UE-to-UE positioning

Abstract

The first UE includes: a transceiver; a memory; and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, configured to: at least one of the following: initiate a UE-to-UE positioning function in response to receiving a first UE-to-UE positioning trigger from a second UE via the transceiver; or send a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for the second UE via the transceiver to cause the second UE to initiate a second UE-to-UE positioning function; or communicate with the second UE via the transceiver to determine characteristics of UE-to-UE position reference signals to be exchanged between the first UE and the second UE; and exchange UE-to-UE position reference signals with the second UE via the transceiver.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to UE-to-UE positioning. Background Art

[0002] Wireless communication systems have evolved through generations, including first-generation analog wireless telephone service (1G), second-generation (2G) digital wireless telephone service (including transitional 2.5G and 2.75G networks), third-generation (3G) high-speed data, Internet-enabled wireless services, fourth-generation (4G) services (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) or WiMax), fifth-generation (5G) services, and so on. Currently, there are many different types of wireless communication systems in use, including cellular and personal communication service (PCS) systems. Examples of known cellular systems include cellular analog Advanced Mobile Phone System (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), TDMA-based Global System for Mobile access (GSM) variants, and so on.

[0003] The fifth-generation (5G) mobile standard requires higher data delivery speeds, more connections, better coverage, and other improvements. According to the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance, the 5G standard is designed to provide data rates of tens of megabits per second to each of tens of thousands of users and data rates of 1 gigabit per second to dozens of office floor workers. To support large-scale sensor deployments, hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections should be supported. Therefore, the spectral efficiency of 5G mobile communication will be significantly improved compared to the current 4G standard. In addition, compared to the current standard, signaling efficiency should be enhanced and latency should be significantly reduced.

[0004] Obtaining the location of a mobile device accessing a wireless network may be useful for many applications, including, for example, emergency calls, personal navigation, asset tracking, locating friends or family members, and so on. Existing positioning methods include methods based on measuring radio signals transmitted from various devices or entities, including satellite vehicles (SVs) and terrestrial radio resources in a wireless network, such as base stations and access points. 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 current LTE wireless networks utilize positioning reference signals (PRSs) and / or cell-specific reference signals (CRSs) for positioning determination. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An example first user equipment (UE) includes: a transceiver; a memory; and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory and configured to: at least one of the following: initiate a UE-to-UE positioning function in response to receiving a first UE-to-UE positioning trigger from a second UE via the transceiver; or transmit, via the transceiver, a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for the second UE to cause the second UE to initiate a second UE-to-UE positioning function; or communicate with the second UE via the transceiver to determine characteristics of a UE-to-UE position reference signal to be exchanged between the first UE and the second UE; and exchange a UE-to-UE position reference signal with the second UE via the transceiver.

[0006] Implementations of such a UE may include one or more of the following features. The processor is configured to communicate with the second UE to determine characteristics of the UE-to-UE position reference signal such that the characteristics of the UE-to-UE position reference signal include timing parameters of the UE-to-UE position reference signal to accommodate half-duplex communication performed by at least one of the first UE or the second UE. The processor is configured to communicate with the second UE to determine characteristics of the UE-to-UE position reference signal such that the UE-to-UE position reference signal occupies the same one or more symbols in each of a plurality of consecutive time slots. The timing parameters include a silent mode of the UE-to-UE position reference signal. The timing parameter is at least one amount of one or more symbols in a time slot to allow at least one of the first UE and the second UE to transition between half-duplex transmission and half-duplex reception.

[0007] Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of such a UE may include one or more of the following features. The processor is configured to communicate with a second UE to determine characteristics of a UE-to-UE positioning reference signal, such that the characteristics of the UE-to-UE positioning reference signal include a frequency range of the UE-to-UE positioning reference signal. The processor is configured to initiate a first UE-to-UE positioning function in response to receiving a first UE-to-UE positioning trigger from the second UE via a transceiver, and the processor is configured to: transmit the UE-to-UE positioning reference signal at a first transmission frequency in response to receiving the first UE-to-UE positioning trigger; and at least one of: transmit the UE-to-UE positioning reference signal at a second transmission frequency in response to not receiving the first UE-to-UE positioning trigger, the second transmission frequency being lower than the first transmission frequency; or abstain from transmitting the UE-to-UE positioning reference signal at the second transmission frequency in response to not receiving the first UE-to-UE positioning trigger. The processor is configured to send, via the transceiver and via a network node, a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for the second UE. The processor is configured to send the second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for the second UE using a sidelink channel via the transceiver. The processor is configured to send the second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for the second UE, and the second UE-to-UE positioning trigger includes the UE-to-UE positioning reference signal. The processor is configured to send the second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for the second UE, and the second UE-to-UE positioning trigger includes at least one transmission parameter of the UE-to-UE positioning reference signal, the at least one transmission parameter including at least one of timing, frequency, code sequence, or periodicity. The processor is configured to communicate with the second UE to determine characteristics of the UE-to-UE positioning reference signal, and the characteristics of the UE-to-UE positioning reference signal include at least one of a comb number, an amount of one or more consecutive symbols, a code sequence, or a scrambling sequence.

[0008] Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of such a UE may include one or more of the following features. The processor is configured to exchange, via a transceiver using a sidelink channel, the UE-to-UE positioning reference signal with a second UE. The UE-to-UE positioning reference signal includes one of a sounding reference signal (SRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), or a non-SRS, non-CSI-RS interleaved reference signal. The processor is configured to transmit, via the transceiver, a capability message indicating the first UE's ability to exchange the UE-to-UE positioning reference signal as an SRS, a CSI-RS, or a non-SRS, non-CSI-RS interleaved reference signal. The processor and the transceiver are configured to transmit the UE-to-UE positioning reference signal using half-pi binary phase shift keying modulation.

[0009] Another example first UE includes at least one of the following: an initiating component that initiates a UE-to-UE positioning function in response to receiving a first UE-to-UE positioning trigger from a second UE; or a transmitting component that transmits a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for the second UE to cause the second UE to initiate a second UE-to-UE positioning function; or a determining component that communicates with the second UE to determine characteristics of UE-to-UE position reference signals to be exchanged between the first UE and the second UE; and a component for exchanging UE-to-UE position reference signals with the second UE.

[0010] Embodiments of such a UE may include one or more of the following features. The first UE includes a determining component, and the determining component includes a component for: determining characteristics of UE-to-UE position reference signals such that the characteristics of the UE-to-UE position reference signals include timing parameters of the UE-to-UE position reference signals to accommodate half-duplex communication performed by at least one of the first UE or the second UE. The first UE includes a determining component, and the determining component includes a component for: determining characteristics of UE-to-UE position reference signals such that the UE-to-UE position reference signals occupy the same one or more symbols in each of a plurality of consecutive time slots. The timing parameters include a silent mode of the UE-to-UE position reference signals. The timing parameters are at least one quantity of one or more symbols in a time slot to allow at least one of the first UE and the second UE to transition between half-duplex transmission and half-duplex reception.

[0011] Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of such a UE may include one or more of the following features. The first UE includes a determination component, and the determination component includes components for: determining characteristics of the UE-to-UE position reference signal such that the characteristics of the UE-to-UE position reference signal include the frequency range of the UE-to-UE position reference signal. The first UE includes an initiation component, and the first UE further includes: a first transmission component for transmitting the UE-to-UE position reference signal at a first transmission frequency in response to receiving a first UE-to-UE positioning trigger; and at least one of the following: a second transmission component for transmitting the UE-to-UE position reference signal at a second transmission frequency lower than the first transmission frequency in response to not receiving the first UE-to-UE positioning trigger; or a component for abandoning transmitting the UE-to-UE position reference signal at the second transmission frequency in response to not receiving the first UE-to-UE positioning trigger. The first UE includes a sending component, and the sending component includes a component for sending a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for a second UE using a sidelink channel. The first UE includes a sending component, and the second UE-to-UE positioning trigger includes the UE-to-UE position reference signal. The first UE includes a sending component, and the second UE-to-UE positioning trigger includes at least one transmission parameter of the UE-to-UE position reference signal, and the at least one transmission parameter includes at least one of timing, frequency, code sequence, or periodicity. The first UE includes a determination component, and the characteristics of the UE-to-UE position reference signal include at least one of a comb number, the amount of one or more consecutive symbols, a code sequence, or a scrambling sequence.

[0012] Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of such a UE may include one or more of the following features. The component for exchanging the UE-to-UE position reference signal with the second UE includes a component for exchanging the UE-to-UE position reference signal with the second UE using a sidelink channel. The UE-to-UE position reference signal includes one of a sounding reference signal (SRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), or a non-SRS, non-CSI-RS interleaved reference signal. The first UE includes a component for sending a capability message indicating the capability of the first UE to exchange the UE-to-UE position reference signal as an SRS, CSI-RS, or non-SRS, non-CSI-RS interleaved reference signal. The component for exchanging the UE-to-UE position reference signal with the second UE includes a component for exchanging the UE-to-UE position reference signal with the second UE using a half-π binary phase shift keying modulation.

[0013] An example method for location reference signal exchange includes at least one of the following: initiating a first UE-to-UE positioning function at a first UE in response to receiving a first UE-to-UE positioning trigger from a second UE at the first UE; or sending, from the first UE, a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for the second UE to cause the second UE to initiate a second UE-to-UE positioning function; or determining, based on communicating with the second UE, characteristics of the UE-to-UE location reference signal to be exchanged between the first UE and the second UE; and exchanging the UE-to-UE location reference signal with the second UE.

[0014] Embodiments of such a method may include one or more of the following features. The method includes determining characteristics of the UE-to-UE location reference signal such that the characteristics of the UE-to-UE location reference signal include timing parameters of the UE-to-UE location reference signal to accommodate half-duplex communication performed by at least one of the first UE or the second UE. The method includes determining characteristics of the UE-to-UE location reference signal such that the UE-to-UE location reference signal occupies the same one or more symbols in each of a plurality of consecutive time slots. The timing parameters include a mute mode of the UE-to-UE location reference signal. The timing parameter is at least one quantity of one or more symbols in a time slot to allow at least one of the first UE and the second UE to transition between half-duplex transmission and half-duplex reception.

[0015] Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of such a method may include one or more of the following features. The method includes: determining characteristics of the UE-to-UE position reference signal such that the characteristics of the UE-to-UE position reference signal include a frequency range of the UE-to-UE position reference signal. The method includes: initiating a first UE-to-UE positioning function, and the method further includes: in response to receiving a first UE-to-UE positioning trigger, transmitting the UE-to-UE position reference signal at a first transmission frequency; and one of the following: in response to not receiving the first UE-to-UE positioning trigger, transmitting the UE-to-UE position reference signal at a second transmission frequency, the second transmission frequency being lower than the first transmission frequency; or in response to not receiving the first UE-to-UE positioning trigger, refraining from transmitting the UE-to-UE position reference signal at the second transmission frequency. The method includes sending, via a network node, a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for a second UE. The method includes using a sidelink channel to send a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for a second UE. The method includes sending a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for a second UE, and the second UE-to-UE positioning trigger includes the UE-to-UE position reference signal. The method includes sending a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for a second UE, and the second UE-to-UE positioning trigger includes at least one transmission parameter of the UE-to-UE position reference signal, the at least one transmission parameter including at least one of timing, frequency, code sequence, or periodicity. The method includes determining characteristics of the UE-to-UE position reference signal such that the characteristics of the UE-to-UE position reference signal include at least one of a comb number, an amount of one or more consecutive symbols, a code sequence, or a scrambling sequence.

[0016] Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of such a method may include one or more of the following features. Exchanging the UE-to-UE position reference signal with a second UE includes using a sidelink channel to exchange the UE-to-UE position reference signal with the second UE. The UE-to-UE position reference signal includes one of a sounding reference signal (SRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), or a non-SRS, non-CSI-RS interleaved reference signal. The method includes sending a capability message that indicates the capability of the first UE to exchange the UE-to-UE position reference signal as an SRS, CSI-RS, or non-SRS, non-CSI-RS interleaved reference signal. Exchanging the UE-to-UE position reference signal with a second UE includes using a half-π binary phase shift keying modulation to exchange the UE-to-UE position reference signal with the second UE.

[0017] An example non-transitory processor-readable storage medium includes processor-readable instructions configured to cause a processor of a first user equipment (UE) to exchange location reference signals to: perform at least one of the following: initiate a UE-to-UE positioning function in response to receiving a first UE-to-UE positioning trigger from a second UE; or transmit a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for the second UE to cause the second UE to initiate a second UE-to-UE positioning function; or determine characteristics of a UE-to-UE location reference signal to be exchanged between the first UE and the second UE based on communicating with the second UE; and exchange the UE-to-UE location reference signal with the second UE.

[0018] Embodiments of such a storage medium may include one or more of the following features. The instructions include instructions configured to cause the processor to determine characteristics of the UE-to-UE location reference signal such that the characteristics of the UE-to-UE location reference signal include timing parameters of the UE-to-UE location reference signal to accommodate half-duplex communication performed by at least one of the first UE or the second UE. The instructions include instructions configured to cause the processor to determine characteristics of the UE-to-UE location reference signal such that the UE-to-UE location reference signal occupies the same one or more symbols in each of a plurality of consecutive time slots. The timing parameters include a silent mode of the UE-to-UE location reference signal. The timing parameter is at least one amount of one or more symbols in a time slot to allow at least one of the first UE and the second UE to transition between half-duplex transmission and half-duplex reception.

[0019] Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of such a storage medium may include one or more of the following features. The instructions include instructions configured to cause a processor to determine characteristics of a UE-to-UE location reference signal, such that the characteristics of the UE-to-UE location reference signal include the frequency range of the UE-to-UE location reference signal. The instructions include instructions configured to cause a processor to initiate a first UE-to-UE positioning function, and the storage medium further includes instructions configured to cause the processor to perform the following operations: in response to receiving a first UE-to-UE positioning trigger, transmit a UE-to-UE location reference signal at a first transmission frequency; and in response to not receiving the first UE-to-UE positioning trigger, transmit a UE-to-UE location reference signal at a second transmission frequency, the second transmission frequency being lower than the first transmission frequency. The instructions include instructions configured to cause a processor to use a sidelink channel to send a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for a second UE. The instructions include instructions configured to cause a processor to send a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger including the UE-to-UE location reference signal. The instructions include instructions configured to cause a processor to send a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger including at least one transmission parameter of the UE-to-UE location reference signal, the at least one transmission parameter including at least one of timing, frequency, code sequence, or periodicity. The instructions include instructions configured to cause a processor to determine characteristics of the UE-to-UE location reference signal, and the characteristics of the UE-to-UE location reference signal include at least one of a comb number, an amount of one or more consecutive symbols, a code sequence, or a scrambling sequence.

[0020] Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of such a storage medium may include one or more of the following features. The instructions configured to cause a processor to exchange a UE-to-UE location reference signal with a second UE include instructions configured to cause a processor to exchange the UE-to-UE location reference signal with the second UE using a sidelink channel. The UE-to-UE location reference signal includes one of a sounding reference signal (SRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), or a non-SRS, non-CSI-RS interleaved reference signal. The storage medium includes instructions configured to cause a processor to send a capability message indicating the capability of the first UE to exchange the UE-to-UE location reference signal as an SRS, CSI-RS, or non-SRS, non-CSI-RS interleaved reference signal. The instructions configured to cause a processor to exchange a UE-to-UE location reference signal with a second UE include instructions configured to cause a processor to exchange the UE-to-UE location reference signal using a half-π binary phase shift keying modulation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is a simplified diagram of an example wireless communication system.

[0022] Figure 2 is Figure 1Block diagram of components of an example user equipment shown.

[0023] Figure 3 is Figure 1 Block diagram of components of an example transmit / receive point shown.

[0024] Figure 4 is Figure 1 Block diagram of components of an example server shown.

[0025] Figure 5 is Figure 2 Simplified block diagram of an example of a user equipment shown.

[0026] Figure 6 Is a signal flow diagram of location reference signal triggering and exchange.

[0027] Figure 7 Is another signal flow diagram of location reference signal triggering and exchange.

[0028] Figure 8 Is a flow block diagram of a method of location reference signal exchange. Detailed implementation

[0029] Techniques for UE-to-UE positioning are discussed herein. For example, a requesting UE (user equipment) can remotely and on-demand trigger the positioning function of a target UE. The requesting UE can trigger the target UE via one or more network entities (e.g., a base station) or through UE-to-UE communication (e.g., directly via a sidelink channel). The requesting UE and the target UE can coordinate the time and frequency parameters for exchanging location reference signals between the requesting UE and the target UE for determining the location of the target UE. However, other examples can be implemented.

[0030] The items and / or techniques described herein can provide one or more of the following capabilities, as well as other capabilities not mentioned. Power can be saved for determining the location of a UE. The battery life of a UE with reduced capabilities can be extended while providing on-demand location determination. UE-to-UE positioning signaling can be coordinated to help avoid missed signal detections. A first UE can provide the following indications to a second UE: The first UE can communicate with the second UE, and the first UE can, for example, transmit a location reference signal (LRS) on a sidelink channel, and / or the first UE can be configured to have LRS resources and transmit an LRS on the configured resources, and / or the first UE can configure another UE using LRS resources. Other capabilities can be provided, and not every embodiment according to the present disclosure must provide any of the capabilities discussed, let alone all of the capabilities discussed.

[0031] The description may relate to, for example, a sequence of actions performed by elements of a computing device. The various actions described herein may be performed by a particular circuit (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), by program instructions executed by one or more processors, or by a combination of both. The sequence of actions described herein may be embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a corresponding set of computer instructions that, when executed, will cause the associated processor to perform the functions described herein. Accordingly, the various aspects described herein may be embodied in many different forms, all of which are within the scope of the present disclosure, including the claimed subject matter.

[0032] As used herein, the terms “user equipment” (UE) and “base station” are not dedicated to or otherwise limited to any particular radio access technology (RAT) unless otherwise specified. In general, such a UE may be any wireless communication device (e.g., a mobile phone, router, tablet computer, laptop computer, tracking device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.) used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network. The UE may be mobile or may be stationary (e.g., at certain times) and may communicate with a radio access network (RAN). As used herein, the term “UE” may be interchangeably referred to as “access terminal” or “AT”, “client device”, “wireless device”, “subscriber equipment”, “subscriber terminal”, “subscriber station”, “user terminal” or “UT”, “mobile terminal”, “mobile station” or variants thereof. In general, the UE may communicate with a core network via the RAN, and through the core network, the UE may connect to an external network such as the Internet and other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms for connecting to the core network and / or the Internet are possible for the UE, such as via a wired access network, a WiFi network (e.g., based on IEEE 802.11, etc.), and so on.

[0033] Depending on the network in which the base station is deployed, the base station may operate according to one of several RATs for communicating with the UE and may alternatively be referred to as an access point (AP), network node, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), general Node B (gNodeB, gNB), etc. In addition, in some systems, the base station may provide a pure edge node signaling function, while in other systems, it may provide additional control and / or network management functions.

[0034] A UE can be embodied by any one of a variety of types of devices, including but not limited to printed circuit (PC) cards, compact flash devices, external or internal modems, wireless or wired telephones, smartphones, tablets, tracking devices, asset tags, etc. The communication link through which the UE sends signals to the RAN can be referred to as an uplink channel (e.g., reverse traffic channel, reverse control channel, access channel, etc.). The communication link through which the RAN sends signals to the UE can be referred to as a downlink or forward link channel (e.g., paging channel, control channel, broadcast channel, forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term traffic channel (TCH) can refer to one of the uplink / reverse or downlink / forward traffic channels.

[0035] As used herein, depending on the context, the term "cell" or "sector" can correspond to one of multiple cells of a base station or to the base station itself. The term "cell" can refer to a logical communication entity used to communicate with a base station (e.g., via a carrier) and can 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 can support multiple cells, and different cells can be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., machine type communication (MTC), narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), etc.) that can provide access for different types of devices. In some examples, the term "cell" can refer to a portion of the geographical coverage area over which a logical entity operates (e.g., a sector).

[0036] Reference Figure 1, examples of the communication system 100 include User Equipment (UE) 105, UE 106, a Radio Access Network (RAN) 135, here a Fifth Generation (5G) Next Generation (NG) RAN (NG-RAN) and a 5G Core Network (5GC) 140. UE 105 and / or UE 106 can be, for example, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, location tracker devices, cellular phones, vehicles, or other devices. The 5G network can also be referred to as a New Radio (NR) network; the NG-RAN 135 can be referred to as a 5G RAN or an NR RAN; and the 5GC 140 can be referred to as an NG Core Network (NGC). In the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the standardization of the NG-RAN and 5GC is ongoing. Thus, the NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140 can comply with current or future 5G-supported standards from 3GPP. The RAN 135 can be another type of RAN, such as a 3G RAN, a 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) RAN, etc. UE 106 can be configured and coupled similarly to UE 105 to send signals to and / or receive signals from other similar entities in the system 100, but for simplicity of the drawings, such signaling is not indicated in Figure 1 . Similarly, for simplicity, the discussion focuses on UE 105. The communication system 100 can utilize information from a constellation 185 of satellite vehicles (SVs) 190, 191, 192, 193 from a Satellite Positioning System (SPS) (e.g., a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)), such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), Galileo, or Beidou, or some other local or regional SPS, such as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), or the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). Additional components of the communication system 100 are described below. The communication system 100 can include additional or alternative components.

[0037] As Figure 1As shown, the NG-RAN 135 includes NR Node B (gNB) 110a, 110b and Next Generation eNodeB (ng-eNB) 114, and the 5GC 140 includes Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 115, Session Management Function (SMF) 117, Location Management Function (LMF) 120 and Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 125. gNBs 110a, 110b and ng-eNB 114 are communicatively coupled to each other, each is configured to communicate bi-directionally wirelessly with the UE 105, and each is communicatively coupled to the AMF 115 and is configured to communicate bi-directionally with the 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. The SMF 117 may serve as an initial contact point for a Service Control Function (SCF) (not shown) to create, control and delete media sessions. BSs 110a, 110b, 114 may be macro cells (e.g., high power cellular base stations), or small cells (e.g., low power cellular base stations), or access points (e.g., short-range base stations configured to communicate using short-range technologies such as WiFi, WiFi-Direct (WiFi-D), low power (BLE), Zigbee, etc.). One or more of BSs 110a, 110b, 114 may be configured to communicate with the UE 105 via multiple carriers. Each of the base stations 110a, 110b, 114 may provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographical area (e.g., a cell). Depending on the function of the base station antenna, each cell may be divided into multiple sectors.

[0038] Figure 1 A general description of various components is provided, any one or all of which may be appropriately utilized, and each of which may be replicated or omitted as needed. Specifically, although only one UE 105 is shown, many UEs (e.g., hundreds, thousands, millions, etc.) may be used in the communication system 100. Similarly, the communication system 100 may include a greater (or fewer) number of SVs (i.e., more or fewer than the four SVs 190 - 193 shown), gNBs 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, AMF 115, external clients 130 and / or other components. The connections shown connecting the various components in the 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. Further, depending on the desired function, the components may be rearranged, combined, separated, replaced and / or omitted.

[0039] Although Figure 1 a 5G-based network is shown, similar network implementations and configurations can be used for other communication technologies such as 3G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), etc. The embodiments described herein (whether for 5G technology and / or for one or more other communication technologies and / or protocols) can be used to transmit (or broadcast) directional synchronization signals, receive and measure directional signals at a UE (e.g., UE 105), and / or provide location assistance to the UE 105 (via the GMLC 125 or other location server), and / or calculate the location of the UE 105 at a location-capable device such as the UE 105, gNB 110a, 110b, or LMF 120 based on measurements of signals received at the UE 105 for such directional transmissions. The 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, can be replaced by or include various other location server functions and / or base station functions, respectively.

[0040] System 100 is capable of wireless communication because the components of System 100 can communicate with each other directly or indirectly (at least sometimes using a wireless connection) via, for example, BS 110a, 110b, 114, and / or Network 140 (and / or one or more other devices not shown, such as one or more other base station transceiver stations). For indirect communication, the communication can be changed during transmission from one entity to another, for example, changing the header information of a data packet, changing the format, etc. UE 105 can include multiple UEs and can be a mobile wireless communication device, but can communicate wirelessly and via a wired connection. UE 105 can be any of a variety of devices, such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, a vehicle-based device, etc., but these are merely examples because UE 105 is not required to be any of these configurations and other configurations of the UE can be used. Other UEs can include wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches, smart jewelry, smart glasses or headphones, etc.). Other UEs can also be used, whether currently existing or developed in the future. In addition, other wireless devices (whether mobile or not) can be implemented within System 100 and can 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 can include Internet of Things (IoT) devices, medical devices, home entertainment and / or automation devices, etc. Core Network 140 can communicate with External Client 130 (e.g., a computer system), for example, to allow External Client 130 to request and / or receive location information about UE 105 (e.g., via GMLC 125).

[0041] UE 105 or other devices can be configured to communicate 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 (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 Communications)). System 100 can support operation on multiple carriers (waveform signals of different frequencies). A multi-carrier transmitter can transmit modulated signals simultaneously 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 sent on a different carrier and can carry pilots, overhead information, data, etc. UEs 105, 106 can communicate with each other via UE-to-UE sidelink (SL) communication transmitted on one or more sidelink channels such as the Physical Sidelink Synchronization Channel (PSSCH), the Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH), or the Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH).

[0042] UE 105 can include and / or can be referred to as a device, mobile device, wireless device, mobile terminal, terminal, mobile station (MS), a terminal supporting Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) (SET), or other names. Additionally, UE 105 can correspond to a mobile phone, smartphone, laptop, tablet, PDA, tracking device, navigation device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, asset tracker, health monitor, security system, smart city sensor, smart meter, wearable tracker, or some other portable or mobile device. Typically, although not necessarily, UE 105 can support wireless communication using one or more Radio Access Technologies (RATs) such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), LTE, High Speed Packet Data (HRPD), IEEE 802.11 WiFi (also known as Wi-Fi), (BT), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), 5G New Radio (NR) (e.g., using NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140), etc. The UE 105 may support wireless communication using a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) that may be connected to other networks (e.g., the Internet) using, for example, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or Packet Cable. Use of one or more of these RATs may allow the UE 105 to communicate with an external client 130 (e.g., via Figure 1 elements of the 5GC 140 not shown, or possibly via the GMLC 125) and / or allow the external client 130 to receive location information about the UE 105 (e.g., via the GMLC 125).

[0043] The UE 105 may include a single entity or may include multiple entities, such as in a personal area network, where the user may employ audio, video, and / or data I / O (Input / Output) devices and / or body sensors and separate wired or wireless modems. The estimation of the location of the UE 105 may be referred to as location, location estimation, location fix, fix, positioning, positioning estimation, or position fix, and may be geographical, thereby providing location coordinates (e.g., latitude and longitude) for the UE 105, which may or may not include an altitude component (e.g., altitude above sea level, ground plane, floor plane, or height or depth above or below a basement plane). Alternatively, the location of the UE 105 may be represented as a city location (e.g., a postal address or a designation of a point or small area within a building, such as a specific room or floor). The location of the UE 105 may be represented as an area or volume (defined geographically or in urban form), within which the UE 105 is expected to be located with a certain probability or confidence level (e.g., 67%, 95%, etc.). The location of the UE 105 may be represented as a relative location, including, for example, distance and direction from a known location. The relative location may be represented as relative coordinates (e.g., X, Y (and Z) coordinates) defined relative to an origin at a known location, which may be defined, for example, geographically, in urban terms, or by reference to a point, area, or volume indicated on a map, floor plan, or architectural plan. In the descriptions contained herein, the use of the term location may include any of these variants, unless otherwise specified. When calculating the location of the UE, the local x, y, and possibly z coordinates are typically solved for and then, if desired, the local coordinates are converted to absolute coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and altitude above or below mean sea level).

[0044] The UE 105 can be configured to communicate with other entities using one or more of a variety of technologies. The UE 105 can be configured to indirectly connect to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) point-to-point (P2P) links. The D2D P2P link can be supported by any suitable D2D radio access technology (RAT), such as Long-Term Evolution Direct (LTE-D), Wi-Fi Direct (Wi-Fi-D), and so on. One or more UEs in a group of UEs utilizing D2D communication can be within the geographical coverage area of a transmission / reception point (TRP), such as one or more of gNBs 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114. Other UEs in such a group may be outside of such geographical coverage area, or may otherwise be unable 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 occur between UEs without involving a TRP. One or more of the UEs in a group of UEs utilizing D2D communication can be within the geographical coverage area of a TRP. Other UEs in such a group may be outside of such geographical coverage area, or may otherwise be unable 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 occur between UEs without involving a TRP.

[0045] Figure 1 The base stations (BSs) in the illustrated NG-RAN 135 include NR node Bs, referred to as gNBs 110a and 110b. The pair of gNBs 110a, 110b in the NG-RAN 135 can be connected to each other via one or more other gNBs. Wireless communication between the UE 105 and one or more of the gNBs 110a, 110b provides access to the 5G network, which can represent wireless communication access to the 5GC 140 for the UE 105 using 5G. In Figure 1 this example, it is assumed that the serving gNB of the UE 105 is gNB 110a, but if the UE 105 moves to another location, another gNB (e.g., gNB 110b) can be used as the serving gNB, or can be used as a secondary gNB to provide additional throughput and bandwidth to the UE 105.

[0046] Figure 1The base station (BS) in the NG-RAN 135 shown may include an ng-eNB 114, also referred to as a next-generation evolved Node B. The ng-eNB 114 may be connected to one or more of the gNBs 110a, 110b in the NG-RAN 135, possibly via one or more other gNBs and / or one or more other ng-eNBs. The ng-eNB 114 may provide LTE radio access and / or evolved LTE (eLTE) radio access to the UE 105. One or more of the gNBs 110a, 110b and / or the ng-eNB 114 may be configured to act as a positioning beacon only, which may transmit signals to assist in determining the location of the UE 105, but may not receive signals from the UE 105 or other UEs.

[0047] The base stations 110a, 110b, 114 may each include one or more TRPs. For example, each sector within a cell of a BS may include a TRP, although multiple TRPs may share one or more components (e.g., share a processor but have separate antennas). The system 100 may include only macro TRPs, or the system 100 may have different types of TRPs, such as macro, pico, and / or femto TRPs, etc. A macro TRP may cover a relatively large geographical area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and may allow unrestricted access to terminals with service subscriptions. A pico TRP may cover a relatively small geographical area (e.g., a pico cell) and may allow unrestricted access to terminals with service subscriptions. A femto or home TRP may cover a relatively small geographical area (e.g., a femto cell) and may allow restricted access to terminals associated with the femto cell (e.g., terminals of users in a home).

[0048] As described above, although Figure 1 nodes configured to communicate according to a 5G communication protocol are depicted, nodes configured to communicate according to other communication protocols (such as, for example, the LTE protocol or the IEEE 802.11x protocol) may be used. For example, in an evolved packet system (EPS) that provides LTE radio access to the UE 105, the RAN may include an evolved universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN), which may include base stations that include evolved Node Bs (eNBs). The core network for the EPS may include an evolved packet core (EPC). The EPS may include E-UTRAN plus EPC, where E-UTRAN corresponds to Figure 1 the NG-RAN 135 in

[0049] gNBs 110a, 110b, and ng-eNB 114 can communicate with AMF 115. For positioning functions, AMF 115 communicates with LMF 120. AMF 115 can support the mobility of UE 105, including cell changes and handovers, and can participate in supporting the signaling connection to UE 105 and possibly the data and voice bearers of UE 105. LMF 120 can communicate directly with UE 105, for example, via wireless communication, or directly with BSs 110a, 110b, 114. When UE 105 accesses NG-RAN 135, LMF 120 can support the positioning of UE 105 and can support positioning processes / methods such as Assisted GNSS (A-GNSS), Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) (e.g., Downlink (DL) OTDOA or Uplink (UL) OTDOA), Real-Time Kinematics (RTK), Precise Point Positioning (PPP), Differential GNSS (DGNSS), Enhanced Cell ID (E-CID), Angle of Arrival (AOA), Angle of Departure (AOD), and / or other positioning methods. LMF 120 can process, for example, location service requests for UE 105 received from AMF 115 or from 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 can additionally or alternatively implement other types of location support modules, such as Enhanced Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC) or Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (SLP). At least part of the positioning function (including deriving the location of UE 105) can be performed at UE 105 (e.g., using signal measurements obtained by UE 105 for signals transmitted by wireless nodes such as gNBs 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114, and / or auxiliary data provided to UE 105 by LMF 120, for example). AMF 115 can act as a control node that processes the signaling between UE 105 and core network 140 and provides QoS (Quality of Service) flow and session management. AMF 115 can support the mobility of UE 105, including cell changes and handovers, and can participate in supporting the signaling connection to UE 105.

[0050] The GMLC 125 can support location requests for the UE 105 received from an external client 130 and can forward such location requests to the AMF 115 for forwarding by the AMF 115 to the LMF 120, or can forward the location request directly to the LMF 120. A location response from the LMF 120 (e.g., containing a location estimate of the UE 105) can be returned to the GMLC 125 directly or via the AMF 115, and then the GMLC 125 can return the location response (e.g., containing the location estimate) to the external client 130. The GMLC 125 is shown connected to both the AMF 115 and the LMF 120, although in some embodiments, the 5GC 140 may support only one of these connections.

[0051] As Figure 1 also shown, the LMF 120 can communicate with the gNBs 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 using the new radio positioning protocol A (which can be referred to as NPPa or NRPPa), which can be defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.455. The NRPPa can be the same as, similar to, or an extension of the LTE positioning protocol A (LPPa) defined in 3GPP TS 36.455, where NRPPa messages are transferred between the gNB 110a (or gNB 110b) and the LMF 120 and / or between the ng-eNB 114 and the LMF 120 via the AMF 115. As Figure 1Also shown therein, the LMF 120 and the UE 105 may communicate using the LTE positioning protocol (LPP), which may be defined in 3GPP TS 36.355. The LMF 120 and the UE 105 may also or alternatively communicate using a new radio positioning protocol (which may be referred to as NPP or NRPP), which may be the same as, similar to, or an extension of the LPP. Here, the LPP and / or NPP messages may be transferred between the UE 105 and the LMF 120 via the AMF 115 and the serving gNBs 110a, 110b or the serving ng-eNB 114 of the UE 105. For example, the LPP and / or NPP messages may be transferred between the LMF 120 and the AMF 115 using the 5G location service application protocol (LCS AP), and may be transferred between the AMF 115 and the UE 105 using the 5G non-access stratum (NAS) protocol. The LPP and / or NPP protocols may be used to support the positioning of the UE 105 using UE-assisted and / or UE-based positioning methods (such as A-GNSS, RTK, OTDOA, and / or E-CID). The NRPPa protocol may be used to support the positioning of the UE 105 using network-based positioning methods (such as E-CID) (e.g., when used in conjunction with measurements obtained by the gNBs 110a, 110b or the ng-eNB 114), and / or may be used by the LMF 120 to obtain location-related information from the gNBs 110a, 110b and / or the ng-eNB 114, such as parameters defining the directional SS transmission from the gNBs 110a, 110b and / or the ng-eNB 114. The LMF 120 may be co-located or integrated with the gNB or the TRP, or may be arranged away from the gNB and / or the TRP and configured to communicate directly or indirectly with the gNB and / or the TRP.

[0052] Using the UE-assisted positioning method, the UE 105 may obtain position measurements and send the measurements to a location server (e.g., the LMF 120) to calculate a position estimate of the UE 105. For example, the position measurements may include one or more of the received signal strength indication (RSSI), round-trip signal propagation time (RTT), reference signal time difference (RSTD), reference signal received power (RSRP), and / or reference signal received quality (RSRQ) of the gNBs 110a, 110b, the ng-eNB 114, and / or the WLAN AP. The position measurements may also or alternatively include measurements of the GNSS pseudorange, code phase, and / or carrier phase of the SVs 190-193.

[0053] Using the UE-based positioning method, the UE 105 can obtain position measurements (e.g., which can be the same as or similar to the position measurements of the UE-assisted positioning method), and can calculate the position of the UE 105 (e.g., with the help of assistance data received from a position server such as the LMF 120 or broadcast by the gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, or other base stations or APs).

[0054] Using the network-based positioning method, one or more base stations (e.g., gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114) or APs can obtain position measurements (e.g., RSSI, RTT, RSRP, RSRQ, or time of arrival (ToA) measurements of signals transmitted by the UE 105) and / or can receive measurements obtained by the UE 105. One or more base stations or APs can send the measurements to a position server (e.g., the LMF 120) for calculating a position estimate of the UE 105.

[0055] The information provided by the gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 to the LMF 120 using NRPPa can include timing and configuration information for the directional SS transmission and position coordinates. The LMF 120 can provide some or all of this information to the UE 105 as assistance data in LPP and / or NPP messages via the NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140.

[0056] The LPP or NPP message sent from the LMF 120 to the UE 105 can instruct the UE 105 to do any of various things depending on the desired functionality. For example, the LPP or NPP message can contain instructions for the 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 the UE 105 to obtain one or more measurements of the directional signals transmitted within a specific cell supported by one or more of the gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 (or supported by some other type of base station such as an eNB or a WiFi AP) (e.g., beam ID, beam width, average angle, RSRP, RSRQ measurements). The UE 105 can send the measurements back to the LMF 120 in an LPP or NPP message (e.g., inside a 5G NAS message) via the serving gNB 110a (or serving ng-eNB 114) and the AMF 115.

[0057] As described above, although communication system 100 is described with respect to 5G technology, communication system 100 can be implemented to support other communication technologies, such as GSM, WCDMA, LTE, etc., which are used to support and interact with mobile devices such as UE 105 (e.g., implement voice, data, positioning, 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 interworking function (N3IWF, Figure 1 not shown in) in 5GC 150 to connect to the WLAN. For example, the WLAN can support IEEE 802.11 WiFi access for UE 105 and can include one or more WiFi APs. Here, the N3IWF can be connected to the WLAN and other elements in 5GC 140, such as AMF 115. In some embodiments, both NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140 can be replaced by one or more other RANs and one or more other core networks. For example, in EPS, NG-RAN 135 can be replaced by E-UTRAN including eNB, and 5GC 140 can be replaced by EPC including a mobility management entity (MME) replacing AMF 115, an E-SMLC replacing LMF 120, and a GMLC similar to GMLC 125. In such an EPS, the E-SMLC can use LPPa replacing NRPPa to send location information to and receive location information from the eNB in E-UTRAN, and can use LPP to support the positioning of UE 105. In these other embodiments, the positioning of UE 105 using the directional PRS can be supported in a manner similar to that described herein for the 5G network, except that the functions and processes described herein for gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, AMF 115, and LMF 120 can alternatively be applied to other network elements in some cases, such as eNB, WiFi AP, MME, and E-SMLC.

[0058] As described above, in some embodiments, the positioning function can be implemented at least in part using directional SS beams transmitted by a base station (such as gNB110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114) within the range of the UE (e.g., Figure 1 UE 105) for which the positioning is to be determined. In some cases, the UE can use directional SS beams from multiple base stations (such as gNB110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, etc.) to calculate the positioning of the UE.

[0059] Also refer to Figure 2, UE 200 is an example of one of UEs 105, 106 and includes a computing platform that includes a processor 210, a memory 211 that includes software (SW) 212, one or more sensors 213, a transceiver interface 214 for a transceiver 215, a user interface 216, a satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver 217, a camera 218, and a positioning device (PD) 219. The processor 210, the memory 211, the sensors 213, the transceiver interface 214, the user interface 216, the SPS receiver 217, the camera 218, and the positioning device 219 can be communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 220 (which can be configured for optical and / or electrical communication, for example). One or more of the illustrated devices (e.g., one or more of the camera 218, the positioning device 219, and / or the sensors 213, etc.) can be omitted from the UE 200. The processor 210 can 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 210 can 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 the processors 230 - 234 can include multiple devices (e.g., multiple processors). For example, the sensor processor 234 can include processors for radar, ultrasonic, and / or lidar, etc., for example. The modem processor 232 can support dual SIM / dual connectivity (or even more SIMs). For example, one SIM (subscriber identity module or subscriber identification module) can be used by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), while another SIM can be used by the end user of the UE 200 for connectivity. The memory 211 is a non-transitory storage medium that can include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk memory, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. The memory 211 stores software 212, which can be processor-readable, processor-executable software code that includes instructions configured to cause the processor 210 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, the software 212 may not be directly executed by the processor 210 but may be configured to cause the processor 210 to perform these functions when compiled and executed, for example. This description may only refer to the processor 210 performing the functions, but this includes other embodiments such as the processor 210 executing software and / or firmware. This description may refer to the processor 210 performing the function as a shorthand for one or more of the processors 230 - 234 performing the function. This description may refer to the UE 200 performing the function as a shorthand for one or more appropriate components of the UE 200 performing the function. In addition to and / or instead of the memory 211, the processor 210 can include a memory that stores instructions. The functions of the processor 210 will be discussed more fully below.

[0060] Figure 2 The configuration of the UE 200 shown is an example, not a limitation, of the present invention, including the claims, and other configurations may be used. For example, example configurations of the UE include one or more of processors 230-234 of the processor 210, a memory 211, and a wireless transceiver 240. Other example configurations include one or more of processors 230-234 of the processor 210, a memory 211, a wireless transceiver 240, and one or more of sensors 213, a user interface 216, an SPS receiver 217, a camera 218, a PD 219, and / or a wired transceiver 250.

[0061] The UE 200 may include a modem processor 232 that is capable of performing baseband processing on signals received and downconverted by the transceiver 215 and / or the SPS receiver 217. The modem processor 232 may perform baseband processing on signals to be upconverted for transmission by the transceiver 215. Additionally or alternatively, the baseband processing may be performed by the processor 230 and / or the DSP 231. However, other configurations may be used to perform the baseband processing.

[0062] The UE 200 may include sensors 213, which may include, for example, 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. The inertial measurement unit (IMU) may include, for example, one or more accelerometers (e.g., jointly responsive to the acceleration of the UE 200 in three dimensions) and / or one or more gyroscopes (e.g., a three-dimensional gyroscope). The sensors 213 may include one or more magnetometers (e.g., a three-dimensional magnetometer) to determine orientation (e.g., relative to magnetic north and / or true north), which may be used for any of a variety of purposes, such as, for example, supporting one or more compass applications. The 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. The sensors 213 may generate analog and / or digital signals, which may be stored in the memory 211 and processed by the DSP 231 and / or the processor 230 to support one or more applications, such as, for example, applications for positioning and / or navigation operations.

[0063] The sensor 213 can be used for relative position measurement, relative position determination, motion determination, etc. The information detected by the sensor 213 can be used for motion detection, relative displacement, dead reckoning, sensor-based position determination, and / or sensor-assisted position determination. The sensor 213 may be useful for determining whether the UE 200 is fixed (stationary) or moving, and / or for reporting certain useful information about the mobility of the UE 200 to the LMF 120. For example, based on the information obtained / measured by the sensor, the UE 200 can notify / report to the LMF 120 that the UE 200 has detected movement or the UE 200 has moved, and report the relative displacement / distance (e.g., via dead reckoning, or sensor-based position determination, or sensor-assisted position determination enabled by the sensor 213). In another example, for relative positioning information, the sensor / IMU can be used to determine the angle and / or orientation, etc., of other devices relative to the UE 200.

[0064] The IMU can be configured to provide measurements of the direction and / or speed 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 speed of the UE 200, respectively. The linear acceleration and rotational speed measurements of the UE 200 can be integrated over time to determine the instantaneous direction and displacement of motion 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 reference position of the UE 200 can be determined for a period of time using, for example, the SPS receiver 217 (and / or by some other means), and the measurements from the accelerometers and gyroscopes obtained after that period of time can be used in 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.

[0065] The magnetometer can determine the magnetic field strength in different directions, which can be used to determine the orientation of the UE 200. For example, the orientation can be used to provide a digital compass for the UE 200. The magnetometer can be a two-dimensional magnetometer configured to detect and provide an indication of the magnetic field strength in two orthogonal dimensions. Alternatively, the magnetometer can be a three-dimensional magnetometer configured to detect and provide an indication of the magnetic field strength in three orthogonal dimensions. The magnetometer can provide a component for sensing the magnetic field and providing an indication of the magnetic field to, for example, the processor 210.

[0066] The transceiver 215 may include a wireless transceiver 240 and a wired transceiver 250, which are configured to communicate with other devices via a wireless connection and a wired connection, respectively. For example, the wireless transceiver 240 may include a transmitter 242 and a receiver 244 coupled to one or more antennas 246 for transmitting (e.g., on one or more uplink channels and / or one or more 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 the signals from the 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. Thus, the transmitter 242 may include multiple transmitters that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or the receiver 244 may include multiple receivers that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 240 may be configured to communicate signals (e.g., with a TRP and / or one or more other devices) according to 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 Phone 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, WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Zigbee, etc. The New Radio may use millimeter wave frequencies and / or frequencies below 6 GHz. The wired transceiver 250 may include a transmitter 252 and a receiver 254 configured for wired communication with, for example, the network 135. The transmitter 252 may include multiple transmitters that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or the receiver 254 may include multiple receivers that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wired transceiver 250 may be configured for, for example, optical communication and / or electrical communication. The transceiver 215 may be communicatively coupled to the transceiver interface 214, for example, via an optical and / or electrical connection. The transceiver interface 214 may be at least partially integrated with the transceiver 215.

[0067] The user interface 216 may include one or more of several devices, such as, for example, a speaker, a microphone, a display device, a vibration device, a keyboard, a touch screen, etc. The user interface 216 may include more than one of any of these devices. The user interface 216 may be configured to enable a user to interact with one or more applications hosted by the UE 200. For example, the user interface 216 may store indications of analog and / or digital signals in the memory 211 for processing by the DSP 231 and / or the general-purpose processor 230 in response to actions from the user. Similarly, applications hosted on the UE 200 may store indications of analog and / or digital signals in the memory 211 to present output signals to the user. The user interface 216 may include audio input / output (I / O) devices, including, for example, a speaker, a microphone, a digital-to-analog circuit, an analog-to-digital circuit, an amplifier, and / or a gain control circuit (including more than one of any of these devices). Other configurations of the audio I / O devices may be used. Additionally or alternatively, the user interface 216 may include one or more touch sensors that respond to touch and / or pressure, for example, on a keyboard and / or a touch screen of the user interface 216.

[0068] The SPS receiver 217 (e.g., a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver) may be capable of receiving and acquiring SPS signals 260 via the SPS antenna 262. The antenna 262 is configured to transform the wireless signal 260 into a wired signal, such as an electrical signal or an optical signal, and may be integrated with the antenna 246. The SPS receiver 217 may be configured to process all or part of the acquired SPS signals 260 to estimate the location of the UE 200. For example, the SPS receiver 217 may be configured to determine the location of the UE 200 by trilateration using the SPS signals 260. In conjunction with the SPS receiver 217, the general-purpose processor 230, the memory 211, the DSP 231, and / or one or more dedicated processors (not shown) may be used to process all or part of the acquired SPS signals and / or calculate the estimated location of the UE 200. The memory 211 may store indications (e.g., measurements) of the SPS signals 260 and / or other signals (e.g., signals acquired from the wireless transceiver 240) for performing positioning operations. The general-purpose processor 230, the DSP 231, and / or one or more dedicated processors and / or the memory 211 may provide or support a location engine for processing the measurements to estimate the location of the UE 200.

[0069] The UE 200 may include a camera 218 for capturing still or moving images. The camera 218 may include, for example, an imaging sensor (e.g., a charge-coupled device or a CMOS imager), a lens, analog-to-digital circuitry, a frame buffer, etc. The general-purpose processor 230 and / or the DSP 231 may perform additional processing, conditioning, encoding, and / or compression on the signals representing the captured images. Additionally or alternatively, the video processor 233 may perform conditioning, encoding, compression, and / or manipulation on the signals representing the captured images. The video processor 233 may decode / decompress the stored image data for presentation on a display device (not shown) such as the user interface 216.

[0070] The positioning device (PD) 219 may be configured to determine the location of the UE 200, the movement of the UE 200, and / or the relative location and / or time of the UE 200. For example, the PD 219 may communicate with the SPS receiver 217 and / or include some or all of the SPS receiver 217. The PD 219 may operate in conjunction with the processor 210 and the memory 211 as appropriate to perform at least a portion of one or more positioning methods, although the description herein may only refer to the PD 219 being configured to perform or performing in accordance with a positioning method. The PD 219 may also or alternatively be configured to use terrestrial-based signals (e.g., at least some of the signals 248) to determine the location of the UE 200 for trilateration, to assist in obtaining and using the SPS signals 260, or both. The PD 219 may be configured to use one or more other techniques for determining the location of the UE 200 (e.g., relying on the self-reported location of the UE (e.g., as part of a positioning beacon of the UE)), and may use a combination of techniques (e.g., SPS and terrestrial positioning signals) to determine the location of the UE 200. The PD 219 may include one or more sensors 213 (e.g., a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, etc.) that may sense the orientation and / or movement of the UE 200 and provide an indication thereof, and the processor 210 (e.g., the processor 230 and / or the DSP 231) may be configured to use the indication to determine the movement of the UE 200 (e.g., a velocity vector and / or an acceleration vector). The PD 219 may be configured to provide an indication of the uncertainty and / or error of the determined location and / or movement.

[0071] Also refer to Figure 3, Examples of the TRP 300 of BS 110a, 110b, 114 include a computing platform that includes a processor 310, a memory 311 that includes software (SW) 312, and a transceiver 315. The processor 310, the memory 311, and the transceiver 315 can be communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 320 (which can be configured for, e.g., optical and / or electrical communication). One or more of the illustrated devices (e.g., the wireless interface) can be omitted from the TRP 300. The processor 310 can 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 can include multiple processors (e.g., including a general-purpose / application processor, a DSP, a modem processor, a video processor, and / or a sensor processor, as Figure 2 shown). The memory 311 is a non-transitory storage medium, which can include a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a disk memory, and / or a read-only memory (ROM), etc. The memory 311 stores software 312, which can be processor-readable, processor-executable software code that includes instructions configured to cause the processor 310 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, the software 312 may not be directly executed by the processor 310, but may be configured to cause the processor 310 to perform functions, e.g., when compiled and executed. This description may only refer to the processor 310 that performs the functions, but this includes other embodiments, such as the case where the processor 310 executes software and / or firmware. This description may refer to the processor 310 that performs the functions as a shorthand for one or more of the processors included in the processor 310 that performs the functions. This description may refer to the TRP 300 that performs the functions as a shorthand for one or more appropriate components of the TRP 300 (and thus one of BS 110a, 110b, 114) that performs the functions. In addition to and / or instead of the memory 311, the processor 310 can include a memory with stored instructions. The functions of the processor 310 will be discussed more fully below.

[0072] The transceiver 315 may include a wireless transceiver 340 and a wired transceiver 350, which are configured to communicate with other devices via a wireless connection and a wired connection, respectively. For example, the wireless transceiver 340 may include a transmitter 342 and a receiver 344 coupled to one or more antennas 346 for transmitting (e.g., on one or more uplink channels and / or 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 the signals from the wireless signals 348 into wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals, and converting the wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals into wireless signals 348. Thus, the transmitter 342 may include multiple transmitters that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or the receiver 344 may include multiple receivers that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 340 may be configured to communicate signals (e.g., with the UE 200, one or more other UEs, and / or one or more other devices) according to 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 Phone 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, WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Zigbee, etc. The wired transceiver 350 may include a transmitter 352 and a receiver 354 configured for wired communication with, for example, the network 135 to, for example, send communications to and receive communications from the LMF 120. The transmitter 352 may include multiple transmitters that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or the receiver 354 may include multiple receivers that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wired transceiver 350 may be configured for, for example, optical communication and / or electrical communication.

[0073] Figure 3 The configuration of the TRP 300 shown is an example and does not limit the present invention including the claims, and other configurations may be used. For example, the description herein discusses that the TRP 300 is configured to perform several functions, but one or more of these functions may be performed by the LMF 120 and / or the UE 200 (i.e., the LMF 120 and / or the UE 200 may be configured to perform one or more of these functions).

[0074] Also refer to Figure 4, server 400, as an example of LMF 120, includes a computing platform that includes a processor 410, a memory 411 that includes software (SW) 412, and a transceiver 415. The processor 410, the memory 411, and the transceiver 415 may be communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 420 (which may be configured for, e.g., optical and / or electrical communication). One or more of the illustrated devices (e.g., the wireless interface) 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 a general-purpose / application processor, a DSP, a modem processor, a video processor, and / or a sensor processor, as Figure 2 shown). The memory 411 is a non-transitory storage medium, which may include a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a disk memory, and / or a read-only memory (ROM), etc. The memory 411 stores software 412, which may be processor-readable, processor-executable software code containing instructions that are configured to, when executed, cause the processor 410 to perform the various functions described herein. Alternatively, the software 412 may not be directly executed by the processor 410, but may be configured to cause the processor 410 to perform functions, e.g., when compiled and executed. This description may only refer to the processor 410 that performs the functions, but this includes other embodiments, such as the case where the processor 410 executes software and / or firmware. This description may refer to the processor 410 that performs the functions as a shorthand for one or more processors included in the processor 410 that performs the function. This description may refer to the server 400 that performs the functions as a shorthand for one or more appropriate components of the server 400 that performs the function. In addition to and / or instead of the memory 411, the processor 410 may include a memory with stored instructions. The functions of the processor 410 will be discussed more fully below.

[0075] The transceiver 415 may include a wireless transceiver 440 and a wired transceiver 450, which are configured to communicate with other devices via a wireless connection and a wired connection, respectively. For example, the wireless transceiver 440 may include a transmitter 442 and a receiver 444 coupled to one or more antennas 446 for transmitting (e.g., on one or more downlink channels) and / or receiving (e.g., on one or more uplink channels) wireless signals 448, and converting the signals from the wireless signals 448 into wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals, and from wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals into wireless signals 448. Thus, the transmitter 442 may include multiple transmitters that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or the receiver 444 may include multiple receivers that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 440 may be configured to communicate signals (e.g., with the UE 200, one or more other UEs, and / or one or more other devices) according to 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 Phone 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, WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Zigbee, etc. The wired transceiver 450 may include a transmitter 452 and a receiver 454, which are configured for wired communication with, for example, the network 135 to, for example, send communications to and receive communications from the TRP 300. The transmitter 452 may include multiple transmitters that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or the receiver 454 may include multiple receivers that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wired transceiver 450 may be configured for, for example, optical communication and / or electrical communication.

[0076] Location technology

[0077] For terrestrial positioning of a UE in a cellular network, techniques such as Advanced Forward Link Trilateration (AFLT) and Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) typically operate in a "UE-assisted" mode, in which measurements of reference signals (e.g., PRS, CRS, etc.) transmitted by base stations are made by the UE and then provided to a location server. The location server then calculates the positioning of the UE based on the measurements and the known locations of the base stations. Since these techniques use the location server rather than the UE itself to calculate the positioning of the UE, these positioning techniques are not often used in applications such as automotive or mobile phone navigation, which typically rely on satellite-based positioning.

[0078] The UE can use a Satellite Positioning System (SPS) (Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)) to perform high-accuracy positioning using Precise Point Positioning (PPP) or Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) techniques. These techniques use auxiliary data, such as measurement data from ground-based stations. LTE Release 15 allows the data to be encrypted so that only UEs subscribed to the service can read the information. Such auxiliary data changes over time. Therefore, it is not easy for a UE subscribed to the service to "crack the encryption" for other UEs by passing the data to other UEs that have not paid for the subscription. Each time the auxiliary data changes, the delivery needs to be repeated.

[0079] In UE-assisted positioning, the UE sends measurements (e.g., TDOA, Angle of Arrival (AoA), etc.) to a location server (e.g., LMF / eSMLC). The location server has a Base Station Almanac (BSA), which contains a number of "entries" or "records", one record per cell, where each record contains the geographical cell location but may also include other data. Identifiers of "records" among the multiple "records" in the BSA can be referenced. The BSA and the measurements from the UE can be used to calculate the positioning of the UE.

[0080] In traditional UE-based positioning, the UE calculates its own positioning, thus avoiding sending measurements to the network (e.g., the location server), which in turn improves latency and scalability. The UE uses relevant BSA record information from the network (e.g., the location of the gNB (more generalized base station)). The BSA information can be encrypted. However, since the BSA information changes much less frequently than, for example, the PPP or RTK auxiliary data described earlier, it may be easier for the BSA information (compared to PPP or RTK information) to be available to UEs that have not subscribed and paid for the decryption key. The gNB transmits reference signals such that the BSA information can potentially be obtained by crowd-sourcing or war-driving, which essentially enables the BSA information to be generated based on on-site and / or over-observations.

[0081] Location techniques can be characterized and / or evaluated based on one or more criteria, such as positioning determination accuracy and / or latency. Latency is the time elapsed between an event that triggers the determination of location-related data and the availability of that data at the location system interface (e.g., the interface of the LMF 120). At the initialization of the location system, the latency of the availability of location-related data is called the time to first fix (TTFF), and the latency after the TTFF. The reciprocal of the time elapsed between two consecutive availabilities of location-related data is called the update rate, i.e., the rate at which location-related data is generated after the first fix. The latency may depend on, for example, the processing capabilities of the UE. For example, the UE may report the processing capabilities of the UE as the duration of a DL PRS symbol in time (e.g., milliseconds), assuming 272 PRBs (physical resource blocks) are allocated, the UE can process the DL PRS symbol every T time amount (e.g., T milliseconds). Other examples of capabilities that may affect latency are the number of TRPs from which the UE can process PRS, the number of PRSs that the UE can process, and the bandwidth of the UE.

[0082] One or more of many different positioning techniques (also referred to as positioning methods) can be used to determine the location of an entity such as one of UEs 105, 106. For example, known positioning determination techniques include RTT, multi-RTT, OTDOA (also referred to 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 entity and back to determine the distance between the two entities. This distance, along with the known location of the first entity in the entities and the angle (e.g., azimuth angle) between the two entities, can be used to determine the location of the second entity in the entities. In multi-RTT (also referred to as multi-cell RTT), multiple distances from one entity (e.g., UE) to other entities (e.g., TRP) and the known locations of the other entities can be used to determine the location of one entity. In TDOA technology, the difference in propagation time between one entity and other entities can be used to determine the relative distance to the other entities, and these combined with the known locations of the other entities can be used to determine the location of one entity. The angle of arrival and / or departure can be used to help determine the location of an entity. For example, the angle of arrival or departure of a signal (determined using the signal, e.g., the propagation time of the signal, the received power of the signal, etc.) combined with the distance between the devices and the known location of one of the devices can be used to determine the location of the other device. The angle of arrival or departure can be the azimuth angle relative to a reference direction such as true north. The angle of arrival or departure can be the zenith angle relative to directly upward from the entity (i.e., radially outward from the center of the earth). E-CID uses the identity of the serving cell, timing advance (i.e., the difference between the receive and transmit times at the UE), the estimated timing and power of detected neighboring cell signals, and possibly the angle of arrival (e.g., the angle of arrival of the signal at the UE from the base station and vice versa) to determine the location of the UE. In TDOA, the difference in the arrival time of signals from different sources at the receiving device and the known location of the sources and the known offset of the transmit time from the sources are used to determine the location of the receiving device.

[0083] 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 (typically the serving base station, as at least three base stations are required). One or more base stations transmit the RTT measurement signals on low - reuse resources (e.g., the resources used by the base station to transmit system information) allocated by the network (e.g., a location server such as the LMF 120). The UE records the arrival time (also known as receive time, reception time, time of reception, or ToA) of each RTT measurement signal relative to the UE's current downlink timing (e.g., derived by the UE from the DL signals received from its serving base station), and transmits a common or individual RTT response message (e.g., SRS (sounding reference signal) for positioning, UL - PRS) to one or more base stations (e.g., when instructed by its serving base station), and may include in the payload of each RTT response message the time difference T between the ToA of the RTT measurement signal and the transmission time of the 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 derive the ToA of the RTT response. By comparing the difference T Tx→Rx between the transmission time of the RTT measurement signal from the base station and the ToA of the RTT response at the base station with the time difference T Rx→Tx reported by the UE, the base station can infer the propagation time between the base station and the UE, and thereby the base station can determine the distance between the UE and the base station by assuming the speed of light during that propagation time.

[0084] UE - centric RTT estimation is similar to the network - based method, except that the UE transmits an uplink RTT measurement signal (e.g., when instructed by the serving base station), which is received by multiple base stations near the UE. Each involved base station responds with a downlink RTT response message, which may include in the RTT response message payload 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.

[0085] For both network - centric processes and UE - centric processes, the side (network or UE) that performs the RTT calculation typically (but not always) transmits a first message or signal (e.g., an RTT measurement signal), and 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 the RTT response message or signal.

[0086] Multi - RTT techniques can be used to determine location. For example, a first entity (e.g., a UE) can send out one or more signals (e.g., unicast, multicast, or broadcast from a base station), and multiple second entities (e.g., other TSPs such as base stations and / or UEs) can receive the signals from the first entity and respond to the received signals. The first entity receives the responses from the multiple second entities. The first entity (or another entity such as an LMF) can use the responses from the second entities to determine the distances to the second entities, and can use the multiple distances of the second entities and the known locations to determine the location of the first entity by trilateration.

[0087] In some cases, additional information can be obtained in the form of an angle of arrival (AoA) or an angle of departure (AoD), which defines a straight - line direction (e.g., in a horizontal plane or in three dimensions) or a range of possible directions (e.g., for the location of a UE relative to a base station). The intersection of two directions can provide another estimate of the location of the UE.

[0088] For positioning techniques that use PRS (Positioning Reference Signal) signals (e.g., TDOA and RTT), the PRS signals transmitted by multiple TRPs are measured, and the arrival time of the signals, the known transmission time, and the known locations of the TRPs are used to determine the distances from the UE to the TRPs. For example, RSTD (Reference Signal Time Difference) can be determined for the PRS signals received from multiple TRPs, and RSTD (Reference Signal Time Difference) is used in TDOA techniques to determine the location (position) of the UE. The positioning reference signal can be referred to as PRS or a PRS signal. PRS signals typically use the same power for transmission, and PRS signals with the same signal characteristics (e.g., the same frequency shift) may interfere with each other, such that PRS signals from a farther TRP may be overwhelmed by PRS signals from a nearer TRP, making the signals from the farther 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, so that the PRS signal is not transmitted). In this way, weaker (at the UE) PRS signals can be more easily detected by the UE without the stronger PRS signals interfering with the weaker ones.

[0089] Positioning reference signals (PRS) include downlink PRS (DL PRS) and uplink PRS (UL PRS) (which may be referred to as SRS (sounding reference signal) for positioning). The PRS may include PRS resources or a set of PRS resources in a frequency layer. The DL PRS positioning frequency layer (or simply frequency layer) is a collection of DL PRS resource sets from one or more TRPs, which has 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 in the frequency layer. Each frequency layer has a DL PRS cyclic prefix (CP) for the DL PRS resource set and the DL PRS resources in the frequency layer. In addition, the DL PRS point A parameter defines the frequency of the reference resource block (and the lowest subcarrier of the resource block), the 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. The frequency layer also has the same DL PRS bandwidth, the same starting PRB (and center frequency), and the same comb size value.

[0090] The TRP can be configured, for example, by instructions received from a server and / or by software in the TRP, to transmit DL PRS according to a schedule. According to this schedule, the TRP can transmit DL PRS intermittently, for example, periodically at a consistent interval starting from 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 across one TRP, which have the same periodicity, common mute pattern configuration (if any), and the same repetition factor across time slots. Each PRS resource set includes multiple PRS resources, and each PRS resource includes multiple resource elements (REs), which can span multiple physical resource blocks (PRBs) within N (one or more) consecutive symbols within a time slot. A PRB is a collection of REs that spans multiple consecutive symbols in the time domain and multiple consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain. In an OFDM symbol, the PRS resource occupies consecutive PRBs. Each PRS resource is configured with an RE offset, a time slot offset, a symbol offset within the time slot, and the number of consecutive symbols that the PRS resource can occupy within the time slot. The RE offset defines the starting RE offset of the first symbol within the DL PRS resource in frequency. The relative RE offsets of the remaining symbols within the DL PRS resource are defined based on the initial offset. The time slot offset is the starting time slot of the DL PRS resource relative to the corresponding resource set time slot offset. The symbol offset determines the starting symbol of the DL PRS resource within the starting time slot. The transmitted REs can be repeated across time slots, and each transmission is called a repetition, such that there can be multiple repetitions within the PRS resource. The DL PRS resources within 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 IDs within a DL PRS resource set are associated with a single beam transmitted from a single TRP (although the TRP can transmit one or more beams).

[0091] The PRS resource can also be defined by quasi - co - location and starting PRB parameters. The quasi - co - location (QCL) parameters can define any quasi - co - location information of the DL PRS resource with other reference signals. The DL PRS can be configured to have QCL type D of the DL PRS or SS / PBCH (synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel) block from the serving cell or a non - serving cell. The DL PRS can be configured to have QCL type C of the SS / PBCH block from the serving cell or a non - serving cell. The starting PRB parameter defines the starting PRB index of the DL PRS resource relative to reference point A. The starting PRB index has a granularity of one PRB and can have a minimum value of 0 and a maximum value of 2176 PRBs.

[0092] A PRS resource set is a collection of PRS resources having the same periodicity, the same muting pattern configuration (if any), and the same repetition factor across time slots. All repetitions of all PRS resources in a PRS resource set are configured to be called an "instance" each time they are transmitted. Thus, an "instance" of a PRS resource set is a specified number of repetitions of each PRS resource and a specified number of PRS resources within the PRS resource set such that once the specified number of repetitions has been transmitted for each of the specified number of PRS resources, the instance is complete. An instance may also be called an "occasion". A DL PRS configuration including DL PRS transmission scheduling may be provided to a UE to facilitate (or even enable) the UE to measure the DL PRS.

[0093] Multiple frequency layers of PRS may be aggregated to provide an effective bandwidth larger than any of the individual layers. Multiple frequency layers (which may be contiguous and / or separate) of component carriers that are concatenated, that meet criteria such as being quasi co-located (QCLed), and that have the same antenna port may be used to provide a larger effective PRS bandwidth (for both DL PRS and UL PRS), resulting in improved time-of-arrival measurement accuracy. Being QCLed, the different frequency layers behave similarly, enabling the PRS to be concatenated to yield a larger effective bandwidth. The larger effective bandwidth (which may be referred to as the bandwidth of the aggregated PRS or the frequency bandwidth of the aggregated PRS) provides better time domain resolution (e.g., time domain resolution of TDOA). The aggregated PRS includes a collection of PRS resources, and each PRS resource of the aggregated PRS may be called a PRS component, and each PRS component may be transmitted on different component carriers, frequency bands or frequency layers, or on different parts of the same frequency band.

[0094] RTT positioning is an active positioning technique because RTT uses positioning signals sent from the TRP to the UE and from the UE (participating in RTT positioning) to the TRP. The TRP can send DL-PRS signals received by the UE, and the UE can send SRS (Sounding Reference Signal) signals received by multiple TRPs. The sounding reference signal can be referred to as SRS or SRS signal. In 5G multi-RTT, cooperative positioning can be used with a single UL-SRS for positioning sent by the UE and received by multiple TRPs, instead of sending separate UL-SRSs for positioning for each TRP. The TRPs participating in multi-RTT will typically search for UEs currently resident on that TRP (served UEs, where the TRP is the serving TRP) and UEs resident on adjacent TRPs (adjacent UEs). The adjacent TRP can be a TRP of a single BTS (e.g., gNB), or can be a TRP of one BTS and a TRP of a separate BTS. For RTT positioning, including multi-RTT positioning, the UL-SRS and DL-PRS signals in the PRS / SRS for the positioning signal pair used to determine RTT (and thus the distance between the UE and the TRP) may be 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 for the positioning signal pair can be transmitted from the TRP and the UE respectively within approximately 10 milliseconds of each other. Using the SRS for the positioning signal sent by the UE, and using the PRS and SRS for the positioning signal communicated close to each other in time, has been found to potentially cause radio frequency (RF) signal congestion (which may lead to excessive noise, etc.) (especially if many UEs are trying to position simultaneously) and / or computational congestion at the TRP trying to measure many UEs simultaneously.

[0095] RTT positioning can be UE-based or UE-assisted. In UE-based RTT, the UE 200 determines the RTT to each of the TRPs 300, the corresponding distances, and the positioning of the UE 200 based on the distances to the TRPs 300 and the known positions of the TRPs 300. In UE-assisted RTT, the UE 200 measures the positioning signals and provides the measurement information to the TRP 300, and the TRP 300 determines the RTT and the distances. The TRP 300 provides the distances to a location server (e.g., the server 400), and the server determines the location of the UE 200, for example, based on the distances to different TRPs 300. The RTT and / or the distances can be determined by the TRP 300 that receives the signals from the UE 200, determined by the TRP 300 in combination with one or more other devices (e.g., one or more other TRPs 300 and / or the server 400), or determined by one or more devices other than the TRP 300 that receives the signals from the UE 200.

[0096] Various positioning techniques are supported in 5G NR. The NR native positioning methods supported in 5G NR include DL-only positioning methods, UL-only positioning methods, and DL+UL positioning methods. The downlink-based positioning methods include DL-TDOA and DL-AoD. The uplink-based positioning methods include UL-TDOA and UL-AoA. The combined DL+UL-based positioning methods include RTT with one base station and RTT with multiple base stations (multi-RTT).

[0097] Positioning estimates (e.g., for a UE) can be referred to by other names, such as location estimates, location, positioning, positioning lock, lock, etc. Positioning estimates can be geodetic and include coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude), or can be urban and include street addresses, postal addresses, or some other verbal description of the location. Positioning estimates can also be defined relative to some other known location or in absolute terms (e.g., using latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude). Positioning estimates can include an expected error or uncertainty (e.g., by including a region or volume within which the location is expected to be included with a certain specified or default confidence level).

[0098] UE-to-UE positioning

[0099] NR is expected to be able to scale and deploy in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. To this end, peak throughput, latency, and / or reliability requirements can be relaxed. Additionally or alternatively, efficiency (e.g., power consumption and system overhead) and cost improvements can be made. UE with reduced capabilities can be used to reduce power consumption and provide cost-effective UEs. UEs with reduced capabilities have many uses, such as wearable devices, components of industrial wireless sensor networks (IWSNs), surveillance cameras, low-cost smartphones, etc.

[0100] UEs can communicate (exchange signals) with each other through UE-to-UE interactions, typically via sidelink (SL) channels. However, UEs can be configured to transmit and receive uplink (UL) signals, as well as transmit and receive downlink (DL) signals, including DL-PRS and UL-SRS for positioning. Thus, UE-to-UE signaling can include signaling using SL channels, DL channels, and / or UL channels. For transmissions using SL channels, UEs can operate according to at least one of at least two modes. In the first mode, the UE receives authorization from the base station for resources (e.g., resources of PSCCH and / or PSSCH) for transmitting SL signals. In the second mode, the UE is configured to have a resource pool that the UE can use, and the UE monitors the resource pool to determine which resources are not occupied and uses one or more unoccupied resources for transmission. The base station can configure the resource pool but does not notify the UE which resources to use, and the UE can perform blink detection in the resource pool. For receiving using SL channels, the UE can be configured to have a resource pool, monitor the resource pool for incoming signals, and determine whether any particular incoming signal is intended for that UE. Even though the base station can configure the resource pool for reception to limit detection complexity, the UE may not be notified by, for example, the base station which resources to monitor for receiving signals.

[0101] For various reasons, it may be desirable to use UE-to-UE signal exchange for positioning. For example, SPS signals and / or base station signals may be unavailable and / or unreliable (e.g., indoors, in urban canyons, etc.). As another example, UE-to-UE positioning can use less power than other forms of positioning (e.g., signal exchange with the base station). UEs with reduced capabilities may introduce additional challenges to UE-to-UE positioning because such UEs are more sensitive to power consumption than other UEs, and UEs with reduced capabilities are typically configured for half-duplex signaling rather than full-duplex signaling. For half-duplex signaling (receiving or transmitting, but not receiving and transmitting simultaneously), some inbound signals may be lost when the UE is transmitting. Coordination of the time and frequency of signaling can be used to help avoid lost signals.

[0102] Reference Figure 5 and also refer to Figures 1 to 4 UE 500, which is Figure 2 an example of the UE 200 shown in Figure 5 and includes a processor 510, an interface 520, and a memory 530 communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 540. The UE 500 may include Figure 2 some or all of the components shown in Figure 2 and may include one or more other components, such as Figure 2 any of the components shown in Figure 2 . The processor 510 may include one or more components of the processor 210. The interface 520 may include one or more of the components of the transceiver 215, such as the wireless transmitter 242 and the antenna 246, or the wireless receiver 244 and the antenna 246, or the wireless transmitter 242, the wireless receiver 244, and the antenna 246. Additionally or alternatively, the interface 520 may include a wired transmitter 252 and / or a wired receiver 254. The interface 520 may include an SPS receiver 217 and an antenna 262. The memory 530 may be configured similarly to the memory 211, for example, including software having processor-readable instructions configured to cause the processor 510 to perform functions.

[0103] Embodiments of the UE 500 may include high-value UEs and / or UEs with reduced capabilities. A UE with reduced capabilities may have fewer capabilities than a high-value UE. For example, a UE with reduced capabilities may not be able to communicate in full duplex but may be configured to communicate in half duplex, for example. As another example, a UE with reduced capabilities may have a lower data rate (e.g., 150 mbps) for downloading than a high-value UE. An example of a UE with reduced capabilities is a Category 4 (CAT 4) UE for LTE. A UE with reduced capabilities may consume less power than a high-value UE, for example, being able to standby for eight hours or longer with less battery capacity than a high-value UE.

[0104] The description herein may only refer to the processor 510 performing functions, but this includes other embodiments, such as the processor 510 executing software and / or firmware (stored in the memory 530). The description herein may refer to the UE 500 performing a function as a shorthand for one or more appropriate components (e.g., the processor 510 and the memory 530) of the UE 500 that perform the function. The processor 510 (possibly in combination with the memory 530, and, where appropriate, the interface 520) includes a UE-to-UE positioning unit 560. The UE-to-UE positioning unit 560 may be configured to perform one or more functions for facilitating UE-to-UE positioning (e.g., measuring one or more positioning signals and determining positioning information) using UE-to-UE signal exchange for positioning.

[0105] The UE-to-UE positioning unit 560 in a UE can remotely trigger the positioning function (e.g., positioning signaling and measurements) in another UE, or have the positioning function of UE 500 remotely triggered by another UE. For example, the UE-to-UE positioning unit 560 can be configured to receive a UE-to-UE positioning trigger from another UE (e.g., directly or via one or more intermediate entities, such as one or more TRPs 300). The UE-to-UE positioning trigger can be an instruction to perform the positioning function. The UE-to-UE positioning unit 560 can be configured to respond to the received positioning trigger by initiating the positioning function, e.g., initiating a positioning method to determine positioning information (e.g., positioning signal measurements, ranges, positioning estimates of UE 500, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the UE-to-UE positioning unit 560 can be configured to send a UE-to-UE positioning trigger to another UE (e.g., via one or more network entities and / or directly (e.g., using a sidelink channel, an uplink channel, or a downlink channel)) to initiate a positioning function (e.g., a positioning method) at the other UE. The remote trigger can trigger the transmission of one or more Location Reference Signals (LRS). The LRS is one or more positioning reference signals sent between UEs. Examples of the format and / or content of the LRS will also be discussed herein. The term LRS can refer to one or more location reference signals.

[0106] Without a remote trigger for the LRS, the UE-to-UE positioning at the UE may not be activated or may have a low activation periodicity. For example, if UE 500 is not remotely triggered to send the LRS, the UE-to-UE positioning of UE 500 may not be activated. For example, UE 500 may not send the LRS from UE 500 to another UE. As another example, if UE500 is not remotely triggered to send the LRS, UE 500 can send the LRS to another UE with a lower periodicity compared to if UE 500 had been remotely triggered to send the LRS (e.g., had been triggered to perform the UE-to-UE positioning function). For example, in response to being remotely triggered, UE 500 can send the LRS every 5 milliseconds or every 10 milliseconds, and if not remotely triggered, can send the LRS less frequently. For example, the period of the LRS without a remote trigger for the LRS can be every 20 milliseconds, 40 milliseconds, 160 milliseconds, 2 minutes, 10 minutes, or other times. For a low periodicity (e.g., a period longer than 2 minutes between LRS transmissions), the periodicity can be configured via application layer signaling rather than RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling because RRC signaling specifies the periodicity based on the number of time slots, so RRC signaling will use a large number of bits to specify a low periodicity.

[0107] Also refer to Figure 6, the signal flow 600 includes the stages shown for remotely triggering the positioning function of the target UE 500-2 via one or more network entities by the requesting UE 500-1. In stage 610, the requesting UE 500-1 sends a trigger LRS message 612 to the TRP 300. The trigger LRS message 612 is a positioning request to perform a positioning function on the target UE 500-2. In stage 620, the TRP 300 responds to receiving the trigger LRS message 612 by sending an LRS trigger and configuration message 622 to the target UE 500-2. The LRS trigger and configuration message 622 triggers the UE-to-UE positioning function at the target UE 500-2. The LRS trigger and configuration message 622 also configures the target UE 500-2 using LRS resources (e.g., code sequences, resource time and frequency, LRS periodicity, resource pattern). The TRP 300 also sends an LRS configuration message 624 to the requesting UE 500-1, thereby indicating the configuration of the LRS resources included in the LRS trigger and configuration message 622. In stage 630, the target UE 500-2 sends a response configuration message 632, thereby confirming the configuration from message 622 or requesting a different configuration. The process 600 can return to stage 610 and repeat the process 600 until the requesting UE 500-1 and the target UE 500-2 agree on the LRS configuration, after which the process 600 proceeds to stage 640. In stage 640, the target UE 500-2 (repeatedly) sends an LRS message 642 directly to the requesting UE 500-1, e.g., in a sidelink channel. The LRS message 642 contains the LRS configured by message 622 and / or indicated by message 632.

[0108] Also refer to Figure 7, the signal flow 700 includes a stage shown for requesting the UE 500-1 to directly trigger the positioning function of the target UE 500-2 remotely from the triggering target UE 500-2 to the target UE 500-2. In stage 710, the requesting UE 500-1 directly sends an LRS trigger and configuration message 712 to the target UE 500-2, e.g., in the sidelink channel, thus bypassing the TRP 300 (or other network entity). The LRS trigger and configuration message 712 is a request to perform a positioning function on the target UE 500-2 and triggers the UE-to-UE positioning function at the target UE 500-2. The LRS trigger and configuration message 712 can be in predefined resources (e.g., BWP, code sequence, time and frequency of the resources (e.g., resource block (RB)), resource pattern). For example, the predefined resource can be a RACH (random access channel) occasion. A BWP (bandwidth part) includes consecutive common resource blocks, the common resource blocks occupy the channel bandwidth, and the consecutive common resource blocks of the BWP can occupy some or all of the channel bandwidth. The request can generally be for LRS without specifying the LRS configuration. Alternatively, the request can also include LRS configuration information to configure the target UE 500-2 with the LRS resources (e.g., code sequence, resource time and frequency, LRS periodicity, resource pattern) that will be used by the target UE 500-2 to transmit the LRS. The LRS trigger and configuration message 712 can be (or include) one or more LRSs that the target UE 500-2 can use to determine the positioning information. In stage 720, the target UE 500-2 can send a configuration message 722 in response to the message 712, thus confirming the configuration in the message 712 or requesting a different configuration. The process 700 can return to stage 710 and repeat until the requesting UE 500-1 and the target UE 500-2 agree on the LRS configuration, after which the process 700 proceeds to stage 730. In stage 730, the target UE 500-2 can (repeatedly) directly send an LRS message 732 to the requesting UE 500-1, e.g., in the sidelink channel. The LRS message 732 contains the LRS configured by the message 712. Additionally or alternatively, if the LRS trigger and configuration message 712 contains an LRS, the UE 500-2 can transmit positioning information to the requesting UE 500-1 in a positioning information message 734, and the positioning information is determined by the target UE 500-2 based on (e.g., by measuring) the LRS contained in the LRS trigger and configuration message 712.

[0109] The LRS can be configured in multiple ways. For example, the LRS can be configured similar to the SRS or PRS or CSI-RS (Channel State Information - Reference Signal) for positioning, or have a new configuration, e.g., having an interleaved structure (i.e., resource elements in different symbols are offset relative to each other). In the frequency domain, the LRS can have any comb number among various comb numbers (e.g., 2, 4, 6, 8, etc.). In the time domain, the LRS can occupy one symbol or various amounts of consecutive symbols (e.g., 2, 4, etc.). In the code sequence domain, the original LRS can be multiplied by any sequence among various sequences (e.g., Zadoff-Chu sequence, m-sequence, etc.) to generate the LRS. For example, the LRS can be scrambled with a group / UE-specific sequence (ID). The LRS can have a low PAPR (Peak-to-Average Power Ratio), e.g., having an SRS format, or a CSI-RS format, or another format (e.g., a new format, e.g., having an interleaved structure). The LRS can include semi-π (π / 2) bpsk (Binary Phase Shift Keying), which is beneficial for the coverage and / or PAPR of the LRS (e.g., can provide a low PAPR for the LRS). The processor 510 and / or the interface 520 can be configured to provide semi-π bpsk to the LRS and / or receive and decode the LRS with semi-π bpsk. The UE 500 (e.g., the processor 510) can be configured to indicate, for example, to other UEs and / or network entities (e.g., the TRP 300 and / or the server 400) that the UE 500 has the semi-π bpsk transmission / reception capability. For example, the UE 500 can include such information in the UE capability message sent to one or more other UEs and / or one or more network entities. As another example configuration of the LRS, the LRS can be configured not to occupy the CORESET / SSB (Control Resource Set / Synchronization Signal Block) symbols to help avoid affecting the CORESET and system information.

[0110] Referring again specifically to Figure 5 , the UE-to-UE positioning unit 560 can also or alternatively be configured to communicate with another UE (e.g., the UE-to-UE positioning unit 560 of another UE 500) to coordinate the exchange of one or more positioning reference signals between the UE 500 and the other UE (which can be an example implementation of the UE 500). For example, the UE-to-UE positioning unit 560 can be configured to coordinate the time and frequency of one or more position reference signals to be exchanged between the UEs.

[0111] The UE-to-UE positioning unit 560 can be configured to determine the timing of one or more positioning reference signals. For example, the UE-to-UE positioning unit 560 can communicate with another UE to determine the timing. The timing can be determined to accommodate the half-duplex communication of UE 500 and / or another UE. The timing can include one or more timing parameters indicating the timing of the positioning reference signal (LRS).

[0112] The timing determined by the UE-to-UE positioning unit 560 can cause UE 500 not to transmit and receive LRS in the same time slot. This can help avoid losing LRS, because UE 500 may require a guard period (e.g., one or two symbols) to change between LRS transmission and LRS reception, and vice versa. The timing determined by the UE-to-UE positioning unit 560 can be, for example, the time repetition of LRS, such that LRS can be repeated at the time slot level, where the same symbol of two or more consecutive time slots is occupied by LRS. In this case, the receiving UE can have multiple opportunities to receive LRS, and thus, the accuracy of the time and frequency designation of LRS can be more relaxed compared to if no LRS repetition occurs. As another example, LRS can have no repetition (at least at the time slot level, i.e., multiple time slots have the same LRS in each time slot), and the UE-to-UE positioning unit 560 can cooperate with another UE (e.g., requesting UE 500-1) or a network entity (e.g., TRP 300) to determine the timing with sufficient accuracy for the receiving UE to measure the LRS with only one occurrence of LRS. The UE-to-UE positioning unit 560 can determine the timing by reading the configuration information in the LRS trigger and configuration message 622 or the LRS trigger and configuration message 712. As another example, the timing determined by the UE-to-UE positioning unit 560 can be the mute mode of the LRS resource, which indicates which LRS resources are not transmitted. The mute mode can provide in-instance mute to mute one or more selected resources within the LRS instance, or provide inter-instance mute to mute one or more selected LRS instances.

[0113] The timing determined by the UE-to-UE positioning unit 560 can cause UE 500 to transmit and receive LRS in the same time slot. This timing will provide one or more symbols (gap symbols) to help UE 500 transition between LRS reception and LRS transmission without losing (not receiving) LRS. The gap symbols can allow for automatic gain control (AGC) and guard periods.

[0114] The UE-to-UE positioning unit 560 may also or alternatively be configured to determine the frequency of one or more position reference signals. For example, the UE-to-UE positioning unit 560 may coordinate with another UE 500 such that the BWP of the LRS of the UE transmitting the LRS is different from, but overlaps with, the BWP of the LRS of the UE receiving the LRS. The BWP of the receiving UE and the BWP of the transmitting UE may have a minimum overlap to help ensure the reception and measurement of the LRS, e.g., with a desired performance quality. The LRS may be configured only on the overlapping frequencies of the BWP. As another example, the UE-to-UE positioning unit 560 may coordinate with another UE 500 such that the BWP of the LRS of the UE transmitting the LRS is the same as the BWP of the LRS of the receiving UE. The LRS may be configured to occupy the entire BWP (i.e., the entire frequency span of the BWP) or less than the entire BWP.

[0115] Reference Figure 8 , and also reference Figures 1 to 7 , the method 800 for position reference signal exchange includes the stages shown. However, the method 800 is merely an example and not a limitation. The method 800 may be changed, e.g., by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, performing stages simultaneously, and / or dividing a single stage into multiple stages.

[0116] In stage 810, the method 800 includes at least one of the following: initiating, at a first UE, a first UE-to-UE positioning function in response to receiving, at the first UE, a first UE-to-UE positioning trigger from a second UE; or sending, from the first UE to the second UE, a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger to cause the second UE to initiate a second UE-to-UE positioning function; or determining, based on communicating with the second UE, the characteristics of the UE-to-UE position reference signals to be exchanged between the first UE and the second UE. For example, the target UE 500-2 may initiate a positioning method in response to receiving an LRS trigger and a configuration message 622 (e.g., on a downlink channel on the Uu interface) or an LRS trigger and a configuration message 712 (e.g., on a sidelink channel). The LRS trigger may be received indirectly (e.g., in message 622, the trigger comes from the requesting UE 500-1, is included in the trigger LRS message 612, and causes the TRP 300 to send message 622) or directly (e.g., in message 712). As another example, the target UE 500-2 may initiate generating and sending a configuration message 632 or a configuration message 722 to attempt to reach an agreement on the configuration for the LRS to be sent by the UE 500-2. The processor 510, which may be combined with the memory 530 and / or may be combined with the interface 520 (e.g., the wireless receiver 244 and the antenna 246), may include components for initiating the first UE-to-UE positioning function.

[0117] As an example of sending a second UE to a UE positioning trigger, the requesting UE 500-1 may send a trigger LRS message 612 (e.g., on an uplink channel on the Uu interface) or an LRS trigger and configuration message 712 (e.g., on a sidelink channel). The trigger LRS message 612 contains an LRS trigger and causes the TRP 300 to send an LRS trigger and configuration message 622 to the target UE 500-2, where the message 622 includes the LRS trigger from the requesting UE 500-1. The processor 510, which may be combined with the memory 530 and / or may be combined with the interface 520 (e.g., the wireless transmitter 242 and the antenna 246), may include components for sending a second UE to a UE positioning trigger.

[0118] Determining the characteristics of the UE-to-UE position reference signal can be implemented in various ways. For example, the target UE 500-2 may use the LRS trigger and configuration message 622, and may use the configuration message 632, or may use two or more of the messages 622 and one or more of the messages 632 to determine the characteristics (e.g., timing, etc.) of the LRS message 642. As another example, the target UE 500-2 may use the LRS trigger and configuration message 712, and may use the configuration message 722, or may use two or more of the messages 712 and one or more of the messages 722 to determine the characteristics (e.g., timing, etc.) of the LRS message 732. As another example, the requesting UE 500-1 may use the trigger LRS message 612, and may use the LRS configuration message 624 and / or the configuration message 632, or may use two or more of the messages 612 and one or more of the messages 624 and / or one or more of the messages 632 to determine the characteristics (e.g., timing, etc.) of the LRS message 642. As another example, the requesting UE 500-1 may use the LRS trigger and configuration message 712, and may use the configuration message 722, or may use two or more of the messages 712 and one or more of the messages 722 to determine the characteristics (e.g., timing, etc.) of the LRS message 732. The processor 510, which may be combined with the memory 530 and the interface 520 (e.g., the antenna 246 and the wireless receiver 244 and / or the wireless transmitter 242), may include components for determining the characteristics of the UE-to-UE position reference signal.

[0119] In stage 820, method 800 includes exchanging UE-to-UE position reference signals with a second UE. For example, the target UE 500-2 transmits an LRS message 642 or an LRS message 734 to the requesting UE 500-1 in a sidelink channel, for example. As another example, the requesting UE 500-1 transmits an LRS in a trigger LRS message 612 or in an LRS trigger and configuration message 712. The processor 510, possibly in conjunction with the memory 530 and the interface 520 (e.g., the antenna 246 and the wireless transmitter 242), may include components for exchanging UE-to-UE position reference signals.

[0120] Embodiments of method 800 may include one or more of the following features. For example, method 800 may include determining timing parameters for the UE-to-UE position reference signals to accommodate half-duplex communication in at least one of the first UE or the second UE. For example, the requesting UE 500-1 may determine the timing of the LRS to be transmitted by the requesting UE 500-1 to assist the half-duplex target UE in measuring the LRS from the requesting UE 500-1. As another example, the target UE 500-2 may determine the timing of the LRS to be transmitted by the target UE 500-2 to allow the target UE 500-2 to receive and measure the LRS in addition to transmitting the LRS. Whichever UE determines the timing of the LRS, the LRS timing is notified to the other UE. UE-to-UE characteristics may be determined such that the UE-to-UE LRS occupies the same one or more symbols in each of a plurality of consecutive time slots. The timing parameter may be a silent mode of the LRS. As another example, the timing parameter may be one or more quantities each corresponding to one or more symbols of a time slot to allow the UE to transition between half-duplex transmission and half-duplex reception. The symbols may be one or more gaps in the LRS.

[0121] Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of method 800 may include one or more of the following features. For example, the characteristics of the UE-to-UE LRS may be the frequency range of the UE-to-UE LRS. The frequency range may be determined such that, at least for the LRS, the transmit and receive BWPs overlap. As another example, method 800 may include initiating a first UE-to-UE positioning function, and method 800 may include: transmitting a UE-to-UE LRS at a first transmit frequency in response to receiving a first UE-to-UE positioning trigger; and transmitting the LRS at a second frequency or refraining from transmitting the LRS in the absence of receiving the first UE-to-UE positioning trigger. For example, in response to receiving a positioning trigger in message 622 or message 712, target UE 500-2 may transmit LRS message 642 or LRS message 732 at a relatively high frequency (e.g., every 5 milliseconds), and in the absence of receiving a positioning trigger, refrain from transmitting the LRS or transmit the LRS at a lower frequency (e.g., every 5 minutes or longer). UE 500 may be configured to respond to the absence of receiving a positioning trigger by refraining from transmitting the LRS or transmitting the LRS at a relatively low frequency. UE 500 may be configured to select whether to transmit the LRS or refrain from transmitting the LRS based on one or more factors such as the time since the last LRS transmission, the battery level of UE 500 (e.g., if the battery level is below a threshold level, e.g., 20% of the maximum capacity, refrain from transmitting the LRS), and so on. The processor 510, which may be combined with the memory 530 and the interface 520 (e.g., antenna 246 and wireless transmitter 242), may include components for transmitting the UE-to-UE position reference signal.

[0122] Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of method 800 may include one or more of the following features. For example, method 800 may include sending, via a network node, a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for a second UE. The requesting UE 500-1 may, for example, transmit a trigger LRS message 612 to the TRP 300 for the TRP 300 to send an LRS trigger and configuration message 622 to the target UE 500-2. As another example, method 800 may include using a sidelink channel to send a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for a second UE. For example, the requesting UE 500-1 may send an LRS trigger and configuration message 712 to the target UE 500-2 on a sidelink channel. As another example, method 800 may include sending a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for a second UE, and the second UE-to-UE positioning trigger may include a UE-to-UE position reference signal. For example, the requesting UE 500-1 may send an LRS in the LRS trigger and configuration message 712. As another example, method 800 may include sending a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for a second UE, and the second UE-to-UE positioning trigger may include at least one transmission parameter in the UE-to-UE position reference signal, the at least one transmission parameter including at least one of timing, frequency, code sequence, or periodicity. For example, the requesting UE 500-1 may include one or more transmission parameters of the LRS in the trigger LRS message 612 or the LRS trigger and configuration message 712. As another example, method 800 may include determining characteristics of the UE-to-UE position reference signal such that the characteristics of the UE-to-UE position reference signal include at least one of a comb number, an amount of one or more consecutive symbols, a code sequence, or a scrambling sequence. For example, the target UE 500-2 may use the information from the LRS trigger and configuration messages 622, 712 to determine one or more such characteristics, or may request one or more values of one or more such characteristics. As another example, the requesting UE 500-1 may determine one or more such characteristics based on the configuration messages 632, 722 received from the target UE 500-2.

[0123] Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of method 800 may include one or more of the following features. For example, exchanging UE-to-UE location reference signals with a second UE may include exchanging UE-to-UE location reference signals with the second UE using a sidelink channel. For example, target UE 500-2 may send an LRS message 732 on the sidelink channel, and / or requesting UE 500-1 may send an LRS in an LRS trigger and configuration message 712 on the sidelink channel. The UE-to-UE location reference signal may include a sounding reference signal (SRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), or one of a non-SRS, non-CSI-RS interleaved reference signal. As another example, method 800 may include sending a capability message that indicates the capability of the first UE to exchange UE-to-UE location reference signals as SRS, CSI-RS, or non-SRS, non-CSI-RS interleaved reference signals. Requesting UE 500-1 and / or target UE 500-2 may, for example, send a capability message to another UE and / or one or more network entities (e.g., TRP 300) to indicate that UE 500 may exchange (e.g., send and / or receive) LRS in the format of SRS, CSI-RS, or another interleaved LRS format. The processor 510, which may be combined with the memory 530 and the interface 520 (e.g., antenna 246 and wireless transmitter 242), may include components for sending the capability message. As another example, exchanging UE-to-UE location reference signals with a second UE may include exchanging UE-to-UE location reference signals with the second UE using half-π binary phase shift keying modulation. For example, SRS, CSI-RS, or other LRS formats may be half-π BPSK modulated.

[0124] Other considerations

[0125] Other examples and embodiments are within the scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software and computers, the above functions may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof executed by a processor. The features implementing the functions may also be physically located in various positions, including being distributed such that portions of the functions are implemented at different physical locations.

[0126] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" also include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", and / or "including" as used herein specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0127] As used herein, unless otherwise specified, 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 additional items and / or conditions in addition to the stated item or condition.

[0128] In addition, as used herein, the “or” used in a list of items beginning with “at least one of...” or “one or more of...” indicates a disjunctive list such that, for example, a list of “at least one of A, B, or C” or “one or more of A, 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 combinations with more than one of the features (e.g., AA, AAB, ABBC, etc.). Thus, a recitation that an item (such as a processor) is configured to perform a function with respect to at least one of A or B means that the item may be configured to perform the function with respect to A, or may be configured to perform the function with respect to B, or may be configured to perform the function with respect to A and B. For example, the phrase “a processor configured to measure at least one of A or B” means that the processor may be configured to measure A (and may or may not be configured to measure B), or may be configured to measure B (and may or may not be configured to measure A), or may be configured to measure A and B (and may be configured to select which one or both of A and B to measure). Similarly, a recitation 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 (and may or may not be configured to measure A), or a component for measuring A and B (which may be able to select which one or both of A and B to measure). As another example, a recitation that an item such as a processor is configured to perform at least one of perform function X or perform function Y means that the item may be configured to perform function X, or may be configured to perform function Y, or may be configured to perform function X and perform function Y. For example, the phrase “a processor configured to measure at least one of X or Y” means that the processor may be configured to measure X (and may or may not be configured to measure Y), or may be configured to measure Y (and may or may not be configured to measure X), or may be configured to measure X and measure Y (and may be configured to select which one or both of X and Y to measure).

[0129] Substantial variations can be made in accordance with specific requirements. For example, customized hardware can also be used, and / or specific components can be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor (including portable software such as applets, etc.), or both. In addition, connections to other computing devices such as network input / output devices can be employed. Unless otherwise stated, components, functionality, or others shown in the figures and / or discussed herein that are connected or communicate with each other are communicatively coupled. That is, they can be directly or indirectly connected to enable communication between them.

[0130] The systems and devices discussed above are examples. Various configurations can appropriately omit, substitute, or add various processes or components. For example, features described with respect to certain configurations can be combined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elements of the configurations can be combined in a similar manner. In addition, technology is evolving, so many elements are examples and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure or the claims.

[0131] A wireless communication system is a system that communicates wirelessly, that is, through electromagnetic waves and / or sound waves propagating through the atmosphere, rather than through wired or other physical connections. A wireless communication network may not transmit all communications wirelessly, but is configured to transmit at least some communications wirelessly. In addition, the term "wireless communication device" or similar terms does not require that the functions of the device be dedicated or even primarily for communication, or that the device be a mobile device, but indicates that the device includes wireless communication capabilities (one-way or two-way), such as including at least one radio for wireless communication (each radio is part of a transmitter, receiver, or transceiver).

[0132] Specific details are given in the description to provide a thorough understanding of example configurations (including implementations). However, the configurations can be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and technologies have been shown without unnecessary details to avoid obscuring the configurations. The description only provides example configurations and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claims. Instead, the foregoing description of the configurations provides a description of how to implement the technology. Various changes can be made to the functions and arrangements of the elements.

[0133] 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 causes a machine to operate in a particular fashion. Using a computing platform, various processor-readable media may be involved in providing instructions / code to a processor for execution, and / or may be used to store and / or carry such instructions / code (e.g., as a signal). In many embodiments, the processor-readable medium is a physical and / or tangible storage medium. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to non-volatile media and volatile media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical disks and / or magnetic disks. Volatile media includes but is not limited to dynamic memory.

[0134] Several example configurations have been described and various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used. For example, the above elements may be components of a larger system, where other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of the present invention. Additionally, many operations may be performed before, during, or after consideration of the above elements. Accordingly, the above description does not delimit the scope of the claims.

[0135] A statement that a value exceeds (or is greater than or higher than) a first threshold is equivalent to a statement that the value meets or exceeds a second threshold that is slightly greater than the first threshold; for example, in the resolution of a computing system, the second threshold is higher than the first threshold by one value. A statement that a value is less than a first threshold (or within or below the first threshold) is equivalent to a statement that the value is less than or equal to a second threshold that is slightly lower than the first threshold; for example, in the resolution of a computing system, the second threshold is lower than the first threshold by one value.

Claims

1. A first user equipment (UE), comprising: a transceiver; a memory; and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory and configured to: at least one of the following: (1) Initiate a first UE-to-UE positioning function in response to receiving a first UE-to-UE positioning trigger from a second UE via the transceiver; In response to receiving the first UE-to-UE positioning trigger, transmit a first UE-to-UE position reference signal at a first transmission frequency; and In response to not receiving the first UE-to-UE positioning trigger, perform one of the following according to one or more factors: Transmit the first UE-to-UE position reference signal at a second transmission frequency, the second transmission frequency being lower than the first transmission frequency; or Abstain from transmitting the first UE-to-UE position reference signal at the second transmission frequency; or (2) Communicate with the second UE via the transceiver to determine characteristics of a second UE-to-UE position reference signal to be transmitted between the first UE and the second UE, wherein the characteristics of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal include timing parameters of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal to accommodate half-duplex communication performed by at least one of the first UE or the second UE, and wherein the timing parameters are at least one quantity of one or more symbols in a time slot to allow at least one of the first UE and the second UE to transition between half-duplex transmission and half-duplex reception; and Transmit the second UE-to-UE position reference signal between the first UE and the second UE via the transceiver.

2. The first UE according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to communicate with the second UE to determine characteristics of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal, wherein the second UE-to-UE position reference signal occupies the same one or more symbols in each of a plurality of consecutive time slots.

3. The first UE according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to communicate with the second UE to determine characteristics of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal, and wherein the timing parameters include a silent mode of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal.

4. The first UE according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to communicate with the second UE to determine characteristics of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal, wherein the characteristics of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal include a frequency range of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal.

5. The first UE according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to send a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for the second UE via the transceiver to cause the second UE to initiate a second UE-to-UE positioning function, and wherein the second UE-to-UE positioning trigger includes the second UE-to-UE position reference signal.

6. The first UE according to claim 1, wherein The processor is configured to send, via the transceiver, a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for the second UE, such that the second UE initiates a second UE-to-UE positioning function, and wherein the second UE-to-UE positioning trigger includes at least one transmission parameter of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal, and the at least one transmission parameter includes at least one of timing, frequency, code sequence, or periodicity.

7. The first UE according to claim 1, wherein, the processor is configured to communicate with the second UE to determine characteristics of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal, and wherein the characteristics of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal include at least one of comb numbering, the amount of one or more consecutive symbols, code sequence, or scrambling sequence.

8. The first UE according to claim 1, wherein, the processor is configured to use a sidelink channel to transmit the second UE-to-UE position reference signal to the second UE via the transceiver.

9. The first UE according to claim 8, wherein, the second UE-to-UE position reference signal includes one of a sounding reference signal (SRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), or a non-SRS, non-CSI-RS interleaved reference signal.

10. The first UE according to claim 9, wherein, the processor is configured to send, via the transceiver, a capability message indicating the first UE's capability to transmit the second UE-to-UE position reference signal as an SRS, a CSI-RS, or a non-SRS, non-CSI-RS interleaved reference signal.

11. The first UE according to claim 10, wherein, the processor and the transceiver are configured to transmit the second UE-to-UE position reference signal using half-π binary phase shift keying modulation.

12. The first UE according to claim 1, wherein, the processor is configured to send, via the transceiver and via a network node, a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for the second UE.

13. The first UE according to claim 1, wherein, the processor is configured to use a sidelink channel to send, via the transceiver, a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for the second UE.

14. A first user equipment (UE) comprising components for performing each step of the method according to any one of claims 1-13.

15. A method for position reference signal exchange, the method comprising: at least one of the following: (1) In response to receiving a first UE-to-UE positioning trigger from a second UE at a first UE, initiate a first UE-to-UE positioning function at the first UE; in response to receiving the first UE-to-UE positioning trigger, transmit a first UE-to-UE position reference signal at a first transmission frequency; and in response to not receiving the first UE-to-UE positioning trigger, perform one of the following according to one or more two factors: transmit the first UE-to-UE position reference signal at a second transmission frequency, the second transmission frequency being lower than the first transmission frequency; or Abandon transmitting the first UE-to-UE position reference signal at the second transmission frequency; Or (2) Based on communicating with the second UE, determine characteristics of a second UE-to-UE position reference signal to be transmitted between the first UE and the second UE, where the characteristics of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal include timing parameters of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal to accommodate half-duplex communication performed by at least one of the first UE or the second UE, and where the timing parameters are at least one quantity of one or more symbols in a time slot to allow at least one of the first UE and the second UE to transition between half-duplex transmission and half-duplex reception; And Transmit the second UE-to-UE position reference signal between the first UE and the second UE.

16. The method according to claim 15, Wherein, The method includes determining characteristics of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal, and where the second UE-to-UE position reference signal occupies the same one or more symbols in each of a plurality of consecutive time slots.

17. The method according to claim 15, Wherein, The method includes determining characteristics of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal, and where the timing parameters include a silent mode of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal.

18. The method according to claim 15, Wherein, The method includes determining characteristics of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal, and where the characteristics of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal include a frequency range of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal.

19. The method according to claim 15, Wherein, The method includes using a sidelink channel to transmit a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for the second UE to cause the second UE to initiate a second UE-to-UE positioning function.

20. The method according to claim 15, Wherein, The method includes transmitting a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for the second UE to cause the second UE to initiate a second UE-to-UE positioning function, and where the second UE-to-UE positioning trigger includes the second UE-to-UE position reference signal.

21. The method according to claim 15, Wherein, The method includes transmitting a second UE-to-UE positioning trigger for the second UE to cause the second UE to initiate a second UE-to-UE positioning function, and where the second UE-to-UE positioning trigger includes at least one transmission parameter of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal, and the at least one transmission parameter includes at least one of timing, frequency, code sequence, or periodicity.

22. The method according to claim 15, Wherein, The method includes determining characteristics of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal, and where the characteristics of the second UE-to-UE position reference signal include at least one of a comb number, a quantity of one or more consecutive symbols, a code sequence, or a scrambling sequence.

23. The method according to claim 15, Wherein, Transmitting the second UE to UE position reference signal to a second UE includes transmitting the second UE to UE position reference signal to the second UE using a sidelink channel.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein, the second UE to UE position reference signal includes one of a sounding reference signal (SRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), or a non-SRS, non-CSI-RS interleaved reference signal.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising transmitting a capability message, the capability message indicating the first UE's capability to transmit the second UE to UE position reference signal as the SRS, the CSI-RS, or the non-SRS, non-CSI-RS interleaved reference signal.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein transmitting the second UE to UE position reference signal to a second UE includes transmitting the second UE to UE position reference signal using a half-π binary phase shift keying modulation.

27. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium including processor-readable instructions configured to cause a processor of a first user equipment (UE) to perform each step of the method according to any one of claims 1-13.

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