Method and apparatus for controlling aperiodic signals and reporting in positioning

Abstract

A method by a wireless device includes receiving, from a first network node, assistance information comprising at least one information element indicating at least one resource type associated with at least one reference signal (RS). The at least one resource type indicates at least one type of RS selected from: a positioning reference signal (PRS), a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS), and a tracking reference signal (TRS).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to wireless communication, and more specifically, to methods and apparatus for controlling aperiodic signals and reports in positioning. Background Technology

[0002] Location has been a central theme in Long Term Evolution (LTE) standardization since 3GPP Release 9. While the initial primary goal was to meet regulatory requirements for location in emergency calls, other use cases, such as location for the Industrial Internet of Things (I-IoT), are becoming increasingly important.

[0003] Figure 1 The architecture supporting positioning in the new radio (NR) is shown. More specifically, Figure 1 The NG RAN version 15 Location Services (LCS) protocol is shown. It should be noted that, although in Figure 1 The details are described, but both gNB and ng-eNB may not always be present. When both gNB and ng-eNB are present, the NG-C interface will only exist in one of them.

[0004] Location Management Function (LMF) is the location node in NR. Interaction also exists between the location node and the gNodeB (gNB) via NR Location Protocol A (NRPPa). Interaction between the gNB and the device is supported by the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol, while the location node interfaces with the User Equipment (UE) via the LTE Location Protocol (LPP). LPP is common to both NR and LTE.

[0005] The traditional LTE standard supports the following technologies:

[0006] Enhanced Cell Identifier (ID): Essentially, cell ID information is used to associate a device with the service area of ​​the serving cell, and then additional information is used to determine a more granular location.

[0007] Assisted Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). GNSS information is retrieved by the device and provided to the device by the Evolved Serving Mobile Positioning Center (E-SMLC) for auxiliary information support.

[0008] Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA): The device estimates the time difference of reference signals from different base stations and sends it to the E-SMLC for multi-point positioning.

[0009] Uplink TDOA (UTDOA): Requests the UE to send specific waveforms detected by multiple location measurement units (e.g., eNodeBs (eNBs)) at known locations. These measurements are forwarded to the E-SMLC for multipoint positioning.

[0010] In NR version 16, several location features were specified.

[0011] A new downlink (DL) reference signal, the NR DL Positioning Reference Signal (PRS), has been specified. The main benefit of this signal, associated with the LTE DL PRS, is increased bandwidth, configurable with 24 to 272 resource blocks (RBs), and significantly improved Time of Arrival (TOA) accuracy. The NR DL PRS can be configured with a comb factor of 2, 4, 6, or 12. Comb-12 allows twice the number of orthogonal signals compared to the comb-6 LTE PRS. Beam scanning is also supported in Release 16 of the NR DL PRS.

[0012] In NR Release 16, enhancements to the NR Uplink (UL) Sound Reference Signal (SRS) are specified. The NR SRS for positioning in Release 16 allows for longer signals (up to 12 symbols compared to 4 symbols in Release 15) and flexible placement within time slots (only the last six symbols of a time slot are available in Release 15). It also allows interleaved comb resource element (RE) modes for improved TOA measurement range and more orthogonal signals based on comb offsets (comb 2, 4, and 8) and cyclic shifts. However, Release 16 does not support cyclic shifts longer than those using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols divided by the comb factor, although this is a major advantage of interleaved combs, at least in indoor scenarios. Power control based on Neighbor Cell Synchronization Block (SSB) / DLPRS and spatial quasi-correspondence (QCL) relationships toward Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), SSB, DL PRS, or another SRS is supported.

[0013] In NR version 16, the following UE measurements were specified:

[0014] DL Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD) allows for positioning, for example, DL TDOA.

[0015] Multi-cell UE receiver-to-transceiver (Rx-Tx) time difference measurement, allowing multi-cell round-trip time (RTT) measurement.

[0016] DL PRS RSRP

[0017] In NR version 16, the following gNB measurements were specified.

[0018] UL-RTOA, used for UL TDOA positioning

[0019] gNb Rx-Tx time difference, used for multi-cell RTT measurement

[0020] UL SRS-RSRP

[0021] Angle of arrival (AoA) and angle of arrival at zenith (ZoA)

[0022] In December 2019, a research project focusing on positioning in industrial I-IoT scenarios was launched. One of the goals of the 3GPP NR Release 17 Positioning Research Project was to investigate high (horizontal and vertical) positioning accuracy with low latency and network efficiency (scalability, RS overhead, etc.). In this regard, on-demand reference signals for positioning have attracted attention because they allow for the possibility of achieving high positioning accuracy with low latency and network efficiency. Specifically, on-demand reference signals are beneficial because they can reduce reference signal overhead and improve network efficiency.

[0023] Different types of reference signals used for positioning can include PRS, CSI-RS, and aperiodic RS triggering.

[0024] Before sending Auxiliary Data (AD) messages to the UE via the LPP protocol, the PRS is configured individually for each cell, and the Location Server (LMF) collects all configurations via the NRPPa protocol.

[0025] PRS is organized in three hierarchical levels:

[0026] PRS Frequency Layer: This layer collects PRS resource sets from (potential) multiple base stations, sharing common parameters. If two resource sets are in the same frequency layer, then they:

[0027] Operating in the same frequency band with the same subcarrier spacing.

[0028] о has the same comb-like factor

[0029] having the same starting PRB and bandwidth

[0030] PRS resource set: A set of all PRS beams (resources) originating from the same base station. All resources in the same set have the same comb factor.

[0031] PRS resource: The beam corresponding to the transmission of PRS.

[0032] CSI-RS is not used in time-based or angle-based positioning methods in NR. Currently, it is supported as part of the Enhanced Cell ID (E-CID) method for power measurements (CSI Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) and CSI Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ)). CSI-RS is configured in the UE serving cell via RRC configuration. Aperiodic and semi-persistent CSI-RS are activated via downlink control information (DCI) triggering (aperiodic) or media access control-control element (MACCE) activation (semi-persistent). CSI-RS from the serving cell or non-serving cell can be measured using an interference measurement framework.

[0033] Aperiodic signals are typically triggered by DCI. For example, an aperiodic SRS is triggered via the configured DCI field "SRS Request" code point, where code points marked 1 through 3 will trigger a set of SRS resource sets that are configured with the same code point value in the RRC configuration. Code point 0 is reserved to signal no triggering.

[0034] Similarly, aperiodic CSI-RS is triggered by the CSI request field in the DCI, which can include 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 bits determined by the higher-level parameter reportTriggerSize (DCI format 0_1) or reportTriggerSizeForDCI-Format0-2 (for DCI format 0_2). The trigger state itself is listed in the higher-level parameter CSI-AperiodicTriggerStateList. Each CSI-AperiodicTriggerState can be associated with multiple CSI report configurations. The field CSI-AssociatedReportConfigInfo, in 3GPP TS 38.331, is used to associate a CSI report configuration with a CSI-AperiodicTriggerState. The CSI report configuration provides the CSI resource configuration for channel measurements. If the CSI resource configuration contains multiple CSI-RS resource sets, the CSI-AssociatedReportConfigInfo field specifies which CSI-RS resource set to use for channel measurements.

[0035] It should be noted that CSI reports themselves (distinct from CSI RS transmissions) can be configured to be periodic, semi-persistent, or aperiodic. However, if CSI-RS transmissions are aperiodic, then CSI reports must also be configured to be aperiodic.

[0036] For version 16, positioning in NR only supports on-demand signaling in the uplink, employing a non-periodic, semi-persistent process for the ULSRS used for positioning. These processes enable the transmission of on-demand UL signals from the UE to the serving cell and neighboring cells.

[0037] Figure 2 The UL-TDOA positioning process is illustrated. In step 5b, the SRS is triggered (aperiodic SRS) or activated (semi-persistent SRS). The UE connects to the serving cell, where it receives a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) with Downlink Control Information (DCI) pointing to the SRS configuration trigger. The SRS configuration is semi-static (RRC-configured) and contains information defining where the SRS is transmitted in the NR time-frequency grid, including which symbol in the time slot carries the SRS and how the SRS is mapped to resource elements in the frequency domain. The exact time slot for transmitting the SRS is based on when the UE receives the SRS trigger, the UE's processing capabilities, and a configuration delay configured for the UE called "slotOffset".

[0038] For semi-persistent SRS, the process is similar to aperiodic, but it gives the UE the possibility of receiving more than one SRS instance. The semi-persistent process is initiated by the Media Access Control Element (MAC CE) that activates the semi-persistent SRS and stopped by another MAC CE that deactivates the semi-persistent SRS. Between the two MAC CEs (i.e., the activating MAC CE and the deactivating MAC CE), the SRS is periodically transmitted by the UE according to its configuration.

[0039] A cell can consist of multiple Transmitter Points (TRPs), each located at different coordinates, as follows: Figure 3 As shown. This configuration is intended for I-IoT scenarios. As an example, a single cell with 10, 20, or even more TRPs can be used to cover the entire factory.

[0040] For localization, three distinct coordinates are required to perform multipoint localization. This can be leveraged for scenarios where the serving cell has multiple TRPs located at different coordinates.

[0041] However, some issues exist. One such issue involves the latency of existing downlink signals and the process used for positioning. For example, in Release 17, 3GPP expanded the use cases for positioning to indoor industrial applications such as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT), where low latency and high accuracy are critical. In these applications, it is expected that Release 17 will support on-demand (aperiodic and semi-persistent) DL RS to complement existing periodic DL PRS configurations.

[0042] How to trigger on-demand reference signals (which can be non-periodic) and their associated location reports is an open problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0043] Certain aspects of this disclosure and its embodiments may provide solutions to these or other challenges. For example, according to some embodiments, methods and systems for transmitting on-demand DLRS for positioning are provided.

[0044] According to some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device includes receiving at least one information element from a first network node, the information element indicating at least one resource type associated with at least one RS. The at least one resource type indicates at least one type of RS, the at least one type of RS being selected from: PRS, CSI-RS, and TRS.

[0045] According to some embodiments, a wireless device is adapted to receive at least one information element from a first network node, the information element indicating at least one resource type associated with at least one RS. The at least one resource type indicates at least one type of RS, selected from: PRS, CSI-RS, and TRS.

[0046] According to some embodiments, the method performed by the first network node includes: sending at least one information element to a wireless device, the at least one information element indicating at least one resource type associated with at least one RS. The at least one resource type indicates at least one type of RS, the at least one type of RS being selected from: PRS, CSI-RS, and TRS.

[0047] According to some embodiments, a network node is adapted to transmit at least one information element to a wireless device, the at least one information element indicating at least one resource type associated with at least one RS. The at least one resource type indicates at least one type of RS, the at least one type of RS being selected from: PRS, CSI-RS, and TRS.

[0048] Other advantages may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Some embodiments may lack the advantages described, or may have some or all of the advantages described. Attached Figure Description

[0049] To gain a more complete understanding of the disclosed embodiments, their features and advantages, the following description is now taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0050] Figure 1 The architecture supporting positioning in NR is shown;

[0051] Figure 2 The UL-TDOA positioning process is shown;

[0052] Figure 3 This illustrates Multi-RTT in a cell;

[0053] Figure 4 An example according to certain embodiments is shown, illustrating a location report configuration identifier provided as part of CSI-AssociatedReportConfigInfo;

[0054] Figure 5 An example according to certain embodiments is shown, which illustrates a list of Pos-AssociatedReportConfigInfo as part of CSI-AperiodicTriggerState;

[0055] Figure 6 An example according to certain embodiments is shown, illustrating a new information element containing a list of non-periodic location trigger states;

[0056] Figure 7 The code-point-based PRS configuration and reconfiguration according to certain embodiments are illustrated;

[0057] Figure 8 The following is illustrated: serving cell-based DCI triggering according to certain embodiments;

[0058] Figure 9 An example wireless network according to certain embodiments is shown;

[0059] Figure 10 An example network node according to some embodiments is shown;

[0060] Figure 11 An example wireless device according to certain embodiments is shown;

[0061] Figure 12 An example user device according to certain embodiments is shown;

[0062] Figure 13 A virtualized environment is shown that, according to certain embodiments, functionality implemented by some embodiments can be virtualized;

[0063] Figure 14 A telecommunications network connected to a host computer via an intermediate network, according to certain embodiments, is shown;

[0064] Figure 15 A general block diagram of a host computer communicating with a user equipment via a base station through a partial wireless connection according to some embodiments is shown.

[0065] Figure 16 A method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment is shown;

[0066] Figure 17 Another method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment is shown;

[0067] Figure 18 Another method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment is shown;

[0068] Figure 19 Another method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment is shown;

[0069] Figure 20 Example methods performed by a wireless device according to certain embodiments are shown;

[0070] Figure 21 An exemplary virtual computing device according to certain embodiments is shown;

[0071] Figure 22 Another example method performed by a wireless device according to certain embodiments is shown;

[0072] Figure 23 An exemplary virtual computing device according to certain embodiments is shown;

[0073] Figure 24 Example methods performed by network nodes according to certain embodiments are shown;

[0074] Figure 25 Another exemplary virtual computing device according to certain embodiments is shown;

[0075] Figure 26 Another example method performed by a network node according to certain embodiments is shown; and

[0076] Figure 27 Another exemplary virtual computing device according to certain embodiments is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0077] Some embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, other embodiments are included within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, and the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example only to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0078] Generally, unless explicitly stated and / or implied from the context, all terms used herein shall be interpreted according to their common meaning in the relevant art. Unless otherwise expressly stated, all references to “an element, device, component, apparatus, step, etc.” shall be openly interpreted as referring to at least one instance of an element, device, component, apparatus, step, etc. Unless it must be explicitly described that a step is after or before another step and / or implicitly implied that a step must be after or before another step, the steps of any method disclosed herein need not be performed in the exact order disclosed. Where appropriate, any feature of any embodiment disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment. Similarly, any advantage of any embodiment may be applied to any other embodiment, and vice versa. Other objects, features, and advantages of the appended embodiments will become apparent from the following description.

[0079] In some embodiments, the more general term "network node" may be used and may correspond to any type of radio network node or any network node that communicates with the UE (directly or via another node) and / or with another network node. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, MeNB, ENB, network nodes belonging to MCG or SCG, base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio nodes such as MSR BS, eNodeB, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node control relay, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transmission point, transmission node, RRU, RRH, nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), core network nodes (e.g., MSC, MME, etc.), O&M, OSS, SON, location nodes (e.g., E-SMLC), MDT, test equipment (physical node or software), etc.

[0080] In some embodiments, the non-limiting terms User Equipment (UE) or Wireless Device may be used, and may refer to any type of wireless device that communicates with a network node in a cellular or mobile communication system and / or with another UE. Examples of UEs are target devices, device-to-device (D2D) UEs, machine-type UEs or UEs capable of machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, PDAs, PADs, tablets, mobile terminals, smartphones, LEEs (Laptop embedded devices), LMEs (Laptop installed devices), USB adapters, UE class M1, UE class M2, ProSe UEs, V2V UEs, V2X UEs, etc.

[0081] Furthermore, terms such as base station / gNodeB and UE should be considered non-restrictive and do not specifically imply any hierarchical relationship between them; generally, "gNodeB" can be considered device 1, and "UE" can be considered device 2, and the two devices communicate with each other through some radio channel. In the following text, a transmitter or receiver can be either a gNB or a UE.

[0082] According to some embodiments, methods and systems are provided for transmitting on-demand DLRS for location purposes. The architecture of these methods and systems may include the following items:

[0083] Selection of RS (e.g., CSI-RS, PRS, or other downlink reference signals)

[0084] The activation method is based on triggering (non-periodicity).

[0085] Including methods for serving cells and neighboring cells

[0086] Protocols used for connectivity (RRC, LPP, NRPPa), for configuration and measurement reporting.

[0087] Some embodiments disclosed herein present methods for triggering aperiodic reference signals used for positioning. The target RS is a PRS and a CSI-RS. However, these methods and systems can be applied to other types of reference signals, such as a TRS.

[0088] It also disclosed some protocol aspects related to the activation configuration and some aspects of the measurement report.

[0089] The process of configuring a non-periodic RS for positioning

[0090] Activation trigger configuration

[0091] Configuration of non-periodic PRS type

[0092] Currently, there is no specific type for PRS, as NR only supports periodic PRS to date. In one embodiment, a PRS resource can be configured with a new parameter / information element (IE), which can be at the resource level, resource set level, or PRS frequency layer level. This parameter can be named "Resource Type" and have a value of "Periodic, Aperiodic, Semi-Persistent". According to some embodiments, in the absence of this parameter, the UE should assume that the PRS is configured as "Periodic". This parameter can be part of the PRS configuration in the LPP protocol or another protocol (e.g., RRC).

[0093] DCI-based activation

[0094] The PRS configuration is forwarded by the gNB to the LMF, which then forwards the configuration to the UE. In a particular embodiment, when the PRS is configured with a "non-periodic" resource type, the PRS uses any of the following specific embodiments to connect to the DCI trigger state:

[0095] In one embodiment, the PRS ID of the IE containing the aperiodic configuration (in the PRS resource ID, resource set ID, or frequency layer ID) is listed as part of the trigger state triggered by the CSI request code point (either in the trigger state or as part of another field in the trigger state) (i.e., as part of the CSI-AperiodicTriggerState configuration in TS 38.331 V16.2.0 (2020-09)).

[0096] In another embodiment, the location report configuration or location report configuration identifier is provided as part of CSI-AssociatedReportConfigInfo. Figure 4 An example is shown according to certain embodiments, illustrating a location report configuration identifier provided as part of CSI-AssociatedReportConfigInfo.

[0097] The location report configuration or its identifier provided as part of CSI-AssociatedReportConfigInfo can correspond to any of the location methods, including but not limited to NR DL-TDOA, NR DL-AoD, and NR Multi-RTT. Furthermore, the associated method will also indicate which location measurements / reports (RSTD, RSRP, UE RX-TX) are required.

[0098] According to some embodiments, the location report configuration may correspond to location reports that will be triggered non-periodically.

[0099] According to some embodiments, information related to the DL PRS resource to be non-periodically triggered is provided as part of the location reporting configuration. For example, the information related to the DL PRS resource to be non-periodically triggered may be an ID such as a PRS resource set ID, a PRS resource ID, or a list of PRS resource sets. Note that in this embodiment, the location reporting configuration and the CSI reporting configuration are provided in the same CSI-AssociatedReportConfigInfo, so when the CSI-AperiodicTriggerState associated with the CSI-AssociatedReportConfigInfo is triggered by the DCI's CSI request field, both the location report and the CSI report can be triggered jointly. In some embodiments, the location reporting configuration in the CSI-AssociatedReportConfigInfo is optional.

[0100] In some other embodiments, when multiple PRS resource sets are associated with a TRP, the PRS resource set to be used for positioning measurements (or an identifier for such a resource set) may be explicitly provided as part of the CSI-AssociatedReportConfigInfo. In some cases, when positioning measurements involve measurements on more than one TRP, a PRS resource set (or an identifier for such a resource set) corresponding to each of the more than one TRP may be explicitly provided as part of the CSI-AssociatedReportConfigInfo.

[0101] According to certain embodiments, quasi-co-location information (QCL) for triggering PRS resources or PRS resource sets, as defined in 3GPP TS 38.214 V16.3.0, may be provided as part of CSI-AssociatedReportConfigInfo.

[0102] Although the examples described herein pertain to the writing of positioning reports for positioning measurements using PRS, the above embodiments are equally valid when non-periodic CSI-RS is used for positioning measurements.

[0103] In some embodiments, a list of associated location report configurations is provided as part of each CSI-AperiodicTriggerState. Figure 5An example according to certain embodiments is shown, illustrating a list of Pos-AssociatedReportConfigInfos as part of CSI-AperiodicTriggerState. Each Pos-AssociatedReportConfigInfo provides a location report configuration or a location report configuration identifier. The location report configuration or its identifier provided as part of the Pos-AssociatedReportConfigInfo may correspond to any of the location methods, including but not limited to NR DL-TDOA, NR DL-AoD, and NR Multi-RTT.

[0104] According to some embodiments, the location report configuration may correspond to location reports that will be triggered non-periodically.

[0105] According to some embodiments, information related to the DL PRS resource to be non-periodically triggered is provided as part of the location report configuration. For example, the information related to the DL PRS resource to be non-periodically triggered may be an ID such as a PRS resource set ID, a PRS resource ID, or a list of PRS resource sets. Note that in this embodiment, the list of associated location report configuration information (associatedPosReportConfigInfoList) and the list of associated CSI report configuration information (associatedReportConfigInfoList) are provided as part of the same CSI-AperiodicTriggerState. Therefore, when the CSI-AperiodicTriggerState is triggered by the DCI's CSI request field, one or more location reports (the exact number is given by the size of associatedPosReportConfigInfoList) and one or more CSI reports (the exact number is given by the size of associatedReportConfigInfoList) can be triggered jointly.

[0106] In some embodiments, the list of location report configurations in the CSI-AperiodicTriggerState is optional. This allows a first CSI-AperiodicTriggerState to be associated only with CSI report configurations (i.e., associatedPosReportConfigInfoList is not configured as part of the first CSI-AperiodicTriggerState) and a second CSI-AperiodicTriggerState to be associated with both CSI report configurations and location report configurations (i.e., associatedPosReportConfigInfoList is configured as part of the first CSI-AperiodicTriggerState).

[0107] In some other specific embodiments, when multiple PRS resource sets are associated with a TRP, the PRS resource set to be used for positioning measurements (or an identifier of such a resource set) may be explicitly provided as part of the CSI-AssociatedReportConfigInfo. In some cases, when positioning measurements involve measurements on more than one TRP, the PRS resource set (or an identifier of such a resource set) corresponding to each of the more than one TRP may be explicitly provided as part of the Pos-AssociatedReportConfigInfo.

[0108] According to certain embodiments, quasi-co-location information (QCL) for triggering PRS resources or PRS resource sets, as defined in 3GPP TS 38.214 V16.3.0, can be provided as part of Pos-AssociatedReportConfigInfo.

[0109] Although the examples described herein pertain to the writing of positioning reports for positioning measurements using PRS, the above embodiments are equally valid when non-periodic CSI-RS is used for positioning measurements.

[0110] In another specific embodiment, the PRS and CSI-RS each have separate, pre-assigned CSI request code points. A code point can be assigned as either a CSI code point or a PRS code point by two additional separate RRC parameters that list the CSI code point and the PRS code point respectively. Alternatively, a code point can be declared as either a PRS code point or a CSI code point via a type indicator parameter in the CSI-AperiodicTriggerState information element.

[0111] In another specific embodiment, the maximum number of configurable trigger states associated with PRS or trigger states / Pos-AssociatedReportConfigInfo associated with location reports is reported as part of the UE capability.

[0112] In another embodiment, the PRS ID of the IE containing the aperiodic configuration (found in the PRS resource ID, resource set ID, or frequency layer ID, respectively) is listed as part of a new resource list triggered by CSI request code points, as an example of a configuration called PRS-AperiodicTriggerState. The PRS-AperiodicTriggerState configuration maps to a single code point of a field in the DCI (e.g., this field could be a new field introduced in the downlink or uplink DCI or an existing CSI request field in the DCI), with the new parameter listing a portion of the trigger code points PRS-AperiodicTriggerStateList for the aperiodic PRS. In a particular embodiment, each member of the PRS-AperiodicTriggerStateList can be triggered by a CSI request field of the DCI. In a particular embodiment, each member of the PRS-AperiodicTriggerStateList can be triggered by a new, RRC-configurable (optional) PRS request field of the DCI.

[0113] In another embodiment, a new IE Pos-AperiodicTriggerStateList is introduced, which contains a list of non-periodic positioning trigger states. Figure 6 An example according to certain embodiments is shown, illustrating a new information element containing a list of aperiodic location trigger states. Trigger states (i.e., POS-AperiodicTriggerStates) can be mapped to code points of new DCI fields introduced in downlink or uplink DCI specifically for triggering location reports. Alternatively, these POS-AperiodicTriggerStates can be mapped to code points of existing DCI fields (e.g., CSI request fields).

[0114] According to some embodiments, when the code points of an existing DCI field are mapped to a POS-AperiodicTriggerState, the CRC associated with the DCI payload can be scrambled with a new RNTI. For example, when the CRC associated with the DCI payload is scrambled with a first RNTI, the code points of the existing DCI field are mapped to a POS-AperiodicTriggerState. When the CRC associated with the DCI payload is scrambled with a second RNTI, the code points of the existing DCI field are mapped to another AperiodicTriggerState (e.g., CSI-AperiodicTriggerState) set.

[0115] Location report configuration or its identifier provided as part of Pos-AssociatedReportConfigInfo may correspond to any of the location methods, including but not limited to NR DL-TDOA, NR DL-AoD, and NR Multi-RTT. In some embodiments, the location report configuration may correspond to a location report that will be triggered aperiodically. In some embodiments, information related to the DL PRS resource to be triggered aperiodically is provided as part of the location report configuration. For example, information related to the DL PRS resource to be triggered aperiodically may be in the form of an ID such as a PRS resource set ID, a PRS resource ID, or a list of PRS resource sets.

[0116] According to certain other embodiments, when multiple PRS resource sets are associated with a TRP, the PRS resource set to be used for positioning measurements (or an identifier of such a resource set) can be explicitly provided as part of the CSI-AssociatedReportConfigInfo. In some cases, when positioning measurements involve measurements on more than one TRP, the PRS resource set (or an identifier of such a resource set) corresponding to each of the more than one TRP can be explicitly provided as part of the Pos-AssociatedReportConfigInfo.

[0117] According to certain embodiments, quasi-co-location information (QCL) for triggering PRS resources or PRS resource sets, as defined in 3GPP TS 38.214 V16.3.0, can be provided as part of Pos-AssociatedReportConfigInfo.

[0118] Although the examples described herein pertain to the writing of positioning reports for positioning measurements using PRS, the above embodiments are equally valid when non-periodic CSI-RS is used for positioning measurements.

[0119] Signaling for activation based on combined LPP and NRPPa

[0120] Alternatively, measurements of aperiodic resources can be triggered via LPP transmission, through a specific request. In this case, the sequence for measuring the aperiodic resources may include:

[0121] First, the LMF will need to send PRS aperiodic resources (or resource sets) from the base station (gnodeB) via NRPPa request and receive NRPPa acknowledgment from the base station.

[0122] Secondly, the LMF will send LPP messages to the UE to measure and report PRS resources (resource sets).

[0123] Figure 7 The code-point-based PRS configuration and reconfiguration according to certain embodiments are illustrated. Figure 7 As shown, the sequence includes:

[0124] 1. Via NRPPa or OAM; each gNB provides the LMF with its supported PRS (DL-PRS or CSI-RS) configuration.

[0125] 2. LMF prepares the PRS configuration. The prepared configuration is common across multiple gNBs, and the LMF maintains code points for each PRS configuration, similar to DCI code points. Code points have predefined values ​​that indicate, but are not limited to: periodicity, semi-persistentity, aperiodicity; the number of resource sets, the number of resources; periodicity; comb pattern; the number of PRS subframes; PRS bandwidth; and frequency layer.

[0126] 3. The LMF provides code points to each involved gNB via NRPPa and to the UE via LPP.

[0127] 4. gNB (SgNB: Service, NgNB: Neighbor) sends PRS accordingly.

[0128] 5. The UE provides the results to the LMF via the LPP.

[0129] 6. If the LMF wants to change any configuration, it can provide another code point to each gNB or send a reconfiguration message to each gNB.

[0130] 7. Once the gNB provides confirmation that reconfiguration is possible, then;

[0131] 8. The LMF provides information to the UE via the LPP.

[0132] It should be noted that for non-periodic configurations based solely on the serving cell, the gNB can notify the UE of new configurations via the serving cell DCI configuration instead of the LPP.

[0133] Triggered based on serving cell

[0134] For non-periodic DCI triggering based on the serving cell, in order to reduce the latency that may occur due to triggering based on NRPPa / LPP, triggering based on the serving cell can be considered. Figure 8 The serving cell-based DCI triggering is illustrated according to certain embodiments.

[0135] The LMF can determine the need for aperiodic PRS and can send a request for it to the serving gNB. The serving gNB can then trigger DCI and provide an acknowledgment (ACK) to the LMF. The UE performs measurements and provides the results to the LMF via LPP, such as... Figure 8 As shown. When providing auxiliary data, the LMF can include code points regarding aperiodic PRS transmissions. When recommending aperiodic PRS, the LMF can include the code points in the NRPPa. Then the gNB triggers the corresponding DCI.

[0136] Furthermore, the gNB can determine its own need for aperiodic triggering. For example, the gNB can determine its need for aperiodic triggering based on any Xn interaction changes to PRS beam information from neighboring gNBs, any other input received from the LMF (PRS beam reconfiguration), or based on RRM measurements received from the UE or other UEs in the serving cell. In this case, RRC can be used to pre-configure aperiodic code points, and then the serving cell can use DCI to activate the aperiodic PRS configuration.

[0137] Measurement collection and reporting

[0138] LPP Report for CSI-RS

[0139] In the existing 3GPP framework for positioning, measurement reporting is primarily done via the LPP protocol, which connects the UE to a location server (LMF).

[0140] In the NR E-CID method, currently only NR positioning supports CSI-RS, which uses CSI RSRP and RSRQ measurements reported by RRC. According to certain embodiments, the following measurement extensions are proposed:

[0141] In certain embodiments, CSI-RS can be used to measure DL-TDOA as specified in 3GPP specification 38.215, replacing PRS resources with CSI-RS resources.

[0142] Add CSI-RS as a potential source for measurement in the auxiliary data of OTDOA, for example, as a member of NR-DL-TDOA-ProvideAssistanceData-r16 IE in the auxiliary data message from the location server to the UE.

[0143] For DL-TDOA measurement reports, in the LPP report for OTDOA, such as in NR-DL-TDOA-SignalMeasurementInformation, add CSI RS as a member of the measurement report for DL ​​TDOA.

[0144] In certain embodiments, CSI-RS can be used as the source for UE-RX-TX, as specified in 3GPP specification 38.215, replacing PRS resources with CSI resources.

[0145] Add CSI-RS as a potential source for measurement in the auxiliary data of RTT, for example, as a member of NR-Multi-RTT-ProvideAssistanceData-r16 IE in the auxiliary data message from the location server to the UE.

[0146] For DL-TDOA measurement reports, in the LPP report for OTDOA, such as in NR-Multi-RTT-Signal Measurement Information, add CSI RS as a member of the measurement report for DL ​​TDOA.

[0147] RRC Report

[0148] As previously mentioned, RRC has been used for CSI reporting in many NR features, including location for E-CID. For certain architectures (e.g., Multi-RTT), RRC has lower latency than LPP, making it an attractive candidate for processing reported location measurements when LPP is not strictly required. One example is indoor deployments in a factory, where nodes can be configured in a Multi-RTT manner. In this case, RRC would be more efficient because a single node would collect all measurements via RRC and send the collected measurements to the location server. In one embodiment, reporting of measurement information for location (e.g., DL-TDOA-SignalMeasurementInformation, NR-Multi-RTT-SignalMeasurementInformation, or others) is done using the RRC protocol.

[0149] Figure 9Wireless networks according to some embodiments are illustrated. Although the subject matter described herein can be implemented in any suitable system using any appropriate components, the embodiments disclosed herein pertain to wireless networks (e.g., Figure 9 The example wireless network shown is described. For simplicity, Figure 9 The wireless network depicted only includes network 106, network nodes 160 and 160b, and wireless device 110. In practice, the wireless network may also include any additional elements suitable for supporting communication between wireless devices or between a wireless device and another communication device (e.g., a landline telephone, a service provider, or any other network node or terminal device). Among the components shown, network node 160 and wireless device 110 are depicted with additional details. The wireless network can provide communication and other types of services to one or more wireless devices to facilitate access to and / or use of services provided by or via the wireless network.

[0150] Wireless networks can include any type of communications, telecommunications, data, cellular and / or radio networks or other similar systems, and / or interface with any type of communications, telecommunications, data, cellular and / or radio networks or other similar systems. In some embodiments, a wireless network can be configured to operate according to a specific standard or other type of predefined rules or procedures. Thus, specific embodiments of a wireless network can implement communication standards such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and / or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G standards; Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) standards (e.g., the IEEE 802.11 standard); and / or any other suitable wireless communication standards such as Global Microwave Access Interoperability (WiMax), Bluetooth, Z-Wave, and / or ZigBee standards.

[0151] Network 106 may include one or more backhaul networks, core networks, IP networks, public switched telephone networks (PSTN), packet data networks, optical networks, wide area networks (WAN), local area networks (LAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), wired networks, wireless networks, metropolitan area networks, and other networks to enable communication between devices.

[0152] Network node 160 and wireless device 110 include various components described in more detail below. These components work together to provide network node and / or wireless device functionality, such as providing wireless connectivity in a wireless network. In different embodiments, the wireless network may include any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, base stations, controllers, wireless devices, relay stations, and / or any other components that can facilitate or participate in communication of data and / or signals (whether via wired or wireless connections).

[0153] Figure 10 An example network node 160 according to certain embodiments is shown. As used herein, a network node refers to a device capable of, configured, arranged, and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with wireless devices and / or with other network nodes or devices in a wireless network to implement and / or provide radio access to wireless devices and / or perform other functions (e.g., management) in the wireless network. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points) and base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, NodeBs, evolved NodeBs (eNBs), and NR NodeBs (gNBs)). Base stations can be classified based on the coverage they provide (or in other words, based on their transmit power levels), and thus they can also be referred to as femtocells, picocells, microcells, or macrocells. A base station can be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. A network node can also include one or more (or all) portions of a distributed radio base station, such as a centralized digital unit and / or a remote radio unit (RRU), sometimes referred to as a remote radio headend (RRH). These remote radio units may be integrated with an antenna to form an antenna-integrated radio, or they may be independent of an antenna to form an antenna-integrated radio. A portion of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as a node in a distributed antenna system (DAS). Other examples of network nodes include multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment (e.g., MSR BS), network controllers (e.g., Radio Network Controller (RNC) or Base Station Controller (BSC)), base transceiver stations (BTS), transmitting points, transmitting nodes, multi-cell / multicast coordination entities (MCE), core network nodes (e.g., MSC, MME), O&M nodes, OSS nodes, SON nodes, location nodes (e.g., E-SMLC), and / or MDTs. As another example, a network node may be a virtual network node, as described in more detail below. However, more generally, a network node can represent any suitable device (or group of devices) capable of, configured, positioned, and / or operable to enable and / or provide access to a wireless communication network for wireless devices, or to provide some service to wireless devices already connected to the wireless network.

[0154] exist Figure 10 In this network node 160, processing circuitry 170, device-readable medium 180, interface 190, auxiliary equipment 184, power supply 186, power supply circuitry 187, and antenna 162 are included. Although Figure 10The network node 160 shown in the exemplary wireless network may represent a device including a combination of the hardware components shown, but other embodiments may include network nodes with different combinations of components. It should be understood that a network node includes any suitable combination of hardware and / or software required to perform the tasks, features, functions, and methods disclosed herein. Furthermore, while the components of network node 160 are depicted as a single box within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, a network node may include multiple different physical components constituting a single illustrated component (e.g., device-readable medium 180 may include multiple separate hard disk drives and multiple RAM modules).

[0155] Similarly, network node 160 may consist of multiple physically separate components (e.g., Node B components and RNC components, BTS components and BSC components, etc.), each with its own respective components. In some scenarios where network node 160 includes multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more of these separate components may be shared among multiple network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeBs. In such scenarios, each unique NodeB and RNC pair may be considered a single, separate network node in some cases. In some embodiments, network node 160 may be configured to support multiple Radio Access Technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate device-readable media 180 for different RATs), and some components may be reused (e.g., the same antenna 162 may be shared by the RATs). Network node 160 may also include multiple sets of various illustrated components for integrating different wireless technologies (e.g., GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, or Bluetooth wireless technologies) into network node 160. These wireless technologies can be integrated into the same or different chips or chipsets and other components within network node 160.

[0156] Processing circuitry 170 is configured to perform any determination, calculation, or similar operation (e.g., certain acquisition operations) described herein as being provided by a network node. These operations performed by processing circuitry 170 may include information obtained by processing circuitry 170 through processes such as: converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained or converted information with information stored in the network node, and / or performing one or more operations based on the obtained or converted information, and making a determination based on the result of said processing.

[0157] Processor circuitry 170 may include a combination of one or more of the following: a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field-programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software, and / or coding logic, operable to provide network node 160 functionality, either alone or together with other network node 160 components (e.g., device-readable medium 180). For example, processing circuitry 170 may execute instructions stored in device-readable medium 180 or in memory within processing circuitry 170. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features, functions, or benefits discussed herein. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 170 may include a system-on-a-chip (SoC).

[0158] In some embodiments, processing circuitry 170 may include one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 172 and baseband processing circuitry 174. In some embodiments, RF transceiver circuitry 172 and baseband processing circuitry 174 may be on separate chips (or chipsets), boards, or units (e.g., radio units and digital units). In alternative embodiments, some or all of RF transceiver circuitry 172 and baseband processing circuitry 174 may be on the same chip or chipset, board, or unit group.

[0159] In some embodiments, some or all of the functions described herein as being provided by a network node, base station, eNB, or other such network device may be performed by processing circuitry 170, which executes instructions stored on device-readable medium 180 or memory within processing circuitry 170. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functions may be provided by processing circuitry 170, for example, in a hard-wired manner, without executing instructions stored on separate or discrete device-readable media. In any of these embodiments, processing circuitry 170 may be configured to perform the described functions regardless of whether instructions stored on device-readable storage media are executed. The benefits provided by such functions are not limited to processing circuitry 170 or other components of network node 160, but are enjoyed as a whole by network node 160 and / or generally by end users and wireless networks.

[0160] Device-readable medium 180 may include any form of volatile or non-volatile computer-readable memory, including but not limited to permanent storage devices, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (e.g., hard disk), removable storage media (e.g., flash drives, optical discs (CDs), or digital video discs (DVDs)) and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable memory device that stores information, data, and / or instructions that can be used by processing circuitry 170. Device-readable medium 180 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including computer programs, software, applications including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, etc., and / or other instructions that can be executed by processing circuitry 170 and used by network node 160. Device-readable medium 180 may be used to store any calculations performed by processing circuitry 170 and / or any data received via interface 190. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 170 and device-readable medium 180 may be considered integrated.

[0161] Interface 190 is used for wired or wireless communication of signaling and / or data between network node 160, network 106, and / or wireless device 110. As shown, interface 190 includes a port / terminal 194 for sending and receiving data to and from network 106, for example, via a wired connection. Interface 190 also includes radio front-end circuitry 192, which may be coupled to antenna 162, or in some embodiments, is part of antenna 162. Radio front-end circuitry 192 includes a filter 198 and an amplifier 196. Radio front-end circuitry 192 may be connected to antenna 162 and processing circuitry 170. Radio front-end circuitry 192 may be configured to modulate the signal communicating between antenna 162 and processing circuitry 170. Radio front-end circuitry 192 may receive digital data that will be transmitted to other network nodes or wireless devices via a wireless connection. Radio front-end circuitry 192 may use a combination of filter 198 and / or amplifier 196 to convert the digital data into a radio signal with suitable channel and bandwidth parameters. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna 162. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna 162 can collect radio signals, which are then converted into digital data by radio front-end circuitry 192. The digital data can then be passed to processing circuitry 170. In other embodiments, the interface may include different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0162] In some alternative embodiments, network node 160 may not include a separate radio front-end circuitry 192. Instead, processing circuitry 170 may include radio front-end circuitry and may be connected to antenna 162 without requiring a separate radio front-end circuitry 192. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of the RF transceiver circuitry 172 may be considered part of interface 190. In other embodiments, interface 190 may include one or more ports or terminals 194, radio front-end circuitry 192, and RF transceiver circuitry 172 as part of a radio unit (not shown), and interface 190 may communicate with baseband processing circuitry 174, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

[0163] Antenna 162 may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays configured to transmit and / or receive wireless signals. Antenna 162 may be coupled to radio front-end circuitry 192 and may be any type of antenna capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data and / or signals. In some embodiments, antenna 162 may include one or more omnidirectional, sector, or planar antennas operable to transmit / receive radio signals in, for example, between 2 GHz and 66 GHz. Omnidirectional antennas can be used to transmit / receive radio signals in any direction, sector antennas can be used to transmit / receive radio signals relative to a device within a specific area, and planar antennas can be line-of-sight antennas used to transmit / receive radio signals in a relatively straight line. In some cases, the use of more than one antenna may be referred to as MIMO. In some embodiments, antenna 162 may be separate from network node 160 and may be connected to network node 160 via an interface or port.

[0164] Antenna 162, interface 190, and / or processing circuitry 170 can be configured to perform any receive operation and / or certain acquire operation described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data, and / or signals can be received from a wireless device, another network node, and / or any other network device. Similarly, antenna 162, interface 190, and / or processing circuitry 170 can be configured to perform any transmit operation described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data, and / or signals can be transmitted to a wireless device, another network node, and / or any other network device.

[0165] Power supply circuit 187 may include or be coupled to power management circuitry and is configured to provide power to the components of network node 160 for performing the functions described herein. Power supply circuit 187 may receive power from power source 186. Power source 186 and / or power supply circuit 187 may be configured to provide power to various components of network node 160 in a manner suitable for the individual components (e.g., at the voltage and current levels required by each respective component). Power source 186 may be included in or external to power supply circuit 187 and / or network node 160. For example, network node 160 may be connected to an external power source (e.g., a power outlet) via input circuitry or an interface such as a cable, wherein the external power source supplies power to power supply circuit 187. As another example, power source 186 may include a power source in the form of a battery or battery pack, which is connected to or integrated into power supply circuit 187. The battery can provide backup power if the external power source fails. Other types of power sources, such as photovoltaic devices, may also be used.

[0166] Alternative embodiments of network node 160 may include more than Figure 10 Additional components of the illustrated components may be responsible for providing certain aspects of the functionality of the network node (including any of the functionalities described herein and / or any functionality required to support the subject matter described herein). For example, network node 160 may include a user interface device to allow information to be input into and output from network node 160. This can allow users to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other management functions on network node 160.

[0167] Figure 11Example wireless device 110 is shown. According to certain embodiments. As used herein, a wireless device means a device capable of, configured, arranged, and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and / or other wireless devices. Unless otherwise shown, the term wireless device may be used interchangeably with user equipment (UE) herein. Wireless communication may include transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and / or other types of signals suitable for transmitting information through the air. In some embodiments, a wireless device may be configured to transmit and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For example, a wireless device may be designed to transmit information to the network according to a predetermined schedule, when triggered by internal or external events, or in response to a request from the network. Examples of wireless devices include, but are not limited to, smartphones, mobile phones, cellular phones, Voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, desktop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless cameras, game consoles or devices, music storage devices, playback devices, wearable terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, tablet computers, laptop computers, laptop embedded devices (LEEs), laptop-mounted devices (LMEs), smart devices, wireless client devices (CPEs), and in-vehicle wireless terminal devices. Wireless devices can, for example, support device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, and vehicle-to-anything (V2X) communication by implementing 3GPP standards for sidelink communication, and in this case, can be referred to as D2D communication devices. As yet another specific example, in the Internet of Things (IoT) scenario, a wireless device can refer to a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurement and sends the results of such monitoring and / or measurement to another wireless device and / or network node. In this context, the wireless device can be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, which can be referred to as an MTC device in the 3GPP context. As a specific example, the wireless device can be a UE implementing the 3GPP Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) standard. Specific examples of such machines or devices are sensors, metering devices (e.g., power meters), industrial machines, or household or personal appliances (e.g., refrigerators, televisions, etc.), personal wearable devices (e.g., watches, fitness trackers, etc.). In other scenarios, the wireless device can represent a vehicle or other device capable of monitoring and / or reporting its operational status or other functions associated with its operation. The wireless device described above can represent an endpoint of a wireless connection, in which case the device can be referred to as a wireless terminal. Furthermore, the wireless device described above can be mobile, in which case it can also be referred to as a mobile device or mobile terminal.

[0168] As shown in the figure, wireless device 110 includes an antenna 111, an interface 114, processing circuitry 120, a device-readable medium 130, a user interface device 132, auxiliary devices 134, a power supply 136, and a power circuit 137. Wireless device 110 may include one or more of the components shown for various wireless technologies supported by wireless device 110 (e.g., GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, WiMAX, or Bluetooth wireless technologies, to name just a few). These wireless technologies may be integrated into a chip or chipset that is the same as or different from other components within wireless device 110.

[0169] Antenna 111 may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays configured to transmit and / or receive wireless signals and connected to interface 114. In some alternative embodiments, antenna 111 may be separate from wireless device 110 and may be connected to wireless device 110 via an interface or port. Antenna 111, interface 114, and / or processing circuitry 120 may be configured to perform any receive or transmit operations described herein as performed by a wireless device. Any information, data, and / or signals may be received from a network node and / or another wireless device. In some embodiments, radio front-end circuitry and / or antenna 111 may be considered as an interface.

[0170] As shown, interface 114 includes radio front-end circuitry 112 and antenna 111. Radio front-end circuitry 112 includes one or more filters 118 and amplifiers 116. Radio front-end circuitry 112 is connected to antenna 111 and processing circuitry 120 and is configured to modulate the signal communicating between antenna 111 and processing circuitry 120. Radio front-end circuitry 112 may be coupled to antenna 111 or a portion of antenna 111. In some embodiments, wireless device 110 may not include a separate radio front-end circuitry 112; instead, processing circuitry 120 may include radio front-end circuitry and may be connected to antenna 111. Similarly, in some embodiments, some or all of RF transceiver circuitry 122 may be considered part of interface 114. Radio front-end circuitry 112 can receive digital data that will be transmitted wirelessly to other network nodes or wireless devices. Radio front-end circuitry 112 can use a combination of filters 118 and / or amplifiers 116 to convert the digital data into radio signals with suitable channel and bandwidth parameters. The radio signals can then be transmitted via antenna 111. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna 111 can collect radio signals, which are then converted into digital data by radio front-end circuitry 112. The digital data can then be passed to processing circuitry 120. In other embodiments, the interface may include different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0171] Processor circuitry 120 may include a combination of one or more of the following: a microprocessor, controller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field-programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software, and / or coding logic, operable to provide wireless device 110 functionality, either alone or together with other wireless device 110 components (e.g., device-readable medium 130). Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features or benefits discussed herein. For example, processing circuitry 120 may execute instructions stored in device-readable medium 130 or in memory within processing circuitry 120 to provide the functionality disclosed herein.

[0172] As shown in the figure, the processing circuit 120 includes one or more of an RF transceiver circuit 122, a baseband processing circuit 124, and an application processing circuit 126. In other embodiments, the processing circuit may include different components and / or different combinations of components. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 120 of the wireless device 110 may include a System-on-a-Chip (SOC). In some embodiments, the RF transceiver circuit 122, the baseband processing circuit 124, and the application processing circuit 126 may be on a separate chip or chipset. In an alternative embodiment, some or all of the baseband processing circuit 124 and the application processing circuit 126 may be combined into a single chip or chipset, and the RF transceiver circuit 122 may be on a separate chip or chipset. In another alternative embodiment, some or all of the RF transceiver circuit 122 and the baseband processing circuit 124 may be on the same chip or chipset, and the application processing circuit 126 may be on a separate chip or chipset. In yet another alternative embodiment, some or all of the RF transceiver circuit 122, the baseband processing circuit 124, and the application processing circuit 126 may be combined in the same chip or chipset. In some embodiments, the RF transceiver circuit 122 may be part of the interface 114. The RF transceiver circuit 122 may regulate the RF signals used for processing circuit 120.

[0173] In some embodiments, some or all of the functions described herein as being performed by a wireless device may be provided by processing circuitry 120 that executes instructions stored on a device-readable medium 130, which may be a computer-readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functions may be provided by processing circuitry 120, for example, in a hard-wired manner, without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium. In any of those particular embodiments, processing circuitry 120 may be configured to perform the described functions regardless of whether instructions stored on a device-readable storage medium are executed. The benefits provided by such functions are not limited to processing circuitry 120 or other components of wireless device 110, but are enjoyed as a whole by wireless device 110 and / or generally by end users and wireless networks.

[0174] Processing circuitry 120 may be configured to perform any determination, calculation, or similar operation (e.g., certain acquisition operations) described herein as being performed by a wireless device. These operations performed by processing circuitry 120 may include information acquired by processing circuitry 120 through processes such as: converting the acquired information into other information, comparing the acquired or converted information with information stored by wireless device 110, and / or performing one or more operations based on the acquired or converted information, and making a determination based on the result of said processing.

[0175] Device-readable medium 130 is operable to store computer programs, software, applications including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, etc., and / or other instructions executable by processing circuitry 120. Device-readable medium 130 may include computer memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM) or read-only memory (ROM)), mass storage media (e.g., hard disk), removable storage media (e.g., CD or DVD), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable memory device that stores information, data, and / or instructions usable by processing circuitry 120. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 120 and device-readable medium 130 may be considered integrated.

[0176] User interface device 132 can provide components that allow a human user to interact with wireless device 110. This interaction can take many forms, such as visual, auditory, tactile, etc. User interface device 132 is operatively capable of producing output to the user and allowing the user to provide input to wireless device 110. The type of interaction can vary depending on the type of user interface device 132 installed in wireless device 110. For example, if wireless device 110 is a smartphone, interaction can be performed via a touchscreen; if wireless device 110 is a smart meter, interaction can be performed via a screen providing a purpose (e.g., the number of gallons used) or a speaker providing an audible alarm (e.g., if smoke is detected). User interface device 132 can include input interfaces, devices, and circuitry, as well as output interfaces, devices, and circuitry. User interface device 132 is configured to allow information to be input into wireless device 110 and is connected to processing circuitry 120 to allow processing circuitry 120 to process the input information. User interface device 132 can include, for example, a microphone, proximity or other sensors, buttons / buttons, a touch display, one or more cameras, a USB port, or other input circuitry. User interface device 132 is also configured to allow information output from wireless device 110 and to allow processing circuitry 120 to output information from wireless device 110. User interface device 132 may include, for example, a speaker, display, vibration circuitry, USB port, headphone jack, or other output circuitry. By using one or more input and output interfaces, devices, and circuitry of user interface device 132, wireless device 110 can communicate with end users and / or wireless networks and allow them to benefit from the functionality described herein.

[0177] The auxiliary device 134 is operable to provide more specific functions that may not typically be performed by a wireless device. This may include dedicated sensors for measuring for various purposes, interfaces for additional types of communication such as wired communication, etc. The components and types included in the auxiliary device 134 may vary depending on the embodiment and / or scenario.

[0178] In some embodiments, power source 136 may be in the form of a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources may also be used, such as an external power source (e.g., a power outlet), a photovoltaic device, or a battery cell. Wireless device 110 may also include power circuitry 137 for supplying power from power source 136 to various parts of wireless device 110 that require power from power source 136 to perform any functions described or indicated herein. In some embodiments, power circuitry 137 may include power management circuitry. Power circuitry 137 may additionally or alternatively be operable to receive power from an external power source; in this case, wireless device 110 may be connected to an external power source (e.g., a power outlet) via input circuitry or an interface such as a power cable. In some embodiments, power circuitry 137 may also be operable to supply power from an external power source to power source 136. For example, this may be used for charging power source 136. Power circuitry 137 may perform any formatting, conversion, or other modifications on the power from power source 136 to suit the power for the various components of wireless device 110 to which it powers.

[0179] Figure 12 An embodiment of a UE according to the various aspects described herein is illustrated. As used herein, a “User Equipment” or “UE” need not necessarily be a “user” in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the associated equipment. Alternatively, a UE may refer to a device intended to be sold to or operated by a human user but which may not or initially may not be associated with a particular human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, a UE may refer to a device not intended to be sold to or operated by an end user but which may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter). UE 200 can be any UE identified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including NB-IoT UEs, Machine Type Communication (MTC) UEs, and / or Enhanced MTC (eMTC) UEs. Figure 10 As shown, UE 200 is an example of a radio device configured for communication according to one or more communication standards (e.g., 3GPP's GSM, UMTS, LTE, and / or 5G standards) published by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). As previously stated, the terms radio device and UE are used interchangeably. Therefore, although... Figure 12 This is for UEs, but the components discussed in this article also apply to wireless devices, and vice versa.

[0180] exist Figure 12In this embodiment, UE 200 includes processing circuitry 201 operatively coupled to an input / output interface 205, a radio frequency (RF) interface 209, a network interface 211, a memory 215 including random access memory (RAM) 217, read-only memory (ROM) 219, and storage medium 221, a communication subsystem 231, a power supply 233, and / or any other component, or any combination thereof. Storage medium 221 includes an operating system 223, applications 225, and data 227. In other embodiments, storage medium 221 may include other similar types of information. Some UEs may use... Figure 12 All components may be shown, or only a subset of components may be used. The level of integration between components can vary from one UE to another. Furthermore, some UEs may contain multiple instances of components, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0181] exist Figure 1 In step 2, the processing circuitry 201 can be configured to process computer instructions and data. The processor 201 can be configured to execute any sequential state machine containing machine instructions stored in memory as a machine-readable computer program, such as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, FPGA, ASIC, etc.); programmable logic and suitable firmware; one or more stored programs, a general-purpose processor (e.g., a microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP)) and suitable software; or any combination thereof. For example, the processing circuitry 201 may include two central processing units (CPUs). The data may be information in a form suitable for use by a computer.

[0182] In the depicted embodiments, the input / output interface 205 can be configured to provide a communication interface to an input device, an output device, or both input and output devices. The UE 200 can be configured to use an output device via the input / output interface 205. The output device can use an interface port of the same type as the input device. For example, a USB port can be used to provide input to and output from the UE 200. The output device can be a speaker, sound card, video card, display, monitor, printer, actuator, transmitter, smart card, another output device, or any combination thereof. The UE 200 can be configured to use an input device via the input / output interface 205 to allow a user to capture information into the UE 200. The input device can include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, digital camcorder, webcam, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional keyboard, a touchpad, a scroll wheel, a smart card, etc. A presence-sensitive display can include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from the user. Sensors can be, for example, accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt sensors, force sensors, magnetometers, optical sensors, proximity sensors, another type of sensor, or any combination thereof. For example, input devices can be accelerometers, magnetometers, digital cameras, microphones, and optical sensors.

[0183] exist Figure 12 In this configuration, RF interface 209 can be configured to provide a communication interface to RF components such as transmitters, receivers, and antennas. Network interface 211 can be configured to provide a communication interface to network 243a. Network 243a may include wired and / or wireless networks, such as local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), computer networks, wireless networks, telecommunications networks, another similar network, or any combination thereof. For example, network 243a may include a Wi-Fi network. Network interface 211 can be configured to include receiver and transmitter interfaces for communicating with one or more other devices over the communication network according to one or more communication protocols (e.g., Ethernet, TCP / IP, SONET, ATM, etc.). Network interface 211 can implement receiver and transmitter functions suitable for the communication network link (e.g., optical, electrical, etc.). The transmitter and receiver functions may share circuit components or software, or alternatively, may be implemented separately.

[0184] RAM 217 can be configured to interface with processing circuitry 201 via bus 202 to provide storage or cache of data or computer instructions during the execution of software programs such as operating systems, applications, and device drivers. ROM 219 can be configured to provide computer instructions or data to processing circuitry 201. For example, ROM 219 can be configured to store invariant low-level system code or data for basic system functions such as basic input and output (I / O), startup, or reception of keystrokes from a keyboard, stored in non-volatile memory. Storage medium 221 can be configured to include memory such as RAM, ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), disk, optical disk, floppy disk, hard disk, removable magnetic tape, or flash drive. In this example, storage medium 221 can be configured to include operating system 223, application 225 such as a web browser application, widget or gadget engine or another application, and data file 227. Storage medium 221 can store any one or a combination of various operating systems for use by UE200.

[0185] Storage medium 221 can be configured to include multiple physical drive units, such as a redundant array of independent disks (RAID), a floppy disk drive, flash memory, a USB flash drive, an external hard disk drive, a thumb drive, a pen drive, a key drive, a high-density digital versatile optical disc (HD-DVD) drive, an internal hard disk drive, a Blu-ray disc drive, a holographic digital data storage (HDDS) disc drive, an external mini dual in-line memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), external micro-DIMM / MSDRAM, smart card memory such as a user identification module or a removable user identifier (SIM / RUIM) module, other memory, or any combination thereof. Storage medium 221 can allow UE 200 to access computer-executable instructions, applications, etc., stored on a transient or non-transient storage medium to offload or upload data. Articles such as those utilizing a communication system can be tangibly embodied in storage medium 221, which can include a device-readable medium.

[0186] exist Figure 12In this configuration, processing circuitry 201 can be configured to communicate with network 243b using communication subsystem 231. Networks 243a and 243b can be one or more of the same networks or one or more different networks. Communication subsystem 231 can be configured to include one or more transceivers for communicating with network 243b. For example, communication subsystem 231 can be configured to include one or more remote transceivers for communicating with another device (e.g., another wireless device, UE) or a base station of a radio access network (RAN) capable of wireless communication according to one or more communication protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.2, CDMA, WCDMA, GSM, LTE, UTRAN, WiMax, etc.). Each transceiver can include transmitter 233 and / or receiver 235 to implement transmitter or receiver functions suitable for the RAN link (e.g., frequency allocation, etc.). Furthermore, the transmitter 233 and receiver 235 of each transceiver can share circuit components, software, or firmware, or they can be implemented separately.

[0187] In the illustrated embodiment, the communication functions of the communication subsystem 231 may include data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communication such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication (such as the use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) for determining location), another type of communication function, or any combination thereof. For example, the communication subsystem 231 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication, Bluetooth communication, and GPS communication. The network 243b may include wired and / or wireless networks, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a computer network, a wireless network, a telecommunications network, another similar network, or any combination thereof. For example, the network 243b may be a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, and / or a near-field network. The power supply 213 may be configured to provide alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power to the components of the UE 200.

[0188] The features, benefits, and / or functions described herein may be implemented in one of the components of UE 200 or partitioned among multiple components of UE 200. Furthermore, the features, benefits, and / or functions described herein may be implemented in any combination of hardware, software, or firmware. In one example, the communication subsystem 231 may be configured to include any of the components described herein. Additionally, the processing circuitry 201 may be configured to communicate with any such component via bus 202. In another example, any such component may be represented by program instructions stored in memory, which, when executed by the processing circuitry 201, perform the corresponding functions described herein. In another example, the functionality of any such component may be partitioned between the processing circuitry 201 and the communication subsystem 231. In yet another example, the non-computationally intensive functions of any such component may be implemented in software or firmware, and the computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

[0189] Figure 13 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating a virtualized environment 300, in which functionality implemented by some embodiments can be virtualized. In this context, virtualization means creating a virtual version of an apparatus or device that may include a virtualized hardware platform, storage devices, and network resources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to nodes (e.g., virtualized base stations or virtualized radio access nodes) or devices (e.g., UEs, wireless devices, or any other type of communication device) or components thereof, and relates to an implementation in which at least a portion of functionality is implemented as one or more virtual components (e.g., through one or more applications, components, functions, virtual machines, or containers executing on one or more physical processing nodes in one or more networks).

[0190] In some embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines implemented in one or more virtual environments 300 hosted on one or more hardware nodes 330. Furthermore, in embodiments where the virtual node is not a radio access node or does not require radio connectivity (e.g., a core network node), the network node may then be fully virtualized.

[0191] These functionalities can be implemented by one or more applications 320 (which may alternatively be referred to as software instances, virtual devices, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.), which are operable to implement some of the features, functions, and / or benefits of some embodiments disclosed herein. Applications 320 run in a virtualization environment 300, which provides hardware 330 including processing circuitry 360 and memory 390. Memory 390 contains instructions 395 executable by the processing circuitry 360, thereby enabling application 320 to operate to provide one or more of the features, benefits, and / or functions disclosed herein.

[0192] The virtualization environment 300 includes general-purpose or special-purpose network hardware devices 330, which include one or more processors or processing circuitry 360, which may be commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) processors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or any other type of processing circuitry including digital or analog hardware components or special-purpose processors. Each hardware device may include memory 390-1, which may be non-permanent memory for temporarily storing instructions 395 or software executed by the processing circuitry 360. Each hardware device may include one or more network interface controllers (NICs) 370 (also referred to as network interface cards), which include physical network interfaces 380. Each hardware device may also include a non-transitory, permanent machine-readable storage medium 390-2 in which the software 395 and / or instructions executable by the processing circuitry 360 are stored. The software 395 may include any type of software, including software for instantiating one or more virtualization layers 350 (also referred to as hypervisors), software for executing virtual machines 340, and software that allows them to perform the functions, features, and / or benefits described in relation to some embodiments described herein.

[0193] Virtual machine 340 includes virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interfaces, and virtual storage, and can be run by a corresponding virtualization layer 350 or hypervisor. Different embodiments of instances of virtual device 320 can be implemented on one or more of virtual machines 340, and this implementation can be done in different ways.

[0194] During operation, the processing circuitry 360 executes software 395 to instantiate a hypervisor or virtualization layer 350, which may sometimes be referred to as a virtual machine monitor (VMM). The virtualization layer 350 can present a virtual operating platform that appears as networked hardware of the virtual machine 340.

[0195] like Figure 13 As shown, hardware 330 can be a standalone network node with general or specific components. Hardware 330 may include antenna 3225 and may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, hardware 330 may be part of a larger hardware cluster (e.g., in a data center or customer premises equipment (CPE)) where many hardware nodes work together and are managed by management and coordination (MANO) 3100, which in particular oversees the lifecycle management of application 320.

[0196] In some contexts, hardware virtualization is referred to as Network Functions Virtualization (NFV). NFV can be used to unify numerous network device types onto industry-standard high-capacity server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage that can reside in data centers and customer premises equipment (CPE).

[0197] In the context of NFV, virtual machine 340 can be a software implementation of a physical machine, and its running programs are executed as if they were on a physical, non-virtualized machine. Each of virtual machines 340 and the portion of hardware 330 that executes that virtual machine (whether it is hardware dedicated to that virtual machine and / or hardware shared by that virtual machine and other virtual machines in virtual machine 340) form a separate virtual network element (VNE).

[0198] Still within the context of NFV, Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) are responsible for handling one or more virtual machines 340 running on top of the hardware network infrastructure 330 and corresponding to... Figure 13 The application 320 has specific network functions.

[0199] In some embodiments, each of the one or more radio units 3200, including one or more transmitters 3220 and one or more receivers 3210, may be coupled to one or more antennas 3225. The radio unit 3200 may communicate directly with the hardware node 330 via one or more suitable network interfaces and may be used in conjunction with virtual components to provide radio capabilities to the virtual node, such as a radio access node or base station.

[0200] In some embodiments, the control system 3230 may be used to implement some signaling, and the control system 3230 may alternatively be used for communication between the hardware node 330 and the radio unit 3200.

[0201] Figure 14 A telecommunications network connected to a host computer via an intermediate network is shown according to some embodiments.

[0202] refer to Figure 14 According to an embodiment, the communication system includes: a telecommunications network 410, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network, which includes an access network 411 (such as a radio access network) and a core network 414. The access network 411 includes multiple base stations 412a, 412b, 412c, such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs, or other types of radio access points, each base station defining a corresponding coverage area 413a, 413b, 413c. Each base station 412a, 412b, 412c can be connected to the core network 414 via a wired or wireless connection 415. A first UE 491 located in coverage area 413c is configured to wirelessly connect to or be paged by the corresponding base station 412c. A second UE 492 located in coverage area 413a can wirelessly connect to the corresponding base station 412a. Although multiple UEs 491, 492 are shown in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to cases where a single UE is located in the coverage area or a single UE is connected to the corresponding base station 412.

[0203] Telecommunications network 410 is itself connected to host computer 430, which may be embodied in the hardware and / or software of a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server, or as processing resources in a server cluster. Host computer 430 may be owned by or under the control of a service provider, or may be operated by or on behalf of a service provider. Connections 421, 422 between telecommunications network 410 and host computer 430 may extend directly from core network 414 to host computer 430, or may pass through optional intermediate network 420. Intermediate network 420 may be one or more of public, private, or hosted networks; intermediate network 420 (if any) may be a backbone network or the Internet; specifically, intermediate network 420 may include two or more subnetworks (not shown).

[0204] The communication system in Figure 14, as a whole, implements connectivity between connected UEs 491 and 492 and host computer 430. This connectivity can be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 450. Host computer 430 and connected UEs 491 and 492 are configured to transmit data and / or signaling via OTT connection 450 using access network 411, core network 414, any intermediate network 420, and possibly other intermediate infrastructure (not shown). The participating communication devices through which OTT connection 450 passes are unaware of the routes of uplink and downlink communications; in this sense, OTT connection 450 can be transparent. For example, base station 412 may not be informed, or does not need to be informed, about the past routes of incoming downlink communications containing data originating from host computer 430 and to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to connected UE 491. Similarly, base station 412 does not need to know the future routes of uplink communications originating from UE 491 and outputting toward host computer 430.

[0205] Figure 15 A host computer is shown that communicates with a user equipment via a base station through a partially wireless connection, according to some embodiments.

[0206] Now refer to Figure 15The preceding paragraphs describe example implementations of the UE, base station, and host computer according to embodiments discussed in the preceding paragraphs. In the communication system 500, the host computer 510 includes hardware 515 including a communication interface 516 configured to establish and maintain wired or wireless connections with interfaces of different communication devices of the communication system 500. The host computer 510 also includes processing circuitry 518, which may have storage and / or processing capabilities. Specifically, the processing circuitry 518 may include one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, or combinations of such devices (not shown) suitable for executing instructions. The host computer 510 also includes software 511 stored in or accessible by the host computer 510 and executable by the processing circuitry 518. The software 511 includes a host application 512. The host application 512 can be operated to provide services to a remote user, such as a UE 530 connected via an OTT connection 550 terminating between the UE 530 and the host computer 510. When providing services to remote users, host application 512 can provide user data sent using OTT connection 550.

[0207] The communication system 500 also includes a base station 520 installed in the telecommunications system, which includes hardware 525 enabling it to communicate with the host computer 510 and the UE 530. Hardware 525 may include: a communication interface 526 for establishing and maintaining wired or wireless connections with interfaces of different communication devices of the communication system 500; and a radio interface 527 for establishing and maintaining connections with the coverage area served by the base station 520 (in...). Figure 15 At least one wireless connection 570 of UE 530 (not shown in the diagram). Communication interface 526 can be configured to facilitate connection 560 to host computer 510. Connection 560 can be a direct connection, or alternatively, the connection can be through the core network of a telecommunications network (in the diagram). Figure 15 (Not shown in the diagram) and / or via one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunications network. In the illustrated embodiment, the hardware 525 of the base station 520 also includes processing circuitry 528, which may include one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, or combinations thereof (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The base station 520 also has software 521 stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

[0208] The communication system 500 also includes the previously mentioned UE 530. The hardware 535 of the UE 530 may include a radio interface 537 configured to establish and maintain a wireless connection 570 with a base station serving the coverage area currently occupied by the UE 530. The hardware 535 of the UE 530 also includes processing circuitry 538, which may include one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, or combinations of such devices (not shown) suitable for executing instructions. The UE 530 also includes software 531, which is stored in or accessible to the UE 530 and can be executed by the processing circuitry 538. The software 531 includes a client application 532. The client application 532 can be operated to provide services to human or non-human users via the UE 530 with the support of the host computer 510. In the host computer 510, a host application 512 executing can communicate with the client application 532 via an OTT connection 550 terminating between the UE 530 and the host computer 510. When providing services to a user, client application 532 can receive request data from host application 512 and provide user data in response to the request data. OTT connection 550 can transmit both request data and user data. Client application 532 can interact with the user to generate the user data it provides.

[0209] It should be noted that Figure 15 The host computer 510, base station 520, and UE 530 shown can be respectively connected to... Figure 14 The host computer 430, one of the base stations 412a, 412b, and 412c, and one of the UEs 491 and 492 are similar to or equivalent to each other. That is to say, the internal workings of these entities can be as follows: Figure 15 As shown, and independently, the surrounding network topology can be Figure 14 The network topology.

[0210] exist Figure 15 The OTT connection 550 has been abstractly depicted to illustrate communication between host computer 510 and UE 530 via base station 520, but no intermediate devices or the exact routing messages via these devices are explicitly mentioned. The network infrastructure can determine the route, which can be configured to be hidden from the UE 530 or the service provider operating host computer 510, or both. While the OTT connection 550 is active, the network infrastructure can further make dynamic decisions to change the route (e.g., based on load balancing considerations or network reconfiguration).

[0211] The wireless connection 570 between UE 530 and base station 520 is consistent with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to UE 530 using OTT connection 550, in which wireless connection 570 forms the final part. More specifically, the teachings of these embodiments can improve data rates, latency, and / or power consumption, and thus provide benefits such as reduced user wait times, relaxed file size limits, better responsiveness, and / or extended battery life.

[0212] Measurement procedures can be provided for monitoring data rates, latency, and other factors that are the subject of improvements in one or more embodiments. Optional network functions may also be present for reconfiguring the OTT connection 550 between the host computer 510 and the UE 530 in response to changes in measurement results. The measurement procedures and / or network functions for reconfiguring the OTT connection 550 may be implemented in the software 511 and hardware 515 of the host computer 510, or in the software 531 and hardware 535 of the UE 530, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or associated with communication devices through which the OTT connection 550 traverses; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedures by providing values ​​of the monitored quantities illustrated above, or by providing values ​​of other physical quantities from which the software 511, 531 can calculate or estimate the monitored quantities. Reconfiguration of the OTT connection 550 may include message formats, retransmission settings, preferred routing, etc.; reconfiguration does not need to affect the base station 520 and may be unknown or imperceptible to the base station 520. Such procedures and functions may be known and practiced in the art. In some embodiments, the measurement may involve proprietary UE signaling, which facilitates the host computer 510 in measuring throughput, propagation time, latency, etc. The measurement can be achieved by software 511 and 531 using OTT connection 550 to send messages (particularly empty messages or "virtual" messages) while simultaneously monitoring propagation time, errors, etc.

[0213] Figure 16 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes: a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be referenced... Figure 14 and Figure 15 The host computers, base stations, and UEs described herein. For the sake of simplicity, this section includes only descriptions of... Figure 16References. In step 610, the host computer provides user data. In sub-step 611 of step 610 (which may be optional), the host computer provides user data by executing a host application. In step 620, the host computer initiates a transmission to the UE carrying user data. In step 630 (which may be optional), in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the base station sends the user data carried in the host computer-initiated transmission to the UE. In step 640 (which may also be optional), the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

[0214] Figure 17 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes: a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be referenced... Figure 14 and Figure 15 The host computers, base stations, and UEs described herein. For the sake of simplicity, this section includes only descriptions of... Figure 17 References. In step 710 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional sub-step (not shown), the host computer provides user data by executing a host application. In a second step 720, the host computer initiates a transmission to the UE carrying user data. According to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the transmission can be carried out via a base station. In step 730 (which may be optional), the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

[0215] Figure 18 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes: a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be referenced... Figure 14 and Figure 15 The host computers, base stations, and UEs described herein. For the sake of simplicity, this section includes only descriptions of... Figure 18References. In step 810 (which may be optional), the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in step 820, the UE provides user data. In sub-step 821 of step 820 (which may be optional), the UE provides user data by executing a client application. In sub-step 811 of step 810 (which may be optional), the UE executes a client application that provides user data in response to the received input data provided by the host computer. When providing user data, the executed client application may also consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which user data is provided, in sub-step 830 (which may be optional), the UE initiates the transmission of user data to the host computer. In step 840 of the method, the host computer receives user data sent from the UE in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.

[0216] Figure 19 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes: a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be referenced... Figure 14 and Figure 15 The host computers, base stations, and UEs described herein. For the sake of simplicity, this section includes only descriptions of... Figure 19 References. In step 910 (which may be optional), the base station receives user data from the UE in accordance with the teachings throughout the embodiments described in this disclosure. In step 920 (which may be optional), the base station initiates a transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In a third step 930 (which may be optional), the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

[0217] Figure 20 A method 1000 performed by a wireless device 110 according to certain embodiments is described. At step 1002, the wireless device receives auxiliary information from a first network node 160, including at least one information element indicating at least one resource type associated with at least one RS. Optionally, at step 1004, based on the configuration of at least one RS, the wireless device may perform at least one measurement and / or send at least one reference signal report to the first network node and / or another network node.

[0218] Figure 21 A wireless network (e.g.) is shown. Figure 9 The diagram shows a schematic block diagram of a virtual device 1100 in a wireless network. This device can be used in wireless devices or network nodes (e.g., Figure 9 This is implemented in the wireless device 110 or network node 160 shown. The device 1100 is operable to perform the reference... Figure 20The example methods described herein, as well as any other possible processes or methods disclosed herein. It should also be understood that... Figure 20 The method described need not be performed solely by device 1100. At least some operations of the method may be performed by one or more other entities.

[0219] The virtual device 1100 may include processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers, and other digital hardware, including digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific digital logic, etc. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or more types of memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory, cache memory, flash memory, optical storage devices, etc. In several embodiments, the program code stored in the memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and / or data communication protocols and instructions for executing one or more techniques described herein. In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause the receiving module 1110 and any other suitable modules and / or units of the device 1100 (e.g., optional execution module 1120 and / or transmitting module 1130) to perform corresponding functions according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

[0220] According to some embodiments, receiving module 1110 may perform certain receiving functions of device 1100. For example, receiving module 1110 may receive auxiliary information from first network node 160 including at least one information element indicating at least one resource type associated with at least one reference signal (RS).

[0221] According to some embodiments, the optional execution module 1120 may perform certain execution functions of the device 1100. For example, the execution module 1120 may execute at least one RS configuration based on at least one RS configuration.

[0222] According to some embodiments, the optional transmitting module 1130 may perform certain transmitting functions of the device 1100. For example, the transmitting module 1130 may transmit at least one reference signal report to a first network node and / or another network node based on at least one RS configuration.

[0223] As used herein, the term "unit" may have a conventional meaning in the field of electronic, electrical and / or electronic equipment, and may include, for example, electrical and / or electronic circuits, devices, modules, processors, memories, logic solid-state and / or discrete devices, computer programs or instructions for performing various tasks, processes, calculations, outputs and / or display functions, such as those described herein.

[0224] Figure 22Another method 1200 performed by a wireless device 110 according to certain embodiments is described. At step 1202, the wireless device receives at least one information element from a first network node, the information element indicating at least one resource type associated with at least one RS. The at least one resource type indicates at least one type of RS selected from: PRS; CSI-RS; and TRS.

[0225] In a particular embodiment, the information element includes at least one of a plurality of values, and each of the plurality of values ​​is associated with an RS configuration.

[0226] In a particular embodiment, at least one information element of at least one resource type is instructed to trigger a reporting type selected from periodic, non-periodic, or semi-persistent.

[0227] In a particular embodiment, the first network node acts as an LMF. In other particular embodiments, at least one element is received according to LPP.

[0228] In a particular embodiment, the first network node is a serving gNodeB, and at least one resource type associated with at least one RS is associated with the serving cell. In other particular embodiments, at least one element is received according to the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol.

[0229] In a particular embodiment, at least one information element is used to indicate the DCI of at least one RS configuration.

[0230] In a particular embodiment, the wireless device receives at least one information element providing a plurality of RS configurations via RRC signaling. The wireless device also receives a DCI indicating at least one of the plurality of RS configurations.

[0231] In other specific embodiments, the wireless device performs at least one measurement based on at least one RS configuration. Based on at least one RS configuration, the wireless device sends at least one measurement report to a first network node and / or another network node.

[0232] In a particular embodiment, at least one measurement includes at least one of the following: RSTD; RSRP; RSRQ; and UE RX-TX.

[0233] In other specific embodiments, measurement reports are sent to network nodes and / or other network nodes via the RRC protocol.

[0234] In a particular embodiment, at least one RS configuration includes multiple RS configurations. In other particular embodiments, the multiple RS configurations include at least a PRS configuration, a TRS configuration, and a CSI-RS configuration.

[0235] In other specific embodiments, the PRS configuration, TRS configuration, and CSI-RS configuration are indicated by at least one information element.

[0236] In other specific embodiments, the PRS configuration is indicated by a first information element, and the CSI-RS configuration and / or TRS configuration is indicated by a second information element.

[0237] In other specific embodiments, at least one RS configuration is received via CSI-AssociatedReportReportConfigInfo.

[0238] In a particular embodiment, at least one RS configuration is associated with at least one of the following: NR DL-TDOA, NR-DL-AoD, and NR Multi-RTT.

[0239] In a particular embodiment, at least one resource type includes at least one of the following: at least one resource identifier (ID), at least one resource set ID, or at least one frequency layer ID.

[0240] In a particular embodiment, at least one resource type includes at least one of the following: at least one PRS resource ID, at least one PRS resource set ID, or a list of PRS resource sets.

[0241] In a particular embodiment, at least one element and / or at least one resource type includes at least one code point, each of the at least one code point being associated with a PRS configuration associated with a corresponding network node among a plurality of network nodes.

[0242] Figure 23 A wireless network (e.g.) is shown. Figure 9 The diagram shows a schematic block diagram of a virtual device 1300 in a wireless network. This device can be used in wireless devices or network nodes (e.g., Figure 9 This is implemented in the wireless device 110 or network node 160 shown. The device 1300 is operable to perform the reference... Figure 22 The example methods described herein, as well as any other possible processes or methods disclosed herein. It should also be understood that... Figure 23 The method described need not be performed solely by device 1300. At least some operations of the method may be performed by one or more other entities.

[0243] The virtual device 1300 may include processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers, and other digital hardware, including digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific digital logic, etc. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or more types of memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory, cache memory, flash memory, optical storage devices, etc. In several embodiments, the program code stored in the memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and / or data communication protocols and instructions for executing one or more techniques described herein. In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause the receiving module 1310 and any other suitable modules and / or units of the device 1300 to perform corresponding functions according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

[0244] According to some embodiments, the receiving module 1310 may perform certain receiving functions of the apparatus 1300. For example, the receiving module 1310 may receive at least one information element from a first network node, the at least one information element indicating at least one resource type associated with at least one RS. The at least one resource type indicates at least one type of RS, the at least one type of RS being selected from: PRS; CSI-RS; and TRS.

[0245] Figure 24 A method 1400 performed by a network node 160 according to certain embodiments is described. At step 1402, the network node sends auxiliary information to the wireless device 160, including at least one information element indicating at least one resource type associated with at least one RS. Optionally, at step 1404, the network node may receive at least one reference signal report from the wireless device based on the configuration of at least one RS. The at least one reference signal report may include a value associated with at least one measurement performed by the wireless device based on the auxiliary information.

[0246] Figure 25 A wireless network (e.g.) is shown. Figure 9 The diagram shows a schematic block diagram of a virtual device 1500 in a wireless network. This device can be used in wireless devices or network nodes (e.g., Figure 9 This is implemented in the wireless device 110 or network node 160 shown. The device 1500 is operable to perform the reference... Figure 24 The example methods described herein, as well as any other possible processes or methods disclosed herein. It should also be understood that... Figure 4 The method described need not be performed solely by device 1500. At least some operations of the method may be performed by one or more other entities.

[0247] The virtual device 1500 may include processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers, and other digital hardware, including digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific digital logic, etc. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or more types of memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory, cache memory, flash memory, optical storage devices, etc. In several embodiments, the program code stored in the memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and / or data communication protocols and instructions for executing one or more techniques described herein. In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause the transmitting module 1510 and any other suitable modules and / or units of the device 1500 (e.g., optional receiving module 1520) to perform corresponding functions according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

[0248] According to some embodiments, the transmitting module 1510 may perform certain transmitting functions of the device 1500. For example, the transmitting module 1510 may transmit auxiliary information to the wireless device 160, including at least one information element indicating at least one resource type associated with at least one reference signal (RS).

[0249] According to a particular embodiment, the optional receiving module 1520 may perform certain receiving functions of the device 1500. For example, the optional receiving module 1520 may receive at least one reference signal report from the wireless device based on at least one RS configuration. The at least one reference signal report may include a value associated with at least one measurement performed by the wireless device based on auxiliary information.

[0250] Figure 26 Another method 1600, performed by network node 160 according to certain embodiments, is described. At step 1602, the network node sends at least one information element to the wireless device, the at least one information element indicating at least one resource type associated with at least one RS. The at least one resource type indicates at least one type of RS selected from: PRS; CSI-RS; and TRS.

[0251] In a particular embodiment, at least one information element includes at least one of a plurality of values, each of which is associated with an RS configuration.

[0252] In a particular embodiment, at least one information element of at least one resource type is instructed to trigger a reporting type selected from periodic, non-periodic, or semi-persistent.

[0253] In a particular embodiment, the first network node is used as the LMF.

[0254] In a particular embodiment, at least one information element is received according to LPP.

[0255] In a particular embodiment, network node 160 receives at least one RS configuration from at least one other network node acting as a gNodeB. Based on the at least one RS configuration received from the at least one other network node, the network node sends at least one information element including a resource type.

[0256] In other specific embodiments, network node 160 sends at least one request for at least one RS configuration to each of at least one other network node.

[0257] In a particular embodiment, at least one other network node includes a serving gNodeB associated with the serving cell of the wireless device.

[0258] In other specific embodiments, at least one additional network node includes an auxiliary gNodeB associated with the serving cell or a neighboring cell.

[0259] In a particular embodiment, at least one resource type associated with at least one RS sent to a wireless device includes an RS configuration that is public to each of at least one other network node.

[0260] In a particular embodiment, network node 160 maintains at least one code point. Each code point is associated with a PRS configuration received from a corresponding other network node among at least one other network node. In other particular embodiments, at least one information element indicates that at least one resource type includes at least one code point.

[0261] In a particular embodiment, network node 160 is a serving gNodeB associated with a serving cell, and the resource type associated with the RS is associated with the network node's RS configuration. In other particular embodiments, at least one information element is transmitted to the radio device according to the RRC protocol.

[0262] In a particular embodiment, at least one information element is used to indicate downlink control information (DCI) configured by at least one RS.

[0263] In other specific embodiments, network node 160 receives at least one measurement report from wireless device 110 based on at least one RS configuration. The at least one measurement report includes a value associated with at least one measurement performed by the wireless device. In other specific embodiments, the at least one measurement includes at least one of the following: RSTD; RSRP; RSRQ; and UERX-TX.

[0264] In other specific embodiments, at least one RS configuration includes multiple RS configurations. In other specific embodiments, the multiple RS configurations include at least a PRS configuration, a TRS configuration, and a CSI-RS configuration.

[0265] In other specific embodiments, the PRS configuration, TRS configuration, and CSI-RS configuration are indicated by at least one information element.

[0266] In other specific embodiments, the PRS configuration is indicated by a first information element, and the CSI-RS configuration and / or TRS configuration is indicated by a second information element.

[0267] In other specific embodiments, at least one RS configuration is received via CSI-AssociatedReportReportConfigInfo. In other specific embodiments, the RS configuration is associated with at least one of the following: NRDL-TDOA, NR-DL-AoD, and NR Multi-RTT.

[0268] In a particular embodiment, at least one resource type includes at least one of the following: at least one resource identifier, at least one resource set identifier, or at least one frequency layer identifier.

[0269] In a particular embodiment, at least one resource type includes at least one of the following: at least one PRS resource identifier, at least one PRS resource set identifier, or a list of PRS resource sets.

[0270] Figure 27 A wireless network (e.g.) is shown. Figure 9 The diagram shows a schematic block diagram of a virtual device 1700 in a wireless network. This device can be used in wireless devices or network nodes (e.g., Figure 9 This is implemented in the wireless device 110 or network node 160 shown. The device 1700 is operable to perform the reference... Figure 26 The example methods described herein, as well as any other possible processes or methods disclosed herein. It should also be understood that... Figure 4 The method described need not be performed solely by device 1700. At least some operations of the method may be performed by one or more other entities.

[0271] Virtual device 1700 may include processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers, and other digital hardware, including digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific digital logic, etc. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or more types of memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory, cache memory, flash memory, optical storage devices, etc. In several embodiments, the program code stored in the memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and / or data communication protocols and instructions for executing one or more techniques described herein. In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause receiving module 1710 and any other suitable modules and / or units of device 1700 to perform corresponding functions according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

[0272] According to some embodiments, the transmitting module 1710 may perform certain transmitting functions of the apparatus 1700. For example, the transmitting module 1710 may transmit at least one information element to the wireless device 160, the at least one information element indicating at least one resource type associated with at least one RS. The at least one resource type indicates at least one type of RS selected from: PRS; CSI-RS; and TRS.

[0273] Example Implementation

[0274] Group A Example Implementation

[0275] Example Implementation A1. A method performed by a wireless device, comprising: receiving from a first network node auxiliary information including at least one information element indicating at least one resource type associated with at least one reference signal (RS).

[0276] Example Implementation A2. The method according to Example Implementation A1, wherein the information element includes at least one of a plurality of values, each of which is associated with an RS configuration.

[0277] Example Implementation A3. The method according to any one of Example Implementations A1 to A2, wherein at least one information element of at least one resource type is indicated to trigger a reporting type selected from periodic, aperiodic, or semi-persistent.

[0278] Example Implementation A4. The method according to any of the example implementations A1 to A3, wherein at least one resource type indicates at least one type of RS selected from Positioning Reference Signal (PRS), Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS), and Tracking Reference Signal (TRS).

[0279] Example Implementation A5a. The method according to any one of Example Implementations A1 to A4, wherein the first network node is used for location management functions.

[0280] Example Implementation A5b. The method according to any of the example implementations A1 to A4, wherein the first network node is a serving gNodeB, and at least one resource type associated with at least one RS is associated with a serving cell.

[0281] Example Implementation A6. The method according to any one of Example Implementations A1 to A5b, wherein the auxiliary information is received according to the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP).

[0282] Example Implementation A7. The method according to any one of Example Implementations A1 to A5, wherein the auxiliary information is received according to the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol.

[0283] Example Implementation A8. The method according to any one of Example Implementations A1 to A5, wherein the auxiliary information is received according to the New Radio Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa).

[0284] Example Implementation A9. The method according to any of the example implementations A1 to A8, wherein the auxiliary information is received via downlink control information (DCI), and the auxiliary information includes at least one RS configuration connected to the DCI trigger state.

[0285] Example Implementation A10. The method according to Example Implementation A9 further includes: performing at least one measurement by a wireless device based on at least one RS configuration; and sending at least one reference signal report to a first network node and / or another network node based on at least one RS configuration.

[0286] Exemplary Example A11a. The method according to Exemplary Example A10, wherein at least one measurement includes at least one of the following: Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), and UE Receiver / Transmitter (UE RX-TX).

[0287] Example Implementation A11b. The method according to any of the example implementations A10 to A11a, wherein at least one reference signal report is sent to a network node and / or another network node via the RRC protocol.

[0288] Example Implementation A12. The method according to any one of Example Implementations A9 to A11, wherein at least one RS configuration includes multiple RS configurations.

[0289] Example Implementation A13a. The method according to Example Implementation A12, wherein the plurality of RS configurations include at least a PRS configuration and a CSI-RS configuration.

[0290] Example Implementation A13b. Example Implementation A13, wherein the PRS configuration and CSI-RS configuration are indicated by at least one information element.

[0291] Example embodiment A13c. Example embodiment A13, wherein the PRS configuration is indicated by a first information element and the CSI-RS configuration is indicated by a second information element.

[0292] Example embodiment A13d. The method according to example embodiments A9 to A11, wherein at least one RS configuration includes a single RS configuration that is common to multiple network nodes.

[0293] Example Implementation A14. The method according to any of the example implementations A9 to A13, wherein at least one RS configuration is received via CSI-AssociatedReportReportConfigInfo, and wherein at least one RS configuration is associated with at least one of the following: NR DL-TDOA, NR-DL-AoD, and NR Multi-RTT.

[0294] Example Implementation A15. The method according to any of the example implementations A1 to A14, wherein at least one resource type includes at least one of the following: at least one resource identifier (ID), at least one resource set ID, or at least one frequency layer ID.

[0295] Example Implementation A16. The method according to any of the example implementations A1 to A15, wherein at least one resource type includes at least one of the following: at least one PRS resource ID, at least one PRS resource set ID, or a list of PRS resource sets.

[0296] Example Implementation A17. The method according to any one of Example Implementations A1 to A16 further includes performing at least one action based on at least one resource type associated with at least one RS.

[0297] Example Implementation A18. The method according to Example Implementation A17, wherein at least one action includes at least one of the following: performing at least one measurement by a wireless device; and sending at least one reference signal report to a first network node and / or another network node based on at least one RS configuration.

[0298] Example Implementation A19. As described in Example Implementation A18, at least one reference signal report is sent to a first network node and / or another network node via the RRC protocol.

[0299] Example Implementation A20. The method according to any of the example implementations A6 to B18, wherein the auxiliary information and / or at least one resource type includes at least one code point, each of the at least one code point being associated with a PRS configuration associated with a corresponding network node among a plurality of network nodes.

[0300] Example Implementation A21. The method according to Example Implementation A20, wherein each of at least one code point indicates at least one of the following: periodicity, semi-persistentity, or aperiodicity; the number of resource sets and / or the number of resources; periodicity; comb pattern; the number of PRS subframes; PRS bandwidth; and frequency layer.

[0301] Example embodiment A22. A wireless device including processing circuitry configured to perform any of the methods described according to example embodiments A1 to A21.

[0302] Example Implementation A23. A computer program including instructions that, when executed on a computer, perform any of the methods described according to Example Implementations A1 to A21.

[0303] Example Implementation A24. A computer program product including a computer program, the computer program including instructions that, when executed on a computer, perform any of the methods described according to Example Implementations A1 to A21.

[0304] Example Implementation A25. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform any of the methods described according to Example Implementations A1 to A21.

[0305] Group B Implementation Examples

[0306] Example Implementation B1. A method performed by a first network node, comprising: sending auxiliary information to a wireless device, the auxiliary information including at least one information element indicating at least one resource type associated with at least one reference signal (RS).

[0307] Example Implementation B2. The method according to Example Implementation B1, wherein at least one information element includes at least one of a plurality of values, each of the plurality of values ​​being associated with an RS configuration.

[0308] Example Implementation B3. The method according to any one of Example Implementations B1 to B2, wherein at least one information element of at least one resource type is indicated to trigger a reporting type selected from periodic, non-periodic, or semi-persistent.

[0309] Example Implementation B4. The method according to any of the example implementations B1 to B3, wherein at least one resource type indicates at least one type of RS, the at least one type of RS including a positioning reference signal (PRS), a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS), and / or a tracking reference signal (TRS).

[0310] Example Implementation B5. The method described according to any one of Example Implementations B1 to B4, further wherein the first network node is used for location management functions.

[0311] Example Implementation B6. The method according to Example Implementation B5 further includes: receiving at least one RS configuration from at least one other network node acting as a gNodeB; and sending auxiliary information including resource type based on the at least one RS configuration received from at least one other network node.

[0312] Example Implementation B7. The method according to Example Implementation B6 further includes sending at least one request for at least one RS configuration to each of at least one other network node.

[0313] Example Implementation B8. The method according to any one of Example Implementations B6 to B7, wherein at least one request is sent to each of at least one other network node via NRPPa or OAM, and wherein at least one RS configuration is received from each of at least one other network node via NRPPa or OAM.

[0314] Example Implementation B9. The method according to any one of Example Implementations B6 to B8, wherein at least one other network node includes a serving gNodeB associated with the serving cell of the wireless device.

[0315] Example Implementation B10. The method according to any one of Example Implementations B6 to B9, wherein at least one other network node includes an auxiliary gNodeB associated with the serving cell or a neighboring cell.

[0316] Example Implementation B11. The method according to any of the example embodiments B6 to B10, wherein at least one resource type associated with at least one RS sent to the wireless device includes an RS configuration that is public to each of at least one other network node.

[0317] Example Implementation B12. The method according to any one of Example Implementations B6 to B11 further includes maintaining at least one code point, each of the at least one code point being associated with a PRS configuration received from a corresponding other network node among at least one other network node.

[0318] Example Implementation B13. The method according to Example Implementation A20, wherein each of at least one code point indicates at least one of the following: periodicity, semi-persistentity, or aperiodicity; the number of resource sets and / or the number of resources; periodicity; comb pattern; the number of PRS subframes; PRS bandwidth; and frequency layer.

[0319] Example Implementation B14. The method according to any one of Example Implementations B12 to B13, wherein the auxiliary information indicating at least one resource type includes at least one code point.

[0320] Example Implementation B15. The method according to any one of Example Implementations B1 to B4, wherein the network node is a serving gNodeB associated with the serving cell, and the resource type associated with the RS is associated with the RS configuration of the network node.

[0321] Example Implementation B16. The method according to any one of Example Implementations B1 to B15, wherein auxiliary information is sent to the wireless device according to the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP).

[0322] Example Implementation B17. The method according to any one of Example Implementations B1 to B15, wherein auxiliary information is transmitted to the wireless device according to the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol.

[0323] Example Implementation B18. The method according to any one of Example Implementations B1 to B15, wherein auxiliary information is transmitted to the wireless device according to the New Radio Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa).

[0324] Example Implementation B19. The method according to any of the example implementations B1 to B18, wherein auxiliary information is sent to a wireless device via downlink control information (DCI), and wherein the auxiliary information and / or at least one resource type are included in at least one RS configuration connected to the DCI trigger state.

[0325] Example embodiment B20. The method according to example embodiment B19 further includes: receiving at least one reference signal report from a wireless device based on at least one RS configuration, the at least one reference signal report including values ​​associated with at least one measurement performed by the wireless device.

[0326] Example Implementation B21. The method according to Example Implementation B20, wherein at least one measurement includes at least one of the following: Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), and UE Receiver / Transmitter (UE RX-TX).

[0327] Example Implementation B22. The method according to any one of Example Implementations B19 to B21, wherein at least one RS configuration includes a plurality of RS configurations.

[0328] Example Implementation B23. The method according to Example Implementation B22, wherein the plurality of RS configurations includes at least a PRS configuration and a CSI-RS configuration.

[0329] Example Implementation B24. The method according to Example Implementation B23, wherein the PRS configuration and CSI-RS configuration are indicated by at least one information element.

[0330] Example Implementation B25. The method according to Example Implementation B23, wherein the PRS configuration is indicated by a first information element and the CSI-RS configuration is indicated by a second information element.

[0331] Example Implementation B26. The method according to any of the example implementations B19 to B25, wherein at least one RS configuration is received via CSI-AssociatedReportReportConfigInfo, and wherein the RS configuration is associated with at least one of the following: NRDL-TDOA, NR-DL-AoD, and NR Multi-RTT.

[0332] Example Implementation B27. The method according to any of the example implementations B1 to B26, wherein at least one resource type includes at least one of the following: at least one resource identifier (ID); at least one resource set ID; or at least one frequency layer ID.

[0333] Example Implementation B28. The method according to any of the example implementations B1 to B26, wherein at least one resource type includes at least one of the following: at least one PRS resource ID, at least one PRS resource set ID, or a list of PRS resource sets.

[0334] Example Implementation B29. The method according to any one of Example Implementations B1 to B28 further includes receiving at least one reference signal report from the wireless device based on auxiliary information, the at least one reference signal report including a value associated with at least one measurement performed by the wireless device.

[0335] Example Implementation B30. The method according to Example Implementation B29, wherein at least one measurement includes at least one of the following: Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), and UE Receiver / Transmitter (UE RX-TX).

[0336] Example Implementation B31. The method according to any one of Example Implementations B29 to B30, wherein at least one reference signal report is received from the wireless device via the RRC protocol.

[0337] Example embodiment B32. A first network node including processing circuitry configured to perform any of the methods described according to example embodiments B1 to B31.

[0338] Example embodiment B33. A computer program including instructions that, when executed on a computer, perform any of the methods described according to example embodiments B1 to B31.

[0339] Example Implementation B34. A computer program product including a computer program, the computer program including instructions that, when executed on a computer, perform any of the methods described according to Example Implementations B1 to B31.

[0340] Example embodiment B35. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform any of the methods described according to Example embodiments B1 to B31.

[0341] Group C Example Implementation

[0342] Example Implementation C1. A wireless device, comprising: processing circuitry configured to perform any step of any of the steps described in any of the example embodiments of Group A; and power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the wireless device.

[0343] Example Implementation C2. A network node comprising: processing circuitry configured to perform any step of any of the steps described in any of the example embodiments of Group B; and power supply circuitry configured to supply power to a wireless device.

[0344] Example Implementation C3. A wireless device comprising: an antenna configured to transmit and receive wireless signals; radio front-end circuitry connected to the antenna and processing circuitry and configured to modulate signals communicating between the antenna and processing circuitry; processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps described in any of the example embodiments according to Group B example embodiments; an input interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to allow information to be input into the wireless device for processing by the processing circuitry; an output interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to output information already processed by the processing circuitry from the wireless device; and a battery connected to the processing circuitry and configured to power the wireless device.

[0345] Example Implementation C4. A communication system including a host computer, the host computer comprising: processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and a communication interface configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a wireless device, wherein the cellular network includes network nodes having a radio interface and processing circuitry, the processing circuitry of the network nodes being configured to perform any of the steps described in any of the example embodiments according to any of the example embodiments in Group B.

[0346] Example embodiment C5. The communication system according to the foregoing embodiments further includes a network node.

[0347] Example C6. The communication system according to the foregoing two embodiments further includes a wireless device, wherein the wireless device is configured to communicate with a network node.

[0348] Example 35. A communication system according to the foregoing three embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of a host computer is configured to execute a host application to provide user data; and the wireless device includes processing circuitry configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

[0349] Example Implementation C8. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a network node, and a wireless device, the method comprising: providing user data at the host computer; and at the host computer, initiating a transmission via a cellular network including the network node to the wireless device, the transmission carrying the user data, wherein the network node performs any of the steps described in any of the example embodiments according to any of the example embodiments in Group B.

[0350] Example Implementation C9. The method according to the foregoing embodiments further includes: sending user data at a network node.

[0351] Example Implementation C10. The method according to the foregoing two embodiments, wherein user data is provided at a host computer by executing a host application, the method further includes: executing a client application associated with the host application at a wireless device.

[0352] Example Implementation C11. A wireless device configured to communicate with a network node, the wireless device including a radio interface and processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps described in the foregoing three embodiments.

[0353] Example Implementation C12. A communication system including a host computer, the host computer comprising: processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and a communication interface configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a wireless device, wherein the wireless device includes a radio interface and processing circuitry, and components of the wireless device are configured to perform any of the steps described in any of the example embodiments of Group A example embodiments.

[0354] Example embodiment C13. The communication system according to the foregoing embodiments, wherein the cellular network further includes network nodes configured to communicate with wireless devices.

[0355] Example embodiment C14. The communication system according to the foregoing two embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application to provide user data; and the processing circuitry of the wireless device is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

[0356] Example Implementation C15. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a network node, and a wireless device, the method comprising: providing user data at the host computer; and at the host computer, initiating a transmission via a cellular network including the network node to the wireless device, the transmission carrying the user data, wherein the wireless device performs any of the steps described in any of the example embodiments of Group A example embodiments.

[0357] Example embodiment C16. The method according to the foregoing embodiments further includes: receiving user data from a network node at a wireless device.

[0358] Example Implementation C17. A communication system including a host computer, the host computer comprising: a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a wireless device to a network node, wherein the wireless device includes a radio interface and processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps described in any of the example embodiments of Group A.

[0359] Example embodiment C 1 8. The communication system according to the foregoing embodiments further includes a wireless device.

[0360] Example embodiment C19. The communication system according to the foregoing two embodiments further includes a network node, wherein the network node includes: a radio interface configured to communicate with a wireless device; and a communication interface configured to forward user data carried by a transmission from the wireless device to the network node to a host computer.

[0361] Example Implementation C20. A communication system according to the foregoing three embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application; and the processing circuitry of the wireless device is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing user data.

[0362] Example Implementation C21. A communication system according to the foregoing four embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application to provide requested data; and the processing circuitry of the wireless device is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application to provide user data in response to the requested data.

[0363] Example Implementation C22. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a network node, and a wireless device, the method comprising: at the host computer, receiving user data transmitted from the wireless device to the network node, wherein the wireless device performs any of the steps described in any of the example embodiments of Group A example embodiments.

[0364] Example embodiment C23. The method according to the foregoing embodiments further includes: providing user data to a network node at the wireless device.

[0365] Example embodiment C24. The method according to the foregoing two embodiments further includes: at a wireless device, executing a client application to provide user data to be sent; and at a host computer, executing a host application associated with the client application.

[0366] Example Implementation C25. The method according to the foregoing three embodiments further includes: executing a client application at a wireless device; and receiving input data from the client application at the wireless device, the input data being provided at a host computer by executing a host application associated with the client application, wherein user data to be sent is provided by the client application in response to the input data.

[0367] Example Implementation C26. A communication system including a host computer, the host computer including a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a wireless device to a network node, wherein the network node includes a radio interface and processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps described in any of the example embodiments of Group B example embodiments.

[0368] Example embodiment C27. The communication system according to the foregoing embodiments further includes a network node.

[0369] Example embodiment C28. The communication system according to the foregoing two embodiments further includes a wireless device, wherein the wireless device is configured to communicate with a network node.

[0370] Example Implementation C29. A communication system according to the foregoing three embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application; and the wireless device is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing user data to be received by the host computer.

[0371] Example Implementation C30. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a network node, and a wireless device, the method comprising: at the host computer, receiving from a base station user data transmitted from the network node that has been received from the wireless device, wherein the wireless device performs any of the steps described in any of the example embodiments of Group A example embodiments.

[0372] Example embodiment C31. The method according to the foregoing embodiment further includes: receiving user data from a wireless device at a network node.

[0373] Example Implementation C32. The method described in the foregoing two embodiments further includes: at the network node, initiating the transmission of the received user data to the host computer.

[0374] Example Implementation C33. The method according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the network node includes a base station.

[0375] Example Implementation C34. The method according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the wireless device includes a user equipment (UE).

[0376] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems and apparatus described herein without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Components of the systems and apparatus may be integrated or separated. Furthermore, the operation of the systems and apparatus may be performed by more components, fewer components, or other components. Additionally, any suitable logic, including software, hardware, and / or other logic, may be used to perform the operation of the systems and apparatus. As used herein, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.

[0377] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the methods described herein without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Methods may include more, fewer, or other steps. Furthermore, the steps may be performed in any suitable order.

[0378] Although this disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments, changes and arrangements of the embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description of the embodiments does not limit this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A method performed by a wireless device, the wireless device being capable of performing receiver-transmitter Rx-Tx time difference measurement and supporting the selection of a downlink DL reference signal RS for positioning, the method comprising: At least one information element is received from a first network node, the at least one information element indicating at least one resource type associated with at least one DLRS, wherein the at least one DLRS is associated with a resource set, and Wherein, the at least one resource type indicates a type of DL RS, the type of DL RS being selected from a selection of DL RS for positioning, the selection of DL RS for positioning including one of the following: Positioning Reference Signal (PRS); Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS); and Tracking Reference Signal (TRS).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The information element includes at least one of a plurality of values, each of which is associated with an RS configuration.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one information element of the at least one resource type indicates that it triggers a reporting type selected from periodic, non-periodic, or semi-persistent.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first network node is used for location management functions.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, The at least one information element is received according to the Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP).

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first network node is a serving gNodeB, and the at least one resource type associated with the at least one RS is associated with a serving cell.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The at least one information element is received according to the Radio Resource Control (RRC) configuration.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one information element is used to indicate the DCI of at least one RS configuration.

9. The method according to claim 1, comprising: Receive at least one information element providing multiple RS configurations via RRC signaling, and Receive a DCI indicating at least one RS configuration among the plurality of RS configurations.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: Based on the at least one RS configuration, the wireless device performs at least one measurement; as well as At least one measurement report is sent to the first network node and / or another network node based on the at least one RS configuration.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The at least one measurement includes at least one of the following: reference signal time difference (RSTD); reference signal received power (RSRP); reference signal received quality (RSRQ); and UE RX-TX.

12. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 11, wherein, The measurement report is sent to the network node and / or the other network node via the RRC protocol.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein, The at least one RS configuration includes multiple RS configurations.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The plurality of RS configurations include at least PRS configuration, TRS configuration and CSI-RS configuration.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, The PRS configuration, TRS configuration, and CSI-RS configuration are indicated by at least one information element.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein, The PRS configuration is indicated by a first information element, and the CSI-RS configuration and / or TRS configuration is indicated by a second information element.

17. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein, The at least one RS configuration is received via CSI-AssociatedReportReportConfigInfo.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, The at least one RS configuration is associated with at least one of the following: NR DL-TDOA, NR-DL-AoD, and NR Multi-RTT.

19. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, The at least one resource type includes at least one of the following: At least one resource identifier ID, At least one resource set ID, or At least one frequency layer ID.

20. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, The at least one resource type includes at least one of the following: At least one PRS resource ID, At least one PRS resource set ID, or A list of PRS resource sets.

21. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, The at least one resource type includes at least one code point, each of which is associated with a PRS configuration, which is associated with a corresponding network node among a plurality of network nodes.

22. A method performed by a first network node, the first network node being configured to report receiver-transmitter Rx-Tx time difference measurements and support the selection of a downlink DL reference signal RS for positioning, the method comprising: Sending auxiliary information to a wireless device, the auxiliary information including at least one information element indicating at least one resource type associated with at least one DL RS, wherein the at least one DL RS is associated with a resource set, and Wherein, the at least one resource type indicates a type of DL RS, the type of DL RS being selected from a selection of DL RS for positioning, the selection of DL RS for positioning including one of the following: Positioning Reference Signal (PRS); Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS); and Tracking Reference Signal (TRS).

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein, The at least one information element includes at least one of a plurality of values, each of which is associated with an RS configuration.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein, The at least one information element of the at least one resource type indicates that it triggers a reporting type selected from periodic, non-periodic, or semi-persistent.

25. The method according to claim 22, further wherein, The first network node is used for location management functions.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein, The auxiliary information is received according to the Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP).

27. The method of claim 25, further comprising: Receive at least one RS configuration from at least one other network node acting as gNodeB; as well as Based on at least one RS configuration received from at least one other network node, auxiliary information including the resource type is sent.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising sending at least one request for configuring the at least one RS to each of the at least one other network node.

29. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 28, wherein, The at least one other network node includes a serving gNodeB associated with the serving cell of the wireless device.

30. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 28, wherein, The at least one other network node includes an auxiliary gNodeB associated with the serving cell or a neighboring cell.

31. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 28, wherein, At least one resource type associated with at least one RS sent to the wireless device includes an RS configuration that is public to each of the at least one other network node.

32. The method of any one of claims 27 to 28, further comprising maintaining at least one code point, each of the at least one code point being associated with a PRS configuration received from a corresponding network node among the at least one other network node.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein, The auxiliary information indicating the at least one resource type includes the at least one code point.

34. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 26, wherein, The network node is a serving gNodeB associated with the serving cell, and the resource type associated with the RS is associated with the RS configuration of the network node.

35. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 28, wherein, The auxiliary information is sent to the wireless device in accordance with the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol.

36. The method according to claim 22, wherein, The at least one information element is used for downlink control information (DCI), which indicates at least one RS configuration.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising: Based on the at least one RS configuration, at least one measurement report is received from the wireless device, the at least one measurement report including values ​​associated with at least one measurement performed by the wireless device.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein, The at least one measurement includes at least one of the following: reference signal time difference (RSTD); reference signal received power (RSRP); reference signal received quality (RSRQ); and UE RX-TX.

39. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 38, wherein, The at least one RS configuration includes multiple RS configurations.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein, The plurality of RS configurations include at least PRS configuration, TRS configuration and CSI-RS configuration.

41. The method according to claim 40, wherein, The PRS configuration, the TRS configuration, and the CSI-RS configuration are indicated by the at least one information element.

42. The method according to claim 40, wherein, The PRS configuration is indicated by a first information element, and the CSI-RS configuration and / or TRS configuration is indicated by a second information element.

43. The method according to any one of claims 36 to 38, wherein, The at least one RS configuration is received via CSI-AssociatedReportReportConfigInfo.

44. The method according to claim 43, wherein, The RS configuration is associated with at least one of the following: NR DL-TDOA, NR-DL-AoD, and NR Multi-RTT.

45. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 28, wherein, The at least one resource type includes at least one of the following: At least one resource identifier, At least one resource set identifier, or At least one frequency layer identifier.

46. ​​The method according to any one of claims 22 to 28, wherein, The at least one resource type includes at least one of the following: At least one PRS resource identifier, At least one PRS resource set identifier, or A list of PRS resource sets.

47. A wireless device, including processing circuitry configured to perform any one of the methods according to claims 1 to 21.

48. A network node including processing circuitry configured to perform any one of the methods according to claims 22 to 46.

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