Positioning method and apparatus, storage medium, and chip

Abstract

A positioning method and device, a storage medium and a chip, related to the technical field of communication, are used for positioning a terminal device in an RRC idle state. The terminal device in the RRC idle state sends first information to a core network element, the first information is used for requesting a positioning service, and the first information includes first resource indication information, which is used for determining target reference signal resources. The terminal device in the RRC idle state receives second information from the core network element, obtains the target reference signal resources based on the second information, and sends a reference signal according to the target reference signal resources, the reference signal being used for determining the position of the terminal device. The second information is obtained based on the first resource indication information. In this process, the terminal device can not establish a connection on an air interface and air interface security with an access network device, and can always be in the RRC idle state, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of communication, and particularly relates to a positioning method and device, a storage medium and a chip. BACKGROUND

[0002] Positioning service is one of important functions in a new radio (NR) system. At present, uplink positioning technologies include uplink (UL) time difference of arrival (TDOA) positioning technology, UL angle of arrival (AOA) positioning technology, etc. In the uplink positioning technology, an access network device can configure reference signal resource information for a terminal device, and the access network device sends the reference signal resource information to the terminal device. The terminal device can send a reference signal according to the reference signal resource information configured by the access network device for the terminal device. Each access network device measures the reference signal sent by the terminal device, and reports the obtained measurement result to a positioning management function network element, so that the positioning management function network element determines the position information of the terminal device in combination with each measurement result and the like.

[0003] When the terminal device is in a connected state of radio resource control (RRC), an access network device accessed by the terminal device can configure reference signal resources for the terminal device through an RRC reconfiguration message. How to position the terminal device in an idle state of RRC becomes a problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides a positioning method, device, storage medium and chip, which are used for positioning the terminal device in the idle state of RRC.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a positioning method, which can be executed by a terminal device, a unit, a module or a chip in the terminal device, and in the present application, the method on the terminal device side is taken as an example for introduction. The method comprises the following steps.

[0006] The terminal device in the idle state of RRC sends first information to a core network element, the first information is used for requesting a positioning service, and the first information comprises first resource indication information, the first resource indication information is used for determining target reference signal resources. The terminal device in the idle state of RRC receives second information from the core network element, the second information is obtained based on the first resource indication information. The terminal device in the idle state of RRC obtains the target reference signal resources based on the second information. The terminal device in the idle state of RRC sends a reference signal according to the target reference signal resources, and the reference signal is used for determining the position of the terminal device.

[0007] Since the terminal device in the RRC idle state can establish security on the NAS interface with the mobility management network element, but will not establish a connection on the air interface and air interface security with the access network device, the access network device does not know the current location of the terminal device, and is not clear about which reference signal resources are suitable for the terminal device to use. Since the terminal device can send first information for requesting a positioning service to the core network element, the first information including first resource indication information, and since the terminal device can receive second information from the core network element, the second information being obtained based on the first resource indication information, and the terminal device can determine target reference signal resources according to the second information, the terminal device in the RRC idle state can send reference signals according to the target reference signal resources, so as to realize positioning of the terminal device in the RRC idle state. In this process, the terminal device does not establish a connection on the air interface and air interface security with the access network device, and can always be in the RRC idle state, without entering the RRC connected state or the RRC inactive state, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device and reducing the latency of positioning the terminal device.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the second information includes information of a first time length. In this case, the terminal device in the RRC idle state can send reference signals according to the target reference signal resources after the first time length. In this way, the access network device can configure the time for the terminal device to send reference signals, thereby increasing the controllability of the terminal device.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the first resource indication information includes at least one of the following: information of a cell corresponding to the location of the terminal device; a result of radio resource management (RRM) measurement of the terminal device on a received signal; a result of positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement of the terminal device; location information of the terminal device; or, information of the first reference signal resources. The access network device does not know the current location of the terminal device, and is not clear about which reference signal resources are suitable for the terminal device to use. Through the above implementation, the access network device can determine the reference signal resources suitable for the terminal device according to at least one of the information of the cell corresponding to the location of the terminal device, the result of RRM measurement, the result of PRS measurement, the location information, or the information of the first reference signal resources, and then allocate reference signal resources to the terminal device in the RRC idle state from the reference signal resources suitable for the terminal device.

[0010] In a possible implementation, before the terminal device in the RRC idle state sends the first information, the terminal device in the RRC idle state receives a system message from the access network device in a case where a preset event triggering the terminal device to request a positioning service is met, the system message including reference signal configuration information, and the target reference signal resource being a resource in the reference signal configuration information. In a case where the preset event triggering the terminal device to request the positioning service is not met, the terminal device in the RRC idle state can not receive the system message, thereby reducing power consumption of the terminal device.

[0011] In a possible implementation, before the terminal device in the RRC idle state sends the first information after receiving the system message from the access network device, the terminal device determines, according to a measurement result of a received signal, information of the first reference signal resource in the first resource indication information from the reference signal configuration information included in the system message. The reference signal configuration information can be preconfigured with an association relationship between a measurement result of a signal and a reference signal resource, and the terminal device can find, from the association relationship, a reference signal resource corresponding to the measurement result of the signal, and then determine the first reference signal resource from the corresponding reference signal resource. In this way, the terminal device can find the first reference signal resource that the terminal device wants from the reference signal resources available to the terminal device, and then send the first reference signal resource to the core network device, so that the core network device sends the first reference signal resource to the access network device, so that the access network device considers whether to allocate the first reference signal resource to the terminal device.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the second information includes second resource indication information, and the second resource indication information is determined according to the first resource indication information. The terminal device in the RRC idle state determines the target reference signal resource according to the second resource indication information. Since the second information includes the second resource indication information, that is, the access network device determines the second resource indication information based on the first resource indication information, the terminal device can determine the target reference signal resource allocated by the access network device to the terminal device according to the second resource indication information.

[0013] The second resource indication information includes the target reference signal resource or one or more cell information. When the second resource indication information includes one or more cell information, the terminal device in the RRC idle state can find, from the reference signal configuration information, a reference signal resource associated with the cell information included in the first resource indication information, and determine the reference signal resource as the target reference signal resource.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the access network device allows the acquisition of a target reference signal resource based on first resource indication information. In this case, when a terminal device in the RRC idle state determines, based on second information, that the access network device allows the acquisition of the target reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information, the terminal device determines the target reference signal resource according to the first resource indication information. For example, if the first resource indication information includes information about the first reference signal resource, the terminal device determines the first reference signal resource as the target reference signal resource.

[0015] When the access network device allows the acquisition of the target reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information, the second information may or may not include the first resource indication information. For example, a terminal device in the RRC idle state determines that the access network device allows the acquisition of the reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information if it determines that the second information does not include information for indicating the reference signal resource. It can be seen that when the access network device allows the acquisition of the target reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information, the second information sent by the access network device may not include information for indicating the reference signal resource. This reduces the amount of data carried by the second information, saves resources, and speeds up data transmission.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the first information includes information for requesting location services. Thus, the core network device can determine that the terminal device needs to request location services based on the information used to request location services.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried in the control plane service request message within the NAS message. The information used to request location services includes information in the control plane service request message indicating that the control plane service type is a location service type. This approach allows for better compatibility with existing technologies.

[0018] The first piece of information can also be carried within the LCS message in the NAS message container. The LCS message, for example, may include an event report message, which may contain information about the event that triggered the terminal device to request location services. The information about the event that triggered the terminal device to request location services can be considered as the information in the first piece of information used to request location services.

[0019] In one possible implementation, when the core network element is a mobility management element, before the terminal device in the RRC idle state receives the second information from the core network element, the terminal device in the RRC idle state sends an identifier of the location management function element (MRF) for providing location services to the core network element. In this way, the core network device can determine the MRF based on the identifier, thereby saving the time spent locating the MRF and reducing the latency of terminal device positioning.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the core network element is a mobility management network element. The first and second information satisfy one of the following: the first information is carried in a non-access stratum (NAS) message container in message three of the four-step random access procedure, and the second information is carried in a NAS message container in message four of the four-step random access procedure; the first information is carried in a NAS message container in message A of the two-step random access procedure, and the second information is carried in a NAS message container in message B of the two-step random access procedure; the first information is carried in a NAS message container in a configured grant small data transmission (CG-SDT), and the second information is carried in a NAS message container in the CG-SDT response message; the first information is carried in a NAS message container in a pre-configured uplink resource (PUR), and the second information is carried in a NAS message container in the PUR response message; or, the first information is carried in a NAS message container in an early data transmission (EDT), and the second information is carried in a NAS message container in the EDT response message. This ensures compatibility with existing technologies.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the core network element is a location management function network element. The first information and the second information satisfy one of the following: the first information is carried in the location service (LCS) message in the NAS message container of message three in the four-step random access procedure, and the second information is carried in the LCS message in the NAS message container of message four in the four-step random access procedure; the first information is carried in the LCS message in the NAS message container of message A in the two-step random access procedure, and the second information is carried in the LCS message in the NAS message container of message B in the two-step random access procedure; the first information is carried in the LCS message in the NAS message container of CG-SDT, and the second information is carried in the LCS message in the NAS message container of the CG-SDT response message; the first information is carried in the LCS message in the NAS message container of PUR, and the second information is carried in the LCS message in the NAS message container of the PUR response message; or, the first information is carried in the LCS message in the NAS message container of EDT, and the second information is carried in the LCS message in the NAS message container of the EDT response message. This ensures compatibility with existing technologies.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the second information includes information about a second duration. After receiving the second information from the core network element, the terminal device in the RRC idle state sends information to the core network element requesting location services after the second duration. In this way, the access network device can control when the terminal device next initiates location services, thereby providing the access network device with more control over the terminal device in the RRC idle state.

[0023] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a positioning method. This method can be executed by a location management function network element, or by a unit, module, or chip within the location management function network element. This application describes the method using the location management function network element as an example. The method includes: the location management function network element receiving first information from a terminal device, the first information being used to request positioning services, and the first information including first resource indication information; the first resource indication information being used to determine a target reference signal resource. The location management function network element sending a message to an access network device requesting the configuration of reference signal resources for the terminal device, the message including the first resource indication information. The location management function network element receiving second information from the access network device, the second information being obtained based on the first resource indication information, the second information being used to determine a target reference signal resource, the target reference signal resource being used by the terminal device to transmit a reference signal, and the reference signal being used to determine the location of the terminal device. The location management function network element sending the second information to the terminal device.

[0024] Because a terminal device in RRC idle state can establish security on the NAS interface with the mobility management network element, but will not establish an air interface connection or air interface security with the access network device, the access network device will not know the current location of the terminal device, nor will it know which reference signal resources are suitable for the terminal device. The first information sent by the terminal device to the location management function network element (e.g., via the mobility management network element to the location management function network element) can include first resource indication information, which is used to determine the target reference signal resource. Thus, the location management function network element can forward the first resource indication information to the access network device, so that the access network device can determine the target reference signal resource for the terminal device in RRC idle state. The terminal device then sends a reference signal based on this target reference signal resource to achieve positioning of the terminal device in RRC idle state. Furthermore, during this process, the terminal device does not establish an air interface connection or air interface security with the access network device, and can remain in RRC idle state without entering RRC connected or inactive states. This reduces the terminal device's power consumption, positioning latency, and overall cost.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the first resource indication information includes at least one of the following: information about the cell corresponding to the location of the terminal device; the result of the terminal device performing radio resource management (RRM) measurements on the received signal; the result of the terminal device performing location reference signal (PRS) measurements on the received signal; the location information of the terminal device; or, information about the first reference signal resource.

[0026] For relevant descriptions and beneficial effects, please refer to the foregoing descriptions of the first aspect and its possible implementations, which will not be repeated here.

[0027] In one possible implementation, after receiving the second information from the access network device, the location management function network element obtains the target reference signal resource based on the second information; the location management function network element then sends the target reference signal resource to the access network device and the access network devices in the neighboring access network devices of the access network device.

[0028] Since the location management function network element can obtain the target reference signal resources allocated by the access network device to the terminal device in the RRC idle state, the location management function network element can allocate the target reference signal resources to the access network device and the access network devices in the neighboring access network devices of the access network device, so that these access network devices can measure the reference signals from the terminal device, thereby realizing the positioning of the terminal device in the RRC idle state.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the second information includes second resource indication information, which is determined based on the first resource indication information. The location management function network element obtains the target reference signal resource based on the second information, including: the location management function network element determining the target reference signal resource based on the second resource indication information.

[0030] Since the second information includes the second resource indication information, that is, the access network device determines the second resource indication information based on the first resource indication information, the terminal device can determine the target reference signal resource allocated to the terminal device by the access network device according to the second resource indication information.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the second resource indication information includes: target reference signal resource, or cell information. When the second resource indication information includes one or more cell information, the location management function network element can find the reference signal resource associated with the cell information included in the first resource indication information from the reference signal configuration information, and determine the reference signal resource as the target reference signal resource.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the location management function network element obtains the target reference signal resource based on second information, including: the location management function network element determining, based on the second information, that the access network device is permitted to obtain the target reference signal resource based on first resource indication information. The location management function network element determines the target reference signal resource according to the first resource indication information. For example, if the first resource indication information includes information about the first reference signal resource, the location management function network element determines the first reference signal resource as the target reference signal resource.

[0033] When the access network device is permitted to obtain the target reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information, the second information may or may not include the first resource indication information. For example, if the location management function network element determines that the access network device is permitted to obtain the reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information, it can be seen that when the access network device is permitted to obtain the target reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information, the second information sent by the access network device may not include the information indicating the reference signal resource. This reduces the amount of data carried by the second information, saves resources, and speeds up data transmission.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the first information includes information for requesting location services. Thus, the location management function network element can determine whether the terminal device needs to request location services based on the information used to request location services.

[0035] The first piece of information can also be carried within the LCS message in the NAS message container. The LCS message, for example, may include an event report message, which may contain information about the event that triggered the terminal device to request location services. The information about the event that triggered the terminal device to request location services can be considered as the information in the first piece of information used to request location services.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the first information and the second information sent by the location management function network element satisfy one of the following: the first information is carried in an LCS message, and the second information sent by the location management function network element is carried in a response message to the LCS message; or, the first information is carried in an event report message, and the second information sent by the location management function network element is carried in a response message to the event report message, wherein the event report message and the response message to the event report message belong to the LCS message. This approach allows for better compatibility with existing technologies.

[0037] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a positioning method. This method can be executed by a mobility management network element (MLE), or by a unit, module, or chip within the MLE. This application describes the method on the MLE side as an example. The method includes: the MLE receiving first information from a terminal device, the first information being used to request positioning services, the first information including first resource indication information used to determine a target reference signal resource. The MLE sending the first information to a location management function (MRF) element. The MLE receiving second information from the MLF element, the second information being obtained based on the first resource indication information, the second information being used to determine a target reference signal resource, the target reference signal resource being used by the terminal device to send a reference signal, the reference signal being used to determine the location of the terminal device. The MLE sending the second information to the terminal device.

[0038] Because a terminal device in RRC idle state can establish security on the NAS interface with the mobility management network element, but will not establish an air interface connection or air interface security with the access network device, the access network device will not know the current location of the terminal device, nor will it know which reference signal resources are suitable for the terminal device. The mobility management network element sends the first information received from the terminal device to the location management function network element. This first information includes first resource indication information used to determine the target reference signal resource. The location management function network element can then forward the first resource indication information to the access network device, enabling the access network device to determine the target reference signal resource for the terminal device in RRC idle state. The terminal device then sends a reference signal based on this target reference signal resource to achieve positioning of the terminal device in RRC idle state. Furthermore, during this process, the terminal device does not establish an air interface connection or air interface security with the access network device, and can remain in RRC idle state without entering RRC connected or inactive states. This reduces the terminal device's power consumption and the latency of positioning the terminal device.

[0039] In one possible implementation, after the mobility management network element receives the first information from the terminal device, and before sending the first information to the location management function network element, the mobility management network element sends a message to the unified data management network element requesting service quality information corresponding to the location service of the terminal device; the mobility management network element receives the service quality information from the unified data management network element; and the mobility management network element determines the location management function network element based on the service quality information. The mobility management network element can determine the location management function network element based on the service quality information, thereby enabling the positioning of the terminal device in the RRC idle state.

[0040] In one possible implementation, before sending the first information to the location management function (MRF) network element, the MLF network element receives an identifier from the MLF network element of the terminal device. In this way, the MLF network element can determine the MLF network element based on the identifier, thereby saving the time spent locating the MLF network element and reducing the latency of terminal device positioning.

[0041] In one possible implementation, the first resource indication information includes at least one of the following: information about the cell corresponding to the location of the terminal device; the result of the terminal device performing radio resource management (RRM) measurements on the received signal; the result of the terminal device measuring the received positioning reference signal (PRS); the location information of the terminal device; or information about the first reference signal resource.

[0042] For relevant descriptions and beneficial effects, please refer to the foregoing descriptions of the first aspect and its possible implementations, which will not be repeated here.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the second information includes second resource indication information, which includes: target reference signal resources, or cell information.

[0044] For relevant descriptions and beneficial effects, please refer to the foregoing descriptions of the first aspect and its possible implementations, which will not be repeated here.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the first information includes information for requesting location services.

[0046] For relevant descriptions and beneficial effects, please refer to the foregoing descriptions of the first aspect and its possible implementations, which will not be repeated here.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the first information includes a control plane service request in the NAS message, and the information for requesting location services includes: information in the control plane service request indicating that the control plane service type is a location service type.

[0048] For relevant descriptions and beneficial effects, please refer to the foregoing descriptions of the first aspect and its possible implementations, which will not be repeated here.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the mobility management network element receives first information from the terminal device, including: the mobility management network element receiving an initial terminal device message from an access network device, wherein the NAS message container in the initial terminal device message includes the first information from the terminal device. The mobility management network element sends second information to the access network device, including: the mobility management network element sending a response message to the access network device for the initial terminal device message, wherein the NAS message container in the response message for the initial terminal device message includes the second information to be transmitted to the terminal device; or, the mobility management network element sends a downlink NAS transmission message to the terminal device through the access network device, wherein the downlink NAS transmission message carries the second information. This approach is compatible with existing technologies.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the first information sent by the mobility management network element to the location management function network element is carried in an LCS message, and the second information received by the mobility management network element from the location management function network element is carried in a response message to the LCS message. This approach maintains compatibility with existing technologies and also improves the flexibility of the solution.

[0051] In one possible implementation, the mobility management network element receives first information from the terminal device, including: the mobility management network element receiving an initial terminal device message from an access network device, wherein the event report message in the NAS message container of the initial terminal device message includes the first information from the terminal device, and the event report message belongs to the LCS message category. The mobility management network element sends second information to the access network device, including: the mobility management network element sending a response message to the initial terminal device message to the access network device, wherein the response message of the event report message in the NAS message container of the response message of the initial terminal device message includes the second information to be transmitted to the terminal device, and the response message of the event report message belongs to the LCS message category; or, the mobility management network element sends a downlink NAS transmission message to the terminal device through the access network device, wherein the response message of the event report message in the downlink NAS transmission message includes the second information to be transmitted to the terminal device. This approach is compatible with existing technologies.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the first information sent by the mobility management network element to the location management function network element is carried in an event report message, and the second information received by the mobility management network element from the location management function network element is carried in a response message to the event report message. This approach ensures compatibility with existing technologies.

[0053] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a positioning method. This method can be executed by an access network device, or by a unit, module, or chip within the access network device. This application describes the method on the access network device side as an example. The method includes: the access network device receiving first information from a terminal device in an RRC idle state. The first information is used to request positioning services and includes first resource indication information used to determine a target reference signal resource. The access network device sends the first information to a mobility management network element. The access network device receives a message from a location management function network element requesting the configuration of a target reference signal resource for the terminal device. The message requesting the configuration of the target reference signal resource for the terminal device includes the first resource indication information. The access network device sends second information to the location management function network element. The second information is used to determine the target reference signal resource, which is used by the terminal device to transmit a reference signal, and the reference signal is used to determine the location of the terminal device. The access network device receives the second information from the mobility management network element. The access network device sends the second information to the terminal device in an RRC idle state.

[0054] It can be seen that the access network device can allocate target reference signal resources to the terminal device in the RRC idle state based on the first resource indication information, and can send the second information used to indicate the target reference signal resources to the terminal device, thereby enabling the positioning of the terminal device in the RRC idle state.

[0055] Fifthly, a communication device is provided. This communication device can be the aforementioned terminal equipment, mobility management network element, location management function network element, or access network equipment. The communication device may include a communication unit and a processing unit to execute any embodiment of the method described in any of the first to fourth aspects. The communication unit is used to perform functions related to transmission and reception. Optionally, the communication unit includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. In one design, the communication device is a communication chip, the processing unit can be one or more processors or processor cores, and the communication unit can be the input / output circuitry or port of the communication chip.

[0056] In another design, the communication unit can be a transmitter and a receiver, or the communication unit can be a transmitter and a receiver.

[0057] Optionally, the communication device may also include modules that can be used to perform any of the embodiments of the methods described in any of the first to fourth aspects.

[0058] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided. This communication device can be the aforementioned terminal equipment, mobility management network element, location management function network element, or access network equipment. The communication device may include a processor and a memory. Optionally, it may also include a transceiver. The memory is used to store computer programs or instructions, and the processor is used to retrieve and execute the computer programs or instructions from the memory. When the processor executes the computer programs or instructions in the memory, the communication device performs any implementation of any of the methods described in the first to fourth aspects.

[0059] Optionally, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories.

[0060] Optionally, the memory can be integrated with the processor, or the memory can be set up separately from the processor.

[0061] Optionally, the transceiver may include a transmitter and a receiver.

[0062] A seventh aspect provides a communication apparatus, which can be the aforementioned terminal device, mobility management network element, location management function network element, or access network device. The communication apparatus may include a processor. The processor is coupled to a memory and can be used to execute any one of the first to fourth aspects, and the methods in any possible implementation of the first to fourth aspects. Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes a memory. Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0063] In one implementation, when the communication device is a wireless communication device, the communication interface can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0064] In another implementation, when the communication device is a chip or chip system, the communication interface can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip or chip system. The processor can also be manifested as a processing circuit or logic circuit.

[0065] Eighthly, a system is provided, which includes the aforementioned first access network device, second access network device, and location management function network element.

[0066] Ninth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions), which, when run, causes a computer to perform a method in any possible implementation of the first aspect, or causes a computer to perform a method in any implementation of the first to fourth aspects.

[0067] In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect, or causes the computer to perform the method in any implementation of the first to fourth aspects.

[0068] Eleventhly, a chip system is provided, which may include a processor. The processor is coupled to a memory and can be used to execute any one of the first to fourth aspects, and methods in any possible implementation of any one of the first to fourth aspects. Optionally, the chip system also includes a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions). The processor is used to call and run the computer program from the memory, causing a device on which the chip system is mounted to execute any one of the first to fourth aspects, and methods in any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0069] In a twelfth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which can be the aforementioned terminal equipment, mobility management network element, location management function network element, or access network equipment. The communication apparatus may include an interface circuit and a processing circuit. The interface circuit may include an input circuit and an output circuit. The processing circuit is used to receive signals through the input circuit and transmit signals through the output circuit, such that any one of the first to fourth aspects, and any possible implementation thereof, is implemented.

[0070] In specific implementation, the aforementioned processing device can be a chip, the input circuit can be an input pin, the output circuit can be an output pin, and the processing circuit can be a transistor, gate circuit, flip-flop, and various logic circuits, etc. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example, but not limited to, a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit can be, for example, but not limited to, output to a transmitter and transmitted by the transmitter. Furthermore, the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times, respectively. This application does not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0071] In one implementation, the communication device is a wireless communication device, which can be a terminal such as a smartphone or a wireless access network device such as a base station. The interface circuit can be a radio frequency processing chip in the wireless communication device, and the processing circuit can be a baseband processing chip in the wireless communication device.

[0072] In another implementation, the communication device can be a component of a wireless communication device, such as a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or communication chip, or other integrated circuit products. The interface circuit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pins, or related circuits on the chip or chip system. The processing circuit can be the logic circuit on the chip. Attached Figure Description

[0073] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a possible network architecture applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0074] Figure 2 This is a possible flowchart illustrating a positioning method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0075] Figure 3 A possible flowchart illustrating another positioning method for embodiments of this application;

[0076] Figure 4 A possible flowchart illustrating another positioning method for embodiments of this application;

[0077] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0078] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0079] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0080] This application provides a scheme for providing positioning services to terminal devices in RRC idle state. Since terminal devices in RRC idle state can establish security on the NAS interface with mobility management network elements, but do not establish air interface connections and air interface security with access network devices, the access network devices do not know the current location of the terminal device, nor do they know which reference signal resources are suitable for the terminal device. In this application embodiment, the terminal device sends (for example, through mobility management network elements to location management network elements) first resource indication information to determine target reference signal resources. The location management network element forwards the first resource indication information to the access network device, which allocates target reference signal resources to the terminal device in RRC idle state. The terminal device then sends reference signals based on these target reference signal resources to achieve positioning of the terminal device in RRC idle state. The scheme provided by this application embodiment will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0081] The technical solutions provided in this application are primarily applicable to wireless communication systems. These systems can comply with the wireless communication standards of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). For example, the solutions provided in this application can be applied to fourth-generation (4G) communication systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, fifth-generation (5G) communication systems, such as 5G New Radio (NR) systems, or various future communication systems, such as sixth-generation (6G) systems. The technical solutions provided in this application can also comply with other wireless communication standards, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802 series (e.g., 802.11, 802.15, or 802.20) wireless communication standards. The methods provided in this application can also be applied to Bluetooth systems, WiFi systems, LoRa systems, or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems. Furthermore, the methods provided in this application can be applied to satellite communication systems, where the satellite communication system can be integrated with the aforementioned communication systems.

[0082] For ease of explanation, the embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Figure 1Taking the 5G network architecture shown as an example, this paper illustrates a possible network architecture applicable to the embodiments of this application. A possible network architecture applicable to this application may include three parts: terminal equipment, access network equipment (also known as next-generation (NG) radio access network (RAN) equipment), and core network.

[0083] The terminal device may include equipment that provides voice and / or data connectivity to the user, such as a handheld device with wireless connectivity or a processing device connected to a wireless modem. The terminal device can communicate with the core network via a radio access network (RAN) and exchange voice and / or data with the RAN. The terminal equipment may include user equipment (UE), wireless terminal equipment, mobile terminal equipment, device-to-device (D2D) communication terminal equipment, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication terminal equipment, machine-to-machine / machine-type communication (M2M / MTC) terminal equipment, Internet of Things (IoT) terminal equipment, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote station, access point (AP), remote terminal equipment, access terminal equipment, user terminal equipment, user agent, or user device, etc. For example, it may include mobile phones (or "cellular" phones), computers with mobile terminal equipment, portable, pocket-sized, handheld, or computer-embedded mobile devices, etc. Examples include personal communication service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Terminal devices can also be tablets or computers with wireless transceiver capabilities. Furthermore, terminal devices can be virtual reality (VR) terminals, augmented reality (AR) terminals, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in autonomous driving, wireless terminals in telemedicine, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, and so on.This also includes limited devices, such as those with low power consumption, limited storage capacity, or limited computing power. Examples include information sensing devices such as barcodes, radio frequency identification (RFID), sensors, global positioning systems (GPS), and laser scanners.

[0084] Access network (AN) equipment (such as base stations) can refer to devices in the access network that communicate with wireless terminal devices over the air interface via one or more cells. For example, access network equipment may include evolved base stations (NodeBs, eNBs, or e-NodeBs) in LTE systems or Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A), or it may include fifth-generation mobile communication technologies (the 5G). th The next-generation node B (gNB) in a new radio (NR) system (5G) or a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (Cloud RAN) system are not limited to this embodiment.

[0085] like Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 The example demonstrates the use of gNB and Ng-eNB as access network equipment in China and Israel. Ng-eNB is an LTE base station, and gNB is an NR base station. Terminal devices can communicate with the serving base station via Uu links; for example, they can communicate with the Ng-eNB via an LTE-Uu link and with the gNB via an NR-Uu link. Base stations can communicate with each other via the Xn interface.

[0086] The core network elements related to positioning (also known as core network elements) mainly include: mobility management network elements, location management function network elements, etc. They may also include evolved server mobile location center (E-SMLC) network elements, unified data management (UDM) network elements, and application function (AF) network elements.

[0087] Mobility management network elements: Primarily used for mobility management and access management, they can implement functions of the mobility management entity (MME) other than session management, such as lawful interception, access authorization / authentication, registration, connection, reachability, and mobility management. They serve as the access point for terminal equipment and the wireless core network control plane. Figure 1 As shown, in a 5G communication system, the access and mobility management can be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element. In future communication systems, the mobility management network element can still be an AMF, or it can have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0088] The base station and the AMF network element can communicate through the NG-C interface. The AMF network element can be regarded as a router for communication between the gNB and the LMF.

[0089] The location management function network element can be a location management function (LMF) network element. In future communication systems, the location management function network element can still be an LMF, or it can have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0090] The LMF network element can estimate the location of terminal devices, and the AMF and LMF communicate through the NLs interface.

[0091] The E-SMLC network element is mainly responsible for processing location requests for location services and selecting appropriate AMF network elements for location services.

[0092] Service Location Protocol (SLP) network elements can also communicate with LMF network elements and can be responsible for handling location requests for location services.

[0093] The application scenarios applicable to the embodiments of this application may also include a location management component (LMC). The LMC may be a functional component of the LMF and may be integrated on the gNB of the NG-RAN.

[0094] In this application embodiment, the mobility management network element, location management network element, and unified data management network element can be: Figure 1The AMF, LMF, and UDM mentioned above can also be network elements in future communications such as 6th generation (6G) networks that respectively have the functions of the aforementioned AMF, LMF, and UDM. This application does not limit this. For ease of explanation, this application uses the mobility management network element, location management network element, and unified data management network element as examples to illustrate the AMF, LMF, and UDM mentioned above, respectively. In the embodiments of this application, AMF can be replaced by a mobility management network element, LMF can be replaced by a location management network element, and UDM can be replaced by a unified data management network element.

[0095] The solutions provided in this application are applicable to various positioning technologies, such as UL-TDOA positioning technology and UL-AOA positioning technology, and this application does not limit them.

[0096] based on Figure 1 And the other content mentioned above, Figure 2 The illustration shows a possible flowchart of a positioning method provided in an embodiment of this application. This is to more clearly illustrate the solution provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 This method is described from an interactive perspective. It can be executed by a first access network device, a second access network device, an AMF, an LMF, and a terminal device.

[0097] In this embodiment, the access network device can be... Figure 1 The gNB in ​​this application can be either an Ng-eNB or an Ng-eNB. The scheme executed by the first access network device in this embodiment can also be executed by a unit, module, or chip within the first access network device, or by other devices, units, modules, or chips capable of executing schemes on the first access network device side. This embodiment uses the execution of the scheme by the first access network device as an example for illustration.

[0098] In this embodiment of the application, the terminal device can be... Figure 1 The terminal device in this application. The scheme executed by the terminal device in this embodiment can also be executed by a unit, module or chip inside the terminal device, or by other devices, units, modules or chips capable of executing the terminal device scheme. This embodiment of the application will be described using the execution of the scheme by the terminal device as an example.

[0099] In the embodiments of this application, the LMF can be... Figure 1 The LMF in this application embodiment can also be executed by a unit, module or chip inside the LMF, or by other devices, units, modules or chips capable of executing LMF schemes. This application embodiment will be described using the execution of the scheme by the LMF as an example.

[0100] In the embodiments of this application, AMF can be... Figure 1The AMF in this application embodiment can also be executed by units, modules, or chips within the AMF, or by other devices, units, modules, or chips capable of executing AMF schemes. This application embodiment will use the execution of the scheme by the AMF as an example for description.

[0101] like Figure 2 As shown, the method includes:

[0102] Step 201: The terminal device in the RRC idle state sends the first information to the LMF.

[0103] Correspondingly, the LMF receives the first information.

[0104] Step 201 includes several implementation methods. For example, a terminal device in the RRC idle state can carry the first information in an LCS message and send the LCS message to the LMF through other network elements (such as access network equipment, AMF, etc.). Alternatively, a terminal device in the RRC idle state can carry the first information in a NAS message and send the NAS message to the AMF through other network elements (such as access network equipment). The AMF then sends the first information from the ANS message to the LMF via the LCS message.

[0105] The first information is used to request location services. In one possible implementation, the first information may include information for requesting location services.

[0106] The first information may include first resource indication information, which is used to determine a target reference signal resource. The target reference signal resource is used by the terminal device to transmit a reference signal, and the reference signal is used to determine the location of the terminal device.

[0107] The first resource indication information may include at least one of the following information A1, information A2, information A3, information A4, or information A5.

[0108] Information A1: Information about one or more cells corresponding to the location of the terminal device.

[0109] The terminal device can detect surrounding cells and obtain information about them through received signals. The cells included in information A1 can be all or some of the surrounding cells detected by the terminal device. The terminal device reports information A1 so that the access network device can allocate target reference signal resources to the terminal device based on information A1. The cell information included in information A1 may include cell identifiers and other information.

[0110] The information of one or more cells reported by the terminal device can be reported in tabular form or in other forms (such as text form). In one possible implementation, information A1 can be replaced by a first cell list, which includes information about the cells corresponding to the location of the terminal device.

[0111] Information A2: The result of RRM measurement performed by the terminal device on the received signal.

[0112] For purposes such as cell handover or beam management, terminal equipment performs Reference Receiver (RRM) measurements on received air interface signals from access network equipment. The terminal equipment can report the RRM measurement results to determine the destination reference signal. The RRM measurement results from the terminal equipment may include, for example, cell-level reference signal receiving power (RSRP), reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ), cell beam synchronization signal (SS) RSRP, or channel state information (CSI) RSRP.

[0113] Information A3: The result of the received PRS measurement from the terminal device.

[0114] The results of the received RRS measurement by the terminal device may include, for example, PRS-RSRP and reference signal time difference (RSTD).

[0115] Information A4: Location information of the terminal device.

[0116] Location information for a terminal device can include, for example, its current location's longitude, latitude, altitude, street / village address (civilian address), etc. This location information can be determined by the terminal device itself or input by the user.

[0117] Information A5, information about the first reference signal resource.

[0118] In this embodiment, for distinction, the resource selected by the terminal device itself is referred to as the first reference signal resource. The information of the first reference signal resource may include its index, identifier, and other information that identifies it. The terminal device may also select its desired first reference signal resource and report its information to the LMF. The LMF then sends this information to the access network device, enabling the access network device to allocate a target reference signal resource to the terminal device based on the information of the first reference signal resource.

[0119] In one possible implementation, the terminal device can acquire reference signal configuration information. The reference signal configuration information may include the time-frequency location, symbol location, number of transmissions, or transmission period of the reference signal resource, etc. The first reference signal resource is the resource in the reference signal configuration information. The target reference signal resource is the resource in the reference signal configuration information. In one possible implementation, the terminal device can determine the information of the first reference signal resource from the reference signal configuration information based on the measurement results of the received signal. For example, the reference signal configuration information may include the association (also called mapping relationship) between information used to determine the target reference signal resource (such as the measurement results of the signal) and the resource. The terminal device can find the reference signal resource associated with the measurement results of the received signal from the reference signal configuration information based on the measurement results of the received signal (such as at least one of the first cell list, RRM measurement results, or PRS measurement results obtained by the terminal device through measurement of the received signal), and select the first reference signal resource from the associated reference signal resource.

[0120] The terminal device can pre-configure reference signal configuration information or receive reference signal configuration information from the access network device. In one possible implementation, before step 201, the terminal device in the RRC idle state can receive a system message from the access network device, including the reference signal configuration information, if a preset event triggering the terminal device to request location services is met. Alternatively, the terminal device in the RRC idle state does not need to receive system messages; it only receives them when it determines that the preset event triggering the terminal device to request location services has been met, thus saving power.

[0121] The event that triggers a terminal device to request location services can be one or more preset events. For example, the event could include: the terminal device periodically requests location services; in this case, the terminal device can determine that the event has been satisfied after the period has elapsed. Another example is: the event could include: the terminal device requests location services when it moves out of the cell's coverage area; in this case, the terminal device can determine that the event has been satisfied when it moves out of the current cell's coverage area.

[0122] Step 202: The LMF sends a message to the access network device requesting the configuration of reference signaling resources for the terminal device. The message requesting the configuration of reference signaling resources for the terminal device includes first resource indication information.

[0123] Correspondingly, the access network device receives a message from the LMF requesting the configuration of reference signal resources for the terminal device.

[0124] Step 203: The access network device sends the second information to the LMF.

[0125] Correspondingly, the LMF receives the second information from the access network device.

[0126] The second information is obtained based on the first resource indication information. The second information is used to determine the target reference signal resource.

[0127] Step 204: LMF sends the second information to the terminal device.

[0128] Correspondingly, the terminal device in the RRC idle state receives the second information.

[0129] Step 204 includes several implementation methods. For example, the LMF can carry the second information in the LCS message and send the LCS message carrying the second information to the terminal device through other network elements (such as the AMF, access network equipment, etc.). Another example is that the LMF can carry the second information in the LCS message and send the LCS message to the AMF, which then carries the second information in a NAS message and sends the NAS message carrying the second information to the terminal device through other network elements (such as access network equipment, etc.).

[0130] Step 205: The terminal device in the RRC idle state obtains the target reference signal resource based on the second information.

[0131] In step 205, the terminal device obtains the target reference signal resource based on the second information, which may include two possible implementation methods: implementation method B1 and implementation method B2.

[0132] In implementation B1, the second information includes second resource indication information, which is determined based on the first resource indication information.

[0133] In step 205, the terminal device in the RRC idle state can determine the target reference signal resource based on the second resource indication information.

[0134] For example, if the second resource indication information includes the target reference signal resource, the terminal device can determine the target reference signal resource from the second information.

[0135] For example, the second resource indication information may include information about one or more cells, such as the identifiers and indexes of one or more cells. The cell information in the second resource indication information can be a cell list; for distinction, in this embodiment, the cell list in the second resource indication information is referred to as the second cell list. In this case, the terminal device can determine the target reference signal resource based on the cell information included in the second information (e.g., the second cell list). For instance, the reference signal configuration information may include information used to determine the association between the target reference signal resource (e.g., the cell list) and the resource. The terminal device can use the second cell list in the second information to find the reference signal resource associated with the second cell list in the reference signal configuration information and determine that reference signal resource as the target reference signal resource. The method by which the terminal device obtains the reference signal configuration information can be found in the foregoing content and will not be repeated here.

[0136] In implementation method B2, the terminal device determines that the access network device allows the target reference signal resource to be obtained based on the first resource indication information, and the terminal device determines the target reference signal resource according to the first resource indication information.

[0137] A terminal device in the RRC idle state can determine, based on the second information, whether the access network device allows the target reference signal resource to be obtained based on the first resource indication information.

[0138] When the access network device allows the acquisition of the target reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information, the second information may or may not include the first resource indication information. The second information may implicitly indicate that the access network device allows the acquisition of the target reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information. For example, a terminal device in RRC idle state determines that the access network device allows the acquisition of the reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information if it determines that the second information does not include information used to indicate the reference signal resource. Alternatively, it can be understood that a terminal device in RRC idle state determines that the access network device allows the acquisition of the reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information if it determines that the second information does not include information about the reference signal resource, nor does it include information used to determine the reference signal resource (such as cell information (second cell list)).

[0139] In another possible implementation, the second information may also carry information indicating that the access network device allows the acquisition of the target reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information. In this case, the terminal device determines that the access network device allows the acquisition of the target reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information based on the information indicating that the access network device allows the acquisition of the target reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information.

[0140] When the first resource indication information includes information about the first reference signal resource, the terminal device determines the first reference signal resource as the target reference signal resource.

[0141] When the first resource indication information includes other information used to determine the target reference signal resource (such as at least one of the above information A1, information A2, information A3 or information A4), the reference signal configuration information may include the association between the information used to determine the target reference signal resource and the reference signal resource. The terminal device can find the reference signal resource associated with the information used to determine the target reference signal resource in the reference signal configuration information based on the information used to determine the target reference signal resource in the first resource indication information, and determine the reference signal resource as the target reference signal resource.

[0142] Step 206: The terminal device in the RRC idle state sends a reference signal according to the target reference signal resource. The reference signal is used to determine the location of the terminal device.

[0143] In one possible implementation, the second information includes information about the first duration. In step 206, after the first duration, the terminal device in the RRC idle state transmits a reference signal based on the target reference signal resource. In this embodiment, the reference signal transmitted by the terminal device can be a sounding reference signal (SRS).

[0144] Because a terminal device in RRC idle state can establish security on the NAS interface with the AMF, but will not establish an air interface connection or air interface security with the access network device (air interface security refers to encryption and integrity protection at the RRC layer), the access network device will not know the current location of the terminal device or what reference signal resources are suitable for its use. The first information sent by the terminal device to the LMF (e.g., via the AMF to the LMF) can include first resource indication information, which is used to determine the target reference signal resource. The LMF can then forward the first resource indication information to the access network device, allowing the access network device to determine the target reference signal resource for the terminal device in RRC idle state. The terminal device can then send a reference signal based on this target reference signal resource to achieve location tracking of the terminal device in RRC idle state. Furthermore, during this process, the terminal device will not establish an air interface connection or air interface security with the access network device, and can remain in RRC idle state without entering RRC connected or inactive states. This reduces power consumption and latency in locating the terminal device. On the other hand, this solution can provide location services for terminal devices in the RRC idle state without requiring the terminal devices to support the RRC inactive state, thereby reducing the capability requirements of the terminal devices and consequently reducing their cost.

[0145] It is worth noting that, in another possible implementation after step 204, the terminal device no longer executes steps 205 and 206. The second information includes information about the second duration. After the second duration, the terminal device in the RRC idle state sends information to the core network element to request location services. In this embodiment, the access network device can use the second information to instruct the terminal device not to perform this location service, but instead to re-request the location service after the second duration, starting from the moment the second information is received. For example, it can re-execute step 201 to send updated first resource indication information to the LMF.

[0146] based on Figure 1 , Figure 2 And the other content mentioned above, Figure 3 An exemplary schematic diagram illustrates a possible flow of another positioning method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 3 For a description of the implementing entities involved, please refer to the aforementioned document. Figure 2 Similar descriptions in the text will not be repeated here.

[0147] like Figure 3 As shown, the method includes:

[0148] Step 301: The terminal device in the RRC idle state determines whether the preset event that triggers the terminal device to request location services has been satisfied. If it has been satisfied, step 302 is executed.

[0149] If the request is not fulfilled, the terminal device may not need to receive system messages from the access network device, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0150] Step 302: The terminal device in the RRC idle state receives a system message from the access network device.

[0151] The system message includes reference signal configuration information. Steps 301 and 302 are optional steps, and the relevant content of steps 301 and 302 can be found in the relevant description in section 201 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0152] Step 303: The terminal device in the RRC idle state sends an RRC message to the access network device.

[0153] Correspondingly, the access network device receives RRC messages from the terminal device that is in the RRC idle state.

[0154] The RRC message in step 303 can be message three in the four-step random access process, message A in the two-step random access process, the configured grant small data transmission (CG-SDT) message, the pre-configured uplink resource (PUR) message, or the early data transmission (EDT) message. This RRC message can also have other names, such as an RRC low-power high-accuracy positioning (LPHAP) request.

[0155] The RRC message can carry the identifier of the terminal device and a non-access stratum (NAS) message container. The identifier of the terminal device carried in the RRC message can be, for example, a 5G system architecture evolution temporary mobile station identifier (S-TMSI), an inactive radio network temporary identifier (I-RNTI), or a random number. This primary information can be carried within the NAS message container of the RRC message. The NAS message container can be written as "dedicated information NAS".

[0156] The NAS messages in this NAS message container can be in a newly designed NAS message format or reuse an existing NAS message format. For example, the NAS message can be a control plane service request message. The control plane service request message carries first information, and the control plane service type in the first information of the control plane service request message can be set to location service (such as LPHAP service). The information in the control plane service request message that indicates the control plane service type is location service can be regarded as information used to request location service.

[0157] Step 304: The access network device sends an initial terminal device message to the AMF.

[0158] Correspondingly, the AMF receives the initial terminal device message.

[0159] The initial terminal device message carries the NAS message container from the RRC message in step 303, which includes first information from the terminal device.

[0160] Initial terminal device messages can be, for example, initial next-generation application protocol (NG-AP) messages. For instance, an initial terminal device message might be an initial UE context request.

[0161] Step 305: AMF sends a message to UDM to request the quality of service (QoS) information corresponding to the location service of the terminal device.

[0162] Step 306: AMF receives QoS information from UDM.

[0163] The QoS information corresponding to the terminal device may include the positioning accuracy, positioning latency, and positioning type corresponding to the positioning service requested by the terminal device. The positioning type may include, for example, the LCS QoS level.

[0164] Step 307: AMF determines LMF based on QoS information.

[0165] For example, the AMF can obtain the correlation between QoS information and LMF, and further find the LMF associated with the QoS information from the correlation based on the obtained QoS information.

[0166] Steps 305, 306, and 307 can be optional. In another possible implementation, the first information sent by the terminal device may carry the identifier of the LMF, so that the AMF can determine the LMF based on the obtained LMF identifier.

[0167] Step 308: AMF sends a location service (LCS) request message to LMF.

[0168] Correspondingly, the LMF receives location service request messages from the AMF.

[0169] The location service request message includes first information. In step 308, after receiving the initial terminal device message from the access network device, the AMF can obtain the NAS message from the terminal device from the NAS message container of that message. The first information in the NAS message is used to request location services. Based on this, the AMF sends a location service request message to the LMF, and this message carries the first information. The location service request message may also have other names; the message name used in this embodiment is merely an example.

[0170] Step 309: The LMF sends a message to the access network device requesting the configuration of reference signaling resources for the terminal device. The message requesting the configuration of reference signaling resources for the terminal device includes first resource indication information.

[0171] Correspondingly, the access network device receives a message from the LMF requesting the configuration of target reference signal resources for the terminal device.

[0172] The message sent by LMF to request the configuration of reference signal resources for the terminal device can be a New Radio Positioning Protocol Annex (NRPPa) message. This message can be a positioning information request message or a newly defined message, such as a reference signal transmission request message.

[0173] Step 310: The access network device sends a response message to the LMF, which is used to request the configuration of reference signal resources for the terminal device.

[0174] Correspondingly, the LMF receives a response message from the access network device requesting the configuration of reference signal resources for the terminal device.

[0175] In step 310, after the access network device receives the message from the LMF requesting the configuration of reference signal resources for the terminal device, it can configure the reference signal resources for the terminal device based on the first resource indication information, thereby generating the second information, and carrying the second information through the response message of the message requesting the configuration of reference signal resources for the terminal device.

[0176] The response message to a message requesting the configuration of reference signal resources for a terminal device can be an NRPPa message. It can reuse an existing message or be a newly defined message. For example, if the message requesting the configuration of reference signal resources for a terminal device is a positioning information request message, then the response message can be a positioning information response message. As another example, if the message requesting the configuration of reference signal resources for a terminal device is a reference signal transmission request message, then the response message can be a reference signal transmission response message.

[0177] Step 311: The LMF sends a Location Service Request Acknowledgement (LCS request acknowledge) message to the AMF.

[0178] Correspondingly, the AMF receives a location service request confirmation message from the LMF.

[0179] The location service request confirmation message belongs to the LCS message category and is a response message to the location service request message. The location service request confirmation message carries secondary information.

[0180] Step 312: The AMF sends a response message of the initial terminal device message to the access network device.

[0181] Correspondingly, the access network device receives a response message from the AMF for the initial terminal device message.

[0182] The response message to the initial terminal device message carries a second piece of information.

[0183] The response message to the initial UE message can be, for example, the initial next-generation application protocol (NG-AP) message. For instance, the response message to the initial UE message could be an initial UE context setup failure message.

[0184] The response message of the initial terminal device message may include a NAS message container, and the NAS message in the NAS message container may include secondary information. This NAS message can reuse an existing NAS message format or be a newly defined NAS message. For example, the NAS message may be a control plane service response message. Another example is that the NAS message may be a downlink NAS transport message.

[0185] Step 313: The access network device sends a response message of the RRC message to the terminal device.

[0186] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives a response message from the RRC message received by the access network device.

[0187] The response message to the RRC message carries a second piece of information.

[0188] The response message of the RRC message includes the NAS message container in the response message of the initial terminal device message. It can be seen that the AMF sends the received second information to the access network device through the NAS message container, and the access network device sends the ANS message container to the terminal device.

[0189] When the RRC message in step 303 is message three in a four-step random access procedure, the response message can be message four in the four-step random access procedure. When the RRC message in step 303 is message A in a two-step random access procedure, the response message can be message B in the two-step random access procedure. When the RRC message in step 303 is CG-SDT, the response message can be the CG-SDT response message. When the RRC message in step 303 is PUR, the response message can be the PUR response message. When the RRC message in step 303 is EDT, the response message can be the EDT response message.

[0190] Step 314: The terminal device in the RRC idle state obtains the target reference signal resource based on the second information.

[0191] The relevant content of step 314 is the same as that of step 205 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0192] Step 315: The LMF sends a measurement request to at least one of the access network devices and its neighboring access network devices.

[0193] Correspondingly, at least one of the access network devices and its neighboring access network devices receives a measurement request. Figure 3 The following is an illustration of how an access network device and a neighboring access network device receive a measurement request.

[0194] Measurement requests may include target reference signal resources.

[0195] In this embodiment, the LMF can obtain the target reference signal resource based on the second information. The method by which the LMF obtains the target reference signal resource based on the second information is similar to the method by which the terminal device obtains the target reference signal resource based on the second information described above. For example, the second information may include the target reference signal resource, and the LMF can determine the target reference signal resource from the second information. Another example is that the second information includes second resource indication information, and the LMF can determine the target reference signal resource based on the second resource indication information. Yet another example is that the LMF, based on the second information, determines that the access network device allows obtaining the target reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information, and the LMF determines the target reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information. For instance, if the LMF determines that the second information does not include information for indicating the reference signal resource, it determines that the access network device allows obtaining the reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information; if the first resource indication information includes information about the first reference signal resource, the LMF determines that the first reference signal resource is the target reference signal resource. The relevant content is similar to the content by which the terminal device determines the target reference signal resource based on the second information described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0196] Step 316: The terminal device in the RRC idle state sends a reference signal according to the target reference signal resource.

[0197] Correspondingly, the access network device and its neighboring access network device receive reference signals.

[0198] Step 317: The access network device and its neighboring access network devices send a measurement request confirmation message to the LMF.

[0199] Correspondingly, the LMF receives measurement request confirmation messages from the access network device and its neighboring access network devices.

[0200] In step 317, the access network device or neighboring access network device that receives the reference signal can measure the reference signal from the terminal device, obtain the measurement result, and carry the measurement result in the measurement request confirmation message so that the LMF can determine the location information of the terminal based on the measurement result.

[0201] Step 318: The LMF sends a location service response message to the AMF.

[0202] Correspondingly, the AMF receives a reply message from the location service.

[0203] Location service response messages can include the location information of the terminal device.

[0204] As can be seen from the above scheme, a terminal device in the RRC idle state can send the first resource indication information to the AMF via a NAS message. The AMF then sends the first resource indication information to the LMF, and the LMF sends the first resource indication information to the access network device, so that the access network device can allocate reference signal resources for the terminal device. Subsequently, the access network device sends the second information used to determine the target reference signal resource to the LMF, and the LMF sends the second information to the AMF. The AMF sends the second information to the terminal device via a NAS message. In this way, the terminal device in the RRC idle state can send a reference signal according to the target reference signal resource, thereby achieving the positioning of the terminal device in the RRC idle state.

[0205] It is worth noting that in another possible implementation, the second information includes information about the second duration. After the second duration, the terminal device in the RRC idle state can execute step 303 again, that is, the terminal device re-requests location service after the second duration, starting from the moment it received the second information. The process after re-requesting location service can be the same as described above. Figure 3 The content shown is similar and will not be repeated here.

[0206] based on Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 And the other content mentioned above, Figure 4 An exemplary schematic diagram illustrates a possible flow of another positioning method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 4 For a description of the implementing entities involved, please refer to the aforementioned document. Figure 2 Similar descriptions in the text will not be repeated here.

[0207] like Figure 4 As shown, the method includes:

[0208] Step 401: The terminal device in the RRC idle state determines whether the preset event that triggers the terminal device to request location services has been satisfied. If it has been satisfied, step 402 is executed.

[0209] If the request is not fulfilled, the terminal device may not need to receive system messages from the access network device, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0210] The relevant content of step 401 can be found in the relevant content of step 301 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0211] Step 402: The terminal device in the RRC idle state receives a system message from the access network device.

[0212] The relevant content of step 401 can be found in the relevant content of step 301 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0213] Step 403: The terminal device in the RRC idle state sends an RRC message to the access network device.

[0214] Correspondingly, the access network device receives RRC messages from the terminal device that is in the RRC idle state.

[0215] The RRC message sent in step 403 is similar to the RRC message in step 303 above, except that:

[0216] The NAS message in the NAS message container of the RRC message in step 403 may include an LCS message, and the first information is carried in the LCS message.

[0217] In this case, the LCS message within the NAS message container can be an event report message. The information in the first message used to request location services may include information about the event that triggered the terminal device to request location services, carried in the event report message.

[0218] In one possible implementation, the NAS message in the NAS message container may also carry an LMF identifier, so that after the AMF receives the NAS message in the NAS message container, it can determine the LMF based on the LMF identifier.

[0219] The NAS messages in this NAS message container can be in a newly designed NAS message format or can reuse an existing NAS message format. For details regarding RRC messages and the format of NAS messages within the NAS message container of an RRC message, please refer to the relevant description in step 303 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0220] Step 404: The access network device sends an initial terminal device message to the AMF.

[0221] Correspondingly, the AMF receives the initial terminal device message.

[0222] The initial terminal device message carries the NAS message container from the RRC message in step 403. The NAS message container includes the LCS message from the terminal device, and the LCS message includes the first information from the terminal device.

[0223] The relevant content of step 404 can be found in the aforementioned relevant content of step 304, and will not be repeated here.

[0224] Step 405: AMF sends an event report message to LMF.

[0225] Correspondingly, the LMF receives event report messages from the AMF.

[0226] In step 405, after receiving the initial terminal device message, the AMF sends the LCS message from the NAS message container within the initial terminal device message to the LMF. If the LCS message is an event report message, in step 405, the AMF sends the event report message to the LMF. Figure 4 The following example illustrates an event report message. An event report message includes initial information.

[0227] It is worth noting that when the NAS message in the NAS message container of the initial terminal device message received by the AMF includes an LMF identifier, the AMF can determine the LMF based on the LMF identifier in the NAS message. If the NAS message in the NAS message container of the initial terminal device message does not include an LMF identifier, the AMF can request QoS information from the UDM for all terminal devices and then determine the LMF based on this QoS information. For related details, please refer to the descriptions of steps 305, 306, and 307 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0228] Step 406: The LMF sends a message to the access network device requesting the configuration of reference signaling resources for the terminal device. The message requesting the configuration of reference signaling resources for the terminal device includes first resource indication information.

[0229] Correspondingly, the access network device receives a message from the LMF requesting the configuration of target reference signal resources for the terminal device.

[0230] The relevant content of step 406 can be found in the relevant content of step 309 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0231] Step 407: The access network device sends a response message to the LMF, which is used to request the configuration of reference signal resources for the terminal device.

[0232] Correspondingly, the LMF receives a response message from the access network device requesting the configuration of reference signal resources for the terminal device.

[0233] The relevant content of step 407 can be found in the relevant content of step 310 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0234] Step 408: The LMF sends an event report confirmation message to the AMF.

[0235] Correspondingly, the AMF receives an event report confirmation message from the LMF.

[0236] The event report confirmation message belongs to the LCS message category and is a response message to the event report message; it can also be called a response message to the event report message. The event report confirmation message carries secondary information.

[0237] Step 409: The AMF sends a response message for the initial terminal device message to the access network device.

[0238] Correspondingly, the access network device receives a response message from the AMF for the initial terminal device message.

[0239] The response message to the initial terminal device message carries a second piece of information.

[0240] The response message of the initial terminal device message in step 409 is similar to the response message of the initial terminal device message in step 312, except that the NAS message in the NAS message container of the response message of the initial terminal device message in step 409 includes an LCS message. The LCS message can be an event report confirmation message received by the AMF from the LMF. In this way, the AMF transmits the event report confirmation message from the LMF to the terminal device.

[0241] The response message to the initial terminal device message, and the relevant content of the NAS message in the NAS message container within the response message to the initial terminal device message, can be found in the relevant content of step 312 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0242] Step 410: The access network device sends a response message of the RRC message to the terminal device.

[0243] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives a response message from the RRC message received by the access network device.

[0244] The response message to the RRC message carries a second piece of information.

[0245] The response message of the RRC message in step 410 is similar to the response message of the RRC message in step 313, except that the NAS message in the NAS message container of the response message of the RRC message in step 410 includes an LCS message. The LCS message can be an event report confirmation message received by the AMF from the LMF. In this way, the AMF transmits the event report confirmation message from the LMF to the terminal device.

[0246] The response message to the RRC message, and the relevant content of the NAS message in the NAS message container within the response message to the RRC message, can be found in the relevant content of step 313 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0247] Step 411: The terminal device in the RRC idle state obtains the target reference signal resource based on the second information.

[0248] The relevant content of step 411 is the same as that of step 314 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0249] Step 412: The LMF sends a measurement request to at least one of the access network devices and the neighboring access network devices of the access network device.

[0250] The relevant content of step 412 can be found in the relevant content of step 315 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0251] Step 413: The terminal device in the RRC idle state sends a reference signal according to the target reference signal resource.

[0252] Correspondingly, the access network device and its neighboring access network device receive reference signals.

[0253] The relevant content of step 413 can be found in the relevant content of step 316 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0254] Step 414: The access network device and its neighboring access network devices send a measurement request confirmation message to the LMF.

[0255] Correspondingly, the LMF receives measurement request confirmation messages from the access network device and its neighboring access network devices.

[0256] The relevant content of step 414 can be found in the relevant content of step 317 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0257] Step 415: The LMF sends a location service response message to the AMF.

[0258] Correspondingly, the AMF receives a reply message from the location service.

[0259] The relevant content of step 415 can be found in the relevant content of step 318 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0260] As can be seen from the above scheme, a terminal device in the RRC idle state can send the first resource indication information to the LMF through the LCS message in the NAS message container. The LMF then sends the first resource indication information to the access network device, so that the access network device can allocate reference signal resources to the terminal device. Subsequently, the access network device sends the second information used to determine the target reference signal resource to the LMF. The LMF then sends the second information to the terminal device through the LCS message. In this way, the terminal device in the RRC idle state can send a reference signal according to the target reference signal resource, thereby achieving the location of the terminal device in the RRC idle state.

[0261] It is worth noting that in another possible implementation, the second information includes information about the second duration. After the second duration, the terminal device in the RRC idle state can execute step 403 again. The related content is similar to the aforementioned description and will not be repeated here.

[0262] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, when a network element (e.g., network element A) receives information from another network element (e.g., network element B), it can mean that network element A receives the information directly from network element B, or it can mean that network element A receives the information from network element B via another network element (e.g., network element C). When network element A receives information from network element B via network element C, network element C can either pass the information through or process the information, for example, by transmitting the information in different messages or by filtering the information and sending only the filtered information to network element A. Similarly, in the embodiments of this application, when network element A sends information to network element B, it can mean that network element A sends the information directly to network element B, or it can mean that network element A sends the information to network element B via another network element (e.g., network element C).

[0263] The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of this application are used interchangeably. "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0264] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, sequence, priority or importance of multiple objects.

[0265] It should be noted that the names of the above messages are merely examples. As communication technology evolves, the names of any of the above messages may change. However, regardless of how the names change, as long as their meaning is the same as that of the messages in this application, they all fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0266] According to the aforementioned method, Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the communication device can be a terminal device, LMF, AMF, or access network device, or it can be a chip or circuit, such as a chip or circuit that can be installed in a terminal device, LMF, AMF, or access network device.

[0267] The communication device 1801 includes a processor 1802 and a transceiver 1803.

[0268] Furthermore, the communication device 1801 may include a memory 1804. The memory 1804 is shown as a dashed line in the figure, indicating that the memory is optional.

[0269] Furthermore, the communication device 1801 may further include a bus system, wherein the processor 1802, memory 1804, and transceiver 1803 can be connected through the bus system.

[0270] It should be understood that the processor 1802 described above can be a chip. For example, the processor 1802 can be a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system-on-chip (SoC), a central processor unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD), or other integrated chips.

[0271] In implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by the integrated logic circuitry of the hardware in the processor 1802 or by instructions in software form. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly implemented by the hardware processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor 1802. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory 1804, and the processor 1802 reads the information in memory 1804 and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0272] It should be noted that the processor 1802 in this application embodiment can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiment can be completed by the integrated logic circuitry in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The processor can be a general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in this application embodiment. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in this application embodiment can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory; the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0273] It is understood that the memory 1804 in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The relevant description of the memory in the embodiments of this application can be found in the foregoing content, and will not be repeated here.

[0274] When the communication device 1801 is the aforementioned terminal device, the processor 1802 is configured to: send first information to a core network element (e.g., AMF or LMF) via transceiver 1803; the first information is used to request location services; the first information includes first resource indication information used to determine a target reference signal resource; receive second information from the core network element via transceiver 1803; the second information is obtained based on the first resource indication information; obtain the target reference signal resource based on the second information; and send a reference signal via transceiver 1803 according to the target reference signal resource, the reference signal being used to determine the location of the terminal device.

[0275] When the communication device 1801 is the aforementioned terminal device, in one possible implementation, the second information includes information about the first duration. The processor 1802 is configured to: after the first duration, transmit a reference signal via the transceiver 1803 according to the target reference signal resource.

[0276] When the communication device 1801 is the aforementioned terminal device, in one possible implementation, the processor 1802 is further configured to: receive a system message from the access network device via the transceiver 1803 when a preset event triggering the terminal device to request a location service is satisfied. The system message includes reference signal configuration information, and the target reference signal resource is the resource in the reference signal configuration information.

[0277] When the communication device 1801 is the aforementioned terminal device, in one possible implementation, the processor 1802 is further configured to: determine the information of the first reference signal resource in the first resource indication information from the reference signal configuration information included in the system message based on the measurement results of the received signal.

[0278] When the communication device 1801 is the aforementioned terminal device, in one possible implementation, the second information includes second resource indication information, which is determined based on the first resource indication information. The processor 1802 is further configured to: determine the target reference signal resource based on the second resource indication information.

[0279] When the communication device 1801 is the aforementioned terminal device, in one possible implementation, the second resource indication information includes: target reference signal resources, or one or more cell information.

[0280] When the communication device 1801 is the aforementioned terminal device, in one possible implementation, the processor 1802 is specifically used for:

[0281] Based on the second information, it is determined that the access network device is permitted to obtain the target reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information;

[0282] The target reference signal resource is determined based on the first resource indication information.

[0283] When the communication device 1801 is the aforementioned terminal device, in one possible implementation, the processor 1802 is specifically configured to: determine, when it is determined that the second information does not include information for indicating reference signal resources, that the access network device is allowed to obtain reference signal resources based on the first resource indication information, wherein the second resource indication information is obtained based on the first resource indication information.

[0284] When the communication device 1801 is the aforementioned terminal device, in one possible implementation, the processor 1802 is specifically configured to: determine the first reference signal resource as the target reference signal resource when the first resource indication information includes information about the first reference signal resource.

[0285] When the communication device 1801 is the aforementioned terminal device, in one possible implementation where the core network element is an AMF, the processor 1802 is further configured to: send the identifier of the LMF used to provide positioning services for the terminal device to the core network element via the transceiver 1803.

[0286] When the communication device 1801 is the aforementioned LMF, the processor 1802 is configured to perform the following via the transceiver 1803: receive first information from the terminal device, the first information being used to request a location service, the first information including first resource indication information; the first resource indication information being used to determine a target reference signal resource. Send a message to the access network device requesting the configuration of reference signal resources for the terminal device, the message requesting the configuration of reference signal resources for the terminal device including the first resource indication information. Receive second information from the access network device, the second information being obtained based on the first resource indication information, the second information being used to determine a target reference signal resource, the target reference signal resource being used by the terminal device to transmit a reference signal, the reference signal being used to determine the location of the terminal device. Send the second information to the terminal device.

[0287] When the communication device 1801 is the aforementioned LMF, in one possible implementation, the processor 1802 is further configured to: obtain the target reference signal resource based on the second information; and transmit the target reference signal resource to the access network device and the access network devices in the neighboring access network devices via the transceiver 1803.

[0288] When the communication device 1801 is the aforementioned LMF, in one possible implementation, the second information includes second resource indication information, which is determined based on the first resource indication information. The processor 1802 is specifically configured to: determine the target reference signal resource based on the second resource indication information.

[0289] When the communication device 1801 is the aforementioned LMF, in one possible implementation, the processor 1802 is specifically used to: determine, based on the second information, that the access network device is allowed to obtain the target reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information, and determine the target reference signal resource according to the first resource indication information.

[0290] When the communication device 1801 is the aforementioned LMF, in one possible implementation, the processor 1802 is specifically configured to: determine, when it is determined that the second information does not include information for indicating reference signal resources, that the access network device is allowed to obtain reference signal resources based on the first resource indication information, wherein the second resource indication information is obtained based on the first resource indication information.

[0291] When the communication device 1801 is the LMF described above, in one possible implementation, the processor 1802 is specifically configured to: determine the first reference signal resource as the target reference signal resource when the first resource indication information includes information about the first reference signal resource.

[0292] When the communication device 1801 is the aforementioned AMF, the processor 1802 is configured to perform the following via the transceiver 1803: receive first information from the terminal device, the first information being used to request location services, the first information including first resource indication information used to determine a target reference signal resource; send the first information to the LMF; receive second information from the LMF, the second information being obtained based on the first resource indication information, the second information being used to determine a target reference signal resource used by the terminal device to transmit a reference signal, the reference signal being used to determine the location of the terminal device; and send the second information to the terminal device.

[0293] When the communication device 1801 is the aforementioned AMF, in one possible implementation, the processor 1802 is further configured to: send a message to the UDM via transceiver 1803 requesting QoS information corresponding to the location service of the terminal device; receive QoS information from the UDM via transceiver 1803; and determine the LMF based on the QoS information.

[0294] When the communication device 1801 is the aforementioned AMF, in one possible implementation, the processor 1802 is further configured to: receive the identifier of the LMF from the terminal device via the transceiver 1803.

[0295] When the communication device 1801 is the aforementioned AMF, in one possible implementation, the processor 1802 is specifically configured to perform the following via the transceiver 1803: receive an initial terminal device message from an access network device, wherein the NAS message container in the initial terminal device message includes first information from the terminal device; send a response message to the access network device for the initial terminal device message, wherein the NAS message container in the response message for the initial terminal device message includes second information to be transmitted to the terminal device; or, send a downlink NAS transmission message to the terminal device via the access network device, wherein the downlink NAS transmission message carries the second information.

[0296] When the communication device 1801 is the aforementioned AMF, in one possible implementation, the processor 1802 is specifically configured to perform the following via the transceiver 1803: receive an initial terminal device message from an access network device, wherein the event report message in the NAS message container of the initial terminal device message includes first information from the terminal device, and the event report message belongs to an LCS message; send a response message to the access network device for the initial terminal device message, wherein the response message of the event report message in the NAS message container of the response message of the initial terminal device message includes second information to be transmitted to the terminal device, and the response message of the event report message belongs to an LCS message; or, send a downlink NAS transmission message to the terminal device via the access network device, wherein the response message of the event report message in the downlink NAS transmission message includes the second information to be transmitted to the terminal device.

[0297] When the communication device 1801 is the aforementioned access network device, the processor 1802 is configured to perform the following via the transceiver 1803: receive first information from a terminal device in an RRC idle state, the first information being used to request location services, the first information including first resource indication information used to determine target reference signal resources; send the first information to a core network element. Receive a message from the LMF requesting configuration of target reference signal resources for the terminal device, the message including first resource indication information. Send second information to the LMF, the second information being used to determine target reference signal resources, the target reference signal resources being used by the terminal device to transmit reference signals, the reference signals being used to determine the location of the terminal device. Receive second information from a core network element. Send second information to the terminal device in an RRC idle state.

[0298] For the concepts, explanations, detailed descriptions, and other steps related to the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, please refer to the descriptions of these contents in the foregoing methods or other embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0299] Based on the above embodiments and the same concept, Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the communication device 1901 may include a communication interface 1903 and a processor 1902. Further, the communication device 1901 may include a memory 1904. The memory 1904 is shown as a dashed line in the figure, indicating that the memory is optional. The communication interface 1903 is used for inputting and / or outputting information; the processor 1902 is used to execute computer programs or instructions, enabling the communication device 1901 to perform the above-described functions. Figure 2 , Figure 3 or Figure 4 The method on the terminal device side of any of the relevant solutions, or the method that enables the communication device 1901 to achieve the above.Figure 2 , Figure 3 or Figure 4 The method on the LMF side of any of the relevant schemes, or the communication device 1901, can achieve the above-mentioned... Figure 2 , Figure 3 or Figure 4 The method on the AMF side of any of the relevant schemes, or the communication device 1901, can achieve the above-mentioned... Figure 2 , Figure 3 or Figure 4 The method on the access network device side of any of the related solutions. In the embodiments of this application, the communication interface 1903 can implement the above. Figure 5 The transceiver 1803 implements the above-mentioned solution, and the processor 1902 can implement it as described above. Figure 5 The processor 1802 implements the above scheme, and the memory 1904 can implement the above. Figure 5 The solution implemented by the memory 1804 will not be elaborated here.

[0300] Based on the above embodiments and the same concept, Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application, such as... Figure 7 As shown, the communication device 2001 can be a terminal device, LMF, AMF, or access network device, or it can be a chip or circuit, such as a chip or circuit that can be installed in a terminal device, LMF, AMF, or access network device.

[0301] The communication device 2001 includes a processing unit 2002 and a communication unit 2003. Further, the communication device 2001 may or may not include a storage unit 2004. In the figure, the storage unit 2004 is shown as a dashed line, further indicating that the memory is optional.

[0302] When the communication device 2001 is the aforementioned terminal device, the processing unit 2002 is configured to: send first information to a core network element via the communication unit 2003, the first information being used to request location services, the first information including first resource indication information used to determine a target reference signal resource; receive second information from a core network element via the communication unit 2003, the second information being obtained based on the first resource indication information; obtain the target reference signal resource based on the second information; and send a reference signal via the communication unit 2003 according to the target reference signal resource, the reference signal being used to determine the location of the terminal device.

[0303] When the communication device 2001 is the aforementioned LMF, the processing unit 2002 is configured to perform the following via the communication unit 2003: receiving first information from the terminal device, the first information being used to request a location service, the first information including first resource indication information; the first resource indication information being used to determine a target reference signal resource. Sending a message to the access network device requesting the configuration of reference signal resources for the terminal device, the message requesting the configuration of reference signal resources for the terminal device including the first resource indication information. Receiving second information from the access network device, the second information being obtained based on the first resource indication information, the second information being used to determine a target reference signal resource, the target reference signal resource being used by the terminal device to transmit a reference signal, the reference signal being used to determine the location of the terminal device. Sending the second information to the terminal device.

[0304] When the communication device 2001 is the aforementioned AMF, the processing unit 2002 is configured to perform the following via the communication unit 2003: receive first information from the terminal device, the first information being used to request location services, the first information including first resource indication information used to determine a target reference signal resource; send the first information to the LMF; receive second information from the LMF, the second information being obtained based on the first resource indication information, the second information being used to determine a target reference signal resource used by the terminal device to transmit a reference signal, the reference signal being used to determine the location of the terminal device; and send the second information to the terminal device.

[0305] When the communication device 2001 is the aforementioned access network device, the processing unit 2002 is configured to perform the following via the communication unit 2003: receive first information from a terminal device in an RRC idle state, the first information being used to request location services, the first information including first resource indication information used to determine target reference signal resources; send the first information to a core network element. Receive a message from the LMF requesting configuration of target reference signal resources for the terminal device, the message including first resource indication information. Send second information to the LMF, the second information being used to determine target reference signal resources, the target reference signal resources being used by the terminal device to transmit reference signals, the reference signals being used to determine the location of the terminal device. Receive second information from a core network element. Send second information to the terminal device in an RRC idle state.

[0306] Communication unit 2003 is used for inputting and / or outputting information; processing unit 2002 is used for executing computer programs or instructions, so that communication device 2001 can perform the above-mentioned functions. Figure 2 , Figure 3 or Figure 4 The method on the terminal device side of any of the relevant solutions, or the method that enables the communication device 2001 to achieve the above. Figure 2 , Figure 3or Figure 4 The method on the LMF side of any of the relevant solutions, or the communication device 2001, can achieve the above-mentioned... Figure 2 , Figure 3 or Figure 4 The method on the AMF network element side of any of the relevant schemes in the above-mentioned schemes may enable the communication device 1901 to achieve the above-mentioned Figure 2 , Figure 3 or Figure 4 The method on the access network device side of any of the related solutions. In the embodiments of this application, the communication unit 2003 can implement the above. Figure 5 The transceiver 1803 implements the above-mentioned solution, and the processing unit 2002 can implement the above-mentioned solution. Figure 5 The solution implemented by processor 1802, the storage unit 2004 can implement the above. Figure 5 The solution implemented by the memory 1804 will not be elaborated here.

[0307] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code or instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform... Figure 2 , Figure 3 or Figure 4 The method of any one of the embodiments shown in any of the embodiments.

[0308] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform... Figure 2 , Figure 3 or Figure 4 The method of any one of the embodiments shown in any of the embodiments.

[0309] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a chip system, which may include a processor. The processor is coupled to a memory and can be used to execute... Figure 2 , Figure 3 or Figure 4 The method of any embodiment shown in any of the embodiments. Optionally, the chip system further includes a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions). The processor is used to retrieve and run the computer program from the memory, causing the device on which the chip system is installed to perform... Figure 2 , Figure 3 or Figure 4 The method of any one of the embodiments shown in any of the embodiments.

[0310] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a system, which includes the aforementioned terminal device, access network device, AMF and LMF.

[0311] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the flow or function according to the embodiments of this application is generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., high-density digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0312] It should be noted that a portion of this patent application contains copyrighted material. The copyright holder retains all rights except for making copies of the contents of patent documents or records from the patent office.

[0313] In the above-described device embodiments, the network devices correspond to the first or second network devices in the method embodiments. Corresponding modules or units execute corresponding steps. For example, a communication unit (transceiver) executes the receiving or sending steps in the method embodiments, while other steps besides sending and receiving can be executed by a processing unit (processor). The specific functions of each unit can be found in the corresponding method embodiments. There can be one or more processors.

[0314] The terms “component,” “module,” “system,” etc., used in this specification are used to refer to computer-related entities, hardware, firmware, combinations of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable file, an execution thread, a program, and / or a computer. As illustrated, applications running on computing devices and computing devices can both be components. One or more components may reside in a process and / or an execution thread, and components may be located on a single computer and / or distributed among two or more computers. Furthermore, these components can be executed from various computer-readable media on which various data structures are stored. Components can communicate, for example, via local and / or remote processes based on signals having one or more data packets (e.g., data from two components interacting with another component between a local system, a distributed system, and / or a network, such as the Internet interacting with other systems via signals).

[0315] The above are merely specific embodiments of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A positioning method, characterized in that, include: A terminal device in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle state sends first information to a core network element. The first information is used to request a location service. The first information includes first resource indication information, which is used to determine the target reference signal resource. The terminal device in the RRC idle state receives second information from the core network element, the second information being obtained based on the first resource indication information; The terminal device in the RRC idle state obtains the target reference signal resource based on the second information; The terminal device in the RRC idle state sends a reference signal according to the target reference signal resource, and the reference signal is used to determine the location of the terminal device.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first resource indication information includes at least one of the following: Information about the cell corresponding to the location of the terminal device; The terminal device performs radio resource management (RRM) measurements on the received signals. The terminal device measures the received Position Reference Signal (PRS). The location information of the terminal device; or, Information about the first reference signal resource.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that, Before the terminal device in the RRC idle state sends the first information, it also includes: When the terminal device in the RRC idle state receives a system message from the access network device when a preset event triggering the terminal device to request location services is met, the system message includes reference signal configuration information, and the target reference signal resource is the resource in the reference signal configuration information.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that, The second information includes second resource indication information, which is determined based on the first resource indication information; The terminal device in the RRC idle state obtains the target reference signal resource based on the second information, including: The terminal device in the RRC idle state determines the target reference signal resource according to the second resource indication information.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that, The terminal device in the RRC idle state obtains the target reference signal resource based on the second information, including: The terminal device in the RRC idle state determines, based on the second information, that the access network device is allowed to obtain the target reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information; The terminal device determines the target reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that, When the core network element is a mobility management network element, before the terminal device in the RRC idle state receives the second information from the core network element, the process further includes: The terminal device in the RRC idle state sends the identifier of the location management function network element that provides positioning services to the core network element.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that, The message carrying the first information and the message carrying the second information include a non-access stratum (NAS) message or a location service (LCS) message. The first information and the second information satisfy one of the following: The message carrying the first information is carried in the NAS message container in message three of the four-step random access process, and the message carrying the second information is carried in the NAS message container in message four of the four-step random access process. The message carrying the first information is carried in the NAS message container in message A during the two-step random access process, and the message carrying the second information is carried in the NAS message container in message B during the two-step random access process. The message carrying the first information is carried in the NAS message container in the Grant Small Configuration Data Transmission (CG-SDT), and the message carrying the second information is carried in the NAS message container in the CG-SDT response message. The message carrying the first information is carried in the NAS message container in the pre-configured uplink resource PUR, and the message carrying the second information is carried in the NAS message container in the response message of the PUR. or, The message carrying the first information is carried in the NAS message container in the Early Data Transmission (EDT), and the message carrying the second information is carried in the NAS message container in the response message of the EDT.

8. A positioning method, characterized in that, include: The location management function network element receives first information from the terminal device. The first information is used to request location services and includes first resource indication information. The first resource indication information is used to determine the target reference signal resource; The location management function network element sends a message to the access network device to request the configuration of reference signal resources for the terminal device, wherein the message to request the configuration of reference signal resources for the terminal device includes the first resource indication information; The location management function network element receives second information from the access network device. The second information is obtained based on the first resource indication information. The second information is used to determine the target reference signal resource. The target reference signal resource is used by the terminal device to send a reference signal. The reference signal is used to determine the location of the terminal device. The location management function network element sends the second information to the terminal device.

9. The method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The first resource indication information includes at least one of the following: Information about the cell corresponding to the location of the terminal device; The terminal device performs radio resource management (RRM) measurements on the received signals. The terminal device measures the received Position Reference Signal (PRS). The location information of the terminal device; or, Information about the first reference signal resource.

10. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, After receiving the second information from the access network device, the location management function network element further includes: The location management function network element obtains the target reference signal resource based on the second information; The location management function network element sends the target reference signal resource to the access network device and the access network devices in the neighboring access network devices of the access network device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that, The location management function network element obtains the target reference signal resource based on the second information, including: When the second information includes second resource indication information, the target reference signal resource is determined based on the second resource indication information, wherein the second resource indication information is determined based on the first resource indication information; or, Based on the second information, it is determined that the access network device is allowed to obtain the target reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information, and the target reference signal resource is determined according to the first resource indication information.

12. A positioning method, characterized in that, include: The mobility management network element receives first information from the terminal device. The first information is used to request location services. The first information includes first resource indication information, which is used to determine target reference signal resources. The mobility management network element sends the first information to the location management function network element; The mobility management network element receives second information from the location management function network element. The second information is obtained based on the first resource indication information. The second information is used to determine the target reference signal resource. The target reference signal resource is used by the terminal device to send a reference signal. The reference signal is used to determine the location of the terminal device. The mobility management network element sends the second information to the terminal device.

13. The method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, After the mobility management network element receives the first information from the terminal device, and before the mobility management network element sends the first information to the location management function network element, the method further includes: The mobility management network element sends a message to the unified data management network element to request the service quality information corresponding to the location service of the terminal device; The mobility management network element receives the quality of service information from the unified data management network element; The mobility management network element determines the location management function network element based on the quality of service information.

14. A terminal device, characterized in that, The terminal device is in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle state, and the terminal device includes a communication interface and a processor: The processor is used for: The first information is sent to the core network element through the communication interface. The first information is used to request positioning service. The first information includes first resource indication information. The first resource indication information is used to determine the target reference signal resource. The second information is received from the core network element through the communication interface, and the second information is obtained based on the first resource indication information. The target reference signal resource is obtained based on the second information; Reference signals are sent through the communication interface based on the target reference signal resources, and the reference signals are used to determine the location of the terminal device.

15. The terminal device as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The first resource indication information includes at least one of the following: Information about the cell corresponding to the location of the terminal device; The terminal device performs radio resource management (RRM) measurements on the received signals. The terminal device measures the received Position Reference Signal (PRS). The location information of the terminal device; or, Information about the first reference signal resource.

16. The terminal device as described in any one of claims 14-15, characterized in that, The processor is also used for: When the preset event triggering the terminal device to request location services is met, a system message from the access network device is received through the communication interface. The system message includes reference signal configuration information, and the target reference signal resource is the resource in the reference signal configuration information.

17. The terminal device as described in any one of claims 14-15, characterized in that, The second information includes second resource indication information, which is determined based on the first resource indication information; The processor is also used for: The target reference signal resource is determined based on the second resource indication information.

18. The terminal device as described in any one of claims 14-15, characterized in that, The processor is specifically used for: Based on the second information, it is determined that the access network device is permitted to obtain the target reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information; The target reference signal resource is determined based on the first resource indication information.

19. The terminal device as described in any one of claims 14-15, characterized in that, When the core network element is a mobility management network element, the processor is further configured to: The identifier of the location management function network element, which provides positioning services for the terminal device, is sent to the core network element through the communication interface.

20. The terminal device as described in any one of claims 14-15, characterized in that, The message carrying the first information and the message carrying the second information include a non-access stratum (NAS) message or a location service (LCS) message. The first information and the second information satisfy one of the following: The message carrying the first information is carried in the NAS message container in message three of the four-step random access process, and the message carrying the second information is carried in the NAS message container in message four of the four-step random access process. The message carrying the first information is carried in the NAS message container in message A during the two-step random access process, and the message carrying the second information is carried in the NAS message container in message B during the two-step random access process. The message carrying the first information is carried in the NAS message container in the Grant Small Configuration Data Transmission (CG-SDT), and the message carrying the second information is carried in the NAS message container in the CG-SDT response message. The message carrying the first information is carried in the NAS message container in the pre-configured uplink resource PUR, and the message carrying the second information is carried in the NAS message container in the response message of the PUR. or, The message carrying the first information is carried in the NAS message container in the Early Data Transmission (EDT), and the message carrying the second information is carried in the NAS message container in the response message of the EDT.

21. A location management function network element, characterized in that, Including communication interfaces and processors; The processor is used to execute via the communication interface: The system receives first information from a terminal device, the first information being used to request a location service, the first information including first resource indication information; the first resource indication information being used to determine a target reference signal resource. Send a message to the access network device to request the configuration of reference signal resources for the terminal device, wherein the message for requesting the configuration of reference signal resources for the terminal device includes the first resource indication information; The device receives second information from the access network device. The second information is obtained based on the first resource indication information. The second information is used to determine the target reference signal resource. The target reference signal resource is used by the terminal device to transmit a reference signal. The reference signal is used to determine the location of the terminal device. The second information is sent to the terminal device.

22. The location management function network element as described in claim 21, characterized in that, The first resource indication information includes at least one of the following: Information about the cell corresponding to the location of the terminal device; The terminal device performs radio resource management (RRM) measurements on the received signals. The terminal device measures the received Position Reference Signal (PRS). The location information of the terminal device; or, Information about the first reference signal resource.

23. The location management function network element as described in claim 21 or 22, characterized in that, The processor is specifically used for: The target reference signal resource is obtained based on the second information; The target reference signal resource is transmitted through the communication interface to the access network device and the access network devices in the neighboring access network devices of the access network device.

24. The location management function network element as described in claim 21 or 22, characterized in that, The processor is specifically used for: When the second information includes second resource indication information, the target reference signal resource is determined based on the second resource indication information, wherein the second resource indication information is determined based on the first resource indication information; or, Based on the second information, it is determined that the access network device is allowed to obtain the target reference signal resource based on the first resource indication information, and the target reference signal resource is determined according to the first resource indication information.

25. A mobility management network element, characterized in that, Including communication interfaces and processors; The processor is used to execute via the communication interface: Receive first information from a terminal device, the first information being used to request a location service, the first information including first resource indication information, the first resource indication information being used to determine a target reference signal resource; Send the first information to the location management function network element; The system receives second information from a location management function network element. The second information is obtained based on the first resource indication information. The second information is used to determine the target reference signal resource. The target reference signal resource is used by the terminal device to transmit a reference signal. The reference signal is used to determine the location of the terminal device. The second information is sent to the terminal device.

26. The mobility management network element as described in claim 25, characterized in that, The processor is also used for: The communication interface is used to send a message to the unified data management network element to request the service quality information corresponding to the location service of the terminal device. The service quality information is received from the unified data management network element through the communication interface; The location management function network element is determined based on the quality of service information.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, Including processor and memory, The memory is used to store computer programs or instructions; The processor is configured to execute a computer program or instructions in memory, such that the method of any one of claims 1-7 is performed, or the method of any one of claims 8-11 is performed, or the method of any one of claims 12-13 is performed.

28. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processing unit and a communication unit; The communication unit is used for inputting and / or outputting data; The processing unit is configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-7, or the method as described in any one of claims 8-11, or the method as described in any one of claims 12-13, based on the communication unit.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when invoked by a computer, cause the method of any one of claims 1-7 to be executed, or the method of any one of claims 8-11 to be executed, or the method of any one of claims 12-13 to be executed.

30. A chip system, characterized in that, Including communication interfaces and processors: The communication interface is used for inputting and / or outputting signaling or data; The processor is configured to execute a computer-executable program such that the method of any one of claims 1-7 is performed, or the method of any one of claims 8-11 is performed, or the method of any one of claims 12-13 is performed.

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