Reference signal and supplementary signal configuration

Abstract

A user equipment includes a processor configured to: receive first, second, and third reference signals, the first, second, and third reference signals including first, second, and third frequency modulation sets spanning first and second symbol sets and at least one third symbol, respectively, the first and second frequency ranges being different; wherein at least one of the following: (1) the third frequency range overlaps with the first frequency range, or (2) at least one third symbol overlaps with the first symbol set, and the third frequency range overlaps with the second frequency range; determine an offset between the first reference signal and a supplementary signal using the third frequency modulation set; and determine a first indication of time and / or range based on a combination of the first and second reference signals using the offset.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 17 / 100,401, filed November 20, 2020, entitled “REFERENCE SIGNAL AND SUPPLEMENTAL SIGNAL CONFIGURATIONS,” which is assigned to the assignee of this application, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. This application also claims the benefit of Greek Patent Application No. 20200100711, filed December 3, 2020, entitled “AGGREGATION OF POSITIONING SIGNAL AND SUPPLEMENTAL SIGNAL,” which is assigned to the assignee of this application, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Background Technology

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

[0004] Fifth-generation (5G) mobile standards demand higher data transmission speeds, greater connectivity, better coverage, and other improvements. According to the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGC), 5G is designed to deliver tens of megabits per second (Mbps) of data to each of tens of thousands of users, or 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) to dozens of employees on an office floor. To support large-scale sensor deployments, it should support hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections. Therefore, 5G mobile communication should have significantly enhanced spectral efficiency compared to the current 4G standard. Furthermore, signaling efficiency should be improved and latency significantly reduced compared to the current standard.

[0005] Obtaining the location of mobile devices accessing a wireless network can be useful for many applications, including, for example, emergency calls, personal navigation, asset tracking, locating friends or family members, etc. Existing positioning methods include those based on measuring radio signals transmitted from various devices or entities, such as base stations and access points, including satellite vehicles (SVs) and terrestrial wireless power sources in the wireless network. The standardization of 5G wireless networks is expected to include support for various positioning methods that can utilize reference signals transmitted by base stations in a manner similar to the current LTE wireless network's use of Position Reference Signals (PRS) and / or Cell-Specific Reference Signals (CRS) for location determination. Summary of the Invention

[0006] An example user equipment includes: a transceiver; a memory; and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, and configured to: receive via the transceiver a first reference signal including a first frequency modulation, the first frequency modulation spanning a first frequency range in a first symbol set for each instance of the first reference signal; receive via the transceiver a second reference signal including a second frequency modulation, the second frequency modulation spanning a second frequency range in a second symbol set for each instance of the second reference signal, the first frequency range being at least partially different from the second frequency range; receive via the transceiver a supplementary signal including a third frequency modulation, the third frequency modulation spanning a third frequency range in at least one third symbol for each instance of the supplementary signal, wherein at least one of the following: (1) the third frequency range overlaps with the first frequency range, or (2) at least one third symbol overlaps temporally with the first symbol set, and the third frequency range overlaps with the second frequency range; determine at least one offset between the first reference signal and the supplementary signal using the third frequency modulation from the supplementary signal; and determine a first indication of at least one of time or range using at least one offset based on a combination of the first reference signal and the second reference signal.

[0007] An implementation of this user equipment may include one or more of the following features: Each instance of the first reference signal and each instance of the second reference signal do not overlap at least partially in time. The third frequency modulation set consists of fewer frequency modulations than the second frequency modulation set within a second frequency range. At least one third symbol consists of fewer symbols than the first symbol set. The processor is configured to, in response to receiving a second indication, use a supplementary signal to determine at least one offset of a plurality of resources in the resource set of the first reference signal, the second indication indicating that the plurality of resources in the resource set have similar transmission characteristics. The processor is configured to send a capability message via a transceiver to a network entity, the capability message indicating that the user equipment is capable of using the supplementary signal to combine the first and second reference signals. The capability message indicates whether a measurement gap is requested for the supplementary signal.

[0008] Alternatively, an implementation of such a user equipment may include one or more of the following features: The supplementary signal is a portion of the second reference signal. The processor is configured to transmit a capability message via a transceiver to a network entity, the capability message instructing the user equipment to transmit a transmission supplementary signal in combination with the first and second transmission reference signals, wherein the first transmission reference signal does not overlap with the second transmission reference signal at least partially in time, and the transmission supplementary signal overlaps with the first transmission reference signal in time and frequency. At least one offset includes at least one of a phase offset, a time offset, or a frequency offset.

[0009] Another example user equipment includes: means for receiving a first reference signal including a first frequency modulation set, the first frequency modulation set spanning a first frequency range in a first symbol set for each instance of the first reference signal; means for receiving a second reference signal including a second frequency modulation set, the second frequency modulation set spanning a second frequency range in a second symbol set for each instance of the second reference signal, the first frequency range being at least partially different from the second frequency range; means for receiving a supplementary signal including a third frequency modulation set, the third frequency modulation set spanning a third frequency range in at least one third symbol for each instance of the supplementary signal, wherein at least one of the following: (1) the third frequency range overlaps with the first frequency range, or (2) at least one third symbol overlaps with the first symbol set in time, and the third frequency range overlaps with the second frequency range; means for determining at least one offset between the first reference signal and the supplementary signal using the third frequency modulation set from the supplementary signal; and means for determining a first indication of at least one of time or range using at least one offset based on a combination of the first reference signal and the second reference signal.

[0010] An implementation of this user equipment may include one or more of the following features: Each instance of the first reference signal and each instance of the second reference signal do not overlap at least partially in time. The third frequency modulation set consists of fewer frequency modulations than the second frequency modulation set within a second frequency range. At least one third symbol consists of fewer symbols than the first symbol set. A component for determining at least one offset is configured to, in response to receiving a second indication, use a supplementary signal to determine at least one offset of at least one resource in a resource set of the first reference signal, the second indication indicating that the multiple resources in the resource set have similar transmission characteristics. The user equipment includes a component for sending a capability message to a network entity, the capability message indicating that the user equipment is capable of using the supplementary signal to combine the first and second reference signals. The capability message indicates whether a measurement gap is requested for the supplementary signal.

[0011] Alternatively, an implementation of such a user equipment may include one or more of the following features: The supplementary signal is a part of the second reference signal. The user equipment includes components for sending a capability message to a network entity, the capability message instructing the user equipment to transmit a transmission supplementary signal in combination with the first transmission reference signal and the second transmission reference signal, wherein the first transmission reference signal does not overlap with the second transmission reference signal at least partially in time, and the transmission supplementary signal overlaps with the first transmission reference signal in time and frequency.

[0012] An example method for facilitating the determination of location information includes: receiving at a user equipment a first reference signal including a first frequency modulation set, wherein for each instance of the first reference signal the first frequency modulation set spans a first frequency range in a first symbol set; receiving at the user equipment a second reference signal including a second frequency modulation set, wherein for each instance of the second reference signal the second frequency modulation set spans a second frequency range in a second symbol set, wherein the first frequency range is at least partially different from the second frequency range; receiving at the user equipment a supplementary signal including a third frequency modulation set, wherein for each instance of the supplementary signal the third frequency modulation set spans a third frequency range in at least one third symbol, wherein at least one of the following: (1) the third frequency range overlaps with the first frequency range, or (2) at least one third symbol overlaps temporally with the first symbol set, and the third frequency range overlaps with the second frequency range; determining at the user equipment at the user equipment at at least one offset between the first reference signal and the supplementary signal using the third frequency modulation set from the supplementary signal; and determining at the user equipment at the user equipment a first indication of at least one of time or range using the at least one offset based on a combination of the first reference signal and the second reference signal.

[0013] Implementation of this method may include one or more of the following features: Each instance of the first reference signal and each instance of the second reference signal do not overlap at least partially in time. The third frequency modulation set consists of fewer frequency modulations than the second frequency modulation set within a second frequency range. At least one third symbol consists of fewer symbols than the first symbol set. Determining at least one offset includes, in response to receiving a second indication, using a supplementary signal to determine at least one offset of a plurality of resources in the resource set of the first reference signal, the second indication indicating that the plurality of resources in the resource set have similar transmission characteristics. The method includes sending a capability message to a network entity, the capability message indicating that the user equipment is capable of using the supplementary signal to combine the first reference signal and the second reference signal. The capability message indicates whether a measurement gap is requested for the supplementary signal.

[0014] Alternatively, implementation of this method may include one or more of the following features: The supplementary signal is part of the second reference signal. The method includes sending a capability message to a network entity instructing a user equipment to transmit a transmission supplementary signal in combination with a first transmission reference signal and a second transmission reference signal, wherein the first transmission reference signal does not overlap with the second transmission reference signal at least partially in time, and the transmission supplementary signal overlaps with the first transmission reference signal in time and frequency. At least one offset includes at least one of a phase offset, a time offset, or a frequency offset.

[0015] An example non-transitory processor-readable storage medium includes processor-readable instructions configured to cause a processor of a user equipment to determine location information for: receiving a first reference signal including a first frequency modulation set, for each instance of the first reference signal, the first frequency modulation set spanning a first frequency range in a first symbol set; receiving a second reference signal including a second frequency modulation set, for each instance of the second reference signal, the second frequency modulation set spanning a second frequency range in a second symbol set, the first frequency range being at least partially different from the second frequency range; receiving a supplementary signal including a third frequency modulation set, for each instance of the supplementary signal, the third frequency modulation set spanning a third frequency range in at least one third symbol, wherein at least one of the following: (1) the third frequency range overlaps with the first frequency range, or (2) at least one third symbol overlaps temporally with the first symbol set, and the third frequency range overlaps with the second frequency range; using the third frequency modulation set from the supplementary signal to determine at least one offset between the first reference signal and the supplementary signal; and using the at least one offset based on a combination of the first reference signal and the second reference signal to determine a first indication of at least one of time or range.

[0016] An implementation of this storage medium may include one or more of the following features: Each instance of the first reference signal and each instance of the second reference signal do not overlap at least partially in time. The third frequency modulation set consists of fewer frequency modulations than the second frequency modulation set within a second frequency range. At least one third symbol consists of fewer symbols than the first symbol set. A processor-readable instruction configured to cause the processor to determine at least one offset includes a processor-readable instruction configured to cause the processor, in response to receiving a second indication, to determine at least one offset of a plurality of resources in a resource set of the first reference signal using a supplementary signal, the second indication indicating that the plurality of resources in the resource set have similar transmission characteristics. The storage medium includes a processor-readable instruction configured to cause the processor to send a capability message to a network entity, the capability message indicating that the user equipment is capable of using the supplementary signal to combine the first and second reference signals. The capability message indicates whether a measurement gap is requested for the supplementary signal.

[0017] Alternatively, an implementation of such a storage medium may include one or more of the following features: The supplementary signal is part of the second reference signal. The storage medium includes processor-readable instructions configured to cause the processor to send a capability message to a network entity, the capability message instructing the user equipment to transmit a transmission supplementary signal in combination with the first transmission reference signal and the second transmission reference signal, wherein the first transmission reference signal does not overlap with the second transmission reference signal at least partially in time, and the transmission supplementary signal overlaps with the first transmission reference signal in time and frequency.

[0018] An example telecommunications device includes: a transceiver; a memory; and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, and configured to: transmit via the transceiver to a receiver a first reference signal including a first frequency modulation, for each instance of the first reference signal, the first frequency modulation spanning a first frequency range in a first symbol set; transmit via the transceiver to the receiver a second reference signal including a second frequency modulation, for each instance of the second reference signal, the second frequency modulation spanning a second frequency range in a second symbol set, the first frequency range being at least partially different from the second frequency range; and transmit via the transceiver to the receiver a supplementary signal including a third frequency modulation, for each instance of the supplementary signal, the third frequency modulation spanning a third frequency range in at least one third symbol, wherein at least one of the following: (1) the third frequency range overlaps with the first frequency range, or (2) at least one third symbol overlaps temporally with the first symbol set, and the third frequency range overlaps with the second frequency range.

[0019] An implementation of such a telecommunications device may include one or more of the following features. The processor is configured to transmit a first reference signal, a second reference signal, and a supplementary signal in response to a capability message received from a receiver via a transceiver, the capability message indicating that the receiver is capable of using the supplementary signal to combine and process the first and second reference signals. The processor is also configured to schedule a measurement gap spanning at least one third symbol for the receiver based on the capability message.

[0020] Alternatively, an implementation of such a telecommunications device may include one or more of the following features: Each instance of the first reference signal and each instance of the second reference signal do not overlap at least partially in time. The third frequency modulation set consists of fewer frequency modulations than the second frequency modulation set within the second frequency range. At least one third symbol consists of fewer symbols than the second symbol set. The processor is configured to transmit another signal via a transceiver that matches the rate of the supplementary signal. The telecommunications device is a transmit / receive point, and the processor is configured to transmit the first reference signal, the second reference signal, and the supplementary signal to the user equipment via the transceiver. The telecommunications device is the user equipment, and the processor is configured to transmit a capability message via the transceiver to the receiver indicating that the user equipment is capable of transmitting the first reference signal, the second reference signal, and the supplementary signal. The capability message indicates that at least one third symbol will overlap with the first symbol set in time, and that the third frequency range will overlap with the second frequency range.

[0021] Alternatively, the implementation of such a telecommunications device may include one or more of the following features: The processor is configured to send a transmission characteristic message via a transceiver to the receiver, indicating that multiple reference signal resources will have similar transmission characteristics.

[0022] Another example telecommunications device includes: means for transmitting to a receiver a first reference signal including a first frequency modulation set, wherein for each instance of the first reference signal, the first frequency modulation set spans a first frequency range in a first symbol set; means for transmitting to the receiver a second reference signal including a second frequency modulation set, wherein for each instance of the second reference signal, the second frequency modulation set spans a second frequency range in a second symbol set, the first frequency range being at least partially different from the second frequency range; and means for transmitting to the receiver a supplementary signal including a third frequency modulation set, wherein for each instance of the supplementary signal, the third frequency modulation set spans a third frequency range in at least one third symbol, wherein at least one of the following: (1) the third frequency range overlaps with the first frequency range, or (2) at least one third symbol overlaps temporally with the first symbol set, and the third frequency range overlaps with the second frequency range.

[0023] Implementations of such telecommunications equipment may include one or more of the following features. Components for transmitting a first reference signal, a second reference signal, and a third reference signal are configured to transmit the first reference signal, the second reference signal, and a supplementary signal in response to a capability message received from a receiver, the capability message indicating that the receiver can use the supplementary signal to combine and process the first and second reference signals. The telecommunications equipment may include components for scheduling a measurement gap across at least one third symbol for the receiver based on the capability message.

[0024] Alternatively, an implementation of such a telecommunications device may include one or more of the following features: Each instance of the first reference signal and each instance of the second reference signal do not overlap at least partially in time. The third frequency modulation set consists of fewer frequency modulations than the second frequency modulation set within the second frequency range. At least one third symbol consists of fewer symbols than the second symbol set. The telecommunications device includes components for transmitting another signal with a rate matching that of the supplementary signal. The telecommunications device is a user equipment, and the telecommunications device includes components for transmitting a capability message to a receiver indicating that the user equipment is capable of transmitting the first reference signal, the second reference signal, and the supplementary signal. The capability message indicates that at least one third symbol will overlap with the first symbol set in time, and that the third frequency range will overlap with the second frequency range.

[0025] Alternatively, implementations of such telecommunications equipment may include one or more of the following features: The telecommunications equipment includes components for sending a transmission characteristic message to a receiver indicating that multiple reference signal resources will have similar transmission characteristics.

[0026] An example method for facilitating reference signal measurement includes: transmitting from a telecommunications device to a receiver a first reference signal including a first frequency modulation set, wherein for each instance of the first reference signal, the first frequency modulation set spans a first frequency range in a first symbol set; transmitting from the telecommunications device to the receiver a second reference signal including a second frequency modulation set, wherein for each instance of the second reference signal, the second frequency modulation set spans a second frequency range in a second symbol set, wherein the first frequency range is at least partially different from the second frequency range; and transmitting from the telecommunications device to the receiver a supplementary signal including a third frequency modulation set, wherein for each instance of the supplementary signal, the third frequency modulation set spans a third frequency range in at least one third symbol, wherein at least one of the following: (1) the third frequency range overlaps with the first frequency range, or (2) at least one third symbol overlaps temporally with the first symbol set, and the third frequency range overlaps with the second frequency range.

[0027] Implementation of this method may include one or more of the following features: In response to a capability message received by the telecommunications equipment from the receiver, a first reference signal, a second reference signal, and a supplementary signal are transmitted; the capability message indicates that the receiver is capable of using the supplementary signal to combine and process the first and second reference signals. The method includes scheduling a measurement gap across at least one third symbol for the receiver based on the capability message.

[0028] Alternatively, implementation of this method may include one or more of the following features: Each instance of the first reference signal and each instance of the second reference signal do not overlap at least partially in time. The third frequency modulation set consists of fewer frequency modulations than the second frequency modulation set within the second frequency range. At least one third symbol consists of fewer symbols than the second symbol set. The method includes transmitting another signal with a rate matching that of the supplementary signal. The telecommunications equipment is a transmitting / receiving point and transmits the first reference signal, the second reference signal, and the supplementary signal to a user equipment. The telecommunications equipment is a user equipment, and the method includes transmitting a capability message to a receiver indicating that the user equipment is capable of transmitting the first reference signal, the second reference signal, and the supplementary signal. The capability message indicates that at least one third symbol will overlap with the first symbol set in time, and that the third frequency range will overlap with the second frequency range.

[0029] Alternatively, implementation of this method may include one or more of the following features. The method includes sending a transmission characteristic message to the receiver indicating that multiple reference signal resources will have similar transmission characteristics.

[0030] An example non-transitory processor-readable storage medium includes processor-readable instructions configured to cause a processor of a telecommunications device to facilitate a reference signal measurement for: transmitting to a receiver a first reference signal including a first frequency modulation set, for each instance of the first reference signal, the first frequency modulation set spanning a first frequency range in a first symbol set; transmitting to the receiver a second reference signal including a second frequency modulation set, for each instance of the second reference signal, the second frequency modulation set spanning a second frequency range in a second symbol set, the first frequency range being at least partially different from the second frequency range; and transmitting to the receiver a supplementary signal including a third frequency modulation set, for each instance of the supplementary signal, the third frequency modulation set spanning a third frequency range in at least one third symbol, wherein at least one of the following: (1) the third frequency range overlaps with the first frequency range, or (2) at least one third symbol overlaps temporally with the first symbol set, and the third frequency range overlaps with the second frequency range.

[0031] An implementation of such a storage medium may include one or more of the following features. Processor-readable instructions configured to cause a processor to transmit a first reference signal, a second reference signal, and a supplementary signal are configured to, in response to a capability message received by a telecommunications device from a receiver instructing the receiver to use the supplementary signal to combine and process the first reference signal and the second reference signal, cause the processor to transmit the first reference signal, the second reference signal, and the supplementary signal. The storage medium includes processor-readable instructions configured to, based on the capability message, cause the processor to schedule a measurement gap spanning at least one third symbol for the receiver.

[0032] Alternatively, an implementation of such a storage medium may include one or more of the following features: Each instance of the first reference signal and each instance of the second reference signal do not overlap at least partially in time. The third frequency modulation set consists of fewer frequency modulations than the second frequency modulation set within the second frequency range. At least one third symbol consists of fewer symbols than the second symbol set. The storage medium includes processor-readable instructions configured to cause a processor to transmit another signal at a rate matching the supplementary signal. The telecommunications equipment is a user equipment, and the storage medium includes processor-readable instructions configured to cause a processor to send a capability message to a receiver indicating that the user equipment is capable of transmitting the first reference signal, the second reference signal, and the supplementary signal. The capability message indicates that at least one third symbol will overlap with the first symbol set in time, and that the third frequency range will overlap with the second frequency range.

[0033] Alternatively, an implementation of such a storage medium may include one or more of the following features: The storage medium includes processor-readable instructions configured to cause a processor to send a transmission characteristic message to a receiver, indicating that multiple reference signal resources will have similar transmission characteristics. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 This is a simplified schematic diagram of an example wireless communication system.

[0035] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the block diagram of the components of an example user device.

[0036] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the components of an example send / receive point.

[0037] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the components of the example server.

[0038] Figure 5 This is a block diagram of an example user device.

[0039] Figure 6 This is a block diagram of an example send / receive point.

[0040] Figure 7 It is a timing diagram of the positioning reference signal and supplementary signal.

[0041] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 The resource block shown is a supplementary signal and Figure 7 The diagram shows a timing diagram of a resource block for a positioning reference signal.

[0042] Figure 9 It is a timing diagram of the positioning reference signal and supplementary signal.

[0043] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 The resource block shown is a supplementary signal and Figure 9 The diagram shows a timing diagram of a resource block for a positioning reference signal.

[0044] Figure 11 It is a timing diagram of the positioning reference signal, including supplementary signals.

[0045] Figure 12 This is an example capability message used for combining user equipment capabilities for positioning reference signal processing.

[0046] Figure 13 This is an example of a positioning reference signal, supplementary signal, and data signal configuration message.

[0047] Figure 14 This is an example of a transmission capability message used to send a location reference signal for combined processing by a user equipment.

[0048] Figure 15 This is an example location information report.

[0049] Figure 16 It is the signaling and processing flow used to determine location information.

[0050] Figure 17 This is a block diagram of a method for facilitating the determination of location information.

[0051] Figure 18 This is a block diagram of a method for facilitating the measurement of reference signals. Detailed Implementation

[0052] This paper discusses techniques for managing location signal processing. For example, a user equipment (UE) can be configured to process time-multiplexed reference signals in combination based on supplementary signals. The supplementary signal can be a portion of one of the reference signals or a portion of two reference signals that overlap in frequency. The supplementary signal can be separate from the reference signals and can overlap with one reference signal in frequency and with another in time. For example, the supplementary signal can be a downsampled portion of one of the reference signals, occupying fewer frequency moduli than the reference signal (e.g., fewer symbols and / or fewer subcarriers). The UE can be configured to estimate one or more offsets between the reference signals (e.g., phase offset, timing offset, frequency offset), use the estimated one or more offsets to facilitate the combined processing of the reference signals (as if the multiple reference signals were a single signal), and process the reference signals in combination to determine location information (e.g., one or more measurements, one or more ranges, and / or one or more location estimates, etc.). The UE can also, or optionally, be configured to transmit reference signals (e.g., uplink probe reference signals) and supplementary signals to facilitate the combined processing of reference signals transmitted by the UE. Alternatively, the UE can be configured to provide a capability message instructing the UE to use supplementary signals to combine the processing of a reference signal. One or more processing capability indications may indicate carrier pairs that can be used for the reference signal and whether the UE can use supplementary signals to facilitate combined processing. One or more capability indications may indicate a request for supplementary signals and a request for a measurement gap corresponding to the supplementary signal. Network entities can configure, for example, to schedule the transmission of the reference signal and supplementary signals to facilitate combined processing. For example, the network entity may ensure that the reference signal and supplementary signals meet one or more transmission criteria specified by the UE for the combined processing of the reference signal and supplementary signals. One or more transmission criteria may include the frequencies of the reference signal and supplementary signals and / or the use of the same antenna port to transmit the reference signal and supplementary signals. These are examples, and other examples (of the UE and / or criteria) may also be implemented.

[0053] The projects and / or technologies described herein can provide one or more of the following capabilities, as well as others not mentioned. The accuracy of mobile device location determination (e.g., horizontal and / or vertical) can be increased. The accuracy of location scheduling can be improved (e.g., coordination of timing of available location information). For example, latency can be reduced by allowing the use of frequency resources instead of multiple time resources. Other functionalities can be provided, and not every implementation according to this disclosure is required to provide any, let alone all, of the functionalities discussed.

[0054] This specification may relate to sequences of actions performed, for example, by elements of a computing device. The various actions described herein may be performed by specific circuitry (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), program instructions executed by one or more processors, or a combination of both. The sequences of actions described herein may be embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium on which a corresponding set of computer instructions is stored, which, when executed, will cause the associated processor to perform the functions described herein. Therefore, the various aspects described herein may be embodied in many different forms, all of which are within the scope of this disclosure, including the claimed subject matter.

[0055] As used herein, unless otherwise stated, the terms “User Equipment” (UE) and “Base Station” are not specific to or otherwise limited to any particular Radio Access Technology (RAT). Generally, such a UE can be any wireless communication device (e.g., mobile phone, router, tablet computer, laptop computer, tracking device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.) used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network. The UE can be mobile or can (e.g., at certain times) be stationary and can communicate with a Radio Access Network (RAN). As used herein, the term “UE” is interchangeably referred to as “Access Terminal” or “AT”, “Client Equipment”, “Wireless Equipment”, “Subscriber Equipment”, “Subscriber Terminal”, “Subscriber Station”, “User Terminal” or “UT”, “Mobile Terminal”, “Mobile Station”, or variations thereof. Typically, a UE can communicate with a core network via the RAN, and through the core network, the UE can connect to external networks such as the Internet and to other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms for connecting to the core network and / or the Internet are also possible for the UE, such as via a wired access network, a WiFi network (e.g., based on IEEE 802.11, etc.), etc.

[0056] A base station can operate based on one of several RATs communicating with the UE, depending on the network in which it is deployed, and the base station can be alternatively referred to as an Access Point (AP), Network Node, Node B, Evolved Node B (eNB), General Node B (gNodeB, gNB), etc. Additionally, in some systems, the base station can provide purely edge node signaling functions, while in others, it can provide additional control and / or network management functions.

[0057] The UE can be implemented by any of a variety of devices, including but not limited to printed circuit (PC) cards, compact flash memory devices, external or internal modems, wireless or wired telephones, smartphones, tablets, tracking devices, asset tags, etc. The communication link through which the UE signals to the RAN is referred to as an uplink channel (e.g., reverse traffic channel, reverse control channel, access channel, etc.). The communication link through which the RAN signals to the UE is referred to as a downlink or forward link channel (e.g., paging channel, control channel, broadcast channel, forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term traffic channel (TCH) can refer to an uplink / reverse or downlink / forward traffic channel.

[0058] As used herein, the terms "cell" or "sector" may correspond to one of multiple cells of a base station, or to the base station itself, depending on the context. The term "cell" may refer to a logical communication entity used to communicate with a base station (e.g., via a carrier) and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., Physical Cell Identifier (PCID), Virtual Cell Identifier (VCID)) used to distinguish adjacent cells operating via the same or different carriers. In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells and may be configured with different cells based on different protocol types (e.g., Machine-Type Communication (MTC), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), or others), which can provide access for different types of devices. In some examples, the term "cell" may refer to a portion of a geographical coverage area (e.g., a sector) on which a logical entity operates.

[0059] refer to Figure 1Examples of communication system 100 include UE 105, UE 106, radio access network (RAN) 135, here a fifth-generation (5G) next-generation (NG) RAN (NG-RAN), and 5G core network (5GC) 140. UE 105 and / or UE 106 can be, for example, IoT devices, location tracker devices, cellular phones, vehicles (e.g., cars, trucks, buses, boats, etc.) or other devices. 5G networks can also be referred to as new radio (NR) networks; NG-RAN 135 can be referred to as 5G RAN or NRRAN; and 5GC 140 can be referred to as NG core network (NGC). Standardization of NG-RAN and 5GC is underway within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Therefore, NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140 can conform to current or future standards from 3GPP for 5G support. RAN 135 can be another type of RAN (e.g., 3G RAN), 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) RAN, etc. UE 106 can be configured and coupled similarly to UE 105 to send and / or receive signals from similar entities in system 100, but for simplicity of the figures, in Figure 1 No such signaling is indicated in the document. Similarly, for simplicity, the discussion focuses on UE 105. Communication system 100 may utilize information from constellation 185 of satellite vehicles (SVs) 190, 191, 192, 193 for use with satellite positioning systems (SPS) such as Global Positioning System (GPS), Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), Galileo, or BeiDou, or some other local or regional SPS (such as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), European Geostationary Navigation Coverage Service (EGNOS), or Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)) (e.g., Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)). Additional components of communication system 100 are described below. Communication system 100 may include additional or alternative components.

[0060] like Figure 1As shown, NG-RAN 135 includes NR NodeBs (gNBs) 110a and 110b and a next-generation eNodeB (ng-eNB) 114, and 5GC 140 includes Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMF) 115, Session Management Functions (SMF) 117, Location Management Functions (LMF) 120, and Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 125. gNBs 110a, 110b, and ng-eNB 114 are communicatively coupled to each other, each configured to perform bidirectional wireless communication with UE 105, and each communicatively coupled to and configured to perform bidirectional communication with AMF 115. gNBs 110a, 110b, and ng-eNB 114 may be referred to as base stations (BS). AMF 115, SMF 117, LMF 120, and GMLC 125 are communicatively coupled to each other, and the GMLC is communicatively coupled to an external client 130. SMF117 can be used as the initial contact point for a Service Control Function (SCF) (not shown) to create, control, and delete media sessions. BS110a, 110b, and 114 can be macrocells (e.g., high-power cellular base stations), small cells (e.g., low-power cellular base stations), or access points (e.g., configured to use technologies such as WiFi, WiFi-Direct (WiFi-D), and Bluetooth). Bluetooth - Short-range base stations that communicate using short-range technologies such as Low Energy (BLE) and Zigbee. One or more of BS110a, 110b, and 114 can be configured to communicate with UE 105 via multiple carriers. Each of BS110a, 110b, and 114 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic area (e.g., a cell). Each cell can be divided into multiple sectors based on the base station antennas.

[0061] Figure 1 A general description of the various components is provided, any or all of which may be used as appropriate, and each component may be copied or omitted as necessary. Specifically, although only one UE 105 is shown, many (e.g., hundreds, thousands, millions, etc.) UEs may be used in communication system 100. Similarly, communication system 100 may include a larger (or smaller) number of SVs (i.e., more or fewer than the four SVs 190-193 shown), gNBs 110a and 110b, ng-eNB 114, AMF 115, external client 130, and / or other components. The connections shown linking the various components in communication system 100 include data and signaling connections, which may include additional (intermediate) components, direct or indirect physical and / or wireless connections, and / or additional networks. Furthermore, components may be rearranged, combined, separated, replaced, and / or omitted depending on the desired functionality.

[0062] Although Figure 1 A 5G-based network is illustrated, but similar network implementations and configurations can be used for other communication technologies such as 3G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), etc. The implementations described herein (whether for 5G technology and / or for one or more other communication technologies and / or protocols) can be used to transmit (or broadcast) directional synchronization signals, receive and measure directional signals at a UE (e.g., UE 105), and / or provide location assistance to UE 105 (via GMLC 125 or other location servers), and / or calculate the location of UE 105 at a positioning function device such as UE 105, gNB 110a, 110b, or LMF 120 based on measurements received at UE 105 for such directional transmission signals. Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 125, Location Management Function (LMF) 120, Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 115, SMF 117, ng-eNB (eNodeB) 114, and gNB (gNodeB) 110a, 110b are examples, and in various embodiments, they may be replaced by, or include, various other location server functions and / or base station functions, respectively.

[0063] System 100 is capable of wireless communication because its components can communicate directly or indirectly (at least some of the time using wireless connections), for example, via BS110a, 110b, 114 and / or network 140 (and / or one or more other devices not shown, such as one or more other base transceivers). For indirect communication, the communication can be altered during transmission from one entity to another, for example, by changing the header information of data packets, changing the format, etc. UE 105 may include multiple UEs and can be mobile wireless communication devices, but can communicate wirelessly and via wired connections. UE 105 can be any of a variety of devices, such as smartphones, tablets, vehicle-based devices, etc., but these are merely examples, as UE 105 is not required to be any of these configurations, and other configurations of the UE can be used. Other UEs may include wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches, smart jewelry, smart glasses, or headphones, etc.). Other UEs, whether currently existing or developed in the future, may also be used. In addition, other wireless devices (whether mobile or not) can be implemented within system 100 and can communicate with each other and / or with UE 105, BS110a, 110b, 114, core network 140, and / or external client 130. For example, such other devices may include Internet of Things (IoT) devices, medical devices, home entertainment and / or automation devices, etc. Core network 140 can communicate with external client 130 (e.g., a computer system), for example, to allow external client 130 to request and / or receive location information about UE 105 (e.g., via GMLC 125).

[0064] UE 105 or other devices can be configured to operate on various networks and / or for various purposes and / or using various technologies (e.g., 5G, Wi-Fi communication, multiple frequencies of Wi-Fi communication, satellite positioning, one or more types of communication (e.g., GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), V2X (e.g., V2P (Vehicle to Pedestrian), V2I (Vehicle to Infrastructure), V2V (Vehicle to Vehicle) etc.), IEEE Communication can be via cellular (Cellular-V2X) and / or WiFi (e.g., DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Connectivity)). System 100 can support operation on multiple carriers (waveform signals of different frequencies). A multi-carrier transmitter can transmit modulated signals simultaneously on multiple carriers. Each modulated signal can be a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) signal, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) signal, an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) signal, a Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) signal, etc. Each modulated signal can be transmitted on a different carrier and can carry pilot, overhead information, data, etc. UEs 105 and 106 can communicate with each other via UE-to-UE bypass (SL) communication by transmitting on one or more bypass channels such as the Physical Bypass Synchronization Channel (PSSCH), Physical Bypass Broadcast Channel (PSBCH), or Physical Bypass Control Channel (PSCCH).

[0065] UE 105 may include and / or may be referred to as a device, mobile device, wireless device, mobile terminal, terminal, mobile station (MS), SET supporting Secure User Plane Location (SUPL), or some other name. Furthermore, UE 105 may correspond to a mobile phone, smartphone, laptop, tablet, PDA, tracking device, navigation device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, asset tracker, health monitor, security system, smart city sensor, smart meter, wearable tracker, or some other portable or mobile device. Typically, while not mandatory, UE 105 may support technologies such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), LTE, High-Speed ​​Packet Data (HRPD), IEEE 802.11 WiFi (also known as Wi-Fi), and Bluetooth. Wireless communication using one or more radio access technologies such as Global Microwave Access Interoperability (WiMAX), 5G New Radio (NR) (e.g., using NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140), etc. UE105 may support wireless communication using a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), which can connect to other networks (e.g., the Internet) using, for example, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or packet cable. Using one or more of these RATs allows UE105 to communicate with an external client 130 (e.g., via...). Figure 1 The elements of 5GC 140 not shown in the figure, or possibly via GMLC 125) and / or allow external client 130 to receive location information about UE 105 (e.g., via GMLC 125).

[0066] UE 105 may include a single entity or may include multiple entities, such as in a personal area network where the user can use audio, video, and / or data I / O (input / output) devices and / or body sensors, as well as separate wired or wireless modems. An estimate of the location of UE 105 may be referred to as location, location estimate, location orientation, orientation, positioning, location estimate, or location orientation and may be geographic, thus providing location coordinates (e.g., latitude and longitude) for UE 105, which may or may not include an elevation component (e.g., height above sea level, height above ground, floor or basement, or depth below ground). Alternatively, the location of UE 105 may be represented as a city location (e.g., as a postal address or designation of a point or small area within a building, such as a specific room or floor). The location of UE 105 may be represented as an area or volume (defined geographically or in city form) in which UE 105 is expected to be located with a certain probability or confidence level (e.g., 67%, 95%, etc.). The location of UE 105 can be represented as a relative location, including, for example, distance and orientation from a known location. This relative location can be represented as relative coordinates (e.g., X, Y (and Z) coordinates) defined relative to an origin at a known location, which can be defined, for example, geographically, in urban terms, or by reference to a point, area, or volume indicated, for example, on a map, floor plan, or building plan. In the description contained herein, unless otherwise indicated, the use of the term "location" can include any of these variations. When calculating the location of the UE, the x, y, and possibly z coordinates of the region are typically solved, and then, if necessary, the region coordinates are converted to absolute coordinates (e.g., for latitude, longitude, and elevation above or below mean sea level).

[0067] UE 105 can be configured to communicate with other entities using one or more of a variety of different technologies. UE 105 can be configured to indirectly connect to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links. D2D P2P links can be provided by any suitable D2D radio access technology (RAT), such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth, etc. Supported by various factors, such as: One or more UEs in a UE group utilizing D2D communication may be located within the geographical coverage area of ​​a Transmit / Receive Point (TRP), such as gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB114. Other UEs in such a group may be outside this geographical coverage area or may be unable to receive transmissions from the base station. A UE group communicating via D2D communication can utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each UE can transmit to other UEs in the group. The TRP can facilitate resource scheduling for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication can be performed between UEs without the involvement of a TRP. One or more UEs in a UE group utilizing D2D communication may be located within the geographical coverage area of ​​a TRP. Other UEs in such a group may be outside this geographical coverage area or may be unable to receive transmissions from the base station. A UE group communicating via D2D communication can utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each UE can transmit to other UEs in the group. The TRP can facilitate resource scheduling for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication can be performed between UEs without the involvement of TRP.

[0068] Figure 1 The base stations (BS) in the NG-RAN 135 shown include NR nodes B, referred to as gNBs 110a and 110b. The paired gNBs 110a and 110b in the NG-RAN 135 can be interconnected via one or more other gNBs. Wireless communication between the UE 105 and one or more gNBs 110a and 110b provides the UE 105 with access to the 5G network, which can provide wireless communication access to the 5GC 140 on behalf of the UE 105 using 5G. Figure 1 In this context, it is assumed that the serving gNB of UE 105 is gNB 110a. However, if UE 105 moves to another location, another gNB (e.g., gNB 110b) can be used as the serving gNB, or it can be used as a secondary gNB to provide additional throughput and bandwidth to UE 105.

[0069] Figure 1The base station (BS) in the NG-RAN 135 shown may include ng-eNB 114, also known as a next-generation evolved Node B. ng-eNB 114 may be connected to one or more gNBs 110a, 110b in the NG-RAN 135 via one or more other gNBs and / or one or more other ng-eNBs. ng-eNB 114 may provide LTE radio access and / or evolved LTE (eLTE) radio access to UE 105. One or more of gNBs 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114 may be configured to act as location-only beacons, which may transmit signals to help determine the location of UE 105, but may not receive signals from UE 105 or other UEs.

[0070] BS110a, 110b, and 114 may each include one or more TRPs. For example, each sector within a cell of the BS may include one TRP, although multiple TRPs may share one or more components (e.g., share a processor but have separate antennas). System 100 may include only macro TRPs, or system 100 may have different types of TRPs, such as macro, pico, and / or femto TRPs, etc. Macro TRPs may cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and may allow unrestricted access to terminals with service subscriptions. Pico TRPs may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a pico cell) and may allow unrestricted access to terminals with service subscriptions. Femto or home TRPs may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a femto cell) and may allow restricted access to terminals associated with that femto cell (e.g., terminals of users in a home).

[0071] As mentioned earlier, although Figure 1 The diagram depicts a node configured to communicate according to a 5G communication protocol, but nodes configured to communicate according to other communication protocols such as, for example, LTE or IEEE 802.11x can be used. For example, in an evolved packet system (EPS) providing LTE radio access to UE 105, the RAN may include an evolved universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN), which may include base stations including evolved Node Bs (eNBs). The core network of the EPS may include an evolved packet core (EPC). The EPS may include an E-UTRAN plus an EPC, where the E-UTRAN corresponds to... Figure 1 NG-RAN 135 in, while EPC corresponds to Figure 1 5GC 140 in the middle.

[0072] gNB 110a, 110b, and ng-eNB 114 can communicate with AMF 115, which in turn communicates with LMF 120 for positioning functions. AMF 115 supports UE 105 mobility, including cell changes and handovers, and can participate in signaling connections to UE 105, potentially supporting UE 105's data and voice bearers. LMF 120 can communicate directly with UE 105, for example, wirelessly, or directly with BS110a, 110b, and 114. When UE 105 accesses NG-RAN 135, LMF 120 can support the positioning of UE 105 and can support positioning procedures / methods such as Auxiliary GNSS (A-GNSS), Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) (e.g., Downlink (DL) OTDOA or Uplink (UL) OTDOA), Round Trip Time (RTT), Multi-Cell RTT, Real-Time Kinematics (RTK), Precise Point Positioning (PPP), Differential GNSS (DGNSS), Enhanced Cell ID (E-CID), Angle of Arrival (AOA), Angle of Departure (AOD), and / or other positioning methods. LMF 120 can process location service requests for UE 105 received, for example, from AMF 115 or GMLC 125. LMF 120 can be connected to AMF 115 and / or GMLC 125. LMF 120 can be referred to by other names, such as Location Manager (LM), Location Function (LF), Commercial LMF (CLMF), or Value-Added LMF (VLMF). The node / system implementing LMF 120 can additionally or alternatively implement other types of location support modules, such as an Enhanced Serving Mobility Location Center (E-SMLC) or a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (SLP). At least a portion of the positioning functionality (including deriving the location of UE 105) can be performed at UE 105 (e.g., using signal measurements obtained by UE 105 for signals transmitted by radio nodes such as gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114, and / or auxiliary data provided to UE 105, for example, by LMF 120). AMF 115 can serve as a control node for handling signaling between UE 105 and core network 140, and can provide QoS (Quality of Service) streaming and session management. AMF 115 can support the mobility of UE 105, including cell changes and handovers, and can participate in supporting signaling connections to UE 105.

[0073] GMLC 125 can support location requests for UE 105 received from external client 130 and can forward such location requests to AMF 115, which in turn forwards them to AMF 120, or the location request can be forwarded directly to AMF 120. Location responses from LMF 120 (e.g., containing location estimates for UE 105) can be returned to GMLC 125 directly or via AMF 115, and GMLC 125 can then return the location response (e.g., containing location estimates) to external client 130. GMLC 125 is shown connected to both AMF 115 and LMF 120, although in some implementations, 5GC140 may support only one of these connections.

[0074] like Figure 1 As shown, the LMF 120 can communicate with gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 using the new radio positioning protocol A (which may be referred to as NPPa or NRPPa), defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.455. NRPPa can be the same as, similar to, or an extension of the LTE Positioning Protocol A (LPPa) defined in 3GPP TS 36.455, where NRPPa messages are transmitted via AMF 115 between gNB 110a (or gNB 110b) and the LMF 120, and / or between the ng-eNB 114 and the LMF 120. Figure 1As further shown, LMF 120 and UE 105 can communicate using the LTE Location Protocol (LPP), which is defined in 3GPP TS 36.355. LMF 120 and UE 105 can also, or alternatively, communicate using a new radio location protocol (which may be referred to as NPP or NRPP), which can be the same as, similar to, or an extension of LPP. Here, LPP and / or NPP messages can be transmitted between UE 105 and LMF 120 via AMF 115 and the serving gNB 110a, 110b, or serving ng-eNB 114 for UE 105. For example, LPP and / or NPP messages can be transmitted between LMF 120 and AMF 115 using the 5G Location Services Application Protocol (LCS AP), and between AMF 115 and UE 105 using the 5G Non-Access Stratum (NAS) protocol. The LPP and / or NPP protocols can be used to support the location of UE 105 using UE-assisted and / or UE-based location methods such as A-GNSS, RTK, OTDOA, and / or E-CID. The NRPPa protocol can be used to support the location of UE 105 using network-based location methods such as E-CID (e.g., when used with measurements obtained from gNB 110a, 110b, or ng-eNB 114) and / or can be used by LMF 120 to obtain location-related information (such as parameters defining directional SS transmissions from gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114) from gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114. LMF 120 can be co-located or integrated with gNB or TRP, or it can be placed remotely from gNB and / or TRP and configured to communicate directly or indirectly with gNB and / or TRP.

[0075] Using the UE-assisted positioning method, UE 105 can obtain a location measurement and send it to a location server (e.g., LMF 120) for calculating a location estimate of UE 105. For example, the location measurement may include one or more of the following for gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, and / or WLAN AP: Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), Round-Trip Time (RTT), Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), and / or Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ). The location measurement may also, or alternatively, include measurements of GNSS pseudorange, code phase, and / or carrier phase for SV 190-193.

[0076] Using a UE-based positioning method, UE 105 can obtain a location measurement (e.g., which may be the same as or similar to the location measurement used in a UE-assisted positioning method) and can calculate the location of UE 105 (e.g., with the aid of auxiliary data received from a location server such as LMF 120 or auxiliary data broadcast by gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114 or other base stations or APs).

[0077] Using a network-based positioning method, one or more base stations (e.g., gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114) or APs can obtain location measurements (e.g., measurements of RSSI, RTT, RSRP, RSRQ, or Time of Arrival (ToA) of signals transmitted by UE 105) and / or can receive measurements obtained by UE 105. One or more base stations or APs can send these measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF 120) for calculating a location estimate of UE 105.

[0078] The information provided to the LMF 120 by the gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114 using NRPPa may include timing and configuration information for directional SS transmissions, as well as location coordinates. The LMF 120 may provide some or all of this information to the UE 105 as auxiliary data in LPP and / or NPP messages via NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140.

[0079] The LPP or NPP message sent from LMF 120 to UE 105 can instruct UE 105 to perform any of a variety of actions according to the desired functionality. For example, the LPP or NPP message may contain instructions for UE 105 to obtain measurements of GNSS (or A-GNSS), WLAN, E-CID, and / or OTDOA (or some other positioning method). In the case of E-CID, the LPP or NPP message may instruct UE 105 to obtain one or more measurements of directional signals transmitted within a specific cell (e.g., beam ID, beamwidth, average angle, RSRP, RSRQ measurements) supported by one or more of gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 (or supported by some other type of base station such as eNB or WiFi AP). UE 105 can send the measurement value back to LMF 120 via service gNB110a (or service ng-eNB 114) and AMF 115 in an LPP or NPP message (e.g., within a 5G NAS message).

[0080] As described above, while communication system 100 is described in relation to 5G technology, communication system 100 can be implemented to support other communication technologies (such as GSM, WCDMA, LTE, etc.) for supporting and interacting with mobile devices such as UE 105 (e.g., for implementing voice, data, location, and other functions). In some such embodiments, 5GC 140 can be configured to control different air interfaces. For example, 5GC 140 can use non-3GPP interoperability functions (N3IWF) in 5GC 140. Figure 1 (Not shown) Connected to a WLAN. For example, the WLAN may support IEEE 802.11 WiFi access for UE 105 and may include one or more WiFi APs. Here, the N3IWF may connect to the WLAN and other components in 5GC 140 (such as AMF115). In some embodiments, both NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140 may be replaced by one or more other RANs and one or more other core networks. For example, in EPS, NG-RAN 135 may be replaced by E-UTRAN containing eNBs, and 5GC140 may be replaced by EPC containing a Mobility Management Entity (MME) instead of AMF 115, an E-SMLC instead of LMF 120, and a GMLC similar to GMLC125. In such EPS, the E-SMLC may use LPPa instead of NRPPa to send location information to and receive location information from eNBs in the E-UTRAN, and may use LPP to support UE 105's positioning. In these other embodiments, the use of directional PRS to locate UE 105 can be supported in a manner similar to that described herein for 5G networks, except that the functions and procedures described herein for gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, AMF 115 and LFM 120 can, in some cases, be applied to other network elements such as eNB, WiFi AP, MME and E-SMLC.

[0081] As described above, in some embodiments, the positioning function may at least partially utilize the UE whose positioning is to be determined (e.g., Figure 1 The UE's location is determined by directional SS beams emitted from base stations (such as gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114) within the range of the UE (105). In some cases, the UE may use directional SS beams from multiple base stations (such as gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, etc.) to calculate the UE's location.

[0082] Also refer to Figure 2UE 200 is an example of one of UEs 105 and 106, and includes a computing platform comprising a processor 210, a memory 211 including software (SW) 212, one or more sensors 213, a transceiver interface 214 for a transceiver 215, a user interface 216, a satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver 217, a camera 218, and a positioning device (PD) 219. The processor 210, memory 211, one or more sensors 213, transceiver interface 214, user interface 216, SPS receiver 217, camera 218, and positioning device 219 can be communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 220 (which can be configured for, for example, optical and / or electrical communication). One or more of the illustrated devices (e.g., camera 218, positioning device 219, and / or one or more of the sensors 213, etc.) may be omitted from UE 200. The processor 210 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. Processor 210 may include multiple processors, including a general-purpose / application processor 230, a digital signal processor (DSP) 231, a modem processor 232, a video processor 233, and / or a sensor processor 234. One or more of processors 230-234 may include multiple devices (e.g., multiple processors). For example, sensor processor 234 may include processors for radar, ultrasonic, and / or lidar, etc. Modem processor 232 may support dual SIM / dual connectivity (or even more SIMs). For example, one SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) may be used by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), while another SIM may be used by an end user of UE 200 for connectivity. Memory 211 is a non-transitory storage medium that may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, optical disc storage, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 211 stores software 212, which may be processor-readable and processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 210 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, software 212 may not be executed directly by processor 210, but may be configured to cause processor 210 to perform functions, for example, during compilation and execution. This description may simply refer to processor 210 performing functions, but it includes other implementations, such as processor 210 running software and / or firmware. This description may refer to processor 210 performing functions simply as one or more of processors 230-234 performing functions. This description may refer to UE 200 performing functions simply as one or more suitable components of UE 200 performing functions. In addition to and / or replacing memory 211, processor 210 may include memory with stored instructions.The functions of processor 210 will be discussed in more detail below.

[0083] Figure 2 The configuration of the UE 200 shown is an example of the invention as described in the claims and is not limiting; other configurations may be used. For example, an example configuration of the UE includes one or more of processors 230-234 of processor 210, memory 211, and wireless transceiver 240. Other example configurations include processors 230-234 of processor 210, memory 211, wireless transceiver 240, and one or more of sensors 213, user interface 216, SPS receiver 217, camera 218, PD 219, and / or wired transceiver 250.

[0084] UE 200 may include a modem processor 232 capable of performing baseband processing on signals received and down-converted by transceiver 215 and / or SPS receiver 217. Modem processor 232 may perform baseband processing on signals to be up-converted for transmission by transceiver 215. Alternatively, baseband processing may be performed by processor 230 and / or DSP 231. However, other configurations may be used to perform baseband processing.

[0085] UE 200 may include one or more sensors 213, which may include one or more sensors of various types, such as one or more inertial sensors, one or more magnetometers, one or more environmental sensors, one or more optical sensors, one or more weight sensors, and / or one or more radio frequency (RF) sensors. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) may include, for example, one or more accelerometers (e.g., jointly responding to acceleration of UE 200 in three dimensions) and / or one or more gyroscopes (e.g., one or more three-dimensional gyroscopes). One or more sensors 213 may include one or more magnetometers (e.g., one or more three-dimensional magnetometers) to determine orientation (e.g., relative to magnetic north and / or true north), which may be used for any of a variety of purposes, such as supporting one or more compass applications. One or more environmental sensors may include, for example, one or more temperature sensors, one or more barometric pressure sensors, one or more ambient light sensors, one or more camera imagers, and / or one or more microphones. One or more sensors 213 can generate analog and / or digital signal indications, which can be stored in memory 211 and processed by DSP 231 and / or processor 230 to support one or more applications (such as applications focused on positioning and / or navigation operations).

[0086] One or more sensors 213 can be used for relative position measurement, relative position determination, motion determination, etc. Information detected by one or more sensors 213 can be used for motion detection, relative displacement, dead reckoning, sensor-based position determination, and / or sensor-assisted position determination. One or more sensors 213 can be used to determine whether the UE 200 is stationary or moving and / or whether to report certain useful information about the mobility of the UE 200 to the LMF 120. The UE 200 may include one or more sensors 213, which may include, for example, one or more sensors of various types, such as one or more inertial sensors, one or more magnetometers, one or more environmental sensors, one or more optical sensors, one or more weight sensors, and / or one or more radio frequency (RF) sensors. In another example, for relative positioning information, the sensor / IMU may be used to determine the angle and / or orientation of other devices relative to the UE 200.

[0087] The IMU can be configured to provide measurements of the direction and / or velocity of motion of the UE 200, which can be used for relative position determination. For example, one or more accelerometers and / or one or more gyroscopes of the IMU can detect the linear acceleration and rotational velocity of the UE 200, respectively. The linear acceleration and rotational velocity measurements of the UE 200 can be integrated over time to determine the instantaneous direction of motion and displacement of the UE 200. The instantaneous direction of motion and displacement can be integrated to track the position of the UE 200. For example, a reference position of the UE 200 can be determined for a given moment, for example using an SPS receiver 217 (and / or some other component), and measurements from one or more accelerometers and one or more gyroscopes after that moment can be used for dead reckoning to determine the current position of the UE 200 based on its motion (direction and distance) relative to the reference position.

[0088] One or more magnetometers can determine the magnetic field strength in different directions, and the magnetic field strength can be used to determine the orientation of the UE 200. For example, this orientation can be used to provide a digital compass for the UE 200. The magnetometer can be a two-dimensional magnetometer configured to detect and provide an indication of the magnetic field strength in two orthogonal dimensions. Alternatively, the magnetometer can be a three-dimensional magnetometer configured to detect and provide an indication of the magnetic field strength in three orthogonal dimensions. The magnetometer can provide components for sensing the magnetic field and, for example, providing a magnetic field indication to the processor 210.

[0089] Transceiver 215 may include a wireless transceiver 240 and a wired transceiver 250, configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 240 may include a wireless transmitter 242 and a wireless receiver 244 coupled to one or more antennas 246 for transmitting (e.g., on one or more uplink channels and / or one or more sidelink channels) wireless signals 248 and / or receiving (e.g., on one or more downlink channels and / or one or more sidelink channels) wireless signals 248, and for converting signals from wireless signals 248 to wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals, and vice versa. Therefore, wireless transmitter 242 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wireless receiver 244 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 240 can be configured to support technologies such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone System), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), and Bluetooth. Various radio access technologies (RATs) such as Zigbee are used to communicate signals (e.g., with TRPs and / or one or more other devices). New radios can use millimeter-wave frequencies and / or sub-6 GHz frequencies. Wired transceiver 250 may include a wired transmitter 252 and a wired receiver 254 configured for wired communication, for example, with network 135. Wired transmitter 252 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wired receiver 254 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. Wired transceiver 250 may be configured for, for example, optical and / or electrical communication. Transceiver 215 may be communicatively coupled to transceiver interface 214, for example, via optical and / or electrical connections. Transceiver interface 214 may be at least partially integrated with transceiver 215.

[0090] User interface 216 may include one or more devices such as, for example, a speaker, microphone, display device, vibration device, keyboard, touchscreen, etc. User interface 216 may include more than one of these devices. User interface 216 may be configured to enable a user to interact with one or more applications hosted by UE 200. For example, user interface 216 may store indications of analog and / or digital signals in memory 211 for processing by DSP 231 and / or general-purpose processor 230 in response to actions from the user. Similarly, applications hosted on UE 200 may store indications of analog and / or digital signals in memory 211 to present output signals to the user. User interface 216 may include audio input / output (I / O) devices, including, for example, speakers, microphones, digital-to-analog circuitry, analog-to-digital circuitry, amplifiers, and / or gain control circuitry (including more than one of these devices). Other configurations of the audio I / O devices may be used. Alternatively, the user interface 216 may include one or more touch sensors that respond to touch and / or pressure, for example, on the keyboard and / or touchscreen of the user interface 216.

[0091] SPS receiver 217 (e.g., a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver) is capable of receiving and acquiring SPS signal 260 via SPS antenna 262. Antenna 262 is configured to convert the wireless signal 260 into a wired signal (e.g., an electrical or optical signal) and may be integrated with antenna 246. SPS receiver 217 may be configured to process the acquired SPS signal 260, in whole or in part, to estimate the location of UE 200. For example, SPS receiver 217 may be configured to determine the location of UE 200 by using trilateration of SPS signal 260. General-purpose processor 230, memory 211, DSP 231, and / or one or more dedicated processors (not shown) may be used, together with SPS receiver 217, to process the acquired SPS signal, in whole or in part, and / or calculate the estimated location of UE 200. Memory 211 may store indications (e.g., measurements) of SPS signal 260 and / or other signals (e.g., signals acquired from wireless transceiver 240) used for performing positioning operations. A general-purpose processor 230, a DSP 231, and / or one or more dedicated processors and / or a memory 211 can provide or support a location engine for processing measurements to estimate the position of the UE 200.

[0092] UE 200 may include a camera 218 for capturing still or moving images. Camera 218 may include, for example, an imaging sensor (e.g., a charge-coupled device or a CMOS imager), a lens, analog-to-digital circuitry, a frame buffer, etc. Additional processing, conditioning, encoding, and / or compression of the signals representing the captured images may be performed by a general-purpose processor 230 and / or a DSP 231. And, or alternatively, a video processor 233 may perform conditioning, encoding, compression, and / or manipulation of the signals representing the captured images. The video processor 233 may decode / decompress stored image data for presentation on a display device (not shown), such as user interface 216.

[0093] Positioning device (PD) 219 may be configured to determine the location of UE 200, the motion of UE 200, and / or the relative location and / or time of UE 200. For example, PD 219 may communicate with, and / or include some or all of SPS receiver 217. PD 219 may suitably connect processor 210 and memory 211 to work together to perform at least a portion of one or more positioning methods, although the description herein may refer only to PD 219 being configured to perform or perform according to one or more positioning methods. PD 219 may also, or alternatively, be configured to use terrestrial signals (e.g., at least some signals 248) for trilateration, to help obtain and use SPS signal 260, or both, to determine the location of UE 200. PD 219 may be configured to use one or more other techniques (e.g., relying on the UE's self-reported location (e.g., part of the UE's positioning beacon)) to determine the location of UE 200, and may use a combination of techniques (e.g., SPS and terrestrial positioning signals) to determine the location of UE 200. PD 219 may include one or more sensors 213 (e.g., one or more gyroscopes, one or more accelerometers, one or more magnetometers, etc.) that can sense the orientation and / or motion of UE 200 and provide indications of motion (e.g., velocity vector and / or acceleration vector) of UE 200 that processor 210 (e.g., processor 230 and / or DSP 231) can be configured to be used to determine the motion of UE 200. PD 219 may be configured to provide indications of uncertainties and / or errors in the determined positioning and / or motion.

[0094] Also refer to Figure 3Examples of TRP 300 for BS110a, 110b, and 114 include a computing platform comprising a processor 310, a memory 311 including software (SW) 312, and a transceiver 315. The processor 310, memory 311, and transceiver 315 may be communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 320 (which may be configured, for example, for optical and / or electrical communication). One or more of the devices shown (e.g., wireless interfaces) may be omitted from the TRP 300. The processor 310 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The processor 310 may include multiple processors (e.g., such as...). Figure 2 As shown, this includes general-purpose / application processors, DSPs, modem processors, video processors, and / or sensor processors. Memory 311 is a non-transitory storage medium that may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, optical disc storage, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 311 stores software 312, which may be processor-readable and processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 310 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, software 312 may not be directly executed by processor 310, but may be configured to cause processor 310 to perform functions, for example, when compiled and executed. This description may simply refer to processor 310 performing functions, but this includes other implementations, such as processor 310 running software and / or firmware. This description may simply refer to processor 310 performing functions as one or more processors included in processor 310 performing functions. This description may simply refer to TRP 300 performing functions as one or more suitable components of TRP 300 performing functions (and therefore one of BS110a, 110b, 114). In addition to and / or replacing memory 311, processor 310 may include memory with stored instructions. The functionality of processor 310 will be discussed more fully below.

[0095] Transceiver 315 may include a wireless transceiver 340 and / or a wired transceiver 350, configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 340 may include a wireless transmitter 342 and a wireless receiver 344 coupled to one or more antennas 346 for transmitting (e.g., on one or more uplink channels and / or one or more downlink channels) and / or receiving (e.g., on one or more downlink channels and / or one or more uplink channels) wireless signals 348, and for converting signals from wireless signals 348 to wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals, and vice versa. Therefore, wireless transmitter 342 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wireless receiver 344 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 340 can be configured to support technologies such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone System), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), and Bluetooth. Various radio access technologies (RATs) such as Zigbee are used to communicate signals (e.g., with UE 200, one or more other UEs, and / or one or more other devices). Wired transceiver 350 may include a wired transmitter 352 and a wired receiver 354, configured for wired communication, for example, with network 135, to send and receive communications to, for example, LMF 120. Wired transmitter 352 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wired receiver 354 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. Wired transceiver 350 may be configured for, for example, optical communication and / or electrical communication.

[0096] Figure 3 The configuration of TRP 300 shown is an example of the invention as described in the claims and is not limiting, and other configurations may be used. For example, the description herein discusses TRP 300 being configured to perform or perform several functions, but one or more of these functions may be performed by LMF 120 and / or UE 200 (i.e., LMF 120 and / or UE 200 may be configured to perform one or more of these functions).

[0097] Also refer to Figure 4 Server 400 (an example of LMF 120) includes a computing platform comprising a processor 410, a memory 411 including software (SW) 412, and a transceiver 415. The processor 410, memory 411, and transceiver 415 can be communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 420 (which can be configured, for example, for optical and / or electrical communication). One or more of the illustrated devices (e.g., wireless receiver interfaces) may be omitted from server 400. Processor 410 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. Processor 410 may include multiple processors (e.g., such as...). Figure 2 As shown, this includes general-purpose / application processors, DSPs, modem processors, video processors, and / or sensor processors. Memory 411 is a non-transitory storage medium that may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, optical disc storage, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 411 stores software 412, which may be processor-readable and processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 410 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, software 412 may not be directly executed by processor 410, but may be configured to cause processor 410 to perform functions, for example, when compiled and executed. This description may simply refer to processor 410 performing functions, but this includes other implementations, such as processor 410 running software and / or firmware. This description may refer to processor 410 performing functions simply as one or more processors included in processor 410 performing functions. This description may refer to server 400 performing functions as one or more suitable components of server 400 performing functions. In addition to and / or instead of memory 411, processor 410 may include memory with stored instructions. The functions of processor 410 will be discussed in more detail below.

[0098] Transceiver 415 may include a wireless transceiver 440 and / or a wired transceiver 450, configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 440 may include a wireless transmitter 442 and a wireless receiver 444 coupled to one or more antennas 446 for transmitting (e.g., on one or more downlink channels) and / or receiving (e.g., on one or more uplink channels) wireless signals 448, and for converting signals from wireless signals 448 to wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals, and vice versa. Therefore, wireless transmitter 442 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wireless receiver 444 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 440 can be configured to support technologies such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone System), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), and Bluetooth. Various radio access technologies (RATs) such as Zigbee are used to communicate signals (e.g., with UE 200, one or more other UEs, and / or one or more other devices). Wired transceiver 450 may include a wired transmitter 452 and a wired receiver 454, configured for wired communication, for example, with network 135, to send and receive communications to, for example, TRP 300. Wired transmitter 452 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wired receiver 454 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. Wired transceiver 450 may be configured for, for example, optical and / or electrical communication.

[0099] The description herein may refer only to the processor 410 performing functions, but this includes other implementations such as the processor 410 running software (stored in memory 411) and / or firmware. The description herein may refer to the server 400 performing functions simply as one or more appropriate components of the server 400 performing functions (e.g., processor 410 and memory 411).

[0100] Positioning technology

[0101] For terrestrial positioning of UEs in cellular networks, techniques such as Advanced Forward Link Trilateral Measurement (AFLT) and Observation Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) typically operate in a "UE-assisted" mode. In this mode, the UE measures reference signals (e.g., PRS, CRS, etc.) transmitted by the base station and provides them to a location server. The location server then calculates the UE's location based on the base station's measurements and its known location. Because these techniques use a location server, rather than the UE itself, to calculate the UE's location, they are not frequently used in applications such as car or mobile phone navigation, which typically rely on satellite-based positioning.

[0102] UEs can use a Satellite Positioning System (SPS) (Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)) for high-precision positioning using Precise Point Positioning (PPP) or Real-Time Kinematics (RTK) technologies. These technologies use auxiliary data such as measurements from ground stations. LTE Release 15 allows for data encryption, making the information readable only by UEs subscribed to the service. This auxiliary data changes over time. Therefore, it may not be easy for a UE subscribed to the service to "break the encryption" for other UEs by passing the data to them. The data needs to be repeatedly passed each time the auxiliary data changes.

[0103] In UE-assisted positioning, the UE sends measurements (e.g., TDOA, Angle of Arrival (AoA), etc.) to a positioning server (e.g., LMF / eSMLC). The positioning server has a Base Station Almanac (BSA), which contains multiple "entries" or "records," one record per cell, where each record contains the geographic cell location, but may also include other data. Identifiers of the "records" among the multiple "records" in the BSA can be referenced. The BSA and measurements from the UE can be used to calculate the UE's positioning.

[0104] In traditional UE-based positioning, the UE calculates its own location, thus avoiding sending measurements to the network (e.g., a location server), which improves latency and scalability. The UE uses relevant BSA (Base Station Allocation) information from the network (e.g., the location of the gNB (growth network base station)). BSA information can be encrypted. However, because BSA information changes much less frequently than, for example, PPP or RTK auxiliary data described earlier, it is easier to make BSA information available to UEs that have not subscribed and paid for decryption keys (compared to PPP or RTK information). The transmission of reference signals by the gNB makes BSA information potentially accessible for crowd-sourcing or war-driving, essentially enabling the generation of BSA information based on field and / or top-down observations.

[0105] Positioning technologies can be characterized and / or evaluated based on one or more criteria, such as location determination accuracy and / or latency. Latency is the time elapsed between the event that triggers the determination of location-related data and the availability of that data at the positioning system interface (e.g., the interface of an LMF 120). The latency of the availability of location-related data at the initialization of the positioning system is called the first time to position (TTFF), and is greater than the latency after the TTFF. The reciprocal of the time elapsed between two consecutive availability of location-related data is called the update rate, i.e., the rate at which location-related data is generated after the first positioning. Latency can depend on processing capabilities, such as the processing power of the UE. For example, the UE can report its processing power as the duration of DL PRS symbols that the UE can process per T time units (e.g., T ms) assuming a PRB (Physical Resource Block) allocation (e.g., milliseconds). Other examples of capabilities that may affect latency are the number of TRPs the UE can process from its PRS, the number of PRSs the UE can process, and the UE's bandwidth.

[0106] One or more of many different positioning techniques (also known as positioning methods) can be used to determine the location of an entity such as UE 105, 106. Known location determination techniques include RTT, multiple RTT, OTDOA (also known as TDOA and including UL-TDOA and DL-TDOA), Enhanced Cell Identification (E-CID), DL-AoD, UL-AoA, etc. RTT uses the time it takes for a signal to travel from one entity to another and back to determine the range between two entities. This range, plus the known location of the first entity and the angle between the two entities (e.g., azimuth), can be used to determine the location of the second entity. In multiple RTT (also known as multi-cell RTT), the location of an entity can be determined by multiple ranges from one entity (e.g., UE) to other entities (e.g., TRP) and the known locations of other entities. In TDOA, the travel time difference between an entity and other entities can be used to determine the relative range with other entities, and those known locations with other entities can be combined to determine the location of an entity. Arrival and / or departure angles can be used to help determine the location of an entity. For example, the range between the signal's angle of arrival or departure and the device (determined using the signal, such as its travel time, received power, etc.) and the known location of one device can be used to determine the location of another device. The angle of arrival or departure can be an azimuth angle relative to a reference direction (e.g., true north). The angle of arrival or departure can also be a zenith angle relative to a point directly upwards from an entity (i.e., radially outwards from the Earth's center). E-CID uses the serving cell's identifier, timing advance (i.e., the difference between the receive and transmit times at the UE), estimated timing and power of detected neighboring cell signals, and possible angles of arrival (e.g., the angle of arrival of signals from the base station at the UE, and vice versa) to determine the UE's location. In TDOA, the time difference of arrival of signals from different sources at the receiving device, along with the known location of the source and the known offset of the transmission time from the source, is used to determine the location of the receiving device.

[0107] In network-centric RTT estimation, the serving base station instructs the UE to scan / receive RTT measurement signals (e.g., PRS) on the serving cell of two or more neighboring base stations (and typically the serving base station, as at least three base stations are required). One of the multiple base stations transmits the RTT measurement signal on low-reuse resources (e.g., resources used by the base station to transmit system information) allocated by the network (e.g., a location server such as an LMF 120). The UE records the time of arrival (also referred to as the time of reception, time of receipt, time of received, or time of arrival (TOA)) of each RTT measurement signal relative to the UE's current downlink timing (e.g., derived from the DL signal received by the UE from its serving base station), and sends a common or separate RTT response message (e.g., a location-based SRS (probe reference signal), i.e., UL-PRS) to one or more base stations (e.g., when instructed by its serving base station), and may include the time difference T between the ToA of the RTT measurement signal and the transmission time of the RTT response message in the payload of each RTT response message. Rx→Tx (i.e., UE T) Rx-Tx or UE Rx-Tx The RTT response message may include a reference signal from which the base station can derive the Time of Arrival (ToA) of the RTT response. This is achieved by calculating the difference T between the transmission time of the RTT measurement signal from the base station and the ToA of the RTT response at the base station. Tx→Rx Time difference T with UE report Rx→Tx By comparison, the base station can deduce the travel time between the base station and the UE. The base station can then determine the distance between the UE and the base station from this travel time by assuming the speed of light within this travel time.

[0108] UE-centric RTT estimation is similar to a network-based approach, except that the UE transmits one or more uplink RTT measurement signals (e.g., when indicated by the serving base station), which are received by multiple base stations near the UE. Each involved base station responds with a downlink RTT response message, which may include in its payload the time difference between the ToA of the RTT measurement signal at the base station and the transmission time of the RTT response message from the base station.

[0109] For both network-centric and UE-centric processes, the side performing RTT calculation (network or UE) typically (though not always) sends one or more first messages or signals (e.g., one or more RTT measurement signals), while the other side responds with one or more RTT response messages or signals, which may include the difference between the ToA of one or more first messages or signals and the transmission time of one or more RTT response messages or signals.

[0110] Multiple RTT (Round-Trip Time) techniques can be used to determine location. For example, a first entity (e.g., a UE) may transmit one or more signals (e.g., unicast, multicast, or broadcast from a base station), and multiple second entities (e.g., other TSPs such as the base station and / or the UE) may receive signals from the first entity and respond to these received signals. The first entity receives responses from the multiple second entities. The first entity (or another entity such as an LMF) may use the responses from the second entities to determine the range to the second entities, and the location of the first entity may be determined by trilateration using multiple ranges and known locations of the second entities.

[0111] In some cases, additional information can be obtained in the form of angle of arrival (AoA) or angle of departure (AoD), which defines the direction of a straight line (e.g., in a horizontal plane or in three dimensions) or a range of possible directions (e.g., from the location of the base station for the UE). The intersection of the two directions can provide another estimate of the UE's location.

[0112] For positioning techniques that use PRS (Location Reference Signal) signals (e.g., TDOA and RTT), the PRS signals emitted by multiple TRPs are measured, and the range from the UE to the TRPs is determined using the signal arrival time, known transmission time, and known location of the TRPs. For example, the RSTD (Reference Signal Time Difference) can be determined for the PRS signals received from multiple TRPs, and the RSTD is used in TDOA techniques to determine the UE's location. The location reference signal can be referred to as the PRS or PRS signal. PRS signals are typically emitted with the same power, and PRS signals with the same signal characteristics (e.g., the same frequency shift) may interfere with each other, such that a PRS signal from a more distant TRP may be overwhelmed by a PRS signal from a closer TRP, making the signal from the more distant TRP undetectable. PRS silencing can be used to help reduce interference by silencing some PRS signals (e.g., reducing the power of the PRS signal to zero and therefore not transmitting the PRS signal). In this way, the UE can more easily detect weaker PRS signals (at the UE) without stronger PRS signals interfering with weaker PRS signals. The term RS and its variations (e.g., PRS, SRS) can refer to one or more reference signals.

[0113] Positioning Reference Signals (PRS) include Downlink PRS (DL PRS) and Uplink PRS (UL PRS) (which may be referred to as Positioning SRS (Detection Reference Signals)). PRS can include PRS resources or PRS resource sets for a frequency layer. A DL PRS positioning frequency layer (or simply a frequency layer) is a collection of DL PRS resource sets from one or more TRPs, which have common parameters configured by higher-layer parameters DL-PRS-PositioningFrequencyLayer, DL-PRS-ResourceSet, and DL-PRS-Resource. Each frequency layer has a DL PRS subcarrier spacing (SCS) for the DL PRS resource sets and DL PRS resources within the frequency layer. Each frequency layer also has a DL PRS cyclic prefix (CP) for the DL PRS resource sets and DL PRS resources within the frequency layer. In 5G, a resource block occupies 12 consecutive subcarriers and a specified number of symbols. Furthermore, the DL PRS point A parameter defines the frequency of the reference resource block (and the lowest subcarrier of the resource block), where DL PRS resources belonging to the same DL PRS resource set have the same point A, and all DL PRS resource sets belonging to the same frequency layer have the same point A. The frequency layers also have the same DL PRS bandwidth, the same starting PRB (and center frequency), and the same comb size value (i.e., the frequency of the PRS resource element for each symbol, such that for comb-N, every Nth resource element is a PRS resource element).

[0114] The TRP can be configured, for example, to issue DL PRS according to a schedule via instructions received from a server and / or via software within the TRP. According to this schedule, the TRP can issue DL PRS intermittently, for example, periodically at consistent intervals starting from an initial transmission. The TRP can be configured to issue one or more PRS resource sets. A resource set is a collection of PRS resources across a TRP that have the same periodicity, a common silence mode configuration (if any), and the same repetition factor across time slots. Each PRS resource set comprises multiple PRS resources, and each PRS resource comprises multiple resource elements (REs), which can reside in multiple resource blocks (RBs) within N (or more) consecutive symbols in a time slot. An RB is a set of REs spanning a certain number of one or more consecutive symbols in the time domain and a certain number (12 RBs for 5G) of consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain. Each PRS resource is configured with an RE offset, a time slot offset, a symbol offset within the time slot, and the number of consecutive symbols the PRS resource can occupy within the time slot. The RE offset defines the starting RE offset of the first symbol within the DL PRS resource in the frequency domain. The relative RE offset of the remaining symbols within a DL PRS resource is defined based on the initial offset. The slot offset is the starting slot of the DL PRS resource relative to the corresponding resource set slot offset. The symbol offset determines the starting symbol of the DL PRS resource within the starting slot. Transmitted REs can repeat across slots, with each transmission referred to as a repetition, thus multiple repetitions can exist within a PRS resource. DL PRS resources in a DL PRS resource set are associated with the same TRP, and each DL PRS resource has a DL PRS resource ID. The DL PRS resource ID in a DL PRS resource set is associated with a single beam transmitted from a single TRP (however, a TRP can transmit one or more beams).

[0115] PRS resources can also be defined by quasi-co-address and start PRB parameters. The quasi-co-address (QCL) parameter defines any quasi-co-address information of the DL PRS resource with other reference signals. The DL PRS can be configured with DL PRS or SS / PBCH (Synchronization Signal / Physical Broadcast Channel) blocks from the serving cell or non-serving cell as quasi-co-address type D. The DL PRS can also be configured with SS / PBCH blocks from the serving cell or non-serving cell as quasi-co-address type C. The start PRB parameter defines the starting PRB index of the DL PRS resource relative to reference point A. The granularity of the start PRB index is one PRB, and it can have a minimum value of 0 and a maximum value of 2176 PRBs.

[0116] A PRS resource set is a collection of PRS resources that have the same periodicity, the same silent mode configuration (if any), and the same repetition factor across time slots. Each time all repetitions of all PRS resources in a PRS resource set are configured to be transmitted is called an "instance". Therefore, an "instance" of a PRS resource set is a specified number of repetitions for each PRS resource and a specified number of PRS resources in the PRS resource set, such that the instance is complete once the specified number of repetitions have been transmitted for each of the specified number of PRS resources. An instance can also be referred to as an "opportunity". DL PRS configurations, including DL PRS transmission scheduling, can be provided to the UE to facilitate (or even enable) UE measurement of DL PRS.

[0117] Multiple frequency layers of a PRS can be aggregated to provide an effective bandwidth greater than any single layer bandwidth. Component carriers and multiple frequency layers (which can be contiguous and / or separate) that meet criteria such as Quasi-Co-located (QCLed) and have the same antenna ports can be stitched together to provide a larger effective PRS bandwidth (for DL ​​PRS and UL PRS), thereby increasing time-of-arrival measurement accuracy. As quasi-co-located (QCLed), different frequency layers behave similarly, allowing PRS stitching to produce a larger effective bandwidth. This larger effective bandwidth (which may be referred to as the bandwidth of the aggregated PRS or the frequency bandwidth of the aggregated PRS) provides better time-domain resolution (e.g., TDOA). An aggregated PRS comprises a collection of PRS resources, and each PRS resource in the aggregated PRS can be referred to as a PRS component, and each PRS component can be transmitted on different component carriers, frequency bands, or frequency layers, or on different portions of the same frequency band.

[0118] RTT positioning is an active positioning technology where RTT uses positioning signals transmitted from the TRP to the UE and from the UE (participating in RTT positioning) to the TRP. The TRP can transmit a DL-PRS signal received by the UE, and the UE can transmit an SRS (Probe Reference Signal) signal received by multiple TRPs. The Probe Reference Signal can be referred to as SRS or SRS signal. In 5G multi-RTT, coordinated positioning can be used with UEs transmitting a single UL-SRS for positioning received by multiple TRPs, rather than transmitting discrete UL-SRS for positioning for each TRP. A participating TRP will typically search for UEs currently residing on that TRP (the served UE, where the TRP is the serving TRP) and UEs residing on neighboring TRPs (neighboring UEs). Neighboring TRPs can be TRPs of a single BTS (e.g., gNB), or they can be TRPs of a single BTS and TRPs of separate BTSs. For RTT positioning, including multi-RTT positioning, the DL-PRS signal and the UL-SRS signal in the positioning PRS / SRS signal pair used to determine the RTT (and therefore the range between the UE and TRP) can be temporally close to each other, such that errors caused by UE motion and / or UE clock drift and / or TRP clock drift are within acceptable limits. For example, the signals in the positioning PRS / SRS signal pair can be transmitted from the TRP and the UE respectively within approximately 10 milliseconds of each other. With the positioning SRS signal emitted by the UE and the positioning PRS and SRS signals being transmitted temporally close to each other, it has been found that, particularly if many UEs attempt positioning simultaneously, radio frequency (RF) signal congestion (which can lead to excessive noise, etc.) and / or computational congestion may occur at the TRP where many UEs are attempting to measure simultaneously.

[0119] RTT positioning can be UE-based or UE-assisted. In UE-based RTT, UE 200 determines the RTT and corresponding range to each TRP 300, as well as the UE 200's location, based on the range to TRP 300 and the known location of TRP 300. In UE-assisted RTT, UE 200 measures the positioning signal and provides the measurement information to TRP 300, and TRP 300 determines the RTT and range. TRP 300 provides the range to a location server (e.g., server 400), and the server determines the UE 200's location, for example, based on the range to different TRP 300s. RTT and / or range can be determined by TRP 300 receiving signals from UE 200, by TRP 300 in combination with one or more other devices (e.g., one or more other TRP 300s and / or server 400), or by one or more devices other than TRP 300 receiving signals from UE 200.

[0120] 5G NR supports multiple positioning technologies. Native NR positioning methods supported by 5G NR include DL-only positioning, UL-only positioning, and DL+UL positioning. Downlink-based positioning methods include DL-TDOA and DL-AoD. Uplink-based positioning methods include UL-TDOA and UL-AoA. Combined DL+UL positioning methods include RTT using a single base station and RTT using multiple base stations (multi-RTT).

[0121] Combined processing of PRS and supplementary signals

[0122] Various techniques can be implemented to facilitate and / or improve signal processing for wireless signals, such as those used for positioning. For example, multiple PRSs can be transmitted by time-multiplexed TRPs with different carrier frequencies (the different portions do not overlap at least partially in time), and the frequency-hopping PRS portions are combined to determine location information, such as one or more measurements like ToA, range from the UE to the signal source, the UE's location, etc. PRSs can overlap in frequency and / or time, or they can be separate in time and / or frequency without overlap. The determined location information can be more accurate than location information determined from PRSs without different carriers and / or spanning a smaller bandwidth than the combined PRSs. The UE (or other device receiving the RS) can use a supplementary signal to determine one or more transmission characteristic differences (e.g., timing offset, frequency offset, phase offset) between the first PRS and the supplementary signal. The supplementary signal can have similar transmission characteristics to the second PRS, but occupies less frequency modulation (e.g., fewer symbols and / or fewer subcarriers). Compared to processing the first PRS or the second PRS separately, the UE can analyze the supplementary PRS and the first PRS to determine one or more offsets, and use the offsets to combine the processing of the first PRS and the second PRS to improve measurement accuracy.

[0123] refer to Figure 5 and further reference Figure 1-4 UE 500 includes a processor 510, an interface 520, and a memory 530, which are communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 540. UE 500 may include... Figure 5 The components shown may include one or more other components (such as...) Figure 2Any of the components shown in the diagram, such that UE 200 can be an example of UE 500. For example, processor 510 may include one or more components of processor 210. Interface 520 may include one or more components of transceiver 215, such as wireless transmitter 242 and antenna 246, or wireless receiver 244 and antenna 246, or wireless transmitter 242, wireless receiver 244 and antenna 246. And or alternatively, interface 520 may include wired transmitter 252 and / or wired receiver 254. Memory 530 may be configured similarly to memory 211, for example, including software with processor-readable instructions configured to enable processor 510 to perform functions.

[0124] The description herein may refer only to the processor 510 performing functions, but this includes other implementations such as the processor 510 running software (stored in memory 530) and / or firmware. The description herein may refer to the UE 500 performing the functions simply as one or more suitable components of the UE 500 performing the functions (e.g., processor 510 and memory 530). The processor 510 (possibly in conjunction with memory 530 and, where appropriate, interface 520) includes a combination processing unit 550 configured to process multiple PRSs as a single PRS in combination (e.g., coherently or incoherently) by means of supplementary signals; this may be referred to as splicing. The combination processing unit 550 may be configured to report the UE 500's one or more processing capabilities regarding the combination processing of multiple PRSs and the processing of supplementary signals and / or to report the combination processing of multiple PRSs to provide reported location information (e.g., one or more measurements, one or more ranges, one or more location estimates, etc.). The combined processing unit 550 will be discussed further below, and the description may generally refer to the processor 510, or generally to the UE 500, to perform any functions of the combined processing unit 550.

[0125] And refer to Figure 6 The TRP 600 includes a processor 610, an interface 620, and a memory 630, which are communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 640. The TRP 600 may include... Figure 6 The components shown may include one or more other components (such as...) Figure 3Any of the components shown in the diagram, such that TRP 300 can be an example of TRP 600. For example, interface 620 may include one or more components of transceiver 315, such as wireless transmitter 342 and antenna 346 and / or wireless receiver 344 and antenna 346. And or alternatively, interface 520 may include wired transmitter 352 and / or wired receiver 354. Memory 630 may be configured similarly to memory 31, for example, including software with processor-readable instructions configured to cause processor 610 to perform functions.

[0126] The description herein may refer only to the processor 610 performing the functions, but this includes other implementations such as the processor 610 running software (stored in memory 630) and / or firmware. The description herein may refer simply to the TRP 600 performing the functions as one or more suitable components of the TRP 600 (e.g., processor 610 and memory 630). The processor 610 (possibly in conjunction with memory 630 and, where appropriate, interface 620) includes a scheduling unit 650. The scheduling unit 650 is configured to transmit multiple DL PRSs and supplementary signals. The supplementary signals may be separate from the DL PRSs or may be part of the DL PRSs (e.g., the frequency modulation of multiple PRSs that overlap in frequency among the multiple PRSs). The scheduling unit 650 may schedule and transmit the PRSs and supplementary signals based on one or more indications of the UE 500 to process multiple PRSs with the assistance of the supplementary signals. The scheduling unit 650 will be discussed further herein, and the description may generally refer to the processor 610, or generally to the TRP 600, to perform any functions of the scheduling unit 650.

[0127] Also refer to Figure 7The scheduling unit 650 can be configured to send multiple DL PRS via interface 620, and the combination processing unit 550 can be configured to combine and process multiple DL PRS. In this example, the scheduling unit 650 is configured to schedule and send a first DL PRS 710 and a second DL PRS 720. The first DL PRS 710 is sent in the first positioning frequency layer (PFL 1), with each instance spanning a first frequency range 711 and a first time window 712. The first DL PRS 710 is transmitted in frequency moduli (e.g., OFDM moduli) in the first frequency range 711 and the first time window 712, although not necessarily in every moduli in the first frequency range 711 or every symbol in the first time window 712. Similarly, the second DL PRS 720 is sent in the second positioning frequency layer (PFL 2), with each instance spanning a second frequency range 721 and a second time window 722. The DL PRS 710 and 720 shown are frequency multiplexed, with frequency ranges 711 and 721 not overlapping. With DL PRS 710 and 720 not overlapping at least partially in frequency, the combining processing unit 550 can combine and process DL PRS 710 and 720 to provide a larger bandwidth for the combined signal. This can help improve the measurement accuracy of the combined signal compared to measurements of either the first DL PRS 710 alone or the second DL PRS 720 alone. The DL PRS 710 and 720 shown are also time multiplexed, with time windows 712 and 722 not overlapping. The time multiplexing of DL PRS 710 and 720 allows for the simultaneous transmission of other signaling (e.g., PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel) and PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel)) with DL PRS 710 and 720. DL PRS 710 and 720 can span different numbers of frequencies (i.e., the size of frequency range 711 can be greater than, less than, or the same as the size of frequency range 721). DL PRS 710 and 720 can span different amounts of time (i.e., the size of the first time window 712 can be greater than, less than, or the same as the size of the second time window 722). Frequency ranges 711 and 721 can be within a single carrier frequency or can have different carrier frequencies.

[0128] The scheduling unit 650 can also be configured to transmit one or more supplementary signals, such as a first supplementary signal 730 and / or a second supplementary signal 740. The first supplementary signal 730 is transmitted in a first frequency layer, spanning a first supplementary frequency range 731 and a first supplementary time window 732. The second supplementary signal 740 is transmitted in a second frequency layer, spanning a second supplementary frequency range 741 and a second supplementary time window 742. The first supplementary frequency range 731 overlaps with the first frequency range 711, the first supplementary time window 732 overlaps with the second time window 722, the second supplementary frequency range 741 overlaps with the second frequency range 721, and the second supplementary time window 742 overlaps with the first time window 712. Each of the supplementary signals 730 and 740 can be transmitted in fewer subcarriers than the corresponding DL PRs 710 and 720 of the same frequency layer, and can be transmitted in fewer symbols than the corresponding DL PRs 720 and 710 that overlap with the corresponding supplementary signals 730 and 740 in time. The supplementary signals 730 and 740 may span different numbers of frequencies (i.e., the size of the first supplementary frequency range 731 may be greater than, less than, or the same as the size of the second supplementary frequency range 741). The supplementary signals 730 and 740 may span different amounts of time (i.e., the size of the first supplementary time window 732 may be greater than, less than, or the same as the size of the second supplementary time window 742). The first supplementary signal 730 may be a subsampled portion of the first DL PRS 710 and / or the second supplementary signal 740 may be a subsampled portion of the second DL PRS 720. One or both of the supplementary signals 730 and 740 may have fewer repetitions than the corresponding DL PRS 710 and 720. Supplementary signals 730 and 740 consume fewer resources than DL PRS 710 and 720, thus reducing overhead compared to DL PRS 710 and 720. They also allow for the estimation of one or more offsets to facilitate combined processing of DL PRS 710 and 720, and simultaneously allow other signaling to be frequency-multiplexed with DL PRS 710 and 720 during their respective time windows 712 and 722. Supplementary signals 730 and 740 can each have a lower frequency density than their respective DL PRS 710 and 720, and can have different frequency densities.

[0129] Also refer to Figure 8 The supplementary signals 730 and 740 can have any of a variety of frequency densities. For example, the supplementary signals 730 and 740 can have a high frequency density, such as being emitted per second or every four resource elements (REs) within a probe resource block (RB). Figure 8In the example shown, the second supplementary signal 740 is transmitted once every four REs in time slot 840 of one RB, while the corresponding RB time slot 820 of the second DL PRS 720 is a comb-4 fully interleaved transmission mode with three repetitions per time slot. Supplementary signals 730 and 740 can be transmitted in multiple consecutive RBs corresponding to the respective DL PRS 710 and 720 (but may be fewer than the RBs contained in DL PRS 710 and 720). The supplementary signals can have a shorter time span than the corresponding RS. For example, the RS resource can span two, four, eight, or twelve symbols, but the supplementary signal can span fewer symbols than the corresponding RS, such as one symbol per instance or two symbols per instance. As shown, supplementary signal 740 can be transmitted in a single symbol.

[0130] Also refer to Figure 9 and Figure 10 The supplementary signals 730 and 740 can have a low-frequency density, for example, emitting one or more REs in one of every two or four RBs. Figure 9 In the example shown, the first supplementary signal 930 is emitted in three RBs 934 (e.g., every fourth RB of the corresponding first DL PRS 910), and the second supplementary signal 940 is emitted in six RBs 944 (e.g., every second RB of the corresponding second DL PRS 920). Figure 10 As shown, the second supplementary signal 940 is transmitted in a single RE in each of the two symbols in a time slot 1040 of RB 944, while the time slot 1020 of the corresponding RB of the second DL PRS 920 is a comb-4 fully interleaved transmission mode with three repetitions per time slot.

[0131] Scheduling unit 650 can be configured to schedule one or more signals rate-matched with supplementary signals to multiplex one or more supplementary signals with one or more other signals (e.g., one or more low-delay signals). For example, scheduling unit 650 can be configured to use unused RBs and REs of supplementary signals 730, 740, 930, 940 to emit PDSCH or PDCCH signals RBs and REs to multiplex one or more supplementary signals with one or more other physical channels. For example, scheduling unit 650 can use the framework provided by PTRS (Phase Tracking RS) signal configuration and rate matching to multiplex signals. Therefore, additional information using one or more other signals can be scheduled around REs emitted for one or more supplementary signals, such as interleaving other signal REs with supplementary signal REs.

[0132] The scheduling unit 650 can implement one or more enhanced measurement gaps for one or more supplementary signals. The scheduling unit 650 can schedule measurement gaps for the DL PRS and one or more supplementary signals, while allowing measurements for signals at times / frequencies other than when the DL PRS and one or more supplementary signals are emitted. For example, the scheduling unit can schedule measurement gaps for a first frequency range 711 (e.g., for a carrier including the first frequency range 711) during a first time window 712, and schedule measurement gaps for (at least) a second supplementary frequency range 741 (including a carrier including the second supplementary frequency range 741) or even a second frequency range 721 during a second supplementary time window 742, while not scheduling measurement gaps for the second frequency range 721 during the first time window 712 other than the second supplementary time window 742.

[0133] Also refer to Figure 11 The supplementary signal may include a portion of one or more reference signals. For example, a portion 1116 of the first DL PRS 1110 may overlap in frequency with a portion 1126 of the second DL PRS 1120, and the frequency range 1112 of the first DL PRS 1110 may overlap with the frequency range 1122 of the second DL PRS 1120 in the overlapping frequency range 1150. The supplementary signal 1130 may include a portion 1116 of the first DL PRS 1110 and / or a portion 1126 of the second DL PRS 1120, i.e., a shared RB for DL ​​PRS 1110 and 1120.

[0134] The combination processing unit 550 can be configured to use one or more supplementary signals to determine one or more parameters, which can be used to combine multiple RSs for combination processing to determine location information. The multiple RSs can be generated using different hardware (e.g., different oscillators, different power amplifiers, etc.) and therefore can have different transmission characteristics, independent of the different channels encountered in the transmission between the transmitter and receiver. The different transmission characteristics of the multiple RSs may result in one or more offsets between the RSs, such as timing offsets, phase offsets, and / or frequency offsets. The combination processing unit 550 can be configured to analyze one or more supplementary signals to estimate one or more offsets between the multiple RSs. For example, the combination processing unit 550 can be configured to use a first DL PRS 710 and a first supplementary signal 730 and / or a second DL PRS 720 and a second supplementary signal 740 to determine one or more offsets between DL PRSs 710, 720. As another example, the combination processing unit 550 can be configured to estimate one or more offsets between DL PRS 910, 920 using a first DL PRS 910 and a first supplementary signal 930 and / or using a second DL PRS 920 and a second supplementary signal 940. For example, the combination processing unit 550 may include a cross-correlator and is configured to compare the impulse responses of the PRS and one or more supplementary signals. The combination processing unit 550 can be configured to determine the channel impulse response (CIR), for example, for each PRS (e.g., DL PRS 710, 720) and one or more supplementary signals (e.g., supplementary signals 730, 740). The combination processing unit 550 can determine the CIR by performing an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) on the channel frequency response (CFR) determined from each PRS and each supplementary signal. The combination processing unit 550 can be configured to determine the phase offset (e.g., determining φ such that vector 1 = e) by comparing the phases of the CIRs of the PRS and supplementary signals. jφVector 2, where vector 1 is the CIR of the PRS and vector 2 is the CIR of the complementary signal. The combination processing unit 550 can be configured to determine the phase offset using a known algorithm such as the least squares algorithm. The high-density complementary signals 730 and 740 can produce vectors with finer resolution compared to low-density complementary signals 930 and 940, resulting in more accurate phase offset values. The combination processing unit 550 can analyze the time-domain peaks of the CIRs of the PRS and complementary signals (e.g., PRS 710 and complementary signal 740), considering the expected (e.g., scheduled) time difference of the peaks, to determine the time offset between the PRS and the complementary signals. The combination processing unit 550 can analyze multiple time offsets (e.g., time offsets of multiple instances of PRS 710 and complementary signal 740, or time offsets of PRS 710 and complementary signal 740 and time offsets of PRS 720 and complementary signal 730) to determine the frequency offset. The frequency offset is proportional to the difference (if any) between the multiple time offsets.

[0135] One or more supplementary signals do not need to overlap temporally with the RS with respect to which one or more offsets are to be determined. However, temporal overlap can improve the accuracy of the estimated one or more offsets compared to using supplementary signals that do not overlap temporally with the corresponding RS. Using overlapping RS to provide supplementary signals can help reduce the overhead and complexity of providing supplementary signals, while using one or more supplementary signals separate from RS can increase the bandwidth of the combined signal and thus improve the accuracy of the determined position information compared to RS with frequency overlap.

[0136] The combining processing unit 550 can use one or more estimated offsets to compensate for RSs (e.g., one of a plurality of RSs), such that the plurality of RSs can be treated as a single RS, the effective bandwidth of which is the sum of the non-overlapping bandwidths of the single RSs, and combined to produce location information (e.g., a single ToA of the combined RSs, from which further location information can be determined). For example, in the case where one or more offsets are determined, the combining processing unit 550 can adjust the sample values ​​of the received PRS (e.g., PRS 710, 720) so that the received PRS becomes a single effective PRS (e.g., effective PRS 750) with temporal and phase continuity.

[0137] Combining processing unit 550 can be configured to combine multiple PRSs, for example, by applying one or more algorithms to a combined effective PRS. For example, combining processing unit 550 can be configured to process effective (combined) PRSs using a single IFFT (Inverse Fast Fourier Transform) and / or a single correlation. Combining processing can be used to determine an IFFT-based first path of arrival, an energy-based first path of arrival, and / or a super-resolution-based first path of arrival. Processing of effective PRSs can determine indications of time and / or range, such as the time and / or range of arrival at the PRS source. Combining processing unit 550 can be configured to use time and / or range indications to determine location information (e.g., measurements or location of UE 500), although many other techniques of combining processing can be used. Combining multiple PRSs with at least some non-shared frequency modulations (each PRS spanning a frequency range that another does not) will increase the effective PRS processing bandwidth to the composite bandwidth, for example, to the sum of the combined PRSs. Combining processing can increase location determination performance, such as ToA accuracy (e.g., due to finer resolution, i.e., more frequent time-domain sampling). For example, the combination processing unit 550 can fill the IFFT buffer with samples from different frequencies of PRS and supplementary signals (e.g., different center frequencies), as if multiple PRS were sent in the same symbol.

[0138] Although the supplementary signal and the corresponding RS can be transmitted from different antenna ports, the supplementary signal and multiple RS can be transmitted from the same antenna port to help ensure that the supplementary signal and multiple RS encounter the same or similar channel conditions. This helps the combining processing unit 550 accurately determine one or more offsets between multiple RS, thereby helping the combining processing unit 550 accurately combine multiple RS and thus improve the accuracy of the location information determined from the combining processing of multiple RS. The combining processing unit 550 can be configured to request, and possibly require, the transmission of one or more supplementary signals and corresponding RS (or even all RS to be combined) from the same antenna port.

[0139] A supplementary signal may correspond to one or more RS resources. For example, each DL PRS resource may have a separate supplementary signal corresponding to the transmission of that DL PRS resource. As another example, for a set of DL PRS resources with the same or similar transmission characteristics (e.g., within one or more corresponding thresholds), a single supplementary signal may be transmitted corresponding to the DL PRS resources within the set. For example, a set of DL PRS resources experiencing the same timing / frequency / phase offset may have a common supplementary signal.

[0140] The scheduling unit 650 may send an indication of which RS(s) resource(s) the supplementary signal corresponds to and / or may send one or more indications of the transmission characteristics of the RS and / or may send one or more indications of which RS resources have similar transmission characteristics.

[0141] Also refer to Figure 12 The combination processing unit 550 can be configured to report the UE 500's ability to combine and process multiple PRs based on supplementary signals (i.e., to stitch multiple PRs together using supplementary signals). The combination processing unit 550 can be configured to report the UE 500's ability to process PRS and supplementary signals, as well as one or more criteria affecting the UE 500's ability to stitch PRS based on supplementary signals. The combination processing unit 550 can be configured to, for example, send a capability message 1200 to the TRP 600, which includes a frequency field 1210, a PRS attribute field 1220, a combination signal processing capability field 1230, a supplementary signal parameter field 1240, a measurement gap field 1250, and an accuracy field 1260. Capability message 1200 is an example, and one or more fields shown in message 1200 can be omitted, and one or more other fields not shown can be added (i.e., included). For example, the combination processing capability field 1230 can be omitted, where a value implying the ability to stitch signals exists in one or more of the included fields. As another example, message 1200 may include an indication of the processing time for a combination of multiple public relations requests (PRs) processed by UE 500. As another example, message 1200 may include a request or demand for multiple PRs to be sent by TRP 600 using the same antenna port.

[0142] The various fields of message 1200 indicate whether UE 500 can combine signals that meet the indicated corresponding criteria, and what precision UE 500 may provide for signals that meet the criteria. For example, the combination processing capability field 1230 may indicate whether UE 500 can splice multiple PRs of the carrier frequency (positioning frequency layer (PFL)) indicated in the frequency field 1210. Fields other than the combination processing capability field 1230 and the precision field 1260 may indicate values ​​to be met so that UE 500 can provide (or guarantees to provide) the precision indicated in the precision field 1260. For example, the PRS attribute field 1220 may indicate one or more parameters (e.g., PFL parameters) that the PRS of the indicated frequency should have so that the combination processing unit 550 can combine multiple PRSs. For example, PRS attributes may include frequency layer, number of combs, parameter set (e.g., subcarrier spacing (SCS)), etc. PRS attributes may include PRS type, such as DL-PRS, SL-PRS, UL-PRS, which may imply one or more other attributes. The PRS attribute may include a maximum time interval (e.g., the maximum time gap between PRSs (e.g., the end of the first PRS instance and the start of the second PRS instance to be processed in combination with the first PRS)). The maximum time interval may be specified in time (e.g., nanoseconds) or other terms (e.g., symbols). The PRS attribute may include the maximum phase offset and / or maximum timing offset of the PRSs that can be processed in combination. The supplementary signal parameter field 1240 may indicate one or more parameters of the supplementary signal that the UE 500 requests (possibly requires) to be received in order to process the PRS of the indicated frequency in field 1210 in combination, at least simultaneously providing one or more of the indicated precision (discussed below). Thus, the combination processing unit 550 may indicate the UE 500's ability to process multiple PRSs on a per-frequency-pair basis. These frequencies may be in a single frequency band or in different frequency bands. For indications in the combination processing capability field 1230 that the splicing of the corresponding frequency is not supported, the remaining fields of message 1200 may be filled with null values. The supplementary signal parameter field 1240 may provide signal parameters (e.g., number of symbols, transmitted subcarriers, etc.) of one or more supplementary signals corresponding to the indicated PRS. The measurement gap field 1250 can provide parameters defining the enhanced measurement gap for the PRS and one or more supplementary signals. The accuracy field 1260 can indicate one or more minimum accuracies for one or more indicated position information types, such as one or more measurement accuracies for ToA, RSTD, Rx-Tx, etc., provided by the UE500 if the criteria of other fields are met.

[0143] The combined processing unit 550 can be configured to provide an indication of the processing quality that can be provided by processing with the corresponding combined PRS. For example, the combined processing unit 550 can report the error rate as part of the accuracy and can be configured to report the accuracy that can be achieved in future positioning signal measurements based on the corresponding combination of the PRS and the supplementary signal. Different accuracies can be provided for different bandwidths of the combined PRS (e.g., 5 ns with a 100 MHz bandwidth, 2.5 ns with a 200 MHz bandwidth, and 1.2 ns with a 400 MHz bandwidth, representing a 50% absolute ToA error). The accuracy that can be achieved by the combined processing unit 550 can depend on the total frequency of the combined PRS and / or can depend on the frequency span of the combined PRS, rather than the total bandwidth of the PRS and the supplementary signal individually (e.g., 300 MHz for each 200 MHz signal overlapping 100 MHz).

[0144] One or more fields of message 1200 can be encoded. For example, one or more potential values ​​of a field can be stored in memory 530 (e.g., statically during manufacturing or dynamically based on one or more received messages), and the value of the field is encoded (e.g., a bit string) to indicate which of the one or more potential values ​​to use. For a single potential value, the bit string can be a single bit indicating whether a pre-stored value is used.

[0145] TRP 600 can be configured to schedule and provide PRS to UE 500 to enable and / or facilitate UE 500 in combining multiple PRs. For example, also refer to Figure 13 TRP 600 can send scheduling message 1300, which includes a signal field 1310 indicating a signal to be scheduled by TRP 600 (e.g., a signal to be sent to UE 500) and a signal parameter field 1320 indicating the parameters of the corresponding signal. Signal parameters may include, for example, one or more offsets of the corresponding signal (e.g., slot offset, symbol offset), comb number, symbol number, repetition factor, etc. TRP 300 can schedule PRS based on capability message 1200, or can schedule PRS independently of capability message 1200, for example, before receiving message 1200 or without considering message 1200.

[0146] In response to receiving scheduling message 1300, UE 500 may send capability message 1200 or another form of capability message to TRP 600. For example, combination processing unit 550 may base the values ​​of one or more fields of capability message 1200 on the values ​​of message 1300. And or alternatively, combination processing unit 550 may send a capability message indicating whether UE 500 can combine and process the PRS indicated in scheduling message 1300, and possibly, UE 500 will base the accuracy provided by the combination processing.

[0147] Also refer to Figure 14 The PRS transmission unit 560 can be configured to transmit a transmission capability message 1400 indicating that the UE 500 is capable of transmitting multiple PRS (e.g., UL PRS, also known as SRS for positioning or UL SRS) and one or more supplementary signals, for example, such as Figure 7 , Figure 9 and Figure 11 As shown. Similar to the discussion of TRP 600 herein, UE 500 (e.g., PRS transmission unit 560) can be configured to transmit multiple PRSs and one or more supplementary signals, and can, for example, send a transmission capability message 1400 to TRP 600 or another TRP 300. Message 1400 includes a frequency field 1410, a PRS attribute field 1420, and a supplementary signal parameter field 1430. Field 1410 may indicate the carrier frequency of the positioning frequency layer of the PRS that UE 500 can transmit. PRS attribute field 1420 may indicate one or more other attributes of the PRS at the frequency indicated in field 1410 (e.g., comb number, offset, etc.). Supplementary signal parameter field 1430 may indicate one or more parameters of one or more supplementary signals that UE 500 can transmit in conjunction with the indicated PRS (e.g., overlapping with the indicated PRS in time and / or frequency). PRS transmission unit 560 can be configured to transmit one or more supplementary signals using the same power control loop, the same timing advance, and other parameter values ​​as other SRSs at a given carrier frequency. The contents of fields 1410, 1420, and 1430 may be similar to or the same as the contents of fields 1210, 1220, and 1240 of capability message 1200. Scheduling unit 650 may respond to receiving transmission capability message 1400 by scheduling the transmission of the PRS and one or more supplementary signals indicated in transmission capability message 1400.

[0148] Also refer to Figure 15The combination processing unit 550 can be configured to send location information and a report 1500 of corresponding signals used to determine the location information. In this example, the report 1500 includes a location information field 1510, a PRS field 1520, a supplementary signal field 1530, and an accuracy field 1540. The location information field 1510 indicates the determined and reported location information. The location information may include, for example, ToA values, RSTD values, Rx-Tx values, location estimates, and / or ranges. The PRS field 1520 indicates multiple PRSs used to determine the location information. The PRS field 1520 may indicate the type of PRS and / or one or more attributes of the PRS used. The supplementary signal field 1530 may indicate one or more attributes of one or more supplementary signals used to estimate one or more parameters (e.g., one or more offsets between multiple PRs) to facilitate the combination of multiple PRs into a single valid PR. The accuracy field 1540 may, for example, report the accuracy (possibly including what error rate) of the determined location information (e.g., positioning measurement) based on the signals combined to determine the location information.

[0149] operate

[0150] refer to Figure 16 And further reference Figure 1-15 The signaling and processing flow 1600 for determining location information from the combined processing of multiple PRSs using supplementary signals includes the stages shown. Flow 1600 is merely an example, as stages can be added, rearranged, and / or removed.

[0151] At stage 1610, UE 500 sends processing capability message 1612 and / or transmission capability message 1614 to TRP 600. For example, the combination processing unit 550 may send an indication of UE 500's ability to process multiple PRSs with the aid of one or more supplementary signals. The combination processing unit 550 may, for example, send capability message 1200 to TRP 600. And or alternatively, PRS transmission unit 560 may send an indication of UE 500's ability to transmit multiple RSs and one or more supplementary signals to assist in the combination processing of multiple RSs. For example, PRS transmission unit 560 may send transmission capability message 1400 to TRP 600. UE 500 may be configured with the combination processing unit 550 to combine and process received PRSs with the aid of supplementary signals and instruct UE 500 to do so, or it may be configured with the PRS transmission unit 560 to send multiple PRSs and one or more associated supplementary signals to assist in the combination processing of PRSs and instruct UE 500 to do so, or it may be configured with both combination processing unit 550 and PRS transmission unit 560.

[0152] At stage 1620, TRP 600 determines the signal to be combined and processed by UE 500 and / or the signal configuration to be transmitted by UE for combined processing. Scheduling unit 650 may use information from processing capability message 1612 to determine the attributes of PRS and supplementary signals (e.g., frequency, timing, measurement gaps, etc.) to facilitate and / or enable UE 500 to combine and process the PRS. Scheduling unit 650 may use one or more criteria not in processing capability message 1612 to determine the PRS and supplementary signals that UE 500 will be able to use for combined processing of the PRS to meet one or more performance criteria, such as at least threshold accuracy and / or no more than threshold delay. Moreover, or alternatively, scheduling unit 650 may determine the configuration of the PRS and supplementary signals indicated by UE 500 (e.g., signal attributes, one or more measurement gaps, etc.), which may be transmitted by UE 500 for use by another entity (e.g., TRP 600, another TRP 300, another UE 500) to combine and process the PRS from UE 500.

[0153] At stage 1630, TRP 600 sends configuration message 1632 to UE 500 with one or more determined signal configurations. For example, scheduling unit 650 may send scheduling message 1300, indicating, for example, the configuration of multiple PRs and one or more supplementary signals to be sent to UE 500 and / or the configuration of multiple PRs and supplementary signals to be sent by UE 500. TRP 600 may, for example, instruct UE 500 to send PRS and supplementary signals using the same antenna port. UE 500 may send processing capability message 1634 (e.g., capability message 1200) to TRP 600 in response to configuration message 1632. Processing capability message 1634 may be a simplified message, for example, indicating whether UE 500 can process the PRS indicated in configuration message 1632 in combination. UE 500 may send processing capability message 1634 instead of sending processing capability in processing capability message 1612, or send processing capability message 1634 in addition to sending processing capability message 1612.

[0154] At stage 1640, TRP 600 sends a PRS and supplementary signal message 1642 to UE 500, which includes multiple PRS and one or more supplementary signals. The multiple PRS and one or more supplementary signals of the PRS and supplementary signal message 1642 are sent according to the configuration indicated by configuration message 1632 (e.g., the PRS are at least partially time-division multiplexed and at least partially frequency-division multiplexed), and are received by UE 500.

[0155] At stage 1650, UE 500 determines location information. For example, the combining processing unit 550 can use one or more received PRSs and corresponding one or more supplementary signals to estimate one or more offsets between different PRSs. The combining processing unit 550 can process the PRSs in combination (e.g., if possible, by coherently combining different PRSs, or incoherently combining PRSs) to determine one or more measurement results (e.g., ToA). For example, processor 510 can process samples of multiple PRSs together with a single IFFT to determine measurement results (e.g., ToA, RSTD). Processor 510 can use one or more measurement results to determine other location information, such as determining the location estimate of UE 500, range to another entity, etc., using multiple measurement results.

[0156] At stage 1660, UE 500 may send location information to TRP 600 in location information message 1662. Location information message 1662 may include raw signal information and / or processed positioning signal information (such as positioning reference signal measurements and / or the location of UE 500). The determined location of UE 500 may be referred to as a location estimate. Location information message 1662 may include information about the combined processing to determine the corresponding PRS. For example, message 1662 may include report 1500 indicating which PRS were combined processed, and possibly, what supplementary signals were used to assist the combined processing, and the accuracy of the location information. Information about the PRS processed to determine the location information may be included in a quality metric. Even if UE 500 does not send processing capability information, for example, in processing capability message 1612 and / or processing capability message 1634, and / or TRP 600 does not receive processing capability information or use processing capability information to configure PRS and / or supplementary signals, UE 500 may still report the combined processing of PRS. For example, TRP 600 can send a PRS and supplementary signals with configurations (e.g., attributes) that enable UE 500 to combine processing of the PRS using supplementary signals, regardless of why these configurations are used. UE 500 can instruct that combined processing of the PRS has been performed, regardless of why combined processing has been performed.

[0157] At stage 1670, TRP 600 can determine the location information of UE 500. TRP 600 can collect location information from one or more location information messages 1662 and perform one or more positioning techniques to determine further location information, such as the location of UE 500, and / or can provide information to another entity, such as server 400 (e.g., LMF), to calculate the location information. TRP 600 can use the location information from one or more messages 1662 to update the previously determined location information of UE 500. TRP 600 can determine the accuracy of the location information based on one or more capabilities of the reported UE 500 to process the PRS, indications of the actual processing performed by the UE 500 on the PRS, and / or attributes of the PRS processed by the UE 500. Therefore, the accuracy of the location information can be implicitly determined in addition to, or in lieu of, an explicit indication of the accuracy provided by the UE 500.

[0158] At stage 1680, UE 500 may transmit a PRS and a supplementary signal message 1682 having multiple PRSs and one or more supplementary signals. For example, PRS transmission unit 560 may transmit multiple PRSs (e.g., UL SRS) and one or more supplementary signals as indicated in the transmission capability message 1614 that UE 500 can transmit and is scheduled by TRP 600.

[0159] At stage 1690, TRP 600 determines location information. For example, TRP 600 may use one or more supplementary signals provided in PRS and supplementary signal message 1682 to estimate one or more offsets of the received PRS, similar to UE 500 determining one or more offsets and measuring multiple PRSs in combination at stage 1650 to determine location information. Location information may include measurement results and / or location information determined based on measurement results (e.g., range, location, etc.).

[0160] refer to Figure 17 For further reference Figures 1-16 The method 1700 for facilitating location information determination includes the stages shown. However, method 1700 is merely an example and not a limitation. Method 1700 can be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, performing stages simultaneously, and / or splitting a single stage into multiple stages.

[0161] At stage 1710, method 1700 includes receiving at a user equipment a first reference signal including a first frequency modulation set, wherein for each instance of the first reference signal, the first frequency modulation set spans a first frequency range in a first symbol set. For example, UE 500 receives a PRS in PRS and supplementary signal message 1640. UE 500 may receive, for example, a first DL PRS 710 spanning a first frequency range 711 or a first DL PRS 1110 spanning a first frequency range 1112. Processor 510, memory 530, and interface 520 (e.g., wireless receiver 244 and antenna 246) may include components for receiving the first reference signal.

[0162] At stage 1720, method 1700 includes receiving a second reference signal at the user equipment including a second frequency modulation, wherein for each instance of the second reference signal, the second frequency modulation spans a second frequency range in a second symbol set, and the first frequency range is at least partially different from the second frequency range. For example, UE 500 receives another PRS in PRS and supplementary signal messages 1640. UE 500 may receive, for example, a second DL PRS 720 spanning a second frequency range 721 or a second DL PRS 1120 spanning a first frequency range 1122. Processor 510, memory 530, and interface 520 (e.g., wireless receiver 244 and antenna 246) may include components for receiving the second reference signal including the second frequency modulation.

[0163] At stage 1730, method 1700 includes receiving at the user equipment a supplementary signal comprising a third frequency set, wherein for each instance of the supplementary signal, the third frequency set spans a third frequency range in at least one third symbol, wherein at least one of the following: (1) the third frequency range overlaps with a first frequency range, or (2) at least one third symbol overlaps temporally with a first symbol set, and the third frequency range overlaps with a second frequency range. For example, UE 500 receives a portion 1126 of a second DL PRS 1120 as a (at least a portion) supplementary signal, and spans an overlapping frequency range 1150 of a first frequency range 1112 of a first DL PRS 1110. As another example, UE 500 receives a second supplementary signal 740 that overlaps temporally with a first DL PRS 710 (i.e., a second supplementary time window 742 overlaps with a portion of a first time window 712) and spans a frequency range 741 that overlaps with a second frequency range 721 (overlapping with a portion of the second frequency range 721 of the second DL PRS 720 and sharing a subcarrier therewith). The supplementary signal may or may not be emitted in the same one or more symbols as the reference signal that overlaps with the supplementary signal in time (e.g., if the reference signal is not emitted in all symbols). Processor 510, memory 530, and interface 520 (e.g., wireless receiver 244 and antenna 246) may include components for receiving the supplementary signal, which includes a third frequency modulation.

[0164] At stage 1740, method 1700 includes determining at least one offset between a first reference signal and a supplementary signal at the user equipment using a third frequency modulation from the supplementary signal. For example, combination processing unit 550 uses the supplementary signal (e.g., a portion 1126 of the second DL PRS 1120 or the second supplementary signal 740) and the first reference signal (e.g., the first DL PRS 1110 or the first DL PRS 710) to determine a phase offset and / or timing offset between the supplementary signal and the first reference signal, and / or uses multiple PRs and corresponding supplementary signals to determine a frequency offset, and thus determines (e.g., estimates) one or more offsets between the first reference signal and the second reference signal. For example, as discussed, combination processing unit 550 may calculate the CIR of the PRS and the supplementary signal, and analyze the CIR to determine a phase offset and a time offset, and analyze multiple time offsets to determine a frequency offset. Processor 510 and memory 530 may include components for determining at least one offset.

[0165] At stage 1750, method 1700 includes determining a first indication of at least one of time or range based on a combination of a first reference signal and a second reference signal at the user equipment using at least one offset. For example, as discussed (e.g., adjusting sample values), combination processing unit 550 may use estimated one or more offsets to make the first and second reference signals (e.g., first DL PRS1110 and second DL PRS1120, or first DL PRS 710 and second DL PRS 720) a valid reference signal (e.g., valid PRS 750), and process the valid reference signal (the combination of the first and second reference signals) to determine one or more time and / or range indications (e.g., ToA, RSRP, pseudorange, etc.). Processor 510 and memory 530 may include components for determining the first indication based on the combination of the first and second reference signals using at least one offset.

[0166] Implementations of method 1700 may include one or more of the following features. In an example implementation, each instance of the first reference signal and each instance of the second reference signal are at least partially non-overlapping in time. For example, the first DL PRS 710 and the second DL PRS 720 are temporally separate. In another example implementation, the third frequency modulation set consists of fewer frequency modulations than the second frequency modulation set within a second frequency range. For example, the supplementary signal may be emitted in fewer frequency modulations (fewer subcarriers) within the frequency range of the corresponding reference signal that overlaps with the supplementary signal in frequency (e.g., the second supplementary signal 740 has fewer frequency modulations than the second DL PRS 720 (at least within the second frequency range 721)). However, the supplementary signal may have frequency modulations outside the frequency range of the corresponding reference signal. In another example implementation, at least one third symbol consists of fewer symbols than the first symbol set. For example, the second supplementary signal 740 has fewer symbols, e.g., one symbol per instance (e.g., during the first time window 712). In another example implementation, estimating at least one offset includes, in response to receiving a second indication, using a supplementary signal to estimate at least one offset of multiple resources in a resource set of a first reference signal, the second indication indicating that the multiple resources in the resource set have similar transmission characteristics. For example, the combining processing unit 550 may use a single supplementary signal to estimate one or more offsets of more than one PRS resource, such as a group of DLPRS resources in the resource set having the same or similar offsets. The combining processing unit 550 may then apply one or more offsets determined for one resource in the set to all resources in the set.

[0167] Alternatively or concurrently, implementations of method 1700 may include one or more of the following features. In an example implementation, method 1700 includes sending a capability message to a network entity instructing a user equipment to combine a first reference signal and a second reference signal using supplementary signals. For example, combination processing unit 550 may generate capability message 1200 and send it to TRP 600, instructing UE 500 to combine the capability of processing PRS with the aid of one or more supplementary signals. Processor 510, memory 530, and interface 520 (e.g., radio transmitter 242 and antenna 246) may include components for sending the capability message. In another example implementation, the capability message indicates whether a measurement gap is requested for the supplementary signal. In another example implementation, the supplementary signal is a portion of the second reference signal. For example, the supplementary signal may be portion 1126 of a second DLPRS 1120. In another example implementation, method 1700 includes sending a capability message to a network entity instructing a user equipment (UE) to transmit a transmission supplementary signal in combination with a first transmission reference signal and a second transmission reference signal, wherein the first transmission reference signal does not overlap with the second transmission reference signal at least partially in time, and the transmission supplementary signal overlaps with the first transmission reference signal in time and frequency. For example, PRS transmission unit 560 may send a transmission capability message 1400 instructing UE 500 to transmit multiple PRSs and one or more supplementary signals to aid in the combined processing of the multiple PRSs, wherein one or more supplementary signals overlap with one or more corresponding reference signals in time. Processor 510, memory 530, and interface 520 (e.g., wireless transmitter 242 and antenna 246) may include components for transmitting the capability message. At least one offset includes at least one of phase offset, time offset, or frequency offset (i.e., phase offset, time offset, and / or frequency offset).

[0168] refer to Figure 18 and further reference Figures 1-16 The method 1800 for facilitating reference signal measurement includes the stages shown. However, method 1800 is merely an example and not a limitation. Method 1800 can be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, performing stages simultaneously, and / or splitting a single stage into multiple stages.

[0169] At stage 1810, method 1800 includes transmitting from a telecommunications device to a receiver a first reference signal comprising a first frequency modulation set, wherein for each instance of the first reference signal, the first frequency modulation set spans a first frequency range within a first symbol set. For example, TRP 600 transmits a first DL PRS 710 to UE 500. As another example, UE 500 (e.g., PRS transmission unit 560) may transmit a first UL SRS to TRP 600. For example, the first UL SRS may be transmitted at a similar frequency modulation to the first DL PRS 710 within a similar time window, but in UL SRS format instead of DL PRS format. Processor 610, memory 630, and interface 620 (e.g., wireless transmitter 342 and antenna 346) may include components for transmitting the first reference signal. Alternatively, processor 510, memory 530, and interface 520 (e.g., wireless transmitter 242 and antenna 246) may include components for transmitting the first reference signal.

[0170] At stage 1820, method 1800 includes transmitting a second reference signal from a telecommunications device to a receiver, comprising a second frequency modulation set, wherein for each instance of the second reference signal, the second frequency modulation set spans a second frequency range in a second symbol set, the first frequency range being at least partially different from the second frequency range. For example, TRP 600 transmits a second DL PRS 720 to UE 500. As another example, UE 500 (e.g., PRS transmission unit 560) may transmit a second UL SRS to TRP 600. For example, the second UL SRS may be transmitted at a similar frequency modulation to the second DL PRS 720 in a similar time window, but in UL SRS format instead of DL PRS format. Processor 610, memory 630, and interface 620 (e.g., wireless transmitter 342 and antenna 346) may include components for transmitting the second reference signal. Alternatively, processor 510, memory 530, and interface 520 (e.g., wireless transmitter 242 and antenna 246) may include components for transmitting the second reference signal.

[0171] At stage 1830, method 1800 includes transmitting from the telecommunications equipment to the receiver a supplementary signal comprising a third frequency modulation set, wherein for each instance of the supplementary signal, the third frequency modulation set spans a third frequency range in at least one third symbol, wherein at least one of the following: (1) the third frequency range overlaps with a first frequency range, or (2) at least one third symbol overlaps temporally with a first symbol set, and the third frequency range overlaps with a second frequency range. For example, TRP 600 transmits a first supplementary signal 730 (and / or a second supplementary signal 740) to UE 500. As another example, UE 500 (e.g., PRS transmission unit 560) may transmit one or more supplementary signals to TRP 600. One or more supplementary signals from UE 500 may be emitted, for example, in the same or similar one or more time windows, with a frequency modulation similar to that of the first supplementary signal 730 and / or the second supplementary signal 740, but in UL SRS format instead of DL PRS format. The supplementary signal may or may not be emitted in the same one or more symbols as the reference signal that overlaps temporally with the supplementary signal (e.g., if the reference signal is not emitted in all symbols). Processor 610, memory 630, and interface 620 (e.g., wireless transmitter 342 and antenna 346) may include components for transmitting supplementary signals. Alternatively, processor 510, memory 530, and interface 520 (e.g., wireless transmitter 242 and antenna 246) may include components for transmitting a second supplementary signal.

[0172] Implementations of method 1800 may include one or more of the following features. In an example implementation, a first reference signal, a second reference signal, and a supplementary signal are transmitted in response to a capability message received by the telecommunications equipment from the receiver, indicating that the receiver is capable of using supplementary signals to combine and process a first reference signal and a second reference signal. For example, TRP 600 may transmit a PRS and supplementary signal message 1642 in response to receiving a processing capability message 1634 and / or a processing capability message 1612. As another example, TRP 600 may transmit a capability message similar to processing capability message 1634, indicating that TRP 600 can combine and process multiple PRSs by means of one or more supplementary signals, and PRS transmission unit 560 may transmit a PRS and one or more supplementary signals to TRP 600 based on receiving the processing capability message from TRP 600. In another example implementation, method 1800 includes scheduling a measurement gap for the receiver spanning at least one third symbol based on the capability message. For example, scheduling unit 650 of TRP 600 may schedule the measurement gap for the supplementary signals. The processor 610 and memory 630 may include components for scheduling measurement gaps.

[0173] Alternatively or concurrently, implementations of method 1800 may include one or more of the following features. In an example implementation, each instance of the first reference signal and each instance of the second reference signal are at least partially non-overlapping in time. For example, the first DL PRS 710 and the second DL PRS 720 are separate in time, but may partially overlap in time. In another example implementation, the third frequency modulation set consists of fewer frequency modulations than the second frequency modulation set within a second frequency range. For example, the second supplementary signal 740 spans a smaller frequency range than the second DL PRS 720 and may have a lower frequency modulation density (the emitted frequency modulations relative to the total spanned frequency modulations) within the second supplementary frequency range 741 than the second DL PRS 720. As another example, the second supplementary signal 940 may span the same or nearly the same frequency range as the second DL PRS 920, but is emitted in fewer RBs than the second DL PRS 920 and may have a lower frequency modulation density in the emitted RBs. In another example implementation, at least one third symbol consists of fewer symbols than the second symbol set. For example, the second supplementary signal 740 is transmitted in a single symbol of time slot 840, while the first DL PRS 710 can be transmitted in many symbols, similar to the 12 symbols in which the second DL PRS 720 is transmitted in time slot 820. In another example implementation, method 1800 includes transmitting another signal matching the supplementary signal rate. For example, TRP 600 can transmit a PDSCH or PDCCH signal rate matching the second supplementary signal 940 to use RBs and / or symbols and / or REs not used by the second supplementary signal 940. Processor 610, memory 630, and interface 620 (e.g., radio transmitter 342 and antenna 346) may include components for transmitting other signals matching the supplementary signal rate. In another example implementation, the telecommunications equipment is the transmitting / receiving point and transmits a first reference signal, a second reference signal, and a supplementary signal to the user equipment. For example, the telecommunications equipment may be TRP 600, and TRP 600 transmits PRS and supplementary signal messages 1642 to UE 500.

[0174] Alternatively or concurrently, implementations of method 1800 may include one or more of the following features. In an example implementation, the telecommunications equipment is a user equipment, and the method includes sending a capability message to a receiver indicating that the user equipment is capable of transmitting a first reference signal, a second reference signal, and a supplementary signal. For example, the telecommunications equipment may be a UE 500, and the PRS transmission unit 560 may send transmission capability information to the TRP in a transmission capability message 1614. The processor 510, memory 530, and interface 520 (e.g., wireless transmitter 242 and antenna 246) may include components for transmitting the capability message. In another example implementation, the capability message indicates that at least one third symbol will overlap temporally with the first symbol set, and that a third frequency range will overlap with a second frequency range. In another example implementation, method 1800 includes sending a transmission characteristic message to a receiver indicating that multiple reference signal resources will have similar transmission characteristics. For example, TRP 600 and / or UE 500 may send, for example, an indication in configuration message 1632 or transmission capability message 1614 that multiple resources will have similar transmission characteristics (e.g., offsets), and UE 500 and / or TRP 600 may use this information to apply one or more offsets of the same estimate determined from a single supplementary signal to multiple resources for combined processing of the multiple resources with another reference signal.

[0175] Other considerations

[0176] Other examples and implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software and computers, the above-described functions can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof. Features implementing the functions can also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that portions of the function are implemented in different physical locations.

[0177] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” also include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and / or “including” as used herein specify the presence of the described feature, integer, step, operation, element, and / or component, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0178] As used herein, the term RS (reference signal) may refer to one or more reference signals and may be appropriately applied to any form of the term RS, such as PRS, SRS, CSI-RS, etc.

[0179] As used herein, unless otherwise stated, a statement that a function or operation is “based on” an item or condition means that the function or operation is based on the item or condition stated, and may be based on one or more items and / or conditions in addition to the item or condition stated.

[0180] Furthermore, as used herein, the "or" prefixed with "at least one" or "one or more" in a list of items indicates a disjunctive list, such as a list of "at least one of A, B, or C" or a list of "one or more of A, B, or C," meaning A, or B, or C, or AB (A and B), or AC (A and C), or BC (B and C), or ABC (i.e., A and B and C), or a combination having more than one feature (e.g., AA, AAB, ABBC, etc.). Therefore, a description of an item (e.g., a processor) configured to perform a function with respect to at least one of A or B means that the item can be configured to perform a function with respect to A, or can be configured to perform a function with respect to B, or can be configured to perform a function with respect to both A and B. For example, the phrase "a processor configured to measure at least one of A or B" means that the processor can be configured to measure A (and may or may not be configured to measure B), or can be configured to measure B (and may or may not be configured to measure A), or can be configured to measure both A and B (and may be configured to select which one or both of A and B to measure). Similarly, the description of a component for measuring at least one of A or B includes a component for measuring A (which may or may not be able to measure B), or a component for measuring B (and may or may not be configured to measure A), or a component for measuring A and B (which may be able to select which one or both of A and B to measure). As another example, the description of an item (e.g., a processor) being configured to perform at least one of function X or function Y means that the item can be configured to perform function X, or can be configured to perform function Y, or can be configured to perform both functions X and Y. For example, the phrase “the processor is configured to measure at least one of X or Y” means that the processor can be configured to measure X (and may or may not be configured to measure Y), or can be configured to measure Y (and may or may not be configured to measure X), or can be configured to measure both X and Y (and may be configured to select which one or both of X and Y).

[0181] Substantial modifications can be made to meet specific requirements. For example, custom hardware can be used, and / or specific components can be implemented in hardware, software (including portable software such as applets), or both, executed by the processor. Furthermore, connections to other computing devices, such as network input / output devices, can be employed. Unless otherwise stated, the interconnected or communicating functional or other components shown in the figures and / or discussed herein are communicatively coupled. That is, they can be directly or indirectly connected to enable communication between them.

[0182] The systems and devices discussed above are examples. Various configurations can omit, substitute, or add various processes or components as needed. For example, features described with respect to certain configurations can be combined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elements of configurations can be combined in a similar manner. Moreover, technology is evolving, and therefore many elements are illustrative and do not limit the scope of the disclosure or claims.

[0183] A wireless communication system is a system in which communication is transmitted wirelessly, i.e., by traveling through atmospheric space via electromagnetic and / or sound waves rather than via wires or other physical connections. A wireless communication network may not have all wirelessly transmitted communications, but is configured to have at least some wirelessly transmitted communications. Furthermore, the term "wireless communication device" or similar terms do not require that the device's function is exclusively or uniformly primarily for communication, or that the device is a mobile device, but indicate that the device includes wireless communication capabilities (one-way or two-way), for example, including at least one radio for wireless communication (each radio being part of a transmitter, receiver, or transceiver).

[0184] Specific details are provided in the specification to offer a thorough understanding of the example configurations (including implementations). However, the configurations can be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques are shown without unnecessary detail to avoid obscuring the configurations. This specification provides only example configurations and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claims. Rather, the description of the above configurations provides a description of implementing the techniques described. The functionality and arrangement of elements may vary.

[0185] As used herein, the terms “processor-readable medium,” “machine-readable medium,” and “computer-readable medium” refer to any medium that participates in providing data that enables a machine to operate in a particular manner. Using a computing platform, various processor-readable media can participate in providing instructions / code to the processor for execution and / or can be used to store and / or carry such instructions / code (e.g., as signals). In many implementations, processor-readable media are physical and / or tangible storage media. Such media can take many forms, including but not limited to non-volatile and volatile media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical discs and / or magnetic disks. Volatile media include, but are not limited to, dynamic memory.

[0186] After describing several example configurations, various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents can be used. For example, the foregoing elements can be components of a larger system, where other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of the invention. Moreover, many operations can be performed before, during, or after considering the foregoing elements. Therefore, the foregoing description does not limit the scope of the claims.

[0187] A statement that a value exceeds (or is greater than or higher than) a first threshold is equivalent to a statement that the value meets or exceeds a second threshold that is slightly greater than the first threshold. For example, in the resolution of a computing system, the second threshold is one value higher than the first threshold. A statement that a value is less than (or is at or below) the first threshold is equivalent to a statement that the value is less than or equal to a second threshold that is slightly lower than the first threshold. For example, in the resolution of a computing system, the second threshold is one value lower than the first threshold.

Claims

1. A user equipment, comprising: transceiver; Memory; as well as A processor, communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, is configured to: The transceiver receives a first reference signal including a first frequency modulation set, wherein for each instance of the first reference signal, the first frequency modulation set spans a first frequency range in a first symbol set. The transceiver receives a second reference signal including a second frequency modulation set, wherein for each instance of the second reference signal, the second frequency modulation set spans a second frequency range in a second symbol set, and the first frequency range is at least partially different from the second frequency range. The transceiver receives a supplementary signal including a third frequency modulation, wherein for each instance of the supplementary signal, the third frequency modulation spans a third frequency range in at least one third symbol, wherein at least one of the following: (1) the third frequency range overlaps with the first frequency range, or (2) the at least one third symbol overlaps with the first symbol set in time, and the third frequency range overlaps with the second frequency range; The third frequency modulation from the supplementary signal is used to determine at least one offset between the first reference signal and the supplementary signal; as well as Based on the combination of the first reference signal and the second reference signal, the at least one offset is used to determine a first indication of at least one of time or range.

2. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein, Each instance of the first reference signal and each instance of the second reference signal do not overlap at least partially in time.

3. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The third frequency set consists of fewer frequency sets within the second frequency range than the second frequency set.

4. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one third symbol consists of fewer symbols than the first symbol set.

5. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is configured to, in response to receiving a second instruction, use the supplementary signal to determine at least one offset of a plurality of resources in the resource set of the first reference signal, the second instruction indicating that the plurality of resources in the resource set have similar transmission characteristics.

6. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is configured to send a capability message to a network entity via the transceiver, the capability message indicating that the user equipment can use the supplementary signal to combine the first reference signal and the second reference signal.

7. The user equipment according to claim 6, wherein, The capability message indicates whether the supplementary signal requests a measurement gap.

8. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The supplementary signal is a part of the second reference signal.

9. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is configured to send a capability message to a network entity via the transceiver, the capability message instructing the user equipment to transmit a transmission supplement signal in combination with a first transmission reference signal and a second transmission reference signal, wherein the first transmission reference signal does not overlap with the second transmission reference signal at least partially in time, and the transmission supplement signal overlaps with the first transmission reference signal in time and the transmission supplement signal overlaps with the second transmission reference signal in frequency.

10. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one offset includes at least one of phase offset, time offset, or frequency offset.

11. A user equipment, comprising: Components for receiving a first reference signal including a first frequency modulation set, wherein for each instance of the first reference signal, the first frequency modulation set spans a first frequency range in a first symbol set; Components for receiving a second reference signal including a second frequency modulation set, wherein for each instance of the second reference signal, the second frequency modulation set spans a second frequency range in a second symbol set, and the first frequency range is at least partially different from the second frequency range; Components for receiving a supplementary signal including a third frequency modulation, wherein for each instance of the supplementary signal, the third frequency modulation spans a third frequency range in at least one third symbol, wherein at least one of the following: (1) the third frequency range overlaps with the first frequency range, or (2) the at least one third symbol overlaps with the first symbol set in time, and the third frequency range overlaps with the second frequency range; A component for determining at least one offset between the first reference signal and the supplementary signal using the third frequency modulation from the supplementary signal; as well as A component for determining a first indication of at least one of time or range based on a combination of the first reference signal and the second reference signal, using the at least one offset.

12. The user equipment according to claim 11, wherein, Each instance of the first reference signal and each instance of the second reference signal do not overlap at least partially in time.

13. The user equipment according to claim 11, wherein, The third frequency set consists of fewer frequency sets within the second frequency range than the second frequency set.

14. The user equipment according to claim 11, wherein, The at least one third symbol consists of fewer symbols than the first symbol set.

15. A method for facilitating location information determination, the method comprising: At the user equipment, a first reference signal including a first frequency modulation set is received, wherein for each instance of the first reference signal, the first frequency modulation set spans a first frequency range in a first symbol set; At the user equipment, a second reference signal including a second frequency modulation set is received, wherein for each instance of the second reference signal, the second frequency modulation set spans a second frequency range in a second symbol set, and the first frequency range is at least partially different from the second frequency range; At the user equipment, a supplementary signal including a third frequency modulation is received, wherein for each instance of the supplementary signal, the third frequency modulation spans a third frequency range in at least one third symbol, wherein at least one of the following: (1) the third frequency range overlaps with the first frequency range, or (2) the at least one third symbol overlaps with the first symbol set in time, and the third frequency range overlaps with the second frequency range; At the user equipment, the third frequency modulation from the supplementary signal is used to determine at least one offset between the first reference signal and the supplementary signal; as well as At the user equipment, a first indication of at least one of time or range is determined using the at least one offset based on a combination of the first reference signal and the second reference signal.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, Each instance of the first reference signal and each instance of the second reference signal do not overlap at least partially in time.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The third frequency set consists of fewer frequency sets within the second frequency range than the second frequency set.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The at least one third symbol consists of fewer symbols than the first symbol set.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein, Determining the at least one offset includes, in response to receiving a second indication, using the supplementary signal to determine the at least one offset of a plurality of resources in the resource set of the first reference signal, the second indication indicating that the plurality of resources in the resource set have similar transmission characteristics.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising sending a capability message to a network entity, the capability message indicating that the user equipment is capable of using the supplementary signal to combine the first reference signal and the second reference signal.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The capability message indicates whether the supplementary signal requests a measurement gap.

22. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The supplementary signal is a part of the second reference signal.

23. The method of claim 15, further comprising sending a capability message to a network entity, the capability message instructing the user equipment to transmit a transmission supplementary signal in conjunction with a first transmission reference signal and a second transmission reference signal, wherein the first transmission reference signal does not overlap with the second transmission reference signal at least partially in time, and the transmission supplementary signal overlaps with the first transmission reference signal in time and the transmission supplementary signal overlaps with the second transmission reference signal in frequency.

24. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The at least one offset includes at least one of phase offset, time offset, or frequency offset.

25. A telecommunications device, comprising: transceiver; Memory; as well as A processor, communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, is configured to: A first reference signal comprising a first frequency modulation is transmitted to a receiver via the transceiver, wherein for each instance of the first reference signal, the first frequency modulation spans a first frequency range within a first symbol set; A second reference signal comprising a second frequency modulation is transmitted to the receiver via the transceiver, wherein for each instance of the second reference signal, the second frequency modulation spans a second frequency range in a second symbol set, and the first frequency range is at least partially different from the second frequency range; The transceiver transmits a supplementary signal including a third frequency modulation to the receiver, wherein for each instance of the supplementary signal, the third frequency modulation spans a third frequency range in at least one third symbol, wherein at least one of the following: (1) the third frequency range overlaps with the first frequency range, or (2) the at least one third symbol overlaps with the first symbol set in time, and the third frequency range overlaps with the second frequency range.

26. The telecommunications equipment according to claim 25, wherein, The processor is configured to transmit the first reference signal, the second reference signal, and the supplementary signal in response to a capability message received from the receiver via the transceiver, the capability message indicating that the receiver can use the supplementary signal to combine the first reference signal and the second reference signal.

27. The telecommunications equipment according to claim 26, wherein, The processor is configured to schedule a measurement gap across the at least one third symbol for the receiver based on the capability message.

28. The telecommunications equipment according to claim 25, wherein, Each instance of the first reference signal and each instance of the second reference signal do not overlap at least partially in time.

29. The telecommunications equipment according to claim 25, wherein, The third frequency set consists of fewer frequency sets within the second frequency range than the second frequency set.

30. The telecommunications equipment according to claim 25, wherein, The at least one third symbol consists of fewer symbols than the second symbol set.

31. The telecommunications equipment according to claim 25, wherein, The processor is configured to transmit another signal via the transceiver that matches the rate of the supplementary signal.

32. The telecommunications equipment according to claim 25, wherein, The telecommunications equipment is a transmitting / receiving point, and the processor is configured to transmit the first reference signal, the second reference signal, and the supplementary signal to the user equipment via the transceiver.

33. The telecommunications equipment according to claim 25, wherein, The telecommunications equipment is a user equipment, and the processor is configured to send a capability message via the transceiver to the receiver instructing the user equipment to transmit the first reference signal, the second reference signal, and the supplementary signal.

34. The telecommunications equipment according to claim 33, wherein, The capability message indicates that the at least one third symbol will overlap with the first symbol set in time, and that the third frequency range will overlap with the second frequency range.

35. The telecommunications equipment according to claim 25, wherein, The processor is configured to send a transmission characteristic message via the transceiver to the receiver, indicating that multiple reference signal resources will have similar transmission characteristics.

36. A telecommunications device, comprising: Components for transmitting to a receiver a first reference signal including a first frequency modulation set, wherein for each instance of the first reference signal, the first frequency modulation set spans a first frequency range in a first symbol set; Components for transmitting to the receiver a second reference signal including a second frequency modulation set, wherein for each instance of the second reference signal, the second frequency modulation set spans a second frequency range in a second symbol set, and the first frequency range is at least partially different from the second frequency range; Components for transmitting to the receiver a supplementary signal comprising a third frequency modulation set, wherein for each instance of the supplementary signal, the third frequency modulation set spans a third frequency range in at least one third symbol, wherein at least one of the following: (1) the third frequency range overlaps with the first frequency range, or (2) the at least one third symbol overlaps temporally with the first symbol set, and the third frequency range overlaps with the second frequency range.

37. The telecommunications equipment according to claim 36, wherein, The components for transmitting the first reference signal, the components for transmitting the second reference signal, and the components for transmitting the supplementary signal are configured to transmit the first reference signal, the second reference signal, and the supplementary signal in response to a capability message received from the receiver, the capability message indicating that the receiver can use the supplementary signal to combine the first reference signal and the second reference signal.

38. The telecommunications equipment of claim 37, further comprising components for scheduling a measurement gap across the at least one third symbol for the receiver based on the capability message.

39. A method for facilitating reference signal measurement, the method comprising: A first reference signal comprising a first frequency modulation set is transmitted from a telecommunications device to a receiver, wherein for each instance of the first reference signal, the first frequency modulation set spans a first frequency range within a first symbol set; A second reference signal comprising a second frequency modulation is transmitted from the telecommunications equipment to the receiver, wherein for each instance of the second reference signal, the second frequency modulation spans a second frequency range in a second symbol set, and the first frequency range is at least partially different from the second frequency range; The telecommunications equipment transmits a supplementary signal comprising a third frequency modulation set to the receiver, wherein for each instance of the supplementary signal, the third frequency modulation set spans a third frequency range in at least one third symbol, wherein at least one of the following: (1) the third frequency range overlaps with the first frequency range, or (2) the at least one third symbol overlaps temporally with the first symbol set, and the third frequency range overlaps with the second frequency range.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein, In response to a capability message received by the telecommunications equipment from the receiver to transmit the first reference signal, the second reference signal, and the supplementary signal, the capability message indicates that the receiver can use the supplementary signal to combine and process the first reference signal and the second reference signal.

41. The method of claim 40, further comprising scheduling a measurement gap across the at least one third symbol for the receiver based on the capability message.

42. The method according to claim 39, wherein, Each instance of the first reference signal and each instance of the second reference signal do not overlap at least partially in time.

43. The method according to claim 39, wherein, The third frequency set consists of fewer frequency sets within the second frequency range than the second frequency set.

44. The method according to claim 39, wherein, The at least one third symbol consists of fewer symbols than the second symbol set.

45. The method of claim 39 further comprises transmitting another signal with a rate matching that of the supplementary signal.

46. ​​The method according to claim 39, wherein, The telecommunications equipment is a transmitting / receiving point, and wherein the first reference signal, the second reference signal, and the supplementary signal are transmitted to the user equipment.

47. The method according to claim 39, wherein, The telecommunications equipment is a user equipment, and the method further includes sending a capability message to the receiver instructing the user equipment to transmit the first reference signal, the second reference signal, and the supplementary signal.

48. The method according to claim 47, wherein, The capability message indicates that the at least one third symbol will overlap with the first symbol set in time, and that the third frequency range will overlap with the second frequency range.

49. The method of claim 39, further comprising sending a transmission characteristic message to the receiver indicating that a plurality of reference signal resources will have similar transmission characteristics.

50. A computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, wherein, The program code may be run by one or more processors of the user equipment to cause the processors to perform the method of any one of claims 15-24.

51. A computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, wherein, The program code may be run by one or more processors of the user equipment to cause the processors to perform the method of any one of claims 39-49.

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