Multi-port positioning reference signal (PRS) for downlink angle of departure (AOD) estimation

Abstract

Techniques for wireless positioning are disclosed. In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) receives a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration indicating one or more PRS resources transmitted on one or more antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of a base station, measures the one or more PRS resources on a set of angles, where the UE is configured to search for the one or more PRS resources on the set of angles based on the PRS configuration, and determines an angle in the set of angles on which at least one PRS resource of the one or more PRS resources is measured as a downlink angle of departure (DL-AoD) between the base station and the UE.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This patent application claims priority to Indian patent application No. 202041043117 entitled “MULTI-PORT POSITIONING REFERENCE SIGNAL (PRS) FOR DOWNLINK ANGLE-OF-DEPARTURE (AOD) ESTIMATION”, filed on October 5, 2020, which has been assigned to the assignee of this application and is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The various aspects disclosed herein generally relate to wireless positioning. Background Technology

[0004] Wireless communication systems have evolved through many generations, including first-generation analog radiotelephone service (1G), second-generation (2G) digital radiotelephone service (including intermediate 2.5G and 2.75G networks), third-generation (3G) high-speed data, wireless services with internet capabilities, and fourth-generation (4G) services (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) or WiMax). 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 the Advanced Cellular System (AMPS) for analog cellular communication, and digital cellular systems based on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and others.

[0005] The fifth-generation (5G) wireless standard, known as New Radio (NR), enables higher data transmission speeds, more connections, better coverage, and other improvements. According to the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGC), the 5G standard is designed to provide higher data rates, more accurate positioning (e.g., based on positioning reference signals (RS-P), such as downlink, uplink, or sidelink positioning reference signals (PRS)), and other technological enhancements compared to previous standards. These enhancements, along with the use of higher frequency bands, advancements in the PRS process and technology, and high-density deployment for 5G, enable highly accurate 5G-based positioning. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The following is a simplified overview relating to one or more aspects disclosed herein. Therefore, this overview should not be considered a broad overview relating to all anticipated aspects, nor should it be considered as identifying key or important elements relating to all anticipated aspects, or depicting the scope associated with any particular aspect. Thus, the sole purpose of this overview is to present, in a simplified form, certain concepts relating to one or more aspects related to the mechanisms disclosed herein before the detailed descriptions that follow.

[0007] In one aspect, a method of wireless positioning performed by a user equipment (UE) includes: receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration indicating one or more PRS resources transmitted on one or more antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of a base station; measuring one or more PRS resources on an angle set, wherein the UE is configured to search for one or more PRS resources on the angle set based on the PRS configuration; and determining the angle at which at least one of the one or more PRS resources on the angle set is measured as the downlink origin angle (DL-AoD) between the base station and the UE.

[0008] In one aspect, a method of wireless positioning performed by a base station includes: sending a location reference signal (PRS) configuration to a user equipment (UE) for transmitting a plurality of PRS resources for a positioning session to the UE; and transmitting the plurality of PRS resources to the UE on a plurality of antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of the base station, wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is transmitted on a corresponding one of the plurality of antenna ports, and wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is beamformed identically.

[0009] In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) includes a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor being configured to: receive via the at least one transceiver a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration indicating one or more PRS resources transmitted on one or more antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of a base station; measure one or more PRS resources on an angle set, wherein the UE is configured to search for one or more PRS resources on the angle set based on the PRS configuration; and determine the angle at which at least one PRS resource in the angle set is measured as the downlink departure angle (DL-AoD) between the base station and the UE.

[0010] In one aspect, a base station includes a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor being configured to: transmit via the at least one transceiver a location reference signal (PRS) configuration for transmitting a plurality of PRS resources for a location session to the UE; and transmit via the at least one transceiver to the UE on a plurality of antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of the base station, wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is transmitted on a corresponding one of the plurality of antenna ports, and wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is beamformed identically.

[0011] In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) includes: means for receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration indicating one or more PRS resources transmitted on one or more antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of a base station; means for measuring one or more PRS resources on an angle set, wherein the UE is configured to search for one or more PRS resources on the angle set based on the PRS configuration; and means for determining the angle at which at least one PRS resource in the angle set is measured as a downlink departure angle (DL-AoD) between the base station and the UE.

[0012] In one aspect, a base station includes: means for transmitting to a user equipment (UE) a location reference signal (PRS) configuration for transmitting a plurality of PRS resources for a location session to the UE; and means for transmitting the plurality of PRS resources to the UE on a plurality of antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of the base station, wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is transmitted on a corresponding one of the plurality of antenna ports, and wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is beamformed identically.

[0013] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to: receive a Position Reference Signal (PRS) configuration indicating one or more PRS resources transmitted on one or more antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of a base station; measure one or more PRS resources on an angle set, wherein the UE is configured to search for one or more PRS resources on the angle set based on the PRS configuration; and determine the angle at which at least one of the one or more PRS resources on the angle set is measured as the downlink departure angle (DL-AoD) between the base station and the UE.

[0014] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a base station, cause the base station to: send a location reference signal (PRS) configuration to a user equipment (UE) for sending a plurality of PRS resources for a location session to the UE; and send the plurality of PRS resources to the UE on a plurality of antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of the base station, wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is sent on a corresponding one of the plurality of antenna ports, and wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is beamformed identically.

[0015] Based on the accompanying drawings and detailed description, other objects and advantages associated with the aspects disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The accompanying drawings are provided to help describe various aspects of this disclosure, and are provided for illustrative purposes only and not to limit them.

[0017] Figure 1 An example wireless communication system according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0018] Figure 2A and 2B Example wireless network architectures according to various aspects of this disclosure are shown.

[0019] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C These are simplified block diagrams of several example aspects of components that can be adopted in user equipment (UE), base stations, and network entities and configured to support communications as taught herein.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example frame structure according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) configuration for PRS transmission at a given base station, according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating communication between an example base station and an example UE according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0023] Figure 7 Various beamforming examples for different antenna port configurations are shown according to aspects of this disclosure.

[0024] Figure 8 An example flow for measuring multiport PRS resources and providing feedback, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0025] Figure 9and Figure 10 An example method of wireless positioning according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Various aspects of this disclosure are provided in the following description and related drawings with reference to various examples provided for illustrative purposes. Alternative aspects may be designed without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, well-known elements of this disclosure will not be described in detail, or will be omitted, to avoid obscuring relevant details of this disclosure.

[0027] The terms “exemplary” and / or “example” are used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” and / or “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Similarly, the term “aspects of this disclosure” does not require that all aspects of this disclosure include the features, advantages, or modes of operation discussed.

[0028] Those skilled in the art will understand that the information and signals described below can be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout this specification can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, light fields or particles, or any combination thereof, depending in part on the specific application, in part on the desired design, and in part on the appropriate technology, etc.

[0029] Furthermore, many aspects are described according to sequences of actions to be performed by elements of, for example, computing devices. It will be appreciated that the various actions described herein can be performed by specific circuitry (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)), program instructions executed by one or more processors, or a combination of both. Additionally, the sequences of actions described herein can be considered fully embodied in any form of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a corresponding set of computer instructions that, when executed, will cause or instruct the relevant processor of the device to perform the functions described herein. Therefore, various aspects of this disclosure can be embodied in several different forms, all of which are contemplated to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, for any of the aspects described herein, corresponding forms of these aspects can be described herein as, for example, "logic" "configured" to perform the described actions.

[0030] As used herein, unless otherwise stated, the terms “User Equipment” (UE) and “Base Station” are not intended to be specific or otherwise limited to any particular Radio Access Technology (RAT). Generally, a UE can be any wireless communication device used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network (e.g., mobile phone, router, tablet computer, laptop computer, consumer asset positioning device, wearable device (e.g., smartwatch, glasses, augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) headset, etc.), vehicle (e.g., car, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.), Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.). A UE can be mobile or may (e.g., at certain times) be stationary and can communicate with a Radio Access Network (RAN). As used herein, the term “UE” is interchangeably referred to as “Access Terminal” or “AT”, “Client Equipment”, “Wireless Equipment”, “Subscriber Equipment”, “Subscriber Terminal”, “Subscriber Station”, “User Terminal” or “UT”, “Mobile Equipment”, “Mobile Terminal”, “Mobile Station”, or variations thereof. Generally, a UE can communicate with a core network via the RAN, and through the core network, a UE can connect to external networks such as the Internet and to other UEs. Of course, other connection mechanisms to the core network and / or the Internet are also possible for the UE, such as via wired access networks, wireless local area networks (WLANs) (e.g., based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard), etc.

[0031] A base station can operate according to one of several RATs communicating with the UE, depending on the network in which it is deployed, and may be alternatively referred to as an Access Point (AP), Network Node, NodeB, Evolved NodeB (eNB), Next Generation eNB (ng-eNB), New Radio (NR) NodeB (also referred to as gNB or gNodeB), etc. A base station can primarily be used to support the UE's radio access, including supporting the data, voice, and / or signaling connections of the supported UE. In some systems, the base station may provide purely edge node signaling functions, while in others, it may provide additional control and / or network management functions. The communication link through which the UE signals to the base station is referred to as an uplink (UL) channel (e.g., reverse traffic channel, reverse control channel, access channel, etc.). The communication link through which the base station signals to the UE is referred to as a downlink (DL) or forward link channel (e.g., paging channel, control channel, broadcast channel, forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term Traffic Channel (TCH) may refer to an uplink / reverse or downlink / forward traffic channel.

[0032] The term "base station" can refer to a single physical transmit / receive point (TRP), or it can be or may not be multiple physical TRPs in the same location. For example, when the term "base station" refers to a single physical TRP, that physical TRP can be the antenna of a base station corresponding to a cell (or several cell sectors) of the base station. When the term "base station" refers to multiple in-situ physical TRPs, that physical TRP can be the antenna array of a base station (e.g., as in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system or where the base station employs beamforming). When the term "base station" refers to multiple out-of-situ physical TRPs, that physical TRP can be a distributed antenna system (DAS) (a network of spatially separated antennas connected to a common source via a transmission medium) or a remote radio headend (RRH) (a remote base station connected to a serving base station). Alternatively, out-of-situ physical TRPs can be the serving base station from which the UE receives measurement reports and a neighboring base station from which the UE is measuring its reference radio frequency (RF) signal. Because a TRP is the point from which a base station transmits and receives radio signals, as used herein, references to transmission from or reception at a base station should be understood to refer to the specific TRP of that base station.

[0033] In some implementations that support UE positioning, the base station may not support the UE's radio access (e.g., it may not support the UE's data, voice, and / or signaling connections), but may instead transmit reference signals to the UE for measurement by the UE, and / or receive and measure signals transmitted by the UE. Such a base station may be referred to as a positioning beacon (e.g., when transmitting signals to the UE) and / or as a location measurement unit (e.g., when receiving and measuring signals from the UE).

[0034] An “RF signal” refers to an electromagnetic wave of a given frequency that transmits information across space between a transmitter and a receiver. As used herein, a transmitter may send a single “RF signal” or multiple “RF signals” to a receiver. However, due to the propagation characteristics of RF signals through multipath channels, a receiver may receive multiple “RF signals” corresponding to each transmitted RF signal. The same transmitted RF signal on different paths between the transmitter and receiver can be referred to as a “multipath” RF signal. As used herein, an RF signal may also be referred to as a “wireless signal” or simply a “signal,” where the term “signal” clearly refers to either a wireless signal or an RF signal from the context.

[0035] Figure 1An example wireless communication system 100 according to various aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 100 (which may also be referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) may include various base stations 102 (labeled "BS") and various UEs 104. Base station 102 may include macro cell base stations (high-power cellular base stations) and / or small cell base stations (low-power cellular base stations). In one aspect, the macro cell base station may include an eNB and / or ng-eNB in ​​which the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an LTE network, or a gNB in ​​which the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an NR network, or a combination thereof, and the small cell base station may include femtocells, picocells, microcells, etc.

[0036] Base station 102 can collectively form a RAN and interface with core network 170 (e.g., evolved packet core (EPC) or 5G core (5GC)) via backhaul link 122, and connect to one or more location servers 172 (e.g., location management function (LMF) or secure user plane location (SUPL) location platform (SLP)) via core network 170. Location server 172 can be part of core network 170 or external to core network 170. Location server 172 can be integrated with base station 102. UE 104 can communicate with location server 172 directly or indirectly. For example, UE 104 can communicate with location server 172 via base station 102 currently serving UE 104. UE 104 can also communicate with location server 172 via another path (such as via application server (not shown), via another network, such as via wireless LAN (WLAN) access point (AP) (e.g., AP 150 described below), etc.). For signaling purposes, communication between UE 104 and location server 172 can be represented as an indirect connection (e.g., via core network 170, etc.) or a direct connection (e.g., as shown via direct connection 128), wherein intermediate nodes (if any) are omitted from the signaling diagram for clarity.

[0037] In addition to other functions, base station 102 may perform one or more of the following functions: transmitting user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, distribution of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, RAN sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and device tracking, RAN information management (RIM), paging, location, and warning message delivery. Base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via EPC / 5NGC) via backhaul link 134, which may be wired or wireless.

[0038] Base station 102 can wirelessly communicate with UE 104. Each base station 102 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110. In one aspect, base station 102 can support one or more cells in each geographic coverage area 110. A “cell” is a logical communication entity used to communicate with a base station (e.g., on a frequency resource referred to as a carrier frequency, component carrier, carrier, frequency band, etc.) and can be associated with an identifier (e.g., Physical Cell Identifier (PCI), Enhanced Cell Identifier (ECI), Virtual Cell Identifier (VCI), Cell Global Identifier (CGI), etc.) used to distinguish cells operating via the same or different carrier frequencies. In some cases, different cells can be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., Machine Type Communication (MTC), Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), or others), which can provide access for different types of UEs. Because a cell is supported by a specific base station, the term “cell” can refer to one or both of the logical communication entity and the base station that supports it, depending on the context. Additionally, because the TRP is typically the physical transmission point of a cell, the terms “cell” and “TRP” can be used interchangeably. In some cases, the term "cell" can also refer to the geographic coverage area of ​​a base station (e.g., a sector), provided that the carrier frequency can be detected and used for communication within certain portions of the geographic coverage area 110.

[0039] While the geographic coverage areas 110 of adjacent macro cell base stations 102 may partially overlap (e.g., in handover areas), some geographic coverage areas 110 may substantially overlap with larger geographic coverage areas 110. For example, a small cell base station 102' (labeled "SC" to indicate "small cell") may have a geographic coverage area 110' that substantially overlaps with the geographic coverage areas 110 of one or more macro cell base stations 102. A network that includes both small cell and macro cell base stations can be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include home eNBs (HeNBs) that can provide service to restricted groups referred to as closed subscriber groups (CSGs).

[0040] The communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 104 may include uplink (also known as reverse link) transmission from UE 104 to base station 102 and / or downlink (DL) (also known as forward link) transmission from base station 102 to UE 104. The communication link 120 may use MIMO antenna techniques, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link 120 may use one or more carrier frequencies. Carrier allocation may be asymmetric relative to the downlink and uplink (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated to the downlink than to the uplink).

[0041] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) 150, which communicates with a WLAN station (STA) 152 in unlicensed spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz) via a communication link 154. When communicating in unlicensed spectrum, the WLAN STA 152 and / or WLAN AP 150 may perform a free channel assessment (CCA) or listen-before-talk (LBT) process before communication to determine whether the channel is available.

[0042] Small cell base station 102' can operate in licensed and / or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in unlicensed spectrum, small cell base station 102' can employ LTE or NR technology and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum as WLAN AP 150. Using LTE / 5G in unlicensed spectrum can enhance access network coverage and / or increase access network capacity. NR in unlicensed spectrum can be referred to as NR-U. LTE in unlicensed spectrum can be referred to as LTE-U, Licensed Assisted Access (LAA), or MulteFire.

[0043] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a millimeter-wave (mmW) base station 180, which can operate at mmW and / or near-mmW frequencies to communicate with the UE 182. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that contains radio frequency (RF). The EHF frequency range is from 30 GHz to 300 GHz, with wavelengths from 1 mm to 10 mm. Radio waves in this band can be referred to as millimeter waves. Near-mmW extends down to a frequency of 3 GHz and a wavelength of 100 mm. Ultra-high frequency (SHF) bands extend between 3 GHz and 30 GHz and are also referred to as centimeter waves. Communication using mmW / near-mmW radio bands has high path loss and relatively short range. The mmW base station 180 and the UE 182 can utilize beamforming (transmit and / or receive) on the mmW communication link 184 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range. Furthermore, it should be understood that in alternative configurations, one or more base stations 102 may also use mmW or near-mmW and beamforming for transmission. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing illustrations are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the aspects disclosed herein.

[0044] Transmit beamforming is a technique that focuses an RF signal in a specific direction. Traditionally, when a network node (e.g., a base station) broadcasts an RF signal, it broadcasts the signal in all directions (omnidirectional). Using transmit beamforming, the network node determines where a given target device (e.g., a UE) is located (relative to the transmitting network node) and projects a stronger downlink RF signal in that specific direction, thus providing the receiving device with a faster (in terms of data rate) and stronger RF signal. To change the directivity of the RF signal during transmission, the network node can control the phase and relative amplitude of the RF signal at each of one or more transmitters broadcasting the RF signal. For example, the network node can use an antenna array (called a "phased array" or "antenna array") that creates an RF beam that can be "manipulated" to point in different directions without actually moving the antennas. Specifically, RF currents from the transmitters are fed to the individual antennas with the correct phase relationship, such that radio waves from the individual antennas are added together to increase radiation in the desired direction while canceling out radiation in unwanted directions.

[0045] Transmit beams can be quasi-co-located, meaning they appear to have the same parameters to the receiver (e.g., the UE), regardless of whether the transmit antennas of the network nodes themselves are physically co-located. In NR, there are four types of quasi-co-located (QCL) relationships. Specifically, a given type of QCL relationship means that certain parameters about a second reference RF signal on a second beam can be derived from information about the source reference RF signal on the source beam. Therefore, if the source reference RF signal is QCL type A, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, and delay spread of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type B, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and Doppler spread of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type C, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and average delay of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is of type QCL D, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the spatial reception parameters of a second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel.

[0046] In receive beamforming, a receiver uses a receive beam to amplify an RF signal detected on a given channel. For example, the receiver may increase the gain setting and / or adjust the phase setting of the antenna array in a specific direction to amplify (e.g., increase the gain level) the RF signal received from that direction. Therefore, when a receiver is considered to be beamforming in a certain direction, it means that the beam gain in that direction is high relative to the beam gain along other directions, or that the beam gain in that direction is the highest relative to all other receive beams available to the receiver in that direction. This results in a stronger received signal strength (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), etc.) of the RF signal received from that direction.

[0047] Transmit and receive beams can be spatially correlated. Spatial correlation means that parameters of a second beam (e.g., transmit or receive beam) of a second reference signal can be derived from information about a first beam (e.g., receive or transmit beam) of a first reference signal. For example, a UE can use a specific receive beam to receive a reference downlink reference signal (e.g., a synchronization signal block (SSB)) from a base station. The UE can then form a transmit beam for transmitting an uplink reference signal (e.g., a sounding reference signal (SRS)) to that base station based on the parameters of the receive beam.

[0048] Note that a "downlink" beam can be either a transmit or receive beam, depending on the entity forming it. For example, if a base station is forming a downlink beam to transmit a reference signal to a UE, then the downlink beam is a transmit beam. However, if a UE is forming a downlink beam, then the downlink beam is a receive beam to receive the downlink reference signal. Similarly, an "uplink" beam can be either a transmit or receive beam, depending on the entity forming it. For example, if a base station is forming an uplink beam, then that uplink beam is an uplink receive beam, and if a UE is forming an uplink beam, then that uplink beam is an uplink transmit beam.

[0049] The electromagnetic spectrum is typically subdivided into various categories, bands, channels, etc., based on frequency / wavelength. In 5G NR, two initial operating bands have been designated as frequency ranges FR1 (410MHz-7.125GHz) and FR2 (24.25GHz-52.6GHz). It should be understood that although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6GHz, FR1 is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "sub-6GHz" band in various documents and articles. Similar naming issues sometimes arise with FR2, although it differs from the Extremely High Frequency (EHF) band (30GHz-300GHz) designated as a "millimeter wave" band by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), it is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "millimeter wave" band in documents and articles.

[0050] The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are generally referred to as midband frequencies. Recent 5G NR studies have designated the operating bands of these midband frequencies as the frequency range designation FR3 (7.125 GHz - 24.25 GHz). Bands falling within FR3 can inherit FR1 and / or FR2 characteristics, and thus can effectively extend the features of FR1 and / or FR2 to the midband frequencies. Additionally, higher frequency bands are currently being explored to extend 5G NR operation beyond 52.6 GHz. For example, three higher operating bands have been designated as the frequency range designations FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz - 71 GHz), FR4 (52.6 GHz - 114.25 GHz), and FR5 (114.25 GHz - 300 GHz). Each of these higher bands falls within the EHF band.

[0051] In light of the foregoing, unless otherwise specified, it should be understood that the use of the term "sub-6 GHz" or similar terms herein can broadly refer to frequencies less than 6 GHz, within FR1, or potentially including intermediate frequency band frequencies. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, it should be understood that the use of terms such as "millimeter wave" herein can broadly refer to frequencies that can include intermediate frequency band frequencies, within FR2, FR4, FR4-a, or FR4-1 and / or FR5, or potentially within the EHF band.

[0052] In multi-carrier systems such as 5G, one of the carrier frequencies is called the "primary carrier," "anchor carrier," "primary serving cell," or "PCell," while the remaining carrier frequencies are called "secondary carriers," "secondary serving cells," or "SCell." In carrier aggregation, the anchor carrier is the carrier operating on the primary frequency (e.g., FR1) used by UE 104 / 182 and the cell in which UE 104 / 182 performs an initial radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or initiates an RRC connection re-establishment procedure. The primary carrier carries all common and UE-specific control channels and can be a carrier in a licensed frequency (however, not always). The secondary carrier is a carrier operating on a second frequency (e.g., FR2) that can be configured once an RRC connection is established between UE 104 and the anchor carrier, and can be used to provide additional radio resources. In some cases, the secondary carrier can be a carrier in an unlicensed frequency. The secondary carrier may only contain the necessary signaling information, and since the primary uplink and downlink carriers are typically UE-specific, UE-specific signals may not be present in the secondary carrier. This means that different UEs 104 / 182 within a cell can have different downlink primary carriers. The same applies to the uplink primary carrier. The network can change the primary carrier of any UE 104 / 182 at any time. For example, this is done to balance the load across different carriers. Because a "serving cell" (whether PCell or SCell) corresponds to the carrier frequency / component carrier on which a base station communicates, the terms "cell," "serving cell," "component carrier," and "carrier frequency" are used interchangeably.

[0053] For example, still refer to Figure 1 One of the frequencies used by the macro cell base station 102 can be an anchor carrier (or "PCell"), and other frequencies used by the macro cell base station 102 and / or the mmW base station 180 can be secondary carriers ("SCell"). Simultaneous transmission and / or reception on multiple carriers allows the UE 104 / 182 to significantly increase its data transmission and / or reception rates. For example, compared to the data rate achieved by a single 20MHz carrier, the aggregation of two 20MHz carriers in a multi-carrier system theoretically results in a doubling of the data rate (i.e., 40MHz).

[0054] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a UE 164, which can communicate with the macro cell base station 102 via communication link 120 and / or with the mmW base station 180 via mmW communication link 184. For example, the macro cell base station 102 may support PCells and one or more SCells for the UE 164, and the mmW base station 180 may support one or more SCells for the UE 164.

[0055] In some cases, UE 164 and UE 182 may be able to perform sidelink communication. A UE with sidelink capability (SL-UE) can communicate with base station 102 via communication link 120 using the Uu interface (i.e., the air interface between the UE and the base station). SL-UEs (e.g., UE 164, UE 182) can also communicate directly with each other via radio sidelink 160 using the PC5 interface (i.e., the air interface between UEs with sidelink capability). Radio sidelink (or simply "sidelink") is an adaptation to core cellular (e.g., LTE, NR) standards that allows direct communication between two or more UEs without the need for communication through a base station. Sidelink communication can be unicast or multicast and can be used for device-to-device (D2D) media sharing, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication (e.g., cellular V2X (cV2X) communication, enhanced V2X (eV2x) communication, emergency rescue applications, etc. One or more SL-UEs in a group using sidelink communication may be located within the geographical coverage area 110 of base station 102. Other SL-UEs in such a group may be outside the geographical coverage area 110 of base station 102, or otherwise unable to receive transmissions from base station 102. In some cases, the group of SL-UEs communicating via sidelink communication may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, in which each SL-UE transmits to every other SL-UE in the group. In some cases, base station 102 facilitates the scheduling of resources for sidelink communication. In other cases, sidelink communication is performed between SL-UEs without the involvement of base station 102.

[0056] In one aspect, the sidelink 160 can operate on a wireless communication medium of interest that can be shared with other vehicle and / or infrastructure access points and other RATs for other wireless communications. The “medium” can consist of one or more time, frequency, and / or space communication resources (e.g., comprising one or more channels spanning one or more carriers) associated with wireless communication between one or more transmitter / receiver pairs. In one aspect, the medium of interest can correspond to at least a portion of unlicensed frequency bands shared among various RATs. While different licensed frequency bands have been reserved for certain communication systems (e.g., by government entities such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States), these systems, particularly those employing small cell access points, have recently expanded their operation to unlicensed frequency bands such as those used by unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) bands for Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technologies, most notably the IEEE 802.11x WLAN technology commonly referred to as “Wi-Fi.” Example systems of this type include various variants of CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, Orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), Single-Carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), and so on.

[0057] Note that, although Figure 1 Only two UEs are shown as SL-UEs (i.e., UEs 164 and 182), but any of the UEs shown could be an SL-UE. Furthermore, although only UE 182 is described as capable of beamforming, any UE shown, including UE 164, could be capable of beamforming. When SL-UEs are capable of beamforming, they can beamform towards each other (i.e., towards other SL-UEs), towards other UEs (e.g., UE 104), towards base stations (e.g., base stations 102, 180, small cell 102', access point 150), etc. Therefore, in some cases, UE 164 and UE 182 can utilize beamforming on sidelink 160.

[0058] exist Figure 1 In the examples shown, any UE (for simplicity, in) Figure 1A single UE 104 (shown as a single UE) may receive signal 124 from one or more Earth-orbiting spacecraft (SV) 112 (e.g., satellites). In one aspect, SV 112 may be part of a satellite positioning system in which UE 104 can serve as an independent source of location information. A satellite positioning system typically includes a transmitter system (e.g., SV 112) positioned such that receivers (e.g., UE 104) can determine their location on or above the Earth based at least in part on positioning signals (e.g., signal 124) received from the transmitter. Such transmitters typically transmit signals marked with a set number of repeating pseudo-random noise (PN) codes. While typically located in SV 112, transmitters may sometimes be located at ground-based control stations, base stations 102, and / or other UEs 104. UE 104 may include one or more dedicated receivers specifically designed to receive signal 124 used to derive geographic location information from SV 112.

[0059] In satellite positioning systems, the use of signal 124 can be enhanced by various satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS), which may be associated with or otherwise made possible with one or more global and / or regional navigation satellite systems. For example, SBAS may include augmentation systems that provide integrity information, differential correction, etc., such as Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), European Geostationary Navigation Coverage Service (EGNOS), Multifunctional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS), GPS-assisted geographic augmentation navigation, or GPS and Geographic Augmentation Navigation System (GAGAN), etc. Therefore, as used herein, a satellite positioning system may include any combination of one or more global and / or regional navigation satellites associated with one or more such satellite positioning systems.

[0060] In one respect, SV 112 may additionally or alternatively be part of one or more non-terrestrial networks (NTNs). Within an NTN, SV 112 connects to an earth station (also referred to as a ground station, NTN gateway, or gateway), which in turn connects to elements in the 5G network, such as a modified base station 102 (without a ground antenna) or a network node in a 5GC. This element, in turn, provides access to other elements within the 5G network and ultimately to entities outside the 5G network, such as internet web servers and other user equipment. In this way, UE 104 can receive communication signals (e.g., signal 124) from SV 112, in lieu of, or in addition to, communication signals from ground base station 102.

[0061] The wireless communication system 100 may also include one or more UEs, such as UE 190, indirectly connected to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links (referred to as "side links"). Figure 1 In the example, UE 190 has a D2D P2P link 192 with one of UEs 104 connected to one of base stations 102 (e.g., through which UE 190 can indirectly obtain cellular connectivity), and a D2D P2P link 194 with a WLAN STA 152 connected to a WLAN AP 150 (through which UE 190 can indirectly obtain WLAN-based internet connectivity). In the example, D2D P2P links 192 and 194 can be used with any known D2D RAT (such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth). (etc.) to support.

[0062] Figure 2A An example wireless network architecture 200 is illustrated. For example, the 5GC 210 (also referred to as the Next Generation Core (NGC)) can be functionally considered as control plane (C-plane) functions 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and user plane (U-plane) functions 212 (e.g., UE gateway functions, access to data networks, IP routing, etc.), which work together to form the core network. A user plane interface (NG-U) 213 and a control plane interface (NG-C) 215 connect the gNB 222 to the 5GC 210, and specifically connect to user plane functions 212 and control plane functions 214, respectively. In another configuration, the ng-eNB 224 can also connect to the 5GC 210 via the NG-C 215 to the control plane function 214 and the NG-U 213 to the user plane function 212. Furthermore, the ng-eNB 224 can communicate directly with the gNB 222 via a backhaul connection 223. In some configurations, the next-generation RAN (NG-RAN) 220 may have one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations include one or more of both ng-eNBs 224 and gNBs 222. The gNB 222 or ng-eNB 224 (or both) may communicate with one or more UEs 204 (e.g., any of the UEs described herein).

[0063] Another optional aspect may include location server 230, which can communicate with 5GC 210 to provide location assistance to UE 204. Location server 230 may be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, each may correspond to a single server. Location server 230 may be configured to support one or more location services for UE 204, which may connect to location server 230 via the core network, 5GC 210, and / or via the Internet (not shown). Furthermore, location server 230 may be integrated into a component of the core network, or alternatively, may be located outside the core network (e.g., a third-party server such as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) server or service server).

[0064] Figure 2B Another example wireless network architecture 250.5GC 260 is shown (which can correspond to...). Figure 2AThe 5GC210 in the document can be functionally considered as a control plane function provided by the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 264 and a user plane function provided by the User Plane Function (UPF) 262, which work together to form the core network (i.e., 5GC260). The functions of the AMF 264 include registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful interception, transmission of session management (SM) messages between one or more UEs 204 (e.g., any of the UEs described herein) and the Session Management Function (SMF) 266, transparent proxy service for routing SM messages, access authentication and access authorization, transmission of short message service (SMS) messages between the UE 204 and the Short Message Service Function (SMSF) (not shown), and Security Anchor Functionality (SEAF). The AMF 264 also interacts with the Authentication Server Function (AUSF) (not shown) and the UE 204, and receives an intermediate key established as a result of the UE 204's authentication process. In the case of UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) authentication, AMF 264 retrieves security material from AUSF. AMF 264 also includes Security Context Management (SCM). The SCM receives a key from SEAF and uses it to derive an access network-specific key. AMF 264 also includes location service management for regulatory services, transmission of location service messages between UE 204 and Location Management Function (LMF) 270 (which acts as location server 230), transmission of location service messages between NG-RAN 220 and LMF 270, Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearer identifier allocation for EPS interoperability, and UE 204 mobility event notification. Additionally, AMF 264 supports functions for non-3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) access networks.

[0065] The functions of UPF 262 include acting as an anchor point for intra / inter-RAT mobility (where applicable), acting as an external Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session point for interconnection with a data network (not shown), providing packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, user plane policy rule enforcement (e.g., gating, redirection, traffic guidance), lawful eavesdropping (user plane collection), traffic usage reporting, user plane Quality of Service (QoS) processing (e.g., uplink / downlink rate enforcement, reflected QoS marking in the downlink), uplink traffic verification (SDF to QoS stream mapping), transport-level packet marking in the uplink and downlink, downlink packet buffering and downlink data notification triggering, and sending and forwarding one or more "end markers" to the source RAN node. UPF 262 can also support the transmission of user plane location service messages between UE 204 and a location server (such as SLP 272).

[0066] The functions of SMF 266 include session management, UE Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management, selection and control of user plane functions, configuration of service orientation at UPF 262 to route services to appropriate destinations, control of policy enforcement and QoS, and downlink data notification. The interface through which SMF 266 communicates with AMF 264 is called the N11 interface.

[0067] Another optional aspect may include an LMF 270, which can communicate with the 5GC 260 to provide location assistance to the UE 204. The LMF 270 can be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, each can correspond to a single server. The LMF 270 can be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204, which can connect to the LMF 270 via the core network, the 5GC 260, and / or via the Internet (not shown). SLP 272 can support similar functionality to LMF 270. However, while LMF 270 can communicate with AMF 264, NG-RAN 220, and UE 204 via the control plane (e.g., using interfaces and protocols designed to deliver signaling messages rather than voice or data), SLP 272 can communicate with UE 204 and external clients (e.g., third-party server 274) via the user plane (e.g., using protocols designed to carry voice and / or data, such as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and / or IP)).

[0068] Another optional aspect may include a third-party server 274, which can communicate with LMF 270, SLP 272, 5GC 260 (e.g., via AMF 264 and / or UPF 262), NG-RAN 220, and / or UE 204 to obtain location information (e.g., location estimation) of UE 204. Therefore, in some cases, the third-party server 274 may be referred to as a Location Services (LCS) client or an external client. The third-party server 274 may be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, each may correspond to a single server.

[0069] User plane interface 263 and control plane interface 265 connect 5GC 260, specifically UPF 262 and AMF 264, to one or more gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224 in NG-RAN 220, respectively. The interface between gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224 and AMF 264 is referred to as the "N2" interface, and the interface between gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224 and UPF 262 is referred to as the "N3" interface. The gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224 of NG-RAN 220 can communicate directly with each other via backhaul connection 223 (referred to as the "Xn-C" interface). One or more of gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224 can communicate with one or more UEs 204 through a radio interface referred to as the "Uu" interface.

[0070] The functionality of gNB 222 can be divided among gNB Central Unit (gNB-CU) 226, one or more gNB Distributed Units (gNB-DU) 228, and one or more gNB Radio Units (gNB-RU) 229. gNB-CU 226 is a logical node that includes base station functions such as transmitting user data, mobility control, radio access network sharing, positioning, and session management, in addition to those functions specifically allocated to gNB-DU 228. More specifically, gNB-CU 226 typically hosts the Radio Resource Control (RRC), Serving Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) protocols of gNB 222. gNB-DU 228 is a logical node that typically hosts the Radio Link Control (RLC) and Media Access Control (MAC) layers of gNB 222. Its operation is controlled by gNB-CU 226. One gNB-DU 228 can support one or more cells, and a cell is supported by only one gNB-DU 228. The interface 232 between gNB-CU 226 and one or more gNB-DU 228 is referred to as the "F1" interface. The physical (PHY) layer functions of gNB 222 are typically managed by one or more independent gNB-RU 229s, which perform functions such as power amplification and signal transmission / reception. The interface between gNB-DU 228 and gNB-RU 229 is referred to as the "Fx" interface. Therefore, UE 204 communicates with gNB-CU 226 via the RRC, SDAP, and PDCP layers, with gNB-DU 228 via the RLC and MAC layers, and with gNB-RU 229 via the PHY layer.

[0071] Figure 3A , 3BThe diagram and 3C show several example components (represented by corresponding blocks) that can be incorporated into UE 302 (which can correspond to any UE described herein), base station 304 (which can correspond to any base station described herein), and network entity 306 (which can correspond to or embody any network function described herein, including location server 230 and LMF 270, or alternatively can be independent of UE 302). Figure 2A and Figure 2B The NG-RAN 220 and / or 5GC 210 / 260 infrastructure described herein (such as a private network) supports file transfer operations as taught herein. It will be understood that these components can be implemented in different ways in different types of devices (e.g., in an ASIC, in a system-on-a-chip (SoC), etc.). The components shown can also be incorporated into other devices in a communication system. For example, other devices in the system may include components similar to those described to provide similar functionality. Furthermore, a given device may contain one or more components. For example, a device may include multiple transceiver components that enable the device to operate on multiple carriers and / or communicate via different technologies.

[0072] UE 302 and base station 304 each include one or more Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) transceivers 310 and 350, which provide components (e.g., components for transmitting, components for receiving, components for measuring, components for tuning, components for avoiding transmission, etc.) for communication via one or more wireless communication networks (not shown), such as NR networks, LTE networks, GSM networks, etc. WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 may each be connected to one or more antennas 316 and 356 for communication with other network nodes, such as other UEs, access points, base stations (e.g., eNB, gNB), via at least one designated RAT (e.g., NR, LTE, GSM, etc.) through a wireless communication medium of interest (e.g., a set of time / frequency resources in a specific spectrum). WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 can be configured, depending on the specified RAT, to transmit and encode signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.), and conversely, to receive and decode signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.), respectively. Specifically, WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 include one or more transmitters 314 and 354 for transmitting and encoding signals 318 and 358, respectively, and one or more receivers 312 and 352 for receiving and decoding signals 318 and 358, respectively.

[0073] UE 302 and base station 304 also each include, at least in certain circumstances, one or more short-range radio transceivers 320 and 360. Short-range radio transceivers 320 and 360 can be connected to one or more antennas 326 and 366, respectively, and provide access via at least one designated RAT (e.g., WiFi, LTE-D, etc.) through a wireless communication medium of interest. Components (e.g., components for transmitting, components for receiving, components for measuring, components for tuning, components for avoiding transmission, etc.) that communicate with other network nodes such as other UEs, access points, base stations, etc., including PC5, Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC), Vehicle Environment Wireless Access (WAVE), Near Field Communication (NFC), etc. Short-range transceivers 320 and 360 can be configured, depending on the specified RAT, to transmit and encode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.), and conversely, to receive and decode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.), respectively. Specifically, short-range transceivers 320 and 360 include one or more transmitters 324 and 364 for transmitting and encoding signals 328 and 368, respectively, and one or more receivers 322 and 362 for receiving and decoding signals 328 and 368, respectively. As specific examples, short-range wireless transceiver 320 and short-range wireless transceiver 360 can be WiFi transceivers, transceiver and / or Transceiver, NFC transceiver, or vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and / or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) transceiver.

[0074] UE 302 and base station 304 also include, at least in some cases, satellite signal receivers 330 and 370. Satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 can be connected to one or more antennas 336 and 376, respectively, and can each provide components for receiving and / or measuring satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378. When satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 are satellite positioning system receivers, satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378 can be Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) signals, Galileo signals, BeiDou signals, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NAVIC), Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), etc. When satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 are non-terrestrial network (NTN) receivers, satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378 can be communication signals originating from a 5G network (e.g., carrying control and / or user data). Satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 may each include any suitable hardware and / or software for receiving and processing satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378, respectively. Satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 may request information and operation from other systems where appropriate, and in at least some cases, perform calculations using measurements obtained by any suitable satellite positioning system algorithm to determine the locations of UE 302 and base station 304, respectively.

[0075] Base station 304 and network entity 306 each include one or more network transceivers 380 and 390 to provide components (e.g., components for transmitting, components for receiving, etc.) for communicating with other network entities (e.g., other base stations 304, other network entities 306). For example, base station 304 may employ one or more network transceivers 380 to communicate with other base stations 304 or network entities 306 via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links. As another example, network entity 306 may employ one or more network transceivers 390 to communicate with one or more base stations 304 via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links, or to communicate with other network entities 306 via one or more wired or wireless core network interfaces.

[0076] Transceivers can be configured to communicate via wired or wireless links. A transceiver (whether wired or wireless) includes transmitter circuitry (e.g., transmitter 314, transmitter 324, transmitter 354, transmitter 364) and receiver circuitry (e.g., receiver 312, receiver 322, receiver 352, receiver 362). In some implementations, a transceiver may be an integrated device (e.g., including transmitter and receiver circuitry in a single device), in some implementations it may include separate transmitter and receiver circuitry, or it may be embodied in other ways in other implementations. The transmitter and receiver circuitry of a wired transceiver (e.g., network transceiver 380 and transceiver 390 in some implementations) may be coupled to one or more wired network interface ports. Wireless transmitter circuitry (e.g., transmitter 314, transmitter 324, transmitter 354, transmitter 364) may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antenna 316, antenna 326, antenna 356, antenna 366), such as an antenna array, which allows the corresponding device (e.g., UE 302, base station 304) to perform transmit beamforming as described herein. Similarly, wireless receiver circuitry (e.g., receiver 312, receiver 322, receiver 352, receiver 362) may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antenna 316, antenna 326, antenna 356, antenna 366), such as an antenna array, which allows the corresponding device (e.g., UE 302, base station 304) to perform receive beamforming as described herein. In one aspect, transmitter and receiver circuitry may share the same multiple antennas (e.g., antenna 316, antenna 326, antenna 356, antenna 366), such that the corresponding device can only receive or transmit at a given time, rather than simultaneously receiving and transmitting. Wireless transceivers (e.g., WWAN transceivers 310 and 350, short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360) may also include network listening modules (NLMs) for performing various measurements.

[0077] As used herein, various wireless transceivers (e.g., transceivers 310, 320, 350, and 360 in some implementations, and network transceivers 380 and 390) and wired transceivers (e.g., network transceivers 380 and 390 in some implementations) can generally be characterized as “transceiver,” “at least one transceiver,” or “one or more transceivers.” Therefore, whether a particular transceiver is a wired or wireless transceiver can be inferred from the type of communication performed. For example, backhaul communication between network devices or servers will typically involve signaling via a wired transceiver, while wireless communication between a UE (e.g., UE 302) and a base station (e.g., base station 304) will typically involve signaling via a wireless transceiver.

[0078] UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 also include other components that can be used in conjunction with the operations disclosed herein. UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 each include one or more processors 332, 384, and 394 for providing functions related to, for example, wireless communication, and for providing other processing functions. Therefore, processors 332, 384, and 394 can provide components for processing, such as components for determining, components for calculating, components for receiving, components for transmitting, components for indicating, etc. In one aspect, processors 332, 384, and 394 may include, for example, one or more general-purpose processors, multi-core processors, central processing units (CPUs), ASICs, digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), other programmable logic devices or processing circuits, or various combinations thereof.

[0079] UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 each include memory circuitry implementing memories 340, 386, and 396 (e.g., each including a memory device) for maintaining information (e.g., information indicating reserved resources, thresholds, parameters, etc.). Therefore, memories 340, 386, and 396 can provide components for storage, retrieval, maintenance, etc. In some cases, UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 may each include positioning components 342, 388, and 398. Positioning components 342, 388, and 398 may be part of or coupled to processors 332, 384, and 394, respectively, which, when executed, cause UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 to perform the functions described herein. In other respects, positioning components 342, 388, and 398 may be external to processors 332, 384, and 394 (e.g., part of a modem processing system, integrated with another processing system, etc.). Alternatively, positioning components 342, 388, and 398 may be memory modules stored in memories 340, 386, and 396, respectively, which, when executed by processors 332, 384, and 394 (or a modem processing system, another processing system, etc.), enable UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 to perform the functions described herein. Figure 3APossible locations of the positioning component 342 are shown. The positioning component 342 may be, for example, part of one or more WWAN transceivers 310, memory 340, one or more processors 332 or any combination thereof, or may be a standalone component. Figure 3B Possible locations of the positioning component 388 are shown. The positioning component 388 may be, for example, part of one or more WWAN transceivers 350, memory 386, one or more processors 384 or any combination thereof, or may be a standalone component. Figure 3C Possible locations of the positioning component 398 are shown. The positioning component 398 may be, for example, part of one or more network transceivers 390, memory 396, one or more processors 394 or any combination thereof, or may be a standalone component.

[0080] UE 302 may include one or more sensors 344 coupled to one or more processors 332 to provide components for sensing or detecting motion and / or orientation information independent of motion data derived from signals received from one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320, and / or satellite signal receivers 330. As an example, sensor 344 may include accelerometers (e.g., microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices), gyroscopes, geomagnetic sensors (e.g., compasses), altimeters (e.g., barometric altimeters), and / or any other type of motion detection sensor. Furthermore, sensor 344 may include multiple different types of devices and combine their outputs to provide motion information. For example, sensor 344 may use a combination of multi-axis accelerometers and orientation sensors to provide the ability to calculate position in two-dimensional (2D) and / or three-dimensional (3D) coordinate systems.

[0081] Additionally, UE 302 includes a user interface 346, which provides components for providing instructions to the user (e.g., audible and / or visual instructions) and / or for receiving user input (e.g., when the user actuates a sensing device such as a keypad, touchscreen, microphone, etc.). Although not shown, base station 304 and network entity 306 may also include user interfaces.

[0082] Referring more specifically to one or more processors 384, in the downlink, IP packets from network entity 306 can be provided to processor 384. One or more processors 384 can implement the functions of the RRC layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and Media Access Control (MAC) layer. One or more processors 384 may provide RRC layer functions associated with broadcasting system information (e.g., Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB)), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-RAT mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression, security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functions associated with transmission of upper-layer PDUs, error correction via Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ), concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC Service Data Units (SDUs), resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, scheduling information reporting, error correction, prioritization, and logical channel priority ordering.

[0083] Transmitter 354 and receiver 352 can implement Layer 1 (L1) functions associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, including the physical (PHY) layer, can include error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. Transmitter 354 processes the mapping to the signal constellation based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), M-phase shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The decoded and modulated symbols can then be segmented into parallel streams. Each stream can then be mapped to orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) subcarriers, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in the time and / or frequency domains, and then combined using inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a time-domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM symbol stream is spatially pre-decoded to generate multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from a channel estimator are used to determine the decoding and modulation schemes, as well as for spatial processing. These channel estimates can be derived from a reference signal transmitted by UE 302 and / or channel condition feedback. Each spatial stream can then be provided to one or more different antennas 356. Transmitter 354 can modulate an RF carrier with the corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0084] At UE 302, receiver 312 receives signals via its corresponding antenna 316. Receiver 312 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides this information to one or more processors 332. Transmitter 314 and receiver 312 implement Layer-1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. Receiver 312 can perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial stream destined for UE 302. If multiple spatial streams are all destined for UE 302, they can be combined by receiver 312 into a single OFDM symbol stream. Receiver 312 then uses a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to transform this OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain. The frequency domain signal consists of separate OFDM symbol streams for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. Symbols and reference signals on each subcarrier are recovered and demodulated by determining the most probable signal constellation points transmitted by base station 304. These soft decisions can be based on channel estimates calculated by a channel estimator. The soft decision is then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally transmitted by base station 304 on the physical channel. This data and control signals are then provided to one or more processors 332 that implement Layer 3 (L3) and Layer 2 (L2) functions.

[0085] In the uplink, one or more processors 332 provide demultiplexing, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing between the transport channel and the logical channel to recover IP packets from the core network. One or more processors 332 are also responsible for error detection.

[0086] Similar to the functions described in conjunction with downlink transmissions performed by base station 304, one or more processors 332 provide RRC layer functions associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connectivity, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functions associated with transmission of upper-layer PDUs, error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs to transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction via Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ), prioritization, and logical channel priority ordering.

[0087] Transmitter 314 can use a reference signal transmitted from base station 304 or a channel estimate derived from feedback by a channel estimator to select an appropriate decoding and modulation scheme and facilitate spatial processing. The spatial stream generated by transmitter 314 can be provided to different antennas 316. Transmitter 314 can modulate the RF carrier with the corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0088] Uplink transmissions are processed at base station 304 in a manner similar to that described in conjunction with the receiver function at UE 302. Receiver 352 receives signals via its respective antenna 356. Receiver 352 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides that information to one or more processors 384.

[0089] In the uplink, one or more processors 384 provide demultiplexing, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing between the transport channel and the logical channel to recover IP packets from UE 302. IP packets from one or more processors 384 can be provided to the core network. One or more processors 384 are also responsible for error detection.

[0090] For convenience, UE 302, base station 304 and / or network entity 306 are in Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C The components shown are configured in various example ways according to the description herein. However, it should be understood that the components shown may have different functionalities in different designs. Specifically, Figures 3A to 3C Various components are optional in alternative configurations, and aspects include configurations that may vary due to design choices, cost, equipment usage, or other considerations. For example, in Figure 3A In certain cases, a specific implementation of UE 302 may omit WWAN transceiver 310 (e.g., wearable devices, tablets, PCs, or laptops may have Wi-Fi and / or Bluetooth capabilities but no cellular capabilities), or may omit short-range wireless transceiver 320 (e.g., cellular only, etc.), or may omit satellite signal receiver 330, or may omit sensor 344, and so on. In another example, in Figure 3B In certain cases, a specific implementation of base station 304 may omit WWAN transceiver 350 (e.g., a Wi-Fi "hotspot" access point without cellular capabilities), or short-range wireless transceiver 360 (e.g., cellular only), or satellite receiver 370, etc. For the sake of brevity, illustrations of various alternative configurations are not provided herein, but will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

[0091] Various components of UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 can be communicatively coupled to each other via data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392, respectively. In one aspect, data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392 can form, or be part of, the communication interfaces of UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306, respectively. For example, in cases where different logical entities are embodied in the same device (e.g., gNB and location server functions are integrated into the same base station 304), data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392 can provide communication between them.

[0092] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C Components can be implemented in various ways. In some implementations, Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C The components can be implemented in one or more circuits, such as one or more processors and / or one or more ASICs (which may include one or more processors). Here, each circuit may use and / or combine at least one memory component for storing information or executable code used by the circuit to provide that function. For example, some or all of the functions represented by blocks 310 to 346 can be implemented by the processor and memory components of UE 302 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). Similarly, some or all of the functions represented by blocks 350 to 388 can be implemented by the processor and memory components of base station 304 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). Furthermore, some or all of the functions represented by blocks 390 to 398 can be implemented by the processor and memory components of network entity 306 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). For simplicity, various operations, actions, and / or functions are described herein as being performed "by UE," "by base station," "by network entity," etc. However, as will be understood, such operations, actions and / or functions can actually be performed by specific components or combinations of components of the UE 302, base station 304, network entity 306, etc., such as processor 332, processor 384, processor 394, transceiver 310, transceiver 320, transceiver 350 and transceiver 360, memory component 340, memory 386 and memory 396, positioning component 342, positioning component 388 and positioning component 398, etc.

[0093] In some designs, network entity 306 can be implemented as a core network component. In other designs, network entity 306 may be a network operator or operation different from the cellular network infrastructure (e.g., NG RAN 220 and / or 5GC 210 / 260). For example, network entity 306 may be a component of a private network that can be configured to communicate with UE 302 via base station 304 or independently of base station 304 (e.g., via a non-cellular communication link, such as WiFi).

[0094] Various frame structures can be used to support downlink and uplink transmissions between network nodes (e.g., base stations and UEs). Figure 4 Figure 400 illustrates an example frame structure according to various aspects of this disclosure. The frame structure can be a downlink or uplink frame structure. Other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures and / or different channels.

[0095] LTE, and in some cases NR, utilizes OFDM on the downlink and single-carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) on the uplink. However, unlike LTE, NR also has the option to use OFDM on the uplink. OFDM and SC-FDM divide the system bandwidth into multiple (K) orthogonal subcarriers, which are often referred to as tones, bins, etc. Each subcarrier can be modulated with data. Typically, the modulated symbols are transmitted in the frequency domain using OFDM and in the time domain using SC-FDM. The spacing between adjacent subcarriers can be fixed, and the total number of subcarriers (K) can depend on the system bandwidth. For example, the subcarrier spacing can be 15 kHz, and the minimum resource allocation (resource block) can be 12 subcarriers (or 180 kHz). Therefore, the nominal FFT size for a system bandwidth of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 MHz can be equal to 128, 256, 512, 1024, or 2048, respectively. System bandwidth can also be divided into subbands. For example, a subband can cover 1.08MHz (i.e., 6 resource blocks), and for system bandwidths of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20MHz, there can be 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 subbands respectively.

[0096] LTE supports a single set of parameters (numerology) (subcarrier spacing (SCS), symbol length, etc.). In contrast, NR can support multiple sets of parameters (μ), for example, subcarrier spacings of 15kHz (μ=0), 30kHz (μ=1), 60kHz (μ=2), 120kHz (μ=3), and 240kHz (μ=4) or larger can be available. Within each subcarrier spacing, there are 14 symbols per slot. For a 15kHz SCS (μ=0), there is one slot per subframe, with 10 slots per frame, a slot duration of 1 millisecond (ms), a symbol duration of 66.7 microseconds (μs), and a maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) of 50 with a 4K FFT size. For a 30kHz SCS (μ=1), there are two slots per subframe, with 20 slots per frame, a slot duration of 0.5ms, a symbol duration of 33.3μs, and a maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) of 100 with a 4K FFT size. For a 60kHz SCS (μ=2), each subframe has four time slots, each frame has 40 time slots, the time slot duration is 0.25ms, the symbol duration is 16.7μs, and the maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) with a 4K FFT size is 200. For a 120kHz SCS (μ=3), each subframe has eight time slots, each frame has 80 time slots, the time slot duration is 0.125ms, the symbol duration is 8.33μs, and the maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) with a 4K FFT size is 400. For a 240kHz SCS (μ=4), each subframe has sixteen time slots, each frame has 160 time slots, the time slot duration is 0.0625ms, the symbol duration is 4.17μs, and the maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) with a 4K FFT size is 800.

[0097] exist Figure 4 In the example, a parameter set of 15kHz is used. Therefore, in the time domain, a 10ms frame is divided into 10 equal-sized subframes, each 1 millisecond (ms), and each subframe includes one time slot. Figure 4 In the diagram, time is represented horizontally (on the X-axis), increasing from left to right, while frequency is represented vertically (on the Y-axis), increasing (or decreasing) from bottom to top.

[0098] A resource grid can be used to represent time slots, each time slot comprising one or more concurrent resource blocks (RBs) (also known as physical RBs (PRBs)) in the frequency domain. The resource grid is further divided into multiple resource elements (REs). An RE can correspond to a symbol length in the time domain and a subcarrier in the frequency domain. Figure 4In the parameter set, for a regular cyclic prefix, one RB can contain 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 7 consecutive symbols in the time domain, for a total of 84 REs. For an extended cyclic prefix, one RB can contain 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 6 consecutive symbols in the time domain, for a total of 72 REs. The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0099] Some REs can carry reference (pilot) signals (RS). Reference signals may include positioning reference signals (PRS), tracking reference signals (TRS), phase tracking reference signals (PTR), cell-specific reference signals (CRS), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS), demodulation reference signals (DMR), primary synchronization signals (PSS), secondary synchronization signals (SSS), synchronization signal blocks (SSB), sounding reference signals (SRS), etc., depending on whether the frame structure shown is for uplink or downlink communication. Figure 4 An example location of the RE carrying the reference signal (labeled "R") is shown.

[0100] The set of resource elements (REs) used for PRS transmission is called a "PRS resource". The set of resource elements can span multiple PRBs in the frequency domain and N (such as one or more) consecutive symbols in a time slot in the time domain. In a given OFDM symbol in the time domain, the PRS resource occupies a consecutive PRB in the frequency domain.

[0101] The transmission of PRS resources within a given PRB has a specific comb size (also known as "comb density"). The comb size 'N' represents the subcarrier spacing (or frequency / tone spacing) within each symbol of the PRS resource configuration. Specifically, for a comb size 'N', the PRS is transmitted in every N subcarriers of the PRB's symbols. For example, for comb-4, for each symbol of the PRS resource configuration, the PRS of the PRS resource is transmitted using the RE corresponding to each fourth subcarrier (such as subcarrier 0, 4, 8). Currently, comb sizes of comb-2, comb-4, comb-6, and comb-12 are supported for DL-PRS. Figure 4 An example PRS resource configuration for Comb-4 (which spans four symbols) is shown. That is, the location of the shaded RE (labeled "R") indicates the Comb-4 PRS resource configuration.

[0102] Currently, DL-PRS resources can span 2, 4, 6, or 12 consecutive symbols within a time slot in a full-frequency-domain interleaved mode. DL-PRS resources can be configured in downlink or flexible (FL) symbols in any higher-level configuration of the time slot. For all REs of a given DL-PRS resource, each resource element (EPRE) can have a constant energy. The following are the symbol-to-symbol frequency offsets for comb sizes 2, 4, 6, and 12 over 2, 4, 6, and 12 symbols. 2-symbol comb-2: {0, 1}; 4-symbol comb-2: {0, 1, 0, 1}; 6-symbol comb-2: {0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1}; 12-symbol comb-2: {0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1}; 4-symbol comb-4: {0, 2, 1, 3} (as in...) Figure 4 (in the example); 12-code comb-4: {0, 2, 1, 3, 0, 2, 1, 3, 0, 2, 1, 3}; 6-code comb-6: {0, 3, 1, 4, 2, 5}; 12-code comb-6: {0, 3, 1, 4, 2, 5, 0, 3, 1, 4, 2, 5}; and 12-code comb-12: {0, 6, 3, 9, 1, 7, 4, 10, 2, 8, 5, 11}.

[0103] A “PRS resource set” is a collection of PRS resources used for the transmission of PRS signals, where each PRS resource has a PRS resource ID. Furthermore, PRS resources in a PRS resource set are associated with the same TRP. A PRS resource set is identified by a PRS resource set ID and associated with a specific TRP (identified by a TRP ID). Additionally, PRS resources in a PRS resource set share the same periodicity, a common silent mode configuration, and the same repetition factor (such as “PRS-ResourceRepetitionFactor”) across time slots. Periodicity is the time from the first repetition of the first PRS resource in the first PRS instance to the same first repetition of the same first PRS resource in the next PRS instance. Periodicity can have a length selected from 2μ*{4,5,8,10,16,20,32,40,64,80,160,320,640,1280,2560,5120,10240} time slots, where μ = 0, 1, 2, 3. The repetition factor can have a length selected from {1,2,4,6,8,16,32} time slots.

[0104] In a PRS resource set, a PRS resource ID is associated with a single beam (or beam ID) transmitted from a single TRP (where a TRP can transmit one or more beams). That is, each PRS resource in a PRS resource set can be transmitted on a different beam, and therefore, a "PRS resource," or simply a "resource," can also be referred to as a "beam." Note that this has no effect on whether the UE knows the TRP and beam on which it transmits the PRS.

[0105] A “PRS instance” or “PRS timing” is an instance of a periodic recurring time window (such as a group of one or more consecutive time slots) in which a PRS is expected to be sent. A PRS timing may also be referred to as a “PRS positioning timing,” “PRS positioning instance,” “positioning timing,” “positioning instance,” “positioning repetition,” or simply “timing,” “instance,” or “repetition.”

[0106] A “positioning frequency layer” (also simply “frequency layer”) is a collection of one or more PRS resource sets across one or more TRPs that have the same values ​​for certain parameters. Specifically, the collection of PRS resource sets has the same subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix (CP) type (meaning that all parameter sets supported for the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) are also supported for the PRS), the same Point A, the same downlink PRS bandwidth value, the same starting PRB (and center frequency), and the same comb size. The Point A parameter takes the value of the parameter “ARFCN-ValueNR” (where “ARFCN” stands for “Absolute Radio Channel Number”) and is an identifier / code specifying a pair of physical radio channels used for transmission and reception. The downlink PRS bandwidth can have a granularity of four PRBs, with a minimum of 24 PRBs and a maximum of 272 PRBs. Currently, up to four frequency layers have been defined, and each frequency layer can be configured with up to two PRS resource sets per TRP.

[0107] The concept of a frequency layer is somewhat similar to that of component carriers and bandwidth portions (BWP), but the difference is that component carriers and BWP are used by a single base station (or macrocell base station and small cell base station) to transmit data channels, while a frequency layer is used by several (usually three or more) base stations to transmit PRS. A UE can indicate the number of frequency layers it can support when transmitting its positioning capabilities to the network, such as during an LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) session. For example, a UE can indicate whether it can support one or four positioning frequency layers.

[0108] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example PRS configuration 500 for PRS transmission at a given base station, based on various aspects of this disclosure. Figure 5In the diagram, time is represented horizontally, increasing from left to right. Each long rectangle represents a time slot, and each short (shaded) rectangle represents an OFDM symbol. Figure 5 In the example, PRS resource set 510 (labeled "PRS resource set 1") includes two PRS resources, a first PRS resource 512 (labeled "PRS resource 1") and a second PRS resource 514 (labeled "PRS resource 2"). The base station transmits PRS on PRS resources 512 and PRS resources 514 of PRS resource set 510.

[0109] PRS resource set 510 has a timing length of two time slots (N_PRS) and a periodicity (T_PRS) of, for example, 160 time slots or 160 milliseconds (ms) (for a 15 kHz subcarrier spacing). Therefore, both PRS resources 512 and 514 are two consecutive time slots in length, and repeat every T_PRS time slots starting from the time slot where the first symbol of the corresponding PRS resource appears. Figure 5 In the example, PRS resource 512 has a symbol length of two symbols (N_symb), and PRS resource 514 has a symbol length of four symbols (N_symb). PRS resource 512 and PRS resource 514 can be transmitted on separate beams of the same base station.

[0110] Each instance of PRS resource set 510, as shown in Examples 520a, 520b, and 520c, includes a timing of length '2' (i.e., N_PRS = 2) for each PRS resource 512, 514 of the PRS resource set. PRS resources 512 and 514 repeat every T_PRS slots until the silence sequence period T_REP. Therefore, a bitmap of length T_REP is needed to indicate which timings of instances 520a, 520b, and 520c of PRS resource set 510 are silenced (i.e., not sent).

[0111] In one aspect, additional constraints may exist on PRS configuration 500. For example, for all PRS resources (e.g., PRS resource 512, PRS resource 514) of a PRS resource set (e.g., PRS resource set 510), the base station may configure the following parameters to be the same: (a) timing length (N_PRS), (b) number of symbols (N_symb), (c) comb type, and / or (d) bandwidth. Additionally, for all PRS resources of all PRS resource sets, the subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix may be configured to be the same for a single base station or for all base stations. Whether it is for a single base station or for all base stations may depend on the UE's ability to support the first and / or second options.

[0112] Note that the terms “positioning reference signal” and “PRS” generally refer to specific reference signals used for positioning in NR and LTE systems. However, as used herein, the terms “positioning reference signal” and “PRS” can also refer to any type of reference signal that can be used for positioning, such as, but not limited to, the PRS defined in LTE and NR, TRS, PTRS, CRS, CSI-RS, DMRS, PSS, SSS, SSB, SRS, UL-PRS, etc. Additionally, the terms “positioning reference signal” and “PRS” can refer to downlink or uplink positioning reference signals unless the context otherwise indicates. If further distinction is needed regarding the type of PRS, a downlink positioning reference signal can be referred to as “DL-PRS”, and an uplink positioning reference signal (e.g., SRS-for-positioning, PTRS) can be referred to as “UL-PRS”. Furthermore, for signals that can be transmitted in both uplink and downlink (e.g., DMRS, PTRS), “UL” or “DL” can be added before the signal to distinguish the direction. For example, “UL-DMRS” can be distinguished from “DL-DMRS”.

[0113] NR supports various cellular network-based positioning technologies, including downlink-based, uplink-based, and downlink-and-uplink-based positioning methods. Downlink-based positioning methods include Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) in LTE, Downlink Time Difference of Arrival (DL-TDOA) in NR, and Downlink Angle-of-Departure (DL-AoD) in NR. During OTDOA or DL-TDOA positioning, the UE measures the difference between the times of arrival (ToA) of reference signals (e.g., Positioning Reference Signals (PRS)) received from paired base stations. This difference is referred to as the Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD) or Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) measurement, and reports them to the positioning entity. More specifically, the UE receives identifiers (IDs) of a reference base station (e.g., a serving base station) and multiple non-reference base stations in auxiliary data. The UE then measures the RSTD between the reference base station and each non-reference base station. Based on the known locations of the base stations involved and this RSTD measurement, the positioning entity (e.g., the UE for UE-based positioning or a location server for UE-assisted positioning) can estimate the UE's location.

[0114] For DL-AoD positioning, the positioning entity uses measurement reports of received signal strength measurements from multiple downlink transmitted beams of the UE to determine the angle between the UE and the transmitting base station. The positioning entity can then estimate the UE's location based on the determined angle and the known location of the transmitting base station.

[0115] Uplink-based positioning methods include uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA) and uplink angle of arrival (UL-AoA). UL-TDOA is similar to DL-TDOA, but is based on uplink reference signals (e.g., sounding reference signals (SRS)) transmitted by the UE to multiple base stations. Specifically, the UE transmits one or more uplink reference signals measured by a reference base station and multiple non-reference base stations. Each base station then reports the reception time of the reference signal (called relative time of arrival (RTOA)) to a positioning entity (e.g., a location server) that knows the location and relative timing of the base stations involved. Based on the received-receive (Rx-Rx) time difference between the RTOA reported by the reference base station and the RTOA reported by each non-reference base station, the known location of the base stations, and their known timing offsets, the positioning entity can use the TDOA to estimate the UE's location.

[0116] For UL-AoA positioning, one or more base stations measure the received signal strength of one or more uplink reference signals (e.g., SRS) received from the UE on one or more uplink receive beams. The positioning entity uses the signal strength measurement and the angle of the receive beam to determine the angle between the UE and the base station. Based on the determined angle and the known location of the base station, the positioning entity can then estimate the location of the UE.

[0117] Downlink and uplink-based positioning methods include Enhanced Cell ID (E-CID) positioning and Multiple Round-Trip Time (RTT) positioning (also known as "Multi-Cell RTT" and "Multi-RTT"). During RTT, a first entity (e.g., a base station or a UE) sends a first RTT-related signal (e.g., PRS or SRS) to a second entity (e.g., a UE or a base station), and the second entity sends a second RTT-related signal (e.g., SRS or PRS) back to the first entity. Each entity measures the time difference between the arrival time (ToA) of the received RTT-related signal and the transmission time of the transmitted RTT-related signal. This time difference is called the receive-to-transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference. Rx-Tx time difference measurement can be performed, or it can be adjusted to include only the time difference between the nearest time slot boundaries of the received and transmitted signals. The two entities can then send their Rx-Tx time difference measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF 270), which calculates the round-trip time (RTT) between the two entities based on the two Rx-Tx time difference measurements (e.g., as the sum of the two Rx-Tx time difference measurements). Alternatively, one entity can send its Rx-Tx time difference measurement to another entity, which then calculates the RTT. The distance between the two entities can be determined based on the RTT and a known signal speed (e.g., the speed of light). For multi-RTT positioning, a first entity (e.g., a UE or base station) performs the RTT positioning process together with multiple second entities (e.g., multiple base stations or UEs) to enable the location of the first entity to be determined based on the distance to the second entities and the known location of the second entities (e.g., using multipoint positioning). RTT and multi-RTT methods can be combined with other positioning technologies such as UL-AoA and DL-AoD to improve positioning accuracy.

[0118] The E-CID positioning method is based on Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements. In E-CID, the UE reports the serving cell ID, timing advance (TA), and the identifiers, estimated timings, and signal strengths of detected neighboring base stations. The UE's location is then estimated based on this information and the known locations of the base stations.

[0119] To assist in positioning operations, a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272) can provide auxiliary data to the UE. For example, auxiliary data may include the identifier of the base station (or the cell / TRP of the base station) from which the reference signal is measured, reference signal configuration parameters (e.g., including the number of consecutive time slots of the PRS, the periodicity of consecutive time slots of the PRS, silence sequences, frequency hopping sequences, reference signal identifier, reference signal bandwidth, etc.), and / or other parameters applicable to a particular positioning method. Alternatively, auxiliary data may be derived directly from the base station itself (e.g., in periodically broadcast overhead messages, etc.). In some cases, the UE may be able to detect neighboring network nodes themselves without using auxiliary data.

[0120] In the case of OTDOA or DL-TDOA positioning procedures, auxiliary data may also include the expected RSTD value and the associated uncertainty or search window around the expected RSTD. In some cases, the expected RSTD value may range from + / - 500 microseconds (μs). In some cases, when any resources used for positioning measurements are in FR1, the uncertainty of the expected RSTD may range from + / - 32 μs. In other cases, when all resources used for positioning measurements are in FR2, the uncertainty of the expected RSTD may range from + / - 8 μs.

[0121] Location estimation can be referred to by other names, such as place estimate, location, location, fixed location, etc. A location estimate can be geodetic and include coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude), or it can be urban and include street addresses, postal addresses, or some other verbal description of the location. A location estimate can also be defined relative to some other known location or in absolute terms (e.g., using latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude). A location estimate can include anticipated errors or uncertainties (e.g., by including the area or volume in which the location is expected to be included at some specified or default confidence level).

[0122] Figure 6 Figure 600 illustrates communication between a base station (BS) 602 (which may correspond to any base station described herein) and a UE 604 (which may correspond to any UE described herein). Reference Figure 6Base station 602 can transmit beamforming signals to UE 604 on one or more transmit beams 602a, 602b, 602c, 602d, 602e, 602f, 602g, and 602h, each transmit beam having a beam identifier that UE 604 can use to identify the corresponding beam. When base station 602 performs beamforming toward UE 604 using a single antenna array (e.g., a single TRP / cell), base station 602 can perform a “beam scan” by transmitting the first beam 602a, then beam 602b, and so on until the last beam 602h. Alternatively, base station 602 can transmit beams 602a-602h in a pattern, such as beam 602a, then beam 602h, then beam 602b, then beam 602g, and so on. In the case where base station 602 uses multiple antenna arrays (e.g., multiple TRPs / cells) to beamform toward UE 604, each antenna array can perform beam scanning of a subset of beams 602a-602h. Alternatively, each of beams 602a-602h can correspond to a single antenna or antenna array.

[0123] Figure 6 Further illustrations show paths 612c, 612d, 612e, 612f, and 612g, followed by beamforming signals transmitted on beams 602c, 602d, 602e, 602f, and 602g, respectively. Each path 612c, 612d, 612e, 612f, and 612g may correspond to a single "multipath," or may include multiple (clustered) "multipaths" due to the propagation characteristics of radio frequency (RF) signals through the environment. Note that although only the paths of beams 602c-602g are shown, this is for simplicity, and the signals transmitted on each of beams 602a-602h will follow some paths. In the example shown, paths 612c, 612d, 612e, and 612f are straight lines, while path 612g reflects obstacles 620 (e.g., buildings, vehicles, terrain features, etc.).

[0124] UE 604 can receive beamforming signals from base station 602 on one or more receive beams 604a, 604b, 604c, 604d. Note that, for simplicity, Figure 6 The beams shown represent either a transmit beam or a receive beam, depending on which of the base station 602 and the UE 604 is transmitting and which is receiving. Therefore, the UE 604 can also transmit beamforming signals to the base station 602 on one or more of beams 604a-604d, and the base station 602 can receive beamforming signals from the UE 604 on one or more of beams 602a-602h.

[0125] In one aspect, base station 602 and UE 604 can perform beam training to align their transmit and receive beams. For example, depending on environmental conditions and other factors, base station 602 and UE 604 can determine that the optimal transmit and receive beams are 602d and 604b, or 602e and 604c, respectively. The direction of the optimal transmit beam of base station 602 may or may not be the same as the direction of the optimal receive beam, and similarly, the direction of the optimal receive beam of UE 604 may or may not be the same as the direction of the optimal transmit beam. However, it should be noted that aligning the transmit and receive beams is not necessary for performing downlink angle of arrival (DL-AoD) or uplink angle of arrival (UL-AoA) positioning procedures.

[0126] To perform the DL-AoD positioning process, base station 602 can transmit reference signals (e.g., PRS, CRS, TRS, CSI-RS, PSS, SSS, etc.) to UE 604 on one or more of beams 602a-602h, where each beam has a different transmission angle. The different transmission angles of the beams will result in different received signal strengths (e.g., RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, etc.) at UE 604. Specifically, the received signal strength of transmission beams 602a-602h that are farther from the line-of-sight (LOS) path 610 between base station 602 and UE 604 will be lower than that of transmission beams 602a-602h that are closer to the LOS path 610.

[0127] exist Figure 6 In the example, if base station 602 transmits reference signals to UE 604 on beams 602c, 602d, 602e, 602f, and 602g, then transmit beam 602e is most aligned with LOS path 610, while transmit beams 602c, 602d, 602f, and 602g are not. Therefore, beam 602e may have a higher received signal strength at UE 604 than beams 602c, 602d, 602f, and 602g. Note that reference signals transmitted on some beams (e.g., beams 602c and / or 602f) may not reach UE 604, or the energy reaching UE 604 from these beams may be so low that it may be undetectable or at least negligible.

[0128] UE 604 may report to base station 602 the received signal strength of each measured transmit beam 602c-602g, and optionally the associated measurement quality, or alternatively, report the transmit beam with the highest received signal strength. Figure 6The identity of beam 602e in the example. Alternatively or additionally, if UE 604 also has round-trip time (RTT) or time difference of arrival (TDOA) positioning sessions with at least one base station 602 or multiple base stations 602, UE 604 may report received transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference or reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements (and optionally associated measurement quality) to the serving base station 602 or other positioning entity. In any case, the positioning entity (e.g., base station 602, location server, third-party client, UE 604, etc.) may estimate the angle from base station 602 to UE 604 as the AoD of the transmit beam (here, transmit beam 602e) with the highest received signal strength at UE 604.

[0129] In one aspect of DL-AoD-based positioning, where only one base station 602 is involved, base station 602 and UE 604 can perform a round-trip time (RTT) procedure to determine the distance between base station 602 and UE 604. Therefore, the positioning entity can determine both the direction to UE 604 (using DL-AoD positioning) and the distance to UE 604 (using RTT positioning) to estimate the location of UE 604. Note that, as Figure 6 As shown, the AoD of the transmit beam with the highest received signal strength is not necessarily located on LOS path 610. However, for positioning purposes based on DL-AoD, this can be assumed.

[0130] In another aspect of DL-AoD-based positioning, multiple involved base stations 602 exist, each of which can report the determined AoD or RSRP measurement from the corresponding base station 602 to the serving base station 602. The serving base station 602 can then report the AoD or RSRP measurements from the other involved base stations 602 to a positioning entity (e.g., the UE 604 for UE-based positioning or a location server for UE-assisted positioning). Using this information, along with knowledge of the geographic locations of the base stations 602, the positioning entity can estimate the location of the UE 604 as the intersection of the determined AOD. For a two-dimensional (2D) positioning solution, at least two involved base stations 602 should exist; however, it will be understood that the more base stations 602 involved in the positioning process, the more accurate the estimated location of the UE 604 will be.

[0131] To perform the UL-AoA positioning procedure, UE 604 transmits uplink reference signals (e.g., UL-PRS, SRS, DMR, etc.) to base station 602 on one or more uplink transmit beams 604a-604d. Base station 602 receives the uplink reference signals on one or more uplink receive beams 602a-602h. Base station 602 determines the angle of the optimal receive beams 602a-602h for receiving one or more reference signals from UE 604, as the AoA from UE 604 to itself. Specifically, each of the receive beams 602a-602h will result in a different received signal strength (e.g., RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, etc.) for one or more reference signals at base station 602. Furthermore, the channel impulse response of one or more reference signals will be smaller for receive beams 602a-602h that are farther from the actual LOS path between base station 602 and UE 604 than for receive beams 602a-602h that are closer to the LOS path. Similarly, the received signal strength will be lower for receive beams 602a-602h farther from the LOS path than for receive beams 602a-602h closer to the LOS path. Therefore, base station 602 identifies the receive beams 602a-602h that result in the highest received signal strength and optionally the strongest channel impulse response, and estimates the angle from itself to UE 604 as the AoA of that receive beam 602a-602h. Note that, as with DL-AoD-based positioning, the AoA of the receive beam 602a-602h that results in the highest received signal strength (and, if measured, the strongest channel impulse response) is not necessarily located on LOS path 610. However, for the purposes of UL-AoA-based positioning in FR2, this can be assumed.

[0132] Note that although UE 604 is shown as capable of beamforming, this is not required for DL-AoD and UL-AoA positioning procedures. Instead, UE 604 can perform both reception and transmission on an omnidirectional antenna.

[0133] When UE 604 is estimating its location (i.e., the UE is the location entity), it needs to obtain the geographic location of base station 602. UE 604 can obtain its location from, for example, base station 602 itself or a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP272). Using knowledge of the distance to base station 602 (based on RTT or timing advance), the angle between base station 602 and UE 604 (based on the UL-AoA of the optimal receive beams 602a-602h), and the known geographic location of base station 602, UE 604 can estimate its location.

[0134] Alternatively, when a positioning entity, such as base station 602 or a location server, is estimating the location of UE 604, base station 602 reports the AoA of the received beams 602a-602h, which results in the highest received signal strength (and optionally the strongest channel impulse response) of the reference signal received from UE 604, or all received signal strengths and channel impulse responses of all received beams 602a-602h (this allows the positioning entity to determine the optimal received beams 602a-602h). Base station 602 may additionally report the Rx-Tx time difference to UE 604. The positioning entity can then estimate the location of UE 604 based on the distance from UE 604 to base station 602, the AoA of the identified received beams 602a-602h, and the known geographic location of base station 602.

[0135] Currently, for DL-AoD-based positioning, the base station is expected to create narrow beams by using pre-decoding at the transmitter (i.e., applying a set of phase values ​​to individual antenna elements for beam steering of the beam generated by the antennas), and the UE is expected to measure the RSRP of each received / detected downlink beam. The UE then reports the beam identifiers (e.g., beam indices) of the top P beams with RSRPs sorted from highest to lowest. The UE is typically unaware of the pre-decoding implemented for each beam at the base station. Therefore, the UE blindly reports the RSRP of each beam and cannot perform any angle estimation itself.

[0136] This disclosure provides a mechanism that enables a UE to measure angles by limiting beamforming at a base station. In one aspect, the base station may transmit multiple PRS resources, one PRS resource from each antenna port. An "antenna port" is a logical concept related to the physical layer, not a physical antenna panel. An antenna port is defined such that the channel on which a symbol on an antenna port is transmitted can be inferred from the channel on which another symbol on the same antenna port is transmitted. In other words, each individual downlink transmission is performed from a specific antenna port whose identity is known to the UE, and the UE can assume that two transmitted signals have traversed the same radio channel if and only if they are transmitted from the same antenna port. In practice, it can be assumed that each antenna port used for downlink transmission corresponds to a specific reference signal (e.g., a PRS resource). Therefore, each PRS resource transmitted by the base station corresponds to a specific antenna port.

[0137] In the disclosed mechanism, the primary constraint is that transmissions from each antenna port should have the same beamforming. This allows the UE to observe the transmitted signal (e.g., PRS resources) as if it were transmitted from a uniform planar antenna array, where each "virtual antenna element of the array" has the same transmission pattern. Note that the option without beamforming (i.e., transmission from each individual antenna element rather than from a group of antenna elements, as with beamforming) is also valid and possible.

[0138] Figure 7 Various beamforming examples for different antenna port configurations are shown. In each example, an antenna panel 712 comprising a 4×4 array of 16 antenna elements 714 is shown. The spacing between each antenna element 714 is λ / 2 (where "λ" (lambda) is the wavelength) on both the horizontal and vertical axes of the antenna panel 712. The antenna panel 712 may correspond to a TRP or cell of a base station.

[0139] Figure 710 illustrates an example without beamforming. Therefore, the base station can transmit up to 16 PRS resources per polarization, with each antenna element 714 transmitting one PRS resource. In this example, each antenna element will correspond to one antenna port. The spacing between each antenna port (since each antenna port corresponds to one antenna element 714) is λ / 2 on both the horizontal and vertical axes of the antenna panel 712. The example shown in Figure 710 is an example of an omnidirectional antenna.

[0140] Figure 720 shows an example of four antenna element groups 722 (represented by dashed circles) in which 16 antenna elements 714 are divided into four consecutive antenna elements 714. Each antenna element group 722 corresponds to an antenna port and can be used for beamforming of different PRS resources. Therefore, dividing the antenna panel 712 into four antenna element groups 722 allows the base station to beamform up to four PRS resources for each polarization. Because each antenna element group 722 corresponding to an antenna port is two antenna elements 714 wide and two antenna elements 714 high, the spacing of each antenna port is λ (i.e., 2×λ / 2) on both the horizontal and vertical axes.

[0141] Figure 720 further illustrates a beam 724 that can be transmitted by the antenna element group 722. Beam 724 can correspond to... Figure 6Some of the beams 602a-h are shown. Traditionally, a base station can transmit PRS resources on each antenna element group 722 in independent (e.g., different) directions. However, as shown in Figure 720, each beam is beamformed identically, meaning each beam is transmitted in the same direction. As described above and further below, this allows the UE to observe the transmitted signal (e.g., PRS resources) as if it were transmitted from a uniform planar antenna array.

[0142] Figure 730 shows an example of four antenna element groups 732 (represented by dashed ellipses) in which 16 antenna elements 714 are further divided into four consecutive antenna elements 714. Each antenna element group 732 corresponds to an antenna port and can be used for beamforming of different PRS resources. Therefore, dividing the antenna panel 712 into four antenna element groups 732 allows the base station to beamform up to four PRS resources for each polarization. However, unlike the example of Figure 720, since each antenna element group 732 corresponding to an antenna port is four antenna elements 714 wide and one antenna element 714 high, the spacing of each antenna port (i.e., each antenna element group 732) is 2λ (i.e., 4×λ / 2) on the horizontal axis and λ / 2 on the vertical axis.

[0143] Figure 740 illustrates an example of beamforming using staggered antenna elements 714. Specifically, Figure 740 shows an antenna element group 742 (represented by four dashed circles) comprising four non-contiguous antenna elements 714 staggered with the other antenna elements 714 of the antenna panel 712. Antenna element group 742 corresponds to antenna ports and can be used to transmit specific PRS resources. Although only one antenna element group 742 is shown in Figure 740, the remaining antenna elements 714 can be divided into other antenna element groups 742 of non-contiguous antenna elements 714. However, each antenna element group should be beamformed in the same way for its respective PRS resource, meaning each beam will be transmitted in the same direction. Because each antenna element group (corresponding to an antenna port) in the example of Figure 740 will be adjacent to (staggered) with other antenna element groups, the spacing of each antenna port is λ / 2 on both the horizontal and vertical axes of the antenna panel 712.

[0144] As will be understood, Figure 7 The examples of beamforming in the diagram are not exhaustive, and there are many different patterns that can correspond to antenna elements for different antenna ports. Furthermore, depending on how the resources are defined, the UE can receive PRS resources from different antenna ports using Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM), or Code Division Multiplexing (CDM).

[0145] Because the hardware configuration of the antenna panel 712 remains unchanged, but the grouping of the antenna elements 714 is changed to form different antenna ports, therefore Figure 7 The example antenna element grouping shown is referred to herein as a "virtual antenna array configuration". The virtual antenna array configuration can specify the number of antenna ports (e.g., four in the examples of Figures 720 and 730), the spacing between the ports (e.g., λ in the example of Figure 720), etc. In one aspect, the UE is signaled to the virtual antenna array configuration (e.g., the number of ports, the spacing in each direction, etc.). The UE can receive this configuration from a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272) in one or more LPP messages, or directly from the base station in RRC signaling.

[0146] This disclosure provides codebook-based and non-codebook-based angle measurement techniques. For codebook-based techniques, the potential set of angles that the UE can search on is provided by the definition of the codebook, similar to a Type I CSI pre-decoded codebook.

[0147] More specifically, codebook-based pre-decoding is a type of vector quantization of the channel experienced by the UE. The pre-decoder codebook is a set of pre-decoder matrices, each containing a set of phase values ​​that can be applied to individual antenna elements for beam steering of the antenna-generated beam. Therefore, the pre-decoder matrix can be called the steering matrix. The pre-decoder codebook can be designed to take into account typical cellular propagation channels and antenna deployments. The codebook is typically designed based on one-dimensional or two-dimensional Discrete Fourier Transform (1D / 2D-DFT) vectors, thus implicitly assuming, for example, the use of a uniform linear or uniform planar array (UPA) at the TRP.

[0148] Because many dimensions of two-dimensional antenna arrays can be used, codebooks are typically configurable and scalable. The antenna port (element) layout of the antenna panels in the vertical (number of rows) and horizontal (number of columns) dimensions (denoted as N1 and N2, respectively) can be configured as part of the codebook configuration. For multi-panel codebooks, the number of panels N is also configured. g If a dual-polarized antenna is used (which can be assumed), then the total number of ports in the antenna's codebook is P = 2N. g N1N2 is given, where P is the number of ports, and for the single-panel case N g=1. Currently, the NR codebook supports up to 32 ports, although the description herein is not limited to 32 ports. Currently, supported antenna port layouts in NR include combinations of the following rows and columns: 1×2, 1×4 (e.g., as shown in the example of Figure 730), 1×6, 1×8, 1×12, 1×16, 2×2 (e.g., as shown in the example of Figure 720), 2×3, 2×4, 2×6, 2×8, 3×4, 4×4, although the description herein is not limited to these configurations. N1 and N2 configurations can be configured per multi-port PRS resource, or per PRS resource set, or per frequency layer configuration, or associated with one or more TRPs (e.g., associated with one or more TRP IDs).

[0149] A codebook including a constant-mode DFT for dual-polarized two-dimensional UPA can be used. The codebook consists of a combination of two linear pre-decoder vectors. The DFT pre-decoder, where the pre-decoder vector w used for pre-decoding a single-layer transmission using a single-polarized uniform linear array (ULA) with N antennas, can be defined as:

[0150]

[0151] Where k = 0, 1, 2, ..., Q(N-1) are pre-decoder indices, and Q is an oversampling factor configurable by the network entity (e.g., a base station or location server). For a two-dimensional UPA, the corresponding pre-decoder matrix can be generated by taking the Kronecker product of the two pre-decoder vectors according to the following steps:

[0152]

[0153] Where k is a one-dimensional pre-decoder index, and l is a another-dimensional pre-decoder index (k = 0, 1, 2, ..., Q(N1-1), l = 0, 1, 2, ..., Q(N2-1)). For dual-polarized UPA, this can be extended according to the following equation:

[0154]

[0155] Where e jφ It is the in-phase factor between two dual polarizations (e.g., orthogonal polarizations). A fixed number of values ​​for φ can be evaluated, for example, selected from the QPSK alphabet, where... The in-phase factor is the phase difference between signals transmitted by different polarizations of an antenna element. The in-phase factor between polarizations can vary with frequency and corresponds to the beam direction w of one of the pre-decoder matrices that produces the strongest beam (e.g., for codebook-based CSI feedback) or LOS beam. 2D(k,l) typically remain the same at different frequencies. The pre-decoder matrix can be divided into a matrix or beam factor indicating the beam direction, which can be selected at the broadband level, and a phase factor including polarization in-phase, which can be selected at the sub-band level.

[0156] In this disclosure, one or more codebooks may be defined and provided to the UE to enable the UE to determine the DL-AoD associated with a base station (or more specifically, a specific antenna panel / TRP / cell of the base station). More specifically, one or more codebooks may provide a list of angle vectors (or matrices), similar to a CSI codebook, indicating on which the UE should search for angles from a specific PRS resource of the base station. (Refer to the above...) Figure 7 The PRS resources transmitted by the antenna panel should be beamformed uniformly so that the UE can observe different PRS resources as if they were transmitted from a uniform planar array. The UE searches for the transmitted PRS resources along the indicated angle vector and determines the index of the vector that leads to the strongest RSRP measurement. Because the PRS resources are beamformed uniformly, the corresponding radio signals should follow substantially the same path to the UE, contrary to the case where the PRS resources are not beamformed uniformly. Since it is assumed that the PRS resources all follow the same path to the UE, the angle of the codebook associated with the strongest RSRP is most likely from the DL-AoD of the base station (or more specifically, the antenna panel).

[0157] In one aspect, one or more codebooks can be hierarchical codebooks. Specifically, a first codebook can provide angle information (e.g., vectors, matrices) for coarse angle searches, and a second codebook can provide angle information for fine angle searches based on the first angle search. For example, vectors in the second codebook can be centered on vectors (angles) selected from the first codebook. Thus, as an example, the first codebook can provide angle vectors in increments of 10 degrees (e.g., 0 degrees, 10 degrees, 20 degrees, etc.), and the second codebook can provide angle vectors in increments of 1 degree, for example, from -5 degrees to +5 degrees. Therefore, once the UE identifies a 10-degree increment angle that results in the maximum RSRP, it can perform another search around that angle in increments defined in the second codebook.

[0158] As will be understood, the benefits of a hierarchical codebook are reduced signaling overhead because fewer and smaller values ​​need to be sent, and reduced UE complexity because a smaller set of angles needs to be searched. For example, instead of searching for more than 21 increments of 10 degrees and then 10 increments of 1 degree across the approximate direction of the base station, the UE can search for more than 210 increments of 1 degree.

[0159] Figure 8An example flow 800 for measuring multi-port PRS resources and providing feedback is illustrated according to various aspects of this disclosure. At 810, a location server (e.g., illustrated as an LMF) provides PRS configuration 812 to UE 804 (e.g., any UE described herein) via TRP 802 (e.g., the TRP of any base station described herein), and may provide PRS configuration 812 to TRP 802. PRS configuration 812 provides scheduling information (e.g., such as...) for the PRS sent by TRP 802. Figure 5 The PRS configuration shown in the diagram provides the UE 804 with an indication that the PRS will be a multi-port PRS, and provides codebook configuration values, which include the number of rows and columns N1, N2 of the antenna elements to be used to transmit the multi-port PRS, an alphabet of oversampling factor Q, φ values, and which REs may correspond to each polarization of the signal transmitted from TRP 802. Similarly or alternatively, TRP 802 may provide codebook configuration values ​​N1, N2, Q, φ in codebook configuration message 816 at stage 814.

[0160] At stage 818, TRP 802 uses multiple OFDM symbols to transmit a multiport PRS with multiple PRS ports in a single time slot. For example, TRP 802 can use various transmission modes to perform the same beamforming on the multiport PRS, such as... Figure 7 As shown. TRP 802 can transmit PRS from different antenna ports in TDM, FDM, or CDM mode. At stage 818, UE 804 receives and measures the multiport PRS transmitted by TRP 802. UE 804 measures the multiport PRS in a single time slot (and possibly in a single resource) (i.e., multiple PRS resources corresponding to multiple ports), although UE 804 can measure the multiport PRS resources multiple times (e.g., multiple repetitions of the multiport PRS resources) to fully measure the signal and obtain the desired information.

[0161] At stage 820, UE 804 analyzes and processes the measured multiport PRS to determine feedback information. This feedback information can be from the perspective of TRP 802 to UE 804. (See reference...) Figure 6Applying an angle vector (or matrix) to the measured channel isolates the energy from the multiport PRS into effective beams, each corresponding to an angle vector applied individually. By applying the codebook of the pre-decoder matrix according to the codebook configuration values ​​(N1, N2, Q, φ), UE 804 can analyze the multiport PRS transmitted by TRP 802 as if TRP 802 were transmitting the PRS with directional beams (e.g., beams 602a-h). Effective beams are logical reconstructions based on the received energy in the multiport PRS, and not necessarily the beams transmitted by TRP 802 (i.e., TRP 802 may not perform beamforming on the multiport PRS). Since the beams may not actually be transmitted, but rather logically simulated using the codebook, the associated angles can be considered effective angles (the angles the beams will follow are the actually transmitted beams). Some beams (e.g., beams 602a, 602b, 602g, and 602h) may not reach UE 804, or the energy reaching UE 804 from these beams may be so low that it may be undetectable or at least negligible.

[0162] An angle vector (or matrix) is applied to the received PRS to isolate the energy of the effective beams, generating the impulse response for each effective beam. UE 804 analyzes the impulse responses of multiple effective beams of the multiport PRS to determine which beam has the strongest RSRP and thus may follow a LOS path from TRP 802 to UE 804. UE 804 can determine the DL-AoD of the effective beam identified as having the strongest RSRP. Specifically, the angle vector (or matrix) corresponding to the strongest effective beam provides the AoD relative to TRP 802. UE 804 can combine the angle vector corresponding to the strongest effective beam with the position and orientation of TRP 802 to determine the AoD relative to the global coordinate system.

[0163] At phase 834, UE 804 provides feedback to the network entity that was determined during phase 820. For example, UE 804 may provide feedback to TRP 802 in RRC feedback message 830 and / or to location server 870 in LPP feedback message 832. Feedback messages 830 and 832 may include the beam index (k, l tuple) and in-phase factor of the strongest (e.g., strongest RSRP) effective beam and / or may include the AoD of the strongest effective beam.

[0164] At stage 836, location server 870 can use feedback information to determine the location of UE 804. For example, location server 870 can use or determine the AoD of the LOS beam to UE 804 as part of a trilateration determination, for example, using other AoDs from the LOS beams of other TRPs 802, and the location of the TRPs, to determine the location of UE 804.

[0165] Referring to non-codebook-based techniques, the UE can directly determine the angle using certain implementation-based angle search and / or optimization techniques (i.e., DL-AoD). In UE-assisted mode, this angle is quantized (determined at some level of granularity) and then reported to the positioning entity (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272). The quantization granularity can be specified by the positioning entity, applicable standards, UE capabilities, etc. The advantage of non-codebook-based methods is complete control of the algorithm on the UE side—no configuration of the search codebook from the base station is required.

[0166] It should be noted that a UE can report more than one angle or beam index. For example, if a UE measures two beams with substantially the same signal strength, it can report both beams, assuming the UE is located between them.

[0167] It should also be noted that each port in a multi-port PRS resource set should share a common spatial QCL with the UE. That is, since each PRS resource is beamformed in the same way, they will have the same spatial relationship with the receiving beam at the UE, and the UE will be expected to receive the PRS resources on the same receiving beam.

[0168] In one aspect, if the base station has multiple antenna panels, rather than all antenna panels oriented in the same plane, different multi-port PRS transmission groups can be defined, with at least one for each antenna panel with a different orientation. In this case, the UE cannot combine across different groups without additional signaling (i.e., additional auxiliary data) from the base station. For example, the base station can signal the relative orientation of the panels to the UE to enable the UE to combine across panels.

[0169] In one aspect, the UE can select or recommend the granularity of the reported DL-AoD. For example, for tracking purposes, when the UE is moving (e.g., driving), the UE can report differential AoD measurements. That is, the UE can report the first AoD measurement in its entirety, and then report subsequent AoD measurements as the difference between the original AoD measurement and the new AoD measurement. Additionally, the base station can dynamically signal a subset of the codebook, allowing the UE to limit its search.

[0170] A similar mechanism applies to SRS transmission. In this case, there can be groups of uplink multi-port SRS, where each group corresponds to the UE's antenna panel. The UE can signal the base station to inform it of the distance and relative orientation between the panels. The UE will then perform beamforming SRS (or other uplink positioning signals) to the base station in the same way the base station will perform beamforming PRS to the UE, and the base station will measure the RSRP of each valid uplink beam in the same way the UE will measure the RSRP of each valid downlink beam to determine the UL-AoA between the base station and the UE.

[0171] Figure 9 An example method 900 for wireless positioning according to various aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. In one aspect, method 900 can be performed by a UE (e.g., any UE described herein).

[0172] At position 910, such as Figure 8 At stage 810, the UE receives a PRS configuration (e.g., PRS configuration 500) indicating one or more PRS resources transmitted on one or more antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of a base station (e.g., any base station described herein). In one aspect, operation 910 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340, and / or positioning components 342, any or all of which may be considered as parts for performing the operation.

[0173] At 920, such as Figure 8 At stage 820, the UE measures one or more PRS resources on the angle set (e.g., as referenced above). Figure 6 As described, the UE is configured to search for one or more PRS resources on an angle set based on the PRS configuration. In one aspect, operation 920 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340 and / or positioning components 342, any or all of which may be considered as parts for performing the operation.

[0174] At 930, such as Figure 8 At point 820, the UE focuses its angle on at least one of the PRS resources in one or more PRS resources, and the measured angle is determined as the DL-AoD between the base station and the UE. In one aspect, operation 930 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340 and / or positioning components 342, any or all of which may be considered as components for performing the operation.

[0175] Figure 10An example method 1000 for wireless positioning according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. In one aspect, method 1000 may be performed by a base station (e.g., any base station described herein).

[0176] At position 1010, as Figure 8 At stage 810, the base station sends a PRS configuration (e.g., PRS configuration 500) to the UE (e.g., any UE described herein) for sending multiple PRS resources to the UE for a positioning session. In one aspect, operation 1010 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 350, one or more processors 384, memory 386, and / or positioning components 388, any or all of which may be considered as parts for performing the operation.

[0177] At 1020, as Figure 8 At stage 818, the base station transmits multiple PRS resources to the UE on multiple antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of the base station, wherein each of the multiple PRS resources is transmitted on a corresponding one of the multiple antenna ports, and wherein each of the multiple PRS resources is beamformed identically. In one aspect, operation 1020 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 350, one or more processors 384, memory 386, and / or positioning components 388, any or all of which may be considered as components for performing the operation.

[0178] As will be understood, the technical advantage of methods 900 and 1000 is that they enable the UE to determine the DL-AoD between the UE and the base station.

[0179] In the detailed description above, it can be seen that different features are grouped together in the examples. This manner of disclosure should not be construed as an intention to have more features than are expressly mentioned in each clause. Rather, aspects of this disclosure may include fewer features than all the features of a single example clause disclosed. Therefore, the following clauses should be considered as included in the specification, where each clause can stand alone as a separate example. While each dependent clause may refer to a specific combination with one of the other clauses in the clause, the aspect of that dependent clause is not limited to that specific combination. It should be understood that other example clauses may also include combinations of aspects of a dependent clause with the subject matter of any other dependent or independent clause, or combinations of any features with other dependent and independent clauses. The aspects disclosed herein expressly include these combinations unless it is expressly stated or can be readily inferred that a particular combination is not intended (e.g., contradictory aspects, such as defining an element as both an insulator and a conductor). Furthermore, it is intended that aspects of a clause may be included in any other independent clause, even if that clause does not directly depend on the independent clause.

[0180] The following numbered clauses describe implementation examples:

[0181] Clause 1. A method of wireless positioning performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration including an angle set on which the UE is expected to search for one or more PRS resources transmitted on one or more antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of a base station; measuring one or more PRS resources on the angle set; determining, based on the measurement of one or more PRS resources on the angle set, at least one PRS resource having the highest received signal strength among the one or more PRS resources; and determining the angle on which the at least one PRS resource was measured as the downlink origin angle (DL-AoD) between the base station and the UE.

[0182] Clause 2. The method according to Clause 1 also includes: reporting the angle as DL-AoD to the positioning entity.

[0183] Clause 3. The method according to Clause 2, wherein the location entity includes a location server, a third-party client, or a serving base station.

[0184] Clause 4. The method of any one of Clauses 2 to 3, wherein the UE reports DL-AoD as a difference from the previously determined DL-AoD.

[0185] Clause 5. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 4 further includes: receiving a virtual antenna array configuration for one or more PRS resources, wherein the virtual antenna array configuration indicates that the UE is expected to search for an angle set of one or more PRS resources thereon.

[0186] Clause 6. The method according to Clause 5, wherein the virtual antenna array configuration at least indicates the number of one or more antenna ports and the spacing between one or more antenna ports.

[0187] Clause 7. The method of any one of Clauses 1 to 6, wherein each of one or more PRS resources corresponds to a corresponding one of one or more antenna ports.

[0188] Clause 8. One or more PRS resources are transmitted in a time division multiplexing (TDM), frequency division multiplexing (FDM), or code division multiplexing (CDM) manner, according to any one of Clauses 1 to 7.

[0189] Clause 9. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 8, wherein the PRS configuration includes at least one codebook that indicates the angle set on which the UE is expected to search for one or more PRS resources.

[0190] Clause 10. The method according to Clause 9, wherein: at least one codebook includes a first codebook and a second codebook, and the angle set includes a first angle set associated with the first codebook and a second angle set associated with the second codebook.

[0191] Clause 11. The method according to Clause 10, wherein: the first angle set includes coarse angle increments over which the UE is expected to search for one or more PRS resources, and the second angle set includes fine angle increments over which the UE is expected to search for the at least one PRS resource after it has been determined.

[0192] Clause 12. The method according to Clause 11, wherein determining the angle comprises: determining a coarse angle in a first angle set corresponding to at least one PRS resource; and determining a fine angle in a second angle set corresponding to at least one PRS resource based on the coarse angle, wherein the determined angle on which at least one PRS resource is measured is the fine angle.

[0193] Clause 13. The method according to Clause 12, wherein determining the coarse angle comprises: measuring at least one PRS resource at each angle in a first angle set; and determining that the coarse angle results in the highest received signal strength of at least one PRS resource.

[0194] Clause 14. The method according to any one of Clauses 12 to 13, wherein determining the fine angle comprises: measuring at least one PRS resource at each angle in a second set of angles surrounding the coarse angle; and determining that the fine angle results in the highest received signal strength of at least one PRS resource.

[0195] Clause 15. The method of any one of Clauses 1 to 14, wherein each of one or more PRS resources has the same spatial quasi-cooperative positioning (QCL) relationship as the UE.

[0196] Clause 16. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 15, wherein: the base station has a plurality of antenna panels having different orientations, and the PRS configuration includes a relative azimuth difference between each of the plurality of antenna panels.

[0197] Clause 17. The method according to Clause 16, wherein: one or more antenna ports include multiple antenna ports spanning multiple antenna panels, and one or more PRS resources include multiple PRS resources transmitted on the multiple antenna ports.

[0198] Clause 18. The method according to Clause 17 further includes: combining multiple PRS resources across multiple antenna ports to determine at least one PRS resource with the highest received signal strength.

[0199] Clause 19. The method pursuant to any one of Clauses 1 to 18 further includes: a recommendation for the granularity of sending DL-AoD.

[0200] Clause 20. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 19, wherein the PRS configuration further indicates the granularity of DL-AoD.

[0201] Clause 21. A method of wireless positioning performed by a base station, comprising: transmitting a plurality of positioning reference signal (PRS) resources to a user equipment (UE) on a plurality of antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of the base station, wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is transmitted on a corresponding one of the plurality of antenna ports, and wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is beamformed identically; and receiving from the UE an indication of a downlink departure angle (DL-AoD) between the base station and the UE.

[0202] Clause 22. The method pursuant to Clause 21 also includes: forwarding the instruction to the location entity.

[0203] Clause 23. The method pursuant to Clause 22, wherein the location entity includes a location server, a third-party client, or a serving base station.

[0204] Clause 24. The method according to any one of Clauses 22 to 23, wherein DL-AoD is the difference between the previously determined DL-AoD between the UE and the base station.

[0205] Clause 25. The method pursuant to any one of Clauses 21 to 24 further includes: sending a PRS configuration to the UE, the PRS configuration including a set of angles on which the UE is expected to search for multiple PRS resources transmitted on multiple antenna ports;

[0206] Clause 26. The method according to Clause 25, wherein: the PRS configuration includes a virtual antenna array configuration for multiple PRS resources, and the virtual antenna array configuration indicates that the UE is expected to search for a set of angles of multiple PRS resources thereon.

[0207] Clause 27. The method according to Clause 26, wherein the virtual antenna array configuration indicates at least the number of multiple antenna ports and the spacing between the multiple antenna ports.

[0208] Clause 28. The method according to any one of Clauses 25 to 27, wherein the PRS configuration includes at least one codebook that indicates the UE is expected to search for a set of angles of multiple PRS resources thereon.

[0209] Clause 29. The method according to Clause 28, wherein: at least one codebook includes a first codebook and a second codebook, and the angle set includes a first angle set associated with the first codebook and a second angle set associated with the second codebook.

[0210] Clause 30. The method according to Clause 29, wherein: the first angle set includes coarse angle increments over which the UE is expected to search for multiple PRS resources, and the second angle set includes fine angle increments over which the UE is expected to search for the at least one PRS resource after it has been determined.

[0211] Clause 31. The method according to any one of Clauses 25 to 30, wherein DL-AoD is associated with the PRS resource having the highest received signal strength at the UE among a plurality of PRS resources.

[0212] Clause 32. The method according to any one of Clauses 25 to 31, wherein: the base station has a plurality of antenna panels having different orientations, and the PRS configuration includes a relative azimuth difference between each of the plurality of antenna panels.

[0213] Clause 33. The method according to Clause 32, wherein: the plurality of antenna ports includes a plurality of antenna ports spanning a plurality of antenna panels, and the plurality of PRS resources includes a plurality of PRS resources transmitted on the plurality of antenna ports.

[0214] Clause 34. The method according to any one of Clauses 25 to 33, wherein the PRS configuration further indicates the granularity of DL-AoD.

[0215] Clause 35. The method according to any one of Clauses 21 to 34, wherein the base station transmits multiple PRS resources in a time division multiplexing (TDM), frequency division multiplexing (FDM), or code division multiplexing (CDM) manner.

[0216] Clause 36. The method of any one of Clauses 21 to 35, wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources has the same spatial quasi-cooperative positioning (QCL) relationship as the UE.

[0217] Clause 37. The method pursuant to any one of Clauses 21 to 36 further includes: a recommendation of the granularity of receiving DL-AoD from the UE.

[0218] Clause 38. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one processor and the memory being configured to perform a method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 37.

[0219] Clause 39. An apparatus comprising components for performing a method pursuant to any one of Clauses 1 to 37.

[0220] Clause 40. A computer-readable medium comprising at least one instruction for causing a computer or processor to perform a method pursuant to any one of Clauses 1 through 37.

[0221] Clause 38. An apparatus comprising a memory, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor, the at least one processor being communicatively coupled to the memory and at least one transceiver, the memory, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor being configured to perform a method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 37.

[0222] Clause 39. An apparatus comprising components for performing a method pursuant to any one of Clauses 1 to 37.

[0223] Clause 40. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions including at least one instruction for causing a computer or processor to perform a method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 37.

[0224] The following numbered clauses describe additional implementation examples:

[0225] Clause 1. A method of wireless positioning performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration indicating one or more PRS resources transmitted on one or more antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of a base station; measuring one or more PRS resources on an angle set, wherein the UE is configured to search for one or more PRS resources on the angle set based on the PRS configuration; and determining the angle at which at least one of the one or more PRS resources on the angle set is measured as the downlink origin angle (DL-AoD) between the base station and the UE.

[0226] Clause 2. The method pursuant to Clause 1 further includes: reporting the angle as a DL-AoD to the positioning entity, wherein the positioning entity includes a location server, a third-party client, or a serving base station.

[0227] Clause 3. According to the method of Clause 2, wherein the DL-AoD is reported to the positioning entity as a difference from the DL-AoD previously determined for the base station.

[0228] Clause 4. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 3 further includes: receiving a virtual antenna array configuration for one or more PRS resources, wherein the virtual antenna array configuration indicates that the UE is expected to search for an angle set of one or more PRS resources thereon.

[0229] Clause 5. The method according to Clause 4, wherein the virtual antenna array configuration at least indicates the number of one or more antenna ports and the spacing between one or more antenna ports.

[0230] Clause 6. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 5, wherein the PRS configuration includes at least one codebook, and the at least one codebook indicates that the UE is expected to search for an angle set of one or more PRS resources thereon.

[0231] Clause 7. The method according to Clause 6, wherein: at least one codebook includes a first codebook and a second codebook, and the angle set includes a first angle set associated with the first codebook and a second angle set associated with the second codebook.

[0232] Clause 8. The method according to Clause 7, wherein: the first angle set includes coarse angle increments on which the UE is expected to search for one or more PRS resources, and the second angle set includes fine angle increments on which the UE is expected to search for the at least one PRS resource after it has been determined.

[0233] Clause 9. The method according to Clause 8, wherein determining the angle comprises: determining a coarse angle in a first angle set corresponding to at least one PRS resource; and determining a fine angle in a second angle set corresponding to at least one PRS resource based on the coarse angle, wherein the angle measured on the at least one PRS resource is the fine angle.

[0234] Clause 10. The method according to Clause 9, wherein: determining the coarse angle comprises: measuring at least one PRS resource at each angle in a first set of angles; and determining the highest received signal strength of at least one PRS resource resulting from the coarse angle; and determining the fine angle comprises: measuring at least one PRS resource at each angle in a second set of angles surrounding the coarse angle; and determining the highest received signal strength of at least one PRS resource resulting from the fine angle.

[0235] Clause 11. The method of any one of Clauses 1 to 10, wherein each of one or more PRS resources has the same spatial quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship.

[0236] Clause 12. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 11, wherein: the base station has a plurality of antenna panels having different orientations, and the PRS configuration includes a relative azimuth difference between each of the plurality of antenna panels.

[0237] Clause 13. The method according to Clause 12 further includes: combining one or more PRS resources across one or more antenna ports to determine at least one PRS resource having the highest received signal strength.

[0238] Clause 14. A method of wireless positioning performed by a base station, comprising: sending a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration to a user equipment (UE) for transmitting a plurality of PRS resources for a positioning session to the UE; and transmitting the plurality of PRS resources to the UE on a plurality of antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of the base station, wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is transmitted on a corresponding one of the plurality of antenna ports, and wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is beamformed identically.

[0239] Clause 15. The method according to Clause 14 further includes: receiving from the UE an indication of the downlink origin angle (DL-AoD) between the base station and the UE; and forwarding the indication to the positioning entity.

[0240] Clause 16. The method according to Clause 15, wherein DL-AoD is the difference between the previously determined DL-AoD between the UE and the base station.

[0241] Clause 17. The method of any one of Clauses 15 to 16, wherein DL-AoD is associated with the PRS resource having the highest received signal strength at the UE among a plurality of PRS resources.

[0242] Clause 18. The method according to any one of Clauses 15 to 17, wherein the PRS configuration further indicates the granularity of DL-AoD.

[0243] Clause 19. The method according to any one of Clauses 14 to 18, wherein: the PRS configuration includes a virtual antenna array configuration for multiple PRS resources, and the virtual antenna array configuration indicates that the UE is expected to search for a set of angles of multiple PRS resources thereon.

[0244] Clause 20. The method according to Clause 19, wherein the virtual antenna array configuration indicates at least the number of multiple antenna ports and the spacing between the multiple antenna ports.

[0245] Clause 21. The method according to any one of Clauses 14 to 20, wherein the PRS configuration includes at least one codebook, and the at least one codebook indicates that the UE is expected to search for a set of angles of multiple PRS resources thereon.

[0246] Clause 22. The method according to Clause 21, wherein: at least one codebook includes a first codebook and a second codebook, and the angle set includes a first angle set associated with the first codebook and a second angle set associated with the second codebook.

[0247] Clause 23. The method according to Clause 22, wherein: the first angle set includes coarse angle increments over which the UE is expected to search for multiple PRS resources, and the second angle set includes fine angle increments over which the UE is expected to search for multiple PRS resources after the PRS resource with the highest received signal strength at the UE among the multiple PRS resources has been determined.

[0248] Clause 24. The method according to any one of Clauses 14 to 23, wherein: the base station has a plurality of antenna panels having different orientations, and the PRS configuration includes a relative azimuth difference between each of the plurality of antenna panels.

[0249] Clause 25. The method of any one of Clauses 14 to 24, wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources has the same spatial quasi-cooperative positioning (QCL) relationship as the UE.

[0250] Clause 26. A user equipment (UE) includes: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor being configured to: receive via the at least one transceiver a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration indicating one or more PRS resources transmitted on one or more antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of a base station; measure one or more PRS resources on an angle set, wherein the UE is configured to search for one or more PRS resources on the angle set based on the PRS configuration; and determine the angle at which at least one PRS resource in the angle set is measured as the downlink departure angle (DL-AoD) between the base station and the UE.

[0251] Clause 27. The UE pursuant to Clause 26, wherein at least one processor is further configured to: report the angle as DL-AoD to a positioning entity via at least one transceiver, wherein the positioning entity includes a location server, a third-party client, or a serving base station.

[0252] Clause 28. For the UE pursuant to Clause 27, the DL-AoD is reported to the positioning entity as a difference from the DL-AoD previously determined for the base station.

[0253] Clause 29. The method according to any one of Clauses 26 to 28, wherein at least one processor is further configured to: receive via at least one transceiver a virtual antenna array configuration for one or more PRS resources, wherein the virtual antenna array configuration indicates that the UE is expected to search for an angle set of one or more PRS resources thereon.

[0254] Clause 30. The UE pursuant to Clause 29, wherein the virtual antenna array configuration indicates at least the number of one or more antenna ports and the spacing between one or more antenna ports.

[0255] Clause 31. A UE pursuant to any one of Clauses 26 to 30, wherein the PRS configuration includes at least one codebook, and the at least one codebook indicates that the UE is expected to search for an angle set of one or more PRS resources thereon.

[0256] Clause 32. The UE pursuant to Clause 31, wherein: at least one codebook includes a first codebook and a second codebook, and the angle set includes a first angle set associated with the first codebook and a second angle set associated with the second codebook.

[0257] Clause 33. The UE pursuant to Clause 32, wherein: the first angle set includes a coarse angle increment on which the UE is expected to search for one or more PRS resources, and the second angle set includes a fine angle increment on which the UE is expected to search for the at least one PRS resource after it has been determined.

[0258] Clause 34. The UE pursuant to Clause 33, wherein at least one processor configured to determine an angle includes at least one processor configured to perform the following operations: determine a coarse angle in a first angle set corresponding to at least one PRS resource; and determine a fine angle in a second angle set corresponding to at least one PRS resource based on the coarse angle, wherein the angle measured on the at least one PRS resource is a fine angle.

[0259] Clause 35. The UE pursuant to Clause 34, wherein at least one processor configured to determine a coarse angle includes at least one processor configured to perform the following operations: measuring at least one PRS resource at each angle in a first set of angles; and determining the highest received signal strength of the at least one PRS resource resulting from the coarse angle; and at least one processor configured to determine a fine angle includes at least one processor configured to perform the following operations: measuring at least one PRS resource at each angle in a second set of angles surrounding the coarse angle; and determining the highest received signal strength of the at least one PRS resource resulting from the fine angle.

[0260] Clause 36. A UE pursuant to any of Clauses 26 to 35, wherein each of one or more PRS resources has the same Quasi-Cooperative Location (QCL) relationship.

[0261] Clause 37. A UE pursuant to any one of Clauses 26 to 36, wherein: the base station has a plurality of antenna panels having different orientations, and the PRS configuration includes a relative orientation difference between each of the plurality of antenna panels.

[0262] Clause 38. The UE pursuant to Clause 37, wherein at least one processor is further configured to: combine one or more PRS resources across one or more antenna ports to determine at least one PRS resource having the highest received signal strength.

[0263] Clause 39. A base station comprising: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor being configured to: transmit via the at least one transceiver a location reference signal (PRS) configuration for transmitting a plurality of PRS resources for a location session to the UE; and transmit via the at least one transceiver to the UE on a plurality of antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of the base station, wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is transmitted on a corresponding one of the plurality of antenna ports, and wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is beamformed identically.

[0264] Clause 40. A base station pursuant to Clause 39, wherein at least one processor is further configured to: receive from the UE via at least one transceiver an indication of the downlink origin angle (DL-AoD) between the base station and the UE; and forward the indication to a positioning entity.

[0265] Clause 41. Base station according to Clause 40, wherein DL-AoD is the difference between the previously determined DL-AoD between the UE and the base station.

[0266] Clause 42. A base station pursuant to any one of Clauses 40 to 41, wherein the DL-AoD is associated with the PRS resource having the highest received signal strength at the UE among a plurality of PRS resources.

[0267] Clause 43. A base station pursuant to any one of Clauses 40 to 42, wherein the PRS configuration further indicates the granularity of DL-AoD.

[0268] Clause 44. A base station pursuant to any one of Clauses 39 to 43, wherein: the PRS configuration includes a virtual antenna array configuration for multiple PRS resources, and the virtual antenna array configuration indicates that the UE is expected to search for a set of angles for multiple PRS resources thereon.

[0269] Clause 45. A base station pursuant to Clause 44, wherein the virtual antenna array configuration indicates at least the number of multiple antenna ports and the spacing between the multiple antenna ports.

[0270] Clause 46. A base station pursuant to any one of Clauses 39 to 45, wherein the PRS configuration includes at least one codebook, and the at least one codebook indicates that the UE is expected to search for a set of angles of multiple PRS resources thereon.

[0271] Clause 47. A base station according to Clause 46, wherein: at least one codebook includes a first codebook and a second codebook, and the angle set includes a first angle set associated with the first codebook and a second angle set associated with the second codebook.

[0272] Clause 48. A base station pursuant to Clause 47, wherein: a first set of angles includes coarse angle increments over which the UE is expected to search for multiple PRS resources, and a second set of angles includes fine angle increments over which the UE is expected to search for multiple PRS resources after the PRS resource with the highest received signal strength at the UE among the multiple PRS resources has been determined.

[0273] Clause 49. A base station pursuant to any one of Clauses 39 to 48, wherein: the base station has a plurality of antenna panels having different orientations, and the PRS configuration includes a relative azimuth difference between each of the plurality of antenna panels.

[0274] Clause 50. A base station pursuant to any one of Clauses 39 to 49, wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources has the same Quasi-Cooperative Location (QCL) relationship with the UE.

[0275] Clause 51. A user equipment (UE) comprising: means for receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration indicating one or more PRS resources transmitted on one or more antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of a base station; means for measuring one or more PRS resources on an angle set, wherein the UE is configured to search for one or more PRS resources on the angle set based on the PRS configuration; and means for determining the angle at which at least one PRS resource of the angle set is measured as a downlink departure angle (DL-AoD) between the base station and the UE.

[0276] Clause 52. The UE pursuant to Clause 51 further includes: a component for reporting the angle as DL-AoD to a positioning entity, wherein the positioning entity includes a location server, a third-party client, or a serving base station.

[0277] Clause 53. For the UE pursuant to Clause 52, the DL-AoD is reported to the positioning entity as a difference from the DL-AoD previously determined for the base station.

[0278] Clause 54. The UE pursuant to any one of Clauses 51 to 53 further includes: a component for receiving a virtual antenna array configuration for one or more PRS resources, wherein the virtual antenna array configuration indicates that the UE is expected to search for an angle set of one or more PRS resources thereon.

[0279] Clause 55. The UE pursuant to Clause 54, wherein the virtual antenna array configuration indicates at least the number of one or more antenna ports and the spacing between one or more antenna ports.

[0280] Clause 56. A UE pursuant to any one of Clauses 51 to 55, wherein the PRS configuration includes at least one codebook, and the at least one codebook indicates that the UE is expected to search for an angle set of one or more PRS resources thereon.

[0281] Clause 57. The UE pursuant to Clause 56, wherein: at least one codebook includes a first codebook and a second codebook, and the angle set includes a first angle set associated with the first codebook and a second angle set associated with the second codebook.

[0282] Clause 58. The UE pursuant to Clause 57, wherein: the first angle set includes a coarse angle increment on which the UE is expected to search for one or more PRS resources, and the second angle set includes a fine angle increment on which the UE is expected to search for the at least one PRS resource after it has been determined.

[0283] Clause 59. The UE pursuant to Clause 58, wherein the component for determining the angle comprises: a component for determining a coarse angle in a first angle set corresponding to at least one PRS resource; and a component for determining a fine angle in a second angle set corresponding to at least one PRS resource based on the coarse angle, wherein the angle measured on the at least one PRS resource is a fine angle.

[0284] Clause 60. The UE pursuant to Clause 59, wherein: the component for determining the coarse angle includes: a component for measuring at least one PRS resource at each angle in a first set of angles; and a component for determining the highest received signal strength of at least one PRS resource resulting from the coarse angle; and the component for determining the fine angle includes: a component for measuring at least one PRS resource at each angle in a second set of angles surrounding the coarse angle; and a component for determining the highest received signal strength of at least one PRS resource resulting from the fine angle.

[0285] Clause 61. A UE pursuant to any of Clauses 51 to 60, wherein each of one or more PRS resources has the same Quasi-Co-location (QCL) relationship.

[0286] Clause 62. A UE pursuant to any one of Clauses 51 to 61, wherein: the base station has a plurality of antenna panels having different orientations, and the PRS configuration includes a relative orientation difference between each of the plurality of antenna panels.

[0287] Clause 63. The UE pursuant to Clause 62 further includes: a component for combining one or more PRS resources across one or more antenna ports to determine at least one PRS resource having the highest received signal strength.

[0288] Clause 64. A base station comprising: means for transmitting to a user equipment (UE) a location reference signal (PRS) configuration for transmitting a plurality of PRS resources for a location session to the UE; and means for transmitting the plurality of PRS resources to the UE on a plurality of antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of the base station, wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is transmitted on a corresponding one of the plurality of antenna ports, and wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is beamformed identically.

[0289] Clause 65. The base station pursuant to Clause 64 further includes: a component for receiving an indication of the downlink origin angle (DL-AoD) between the base station and the UE from the UE; and a component for forwarding the indication to the positioning entity.

[0290] Clause 66. Base station pursuant to Clause 65, wherein DL-AoD is the difference between the previously determined DL-AoD between the UE and the base station.

[0291] Clause 67. A base station pursuant to any one of Clauses 65 to 66, wherein the DL-AoD is associated with the PRS resource having the highest received signal strength at the UE among a plurality of PRS resources.

[0292] Clause 68. A base station pursuant to any one of Clauses 65 to 67, wherein the PRS configuration further indicates the granularity of DL-AoD.

[0293] Clause 69. A base station pursuant to any one of Clauses 64 to 68, wherein: the PRS configuration includes a virtual antenna array configuration for multiple PRS resources, and the virtual antenna array configuration indicates that the UE is expected to search for a set of angles for multiple PRS resources thereon.

[0294] Clause 70. A base station pursuant to Clause 69, wherein the virtual antenna array configuration indicates at least the number of multiple antenna ports and the spacing between the multiple antenna ports.

[0295] Clause 71. A base station pursuant to any one of Clauses 64 to 70, wherein the PRS configuration includes at least one codebook, and the at least one codebook indicates that the UE is expected to search for a set of angles of multiple PRS resources thereon.

[0296] Clause 72. A base station according to Clause 71, wherein: at least one codebook includes a first codebook and a second codebook, and the angle set includes a first angle set associated with the first codebook and a second angle set associated with the second codebook.

[0297] Clause 73. A base station pursuant to Clause 72, wherein: a first set of angles includes coarse angle increments over which the UE is expected to search for multiple PRS resources, and a second set of angles includes fine angle increments over which the UE is expected to search for multiple PRS resources after the PRS resource with the highest received signal strength at the UE among the multiple PRS resources has been determined.

[0298] Clause 74. A base station pursuant to any one of Clauses 64 to 73, wherein: the base station has a plurality of antenna panels having different orientations, and the PRS configuration includes a relative azimuth difference between each of the plurality of antenna panels.

[0299] Clause 75. A base station pursuant to any one of Clauses 64 to 74, wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources has the same Quasi-Cooperative Location (QCL) relationship with the UE.

[0300] Clause 76. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to: receive a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) configuration indicating one or more PRS resources transmitted on one or more antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of a base station; measure one or more PRS resources on an angle set, wherein the UE is configured to search for one or more PRS resources on the angle set based on the PRS configuration; and determine the angle at which at least one of the one or more PRS resources on the angle set is measured as the downlink departure angle (DL-AoD) between the base station and the UE.

[0301] Clause 77. The non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to Clause 76 also includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: report the angle as DL-AoD to a positioning entity, wherein the positioning entity includes a location server, a third-party client, or a serving base station.

[0302] Clause 78. A non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to Clause 77, wherein the DL-AoD is reported to the positioning entity as a difference from the DL-AoD previously determined for the base station.

[0303] Clause 79. The non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to any one of Clauses 76 to 78 also includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: receive a virtual antenna array configuration for one or more PRS resources, wherein the virtual antenna array configuration indicates that the UE is expected to search for a set of angles for one or more PRS resources thereon.

[0304] Clause 80. A non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to Clause 79, wherein the virtual antenna array configuration indicates at least the number of one or more antenna ports and the spacing between one or more antenna ports.

[0305] Clause 81. A non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to any one of Clauses 76 to 80, wherein the PRS configuration includes at least one codebook, and the at least one codebook indicates that the UE is expected to search for a set of angles of one or more PRS resources thereon.

[0306] Clause 82. A non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to Clause 81, wherein: at least one codebook includes a first codebook and a second codebook, and the angle set includes a first angle set associated with the first codebook and a second angle set associated with the second codebook.

[0307] Clause 83. A non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to Clause 82, wherein: the first angle set includes coarse angle increments on which the UE is expected to search for one or more PRS resources, and the second angle set includes fine angle increments on which the UE is expected to search for the at least one PRS resource after it has been determined.

[0308] Clause 84. A non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to Clause 83, wherein a computer-executable instruction which, when executed by the UE, causes the UE to determine an angle includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: determine a coarse angle in a first angle set corresponding to at least one PRS resource; and determine, based on the coarse angle, a fine angle in a second angle set corresponding to at least one PRS resource, wherein the angle measured on the at least one PRS resource is a fine angle.

[0309] Clause 85. A non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to Clause 84, wherein: a computer-executable instruction that, when executed by the UE, causes the UE to determine a coarse angle includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: measure at least one PRS resource at each angle in a first set of angles; and determine the highest received signal strength of the at least one PRS resource resulting from the coarse angle; and a computer-executable instruction that, when executed by the UE, causes the UE to determine a fine angle includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: measure at least one PRS resource at each angle in a second set of angles surrounding the coarse angle; and determine the highest received signal strength of the at least one PRS resource resulting from the fine angle.

[0310] Clause 86. A non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to any of Clauses 76 through 85, wherein each of one or more PRS resources has the same spatial quasi-colocation (QCL) relationship.

[0311] Clause 87. A non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to any one of Clauses 76 to 86, wherein: the base station has a plurality of antenna panels having different azimuths, and the PRS configuration includes a relative azimuth difference between each of the plurality of antenna panels.

[0312] Clause 88. The non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to Clause 87 also includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: combine one or more PRS resources across one or more antenna ports to determine at least one PRS resource having the highest received signal strength.

[0313] Clause 89. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a base station, cause the base station to: transmit to a user equipment (UE) a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for transmitting a plurality of PRS resources for a positioning session to the UE; and transmit the plurality of PRS resources to the UE on a plurality of antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of the base station, wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is transmitted on a corresponding one of the plurality of antenna ports, and wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is beamformed identically.

[0314] Clause 90. The non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to Clause 89 also includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the base station, cause the base station to: receive from the UE an indication of the downlink origin angle (DL-AoD) between the base station and the UE; and forward such indication to the positioning entity.

[0315] Clause 91. A non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to Clause 90, wherein the DL-AoD is the difference between the previously determined DL-AoD between the UE and the base station.

[0316] Clause 92. A non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to any one of Clauses 90 to 91, wherein the DL-AoD is associated with the PRS resource having the highest received signal strength at the UE among a plurality of PRS resources.

[0317] Clause 93. A non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to any of Clauses 90 to 92, wherein the PRS configuration further indicates the granularity of the DL-AoD.

[0318] Clause 94. A non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to any one of Clauses 89 to 93, wherein: the PRS configuration includes a virtual antenna array configuration for a plurality of PRS resources, and the virtual antenna array configuration indicates that the UE is expected to search for a set of angles of a plurality of PRS resources thereon.

[0319] Clause 95. A non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to Clause 94, wherein the virtual antenna array configuration indicates at least the number of multiple antenna ports and the spacing between the multiple antenna ports.

[0320] Clause 96. A non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to any one of Clauses 89 to 95, wherein the PRS configuration includes at least one codebook, and the at least one codebook indicates that the UE is expected to search for a set of angles of multiple PRS resources thereon.

[0321] Clause 97. A non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to Clause 96, wherein: at least one codebook includes a first codebook and a second codebook, and the angle set includes a first angle set associated with the first codebook and a second angle set associated with the second codebook.

[0322] Clause 98. A non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to Clause 97, wherein: the first angle set includes coarse angle increments over which the UE is expected to search for a plurality of PRS resources, and the second angle set includes fine angle increments over which the UE is expected to search for a plurality of PRS resources after the PRS resource with the highest received signal strength at the UE among the plurality of PRS resources has been determined.

[0323] Clause 99. A non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to any one of Clauses 89 to 98, wherein: the base station has a plurality of antenna panels having different azimuths, and the PRS configuration includes a relative azimuth difference between each of the plurality of antenna panels.

[0324] Clause 100. A non-transitory computer-readable medium pursuant to any one of Clauses 89 to 99, wherein each of a plurality of PRS resources has the same spatial quasi-cooperative positioning (QCL) relationship as the UE.

[0325] Those skilled in the art will understand that information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the foregoing specification can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, light fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0326] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithmic steps described in conjunction with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability between hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been generally described above in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the system as a whole. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functionality in different ways for each specific application, but such implementation decisions should not be construed as departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0327] The various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or executed using a general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), ASIC, field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0328] The methods, sequences, and / or algorithms described in conjunction with the aspects disclosed herein can be directly embodied in hardware, software modules executed by a processor, or a combination of both. The software modules can reside in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Example storage media are coupled to a processor such that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium can be integrated into the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a user terminal (e.g., a UE). Alternatively, the processor and storage medium can reside as discrete components in the user terminal.

[0329] In one or more examples, the described functionality can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, these functions can be stored on or transmitted on a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or code. A computer-readable medium includes both computer storage media and communication media, with communication media including any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such a computer-readable medium can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disc storage, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store the required program code in the form of instructions or data structures and is accessible to a computer. Furthermore, any connection is properly referred to as a computer-readable medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. As used in this article, disks and optical discs include compact discs (CDs), laser discs, optical discs, digital multifunction discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs. Disks typically reproduce data magnetically, while optical discs reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of these should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0330] While the foregoing disclosure illustrates illustrative aspects of this disclosure, it should be noted that various changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The functions, steps, and / or actions of the method claims according to the aspects of the disclosure described herein do not need to be performed in any particular order. Furthermore, although elements of this disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, plural forms are contemplated unless explicitly limited to the singular.

Claims

1. A method for wireless positioning performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: A PRS configuration that receives one or more Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) resources transmitted on one or more antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of a base station. Receive a virtual antenna array configuration for the one or more PRS resources, wherein the virtual antenna array configuration indicates that the UE is expected to search for a set of angles for the one or more PRS resources thereon; Measure the one or more PRS resources on the angle set; as well as The angle measured in at least one of the one or more PRS resources in the angle set is determined as the downlink departure angle DL-AoD between the base station and the UE.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The angle is reported as the DL-AoD to the positioning entity, which includes a location server, a third-party client, or a serving base station.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The DL-AoD is reported to the positioning entity as a difference from the DL-AoD previously determined for the base station.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The virtual antenna array configuration at least indicates the number of the one or more antenna ports and the spacing between the one or more antenna ports.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The PRS configuration includes at least one codebook, and The at least one codebook indicates that the UE is expected to search the angle set of the one or more PRS resources on it.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The at least one codebook includes a first codebook and a second codebook, and The angle set includes a first angle set associated with the first codebook and a second angle set associated with the second codebook.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The first angle set includes a coarse angle increment over which the UE is expected to search for the one or more PRS resources, and The second angle set includes fine angle increments over which the UE is expected to search for the at least one PRS resource after the at least one PRS resource has been determined.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, Determining the angle includes: Determine the approximate angle in the first angle set corresponding to the at least one PRS resource; and Based on the coarse angle, a fine angle corresponding to the at least one PRS resource in the second set of angles is determined, wherein the angle measured on the at least one PRS resource is the fine angle.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein: Determining the coarse angle includes: Measure the at least one PRS resource at each angle in the first angle set; and Determine the approximate angle that results in the highest received signal strength for the at least one PRS resource; and Determining the fine angle includes: Measure the at least one PRS resource at each angle within the second set of angles surrounding the coarse angle; and Determine the fine angle that results in the highest received signal strength of the at least one PRS resource.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the one or more PRS resources has the same spatial quasi-co-location QCL relationship.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The base station has multiple antenna panels, which are oriented in different directions. The PRS configuration includes the relative azimuth difference between each of the plurality of antenna panels.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: Combine the one or more PRS resources across the one or more antenna ports to determine the at least one PRS resource with the highest received signal strength.

13. A method for wireless positioning performed by a base station, comprising: Sending a PRS configuration to a user equipment (UE) for sending a plurality of location reference signal (PRS) resources for a positioning session to the UE, the PRS configuration including a virtual antenna array configuration for the plurality of PRS resources, wherein the virtual antenna array configuration indicates that the UE is expected to search for an angle set of the plurality of PRS resources thereon; The plurality of PRS resources are transmitted to the UE on a plurality of antenna ports on at least one antenna panel of the base station, wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is transmitted on a corresponding one of the plurality of antenna ports, and wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is beamformed identically; and The UE receives an indication of the downlink departure angle DL-AoD between the base station and the UE.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: The instruction is forwarded to the location entity.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The DL-AoD is the difference between the previously determined DL-AoD between the UE and the base station.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The DL-AoD is associated with the PRS resource that has the highest received signal strength at the UE among the plurality of PRS resources.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The PRS configuration also indicates the granularity of the DL-AoD.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The virtual antenna array configuration at least indicates the number of the plurality of antenna ports and the spacing between the plurality of antenna ports.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein: The PRS configuration includes at least one codebook, and The at least one codebook indicates that the UE is expected to search the angle set of the plurality of PRS resources on it.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein: The at least one codebook includes a first codebook and a second codebook, and The angle set includes a first angle set associated with the first codebook and a second angle set associated with the second codebook.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein: The first angle set includes a coarse angle increment over which the UE is expected to search the plurality of PRS resources, and The second angle set includes a fine angle increment over which the UE is expected to search for the plurality of PRS resources after the PRS resource with the highest received signal strength at the UE is determined.

22. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The base station has multiple antenna panels, which are oriented in different directions. The PRS configuration includes the relative azimuth difference between each of the plurality of antenna panels.

23. The method according to claim 13, wherein, Each of the plurality of PRS resources has the same spatial quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship as the UE.

24. A user equipment (UE), comprising: Memory; At least one transceiver; as well as At least one processor coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor being configured to cause the UE to: The PRS configuration receives, via the at least one transceiver, instructions for transmitting one or more Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) resources on one or more antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of the base station. The UE receives a virtual antenna array configuration for the one or more PRS resources via the at least one transceiver, wherein the virtual antenna array configuration indicates an angle set on which the UE is expected to search for the one or more PRS resources; Measure the one or more PRS resources on the angle set; as well as The angle measured in at least one of the one or more PRS resources in the angle set is determined as the downlink departure angle DL-AoD between the base station and the UE.

25. The UE according to claim 24, wherein: The PRS configuration includes at least one codebook, and The at least one codebook indicates that the UE is expected to search the angle set of the one or more PRS resources on it.

26. The UE according to claim 24, wherein: The base station has multiple antenna panels, which are oriented in different directions. The PRS configuration includes the relative azimuth difference between each of the plurality of antenna panels.

27. A base station, comprising: Memory; At least one transceiver; as well as At least one processor coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor being configured to cause the base station to: The PRS configuration is transmitted to the user equipment (UE) via the at least one transceiver for transmitting a plurality of Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) resources for a positioning session to the UE. The PRS configuration includes a virtual antenna array configuration for the plurality of PRS resources, wherein the virtual antenna array configuration indicates that the UE is expected to search for the angle set of the plurality of PRS resources thereon. The plurality of PRS resources are transmitted to the UE via the at least one transceiver on a plurality of antenna ports of at least one antenna panel of the base station, wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is transmitted on a corresponding one of the plurality of antenna ports, and wherein each of the plurality of PRS resources is beamformed identically; and The at least one transceiver receives from the UE an indication of the downlink departure angle DL-AoD between the base station and the UE.

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