatus according to any one of aspects 9 to 15, wherein the at least one processor is configured to provide a request for a preferred bandwidth configuration to the user equipment.

[0243] Aspect 17. An apparatus comprising: at least one memory; a transceiver; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory, the at least one processor being configured to: receive, via the transceiver, an indication of phase coherence of multiple reference signals associated with multiple bandwidth segments; determine, based on the indication of phase coherence, whether to aggregate the reference signals associated with each of the multiple bandwidth segments; and in response to a determination to aggregate the reference signals associated with each bandwidth segment, determine one or more positioning measurements based on the aggregated reference signals from the multiple bandwidth segments.

[0244] Aspect 18. The apparatus according to aspect 17, wherein the indication of phase coherence comprises a list of Boolean indicators for frequency layer pairs, the Boolean indicator list comprising one or more bitmaps associated with the frequency layer pairs.

[0245] Aspect 19. The apparatus according to any one of Aspects 17 to 18, wherein the indication of phase coherence comprises a bit array of a plurality of frequency layers, the plurality of frequency layers being ordered from low frequency to high frequency.

[0246] Aspect 20. The apparatus according to any one of Aspects 17 to 19, wherein the plurality of bandwidth segments comprises a plurality of frequency layers.

[0247] Aspect 21. The apparatus according to aspect 20, wherein each frequency layer of the plurality of frequency layers is discontinuous with each other frequency layer.

[0248] Aspect 22. The apparatus according to any one of Aspect 20 or Aspect 21, wherein the plurality of frequency layers form a plurality of frequency layer groups, and one of the plurality of frequency layers is discontinuous with one of the plurality of frequency layer groups.

[0249] Aspect 23. The apparatus according to any one of aspects 17 to 22, wherein the plurality of frequency layers comprises continuous and discontinuous frequency layers.

[0250] Aspect 24. An apparatus comprising: at least one memory; a transceiver; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory, the at least one processor being configured to: determine an indication of phase coherence of multiple reference signals associated with multiple bandwidth segments; send, via the transceiver, an indication of phase coherence of multiple reference signals for wireless positioning, each bandwidth segment of the multiple bandwidth segments being associated with a reference signal in the multiple reference signals; and receive, via the transceiver, one or more positioning measurements based on aggregated reference signals from the multiple bandwidth segments, the aggregated reference signal being determined by a user device based on the indication of phase coherence.

[0251] Aspect 25. The apparatus of aspect 24, wherein the indication of phase coherence comprises a list of Boolean indicators of frequency layer pairs, the Boolean indicator list comprising a bitmap of the frequency layer pairs.

[0252] Aspect 26. The apparatus according to any one of Aspect 24 or Aspect 25, wherein the indication of phase coherence comprises an array of bits of a plurality of frequency layers, the plurality of frequency layers being ordered from low frequency to high frequency.

[0253] Aspect 27. The apparatus according to any one of Aspects 24 to 26, wherein the plurality of bandwidth segments comprises a plurality of frequency layers.

[0254] Aspect 28. The apparatus according to aspect 27, wherein each frequency layer of the plurality of frequency layers is discontinuous with each other frequency layer.

[0255] Aspect 29. The apparatus according to any one of Aspect 27 or Aspect 28, wherein the plurality of frequency layers form a plurality of frequency layer groups, and one frequency layer in the plurality of frequency layers is discontinuous with one of the plurality of frequency layer groups.

[0256] Aspect 30. The apparatus according to any one of aspects 24 to 29, wherein the plurality of frequency layers comprises continuous and discontinuous frequency layers.

[0257] Aspect 31. A method comprising the operations of any one of Aspects 1 to 30.

[0258] Aspect 32. A computer-readable storage medium comprises instructions, which, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the one or more processors to perform the operations of any one of Aspects 1 to 30.

[0259] Aspect 33. An apparatus comprising one or more components for performing any of the operations of Aspect 1-Aspect 30.

Claims

1. A device for determining positioning, the device comprising: at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising instructions; transceiver; as well as at least one processor configured to execute the instructions so that the apparatus: transmitting, via the transceiver, one or more indications of a preferred bandwidth configuration, the preferred bandwidth configuration comprising at least one of: a bandwidth combination preference including a list of preferred carrier frequency bands, a parameter preference including comb and symbol information across frequency layers, or a timing error tolerance preference; receiving, via the transceiver, a positioning configuration indicating disjoint bandwidth segments including positioning reference signals based on the preferred bandwidth configuration; as well as One or more positioning measurements are determined based on the positioning reference signal in the disjoint bandwidth segments.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein The disjoint bandwidth segments include a plurality of frequency layers.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein Each frequency layer of the plurality of frequency layers is discontinuous with every other frequency layer.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein The plurality of frequency layers form a plurality of frequency layer groups, and one frequency layer among the plurality of frequency layers is discontinuous with one of the plurality of frequency layer groups.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein The at least one processor is configured to cause the apparatus to receive a request for the preferred bandwidth configuration from a network node.

6. A method for determining positioning, comprising: transmitting, via the transceiver, one or more indications of a preferred bandwidth configuration, the preferred bandwidth configuration comprising at least one of: a bandwidth combination preference including a list of preferred carrier frequency bands, a parameter preference including comb and symbol information across frequency layers, or a timing error tolerance preference; receiving, via the transceiver, a positioning configuration indicating disjoint bandwidth segments including positioning reference signals based on the preferred bandwidth configuration; as well as One or more positioning measurements are determined based on the positioning reference signal in the disjoint bandwidth segments.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The disjoint bandwidth segments include a plurality of frequency layers.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein: Each frequency layer of the plurality of frequency layers is discontinuous with every other frequency layer.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The plurality of frequency layers form a plurality of frequency layer groups, and the frequency layers of the plurality of frequency layers are discontinuous with one of the plurality of frequency layer groups.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising receiving a request for the preferred bandwidth configuration from a network node via the transceiver.

11. A device for determining positioning, the device comprising: at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising instructions; transceiver; as well as at least one processor configured to execute the instructions so that the apparatus: receiving, via the transceiver, one or more indications of a preferred bandwidth configuration sent by a user equipment for signaling consideration, the preferred bandwidth configuration comprising at least one of: a bandwidth combination preference including a list of preferred carrier frequency bands, a parameter preference including comb and symbol information across frequency layers, or a timing error tolerance preference; determining a positioning configuration including disjoint bandwidth segments of a positioning reference signal based on the preferred bandwidth configuration indication; as well as The positioning configuration indicating the disjoint bandwidth segments is provided to the user equipment via the transceiver so that the user equipment determines one or more positioning measurements based on the positioning reference signals in the disjoint bandwidth segments.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein The disjoint bandwidth segments include a plurality of frequency layers.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein Each frequency layer of the plurality of frequency layers is discontinuous with every other frequency layer.

14. The device according to claim 12, wherein The plurality of frequency layers form a plurality of frequency layer groups, and the frequency layers of the plurality of frequency layers are discontinuous with one of the plurality of frequency layer groups.

15. The device according to claim 11, wherein The at least one processor is configured to cause the apparatus to provide a request for the preferred bandwidth configuration to the user equipment.

16. A method for determining positioning, comprising: receiving, via a transceiver, one or more indications of a preferred bandwidth configuration sent by a user equipment for signaling consideration, the preferred bandwidth configuration comprising at least one of: a bandwidth combination preference including a list of preferred carrier frequency bands, a parameter preference including comb and symbol information across frequency layers, or a timing error tolerance preference; determining a positioning configuration including disjoint bandwidth segments of a positioning reference signal based on the preferred bandwidth configuration indication; as well as The positioning configuration indicating the disjoint bandwidth segments is provided to the user equipment via the transceiver so that the user equipment determines one or more positioning measurements based on the positioning reference signals in the disjoint bandwidth segments.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: The disjoint bandwidth segments include a plurality of frequency layers.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein Each frequency layer of the plurality of frequency layers is discontinuous with every other frequency layer.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein The plurality of frequency layers form a plurality of frequency layer groups, and the frequency layers of the plurality of frequency layers are discontinuous with one of the plurality of frequency layer groups.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing a request for the preferred bandwidth configuration to the user equipment.

21. An apparatus for determining positioning, comprising: components for transmitting, via the transceiver, one or more indications of a preferred bandwidth configuration, the preferred bandwidth configuration comprising at least one of: a bandwidth combination preference including a preferred carrier frequency band list, a parameter preference including comb and symbol information across frequency layers, or a timing error tolerance preference; means for receiving, via the transceiver, a positioning configuration indicating disjoint bandwidth segments comprising positioning reference signals based on the preferred bandwidth configuration; as well as A component is provided for determining one or more positioning measurements based on the positioning reference signal in the disjoint bandwidth segments.

22. A computer program product comprising computer-readable instructions, wherein: When executed by a processor, the method causes the processor to execute the method according to any one of claims 6 to 10.

23. An apparatus for determining positioning, comprising: components for receiving, via a transceiver, one or more indications of a preferred bandwidth configuration for signaling consideration sent by a user equipment, the preferred bandwidth configuration comprising at least one of: a bandwidth combination preference including a list of preferred carrier frequency bands, a parameter preference including comb and symbol information across frequency layers, or a timing error tolerance preference; a component for determining a positioning configuration including disjoint bandwidth segments of a positioning reference signal based on the preferred bandwidth configuration indication; as well as A component for providing, via the transceiver, the positioning configuration indicating the disjoint bandwidth segments to the user equipment so that the user equipment determines one or more positioning measurements based on the positioning reference signals in the disjoint bandwidth segments.

24. A computer program product comprising computer-readable instructions, wherein: When executed by a processor, the method causes the processor to execute the method according to any one of claims 16 to 20.

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