Method and apparatus for wireless communication, user equipment and base station

Abstract

In an aspect of the disclosure, a serving base station receives, from a UE, a measurement of a DL-RSTD related to a first TRP and a second TRP. The serving base station sends the DL-RSTD to a location management function, where the location management function also receives a first RTOA of a SRS to the first TRP and a second RTOA of the SRS to the second TRP. The serving base station receives, from the location management function, a relative time difference calculated based on the DL-RSTD, the first RTOA, and the second RTOA. The relative time difference indicates a synchronization error between the first TRP and the second TRP. By utilizing the present disclosure, wireless communication can be better.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 053,761, filed July 20, 2020, entitled “PROCEDURE TO ASSISTNETWORK FOR TRANSMISSION TIMING CALIBRATION FOR POSITIONING ACCURACY ENHANCEMENT”; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 131,827, filed December 30, 2020, entitled “PROCEDURE TO ASSISTNETWORK FOR TRANSMISSION TIMING CALIBRATION FOR POSITIONING ACCURACY ENHANCEMENT”, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates generally to communication systems, and more particularly to techniques for locating user equipment (UE). Background Technology

[0004] The statements in this section provide only background information in connection with this disclosure and should not be construed as prior art.

[0005] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide a variety of telecommunications services such as telephone, video, data, messaging, and broadcasting. Typical wireless communication systems employ multiple access technologies that enable communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources. Examples of multiple access technologies include: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) systems, Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) systems, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) systems, Single-Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) systems, and Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA) systems.

[0006] These multiple access technologies have been adopted by various telecommunications standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate at the city, national, regional, and even global levels. An example telecommunications standard is 5G New Radio (NR). 5G NR is part of the Continuous Mobile Broadband Evolution (CMB) initiative launched by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to meet new requirements associated with latency, reliability, security, scalability (e.g., leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT)), and other needs. Some aspects of 5G NR can be based on the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard. 5G NR technology requires further improvement. These improvements can also be applied to other multiple access technologies and telecommunications standards that adopt them. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The following is a simplified summary of one or more aspects of the invention to provide a basic understanding of these aspects. This summary is not a broad overview of all conceived aspects, nor is it intended to identify key or essential elements of all aspects, nor to depict the scope of any or all aspects. The sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a preamble to the more detailed description that follows.

[0008] In one aspect of this disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. In one aspect, the apparatus is a serving base station of a UE. The serving base station receives from the UE a measurement of the downlink reference signal time difference (DL-RSTD) relating to a first transmit reception point (TRP) and a second TRP. The serving base station transmits the DL-RSTD to a location management function, wherein the location management function also receives a first relative time of arrival (RTOA) of a sounding reference signal (SRS) arriving at the first TRP and a second RTOA of the SRS arriving at the second TRP. The serving base station receives from the location management function a relative time difference calculated based on the DL-RSTD, the first RTOA, and the second RTOA. The relative time difference indicates the synchronization error between the first TRP and the second TRP.

[0009] On the other hand, the device is a UE. The UE measures the DL-RSTD related to the first TRP and the second TRP based on the positioning reference signal (PRS) received from the first TRP and the second TRP. The UE transmits an SRS. The UE receives from its serving base station the difference between the first RTOA of the SRS reaching the first TRP and the second RTOA of the SRS reaching the second TRP. The UE calculates the relative time difference based on the DL-RSTD and the difference between the first RTOA and the second RTOA. The relative time difference indicates the synchronization error between the first TRP and the second TRP.

[0010] In another aspect, the device is the serving base station of the UE. The serving base station receives from the UE the measurement results of the DL-RSTD related to the first TRP and the second TRP. The serving base station obtains the first RTOA of the SRS reaching the first TRP. The serving base station obtains the second RTOA of the SRS reaching the second TRP. The serving base station sends to the UE one of the following: (a) the first RTOA and the second RTOA, (b) the difference between the first RTOA and the second RTOA, and (c) the relative time difference calculated based on the DL-RSTD and the difference between the first RTOA and the second RTOA. The relative time difference indicates the synchronization error between the first TRP and the second TRP.

[0011] By utilizing this invention, wireless communication can be improved.

[0012] To accomplish the foregoing and related objectives, the one or more aspects include the features fully described below and specifically pointed out in the claims. The following description and drawings illustrate certain exemplary features of the one or more aspects in detail. However, these features merely indicate a few of the various ways in which the principles that the aspects may be adopted, and this description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and an access network.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating communication between a base station and a UE in an access network.

[0015] Figure 3 An example logical architecture for a distributed access network is illustrated.

[0016] Figure 4 An example physical architecture for a distributed access network is illustrated.

[0017] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a subframe centered on the following downlink (DL).

[0018] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a subframe centered on the uplink (UL).

[0019] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication between two TRPs and UE 704.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the timing of the DL time slot.

[0021] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the timing of UL time slots.

[0022] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the first positioning technology.

[0023] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the second positioning technology.

[0024] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the third positioning technology.

[0025] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the transmission between a group of UEs and a group of TRPs.

[0026] Figure 14 This is a flowchart 1400 for a method (process) used to determine relative time differences.

[0027] Figure 15 This is flowchart 1400, which is another method (process) for determining relative time differences.

[0028] Figure 16 This is flowchart 1400, which is another method (process) for determining relative time differences.

[0029] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the hardware implementation of a device employing a processing system.

[0030] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the hardware implementation of a device employing a processing system. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The specific embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are intended as descriptions of various configurations, and not as representations of the only configurations in which the concepts described in this invention can be practiced. These specific embodiments include detailed descriptions intended to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that these concepts can be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring these concepts.

[0032] The following sections will present various aspects of a telecommunications system with reference to different devices and methods. These devices and methods are described in the following detailed embodiments and illustrated in the accompanying drawings through various frames, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively, “elements”). These elements can be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether these elements are implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0033] For example, an element, or any part of an element, or any combination of elements, can be implemented as a "processing system" including one or more processors. Examples of processors include: microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, systems on a chip (SoCs), baseband processors, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functions described in this invention. One or more processors in the processing system can execute software. Software can be broadly interpreted as instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subroutines, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, processes, functions, etc., regardless of whether it is called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or something else.

[0034] Therefore, in one or more example aspects, the described function can be implemented using hardware, software, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the function can be stored as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium, or encoded as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer storage media. Storage media can be any available medium accessible by a computer. For example, such computer-readable media can include, but is not limited to: random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disc storage devices, magnetic disk storage devices, other magnetic storage devices, combinations of computer-readable media of the foregoing types, or any other medium that can be used to store computer-executable code in the form of instructions or data structures accessible by a computer.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and access network 100. The wireless communication system (also known as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) includes: base station 102, UE 104, Evolved Packet Core (EPC) 160, and another core network 190 (e.g., a 5G Core (5GC)). Base station 102 may include macro cells (high-power cellular base stations) and / or small cells (low-power cellular base stations). Macro cells include base stations. Small cells include femtocells, picocells, and microcells.

[0036] Base station 102 configured for 4G LTE (collectively referred to as Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access Network, E-UTRAN) can interact with EPC 160 via backhaul link 132 (e.g., SI interface). Base station 102 configured for 5G NR (collectively referred to as Next Generation RAN, NG-RAN) can interact with core network 190 via backhaul link 184. In addition to other functions, base station 102 may perform one or more of the following functions: transmitting user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, non-access stratum (NAS) message distribution, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network (RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), user and equipment tracking, RAN information management (RIM), paging, location, and warning message delivery. Base stations 102 may communicate directly or indirectly (e.g., via EPC 160 or core network 190) with each other via backhaul link 134 (e.g., X2 interface). Backhaul link 134 may be wired or wireless.

[0037] Base station 102 can wirelessly communicate with UE 104. Each base station in base station 102 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110. There may be overlapping geographic coverage areas 110. For example, small cell 102' may have a coverage area 110' that overlaps with the coverage areas 110 of one or more macro base stations 102. A network that includes both small cells and macro cells can be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include Home Evolved Node B (HeNB), which can provide services to a restricted group called a closed subscriber group (CSG). The communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 104 may include uplink (UL) (also referred to as reverse link) transmission from UE 104 to base station 102 and / or downlink (DL) (also referred to as forward link) transmission from base station 102 to UE 104. Communication link 120 may use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technologies including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link may use one or more carriers. Base station 102 / UE 104 may use a spectrum with a bandwidth of up to 7 MHz per carrier (e.g., 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, 20 MHz, 100 MHz, 400 MHz, etc.), which may be allocated by carrier aggregation for transmission in each direction up to a total of Yx MHz (x component carriers). Carriers may be adjacent to each other or may not be adjacent. Carrier allocation may be asymmetrical with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated to DL than to UL). Component carriers may include primary component carriers and one or more secondary component carriers. The primary component carrier may be referred to as the primary cell (PCell), and the secondary component carriers may be referred to as secondary cells (SCells).

[0038] Some UEs 104 can communicate with each other using device-to-device (D2D) communication links 158. D2D communication links 158 can use DL / ULWWAN spectrum. D2D communication links 158 can use one or more sidelink channels, such as the physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH), physical sidelink discovery channel (PSDCH), physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), and physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH). D2D communication can be achieved through various wireless D2D communication systems, such as FlashLinQ, WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, LTE, or NR.

[0039] The wireless communication system may also include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 that communicates with a Wi-Fi station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154 using unlicensed 5 GHz spectrum. When communicating using unlicensed spectrum, the STA 152 / AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) before communication to determine whether the channel is available.

[0040] Cell 102' can operate on licensed and / or unlicensed spectrum. When operating on unlicensed spectrum, cell 102' can employ NR and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum as used by Wi-FiAP 150. Employing NR in unlicensed spectrum can improve the coverage and / or increase the capacity of the access network.

[0041] Base station 102 (whether it is a small cell 102' or a large-area (e.g., a macro base station)) may include: eNB, gNodeB (gNB), or other types of base stations. Some base stations (such as gNB 180) may operate in the conventional sub-6GHz spectrum, millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies, and / or near-mmW frequencies when communicating with UE 104. When gNB 180 operates at mmW or near-mmW frequencies, gNB 180 may be referred to as an mmW base station. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is a portion of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range of 30GHz to 300GHz and wavelengths between 1mm and 10mm. Radio waves in this band may be referred to as millimeter waves. Near-mmW can extend down to frequencies of 3GHz with wavelengths of 100mm. The ultra-high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3GHz and 30GHz, also known as centimeter waves. Communication using mmW / near mmW radio frequency bands (e.g., 3 GHz to 300 GHz) has extremely high path loss and short range. mmW base station 180 can utilize beamforming 182 with UE 104 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range.

[0042] Base station 180 can transmit beamformed signals to UE 104 in one or more transmit directions 108a. UE 104 can receive beamformed signals from base station 180 in one or more receive directions 108b. UE 104 can also transmit beamformed signals to base station 180 in one or more transmit directions. Base station 180 can receive beamformed signals from UE 104 in one or more receive directions. Base station 180 / UE 104 can perform beam training to determine the optimal receive and transmit directions for each of base station 180 / UE 104. The transmit and receive directions of base station 180 can be the same or different. The transmit and receive directions of UE 104 can be the same or different.

[0043] EPC 160 may include: a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 164, a Serving Gateway 166, a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) Gateway 168, a Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC) 170, and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway 172. MME 162 can communicate with the Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. MME 162 is the control node that handles signaling between UE 104 and EPC 160. Typically, MME 162 provides carrier and connection management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are transmitted through the Serving Gateway 166 (which itself is connected to the PDN Gateway 172). PDN Gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. PDN Gateway 172 and BM-SC 170 are connected to IP Service 176. IP service 176 may include the Internet, enterprise intranet, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), packet-switched (PS) streaming services, and / or other IP services. BM-SC 170 can provide functions for MBMS user service provisioning and delivery. BM-SC 170 can serve as an entry point for content provider MBMS transmissions, can be used to authorize and initiate MBMS bearer services within a public land mobile network (PLMN), and can be used to schedule MBMS transmissions. MBMS gateway 168 can be used to allocate MBMS traffic to base station 102 in a Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area belonging to a broadcast-specific service, and can be responsible for session management (start / stop) and collecting eMBMS-related billing information.

[0044] The core network 190 may include: Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, Session Management Function (SMF) 194, and User Plane Function (UPF) 195. AMF 192 can communicate with Unified Data Management (UDM) 196. AMF 192 is the control node that processes signaling between UE 104 and the core network 190. Typically, SMF 194 provides Quality of Service (QoS) streaming and session management. All user IP packets are transmitted via UPF 195. UPF 195 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. UPF 195 is connected to IP service 197. IP service 197 may include the Internet, corporate intranet, IMS, PS streaming service, and / or other IP services.

[0045] A base station may also be referred to as a gNB, Node B, eNB, access point, basic transceiver station, radio base station, radio transceiver, transceiver function, basic service set (BSS), extended serviceset (ESS), transmit reception point (TRP), or any other suitable term. Base station 102 provides UE 104 with access to EPC 160 or core network 190. Examples of UE 104 include: cellular phones, smartphones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), satellite radios, global positioning systems, multimedia devices, video devices, digital audio players (e.g., MP3 players), cameras, game consoles, tablet computers, smart devices, wearable devices, vehicles, meters, air pumps, large or small kitchen appliances, healthcare devices, implants, sensors / actuators, displays, or any other similar functional devices. Some UEs in UE 104 may be referred to as IoT devices (e.g., parking timers, air pumps, ovens, vehicles, heart monitors, etc.). UE 104 may also be referred to as a station, mobile station, user station, mobile unit, user unit, radio unit, remote unit, mobile device, radio device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile user station, access terminal, mobile terminal, radio terminal, remote terminal, mobile phone, user agent, mobile client, client, or any other suitable term.

[0046] Although this invention may refer to 5G New Radio (NR), it is applicable to other similar fields such as LTE, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), or other wireless / radio access technologies.

[0047] Figure 2This is a block diagram illustrating communication between base station 210 and UE 250 in the access network. In the DL, IP packets from core network 160 can be provided to controller / processor 275. Controller / processor 275 implements Layer 3 and Layer 2 functions. Layer 3 includes the radio resource control (RRC) layer, and Layer 2 includes the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, radio link control (RLC) layer, and medium access control (MAC) layer. The controller / processor 275 provides: RRC layer functions associated with broadcast system information (e.g., MIB, SIB), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), mobility between radio access technologies (RATs), and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression, security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functions associated with upper-layer packet data unit (PDU) delivery, error correction via automatic repeat request (ARQ), concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MACSDUs to transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing from TBs to MAC SDUs, scheduling information reporting, and hybrid automatic repeat requests. The MAC layer functions related to HARQ (Hardware Request) error correction, priority handling, and logical channel priority.

[0048] The transmit (TX) processor 216 and receive (RX) processor 270 implement Layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, including the physical (PHY) layer, may include: error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. The TX processor 216 processes the mapping to the quadrature phase-shift keying (constellation) based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK), M-phase-shift keying (M-PSK), and M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The encoded and modulated symbols can then be split into parallel streams. The individual streams can then be mapped to OFDM subcarriers, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., a pilot) in the time and / or frequency domains, and then combined using an inverse fast fourier transform (IFFT) to generate a physical channel carrying the time-domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM streams are spatially precoded to generate multiple spatial streams. The channel estimate from channel estimator 274 can be used to determine the coding and modulation scheme, as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimate can be derived based on the reference signal and / or channel condition feedback transmitted by UE 250. The individual spatial streams can then be provided to different antennas 220 via separate transmitters 218TX. Each transmitter 218TX can use the corresponding spatial stream to modulate an RF carrier for transmission.

[0049] At UE 250, each receiver 254RX receives signals through its corresponding antenna 252. Each receiver 254RX recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides this information to the RX processor 256. The TX processor 268 and the RX processor 256 implement Layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. The RX processor 256 can perform spatial processing on this information to recover any spatial stream destined for UE 250. If multiple spatial streams are destined for UE 250, they can be combined by the RX processor 256 into a single OFDM symbol stream. The RX processor 256 then uses a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to transform the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain. The frequency domain signal includes individual OFDM symbol streams for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each subcarrier, as well as the reference signal, are recovered and demodulated by determining the most probable signal constellation point transmitted by base station 210. These soft decisions can be based on a channel estimate calculated by channel estimator 258. The soft decision is then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally transmitted by base station 210 on the physical channel. This data and control signals are then provided to controller / processor 259, which implements the functions of layer 3 and layer 2.

[0050] The controller / processor 259 can be associated with a memory 260 that stores program code and data. The memory 260 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 259 provides demultiplexing, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing between transport and logical channels to recover IP packets from the core network 160. The controller / processor 259 is also responsible for error detection using ACK and / or NACK protocols to support HARQ operation.

[0051] Similar to the functions described in the DL transmission combined with base station 210, controller / processor 259 provides: RRC layer functions associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connection, and measurement result reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functions associated with upper-layer PDU transmission, error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs to TBs, demultiplexing of TBs to MAC SDUs, scheduling information reporting, error correction via HARQ, priority processing, and logical channel priority.

[0052] The channel estimate derived by channel estimator 258 from the reference signal or feedback transmitted by base station 210 can be used by TX processor 268 to select appropriate coding and modulation schemes and facilitate spatial processing. The spatial stream generated by TX processor 268 can be provided to different antennas 252 via individual transmitters 254TX. Each transmitter 254TX can use the corresponding spatial stream to modulate an RF carrier for transmission. UL transmission is processed at base station 210 in a manner similar to that described in conjunction with the receiver function at UE 250. Each receiver 218RX receives signals through its corresponding antenna 220. Each receiver 218RX recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides this information to RX processor 270.

[0053] The controller / processor 275 can be associated with a memory 276 that stores program code and data. The memory 276 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 275 provides demultiplexing, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing between transport and logical channels to recover IP packets from the UE 250. IP packets from the controller / processor 275 can be provided to the core network 160. The controller / processor 275 is also responsible for error detection using ACK and / or NACK protocols to support HARQ operation.

[0054] NR can refer to a radio configured to operate under a new air interface (e.g., an air interface other than Orthogonal Frequency Divisional Multiple Access (OFDMA)) or a fixed transport layer (e.g., other than Internet Protocol (IP)). NR can utilize OFDM with a cyclic prefix (CP) on both the uplink and downlink, and can include support for half-duplex operation using time division duplexing (TDD). NR can include: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) services targeting wide bandwidth (e.g., exceeding 80 MHz), mmW targeting high carrier frequencies (e.g., 60 GHz), massive MTC (mMTC) targeting non-backward-compatible MTC technologies, and / or mission-critical services targeting ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC).

[0055] It can support a single component carrier bandwidth of 100MHz. In one example, an NR resource block (RB) can span 12 subcarriers, where the subcarrier bandwidth is 60kHz for a duration of 0.125ms, or 15kHz for a duration of 0.5ms. Each radio frame can consist of 20 or 80 subframes (or NR slots), with each subframe being 10ms long. Each subframe can indicate the link direction of data transmission (i.e., DL or UL), and the link direction of each subframe can be dynamically switched. Each subframe can include DL / UL data and DL / UL control data. NR UL and DL subframes can be referenced as follows. Figure 5 and Figure 6 To describe in more detail.

[0056] NR RAN can include a central unit (CU) and distributed units (DU). NR base stations (BS) (e.g., gNB, 5G Node B, Node B, Transmission Reception Point (TRP), AP) can correspond to one or more BSs. NR cells can be configured as access cells (ACells) or data-only cells (DCells). For example, the RAN (e.g., central or distributed units) can configure these cells. DCells can be cells used for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity and may not be used for initial access, cell selection / reselection, or handover. In some cases, DCells may not transmit synchronization signals (SS); in others, they may transmit SS. NR BSs can transmit downlink signals indicating the cell type to the UE. Based on the cell type indication, the UE can communicate with the NR BS. For example, the UE can determine the NR BS used for considering cell selection, access, handover, and / or measurement based on the indicated cell type.

[0057] Figure 3An example logical architecture of a distributed RAN 300 according to various aspects of the present invention is illustrated. A 5G access node 306 may include an access node controller (ANC) 302. The ANC may be the central unit (CU) of the distributed RAN. The backhaul interface of the next-generation core network (NG-CN) 404 may terminate at the ANC. The backhaul interface of the adjacent next-generation access (NG-AN) 310 may terminate at the ANC. The ANC may include one or more TRPs 308 (which may also be referred to as BS, NR BS, Node B, 5G NB, AP, or some other term). As mentioned above, TRP can be used interchangeably with "cell".

[0058] TRP 308 can be a distributed unit (DU). A TRP can be connected to one ANC (ANC302) or more ANCs (not illustrated). For example, for RAN sharing, radio as a service (RaaS), and service-dedicated ANC deployments, the TRP can be connected to more than one ANC. A TRP can include one or more antenna ports. A TRP can be configured to provide traffic to the UE individually (e.g., dynamically selected) or jointly (e.g., jointly transmitted).

[0059] The local architecture of the distributed RAN 300 can be used to illustrate a fronthaul definition. This architecture can be defined to support fronthaul solutions across different deployment types. For example, the architecture can be based on transmit network capabilities (e.g., bandwidth, latency, and / or jitter). The architecture can share features and / or components with LTE. Depending on various aspects, the next-generation AN (NG-AN) 310 can support dual connectivity with NR. The NG-AN can share common fronthaul for both LTE and NR.

[0060] This architecture enables collaboration between and within TRPs 308. For example, collaboration can be pre-configured within and / or across TRPs via ANC 302. Depending on the circumstances, inter-TRP interfaces may not be required or present.

[0061] Depending on various factors, the dynamic configuration of separate logical functions can exist within the architecture of the distributed RAN 300. PDCP, RLC, and MAC protocols can be adaptively placed at the ANC or TRP.

[0062] Figure 4 An example physical architecture of a distributed RAN 400 according to various aspects of the present invention is illustrated. A centralized core network unit (C-CU) 402 may host core network functions. The C-CU may be centrally deployed. C-CU functions may be offloaded (e.g., to advanced wireless services (AWS)) to handle peak capacity. A centralized RAN unit (C-RU) 404 may host one or more ANC functions. Optionally, the C-RU may host core network functions locally. The C-RU may have a distributed deployment. The C-RU may be located closer to the network edge. A distributed unit (DU) 506 may host one or more TRPs. The DU may be located at the network edge with radio frequency (RF) capabilities.

[0063] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram 500 illustrating an example of a subframe centered on the DL (Depth-Low) frame. The DL-centered subframe may include a control section 502. The control section 502 may be present in the initial or beginning portion of the DL-centered subframe. The control section 502 may include various scheduling and / or control information corresponding to the various portions of the DL-centered subframe. In some configurations, such as in... Figure 5 As indicated, control portion 502 may be a physical DL control channel (PDCCH). The DL-centric subframe may also include a DL data portion 504. DL data portion 504 may sometimes be referred to as the payload of the DL-centric subframe. DL data portion 504 may include communication resources used to transmit DL data from a scheduling entity (e.g., UE or BS) to a lower-level entity (e.g., UE). In some configurations, DL data portion 504 may be a physical DL shared channel (PDSCH).

[0064] The DL-centered subframe may also include a common UL portion 506. The common UL portion 506 may sometimes be referred to as a UL burst, a common UL burst, and / or various other suitable terms. The common UL portion 506 may include feedback information corresponding to other portions of the DL-centered subframe. For example, the common UL portion 506 may include feedback information corresponding to the control portion 502. Non-limiting examples of feedback information may include: ACK signals, NACK signals, HARQ indicators, and / or various other suitable types of information. The common UL portion 506 may include additional or alternative information, such as information related to the random access channel (RACH) procedure, scheduling requests (SR), and various other suitable types of information.

[0065] like Figure 5 As illustrated, the end of the DL data portion 504 may be temporally separated from the beginning of the common UL portion 506. This temporal separation may sometimes be referred to as a gap, guard period, guard interval, and / or various other suitable terms. This separation provides the time for switching from DL communication (e.g., reception operation of a lower-level entity (e.g., UE)) to UL communication (e.g., transmission of a lower-level entity (e.g., UE)). Those skilled in the art will understand that the foregoing is merely an example of a DL-centric subframe, and alternative structures with similar features may exist without departing from the aspects described in this invention.

[0066] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram 600 illustrating an example of a UL-centered subframe. The UL-centered subframe may include a control section 602. The control section 602 may be present in the initial or beginning portion of the UL-centered subframe. Figure 6 The control section 602 in the above reference can be similar to the one mentioned above. Figure 5 The control portion 502 is described. The UL-centric subframe may also include a UL data portion 604. The UL data portion 604 may sometimes be referred to as the payload of the UL-centric subframe. The UL portion may refer to a communication resource used to transmit UL data from a lower-level entity (e.g., the UE) to a scheduling entity (e.g., the UE or the BS). In some configurations, the control portion 602 may be a physical DL control channel (PDCCH).

[0067] like Figure 6As illustrated, the end of control section 602 may be temporally separated from the beginning of UL data section 604. This temporal separation may sometimes be referred to as a gap, protection period, protection interval, and / or various other suitable terms. This separation provides the time for switching from DL communication (e.g., receiving operations of a scheduling entity) to UL communication (e.g., transmitting operations of a scheduling entity). UL-centric subframes may also include common UL section 606. Figure 6 The public UL section 606 in the above reference can be similar to the above. Figure 5 The common UL portion 506 is described. The common UL portion 606 may additionally or alternatively include information regarding the channel quality indicator (CQI), the sounding reference signal (SRS), and various other suitable types of information. Those skilled in the art will understand that the foregoing is merely an example of a UL-centered subframe, and alternative structures with similar features may exist without departing from the aspects described in this invention.

[0068] In some cases, two or more subordinate entities (e.g., UEs) can communicate with each other using sidelink signaling. Real-world applications of this sidelink communication can include: public safety, proximity services, UE-to-network relay, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, Internet of Everything (IOE) communication, IoT communication, mission-critical mesh, and / or various other suitable applications. Generally, sidelink signaling can refer to a signal transmitted from one subordinate entity (e.g., UE1) to another next-next entity (e.g., UE2) without requiring relaying of the communication by a scheduling entity (e.g., UE or BS), even if that scheduling entity may be used for scheduling and / or control purposes. In some examples, licensed spectrum (unlike WLANs that typically use unlicensed spectrum) can be used to transmit sidelink signals.

[0069] Figure 7This is a schematic diagram 700 illustrating communication between two TRPs (i.e., TRP 712 and TRP 716) and UE 704. TRP 712 and TRP 716 may be associated with the same base station or different base stations. When using downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA) positioning technology, UE 704 measures several downlink reference signal time difference (DL-RSTD) values. Each DL-RSTD corresponds to the reception time difference between the two TRPs. For example, when TRP 712 and TRP 716 each transmit a set of PRS at the same time point, the time difference between UE 704 receiving the PRS from TRP 712 and TRP 716 is the DL-RSTD.

[0070] In this example, under the instruction of the base station, TRP 712 transmits a set of PRS at time T1. Due to synchronization error (relative time difference), TRP 716 transmits a set of PRS at time T2, where T2 = (T1 + ΔT), and ΔT is the synchronization error (relative time difference).

[0071] The propagation delay from TRP 712 to UE 704 is td1. The propagation delay from TRP 716 to UE 704 is td2. Therefore, UE 704 receives the PRS from TRP 712 at time (T1+td1) and from TRP 716 at time (T2+td2). Therefore, the DL-RSTD measured at UE 704 is (T1+td1)-(T2+td2)=(td1-td2)+(T1-T2)=(td1-td2)-ΔT.

[0072] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram 800 illustrating the timing of DL time slots. In this example, TRP 712 and TRP 716 each transmit modulation symbols (including PRS) in DL time slots N to N+3. Due to the synchronization error (relative time difference) between TRP 712 and TRP 716, the starting boundary of time slot 824 (which is DL time slot N transmitted from TRP 716) is ΔT after the starting boundary of time slot 822 (which is DL time slot N transmitted from TRP 712).

[0073] UE 704 detects the arrival time of time slot 822 at time point T3, while the arrival time of time slot 824 is at time point T4. The propagation delay from TRP 712 to UE 704 is td1. The propagation delay from TRP 716 to UE 704 is td2.

[0074] The UE 704 measures the time difference between time point T3 and time point T4, i.e., DL-RSTD. As described above, DL-RSTD is td1-td2-ΔT.

[0075] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram 900 illustrating the timing of UL time slots. TRP 712 and TRP 716 are each configured with UL structures including UL time slots N to N+3. Due to the synchronization error (relative time difference) described above, time slot 924 (which is UL time slot N configured for TRP 716) is ΔT after time slot 922 (which is UL time slot N configured for TRP 712).

[0076] UE 704 transmits SRS in slot 930, corresponding to UL slot N+1. UE 704 begins transmitting in slot 930 at T10, which is configured based on the timing advance associated with UE 704's serving TRP. TRP 712 receives the transmission occurring in slot 930 in slot 932'. In a specific example, TRP 712 is UE 704's serving TRP. Therefore, slot 932' can be aligned with slot 932, which is UL slot N+1 configured at TRP 712. That is, the start boundary of slot 932 and the arrival time of slot 932' are at T11. The time difference between time point T10 and time point T11 is the propagation delay time td1.

[0077] TRP 716 receives the transmission that occurred in time slot 930 in time slot 934'. The arrival time of time slot 934' is at T12. The starting boundary of time slot 934 (which is UL time slot N+1 configured at TRP 716) is at T11' before T12. The time difference between time point T10 and time point T12 is the propagation delay time td2.

[0078] Therefore, the relative time of arrival (RTOA) can be determined. RTOA#1 at TRP 712, referring to the starting boundary of UL time slot N+1, is the time difference between the starting boundaries of time slot 932 and time slot 932', and is 0. RTOA#2 at TRP 716, referring to the starting boundary of UL time slot N+1, is the time difference between the starting boundaries of time slot 934 and time slot 934', and is (td2 - td1 - ΔT).

[0079] Furthermore, UL-RSTD is defined as (RTOA#1-RTOA#2), which is 0-(td2-td1-ΔT)=td1-td2+ΔT. Additionally, as described above, DL-RSTD=td1-td2-ΔT. Therefore, UL-RSTD+DL-RSTD=2*(td1-td2); UL-RSTD-DL-RSTD=2*ΔT. Thus, both (td1-td2) and ΔT can be estimated.

[0080] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram 1000 illustrating a first positioning technology. Base station 1002 and its neighboring base stations 1006 and 1008 communicate with each other and also with AMF 1050. AMF 1050 communicates with location management function (LMF) 1054. Communication can utilize NAS messages. Furthermore, base station 1002 operates TRP 1012. Base station 1006 operates TRP 1016. Base station 1008 operates TRP 1018.

[0081] In this first positioning technique, for example, base station 1002 configures UE 1004 (e.g., via RRC message) to send SRS to TRP 1012 and the TRPs of neighboring base stations. Furthermore, TRP 1012 and the TRPs of neighboring base stations send PRS to UE 1004.

[0082] Similar to the reference above Figure 7 As described, UE 1004 detects the PRS transmitted from TRP 1012 and the PRS transmitted from TRP 1016. Therefore, UE 1004 can measure the DL-RSTD corresponding to TRP 1012 and TRP 1016. Specifically, the DL-RSTD can be represented as td1-td2-ΔT as described above, where td1 is the propagation delay time between TRP 1012 and UE 1004, td2 is the propagation delay time between TRP 1016 and UE 1004, and ΔT is the synchronization error (relative time difference) between TRP 1012 and TRP 1016. UE 1004 transmits the measured DL-RSTD to its serving base station, i.e., base station 1002, which then transmits the DL-RSTD to LMF 1054 via AMF 1050. The DL-RSTD measurement results are timestamped.

[0083] Furthermore, as described above, UE 1004 is configured to send SRS or other uplink reference signals to TRPs surrounding UE 1004. Therefore, TRP 1012 receives SRS from UE 1004, and similarly as described above... Figure 9As described, the RTOA measurement of SRS is performed based on a reference time configured via NR Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa) or other suitable protocol. TRP 1012 sends its measured RTOA#1 to base station 1002, which forwards the RTOA#1 with the corresponding timestamp to LMF 1054 via AMF 1050.

[0084] Similarly, TRP 1016 detects the SRS sent from UE 1004 and measures RTOA#2, then sends RTOA#2 to base station 1006. Base station 1006 forwards RTOA#2 with the corresponding timestamp to LMF 1054 via AMF 1050.

[0085] Therefore, LMF 1054 can receive DL-RSTD with respect to TRP 1012 and TRP 1016. LMF 1054 can also receive RTOA#1 measured at TRP 1012 and RTOA#2 measured at TRP 1016.

[0086] Therefore, the LMF 1054 can be used with reference to the above. Figure 9 The described technique manipulates DL-RSTD and UL-RSTD to estimate the synchronization error (relative time difference) ΔT between TRP 1012 and TRP 1016. Furthermore, the drift rate of ΔT can be tracked.

[0087] LMF 1054 transmits the estimated ΔT and corresponding drift rate to base station 1002 via AMF 1050. Base station 1002 can transmit ΔT and drift rate with corresponding timestamps to UE 1004 as a closed-loop mechanism for mitigating network synchronization errors. LMF 1054 can also transmit the synchronization error (relative time difference) between TRP 1012 and TRP 1016 to other UEs managed by AMF 1050.

[0088] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram 1100 illustrating a second positioning technology. Base station 1102 and its neighboring base stations 1106 and 1108 communicate with each other and also with AMF 1150. AMF 1150 communicates with LMF 1154. Communication can utilize NAS messages. Furthermore, base station 1102 operates TRP 1112. Base station 1106 operates TRP 1116. Base station 1108 operates TRP 1118.

[0089] In this second positioning technique, for example, base station 1102 configures UE 1104 (e.g., via RRC messages) to send SRS to TRP 1112 and the TRPs of neighboring base stations. Furthermore, TRP 1112 and the TRPs of neighboring base stations send PRS to UE 1104.

[0090] Similar to the reference above Figure 7 As described, in one example, UE 1104 detects the PRS transmitted from TRP 1112 and the PRS transmitted from TRP 1116. Therefore, UE 1104 can measure the DL-RSTD corresponding to TRP 1112 and TRP 1116. Specifically, the DL-RSTD can be expressed as td1-td2-ΔT as described above, where td1 is the propagation delay time between TRP 1112 and UE 1104, td2 is the propagation delay time between TRP 1116 and UE 1104, and ΔT is the synchronization error (relative time difference) between TRP 1112 and TRP 1116.

[0091] Furthermore, as described above, UE 1104 is configured to send SRS or other uplink reference signals to TRPs surrounding UE 1104. Therefore, TRP 1112 receives SRS from UE 1104, and similarly as described above... Figure 9 As described, the RTOA measurement of SRS is performed based on a reference time configured via NRPPa or other suitable protocol. TRP1112 sends its measured RTOA#1 to base station 1102.

[0092] Similarly, TRP 1116 detects the SRS sent from UE 1104 and measures RTOA#2, and sends RTOA#2 to base station 1106. Base station 1106 determines that the serving base station of UE 1104 is base station 1102, and therefore forwards RTOA#2 with the corresponding timestamp to base station 1102 via, for example, the Xn interface.

[0093] Therefore, base station 1102 can receive RTOA#1 measured at TRP 1112 and RTOA#2 measured at TRP 1116. Therefore, base station 1102 can determine the above-mentioned reference. Figure 9 The UL-RSTD described is (i.e., td1-td2+ΔT). Base station 1102 also sends the UL-RSTD to UE 1104 via TRP 1112.

[0094] UE 1104 obtains DL-RSTD and UL-RSTD. Therefore, UE 1104 can use the reference above. Figure 9The described technique for manipulating DL-RSTD and UL-RSTD is used to estimate the synchronization error (relative time difference) ΔT between TRP 1112 and TRP 1116. Furthermore, the drift rate of ΔT between TRP 1112 and TRP 1116 can be obtained from the observation period.

[0095] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram 1200 illustrating a third positioning technology. Base station 1202 and its neighboring base stations 1206 and 1208 communicate with each other and also with AMF 1250. AMF 1250 communicates with LMF 1254. Communication can utilize NAS messages. Furthermore, base station 1202 operates TRP 1212. Base station 1206 operates TRP 1216. Base station 1208 operates TRP 1218.

[0096] In this third positioning technique, for example, base station 1202 configures UE 1204 (e.g., via RRC message) to send SRS to TRP 1212 and the TRPs of neighboring base stations. Furthermore, TRP 1212 and the TRPs of neighboring base stations send PRS to UE 1204.

[0097] Similar to the reference above Figure 7 As described, in one example, UE 1204 detects the PRS transmitted from TRP 1212 and the PRS transmitted from TRP 1216. Therefore, UE 1204 can measure the DL-RSTD corresponding to TRP 1212 and TRP 1216. Specifically, the DL-RSTD can be expressed as td1-td2-ΔT as described above, where td1 is the propagation delay time between TRP 1212 and UE 1204, td2 is the propagation delay time between TRP 1216 and UE 1204, and ΔT is the synchronization error (relative time difference) between TRP 1212 and TRP 1216.

[0098] Furthermore, as described above, UE 1204 is configured to send SRS or other uplink reference signals to TRPs surrounding UE 1204. Therefore, TRP 1212 receives SRS from UE 1204, and similarly as described above... Figure 9 As described, the SRS RTOA measurement is performed based on a reference time configured via NRPPa or other suitable protocol. TRP1212 sends its measured RTOA#1 to base station 1202, which forwards the RTOA#1 with the corresponding timestamp to LMF 1254 via AMF 1250.

[0099] Similarly, TRP 1216 detects the SRS sent from UE 1204 and measures RTOA#2, then sends RTOA#2 to base station 1206. Base station 1206 forwards RTOA#2 with the corresponding timestamp to LMF 1254 via AMF 1250.

[0100] Therefore, LMF 1254 can receive RTOA#1 measured at TRP 1212 and RTOA#2 measured at TRP 1216. Therefore, LMF 1254 can determine the above reference. Figure 9 The UL-RSTD described is (i.e., td1-td2+ΔT). The LMF1254 can send the UL-RSTD to the base station 1202 via the AMF 1250, which also sends the UL-RSTD to the UE 1204 via the TRP 1212.

[0101] UE 1204 obtains DL-RSTD and UL-RSTD. Therefore, UE 1204 can use the reference above. Figure 9 The described technique for manipulating DL-RSTD and UL-RSTD is used to estimate the synchronization error (relative time difference) ΔT between TRP 1212 and TRP 1216. Furthermore, the drift rate of ΔT between TRP 1212 and TRP 1216 can be obtained from the observation period.

[0102] In some configurations, UE 1204 can send the estimated synchronization error (relative time difference) to base station 1202, which forwards the synchronization error (relative time difference) to LMF 1254 via AMF 1250. LMF 1254 can then send the synchronization error (relative time difference) between TRP 1212 and TRP 1216 to other UEs managed by AMF 1250.

[0103] Figure 13This is a schematic diagram 1300 illustrating the transmission between a group of UEs, including UE 1304-1, ..., UE 1304-4, and a group of TRPs, including TRP 1312 and TRP 1316. In downlink transmission, TRP 1312 and TRP 1316 periodically transmit PRS, for example, the period could be a time period P (e.g., 160ms). Since the synchronization error (relative time difference) between TRP 1312 and TRP 1316 is the same for all UEs 1304-1, ..., UE 1304-4, UEs 1304-1, ..., UE 1304-4 can take turns transmitting SRS on the uplink to combine downlink measurements used for synchronization error estimation at the location server (LMF). Therefore, uplink SRS overhead can be reduced. The estimated synchronization error (relative time difference) can be used to correct the DL-RSTD measurement results reported by each UE in UE 1304-1, ..., UE 1304-4.

[0104] In this example, at T1, only UE 1304-1 (and not the other UEs) sends an SRS. At T2, each UE from UE 1304-1 to UE 1304-4 reports its corresponding DL-RSTD report to its respective serving base station. At T1+P, only UE 1304-2 (and not the other UEs) sends an SRS. At T2+P, each UE from UE 1304-1 to UE 1304-4 reports its corresponding DL-RSTD report to its respective serving base station.

[0105] Figure 14 This is a flowchart 1400 of a method (process) for determining a relative time difference. This method can be performed by the serving base station of the UE (e.g., base station 1002). In operation 1402, the serving base station receives from the UE the measurement results of the DL-RSTD related to the first TRP and the second TRP. In operation 1404, the serving base station sends the DL-RSTD to the location management function. The location management function also receives the first RTOA measurement result of the SRS reaching the first TRP and the second RTOA measurement result of the SRS reaching the second TRP. In operation 1406, the serving base station receives from the location management function a relative time difference calculated based on the DL-RSTD, the first RTOA, and the second RTOA. This relative time difference indicates the synchronization error between the first TRP and the second TRP. In some configurations, the location management function sends the relative time difference to one or more base stations near the serving base station. Furthermore, a nearby base station can send the relative time difference to the UE served by that nearby base station. In operation 1408, the serving base station sends the relative time difference indicating the synchronization error to the UE.

[0106] Figure 15This is a flowchart 1500 of a method (process) for determining a relative time difference. This method can be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 704, UE 1004, UE 1104, UE 1204, and UE 1304-1, ..., UE 1304-4). In operation 1502, the UE measures the DL-RSTD related to the first TRP and the second TRP based on the PRS received from the first TRP and the second TRP. In operation 1504, the UE transmits an SRS. In operation 1506, the UE receives from its serving base station the difference between the first RTOA of the SRS arriving at the first TRP and the second RTOA of the SRS arriving at the second TRP. In operation 1508, the UE calculates the relative time difference based on the DL-RSTD and the difference between the first RTOA and the second RTOA, which indicates the synchronization error between the first TRP and the second TRP. In some configurations, the difference between the first RTOA and the second RTOA is calculated at the serving base station. In some configurations, the difference between the first RTOA and the second RTOA is calculated at the location management function. In operation 1510, the UE sends the relative time difference to the serving base station.

[0107] Figure 16 This is a flowchart 1600 of a method (process) for determining the relative time difference. This method can be performed by the serving base station of the UE (e.g., base station 1102 and base station 1202). In operation 1602, the serving base station receives from the UE the measurement results of the DL-RSTD related to the first TRP and the second TRP. In operation 1604, the serving base station obtains the first RTOA of the SRS reaching the first TRP and the second RTOA of the SRS reaching the second TRP. In some configurations, at least one of the first RTOA and the second RTOA is obtained by the serving base station from a base station adjacent to the serving base station at the first TRP or the second TRP.

[0108] Following operation 1604, in the first configuration, during operation 1612, the serving base station sends the first RTOA and the second RTOA to the UE. Then, the serving base station proceeds to operation 1652.

[0109] Following operation 1604, in the second configuration, in operation 1622, the serving base station calculates the difference between the first RTOA and the second RTOA. Then, the serving base station proceeds to operation 1650.

[0110] Following operation 1604, in the third configuration, in operation 1632, the serving base station sends the first RTOA and the second RTOA to the location management function. Therefore, the location management function calculates the difference between the first RTOA and the second RTOA. In operation 1634, the serving base station receives the difference between the first RTOA and the second RTOA from the location management function. Then, the serving base station proceeds to operation 1650.

[0111] In operation 1650, the serving base station sends the difference between the first RTOA and the second RTOA to the UE. Then, the serving base station proceeds to operation 1654.

[0112] In the first, second, and third configurations, the UE receives a first RTOA and a second RTOA, or the difference between the first RTOA and the second RTOA, from the serving base station. Therefore, as described above, the UE calculates the relative time difference based on the DL-RSTD and the difference between the first RTOA and the second RTOA. The relative time difference indicates the synchronization error between the first TRP and the second TRP. The UE can then send the relative time difference to the serving base station. In operation 1652, the serving base station receives the relative time difference from the UE. The serving base station then proceeds to operation 1652.

[0113] Following operation 1604, in the fourth configuration, in operation 1642, as described above, the serving base station calculates the relative time difference based on the DL-RSTD and the difference between the first RTOA and the second RTOA. The relative time difference indicates the synchronization error between the first TRP and the second TRP. In operation 1644, the serving base station sends the relative time difference to the UE. Then, the serving base station proceeds to operation 1654.

[0114] In some configurations, during operation 1654, the serving base station configures each UE in a group of UEs to sequentially send an SRS to determine the difference between the first RTOA and the second RTOA.

[0115] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram 1700 illustrating an example of a hardware implementation of a device 1702 employing a processing system 1714. Device 1702 may be a base station. The processing system 1714 may be implemented using a bus architecture typically represented by a bus 1724. Depending on the specific application of the processing system 1714 and overall design constraints, the bus 1724 may include any number of interconnect buses and bridges. The bus 1724 links various circuits together, including one or more processors and / or hardware components represented by one or more processors 1704, a receiving component 1764, an RSTD component 1776, an RTD computing component 1778, a transmission component 1770, and a computer-readable medium / memory 1706. The bus 1724 may also link various other circuits, such as timing sources, peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits.

[0116] The processing system 1714 may be coupled to transceiver 1710, which may be one or more of transceivers 354. Transceiver 1710 may be coupled to one or more antennas 1720, which may be communication antennas 320.

[0117] Transceiver 1710 provides means for communicating with various other devices via a transmission medium. Transceiver 1710 receives signals from one or more antennas 1720, extracts information from the received signals, and provides the extracted information to processing system 1714 (specifically, receiving component 1764). Additionally, transceiver 1710 receives information from processing system 1714 (specifically, transmission component 1770) and generates signals to be applied to one or more antennas 1720 based on the received information.

[0118] Processing system 1714 includes one or more processors 1704 coupled to computer-readable medium / memory 1706. The one or more processors 1704 are responsible for general processing, including executing software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory 1706. When executed by the one or more processors 1704, the software causes processing system 1714 to perform the various functions described above for any particular device. Computer-readable medium / memory 1706 may also be used to store data manipulated by the one or more processors 1704 during software execution. Processing system 1714 also includes at least one of a receiving component 1764, an RSTD component 1776, an RTD calculation component 1778, and a transmission component 1770. These components may be software components residing in / stored on computer-readable medium / memory 1706 and running in the one or more processors 1704; one or more hardware components coupled to the one or more processors 1704; or some combination of such software and hardware components. The processing system 1714 may be a component of the base station 310 and may include at least one of the memory 376 and / or the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and the controller / processor 375.

[0119] In one configuration, the device 1702 for wireless communication includes functions for performing... Figure 14 and Figure 16 The aforementioned devices may be one or more of the aforementioned components of device 1702 and / or processing system 1714 of device 1702, which are configured to perform the functions stated by the aforementioned devices.

[0120] As described above, the processing system 1714 may include a TX processor 316, an RX processor 370, and a controller / processor 375. Thus, in one configuration, the aforementioned devices may be the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and the controller / processor 375 configured to perform the functions stated by the aforementioned devices.

[0121] Figure 18This is a schematic diagram 1800 illustrating an example of a hardware implementation of a device 1802 employing a processing system 1814. The device 1802 may be a user interface (UE). The processing system 1814 can be implemented using a bus architecture typically represented by a bus 1824. Depending on the specific application of the processing system 1814 and overall design constraints, the bus 1824 may include any number of interconnect buses and bridges. The bus 1824 links various circuits together, including one or more processors and / or hardware components represented by one or more processors 1804, receiving components 1864, measuring components 1876, RTD calculation components 1878, transmission components 1870, and computer-readable media / memory 1806. The bus 1824 may also link various other circuits, such as timing sources, peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits.

[0122] The processing system 1814 may be coupled to transceiver 1810, which may be one or more of transceivers 354. Transceiver 1810 may be coupled to one or more antennas 1820, which may be communication antenna 352.

[0123] Transceiver 1810 provides means for communicating with various other devices via a transmission medium. Transceiver 1810 receives signals from the one or more antennas 1820, extracts information from the received signals, and provides the extracted information to processing system 1814 (specifically, to receiving component 1864). Additionally, transceiver 1810 receives information from processing system 1814 (specifically, from transmission component 1870) and, based on the received information, generates signals to be applied to the one or more antennas 1820.

[0124] Processing system 1814 includes one or more processors 1804 coupled to computer-readable medium / memory 1806. The one or more processors 1804 are responsible for general processing, including executing software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory 1806. When the software is executed by the one or more processors 1804, the processing system 1814 performs the various functions described above for any particular device. The computer-readable medium / memory 1806 may also be used to store data manipulated by the one or more processors 1804 during software execution. Processing system 1814 also includes at least one of a receiving component 1864, a measuring component 1876, an RTD calculation component 1878, and a transmission component 1870. The components may be software components residing / stored on the computer-readable medium / memory 1806 and running on the one or more processors 1804; one or more hardware components coupled to the one or more processors 1804; or some combination of the aforementioned software and hardware components. The processing system 1814 may be a component of the UE 350 and may include at least one of the memory 360 and / or the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the communication processor 359.

[0125] In one configuration, the device 1802 for wireless communication includes functions for performing... Figure 15 The aforementioned devices may be one or more of the aforementioned components of device 1802 and / or processing system 1814 of device 1802, which are configured to perform the functions stated by the aforementioned devices.

[0126] As described above, the processing system 1814 may include a TX processor 368, an RX processor 356, and a communication processor 359. Therefore, in one configuration, the aforementioned devices may be the TX processor 368, RX processor 356, and communication processor 359 configured to perform the functions stated by the aforementioned devices.

[0127] It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the boxes in the disclosed process / flowchart is an example of an exemplary method. Based on design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the boxes in this process / flowchart can be rearranged. Furthermore, some boxes can be combined or omitted. The appended method claims present the elements of the various boxes in an exemplary order and are not intended to limit the scope to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0128] The preceding description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined in the invention can be applied to other aspects. Therefore, the claims are not intended to limit the invention to the aspects shown, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the written claims, wherein, unless expressly stated otherwise, reference to an element in the singular does not mean "one and only one," but rather "one or more." The term "exemplary" as used in this invention is intended to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described as "exemplary" in this invention is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or more advantageous than other aspects. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term "some" means one or more. Combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, and C," and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof" include any combination of A, B, and / or C, and may include multiples of A, multiples of B, or multiples of C. Specifically, combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, and C", and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof" can be A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, wherein any such combination may contain one or more members of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents of elements throughout the various aspects described herein that are known to those skilled in the art or will be known thereafter are expressly incorporated by reference and are covered by the claims. Furthermore, whatever is disclosed herein, whether or not such disclosure is expressly stated in the claims, is not intended as a donation to the public. The terms "module", "mechanism", "element", "device", etc., cannot be used as a substitute for the term "means". Therefore, unless the phrase "means for..." is used to expressly state the claim element, the claim element should not be construed as meaning plus function.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication, comprising: At the location management function, the system receives from at least one base station a measurement of the downlink reference signal time difference related to a first transmit / receive point and a second transmit / receive point, a first relative arrival time of an uplink probe reference signal transmitted by the user equipment reaching the first transmit / receive point, and a second relative arrival time of the uplink probe reference signal transmitted by the user equipment reaching the second transmit / receive point. as well as The system transmits a relative time difference calculated based on the downlink reference signal time difference, the first relative time of arrival, and the second relative time of arrival to the at least one base station. The relative time difference indicates the synchronization error between the first transmitting and receiving point and the second transmitting and receiving point.

2. The method for wireless communication according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one base station includes the serving base station of the user equipment and one or more base stations adjacent to the serving base station.

3. The method for wireless communication according to claim 1, characterized in that, The location management function is a location server, which uses location-related measurements obtained from one or more reference sources to locate the target device. The method further includes: Send the relative time difference, indicating the synchronization error, to the user equipment.

4. The method for wireless communication according to claim 1, characterized in that, The calculation of the relative time difference includes: Determine the relative time difference between the first relative time of arrival and the second relative time of arrival; and Determine the difference between the relative arrival time difference and the downlink reference signal time difference.

5. A method for a user equipment to conduct wireless communication, comprising: The downlink reference signal time difference related to the first and second transmitting and receiving points is measured based on the positioning reference signals received from the first and second transmitting and receiving points. Send uplink probe reference signal; The relative time of arrival between the first relative time of arrival of the uplink probe reference signal received from the serving base station of the user equipment to the first transmitting and receiving point and the second relative time of arrival of the uplink probe reference signal to the second transmitting and receiving point; as well as At the user equipment, a relative time difference is calculated based on the downlink reference signal time difference and the relative time difference of arrival, the relative time difference indicating the synchronization error between the first transmitting / receiving point and the second transmitting / receiving point.

6. The method for user equipment to perform wireless communication according to claim 5, characterized in that, The relative arrival time difference between the first relative arrival time and the second relative arrival time is calculated at the serving base station.

7. The method for user equipment to perform wireless communication according to claim 5, characterized in that, The relative arrival time difference between the first relative arrival time and the second relative arrival time is calculated at the location management function.

8. The method for user equipment to perform wireless communication according to claim 5, characterized in that, Also includes: The relative time difference is sent to the serving base station.

9. The method for user equipment to perform wireless communication according to claim 5, characterized in that, The calculation of the relative time difference includes: Determine the difference between the relative arrival time difference and the downlink reference signal time difference.

10. A method for a serving base station of a user equipment to conduct wireless communication, comprising: At the serving base station, the user equipment receives a measurement of the downlink reference signal time difference in relation to the first and second transmit / receive points; When an uplink probe reference signal sent by the user equipment is received at the first transmitting and receiving point, the first relative arrival time of the uplink probe reference signal is obtained at the serving base station. When the uplink probe reference signal is received at the second transmit / receive point, the second relative arrival time of the uplink probe reference signal is obtained at the serving base station; as well as Send one of the following from the serving base station to the user equipment: (a) The first relative arrival time and the second relative arrival time; (b) The relative arrival time difference between the first relative arrival time and the second relative arrival time; as well as (c) A relative time difference calculated based on the downlink reference signal time difference and the relative arrival time difference, wherein the relative time difference indicates the synchronization error between the first transmitting and receiving point and the second transmitting and receiving point.

11. The method for wireless communication by a serving base station of a user equipment according to claim 10, characterized in that, The calculation of the relative time difference includes: Determine the difference between the relative arrival time difference and the downlink reference signal time difference.

12. The method for wireless communication by a serving base station of a user equipment according to claim 10, characterized in that, Also includes: When (a) the first relative arrival time and the second relative arrival time or (b) the difference between the first relative arrival time and the second relative arrival time is sent to the user equipment, a relative time difference calculated based on the downlink reference signal time difference and the relative arrival time difference is received from the user equipment, the relative time difference indicating the synchronization error between the first transmit / receive point and the second transmit / receive point.

13. The method for wireless communication by a serving base station of a user equipment according to claim 10, characterized in that, At least one of the first relative arrival time and the second relative arrival time is obtained by the serving base station from a base station adjacent to the serving base station at the first transmitting / receiving point or the second transmitting / receiving point.

14. The method for wireless communication by a serving base station of a user equipment according to claim 10, characterized in that, Also includes: The relative arrival time difference between the first relative arrival time and the second relative arrival time is calculated at the serving base station.

15. The method for wireless communication by a serving base station of a user equipment according to claim 10, characterized in that, The location management function receives the first relative arrival time and the second relative arrival time, and the method further includes: After receiving the relative time difference between the first relative time of arrival and the second relative time of arrival from the location management function at the serving base station, the relative time difference of arrival is sent to the user equipment.

16. The method for wireless communication by a serving base station of a user equipment according to claim 10, characterized in that, Also includes: At least one user equipment in a group of user equipment is configured to sequentially send a detection reference signal for determining the difference between the first relative time of arrival and the second relative time of arrival.

17. A method for a user equipment to conduct wireless communication, comprising: The downlink reference signal time difference related to the first and second transmitting and receiving points is measured based on the positioning reference signals received from the first and second transmitting and receiving points. The downlink reference signal time difference and the uplink probe reference signal are transmitted. as well as In response to transmitting the downlink reference signal time difference and the uplink probe reference signal, a relative time difference indicating the transmission timing difference between the first transmit / receive point and the second transmit / receive point is received.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, Also includes: The relative time difference is sent to the serving base station.

19. A storage medium storing program instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of the method for wireless communication according to any one of claims 1-4.

20. A storage medium storing program instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of the method for a user equipment to perform wireless communication as claimed in any one of claims 5-9 and 17-18.

21. A storage medium storing program instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of a method for a serving base station of a user equipment to conduct wireless communication according to any one of claims 10-16.

22. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: A processor, when executing program instructions stored in a storage medium, performs the steps of the method for wireless communication as described in any one of claims 1-4.

23. A user equipment for wireless communication, comprising: A processor, when executing program instructions stored in a storage medium, performs the steps of the method for a user equipment to perform wireless communication as described in any one of claims 5-9 and 17-18.

24. A base station for wireless communication, comprising: A processor, when executing program instructions stored in a storage medium, performs the steps of a method for a serving base station of a user equipment to conduct wireless communication according to any one of claims 10-16.

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