Frequency-dependent beam patterns for positioning

Abstract

Techniques are provided for achieving user equipment (UE) positioning based on base station-side angle estimation in millimeter-wave (mmW) bands. An example method for determining positioning information using a mobile device includes: receiving positioning assistance data comprising beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two subbands; receiving at least one of the plurality of reference signals within a subband; and determining, at least in part, the departure angle value of at least one of the plurality of reference signals based on the positioning assistance data regarding the subband.

Description

[0001] background

[0002] Wireless communication systems have undergone several generations of development, including first-generation analog radiotelephone service (1G), second-generation (2G) digital radiotelephone service (including transitional 2.5G and 2.75G networks), third-generation (3G) high-speed data radio service with Internet capabilities, fourth-generation (4G) service (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) or WiMax), and fifth-generation (5G) service (e.g., 5G New Radio (NR)). Currently, many different types of wireless communication systems are in use, including cellular and Personal Communication Services (PCS) systems. Known examples of cellular systems include cellular analog Advanced Mobile Phone Systems (AMPS), and digital cellular systems based on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), and GSM TDMA variants.

[0003] It is typically desired to know the location of a user equipment (UE) (e.g., a cellular phone), where the terms "location" and "positioning" are synonymous and can be used interchangeably herein. A location service client (LSC) may desire to know the location of the UE and may communicate with a location center to request the UE's location. The location center and the UE may exchange messages appropriately to obtain a location estimate for the UE. The location center may then return this location estimate to the LSC, for example, for use in one or more applications.

[0004] Obtaining the location of a mobile device accessing a wireless network can be useful for many applications, including emergency calls, personal navigation, asset tracking, and locating friends or family members. Existing positioning methods include those based on measuring radio signals transmitted from various devices, including satellites and terrestrial radio sources (such as base stations and access points) within the wireless network. Stations in the wireless network can be configured to transmit reference signals to enable mobile devices to perform positioning measurements. Antenna arrays used in high-frequency wireless networks may require coverage of a wide bandwidth. Fixed element spacing in the antenna array can reduce array gain in different portions of the bandwidth and degrade the accuracy of the reference signal and the corresponding positioning measurement.

[0005] Overview

[0006] An example method for determining location information using a mobile device according to the present disclosure includes: receiving positioning assistance data including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two subbands; receiving at least one of the plurality of reference signals within a subband; and determining a departure angle value of at least one of the plurality of reference signals based at least in part on the positioning assistance data regarding the subband.

[0007] Implementations of such methods may include one or more of the following features: A position can be determined at least partially based on the departure angle value. The subband may be a portion of the active bandwidth utilized by the mobile device. The subband may be a resource bandwidth within the portion of the active bandwidth utilized by the mobile device. The subband may be a set of resource blocks received by the mobile device. The subband may be a component carrier of the plurality of reference signals. The plurality of reference signals may be downlink positioning reference signals. The positioning assistance data may include gain and direction information of at least one of the main lobe, side lobes, beam nulls, and grating lobes of each of the plurality of reference signals. A second reference signal in a second subband can be received, and the departure angle of the second reference signal can be determined at least partially based on the frequency associated with the second subband.

[0008] An example method for determining the location of a mobile device according to the present disclosure includes: receiving array gain information from a base station, the array gain information including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two subbands; receiving reference signal measurement information from the mobile device; and determining the location of the mobile device based at least in part on the array gain information and the reference signal measurement information.

[0009] Implementations of such methods may include one or more of the following features: The at least two subbands may be based on a portion of the bandwidth utilized by the mobile device. The at least two subbands may be two different resource bandwidths within an active bandwidth portion utilized by the mobile device. The at least two subbands may be two sets of resource blocks utilized by the plurality of reference signals. The at least two subbands may be at least two component carriers for the plurality of reference signals. The plurality of reference signals may be downlink positioning reference signals. The array gain information may include gain and direction information of at least one of the main lobe, sidelobe, beam null, and grating lobe of each of the plurality of reference signals.

[0010] An example method for providing frequency-dependent beam pattern auxiliary data to a mobile device according to the present disclosure includes: providing auxiliary data to one or more mobile devices, the auxiliary data including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two subbands; and transmitting one or more reference signals in the at least two subbands, wherein the departure angle of each of the one or more reference signals is at least partially based on the subband in which the one or more reference signals are transmitted.

[0011] An example method for network-assisted positioning according to the present disclosure includes: providing array gain information to a network server, the array gain information including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two subbands; and transmitting one or more reference signals in the subbands to one or more mobile devices, wherein the departure angle of each of the one or more reference signals is at least partially based on the subband.

[0012] An example apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a memory, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver and configured to: receive positioning assistance data with the at least one transceiver, the positioning assistance data including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two subbands; receive at least one of the plurality of reference signals within a subband with the at least one transceiver; and determine a departure angle value of at least one of the plurality of reference signals based at least in part on the positioning assistance data with respect to the subband.

[0013] Implementations of such devices may include one or more of the following features: The at least one processor may be further configured to determine the position at least partially based on the departure angle value. The subband may be a portion of the active bandwidth utilized by the device. The subband may be a resource bandwidth within the portion of the active bandwidth utilized by the device. The subband may be a set of resource blocks received by the device. The subband may be a component carrier of the plurality of reference signals. The plurality of reference signals may be downlink positioning reference signals. The positioning assistance data may include gain and direction information of at least one of the main lobe, sidelobe, beam null, and grating lobe of each of the plurality of reference signals. The at least one processor may be further configured to: receive a second reference signal in a second subband, and determine the departure angle of the second reference signal at least partially based on a frequency associated with the second subband.

[0014] An example apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a memory, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver and configured to: receive array gain information from a base station using the at least one transceiver, the array gain information including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two subbands; receive reference signal measurement information from a mobile device using the at least one transceiver; and determine the location of the mobile device based at least in part on the array gain information and the reference signal measurement information.

[0015] Implementations of such devices may include one or more of the following features: The at least two subbands may be based on a portion of the bandwidth utilized by the mobile device. The at least two subbands may be two different resource bandwidths within an active bandwidth portion utilized by the mobile device. The at least two subbands may be two sets of resource blocks utilized by the plurality of reference signals. The at least two subbands may be at least two component carriers for the plurality of reference signals. The plurality of reference signals may be downlink positioning reference signals. The array gain information may include gain and direction information of at least one of the main lobe, sidelobe, beam null, and grating lobe of each of the plurality of reference signals.

[0016] An example apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a memory, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver and configured to: provide auxiliary data to one or more mobile devices, the auxiliary data including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two subbands; and transmit one or more reference signals in the at least two subbands using the at least one transceiver, wherein the departure angle of each of the one or more reference signals is at least partially based on the subband in which the one or more reference signals are transmitted.

[0017] An example apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a memory, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver and configured to: provide array gain information to a network server, the array gain information including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two subbands; and transmit one or more reference signals in the subbands to one or more mobile devices using the at least one transceiver, wherein the departure angle of each of the one or more reference signals is at least partially based on the subband.

[0018] An example apparatus for determining location information using a mobile device according to the present disclosure includes: means for receiving positioning assistance data including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two subbands; means for receiving at least one of the plurality of reference signals within a subband; and means for determining a departure angle value of at least one of the plurality of reference signals based at least in part on the positioning assistance data with respect to the subband.

[0019] An example apparatus for determining the location of a mobile device according to the present disclosure includes: means for receiving array gain information from a base station, the array gain information including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two subbands; means for receiving reference signal measurement information from the mobile device; and means for determining the location of the mobile device based at least in part on the array gain information and the reference signal measurement information.

[0020] An example apparatus according to the present disclosure for providing frequency-dependent beam pattern auxiliary data to a mobile device includes: means for providing auxiliary data to one or more mobile devices, the auxiliary data including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two subbands; and means for transmitting one or more reference signals in the at least two subbands, wherein the departure angle of each of the one or more reference signals is at least partially based on the subband in which the one or more reference signals are transmitted.

[0021] An example apparatus for network-assisted positioning according to the present disclosure includes: means for providing array gain information to a network server, the array gain information including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two subbands; and means for transmitting one or more reference signals in the subbands to one or more mobile devices, wherein the departure angle of each of the one or more reference signals is at least partially based on the subband.

[0022] An example non-transient processor-readable storage medium according to the present disclosure includes processor-readable instructions configured to enable one or more processors to determine positioning information using a mobile device, comprising: code for receiving positioning assistance data including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two subbands; code for receiving at least one of the plurality of reference signals within a subband; and code for determining a departure angle value of at least one of the plurality of reference signals based at least in part on the positioning assistance data with respect to the subband.

[0023] An example non-transient processor-readable storage medium according to the present disclosure, comprising processor-readable instructions configured to enable one or more processors to determine the location of a mobile device, includes: code for receiving array gain information from a base station, the array gain information including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two subbands; code for receiving reference signal measurement information from the mobile device; and code for determining the location of the mobile device based at least in part on the array gain information and the reference signal measurement information.

[0024] An example non-transient processor-readable storage medium according to the present disclosure includes processor-readable instructions configured to enable one or more processors to provide frequency-dependent beam pattern auxiliary data to a mobile device. This includes: code for providing auxiliary data to one or more mobile devices, the auxiliary data including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two subbands; and code for transmitting one or more reference signals in the at least two subbands, wherein the departure angle of each of the one or more reference signals is at least partially based on the subband in which the one or more reference signals are transmitted.

[0025] An example non-transient processor-readable storage medium according to the present disclosure includes processor-readable instructions configured to enable one or more processors to provide network-assisted positioning, comprising: code for providing array gain information to a network server, the array gain information including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two subbands; and code for transmitting one or more reference signals in the subbands to one or more mobile devices, wherein the departure angle of each of the one or more reference signals is at least partially based on the subband.

[0026] The items and / or techniques described herein may provide one or more of the following capabilities, as well as others not mentioned. Base stations may utilize antenna arrays with fixed element spacing. This fixed element spacing can result in beam tilt for some frequencies within a wide bandwidth. The wide bandwidth may be defined by multiple subbands. Beam parameters (such as beam pattern or beam shape) may be defined for each subband. A subband may be a portion of bandwidth, a bandwidth resource, a resource block, or other frequency domain object. Auxiliary data may be provided to mobile devices and network resources to correlate subbands with their respective beam parameters. The accuracy of positioning based on angle of departure and angle of arrival can be improved. Other capabilities may be provided, and not every implementation according to this disclosure is required to provide any, let alone all, of the capabilities discussed. Brief description of the attached diagram

[0028] Figure 1 This is a simplified diagram of an example wireless communication system.

[0029] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a block diagram of the components of an example user equipment.

[0030] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a block diagram of the components of an example transmit / receive point.

[0031] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a block diagram of the components of the example server.

[0032] Figure 5A and 5B The example downlink positioning reference signal resource set was explained.

[0033] Figure 6 This is an explanation of the example subframe format used for positioning reference signal transmission.

[0034] Figure 7 This is a conceptual diagram of an example of a frequency layer.

[0035] Figure 8This is a conceptual diagram of an example of an active bandwidth portion with multiple bandwidth resources.

[0036] Figure 9 This is a conceptual diagram of beamforming transmission from a base station.

[0037] Figure 10A and 10B This is a graphical example of beam tilt associated with antenna codebook design.

[0038] Figure 11 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating the effect of beam tilt on positioning.

[0039] Figure 12 This is a sample message stream used to provide frequency-dependent beam patterns for positioning.

[0040] Figure 13 This is a process flow for an example method used to determine location information using a mobile device.

[0041] Figure 14 This is a process flow for an example method of providing frequency-dependent beam pattern auxiliary data to mobile devices.

[0042] Figure 15 This is the process flow for an example method used in network-assisted localization.

[0043] Figure 16 This is a process flow for an example method of determining the location of a mobile device based at least in part on a frequency-dependent beam pattern.

[0044] Detailed description

[0045] This paper discusses techniques for achieving base station-side angle estimation-based user equipment (UE) positioning in millimeter-wave (mmW) bands (and higher frequency bands). For example, these techniques include determining and providing frequency-dependent beam pattern auxiliary data. In a UE-based downlink angle of departure (AoD) example, auxiliary data including information about beamforms associated with different subbands can be provided to the UE, and the UE can be configured to determine its location in part based on the current subband and beamform information. In a UE-assisted AoD example, the UE can report measured reference beams on subbands to network resources to determine its location. In an uplink angle of arrival (AoA) approach, the base station can provide network resources with the AoA value associated with the dominant cluster in the channel on the uplink (UL) transmission from the UE to determine the UE's location. The AoA value can be based on the beamform associated with the subband in which UL transmissions are received. These techniques and configurations are examples, and other techniques and configurations can be used.

[0046] In operation, mmW applications may require ultra-wideband coverage utilizing antenna arrays with fixed element spacing. For example, the element spacing ratio in an antenna array can vary from approximately half a wavelength to approximately one wavelength of the carrier frequency. Typically, the antenna array gain distribution as a function of spatial angle (e.g., beam pattern / shape) often drifts with frequency due to beam tilt effects associated with the fixed element spacing used for ultra-wideband coverage. A positioning technique using a fixed beam weight set at a specific carrier frequency typically corresponds to a specific AoD and AoA estimate at that frequency. However, the same beam weights can correspond to different AoD and AoA estimates at different frequencies within the ultra-wideband coverage. Therefore, UE positioning based on AoD and AoA estimates can be based on beam shapes associated with different subband / resource block (RB) subsets of a configured positioning reference signal (PRS). For example, the PRS can utilize a wide bandwidth, but the UE can be configured to measure only subsets of RBs (e.g., RBs falling within the UE's active bandwidth portion (BWP), where the active BWP can change dynamically).

[0047] In one embodiment, the UE or other network resources may receive auxiliary data indicating the subband and corresponding beamform used by the base station. Different BWPs may have different beamforms. Different PRS configurations may have different beamforms. Frequency-dependent beamforms can be used for AoD-based positioning. In another embodiment, the base station or other network resources may use frequency-dependent beamforms for AoA-based positioning techniques to determine the UE's location based on UL signals transmitted by the UE and received by one or more base stations. Different beamforms may be used for azimuth and / or elevation angles.

[0048] Reference Figure 1Examples of communication system 100 include UE 105, radio access network (RAN) 135 (here, fifth-generation (5G) next-generation (NG) RAN (NG-RAN)), and 5G core network (5GC) 140. UE 105 can be, for example, an IoT device, a location tracker device, a cellular phone, or other device. The 5G network can also be referred to as a new radio (NR) network; NG-RAN 135 can be referred to as 5G RAN or NR RAN; and 5GC 140 can be referred to as NG core network (NGC). Standardization of NG-RAN and 5GC is underway within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Accordingly, NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140 can comply with current or future standards from 3GPP for 5G support. RAN 135 can be another type of RAN, such as 3G RAN, 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) RAN, etc. Communication system 100 may utilize information from constellation 185 of satellite launchers (SVs) 190, 191, 192, and 193 of a satellite positioning system (SPS) such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, or BeiDou, or some other local or regional SPS (such as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), the European Geostationary Navigation Coverage Service (EGNOS), or the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)). Additional components of communication system 100 are described below. Communication system 100 may include additional or replacement components.

[0049] like Figure 1 As shown, NG-RAN 135 includes 5G-NR B-nodes (gNB) 110a, 110b and a next-generation evolved B-node (ng-eNB) 114, and 5GC 140 includes Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMF) 115, Session Management Functions (SMF) 117, Location Management Functions (LMF) 120 and Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 125. gNBs 110a, 110b and ng-eNB 114 are communicatively coupled to each other, each configured to conduct bidirectional wireless communication with UE 105, and each communicatively coupled to and configured to conduct bidirectional communication with AMF 115. AMF 115, SMF 117, LMF 120 and GMLC 125 are communicatively coupled to each other, and the GMLC is communicatively coupled to an external client 130. SMF 117 can be used as the initial contact point for Service Control Functions (SCF) (not shown) to create, control, and delete media sessions.

[0050] Figure 1A general explanation of each component is provided, wherein any or all of the components may be used appropriately, and each component may be repeated or omitted as needed. Specifically, although only one UE 105 is explained, many UEs (e.g., hundreds, thousands, millions, etc.) may be used in communication system 100. Similarly, communication system 100 may include a larger (or smaller) number of SVs (i.e., more or fewer than the four SVs 190-193 shown), gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, AMF 115, external client 130, and / or other components. The explained connections connecting the various components in communication system 100 include data and signaling connections, which may include additional (intermediate) components, direct or indirect physical and / or wireless connections, and / or additional networks. Furthermore, components may be rearranged, combined, separated, replaced, and / or omitted depending on the desired functionality.

[0051] Although Figure 1 While 5G-based networks have been described, similar network implementations and configurations can be used for other communication technologies such as 3G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), etc. The implementations described herein (for 5G technologies and / or for one or more other communication technologies and / or protocols) can be used to transmit (or broadcast) directional synchronization signals, receive and measure directional signals at a UE (e.g., UE 105), and / or provide location assistance to UE 105 (via GMLC 125 or other location servers), and / or calculate the location of UE 105 at a location-capable device (such as UE 105, gNB 110a, 110b, or LMF 120) based on measurement parameters of such directional transmissions received at UE 105. Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 125, Location Management Function (LMF) 120, Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 115, SMF 117, ng-eNB (eNodeB) 114, and gNB (gNodeB) 110a, 110b are examples and may be replaced by or include various other location server functions and / or base station functions in various embodiments.

[0052] UE 105 may include and / or may be referred to as a device, mobile device, wireless device, mobile terminal, terminal, mobile station (MS), Secure User Plane Positioning Enabled (SUPL) terminal (SET), or some other name. Furthermore, UE 105 may correspond to a cellular phone, smartphone, laptop device, tablet device, 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 required, UE 105 may support one or more Radio Access Technologies (RATs) such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), LTE, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), IEEE 802.11 WiFi (also known as Wi-Fi). Wireless communication can be achieved using technologies such as Bit-Band (BT), WiMAX, and 5G New Radio (NR) (e.g., using NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140). UE 105 can support wireless communication using a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), which can connect to other networks (e.g., the Internet) using, for example, digital subscriber line (DSL) or packet cable. Using one or more of these RATs allows UE 105 (e.g., via elements of 5GC 140) to... Figure 1 (not shown in the diagram) or possibly via GMLC 125, communicate with external client 130 and / or allow external client 130 (e.g., via GMLC 125) to receive location information about UE 105.

[0053] 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, as well as separate wired or wireless modems. An estimate of the location of UE 105 may be referred to as location, location estimation, location locking, lock, positioning, location estimation, or location locking, and may be geographic, providing location coordinates (e.g., latitude and longitude) of UE 105, which may or may not include an elevation component (e.g., height above sea level; height above ground level, floor level, or basement level, or depth below). Alternatively, the location of UE 105 may be expressed as a municipal location (e.g., a postal address or designation of a point or smaller area within a building, such as a specific room or floor). The location of UE 105 may be expressed as an area or volume (geographically or municipally defined) within which UE 105 is expected to reside with a certain probability or confidence level (e.g., 67%, 95%, etc.). The location of UE 105 can be expressed as a relative location, which includes, for example, distance and direction from a known location. A relative location can be expressed as relative coordinates (e.g., X, Y (and Z) coordinates) defined relative to an origin at a known location, which can be, for example, geographically, municipally, or with reference to a point, area, or volume indicated, for example, on a map, floor plan, or building plan. In the description contained herein, the term "location" may include any of these variations unless otherwise indicated. When calculating the location of the UE, local x, y, and possibly z coordinates are typically solved, and then (if necessary) the local coordinates are converted to absolute coordinates (e.g., with respect to latitude, longitude, and elevation above or below mean sea level).

[0054] UE 105 can be configured to communicate with other entities using one or more of a variety of technologies. UE 105 can be configured to indirectly connect to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links. D2D P2P links can use any suitable D2D radio access technology (RAT) (such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), etc.). Supported by (etc.). One or more UEs in a group of UEs utilizing D2D communication may be within the geographic coverage area of ​​a Transmit / Receive Point (TRP) (such as one or more of gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114). Other UEs in the group may be outside such geographic coverage areas or may be unable to receive transmissions from the base station for other reasons. A group of UEs communicating via D2D communication may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each UE may transmit to other UEs in the group. The TRP facilitates the scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication may be performed between UEs without involving a TRP.

[0055] Figure 1 The base stations (BSs) in the NG-RAN 135 shown include NRB nodes (referred to as gNBs 110a and 110b). Each pair of gNBs 110a and 110b in the NG-RAN 135 can be interconnected via one or more other gNBs. Access to the 5G network is provided to UE 105 via wireless communication between UE 105 and one or more of the gNBs 110a and 110b. gNBs 110a and 110b can use 5G to provide wireless communication access to the 5GC 140 on behalf of UE 105. Figure 1 In this context, it is assumed that the serving gNB of UE 105 is gNB 110a, but another gNB (e.g., gNB 110b) may act as the serving gNB or as a secondary gNB to provide additional throughput and bandwidth to UE 105 if UE 105 moves to another location.

[0056] Figure 1 The base station (BS) in NG-RAN 135 shown may include ng-eNB 114 (also referred to as a next-generation evolved B node). ng-eNB 114 may connect to one or more of gNBs 110a and 110b in NG-RAN 135 (possibly via one or more other gNBs and / or one or more other ng-eNBs). ng-eNB 114 may provide LTE radio access and / or evolved LTE (eLTE) radio access to UE 105. One or more of gNBs 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114 may be configured as a location-only beacon, which may transmit signals to assist in determining the location of UE 105, but may not be able to receive signals from UE 105 or other UEs.

[0057] BS 110a, 110b, and 114 may each include one or more TRPs. For example, each sector within a BS cell may include a TRP, but multiple TRPs may share one or more components (e.g., share a processor but have separate antennas). System 100 may include only macro TRPs, or system 100 may have different types of TRPs, such as macro, pico, and / or femto TRPs. Macro TRPs may cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and allow unrestricted access by terminals with service subscriptions. Pico TRPs may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a pico cell) and allow unrestricted access by terminals with service subscriptions. Femto or home TRPs may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a femto cell) and allow restricted access by terminals associated with that femto cell (e.g., a user's terminal in a residence).

[0058] As mentioned, although Figure 1 The diagram depicts a node configured to communicate according to 5G communication protocols, but nodes configured to communicate according to other communication protocols (such as, for example, LTE or IEEE 802.11x protocols) can also be used. For example, in an evolved packet system (EPS) providing LTE radio access to UE 105, the RAN may include an evolved universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN), which may include base stations containing evolved B-nodes (eNBs). The core network for the EPS may include an evolved packet core (EPC). The EPS may include the E-UTRAN plus the EPC, where the E-UTRAN corresponds to... Figure 1 NG-RAN 135 and EPC corresponds to Figure 1 5GC 140 in the middle.

[0059] gNB 110a, 110b, and ng-eNB 114 can communicate with AMF 115; for positioning functionality, AMF 115 communicates with LMF 120. AMF 115 supports the mobility of UE 105 (including cell changes and handovers) and can participate in supporting signaling connections to UE 105 and potentially data and voice bearers for UE 105. LMF 120 can communicate directly with UE 105, for example, wirelessly. LMF 120 supports the positioning of UE 105 when UE 105 accesses NG-RAN 135 and supports various positioning protocols / methods, such as Auxiliary GNSS (A-GNSS), Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA), Real-Time Kinematics (RTK), Precise Point Positioning (PPP), Differential GNSS (DGNSS), Enhanced Cellular ID (E-CID), Angle of Arrival (AOA), Angle of Departure (AOD), and / or other positioning methods. LMF 120 can process location service requests for UE 105, for example, received from AMF 115 or GMLC 125. LMF 120 can connect to AMF 115 and / or GMLC 125. LMF 120 may be referred to by other names, such as Location Manager (LM), Location Function (LF), Commercial LMF (CLMF), or Value-Added LMF (VLMF). Nodes / systems implementing LMF 120 may additionally or alternatively implement other types of location support modules, such as Enhanced Serving Mobility Location Center (E-SMLC) or Secure User Plane Positioning (SUPL) Location Platform (SLP). At least some of the location functionality (including the derivation of the location of UE 105) can be performed at UE 105 (e.g., using signal measurements obtained by UE 105 against signals transmitted by radio nodes (such as gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114), and / or auxiliary data provided to UE 105, for example, by LMF 120).

[0060] GMLC 125 can support location requests for UE 105 received from external client 130, and can forward such requests to AMF 115 for forwarding to LMF 120, or can forward them directly to LMF 120. A location response from LMF 120 (e.g., containing a location estimate for UE 105) can be returned to GMLC 125 directly or via AMF 115, and GMLC 125 can then return the location response (e.g., containing the location estimate) to external client 130. GMLC 125 is shown connected to both AMF 115 and LMF 120, but in some implementations, 5GC 140 may support only one of these connections.

[0061] like Figure 1 Further explanation is provided: the LMF 120 can use the new Radio Positioning Protocol A (which may be referred to as NPPa or NRPPa) to communicate with gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114. This new Radio Positioning Protocol A is defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.455. 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 transmitted via AMF 115 between gNB 110a (or gNB 110b) and the LMF 120, and / or between ng-eNB 114 and the LMF 120. Figure 1 Further explanation is provided: LMF 120 and UE 105 can communicate using the LTE Location Protocol (LPP), which is defined in 3GPP TS 36.355. LMF 120 and UE 105 can also communicate using a new radio positioning protocol (which may be referred to as NPP or NRPP), which can be the same as, similar to, or an extension of LPP. Here, LPP and / or NPP messages can be transmitted between UE 105 and LMF 120 via AMF 115 and UE 105's serving gNB 110a, 110b, or serving ng-eNB 114. For example, LPP and / or NPP messages can be transmitted between LMF 120 and AMF 115 using the 5G Location Services Application Protocol (LCS AP), and between AMF 115 and UE 105 using the 5G Non-Access Stratum (NAS) protocol. The LPP and / or NPP protocols can be used to support the location of UE 105 using UE-assisted and / or UE-based location methods (such as A-GNSS, RTK, OTDOA, and / or E-CID). The NRPPa protocol can be used to support the location of UE 105 using network-based location methods (such as E-CID) (e.g., in conjunction with measurements obtained by gNB 110a, 110b, or ng-eNB 114) and / or can be used by LMF 120 to obtain location-related information from gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114, such as defining parameters for directional SS transmissions from gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114.

[0062] Using a UE-assisted positioning method, UE 105 can obtain location measurements and send these measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF 120) for calculating the location estimate of UE 105. For example, location measurements may include one or more of the following: Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Round-Trip Time (RTT), Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), and / or Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) for gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, and / or WLAN AP. Location measurements may also include measurements of GNSS pseudorange, code phase, and / or carrier phase for SV 190-193.

[0063] Using a UE-based positioning method, UE 105 can obtain a location measurement (e.g., which may be the same as or similar to a location measurement for a UE-assisted positioning method) and can calculate the location of UE 105 (e.g., by means of auxiliary data received from a location server (such as LMF 120) or broadcast by gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114 or other base stations or APs).

[0064] Using a network-based positioning method, one or more base stations (e.g., gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114) or APs can obtain location measurements (e.g., measurements of RSSI, RTT, RSRP, RSRQ, or Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) of signals transmitted by UE 105) and / or can receive measurements obtained by UE 105. These base stations or APs can then transmit these measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF 120) for calculating a location estimate for UE 105.

[0065] The information provided to the LMF 120 by the gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114 using NRPPa may include timing and configuration information for directional SS transmissions, as well as location coordinates. The LMF 120 may provide some or all of this information as supplementary data to the UE 105 in LPP and / or NPP messages via NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140.

[0066] The LPP or NPP message sent from LMF 120 to UE 105 may instruct UE 105 to perform any of a variety of tasks, depending on the desired functionality. For example, the LPP or NPP message may contain instructions for UE 105 to obtain measurements for 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 may instruct UE 105 to obtain one or more measurement parameters (e.g., beam ID, beamwidth, average angle, RSRP, RSRQ measurements) of directional signals transmitted within a specific cell supported by one or more of gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 (or supported by some other type of base station (such as eNB or WiFi AP)). UE 105 can send these measurement parameters back to LMF 120 via service gNB110a (or service ng-eNB 114) and AMF 115 in an LPP or NPP message (e.g., within a 5G NAS message).

[0067] As mentioned, while a communication system 100 is described in relation to 5G technology, the communication system 100 can be implemented to support other communication technologies (such as GSM, WCDMA, LTE, etc.) used to support and interact with mobile devices (such as UE 105) (e.g., to enable voice, data, location, and other functionalities). In some such embodiments, the 5GC 140 can be configured to control different air interfaces. For example, non-3GPP interoperability functions (N3IWF) in the 5GC 150 can be used. Figure 1(Not shown) Connect 5GC 140 to a WLAN. For example, the WLAN may support IEEE 802.11 WiFi access for UE 105 and may include one or more WiFi APs. Here, N3IWF may connect to the WLAN and other components in 5GC 140, such as AMF 115. In some embodiments, both NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140 may be replaced by one or more other RANs and one or more other core networks. For example, in EPS, NG-RAN 135 may be replaced by E-UTRAN containing eNBs, and 5GC 140 may be replaced by EPC containing a Mobility Management Entity (MME) instead of AMF 115, an E-SMLC instead of LMF 120, and a GMLC similar to GMLC 125. In such EPS, the E-SMLC may use LPPa instead of NRPPa to send location information to and receive location information from eNBs in the E-UTRAN, and may use LPP to support UE 105's positioning. In these other embodiments, the location of UE 105 using directional PRS can be supported in a manner similar to that described herein for 5G networks, the difference being that the functions and procedures described herein for gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, AMF 115 and LMF120 can be applied alternatively to other network elements, such as eNB, WiFi AP, MME and E-SMLC, in some cases.

[0068] As mentioned, in some embodiments, positioning functionality can be achieved at least in part using directional SS beams transmitted by base stations (such as gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114) to determine the location of the UE (e.g., Figure 1 Within the range of UE 105. In some instances, the UE can use directional SS beams from multiple base stations (such as gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, etc.) to calculate the UE's location.

[0069] Also refer to Figure 2UE 200 is an example of UE 105 and includes a computing platform containing processor 210, a memory 211 containing software (SW) 212, one or more sensors 213, a transceiver interface 214 for transceiver 215, a user interface 216, a satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver 217, a camera 218, and a positioning (motion) device 219. The processor 210, memory 211, sensors 213, transceiver interface 214, user interface 216, SPS receiver 217, camera 218, and positioning (motion) device 219 can be communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 220 (which can be configured for, for example, optical and / or electrical communication). One or more of the illustrated devices (e.g., camera 218, positioning (motion) device 219, and / or one or more of the sensors 213, etc.) can be omitted from UE 200. Processor 210 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. Processor 210 may include multiple processors, including a general-purpose / application processor 230, a digital signal processor (DSP) 231, a modem processor 232, a video processor 233, and / or a sensor processor 234. One or more of processors 230-234 may include multiple devices (e.g., multiple processors). For example, sensor processor 234 may include processors for radar, ultrasonic, and / or lidar, etc. Modem processor 232 may support dual SIM / dual connectivity (or even more SIMs). For example, one SIM (subscriber identity module or subscriber identification module) may be used by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), and another SIM may be used by an end user of UE 200 to obtain connectivity. Memory 211 is a non-transient storage medium, which may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk storage, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 211 stores software 212, which may be processor-readable, processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 210 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, software 212 may not be directly executable by processor 210, but may be configured (e.g., when compiled and executed) to cause processor 210 to perform various functions. This description may refer only to processor 210 performing functions, but this includes other implementations, such as implementations of processor 210 performing software and / or firmware. This description may refer to processor 210 performing functions as a shorthand for one or more of processors 230-234 performing such functions. This description may refer to UE 200 performing functions as a shorthand for one or more appropriate components of UE 200 performing such functions. Processor 210 may include memory with the stored instructions as a supplement to and / or alternative to memory 211.The functionality of processor 210 will be discussed more comprehensively below.

[0070] Figure 2 The configuration of UE 200 shown is exemplary and not intended to limit the invention (including the claims), and other configurations may be used. For example, an exemplary configuration of the UE includes one or more of processors 230-234 in processor 210, memory 211, and wireless transceiver 240. Other exemplary configurations include one or more of processors 230-234 in processor 210, memory 211, wireless transceiver 240, and one or more of the following: (a) sensors 213, user interface 216, SPS receiver 217, camera 218, PMD 219, and / or wired transceiver 250.

[0071] UE 200 may include a modem processor 232, which may be capable of performing baseband processing on signals received and downconverted by transceiver 215 and / or SPS receiver 217. Modem processor 232 may also perform baseband processing on signals to be upconverted for transmission by transceiver 215. Alternatively or alternatively, baseband processing may be performed by processor 230 and / or DSP 231. However, other configurations may be used to perform baseband processing.

[0072] UE 200 may include sensors 213, which may include, for example, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) 270, one or more magnetometers 271, and / or one or more environmental sensors 272. IMU 270 may include one or more inertial sensors, such as one or more accelerometers 273 (e.g., those collectively responding to acceleration of UE 200 in three dimensions) and / or one or more gyroscopes 274. The magnetometers may provide measurements to determine orientation (e.g., relative to magnetic north and / or true north) that can be used for any of a variety of purposes (e.g., to support one or more compass applications). The environmental sensors 272 may include, for example, one or more temperature sensors, one or more barometric pressure sensors, one or more ambient light sensors, one or more camera imagers, and / or one or more microphones, etc. Sensors 213 may generate analog and / or digital signals, indications of which may be stored in memory 211 and processed by DSP 231 and / or processor 230 to support one or more applications (such as, for example, applications involving positioning and / or navigation operations).

[0073] Sensors 213 can be used for relative position measurement, relative position determination, motion determination, etc. Information detected by sensors 213 can be used for motion detection, relative displacement, dead reckoning, sensor-based position determination, and / or sensor-assisted position determination. Sensors 213 can be used to determine whether the UE 200 is stationary or moving and / or whether to report certain useful information related to the mobility of the UE 200 to the LMF 120. For example, based on information obtained / measured by sensors 213, the UE 200 can notify / report to the LMF 120 that the UE 200 has detected movement or that the UE 200 has moved, and report relative displacement / distance (e.g., via dead reckoning implemented by sensors 213, or sensor-based position determination, or sensor-assisted position determination). In another example, for relative positioning information, sensors / IMUs can be used to determine the angle and / or orientation of another device relative to the UE 200, etc.

[0074] IMU 270 can be configured to provide measurements of the direction and / or velocity of motion of UE 200, which can be used for relative position determination. For example, one or more accelerometers 273 and / or one or more gyroscopes 274 of IMU 270 can detect the linear acceleration and rotational velocity of UE 200, respectively. The linear acceleration and rotational velocity measurements of UE 200 can be integrated over time to determine the instantaneous direction of motion and displacement of UE 200. The instantaneous direction of motion and displacement can be integrated to track the position of UE 200. For example, a reference position of UE 200 at a given moment can be determined, for example, using SPS receiver 217 (and / or by some other means), and measurements acquired from (the) accelerometers 273 and (the) gyroscopes 274 after that moment can be used for dead reckoning to determine the current position of UE 200 based on the movement (direction and distance) of UE 200 relative to that reference position.

[0075] Magnetometers 271 can determine the intensity of magnetic fields in different directions, which can be used to determine the orientation of the UE 200. For example, this orientation can be used to provide a digital compass for the UE 200. Magnetometers 271 may include a two-dimensional magnetometer configured to detect and provide an indication of magnetic field intensity in two orthogonal dimensions. Alternatively or alternatively, magnetometers 271 may include a three-dimensional magnetometer configured to detect and provide an indication of magnetic field intensity in three orthogonal dimensions. Magnetometers 271 may provide means for sensing magnetic fields and, for example, providing a magnetic field indication to processor 210.

[0076] Transceiver 215 may include a wireless transceiver 240 and a wired transceiver 250 configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 240 may include a 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 signals from wireless signals 248 to wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals and from wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals to wireless signals 248. Thus, transmitter 242 may include multiple transmitters that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or receiver 244 may include multiple receivers that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 240 can be configured to support various radio access technologies (RATs) such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone System), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), V2C (Uu), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, and WiFi Direct (WiFi-D). The NR system can be configured to operate on different frequency layers (such as FR1 (e.g., 410-7125MHz) and FR2 (e.g., 24.25-52.6GHz)) and can be extended to new frequency bands (such as sub-6GHz and / or 100GHz and higher frequency bands (e.g., FR2x, FR3, FR4)). The wired transceiver 250 may include a transmitter 252 and a receiver 254 configured for wired communication (e.g., with network 135) to, for example, send and receive communications to and from gNB 110a. Transmitter 252 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or receiver 254 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wired transceiver 250 may be configured for, for example, optical communication and / or electrical communication. Transceiver 215 may be communicatively coupled to transceiver interface 214 (e.g., via optical and / or electrical connections). Transceiver interface 214 may be at least partially integrated with transceiver 215.

[0077] User interface 216 may include one or more of a number of devices, such as, for example, speakers, microphones, display devices, vibration devices, keyboards, touchscreens, etc. User interface 216 may include any device that includes more than one of these devices. User interface 216 may be configured to enable a user to interact with one or more applications stored in the main memory of UE 200. For example, user interface 216 may store indications of analog and / or digital signals in memory 211 in response to actions from the user, for processing by DSP 231 and / or general-purpose processor 230. Similarly, applications in the main memory of UE 200 may store indications of analog and / or digital signals in memory 211 to present output signals to the user. User interface 216 may include audio input / output (I / O) devices, including, for example, speakers, microphones, digital-to-analog circuitry systems, analog-to-digital circuitry systems, amplifiers, and / or gain control circuitry systems (any device including more than one of these devices). Other configurations of the audio I / O devices may be used. Alternatively or concurrently, the user interface 216 may include one or more touch sensors that respond to touch and / or pressure on, for example, the keyboard and / or touchscreen of the user interface 216.

[0078] SPS receiver 217 (e.g., a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver) can receive and acquire SPS signal 260 via SPS antenna 262. Antenna 262 is configured to convert the wireless signal 260 into a wired signal (e.g., an electrical signal or an optical signal) and can be integrated with antenna 246. SPS receiver 217 can be configured to process the acquired SPS signal 260 fully or partially to estimate the location of UE 200. For example, SPS receiver 217 can be configured to determine the location of UE 200 by using trilateration with SPS signal 260. SPS receiver 217 can be combined with general-purpose processor 230, memory 211, DSP 231 and / or one or more dedicated processors (not shown) to process the acquired SPS signal fully or partially and / or calculate the estimated location of UE 200. Memory 211 may store indications (e.g., measurements) of SPS signal 260 and / or other signals (e.g., signals acquired from wireless transceiver 240) for use during positioning operations. General-purpose processor 230, DSP 231, and / or one or more dedicated processors, and / or memory 211 may provide or support a position engine for processing measurements to estimate the position of UE 200.

[0079] UE 200 may include a camera 218 for capturing still or moving images. Camera 218 may include, for example, an imaging sensor (e.g., a charge-coupled device or a CMOS imager), lenses, analog-to-digital circuitry, frame buffers, etc. Additional processing, conditioning, encoding, and / or compression of the signals representing the captured images may be performed by a general-purpose processor 230 and / or a DSP 231. Alternatively or additionally, a video processor 233 may perform conditioning, encoding, compression, and / or manipulation of the signals representing the captured images. The video processor 233 may decode / decompress stored image data for presentation on a display device (not shown), for example, a user interface 216.

[0080] A positioning (motion) device (PMD) 219 may be configured to determine the location and possible motion of the UE 200. For example, the PMD 219 may communicate with, and / or include some or all of, the SPS receiver 217. The PMD 219 may additionally or alternatively be configured to: use trilateration using ground-based signals (e.g., at least some signals 248), assist in acquisition and use of SPS signals 260, or both, to determine the location of the UE 200. The PMD 219 may be configured to: use one or more other techniques (e.g., those that rely on the UE's self-reported location (e.g., part of the UE's positioning beacon)) to determine the location of the UE 200, and may use a combination of techniques (e.g., SPS and ground positioning signals) to determine the location of the UE 200. PMD 219 may include one or more sensors 213 (e.g., gyroscopes, accelerometers, magnetometers, etc.) that sense the orientation and / or motion of UE 200 and provide an indication of such orientation and / or motion. Processor 210 (e.g., processor 230 and / or DSP 231) may be configured to use this indication to determine the motion of UE 200 (e.g., velocity vector and / or acceleration vector). PMD 219 may be configured to provide an indication of uncertainty and / or error in the determined positioning and / or motion.

[0081] Also refer to Figure 3Examples of TRP 300 of BS 110a, 110b, 114 include a computing platform containing processor 310, a memory 311 including software (SW) 312, a transceiver 315, and (optionally) an SPS receiver 317. Processor 310, memory 311, transceiver 315, and SPS receiver 317 can be communicatively coupled to each other via bus 320 (which can be configured, for example, for optical and / or electrical communication). One or more of the illustrated devices (e.g., a wireless interface and / or SPS receiver 317) may be omitted from TRP 300. SPS receiver 317 may be configured similarly to SPS receiver 217 to receive and acquire SPS signal 360 via SPS antenna 362. Processor 310 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. Processor 310 may include multiple processors (e.g., including such...). Figure 4 (The general-purpose / application processor, DSP, modem processor, video processor, and / or sensor processor shown). Memory 311 is a non-transient storage medium, which may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk storage, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 311 stores software 312, which may be processor-readable, processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 310 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, software 312 may not be directly executable by processor 310, but may be configured (e.g., when compiled and executed) to cause processor 310 to perform various functions. This description may refer only to processor 310 performing functions, but this includes other implementations, such as processor 310 performing software and / or firmware implementations. This description may refer to processor 310 performing functions as a shorthand for one or more processors included in processor 310 performing that function. This description may refer to the TRP300 execution function as a shorthand for one or more appropriate components of the TRP 300 (and thus one of BS 110a, 110b, 114) performing that function. The processor 310 may include memory with stored instructions as a supplement and / or replacement for memory 311. The functionality of the processor 310 is discussed more fully below.

[0082] Transceiver 315 may include a wireless transceiver 340 and a wired transceiver 350 configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, 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 receiving (e.g., on one or more downlink channels) wireless signals 348 and converting signals from wireless signals 348 to wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals and from wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals to wireless signals 348. Thus, transmitter 342 may include multiple transmitters that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or receiver 344 may include multiple receivers that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 340 can be configured to support various radio access technologies (RATs) such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone System), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, and WiFi Direct (WiFi-D). The wired transceiver 350 may include a transmitter 352 and a receiver 354 configured to conduct wired communication (e.g., with network 140) to send and receive communications, for example, to LMF 120 or other network servers. The transmitter 352 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or the receiver 354 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wired transceiver 350 may be configured for, for example, optical communication and / or electrical communication.

[0083] Figure 3 The configuration of TRP 300 shown is illustrative and not intended to limit the invention (including the claims), and other configurations may be used. For example, the description herein discusses TRP 300 being configured to perform several functions or TRP 300 performing several functions, but one or more of these functions may be performed by LMF 120 and / or UE 200 (i.e., LMF 120 and / or UE 200 may be configured to perform one or more of these functions).

[0084] Also refer to Figure 4Example servers (such as LMF 120) include a computing platform containing processor 410, a memory 411 containing software (SW) 412, and a transceiver 415. Processor 410, memory 411, and transceiver 415 are communicatively coupled to each other via bus 420 (which may be configured for, for example, optical communication and / or electrical communication). One or more of the illustrated devices (e.g., a wireless interface) may be omitted from server 400. Processor 410 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. Processor 410 may include multiple processors (e.g., including such...). Figure 4 (The general-purpose / application processor, DSP, modem processor, video processor, and / or sensor processor shown). Memory 411 is a non-transient storage medium, which may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk storage, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 411 stores software 412, which may be processor-readable, processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 410 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, software 412 may not be directly executable by processor 410, but may be configured (e.g., when compiled and executed) to cause processor 410 to perform various functions. This description may refer only to processor 410 performing functions, but this includes other implementations, such as processor 410 performing software and / or firmware implementations. This description may refer to processor 410 performing functions as a shorthand for one or more processors included in processor 410 performing that function. This description may refer to server 400 (or LMF 200) performing functions as a shorthand for one or more appropriate components of server 400 performing that function. Processor 410 may include memory with stored instructions as a supplement to and / or replacement of memory 411. The functionality of processor 410 is discussed more fully below.

[0085] Transceiver 415 may include a wireless transceiver 440 and a wired transceiver 450 configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, 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 signals from wireless signals 448 to wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals and from wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals to wireless signals 448. Thus, transmitter 442 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or receiver 444 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 440 can be configured to support various radio access technologies (RATs) such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone System), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, and WiFi Direct (WiFi-D). The wired transceiver 450 may include a transmitter 452 and a receiver 454 configured to conduct wired communication (e.g., with network 135) to send and receive communications to, for example, TRP 300. The transmitter 452 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or the receiver 454 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wired transceiver 450 may be configured for, for example, optical communication and / or electrical communication.

[0086] Figure 4 The configuration of server 400 shown is exemplary and not intended to limit the invention (including the claims), and other configurations may be used. For example, wireless transceiver 440 may be omitted. Additionally or alternatively, the description herein discusses server 400 being configured to perform several functions or server 400 performing several functions, but one or more of these functions may be performed by TRP 300 and / or UE 200 (i.e., TRP 300 and / or UE 200 may be configured to perform one or more of these functions).

[0087] Reference Figure 5A and 5BThe diagram illustrates an example downlink PRS resource set. Generally, a PRS resource set is a collection of PRS resources spanning a single base station (e.g., TRP 300) that share the same periodicity, a common silent mode configuration, and the same cross-slot repetition factor. A first PRS resource set 502 comprises 4 resources and a repetition factor of 4, with a time slot equal to 1 time slot. A second PRS resource set 504 comprises 4 resources and a repetition factor of 4, with a time slot equal to 4 time slots. The repetition factor indicates the number of times each PRS resource is repeated in each individual instance of the PRS resource set (e.g., values ​​1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32). The time slot represents the offset in time slots between two repeating instances of PRS resources corresponding to the same PRS resource ID within a single instance of the PRS resource set (e.g., values ​​1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32). The time duration spanned by a PRS resource set containing repeating PRS resources does not exceed the PRS periodicity. Repetition of PRS resources enables receiver beam sweeping across repetitions and combines RF gains to increase coverage. Repetition also allows for in-instance silence.

[0088] Reference Figure 6 This illustrates example subframes and time slot formats used for positioning reference signal transmission. The example subframes and time slot formats are included in... Figure 5A and 5B The PRS resource cluster described in the document. Figure 6 The subframe and time slot formats described are examples and not limitations, and include a comb-2 format 602 with 2 symbols, a comb-4 format 604 with 4 symbols, a comb-2 format 606 with 12 symbols, a comb-4 format 608 with 12 symbols, a comb-6 format 610 with 6 symbols, a comb-12 format 612 with 12 symbols, a comb-2 format 614 with 6 symbols, and a comb-6 format 616 with 12 symbols. Generally, a subframe may include 14 symbol periods with indices 0 to 13. The subframe and time slot formats can be used in the Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH). Typically, a base station can transmit PRS from antenna port 6 on one or more time slots in each subframe configured for PRS transmission. The base station may avoid transmitting PRS on resource elements allocated to the PBCH, Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), or Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), regardless of their antenna ports. Cellular units can generate reference symbols for PRS based on cell ID, symbol periodicity index, and time slot index. Generally, UEs can distinguish PRS from different cells.

[0089] A base station can transmit PRS on a specific PRS bandwidth, which can be configured by higher layers. The base station can also transmit PRS on subcarriers spaced across the PRS bandwidth. The base station can also transmit PRS based on parameters such as PRS periodicity (TPRS), subframe offset (PRS), and PRS duration (NPRS). PRS periodicity is the periodicity of PRS transmission. PRS periodicity can be, for example, 160, 320, 640, or 1280 ms. Subframe offset indicates the specific subframe in which PRS is transmitted. And PRS duration indicates the number of consecutive subframes in which PRS is transmitted within each PRS transmission cycle (PRS timing). PRS duration can be, for example, 1, 2, 4, or 6 ms.

[0090] The PRS periodicity (TPRS) and subframe offset (PRS) can be communicated via the PRS configuration index (IPRS). The PRS configuration index and PRS duration can be configured independently by higher layers. A set of consecutive NPRS subframes that transmit the PRS can be referred to as a PRS timing. Each PRS timing can be enabled or silenced; for example, a UE can apply a silence bit to each cell. A PRS resource set is a collection of PRS resources across base stations that share the same periodicity, a common silence mode configuration, and the same cross-slot repetition factor (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32 slots).

[0091] Generally speaking, Figure 5A and 5B The PRS resource described herein can be a set of resource elements used for PRS transmission. This set of resource elements can span multiple Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) in the frequency domain and N (e.g., one or more) coherent symbols within a time slot in the time domain. In a given OFDM symbol, the PRS resource occupies a coherent PRB. The PRS resource is described by at least the following parameters: PRS resource identifier (ID), sequence ID, comb size N, resource element offset in the frequency domain, start time slot and start symbol, number of symbols per PRS resource (i.e., duration of the PRS resource), and QCL information (e.g., QCL with other DL reference signals). Currently, one antenna port is supported. The comb size indicates the number of subcarriers carrying the PRS in each symbol. For example, a comb size of comb-4 means that every fourth subcarrier of a given symbol carries the PRS.

[0092] A PRS resource set is a group of PRS resources used for PRS signal transmission, where each PRS resource has a PRS resource ID. Furthermore, PRS resources in a PRS resource set are associated with the same transmit / receive point (e.g., TRP 300). Each PRS resource in a PRS resource set has the same periodicity, a shared silence mode, and the same cross-slot repetition factor. A PRS resource set is identified by a PRS resource set ID and can be associated with a specific TRP (identified by a cell ID) transmitted by the antenna panel of a base station. The PRS resource ID in a PRS resource set can be associated with an omnidirectional signal and / or with a single beam (and / or beam ID) transmitted from a single base station (where a base station can transmit one or more beams). Each PRS resource in a PRS resource set can be transmitted on a different beam, and thus, a PRS resource (or simply a resource) can also be referred to as a beam. Note that this does not imply at all whether the UE is aware of the base station and beam transmitting the PRS.

[0093] Reference Figure 7 The diagram illustrates a conceptual representation of an example positioning frequency layer 700. In one example, positioning frequency layer 700 can be a collection of PRS resource sets spanning one or more TRPs. Positioning frequency layers can have the same subcarrier spacing (SCS) and cyclic prefix (CP) type, the same point A, the same DL PRS bandwidth value, the same starting PRB, and the same comb size value. The set of parameters supported by PDSCH can be supported by the PRS. Each PRS resource set in positioning frequency layer 700 is a collection of PRS resources spanning one TRP that have the same periodicity, a shared silent mode configuration, and the same cross-slot repetition factor.

[0094] Note that the terms Positioning Reference Signal and PRS are reference signals that can be used for positioning, such as, but not limited to: PRS signal, Navigation Reference Signal (NRS) in 5G, Downlink Positioning Reference Signal (DL-PRS), Uplink Positioning Reference Signal (UL-PRS), Tracking Reference Signal (TRS), Cell-Specific Reference Signal (CRS), Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), Detection Reference Signal (SRS), etc.

[0095] The ability of a UE to process PRS signals can vary based on its capabilities. However, in general, industry standards can be developed to establish shared PRS capabilities for all UEs in a network. For example, existing industry standards may require the duration of DL PRS symbols per T ms that the UE can process in milliseconds (ms), assuming the UE supports and reports a maximum DL PRS bandwidth in MHz. As an example, and not a limitation, the maximum DL PRS bandwidth for the FR1 band could be 5, 10, 20, 40, 50, 80, or 100 MHz, while the maximum DL PRS bandwidth for the FR2 band could be 50, 100, 200, or 400 MHz. These standards may also indicate DL PRS buffering capabilities as Type 1 (i.e., sub-slot / symbol-level buffering) or Type 2 (i.e., slot-level buffering). Shared UE capabilities can indicate the duration of DL PRS symbols per T ms, N, that the UE can process in milliseconds, assuming the UE supports and reports a maximum DL PRS bandwidth in MHz. Example T values ​​can include 8, 16, 20, 30, 40, 80, 160, 320, 640, 1280 ms, and example N values ​​can include 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 25, 30, 32, 35, 40, 45, 50 ms. The UE can be configured to report a combination of (N, T) values ​​per frequency band, where N is the duration of DL PRS symbols processed per T ms for a given maximum bandwidth (B) supported by the UE in MHz. Generally, it may not be expected that the UE will support DL PRS bandwidth exceeding the reported DL PRS bandwidth value. UE DL PRS processing capability can be defined for a single positioning frequency layer 700. UE DL PRS processing capability depends on DL PRS comb factor configuration (such as in...). Figure 6 The number of DL PRS resources that a UE can process in a time slot at a given frequency level may be unknown. UE processing capability indicates the maximum number of DL PRS resources that a UE can process in a time slot at that frequency level. For example, for each SCS: 15kHz, 30kHz, 60kHz, the maximum number for the FR1 band could be 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, 48, 64, while for each SCS: 15kHz, 30kHz, 60kHz, 120kHz, the maximum number for the FR2 band could be 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, 48, 64.

[0096] Industry standards for higher frequencies (e.g., millimeter wave (mmW) such as FR4 (i.e., 52.6 GHz – 114.25 GHz)) can utilize different DL PRS resources and bandwidth portions to provide DL PRS to the UE. The antenna arrays and increased bandwidth used in mmW applications may affect the transmit and receive beam patterns associated with different bandwidth portions.

[0097] Reference Figure 8 An example bandwidth portion 800 with multiple resource bandwidths is shown. In one embodiment, the beam pattern / shape of the signal transmitted from the slave station may be associated with the bandwidth portion and the resource bandwidth. Generally, the bandwidth portion (BWP) 800 represents a set of adjacent shared resource blocks in the component carriers. In this explanation, the frequency of the BWP 800 is along... Figure 8 The horizontal axis is shown. BWPs can be used to provide services to UEs that do not support full channel bandwidth (i.e., when the channel bandwidth of the base station and the UE does not match). In one example, the UE can be configured to have up to 4 DL BWPs per carrier and up to 4 UL BWPs per carrier. The UE can use DL BWPs and UL BWPs to transmit and receive signals such as data channels, control channels CSI-RS, DL-PRS, UL-PRS (SRS), PUCCH, PUSCH, etc. Bandwidth portion information, including one or more BWPs and associated resource BWs (RBMs), can be signaled by one or more System Information Blocks (SIBs) received from the base station. The UE can be configured with a default DL BWP and / or receive a parameter structure for configuring the initial DL BWP (e.g., using the initialDownlinkBWP parameter structure defined in 3GPP TS 38.211). Parameters for the UL BWPs can be received in the bandwidth portion information (e.g., via SIBs or other dedicated signaling). The base station can dynamically switch the active BWP (e.g., active BWP) via the bandwidth portion indicator field in the downlink control information (DCI) signal.

[0098] The bandwidth portion information defining the active BWP (i.e., the currently active bandwidth portion 800) may further include resource bandwidth information defining multiple resource BWs (such as first resource BW 802, second resource BW 804, third resource BW 806, and fourth resource BW 808). The terms resource BW, RBW, and subband are used interchangeably herein. In contrast to the latency associated with switching the active BWP, the base station can rapidly change between resource BWs 802, 804, 806, and 808 using DCI-based signaling or Media Access Control-Control Element (MAC-CE) signaling. Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling can be used to configure resource BWs 802, 804, 806, and 808 within BWP 800. BWP 800 is associated with the radio parameters required for communication with the base station (e.g., PUCCH, PUSCH, PRS, SRS, PDSCH, PDCCH, DMRS, etc.), and the UE may have to reconfigure its internal radio parameters based on the new BWP when the active BWP is switched. Each of the resource BWs 802, 804, 806, and 808 inherits the signaling configuration from the active BWP and can eliminate the need for retuning RF components in some UEs. A resource BW may cover all or some of the active BWP. For example, the first resource BW 802 covers a significant portion of the active BWP, while the second, third, and fourth resource BWs 804, 806, and 808 cover smaller portions of the active BWP. Resource BWs may have disjoint coverage over the active BWP. For example, the third resource BW 806 includes areas on both edges of the active BWP.

[0099] Reference Figure 9A conceptual diagram 900 of beamforming transmission from base station 902 is shown. Base station 902 is an example of TRP 300 (such as gNB 110a-b and ng-eNB 114) and is configured to transmit and receive RF signals using beamforming technology. UE 910 is an example of UE 200 and can be positioned to receive one or more beams transmitted from base station 902. In one example, base station 902 may be configured to transmit a first set of beamforming reference signals 903, such as DL-PRS, in a first subband of a frequency layer (e.g., FR4, sub-6G, mmW band, etc.). The beam pattern and beam shape of the first set of beamforming reference signals 903 transmitted by base station 902 are partially based on the frequency of the first subband. The first subband may be a BWP, RBW, or other RB distribution in the frequency layer. Base station 902 is configured to generate the first set of beamforming reference signals 903 based on tuning circuitry and phase shifters, as well as corresponding codebook parameters associated with each beam. For example, the first beam 904 may correspond to a first DL-PRS resource and have a peak in array gain corresponding to the angle associated with the first reflector 912. The first reflector 912 may be a building or other structure that may result in a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) path 904a based on reflection or refraction of the first beam 904. The UE 910 may receive the NLOS path 904a. The second beam 908 may have a peak array gain angle (i.e., AoD) aimed at the UE 910. In operation, the UE 910 may be configured to utilize the AoD of the first and / or second beams 904, 908 when positioning. For example, the locations of the base station 902 and the reflector 912, and the corresponding beam coverage area associated with the AoD, may be known. Other measurements from the first and second beams 904, 908, and from other base stations ( Figure 9 The beam (not shown) can also be used to determine location based on multilateral positioning and other ranging techniques (e.g., TDOA, RTT, RSSI, RSRP, etc.). The accuracy of the AoD of the beam transmitted by base station 902 may affect the accuracy of the location estimation for UE 910, and therefore the beam shape changes of the first and second beams 904, 908 due to beam tilt may also affect the location estimation.

[0100] Reference Figure 10A and 10B This shows a graphical example of beam tilt associated with antenna codebook design. Figure 10A and 10B The graph includes array gain axis 1002 and spatial angle axis 1004, and represents the beam generated by two example 16x1 arrays having a gain of 57 GHz. Figure 10A ) and 71GHz ( Figure 10BThe antenna array is configured to cover + / - 50 degrees around the line of sight using a codebook of size 12. That is, in... Figure 10A In the 57 GHz array, each of the 12 beams is based on the associated codebook parameters used for that beam, and... Figure 10B In the diagram, each of the 12 beams in the 71 GHz array is based on associated codebook parameters for that beam. Each graph includes gain and spatial angle values ​​for three different frequencies (57 GHz, 61 GHz, and 71 GHz). The different frequency values ​​are examples of situations where different sub-bands of the antenna array can be utilized and where the frequencies in the sub-bands differ from the preferred element spacing. That is, the wavelength (λ) of the signal in the sub-band can differ from the array spacing d = λ / 2. Since the array codebook is the same regardless of the frequency of the input signal (where the codebook loading time depends on the RF settling time, which can be quite high at millimeter-wave carrier frequencies), the resulting angle at which the peak is seen in the array gain can vary based on different input signals. This effect is called beam tilt. For example, refer to... Figure 10A The array spacing is configured such that d = λ / 2 at 57 GHz, and the peak array gain angle of the 57 GHz signal 1006 differs from that of the 61 GHz signal 1008, which in turn differs from that of the 71 GHz signal 1010. The further the beam steering angle is from the array's line of sight, the more significant the effect of beam tilt on beam pattern and shape may be. For example, the outermost beam may vary by approximately 20 degrees across frequencies. In another example, referencing... Figure 10B The array spacing is configured to d = λ / 2 for 71 GHz, and the array gain peak angle of the 57 GHz signal 1012 is different from that of the 61 GHz signal 1014, which is different from that of the 71 GHz signal 1016.

[0101] Figure 10A and 10B The beam pattern plotting in the diagram illustrates that beams may not correlate well across different frequencies. Different beam indices can provide better results at different carrier frequencies, especially towards the edges of the antenna coverage, where angular differences can be more significant across frequencies. For example, depending on the steering angle of interest, beams from 57 GHz or 71 GHz can provide improved signal strength (e.g., the gain difference could be significant, around 2-3 dB). In one example, a smaller codebook size at f c =71GHz is sufficient to cover f c =57GHz coverage area.

[0102] Reference Figure 11 Furthermore, refer to Figure 9 A conceptual diagram 1100 illustrates an example effect of beam tilt on positioning. In operation, the base station can be configured to generate a second set of beam-shaped reference signals 1103 based on a second sub-band of the frequency layer. Figure 9 Compared to the first subband, the second subband can be a different BWP or another RB distribution in the frequency layer. Since the base station 902 uses the same codebook for the frequency layer, and the first and second subbands utilize different frequencies in the frequency layer, the resulting beam tilt can change the beam pattern and beam shape of each beam in the first and second subbands. For example, the beam patterns for the first beam 904 and the second beam 908 can be shifted outward from the line of sight of the antenna array so that they are no longer pointing towards the reflector 912 and the UE 910. Therefore, when the second subband is active, the base station 902 can be configured to utilize a third beam 1102 toward the reflector 912 (and generate an NLOS signal 1102a) and a fourth beam 1104 toward the UE 910. Since the subbands can be dynamically activated (e.g., by changing the active BWP), the base station 902 can be configured such that when the frequency changes between the first and second subbands, the beams 904, 908 (e.g., the beam pattern of the first beam 904, 908) are shifted outward from the line of sight of the antenna array so that they are no longer pointing towards the reflector 912 and the UE 910. Figure 9 The beams alternate between the third and fourth beams 1102 and 1104 (as shown in Figure 10).

[0103] Reference Figure 12An example message flow 1200 for providing frequency-dependent beam patterns for positioning is shown. Message flow 1200 is merely an example and not a limitation, as other messaging and signaling techniques can be used to propagate frequency-dependent beam patterns. In one embodiment, message flow 1200 includes a UE 200, a TRP 300, and at least one server 400. In a 5G NR network (such as communication system 100), TRP 300 may be gNB 110a-b, and server 400 may be one or more of AMF 115 and LMF 120. TRP 300 may include configuration data associated with antenna gain and beam performance in different subbands. For example, beam angle and shape may be associated with BWP or RB in a DL-PRS configuration. In one example, each PRS resource in the positioning frequency layer 700 may be associated with one or more subbands and corresponding beam patterns. TRP 300 may be configured to provide auxiliary data, including antenna array gain distributions for two or more subbands, in one or more auxiliary data provision messages 1202. The auxiliary data message 1202 can be provided using a radio protocol (such as LPP, NRPP, Radio Resource Control (RRC) messaging, or other signaling interfaces) via unicast or broadcast messages. For example, a frequency-dependent beam pattern can be included in one or more System Information Blocks (SIBs). The TRP 300 is configured to transmit one or more reference signals 1206 (e.g., DL-PRS) in a subband such that the beam pattern and shape are associated with that subband. In phase 1208, the UE 200 can be configured to obtain a measurement of the reference signal 1206 and determine (e.g., locally calculate) its location in phase 1212. The UE 200 can be configured to report the location results to the network (e.g., gNB 110a, AMF 115, and / or LMF 120) via a reported location message 1216 (e.g., LPP / NRPPa, RRC, etc.).

[0104] In one embodiment, TRP 300 may provide frequency-dependent beam pattern information to one or more network servers 400 in one or more array gain information messages 1204. Array gain information messages 1204 may be based on existing network protocols (such as LPP / NRPPa). In one example, LMF 120 may be configured to obtain beam pattern information for multiple subbands from multiple TRPs. In a DL-PRS use case, UE 200 may be configured to provide DL-PRS measurement and subband information to LMF 120 in one or more measurement provision messages 1210, and LMF 120 may be configured to determine the location of UE 200 based on the measurement and array gain information in stage 1214. In a UL-PRS use case, TRP 300 may be configured to provide SRS measurement and subband information to LMF 120, and LMF 120 may determine the location of UE 200 based on the SRS measurement and corresponding array gain information for the subband. Other messaging may be used to support positioning using frequency-dependent beam patterns.

[0105] Reference Figure 13 And further refer to Figure 1-12 Method 1300 for determining location information using a mobile device includes the stages shown. However, method 1300 is merely an example and not a limitation. Method 1300 can be modified, for example, by having stages added, removed, rearranged, combined, performed concurrently, and / or by splitting a single stage into multiple stages. For example, determining location in stage 1308 is optional and can be performed by other network resources.

[0106] At stage 1302, the method includes receiving auxiliary data comprising beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two subbands. UE 200 is an apparatus for receiving the auxiliary data. In one example, the auxiliary data may identify each of the plurality of reference signals by an identification value (such as PRS-ID) and indicate beam configuration information for each reference signal for different subband values. The beam configuration information may include beam pattern information (such as azimuth and elevation), as well as other beam pattern and shape information that varies with frequency. For example, reference... Figure 10AThe first beam may have a 45-degree turning angle at 57 GHz and a 65-degree turning angle at 71 GHz. The frequency may be based on an implicit definition or associated with other defined subbands (such as BWP, RBW, RB, or other frequency domain objects). Auxiliary data may include gain and direction information for at least one of the main lobe, side lobes, beam nulls, and grating lobes. In one example, the defined reference signal (such as the positioning frequency layer) may include frequency-dependent beam configuration information. Auxiliary data may be provided by the network via radio signaling (such as the Provide Auxiliary Data message 1202 in message flow 1200). Other wired and radio signaling technologies may be used to provide frequency-dependent beam pattern information to the UE 200.

[0107] In stage 1304, the method includes receiving at least one of a plurality of reference signals using a subband. UE 200 is an apparatus for receiving the plurality of reference signals. In one example, the reference signals... Figure 9 TRP 300 (such as base station 902) is configured to transmit beamforming reference signal 903 (such as beamforming DL-PRS signal) across the coverage area. Beamforming reference signal 903 is transmitted in a specific subband (such as in a configured BWP or other frequency domain object). The array gain peak (e.g., AoD value) of beamforming reference signal 903 is defined in the auxiliary data received in phase 1302.

[0108] In stage 1306, the method includes determining the departure angle value of at least one of the plurality of reference signals based at least in part on positioning assistance data regarding the sub-band. UE 200 is an apparatus for determining the AoD. In one example, the assistance data received in stage 1302 includes a lookup table or other data structure to associate beam identification information and sub-band parameters with the AoD value. The AoD may be based on azimuth and / or elevation. In a DL-PRS use case, each reference signal includes a PRS-ID value for identifying the beam. UE 200 operates on a specified frequency (i.e., sub-band) to receive the reference signal. In one embodiment, UE 200 is configured to obtain the AoD from the data structure based on the PRS-ID and frequency information. Other beam pattern and shape information may also be included in the data structure (e.g., beamwidth, RSRP value, etc.). In one example, the AoD and other beam factors may be defined as functions of the sub-band, and the AoD may be derived as a result of the function rather than as a result of a lookup table query. Other deterministic techniques can be used to correlate received signals with frequency-dependent beam parameters.

[0109] In stage 1308, the method may optionally include determining the location based at least in part on the departure angle value. UE 200 is an apparatus for determining the location. In one example, UE 200 may receive DL-PRS signals from multiple base stations and may use AoD and station location information associated with the multiple signals to determine the location (e.g., based on the intersection of angles). Other measurement information (such as RSSI, RSRP, RTT, TDOA) may also be used to determine the location of UE 200. In one example, UE 200 may be configured to provide measurement information and / or AoD information to network resources configured to determine the location (e.g., gNB, LMF).

[0110] In one embodiment, method 1300 may also utilize the UL channel to perform location of UE 200. For example, UE 200 may be configured to transmit UL-PRS signals (e.g., SRS) to one or more base stations, and the base stations may determine the angle of arrival (AoA) based on a frequency-dependent beam pattern. For example, the receiving beam of the array on a first frequency may have a different azimuth or elevation angle than that on a second frequency. The AoA and subband information associated with the received UL-PRS may be provided to a location server (such as LMF 120) to determine the location of UE 200.

[0111] Reference Figure 14 And further refer to Figure 1-12 Method 1400 for providing frequency-dependent beam pattern auxiliary data to a mobile device includes the stages shown. However, method 1400 is merely an example and not a limitation. Method 1400 can be modified, for example, by having stages added, removed, rearranged, combined, executed concurrently, and / or by splitting a single stage into multiple stages.

[0112] In phase 1402, the method includes providing auxiliary data to one or more mobile devices, the auxiliary data including beam pattern information for multiple reference signals associated with at least two subbands. TRP 300 is a means for providing the auxiliary data. In one example, TRP 300 may include one or more antenna arrays and associated codebooks for implementing transmit and receive beamforming. The codebook may include parameters for tuning and phase-shifting individual elements in the receive chain for operating frequencies. The antenna arrays may have a wide operating bandwidth that can be defined by multiple subbands (e.g., BWP, RBW, RB, etc.). Different subbands may cause beam tilt, such as in... Figure 10A and 10BAs depicted in the text, beam parameters, including beam pattern information, can be characterized for each sub-band. Auxiliary data may include gain and direction information for at least one of the main lobe, side lobes, beam nulls, and grating lobes. Each characterization may be stored as a lookup table or defined as a sub-band-based functional relationship. Auxiliary data may include lookup tables or function parameters configured to enable the UE to determine the AoD at least partially based on the sub-band. In one example, auxiliary data may be provided via one or more auxiliary data provision messages 1202 in message flow 1200.

[0113] In stage 1404, the method includes transmitting one or more reference signals in the at least two subbands, wherein the departure angle of each of the one or more reference signals is at least partially based on the subband in which the one or more reference signals are transmitted. TRP 300 is an apparatus for transmitting one or more reference signals. In one example, TRP 300 is configured to transmit reference signals (such as DL-PRS) in multiple beams. The direction of the beams is at least partially based on the frequencies on which they are transmitted (i.e., due to the beam tilt effect described above). Each DL-PRS may include beam identification information to enable the receiving station to identify the beam and determine the AoD based on the identification information and the current subband (e.g., active BWP).

[0114] Reference Figure 15 And further refer to Figure 1-12 The method 1500 for network-assisted localization includes the stages shown. However, method 1500 is merely an example and not a limitation. Method 1500 can be modified, for example, by having stages added, removed, rearranged, combined, executed concurrently, and / or by splitting a single stage into multiple stages.

[0115] In phase 1502, the method includes providing array gain information to a network server, the array gain information including beam pattern information for multiple reference signals associated with at least two subbands. TRP 300 is a means for providing the array gain information. In one example, TRP 300 may include one or more antenna arrays and associated codebooks for implementing transmit and receive beamforming. The codebook may include parameters for tuning and phase-shifting individual elements in the receive chain for operating frequencies. The array gain information may include beam direction and beam shape information, such as in... Figure 10A and 10BAs depicted herein, array gain information, including beam pattern information, can be characterized for each sub-band. The array gain distribution can include gain and direction information for at least one of the main lobe, side lobes, beam nulls, and grating lobes. The characterization can be stored as a lookup table or defined as a sub-band-based functional relationship. The array gain information can include lookup tables or other functional parameters configured to enable a server (such as LMF 120) to determine the AoD and AoA information of the DL and UL reference signals, at least in part, based on the sub-band. In one example, the array gain information can be provided to network resources (such as AMF 115 and / or LMF 120) via one or more array gain information messages 1204.

[0116] In phase 1504, the method includes transmitting one or more reference signals to one or more mobile devices in a subband, wherein the departure angle of each of the one or more reference signals is at least partially based on the subband. TRP 300 is an apparatus for transmitting one or more reference signals. In one example, TRP 300 is configured to transmit reference signals (such as DL-PRS) in multiple beams. The direction of the beams is at least partially based on the frequencies on which they are transmitted (i.e., due to beam tilt effects). Each DL-PRS may include beam identification information to enable the receiving station to identify the beam. In one embodiment, the mobile device may provide the beam identification to a network server (e.g., LMF 120) to determine the AoD based on the identification information and the subband of the received reference signal.

[0117] Reference Figure 16 And further refer to Figure 1-12 Method 1600 for determining the location of a mobile device based at least in part on a frequency-dependent beam pattern includes the phases shown. However, method 1600 is merely an example and not limiting. Method 1600 can be modified, for example, by having phases added, removed, rearranged, combined, executed concurrently, and / or by having a single phase split into multiple phases.

[0118] In phase 1602, the method includes receiving array gain information from a base station, the array gain information including beam pattern information for multiple reference signals associated with at least two subbands. Server 400 (such as LMF 120) is an apparatus for receiving the array gain information. In one example, TRP 300 may include one or more antenna arrays and associated codebooks for implementing transmit and receive beamforming. The codebook may include parameters for tuning and phase shifting each element in the receive chain for operating frequencies. The array gain information may include beamform information, such as... Figure 10A and 10BAs depicted in the text, array gain information, including beam pattern information, can be characterized for each sub-band. The array gain distribution can include gain and direction information for at least one of the main lobe, side lobes, beam nulls, and grating lobes. Each characterization can be stored as a lookup table or defined as a sub-band-based functional relationship. The array gain information can include lookup tables or other functional parameters configured such that server 400 (such as LMF 120) can determine the AoD and AoA information of the DL and UL reference signals, at least partially based on the sub-band. In one example, LMF 120 can receive array gain information via one or more of the array gain information messages 1204. Other messaging can also be used to provide array gain information from base stations in the communication network to one or more location servers (such as LMF 120).

[0119] At stage 1604, the method includes receiving reference signal measurement information from a mobile device. Server 400 is an apparatus for receiving reference signal measurement information. In one example, UE 200 may receive a reference signal (such as DL-PRS transmitted from one or more base stations) on a subband. UE 200 may determine beam information (e.g., PRS-ID) of the received beam and may obtain measurements (such as RSTD, RTT, RSSI, TDOA) for the received beam. UE 200 may be configured to provide beam identification information, subband indication, and measurements to network resources (such as LMF 120) via one or more Provide Measurement messages 1210. Other messaging may also be used to provide beam and subband information. In one embodiment, UE 200 may be configured to transmit a UL-PRS signal to a base station, and the base station may be configured to provide beam, subband, and UL-PRS measurement information to LMF 120.

[0120] In stage 1606, the method includes determining the location of the mobile device based at least in part on array gain information and reference signal measurement information. Server 400 is an apparatus for determining the location of the mobile device. In one example, LMF 120 may determine AOD information based on received reference signal information and array gain information. For example, beam identification information and sub-bands may be used to determine the AOD of a beam. AOD values ​​associated with multiple reference signals from multiple base stations may be used to determine the location of UE 200 (e.g., based on angle intersections). LMF 120 may be configured to determine the location of UE 200 using other measurement information of the corresponding beam (such as RSSI, RSRP, RTT, TDOA measurements).

[0121] The techniques described herein are not limited to positioning reference signals. Other reference signals (such as tracking reference signal (TRS), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), probe reference signal (SRS), etc.) may be associated with one or more subbands, and TRP 300, server 400 and / or UE 200 may be configured to apply the frequency-dependent beam patterns described herein.

[0122] Other examples and implementations fall within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software and computers, the above-described functions can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwired, or any combination thereof. Features implementing the functions can also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that different parts of the functions are implemented at different physical locations.

[0123] As used herein, the singular forms of “a,” “some,” and “the” also include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, “processor” can include one or more processors. As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and / or “containing” indicate the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0124] Similarly, as used herein, the "or" used in a list of items followed by "at least one of" or "one or more of" indicates a disjunctive list such that a list of, for example, "at least one of A, B or C" or "one or more of A, B or C" represents A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C), or a combination having more than one feature (e.g., AA, AAB, ABBC, etc.).

[0125] Substantial modifications can be made to suit specific requirements. For example, custom hardware can be used, and / or specific elements can be implemented in the hardware, in processor-executed software (including portable software such as applets), or both. Furthermore, connections to other computing devices (such as network input / output devices) can be employed.

[0126] The systems and devices discussed above are examples. Various configurations may appropriately omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components. For example, features described with reference to certain configurations may be combined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elements of a configuration may be combined in a similar manner. Furthermore, technology evolves, and thus many elements are examples and do not limit the scope of this disclosure or the claims.

[0127] A wireless communication system is a system in which communication is transmitted wirelessly, that is, through the atmospheric space via electromagnetic waves and / or sound waves rather than through wires or other physical connections. A wireless communication network may not necessarily transmit all communications wirelessly, but may be configured to transmit at least some communications wirelessly. Furthermore, the term "wireless communication device" or similar terms do not require that the device be functionally exclusively or uniformly primarily used for communication, or that the device is a mobile device, but rather indicate that the device includes wireless communication capabilities (one-way or two-way), for example, including at least one radio (each radio being part of a transmitter, receiver, or transceiver) for wireless communication.

[0128] Specific details are set forth in this description to provide a thorough understanding of the example configurations (including implementations). However, these configurations can be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques have been shown without unnecessary detail to avoid obscuring these configurations. This description provides only example configurations and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claims. Rather, the preceding description of the configurations provides a description for implementing the techniques described. Various changes can be made to the function and arrangement of the elements without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0129] As used herein, the terms “processor-readable medium,” “machine-readable medium,” and “computer-readable medium” refer to any medium that participates in providing data that enables a machine to operate in a particular manner. Using a computing platform, various processor-readable media may involve providing instructions / code to (such as) processors for execution, and / or being used to store and / or carry such instructions / code (e.g., as signals). In many implementations, processor-readable media are physical and / or tangible storage media. Such media can take many forms, including but not limited to non-volatile and volatile media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical discs and / or magnetic disks. Volatile media include, but are not limited to, dynamic memory.

[0130] A statement whose value exceeds (or is greater than or higher than) a first threshold is equivalent to a statement whose value meets or exceeds a second threshold slightly greater than the first threshold. For example, in the resolution of the computing system, the second threshold is one value higher than the first threshold. A statement whose value is less than the first threshold (or within or below the first threshold) is equivalent to a statement whose value is less than or equal to a second threshold slightly lower than the first threshold. For example, in the resolution of the computing system, the second threshold is one value lower than the first threshold.

Claims

1. A method for determining location information using a mobile device, the method comprising: Receive positioning assistance data including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two sub-bands, wherein the at least two sub-bands are within the bandwidth of each of the plurality of reference signals; Receive at least one of the plurality of reference signals within the subband; as well as The departure angle value of at least one of the plurality of reference signals is determined at least in part based on the positioning assistance data regarding the sub-band.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the position at least in part based on the departure angle value.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the subband is a portion of the active bandwidth utilized by the mobile device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the subband is the resource bandwidth within the active bandwidth portion utilized by the mobile device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the subband is a set of resource blocks received by the mobile device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the subband is a component carrier of the plurality of reference signals.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of reference signals are downlink positioning reference signals.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the positioning assistance data includes gain and direction information of at least one of the main lobe, side lobe, beam null, and grating lobe of each of the plurality of reference signals.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: The second reference signal is received in the second sub-band, and the departure angle of the second reference signal is determined at least in part based on the frequency associated with the second sub-band.

10. A method for determining the location of a mobile device, the method comprising: Array gain information is received from a base station, the array gain information including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two sub-bands, wherein the at least two sub-bands are within the bandwidth of each of the plurality of reference signals; Receive reference signal measurement information from the mobile device; as well as The location of the mobile device is determined at least in part based on the array gain information and the reference signal measurement information.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least two subbands are based on a portion of the bandwidth utilized by the mobile device.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least two subbands are two different resource bandwidths within the active bandwidth portion utilized by the mobile device.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least two sub-bands are two sets of resource blocks utilized by the plurality of reference signals.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least two sub-bands are at least two component carriers for the plurality of reference signals.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of reference signals are downlink positioning reference signals.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the array gain information includes gain and direction information of at least one of the main lobe, side lobe, beam null, and grating lobe of each of the plurality of reference signals.

17. A method for providing frequency-dependent beam pattern auxiliary data to a mobile device, the method comprising: Provide auxiliary data to one or more mobile devices, the auxiliary data including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two sub-bands, wherein the at least two sub-bands are within the bandwidth of each of the plurality of reference signals; as well as One or more reference signals are transmitted in the at least two sub-bands, wherein the departure angle of each of the one or more reference signals is at least partially based on the sub-band in which the one or more reference signals are transmitted.

18. A method for network-assisted positioning, the method comprising: Provide array gain information to a network server, the array gain information including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two sub-bands, wherein the at least two sub-bands are within the bandwidth of each of the plurality of reference signals; as well as One or more reference signals are transmitted in a subband to one or more mobile devices, wherein the departure angle of each of the one or more reference signals is at least partially based on the subband.

19. An apparatus comprising: Memory; At least one transceiver; At least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, and configured to: The at least one transceiver is used to receive positioning assistance data, the positioning assistance data including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two sub-bands, wherein the at least two sub-bands are within the bandwidth of each of the plurality of reference signals; The at least one transceiver is used to receive at least one of the plurality of reference signals in a subband; as well as The departure angle value of at least one of the plurality of reference signals is determined at least in part based on the positioning assistance data regarding the sub-band.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine the position at least in part based on the departure angle value.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the subband is a portion of the active bandwidth utilized by the apparatus.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the subband is a resource bandwidth within the active bandwidth portion utilized by the apparatus.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the sub-band is a set of resource blocks received by the apparatus.

24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the subband is a component carrier of the plurality of reference signals.

25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the plurality of reference signals are downlink positioning reference signals.

26. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the positioning assistance data includes gain and direction information of at least one of the main lobe, side lobe, beam null, and grating lobe of each of the plurality of reference signals.

27. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive a second reference signal in a second subband, and determine the departure angle of the second reference signal based at least in part on a frequency associated with the second subband.

28. An apparatus comprising: Memory; At least one transceiver; At least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, and configured to: The at least one transceiver receives array gain information from the base station, the array gain information including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two sub-bands, wherein the at least two sub-bands are within the bandwidth of each of the plurality of reference signals; Receive reference signal measurement information from the mobile device using the at least one transceiver; as well as The location of the mobile device is determined at least in part based on the array gain information and the reference signal measurement information.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the at least two subbands are based on a portion of the bandwidth utilized by the mobile device.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the at least two subbands are two different resource bandwidths within the active bandwidth portion utilized by the mobile device.

31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the at least two sub-bands are two sets of resource blocks utilized by the plurality of reference signals.

32. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the at least two sub-bands are at least two component carriers for the plurality of reference signals.

33. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the plurality of reference signals are downlink positioning reference signals.

34. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the array gain information includes gain and direction information of at least one of the main lobe, side lobe, beam null, and grating lobe of each of the plurality of reference signals.

35. An apparatus comprising: Memory; At least one transceiver; At least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, and configured to: Provide auxiliary data to one or more mobile devices, the auxiliary data including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two sub-bands, wherein the at least two sub-bands are within the bandwidth of each of the plurality of reference signals; as well as The at least one transceiver transmits one or more reference signals in the at least two subbands, wherein the departure angle of each of the one or more reference signals is at least partially based on the subband in which the one or more reference signals are transmitted.

36. An apparatus comprising: Memory; At least one transceiver; At least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, and configured to: Provide array gain information to a network server, the array gain information including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two sub-bands, wherein the at least two sub-bands are within the bandwidth of each of the plurality of reference signals; as well as One or more reference signals are transmitted in a subband to one or more mobile devices using the at least one transceiver, wherein the departure angle of each of the one or more reference signals is at least partially based on the subband.

37. An apparatus for determining location information using a mobile device, the apparatus comprising: A means for receiving positioning assistance data including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two sub-bands, wherein the at least two sub-bands are within the bandwidth of each of the plurality of reference signals; A means for receiving at least one of the plurality of reference signals within a subband; as well as A means for determining the departure angle value of at least one of the plurality of reference signals based at least in part on the positioning assistance data regarding the sub-band.

38. An apparatus for determining the location of a mobile device, comprising: A means for receiving array gain information from a base station, the array gain information including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two sub-bands, wherein the at least two sub-bands are within the bandwidth of each of the plurality of reference signals; A means for receiving reference signal measurement information from the mobile device; as well as A means for determining the location of the mobile device based at least in part on the array gain information and the reference signal measurement information.

39. An apparatus for providing frequency-dependent beam pattern assistance data to a mobile device, the apparatus comprising: A means for providing auxiliary data to one or more mobile devices, the auxiliary data including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two sub-bands, wherein the at least two sub-bands are within the bandwidth of each of the plurality of reference signals; as well as A means for transmitting one or more reference signals in the at least two sub-bands, wherein the departure angle of each of the one or more reference signals is at least partially based on the sub-band in which the one or more reference signals are transmitted.

40. An apparatus for network-assisted positioning, the apparatus comprising: A means for providing array gain information to a network server, the array gain information including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two sub-bands, wherein the at least two sub-bands are within the bandwidth of each of the plurality of reference signals; as well as A means for transmitting one or more reference signals to one or more mobile devices in a subband, wherein the departure angle of each of the one or more reference signals is at least partially based on the subband.

41. A non-transient processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors to determine location information using a mobile device, comprising: Code for receiving positioning assistance data including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two sub-bands, wherein the at least two sub-bands are within the bandwidth of each of the plurality of reference signals; Code for receiving at least one of the plurality of reference signals within a subband; as well as Code for determining the departure angle value of at least one of the plurality of reference signals based at least in part on the positioning assistance data regarding the sub-band.

42. A non-transient processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors to determine the location of a mobile device, comprising: Code for receiving array gain information from a base station, the array gain information including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two sub-bands, wherein the at least two sub-bands are within the bandwidth of each of the plurality of reference signals; Code for receiving reference signal measurement information from the mobile device; as well as Code for determining the location of the mobile device based at least in part on the array gain information and the reference signal measurement information.

43. A non-transient processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to enable one or more processors to provide frequency-dependent beam pattern auxiliary data to a mobile device, comprising: Code for providing auxiliary data to one or more mobile devices, the auxiliary data including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two sub-bands, wherein the at least two sub-bands are within the bandwidth of each of the plurality of reference signals; as well as Code for transmitting one or more reference signals in the at least two subbands, wherein the departure angle of each of the one or more reference signals is at least partially based on the subband in which the one or more reference signals are transmitted.

44. A non-transient processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to enable one or more processors to provide network-assisted location, comprising: Code for providing array gain information to a network server, the array gain information including beam pattern information for a plurality of reference signals associated with at least two sub-bands, wherein the at least two sub-bands are within the bandwidth of each of the plurality of reference signals; as well as Code for transmitting one or more reference signals to one or more mobile devices in a subband, wherein the departure angle of each of the one or more reference signals is at least partially based on the subband.

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