Multiple measurement reports for each reference signal

Abstract

A method of reporting measurements of an uplink positioning reference signal includes receiving, at a base station, the uplink positioning reference signal from a user equipment; determining, at the base station, a plurality of measurement values of the uplink positioning reference signal, each of the plurality of measurement values belonging to a same type of measurement and corresponding to the uplink positioning reference signal; and transmitting, from the base station to a server, a report including the plurality of measurement values of the uplink positioning reference signal and at least one indication that the plurality of measurement values correspond to a same uplink positioning reference signal.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Greek patent application No. 20210100006 entitled “MULTI-MEASUREMENT REPORTING PERREFERENCE SIGNAL”, filed on January 5, 2021, which has been assigned to the assignee of this application, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. Background Technology

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

[0004] Fifth-generation (5G) mobile standards demand higher data transmission speeds, greater connection capacity, and better coverage, among other improvements. The 5G standard, according to the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGC), is designed to provide tens of megabits per second (Mbps) of data to each of tens of thousands of users, or 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) to dozens of employees in a single-story office. 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 improved compared to the current 4G standard. Furthermore, signaling efficiency should be improved, and latency should be significantly reduced compared to current standards. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An example base station includes: a transceiver; a memory; and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, and configured to: receive an uplink positioning reference signal from a user equipment via the transceiver; determine a plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, each of the plurality of measurements belonging to the same type of measurement and corresponding to the uplink positioning reference signal; and send a report to a server via the transceiver, the report including the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal and at least one indication that the plurality of measurements correspond to the same uplink positioning reference signal.

[0006] An example method for reporting measurements of an uplink positioning reference signal includes: receiving an uplink positioning reference signal from a user equipment at a base station; determining multiple measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal at the base station, each of the multiple measurements belonging to the same type of measurement and corresponding to the uplink positioning reference signal; and sending a report from the base station to a server, the report including the multiple measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal and at least one indication that the multiple measurements correspond to the same uplink positioning reference signal.

[0007] Another example base station includes: components for receiving an uplink positioning reference signal from a user equipment; components for determining a plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, each of the plurality of measurements belonging to the same type of measurement and corresponding to the uplink positioning reference signal; and components for sending a report to a server including the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal and an indication that the plurality of measurements correspond to at least one of the same uplink positioning reference signal.

[0008] An example non-transitory processor-readable storage medium includes processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors of a base station to perform the following actions to report measurements of an uplink positioning reference signal: receiving an uplink positioning reference signal from a user equipment; determining multiple measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, each of the multiple measurements belonging to the same type of measurement and corresponding to the uplink positioning reference signal; and sending a report to a server of the multiple measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal and at least one indication that the multiple measurements correspond to the same uplink positioning reference signal. Attached Figure Description

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

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the block diagram of the components of an example user device.

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

[0012] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of the components of the example server, with various embodiments thereof. Figure 1 As shown in the image.

[0013] Figure 5 It is the signaling and processing flow used to determine and report uplink signal measurements.

[0014] Figure 6This is an example layout of user equipment, transmitting / receiving points, and buildings, where there are cases where positioning reference signals are transmitted and received.

[0015] Figure 7 It is by Figure 6 The graph shows the measured power of the positioning reference signal received by different antenna elements.

[0016] Figure 8 This is an example of a location information report from a base station to a server.

[0017] Figure 9 This is another example of location information reporting from a base station to a server, where the order of reported measurements is sorted based on the value of another measurement.

[0018] Figure 10 This is a flowchart of the method for measuring the uplink positioning reference signal. Detailed Implementation

[0019] This paper discusses techniques for reporting uplink positioning reference signals (UL-PRS). For example, an uplink positioning reference signal (UL-PRS) is transmitted from a user equipment (UE) to a base station. The UL-PRS may employ multiple paths from the UE to the base station, such as a direct line-of-sight (LOS) path and / or one or more non-line-of-sight (NLOS) paths involving one or more reflections of the UL-PRS. The base station measures one or more arrivals of the UL-PRS using one or more antenna elements to generate one or more measurements. These measurements correspond to one or more measurement types (e.g., power, relative timing, time of arrival, angle of arrival). The base station determines multiple measurements of the same type for the same UL-PRS and may determine multiple measurements of the same type for each of the multiple measurement types of the same UL-PRS. The base station reports multiple measurements of the same type for the same UL-PRS to a server. The server can use, for example, measurements from multiple base stations to determine information to improve the UE's location estimation. The server can use the measurements to determine multipath channel profiles and / or multi-antenna element channel profiles (e.g., multi-antenna element, multipath channel profile). These are examples, and other examples can be implemented.

[0020] The items and / or techniques described herein can provide one or more of the following capabilities, as well as others not mentioned. Multipath channel profiles and / or multi-antenna element channel profiles can be provided to a server from one or more base stations, and / or determined by the server based on reference signal measurement information provided to the server by the base stations. This can improve the positioning accuracy of user equipment, especially under non-line-of-sight conditions between the user equipment and the base station. Based on the channel profile information provided by one or more base stations, the server can understand the typical characteristics of measurement errors. Other capabilities can be provided, and not every embodiment of this disclosure is required to provide any, let alone all, of the discussed capabilities.

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

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

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

[0024] A base station can operate based on one of several RATs that communicate with the UE, depending on the network in which it is deployed. Examples of base stations include access points (APs), network nodes, NodeBs, evolved NodeBs (eNBs), or generic NodeBs (gNodeBs, gNBs). Furthermore, in some systems, a base station may provide purely edge node signaling functions, while in others it may provide additional control and / or network management functions.

[0025] The UE can be represented by any of a variety of devices, including but not limited to printed circuit (PC) cards, compact flash memory devices, external or internal modems, wireless or wired telephones, smartphones, tablets, consumer asset tracking devices, asset tags, etc. The communication link through which the UE transmits 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 transmits signals to the UE is referred to as a downlink or forward link channel (e.g., paging channel, control channel, broadcast channel, forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term traffic channel (TCH) can refer to either 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. The term "cell" may refer to a logical communication entity used to communicate with a base station (e.g., via a carrier) and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., Physical Cell Identifier (PCID), Virtual Cell Identifier (VCID)) used to distinguish adjacent cells operating via the same or different carriers. In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells and may be configured with different cells based on different protocol types that provide 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 of the geographical coverage area on which a logical entity operates (e.g., a sector).

[0027] Reference Figure 1 Examples of communication system 100 include UE 105, UE 106, radio access network (RAN) (here, fifth-generation (5G) next-generation (NG) RAN (NG-RAN) 135), 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, buses, boats, etc.) or other devices. 5G networks can also be referred to as new radio (NR) networks; NG-RAN 135 can be referred to as 5G RAN or 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). Therefore, NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140 can conform to current or future 5G standards supported by 3GPP. NG-RAN 135 can be another type of RAN, such as 3G RAN, 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) RAN, etc. UE 106 can be configured and coupled similarly to UE 105 to send and / or receive signals from similar entities in system 100, but for the sake of simplicity in the diagram, ... Figure 1No such signaling is indicated in the document. Similarly, for simplicity, the discussion focuses on UE 105. Communication system 100 may utilize information from constellation 185 of satellite vehicles 190, 191, 192, 193 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 Geosynchronous Navigation Coverage Service (EGNOS), or the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)). Additional components of communication system 100 are described below. Communication system 100 may include additional or alternative components.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, NG-RAN 135 includes NR nodeBs (gNB) 110a, 110b and next-generation eNodeB (ng-eNB) 114, and 5GC 140 includes Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMF) 115, Session Management Functions (SMF) 117, Location Management Functions (LMF) 120 and Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 125. gNBs 110a, 110b and ng-eNB 114 are communicatively coupled to each other, each configured to communicate bidirectionally with UE 105, and each is communicatively coupled to AMF 115 and configured to communicate bidirectionally with AMF 115. gNBs 110a, 110b and ng-eNB 114 may be referred to as base stations (BS). AMF 115, SMF 117, LMF 120 and GMLC 125 are communicatively coupled to each other, and the GMLC is communicatively coupled to an external client 130. SMF 117 can be used as the initial contact point for Service Control Functions (SCF) (not shown) to create, control, and delete media sessions. Base stations such as gNB110a, 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)). - Short-range base stations (BSs) that communicate using short-range technologies such as Low Energy (BLE) and Zigbee. One or more BSs, such as gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114, can be configured to communicate with UE105 via multiple carriers. Each of gNB 110a, 110b and ng-eNB 114 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic area (e.g., a cell). Each cell can be divided into multiple sectors based on the base station antennas.

[0029] Figure 1 A general illustration of the various components is provided, any or all of which may be used as appropriate, and each component may be repeated or omitted as needed. Specifically, although one UE 105 is shown, many UEs (e.g., hundreds, thousands, millions, etc.) may be used in the communication system 100. Similarly, the communication system 100 may include a larger (or smaller) number of SVs (i.e., more or fewer than the four SVs 190-193 shown), gNBs 110a and 110b, ng-eNB 114, AMF 115, external client 130, and / or other components. The connections shown linking the various components in the communication system 100 include data and signaling connections, which may include additional (intermediate) components, direct or indirect physical and / or wireless connections, and / or additional networks. Furthermore, components may be rearranged, combined, separated, replaced, and / or omitted depending on the required 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, Long Term Evolution (LTE), etc. The implementations described herein (which are for 5G technology and / or for one or more other communication technologies and / or protocols) can be used to transmit (or broadcast) directional synchronization signals, receive and measure directional signals at a UE (e.g., UE105), and / or provide location assistance to UE105 (via GMLC 125 or other location servers), and / or calculate the location of UE105 at a positioning-capable device (such as UE105, gNB 110a, 110b, or LMF 120) based on measurements received at UE105 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, various other location server functions and / or base station functions may be replaced by or included 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 directly or indirectly (at least some of the time using wireless connections), for example, via gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114 and / or 5GC 140 (and / or one or more other devices not shown, such as one or more other base transceiver stations). For indirect communication, communication can be modified during transmission from one entity to another, for example, to change the header information of data packets, change the format, etc. UE 105 may include multiple UEs and may be mobile wireless communication devices, but can communicate wirelessly and via wired connections. UE 105 can be any of a variety of devices, such as smartphones, tablets, vehicle-based devices, etc., but these are examples, as UE 105 is not required to be any of these configurations, and other configurations of UEs can be used. Other UEs may include wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches, smart jewelry, smart glasses, or headsets, etc.). Other UEs, whether currently existing or developed in the future, may also be used. In addition, other wireless devices (whether mobile or not) may be implemented within system 100 and may 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 may communicate with external client 130 (e.g., a computer system) to allow 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 on various networks and / or for various purposes and / or using various technologies (e.g., 5G, Wi-Fi communication, multiple frequencies of Wi-Fi communication, satellite positioning, one or more types of communication (e.g., GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), V2X (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 (Cellular-V2X (C-V2X)) and / or WiFi (e.g., DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Connectivity)). System 100 can support operation on multiple carriers (waveform signals of different frequencies). A multi-carrier transmitter can simultaneously transmit modulated signals on multiple carriers. Each modulated signal can be a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) signal, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) signal, an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) signal, a Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) signal, etc. Each modulated signal can be transmitted on a different carrier and can carry pilot, overhead information, data, etc. UEs 105 and 106 can communicate with each other via UE-to-UE sidelink (SL) communication by transmitting on one or more sidelink channels (such as the Physical Sidelink Synchronization Channel (PSSCH), Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH), or Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH)).

[0033] UE 105 may include and / or may be referred to as a device, mobile device, wireless device, mobile terminal, terminal, mobile station (MS), terminal (SET) supporting Secure User Plane Location (SUPL), or some other name. Furthermore, UE 105 may correspond to a mobile phone, smartphone, laptop computer, tablet computer, 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, while not mandatory, UE 105 may support one or more Radio Access Technologies (RATs) such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), LTE, High-Speed ​​Packet Data (HRPD), IEEE 802.11 WiFi (also known as Wi-Fi), etc. Wireless communication using technologies such as BitTorrent (BT), WiMAX, and 5G New Radio (NR) (e.g., using NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140) is permitted. UE 105 can support wireless communication using a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), which can connect to other networks (e.g., the Internet) via, for example, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or Packet Cable. Using one or more of these RATs allows UE 105 to (e.g., via...) wireless communication. Figure 1 The components of 5GC 140 (not shown) may communicate with external client 130 via GMLC 125, and / or allow external client 130 (e.g., via GMLC 125) to receive location information about UE 105.

[0034] UE 105 may include a single entity or may include multiple entities, such as in a personal area network where the user can use audio, video, and / or data I / O (input / output) devices and / or body sensors, as well as separate wired or wireless modems. The estimation of the location of UE 105 may be referred to as location, location estimate, location fix, fix, position, position estimate, or position fix, and may be geographic, providing the UE 105 with location coordinates (e.g., latitude and longitude), which may or may not include an elevation component (e.g., height above sea level, height above ground, floor, or basement, or depth below ground, floor, or basement). Alternatively, the location of UE 105 may be represented as a city location (e.g., as a postal address or the name of a point or small area (such as a specific room or floor) within a building). The location of UE 105 can be represented as an area or volume (defined geographically or in urban terms) in which UE 105 is expected to be located with some probability or confidence (e.g., 67%, 95%, etc.). The location of UE 105 can be represented as a relative location, including, for example, distance and orientation from a known location. A relative location can be represented as relative coordinates (e.g., X, Y (and Z) coordinates) defined relative to an origin at a known location, which can be defined, for example, geographically, in urban terms, or by reference to a point, area, or volume indicated, for example, on a map, floor plan, or building plan. In the description contained herein, the use of the term "location" can include any of these variations unless otherwise indicated. When calculating the location of the UE, local x, y, and possibly z coordinates are typically solved, and then, if necessary, the local coordinates are converted to absolute coordinates (e.g., 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. D2D P2P links can be used with any suitable D2D radio access technology (RAT) (such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), etc.). One or more UEs in a group of UEs using D2D communication may be within the geographic coverage area of ​​a Transmit / Receive Point (TRP) (such as one or more of gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114). Other UEs in such a group may be outside such geographic coverage area or may not be able to receive transmissions from the base station. A group of UEs communicating via D2D communication can utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, in which each UE can transmit to other UEs in the group. The TRP can facilitate resource scheduling for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication can be performed between UEs without the involvement of a TRP. One or more UEs in a group of UEs using D2D communication may be within the geographic coverage area of ​​a TRP. Other UEs in such a group may be outside such geographic coverage area or may otherwise be unable to receive transmissions from the base station. A group of UEs communicating via D2D communication can utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, in which each UE can transmit to other UEs in the group. The TRP can facilitate resource scheduling for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication can be performed between UEs without the involvement of TRP.

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

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

[0038] gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114 may each include one or more TRPs. For example, each sector within a cell of the BS may include a TRP, although multiple TRPs may share one or more components (e.g., share a processor but have 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 may allow unrestricted access to terminals with service subscriptions. Pico TRPs may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a pico cell) and may allow unrestricted access to terminals with service subscriptions. Femto or home TRPs may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a femto cell) and may allow restricted access to terminals associated with that femto cell (e.g., terminals of users in a home).

[0039] Each of the gNBs 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 divide the functionality 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 is referred to as the 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 a portion 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 is 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 are specifically assigned to DU 112. CU 113 hosts the Radio Resource Control (RRC), Serving Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) protocols of gNB 110a. UE 105 communicates with CU 113 through the RRC, SDAP, and PDCP layers, with DU 112 through the RLC, MAC, and PHY layers, and with RU 111 through the PHY layer.

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

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

[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. For example, server 150 may be configured to run a microservice / service for obtaining the location estimate of UE 105. For example, server 150 may (e.g., by sending a location request to it) extract the location estimate from one or more of UE 105, 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, the location estimate of UE 105 may be pushed to server 150 by one or more of UE 105, gNB 110a, 110b (e.g., via RU 111, DU 112, and CU 113) and / or LMF 120.

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

[0044] like Figure 1 As further illustrated, the LMF 120 can communicate with gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 using the new Radio Location Protocol A (which may be referred to as NPPa or NRPPa), defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.455. NRPPa can be the same as, similar to, or an extension of the LTE Location Protocol A (LPPa) defined in 3GPP TS 36.455, where NRPPa messages are transmitted via AMF 115 between gNB 110a (or gNB 110b) and the LMF 120, and / or between ng-eNB 114 and the LMF 120. Figure 1As further illustrated, LMF 120 and UE 105 can communicate using the LTE Location Protocol (LPP), which is defined in 3GPP TS 36.355. LMF 120 and UE 105 can also, or alternatively, communicate using a new radio location protocol (which may be referred to as NPP or NRPP), which may be the same as, similar to, or an extension of LPP. Here, LPP and / or NPP messages can be transmitted between UE 105 and LMF 120 via AMF 115 and the serving gNB 110a, 110b, or serving ng-eNB 114 for UE 105. For example, LPP and / or NPP messages can be transmitted between LMF 120 and AMF 115 using the 5G Location Services Application Protocol (LCS AP), and 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 positioning of UE 105 using UE-assisted and / or UE-based positioning methods (such as A-GNSS, RTK, OTDOA, and / or E-CID). The NRPPa protocol can be used to support the positioning of UE 105 using network-based positioning methods such as E-CID (e.g., when used with measurements obtained by gNB 110a, 110b, or ng-eNB 114) and / or can be used by LMF 120 to obtain location-related information from gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114, such as defining parameters of directional SS (synchronization signal) or PRS transmissions from gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114. LMF 120 can be co-located or integrated with gNB or TRP, or can be configured to be located away from gNB and / or TRP and communicate directly or indirectly with gNB and / or TRP.

[0045] Using a UE-assisted positioning method, UE 105 can obtain location measurements and send them to a location server (e.g., LMF120) for calculating a location estimate for UE 105. For example, location measurements may include one or more of the following for gNB110a, 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, or alternatively, include 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 positioning method used for UE assistance) and can calculate the location of UE 105 (e.g., with the aid of auxiliary data received from a location server such as LMF 120 or auxiliary data broadcast by gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114 or other base stations or APs).

[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. One or more base stations or APs can send these measurements to a location 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 or PRS transmissions, as well as location coordinates. The LMF 120 may provide some or all of this information to the UE 105 as auxiliary data in LPP and / or NPP messages via NG-RAN 135 and 5GC140.

[0049] The LPP or NPP message sent from LMF 120 to UE 105 can instruct UE 105 to perform any of a variety of things according to the required functionality. For example, the LPP or NPP message may contain instructions for UE 105 to obtain measurements of GNSS (or A-GNSS), WLAN, E-CID, and / or OTDOA (or some other positioning method). In the case of E-CID, the LPP or NPP message may instruct UE 105 to obtain one or more measurements of directional signals transmitted within a specific cell 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)). These measurements may include beam ID, beamwidth, average angle, RSRP, and RSRQ. UE 105 can send measurements back to LMF120 via service gNB 110a (or service ng-eNB 114) and AMF 115 in an LPP or NPP message (e.g., within a 5G NAS message).

[0050] As noted, while a communication system 100 is described in relation to 5G technology, the communication system 100 may be implemented to support and interact with other communication technologies, such as GSM, WCDMA, LTE, etc., for supporting and interacting with mobile devices such as UE 105 (e.g., to implement voice, data, location, and other functions). In some such embodiments, 5GC 140 may be configured to control different air interfaces. For example, 5GC 140 may use non-3GPP interoperability functions (N3IWF) in 5GC 140. Figure 1 (Not shown) Connected to a WLAN. For example, the WLAN may support IEEE 802.11 WiFi access for UE 105 and may include one or more WiFi APs. Here, the N3IWF may connect to the WLAN and other components in 5GC 140, such as AMF115. In some embodiments, both NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140 may be replaced by one or more other RANs and one or more other core networks. For example, in EPS, NG-RAN 135 may be replaced by E-UTRAN containing eNBs, and 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 location information from eNBs in the E-UTRAN, and LPP may be used to support UE 105's positioning. In these other embodiments, the location of UE 105 using directional PRS can be supported in a manner similar to that described herein for 5G networks, except that the functions and procedures described herein for gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, AMF 115 and LMF 120 can be applied in certain situations to other network elements, such as eNB, WiFi AP, MME and E-SMLC.

[0051] As noted, in some embodiments, the positioning function may at least partially utilize the UE whose location will be determined (e.g., Figure 1 The location of the UE can be determined by directional SS or PRS beams transmitted from base stations (such as gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114) within the range of the UE (105). In some cases, the UE may use directional SS or PRS beams from multiple base stations (such as gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, 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 of 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, sensor(s)(s), transceiver interface 214, user interface 216, SPS receiver 217, camera 218, and positioning device 219 can be communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 220 (which can be configured for, for example, optical and / or electrical communications). One or more of the illustrated devices (e.g., camera 218, positioning device 219, and / or one or more of sensor(s) 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 processors for RF (radio frequency) sensing (by transmitting one or more (cellular) wireless signals and for identifying, mapping, and / or tracking object reflections) and / or ultrasound, etc. Modem processor 232 may support dual SIM / dual connectivity (or even more SIMs). For example, a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) may be used by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), and another SIM may be used by the end user of UE 200 for connectivity. Memory 211 is a non-transitory storage medium that may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk storage, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 211 stores software 212, which may be processor-readable and processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 210 to perform the various functions described herein during execution. Alternatively, software 212 may not be directly executable by processor 210, but may be configured to cause processor 210 to perform functions, for example, during compilation and execution. This description may refer to processor 210 performing functions, but this includes other implementations, such as processor 210 performing software and / or firmware. This description may refer to processor 210 performing functions as an abbreviation of one or more of processors 230-234 performing functions. This description may refer to UE 200 performing functions as an abbreviation of one or more suitable components of UE 200 performing functions.In addition to and / or replacing memory 211, processor 210 may include memory with stored instructions. The functionality of processor 210 will be discussed more fully below.

[0053] Figure 2 The configuration of UE 200 shown is an example of this disclosure, including the claims, and not a limitation, and other configurations may be used. For example, an example configuration of the UE includes one or more of processors 230-234 of processor 210, memory 211, and wireless transceiver 240. Other example configurations include one or more of processors 230-234 of processor 210, memory 211, wireless transceiver, and one or more of 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 perform baseband processing on signals to be upconverted for transmission by transceiver 215. Similarly or alternatively, baseband processing may be performed by general-purpose / application processor 230 and / or DSP 231. However, other configurations may be used to perform baseband processing.

[0055] UE 200 may include one or more sensors 213, which may include one or more of various 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., co-responsive to the three-dimensional acceleration of UE 200) and / or one or more gyroscopes (e.g., multiple three-dimensional gyroscopes). The sensors 213 may include one or more magnetometers (e.g., multiple three-dimensional magnetometers) to determine orientation (e.g., relative to magnetic north and / or true north), which may be used for any of a variety of purposes, such as supporting one or more compass applications. The environmental sensors may include, for example, one or more temperature sensors, one or more barometric pressure sensors, one or more ambient light sensors, one or more camera imagers, and / or one or more microphones. Multiple sensors 213 can generate analog and / or digital signals, the indications of which can be stored in memory 211 and processed by DSP 231 and / or general-purpose / application processor 230 to support one or more applications, such as applications for positioning and / or navigation operations, for example.

[0056] The multiple sensors 213 can be used for relative position measurement, relative position determination, motion determination, etc. Information detected by the multiple sensors 213 can be used for motion detection, relative displacement, dead reckoning, sensor-based position determination, and / or sensor-assisted position determination. The multiple sensors 213 may be useful in determining whether the UE 200 is stationary or moving and / or whether to report certain useful information about the UE 200's mobility to the LMF 120. For example, based on information obtained / measured by the multiple sensors 213, the UE 200 can notify / report to the LMF 120 that the UE 200 has detected movement or that the UE 200 has moved, and report relative displacement / distance (e.g., via dead reckoning, or sensor-based position determination, or sensor-assisted position determination enabled by the multiple sensors 213). In another example, for relative positioning information, the sensors / IMU can be used to determine the angle and / or orientation of other devices relative to the UE 200, etc.

[0057] The IMU can be configured to provide measurements of the UE 200's direction of motion and / or velocity, 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 UE 200's linear acceleration and rotational velocity, respectively. The linear acceleration and rotational velocity measurements of the UE 200 can be integrated over time to determine the instantaneous direction of motion and displacement of the UE 200. The integral of the instantaneous direction of motion and displacement can be calculated to track the UE 200's position. For example, a reference position of the UE 200 at a given moment can be determined, for instance, using an SPS receiver 217 (and / or some other component), and measurements from the accelerometer(s) and gyroscope(s) after that moment can be used for dead reckoning to determine the UE 200's current position based on its movement (direction and distance) relative to the reference position.

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

[0059] Transceiver 215 may include a wireless transceiver 240 and a wired transceiver 250, which are 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 an antenna 246, for transmitting (e.g., on one or more uplink channels and / or one or more sidelink channels) and / or receiving (e.g., on one or more downlink channels and / or one or more sidelink channels) wireless signals 248, and for converting signals from wireless signals 248 into wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals, and vice versa. Wireless transmitter 242 includes suitable components (e.g., a power amplifier and a digital-to-analog converter). Wireless receiver 244 includes suitable components (e.g., one or more amplifiers, one or more frequency filters, and an analog-to-digital converter). 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. Wireless transceiver 240 may be configured to support various radio access technologies, such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone System), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, and WiFi Direct (WiFi-D). (e.g., with TRP and / or one or more other devices) transmits signals. The new radio can use mm 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. Wired transmitter 252 may include multiple transmitters that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wired receiver 254 may include multiple receivers that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. Wired transceiver 250 may be configured for, for example, optical and / or electrical communication. Transceiver 215 may be communicatively coupled to transceiver interface 214, for example, via optical and / or electrical connections. Transceiver interface 214 may be at least partially integrated with transceiver 215. The wireless transmitter 242, the wireless receiver 244, and / or the antenna 246 may each include multiple transmitters, multiple receivers, and / or multiple antennas for transmitting and / or receiving appropriate signals respectively.

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

[0061] SPS receiver 217 (e.g., a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver) may be able to 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 may be integrated with antenna 246. SPS receiver 217 may be configured to process the acquired SPS signal 260, in whole or in part, for estimating the location of UE 200. For example, SPS receiver 217 may be configured to determine the location of UE 200 using trilateration of SPS signal 260. General-purpose / application processor 230, memory 211, DSP 231, and / or one or more dedicated processors (not shown) may be used in conjunction with SPS receiver 217 to process the acquired SPS signal, in whole or in part, and / or calculate the estimated location of UE 200. Memory 211 may store indications (e.g., measurements) of SPS signal 260 and / or other signals (e.g., signals acquired from wireless transceiver 240) used for performing positioning operations. A general-purpose / application processor 230, a DSP 231, and / or one or more dedicated processors and / or memory 211 can provide or support a location engine for processing measurements to estimate the position of the 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 CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) imager), a lens, analog-to-digital circuitry, a frame buffer, etc. Additional processing, conditioning, encoding, and / or compression of signals representing the captured images may be performed by a general-purpose / application processor 230 and / or a DSP 231. Similarly or alternatively, a video processor 233 may perform conditioning, encoding, compression, and / or manipulation of signals representing the captured images. The video processor 233 may decode / decompress stored image data for presentation on a display device (not shown), such as user interface 216.

[0063] Location device (PD) 219 may be configured to determine the location of UE 200, the movement of UE 200, and / or the relative position and / or time of UE 200. For example, PD 219 may communicate with, and / or include some or all of SPS receiver 217. PD 219 may, as appropriate, work in conjunction with processor 210 and memory 211 to perform at least a portion of one or more location methods, although the description herein may refer to PD 219 being configured to perform or according to a location method. PD 219 may also, or alternatively, be configured to use land-based signals (e.g., at least some of signals 248) for trilateration, to help obtain and use SPS signal 260, or both, to determine the location of UE 200. PD 219 may be configured to determine the location of UE 200 based on the cell of the serving base station (e.g., cell center) and / or another technology such as E-CID. PD 219 can be configured to determine the location of UE 200 using image recognition combined with one or more images from camera 218 and the known location of landmarks (e.g., natural landmarks such as mountains and / or artificial landmarks such as buildings, bridges, streets, etc.). PD 219 can be configured to use one or more other technologies (e.g., relying on the UE's self-reported location (e.g., part of the UE's location beacon)) to determine the location of UE 200, and can use a combination of technologies (e.g., SPS and land positioning signals) to determine the location of UE 200. PD 219 may include one or more of sensors 213 (e.g., multiple gyroscopes, multiple accelerometers, multiple magnetometers, etc.) that can sense the orientation and / or motion of UE 200 and provide indications of motion (e.g., velocity vector and / or acceleration vector) of UE 200 by processor 210 (e.g., general-purpose / application processor 230 and / or DSP 231). PD 219 can be configured to provide an indication of uncertainties and / or errors in the determined positioning and / or motion. The functionality of PD 219 can be provided in various ways and / or configurations, for example, by another component of general-purpose / application processor 230, transceiver 215, SPS receiver 217 and / or UE 200, and 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 (e.g., wireless transceivers) may be omitted from the TRP 300. The processor 310 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The processor 310 may include multiple processors (e.g., such as...). Figure 2 As shown, this includes general-purpose / application processors, DSPs, modem processors, video processors, and / or sensor processors. Memory 311 is a non-transitory storage medium that may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk storage, and / or read-only memory (ROM). 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 during execution. Alternatively, software 312 may not be directly executed by processor 310, but may be configured to cause processor 310 to perform functions, for example, during compilation and execution.

[0065] This description may refer to processor 310 performing functions, but it includes other implementations, such as processor 310 performing software and / or firmware. This description may refer to processor 310 performing functions as an abbreviation for one or more processors included in processor 310 performing functions. This description may refer to TRP 300 performing functions as an abbreviation for one or more suitable components (e.g., processor 310 and memory 311) in TRP 300 performing functions (and therefore one of gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114). Processor 310 may include memory with stored instructions in addition to and / or replacing memory 311. The functionality of processor 310 will be discussed more fully below.

[0066] Transceiver 315 may include a wireless transceiver 340 and a wired transceiver 350, which are configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 340 may include a wireless transmitter 342 and a wireless receiver 344, coupled to one or more antennas 346 for transmitting (e.g., on one or more uplink channels and / or one or more downlink channels) and / or receiving (e.g., on one or more downlink channels and / or one or more uplink channels) wireless signals 348, and for converting signals from wireless signals 348 into wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals, and vice versa. Therefore, wireless transmitter 342 may include multiple transmitters that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wireless receiver 344 may include multiple receivers that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 340 can be configured to support various radio access technologies (RATs) such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone System), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, and WiFi Direct (WiFi-D). (e.g., communicating signals with UE 200, one or more other UEs, and / or one or more other devices). Wired transceiver 350 may include a wired transmitter 352 and a wired receiver 354 configured for wired communication, for example, a network interface that can be used to communicate with NG-RAN 135 to send communications to, for example, LMF 120, and / or one or more other network entities, and to receive communications from, for example, 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, for example, optical communication 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, and other configurations may be used. For example, the description herein discusses TRP 300 being configured to perform or perform several functions, but one or more of these functions may be performed by LMF 120 and / or UE 200 (i.e., LMF 120 and / or UE 200 may be configured to perform one or more of these functions).

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

[0069] Transceiver 415 may include a wireless transceiver 440 and a wired transceiver 450, which are 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, which are coupled to one or more antennas 446 for transmitting (e.g., on one or more downlink channels) and / or receiving (e.g., on one or more uplink channels) wireless signals 448, and for converting signals from wireless signals 448 into wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals, and vice versa. Therefore, wireless transmitter 442 may include multiple transmitters that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wireless receiver 444 may include multiple receivers that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 440 can be configured to support various radio access technologies (RATs) such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone System), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTEDirect (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, and WiFiDirect (WiFi-D). (e.g., communicating signals with UE 200, one or more other UEs, and / or one or more other devices). Wired transceiver 450 may include a wired transmitter 452 and a wired receiver 454 configured for wired communication, for example, a network interface that can be used to communicate with NG-RAN 135 to send communications to, for example, TRP 300, and / or one or more other network entities, and to receive communications from, 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] This description may refer to processor 410 performing functions, but it includes other implementations, such as processor 410 executing software and / or firmware (stored in memory 411). The description herein may refer to server 400 performing functions as an abbreviation for one or more suitable components of server 400 performing functions (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, and other configurations may be used. For example, wireless transceiver 440 may be omitted. Similarly or alternatively, the description herein discusses server 400 being 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 Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) typically operate in a "UE-assisted" mode, where the UE measures reference signals (e.g., PRS, CRS, etc.) transmitted by the base station and then provides them to a location server. The location server then calculates the UE's location based on the base station's measurements and its known location. Because these techniques use a location server rather than the UE itself to calculate the UE's location, they are not frequently used in applications such as car or mobile phone navigation, which instead typically rely on satellite-based positioning.

[0074] UEs can use a Satellite Positioning System (SPS) (Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)) to achieve high-precision positioning using Precise Point Positioning (PPP) or Real-Time Kinematics (RTK) techniques. These techniques utilize auxiliary data, such as measurements from land stations. LTE Release 15 allows for data encryption, enabling UEs subscribed to the service to exclusively access the information. This auxiliary data changes over time. Therefore, a UE subscribed to the service can easily "crack the encryption" for other UEs by passing the data to them who have not yet paid for the subscription. This transmission is repeated each time the auxiliary data changes.

[0075] In UE-assisted positioning, the UE sends measurement values ​​(e.g., TDOA, Angle of Arrival (AoA), etc.) to a positioning server (e.g., LMF / eSMLC). The positioning server maintains a Base Station Almanac (BSA), which contains multiple "entries" or "records," one record per cell, where each record contains the geographic cell location, but may also include other data. Identifiers of the "records" within the multiple "records" in the BSA can be referenced. The BSA and measurements from the UE can be used to calculate the UE's location.

[0076] In traditional UE-based positioning, the UE calculates its own location, thus avoiding sending measurements to the network (e.g., a location server), which in turn improves latency and scalability. The UE uses relevant BSA (Base Station Allocation) information from the network (e.g., the location of the gNB (growth network base station)). BSA information can be encrypted. However, because BSA information changes much less frequently than, for example, PPP or RTK auxiliary data described earlier, it is easier to make BSA information available to UEs that have not subscribed and paid for decryption keys (compared to PPP or RTK information). The gNB transmission reference signal makes it possible for BSA information to be accessed through crowdsourcing or war-driven mechanisms, essentially enabling BSA information to be generated based on field and / or top-down 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 of the availability of location-related data at the initialization of the positioning system is called the first positioning time (TTFF), and is greater than the latency after the TTFF. The reciprocal of the time elapsed between two consecutive availability of location-related data is called the update rate, i.e., the rate at which location-related data is generated after the first positioning. Latency can depend on processing capabilities, such as the processing power of the UE. For example, the UE can report its processing power as the duration of DL PRS symbols, which is in the time (e.g., milliseconds) that the UE can process, assuming 272 PRBs (Physical Resource Blocks) are allocated per T time unit (e.g., T ms). Other examples of capabilities that may affect latency are the number of TRPs from which the UE can process PRS, the number of PRSs 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 (such as one of UE105, 106). Known location determination techniques include RTT, multiple RTT, OTDOA (also known as TDOA and including UL-TDOA and DL-TDOA), Enhanced Cell Identification (E-CID), DL-AoD, UL-AoA, etc. RTT uses the time it takes for a signal to travel from one entity to another and back to determine the distance between two entities. This distance, plus the known location of the first entity and the angle between the two entities (e.g., azimuth), can be used to determine the location of the second entity. In multiple RTT (also known as multi-cell RTT), the location of an entity can be determined using multiple distances from one entity (e.g., UE) to other entities (e.g., TRP) and the known locations of other entities. In TDOA techniques, the time difference of travel between an entity and other entities can be used to determine the relative distance to other entities, and the time difference of travel combined with the known locations of other entities can be used to determine the location of an entity. Arrival and / or departure angles can be used to help determine the location of an entity. For example, the angle of arrival or departure of a signal, combined with the distance between devices (determined using signals, such as signal travel time, signal received power, etc.) and the known location of one device, can be used to determine the location of another device. The angle of arrival or departure can be an azimuth relative to a reference direction (such as true north). The angle of arrival or departure can be a zenith angle relative to directly upwards from the entity (i.e., radially outwards from the Earth's center). E-CID uses the serving cell identifier, timing advance (i.e., the difference between the receive and transmit times at the UE), estimated timing and power of detected neighboring cell signals, and possible angles of arrival (e.g., the angle of arrival of signals from the base station at the UE or vice versa) to determine the location of the UE. In TDOA, the time difference of arrival of signals from different sources at the receiving device, along with the known location of the sources and the known offset of the transmission time from the 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 (typically the serving base station, as at least three base stations are required). One of the multiple base stations transmits the RTT measurement signal on low-reuse resources (e.g., resources used by the base station to transmit system information) allocated by the network (e.g., a location server such as an LMF 120). The UE records the arrival time (also referred to as reception time, reception time, or time of arrival (ToA)) of each RTT measurement signal relative to the UE's current downlink timing (e.g., derived from the DL signal received by the UE from its serving base station), and (e.g., when instructed by its serving base station) transmits a common or separate RTT response message (e.g., an SRS (Probe Reference Signal) for positioning, i.e., UL-PRS) to one or more base stations, and may include the time difference T between the ToA of the RTT measurement signal and the transmission time of the RTT response message in the payload of each RTT response message. Rx→Tx (i.e., UE T) Rx-Tx or UE Rx-Tx The RTT response message will include a reference signal from which the base station can infer 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 the base station. Tx→Rx The time difference T between the UE report and the UE report Rx→Tx The base station can deduce the propagation time between the base station and the UE, and the base station can determine the distance between the UE and the base station from the propagation time by assuming the speed of light during the propagation time.

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

[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 or signal and the transmission time of the RTT response message or signal.

[0082] Multiple RTT (Round-Trip Time) techniques can be used to determine location. For example, a first entity (e.g., a UE) may transmit one or more signals (e.g., unicast, multicast, or broadcast from a base station), and multiple second entities (e.g., other TSPs, such as (multiple) base stations and / or (multiple) UEs) may receive signals from the first entity and respond to those received signals. The first entity receives responses from the multiple second entities. The first entity (or another entity such as an LMF) may use the responses from the second entities to determine the distance to the second entities, and the location of the first entity may be determined by trilateration using multiple distances to the second entities and known locations.

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

[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 distance from the UE to the TRPs is determined using the signal arrival time, known transmission time, and known location of the TRPs. For example, RSTD (Reference Signal Time Difference) can be determined for PRS signals received from multiple TRPs, and RSTD is used in TDOA techniques to determine the UE's location. The location reference signal can be referred to as the PRS or PRS signal. PRS signals are typically transmitted with the same power, and PRS signals with similar signal characteristics (e.g., the same frequency shift) may interfere with each other, causing a PRS signal from a more distant TRP to be overwhelmed by a PRS signal from a closer TRP, making the signal from the more distant TRP undetectable. PRS muting can be used to help reduce interference by muting some PRS signals (e.g., reducing the power of the PRS signal to zero and therefore not transmitting the PRS signal). In this way, the UE can more easily detect the weaker PRS signal (at the UE) without the stronger PRS signal interfering with the weaker PRS signal. The term RS and its variants (e.g., PRS, SRS, CSI-RS (Channel State Information - Reference Signal)) can refer to one or more reference signals.

[0085] Positioning Reference Signals (PRS) include a downlink PRS (DL PRS, often simply referred to as PRS) and an uplink PRS (UL PRS) (which may be referred to as a SRS (Sound Reference Signal) for positioning). PRS may include PN codes (pseudo-random codes) or be generated using PN codes (e.g., by modulating a carrier signal with PN codes), such that the source of the PRS can be used as a pseudo-satellite. The PN code can be unique for the PRS source (at least within a specified area, such that the same PRS from different PRS sources does not overlap). PRS may include PRS resources or PRS resource sets of a frequency layer. A DL PRS positioning frequency layer (or simply a frequency layer) is a set of DL PRS resource sets from one or more TRPs and multiple PRS resources having common parameters configured by the higher-level parameters DL-PRS-PositioningFrequencyLayer, DL-PRS-ResourceSet, and DL-PRS-Resource. Each frequency layer has a DLPRS subcarrier spacing (SCS) for the DL PRS resource set and DL PRS resources within the frequency layer. Each frequency layer 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 the resource block), with the same point A for DL ​​PRS resources belonging to the same DL PRS resource set, and all DL PRS resource sets belonging to the same frequency layer having the same point A. The frequency layers also have the same DL PRS bandwidth, the same starting PRB (and center frequency), and the same comb size (i.e., the frequency of the PRS resource elements for each symbol, such that for comb-N, every Nth resource element is a PRS resource element). The 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. The PRS resource ID in the PRS resource set can be associated with an omnidirectional signal and / or a single beam (and / or beam ID) transmitted from a single base station (where a base station can transmit one or more beams). Each PRS resource in a PRS resource set can be transmitted on different beams, and therefore a PRS resource (or simply a resource) can also be referred to as a beam. This has no impact on whether the UE knows the base station and beam transmitting the PRS.

[0086] The TRP can be configured, for example, to send DL PRS on a schedule via instructions received from a server and / or via software within the TRP. According to this schedule, the TRP can send DL PRS intermittently, for example, periodically at consistent intervals from the start of the initial transmission. The TRP can be configured to send one or more PRS resource sets. A resource set is a collection of PRS resources across a TRP that have the same periodicity, a common silence mode configuration (if any), and the same repetition factor across time slots. Each PRS resource set comprises multiple PRS resources, and each PRS resource comprises multiple OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) resource elements (REs), which may reside in multiple resource blocks (RBs) within N (or more) consecutive symbols in a time slot. PRS resources (or generally reference signal (RS) resources) may be referred to as OFDM PRS resources (or OFDM RS resources). An RB is a collection of REs spanning one or more consecutive symbols in the time domain and the number of consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain (12 RBs for 5G). Each PRS resource is configured with an RE offset, a slot offset, a symbol offset within a slot, and the number of consecutive symbols that the PRS resource can occupy within a slot. The RE offset defines the initial RE offset of the first symbol within the DL PRS resource at a given 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, with each transmission referred to as a repetition, thus multiple repetitions can exist within a PRS resource. DL PRS resources in a DL PRS resource set are associated with the same TRP, and each DL PRS resource has a DL PRS resource ID. The DL PRS resource ID in a DL PRS resource set is associated with a single beam transmitted from a single TRP (although a TRP can transmit one or more beams).

[0087] PRS resources can also be defined by quasi-co-location and starting PRB parameters. The quasi-co-location (QCL) parameter defines any quasi-co-location information of the DL PRS resource with other reference signals. DL PRS can be configured with QCL type D, having DL PRS or SS / PBCH (Synchronization Signal / Physical Broadcast Channel) blocks from either the serving cell or a non-serving cell. DL PRS can also be configured with QCL type C, having SS / PBCH blocks from either the serving cell or a non-serving cell. 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 with the same period, the same silence mode configuration (if any), and the same repetition factor across time slots. Each time all PRS resources in a PRS resource set are configured to be transmitted for all repetitions is called an "instance". Therefore, an "instance" of a PRS resource set is a specified number of repetitions for each PRS resource and a specified number of PRS resources in the PRS resource set, such that the instance is complete once the specified number of repetitions have been transmitted for each of the specified number of PRS resources. An instance can also be referred to as an "opportunity". DL PRS configurations, including DL PRS transmission scheduling, can be provided to the UE to facilitate (or even enable) UE measurement of DL PRS.

[0089] Multiple frequency layers of a PRS can be aggregated to provide a larger effective bandwidth than any of the individual layers alone. Multiple frequency layers of component carriers (which can be contiguous and / or discrete) that meet criteria such as quasi-co-located (QCLed) and having the same antenna port can be stitched together to provide a larger effective PRS bandwidth (for DL ​​PRS and UL PRS), thereby increasing the accuracy of time of arrival measurements. Stitching involves combining PRS measurements on individual bandwidth segments into a unified segment, so that the stitched PRS can be considered as having been obtained from a single measurement. Due to QCLed, different frequency layers behave similarly, allowing PRS stitching to produce a larger effective bandwidth. This larger effective bandwidth (which may be referred to as the bandwidth of the aggregated PRS or the frequency bandwidth of the aggregated PRS) provides (e.g., TDOA) better time-domain resolution. An aggregated PRS comprises a collection of PRS resources, each of which can be referred to as a PRS component. Each PRS component can be transmitted on different component carriers, frequency bands, or frequency layers, or in 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 and 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 (Sound Reference Signal) signal received by multiple TRPs. The Sound Reference Signal can be referred to as SRS or SRS signal. In 5G multi-RTT, coordinated positioning can be used, where the UE sends a single UL-SRS for positioning received by multiple TRPs, instead of sending separate UL-SRS for positioning for each TRP. A participating TRP will typically search for UEs currently residing on that TRP (the serving UE, where the TRP is the serving TRP) and UEs residing on neighboring TRPs (neighboring UEs). Neighboring TRPs can be TRPs of a single BTS (Base Transceiver Station) (e.g., gNB), or they can be TRPs of a single BTS and TRPs of individual BTSs. For RTT positioning (including multi-RTT positioning), the DL-PRS and UL-SRS signals in the positioning PRS / SRS signal pair used to determine the RTT (and therefore the distance between the UE and TRP) can be close to each other in time, such that errors caused by UE movement and / or UE clock drift and / or TRP clock drift are within acceptable limits. For example, the signals in the positioning PRS / SRS signal pair can be transmitted from the TRP and UE respectively with a time difference of approximately 10 ms. As the positioning SRS signal is transmitted by the UE, and the positioning PRS and SRS signals are transmitted close to each other in time, it has been found that radio frequency (RF) signal congestion (which may lead to excessive noise, etc.) and / or computational congestion may occur at the TRP where many UEs are attempting to locate simultaneously, especially if many UEs attempt to locate simultaneously.

[0091] RTT positioning can be UE-based or UE-assisted. In UE-based RTT, UE 200 determines the RTT and corresponding distances to each TRP 300, as well as the location of UE 200, based on the distance to TRP 300 and the known location of TRP 300. In UE-assisted RTT, UE 200 measures positioning signals and provides measurement information to TRP 300, and TRP 300 determines the RTT and distance. TRP 300 provides the distance to a location server, such as server 400, and the server determines the location of UE 200, for example, based on the distances to different TRP 300s. RTT and / or distance can be determined by TRP 300 receiving signals from UE 200, by a combination of TRP 300 and one or more other devices (e.g., one or more other TRP 300s and / or server 400), or by one or more devices other than TRP 300 receiving signals from UE 200.

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

[0093] A position estimate (e.g., for a UE) may be referred to by other names such as location estimate, location, position, location fix, fix, etc. A position estimate may be geodetic and include coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and possible elevation), or it may be urban and include street addresses, postal addresses, or some other verbal description of the location. A position estimate may also be defined relative to another known location or in absolute terms (e.g., using latitude, longitude, and possible elevation). A position estimate may include anticipated errors or uncertainties (e.g., by including an area or volume within which the location is expected to be included at a specified or default confidence level).

[0094] Report multiple measurements for each uplink reference signal

[0095] Various techniques can be implemented to acquire and report multiple measurements of each of one or more uplink positioning reference signals from the UE. Multiple channel estimation measurements (e.g., amplitude and phase measurements) can be performed by the base station of the incoming signal (e.g., in the form of power and timing measurements). The base station can also perform other measurements on the incoming signal (such as AoA and ToA) and can report multipath channel profiles and / or multi-antenna element channel profiles (e.g., multi-antenna element, multipath channel profile including one or more path channel profiles of each of multiple antenna element channel profiles) to the server. The server can use profile information from the base station, and possibly from more than one base station, to improve the accuracy of the positioning information, for example, by improving the determination of the first time of arrival of the reference signal and / or by improving the determination of whether the reference signal is received by a line-of-sight (LOS) path or a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) path.

[0096] In the NR Positioning Protocol A standard (Technical Specification 38.455) in 5G, base stations can report positioning-related measurements to a location server. Measurement reports include options for reporting measurement items such as SRS RSRP, gNB-side Rx-Tx, AoA, and RTOA (Relative Time of Arrival). gNB-side Rx-Tx is the time difference between the reception time of the UL-PRS at the gNB and the reference transmission time of the DL-PRS at the gNB. Measurement reports can include one or more TRP measurement result items, each meeting the following criteria:

[0097] TrpMeasurementResult::=SEQUENCE{SIZE(1..maxnoPosMeas)

[0098] OF TrpMeasurementResultItem

[0099] TrpMeasurementResultItem::=SEQUENCE{

[0100] measureResultsValue

[0101] timestamp

[0102] measurementQuality

[0103] measurementBeamInfo

[0104] Therefore, a measurement report may include one or more measurement items. For each measurement item, a measurement value and a timestamp are provided, the timestamp indicating a coarse time (e.g., on the order of milliseconds) at which the TRP 300 performed the corresponding measurement. Alternatively, an indication of measurement quality and an indication of measurement beam information may be provided. The measurement beam information identifies the reference signal being measured, such as a UL-PRS ID, or a PRS resource ID or PRS resource set ID.

[0105] Refer again Figure 3The processor 310 (possibly in conjunction with memory 311 and, where appropriate, transceiver 315) includes a UL-PRS reporting unit 360. The UL-PRS reporting unit 360 is configured to measure UL-PRS from the UE 200, may process the measurements (e.g., summing, averaging, determining the first arrival of the UL-PRS, etc.) and report multiple measurements of each of one or more UL-PRS (although not necessarily multiple measurements of every received UL-PRS). For example, antenna 346 may include multiple antenna elements that can be used to manipulate the antenna beam and / or individually receive each UL-PRS, which may have different phases at different antenna elements (e.g., if the UL-PRS is incident on antenna 346 at an angle deviating from the antenna's line of sight). Antenna 346 may be a single antenna with one or more antenna elements, or antenna 346 may include multiple separate antennas, each including one or more antenna elements. Therefore, the antenna elements discussed herein may be part of a single antenna or part of multiple antennas. The UL-PRS reporting unit 360 is discussed further below, and as for performing any function of the UL-PRS reporting unit 360, this description may typically involve the processor 310 or the TRP 300. The TRP 300 is configured to perform the functions of the UL-PRS reporting unit 360.

[0106] TRP 300 is configured to receive SRS for positioning from UE 200 and determine one or more measurement items for the SRS for positioning (i.e., UL-PRS). The measurement item value can be determined corresponding to each of one or more antenna elements and / or each of one or more arrivals of the UL-PRS (different arrivals of a single UL-PRS correspond to different paths (routes) traveled by different arrivals of a single UL-PRS). Alternatively, the measurement item value can be determined as a combination of multiple UL-PRS portions received by multiple antenna elements for a specific arrival of the UL-PRS, for example, the sum and / or average of the measurement item values ​​of the first arrival of the UL-PRS received at the antenna element.

[0107] TRP 300 can be configured to estimate the channel response and derive the arrival time of the first-arrival channel path, i.e., the time when the UL-PRS first arrives at TRP 300, where the UL-PRS (here, the same single UL-PRS) may arrive at TRP 300 multiple times due to transmission from UE 200 along multiple paths (e.g., due to UL-PRS reflection). The channel response can be determined based on the amplitude and phase (timing) of the received UL-PRS. TRP 300 can determine the ToA of the UL-PRS by correlating the pattern of the UL-PRS with the incoming signal, eliminating any correlated peaks below a threshold amplitude, and determining the ToA of the UL-PRS as the time of the earliest correlated peak above the threshold. TRP 300 can use this ToA to estimate the Rx-Tx time difference on the gNB side as the ToA of the transmission time relative to the reference DL-PRS of TRP 300. Under NLOS conditions or LOS conditions where the LOS path is attenuated, the first arrival of the UL-PRS may be below the threshold power, causing the NLOS path to be used for the ToA.

[0108] TRP 300 can determine one or more measurement values ​​for each of one or more arrivals of the UL-PRS. For example, an RSRP value corresponding to each antenna element can be determined for each of one or more arrivals of the UL-PRS. Alternatively or additionally, RSRP can be determined as a combination of multiple portions of the UL-PRS received by multiple antenna elements for a specific arrival of the UL-PRS, such as the sum and / or average of the RSRPs of the first arrivals of the UL-PRS received at the antenna element. TRP 300 can also or additionally determine one or more Rx-Tx values, one or more AoA values, one or more RTOA values, and / or one or more other values ​​based on the received UL-PRS. To determine AoA, processor 310 can use channel estimates (at least the timing / phase portion of the channel estimates) from multiple antenna elements, where the phase difference between antenna elements is used to determine the wavefront direction and thus the AoA.

[0109] As discussed further below, the UL-PRS reporting unit 360 is configured to report multiple measurements for each UL-PRS. Reporting the channel multipath profile (i.e., multiple measurement items (e.g., amplitude and delay) for each of one or more paths) can help provide information that the server 400 can use to better estimate the true first arrival time of the reference signal, and thus better determine the UE's location estimate. Reporting the channel response from multiple antenna elements can help the server 400 better estimate the AoA of the UL-PRS, and thus better determine the UE's location estimate.

[0110] Also refer to Figure 4 The processor 410 (possibly in conjunction with memory 411 and, where appropriate, transceiver 415) includes a multiple measurement unit 460. The multiple measurement unit 460 is configured to use multiple measurements from a single UL-PRS path and / or multiple measurements corresponding to the same path from multiple antenna elements of TRP 300, possibly combined with one or more measurements from one or more other TRPs, to improve the accuracy of one or more UL-PRS measurements (e.g., AoA, ToA), which in turn can improve the accuracy of the target UE's location estimation. The multiple measurement unit 460 is discussed further below, and as any function of the multiple measurement unit 460 is performed, this description typically likely relates to the processor 410 or the server 400. The server 400 is configured to perform the functions of the multiple measurement unit 460.

[0111] The multiple measurement units 460 can coordinate measurements to determine accurate LOS measurements. For example, the multiple measurement units 460 can analyze the AoA from the second and third TRPs to determine the UE's location estimate and use the location estimate to confirm or reject the AoA determined for the UE by the first TRP, depending on whether the location estimate is consistent with the AoA determined by the first TRP and the location of the first TRP (e.g., a line from the first TRP along the AoA intersects or nearly intersects the UE's location estimate). As another example, if the distance determined using the time of a correlated peak below an amplitude threshold and the location of the first TRP corresponds to the UE's location estimate based on measurements from the second and third TRPs, then the correlated peak can be identified as the first arrival of the UL-PRS at the first TRP.

[0112] refer to Figure 5 And also refer to Figure 6 The multiple measurement reports for each reference signal, along with the signaling and processing flow 500 that may be used for the reported measurements, include the stages shown. Flow 500 is an example, as stages can be added, rearranged, and / or removed. Flow 500 corresponds to... Figure 6 The example layout 600 shows UE 200 (or a simplified version of UE 200, though referred to herein as UE 200), TRP 300, building 610, and building 620. For illustrative purposes, TRP 300 is shown as including two antenna elements, a first antenna element 501 and a second antenna element 502. The simplified version of UE 200 may be omitted. Figure 2 One or more components are shown, such as PD 219, one or more sensors 213, SPS receiver 217 and SPS antenna 262, and / or camera 218.

[0113] In phase 510, UE 200 transmits a single UL-PRS signal to TRP 300. The UL-PRS signal can be transmitted in multiple directions and received by multiple receivers (e.g., any receiver), and therefore a single UL-PRS signal is represented by multiple lines, each corresponding to a different path between UE 200 and a corresponding one of antenna elements 501, 502. As shown, PRS 511 and PRS 512 reach antenna elements 501, 502 respectively via a first path 601, PRS 513 and PRS 514 reach antenna elements 501, 502 respectively via a second path 602, and PRS 515 and PRS 516 reach antenna elements 501, 502 respectively via a third path 603. Paths 601, 602, and 603 extend from UE 200 to TRP 300, but for simplicity, they are shown ending where they do not reach TRP 300. The first path 601 is a direct LOS path between UE 200 and TRP 300. Although there is some attenuation 630 in the first path 601 (e.g., due to interference and / or clutter), this allows PRS 511, 512 to travel directly (albeit attenuated) to TRP 300. The second and third paths 602, 603 involve reflections from buildings 610, 620, respectively. Figure 6 It is not drawn to scale; for example, the spacing between antenna elements 501 and 502 is shown larger than it actually is for illustrative purposes. For practical purposes, the angles of arrival of paths 601, 602, and 603 to the corresponding antenna elements 501 and 502 will be the same, although... Figure 6 The angle of arrival is shown to be significantly different, for example, due to the exaggerated spacing of antenna elements 501 and 502.

[0114] In phase 520, TRP 300 determines multiple measurements of the UL-PRS transmitted by UE 200. Processor 310 may determine one or more measurement items for each PRS path of each antenna element 501, 502 in sub-phase 522, and / or may determine one or more combined measurement items for each different path of the combination of antenna elements 501, 502 in sub-phase 524, and / or may determine one or more measurement items for a specific path (e.g., earliest arrival path) of each antenna element 501, 502 in sub-phase 526. See also, for example, [reference needed]. Figure 7In sub-stage 522, processor 310 can correlate the incoming UL-PRS signals 511, 513, 515 received by antenna element 501 to determine the RSRP values ​​711, 713, 715 of the UL-PRS signals 511, 513, 515, as shown in the RSRP versus time graph 700. From graph 700 and the transmission time of each of one or more corresponding transmitted signals, processor 310 can determine the gNB Rx-Tx time corresponding to each of signals 511, 513, 515, and thus the gNB Rx-Tx time corresponding to each of paths 601, 602, 603. Processor 310 can determine similar RSRP values ​​712, 714, 716 for signals 512, 514, 516 received by antenna element 502 and / or one or more other antenna elements (not shown). In sub-stage 524, processor 310 can combine measurements from the same path of multiple antenna elements for each combination of multiple signal arrivals (corresponding to multiple paths). Thus, multiple combinations of measurements can be determined from a single UL-PRS, each combination measuring for each of the multiple paths analyzed. For example, processor 310 can combine (e.g., averaging, summing, and / or other combinations) measurements corresponding to the same arrival time (e.g., within each other's time windows). Processor 310 can, for example, determine the average and / or sum of RSRP measurements corresponding to the same path across antenna elements 501, 502. For example, processor 310 can average the RSRP measurement of the earliest arriving signal having an RSRP at least as strong as a threshold RSRP; in this example, averaging the RSRP of signals 513, 514 of the second path 602 (assuming the RSRP value at antenna element 502 is similar). Figure 7 The RSRP value at antenna element 501 is shown. In sub-stage 526, processor 310 can determine the measurement values ​​of the same measurement item (e.g., RSRP, gNB Rx-Tx) for each of multiple antenna elements (here, antenna elements 501, 502) for a specific path in the path (e.g., the earliest arriving path (i.e., the earliest arrival of the UL-PRS sent by UE 200)). Processor 310 can search for the earliest arrival of the UL-PRS within a time window, and / or determine the measurement if the signal meets one or more criteria (such as the RSRP of the signal being at least a threshold amplitude); otherwise, the measurement is uncertain. Therefore, processor 310 can determine multiple measurement values ​​of the same measurement item for the same path of a single UL-PRS received by different antenna elements.

[0115] In stage 530, processor 310 (specifically UL-PRS reporting unit 360) sends measurement report 532 to server 400, reporting multiple measurement values ​​corresponding to the same measurement item in a single UL-PRS. For example, as Figure 8As shown, Measurement Report 800 is an example of Measurement Report 532 and includes index 810, measured value 840, measurement beam information 850, and timestamp 860. Each index 810 of entries 811, 812, 813, 814, 815, 816, 817, and 818 indicates the antenna element that received the UL-PRS, the path traveled by the UL-PRS (corresponding to the arrival time of the UL-PRS), and the measurement type (e.g., with a corresponding codec entry, 1 for RSRP, 2 for Rx-Tx, 3 for ToA, and 4 for AoA). Index 810 can be provided in the TRPMeasurementResultItem field of the measurement report. For example, if TRP 300 and server 400 have a predetermined order of measurement values ​​in the report (e.g., in the TRPMeasurementQuantitiesList-Item field of a measurement report request from server 400 to TRP 300, as specified by industry standards, agreed upon by TRP 300 and server 400, or indicated by server 400 (multiple measurement units 460)), the index value can be optional. For example, if TRP 300 and server 400 know that entries 811-818 will contain RSRP and Rx-Tx values ​​for antenna element 501 and path 601, then antenna element 502 and path 601, then antenna element 502 and path 601, then antenna element 502 and path 602, then antenna element 502 and path 602, then the index value for entries 811-818 can be omitted. Therefore, the existing NRPPa protocol can be used to transmit multipath channel profiles for multiple antenna elements, for example, by sending multiple measurement result items in a configured or predefined sequence based on a single UL-PRS (SRS for positioning). As shown in example measurement report 800, measurement value 840 includes multiple RSRP values ​​and multiple Rx-Tx values ​​in entries 811-818, each value for one of each combination of antenna elements 501, 502 and paths 601, 602 (e.g., providing RSRP for each antenna element-path pair). Furthermore, multiple measurement item values ​​are provided for the RSRP in entries 821, 822 for paths 601, 602. In this example, the RSRP values ​​in entries 821 and 822 are averaged RSRP values ​​determined by averaging the RSRP values ​​obtained from the signals received at antenna elements 501 and 502 from each of paths 601 and 602 (i.e., the corresponding arrivals of UL-PRS (here, UL-PRS 511, 512 and UL-PRS 513, 514)).As also shown in example measurement report 800, entries 831 and 832 include multiple RSRP values, respectively corresponding to antenna elements 501 and 502, for arrivals of UL-PRS (such as the earliest arrival of UL-PRS at each antenna element 501 and 502) that are not specified but implicitly agreed upon (corresponding to the path) in measurement report 800. Arrivals (corresponding to the path) can be explicitly specified, for example, as shown in entries 831 and 832.

[0116] Measurement report 532 can take various forms. For example, the measured values ​​provided in measurement report 532 can be ordered based on the values ​​of different measured quantities. Measurement report 532 can, for example, provide arrival time measurements in order corresponding to the respective power of the received signal. Thus, the ToA of the signal with the highest received power can be listed first in the measurement report, even if that ToA may follow another ToA corresponding to a signal with a lower received power in the measurement report. Values ​​of different measured quantities may or may not be included in the measurement report. For example, also refer to... Figure 9 In example measurement report 900, entries 911, 912, 913, 914, 915, and 916 are ordered from highest to lowest received power level according to the received power level. Therefore, in this example, entries 913 and 914 follow entries 911 and 912 because the received power level on the second path 602 is higher than the received power level on the first path 601. In this way, without explicitly reporting a specific measurement type (received power in this example), some indication of the relative value of the measurement type (relative received power in this example) is provided.

[0117] Measurement beam information 850 and timestamp 860 identify the UL-PRS from which the measurement value 840 is determined. Measurement beam information 850 includes a PRS-ID, such as a PRS resource ID and / or a PRS resource set ID. Timestamp 860 indicates the measurement time that produced the corresponding measurement value 840. For example, timestamp 860 may have a granularity of a few milliseconds (e.g., a value between 2 ms and 5 ms). The same measurement beam information 850 for multiple measurements 840, or the same timestamp 860 for multiple measurements 840, or the same measurement beam information 850 and the same timestamp 860 for multiple measurements, may indicate that the measurement value corresponds to a single UL-PRS.

[0118] In phase 540, server 400 determines location information. For example, processor 410 uses measurements from measurement report 532 to determine the location estimate of UE 200. Processor 410 can use measurement reports from multiple TRPs 300 to improve the accuracy of the location information, for example, by using measurements that are consistent with each other and discarding or ignoring measurements that are inconsistent with one or more other measurements. Processor 410 may be able to use information that would be discarded, such as RSRP values ​​711, 712, and use these measurements if they are consistent with other information, for example, from one or more other TRPs 300. For example, if the distance based on the arrival time of the signal that caused RSRP values ​​711, 712 is consistent with the location estimate of UE 200 based on measurements from other TRPs 300, then other measurements of RSRP values ​​711, 712 and / or signals 511, 512 can be used instead of being ignored. As another example, if the AoA determined by TRP 300 for UE 200 places UE 200 along a line far from the location estimate of UE 200 based on measurements from multiple other TRPs, the determined AoA will be inconsistent with the other measurements and may be discarded or ignored. As another example, multipath information from a single TRP 300 can be used to identify outlier information, for example, if ToA is inconsistent with AoA, and / or if the AoA to UE 200 and / or the distance to UE 200 suddenly changes beyond expectation (e.g., a jump when UE 200 is stationary, or a jump greater than consistent with recent motion history). Furthermore or alternatively, location information can be determined by entities other than server 400 (e.g., UE and / or TRP). Server 400 and / or other entities can employ consensus algorithms to determine whether the data is consistent or outlier. Alternatively, server 400 may employ machine learning (e.g., a neural network) on measurement report information from one or more TRPs (e.g., based on training data) to determine the location information of UE 200. For example, machine learning may use measurements as input and compare the estimated location with the verified location of UE 200 to improve the algorithm used to determine the location estimate based on measurements, thereby improving the accuracy of the location estimate.

[0119] refer to Figure 10 And also refer to Figure 1-8 The method 1000 for facilitating location information determination includes the stages shown. However, method 1000 is an example and not a limitation. Method 1000 can be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, performing stages simultaneously, and / or splitting a single stage into multiple stages.

[0120] In phase 1010, method 1000 includes receiving a UL-PRS from a user equipment at a base station. For example, UE 200 sends PRS 511-516 to TRP 300 via paths 601-603, and TRP 300 receives PRS 511-516 from UE 200. Processor 310 (possibly combined with memory 311) and transceiver 315 (e.g., radio receiver 344 and antenna 346) may include components for receiving the UL-PRS.

[0121] In stage 1020, method 1000 includes determining multiple measurements of the UL-PRS at the base station, each of the multiple measurements belonging to the same type of measurement and corresponding to the UL-PRS. For example, UL-PRS reporting unit 360 determines multiple values ​​for one or more measurement items (e.g., power (e.g., RSRP), Rx-Tx, ToA, AoA) of the same UL-PRS. For example, UL-PRS reporting unit 360 determines multiple measurements of the same arrival of the UL-PRS received by different antenna elements (in one or more antennas), or determines multiple values ​​of the same UL-PRS for different arrivals of the UL-PRS (e.g., traveling different paths), or combinations thereof. Processor 310, possibly combined with memory 311, may include components for determining the measurements of the UL-PRS.

[0122] In phase 1030, method 1000 includes sending a report from a base station to a server, the report including multiple measurements of the UL-PRS and at least one indication corresponding to the multiple measurements in the same UL-PRS. For example, UL-PRS reporting unit 360 sends a measurement report (e.g., measurement report 800 or another report) including multiple measurements of the same UL-PRS and an indication corresponding to the measurements in a single UL-PRS. Processor 310 (possibly combined with memory 311) and transceiver 315 (e.g., wireless transmitter 342 and antenna 346) may include components for transmitting the multiple measurements of the UL-PRS and at least one indication. Sending the report provides information to the server, which can use this information to determine a more accurate location estimate than information in no report, especially under NLOS conditions.

[0123] Implementations of method 1000 may include one or more of the following features. In an example implementation, at least one indicates the same UL-PRS identifier, or the same timestamp value of the multiple measurements of the UL-PRS, or a combination thereof. For example, the multiple measurements in a measurement report may have the same corresponding measurement beam information and / or the same timestamp. In another example implementation, each of the multiple measurements of the UL-PRS corresponds to a corresponding one of the multiple antenna elements of the base station. For example, for multiple RSRP values ​​arriving at different times corresponding to the same PRS, entries 811 and 815 of measurement report 800 correspond to the same antenna element. In another example implementation, each of the multiple measurements of the UL-PRS corresponds to a corresponding one of the multiple paths of the same UL-PRS. For example, entries 811 and 815 of measurement report 800 correspond to paths 601 and 602. In another example implementation, the report includes multiple index sets, each index set corresponding to a corresponding one of the multiple measurements of the UL-PRS, and indicating the corresponding one of the multiple antenna elements and the corresponding one of the multiple paths. For example, index values ​​for antenna elements and paths can be provided in the measurement report, such as... Figure 8 As shown. In another example implementation, each index set also indicates the measurement type of a corresponding one of the multiple measurements of the UL-PRS. For example, index 810 includes an indication of the measurement type (e.g., RSRP, Rx-Tx, ToA, AoA).

[0124] Similarly or alternatively, implementations of method 1000 may include one or more of the following features. In an example implementation, each of the plurality of measurements of the UL-PRS corresponds to a corresponding one of the plurality of paths of the same UL-PRS. In another example implementation, each of the plurality of measurements of the UL-PRS includes a combination of other measurements corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements. In another example implementation, the other measurements include power values, and the combination is the sum or average of the power values. In another example implementation, each of the plurality of measurements of the UL-PRS includes a power value, or an angle of arrival value, or a time of arrival value, or a time difference relative to a reference time, or any combination thereof. Thus, the measurements may include, for example, power value and time difference, power value and AoA, etc. The reference time may be the time when the base station transmits a signal, where the time difference is an Rx-Tx value. The reference time may be the time when the base station receives a signal from a reference entity, where the time difference is an RSTD value.

[0125] Similarly or alternatively, implementations of method 1000 may include one or more of the following features. In an example implementation, the plurality of measurements are a plurality of first measurements, and when a report is sent, the plurality of first measurements in the report are ordered based on the values ​​of second measurements corresponding to the plurality of first measurements and omitted from the report. For example, the first measurements are of one type (e.g., ToA), and are placed in the report in the order of second measurements of another type (e.g., power), such as ToA values ​​placed in descending order of the power values ​​of the corresponding signals (i.e., used to determine the ToA values), where the power values ​​are not included in the report. Thus, the relative power values ​​are implied in the order of the ToA values. This can reduce overhead (channel traffic) by avoiding sending the second measurements in the report. In another example implementation, method 1000 includes ordering the plurality of measurements according to a sequence of corresponding combinations of antenna elements and paths corresponding to each of the plurality of measurements received by the base station from the server. For example, server 400 may send a measurement request to TRP 300, indicating in the request the order of the measurements in the measurement report to be sent by TRP 300. The order can be indicated based on antenna elements and paths (e.g., antenna element 1, path 1, RSRP; antenna element 1, path 1, gNB Rx-Tx; ...). This can reduce overhead (channel traffic) by avoiding sending indications of antenna element and path combinations in the report. Processor 310 (possibly combined with memory 311) and transceiver 315 (e.g., wireless receiver 344 and antenna 346) may include components for sorting multiple measurements according to the sequence received from the server.

[0126] Implementation Examples

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

[0128] Clause 1. A base station, comprising:

[0129] transceiver;

[0130] Memory; and

[0131] One or more processors, communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, are configured to:

[0132] The transceiver receives uplink positioning reference signals from the user equipment.

[0133] Multiple measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal are determined, each of which belongs to the same type of measurement and corresponds to the uplink positioning reference signal; and

[0134] A report is sent to the server via the transceiver. The report includes multiple measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal and at least one indication that the multiple measurements correspond to the same uplink positioning reference signal.

[0135] Clause 2. The base station according to Clause 1, wherein the at least one indication includes the same uplink positioning reference signal identifier of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, or the same timestamp value of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, or a combination thereof.

[0136] Clause 3. The base station according to Clause 1, wherein the transceiver includes a plurality of antenna elements, and wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal corresponds to a corresponding antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements.

[0137] Clause 4. The base station according to Clause 3, wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal corresponds to a corresponding path among the plurality of paths of the same uplink positioning reference signal.

[0138] Clause 5. The base station as described in Clause 4, wherein the report comprises a plurality of index sets, each index set corresponding to a corresponding measurement among the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, and indicating the corresponding antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements and the corresponding path among the plurality of paths.

[0139] Clause 6. The base station as described in Clause 5, wherein each of the plurality of index sets further indicates the measurement type of a corresponding one of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0140] Clause 7. The base station according to Clause 1, wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal corresponds to a corresponding path among the plurality of paths of the same uplink positioning reference signal.

[0141] Clause 8. The base station according to Clause 7, wherein the transceiver includes a plurality of antenna elements, and wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal includes a combination of other measurements corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements.

[0142] Clause 9. The base station according to Clause 8, wherein the other measurements include power values, and the combination of the other measurements corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements is the sum of the power values ​​or the average of the power values.

[0143] Clause 10. The base station according to Clause 1, wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal includes a power value, or an angle of arrival value, or a time of arrival value, or a time difference relative to a reference time, or any combination thereof.

[0144] Clause 11. The base station according to Clause 1, wherein the plurality of measurements are a plurality of first measurements, and wherein the one or more processors are configured to sort the plurality of first measurements in the report based on values ​​corresponding to the plurality of first measurements and second measurements omitted from the report.

[0145] Clause 12. A method for reporting measurements of an uplink positioning reference signal, the method comprising:

[0146] The uplink positioning reference signal is received from the user equipment at the base station;

[0147] At the base station, a plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal are determined, each of which belongs to the same type of measurement and corresponds to the uplink positioning reference signal; and

[0148] A report is sent from the base station to the server, the report including the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal and at least one indication that the plurality of measurements correspond to the same uplink positioning reference signal.

[0149] Clause 13. The method for reporting measurements of uplink positioning reference signals as described in Clause 12, wherein the at least one indication includes the same uplink positioning reference signal identifier for the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, or the same timestamp value for the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, or a combination thereof.

[0150] Clause 14. The method for reporting measurements of uplink positioning reference signals as described in Clause 12, wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal corresponds to a corresponding antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements of the base station.

[0151] Clause 15. The method for reporting measurements of uplink positioning reference signals as described in Clause 14, wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal corresponds to a corresponding path among the plurality of paths of the same uplink positioning reference signal.

[0152] Clause 16. The method for reporting measurements of an uplink positioning reference signal as described in Clause 15, wherein the report includes a plurality of index sets, each index set corresponding to a corresponding measurement among the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, and indicating a corresponding antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements and a corresponding path among the plurality of paths.

[0153] Clause 17. The method for reporting measurements of an uplink positioning reference signal as described in Clause 16, wherein each of the plurality of index sets further indicates the measurement type of a corresponding one of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0154] Clause 18. The method for reporting measurements of uplink positioning reference signals as described in Clause 12, wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal corresponds to a corresponding path among the plurality of paths of the same uplink positioning reference signal.

[0155] Clause 19. The method for reporting measurements of uplink positioning reference signals as described in Clause 18, wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal includes a combination of other measurements corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements of the base station.

[0156] Clause 20. The method for reporting measurements of uplink positioning reference signals as described in Clause 19, wherein the other measurements include power values, and the combination of the other measurements corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements is the sum of the power values ​​or the average of the power values.

[0157] Clause 21. The method for reporting measurements of uplink positioning reference signals as described in Clause 12, wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal includes a power value, or an angle of arrival value, or a time of arrival value, or a time difference relative to a reference time, or any combination thereof.

[0158] Clause 22. The method for reporting uplink positioning reference signal measurements according to Clause 12, wherein the plurality of measurements are a plurality of first measurements, and wherein, when the report is sent, the plurality of first measurements in the report are ordered based on values ​​corresponding to the plurality of first measurements and second measurements omitted from the report.

[0159] Clause 23. The method for reporting uplink positioning reference signal measurements as described in Clause 12 further includes sorting the plurality of measurements in the report according to a sequence of corresponding combinations of antenna elements and paths corresponding to each of the plurality of measurements received by the base station from the server.

[0160] Clause 24. A base station, comprising:

[0161] Components used to receive uplink positioning reference signals from user equipment;

[0162] Components for determining multiple measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, each of the multiple measurements belonging to the same type of measurement and corresponding to the uplink positioning reference signal; and

[0163] A component for sending a report to a server, the report including the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal and at least one indication that the plurality of measurements correspond to the same uplink positioning reference signal.

[0164] Clause 25. The base station according to Clause 24, wherein the at least one indication includes the same uplink positioning reference signal identifier of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, or the same timestamp value of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, or a combination thereof.

[0165] Clause 26. The base station according to Clause 24, wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal corresponds to a corresponding antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements of the base station.

[0166] Clause 27. The base station according to Clause 26, wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal corresponds to a corresponding path among the plurality of paths of the same uplink positioning reference signal.

[0167] Clause 28. The base station as described in Clause 27, wherein the report comprises a plurality of index sets, each index set corresponding to a corresponding one of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, and indicating the corresponding one of the plurality of antenna elements and the corresponding one of the plurality of paths.

[0168] Clause 29. The base station as described in Clause 28, wherein each of the plurality of index sets further indicates the measurement type of a corresponding one of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0169] Clause 30. The base station according to Clause 24, wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal corresponds to a corresponding path among the plurality of paths of the same uplink positioning reference signal.

[0170] Clause 31. The base station according to Clause 30, wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal includes a combination of other measurements corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements of the base station.

[0171] Clause 32. The base station according to Clause 31, wherein the other measurements include power values, and the combination of the other measurements corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements is the sum of the power values ​​or the average of the power values.

[0172] Clause 33. The base station as described in Clause 24, wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal includes a power value, or an angle of arrival value, or a time of arrival value, or a time difference relative to a reference time, or any combination thereof.

[0173] Clause 34. The base station according to Clause 24, wherein the plurality of measurements are a plurality of first measurements, and wherein the component for sending the report includes a component for sorting the plurality of first measurements in the report based on values ​​corresponding to the plurality of first measurements and omitted from the report when sending the report.

[0174] Clause 35. The base station according to Clause 24 further includes a component for sorting the plurality of measurements in the report according to a sequence of corresponding combinations of antenna elements and paths corresponding to each of the plurality of measurements received by the base station from the server.

[0175] Clause 36. The base station according to Clause 24, wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal corresponds to a corresponding path among the plurality of paths of the same uplink positioning reference signal.

[0176] Clause 37. A base station according to Clause 24, wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal corresponds to a corresponding antenna element among a plurality of antenna elements of the base station and corresponds to a corresponding path among a plurality of paths of the same uplink positioning reference signal, and wherein the report includes a plurality of index sets, each index set corresponding to a corresponding measurement of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal and indicating the corresponding antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements and the corresponding path among the plurality of paths.

[0177] Clause 38. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium including processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors of a base station to perform the following operations to facilitate reporting measurements of an uplink positioning reference signal:

[0178] Receive the uplink positioning reference signal from the user equipment;

[0179] Determine multiple measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, each of which belongs to the same type of measurement and corresponds to the uplink positioning reference signal; and

[0180] A report is sent to the server of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal and the plurality of measurements corresponding to at least one indication of the same uplink positioning reference signal.

[0181] Clause 39. The storage medium according to Clause 38, wherein the at least one indication includes the same uplink positioning reference signal identifier of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, or the same timestamp value of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, or a combination thereof.

[0182] Clause 40. The storage medium according to Clause 38, wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal corresponds to a corresponding antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements of the base station.

[0183] Clause 41. The storage medium according to Clause 40, wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal corresponds to a corresponding path among the plurality of paths of the same uplink positioning reference signal.

[0184] Clause 42. The storage medium according to Clause 41, wherein the report includes a plurality of index sets, each index set corresponding to a corresponding measurement among the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, and indicating the corresponding antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements and the corresponding path among the plurality of paths.

[0185] Clause 43. The storage medium according to Clause 42, wherein each of the plurality of index sets further indicates the measurement type of the corresponding one of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0186] Clause 44. The storage medium according to Clause 38, wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal corresponds to a corresponding path among the plurality of paths of the same uplink positioning reference signal.

[0187] Clause 45. The storage medium according to Clause 44, wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal includes a combination of other measurements corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements of the base station.

[0188] Clause 46. The storage medium pursuant to Clause 45, wherein the other measurements include power values, and the combination of the other measurements corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements is the sum of the power values ​​or the average of the power values.

[0189] Clause 47. The storage medium according to Clause 38, wherein each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal includes a power value, or an angle of arrival value, or a time of arrival value, or a time difference relative to a reference time, or any combination thereof.

[0190] Clause 48. The storage medium according to Clause 38, wherein the plurality of measurements are a plurality of first measurements, and wherein the processor-readable instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to send the report include processor-readable instructions configured to sort the plurality of first measurements in the report based on values ​​corresponding to the plurality of first measurements and omitted from the report when the one or more processors send the report.

[0191] Clause 49. The storage medium according to Clause 38 further includes processor-readable instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to sort the plurality of measurements in the report according to a sequence of corresponding combinations of antenna elements and paths corresponding to each of the plurality of measurements received by the base station from the server.

[0192] Other considerations

[0193] Other examples and implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software and computers, the above-described functions can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof. Features implementing the functions can also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that portions of the function are implemented at different physical locations.

[0194] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” also include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and / or “including” as used herein specify the presence of the 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.

[0195] Furthermore, as used herein, the "or" used in a list of items (which may end with "at least one of..." or "one or more of...") indicates a disjunctive list, such that a list of, for example, "at least one of A, B, or C", or a list of "one or more of A, B, or C", or a list of "A or B or C" means A or B or C or AB (A and B) or AC (A and C) or BC (B and C) or ABC (i.e., A and B and C), or a combination having more than one feature (e.g., AA, AAB, ABBC, etc.). Therefore, stating that an item (e.g., a processor) is configured to perform a function with respect to at least one of A or B, or stating 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 one or both of A and B to measure). Similarly, a description of a component for measuring at least one of A or B includes a component for measuring A (which may or may not be able to measure B), or a component for measuring B (which may or may not be configured to measure A), or a component for measuring A and B (which may select which one or both of A and B to measure). As another example, stating 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 functions X and Y. For example, the phrase “a processor configured to measure at least one of X or Y” means that the processor can be configured to measure X (and may or may not be configured to measure Y), or can be configured to measure Y (and may or may not be configured to measure X), or can be configured to measure both X and Y (and may be configured to select which one or both of X and Y to measure).

[0196] 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 said item or condition and may be based on one or more items and / or conditions other than said item or condition.

[0197] Significant modifications can be made to suit specific requirements. For example, custom hardware can be used, and / or specific components can be implemented in hardware, software (including portable software such as applets, etc.), or both, executed by the processor. Furthermore, connections to other computing devices, such as network input / output devices, can be employed. Unless otherwise stated, functional or other components shown in the accompanying drawings and / or discussed herein as interconnected or communicating are communicatively coupled. That is, they can be connected directly or indirectly to enable communication between them.

[0198] The systems and devices discussed above are examples. Various configurations may be appropriately omitted, substituted, or have various programs or components added. For example, features described with respect to certain configurations may be combined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elements of configurations may be combined in a similar manner. Furthermore, technology is constantly evolving; therefore, many elements are illustrative and do not limit the scope of the disclosure or claims.

[0199] A wireless communication system is a system in which communication is transmitted wirelessly, i.e., through the atmospheric space via electromagnetic and / or sound waves rather than through wires or other physical connections. A wireless communication network may not have all wirelessly transmitted communications, but is configured to have at least some wirelessly transmitted communications. Furthermore, the term "wireless communication device" or similar terms do not require that the device's function is specifically or equally primarily for communication, or that the device is a mobile device, but indicate that the device includes wireless communication capabilities (one-way or two-way), for example, including at least one radio for wireless communication (each radio being part of a transmitter, receiver, or transceiver).

[0200] Specific details are provided in the specification to offer a thorough understanding of the example configurations (including implementations). However, the configurations can be practiced without these specific details. For example, known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques are shown without unnecessary detail to avoid obscuring the configurations. This specification provides example configurations and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claims. Rather, the foregoing description of the configurations provides a description for implementing the techniques. Various changes can be made to the function and arrangement of the elements.

[0201] As used herein, the terms “processor-readable medium,” “machine-readable medium,” and “computer-readable medium” refer to any medium that participates in providing data that enables a machine to operate in a particular manner. Using a computing platform, various processor-readable media can relate to providing instructions / code to (or for execution by) a processor(s) and / or being 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 a medium 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.

[0202] After describing several example configurations, various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents can be used. For example, the aforementioned elements can be components of a larger system, where other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of this disclosure. Furthermore, many operations can be performed before, during, or after considering the foregoing elements. Therefore, the above description does not limit the scope of the claims.

[0203] 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 slightly greater than the first threshold. For example, in the resolution of a computing system, the second threshold is a value higher than the first threshold. A statement that a value is less than (or within or below) the first threshold is equivalent to a statement that the value is less than or equal to a second threshold slightly lower than the first threshold. For example, in the resolution of a computing system, the second threshold is a value lower than the first threshold.

Claims

1. A base station, comprising: A transceiver includes multiple antenna elements; Memory; as well as One or more processors, communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, are configured to: The transceiver receives uplink positioning reference signals from the user equipment. Determine multiple measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, each of which belongs to the same type of measurement and corresponds to the uplink positioning reference signal; and A report is sent to a server via the transceiver. The report includes a plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal and at least one indication that the plurality of measurements correspond to the same uplink positioning reference signal. The report includes a plurality of index sets, each index set corresponding to a corresponding measurement among the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, and indicating a corresponding antenna element among a plurality of antenna elements and a corresponding path among a plurality of paths. The plurality of measurements are a plurality of first measurements. The one or more processors are configured to sort the plurality of first measurements in the report based on values ​​corresponding to the plurality of first measurements and second measurements omitted from the report. The first measurements are of a different type than the second measurements.

2. The base station according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one indication includes the same uplink positioning reference signal identifier for the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, or the same timestamp value for the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, or a combination thereof.

3. The base station according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the plurality of index sets also indicates the measurement type of the corresponding one of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal.

4. The base station according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal includes a power value, or an angle of arrival value, or an arrival time value, or a time difference relative to a reference time, or any combination thereof.

5. A method for reporting the measurement of an uplink positioning reference signal, the method comprising: The uplink positioning reference signal is received from the user equipment at the base station; At the base station, a plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal are determined, each of the plurality of measurements belonging to the same type of measurement and corresponding to the uplink positioning reference signal; as well as A report is sent from the base station to the server. The report includes a plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal and at least one indication that the plurality of measurements correspond to the same uplink positioning reference signal. The report includes a plurality of index sets, each index set corresponding to a corresponding measurement of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, and indicating a corresponding antenna element of a plurality of antenna elements and a corresponding path of a plurality of paths. The plurality of measurements are a plurality of first measurements. When the report is sent, the plurality of first measurements in the report are sorted based on the values ​​of second measurements corresponding to the plurality of first measurements and omitted from the report. The first measurements are of a different type than the second measurements.

6. The method for measuring the uplink positioning reference signal according to claim 5, wherein, The at least one indication includes the same uplink positioning reference signal identifier for the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, or the same timestamp value for the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, or a combination thereof.

7. The method for measuring the uplink positioning reference signal according to claim 5, wherein, Each of the plurality of index sets also indicates the measurement type of the corresponding one of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal.

8. The method for measuring the uplink positioning reference signal according to claim 5, wherein, Each of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal includes a power value, or an angle of arrival value, or an arrival time value, or a time difference relative to a reference time, or any combination thereof.

9. The method for reporting uplink positioning reference signal measurement according to claim 5, further comprising sorting the plurality of measurements in the report according to a sequence of corresponding combinations of antenna elements and paths corresponding to each of the plurality of measurements received by the base station from the server.

10. A base station, comprising: Components used to receive uplink positioning reference signals from user equipment; Components for determining multiple measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, each of the multiple measurements belonging to the same type of measurement and corresponding to the uplink positioning reference signal; as well as A component for sending a report to a server, the report including a plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal and at least one indication that the plurality of measurements correspond to the same uplink positioning reference signal, wherein the report includes a plurality of index sets, each index set corresponding to a corresponding measurement of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, and indicating a corresponding antenna element of a plurality of antenna elements and a corresponding path of a plurality of paths, wherein the plurality of measurements are a plurality of first measurements, and wherein the component for sending the report to the server is configured to sort the plurality of first measurements in the report based on values ​​corresponding to the plurality of first measurements and second measurements omitted from the report, the first measurements being of a different type than the second measurements.

11. The base station according to claim 10, wherein, The at least one indication includes the same uplink positioning reference signal identifier for the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, or the same timestamp value for the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, or a combination thereof.

12. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium including processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors of a base station to perform the following operations to facilitate reporting measurements of an uplink positioning reference signal: Receive the uplink positioning reference signal from the user equipment; Determine multiple measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, each of which belongs to the same type of measurement and corresponds to the uplink positioning reference signal; as well as A report is sent to a server, the report including a plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal and at least one indication that the plurality of measurements correspond to the same uplink positioning reference signal, wherein the report includes a plurality of index sets, each index set corresponding to a corresponding measurement of the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, and indicating a corresponding antenna element of a plurality of antenna elements and a corresponding path of a plurality of paths, wherein the plurality of measurements are a plurality of first measurements, and wherein the processor-readable instructions are further configured to cause the one or more processors to sort the plurality of first measurements in the report based on values ​​corresponding to the plurality of first measurements and second measurements omitted from the report, the first measurements being of a different type than the second measurements.

13. The storage medium according to claim 12, wherein, The at least one indication includes the same uplink positioning reference signal identifier for the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, or the same timestamp value for the plurality of measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal, or a combination thereof.

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