Reference signal RS configuration and management

Abstract

A method for requesting a reference signal includes: sending a first on-demand RS request for a reference signal (RS) from a user equipment in response to a first location request; obtaining a first timer value at the user equipment indicating a first threshold time amount; and sending a second on-demand RS request from the user equipment in response to either: the first threshold time amount elapses after the first on-demand RS request is sent without at least one of the following operations: receiving the RS at the user equipment or decoding an RS configuration message at the user equipment; or receiving a second location request with a higher priority than the first location request before the first threshold time amount elapses after the first on-demand RS request is sent.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Indian Patent Application No. 202021039124 (assigned to its assignee), filed on September 10, 2020, entitled “RS CONFIGURATION AND MANAGEMENT”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Background Technology

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

[0004] The fifth-generation (5G) mobile standard is designed to achieve higher data transmission speeds, greater connection capacity, and superior coverage, along with other improvements. According to the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGC), the 5G standard is designed to provide tens of megabits per second (Mbps) of data rate to each of tens of thousands of users, or 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) to dozens of employees on an office floor. To support large-scale sensor deployments, it should support hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections. Therefore, the spectral efficiency of 5G mobile communications should be significantly enhanced compared to the current 4G standard. Furthermore, signal transmission efficiency should be improved and latency significantly reduced compared to the current standard. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In an embodiment, a user equipment includes: a transceiver; a memory; and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, configured to: transmit a first on-demand RS request for a reference signal (RS) via the transceiver in response to a first location request; obtain a first timer value indicating a first threshold time amount; and transmit a second on-demand RS request via the transceiver in response to either: after the processor transmits the first on-demand RS request, the first threshold time amount has elapsed without the processor completing at least one of the operations of receiving the RS via the transceiver or decoding an RS configuration message received via the transceiver; or before the first threshold time amount has elapsed after the processor transmits the first on-demand RS request, the processor receiving a second location request having a higher priority than the first location request.

[0006] In an embodiment, a user equipment includes: a first transmitting component for transmitting a first on-demand RS request in response to a first location request; a component for obtaining a first timer value indicating a first threshold time; a receiving / decoding component for performing at least one of receiving the RS or decoding an RS configuration message; and a second transmitting component for transmitting a second on-demand RS request in response to either: after the first transmitting component transmits the first on-demand RS request, a first threshold time has elapsed without the receiving / decoding component completing at least one of receiving the RS or decoding the RS configuration message; or before the first threshold time has elapsed after the first transmitting component transmits the first on-demand RS request, the receiving / decoding component receives a second location request with a higher priority than the first location request.

[0007] In one embodiment, a method for requesting a reference signal includes: sending a first on-demand RS request for a reference signal (RS) from a user equipment in response to a first location request; obtaining a first timer value at the user equipment indicating a first threshold time amount; and sending a second on-demand RS request from the user equipment in response to either: the first threshold time amount elapses after the first on-demand RS request is sent without at least one of the following operations: receiving the RS at the user equipment or decoding an RS configuration message at the user equipment; or receiving a second location request with a higher priority than the first location request before the first threshold time amount elapses after the first on-demand RS request is sent.

[0008] In an embodiment, a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium includes processor-readable instructions that cause a processor of a user equipment to perform the following operations to request a reference signal: sending a first on-demand RS request for the reference signal (RS) in response to a first location request; obtaining a first timer value indicating a first threshold time amount; and sending a second on-demand RS request in response to either: the first threshold time amount elapses after the first on-demand RS request is sent, without at least one of the following two operations: receiving the RS at the user equipment or decoding an RS configuration message at the user equipment; or receiving a second location request at the user equipment before the first threshold time amount elapses after the first on-demand RS request, the second location request having a higher priority than the first location request. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a simplified diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system.

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A block diagram of the components of an exemplary user device is shown.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of the components of an exemplary send / receive point.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of the components of an exemplary server.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a block diagram of an exemplary user device.

[0014] Figure 6 It is used for the processing and signal flow of location information.

[0015] Figure 7 An exemplary reference signal configuration message is shown.

[0016] Figure 8 An exemplary initial on-demand reference signal request is shown.

[0017] Figure 9 A method for determining location information is shown.

[0018] Figure 10 This is a block flowchart of the method for requesting a reference signal. Detailed Implementation

[0019] This paper discusses techniques for on-demand requests for one or more reference signals (RS) used for positioning. For example, a user equipment (UE) can be triggered to obtain location information and, in response, send a request for an RS (reference signal). If the UE does not receive a valid response to the request within a threshold time period (e.g., based on positioning priority (e.g., the location information)), the UE can send another request for the RS. The UE can then send the request for the RS again with a higher priority than the original trigger for the location information in response to being triggered again for the location information. If a delay corresponding to the RS request is not met—for example, if the RS is not received in time to determine that location information meets a delay constraint—the requester of the location information (e.g., an upper-layer application) can be notified. However, other examples can be implemented.

[0020] The items and / or techniques described herein may provide one or more of the following capabilities, as well as others not mentioned. Different command priorities for location information may be considered, including changing command priorities. Non-periodic commands for location information may be considered. For example, retransmitting a reference signal request with a shorter delay time indication in response to an earlier request with a longer delay not receiving a valid response can help satisfy one or more delay constraints. Other capabilities may be provided, and not every embodiment of this disclosure is required to provide any of the discussed capabilities (let alone all of them).

[0021] Obtaining the location of mobile devices accessing a wireless network can be useful for many applications, including emergency calls, personal navigation, consumer asset tracking, and locating friends or family members. Existing positioning methods include those based on measuring radio signals transmitted by a variety of devices or entities, including satellites (SVs) and terrestrial radio sources in the wireless network (e.g., base stations and access points). Standardization of 5G wireless networks is expected to include support for various positioning methods that can utilize reference signals transmitted by base stations, similar to how LTE wireless networks currently utilize Position Reference Signals (PRS) and / or Cell-Specific Reference Signals (CRS) for location determination.

[0022] The description may refer to a sequence of actions to be performed, such as actions performed by elements of a computing device. The various actions described herein may be performed by specific circuitry (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), program instructions executed by one or more processors, or a combination of both. The sequence of actions described herein may be embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium having a corresponding set of computer instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, will cause the associated processor to perform the functions described herein. Thus, the various aspects described herein may be embodied in many different forms, all of which fall within the scope of this disclosure, including the claimed subject matter.

[0023] As used herein, the terms “User Equipment” (UE) and “Base Station” are not specifically or limited to any particular Radio Access Technology (RAT) unless otherwise stated. Generally, such a UE can be any wireless communication device used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network (e.g., mobile phone, router, tablet, laptop, consumer asset tracking device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.). The UE can be mobile or stationary (e.g., at certain times) and can communicate with a Radio Access Network (RAN). As used herein, the term “UE” can be used interchangeably as “Access Terminal” or “AT,” “Client Equipment,” “Wireless Equipment,” “Subscriber Equipment,” “Subscriber Terminal,” “Subscriber Station,” “User Terminal” or “UT,” “Mobile Terminal,” “Mobile Station,” “Mobile Equipment,” or variations thereof. Typically, a UE can communicate with the core network via the RAN, and through the core network, the UE can connect to external networks such as the Internet and to other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms for connecting a UE to the core network and / or the Internet are also possible, such as via a wired access network, a WiFi network (e.g., based on IEEE 802.11), etc.

[0024] Base stations can operate according to one of several RATs in communication with the UE, depending on the network in which they are deployed. Examples of base stations include access points (APs), network nodes, NodeBs, evolved NodeBs (eNBs), or general NodeBs (gNodeBs, gNBs). Furthermore, in some systems, base stations can provide purely edge node signaling capabilities, while in others, they can provide additional control and / or network management functions.

[0025] The UE can be represented by any device of various types, including but not limited to printed circuit (PC) cards, compact flash memory devices, external or internal modems, wireless or wired telephones, smartphones, tablets, consumer asset tracking devices, asset tags, etc. The communication link through which the UE sends signals to the RAN is referred to as an uplink channel (e.g., reverse traffic channel, reverse control channel, access channel, etc.). The communication link through which the RAN sends signals to the UE is referred to as a downlink or forward link channel (e.g., paging channel, control channel, broadcast channel, forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term "traffic channel (TCH)" can be referred to as an uplink / reverse traffic channel or a downlink / forward traffic channel.

[0026] As used herein, the terms "cell" or "sector" may correspond to one of multiple cells of a base station or to the base station itself, depending on the context. Belonging to a "cell" can refer to a logical communication entity used for communication with the base station (e.g., via a carrier) and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., Physical Cell Identifier (PCID), Virtual Cell Identifier (VCID)) used to distinguish adjacent cells operating via the same or different carriers. In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells and may be configured with different cells based on different protocol types providing access for different types of devices (e.g., Machine-Type Communication (MTC), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), Enhanced Mobile Broadband (EMBB), or others). In some examples, the term "cell" may refer to a portion (e.g., a sector) of the geographical coverage area on which the logical entity operates.

[0027] refer to Figure 1Examples of communication system 100 include UE 105, UE 106, radio access network (RAN), here NG RAN (NG-RAN) 135 (5G), 5G core network (5GC) 140, and server 150. UE 105 and / or UE 106 can be, for example, IoT devices, location tracker devices, cellular phones, vehicles (e.g., cars, trucks, automobiles, boats, etc.) or other devices. 5G networks can also be referred to as New Radio (NR) networks; NG-RAN 135 can be referred to as 5G RAN or NR RAN; and 5GC 140 can be referred to as NG core network (NGC). Standardization of NG-RAN and 5GC is underway within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Accordingly, NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140 can conform to current or future standards from 3GPP for 5G support. NG-RAN 135 can be other types of RAN, such as 3G RAN, 4G LTE RAN, etc. UE 106 can be configured and coupled in a similar manner to UE 105 to send and / or receive signals to / from other entities in system 100, but in Figure 1 For simplicity, such signal transmission is not shown in the accompanying drawings. Similarly, for simplicity, the focus of the discussion is on UE 105. Communication system 100 may use information from a cluster 185 of satellites 190, 191, 192, and 193 used for satellite positioning systems (SPS) (e.g., Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)), such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, or BeiDou, or some other local or regional SPS such as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), or a wide-area augmentation system (WAAS). Other components of communication system 100 will be described below. Communication system 100 may include additional or alternative components.

[0028] like Figure 1As shown, NG-RAN 135 includes NR NodeBs (gNB) 110a, 110b and a next-generation eNodeB (ng-eNB) 114, and 5GC 140 includes Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMF) 115, Session Management Functions (SMF) 117, Location Management Functions (LMF) 120 and Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 125. gNBs 110a, 110b and ng-eNB 114 are communicatively coupled to each other and configured to communicate bidirectionally with UE 105, and are also communicatively coupled to AMF 115 and configured to communicate bidirectionally with AMF 115. gNBs 110a, 110b and ng-eNB 114 can be referred to as base stations (BS). AMF 115, SMF 117, LMF 120 and GMLC 125 are communicatively coupled to each other, and the GMLC is communicatively coupled to an external client 130. SMF 117 can act as the initial contact point for Service Control Function (SCF) (not shown) to establish, control, and delete media sessions. Base stations (such as gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114) can be macrocells (e.g., high-power cellular base stations), small cells (e.g., low-power cellular base stations), or access points (e.g., configured to use technologies such as WiFi, WiFi-Direct (WiFi-D)). Low power consumption (Short-range base stations that communicate using short-range technologies such as BLE and Zigbee). One or more BSs (e.g., one or more of gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114) can be configured to communicate with UE 105 via multiple carriers. Each of gNB 110a, 110b and ng-eNB 114 can provide communication coverage to a corresponding geographic area (e.g., cell). Each cell can be divided into multiple sectors based on the base station antennas.

[0029] Figure 1Generalized examples of various components are provided, any or all of which can be appropriately utilized, and each of these components can be doubled or omitted as needed. Specifically, although a UE 105 is illustrated, many UEs (e.g., hundreds, thousands, millions, etc.) can be employed in communication system 100. Similarly, communication system 100 may include a larger (or smaller) number of SVs (i.e., more or fewer than the four SVs 190-193 illustrated), gNBs 110a and 110b, ng-eNB 114, AMF 115, external client 130, and / or other components. The connections of the various components in the illustrated communication system 100 include data and signal transmission connections, which may include additional (intermediate) components, direct or indirect physical and / or wireless connections, and / or additional networks. Furthermore, these components may be rearranged, combined, split, replaced, and / or omitted depending on the intended functionality.

[0030] although Figure 1 A 5G-based network is illustrated, but similar network implementations and configurations can be used for other communication technologies, such as 3G, LTE, etc. The implementations described herein (whether for 5G technology or for one or more other communication technologies and / or protocols) can be used to transmit (or broadcast) directional synchronization signals, receive and measure directional signals at a UE (e.g., UE 105), and / or provide positioning assistance to UE 105 (via GMLC 125 or other positioning servers) and / or calculate the location of UE 105 at a positioning-capable device (e.g., UE 105, gNB 110a, 110b, or LMF 120) based on measurements received at UE 105 for such directional transmission signals. Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 125, Location Management Function (LMF) 120, Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 115, SMF 117, ng-eNB (eNodeB) 114, and gNB (gNodeB) 110a, 110b are examples, and in various embodiments may include or be replaced by various other location server functions and / or base station functions, respectively.

[0031] System 100 is capable of wireless communication because its components can communicate with each other directly or indirectly, for example, via gNB110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114 and / or 5GC 140 (and / or one or more other devices not shown, such as one or more other transceiver base stations) (at least sometimes using wireless connections). For indirect communication, the communication can be modified during transmission from one entity to another, for example, by changing the header information of data packets, changing the format, etc. UE 105 may include multiple UEs and can be a mobile wireless communication device, but can communicate wirelessly as well as via a wired connection. UE 105 can be any of a variety of devices, such as a smartphone, tablet, vehicle-based device, etc., but these are merely examples, as UE 105 is not required to be any of these configurations, and other configurations of the UE can be adopted. Other UEs may include wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches, smart jewelry, smart glasses, or headsets, etc.). Other UEs, whether existing or developed in the future, may also be adopted. In addition, other wireless devices (whether mobile or not) can be implemented within system 100, and these wireless devices can communicate with each other and / or with UE 105, gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, 5GC 140, and / or external client 130. For example, such other devices may include Internet of Things (IoT) devices, medical devices, home entertainment and / or automation devices, etc. 5GC 140 can communicate with external client 130 (e.g., a computer system), thereby allowing external client 130 to request and / or receive location information about UE 105 (e.g., via GMLC 125).

[0032] UE 105 or other devices can be configured to communicate in various networks and / or for various purposes and / or using various technologies (e.g., 5G, Wi-Fi communication, multi-frequency Wi-Fi communication, satellite positioning, one or more types of communication (e.g., GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything, e.g., V2P (Vehicle-to-Pedestrian), V2I (Vehicle-to-Infrastructure), V2V (Vehicle-to-Vehicle), etc.), IEEE 802.11p, etc.)). V2X communication can be cellular communication (Cellular-V2X (C-V2X)) and / or WiFi (e.g., DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Connectivity)). System 100 can support operation on multiple carriers (waveform signals with different frequencies). A multi-carrier transmitter can simultaneously transmit various modulated signals on multiple carriers. Each modulated signal can be a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) signal, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) signal, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) signal, Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) signal, etc. Each modulated signal can be transmitted on different carriers and can carry pilot signals, overhead information, data, etc. UEs 105 and 106 can communicate with each other via UE-to-UE side-link (SL) communication by transmitting on one or more side-link channels (such as Physical Side-Link Synchronization Channel (PSSCH), Physical Side-Link Broadcast Channel (PSBCH), or Physical Side-Link Control Channel (PSCCH)).

[0033] UE 105 may include and / or be referred to as a device, mobile device, wireless device, mobile terminal, terminal, mobile station (MS), Secure User Plane Positioning (SUPL) Enabled Terminal (SET), or some other name. Furthermore, UE 105 may correspond to a cellular phone, smartphone, laptop, tablet, PDA, consumer asset tracking device, navigation device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, health monitor, security system, smart city sensor, smart meter, wearable tracker, or some other portable or mobile device. Typically, although not necessarily, UE 105 may employ one or more Radio Access Technologies (RATs) to support wireless communication, such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), LTE, High-Speed ​​Packet Data (HRPD), IEEE 802.11 WiFi (also known as Wi-Fi). (BT), Global Microwave Access Interoperability (WiMAX), 5G New Radio (NR) (e.g., using NG-RAN135 and 5GC 140), etc. UE 105 can employ a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) to support wireless communication; for example, this WLAN can use Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or packet cable to connect to other networks (e.g., the Internet). The use of one or more of these RATs can allow UE 105 to communicate with external client 130 (e.g., via 5GC 140). Figure 1 Components not shown in the diagram, or possibly via GMLC 125) and / or allow external client 130 to receive location information about UE 105 (e.g., via GMLC 125).

[0034] UE 105 may include a single entity, or may include multiple entities, for example, located in a personal area network (PAN) where users can employ audio, video, and / or data I / O (input / output) devices and / or body sensors, as well as separate wired or wireless modems. The estimation of the location of UE 105 may be referred to as location, location estimate, location orientation, orientation, place, location estimate, or location orientation, and may be geographic, thus providing the location coordinates of UE 105 (e.g., latitude and longitude), which may or may not include an altitude component (e.g., altitude above sea level, altitude above ground level, or depth below ground level, floor height, or basement height). Alternatively, the location of UE 105 may be expressed as a municipal location (e.g., as a postal address or designation of a point or small area within a building, such as a specific room or floor). The location of UE 105 may be expressed as an area or volume (defined in a geographic or municipal form) within which UE 105 is expected to be located with a certain probability or confidence level (e.g., 67%, 95%, etc.). The location of the UE 105 can be expressed as a relative location, including, for example, distance or direction from a known location. A relative location can be expressed as relative coordinates (e.g., X, Y (and Z) coordinates) relative to an origin at a known location, which can be, for example, defined geographically, in municipal terms, or by reference to a point, area, or volume indicated on, for example, a map, floor plan, or building plan. In the description contained herein, the use of the term “location” can include any of these variations unless otherwise indicated. A common practice in calculating the UE’s location is to solve for the local x-coordinates, y-coordinates, and possibly z-coordinates, and then, where desired, convert the local coordinates to absolute coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and elevation above or below mean sea level).

[0035] UE 105 can be configured to communicate with other entities using one or more of a variety of technologies. UE 105 can be configured to indirectly connect to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links. Technologies such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), etc., can be used. Any appropriate D2D radio access technology (RAT) can be used to support these D2D P2P links. One or more UEs in a group utilizing D2D communication may be located within the geographic coverage area of ​​a Transmitting / Receiving Point (TRP) (such as one or more of gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114). Other UEs in such a group may be located outside such geographic coverage area or may be unable to receive transmissions from the base station for other reasons. A group of UEs communicating via D2D communication can utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, in which each UE transmits to other UEs within the group. The TRP can facilitate the scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication can be implemented between UEs without involving a TRP. One or more UEs in a group utilizing D2D communication may be located within the geographic coverage area of ​​a TRP. Other UEs in such a group may be located outside such geographic coverage area or may be unable to receive transmissions from the base station for other reasons. A group of UEs communicating via D2D communication can utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, in which each UE transmits to all other UEs within the group. TRP can facilitate the scheduling of resources used for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication can be implemented between UEs without involving TRP.

[0036] Figure 1 The base stations (BS) in the NG-RAN 135 shown include NR NodeBs, referred to as gNBs 110a and 110b. The paired gNBs 110a and 110b in the NG-RAN 135 can be interconnected via one or more other gNBs. Access to the 5G network is provided to the UE 105 via wireless communication with one or more of the gNBs 110a and 110b, which can provide wireless communication access to the 5GC 140 on behalf of the UE 105 using 5G. Figure 1 In this context, the serving gNB of UE 105 is assumed to be gNB 110a. However, if UE 105 moves to another location, another gNB (e.g., gNB 110b) can act as the serving gNB or as the auxiliary gNB, thereby providing additional throughput and bandwidth to UE 105.

[0037] Figure 1 The base station (BS) in NG-RAN 135 shown may include ng-eNB 114, also known as a next-generation evolved Node B. ng-eNB 114 may connect to one or more of gNBs 110a and 110b in NG-RAN 135, possibly via one or more other gNBs and / or one or more other ng-eNBs. ng-eNB 114 can provide LTE radio access and / or evolved LTE (eLTE) radio access for UE 105. One or more of gNBs 110a / 110b and / or ng-eNB 114 may be configured to act as location-only beacons, transmitting signals that help determine the location of UE 105, but not receiving signals from UE 105 or other UEs.

[0038] gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114 may each include one or more TRPs. For example, each sector within a BS cell may include a TRP, although multiple TRPs may share one or more components (e.g., a shared processor, but with separate antennas). System 100 may exclusively include macro TRPs or system 100 may have different types of TRPs, such as macro, pico, and / or femto TRPs. Macro TRPs may cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and allow unrestricted access for terminals that have subscribed to the service. Pico TRPs may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a pico cell) and allow unrestricted access for terminals that have subscribed to the service. Femto or home TRPs may cover a small geographic area (e.g., a femto cell) and allow restricted access for terminals associated with the femto cell (e.g., terminals of users in a home).

[0039] Each of the gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 may include a Radio Unit (RU), a Distributed Unit (DU), and a Central Unit (CU). For example, the gNB 110a includes RU 111, DU 112, and CU 113. RU 111, DU 112, and CU 113 share the functions of the gNB 110a. Although the gNB 110a is shown as having a single RU, a single DU, and a single CU, the gNB may include one or more RUs, one or more DUs, and / or one or more CUs. The interface between CU 113 and DU 112 may be referred to as an F1 interface. RU 111 is configured to perform digital front-end (DFE) functions (e.g., analog-to-digital conversion, filtering, power amplification, transmit / receive) and digital beamforming, and includes portions of the physical (PHY) layer. RU 111 may perform DFE using massive MIMO and may be integrated with one or more antennas of the gNB 110a. DU 112 hosts the Radio Link Control (RLC), Media Access Control (MAC), and Physical Layer of gNB 110a. A DU can support one or more cells, and each cell is supported by a single DU. The operation of DU 112 can be controlled by CU 113. CU 113 is configured to perform functions for delivering user data, mobility control, radio access network sharing, location, session management, etc., although some functions can be exclusively assigned to DU 112. CU 113 hosts the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol, Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) of gNB 110a. UE 105 can communicate with CU 113 via the RRC, SDAP, and PDCP layers, with DU 112 via the RLC, MAC, and PHY layers, and with RU 111 via the PHY layer.

[0040] As mentioned, although Figure 1 The diagram depicts nodes configured to communicate according to 5G communication protocols, but nodes configured to communicate according to other protocols (such as LTE or IEEE 802.11x) may also be used. For example, in an evolved packet system (EPS) providing LTE radio access to UE 105, the RAN may include an evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), which may include base stations containing evolved Node Bs (eNBs). The EPS core network may include an evolved packet core (EPC). EPS may include E-UTRAN plus EPC, where E-UTRAN corresponds to NG-RAN 135, and EPC corresponds to... Figure 1 5GC 140.

[0041] gNB 110a, 110b, and ng-eNB 114 can communicate with AMF 115, and AMF 115 communicates with LMF 120 to achieve positioning functionality. AMF 115 can support the mobility of UE 105, including cell changes and handover, and can participate in supporting signaling connections for UE 105, and may also participate in the data and voice bearer of UE 105. LMF 120 can communicate directly with UE 105 (e.g., via wireless communication), or directly with gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114. LMF 120 can support positioning of UE 105 when UE 105 accesses NG-RAN 135, and can support positioning procedures / methods such as: Auxiliary GNSS (A-GNSS), Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) (e.g., Downlink (DL) OTDOA or Uplink (UL) OTDOA), Round Trip Time (RTT), Multi-Cell RTT, Real-Time Kinematic (RTK), Precise Point Positioning (PPP), Differential GNSS (DGNSS), Enhanced Cell ID (E-CID), Angle of Arrival (AoA), Angle of Departure (AoD), and / or other positioning methods. LMF 120 can process location service requests for UE 105, for example, received from AMF 115 or GMLC 125. LMF 120 can connect to AMF 115 and / or GMLC 125. LMF 120 may be referred to by other names, such as Positioning Manager (LM), Positioning Function (LF), Commercial LMF (CLMF), or Value-Added LMF (VLMF). The node / system implementing LMF 120 may additionally or alternatively implement other types of positioning support modules, such as Enhanced Serving Mobile Positioning Center (E-SMLC) or Secure User Plane Positioning (SUPL) Positioning Platform (SLP). At least part of the positioning functionality (including deriving the location of UE 105) can be performed at UE 105 (e.g., this operation is performed using signal measurements obtained by UE 105 against signals transmitted by radio nodes such as gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 and / or auxiliary data provided to UE 105 (e.g., by LMF 120)). AMF 115 can act as a control node, handling signal transmission between UE 105 and 5GC 140, and can provide QoS (Quality of Service) streaming and session management. AMF 115 can support UE 105 mobility, including cell changes and handovers, and can participate in supporting signal transmission connections for UE 105.

[0042] Server 150 (e.g., a cloud server) is configured to obtain the location estimate of UE 105 and provide it to external client 130. Server 150 may, for example, be configured to run a microservice / service for obtaining the location estimate of UE 105. Server 150 may, for example, pull the location estimate from UE 105 (e.g., by sending a location request to it), gNB 110a, 110b (e.g., via RU 111, DU 112, and CU 113), and / or ng-eNB 114, and / or LMF 120. As another example, UE 105, gNB 110a, 110b (e.g., via RU 111, DU 112, and CU 113), and / or LMF 120 may push the location estimate of UE 105 to server 150.

[0043] GMLC 125 can receive location requests for UE 105 from external client 130 via server 150 and can forward such location requests to AMF 115, which can then forward them to LMF 120, or the location request can be forwarded directly to LMF 120. A location response from LMF 120 (e.g., containing a location estimate for UE 105) can be returned to GMLC 125 directly or via AMF 115, after which GMLC 125 can return the location response (e.g., containing the location estimate) to external client 130 via server 150. GMLC 125 is shown connected to both AMF 115 and LMF 120, but in some implementations it may not be connected to either AMF 115 or LMF 120.

[0044] like Figure 1 As further shown, the LMF 120 can communicate with gNB110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 using the New Radio Positioning Protocol A (which may be referred to as NPPa or NRPPa) as defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.455. NRPPa can be the same as, similar to, or an extension of the LTE Positioning Protocol A (LPPa) defined in 3GPP TS 36.455, wherein NRPPa messages are transmitted between gNB 110a (or gNB 110b) and LMF 120 via AMF 115 and / or between ng-eNB114 and LMF 120. Figure 1As further shown, LMF 120 and UE 105 can communicate using the LTE Location Protocol (LPP) defined in 3GPP TS36.355. LMF 120 and UE 105 can also, or alternatively, use a New Radio Location Protocol (NPP or NRPP) that is the same as or similar to LPP or an extension thereof. Here, LPP and / or NPP messages can be transmitted between UE 105 and LMF 120 via AMF 115 and UE 105's serving gNB 110a, 110b, or serving ng-eNB 114. For example, LPP and / or NPP messages can be transmitted between LMF 120 and AMF 115 using the 5G Location Service Application Protocol (LCS AP), and can be transmitted between AMF 115 and UE 105 using the 5G Non-Access Stratum (NAS) protocol. The LPP and / or NPP protocols can be used to support the location of UE 105 using UE-assisted and / or UE-based location methods (such as A-GNSS, RTK, OTDOA, and / or E-CID). The NRPPa protocol can be used to support the location of UE 105 using network-based location methods, such as E-CID (e.g., when used in conjunction with measurements obtained via gNB 110a, 110b, or ng-eNB 114), and / or can be used by the LMF 120 to obtain location-related information from gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114, such as defining parameters for directional SS transmissions from gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114. The LMF 120 can be located in the same location as or integrated with the gNB or TRP, or it can be located remotely relative to the gNB and / or TRP and configured to communicate directly or indirectly with the gNB and / or TRP.

[0045] Using a UE-assisted positioning method, UE 105 can obtain location measurements and send them to a positioning server (e.g., LMF 120) for calculating a location estimate of UE 105. For example, location measurements may include one or more of the following for gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, and / or WLAN AP: Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), Round-Trip Time (RTT), Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), and / or Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ). Location measurements may also include, or alternatively, measurements of GNSS pseudorange, code phase, and / or carrier phase for SV 190-193.

[0046] Using a UE-based positioning method, UE 105 can obtain a location measurement (e.g., which may be the same as or similar to the location measurement of a UE-assisted positioning method) and can calculate the location of UE 105 (e.g., by means of receiving auxiliary data from a self-location server (e.g., LMF 120) or broadcast by gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114 or other base stations or APs).

[0047] Using a network-based positioning method, one or more base stations (e.g., gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114) or APs can obtain location measurements (e.g., measurements of RSSI, RTT, RSRP, RSRQ, or Time of Arrival (ToA) of signals transmitted by UE 105) and / or can receive measurements obtained by UE 105. The one or more base stations or APs can transmit the measurements to a positioning server (e.g., LMF 120) for calculating a location estimate for UE 105.

[0048] The information provided to the LMF 120 by the gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114 using NRPPa may include timing and configuration information for directional SS transmissions, as well as location coordinates. The LMF 120 may provide some or all of this information to the UE 105 as supplementary data in LPP and / or NPP messages via NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140.

[0049] The LPP or NPP message sent from LMF 120 to UE 105 can instruct UE 105 to perform any of a variety of actions depending on the intended function. For example, the LPP or NPP message may include instructing UE 105 to obtain measurements of GNSS (or A-GNSS), WLAN, E-CID, and / or OTDOA (or some other positioning method). In the case of E-CID, the LPP or NPP message may instruct UE 105 to obtain one or more measurements of directional signals transmitted within a specific cell supported by one or more of gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 (or supported by some other type of base station such as eNB or WiFi Ap) (e.g., beam ID, beamwidth, average angle, RSRP, RSRQ measurements). UE 105 can send measurements back to LMF 120 in LPP or NPP messages (e.g., within 5G NAS messages) via service gNB 110a (or service ng-eNB 114) and AMF 115.

[0050] As described, although the communication system 100 is described in connection with 5G technology, the communication system 100 can be implemented to support other communication technologies, such as GSM, WCDMA, LTE, etc., for supporting and interacting with mobile devices (e.g., UE 105) (e.g., to implement voice, data, location, and other functions). In some such embodiments, the 5GC 140 can be configured to control different air interfaces. For example, the 5GC 140 can employ non-3GPP interoperability functions (N3IWF) in the 5GC 140. Figure 1 (Not shown) Connects to a WLAN. For example, the WLAN may support IEEE 802.11 WiFi access for UE 105 and may include one or more WiFi APs. Here, the N3IWF may connect to the WLAN and may also connect to other components in 5GC 140, such as AMF 115. In some embodiments, both NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140 may be replaced by one or more other RANs and one or more other core networks. For example, in EPS, NG-RAN 135 may be replaced by E-UTRAN containing eNBs, and 5GC 140 may be replaced by EPC containing a Mobility Management Entity (MME) replacing AMF 115, an E-SMLC replacing LMF 120, and a GMLC similar to GMLC 125. In such EPS, the E-SMLC may use LPPa instead of NRPPa to send and receive information from eNBs in the E-UTRAN, and may use LPP to support UE 105's location. In these other embodiments, the location of UE 105 using directional PRS can be supported in a manner similar to that described herein for 5G networks, the difference being that the functions and procedures described herein for gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, AMF 115 and LMF 120 can be adapted to other network elements, such as eNB, WiFi AP, MME and E-SMLC, in some cases.

[0051] As described, in some embodiments, at least in part, the UE (e.g., at the location to be determined) may be employed by the base station (e.g., gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114). Figure 1 The UE uses directional SS beams transmitted within its range to perform positioning functions. In some cases, the UE may use directional SS beams from multiple base stations (e.g., gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB114, etc.) to calculate the UE's location.

[0052] Also refer to Figure 2UE 200 is an example of one of UEs 105 and 106, and includes a computing platform comprising a processor 210, a memory 211 including software (SW) 212, one or more sensors 213, a transceiver interface 214 for transceivers 215 (including a wireless transceiver 240 and a wired transceiver 250), a user interface 216, a satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver 217, a camera 218, and a positioning device (PD) 219. The processor 210, memory 211, sensors 213, transceiver interface 214, user interface 216, SPS receiver 217, camera 218, and positioning device (PD) 219 can be communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 220 (which can be configured, for example, for optical and / or electrical communications). One or more of the devices shown (e.g., camera 218, positioning device 219, and / or one or more sensors 213, etc.) may be omitted from UE 200. Processor 210 may include one or more smart hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. Processor 210 may include multiple processors, including a general-purpose / application processor 230, a digital signal processor (DSP) 231, a modem processor 232, a video processor 233, and / or a sensor processor 234. One or more of processors 230-234 may include multiple devices (e.g., multiple processors). For example, sensor processor 234 may include, for example, processors for RF (radio frequency) sensing (whereby one or more transmitted (cellular) wireless signals and reflections are used to identify, map, and / or track objects) and / or ultrasound, etc. Modem processor 232 may support dual SIM / dual connectivity (or even more SIMs). For example, one SIM (Subscriber Identity Module or Subscriber Identification Module) may be used by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), and another SIM may be used by the end user of UE 200 to implement connectivity. Memory 211 is a non-transitory storage medium, which may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk memory, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 211 stores software 212, which may be processor-readable and processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 210 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, software 212 may not be executed directly by processor 210, but may be configured (e.g., when compiled and executed) to cause processor 210 to perform the functions. The description may relate to the execution of functions by processor 210, but this includes other implementations, such as the execution of software and / or firmware by processor 210. The description may relate to the execution of functions by processor 210, which is a simplified expression of the execution of functions by one or more of processors 230-234.The description may refer to functions performed by UE 200, which is a simplified expression of functions performed by one or more appropriate components of UE 200. Processor 210 may include memory with stored instructions, other than memory 211 and / or as an alternative to memory 211. The functionality of processor 210 will be discussed in more detail below.

[0053] Figure 2 The configuration of UE 200 shown is an example of this disclosure, including the claims, and not a limitation thereof, and other configurations may be used. For example, an exemplary configuration of the UE includes one or more of processors 230-234 of processor 210, memory 211, and wireless transceiver 240. Other exemplary configurations include one or more of processors 230-234 of processor 210, memory 211, wireless transceiver, one or more sensors 213, user interface 216, SPS receiver 217, camera 218, PD 219, and / or wired transceiver.

[0054] UE 200 may include a modem processor 232 capable of performing baseband processing on signals received and downconverted by transceiver 215 and / or SPS receiver 217. Modem processor 232 may also perform baseband processing on signals to be upconverted for transmission by transceiver 215. Alternatively, baseband processing may be performed by processor 230 and / or DSP 231. However, other configurations may be used to perform baseband processing.

[0055] UE 200 may include sensor 213, which may include one or more types of sensors, such as one or more inertial sensors, one or more magnetometers, one or more environmental sensors, one or more optical sensors, one or more weight sensors, and / or one or more radio frequency (RF) sensors. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) may include, for example, one or more accelerometers (e.g., generally corresponding to the acceleration of UE 200 in three dimensions) and / or one or more gyroscopes (e.g., three-dimensional gyroscopes). Sensor 213 may include one or more magnetometers (e.g., three-dimensional magnetometers) to determine orientation (e.g., relative to magnetic north and / or true north), which can be used for any of a wide variety of purposes, such as supporting one or more compass applications. Environmental sensors may include, for example, one or more temperature sensors, one or more barometer pressure sensors, one or more ambient light sensors, one or more camera imagers, and / or one or more microphones. Sensor 213 can generate analog and / or digital signal indications, which can be stored in memory 211 and processed by DSP 231 and / or processor 230 to support one or more applications, such as applications involving positioning and / or navigation operations.

[0056] Sensor 213 can be used for relative position measurement, relative position determination, motion determination, etc. Information detected by sensor 213 can be used for motion detection, relative displacement, dead reckoning, sensor-based position determination, and / or sensor-assisted position determination. Sensor 213 can be used to determine whether UE 200 is stationary or moving, and / or to determine whether useful information about the mobility of UE 200 should be reported to LMF 120. For example, based on information obtained / measured by sensor 213, UE 200 can notify LMF 120 or report to it that UE 200 has detected movement or that UE 200 has moved, and report relative displacement / distance (e.g., through dead reckoning, sensor-based position determination, or sensor-assisted position determination implemented by sensor 213). In another example, to obtain relative positioning information, sensors / IMUs can be used to determine the angle and / or azimuth of another device relative to UE 200.

[0057] The IMU can be configured to provide measurements of the direction and / or velocity of motion of the UE 200, which can be used for relative position determination. For example, one or more accelerometers and / or one or more gyroscopes of the IMU can detect the linear acceleration and rotational velocity of the UE 200, respectively. The linear acceleration and rotational velocity measurements of the UE 200 can be integrated over time to determine the instantaneous direction of motion and the displacement of the UE 200. The instantaneous direction of motion and displacement can be integrated to track the position of the UE 200. For example, a reference position of the UE 200 at a given moment can be determined using the SPS receiver 217 (and / or by some other component), and measurements from the accelerometers and gyroscopes acquired after that moment can be used for dead reckoning to determine the current position of the UE 200 based on its movement (direction and distance) relative to the reference position.

[0058] A magnetometer can determine the magnetic field strength in different directions that can be used to determine the orientation of the UE 200. For example, this orientation can be used to provide a digital compass for the UE 200. The magnetometer may include a two-dimensional magnetometer configured to detect and provide indications of magnetic field strength in two orthogonal dimensions. The magnetometer may also include a three-dimensional magnetometer configured to detect and provide indications of magnetic field strength in three orthogonal dimensions. The magnetometer can provide means for sensing the magnetic field and providing an indication of the magnetic field to, for example, the processor 210.

[0059] Transceiver 215 may include a wireless transceiver 240 and a wired transceiver 250, configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 240 may include a wireless transmitter 242 and a wireless receiver 244, coupled to antenna 246, to transmit (e.g., on one or more uplink channels and / or one or more sidelink channels) and / or receive (e.g., on one or more downlink channels and / or one or more sidelink channels) wireless signals 248, and to convert signals from wireless signals 248 into wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals and from wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals into wireless signals 248. Thus, wireless transmitter 242 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wireless receiver 244 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 240 can be configured to communicate signals according to a variety of radio access technologies (RATs) (e.g., with RPTs and / or one or more other devices). For example, the RAT may be 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone System), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, and WiFi Direct (WiFi-D). Zigbee, etc. The new radio interface can employ millimeter-wave frequencies and / or sub-6 GHz frequencies. Wired transceiver 250 may include a wired transmitter 252 and a wired receiver 254 configured for wired communication, for example, a network interface that can be used to communicate with NG-RAN 135 to send and receive communications from NG-RAN 135. Thus, wired transmitter 252 may include multiple transmitters that can be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wired receiver 254 may include multiple receivers that can be discrete components or combined / integrated components. Wired transceiver 250 may be configured for, for example, optical and / or electrical communication. Transceiver 215 may be communicatively coupled to transceiver interface 214, for example, via optical and / or electrical connections. Transceiver interface 214 may be at least partially integrated with transceiver 215. The wireless transmitter 242, the wireless receiver 244, and / or the antenna 246 may each include multiple transmitters, multiple receivers, and / or multiple antennas, thereby transmitting and / or receiving appropriate signals respectively.

[0060] User interface 216 may include one or more of several devices, such as a speaker, microphone, display device, vibration device, keyboard, touchscreen, etc. User interface 216 may include more than one of any of these devices. User interface 216 may be configured to enable a user to interact with one or more applications hosted on UE 200. For example, user interface 216 may store indications of analog and / or digital signals in memory 211 for processing by DSP 231 and / or general-purpose processor 230 in response to actions from the user. Similarly, applications hosted on UE 200 may store indications of analog and / or digital signals in memory 211 to present output signals to the user. User interface 216 may include audio input / output (I / O) devices, including, for example, speakers, microphones, digital-to-analog circuitry, analog-to-digital circuitry, amplifiers, and / or gain control circuitry (including more than one of any of these devices). Other configurations of audio I / O devices may be employed. Furthermore, or alternatively, the user interface 216 may include one or more touch sensors that respond to touch and / or pressure on, for example, the keyboard and / or touchscreen of the user interface 216.

[0061] SPS receiver 217 (e.g., a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver) can receive and acquire SPS signal 260 via SPS antenna 262. SPS antenna 262 is configured to convert SPS signal 260 from a wireless signal to a wired signal (e.g., an electrical or optical signal) and can be integrated with antenna 246. SPS receiver 217 can be configured to process the acquired SPS signal 260, either fully or partially, to estimate the location of UE 200. For example, SPS receiver 217 can be configured to determine the location of UE 200 using trilateration with SPS signal 260. The acquired SPS signal can be processed, either fully or partially, using general-purpose processor 230, memory 211, DSP 231, and / or one or more dedicated processors (not shown), and / or used in conjunction with SPS receiver 217 to calculate the estimated location of UE 200. Memory 211 may store indications (e.g., measurements) of SPS signal 260 and / or other signals (e.g., signals acquired from wireless transceiver 240) for use in performing positioning operations. General-purpose processor 230, DSP 231, and / or one or more dedicated processors, and / or memory 211 may provide or support a positioning engine for processing measurements to estimate the position of UE 200.

[0062] UE 200 may include a camera 218 for capturing still or moving images. Camera 218 may include, for example, an imaging sensor (e.g., a charge-coupled device or a CMOS imager), a lens, analog-to-digital circuitry, a frame buffer, etc. Additional processing, conditioning, encoding, and / or compression of the signals representing the captured images may be performed by a general-purpose processor 230 and / or a DSP 231. And, or alternatively, a video processor 233 may perform conditioning, encoding, compression, and / or manipulation of the signals representing the captured images. The video processor 233 may decode / decompress the stored image data for presentation on, for example, a display device (not shown) of a user interface 216.

[0063] Positioning device (PD) 219 may be configured to determine the location of UE 200, the movement of UE 200 and / or the relative position of UE 200, and / or time. For example, PD 219 may communicate with and / or include some or all of SPS receiver 217. PD 219 may suitably cooperate with processor 210 and memory 211 to perform at least a portion of one or more positioning methods, although the description herein may relate to PD 219 being configured to operate according to said positioning method or to PD 219 operating according to said positioning method. Additionally or alternatively, PD 219 may be configured to determine the location of UE 200 using land-based signals (e.g., at least some of signals 248) for trilateration, to assist in the acquisition and use of SPS signal 260, or for both. PD 219 can be configured to determine the location of UE 200 using one or more other technologies (e.g., relying on the UE's self-reported location (e.g., a portion of the UE's location beacon)), and can use a combination of technologies (e.g., SPS and terrestrial positioning signals) to determine the location of UE 200. PD 219 may include one or more of sensors 213 (e.g., gyroscopes, accelerometers, magnetometers, etc.) that can sense the orientation and / or motion of UE 200 and provide indications thereof. Processor 210 (e.g., processor 230 and / or DSP 231) can be configured to use said indications to determine the motion of UE 200 (e.g., velocity vector and / or acceleration vector). PD 219 can be configured to provide indications of uncertainties and / or errors in the determined location and / or motion. The functionality of PD 219 can be provided in a variety of ways and / or configurations, for example, through general / application processor 230, transceiver 215, SPS receiver 217 and / or other components of UE 200, and the functionality of PD 219 can be provided by hardware, software, firmware or various combinations thereof.

[0064] Also refer to Figure 3Examples of TRP 300 for gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 include a computing platform comprising a processor 310, a memory 311 including software (SW) 312, and a transceiver 315. The processor 310, memory 311, and transceiver 315 may be communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 320 (which may be configured for, for example, optical and / or electrical communication). One or more of the devices shown in the TRP 300 (e.g., a wireless interface) may be omitted. The processor 310 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The processor 310 may include multiple processors (e.g., including...). Figure 2 (The general-purpose / application processor, DSP, modem processor, video processor, and / or sensor processor shown). Memory 311 is a non-transitory storage medium, which may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk memory, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 311 stores software 312, which may be processor-readable and processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 310 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, software 312 may not be executed directly by processor 310, but may be configured (e.g., when compiled and executed) to cause processor 310 to perform the functions described herein.

[0065] The description may refer to functions performed by processor 310, but this includes other implementations, such as software and / or firmware performed by processor 310. The description may refer to functions performed by processor 310, which is a simplified expression of functions performed by one or more of the processors included in processor 310. The description may refer to functions performed by TRP 300, which is a simplified expression of functions performed by one or more suitable components (e.g., processor 310 and memory 311) of TRP 300 (and thus by one of gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114). Processor 310 may include memory with stored instructions other than memory 311 and / or as an alternative to memory 311. The functionality of processor 310 will be discussed more fully below.

[0066] Transceiver 315 may include a wireless transceiver 340 and / or a wired transceiver 350, configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 340 may include a wireless transmitter 342 and a wireless receiver 344, coupled to one or more antennas 346 to transmit (e.g., on one or more uplink channels and / or one or more downlink channels) and / or receive (e.g., on one or more downlink channels and / or one or more uplink channels) wireless signals 348, and to convert signals from wireless signals 348 into wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals and from wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals into wireless signals 348. Thus, wireless transmitter 342 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wireless receiver 344 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 340 can be configured to communicate signals according to a variety of radio access technologies (RATs) (e.g., with UE 200, one or more UEs, and / or one or more other devices). For example, the RAT may be 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone Systems), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, and WiFi Direct (WiFi-D). Zigbee, etc. Wired transceiver 350 may include a wired transmitter 352 and a wired receiver 354 configured for wired communication, for example, a network interface that can be used to communicate with NG-RAN 135 to send and receive communications to (e.g.) LMF 120 and / or one or more other network entities. Wired transmitter 352 may include multiple transmitters that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wired receiver 354 may include multiple receivers that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. Wired transceiver 350 may be configured for (e.g.) optical and / or electrical communication.

[0067] Figure 3The configuration of TRP 300 shown is an example of this disclosure, including the claims, and not a limitation thereof, and other configurations may be used. For example, the description herein discusses that TRP 300 is configured to perform or perform several functions, but one or more of these functions may be performed by LMF 120 and / or UE 200 (i.e., LMF 120 and / or UE 200 may be configured to perform one or more of these functions).

[0068] Also refer to Figure 4 Server 400 (LMF 120 is an example thereof) includes a computing platform comprising a processor 410, a memory 411 including software (SW) 412, and a transceiver 415. The processor 410, memory 411, and transceiver 415 can be communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 420 (which can be configured for, for example, optical and / or electrical communication). One or more of the devices shown (e.g., a wireless interface) may be omitted from server 400. Processor 410 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. Processor 410 may include multiple processors (e.g., including...). Figure 2 (The general-purpose / application processor, DSP, modem processor, video processor, and / or sensor processor shown). Memory 411 is a non-transitory storage medium, which may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk storage, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 411 stores software 412, which may be processor-readable and processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 410 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, software 412 may not be executed directly by processor 410, but may be configured (e.g., when compiled and executed) to cause processor 410 to perform the functions. The description may refer to the execution of functions by processor 410, but this includes other implementations, such as the execution of software and / or firmware by processor 410. The description may refer to the execution of functions by processor 410, which is a simplified expression of the execution of functions by one or more of the processors included in processor 410. The description may refer to the execution of functions by server 400, which is a simplified expression of the execution of functions by one or more suitable components of server 400. Processor 410 may include memory containing stored instructions, in addition to memory 411 and / or as an alternative to memory 411. The functionality of processor 410 will be discussed in more detail below.

[0069] Transceiver 415 may include a wireless transceiver 440 and / or a wired transceiver 450, configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 440 may include a wireless transmitter 442 and a wireless receiver 444, coupled to one or more antennas 446 to transmit (e.g., on one or more downlink channels) and / or receive (e.g., on one or more uplink channels) wireless signals 448, and to convert signals from wireless signals 448 into wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals and from wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals into wireless signals 448. Thus, wireless transmitter 442 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wireless receiver 444 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 440 can be configured to communicate signals according to a variety of radio access technologies (RATs) (e.g., with UE200, one or more UEs, and / or one or more other devices), such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone Systems), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, and WiFi Direct (WiFi-D). Zigbee, etc. Wired transceiver 450 may include a wired transmitter 452 and a wired receiver 454 configured for wired communication, for example, a network interface that can be used to communicate with NG-RAN 135 to send and receive communications to, for example, TRP 300 and / or one or more other network entities. Wired transmitter 452 may include multiple transmitters that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wired receiver 454 may include multiple receivers that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. Wired transceiver 450 may be configured for, for example, optical communication and / or electrical communication.

[0070] The description herein may relate to functions performed by processor 410, but this includes other implementations, such as software (stored in memory 411) and / or firmware performed by processor 410. The description herein may also relate to functions performed by server 400, which is a simplified expression of functions performed by one or more suitable components of server 400 (e.g., processor 410 and memory 411).

[0071] Figure 4The configuration of server 400 shown is an example of this disclosure, including the claims, and not a limitation thereof, and other configurations may be used. For example, wireless transceiver 440 may be omitted. Moreover, or alternatively, the description herein discusses that server 400 is configured to perform or perform several functions, but one or more of these functions may be performed by TRP 300 and / or UE 200 (i.e., TRP 300 and / or UE 200 may be configured to perform one or more of these functions).

[0072] Positioning technology

[0073] For terrestrial positioning of UEs in cellular networks, techniques such as Advanced Forward Link Trilateral Measurement (AFLT) and Observational Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) often operate in a "UE-assisted" mode. In this mode, the UE measures a reference signal transmitted by the base station and provides the measurement to a positioning server. The positioning server then calculates the UE's location based on the measurement and the known location of the base station. Because these techniques use a positioning server rather than the UE itself to calculate the UE's location, they are less commonly used in applications such as car or cellular phone navigation, which typically rely on satellite-based positioning.

[0074] The UE uses a Satellite Positioning System (SPS) (Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)) to achieve high-precision positioning using Precise Point Positioning (PPP) or Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) technologies. These technologies employ auxiliary data, such as measurements from ground-based stations. LTE Release 15 allows encryption of this data, making it accessible only to UEs that have subscribed to the service. This auxiliary data changes over time. Therefore, a UE that has subscribed to the service may not be able to easily "crack" the encryption for other UEs that have not subscribed. This transmission must be repeated whenever the auxiliary data changes.

[0075] In UE-assisted positioning, the UE sends measurements (e.g., TDOA, Angle of Arrival (AOA), etc.) to a positioning server (e.g., LFM / eSMLC). The positioning server has a Base Station Almanac (BSA), which includes multiple "entries" or "records," one record per cell. Each record contains not only the geographic cell location but may also include other data. The identifiers of the "records" within the multiple "records" in the BSA can be referenced. The UE's location can be calculated using the BSA and measurements from the UE.

[0076] In conventional UE-based positioning, the UE calculates its own location, thus avoiding sending measurements to the network (e.g., a location server), which improves latency and scalability. The UE uses relevant BSA record information from the network (e.g., the location of the gNB (a base station in a broader sense)). The BSA information can be encrypted. However, because BSA information changes much less frequently than, for example, PPP or RTK auxiliary data described earlier, it is easier for UEs that have not subscribed to and paid for decryption keys to obtain BSA information (compared to PPP or RTK information). The gNB's transmission of reference signals makes it possible for BSA information to be accessed through crowdsourcing or war-driving, thus enabling the generation of BSA information based on on-the-ground and / or over-the-top observations.

[0077] Positioning technologies can be characterized and / or evaluated based on one or more criteria, such as location determination accuracy and / or latency. Latency is the time elapsed between the event that triggers the determination of location-related data and the availability of that data at the positioning system interface (e.g., the interface of the LMF120). The latency regarding the availability of that location-related data at positioning system initialization is called the Time to First Positioning (TTFF), and is greater than the latency after the TTFF. The reciprocal of the time elapsed between two consecutive availabilitys of location-related data is called the update rate, i.e., the rate at which location-related data is generated after the first positioning. Latency can depend on (e.g., the UE's) processing capabilities. For example, a UE can report the duration of DL PRS symbols, measured in time (e.g., milliseconds), that it can process per T time (e.g., T ms) under an assumed 272 PRB (Physical Resource Block) allocation as a measure of its processing capabilities. Other examples of capabilities that can affect latency include the number of TRPs from the PRS that its UE can process, the number of PRS that the UE can process, and the UE's bandwidth.

[0078] One or more of many different positioning techniques (also known as positioning methods) can be used to determine the location of an entity (e.g., one of UEs 105 and 106). For example, known location determination techniques include RTT, multiple RTT, OTDOA (also known as TDOA and including UL-TDOA and DL-TDOA), Enhanced Cell Identification (E-CID), DL-AoD, UL-AoA, etc. RTT uses the time it takes for a signal to travel from one entity to another and back to determine the range between two entities. This range, plus the known location of the first entity and the angle (e.g., azimuth) between the two entities, can be used to determine the location of the second entity. In multiple RTT (also known as multi-cell RTT), multiple ranges from one entity (e.g., UE) to several other entities (e.g., TRP) and the known locations of said other entities can be used to determine the location of said entity. In TDOA, the difference in propagation time between one entity and each of the other entities can be used to determine the relative ranges from said other entities, and these, combined with the known locations of said other entities, can be used to determine the location of said entity. Angle of arrival and / or angle of departure can be used to help determine the location of an entity. For example, the angle of arrival or angle of departure of a signal, combined with ranging between devices (using signal-determined parameters, such as signal propagation time, signal received power, etc.) and the known location of one of the devices, can be used to determine the location of another device. The angle of arrival or angle of departure can be an azimuth angle relative to a reference direction (e.g., true north). The angle of arrival or angle of departure can be a zenith angle relative to directly upward from the entity (i.e., radially outward from the Earth's center). E-CID uses the identity of the serving cell, timing lead (i.e., the difference between the receive time and the transmit time at the UE), estimated timing and power of detected neighboring cell signals, and possible angles of arrival (e.g., signals from the base station at the UE (or vice versa)) to determine the location of the UE. In TDOA, the difference in arrival times of signals from different sources at the receiving device, along with the known location of said sources and a known offset of the transmission time from said sources, is used to determine the location of the receiving device.

[0079] In network-centric RTT estimation, the serving base station instructs the UE to scan / receive RTT measurement signals (e.g., PRS) on the serving cells of two or more neighboring base stations (and typically the serving base station, as at least three base stations are required). These one or more base stations transmit the RTT measurement signals on low-reuse resources (e.g., resources used by the base stations to transmit system information) allocated by the network (e.g., a location server, such as LMF 120). The UE records the arrival time (also referred to as reception time, time of receipt, or time of arrival (ToA)) of each RTT measurement signal relative to the UE's current downlink timing (e.g., derived by the UE from DL signals received from its serving base station), and (e.g., upon instruction from its serving base station) sends a shared or individual location-related RTT response message (e.g., SRS (Sound Reference Signal), i.e., UL-PRS) to these one or more base stations. The time difference T between the ToA of the RTT measurement signal and the transmission time of the RTT response message can be used to determine the location of the RTT measurement signal. Rx→Tx (i.e., UE T) Rx-Tx or UE Rx-Tx The time to arrival (ToA) of the RTT response is included in the payload of each RTT response message. The RTT response message will include a reference signal from which the base station can derive the ToA of the RTT response. This is achieved by comparing the transmission time of the RTT measurement signal from the base station with the difference T between the transmission time and the ToA of the RTT response at that base station. Tx→Rx Time difference T with UE report Rx→Tx By comparison, the base station can deduce the propagation time between the base station and the UE. The base station can determine the distance between the UE and the base station by assuming that this propagation time is the speed of light.

[0080] The UE-centric RTT estimation is similar to the network-based method described above, except that the UE sends an uplink RTT measurement signal (e.g., when instructed by the serving base station), which is received by multiple base stations in the UE's neighborhood. Each involved base station responds with a downlink RTT response message, which may include the time difference between the ToA of the RTT measurement signal at that base station and the transmission time of the RTT response message from that base station in the RTT response message payload.

[0081] For both network-centric and UE-centric processes, the side performing RTT calculation (network or UE) typically (though not always) sends a first message or signal (e.g., an RTT measurement signal), while the other side responds with one or more RTT response messages or signals, which may include the difference between the ToA of the first message and the transmission time of the RTT response message or signal.

[0082] Multiple RTT (Real-Time To-Time) techniques can be used to determine location. For example, a first entity (e.g., a UE) can emit one or more signals (e.g., unicast, multicast, or broadcast from a base station), and multiple second entities (e.g., other TSPs, such as a base station and / or a UE) can receive signals from the first entity and respond to these received signals. The first entity receives responses from the multiple second entities. The first entity (or another entity, such as an LMF) can use the responses from each second entity to determine the distance to each second entity, and can use these multiple distances and the known locations of each second entity to determine the location of the first entity via trilateration.

[0083] In some cases, additional information in the form of angle of arrival (AoA) or angle of departure (AoD) can be obtained, which defines a straight line direction (e.g., it may lie in a horizontal plane or in three dimensions) or may define a range of directions (e.g., for the position of the UE relative to each base station). The intersection of the two directions can provide another estimate of the UE's position.

[0084] For positioning techniques that use PRS (Location Reference Signal) signals (e.g., TDOA and RTT), the PRS signals transmitted by multiple TRPs are measured, and the arrival time of these signals, the known transmission time, and the known location of the TRPs are used to determine the distance from the UE to the TRPs. For example, the RSTD (Reference Signal Time Difference) can be determined for PRS signals received from multiple TRPs and used in TDOA techniques to determine the UE's location. The Location Reference Signal can be referred to as the PRS or PRS signal. PRS signals are typically transmitted at the same power, and PRS signals with the same signal characteristics (e.g., the same frequency shift) can interfere with each other, such that a PRS signal from a closer TRP can overwhelm a PRS signal from a farther TRP, making it possible to not detect the signal from the farther TRP. PRS silencing can be used to help reduce interference by silencing some PRS signals (reducing the power of the PRS signal to, for example, zero, and thus not transmitting the PRS signal). In this way, the weaker PRS signal (at the UE) can be more easily detected by the UE in the absence of interference from the stronger PRS signal to the weaker PRS signal. The term RS and its variations (e.g., PRS, SRS) can refer to a reference signal or to a reference signal.

[0085] Positioning Reference Signals (PRS) include downlink PRS (DL PRS, often simply referred to as PRS) and uplink PRS (UL PRS) (which can be called SRS (Sound Reference Signals) for positioning). PRS can include PN codes (pseudo-random number codes) or codes generated using PN codes (e.g., by modulating a carrier using PN codes), allowing the PRS source to function as a pseudo-satellite. PN codes can be unique to the PRS source (at least within a specified area, ensuring no overlap of identical PRS from different PRS sources). PRS can include a frequency layer of PRS resources or a set of PRS resources. The DL PRS positioning frequency layer (or simply frequency layer) is a collection of DL PRS resource sets from one or more TRPs, whose PRS resources share common parameters configured through higher-level parameters (DL-PRS-PositioningFrequencyLayer, DL-PRS-ResourceSet, and DL-PRS-Resource). Each frequency layer has a DL PRS subcarrier spacing (SCS) for the DL PRS resource set and DL PRS resources within that frequency layer. Each frequency layer also has a DL PRS cyclic prefix (CP) for the DL PRS resource set and DL PRS resources within that frequency layer. In 5G, a resource block occupies 12 consecutive subcarriers and a specified number of symbols. Furthermore, the DL PRS Point A parameter defines the frequency of the reference resource block (and the lowest subcarrier of that resource block), where DL PRS resources belonging to the same DL PRS resource set have the same Point A, and all DL PRS resource sets belonging to the same frequency layer have the same Point A. A frequency layer also has the same DL PRS bandwidth, the same starting PRB (and center frequency), and the same comb size value (i.e., the frequency of the PRS resource elements for each symbol, such that every Nth resource element is a PRS resource element for Comb-N). A PRS resource set is identified by a PRS resource set ID and can be associated with a specific TRP (identified by the cell ID) transmitted by the base station's antenna panel. A PRS resource ID in a PRS resource set can be associated with an omnidirectional signal and / or with a single beam (and / or beam ID) transmitted by a single base station (where a base station can transmit one or more beams). Each PRS resource in a PRS resource set can be transmitted on a different beam, and thus, a PRS resource (or simply a resource) can also be referred to as a beam. This does not imply whether the base station and beam transmitting the PRS are known to the UE.

[0086] The TRP can be configured (e.g., via instructions received from a server and / or via software within the TRP) to transmit DL PRS according to a schedule. According to this schedule, the TRP can transmit DL PRS intermittently (e.g., periodically at consistent intervals starting from the initial transmission). The TRP can be configured to transmit one or more PRS resource sets. A resource set is a collection of PRS resources spanning a TRP, wherein these resources have the same periodicity, a common silent mode configuration (if any), and the same cross-slot repetition factor. Each PRS resource set comprises multiple PRS resources, wherein each PRS resource comprises multiple resource elements (REs), which may reside in multiple resource blocks (RBs) within N (or more) consecutive symbols in a time slot. An RB is a collection of REs spanning one or more consecutive symbols in the time domain and spanning a number of consecutive subcarriers (12 for 5G Rb) in the frequency domain. Each PRS resource is configured with an RE offset, a slot offset, a symbol offset within the slot, and the number of consecutive symbols that the PRS resource can occupy within the slot. The RE offset defines the initial RE offset of the first symbol within the DL PRS resource according to frequency. The relative RE offsets of the remaining symbols within the DL PRS resource are defined based on the initial offset. The slot offset is the starting slot of the DL PRS resource relative to the slot offset of the corresponding resource set. The symbol offset determines the starting symbol of the DL PRS resource within the starting slot. Transmitted REs can be repeated across slots, where each transmission is called a repetition, and thus there can be multiple repetitions within a PRS resource. DL PRS resources in a DL PRS resource set are associated with the same TRP, and each DL PRS resource has a DL PRS resource ID. A DL PRS resource ID in a DL PRS resource set is associated with a single beam transmitted from a single TRP (although a TRP can transmit one or more beams).

[0087] PRS resources can also be defined by quasi-colocation parameters and starting PRB parameters. The quasi-colocation (QCL) parameter defines any quasi-colocation information of the DL PRS resource with other reference signals. The DL PRS can be configured as QCL type D, with DL PRS or SS / PBCH (Synchronization Signal / Physical Broadcast Channel) blocks from the serving cell or non-serving cells. The DL PRS can also be configured as QCL type C, with SS / PBCH blocks from the serving cell or non-serving cells. The starting PRB parameter defines the starting PRB index of the DL PRS resource relative to reference Point A. The starting PRB index has a granularity of one PRB and can have a minimum value of 0 and a maximum value of 2176 PRBs.

[0088] A PRS resource set is a collection of PRS resources that have the same periodicity, the same silent mode configuration (if any), and the same cross-slot repetition factor. Each time all repetitions of all PRS resources in a PRS resource set are configured to be transmitted, it is called an "instance". Therefore, an "instance" of a PRS resource set is a specified number of repetitions for each PRS resource and a specified number of PRS resources within the PRS resource set; thus, an instance is complete once the specified number of repetitions have been transmitted for each of the specified number of PRS resources. An instance can also be referred to as a "time". DL PRS configuration, including DL PRS transmission scheduling, can be provided to the UE to facilitate (and even enable) the UE to measure DL PRS.

[0089] Multiple frequency layers of a PRS can be aggregated to provide an effective bandwidth, each of which is greater than any of the bandwidths of those layers. Multiple frequency layers with component carriers (which can be continuous and / or separate) that meet criteria (e.g., are quasi-co-located (QCLed)) and have the same antenna ports can be stitched together to provide a larger effective PRS bandwidth (for DL ​​PRS and UL PRS), resulting in increased time-of-arrival accuracy. Stitching involves combining PRS measurements over individual bandwidth segments into a single measurement, so that the stitched PRS can be treated as if obtained from a single measurement. Different frequency layers that meet QCLed have similar behavior, allowing PRS stitching to achieve a larger effective bandwidth. A larger effective bandwidth (which may be referred to as the bandwidth of the aggregated PRS or the frequency bandwidth of the aggregated PRS) provides a better time-domain solution (e.g., for TDOA). An aggregated PRS comprises a collection of PRS resources, and each PRS resource in the aggregated PRS can be referred to as a PRS component, and each PRS component can be transmitted on different component carriers, frequency bands, or frequency layers, or on different portions of the same frequency band.

[0090] RTT positioning is an active positioning technology because RTT uses positioning signals sent by the TRP to the UE or sent by the UE (participating in RTT positioning) to the TRP. The TRP can send a DL-PRS signal received by the UE, and the UE can send an SRS (Probe Reference Signal) signal received by multiple TRPs. The Probe Reference Signal can be referred to as SRS or SRS signal. In 5G multi-RTT, cooperative positioning can be used, where the UE sends a single UL-SRS for positioning received by multiple TRPs, instead of sending a separate UL-SRS for positioning for each TRP. TRPs participating in multi-RTT typically search for UEs currently camped on that TRP (the served UE, where the TRP is the serving TRP) and UEs camped on neighboring TRPs (neighboring UEs). Neighboring TRPs can be the individual TRPs of a single BTS (e.g., gNB), or a TRP of a single BTS and a TRP of a single BTS. For RTT positioning that includes multi-RTT positioning, the DL-PRS signal and UL-SRS signal in the PRS / SRS positioning signal pair used to determine the RTT (and thus the distance between the UE and TRP) may occur at close intervals, such that errors due to UE movement and / or UE clock drift and / or TRP clock drift are within acceptable limits. For example, the signals in the PRS / SRS positioning signal pair may be transmitted from the TRP and UE respectively within approximately 10 ms of each other. In cases where the SRS signal for positioning is transmitted by the UE and the PRS and SRS signals for positioning are transmitted at close intervals, it has been found that this can lead to radio frequency (RF) signal congestion (which may result in excessive noise, etc.), especially when many UEs attempt positioning simultaneously, and / or potentially cause computational congestion at TRPs attempting to measure many UEs simultaneously.

[0091] RTT positioning can be UE-based or UE-assisted. In UE-based RTT, UE 200 determines the RTT and the corresponding ranging relative to TRP 300, and determines the position of UE 200 based on the ranging relative to TRP 300 and the known position of TRP 300. In UE-assisted RTT, UE 200 measures a positioning signal and provides the measurement information to TRP 300, and TRP 300 determines the RTT and the ranging. TRP 300 provides the ranging to a positioning server, such as server 400, and the server (e.g.) determines the position of UE 200 based on the ranging to different TRPs 300. RTT and / or ranging can be determined by TRP 300 that receives the signal from UE 200, by TRP 300 in combination with one or more other devices (e.g., one or more other TRP 300s and / or server 400), or by one or more devices other than TRP 300 that receives the signal from UE 200.

[0092] 5G NR supports various positioning technologies. NR-native positioning methods supported in 5G NR include DL-only positioning, UL-only positioning, and DL+UL positioning. Downlink-based positioning methods include DL-TDOA and DL-AoD. Uplink-based positioning methods include UL-TDOA and UL-AoA. Combined DL+UL positioning methods include RTT using a single base station and RTT using multiple base stations (multi-RTT).

[0093] Location estimation (e.g., for a UE) may be referred to by other names, such as location estimate, location, place, location positioning, or positioning. Location estimation may be geodetic and include coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and possible elevation) or may be municipal and include street addresses, postal addresses, or some other textual description of the location. Location estimation may also be defined relative to another known location or by absolute terms (e.g., using latitude, longitude, and possible elevation). Location estimation may include expected errors or uncertainties (e.g., by including an area or volume within which the location lies with a specified or default confidence level).

[0094] Location reference signal request

[0095] The UE can receive scheduled Reference Signals (RS) (e.g., PRS, SRS) to determine location information (e.g., one or more measurements, ranging, location estimates, etc.). This discussion relates to requesting a PRS, but the discussion applies to other types of reference signals, including SRS used for positioning. The UE may wish to receive a PRS other than a scheduled PRS, for example, if the PRS has been scheduled but is not active, or if the PRS has not yet been scheduled. For example, an application running on the UE and / or TRP 300 can request the UE's location, and the UE can respond by requesting a PRS on demand. The UE can send a request for a PRS on demand using, for example, a dedicated or shared UCI (Uplink Control Information) message transmitted in the PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) or PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel), or a UL MAC-CE (Uplink Media Access Control-Control Element) message transmitted in the PUSCH. The UE may request TRP 300 to activate one or more scheduled RS resources and / or configure one or more RS resources (e.g., the PRS resources of the TRP 300 and / or the SRS resources of another UE for positioning).

[0096] refer to Figure 5 For further reference Figure 1-4 UE 500 includes a processor 510, an interface 520, and a memory 530 that are communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 540. UE 500 may include... Figure 5 Some or all of the components shown, and may include one or more other components, such as Figure 2 Any of the components shown, and thus UE 200 can be an example of UE 500. Processor 510 may include one or more components of processor 210. Interface 520 may include one or more components of transceiver 215, such as wireless transmitter 242 and antenna 246, or wireless receiver 244 and antenna 246, or wireless transmitter 242, wireless receiver 244 and antenna 246. And or alternatively, interface 520 may include wired transmitter 252 and / or wired receiver 254. Interface 520 may include SPS receiver 217 and SPS antenna 262. Memory 530 may have a similar configuration to memory 211, for example, including software with processor-readable instructions configured to cause processor 510 to perform functions.

[0097] The description herein may only relate to functions performed by processor 510, but this includes other implementations, such as software (stored in memory 530) and / or firmware performed by processor 510. The description herein may also relate to functions performed by UE 500, which is a simplified expression of functions performed by one or more suitable components of UE 500 (e.g., processor 510 and memory 530). Processor 510 (potentially cooperating with memory 530 and appropriately with interface 520) includes RS request unit 550. RS request unit 550 may be configured to send one or more requests to RS for determining location information of UE 500. The configuration and function of RS request unit 550 will be discussed further herein, wherein RS request unit 550 is configured to perform functions described as being performed by RS request unit 550.

[0098] Also refer to Figure 6 The processing and signal flow 600 used to determine location information includes the stages illustrated. Flow 600 is just an example, and stages can be added, removed, and / or rearranged within flow 600.

[0099] In phase 610, TRP 300 sends RS configuration message 612 to UE 500. RS configuration message 612 may indicate resource configuration parameters for reference signals (RS) such as PRS or SRS for positioning to be sent to UE 500. Parameters may include one or more of the following: comb number, time and / or frequency offset, repetition factor, activation time of previously scheduled RS, etc. Message 612 may include one or more instructions regarding waiting time, for example, how long UE 500 should wait to receive a response to an on-demand RS request (e.g., made by UE 500 to TRP 300) before UE 500 can send another on-demand RS request. Message 612 may include a timer implemented by UE 500 when UE 500 sends an on-demand request for RS, such that UE 500 may send another on-demand request for RS in response to UE 500 not receiving a valid response (e.g., receiving the RS, decoding a DCI message instructing the activation of RS resources, or providing RS configuration, etc.) before the timer expires.

[0100] The timer value in this RS configuration message can depend on the positioning priority and / or the delay that will be provided by the UE in the case of a PRS provided by TRP 300. For example, the timer value can be lower for higher positioning priorities and / or lower delay constraints that will be provided by UE 500 (allowing for faster subsequent requests). See also Figure 7The exemplary RS configuration message 700 includes a positioning priority field 710, a delay constraint field 720, and a timer field 730. The exemplary RS configuration message 700 may include more or fewer fields than illustrated. The positioning priority field 710 includes an indication of the positioning priority corresponding to the timer value in the timer field 730. Similarly, the delay constraint field 720 includes an indication of the delay corresponding to the timer value in the timer field 730. As shown in entry 741, a timer value of 10ms is provided for a high positioning priority and a 50ms delay constraint, while in entry 742, a timer value of 50ms is provided for a normal positioning priority and a 500ms delay constraint.

[0101] In phase 620, UE 500 (e.g., RS request unit 550) receives a location trigger. For example, RS request unit 550 may receive an indication from an upper-layer application that the application wants to know the location information of UE 500, such as the location of UE 500. As another example, RS request unit 550 may receive an indication from TRP 300 that it wants location information (RS measurement, location estimation, etc.) about UE 500. RS request unit 550 can respond to the indication of desired location information by sending an initial on-demand RS request 622 to TRP 300. Request 622 may be sent as PUCCH / UCI (Uplink Control Information) communication. Request 622 may explicitly indicate one or more specific RS parameters requested by UE 500, and / or may indicate an implicit request for RS parameters without explicitly specifying one or more parameters. Thus, a request that explicitly specifies one or more RS parameters may also include an implicit RS request. An implicit RS request may, for example, indicate the location priority of the requested location information. For example, a high positioning priority may implicitly indicate a 50ms delay and a 10ms response timer value, and a normal or low positioning priority may implicitly indicate a 500ms delay and a 50ms timer value. For example, the initial on-demand RS request 622 may indicate the positioning priority level alone, the delay constraint alone, or a combination thereof, where the corresponding timer values ​​are implicit (e.g., known to both UE 500 and TRP 300). Other implicit values ​​and / or other implicit indications may be used. Implicit values ​​may be agreed upon (e.g., through normalization) and stored at TRP 300 and UE 500, or they may be agreed upon via RS configuration message 612 or otherwise. Request 622 may explicitly specify one or more of a variety of RS parameters. For example, request 622 may specify one or more frequency layers for the RS, one or more frequency ranges for the RS (e.g., FR1 (410MHz–7.125GHz) or FR2 (24.25GHz–52.6GHz)), timer values, and / or one or more cells for the RS (e.g., if communication between these cells has high latency). See also, for example, [reference to...]. Figure 8An exemplary initial on-demand RS request 800 includes a location priority field 810, a delay constraint field 820, a timer field 830, an FL / FR field 840 (frequency layer / frequency range field), and a cell field 850. Request 800 may include more or fewer fields than illustrated. The FL / FR field 840 may include the frequency layer and / or frequency range requested by UE 500 for the RS. The cell field 850 may include the cell requested by UE 500 for the RS. The timer field 830 includes an explicit value for the requested timer. Request 622 may be a physical layer message or a MAC layer message (e.g., a MAC-CE message). Request 622 may be sent on one or more primary cells, depending on the cell in which UE 500 requests the RS to be communicated. That is, in order to request an RS on a specific first cell, it may be necessary to communicate request 622 on a specific second cell (or one of a plurality of specific second cells). RS request unit 550 can be configured to send request 622 on a specific cell, for example, it can be configured to send the request on a cell containing PUCCH configuration, and / or it can be configured to send the request on an NR cell based on UE 500 being connected to both LTE and NR in Non-Standalone (NSA) mode. RS request unit 550 can be configured to send request 622 on one or more primary cells based on UE 500 being configured to operate in NSA, SA (Standalone) mode, or multi-connectivity (e.g., dual-connectivity) mode. For example, RS request unit 550 can select the primary cell for sending the RS request based on the requirement that the request be located on one of one or more specific primary cells so that the requested RS can be provided on the intended cell. As another example, RS request unit 550 can select the primary cell for sending the RS request based on the frequency range of each primary cell and the desired frequency range for sending the RS request (e.g., based on the QoS metric (e.g., delay value) associated with the frequency range and the corresponding QoS metric associated with the RS request (e.g., associated with the location session corresponding to the request).

[0102] In response to the initial on-demand RS request 622, TRP 300 may send an RS / RS configuration message 624. The RS / RS configuration message 624 may contain RS or RS configuration (e.g., a DCI message with one or more RS parameters (e.g., frequency offset, time offset, repetition factor, comb number, etc.), RS activation timing, etc.). Alternatively, the RS / RS configuration message 624 may include an SRS for positioning sent by another UE. The RS / RS configuration message 624 may not be sent by any entity, for example, due to a failure to decode request 622 at TRP 300.

[0103] In phase 630, a high-priority positioning trigger can be received by RS request unit 550. For example, after RS ​​request unit 550 sends request 622 and before UE 500 receives RS in response to request 622, another trigger for positioning information can be received by RS request unit 550. This new trigger can have the same or lower priority than the initial trigger, in which case RS request unit 550 can respond without sending a new RS request. The new trigger can have a higher priority than the initial trigger. For example, the initial trigger could be a navigation application with a low positioning priority, in which case a larger delay (e.g., 1 second or longer) could be acceptable, or the new trigger could be a motion control application (e.g., robot arm movement) with a high positioning priority, in which case a delay of 50 ms or less could be used. RS request unit 550 can be configured to respond to a new positioning trigger corresponding to a higher positioning priority than an incomplete request by sending a new on-demand RS request 632 to TRP 300. Request 632 may have a similar configuration to Request 622, except that it indicates a higher positioning priority than Request 622, and / or explicitly indicates a lower delay value and / or a shorter response timer value than specified (explicitly or implicitly) in Request 622. A shorter delay value allows TRP 300 to act faster and / or more quickly to provide RS, thereby satisfying the delay indicated by UE 500 in Request 632. The new Request 632 may replace Request 622, such that TRP 300 will act based on Request 632 regardless of Request 622, or supplement Request 622 with an RS that satisfies the new Request 632 without cancelling the RS that satisfies the initial Request 622. Sending Request 632 is optional and may not be performed, for example, if RS request unit 550 does not receive the new positioning trigger before receiving an RS in response to Request 622, before the timer expires as discussed in Contact Phase 640, or at the time when sending Request 632 is worthwhile. For example, a new higher-priority trigger can be received by the RS request unit 550 after a time of X ms prior to the expected reception of the RS in response to request 622. If the value of X is less than the delay or timer value corresponding to the new request 632, then the RS request unit 550 may not send the new request 632, as this could delay the determination of the location information of the UE 500.

[0104] In response to the new on-demand RS request 632, TRP 300 may send an RS / RS configuration message 634. The RS / RS configuration message 634 may contain RS or RS configuration (e.g., a DCI message with one or more RS parameters, RS activation timing, etc.). Alternatively, the RS / RS configuration message 634 may include an SRS for positioning sent by another UE. The RS / RS configuration message 634 may not be sent by any entity, for example, due to a failure to decode request 632 at TRP 300.

[0105] In phase 640, the timer value corresponding to the initial on-demand RS request 622 or the new on-demand RS request 632 (if sent) expires. This timer value has been indicated in the RS configuration message 612 and / or the initial on-demand RS request 622 (implicitly or explicitly) and / or the new on-demand RS request 632, or in other known manner. The RS request unit 550 can be configured to determine whether a time corresponding to the timer value (e.g., the expiration of a timer set to the timer value and started at the time of the corresponding RS request) has elapsed since the transmission of the corresponding RS request (e.g., request 622 or request 632) without a valid response being received by the UE 500. A valid response can be the reception of the requested RS or the decoding by the UE 500 of a message (e.g., a DCI message) from the TRP 300 containing RS configuration (e.g., RS parameters, timing of the scheduled RS start, etc.). The timer may expire for various reasons if the UE 500 does not receive a valid response, such as the RS request (e.g., PUCCH / UCI) not being correctly decoded at TRP 300, the DCI sent by the UE 500 in response to the RS request issued by the UE 500 not being correctly decoded at TRP 300, and so on. The RS request unit 550 can be configured to respond to a time corresponding to the elapsed timer value by sending a retry on-demand RS request 642. The retry RS request 642 can have a similar configuration to an earlier RS ​​request, but with explicitly or implicitly indicated different (e.g., shorter) delays and / or timer parameters. For example, the retry request 642 can indicate that the retry RS request 642 has a higher positioning priority than the most recent RS request (e.g., request 622 or request 632). Stage 640 is optional and can be omitted if the UE 500 receives a valid response before the timer expires.

[0106] Furthermore, in stage 640, the RS request unit 550 can periodically (e.g., in response to the expiration of a periodic request timer) send RS requests. For example, the RS request unit 550 can be configured to send an RS request to TRP 300, start a periodic request timer in response to sending the request, send another RS ​​request when the periodic request timer expires, reset and restart the periodic request timer, and repeat this pattern, for example, until an instruction is received to stop. The periodicity of the periodic request timer can be set to indefinite, thereby disabling this function.

[0107] Phases 630 and 640 address scenarios that guarantee the transmission of another RS ​​request. This RS request may be a retransmission of an earlier request or a new request, for example, with updated explicit or implicit delays and / or timer values. Furthermore, more than one instance of phases 630 and / or 640 may be executed, for example, if another higher-priority location trigger is received, or if a timer expires while there is still time to satisfy delay constraints, or (for phase 640) a periodic request timer is used. Phases 630 and / or 640 can help ensure that one or more delay constraints are met. Phase 630 can help obtain RS and thus location information in the face of changing location information needs.

[0108] In response to the retry of the on-demand RS request 642, TRP 300 may send an RS / RS configuration message 644. The RS / RS configuration message 644 may contain RS or RS configuration (e.g., a DCI message with one or more RS parameters, RS activation timing, etc.). Alternatively, the RS / RS configuration message 644 may include an SRS for positioning sent by another UE. The RS / RS configuration message 644 may not be sent by any entity, for example, due to a failure to decode request 642 at TRP 300.

[0109] In phase 650, the delay timer may expire if the UE 500 does not receive a valid response from the TRP 300. This delay timer value has been indicated in the RS configuration message 612 and / or the initial on-demand RS request 622 (implicitly or explicitly) and / or the new on-demand RS request 632 and / or the retry RS request, or in other known manner. The RS request unit 550 may be configured to determine whether a time corresponding to the timer value has elapsed since the transmission of the corresponding RS request (e.g., request 622, request 632, or request 642) (e.g., the expiration of a timer set to the timer value and started at the time of transmission of the corresponding RS request) without the UE 500 receiving an RS response within the time that would enable the UE 500 to determine location information to satisfy the delay constraint (e.g., within that delay time, e.g., before the delay timer expires). The RS request unit 550 may be configured to respond to the elapsed time by sending a notification to the entity that triggered the location trigger. For example, RS request unit 550 can send a notification that the delay time has elapsed to the location request protocol layer, such as to an application above the MAC layer (e.g., above the UE 500) that requested the location information of UE 500 (e.g., which caused the location trigger in phases 620 and / or 630). This notification can prompt the application to take appropriate action, such as providing an error indication, providing a service delay indication, or retransmitting the location trigger. Phase 650 is optional; it can be omitted if UE 500 receives the RS within the time that satisfies the delay constraint. Phase 650 can be executed if the delay timer corresponding to an RS request expires, and can be omitted if the RS is received within the time that satisfies the delay constraint for another RS ​​request.

[0110] In phase 660, TRP 300 (or another UE) sends one or more RS 662 messages to UE 500. TRP 300 (or the other UE) sends the RS based on one or more of RS configuration messages 612 and / or RS / RS configuration messages 624, 634, and 644. If the RS has already been sent in one or more of the RS / RS configuration messages 624, 634, and 644, then RS 662 need not be sent.

[0111] In phase 670, UE 500 determines location information based on the received RS. For example, UE 500 may measure the PRS from TRP 300 and / or the SRS for positioning from another UE 500 to determine measurement information (e.g., RSRP, ToA, SINR, location estimate, etc.). UE 500 may send some or all of the determined location information to TRP 300 in a location message 672. If processor 510 determines that the MAC-CE message has available payload capacity, then processor 510 may send the location information in the MAC-CE message, for example, the MAC-CE message may be padded with padding bits, for example, to meet the length requirements of the MAC-CE message, and the amount of padding bits is equal to or greater than the number of bits of the location information. Moreover, or alternatively, processor 510 may send information about the status of the positioning request in the MAC-CE message. For example, if the location information is not yet available (not yet determined), then processor 510 may send the location request status in the MAC-CE message. The location request status can be sent in a MAC-CE message in phase 670 or elsewhere in stream 600.

[0112] In phase 680, TRP 300 can determine location information. TRP 300 can, for example, determine the ranging and / or location estimate of UE 500 based on location information message 672 and possibly based on one or more other messages containing other location information (e.g., measurement information). And or alternatively, another network entity, such as server 400 (e.g., LMF), can determine the location information based on information provided by TRP 300 and / or one or more other entities (e.g., UE 500).

[0113] Also refer to Figure 9 A method 900 for determining location information includes the stages illustrated and represents an algorithm for determining location information. However, method 900 is merely an example and does not constitute a limitation. Modifications can be made to method 900, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, performing simultaneously, and / or dividing a single stage into multiple stages.

[0114] In phases 910, 920, and 930, TRP 300 and UE 500 exchange messages to obtain RS and / or one or more RS configurations. For example, in phase 910, TRP 300 sends RS configuration message 612 to UE 500. As another example, in phase 920, UE 500 sends an initial on-demand RS request 622 in response to receiving a location trigger (e.g., from an upper-layer application). As another example, in phase 930, TRP 300 sends RS / RS configuration message 624 to UE 500.

[0115] In stage 940, a query is made regarding whether UE 500 has received the location trigger. If UE 500 has received the new location trigger, then method 900 proceeds to stage 941, where processor 510 makes a query regarding whether the new location trigger has a higher priority than the previous location trigger received in stage 920. If the new location trigger does not have a higher priority, then method 900 proceeds to stage 950. If the new location trigger has a higher priority than the previous location trigger, then method 900 proceeds to stage 942, where processor 510 queries whether there is sufficient time to satisfy the new location request corresponding to the new location trigger, for example, whether there is sufficient time to request a PRS within the time constraint of the location request, receive the requested PRS, and process the PRS. If there is insufficient time to satisfy the new location request, then method 900 proceeds to stage 950. If there is sufficient time, then method 900 proceeds to stage 943. In stage 943, UE 500 sends a new on-demand RS request to TRP 300, for example, a new on-demand RS request 632. Then, method 900 returns to stage 930.

[0116] In stage 950, processor 510 queries whether the RS timer has expired. If the RS timer (e.g., the amount of time the UE 500 will wait before re-requesting the RS) has expired, then method 900 proceeds to stage 943, thereby sending a new on-demand RS request to TRP 300 (e.g., retrying the on-demand RS request 642). If the timer has not expired, then method 900 proceeds to stage 960.

[0117] In stage 960, processor 510 queries whether the delay timer has expired. If the delay timer has expired, then method 900 proceeds to stage 961, in which processor 510 notifies the location requester as described in stage 650, and method 900 terminates in stage 990. If the delay timer has not expired, then method 900 proceeds to stage 970.

[0118] In stage 960, processor 510 queries whether the requested RS has been received. If the requested RS has not been received, then method 900 returns to stage 950. If the requested RS has been received (e.g., in stage 660), then method 900 proceeds to stage 980, in which the processor measures the RS and determines location information, for example, as discussed in stage 670. Method 900 then terminates in stage 990.

[0119] refer to Figure 10 For further reference Figure 1-9 Method 1000, which requests one or more reference signals and determines location information, includes the stages shown. However, method 1000 is merely an example and does not constitute a limitation. Changes can be made to method 1000, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, performing simultaneously, and / or dividing a single stage into multiple stages.

[0120] In phase 1010, method 1000 includes sending a first on-demand reference signal (RS) request from the user equipment in response to a first location request. For example, as in phase 620, RS request unit 550 may send an initial on-demand RS request to TRP 300 in response to a location trigger received in phase 620 (e.g., from an upper protocol layer in UE 500 or from TRP 300). Processor 510 (possibly combined with memory 530) and interface 520 (e.g., wireless transmitter 242 and antenna 246) may together include components for sending the first on-demand RS request.

[0121] In stage 1020, method 1000 includes obtaining a first timer value at the user equipment indicating a first threshold time amount. For example, RS request unit 550 may receive the time value in RS configuration message 612 or retrieve the timer value from memory 530 based on a location trigger received in stage 620, for example, based on a corresponding location priority (e.g., the use of the requested location information, e.g., corresponding to the application requesting the location information). Processor 510 (possibly combined with memory 530) may be combined with interface 520 (e.g., wireless transmitter 244 and antenna 246), thereby including components for obtaining the first timer value.

[0122] In stage 1030, method 1000 includes sending a second on-demand RS request from the user equipment in response to either: a first threshold amount of time elapsed after sending the first on-demand RS request without either receiving an RS at the user equipment or decoding an RS configuration message at the user equipment; or receiving a second location request with a higher priority than the first location request at the user equipment before the first threshold amount of time elapsed after sending the first on-demand RS request. For example, RS request unit 550 may send a new on-demand RS request 632 in response to receiving a higher priority location trigger from, for example, a higher-level protocol (e.g., an application) in TRP 300 or UE 500. Moreover, or alternatively, RS request unit may send a retry on-demand RS request 642 based on the expiration of a response timer if UE 500 receives the requested RS or decodes a message with RS configuration information from TRP 300. The processor 510 (potentially combined with memory 530) and interface 520 (e.g., wireless transmitter 242 and antenna 246) may include components for transmitting a second on-demand RS request. This helps improve and / or meet location QoS by helping to ensure that the PRS is provided and measured and that the corresponding location information is reported within the expected time. The processor 510 (potentially combined with memory 530) and interface 520 (e.g., wireless transmitter 244 and antenna 246) may include receiving / decoding components for at least one of the following operations: receiving RS or decoding RS configuration messages received from (e.g.) TRP 300.

[0123] Implementations of method 1000 may include one or more of the following features. In an exemplary embodiment, the second on-demand RS request includes an indication of at least one of a second timer value or a delay time, the second timer value indicating a second threshold time amount. For example, the second on-demand RS request may explicitly or implicitly have a shorter response time value than the first on-demand RS request and / or have a delay value (which may be shorter than the delay value in the first on-demand RS request, if any). In another exemplary embodiment, the indication specifies a positioning priority. The indication may, for example, implicitly specify the second timer value and / or the delay value. In yet another further exemplary embodiment, the indication specifies the second timer value, and the second on-demand RS request is only sent if the second on-demand RS request will be sent only if the first threshold time amount will be reached before the second threshold time amount is reached after the first on-demand RS request. For example, RS request unit 550 can be configured to send the new on-demand RS request only if the timer for the initial on-demand RS request will expire after the timer for the new on-demand RS request—for example, only if the RS will be received faster for the new request than for the original request (corresponding to a higher priority location compared to the initial on-demand RS request). This helps ensure that a response no later than the response time associated with the higher priority location request is used to satisfy the higher priority location request. Different priorities of location information needs (including changing the priority of the need) can be met.

[0124] Furthermore, or alternatively, implementations of method 1000 may include one or more of the following features. In one exemplary embodiment, a first on-demand RS request is sent in response to receiving a location request from a location request protocol layer above the MAC (Media Access Control) layer, and method 1000 further includes sending an expiration indication to the location request protocol layer in response to the expiration of a delay time corresponding to the location request. For example, as in stage 650, RS request unit 550 may notify the upper-layer protocol that requested the location information (e.g., the upper-layer application that triggered the location trigger) that the delay constraint has not yet been met. Processor 510 (possibly combined with memory 530) may include components for sending the expiration indication. In another exemplary embodiment, the first on-demand RS request consists of a single bit, and wherein the method further includes sending an uplink MAC-CE (Media Access Control-Control Element) message corresponding to the first on-demand RS request. For example, the first on-demand RS request may be too small to provide certain information (e.g., it may consist of a single bit), and method 1000 may include sending an uplink MAC-CE (Media Access Control-Control Element) message corresponding to the first on-demand RS request to provide supplementary information. For example, RS request unit 550 may send the MAC-CE message along with the initial on-demand RS request to TRP 300 to provide further information, such as priority, desired delay, desired positioning accuracy, etc. Processor 510 (possibly combined with memory 530) and interface 520 (e.g., wireless transmitter 242 and antenna 246) may together include components for sending the uplink MAC-CE message. In another exemplary embodiment, the uplink MAC-CE message indicates at least one of positioning priority, positioning delay, or positioning accuracy.

[0125] Furthermore, or alternatively, implementations of method 1000 may include one or more of the following features. In one exemplary embodiment, method 1000 includes: determining that a MAC-CE (Media Access Control-Control Element) message has available payload capacity; and sending at least one of a location request status or RS-based measured location information in the MAC-CE message. For example, instead of processor 510 using padding bits in a MAC-CE message sent to TRP 300 to fulfill the length requirement of the MAC-CE message, processor 510 may provide location information and / or the status of a location request (e.g., initial and / or subsequent requests) as an alternative to a scheme where all or part of the padding bits are used. Processor 510 (possibly in conjunction with memory 530) may include components for determining that a MAC-CE message has available payload capacity. Processor 510 (possibly in conjunction with memory 530) and interface 520 (e.g., wireless transmitter 242 and antenna 246) may include components for sending at least one of a first location request status or location information in the MAC-CE message. In another exemplary embodiment, method 1000 includes generating at least one of a first on-demand RS request or a second on-demand RS request to include an indication of one or more frequency layers for the RS. Processor 510 (potentially combined with memory 530) may include components for generating the first on-demand RS request and / or the second on-demand RS request, thereby including an indication of one or more frequency layers. In another exemplary embodiment, method 1000 includes selecting one or more primary cells on which the first on-demand RS request is to be transmitted. In another exemplary embodiment, the one or more primary cells are selected based on at least one of the following options: (i) an association between a first cell for receiving the RS and a second cell for transmitting the RS request; or (ii) a frequency range associated with a third cell. For example, RS request unit 550 may select the primary cell for transmitting the RS request based on a requirement that enables the request to be located on one of one or more specific primary cells, thereby providing the requested RS on the desired cell. As another example, RS request unit 550 may select the primary cell for transmitting the RS request based on the frequency range of the primary cell. The processor 510 (possibly in combination with the memory 530) may include components for selecting one or more master cells on which on-demand RS requests will be sent.

[0126] Implementation Examples

[0127] Examples of implementation methods are provided in the following numbered clauses.

[0128] Clause 1. A user equipment comprising:

[0129] transceiver;

[0130] Memory; and

[0131] The processor, which is communication-coupled to the transceiver and the memory, is configured as follows:

[0132] In response to the first location request, a first on-demand reference signal (RS) request is sent via transceiver for the RS;

[0133] Obtain a first timer value indicating the first threshold time amount; and

[0134] A second on-demand RS request is sent via the transceiver in response to any of the following:

[0135] If, after the processor sends the first on-demand RS request, a first threshold time has elapsed without the processor completing at least one of the following two operations: receiving the RS via the transceiver or decoding the RS configuration message received via the transceiver; or

[0136] Before a first threshold time elapses after the processor sends the first on-demand RS request, the processor receives a second location request, which has a higher priority than the first location request.

[0137] Clause 2. The user equipment of Clause 1, wherein the processor is configured to include an indication of at least one of a second timer value or a delay time in the second on-demand RS request, the second timer value indicating a second threshold time amount.

[0138] Clause 3. User equipment of Clause 2, wherein the instruction specifies the location priority.

[0139] Clause 4. The user equipment of Clause 2, wherein the indication specifies the second timer value, and wherein the processor is configured to send the second on-demand RS request only if the second on-demand RS request will be sent ...

[0140] Clause 5. The user equipment of Clause 1, wherein the processor is configured as follows:

[0141] In response to receiving a location request from a location request protocol layer above the MAC (Media Access Control) layer, a first on-demand RS request is sent; and

[0142] An expiration indication is sent to the location request protocol layer in response to the expiration of the delay time corresponding to the location request.

[0143] Clause 6. The user equipment of Clause 1, wherein the first on-demand RS request consists of a single bit, and wherein the processor is configured to send an uplink MAC-CE (Media Access Control-Control Element) message corresponding to the first on-demand RS request.

[0144] Clause 7. User equipment of Clause 6, wherein the uplink MAC-CE message specifies at least one of positioning priority, positioning delay, or positioning accuracy.

[0145] Clause 8. The user equipment of Clause 1, wherein the processor is configured as follows:

[0146] It is determined that the MAC-CE (Media Access Control-Control Element) message has available payload capacity; and

[0147] The AMC-CE message sends at least one of a location request status or location information based on measurements of the RS.

[0148] Clause 9. The user equipment described in Clause 1, wherein the processor is configured to generate at least one of a first on-demand RS request or a second on-demand RS request, such that it includes an indication of one or more frequency layers for RS.

[0149] Clause 10. The user equipment of Clause 1, wherein the processor is configured as follows:

[0150] Implement at least one of the following: non-standalone networking mode, standalone networking mode, or multiple connection mode; and

[0151] Select one or more primary cells on which to send the first on-demand RS request.

[0152] Clause 11. The user equipment of Clause 10, wherein the processor is configured to select the one or more primary cells based on at least one of the following options: (i) an association between a first cell for receiving RS and a second cell for sending RS requests; or (ii) a frequency range associated with a third cell.

[0153] Clause 12. A user equipment comprising:

[0154] A first transmitting component for sending a first on-demand reference signal (RS) request for an RS in response to a first positioning request;

[0155] A component for obtaining a first timer value indicating a first threshold time amount;

[0156] A receiving / decoding component for at least one of the following operations: receiving RS or decoding RS configuration messages; and

[0157] A second transmitting component for sending a second on-demand RS request in response to any of the following:

[0158] After the first transmitting component sends the first on-demand RS request, a first threshold time has elapsed without the receiving / decoding component completing at least one of the two operations: receiving the RS or decoding the RS configuration message; or

[0159] Before a first threshold time elapses after the first transmitting unit sends the first on-demand RS request, the receiving / decoding unit receives a second location request with a higher priority than the first location request.

[0160] Clause 13. The user equipment of Clause 12, wherein the second transmitting component is configured to include an indication of at least one of a second timer value or a delay time in the second on-demand RS request, the second timer value indicating a second threshold time amount.

[0161] Clause 14. User equipment of Clause 13, wherein the instruction specifies the location priority.

[0162] Clause 15. The user equipment of Clause 13, wherein the indication specifies a second timer value, and wherein the second transmitting component includes a component for transmitting the second on-demand RS request only if the second on-demand RS request will be transmitted ...

[0163] The user equipment of Clause 16.12, wherein the first transmitting component includes a component for transmitting a first on-demand RS request in response to receiving a location request from a location request protocol layer above the MAC (Media Access Control) layer, the user equipment further including a component for transmitting an expiration indication to the location request protocol layer in response to the expiration of a delay time corresponding to the location request.

[0164] Clause 17. The user equipment of Clause 12, wherein the first on-demand RS request consists of a single bit, and wherein the user equipment further includes components for sending an uplink MAC-CE (Media Access Control-Control Element) message corresponding to the first on-demand RS request.

[0165] Clause 18. User equipment of Clause 17, wherein the uplink MAC-CE message specifies at least one of positioning priority, positioning delay, or positioning accuracy.

[0166] Clause 19. User equipment of Clause 12, further including:

[0167] Components used to determine if a MAC-CE (Media Access Control-Control Element) message has available payload capacity; and

[0168] A component for sending at least one of a location request status or location information based on measurements of the RS in an AMC-CE message.

[0169] The user equipment of Clause 20. Clause 12 further includes a component for generating at least one of a first on-demand RS request or a second on-demand RS request to include an indication of one or more frequency layers for RS.

[0170] The user equipment under Clause 21.12 further includes:

[0171] Components for implementing at least one of non-standalone networking mode, standalone networking mode, or multi-connection mode; and

[0172] This is used to select one or more primary cells on which to send the first on-demand RS request.

[0173] Clause 22. The user equipment of Clause 21, wherein the selection component is configured to select the one or more primary cells based on at least one of the following options: (i) an association between a first cell for receiving RS and a second cell for sending RS requests; or (ii) a frequency range associated with a third cell.

[0174] Clause 23. A method for requesting a reference signal, the method comprising:

[0175] In response to the first location request, a first on-demand reference signal (RS) request is sent from the user equipment for the RS;

[0176] Obtain a first timer value at the user equipment that indicates a first threshold time amount;

[0177] A second on-demand RS request is sent from the user equipment in response to any of the following:

[0178] After a first threshold time has elapsed since the first on-demand RS request was sent, at least one of the following two operations has not occurred: receiving an RS at the user equipment or decoding an RS configuration message at the user equipment; or

[0179] A second location request with a higher priority than the first location request is received at the user equipment before a first threshold time elapses after the first on-demand RS request is sent.

[0180] Clause 24. The method of Clause 23, wherein the second on-demand RS request includes an indication of at least one of a second timer value or a delay time, the second timer value indicating a second threshold time amount.

[0181] Clause 25. The method of Clause 24, wherein the instruction specifies the positioning priority.

[0182] Clause 26. The method of Clause 24, wherein the indication specifies a second timer value, and the second on-demand RS request is sent only if the second on-demand RS request will be ...

[0183] The method of Clause 27.23, wherein a first on-demand RS request is sent in response to receiving a location request from a location request protocol layer above the MAC (Media Access Control) layer, the method further comprising sending an expiration indication to the location request protocol layer in response to the expiration of a delay time corresponding to the location request.

[0184] Clause 28. The method of Clause 23, wherein the first on-demand RS request consists of a single bit, and wherein the method further includes sending an uplink MAC-CE (Media Access Control-Control Element) message corresponding to the first on-demand RS request.

[0185] Clause 29. The method of Clause 28, wherein the uplink MAC-CE message specifies at least one of positioning priority, positioning delay, or positioning accuracy.

[0186] The methods of Clause 30.23 further include:

[0187] Determine that the MAC-CE (Media Access Control-Control Element) message has available payload capacity; and

[0188] The AMC-CE message sends at least one of a location request status or location information based on measurements of the RS.

[0189] The method of Clause 31.23 further includes generating at least one of a first on-demand RS request or a second on-demand RS request to include an indication of one or more frequency layers for RS.

[0190] The method of Clause 32.23 further includes selecting one or more primary cells on which the first on-demand RS request is to be sent.

[0191] Clause 33. The method of Clause 32, wherein the one or more primary cells are selected based on at least one of the following options: (i) an association between a first cell for receiving RS and a second cell for sending RS requests; or (ii) a frequency range associated with a third cell.

[0192] Clause 34. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions that cause a processor of a user equipment to perform the following operation to request a reference signal:

[0193] In response to the first location request, a first on-demand reference signal (RS) request is sent for the RS;

[0194] Obtain the first timer value that indicates the first threshold time amount;

[0195] A second on-demand RS request is sent in response to any of the following:

[0196] After a first threshold time has elapsed since the first on-demand RS request was sent, at least one of the following two operations has not occurred: receiving an RS at the user equipment or decoding an RS configuration message at the user equipment; or

[0197] A second location request with a higher priority than the first location request is received at the user equipment before a first threshold time elapses after the first on-demand RS request is sent.

[0198] The storage medium of Clause 35. Clause 34, wherein the second on-demand RS request includes an indication of at least one of a second timer value or a delay time, the second timer value indicating a second threshold time amount.

[0199] Clause 36. Storage media of Clause 35, wherein the instruction specifies the location priority.

[0200] The storage medium of Clause 37. Clause 35, wherein the instruction indicating the second timer value and the instruction configured to cause the processor to send the second on-demand RS request are configured to cause the processor to send the second on-demand RS request only if the second on-demand RS request will be sent ...

[0201] The storage medium of Clause 38. Clause 34, wherein the processor-readable instruction causing the processor to send a first on-demand RS request includes a processor-readable instruction causing the processor to send a first on-demand RS request in response to receiving a location request from a location request protocol layer above the MAC (Media Access Control) layer, and wherein the storage medium further includes a processor-readable instruction causing the processor to send an expiration indication to the location request protocol layer in response to the expiration of a delay time corresponding to the location request.

[0202] The storage medium of Clause 39. Clause 34, wherein the first on-demand RS request consists of a single bit, and wherein the storage medium further includes processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to send an uplink MAC-CE (Media Access Control-Control Element) message corresponding to the first on-demand RS request.

[0203] The storage medium of Clause 40 and Clause 39, wherein the uplink MAC-CE message specifies at least one of positioning priority, positioning delay, or positioning accuracy.

[0204] The storage medium of Clause 41. Clause 34 further includes processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to perform the following operations:

[0205] It is determined that the MAC-CE (Media Access Control-Control Element) message has available payload capacity; and

[0206] The AMC-CE message sends at least one of a location request status or location information based on measurements of the RS.

[0207] The storage medium of Clause 42. Clause 34 further includes processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to generate at least one of a first on-demand RS request or a second on-demand RS request to include indications for one or more frequency layers for RS.

[0208] The storage medium of Clause 43 and Clause 34 further includes processor-readable instructions that enable the processor to select one or more primary cells on which to send the first on-demand RS request.

[0209] The storage medium of Clause 44. Clause 43, wherein the processor-readable instructions for causing the processor to select the one or more primary cells include processor-readable instructions for causing the processor to select the one or more primary cells based on at least one of the following options: an association between a first cell for receiving RS and a second cell for sending RS requests, or a frequency range associated with a third cell.

[0210] Other considerations

[0211] Other examples and implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software and computers, the functions described above can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwired, or any combination of these options. Features implementing the functions can also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that different parts of the functions are implemented in different physical locations.

[0212] As used herein, the singular indefinite and definite articles also include the plural forms unless the context otherwise indicates. The words “including,” “contains,” “comprising,” and / or “having” as used herein specify the presence of the stated feature, integer, step, operation, element, and / or component, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0213] Furthermore, as used herein, the “or” used in the enumeration of items (potentially combined with “at least one of…” or “one or more of…”) indicates a disjunctive enumeration, such that (for example) an enumeration of “at least one of A, B, or C” or an enumeration of “one or more of A, B, or C” or an enumeration of “A or B or C” refers to A or B or C or AB (A and B) or AC (A and C) or BC (B and C) or ABC (i.e., A and B and C) or various combinations having more than one feature (e.g., AA, AAB, ABBC, etc.). Thus, a statement that an item (e.g., a processor) is configured to perform a function with respect to at least one of A or B, or a statement that an item is configured to perform function A or function B, means that the item can be configured to perform a function with respect to A, or can be configured to perform a function with respect to B, or can be configured to perform a function with respect to both A and B. For example, the phrase "a processor configured to measure at least one of A or B" or "a processor configured to measure A or measure B" means that the processor can be configured to measure A (and may or may not be configured to measure B), or can be configured to measure B (and may or may not be configured to measure A), or can be configured to measure both A and B (and may be configured to select which of A and B or both). Similarly, the statement "a component for measuring at least one of A or B" includes a component for measuring A (which may or may not be able to measure B) or a component for measuring B (which may or may not be able to measure A), or a component for measuring A and B (which may be able to select which of A and B or both). As another example, the statement that an item (e.g., a processor) is configured to perform at least one of function X or function Y means that the item can be configured to perform function X, or can be configured to perform function Y, or can be configured to perform both function X and function Y. For example, the phrase "a processor configured to perform at least one of measurement X or measurement Y" means that the processor can be configured to measure X (and may be configured to or not to measure Y), or can be configured to measure Y (and may be configured to or not to measure X), or can be configured to measure both X and Y (and may be configured to select which one of X and Y or both of them to measure).

[0214] As used herein, unless otherwise stated, a statement that a function or operation is “based on” an item or condition means that the function or operation is based on the stated item or condition and may be based on one or more items and / or conditions other than the stated item or condition.

[0215] Significant variations can be made depending on specific requirements. For example, custom hardware can be used, and / or specific elements can be implemented via hardware, processor-executed software (including portable software such as applets), or both. Furthermore, connections to other computing devices (e.g., network input / output devices) can be employed. Components (functional or other components) shown in the figures and / or discussed herein as interconnected or communicating are communicatively coupled unless otherwise indicated. That is, they are directly or indirectly connected to enable communication between them.

[0216] The systems and apparatuses described above are merely examples. Various configurations may be omitted, substituted, or added as appropriate. For example, features described in certain configurations may be combined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elements of these configurations may be combined in a similar manner. Moreover, technology is evolving; therefore, many elements are merely examples and do not limit the scope of this disclosure or the claims.

[0217] A wireless communication system is a system in which communication is transmitted wirelessly, for example, by electromagnetic waves and / or sound waves that propagate through the atmosphere rather than through wires or other physical connections. A wireless communication network may not transmit all communication wirelessly, but is configured to transmit at least some communication wirelessly. Furthermore, the term "wireless communication device" or similar terms do not require that the device's function be solely or primarily for communication, or that the device be a mobile device, but indicate that the device includes wireless communication capabilities (single-channel or dual-channel), for example, including at least one wireless device for wireless communication (each wireless device being part of a transmitter, receiver, or transceiver).

[0218] Specific details are provided in this specification to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary configurations, including implementations. However, these configurations can be practiced without these specific details. For example, illustrations of well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may omit unnecessary details to avoid obscuring the configuration. This specification provides only exemplary configurations and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claims. Rather, the foregoing description of the configurations provides an illustration for implementing the described techniques. Various changes can be made to the function and arrangement of the elements.

[0219] As used herein, the terms “processor-readable medium,” “machine-readable medium,” and “computer-readable medium” refer to any medium that participates in providing data that enables a machine to function in a particular manner. Utilizing a computing platform, various processor-readable media may be involved in providing instructions / code to a processor for execution, and / or various processor-readable media may be used to store and / or carry such instructions / code (e.g., as signals). In many embodiments, a processor-readable medium is a physical and / or tangible storage medium. Such media can take many forms, including but not limited to non-volatile and volatile media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical discs and / or magnetic disks. Volatile media include, but are not limited to, dynamic memory.

[0220] Several exemplary configurations have been described, and various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalent solutions can be adopted. For example, the above elements may be components of a larger system, wherein other rules may take precedence over the application of this invention or be modified thereto. Moreover, several operations may be performed before, during, or after considering the above elements. Accordingly, the foregoing description does not limit the scope of the claims.

[0221] A statement that a value exceeds (or is greater than or higher than) a first threshold is equivalent to a statement that the value meets or exceeds a second threshold that is slightly greater than the first threshold. For example, according to the resolution of the computing system, the second threshold is a value higher than the first threshold. A statement that a value is less than (or is within or below) the first threshold is equivalent to a statement that the value is less than or equal to a second threshold that is slightly lower than the first threshold. For example, according to the resolution of the computing system, the second threshold is a value lower than the first threshold.

Claims

1. A user equipment, comprising: transceiver; Memory including instructions; as well as The processor, configured to execute the instructions, causes the user equipment to: In response to receiving a first location request from a location request protocol layer above the MAC media access control layer, the transceiver sends a first on-demand RS request for the reference signal RS. Obtain a first timer value indicating the first threshold time amount; and A second on-demand RS request is sent via the transceiver in response to any of the following: If a first threshold time elapses after the processor sends the first on-demand RS request, and the processor fails to complete at least one of the following two operations: receiving the RS via the transceiver or decoding the RS configuration message received via the transceiver; or After the processor sends the first on-demand RS request and before the first threshold time elapses, the processor receives a second location request, which has a higher priority than the first location request. In response to the expiration of the delay time corresponding to the location request, an expiration indication is sent to the location request protocol layer.

2. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein, The processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the user equipment to include an indication of at least one of a second timer value or a delay time in the second on-demand RS request, the second timer value indicating a second threshold time amount.

3. The user equipment of claim 2, wherein, The instruction specifies the location priority.

4. The user equipment of claim 2, wherein, The indication specifies the second timer value, and the processor is configured to send the second on-demand RS request only if the second on-demand RS request will be sent ...

5. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein, The first on-demand RS request consists of a single bit, and the processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the user equipment to send an uplink MAC-CE media access control-control element message corresponding to the first on-demand RS request.

6. The user equipment according to claim 5, wherein, The uplink MAC-CE message specifies at least one of the following: positioning priority, positioning delay, or positioning accuracy.

7. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the user equipment to: Determine that the MAC-CE media access control - control element message has available payload capacity; and The MAC-CE message sends at least one of a location request status or location information based on measurements of the RS.

8. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the user equipment to generate at least one of a first on-demand RS request or a second on-demand RS request, including indications for one or more frequency layers for RS.

9. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the user equipment to: Implement at least one of the following: non-standalone networking mode, standalone networking mode, or multiple connection mode; and Select one or more primary cells on which to send the first on-demand RS request.

10. The user equipment according to claim 9, wherein, The processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the user equipment to select one or more primary cells based on at least one of the following: (i) an association between a first cell for receiving RS and a second cell for sending RS requests; or (ii) a frequency range associated with a third cell.

11. A user equipment, comprising: A first transmitting component for sending a first on-demand RS request for a reference signal RS in response to receiving a first location request from a location request protocol layer above the MAC media access control layer; A component for obtaining a first timer value indicating a first threshold time amount; A receiving / decoding component for receiving or decoding at least one of the RS configuration messages; as well as A second transmitting component for sending a second on-demand RS request in response to any of the following: If, after the first transmitting component sends the first on-demand RS request, the first threshold time has elapsed and at least one of the two operations of receiving the RS or decoding the RS configuration message has not been completed by the receiving / decoding component; or Before the first threshold time elapses after the first transmitting component sends the first on-demand RS request, the receiving / decoding component receives a second location request with a higher priority than the first location request. A component for sending an expiration indication to the location request protocol layer in response to the expiration of a delay time corresponding to the location request.

12. The user equipment according to claim 11, wherein, The second transmitting component is configured to include in the second on-demand RS request an indication of at least one of a second timer value or a delay time, the second timer value indicating a second threshold time amount.

13. The user equipment according to claim 12, wherein, The instruction specifies the location priority.

14. The user equipment according to claim 12, wherein, The indication specifies the second timer value, and wherein the second sending component includes a component for sending the second on-demand RS request only if the second on-demand RS request will be sent ... first threshold time amount is 15. The user equipment according to claim 11, wherein, The first on-demand RS request consists of a single bit, and the user equipment further includes a component for sending an uplink MAC-CE media access control-control element message corresponding to the first on-demand RS request.

16. The user equipment according to claim 15, wherein, The uplink MAC-CE message specifies at least one of the following: positioning priority, positioning delay, or positioning accuracy.

17. The user equipment according to claim 11, further comprising: A component used to determine whether a MAC-CE media access control-control element message has available payload capacity; as well as A component for sending at least one of a location request status or location information based on measurements of the RS in the MAC-CE message.

18. The user equipment of claim 11, further comprising a component for generating at least one of a first on-demand RS request or a second on-demand RS request to include an indication of one or more frequency layers for the RS.

19. The user equipment according to claim 11, further comprising: Components used to implement at least one of non-standalone networking mode, standalone networking mode, or multiple connection mode; as well as This is used to select one or more primary cells on which the first on-demand RS request will be sent.

20. The user equipment according to claim 19, wherein, The selection component is configured to select the one or more primary cells based on at least one of the following: (i) the association between a first cell for receiving RS and a second cell for sending RS requests; or (ii) the frequency range associated with a third cell.

21. A method for requesting a reference signal, the method comprising: In response to receiving a first location request from a location request protocol layer above the MAC media access control layer, the user equipment sends a first on-demand RS request for the reference signal RS. A first timer value indicating a first threshold time amount is obtained at the user equipment; A second on-demand RS request is sent from the user equipment in response to any of the following: After the first on-demand RS request is sent, the first threshold time has elapsed without either receiving the RS at the user equipment or decoding the RS configuration message at the user equipment. or A second location request is received at the user equipment after the first on-demand RS request has been sent but before the first threshold time has elapsed. The second location request has a higher priority than the first location request. In response to the expiration of the delay time corresponding to the location request, an expiration indication is sent to the location request protocol layer.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein, The second on-demand RS request includes an indication of at least one of a second timer value or a delay time, the second timer value indicating a second threshold time amount.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein, The instruction specifies the location priority.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein, The instruction specifies the second timer value, and the second on-demand RS request will only be sent if the second on-demand RS request will be sent only ... first threshold time amount is reached after the first on 25. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions, said instructions causing a processor of a user equipment to perform the following operation to request a reference signal: In response to receiving a first location request from a location request protocol layer above the MAC media access control layer, a first on-demand RS request for the reference signal RS is sent. Obtain the first timer value that indicates the first threshold time amount; A second on-demand RS request is sent in response to any of the following: After the first on-demand RS request is sent, the first threshold time has elapsed without either receiving the RS at the user equipment or decoding the RS configuration message at the user equipment. or A second location request is received at the user equipment after the first on-demand RS request has been sent but before the first threshold time has elapsed. The second location request has a higher priority than the first location request. In response to the expiration of the delay time corresponding to the location request, an expiration indication is sent to the location request protocol layer.

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