Method and apparatus for prioritizing location services and radio communication services

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and components for prioritizing the execution of at least one of a location session or a radio communication session at a user equipment by means of the following steps: identifying (1210) an anticipated conflict between the location session and the radio communication session; determining (1220) a priority between the location session and the radio communication session; and executing (1230) at least one of the location session or the radio communication session according to the priority.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Indian Patent Application No. 202041032841 entitled “MODEM-DEPENDENT PROCEDURE PRIORITIZATION”, filed on July 31, 2020, which has been assigned to the assignee of this application, and the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] Wireless communication systems have evolved through many generations, including first-generation analog radiotelephone service (1G), second-generation (2G) digital radiotelephone service (including transitional 2.5G and 2.75G networks), third-generation (3G) high-speed data radio service supporting the Internet, fourth-generation (4G) service (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) or WiMax), and fifth-generation (5G) service. Currently, many different types of wireless communication systems are in use, including cellular and Personal Communication Services (PCS) systems. Known examples of cellular systems include cellular analog Advanced Mobile Phone Systems (AMPS) and digital cellular systems based on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), and GSM TDMA variants.

[0004] The fifth-generation (5G) mobile standard demands higher data transmission speeds, more connections, better coverage, and other improvements. According to the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGC), the 5G standard is designed to provide tens of megabits per second of data rate to each of tens of thousands of users, including 1 gigabit per second for dozens of workers on an office floor. To support large-scale sensor deployments, it should support hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections. Therefore, the spectral efficiency of 5G mobile communications should be significantly improved compared to the current 4G standard. Furthermore, signaling efficiency should be enhanced and latency should be significantly reduced compared to the current standard. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one embodiment, a user equipment includes: a receiver; a memory; and a processor communicatively coupled to the receiver and the memory, the processor being configured to: identify anticipated conflicts between a location session and a radio communication session; determine a priority between the location session and the radio communication session; and execute at least one of the location session or the radio communication session according to the priority.

[0006] In another embodiment, a method for prioritizing the execution of at least one of a location session or a radio communication session at a user equipment includes: identifying anticipated conflicts between the location session and the radio communication session; determining the priority between the location session and the radio communication session; and executing at least one of the location session or the radio communication session according to the priority.

[0007] In another embodiment, a user equipment includes: components for identifying anticipated conflicts between a location session and a radio communication session; components for determining a priority between the location session and the radio communication session; and components for executing at least one of the location session or the radio communication session according to the priority.

[0008] In another embodiment, a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium includes processor-readable instructions that, in order to prioritize the execution of at least one of a location session or a radio communication session at a user equipment, cause the processor to: identify an anticipated conflict between the location session and the radio communication session; determine the priority between the location session and the radio communication session; and execute at least one of the location session or the radio communication session according to the priority. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a simplified diagram of an example wireless communication system.

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the block diagram of the components of an example user device.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of the components of an example send / receive point.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of the components of the sample server. Figure 1 Various embodiments of this example server are shown in the figure.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a simplified block diagram of an example user device.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a simplified timing diagram for measuring the gap.

[0015] Figure 7 It is a simplified diagram of the process and signaling flow used to prioritize the execution of location sessions and radio communication sessions.

[0016] Figure 8A It is a simplified timing diagram of a location session that begins during a radio communication session and ends after the radio communication session.

[0017] Figure 8B It is to handle Figure 8A The diagram shows a simplified timing diagram of the location session and radio communication session, where location has a higher priority.

[0018] Figure 8C It is to handle Figure 8A The diagram shows a simplified timing diagram of the location session and radio communication session, where location has a lower priority.

[0019] Figure 9A It is a simplified timing diagram of a location session that begins before and ends during a radio communication session.

[0020] Figure 9B It is to handle Figure 9A The diagram shows a simplified timing diagram of the location session and radio communication session, where location has a higher priority.

[0021] Figure 9C It is to handle Figure 9A The diagram shows a simplified timing diagram of the location session and radio communication session, where location has a lower priority.

[0022] Figure 10A It is a simplified timing diagram of the location session that begins and ends during a radio communication session.

[0023] Figure 10B It is to handle Figure 10A The diagram shows a simplified timing diagram of the location session and radio communication session, where location has a higher priority.

[0024] Figure 10C It is to handle Figure 10A The diagram shows a simplified timing diagram of the location session and radio communication session, where location has a lower priority.

[0025] Figure 11A It is a simplified timing diagram of a location session that begins before and ends after a radio communication session.

[0026] Figure 11B It is to handle Figure 11A The diagram shows a simplified timing diagram of the location session and radio communication session, where location has a higher priority.

[0027] Figure 11C It is to handle Figure 11A The diagram shows a simplified timing diagram of the location session and radio communication session, where location has a lower priority.

[0028] Figure 12This is a flowchart of a method for prioritizing the execution of at least one of a location session or a radio communication session. Detailed Implementation

[0029] This paper discusses techniques for prioritizing location relative to other modem-dependent operations. For example, a user equipment (UE) may receive or plan to transmit radio communications, and a UE may receive or plan to transmit location signals. The UE can determine which of the radio communications or location signals to receive / transmit and / or process based on the priority of location and radio communications. Priority can depend on one or more combinations of factors such as scheduled measurement intervals, the location technology to be used for the location signal, and whether location information is scheduled for periodic reporting. One or more lower-priority operations can be ignored or delayed. For example, incoming signals may not be measured or decoded during higher-priority processing and / or outgoing signals may not be generated or transmitted during higher-priority processing. However, other examples are possible.

[0030] The items and / or technologies described herein can provide one or more of the following capabilities, as well as others not mentioned. They can better meet quality of service criteria. They can meet urgent requests for information (e.g., location information). They can utilize one or more desired criteria to determine and report location information without interfering with the execution of other radio communication processes. Other capabilities can be provided, and not every embodiment of this disclosure is required to provide any, let alone all, of the capabilities discussed.

[0031] Obtaining the location of a mobile device accessing a wireless network can be useful for many applications, including, for example, emergency calls, personal navigation, consumer asset tracking, locating friends or family members, etc. Existing positioning methods include those based on measuring radio signals transmitted from various devices or entities, including satellite vehicles (SVs) and terrestrial radio sources (such as base stations and access points) in the wireless network. It is expected that the standardization of 5G wireless networks will include support for various positioning methods that can utilize reference signals transmitted by base stations in a manner similar to how LTE wireless networks currently use Positioning Reference Signals (PRS) and / or Cell-Specific Reference Signals (CRS) for location determination.

[0032] This specification may relate to sequences of actions performed, for example, by elements of a computing device. The various actions described herein may be performed by special-purpose circuitry (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), by program instructions executed by one or more processors, or by a combination of both. Sequences of actions described herein may be embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium having a corresponding set of computer instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, will cause the associated processor to perform the functionality described herein. Therefore, the various aspects described herein may be embodied in a variety of different forms, all of which are within the scope of this disclosure, including the claimed subject matter.

[0033] As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the terms “User Equipment” (UE) and “Base Station” are not specific to or otherwise limited to any particular Radio Access Technology (RAT). Typically, such a UE can be any wireless communication device (e.g., mobile phone, router, tablet computer, laptop computer, consumer asset tracking device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.) used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network. The UE can be mobile or can (e.g., at certain times) be stationary and can communicate with a Radio Access Network (RAN). As used herein, the term “UE” can be interchangeably referred to as “Access Terminal” or “AT”, “Client Equipment”, “Wireless Equipment”, “Subscriber Equipment”, “Subscriber Terminal”, “Subscriber Station”, “User Terminal” or “UT”, “Mobile Terminal”, “Mobile Station”, “Mobile Equipment”, or variations thereof. Typically, a UE can communicate with a core network via the 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 a UE to the core network and / or the Internet are also possible, such as via a wired access network, a WiFi network (e.g., based on IEEE 802.11, etc.), etc.

[0034] A base station may operate according to one of several RATs used to communicate with the UE, depending on the network in which it is deployed, and may be alternatively referred to as an Access Point (AP), Network Node, Node B, Evolved Node B (eNB), General Node B (gNodeB, gNB), etc. Furthermore, in some systems, the base station may provide purely edge node signaling functions, while in others, it may provide additional control and / or network management functions.

[0035] The UE can be represented by any of a variety of devices, including but not limited to printed circuit (PC) cards, compact flash memory devices, external or internal modems, wireless or wired telephones, smartphones, tablet computers, consumer asset tracking devices, asset tags, etc. The communication links through which the UE transmits signals to the RAN are referred to as uplink channels (e.g., reverse traffic channels, reverse control channels, access channels, etc.). The communication links through which the RAN transmits signals to the UE are referred to as downlink or forward link channels (e.g., paging channels, control channels, broadcast channels, forward traffic channels, etc.). As used herein, the term traffic channel (TCH) can refer to uplink / reverse or downlink / forward traffic channels.

[0036] As used herein, the terms "cell" or "sector" may correspond to one of multiple cells of a base station, or to the base station itself, depending on the context. The term "cell" may refer to a logical communication entity used (e.g., via a carrier) to communicate with a base station, and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., Physical Cell Identifier (PCID), Virtual Cell Identifier (VCID)) used to distinguish adjacent cells operating via the same or different carriers. In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured based on different protocol types that can provide access to different types of devices (e.g., Machine-Type Communication (MTC), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), or others). In some examples, the term "cell" may refer to a portion of the geographical coverage area on which a logical entity operates (e.g., a sector).

[0037] refer to Figure 1Examples of communication system 100 include UE 105, UE 106, radio access network (RAN) 135 (here, fifth-generation (5G) next-generation (NG) RAN (NG-RAN)), and 5G core network (5GC) 140. UE 105 and / or UE 106 can be, for example, IoT devices, location tracker devices, cellular phones, vehicles (e.g., cars, trucks, buses, ships, etc.) or other devices. The 5G network can also be referred to as a new radio (NR) network; NG-RAN 135 can be referred to as 5G RAN or NR RAN; and 5GC 140 can be referred to as NG core network (NGC). Standardization of NG-RAN and 5GC is underway within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Therefore, NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140 can conform to current or future standards supported by 5G from 3GPP. RAN 135 can be another type of RAN, such as 3G RAN, 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) RAN, etc. UE 106 can be similarly configured and coupled to UE 105 to send and / or receive signals to / from similar other entities in system 100, but for the sake of simplicity in the accompanying drawings, ... Figure 1 Such signaling is not indicated in the document. Similarly, for simplicity, the discussion focuses on UE 105. Communication system 100 may utilize information from constellation 185 of artificial satellites (SVs) 190, 191, 192, and 193 for satellite positioning systems (SPS) (e.g., Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)), such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, or BeiDou, or some other local or regional SPS, such as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), the European Geostationary Navigation Coverage Service (EGNOS), or the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). Additional components of communication system 100 are described below. Communication system 100 may include additional or alternative components.

[0038] like Figure 1As shown, NG-RAN 135 includes NR NodeBs (gNBs) 110a and 110b and a next-generation eNodeB (ng-eNB) 114, and 5GC 140 includes Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMF) 115, Session Management Functions (SMF) 117, Location Management Functions (LMF) 120, and Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 125. gNBs 110a, 110b, and ng-eNB 114 are communicatively coupled to each other, each configured to communicate bidirectionally with UE 105, and each communicatively coupled to and configured to communicate bidirectionally with AMF 115. gNBs 110a, 110b, and ng-eNB 114 may be referred to as Base Stations (BS). AMF 115, SMF 117, LMF 120, and GMLC 125 are communicatively coupled to each other, and the GMLC is communicatively coupled to an external client 130. SMF 117 can be used as the initial contact point for Service Control Function (SCF) (not shown) to create, control, and delete media sessions. BS 110a, BS110b, and BS 114 can be macrocells (e.g., high-power cellular base stations) or small cells (e.g., low-power cellular base stations) or access points (e.g., configured to utilize technologies such as WiFi, WiFi-Direct (WiFi-D)). - Short-range base stations that communicate using short-range technologies such as low-energy (BLE) and Zigbee. One or more of BS 110a, 110b, and 114 can be configured to communicate with UE 105 via multiple carriers. Each of BS 110a, 110b, and 114 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic area (e.g., a cell). Each cell can be divided into multiple sectors based on the base station antennas.

[0039] Figure 1 A general illustration of various components is provided, any or all of which may be used appropriately, and each may be copied or omitted as needed. Specifically, although only one UE 105 is illustrated, many UEs (e.g., hundreds, thousands, millions, etc.) may be used in communication system 100. Similarly, communication system 100 may include more (or fewer) numbers of SVs (i.e., more or fewer than the four SVs 190-193 shown), gNBs 110a and 110b, ng-eNB 114, AMF 115, external client 130, and / or other components. The illustrated connections connecting the various components in communication system 100 include data and signaling connections, which may include additional (intermediate) components, direct or indirect physical and / or wireless connections, and / or additional networks. Furthermore, depending on the desired functionality, components may be rearranged, combined, separated, replaced, and / or omitted.

[0040] Although Figure 1 A 5G-based network is illustrated, but similar network implementations and configurations can be used for other communication technologies such as 3G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), etc. The implementations described herein (which are for 5G technology and / or for one or more other communication technologies and / or protocols) can be used to transmit (or broadcast) directional synchronization signals, receive and measure directional signals at a UE (e.g., UE 105), and / or provide location assistance to UE 105 (via GMLC 125 or other location servers), and / or calculate the location of UE 105 at a location-capable device (such as UE 105, gNB 110a, 110b, or LMF 120) based on measurements of such directional transmissions received at UE 105. Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 125, Location Management Function (LMF) 120, Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 115, SMF 117, ng-eNB (eNodeB) 114, and gNB (gNodeB) 110a, 110b are examples, and in various embodiments, various other location server functions and / or base station functions may be replaced by or included by various other location server functions and / or base station functions, respectively.

[0041] System 100 is capable of wireless communication because its components can communicate directly or indirectly (at least sometimes using a wireless connection), for example, via BS 110a, 110b, 114 and / or network 140 (and / or one or more other devices not shown, such as one or more other base transceivers). For indirect communication, the communication can be modified during transmission from one entity to another, such as changing the header information of data packets, changing the format, etc. UE 105 may include multiple UEs and may be mobile wireless communication devices, but can communicate wirelessly and via a wired connection. UE 105 can be any of a variety of devices, such as smartphones, tablets, vehicle-based devices, etc., but these are merely examples, as UE 105 does not need to be any of these configurations and other configurations of UEs can be used. Other UEs may include wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches, smart jewelry, smart glasses, or headsets, etc.). Other UEs, whether currently existing or developed in the future, may also be used. In addition, other wireless devices (whether mobile or not) may be implemented within system 100 and may communicate with each other and / or with UE 105, BS 110a, 110b, 114, core network 140, and / or external client 130. For example, such other devices may include Internet of Things (IoT) devices, medical devices, home entertainment and / or automation devices, etc. Core network 140 may communicate with external client 130 (e.g., a computer system), for example, to allow external client 130 (e.g., via GMLC 125) to request and / or receive location information about UE 105.

[0042] UE 105 or other devices can be configured to operate in various networks and / or for various purposes and / or using various technologies (e.g., 5G, Wi-Fi communication, multiple frequencies of Wi-Fi communication, satellite positioning, one or more types of communication (e.g., GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything, e.g., V2P (Vehicle to Pedestrian), V2I (Vehicle to Infrastructure), V2V (Vehicle to Vehicle), etc.), IEEE 802.11p, etc.)). V2X communication can be cellular (Cellular-V2X (C-V2X)) and / or WiFi (e.g., DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Connectivity)). System 100 can support operation on multiple carriers (waveform signals of different frequencies). A multi-carrier transmitter can simultaneously transmit modulated signals on multiple carriers. Each modulated signal can be a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) signal, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) signal, an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) signal, a Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) signal, etc. Each modulated signal can be transmitted on a different carrier and can carry pilot, overhead information, data, etc. UE105 and 106 can communicate with each other via UE-to-UE sidelink (SL) communication by transmitting on one or more sidelink channels (such as Physical Sidelink Synchronization Channel (PSSCH), Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH), or Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH)).

[0043] UE 105 may include and / or may be referred to as a device, mobile device, wireless device, mobile terminal, terminal, mobile station (MS), Secure User Plane Positioning (SUPL) Enabled Terminal (SET), or named by some other name. Furthermore, UE 105 may correspond to a cellular phone, smartphone, laptop computer, tablet computer, PDA, consumer asset tracking device, navigation device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, health monitor, security system, smart city sensor, smart meter, wearable tracker, or some other portable or mobile device. Typically, although not required, UE 105 may support one or more Radio Access Technologies (RATs) such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), LTE, High-Speed ​​Packet Data (HRPD), IEEE 802.11 WiFi (also known as Wi-Fi), etc. Wireless communication including (BT), Global Microwave Access Interoperability (WiMAX), 5G New Radio (NR) (e.g., using NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140), etc. UE 105 can support wireless communication using a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), which can connect to other networks (e.g., the Internet) using, for example, digital subscriber line (DSL) or packet cable. Using one or more of these RATs allows UE 105 to communicate with external client 130 (e.g., via...). Figure 1 The components of 5GC 140 (not shown, or possibly via GMLC 125) and / or allow external client 130 to receive location information about UE 105 (e.g., via GMLC 125).

[0044] UE 105 may include a single entity or may include multiple entities such as those in a personal area network, where the user may employ audio, video, and / or data I / O (input / output) devices and / or body sensors, as well as separate wired or wireless modems. The estimation of the location of UE 105 may be referred to as location, location estimate, location fix, orientation determination, position estimate, or position fix, and may be geographic, providing the location coordinates of UE 105 (e.g., latitude and longitude), which may or may not include an elevation component (e.g., height above sea level, height above ground level, or depth below ground level, ground level, or basement level). Alternatively, the location of UE 105 may be represented as a city location (e.g., represented as a postal address or designation of a point or small area within a building, such as a specific room or floor). The location of UE 105 may be represented as an area or volume (defined geographically or in city form) within which UE 105 is expected to be located with a certain probability or confidence level (e.g., 67%, 95%, etc.). The location of UE 105 can be represented as a relative location, including, for example, distance and orientation from a known location. A relative location can be represented as relative coordinates (e.g., X, Y (and Z) coordinates) defined relative to an origin at a known location, which can be defined, for example, geographically, in the form of a city, or by reference to a point, area, or volume indicated, for example, on a map, floor plan, or building plan. In the description contained herein, unless otherwise stated, the use of the term "location" can include any of these variations. When calculating the location of the UE, local x, y, and possibly z coordinates are typically solved, and then, if necessary, the local coordinates are converted to absolute coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and altitude above or below mean sea level).

[0045] UE 105 can be configured to communicate with other entities using one or more of a variety of technologies. UE 105 can be configured to indirectly connect to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links. D2D P2P links can be provided by any suitable D2D radio access technology (RAT) (such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), etc.). One or more UEs in a group using D2D communication can be within the geographic coverage area of ​​a Transmit / Receive Point (TRP) (such as one or more of gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114). Other UEs in this group may be outside such geographic coverage areas or may not be able to receive transmissions from the base station. A group of UEs communicating via D2D communication can utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each UE can transmit to other UEs in the group. The TRP can facilitate the scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication can be performed between UEs without involving the TRP. One or more UEs in a group using D2D communication can be within the geographic coverage area of ​​a TRP. Other UEs in this group may be outside such geographic coverage areas or may not be able to receive transmissions from the base station. A group of UEs communicating via D2D communication can utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each UE can transmit to other UEs in the group. The TRP can facilitate the scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication can be performed between UEs without involving the TRP.

[0046] Figure 1 The base stations (BS) in the NG-RAN 135 shown include NR nodes B, referred to as gNBs 110a and 110b. The gNBs 110a and 110b in the NG-RAN 135 can be interconnected via one or more other gNBs. Access to the 5G network is provided to UE 105 via wireless communication between UE 105 and one or more of gNBs 110a and 110b. The gNBs can provide wireless communication access to the 5GC 140 on behalf of UE 105 using 5G. Figure 1 In this context, it is assumed that the serving gNB for UE 105 is gNB110a. However, if UE 105 moves to another location, another gNB (e.g., gNB 110b) can act as the serving gNB, or it can act as a secondary gNB to provide additional throughput and bandwidth to UE 105.

[0047] Figure 1The base station (BS) in the NG-RAN 135 shown may include ng-eNB 114, also known as a next-generation evolved Node B. ng-eNB 114 may be connected to one or more of gNBs 110a and 110b in the NG-RAN 135 via one or more other gNBs and / or one or more other ng-eNBs. ng-eNB 114 may provide LTE radio access and / or evolved LTE (eLTE) radio access to UE 105. One or more of gNBs 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114 may be configured to act as location-only beacons, which may transmit signals to assist in determining the location of UE 105, but may not receive signals from UE 105 or other UEs.

[0048] BS 110a, 110b, and 114 may each include one or more TRPs. For example, each sector within a cell of the BS may include a TRP; however, multiple TRPs may share one or more components (e.g., a shared processor but with separate antennas). System 100 may include only macro TRPs, or system 100 may have different types of TRPs, such as macro TRPs, pico TRPs, and / or femto TRPs. Macro TRPs may cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and may allow unrestricted access by terminals with service subscriptions. Pico TRPs may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a pico cell) and may allow unrestricted access by terminals with service subscriptions. Femto or home TRPs may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a femto cell) and may allow restricted access by terminals associated with that femto cell (e.g., terminals of users in a home).

[0049] As mentioned above, although Figure 1 The diagram depicts a node configured to communicate according to a 5G communication protocol, but nodes configured to communicate according to other communication protocols (such as, for example, LTE or IEEE 802.11x) can be used. For example, in an evolved packet system (EPS) providing LTE radio access to UE 105, the RAN may include an evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), which may include base stations comprising evolved Node Bs (eNBs). The core network of the EPS may include an evolved packet core (EPC). The EPS may include an E-UTRAN plus an EPC, where the E-UTRAN corresponds to NG-RAN 135 and the EPC corresponds to... Figure 1 5GC 140.

[0050] gNB 110a, 110b, and ng-eNB 114 can communicate with AMF 115, while AMF 115 communicates with LMF 120 for positioning functions. AMF 115 can support the mobility of UE 105, including cell changes and handovers, and can participate in supporting signaling connections to UE 105 and possibly data and voice bearers for UE 105. LMF 120 can communicate directly with UE 105, for example, wirelessly, or directly with BS 110a, 110b, and 114. LMF 120 can support UE 105's positioning when UE 105 accesses NG-RAN 135, and can support positioning procedures / methods such as Auxiliary GNSS (A-GNSS), Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) (e.g., Downlink (DL) OTDOA or Uplink (UL) OTDOA), Round Trip Time (RTT), Multi-Cell RTT, Real-Time Kinematics (RTK), Precise Point Positioning (PPP), Differential GNSS (DGNSS), Enhanced Cell ID (E-CID), Angle of Arrival (AoA), Angle of Departure (AoD), and / or other positioning methods. LMF 120 can process location service requests for UE 105 received from, for example, AMF 115 or GMLC 125. LMF 120 can be connected to AMF 115 and / or GMLC 125. LMF 120 can be referred to by other names such as Location Manager (LM), Location Function (LF), Commercial LMF (CLMF), or Value-Added LMF (VLMF). The node / system implementing LMF 120 may additionally or alternatively implement other types of location support modules, such as Enhanced Serving Mobility Location Center (E-SMLC) or Secure Subscriber Plane Location (SUPL) Positioning Platform (SLP). At least some positioning functions (including deriving the location of UE 105) can be performed at UE 105 (e.g., using signal measurements obtained by UE 105 against signals transmitted by radio nodes (such as gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114), and / or auxiliary data provided to UE 105, for example, by LMF 120). AMF 115 can act as a control node handling signaling between UE 105 and core network 140 and can provide QoS (Quality of Service) streaming and session management. AMF 115 can support the mobility of UE 105 (including cell changes and handovers) and can participate in supporting signaling connections to UE 105.

[0051] GMLC 125 can support location requests for UE 105 received from external client 130, and can forward such location requests to AMF 115 for forwarding to LMF 120, or can forward location requests directly to LMF 120. Location responses from LMF 120 (e.g., containing location estimates for UE 105) can be returned to GMLC 125 directly or via AMF 115, and GMLC 125 can then return the location response (e.g., including location estimates) to external client 130. GMLC 125 is shown connected to both AMF 115 and LMF 120; however, in some implementations, only one of these connections may be supported by 5GC 140.

[0052] like Figure 1 As further illustrated, the LMF 120 can communicate with gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 using a new radio location protocol A (which may be referred to as NPPa or NRPPa), defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.455. NRPPa can be the same as, similar to, or an extension of the LTE Location Protocol A (LPPa) defined in 3GPP TS 36.455, where NRPPa messages are transmitted via AMF 115 between gNB 110a (or gNB 110b) and the LMF 120, and / or between ng-eNB 114 and the LMF 120. Figure 1As further illustrated, LMF 120 and UE 105 can communicate using the LTE Location Protocol (LPP), which is defined in 3GPP TS 36.355. LMF 120 and UE 105 can also, or alternatively, communicate using a new radio location protocol (which may be referred to as NPP or NRPP), which may be the same as, similar to, or an extension of LPP. Here, LPP and / or NPP messages can be transmitted between UE 105 and LMF 120 via AMF 115 for UE 105 and serving gNB 110a, 110b, or serving eNB 114. For example, LPP and / or NPP messages can be transmitted between LMF 120 and AMF 115 using the 5G Location Service Application Protocol (LCS AP), and can be transmitted between AMF 115 and UE 105 using the 5G Non-Access Stratum (NAS) protocol. The LPP and / or NPP protocols can be used to support the location of UE 105 using UE-assisted and / or UE-based location methods (such as A-GNSS, RTK, OTDOA, and / or E-CID). The NRPPa protocol can be used to support the location of UE 105 using network-based location methods such as E-CID (e.g., when used with measurements obtained from gNB 110a, 110b, or ng-eNB 114), and / or can be used by the LMF 120 to obtain location-related information from gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114, such as defining parameters for directional SS transmissions from gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114. The LMF 120 can be co-located or integrated with the gNB or TRP, or it can be located away from the gNB and / or TRP setup and configured to communicate directly or indirectly with the gNB and / or TRP.

[0053] Using a UE-assisted positioning method, UE 105 can obtain location measurements and send these measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF 120) for use in calculating the location of UE 105. For example, location measurements may include one or more of the following for gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, and / or WLAN AP: Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), Round-Trip Time (RTT), Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), and / or Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ). Location measurements may also, or alternatively, include measurements of GNSS pseudorange, code phase, and / or carrier phase for SV 190-193.

[0054] Using a UE-based positioning method, UE 105 can obtain location measurements (e.g., which may be the same as or similar to location measurements from a UE-assisted positioning method) and can calculate the location of UE 105 (e.g., with the help of auxiliary data received from a location server such as LMF 120 or broadcast by gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114 or other base stations or APs).

[0055] Using a network-based positioning method, one or more base stations (e.g., gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114) or APs can obtain location measurements (e.g., RSSI, RTT, RSRP, RSRQ, or Time of Arrival (ToA) measurements for signals transmitted by UE 105) and / or can receive measurements obtained by UE 105. One or more base stations or APs can transmit the measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF 120) for use in calculating the location estimate of UE 105.

[0056] The information provided to the LMF 120 by the gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114 using NRPPa may include timing and configuration information for directional SS transmissions, as well as location coordinates. The LMF 120 may provide some or all of this information to the UE 105 as auxiliary data in LPP and / or NPP messages via NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140.

[0057] The LPP or NPP message sent from LMF 120 to UE 105 can instruct UE 105 to do anything among a variety of things according to the desired functionality. For example, the LPP or NPP message can contain instructions for UE 105 to obtain measurements of GNSS (or A-GNSS), WLAN, E-CID, and / or OTDOA (or some other positioning method). In the case of E-CID, the LPP or NPP message can instruct UE 105 to obtain one or more measurements of directional signals transmitted within a specific cell (e.g., beam ID, beamwidth, average angle, RSRP, RSRQ measurements) supported by one or more of gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 (or supported by some other type of base station such as eNB or WiFi AP). UE 105 can send measurements back to LMF 120 via serving gNB 110a (or serving ng-eNB 114) and AMF 115 in an LPP or NPP message (e.g., within a 5G NAS message).

[0058] As described above, while communication system 100 is described in relation to 5G technology, communication system 100 can be implemented to support and interact with other communication technologies, such as GSM, WCDMA, LTE, etc., for supporting and interacting with mobile devices such as UE 105 (e.g., to implement voice, data, location, and other functions). In some such embodiments, 5GC 140 can be configured to control different air interfaces. For example, 5GC 140 can use the non-3GPP interoperability function (N3IWF) in 5GC 150. Figure 1 (Not shown) Connects to a WLAN. For example, the WLAN may support IEEE 802.11 WiFi access for UE 105 and may include one or more WiFi APs. Here, the N3IWF may connect to the WLAN and other components in the 5GCN 140, such as the AMF 115. In some embodiments, both the NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140 may be replaced by one or more other RANs and one or more other core networks. For example, in EPS, the NG-RAN 135 may be replaced by an E-UTRAN containing eNBs, and the 5GC 140 may be replaced by an EPC containing a Mobility Management Entity (MME) replacing the AMF 115, an E-SMLC replacing the LMF 120, and a GMLC possibly similar to the GMLC 125. In such EPS, the E-SMLC may use LPPa instead of NRPPa to send location information to and receive location information from eNBs in the E-UTRAN, and LPP may be used to support the positioning of UE 105. In these other embodiments, the location of UE 105 using directional PRS can be supported in a manner similar to that described herein for 5G networks, except that the functions and procedures described herein for gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, AMF 115 and LMF 120 can be adapted to other network elements, such as eNB, WiFi AP, MME and E-SMLC, in some cases.

[0059] As described above, in some embodiments, the positioning function may be implemented at least in part using a directional SS beam transmitted by a base station (such as gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114), wherein the base station is located at the UE whose location will be determined (e.g., Figure 1 Within the range of UE 105. In some instances, the UE can use directional SS beams from multiple base stations (such as gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, etc.) to calculate the UE's location.

[0060] Also refer to Figure 2UE 200 is an example of one of UEs 105 and 106, and includes a computing platform comprising a processor 210, a memory 211 including software (SW) 212, one or more sensors 213, a transceiver interface 214 for transceivers 215 (which includes a wireless transceiver 240 and a wired transceiver 250), a user interface 216, a satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver 217, a camera 218, and a positioning device (PD) 219. The processor 210, memory 211, sensor(s)(s), transceiver interface 214, user interface 216, SPS receiver 217, camera 218, and positioning device 219 can be communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 220 (which can be configured, for example, for optical and / or electrical communications). One or more of the illustrated devices (e.g., camera 218, positioning device 219, and / or one or more of sensor(s) 213, etc.) may be omitted from UE 200. Processor 210 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. Processor 210 may include multiple processors, including a general-purpose / application processor 230, a digital signal processor (DSP) 231, a modem processor 232, a video processor 233, and / or a sensor processor 234. One or more of processors 230-234 may include multiple devices (e.g., multiple processors). For example, sensor processor 234 may include processors for RF (radio frequency) sensing (utilizing one or more transmitted (cellular) wireless signals and multiple reflections used to identify, map, and / or track objects) and / or ultrasound, etc. Modem processor 232 may support dual SIM / dual connectivity (or even more SIMs). For example, a SIM (subscriber identification module or user identification module) may be used by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), and another SIM may be used by the end user of UE 200 for connectivity. Memory 211 is a non-transitory storage medium, which may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, optical disc storage, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 211 stores software 212, which may be processor-readable and processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 210 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, software 212 may not be executed directly by processor 210, but may be configured, for example, to cause processor 210 to perform the functions when compiled and executed. This specification may refer only to processor 210 that performs the functions, but this includes other implementations, such as those in which processor 210 performs software and / or firmware. This specification may refer to processor 210 that performs the functions as an abbreviation of one or more of processors 230-234 that perform the functions.This specification may refer to the UE 200 performing the function as an abbreviation for one or more suitable components of the UE 200 performing the function. In addition to and / or instead of memory 211, processor 210 may include memory with stored instructions. The functionality of processor 210 is discussed more fully below.

[0061] Figure 2 The configuration of UE 200 shown is an example of this disclosure, including the claims, and not a limitation, and other configurations may be used. For example, an example configuration of the UE includes one or more of processors 230-234 of processor 210, memory 211, and wireless transceiver 240. Other example configurations include one or more of processors 230-234 of processor 210, memory 211, wireless transceiver 240, and one or more of sensors 213, user interface 216, SPS receiver 217, camera 218, PD 219, and / or wired transceiver 250.

[0062] UE 200 may include a modem processor 232 capable of performing baseband processing on signals received and downconverted by transceiver 215 and / or SPS receiver 217. Modem processor 232 may also perform baseband processing on signals to be upconverted for transmission by transceiver 215. Alternatively, baseband processing may be performed by processor 230 and / or DSP 231. However, other configurations may be used to perform baseband processing.

[0063] UE 200 may include sensors 213, which may include one or more of various types of sensors, such as one or more inertial sensors, one or more magnetometers, one or more environmental sensors, one or more optical sensors, one or more weight sensors, and / or one or more radio frequency (RF) sensors, etc. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) may include, for example, one or more accelerometers (e.g., collectively responding to acceleration of UE 200 in three dimensions) and / or one or more gyroscopes (e.g., three-dimensional gyroscopes). Sensors 213 may include one or more magnetometers (e.g., multiple three-dimensional magnetometers) to determine orientation that can be used for any of a variety of purposes (e.g., to support one or more compass applications) (e.g., relative to magnetic north and / or true north). Environmental sensors may include, for example, one or more temperature sensors, one or more atmospheric pressure sensors, one or more ambient light sensors, one or more camera imagers, and / or one or more microphones, etc. Multiple sensors 213 can generate analog and / or digital signals, the indications of which can be stored in memory 211 and processed by DSP 231 and / or processor 230 to support one or more applications, such as those involving positioning and / or navigation operations.

[0064] The multiple sensors 213 can be used for relative position measurement, relative position determination, motion determination, etc. Information detected by the multiple sensors 213 can be used for motion detection, relative displacement, dead reckoning, sensor-based position determination, and / or sensor-assisted position determination. The multiple sensors 213 can be useful in determining whether the UE 200 is stationary or moving and / or whether to report certain useful information about the UE 200's mobility to the LMF 120. For example, based on information obtained / measured by the multiple sensors 213, the UE 200 can notify / report to the LMF 120 that the UE 200 has detected movement or that the UE 200 has moved, and report relative displacement / distance (e.g., via dead reckoning, or sensor-based position determination, or sensor-assisted position determination implemented by the multiple sensors 213). In another example, for relative positioning information, sensors / IMUs can be used to determine the angle and / or orientation of another device relative to the UE 200, etc.

[0065] The IMU can be configured to provide measurements of the direction and / or velocity of motion of the UE 200, which can be used for relative position determination. For example, one or more accelerometers and / or one or more gyroscopes of the IMU can detect the linear acceleration and rotational velocity of the UE 200, respectively. The linear acceleration and rotational velocity measurements of the UE 200 can be integrated over time to determine the instantaneous direction and displacement of the UE 200. The instantaneous direction and displacement of motion can be integrated to track the position of the UE 200. For example, the instantaneous reference position of the UE 200 can be determined, for example, using the SPS receiver 217 (and / or by some other means), and measurements obtained after that instant from the accelerometer(s) and gyroscope(s) can be used for dead reckoning to determine the current position of the UE 200 based on the movement (direction and distance) of the UE 200 relative to the reference position.

[0066] Multiple magnetometers can determine the strength of a magnetic field in different directions, which can be used to determine the orientation of the UE 200. For example, orientation can be used to provide a digital compass for the UE 200. The multiple magnetometers can include a two-dimensional magnetometer configured to detect and provide indications of the magnetic field strength in two orthogonal dimensions. The multiple magnetometers can include a three-dimensional magnetometer configured to detect and provide indications of the magnetic field strength in three orthogonal dimensions. The multiple magnetometers can provide means for sensing magnetic fields and providing indications of the magnetic field to, for example, a processor 210.

[0067] Transceiver 215 may include a wireless transceiver 240 and a wired transceiver 250 configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 240 may include a wireless transmitter 242 and a wireless receiver 244 coupled to one or more antennas 246 for transmitting (e.g., on one or more uplink channels and / or one or more sidelink channels) and / or receiving (e.g., on one or more downlink channels and / or one or more sidelink channels) wireless signals 248 and converting signals from wireless signals 248 into wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals and from wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals into wireless signals 248. Therefore, wireless transmitter 242 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wireless receiver 244 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 240 can be configured to support various radio access technologies (RATs) such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone System), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, and WiFi Direct (WiFi-D). Zigbee, etc., can be used to transmit signals (e.g., with TRP and / or one or more other devices). The new radio can use millimeter-wave frequencies and / or sub-6 GHz frequencies. Wired transceiver 250 may include a wired transmitter 252 and a wired receiver 254 configured for wired communication, for example, a network interface that can be used to communicate with network 135 to send and receive communications from network 135. Wired transmitter 252 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wired receiver 254 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. Wired transceiver 250 may be configured, for example, for optical and / or electrical communication. Transceiver 215 may be communicatively coupled to transceiver interface 214, for example, via optical and / or electrical connections. Transceiver interface 214 may be at least partially integrated with transceiver 215.

[0068] User interface 216 may include one or more of a plurality of devices, such as a speaker, microphone, display device, vibration device, keyboard, touch screen, etc. User interface 216 may include more than one of these devices. User interface 216 may be configured to enable a user to interact with one or more applications hosted on UE 200. For example, user interface 216 may store indications of analog and / or digital signals in memory 211 in response to actions from the user for processing by DSP 231 and / or general-purpose processor 230. Similarly, applications hosted on UE 200 may store indications of analog and / or digital signals in memory 211 to present output signals to the user. User interface 216 may include audio input / output (I / O) devices, including, for example, speakers, microphones, digital-to-analog circuitry, analog-to-digital circuitry, amplifiers and / or gain control circuitry (including more than one of these devices). Other configurations of the audio I / O devices may be used. Alternatively, the user interface 216 may include one or more touch sensors that respond to touch and / or pressure, for example, on the keyboard and / or touchscreen of the user interface 216.

[0069] SPS receiver 217 (e.g., a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver) may be able to receive and capture SPS signal 260 via SPS antenna 262. Antenna 262 is configured to convert the wireless SPS signal 260 into a wired signal (e.g., an electrical or optical signal) and may be integrated with antenna 246. SPS receiver 217 may be configured to process the captured SPS signal 260, either wholly or partially, for estimating the location of UE 200. For example, SPS receiver 217 may be configured to use SPS signal 260 to determine the location of UE 200 via trilateration. General-purpose processor 230, memory 211, DSP 231, and / or one or more dedicated processors (not shown) may be used to process the captured SPS signal, either wholly or partially, and / or in conjunction with SPS receiver 217 to calculate the estimated location of UE 200. Memory 211 may store indications (e.g., measurements) of SPS signal 260 and / or other signals (e.g., signals captured from wireless transceiver 240) for use during positioning operations. A general-purpose processor 230, a DSP 231, and / or one or more dedicated processors and / or a memory 211 can provide or support a location engine for processing measurements to estimate the position of the UE 200.

[0070] UE 200 may include a camera 218 for capturing still or moving images. Camera 218 may include, for example, an imaging sensor (e.g., a charge-coupled device or a CMOS imager), lenses, analog-to-digital circuitry, frame buffers, etc. Additional processing, conditioning, encoding, and / or compression of signals representing the captured images may be performed by a general-purpose processor 230 and / or a DSP 231. Alternatively, a video processor 233 may perform conditioning, encoding, compression, and / or manipulation of signals representing the captured images. The video processor 233 may decode / decompress stored image data for presentation on a display device (not shown), such as user interface 216.

[0071] Positioning device (PD) 219 may be configured to determine the location of UE 200, the movement of UE 200, and / or the relative position and / or time of UE 200. For example, PD 219 may communicate with and / or include part or all of SPS receiver 217. PD 219 may, as appropriate, work with processor 210 and memory 211 to perform at least a portion of one or more positioning methods; however, the description herein may only relate to PD 219 being configured to perform or conduct according to positioning methods(s). PD 219 may additionally or alternatively be configured to use ground-based signals (e.g., at least some of signals 248) to determine the location of UE 200 for trilateration, to assist in acquiring and using SPS signal 260, or for both. PD 219 may be configured to use one or more other techniques for determining the location of UE 200 (e.g., UE-dependent self-reported location (e.g., part of the UE's location beacon)) and may use a combination of techniques (e.g., SPS and ground positioning signals) to determine the location of UE 200. PD 219 may include one or more of sensors 213 (e.g., multiple gyroscopes, multiple accelerometers, multiple magnetometers, etc.) that can sense the orientation and / or motion of UE 200 and provide indications of motion (e.g., velocity vectors and / or acceleration vectors) of UE 200 that processor 210 (e.g., processor 230 and / or DSP 231) can be configured to. PD 219 may be configured to provide indications of uncertainties and / or errors in the determined position and / or motion. The functionality of PD 219 may be provided in various ways and / or configured, for example, via general-purpose / application processor 230, transceiver 215, SPS receiver 217, and / or another component of UE 200, and may be provided via hardware, software, firmware, or various combinations thereof.

[0072] Also refer to Figure 3Examples of TRP 300 in BS 110a, 110b, and 114 include a computing platform comprising a processor 310, a memory 311 including software (SW) 312, and a transceiver 315. The processor 310, memory 311, and transceiver 315 may be communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 320 (which may be configured, for example, for optical and / or electrical communication). One or more of the devices shown (e.g., wireless interfaces) may be omitted from the TRP 300. The processor 310 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The processor 310 may include multiple processors (e.g., including such...). Figure 2 (The general-purpose / application processor, DSP, modem processor, video processor, and / or sensor processor shown herein). Memory 311 is a non-transitory storage medium, which may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, optical disc storage, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 311 stores software 312, which may be processor-readable and processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 310 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, software 312 may not be executed directly by processor 310, but may be configured to cause processor 310 to perform functions, for example, when compiled and executed.

[0073] This specification may refer only to processor 310, which performs the function, but this includes other implementations, such as those in which processor 310 executes software and / or firmware. This specification may refer to processor 310, which performs the function, as an abbreviation for one or more processors included in processor 310, which performs the function. This specification may refer to TRP 300, which performs the function, as an abbreviation for one or more suitable components (e.g., processor 310 and memory 311) of TRP 300 (and therefore one of BS 110a, 110b, 114), which performs the function. In addition to memory 311 and / or replacing memory 311, processor 310 may include memory with stored instructions. The functionality of processor 310 is discussed more fully below.

[0074] Transceiver 315 may include a wireless transceiver 340 and / or a wired transceiver 350 configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 340 may include a wireless transmitter 342 and a wireless receiver 344 coupled to one or more antennas 346 for transmitting (e.g., on one or more uplink channels and / or one or more downlink channels) and / or receiving (e.g., on one or more downlink channels and / or one or more uplink channels) wireless signals 348 and converting signals from wireless signals 348 into wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals and from wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals into wireless signals 348. Therefore, wireless transmitter 342 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wireless receiver 344 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 340 can be configured to support various Radio Access Technologies (RATs) such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone System), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, and WiFi Direct (WiFi-D). (e.g., with UE 200, one or more other UEs, and / or one or more other devices) to transmit signals. Wired transceiver 350 may include a wired transmitter 352 and a wired receiver 354 configured for wired communication, for example, a network interface that can be used to communicate with network 135 to send and receive communications, for example, to LMF 120 and / or one or more other network entities. Wired transmitter 352 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wired receiver 354 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. Wired transceiver 350 may be configured for, for example, optical communication and / or electrical communication.

[0075] Figure 3 The configuration of TRP 300 shown is an example and not a limitation of this disclosure including the claims, and other configurations may be used. For example, the description herein discusses TRP 300 being configured to perform several functions, but one or more of these functions may be performed by LMF 120 and / or UE 200 (i.e., LMF 120 and / or UE 200 may be configured to perform one or more of these functions).

[0076] Also refer to Figure 4 The LMF 120 is an example of a server 400, which includes a computing platform comprising a processor 410, a memory 411 including software (SW) 412, and a transceiver 415. The processor 410, memory 411, and transceiver 415 can be communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 420 (which can be configured, for example, for optical and / or electrical communication). One or more of the devices shown (e.g., wireless interfaces) may be omitted from the server 400. The processor 410 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The processor 410 may include multiple processors (e.g., including such...). Figure 2 (The general-purpose / application processor, DSP, modem processor, video processor, and / or sensor processor shown). Memory 411 is a non-transitory storage medium, which may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, optical disc storage, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 411 stores software 412, which may be processor-readable and processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 410 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, software 412 may not be executed directly by processor 410, but may be configured to cause processor 410 to perform the function, for example, when compiled and executed. This specification may refer only to processor 410 that performs the function, but this includes other implementations, such as those in which processor 410 performs software and / or firmware. This specification may refer to processor 410 that performs the function as an abbreviation for one or more processors included in processor 410 that performs the function. This specification may refer to server 400 that performs the function as an abbreviation for one or more suitable components of server 400 that perform the function. In addition to and / or instead of memory 411, processor 410 may include memory with stored instructions. The functions of the processor 410 will be discussed in more detail below.

[0077] Transceiver 415 may include a wireless transceiver 440 and / or a wired transceiver 450 configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 440 may include a wireless transmitter 442 and a wireless receiver 444 coupled to one or more antennas 446 for transmitting (e.g., on one or more downlink channels) and / or receiving (e.g., on one or more uplink channels) wireless signals 448 and converting signals from wireless signals 448 into wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals and vice versa. Therefore, wireless transmitter 442 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wireless receiver 444 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 440 can be configured to support various radio access technologies (RATs) such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone System), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, and WiFi Direct (WiFi-D). (e.g., with UE 200, one or more other UEs, and / or one or more other devices) to transmit signals. Wired transceiver 450 may include a wired transmitter 452 and a wired receiver 454 configured for wired communication, for example, a network interface that can be used to communicate with network 135 to send and receive communications to, for example, TRP 300 and / or one or more other entities. Wired transmitter 452 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wired receiver 454 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. Wired transceiver 450 may be configured for, for example, optical communication and / or electrical communication.

[0078] The description herein may refer to processor 410 performing the function, but this includes other implementations, such as those in which processor 410 executes software (stored in memory 411) and / or firmware. The description herein may refer to server 400 performing the function as an abbreviation for one or more suitable components of server 400 performing the function (e.g., processor 410 and memory 411).

[0079] Figure 4The configuration of server 400 shown is an example and not a limitation of this disclosure, which includes the claims, and other configurations may be used. For example, wireless transceiver 440 may be omitted. Furthermore or alternatively, the description herein discusses server 400 being configured to perform or perform several functions, but one or more of these functions may be performed by TRP 300 and / or UE 200 (i.e., TRP 300 and / or UE 200 may be configured to perform one or more of these functions).

[0080] Positioning technology

[0081] For terrestrial positioning of UEs in cellular networks, techniques such as Advanced Forward Link Trilateral Measurement (AFLT) and Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) typically operate in "UE-assisted" mode. In "UE-assisted" mode, measurements of reference signals (e.g., PRS, CRS, etc.) transmitted by the base station are acquired by the UE and then provided to a location server. The location server then calculates the UE's location based on the base station's measurements and its known location. Because these techniques use a location server rather than the UE itself to calculate the UE's location, they are not frequently used in applications such as automotive or cellular phone navigation, which typically rely on satellite-based positioning.

[0082] UEs can use a Satellite Positioning System (SPS) (Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)) for high-precision positioning using Precise Point Positioning (PPP) or Real-Time Kinematics (RTK) technologies. These technologies use auxiliary data, such as measurements from ground-based stations. LTE Release 15 allows data to be encrypted, making the information readable only by UEs subscribed to the service. This auxiliary data changes over time. Therefore, it may not be easy for a UE that has subscribed to the service to "crack the encryption" for other UEs by passing the data to them who have not yet paid for the subscription. This transmission needs to be repeated every time the auxiliary data changes.

[0083] In UE-assisted positioning, the UE sends measurement values ​​(e.g., TDOA, Angle of Arrival (AoA), etc.) to a positioning server (e.g., LMF / eSMLC). The positioning server has a Base Station Almanac (BSA), which contains multiple "entries" or "records," one record per cell. Each record contains the geographic cell location but may also include other data. The identifiers of the "records" within the multiple "records" in the BSA can be referenced. The BSA and the measurement values ​​from the UE can be used to calculate the UE's location.

[0084] In conventional UE-based positioning, the UE calculates its own location, thus avoiding sending measurements to the network (e.g., a location server), which improves latency and scalability. The UE uses relevant BSA record information from the network (e.g., the location of the gNB (more broadly, a base station)). BSA information can be encrypted. However, because BSA information varies much less than, for example, PPP or RTK auxiliary data described previously, it may be easier to make BSA information (compared to PPP or RTK information) available to UEs that have not subscribed and have paid for the decryption key. The transmission of reference signals via the gNB makes BSA information potentially crowdsourced or war-driven, essentially enabling the generation of BSA information based on field and / or cloud observations.

[0085] Positioning technologies can be characterized and / or evaluated based on one or more criteria, such as positioning accuracy and / or latency. Latency is the time elapsed between the event that triggers the determination of positioning-related data and the availability of that data at the positioning system interface (e.g., the interface of an LMF 120). The latency of the availability of positioning-related data at the time of positioning system initialization is called the Time to First Positioning (TTFF), and is greater than the latency after the TTFF. The reciprocal of the time elapsed between two consecutive availability of positioning-related data is called the update rate, i.e., the rate at which positioning-related data is generated after the first positioning. Latency can depend on, for example, the processing capacity of the UE. For example, assuming an allocation of 272 PRBs (Physical Resource Blocks), the UE can report its processing capacity as the duration of a DL PRS symbol in units of time (e.g., milliseconds) that the UE can process per T time units (e.g., T ms). Other examples of capabilities that may affect latency are the number of TRPs from which the UE can process PRS, the number of PRSs the UE can process, and the UE's bandwidth.

[0086] One or more of many different positioning techniques (also known as positioning methods) can be used to determine the location of an entity (such as one of UEs 105 and 106). Known positioning techniques include RTT, multiple RTT, OTDOA (also known as TDOA, and including UL-TDOA and DL-TDOA), Enhanced Cell Identification (E-CID), DL-AoD, UL-AoA, etc. RTT uses the time it takes for a signal to travel from one entity to another and back to determine the distance between two entities. This distance, plus the known location of the first entity and the angle between the two entities (e.g., azimuth), can be used to determine the location of the second entity. In multiple RTT (also known as multi-cell RTT), multiple distances from one entity (e.g., UE) to other entities (e.g., TRP) and the known locations of other entities can be used to determine the location of that entity. In TDOA, the difference in propagation time between an entity and other entities can be used to determine the relative distance to other entities, and the combination of the difference in propagation time between an entity and other entities with the known locations of other entities can be used to determine the location of that entity. Arrival and / or departure angles can be used to help determine the location of an entity. For example, the arrival or departure angle of a signal, combined with the distance between devices (determined using signals such as propagation time, received power, etc.) and the known location of one device, can be used to determine the location of another device. The arrival or departure angle can be an azimuth relative to a reference direction (such as true north). The arrival or departure angle can be a zenith angle relative to directly upwards from the entity (i.e., radially outwards from the Earth's center). E-CID uses the serving cell identifier, timing advance (i.e., the difference between the receive and transmit times at the UE), estimated timing and power of detected neighboring cell signals, and possible arrival angles (e.g., the arrival angle of signals from the base station at the UE, or vice versa) to determine the location of the UE. In TDOA, the time difference of arrival at the receiving device for signals from different sources, along with the known location of the source and the known offset of the transmission time from the source, is used to determine the location of the receiving device.

[0087] In network-centric RTT estimation, the serving base station instructs the UE to scan / receive RTT measurement signals (e.g., PRS) on the serving cells of two or more neighboring base stations (and typically the serving base station, as at least three base stations are required). One of the multiple base stations transmits the RTT measurement signal on low-reuse resources (e.g., resources used by the base station to transmit system information) allocated by the network (e.g., a location server, such as LMF 120). The UE records the arrival time (also referred to as receive time / reception time / time of reception or time of arrival (ToA)) of each RTT measurement signal relative to the UE's current downlink timing (e.g., as derived by the UE from the DL signal received from its serving base station) and sends a common or individual RTT response message (e.g., an SRS (Sound Reference Signal) for positioning, i.e., UL-PRS) to one or more base stations (e.g., when indicated by its serving base station), and may include the time difference T between the ToA of the RTT measurement signal and the transmission time of the RTT response message in the payload of each RTT response message. Rx→Tx (i.e., UE T) Rx-Tx or UE Rx-Tx The RTT response message will include a reference signal from which the base station can infer the ToA of the RTT response. This is achieved by comparing the transmission time of the RTT measurement signal from the base station with the ToA of the RTT response at the base station. Tx→Rx Time difference T with UE report Rx→Tx By comparing the two, the base station can infer the propagation time between the base station and the UE, and thus the base station can determine the distance between the UE and the base station by assuming the speed of light during this propagation time.

[0088] UE-centric RTT estimation is similar to a network-based approach, except that the UE transmits (e.g., when indicated by a serving base station) uplink RTT measurement signals, which are received by multiple base stations near the UE. Each involved base station responds with a downlink RTT response message, which may include the time difference between the ToA of the RTT measurement signal at the base station and the transmission time of the RTT response message from the base station in the RTT response message payload.

[0089] For both network-centric and UE-centric processes, the side performing RTT calculation (network or UE) typically (though not always) sends (multiple) first messages or signals (e.g., multiple RTT measurement signals), while the other side responds with one or more RTT response messages or signals, which may include the difference between the ToA of the first message or signal and the transmission time of (multiple) RTT response messages or signals.

[0090] Multiple RTT (Real-Time To-Time) techniques can be used to determine location. For example, a first entity (e.g., a UE) may emit one or more signals (e.g., unicast, multicast, or broadcast from a base station), and multiple second entities (e.g., other TSPs such as (multiple) base stations and / or (multiple) UEs) may receive signals from the first entity and respond to those received signals. The first entity receives responses from multiple second entities. The first entity (or another entity such as an LMF) may use the responses from the second entities to determine the distance to the second entities, and the location of the first entity may be determined by trilateration using multiple distances to the second entities and known locations.

[0091] In some instances, additional information can be obtained in the form of arrival angles (AoA) or departure angles (AoD) defining a straight line direction (e.g., which may be in a horizontal plane or in three dimensions) or a range of possible directions (e.g., for the UE's location from the base station). The intersection of two directions can provide another estimate of the UE's location.

[0092] For positioning techniques that use PRS (Location Reference Signal) signals (e.g., TDOA and RTT), the PRS signals transmitted by multiple TRPs are measured, and the distance from the UE to the TRPs is determined using the signal arrival time, known transmission time, and known location of the TRPs. For example, the RSTD (Reference Signal Time Difference) can be determined for PRS signals received from multiple TRPs, and the RSTD is used in TDOA techniques to determine the UE's location. The location reference signal can be referred to as the PRS or PRS signal. PRS signals are typically transmitted using the same power, and PRS signals with the same signal characteristics (e.g., the same frequency offset) can interfere with each other, such that a PRS signal from a more distant TRP can be overwhelmed by a PRS signal from a closer TRP, making the signal from the more distant TRP undetectable. PRS muting can be used to help reduce interference by muting some PRS signals (reducing the power of the PRS signal to, for example, zero and therefore not transmitting the PRS signal). In this way, a weaker PRS signal (at the UE) can be more easily detected by the UE without the interference of a stronger PRS signal. The term RS and its variants (e.g., PRS, SRS) can refer to one or more reference signals.

[0093] Positioning Reference Signals (PRS) include a downlink PRS (DL PRS, often simply referred to as PRS) and an uplink PRS (UL PRS) (which may be referred to as the SRS (Sound Reference Signal) used for positioning). PRS may include PN codes (pseudo-random numbers) or be generated using PN codes (e.g., scrambling the PN codes with another signal) such that the PRS source can act as a pseudo-satellite. PN codes can be unique to the PRS source (at least within a specified area, such that the same PRS from different PRS sources does not overlap). PRS may include PRS resources of a frequency layer or a set of PRS resources. A DL PRS positioning frequency layer (or simply a frequency layer) is a collection of DL PRS resource sets from one or more TRPs, where the PRS resources(s) have common parameters configured by the higher-layer parameters DL-PRS-PositioningFrequencyLayer, DL-PRS-ResourceSet, and DL-PRS-Resource. Each frequency layer has a DL PRS subcarrier spacing (SCS) for the DL PRS resource set and the DL PRS resources within that frequency layer. Each frequency layer has a DL PRS cyclic prefix (CP) for the DL PRS resource set and the DL PRS resources within that frequency layer. In 5G, a resource block occupies 12 consecutive subcarriers and a specified number of symbols. Furthermore, the DL PRS point A parameter defines the frequency of a reference resource block (and the lowest subcarrier of the resource block), where DL PRS resources belonging to the same DL PRS resource set have the same point A, and all DL PRS resource sets belonging to the same frequency layer have the same point A. Frequency layers also have the same DL PRS bandwidth, the same starting PRB (and center frequency), and the same comb size value (i.e., the frequency of each symbol PRS resource element, such that for comb-N, every Nth resource element is a PRS resource element). A PRS resource set is identified by a PRS resource set ID and can be associated with a specific TRP (identified by the cell ID) transmitted by the base station's antenna panel. The PRS resource ID in a PRS resource set can be associated with an omnidirectional signal and / or a single beam (and / or beam ID) transmitted from a single base station (where a base station can transmit one or more beams). Each PRS resource in the PRS resource set can be transmitted on a different beam; thus, a PRS resource (or simply a resource) can also be referred to as a beam. This makes no indication to the UE whether the base station and the beam on which it transmits the PRS are known to the UE.

[0094] The Transmission Platform (TRP) can be configured, for example, by instructions received from a server and / or by software within the TRP, to transmit DL PRS according to a schedule. Depending on the schedule, the TRP can transmit DL PRS intermittently, for example periodically at intervals consistent with the initial transmission. The TRP can be configured to transmit one or more PRS resource sets. A resource set is a collection of PRS resources on a TRP, wherein the resources have the same period, a common silence pattern configuration (if any), and the same repetition factor in the time slot. Each PRS resource set comprises multiple PRS resources, wherein each PRS resource comprises multiple resource elements (REs), which can be in multiple resource blocks (RBs) within N (or more) consecutive symbols in the time slot. An RB is a set of REs spanning a certain number of one or more consecutive symbols in the time domain and a certain number (12 RBs for 5G) of consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain. Each PRS resource is configured with an RE offset, a time slot offset, a symbol offset within the time slot, and multiple consecutive symbols that the PRS resource may occupy within the time slot. The RE offset defines the starting RE offset of the first symbol within the DL PRS resource in the frequency domain. The relative RE offsets of the remaining symbols within a DL PRS resource are defined based on this initial offset. The slot offset is the starting slot of the DL PRS resource relative to the corresponding resource set slot offset. The symbol offset determines the starting symbol of the DL PRS resource within the initial slot. Transmitted REs can repeat across slots, with each transmission being called a repetition, allowing multiple repetitions to exist within a PRS resource. DL PRS resources in a DL PRS resource set are associated with the same TRP, and each DL PRS resource has a DL PRS resource ID. The DL PRS resource ID in a DL PRS resource set is associated with a single beam transmitted from a single TRP (although a TRP can transmit one or more beams).

[0095] PRS resources can also be defined by quasi-co-location and starting PRB parameters. The quasi-co-location (QCL) parameter defines any quasi-co-location information between the DL PRS resource and other reference signals. DL PRS can be configured with QCL type D for DL ​​PRS or SS / PBCH (Synchronization Signal / Physical Broadcast Channel) blocks from either the serving cell or a non-serving cell. DL PRS can also be configured with QCL type C for SS / PBCH blocks from either the serving cell or a non-serving cell. The starting PRB parameter defines the starting PRB index of the DL PRB resource relative to reference point A. The starting PRB index has a granularity of one PRB and can have a minimum of 0 PRBs and a maximum of 2176 PRBs.

[0096] A PRS resource set is a collection of PRS resources with the same period, the same silence pattern configuration (if any), and the same repetition factor on the time slot. The time at which all repetitions of all PRS resources in a PRS resource set are configured to be transmitted each time is called an "instance". Therefore, an "instance" of a PRS resource set is a specified number of repetitions for each PRS resource and a specified number of PRS resources within the PRS resource set, such that an instance is completed once the specified number of repetitions has been transmitted for each of the specified number of PRS resources. An instance can also be referred to as a "timing". DL PRS configurations, including DL PRS transmission scheduling, can be provided to the UE to facilitate (or even enable) UE measurement of DL PRS.

[0097] Multiple frequency layers of a PRS can be aggregated to provide an effective bandwidth greater than that of any single layer. Multiple frequency layers of component carriers (which may be contiguous and / or discrete) and satisfying criteria such as Quasi-Co-located (QCLed) and having the same antenna ports can be joined to provide a larger effective PRS bandwidth (for DL ​​PRS and ULPRS), resulting in increased time-of-arrival measurement accuracy. Stitching involves combining PRS measurements from individual bandwidth segments into a unified block, such that the stitched PRS can be considered as having been derived from a single measurement. As QCLed, different frequency layers behave similarly, making it possible to stitch PRS to produce a larger effective bandwidth. A larger effective bandwidth, which can be referred to as the bandwidth of the aggregated PRS or the frequency bandwidth of the aggregated PRS, provides (e.g., TDOA) better time-domain resolution. An aggregated PRS comprises a collection of PRS resources, and each PRS resource of the aggregated PRS can be referred to as a PRS component, and each PRS component can be transmitted on different component carriers, frequency bands, or frequency layers, or on different portions of the same frequency band.

[0098] RTT positioning is an active positioning technology because RTT uses positioning signals sent by the TRP to the UE and sent by the UE (participating in RTT positioning) to the TRP. The TRP can send a DL-PRS signal received by the UE, and the UE can send an SRS (Probe Reference Signal) signal received by multiple TRPs. The Probe Reference Signal can be referred to as SRS or SRS signal. In 5G multi-RTT, coordinated positioning can be used, where the UE sends a single UL-SRS for positioning received by multiple TRPs, instead of sending separate UL-SRS for positioning for each TRP. A participating TRP will typically search for UEs currently residing on that TRP (the served UE, where the TRP is the serving TRP) and UEs residing on adjacent TRPs (neighboring UEs). Neighboring TRPs can be TRPs of a single BTS (e.g., gNB), or they can be TRPs of a single BTS and TRPs of individual BTSs. For RTT positioning that includes multi-RTT positioning, the DL-PRS signal in the PRS / SRS of the positioning signal pair used to determine the RTT (and therefore the distance between the UE and TRP) and the UL-SRS for the positioning signal can occur close to each other in time, such that errors due to UE movement and / or UE clock drift and / or TRP clock drift are within acceptable limits. For example, the signals in the PRS / SRS of the positioning signal pair can be transmitted from the TRP and the UE within approximately 10 ms of each other. In cases where the SRS for the positioning signal is transmitted by the UE, and where the PRS and SRS for the positioning signal are transmitted close to each other in time, it has been found that radio frequency (RF) signal congestion (which can lead to excessive noise, etc.) may occur, especially if many UEs attempt to locate simultaneously and / or at the TRP where many UEs are attempting to measure simultaneously.

[0099] RTT positioning can be UE-based or UE-assisted. In UE-based RTT, UE 200 determines the RTT and the corresponding distance to each TRP 300, and determines the location of UE 200 based on the distance to the TRP 300 and the known location of the TRP 300. In UE-assisted RTT, UE 200 measures a positioning signal and provides the measurement information to the TRP 300, and the TRP 300 determines the RTT and distance. The TRP 300 provides the distance to a location server (e.g., server 400), and the server determines the location of UE 200, for example, based on the distance to different TRPs 300. RTT and / or distance can be determined by the TRP 300 that receives signals from UE 200, by the TRP 300 in conjunction with one or more other devices (e.g., one or more other TRPs 300 and / or server 400), or by one or more devices other than the TRP 300 that receives signals from UE 200.

[0100] 5G NR supports multiple positioning technologies. Supported NR local positioning methods include DL-only positioning, UL-only positioning, and DL+UL positioning. Downlink-based positioning methods include DL-TDOA and DL-AoD. Uplink-based positioning methods include UL-TDOA and UL-AoA. Combined DL+UL positioning methods include RTT with one base station and RTT with multiple base stations (multi-RTT).

[0101] (For example, for a UE) a location estimate can be referred to by other names, such as location estimation, location, positioning, location determination, orientation determination, etc. A location estimate can be geodetic and include coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and possible altitude), or it can be urban and include street addresses, postal addresses, or some other verbal description of the location. A location estimate can also be defined relative to another known location or in absolute terms (e.g., using latitude, longitude, and possible altitude). A location estimate can include expected errors or uncertainties (e.g., by including the area or volume within which the location is expected to be included at a specified or default confidence level).

[0102] Figure 4 The configuration of server 400 shown is an example of this disclosure, including the claims, and not a limitation, and other configurations may be used. For example, wireless transceiver 440 may be omitted. Furthermore or alternatively, the description herein discusses server 400 being configured to perform several functions, but one or more of these functions may be performed by TRP 300 and / or UE 200 (i.e., TRP 300 and / or UE 200 may be configured to perform one or more of these functions).

[0103] Downlink PRS processing

[0104] Due to the potential complexity (especially compared to LTE) and volume of location signals, limitations may be imposed on location signal processing (including data buffering). For example, for NR, each TRP can have multiple beams and therefore multiple PRS resources. For instance, each TRP can be configured with up to 64 beams and therefore up to 64 PRS resources for FR2 (frequency range 2 in the mm-wave band from 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz) and up to 8 PRS resources for FR1 (frequency range 1 from 410 MHz to 7.125 GHz). The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) size for NR can be 4K, which is twice the size of the FFT used for LTE. Furthermore, each time slot can have up to 12 symbols, with 32 time slots repeated (each time slot may be eight times smaller than an LTE subframe). Therefore, NR PRS can be 1000 times more complex than LTE. Therefore, one or more constraints can be imposed on various UE positioning processing capabilities to constrain complexity and facilitate PRS processing (e.g., including reduction processing to reduce data buffering) for positioning (e.g., processing positioning signals according to one or more positioning methods for determining positioning information (e.g., distance (e.g., pseudorange), one or more PRS measurements, UE location, etc.)). For example, the positioning processing capabilities of a UE can be specified to include the maximum number of frequency layers (e.g., one or four), the maximum number of TRPs per frequency layer, the maximum number of PRS resource sets per TRP per frequency layer, the maximum number of PRS resources per PRS resource set, the maximum number of DL PRS resources per UE, the maximum number of TRPs across all frequency layers per UE, the maximum number of PRS resources per frequency layer, etc.

[0105] To facilitate PRS processing, such as to free up potential processing power for PRS processing, measurement gaps can be scheduled for the UE (although only one measurement gap may be scheduled at a time). For example, the UE can request measurement gap configuration so that the UE can measure DL PRS outside the active DL BWP (bandwidth portion). A server (e.g., LMF) can schedule one or more measurement gaps, either in response to a request from the UE or independently of (e.g., in the absence of) any such request. Measurement gaps that can be requested by the UE are times during which the UE will not receive data or control information and therefore does not need to perform data or control processing. The UE can therefore dedicate the processing power intended for data and / or control processing to PRS location processing during the measurement gap to determine location information. Location information can be the UE's location (position) or other information that can be used to determine the UE's location (e.g., one or more distances and / or one or more PRS measurements). Using measurement gaps, the UE can measure DL PRS outside the active DL BWP, or measure DL PRS using nuclei different from those of the active DL BWP, where the nuclei are configurations of waveform parameters such as subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix size. Without measurement gaps, if the UE measures the DL PRS within the active DL BWP, the UE will measure the DL PRS with the same numerical values ​​as the active BWP. Furthermore, it is generally not expected that the UE will process the DL PRS in the same OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbol that transmits other DL signals and channels to the UE, or on any symbol indicated as uplink by the serving TRP.

[0106] Prioritization of location and radio communications

[0107] There may be situations where the same operational resources for a UE may be expected to be used multiple times simultaneously. For example, the same operational resources may be expected simultaneously for receiving positioning signals and receiving or transmitting communication signals (e.g., data signals, reference signals (e.g., for channel state determination), sidelink communication signals, control signals, etc.). As another example, the same resources may be expected simultaneously for processing (received or to be transmitted) positioning signals and processing (received or to be transmitted) communication signals. Resources may be expected simultaneously during or away from measurement gaps. In the case of multiple simultaneous expectations of the same resources, the priority between positioning and wireless communication can be used by the UE to determine which signal to receive / transmit and / or which signal to process (e.g., modulate / demodulate or encode / decode). Priorities may depend on one or more of a variety of factors and may be determined by or requested by the UE and determined and provided to the UE by another entity (e.g., a server such as an LMF), as discussed further below.

[0108] Refer again Figure 4 The description herein may refer only to processor 410 performing the function, but this includes other implementations, such as those in which processor 410 executes software and / or firmware (stored in memory 411). The description herein may refer to server 400 performing the function as an abbreviation for one or more suitable components of server 400 performing the function (e.g., processor 410 and memory 411). Processor 410 (possibly in conjunction with memory 411 and, where appropriate, transceiver 415) includes a positioning priority unit 460. Positioning priority unit 460 may be configured to determine the priority between positioning sessions (including positioning signal reception and / or positioning signal processing) and radio communications (including signal reception and / or signal transmission and / or signal processing). Positioning priority unit 460 may send instructions indicating the priority to UE (e.g., UE 200). Unit 460 may send instructions to UE 200 in response to a request from UE 200. Unit 460 may determine the priority based on the request, for example, giving positioning a higher priority than the radio communication session. The instruction can guide the UE 200 to determine priority based on one or more conditions. For example, the instruction can provide conditional priority that depends on one or more measurement gaps scheduled for the UE 200 that the UE 200 knows but the server 400 may not know.

[0109] refer to Figure 5 For further reference Figures 1-4 UE 500 includes a processor 510, an interface 520, a memory 530, and one or more sensors 540 communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 550. UE 500 may include... Figure 5 Some or all of the components shown, and may include one or more other components, such as Figure 2 Any of the components shown makes UE 200 an example of UE 500. Processor 510 may include one or more components of processor 210. Interface 520 may include one or more components of transceiver 215, such as wireless transmitter 242 and antenna 246, or wireless receiver 244 and antenna 246, or wireless transmitter 242, wireless receiver 244 and antenna 246. Additionally or alternatively, interface 520 may include wired transmitter 252 and / or wired receiver 254. Interface 520 may include SPS receiver 217 and antenna 262. Memory 530 may be configured similarly to memory 211, for example including software having processor-readable instructions configured to cause processor 510 to perform functions. Sensor(s) 540 may include one or more of sensors 213 and / or may include camera 218.

[0110] The description herein may refer only to processor 510 performing the function, but this includes other implementations, such as those in which processor 510 executes software and / or firmware (stored in memory 530). The description herein may refer to the UE 500 performing the function as an abbreviation for one or more suitable components of UE 500 performing the function (e.g., processor 510 and memory 530). Processor 510 (possibly in conjunction with memory 530 and, where appropriate, with interface 520) includes a positioning priority unit 560. Positioning priority unit 560 may be configured to determine the priority between a positioning session (including positioning signal reception and / or positioning signal processing) and radio communication (including signal reception and / or signal transmission and / or signal processing). Additionally or alternatively, positioning priority unit 560 may be configured to send a request for positioning priority to another entity (e.g., server 400) via interface 520. Positioning priority unit 560 may determine the priority based on instructions received via interface 520 in response to the request, to, for example, assign a higher priority to the positioning session relative to the radio communication session.

[0111] Also refer to Figure 6 The diagram 600 illustrates a timing diagram of scheduled measurement gaps. The measurement gap is specified by the Measurement Gap Offset (MGO), Measurement Gap Length (MGL), and Measurement Gap Repetition Period (MGRP). The MGO is the offset of the measurement gap pattern across multiple time slots relative to a reference time slot (e.g., SFN time slot 0 (system frame number time slot 0)). The MGO value points to the starting subframe within the period. Many possible offset values ​​exist; however, not all offset values ​​are applicable to all periods. The value of MGO can range from 0 to MGRP-1. For example, if the period is 20 ms, the offset ranges from 0 to 19. The MGL is the length of the measurement gap, for example, in ms. Example measurement gap length values ​​include 1.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5.5, 6, 10, 18, 20, 34, 40, and 50 (or more). The MGRP defines the periodicity of the measurement gap repetition (if any), for example, in ms. Example values ​​for MGRP include 20, 40, 80, 160, 320, and 640. To measure a signal, the UE tunes to a target frequency to perform the measurement and then tunes back to the source frequency after the measurement (e.g., after the end of the measurement gap). Measurement Gap Timing Advance (MGTA) can also be provided, indicating the amount of time (e.g., in milliseconds) before the measurement gap subframe begins for the UE to begin tuning to the appropriate frequency so that the UE can receive the signal at the start of the measurement gap. MGTA may be referred to as the call-in or call-out time. Example values ​​for MGTA include 0.25 ms (e.g., for FR2) or 0.5 ms (e.g., for FR1).

[0112] Also refer to Figure 7The signaling and process flow 700 for prioritizing the execution of positioning and radio communication sessions includes the stages shown. The flow 700 can be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, or executing stages concurrently. For example, stages 760 and 770 can be executed before stage 750 (or even before stage 710). As another example, stage 770 can be omitted.

[0113] In phase 710, TRP 300-1, which serves as the TRP for UE 500, sends configuration message 712 to UE 500. Configuration message 712 can configure UE 500 to receive reference signals (such as PRS), can schedule one or more measurement gaps (e.g., provide MGO, MGL, MGRP, and MGTA), and can configure one or more other features.

[0114] In phase 720, server 400 sends a request for location information message 722 to UE 500. Message 722 may be an LPP message and may include a CommonIEsRequestLocationInformation message body carrying a common IE (information element) (i.e., the same IE for different location request types). The CommonIEsRequestLocationInformation message body may be defined as follows.

[0115]

[0116]

[0117] Quality of Service (QoS) IE can be defined as follows.

[0118]

[0119] QoS IE indicates the quality of service and may include multiple subfields. In the case of measurement, some subfields may be applied to location estimations that can be obtained by the server from the measurement values ​​provided by the UE 500, for example, assuming that the measurement values ​​are the only source of error. The fields of QoS IE may be defined as follows; however, the following are examples and not limitations of this disclosure (including the claims).

[0120] - Horizontal Accuracy indicates the maximum horizontal error in the location estimation at the indicated confidence level. Accuracy corresponds to the coded uncertainty as defined in 3GPP TS 23.032

[15] , and confidence corresponds to the confidence level as defined in 3GPP TS 23.032

[15] .

[0121] -verticalCoordinateRequest indicates whether vertical coordinates are required (TRUE or FALSE).

[0122] -verticalAccuracy indicates the maximum vertical error in the location estimation at the indicated confidence level and is applicable when vertical coordinates are requested. Accuracy corresponds to the encoded uncertainty height as defined in 3GPP TS 23.032

[15] , and confidence corresponds to the confidence level as defined in 3GPP TS 23.032

[15] .

[0123] -responseTime

[0124] The `-responseTime` field indicates the maximum response time measured between the receipt of a `RequestLocationInformation` and the sending of a `ProvideLocationInformation`. If the `unit` field is not present, the maximum response time is provided as an integer number of seconds between 1 and 128. If the `unit` field is present, the maximum response time is provided in units of 10 seconds, between 10 and 1280 seconds. If `periodicalReportingIE` is included in `CommonIEsRequestLocationInformation`, this field should not be included by the location server and should be ignored by the target device (if included).

[0125] -responseTimeEarlyFix indicates the maximum response time measured between the receipt of RequestLocationInformation and the transmission of ProvideLocationInformation containing early location measurements or early location estimates. If the unit field is absent, the maximum response time is provided as an integer number of seconds between 1 and 128. If the unit field is present, the maximum response time is provided in units of 10 seconds between 10 and 1280 seconds. When this IE is included, the target should send ProvideLocationInformation containing early location information according to the responseTimeEarlyFix IE (or more than one ProvideLocationInformation if the location information would not fit into a single message), and subsequent ProvideLocationInformation containing final location information according to the time IE (or more than one ProvideLocationInformation if the location information would not fit into a single message). If the early location information is unavailable when the time value in the responseTimeEarlyFix IE expires, the target should omit sending ProvideLocationInformation. The server should set the responseTimeEarlyFix IE to a value less than the time IE. If the responseTimeEarlyFix IE value is not less than the time IE value, the target should ignore the responseTimeEarlyFix IE.

[0126] The `-unit` parameter specifies the unit of the `responseTimeEarlyFix` field and the time. The enumeration value "ten seconds" corresponds to a resolution of 10 seconds. If this field does not exist, the unit / resolution is 1 second.

[0127] -velocityRequest indicates whether to request velocity (or a velocity-related measurement) if it is TRUE or FALSE.

[0128] -responseTimeNB

[0129] If the periodicalReporting IE or responseTime IE is included in CommonIEsRequestLocationInformation, this field should not be included by the location server and should be ignored by the target device (if included).

[0130] -timeNB indicates the maximum response time measured between the receipt of RequestLocationInformation and the transmission of ProvideLocationInformation. If the unit field is not present, the maximum response time is provided as an integer number of seconds between 1 and 512. If the unit field is present, the maximum response time is provided in units of 10 seconds, ranging from 10 seconds to 5120 seconds.

[0131] The `-responseTimeEarlyFixNB` indicates the maximum response time measured between the receipt of a `RequestLocationInformation` and the transmission of a `ProvideLocationInformation` containing early location measurements or early location estimates. If the `unit` field is absent, the maximum response time is provided as an integer number of seconds between 1 and 512. If the `unit` field is present, the maximum response time is provided in units of 10 seconds, between 10 seconds and 5120 seconds. When this IE is included, the target should send a `ProvideLocationInformation` containing early location information according to the `responseTimeEarlyFixNB` IE (or more than one `ProvideLocationInformation` if the location information would not fit into a single message), and a subsequent `ProvideLocationInformation` containing final location information according to the `timeNB` IE (or more than one `ProvideLocationInformation` if the location information would not fit into a single message).

[0132] If the early location information becomes unavailable when the time value in responseTimeEarlyFixNBIE expires, the target should omit sending ProvideLocationInformation. The server should set responseTimeEarlyFixNBIE to a value less than timeNBIE. If the value of responseTimeEarlyFixNBIE is not less than the value of timeNBIE, the target should ignore responseTimeEarlyFixNBIE.

[0133] -unitNB indicates the unit of the timeNB and responseTimeEarlyFixNB fields. The enumeration value "ten seconds" corresponds to a resolution of 10 seconds. If this field does not exist, the unit / resolution is 1 second.

[0134] -horizontalAccuracyExt indicates the maximum level of error in location estimation with the indicated confidence level. accuracyExt corresponds to the coded high-precision uncertainty as defined in 3GPP TS 23.032

[15] , and the confidence level corresponds to the confidence level as defined in 3GPP TS 23.032

[15] . If the horizontalAccuracy field is included in QoS, this field should not be included by the location server and should be ignored by the target device.

[0135] -verticalAccuracyExt indicates the maximum vertical error in the location estimation at the indicated confidence level and is only applicable when vertical coordinates are requested. accuracyExt corresponds to the encoded high-precision uncertainty as defined in 3GPP TS 23.032

[15] , and the confidence level corresponds to the confidence level as defined in 3GPP TS 23.032

[15] . If the verticalAccuracy field is included in the QoS, this field should not be included by the location server and should be ignored by the target device.

[0136] All QoS requirements should be met by the target device to the extent possible, but a response that does not meet all QoS requirements may be permitted, for example, if some requirements cannot be met. The exception is time, and timeNB should always be met—even if it means disqualifying other QoS requirements.

[0137] Target devices that support NB-IoT access should support responseTimeNB IE.

[0138] Target devices that support HA GNSS should support the HorizontalAccuracyExt, VerticalAccuracyEx, and unit fields.

[0139] Target devices that support NB-IoT access and HA GNSS should support the unitNB field.

[0140] At stage 730, UE 500 may send a Request Assistance Information message 732 to request assistance data from server 400. The assistance data may assist UE 500 in acquiring and / or measuring one or more reference signals (e.g., PRS) and / or in processing one or more measured reference signals. The assistance data may include different IEs for different positioning technologies and / or common IEs that are the same for different positioning technologies. For example, message 732 may include a RequestAssistanceData message body as defined below (however, this is an example and not a limitation of this disclosure, which includes the claims).

[0141]

[0142]

[0143] In phase 740, UE 500 identifies one or more positioning signals to be received and / or transmitted by UE 500, identifies one or more radio communication signals to be received and / or transmitted by UE 500, and identifies corresponding processing times(s). For example, UE 500 may identify, in positioning messages 741, 742, and 743, scheduled DL PRS, SRS (UL PRS) for positioning, and / or SL PRS to be received and / or transmitted between UE 500 and serving TRP 300-1, another TRP 300-2, or another UE 705. UE 500 can also identify received DL signals (such as data signals, reference signals (e.g., CSIRS (Channel State Information Reference Signal)) or control signals (e.g., (multiple) RRM (Radio Resource Management) signals for handover)), UL signals, and / or SL signals transmitted (or to be transmitted) between UE 500 and serving TRP 300-1, another TRP 300-2, or another UE 705, respectively, in positioning messages 744, 745, and 746. UE 500 can determine the processing time corresponding to each appropriate signal, enabling UE 500 to identify positioning sessions and radio communication sessions. Each positioning session and / or radio communication session may include corresponding signal reception and signal processing, or corresponding signal processing and signal transmission. UE 500 can determine positioning session timing (i.e., when the session will start and end, and therefore including the duration of the session) and radio communication session timing.

[0144] At stage 750, UE 500 identifies potential conflicts between positioning sessions and radio communication sessions. For example, positioning priority unit 560 can be configured to identify temporal overlap between positioning sessions (signal reception / transmission and signal processing) and radio communication sessions (signal reception / transmission and signal processing). Positioning priority unit 560 can be configured to identify concurrent demands for one or more resources used for positioning sessions and radio communication sessions. A session may involve receiving a signal and subsequently processing (e.g., demodulating and decoding) that signal, or it may involve processing (e.g., modulation and encoding) to generate a signal and subsequently transmitting that signal (e.g., UL data transmission, transmission of SRS for positioning, etc.). Both positioning and radio communication sessions utilize the modulation and / or demodulation resources of UE 500. A radio communication session may include, for example, signal reception (e.g., DL data signals) and may also include processing of received signals (e.g., HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request)) and transmission of another signal (e.g., ACK / NACK (Acknowledgment / Negative Acknowledgment) signals, CSI reports). ACK / NACK can be separated from the received signal by several (e.g., 16 or 32) time slots. A positioning session may include, for example, signal reception (e.g., PRS), processing of the received signal (e.g., measurement, determination of positioning information (e.g., pseudorange, positioning estimation)), and transmission of another signal (reporting positioning information, SRS for positioning, etc.). For simplicity, each positioning session or radio communication session discussed below includes (without change due to priority order) signal reception, processing of the received signal, and transmission of the corresponding signal.

[0145] Potential conflicts identified by UE 500 can have various configurations. For example, also refer to Figure 8A The positioning session 810 is expected to begin after the expected radio communication session 820 and extend beyond it. Positioning session 810 may not yet have received the positioning signal 812. Radio communication session 820 may have already received the inbound signal 822 (e.g., a DL data signal), and processing duration 824 is expected to be used before sending report 826 (e.g., during the scheduling time after receiving the inbound signal 822). In this case, the inbound signal 822 does not conflict with positioning session 810, but radio communication session 820 (i.e., the signal processing portion of radio communication session 820) does conflict with positioning session 810. As another example, reference is also made to… Figure 9A The expected positioning session 910 is to begin before the expected radio communication session 920 and end during the expected radio communication session 920. As another example, see also... Figure 10AThe positioning session 1010 is expected to last entirely within the duration of the expected radio communication session 1020. As another example, see also... Figure 11A The expected location session 1110 begins before the expected radio communication session 1120 and ends after the expected radio communication session 1120 (i.e., the radio communication session 1120 is entirely within the duration of the location session 1110).

[0146] At stage 760, UE 500 (e.g., location prioritization unit 560) determines the priority between the location session and the radio communication session. Location prioritization unit 560 can determine the priority without instruction from server 400. Location prioritization unit 560 can send a report to server 400 instructing UE 500 to implement the determined priority (e.g., in a capability message). Alternatively, location prioritization unit 560 can send a request 762 for priority information to server 400. For example, location prioritization unit 560 can request a higher priority for location in response to insufficient location information (e.g., lack of location information determination, failure to meet one or more QoS parameters) and / or in response to the impending expiration of a scheduled (e.g., periodic) location information report. UE 500 can request a change in priority or request a specific priority for the location session, such as on a radio communication session (e.g., RRM procedure), DL channel, etc. The priority request can be part of a request assistance information message 732 (e.g., part of the RequestAssistanceData message body) or part of a location information message discussed further below. Priority requests can have associated expiration times, such as a timer indicating the amount of time the UE 500 is requesting that the priority take effect (preventing subsequent changes to the priority). The UE 500 can request different priority levels based on one or more criteria (e.g., based on communication technology). For example, the UE 500 can request different priorities for cellular network positioning (Uu positioning) and sidelink positioning (SL positioning).

[0147] At stage 770, server 400 (e.g., positioning priority unit 460) may assign priorities and send a priority assignment message 764 to UE 500. Priority assignment message 764 may indicate which of the positioning sessions or radio communication sessions has higher priority. Priority assignment message 764 may provide conditions that UE 500 can use to determine priorities, for example, based on one or more factors such as the relative timing of the session, whether one or more measurement gaps are scheduled, whether the measurement gaps are dedicated to positioning, and the positioning techniques to be implemented to determine positioning information (e.g., positioning estimates, pseudorange, PRS measurements, etc.). Priority assignment message 764 may be sent by server 400 (e.g., LMF) via serving TRP 300-1 (e.g., via NRPPa) and / or directly (e.g., using LPP) to UE 500. Priorities may be provided to TRP 300-1, for example, so that TRP 300-1 can anticipate the actions of UE 500 and thus determine any anticipated interruptions in operation (e.g., signal processing).

[0148] The priority of a location session relative to a radio communication session can be determined by the UE 500 and / or server 400 based on one or more factors. For example, priority can be based on the location technology to be implemented to determine location information. Some location technologies may result in a higher priority location session than a radio communication session, while others may result in a lower priority. A radio communication session may include signal reception but not signal processing. Priority can be determined / assigned based on radio communication signals. For example, priority can be assigned to location signals based on the radio communication session including receiving PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) signals, PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel) signals, or CSIRS signals for CSI. Priority can also be determined / assigned based on the type of radio communication signal processing procedure. For example, priority can be determined based on procedures such as RRM procedures (e.g., for UE 500 handover), DL data reception procedures (e.g., processing PDSCH signals), UL data transmission procedures (e.g., processing PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) signals), DL CSI procedures (processing CSI), sidelink (SL) communication procedures, etc. Priorities can be assigned a higher or lower priority relative to the positioning of any of these processes, and priorities can depend on one or more other factors. Priorities can depend on the type of signal, such as the type of reference signal. For example, a different priority can be assigned to a DL-PRS compared to the UL SRS used for positioning, where the DL-PRS has a higher priority than the UL SRS used for positioning. As another example, priorities can be assigned equal priority to the DL-PRS and the UL SRS used for positioning in response to the expectation (e.g., by UE 500) of implementing RTT (e.g., multi-RTT) positioning technology to determine positioning information. Priorities can have associated expiration times. For example, a priority can be associated with a timer that starts when priority is assigned (e.g., determined by UE 500 or received by UE 500 from priority assignment message 764). When the timer expires (e.g., after 100ms), the priority is invalidated (e.g., ignored), and the priority can be returned to the default priority or changed to the new priority when a new priority is imminent (e.g., as determined by UE 500 or as indicated by another priority assignment message). Priorities can be assigned based on whether a positioning session will use cellular network information exchange (e.g., Uu positioning using a Uu link) or sidelink information exchange (SL positioning). In SL positioning, one or more reference signals are exchanged via one or more SL channels and the spectrum used for measurement. Priorities can be conditional priorities.For example, location can have a conditionally higher priority than a radio communication session, such as having a higher priority unless the location is an SL location, in which case the location will have a lower priority than a radio communication session.

[0149] Priority assignment or determination can be explicit. For example, server 400 can explicitly assign priority via priority assignment message 764, request location information message 722, or another message.

[0150] Priority assignment or determination can be implicit. For example, priority can be implicitly determined based on measurement gap scheduling, response time of location information, one or more QoS parameters, whether location reports are periodic, etc. For example, at least within a threshold time period, a location session can be given higher priority than a radio communication session (e.g., an RRM procedure, e.g., for handover) based on a single measurement gap being scheduled. As another example, a radio communication session can be given higher priority than a location session based on multiple individual measurement gaps being scheduled. Priority can be based on whether one of the multiple scheduled measurement gaps is dedicated to location. Measurement gaps can be explicitly indicated as dedicated to location, for example, in a message from a Service TRP 300-1. Measurement gaps can be implicitly indicated as dedicated to location, for example, by being longer than measurement gaps used for non-location (e.g., for RRM). For example, the maximum measurement gap for RRM can be 6 ms, and measurement gaps longer than 6 ms (e.g., 10 ms) can implicitly indicate that the measurement gap is dedicated to location. A location session can have a lower priority than a radio communication session based on a measurement gap length less than or equal to the maximum measurement gap length for RRM. As another example, based on multiple scheduled MGs, positioning can have a lower priority, no MG is longer than the maximum MGL of the RRM, and no MG is explicitly dedicated to positioning. As another example, multiple scheduled MGs can have a default priority. For example, based on multiple scheduled MGs, positioning can have a lower priority as the default.

[0151] In addition, or alternatively, prioritization can be implicitly determined based on one or more other factors. For example, priority can be based on the communication technology used for positioning. For instance, Uu positioning can be given higher priority than SL positioning based on UE 500 being within the coverage of TRP 300-1, and SL positioning can be given higher priority than Uu positioning based on UE 500 being outside the coverage of TRP 300-1 (or any other TRP 300) or partially within its coverage (e.g., DL is operational between TRP 300-1 and UE 500, but UL is not). As another example, priority can be based on whether positioning information reports are periodic or one-off. For instance, positioning can be given higher priority based on the existence of a scheduled single positioning report (meaning positioning is urgent). Positioning can be given lower priority based on a scheduled periodic positioning report (so that positioning information can eventually be reported even if the positioning report is skipped).

[0152] Alternatively, priority can be implicitly determined based on one or more Quality of Service (QoS) parameters. For example, priority can be based on one or more of horizontalAccuracy, verticalAccuracy, verticalCoordinateRequest, velocityRequest, responseTime, timeNB, horizontalAccuracyExt, or verticalAccuracyExt. For instance, priority can depend on the response time of the UE 500 in providing location information. Priority can be given to location based on a response time below a threshold amount. The response time can be included in the Request for Location Information message 722. The threshold can be the capability of the UE 500. Priority can be based on the type of indicated QoS parameters, such as the presence of a verticalCoordinateRequest and / or velocityRequest that results in (or at least weights a preference for) higher priority for location. If the indicated QoS accuracy exceeds a threshold, priority can prioritize location sessions over radio communication sessions.

[0153] Priorities can be based on a combination of factors. For example, each of several factors can be weighted to favor a higher or lower positioning priority (always or based on the factor's value). A weight favoring a higher positioning priority can be assigned a value of 1, and a weight favoring a lower positioning priority can be assigned a value of 0. Each factor can have a corresponding weight, for example, a value between two numbers (e.g., 0 and 1). After weighting each factor, an average can be calculated, and priorities are determined based on the average and a threshold. For example, a positioning session is given a higher priority than a radio communication session based on a weighted average exceeding a threshold, and a positioning session is given a lower priority than a radio communication session based on a weighted average not exceeding a threshold.

[0154] In phase 780, the UE 500 executes location sessions and / or radio communication sessions according to determined priorities. Based on the priorities and relative timings of the location and radio communication sessions, some or all of either session may not be executed. See also... Figure 8B , Figure 8C , Figure 9B , Figure 9C , Figure 10B , Figure 10C , Figure 11B and Figure 11C It shows that in Figure 8A , Figure 9A , Figure 10A and Figure 11A The execution of positioning and radio communication sessions under relative timing is shown in the diagram. Figure 8B , Figure 9B , Figure 10B and Figure 11B In this context, location sessions have a higher priority, and... Figure 8C , Figure 9C , Figure 10C and Figure 11C In this context, radio communication sessions have a higher priority. For example... Figure 8BAs shown, if location session 810 begins after radio communication session 820 and has a higher priority than radio communication session 820, inbound signal 822 is received and can be partially processed before location session 810 begins. Processing of inbound signal 822 can be interrupted at the start of location session. Inbound signal 822 can be discarded or retained. If radio communication session 820 continues after location session 810 is completed, inbound signal 822 and any partial processing of inbound signal 822 can be retained. Here, the scheduling time of report 826 is during location session 810, and therefore UE 500 discards inbound signal 822 and any partial processing of inbound signal 822, does not send (or even confirms) report 826, and performs location session 810, including sending location information report 814. For example, inbound signal 822 may be PDSCH communication, but demodulation and decoding are delayed or even prevented from completing due to location session, and UE 500 may send a NACK response to PDSCH. As another example, DCI (Downlink Control Information) indicating PUSCH communication for UL data transmission during the duration of positioning session 810 can be received, and therefore the UE may not send PUSCH communication (at least during the scheduled time). Figure 8C As shown, if radio communication session 820 has a higher priority than location session 810 and location signal 812 is scheduled to be received during radio communication session 820, UE 500 can ignore location signal 812, execute the entire radio communication session 820, and not execute any location session 810. Figure 9B As shown, when positioning session 910 has higher priority, positioning session 910 is executed while radio communication session 920 is completely ignored. DL signal 922 may not be received (e.g., decoded) due to conflict with the higher-priority positioning session 910. Figure 9C As shown, if radio communication session 920 has a higher priority than the positioning session, PRS 912 can be received, but the positioning process is not completed, and instead, resources are directed to the execution of radio communication session 920. Figure 10B As shown, location session 1010 is executed, but a radio communication session 1020 that started before location session 1010 can also be completed after location session 1010 is completed, for example, within a permitted time after location session 1010 is completed. In this example, radio communication session 1020 is completed after radio communication session 1020 has been completed without any interruption for executing location session 1010. Figure 10CAs shown, radio communication session 1020 is fully executed, while location session 1010 is ignored, wherein location signal 1012 is ignored due to reception during the higher-priority radio communication session 1020. Figure 11B As shown, UE 500 performs the entire location session 1110 and ignores radio communication session 1120 because the entire radio communication session 1120, and in particular the inbound signal 1122, arrives at UE 500 during the duration of location session 1110. Figure 11C As shown, radio communication session 1120 is executed, and location session 1110, which begins before radio communication session 1120, can also be completed after radio communication session 1120 is completed (e.g., within a permitted time after the completion of radio communication session 1120). By processing radio communication sessions and / or location sessions according to priorities based on one or more quality of service (QoS) criteria, one or more QoS criteria can be better met and / or better ensured to be met. By processing radio communication sessions and / or location sessions according to priorities based on emergency requests and / or the time of impending location reports, emergency location information requirements can be met. By processing both radio communication sessions and location sessions, priority-based time permissions can help meet one or more criteria (e.g., location delay, emergency communication completion, etc.) without preventing the execution of radio communication sessions or location sessions.

[0155] During phase 780, location information message 782 and / or response message 784 may be provided to server 400 or TRP 300-1, respectively. For example, report 814 may be provided to server 400, or report 826 may be provided to TRP 300-1. Location information message 782 may include a CommonIEsProvideLocation message body that includes a common IE for providing location information. Common IEs provide the same (common) location for different location technologies (e.g., OTDOA, RTT, etc.). The CommonIEsProvideLocation message body may be defined as follows (however, this is an example and not a limitation of this disclosure, including the claims).

[0156]

[0157] refer to Figure 12 For further reference Figure 1-Figure 11. A method 1200 for prioritizing the execution of at least one of a location session or a radio communication session at the UE includes the phases shown. However, method 1200 is merely illustrative and not limiting. Method 1200 can be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, executing phases simultaneously, and / or dividing a single phase into multiple phases.

[0158] In phase 1210, the method includes identifying anticipated conflicts in location sessions and radio communication sessions. For example, UE 500 may identify one or more anticipated conflicts in phase 750 discussed above. Processor 510, which may be combined with memory 530 (and may be combined with interface 520 (e.g., wireless receiver 244 and antenna 246)), may include components for identifying anticipated conflicts.

[0159] At stage 1220, method 1200 includes determining the priority between a location session and a radio communication session. For example, UE 500 may determine the relative priority of the location session and the radio communication session at stage 760 discussed above. Processor 510, which may be combined with memory 530 (and may be combined with interface 520 (e.g., radio receiver 244 and antenna 246)), may include components for determining the priority.

[0160] In phase 1230, method 1200 includes performing at least one of a location session or a radio communication session according to priority. For example, UE 500 may perform a location session and / or a radio communication session (e.g., all of one session and excluding any part of another session, all of one session and some of another session, or all of two sessions) in phase 780 discussed above. Processor 510, combined with interface 520 (e.g., radio transmitter 242, radio receiver 244, and antenna 246) and possibly with memory 530, may include components for performing at least one of a location session or a radio communication session according to priority.

[0161] Implementations of method 1200 may include one or more of the following features. In an example implementation, priority determination (by UE 500 and / or server 400) may be based on the positioning technology to be implemented by the UE in the positioning session (e.g., one positioning technology that influences priority towards a higher positioning priority, and another technology that influences priority towards a lower positioning priority). In another example implementation, in response to the positioning technology being a technology using both downlink reference signals and uplink reference signals, priority may be determined such that priority equal to that of the radio communication session is given to downlink positioning reference signal processing and uplink sounding reference signals used for positioning processing. For example, based on the positioning technology being an RTT technology (e.g., multiple RTT), equal reception and / or processing priorities may be given to DL-PRS and UL SRS used for positioning. In another example implementation, priority may be determined such that unequal priorities related to the radio communication session are given to downlink positioning reference signal processing and uplink sounding reference signals used for positioning processing. For example, DL-PRS reception and / or processing may have a different priority than UL SRS used for positioning reception and / or processing. In another example implementation, method 1200 may include determining a priority expiration time. For example, UE 500 may determine the amount of time for which UE 500 expects to request a priority, UE 500 may determine the expiration time based on instructions from server 400, and / or UE 500 may determine the expiration time of the priority determined by UE 500 without input from server 400. Processor 510, combined with interface 520 (e.g., wireless receiver 244 and antenna 246) and possibly with memory 530, may include components for determining the expiration time. In another example implementation, priority may be determined based on whether the location session involves exchanging location information via a cellular network connection or a sidelink connection.

[0162] Additionally or alternatively, implementations of method 1200 may include one or more of the following features. In an example implementation, priority may be determined based on a priority instruction received by the UE from a network entity. In another example implementation, method 1200 may include sending a request to the network entity for a priority instruction instructing the UE to give higher priority to the positioning session. For example, UE 500 may send request 762 (e.g., requesting a change in priority (e.g., requesting a specific priority, such as higher priority for positioning)) to server 400 for a possible amount of time (e.g., 100 ms). Processor 510, combined with interface 520 (e.g., wireless transmitter 242 and antenna 246) and possibly with memory 530, may include components for sending the request to the network entity. In another example implementation, priority may be determined such that the positioning session has a higher priority than the radio communication session in response to (e.g., based on) a single measurement gap being scheduled. For example, as Figure 8B As shown, a positioning session 810 can have a higher priority based on a single measurement gap 830 being scheduled. In another example implementation, a priority can be determined such that a positioning session has a lower priority than a radio communication session in response to (e.g., based on) multiple measurement gaps being scheduled. For example, as Figure 8C As shown, based on the scheduling of multiple measurement gaps 840, 850, the positioning session 810 can have a lower priority than the radio communication session 820.

[0163] Additionally or alternatively, implementations of method 1200 may include one or more of the following features. In an example implementation, in response to a second measurement gap in a plurality of scheduled measurement gaps being dedicated to positioning, a priority can be determined such that, for the first measurement gap in the scheduled measurement gaps, the positioning session has a lower priority than the radio communication session. For example, as Figure 8BAs shown, multiple measurement gaps 840, 850 can be scheduled, wherein a positioning session 810 can have a lower priority in measurement gap 840 based on the fact that measurement gap 850 is dedicated to positioning. In another example implementation, method 1200 may include receiving a measurement gap indication indicating that a second measurement gap is dedicated to positioning. For example, configuration message 712 may include an indication that measurement gap 850 is dedicated to positioning. Processor 510, combined with interface 520 (e.g., wireless receiver 244 and antenna 246) and possibly with memory 530, may include components for receiving the measurement gap indication. In another example implementation, method 1200 may include determining that a second measurement gap is implicitly dedicated to positioning. For example, UE 500 may determine that measurement gap 850 is dedicated to positioning in response to measurement gap 850 being longer than, for example, a threshold of 6 ms. Processor 510, possibly combined with memory 530, may include components for determining that a second measurement gap is implicitly dedicated to positioning.

[0164] Additionally or alternatively, implementations of method 1200 may include one or more of the following features. In an example implementation, priority may be determined based on the response time of the UE in providing location information in a location session. For example, UE 500 may determine that the location session has a higher priority based on the response time indicated in the request location information message 722 being less than a threshold time. In another example implementation, priority may be determined based on a quality of service metric for the location information provided by the UE in the location session. For example, UE 500 may determine that the location session has a higher or lower priority based on one or more values ​​of one or more QoS parameters in the request location information message 722. In another example implementation, priority may be determined based on whether the UE is scheduled to periodically report location information. For example, UE 500 may determine that the location session has a lower priority than a radio communication session based on whether UE 500 is scheduled to periodically report location information. In another example implementation, the priority between a location session and a radio communication session is based on whether the radio communication session includes at least one of the following: physical downlink control channel signals, physical downlink shared channel signals, channel state information reference signals, sidelink communication, radio resource management procedures, downlink data reception procedures, uplink data transmission procedures, or channel state information procedures. For example, UE 500 may determine that a location session has a lower priority than a radio communication session based on a radio communication session that includes one or more of the listed signals and / or one or more of the listed procedures.

[0165] Implementation Examples

[0166] Examples of implementation methods are provided in the following numbered clauses.

[0167] 1. User equipment, the user equipment comprising:

[0168] Receiver;

[0169] Memory; and

[0170] A processor communicatively coupled to the receiver and the memory, the processor being configured to:

[0171] Identify anticipated conflicts between location sessions and radio communication sessions;

[0172] Determine the priority between the location session and the radio communication session; and

[0173] At least one of the location session or the radio communication session is executed according to the priority.

[0174] 2. The user equipment as described in Clause 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the priority based on the positioning technology to be implemented by the processor in the positioning session.

[0175] 3. The user equipment according to Clause 2, wherein the processor is configured to determine the priority in response to the positioning technique being a technique that uses both downlink reference signals and uplink reference signals, such that a priority equal to that of the radio communication session is given to the downlink positioning reference signal processing and the uplink detection reference signal used for positioning processing.

[0176] 4. The user equipment according to Clause 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the priority such that a priority unequal to that of the radio communication session is given to downlink positioning reference signal processing and uplink sounding reference signal for positioning processing.

[0177] 5. The user equipment as described in Clause 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the expiration time of the priority.

[0178] 6. The user equipment as described in Clause 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the priority based on whether the location session involves exchanging location information via a cellular network connection or a sidelink connection.

[0179] 7. The user equipment as described in Clause 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the priority based on a priority instruction received via the receiver.

[0180] 8. The user equipment as described in Clause 7, further comprising a transmitter communicatively coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to send a request for the priority via the transmitter to give higher priority to the location session.

[0181] 9. The user equipment according to Clause 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the priority in response to a single measurement gap being scheduled, such that the positioning session has a higher priority than the radio communication session.

[0182] 10. The user equipment according to Clause 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the priority in response to the scheduling of a plurality of measurement gaps, such that the positioning session has a lower priority than the radio communication session.

[0183] 11. The user equipment according to Clause 1, wherein the processor is configured to dedicate a second measurement gap among a plurality of scheduled measurement gaps to positioning to determine the priority, such that the positioning session has a lower priority than the radio communication session for the first measurement gap among the plurality of scheduled measurement gaps.

[0184] 12. The user equipment as described in Clause 11, wherein the processor is configured to receive, via the receiver, a measurement gap indication indicating that the second measurement gap is dedicated to positioning.

[0185] 13. The user equipment as described in Clause 11, wherein the processor is configured to determine that the second measurement gap is implicitly dedicated to positioning.

[0186] 14. The user equipment as described in Clause 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the priority based on the response time by which the processor provides location information in the location session.

[0187] 15. The user equipment as described in Clause 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the priority based on a quality of service metric of location information to be provided by the processor in the location session.

[0188] 16. The user equipment as described in Clause 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the priority based on whether the processor is scheduled to periodically report location information.

[0189] 17. The user equipment according to Clause 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the priority between the location session and the radio communication session based on whether the radio communication session includes at least one of the following: physical downlink control channel signal, physical downlink shared channel signal, channel state information reference signal, sidelink communication, radio resource management procedure, downlink data reception procedure, uplink data transmission procedure, or channel state information procedure.

[0190] 18. A method for prioritizing the execution of at least one of a location session or a radio communication session at a user equipment, comprising:

[0191] Identify the anticipated conflict between the location session and the radio communication session;

[0192] Determine the priority between the location session and the radio communication session; and

[0193] At least one of the location session or the radio communication session is executed according to the priority.

[0194] 19. The method according to Clause 18, wherein the priority is determined based on the positioning technology to be implemented by the user equipment in the positioning session.

[0195] 20. The method according to Clause 19, wherein the priority is determined by using both downlink reference signals and uplink reference signals in response to the positioning technique, such that a priority equal to that of the radio communication session is given to the downlink positioning reference signal processing and to the uplink detection reference signal for positioning processing.

[0196] 21. The method according to Clause 18, wherein the priority is determined such that a priority not equal to that of the radio communication session is given to the downlink positioning reference signal processing and the uplink sounding reference signal for positioning processing.

[0197] 22. The method described in Clause 18 further includes determining the expiration date of the priority.

[0198] 23. The method according to Clause 18, wherein the priority is determined based on whether the location session involves exchanging location information via a cellular network connection or a sidelink connection.

[0199] 24. The method according to Clause 18, wherein the priority is determined based on a priority instruction received by the user equipment from the network entity.

[0200] 25. The method according to Clause 24 further includes sending a request to the network entity for a priority instruction that instructs the user equipment to give higher priority to the location session.

[0201] 26. The method according to Clause 18, wherein the priority is determined in response to the scheduling of a single measurement gap, such that the positioning session has a higher priority than the radio communication session.

[0202] 27. The method according to Clause 18, wherein the priority is determined in response to the scheduling of multiple measurement gaps, such that the positioning session has a lower priority than the radio communication session.

[0203] 28. The method according to Clause 18, wherein a second measurement gap in response to a plurality of scheduled measurement gaps is dedicated to positioning to determine the priority, such that the positioning session has a lower priority than the radio communication session for the first measurement gap in the plurality of scheduled measurement gaps.

[0204] 29. The method according to Clause 28 further includes receiving a measurement gap indication indicating that the second measurement gap is dedicated to positioning.

[0205] 30. The method described in Clause 28 further includes determining that the second measuring gap is implicitly dedicated to positioning.

[0206] 31. The method according to Clause 18, wherein the priority is determined based on the response time by which the user equipment provides location information in the location session.

[0207] 32. The method according to Clause 18, wherein the priority is determined based on a quality of service metric of the location information provided by the user equipment in the location session.

[0208] 33. The method according to Clause 18, wherein the priority is determined based on whether the user equipment is scheduled to periodically report location information.

[0209] 34. The method according to Clause 18, wherein the priority is determined based on whether the radio communication session includes at least one of the following: physical downlink control channel signal, physical downlink shared channel signal, channel state information reference signal, sidelink communication, radio resource management process, downlink data reception process, uplink data transmission process, or channel state information process.

[0210] 35. User equipment, the user equipment comprising:

[0211] Components used to identify anticipated conflicts between location sessions and radio communication sessions;

[0212] Components for determining the priority between the positioning session and the radio communication session; and

[0213] A component for executing at least one of the positioning session or the radio communication session according to the priority.

[0214] 36. The user equipment as described in Clause 35, wherein the component for determining the priority includes a component for determining the priority based on a positioning technique to be implemented in the positioning session by a component for performing at least one of the positioning session or the radio communication session.

[0215] 37. The user equipment according to Clause 36, wherein the components for determining the priority include components for determining the priority in response to the positioning technology being a technique using both downlink reference signals and uplink reference signals, such that a priority equal to that of the radio communication session is given to downlink positioning reference signal processing and uplink detection reference signals for positioning processing.

[0216] 38. The user equipment as described in Clause 35, wherein the components for determining the priority include components for determining the priority such that a priority not equal to that of the radio communication session is given to downlink positioning reference signal processing and uplink probe reference signal for positioning processing.

[0217] 39. The user equipment as described in Clause 35, wherein the components for determining the priority include components for determining the expiration time of the priority.

[0218] 40. The user equipment as described in Clause 35, wherein the components for determining the priority include components for determining the priority based on whether the location session involves exchanging location information via a cellular network connection or a sidelink connection.

[0219] 41. The user equipment as described in Clause 35, wherein the components for determining the priority include components for determining the priority based on a priority instruction received by the user equipment.

[0220] 42. The user equipment as described in Clause 41 further includes a component for sending a request to the network entity for a priority instruction, the priority instruction instructing the user equipment to give higher priority to the location session.

[0221] 43. The user equipment as described in Clause 35, wherein the component for determining the priority includes a component for determining the priority in response to a single measurement gap being scheduled, such that the positioning session has a higher priority than the radio communication session.

[0222] 44. The user equipment as described in Clause 35, wherein the component for determining the priority includes a component for determining the priority in response to the scheduling of a plurality of measurement gaps, such that the positioning session has a lower priority than the radio communication session.

[0223] 45. The user equipment according to clause 35, wherein the component for determining the priority includes a component for determining the priority in response to a second measurement gap among a plurality of scheduled measurement gaps, such that the positioning session has a lower priority than the radio communication session for the first measurement gap among the plurality of scheduled measurement gaps.

[0224] 46. ​​The user equipment as described in Clause 45, wherein the components for determining the priority include components for receiving a measurement gap indication indicating that the second measurement gap is dedicated to positioning.

[0225] 47. The user equipment as described in Clause 45, wherein the components for determining the priority include components for determining that the second measuring gap is implicitly dedicated to positioning.

[0226] 48. The user equipment as described in Clause 35, wherein the components for determining the priority include components for determining the priority based on the response time by which the user equipment provides location information in the location session.

[0227] 49. The user equipment as described in Clause 35, wherein the components for determining the priority include components for determining the priority based on a quality of service metric for location information to be provided by the user equipment in the location session.

[0228] 50. The user equipment as described in Clause 35, wherein the components for determining the priority include components for determining the priority based on whether the user equipment is scheduled to periodically report location information.

[0229] 51. The user equipment as described in Clause 35, wherein the component for determining the priority includes a component for determining the priority between the location session and the radio communication session based on whether the radio communication session includes at least one of the following: physical downlink control channel signal, physical downlink shared channel signal, channel state information reference signal, sidelink communication, radio resource management process, downlink data reception process, uplink data transmission process, or channel state information process.

[0230] 52. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions, wherein, for prioritizing the execution of at least one of a location session or a radio communication session at a user equipment, the processor-readable instructions cause the processor to:

[0231] Identify the anticipated conflict between the location session and the radio communication session;

[0232] Determine the priority between the location session and the radio communication session; and

[0233] At least one of the location session or the radio communication session is executed according to the priority.

[0234] 53. The storage medium according to Clause 52, wherein the processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to determine the priority include processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to determine the priority based on the positioning technology to be implemented by the user equipment in the positioning session.

[0235] 54. The storage medium according to Clause 53, wherein the processor-readable instructions for determining the priority include processor-readable instructions for determining the priority in response to the positioning technique being a technique using both downlink reference signals and uplink reference signals, such that a priority equal to that of the radio communication session is given to downlink positioning reference signal processing and uplink probe reference signals for positioning processing.

[0236] 55. The storage medium according to Clause 52, wherein the processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to determine the priority include processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to determine the priority such that a priority not equal to that of the radio communication session is given to downlink positioning reference signal processing and uplink probe reference signal for positioning processing.

[0237] 56. The storage medium as described in Clause 52 further includes processor-readable instructions that enable the processor to determine the expiration time of the priority.

[0238] 57. The storage medium according to Clause 52, wherein the processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to determine the priority include processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to determine the priority based on the location session, including whether the location information is exchanged via a cellular network connection or a sidelink connection.

[0239] 58. The storage medium as described in Clause 52, wherein the processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to determine the priority include processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to determine the priority based on priority instructions received by the user equipment from the network entity.

[0240] 59. The storage medium as described in Clause 58, further comprising processor-readable instructions that cause the user equipment to send a request to the network entity for a priority instruction instructing the user equipment to give higher priority to the location session.

[0241] 60. The storage medium according to Clause 52, wherein the processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to determine the priority include processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to determine the priority in response to a single measurement gap being scheduled, such that the positioning session has a higher priority than the radio communication session.

[0242] 61. The storage medium according to Clause 52, wherein the processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to determine the priority include processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to determine the priority in response to scheduling of a plurality of measurement gaps such that the positioning session has a lower priority than the radio communication session.

[0243] 62. The storage medium according to Clause 52, wherein the processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to determine the priority include processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to respond to a second measurement gap of a plurality of scheduled measurement gaps dedicated to positioning to determine the priority such that, for a first measurement gap of the plurality of scheduled measurement gaps, the positioning session has a lower priority than the radio communication session.

[0244] 63. The storage medium according to Clause 62, the storage medium further comprising processor-readable instructions that enable the processor to receive a measurement gap indication that indicates the second measurement gap is dedicated to positioning.

[0245] 64. The storage medium according to Clause 62 further includes processor-readable instructions that enable the processor to determine that the second measurement gap is implicitly dedicated to positioning.

[0246] 65. The storage medium according to Clause 52, wherein the processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to determine the priority include processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to determine the priority based on the response time of the user equipment providing location information in the location session.

[0247] 66. The storage medium according to Clause 52, wherein the processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to determine the priority include processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to determine the priority based on a quality of service metric that will be provided by the user equipment in the location session.

[0248] 67. The storage medium according to Clause 52, wherein the processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to determine the priority include processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to periodically report location information based on whether the user equipment is scheduled to determine the priority.

[0249] 68. The storage medium according to Clause 52, wherein the processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to determine the priority include processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to determine the priority based on whether the radio communication session includes at least one of the following: physical downlink control channel signal, physical downlink shared channel signal, channel state information reference signal, sidelink communication, radio resource management procedure, downlink data reception procedure, uplink data transmission procedure, or channel state information procedure.

[0250] Other considerations

[0251] Other examples and implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software and computers, the above-described functions can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwired, or any combination of these. Features implementing the functions can also be physically located in multiple locations, including being distributed such that portions of the functions are implemented at different physical locations.

[0252] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” also include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprise,” “comprising,” “include,” and / or “including” as used herein specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0253] As used herein, unless otherwise stated, a statement that a function or operation is “based on” an item or condition means that the function or operation is based on the stated item or condition and may be based on one or more items and / or conditions other than the stated item or condition.

[0254] Furthermore, as used herein, the word "or" (which may begin with "at least one of" or "one or more of") in a list of items indicates a delimited list, such that a list of, for example, "at least one of A, B, or C," or a list of "one or more of A, B, or C," or a list of "A or B or C" means A, or B, or C, or AB (A and B), or AC (A and C), or BC (B and C), or ABC (i.e., A and B and C), or a combination having more than one feature (e.g., AA, AAB, ABBC, etc.). Therefore, for example, if an item of a processor is configured to perform a description of a function relating to at least one of A or B, or an item is configured to perform a description of function A or function B, it means that the item can be configured to perform a function relating to A, or can be configured to perform a function relating to B, or can be configured to perform a function relating to both A and B. For example, the phrase "a processor configured to measure at least one of A or B" or "a processor configured to measure A or measure B" means that the processor can be configured to measure A (and may or may not be configured to measure B), or can be configured to measure B (and may or may not be configured to measure A), or can be configured to measure both A and B (and may be configured to select one or both of A and B for measurement). Similarly, the description of a component for measuring at least one of A or B includes a component for measuring A (which may or may not be able to measure B), or a component for measuring B (which may or may not be configured to measure A), or a component for measuring A and B (which may be able to select one or both of A and B for measurement). As another example, the description of a processor item being configured to perform at least one of function X or function Y means that the item can be configured to perform function X, or can be configured to perform function Y, or can be configured to perform both function X and function Y. For example, the phrase "a processor configured to measure at least one of X or Y" means that the processor can be configured to measure X (and may or may not be configured to measure Y), or can be configured to measure Y (and may or may not be configured to measure X), or can be configured to measure both X and Y (and may be configured to select one or both of X and Y to measure).

[0255] Substantial changes can be made to meet specific requirements. For example, custom hardware can be used, and / or specific components can be implemented as hardware, processor-executed software (including portable software such as applets), or both. Furthermore, connections to other computing devices, such as network input / output devices, can be employed. Unless otherwise stated, the functional or other components shown in the figures and / or described herein that are interconnected or communicating with each other are communicatively coupled. That is, they can be directly or indirectly connected to enable communication between them.

[0256] The systems and devices discussed above are examples. Various configurations may appropriately omit, substitute, or add various processes or components. For example, features described with respect to certain configurations may be combined in a variety of other configurations. Different aspects and elements of a configuration may be combined in a similar manner. Furthermore, technology evolves, and therefore many elements are examples and do not limit the scope of this disclosure or the claims.

[0257] A wireless communication system is a system in which communication is transmitted wirelessly, that is, by propagating electromagnetic waves and / or sound waves through atmospheric space rather than through wired or other physical connections. A wireless communication network may not transmit all communication wirelessly, but is configured to transmit at least some communication wirelessly. Furthermore, the term "wireless communication device" or similar terms do not require that the device's function is specifically or uniformly primarily for communication, or that the device is a mobile device, but rather indicate that the device includes wireless communication capabilities (one-way or two-way), such as including at least one radio for wireless communication (each radio being part of a transmitter, receiver, or transceiver).

[0258] Specific details are provided in the specification to offer a thorough understanding of the example configurations, including implementations. However, the configurations can be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques have been shown without unnecessary details to avoid obscuring the configurations. This specification provides only example configurations and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claims. Rather, the foregoing description of the configurations provides a description for implementing the described techniques. Various changes can be made to the function and arrangement of the elements.

[0259] As used herein, the terms “processor-readable medium,” “machine-readable medium,” and “computer-readable medium” refer to any medium that participates in providing data that enables a machine to operate in a particular manner. Using a computing platform, various processor-readable media can involve providing instructions / code to a processor for execution and / or being used to store and / or carry such instructions / code (e.g., as signals). In many embodiments, a processor-readable medium is a physical and / or tangible storage medium. Such media can take many forms, including but not limited to non-volatile and volatile media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical discs and / or magnetic disks. Volatile media include, but are not limited to, dynamic memory.

[0260] Several example configurations have been described, and various modifications, alternative configurations, and equivalents may be used. For example, the aforementioned elements may be components of a larger system, where other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of the invention. Furthermore, multiple operations may be performed before, during, or after considering the aforementioned elements. Therefore, the above description does not limit the scope of the claims.

[0261] A statement that a value exceeds a first threshold (or is greater than or higher than the first threshold) is equivalent to a statement that the value meets or exceeds a second threshold, which is slightly greater than the first threshold, for example, in the resolution of a computing system, the second threshold is one value higher than the first threshold. A statement that a value is less than the first threshold (or is within or below the first threshold) is equivalent to a statement that the value is less than or equal to the second threshold, which is slightly lower than the first threshold, for example, in the resolution of a computing system, the second threshold is one value lower than the first threshold.

Claims

1. A user equipment, comprising: Receiver; Memory; as well as A processor communicatively coupled to the receiver and the memory, the processor being configured to: Identify anticipated conflicts between location sessions and radio communication sessions; The priority between the positioning session and the radio communication session is determined, wherein in some cases the positioning session has a higher priority, and in other cases the radio communication session has a higher priority; and At least one of the location session or the radio communication session is executed according to the priority.

2. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the priority based on a positioning technology to be implemented by the processor in the positioning session.

3. The user equipment of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to determine the priority in response to the positioning technique being a technique that uses both downlink reference signals and uplink reference signals, such that a priority equal to that of the radio communication session is given to the downlink positioning reference signal processing and the uplink detection reference signal for positioning processing.

4. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the priority such that a priority unequal to that of the radio communication session is given to downlink positioning reference signal processing and uplink probe reference signal for positioning processing.

5. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the expiration time of the priority.

6. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the priority based on whether the location session involves exchanging location information via a cellular network connection or a sidelink connection.

7. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the priority based on a priority instruction received via the receiver.

8. The user equipment of claim 7, further comprising a transmitter communicatively coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to send a request for the priority via the transmitter to give higher priority to the location session.

9. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the priority in response to a single measurement gap being scheduled, such that the positioning session has a higher priority than the radio communication session.

10. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the priority in response to the scheduling of a plurality of measurement gaps, such that the positioning session has a lower priority than the radio communication session.

11. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to dedicate a second measurement gap among a plurality of scheduled measurement gaps to positioning to determine the priority, such that the positioning session has a lower priority than the radio communication session for a first measurement gap among the plurality of scheduled measurement gaps.

12. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the priority based on the response time of the processor in providing location information in the location session.

13. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the priority based on a quality of service metric of location information provided by the processor in the location session.

14. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the priority between the location session and the radio communication session based on whether the radio communication session includes at least one of the following: physical downlink control channel signal, physical downlink shared channel signal, channel state information reference signal, sidelink communication, radio resource management process, downlink data reception process, uplink data transmission process, or channel state information process.

15. A method for prioritizing the execution of at least one of a location session or a radio communication session at a user equipment, comprising: Identify anticipated conflicts between the location session and the radio communication session; Determine the priority between the location session and the radio communication session, wherein in some cases the location session has a higher priority, and in other cases the radio communication session has a higher priority; as well as At least one of the location session or the radio communication session is executed according to the priority.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the priority is determined based on the positioning technology to be implemented by the user equipment in the positioning session.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the priority is determined using both downlink reference signals and uplink reference signals in response to the positioning technique, such that a priority equal to that of the radio communication session is given to the downlink positioning reference signal processing and the uplink probe reference signal for positioning processing.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the priority is determined such that a priority not equal to that of the radio communication session is given to downlink positioning reference signal processing and uplink probe reference signal for positioning processing.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining the expiration time of the priority.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein determining the priority based on the location session includes exchanging location information via a cellular network connection or a sidelink connection.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the priority is determined based on a priority instruction received by the user equipment from the network entity.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising sending a request to the network entity for the priority instruction, the priority instruction instructing the user equipment to give higher priority to the location session.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the priority is determined in response to a single measurement gap being scheduled, such that the positioning session has a higher priority than the radio communication session.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the priority is determined in response to the scheduling of a plurality of measurement gaps, such that the positioning session has a lower priority than the radio communication session.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein a second measurement gap in response to a plurality of scheduled measurement gaps is dedicated to positioning to determine the priority, such that the positioning session has a lower priority than the radio communication session for a first measurement gap in the plurality of scheduled measurement gaps.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein the priority is determined based on the response time by which the user equipment provides location information in the location session.

27. The method of claim 15, wherein the priority is determined based on a quality of service metric of the location information provided by the user equipment in the location session.

28. The method of claim 15, wherein the priority is determined based on whether the radio communication session includes at least one of the following: physical downlink control channel signal, physical downlink shared channel signal, channel state information reference signal, sidelink communication, radio resource management process, downlink data reception process, uplink data transmission process, or channel state information process.

29. A user equipment, comprising: Components used to identify anticipated conflicts between location sessions and radio communication sessions; A component for determining the priority between the positioning session and the radio communication session, wherein in some cases the positioning session has a higher priority, and in other cases the radio communication session has a higher priority; as well as A component for executing at least one of the location session or the radio communication session according to the priority.

30. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions, wherein the processor-readable instructions cause a processor to: Identify anticipated conflicts between the location session and the radio communication session; The priority between the positioning session and the radio communication session is determined, wherein in some cases the positioning session has a higher priority, and in other cases the radio communication session has a higher priority; and At least one of the location session or the radio communication session is executed according to the priority.

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