Ranging method, apparatus, communication device, and storage medium

Abstract

This disclosure relates to ranging methods, apparatus, communication devices, and storage media. The positioning service function determines ranging service parameters at least based on the privacy settings of the user equipment (UE) associated with a first ranging request; wherein the first ranging request is a request to perform the ranging via a direct communication link.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to, but is not limited to, the field of wireless communication technology, and particularly to ranging methods, apparatus, communication devices, and storage media. Background Technology

[0002] Ranging can include determining ranging parameters between two User Equipments (UEs) via a sidelink (SL). These ranging parameters can include at least one of the following: the distance between the two UEs, the direction of one UE relative to the other, and the relative position of one UE to the other. Ranging can also include direct link positioning, i.e., UE positioning via PC5 and / or SR5. In summary, ranging includes distance measurement, direction measurement, positioning, or a combination of these. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above, embodiments of this disclosure provide a ranging method, apparatus, communication device, and storage medium.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a ranging method is provided, wherein a positioning service function is executed, including:

[0005] The service parameters for ranging are determined at least based on the privacy settings of the user equipment (UE) associated with the first ranging request; wherein the first ranging request is a request to perform the ranging via a direct communication link.

[0006] In one embodiment, the privacy setting is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0007] Is the ranging operation permitted?

[0008] The area within which the ranging is permitted;

[0009] The permitted time range for the distance measurement.

[0010] In one embodiment, determining the ranging service parameters based at least on the privacy settings of the UE associated with the first ranging request includes:

[0011] Receive the first ranging request sent by the ranging request function;

[0012] Based on the first ranging request, the privacy settings of the UE are obtained from the Unified Data Management (UDM);

[0013] Whether to provide the ranging service is determined based on the privacy settings.

[0014] In one embodiment, the method further includes: determining whether to allow the ranging request function to request the UE to perform the ranging;

[0015] In response to determining that the ranging request function is allowed to request the ranging from the UE, the service parameters for the ranging are determined based on the privacy settings of the UE, at least based on the privacy settings of the UE associated with the first ranging request.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first ranging request carries the identity identifier of the UE; wherein the location service function is determined by the ranging request function based on the identity identifier of the UE.

[0017] In one embodiment, obtaining the UE's privacy settings from the UDM based on the first ranging request includes:

[0018] Based on the UE's identity identifier carried in the first ranging request, determine the UDM corresponding to the UE;

[0019] The privacy settings of the UE are obtained from the UDM corresponding to the UE.

[0020] In one embodiment, determining the ranging service parameters based on the privacy settings of the user equipment (UE) associated with the first ranging request includes:

[0021] In response to the privacy setting indicating the area range that allows the ranging, a location request information is sent to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) of the UE, wherein the location request information is used to request the location information of the UE from the AMF;

[0022] Receive the location request response sent by the AMF based on the location request information, wherein the location request response includes the location information of the UE;

[0023] Based at least on the UE's location information and the area range, it is determined whether the UE is allowed to perform the ranging.

[0024] In one embodiment, the location request information further includes a UE authentication indication for indicating at least one of the following:

[0025] The associated information of the distance measurement;

[0026] Whether it is necessary to indicate the ranging association information to the UE;

[0027] Whether the UE verifies the distance measurement association information;

[0028] The UE verification indication is set by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

[0029] In one embodiment, the associated information of the ranging includes at least one of the following:

[0030] The application identifier of the application requesting the ranging;

[0031] The type of distance measurement.

[0032] In one embodiment, the location request response further includes: the UE verifying the verification result of the associated information.

[0033] In one embodiment, determining whether to allow the UE to perform the ranging, based at least on the UE's location information and the area range, includes:

[0034] Based at least on the UE's location information, the area range, and the verification result, it is determined whether the UE is allowed to perform the ranging.

[0035] In one embodiment, the location request response further includes time information to indicate the time during which the UE allows and / or does not allow ranging.

[0036] In one embodiment, determining the ranging service parameters based at least on the privacy settings of the UE associated with the first ranging request includes:

[0037] In response to determining that the UE is allowed to perform the ranging based on the privacy settings, a second ranging request is sent to the UE's AMF, the second ranging request being used to instruct the UE to perform the ranging.

[0038] In one embodiment, the ranging request function includes at least one of the following:

[0039] Core network functions;

[0040] Application Function AF;

[0041] entity.

[0042] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a ranging method is provided, wherein the method is executed by an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), comprising:

[0043] The system provides ranging service parameters based on a direct communication link, wherein the ranging service parameters are indicated by the positioning service function at least according to the privacy settings of the user equipment (UE) associated with the ranging.

[0044] In one embodiment, the privacy setting is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0045] Is the ranging operation permitted?

[0046] The area within which the ranging is permitted;

[0047] The permitted time range for the distance measurement.

[0048] In one embodiment, the privacy settings are located in the UE's Unified Data Management (UDM).

[0049] In one embodiment, providing ranging service parameters based on a direct communication link includes:

[0050] Receive location request information sent by the location service function, wherein the location request information is used to request the location information of the UE from the AMF;

[0051] Sending a location request response to the location service function, wherein the location request response includes the location information of the UE, wherein the location information of the UE is used by the location service function to determine whether the UE is allowed to perform the ranging in conjunction with the area range.

[0052] In one embodiment, the location request information further includes a UE authentication indication for indicating at least one of the following:

[0053] The associated information of the distance measurement;

[0054] Whether it is necessary to indicate the ranging association information to the UE;

[0055] Whether the UE verifies the distance measurement association information;

[0056] The UE verification indication is set by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

[0057] In one embodiment, the associated information of the ranging includes at least one of the following:

[0058] The application identifier of the application requesting the ranging;

[0059] The type of distance measurement.

[0060] In one embodiment, providing ranging service parameters based on a direct communication link includes:

[0061] In response to the UE verification indication that the distance measurement association information needs to be indicated to the UE, a first notification information is sent to the UE, wherein the first notification information is used to indicate the distance measurement association information.

[0062] In one embodiment, providing ranging service parameters based on a direct communication link includes:

[0063] In response to the UE verification indication that the UE needs to verify the ranging association information, a second notification message is sent to the UE, wherein the second notification message is used to indicate that the UE needs to verify the ranging association information;

[0064] The UE receives verification result information sent in response to the second notification information, wherein the verification result information is used to indicate the verification result of the ranging association information by the UE;

[0065] Sending a location request response to the location service function includes:

[0066] Send the location request response carrying the verification result to the location service function.

[0067] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0068] In response to determining that the UE needs to send the verification result information and has not received the verification result information, the verification result is determined to be that the UE failed to verify the distance measurement association information.

[0069] In one embodiment, the verification result information further includes time information, used to indicate the time during which the UE allows and / or does not allow ranging.

[0070] Sending a location request response to the location service function includes:

[0071] Send the location request response carrying the time information to the location service function.

[0072] In one embodiment, the service parameters for ranging based on a direct communication link include:

[0073] The location service function receives a second ranging request, wherein the second ranging request is determined by the location service function based on the privacy settings to allow the UE to send the ranging request.

[0074] Based on the second ranging request, the UE is instructed to perform the ranging.

[0075] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a ranging method is provided, wherein the method is executed by a user equipment (UE) and includes:

[0076] Ranging is performed based on a direct communication link, wherein the ranging is performed by the positioning service function at least as instructed by the privacy settings of the UE.

[0077] In one embodiment, the privacy setting is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0078] Is the ranging operation permitted?

[0079] The area within which the ranging is permitted;

[0080] The permitted time range for the distance measurement.

[0081] In one embodiment, the privacy settings are located in the UDM corresponding to the UE.

[0082] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0083] The system receives a first notification message sent by the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), wherein the first notification message is used to inform the system of the ranging association information; wherein the first notification message is sent by the AMF based on the UE verification indication carried in the location request information sent by the location service function, wherein the UE verification indication is determined by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

[0084] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0085] The system receives a second notification message sent by the AMF, wherein the second notification message is used to inform the UE of the associated information of the ranging and to obtain verification, wherein the second notification message is sent by the AMF based on the UE verification indication carried in the location request information sent by the location service function, wherein the UE verification indication is determined by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

[0086] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0087] The verification result information is sent to the AMF, wherein the verification result information is used to instruct the UE to verify the verification result of the ranging association information.

[0088] In one embodiment, the verification result information further includes time information, used to indicate the time during which the UE allows and / or does not allow ranging.

[0089] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0090] In response to the failure to verify the correlation information of the ranging, no verification result information is sent to the AMF;

[0091] In response to the failure to verify the associated information of the ranging, a verification result message indicating that the verification result is a failure is sent to the AMF.

[0092] In one embodiment, the location request information includes a UE authentication indication, wherein the UE authentication indication is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0093] The associated information of the distance measurement;

[0094] Whether it is necessary to indicate the ranging association information to the UE;

[0095] Whether the UE verifies the distance measurement association information;

[0096] The UE verification indication is set by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

[0097] In one embodiment, the associated information of the ranging includes at least one of the following:

[0098] The application identifier of the application requesting the ranging;

[0099] The type of distance measurement.

[0100] In one embodiment, the ranging is instructed by the ranging service AMF to be performed by the UE upon receiving a second ranging request sent by the location service function, wherein the second ranging request is determined by the location service function based on the privacy settings to allow the UE to perform the ranging transmission.

[0101] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a ranging device is provided, comprising:

[0102] The processing module is configured to determine ranging service parameters based at least on the privacy settings of the user equipment (UE) associated with the first ranging request; wherein the first ranging request is a request to perform the ranging via a direct communication link.

[0103] In one embodiment, the privacy setting is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0104] Is the ranging operation permitted?

[0105] The area within which the ranging is permitted;

[0106] The permitted time range for the distance measurement.

[0107] In one embodiment, the device further includes a transceiver module configured to:

[0108] Receive the first ranging request sent by the ranging request function;

[0109] Based on the first ranging request, the privacy settings of the UE are obtained from the Unified Data Management (UDM);

[0110] Whether to provide the ranging service parameters is determined based on the privacy settings.

[0111] In one embodiment, the processing module is further configured to determine whether to allow the ranging request function to request the UE to perform the ranging;

[0112] The processing module is specifically configured to, in response to determining that the ranging request function is allowed to request the ranging from the UE, determine the service parameters for the ranging based at least on the privacy settings of the UE associated with the first ranging request.

[0113] In one embodiment, the first ranging request carries the identity identifier of the UE; wherein the location service function is determined by the ranging request function based on the identity identifier of the UE.

[0114] In one embodiment, the processing module is specifically configured as follows:

[0115] Based on the UE's identity identifier carried in the first ranging request, determine the UDM corresponding to the UE;

[0116] The privacy settings of the UE are obtained from the UDM corresponding to the UE.

[0117] In one embodiment, the transceiver module is further configured to:

[0118] In response to the privacy setting indicating the area range that allows the ranging, a location request information is sent to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) of the UE, wherein the location request information is used to request the location information of the UE from the AMF;

[0119] Receive the location request response sent by the AMF based on the location request information, wherein the location request response includes the location information of the UE;

[0120] The processing module is specifically configured to: determine whether to allow the UE to perform the ranging based at least on the UE's location information and the area range.

[0121] In one embodiment, the location request information further includes a UE authentication indication for indicating at least one of the following:

[0122] The associated information of the distance measurement;

[0123] Whether it is necessary to indicate the ranging association information to the UE;

[0124] Whether the UE verifies the distance measurement association information;

[0125] The UE verification indication is set by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

[0126] In one embodiment, the associated information of the ranging includes at least one of the following:

[0127] The application identifier of the application requesting the ranging;

[0128] The type of distance measurement.

[0129] In one embodiment, the location request response further includes: the UE verifying the verification result of the associated information.

[0130] In one embodiment, the processing module is specifically configured as follows:

[0131] Based at least on the UE's location information, the area range, and the verification result, it is determined whether the UE is allowed to perform the ranging.

[0132] In one embodiment, the location request response further includes time information to indicate the time during which the UE allows and / or does not allow ranging.

[0133] In one embodiment, the transceiver module is further configured to:

[0134] In response to determining that the UE is allowed to perform the ranging based on the privacy settings, a second ranging request is sent to the UE's AMF, the second ranging request being used to instruct the UE to perform the ranging.

[0135] In one embodiment, the ranging request function includes at least one of the following:

[0136] Core network functions;

[0137] Application Function AF;

[0138] entity.

[0139] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a ranging device is provided, comprising:

[0140] The transceiver module is configured to provide ranging service parameters based on a direct communication link, wherein the ranging service parameters are indicated by the positioning service function at least according to the privacy settings of the user equipment (UE) associated with the ranging.

[0141] In one embodiment, the privacy setting is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0142] Is the ranging operation permitted?

[0143] The area within which the ranging is permitted;

[0144] The permitted time range for the distance measurement.

[0145] In one embodiment, the privacy settings are located in the UE's Unified Data Management (UDM).

[0146] In one embodiment, providing ranging service parameters based on a direct communication link includes:

[0147] The transceiver module is further configured to receive location request information sent by the location service function, wherein the location request information is used to request the location information of the UE from the AMF;

[0148] The transceiver module is further configured to send a location request response to the location service function, wherein the location request response includes the location information of the UE, and the location information of the UE is used by the location service function to determine whether the UE is allowed to perform the ranging in conjunction with the area range.

[0149] In one embodiment, the location request information further includes a UE authentication indication for indicating at least one of the following:

[0150] The associated information of the distance measurement;

[0151] Whether it is necessary to indicate the ranging association information to the UE;

[0152] Whether the UE verifies the distance measurement association information;

[0153] The UE verification indication is set by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

[0154] In one embodiment, the associated information of the ranging includes at least one of the following:

[0155] The application identifier of the application requesting the ranging;

[0156] The type of distance measurement.

[0157] In one embodiment, the transceiver module is specifically configured as follows:

[0158] In response to the UE verification indication that the distance measurement association information needs to be indicated to the UE, a first notification information is sent to the UE, wherein the first notification information is used to indicate the distance measurement association information.

[0159] In one embodiment, the transceiver module is further configured to:

[0160] In response to the UE verification indication that the UE needs to verify the ranging association information, a second notification message is sent to the UE, wherein the second notification message is used to indicate that the UE needs to verify the ranging association information;

[0161] The UE receives verification result information sent in response to the second notification information, wherein the verification result information is used to indicate the verification result of the ranging association information by the UE;

[0162] The transceiver module is specifically configured to send a location request response carrying the verification result to the location service function.

[0163] In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a processing module configured to:

[0164] In response to determining that the UE needs to send the verification result information and has not received the verification result information, the verification result is determined to be that the UE failed to verify the distance measurement association information.

[0165] In one embodiment, the verification result information further includes time information, used to indicate the time during which the UE allows and / or does not allow ranging.

[0166] The transceiver module is specifically configured as follows:

[0167] Send the location request response carrying the time information to the location service function.

[0168] In one embodiment, the transceiver module is specifically configured as follows:

[0169] The location service function receives a second ranging request, wherein the second ranging request is determined by the location service function based on the privacy settings to allow the UE to send the ranging request.

[0170] Based on the second ranging request, the UE is instructed to perform the ranging.

[0171] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a ranging device is provided, comprising:

[0172] The processing module is configured to perform ranging based on a direct communication link, wherein the ranging is performed by the positioning service function at least according to the privacy settings of the UE.

[0173] In one embodiment, the privacy setting is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0174] Is the ranging operation permitted?

[0175] The area within which the ranging is permitted;

[0176] The permitted time range for the distance measurement.

[0177] In one embodiment, the privacy settings are located in the UDM corresponding to the UE.

[0178] In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes:

[0179] The transceiver module is configured to receive a first notification message sent by the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), wherein the first notification message is used to inform the associated information of the ranging; wherein the first notification message is sent by the AMF based on the UE verification indication carried in the location request information sent by the location service function, wherein the UE verification indication is determined by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

[0180] In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes:

[0181] The transceiver module is configured to receive a second notification message sent by the AMF, wherein the second notification message is used to inform the UE of the ranging association information and obtain verification, wherein the second notification message is sent by the AMF based on the location request information sent by the location service function, and wherein the UE verification indication is determined by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

[0182] In one embodiment, the transceiver module is further configured to:

[0183] The verification result information is sent to the AMF, wherein the verification result information is used to instruct the UE to verify the verification result of the ranging association information.

[0184] In one embodiment, the verification result information further includes time information, used to indicate the time during which the UE allows and / or does not allow ranging.

[0185] In one embodiment, the transceiver module is further configured to:

[0186] In response to the failure to verify the correlation information of the ranging, no verification result information is sent to the AMF;

[0187] In response to the failure to verify the associated information of the ranging, a verification result message indicating that the verification result is a failure is sent to the AMF.

[0188] In one embodiment, the location request information includes a UE authentication indication, wherein the UE authentication indication is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0189] The associated information of the distance measurement;

[0190] Whether it is necessary to indicate the ranging association information to the UE;

[0191] Whether the UE verifies the distance measurement association information;

[0192] The UE verification indication is set by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

[0193] In one embodiment, the associated information of the ranging includes at least one of the following:

[0194] The application identifier of the application requesting the ranging;

[0195] The type of distance measurement.

[0196] In one embodiment, the ranging is instructed by the ranging service AMF to be performed by the UE upon receiving a second ranging request sent by the location service function, wherein the second ranging request is determined by the location service function based on the privacy settings to allow the UE to perform the ranging transmission.

[0197] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device apparatus is provided, including a processor, a memory, and an executable program stored in the memory and executable by the processor, wherein when the processor executes the executable program, it performs steps of the ranging method as described in the first, second, or third aspect.

[0198] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided that stores an executable program thereon, wherein the executable program, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the ranging method as described in the first, second, or third aspect.

[0199] According to the ranging method, apparatus, communication device, and storage medium provided in the embodiments of this disclosure, the positioning service function determines the ranging service parameters at least based on the privacy settings of the UE related to the first ranging request; wherein the first ranging request is a request to perform ranging via a direct communication link. Thus, by performing ranging via a direct communication link based on the UE's privacy settings, the UE's privacy requirements can be met during the ranging process, improving the security of the ranging.

[0200] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0201] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the invention.

[0202] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a wireless communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0203] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a ranging method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0204] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a ranging method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0205] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a ranging method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0206] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a ranging method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0207] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a ranging method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0208] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating a ranging method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0209] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating a ranging method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0210] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating a ranging method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0211] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating a ranging method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0212] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a ranging interaction according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0213] Figure 12 This is a block diagram illustrating a ranging device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0214] Figure 13 This is a block diagram illustrating a ranging device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0215] Figure 14 This is a block diagram illustrating a ranging device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0216] Figure 15 This is a block diagram illustrating a distance measuring device according to an exemplary embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0217] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with those of the present invention. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0218] The terminology used in this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the embodiments of this disclosure. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” as used in this disclosure are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and includes any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0219] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used to describe various information in embodiments of this disclosure, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish information of the same type from one another. For example, first information may also be referred to as second information without departing from the scope of embodiments of this disclosure, and similarly, second information may also be referred to as first information. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "when," "when," or "in response to a determination."

[0220] Please refer to Figure 1 This illustration shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 1 As shown, the wireless communication system is a communication system based on cellular mobile communication technology. The wireless communication system may include: a number of terminals 11 and a number of base stations 12.

[0221] Terminal 11 can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user. Terminal 11 can communicate with one or more core networks via a Radio Access Network (RAN). Terminal 11 can be an Internet of Things (IoT) terminal, such as a sensor device, a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone), and a computer with an IoT terminal. For example, it can be a fixed, portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-embedded, or vehicle-mounted device. Examples include a station (STA), subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, access point, remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal, user agent, user device, or user equipment (UE). Alternatively, terminal 11 can also be a device in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Alternatively, terminal 11 can also be a vehicle-mounted device, such as a vehicle computer with wireless communication capabilities, or a wireless communication device connected to an external vehicle computer. Alternatively, terminal 11 can also be a roadside device, such as a street light, traffic light, or other roadside device with wireless communication capabilities.

[0222] Base station 12 can be a network-side device in a wireless communication system. This wireless communication system can be a fourth-generation mobile communication (4G) system, also known as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system; or it can be a 5G system, also known as a New Radio (NR) system or a 5G NR system. Alternatively, it can be a next-generation system after 5G. In this case, the access network in the 5G system can be called NG-RAN (New Generation-Radio Access Network). Alternatively, it can be an MTC system.

[0223] In this embodiment, base station 12 can be an evolved NB (eNB) used in a 4G system. Alternatively, base station 12 can also be a gNB (gNB) using a centralized-distributed architecture in a 5G system. When base station 12 adopts a centralized-distributed architecture, it typically includes a central unit (CU) and at least two distributed units (DU). The central unit is equipped with a protocol stack of Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), Radio Link Control (RLC), and Media Access Control (MAC) layers; the distributed units are equipped with a physical (PHY) layer protocol stack. This disclosure does not limit the specific implementation of base station 12.

[0224] Base station 12 and terminal 11 can establish a wireless connection via a wireless air interface. In different implementations, the wireless air interface is a wireless air interface based on the fourth-generation mobile communication network technology (4G) standard; or, the wireless air interface is a wireless air interface based on the fifth-generation mobile communication network technology (5G) standard, such as a new air interface; or, the wireless air interface can also be a wireless air interface based on a next-generation mobile communication network technology standard based on 5G.

[0225] In some embodiments, terminals 11 can also establish E2E (End to End) connections. Examples include V2V (vehicle to vehicle), V2I (vehicle to Infrastructure), and V2P (vehicle to pedestrian) communication scenarios in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication.

[0226] In some embodiments, the wireless communication system described above may further include a network management device 13.

[0227] Several base stations 12 are connected to network management device 13. Network management device 13 can be a core network device in a wireless communication system, such as a Mobility Management Entity (MME) in an Evolved Packet Core (EPC). Alternatively, it can be other core network devices, such as a Serving Gateway (SGW), a Public Data Network Gateway (PGW), a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), or a Home Subscriber Server (HSS). The implementation of network management device 13 is not limited in this embodiment.

[0228] Fifth generation (5) th Cellular mobile communication systems such as Generation II (5G) can support ranging / SideLink (SL) positioning services. Here, ranging / SL positioning services can be based on a direct link. These services can be exposed to 5G networks and application servers. Current ranging / SL positioning services do not consider UE privacy.

[0229] Therefore, how to protect the privacy of the UE during the ranging / SL positioning service is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0230] It should be noted that in all embodiments of this disclosure, multiple execution entities may be involved. The transmission from one execution entity to another as defined in the embodiments of this disclosure can refer to one execution entity sending a transmission directly to another execution entity, or it can refer to one execution entity sending a transmission to another execution entity through any other device. This disclosure does not limit this.

[0231] like Figure 2 As shown, this exemplary embodiment provides a ranging method that can be executed by the location service function of a cellular mobile communication system, including:

[0232] Step 201: The location service function determines the ranging service parameters based at least on the privacy settings of the UE related to the first ranging request; wherein the first ranging request is a ranging request via a direct communication link.

[0233] The Location Network Function (Location NF) can be a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) or a Ranging / Direct Link Positioning Management Function (RSMF), etc. The Location Network Function can be responsible for verifying the privacy settings of the UE associated with ranging and controlling the ranging process. The Location Network Function can be an entity or a function on the network side; this disclosure does not limit this. In one implementation, the Location Network Function can be a function within any entity on the network side, or it can be a new entity. In the disclosed embodiments, the Location Network Function can be implemented using existing network elements, entities, or functions on the network side; therefore, the name "Location Network Function" should not be considered a limitation on the function or network element.

[0234] In one possible implementation, ranging based on a direct communication link may include ranging based on signals from the PC5 port and / or SR5 port of the direct communication link.

[0235] Here, ranging may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: determining the distance between two or more UEs via a direct communication link; determining the relative direction between one UE and another UE via a direct communication link; determining the relative position between one UE and another UE via a direct communication link. Ranging may also include direct communication link positioning, that is, locating the UE via a direct communication link.

[0236] For example, multiple UEs can be used to measure the distance to the target UE, determining the distance and / or direction between the target UE and the multiple UEs. Alternatively, triangulation methods can be employed to determine the coordinates of the target UE using the ranging results between the multiple UEs and the target UE, thus achieving positioning via a direct communication link.

[0237] In this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, "ranging" can include at least one of the following: determining the distance between two or more UEs via a direct communication link, determining the relative direction between one UE and another UE via a direct communication link, determining the relative position between one UE and another UE via a direct communication link, or locating the UE via a direct communication link. Among these, determining the relative direction and relative position between one UE and another UE via a direct communication link is often performed together.

[0238] In one possible implementation, ranging between multiple UEs to be measured based on a direct communication link can be used to determine the distance and / or direction between N UEs to be measured and other UEs among the multiple UEs to be measured, or to determine the position of N UEs to be measured, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the total number of UEs to be measured.

[0239] For example, the UE and / or core network equipment (such as LMF) can determine the distance between UEs based on the time-of-flight of signals transmitted between UEs via PC5 and / or SR5 ports. Furthermore, the location of UEs in unknown locations can be achieved based on the relative positions of UEs in multiple known locations and UEs in unknown locations. Here, the location of the UE can include, but is not limited to: the geographical coordinates of the UE, the relative position of the UE with respect to a reference point (such as a base station or a UE in a known location), etc. No further limitations are imposed here.

[0240] The location service function can provide ranging service parameters based on the first ranging request.

[0241] In one possible implementation, the ranging service parameters provided by the location service function include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0242] Control whether the UE performs ranging;

[0243] Transmitting information during the ranging process;

[0244] Determine the UE's privacy settings;

[0245] Perform operations related to UE privacy settings, such as determining whether the current situation meets the privacy setting requirements.

[0246] In one possible implementation, the location service function can control the UE to perform ranging through core network elements such as AMF.

[0247] Here, the UE associated with the first ranging request can be a UE related to ranging, and the UE associated with ranging can include, but is not limited to, UEs participating in ranging. The UE associated with ranging can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: Reference UE, Target UE, Observer UE, ThirdParty UE, Assistant UE, etc.

[0248] Privacy settings can be used to indicate the privacy information associated with ranging for the UE. This limits the UE's ranging behavior.

[0249] In one possible implementation, the UE's privacy settings may indicate the types of ranging that the UE is allowed to perform, and / or the types of ranging that the UE is not allowed to perform.

[0250] The type of ranging can be determined based on the number of UEs participating in the ranging. For example, the types of ranging include ranging with different numbers of UEs.

[0251] The type of ranging can also be determined based on the ranging results. For example, the type of ranging can include: ranging based on relative distance measurement, ranging based on relative direction measurement, and ranging for UE positioning.

[0252] In one possible implementation, the UE's privacy settings may indicate the allowed and / or prohibited ranging accuracy of the UE. In embodiments of this disclosure, the "allowed ranging accuracy" may specifically be a numerical value or a range of accuracy. Based on the UE's privacy settings, the allowed positioning accuracy of the UE can be determined.

[0253] In one possible implementation, the UE's privacy settings can be pre-stored in the core network. These privacy settings can be provided by the UE, agreed upon by the UE and the network side, stipulated by the communication protocol, or specified by the network operator.

[0254] In one embodiment, the privacy setting is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0255] Is the ranging operation permitted?

[0256] The area within which the ranging is permitted;

[0257] The permitted time range for the distance measurement.

[0258] In one possible implementation, if the location service function determines that the UE's privacy settings indicate permission for the UE to perform the ranging, then proceeds with subsequent ranging steps, such as instructing the UE to perform ranging. Alternatively, if the location service function determines that the UE's privacy settings indicate disallowance for the UE to perform the ranging, then stops subsequent ranging steps, such as not instructing the UE to perform ranging or perform any other operation.

[0259] In one possible implementation, whether the ranging is allowed may include whether the UE is authorized to perform ranging.

[0260] The permitted time range for ranging can be a time range within which the UE is allowed to perform ranging, including at least one of the following: the start time, end time, and duration within which the UE is allowed to perform the ranging.

[0261] In one possible implementation, the area range may include at least one of the following: geographical range, the cell to which the UE belongs, and the coverage area of ​​the base station to which the UE belongs.

[0262] In one possible implementation, the location service function provides ranging services within the time range during which the UE is allowed to perform ranging, such as instructing the UE to perform ranging within the time range during which the UE is allowed to perform ranging.

[0263] In one possible implementation, there can be multiple UEs associated with ranging, and the ranging service parameters can be provided based on the privacy settings corresponding to each of the multiple UEs.

[0264] For example, in the case of ranging between two UEs, the location service function can provide ranging services to both UEs when both UEs' privacy settings indicate that ranging is allowed, such as instructing both UEs to perform ranging.

[0265] The first ranging request can be sent by the first ranging requesting end. After receiving the first ranging request, the positioning service function can determine the UE that is performing ranging, and then provide ranging services based on the UE's privacy settings. The first ranging requesting end can be the UE, the access network, or a network element or function of the core network.

[0266] The first ranging request can indicate the UE that needs to perform ranging.

[0267] The location service function can instruct core network elements such as AMF to provide ranging services based on the UE's privacy settings, such as transmitting information during the ranging process and instructing the UE to perform ranging.

[0268] The UE can obtain the information needed for ranging based on the indication of the location service function, and then perform ranging.

[0269] Thus, by performing ranging on a direct communication link based on the UE's privacy settings, the UE's privacy requirements can be met during the ranging process, thereby improving the security of the ranging.

[0270] In one embodiment, the location service function determines the ranging service parameters based at least on the privacy settings of the user equipment (UE) associated with the first ranging request; wherein the first ranging request is a request to perform the ranging via a direct communication link, including:

[0271] The positioning service function receives the first ranging request sent by the ranging request function;

[0272] Based on the first ranging request, the location service function obtains the UE's privacy settings from the Unified Data Management (UDM).

[0273] The location service function determines whether to provide the ranging service parameters based on the privacy settings.

[0274] The ranging request function can be a network function or entity that requests ranging based on a direct communication link from the positioning service function.

[0275] In one embodiment, the ranging request function includes at least one of the following:

[0276] Core network functions;

[0277] Application Function AF;

[0278] entity.

[0279] Here, the first ranging request can be sent from the ranging request function to the location service function. When an application in the ranging request function has a ranging requirement, the ranging request function sends the first ranging request to the location service function.

[0280] In one embodiment, the first ranging request carries the identity identifier of the UE; wherein the location service function is determined by the ranging request function based on the identity identifier of the UE.

[0281] When the ranging request function has a ranging requirement, the location service function can be determined based on the UE's identity identifier (such as SUPI). The UE's identity identifier is then included in the first ranging request and sent to the location service function.

[0282] The UE's privacy settings can be pre-stored in the UDM. The location service function can retrieve the privacy settings from the UDM.

[0283] The location service function allows you to check the UE's privacy settings in the UDM.

[0284] In one possible implementation, the privacy settings of multiple UEs performing ranging can be stored in the same UDM, or the privacy settings of multiple UEs performing ranging can be stored in different UDMs, or the privacy settings of multiple UEs performing ranging can be stored in completely different UDMs.

[0285] In one possible implementation, the first ranging request from the ranging request function to the positioning service function may include at least one of the following: an identifier of the UE for which ranging is required, the ranging result (distance and / or angle), and the requested Quality of Service (QoS).

[0286] The location service function can obtain each UE's privacy settings from the UDM corresponding to each UE. It then determines whether to provide ranging services based on each UE's privacy settings.

[0287] like Figure 3 As shown, this exemplary embodiment provides a ranging method that can be executed by the location service function of a cellular mobile communication system, including:

[0288] Step 301: The location service function determines whether to allow the ranging request function to request the UE to perform the ranging;

[0289] The location service function responds to determining that it is permitted for the ranging request function to request the ranging from the UE to perform the ranging by determining the service parameters for the ranging, at least based on the privacy settings of the UE associated with the first ranging request.

[0290] Step 301 can be implemented alone or in conjunction with step 201. That is, the positioning service function can determine the ranging service parameters according to the scheme in step 201.

[0291] The location service function can determine whether the ranging request function is authorized to provide ranging services to the UE performing ranging in the first ranging request. If the ranging request function is authorized to provide ranging services to the UE, the location service function provides ranging services according to the privacy settings of the UE performing ranging as indicated in the first ranging request.

[0292] In one embodiment, the location service function obtains the UE's privacy settings from the UDM based on the first ranging request, including:

[0293] The location service function determines the UDM corresponding to the UE based on the UE's identity identifier carried in the first ranging request;

[0294] The location service function obtains the privacy settings of the UE from the UDM corresponding to the UE.

[0295] The first ranging request may carry the UE's identity identifier. The UE's identity identifier may include the SUPI (Supplemental Identity Provider). The location service function can determine the UDM (Uniform Device Management) based on the UE's identity identifier.

[0296] The location service function can invoke the Nudm_SDM_Get service operation to obtain the UE's privacy settings from the UDM corresponding to the UE. The UDM returns the UE's privacy settings. The location service function can check the UE's privacy configuration. If ranging is not allowed in at least one of the UEs associated with ranging, the service parameters for ranging are stopped.

[0297] In one embodiment, the location service function determines the ranging service parameters based at least on the privacy settings of the UE associated with the first ranging request, including:

[0298] In response to the privacy setting indicating the area range where ranging is permitted, the location service function sends location request information to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) corresponding to the UE, wherein the location request information is used to request the UE's location information from the AMF;

[0299] The location service function receives a location request response sent by the AMF based on the location request information, wherein the location request response includes the location information of the UE;

[0300] Based at least on the UE's location information and the area range, the location service function determines whether to allow the UE to perform the ranging.

[0301] If the privacy settings specify an area where ranging is permitted, the location service function needs to determine whether the UE's current location falls within that area. If the location service function determines that the UE's current location falls within the area, then the UE is allowed to perform ranging. If the location service function determines that the UE's current location does not fall within the area, then the UE is not allowed to perform ranging.

[0302] In one possible implementation, the location service function needs to determine the location of all UEs participating in ranging and whether each UE is located within its respective range where ranging is permitted.

[0303] The location service function can send location request information to each UE's AMF to request the UE's location information.

[0304] For example, the location service function can invoke the Nudm_UECM_Get service operation to the UDM corresponding to the UE. The UDM can return the network address of the UE's current serving AMF.

[0305] For example, the location service function can call the Namf_Location_ProvideLocationInfo service operation to request the UE's location information provided by the network.

[0306] Here, location information may include at least one of the following: the geographical location of the UE, the cell in which the UE is located, and the base station to which the UE belongs.

[0307] In one possible implementation, location information can be stored in the AMF during historical positioning, UE access, cell handover, and other processes.

[0308] In one possible implementation, the AMFs of the multiple UEs performing ranging can be the same, or the AMFs of the multiple UEs performing ranging can be completely different, or the AMFs of the multiple UEs performing ranging can not be completely different.

[0309] AMF can return a location request response to the location service function, and the location request response can carry the UE's location information.

[0310] For example, the AMF returns a Namf_Location_ProvideLocationInfo response to the location service function to return the UE location provided by the network.

[0311] After determining the UE's location information, the location service function can determine whether the UE is within the area where ranging is permitted, and thus determine whether the UE is allowed to perform ranging.

[0312] In one embodiment, the location request information further includes a UE authentication indication for indicating at least one of the following:

[0313] The associated information of the distance measurement;

[0314] Whether it is necessary to indicate the ranging association information to the UE;

[0315] Whether the UE verifies the distance measurement association information;

[0316] The UE verification indication is set by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

[0317] The location service function can determine the UE authentication indication based on privacy settings. These privacy settings can specify the information carried in the UE authentication indication. The location service function can also include the UE authentication indication in the location request information to indicate to the AMF the associated ranging information that requires UE authentication.

[0318] The associated information of the distance measurement can be used to indicate the requesting end of the distance measurement, etc.

[0319] In one embodiment, the associated information of the ranging includes at least one of the following:

[0320] The application identifier of the application requesting the ranging;

[0321] The type of distance measurement.

[0322] Ranging can be initiated by an application within the ranging request function, and the location service function can send the application's application identifier to the AMF.

[0323] The location service function can instruct the AMF to send ranging-related information to the UE.

[0324] The location service function can also instruct the AMF to have the UE verify the associated information of the ranging.

[0325] For example, the location service function can indicate the application identifier of the application requesting ranging to the AMF, which is then sent to the UE for verification to determine whether the application is authorized by the UE to request ranging.

[0326] In one possible implementation, the location service function can instruct the AMF not to send association information to the UE. For example, the location service function may instruct the AMF not to send association information to the UE and not for the UE to verify the association information, thus instructing the AMF not to send association information to the UE.

[0327] In one possible implementation, the location service function can instruct the AMF to send ranging association information to the UE without requiring verification by the UE. In this case, the AMF can send the ranging association information to the UE in the first notification information after receiving the ranging association information.

[0328] In one possible implementation, the location service function can instruct the AMF to send ranging-related information to the UE, which needs to be verified by the UE. Upon receiving the ranging-related information, the AMF can instruct the UE to verify the ranging-related information via a second notification message. The second notification message can simultaneously indicate the ranging-related information to the UE and instruct the UE to verify it. The first and second notification messages can be the same signaling.

[0329] The UE can verify the associated information of the ranging and send the verification result to the AMF.

[0330] In one possible implementation, the verification result may include verification success or verification failure.

[0331] In one embodiment, the location request response further includes: the UE verifying the verification result of the associated information.

[0332] AMF can send the verification result determined by the UE to the location service function.

[0333] For example, the AMF can return a Namf_Location_ProvideLocationInfo response to the location service function to return the UE location provided by the network, and include the verification result.

[0334] In one embodiment, the location service function determines whether to allow the UE to perform the ranging based at least on the UE's location information and the area range, including:

[0335] The location service function determines whether to allow the UE to perform the ranging based at least on the UE's location information, the area range, and the verification result.

[0336] After determining the UE's location information, the location service function can determine whether the UE is within the area where ranging is permitted, and at the same time determine the verification result, and then determine whether the UE is allowed to perform ranging.

[0337] For example, the location service function can determine that the UE is allowed to perform ranging when the UE is in an area where ranging is permitted and the verification result is successful.

[0338] In one possible implementation, the verification result returned by the UE also includes a timestamp.

[0339] The location service function determines whether to allow the UE to perform ranging based on the allowed time range and timestamp.

[0340] For example, if the timestamp is within the time range, the UE is allowed to perform ranging; otherwise, the UE is not allowed to perform ranging.

[0341] In one embodiment, the location request response further includes time information to indicate the time during which the UE allows and / or does not allow ranging.

[0342] In one possible implementation, time information is used to indicate the time after the current ranging operation that the UE is allowed and / or not allowed to perform ranging.

[0343] AMF can include time information in the location request response and send it to the location service function. The location service function can then determine the time when the UE is allowed and / or not allowed to perform ranging.

[0344] In one embodiment, the location service function determines the ranging service parameters based at least on the privacy settings of the UE associated with the first ranging request, including:

[0345] In response to the privacy settings, the location service function determines that the UE is allowed to perform the ranging and sends a second ranging request to the UE's AMF, the second ranging request being used to instruct the UE to perform the ranging.

[0346] The location service function determines, based on privacy settings, that the UE is allowed to perform ranging (for example, the location service function determines that the locations of two UEs allowed to perform ranging are both within their respective allowed ranging areas and within their respective allowed ranging time periods). The location service function can send a second ranging request to the serving AMF, instructing the AMF to provide ranging services based on the second ranging request. The serving AMF can be the AMF associated with the UE being ranging.

[0347] Here, the second ranging request can be the same as or different from the first ranging request. The second ranging request can indicate the UE performing the ranging, the required ranging results, and other ranging requirements.

[0348] The serving AMF can forward the second ranging request to the UE via NAS signaling. Here, the UE can be a UE associated with ranging.

[0349] The UE performs ranging based on a second ranging request. For example, a reference UE can initiate ranging with the target UE based on a direct communication link based on a second ranging request. The ranging process may include ranging discovery and service operations.

[0350] The UE can send the ranging result to the serving AMF. The serving AMF forwards the ranging result to the location service function. The location service function forwards the ranging result to the ranging request function, thus completing the ranging.

[0351] Here, the ranging result can be the original measurement data such as the signal flight time obtained by the UE when measuring the signal, or it can be the calculated result of distance, direction, position, etc. obtained after processing the original data.

[0352] like Figure 4 As shown, this exemplary embodiment provides a ranging method that can be executed by the AMF of a cellular mobile communication system, including:

[0353] Step 401: The AMF provides ranging service parameters based on the direct communication link, wherein the ranging service parameters are indicated by the positioning service function at least according to the privacy settings of the UE associated with the ranging.

[0354] The Location Network Function (Location NF) can be a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) or a Ranging / Straight Link Positioning Management Function (RSMF), etc. The Location Network Function can be responsible for verifying the privacy settings of the UE associated with ranging and controlling the ranging process. The Location Network Function can be an entity or a function on the network side; this disclosure does not limit this. In one implementation, the Location Network Function can be a function within any entity on the network side, or it can be a new entity. In the disclosed embodiments, the Location Network Function can be implemented using existing network elements, entities, or functions on the network side; therefore, the name "Location Network Function" should not be considered a limitation on the function or network element.

[0355] In one possible implementation, ranging based on a direct communication link may include ranging based on signals from the PC5 port and / or SR5 port of the direct communication link.

[0356] Here, ranging may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: determining the distance between two or more UEs via a direct communication link; determining the relative direction between one UE and another UE via a direct communication link; determining the relative position between one UE and another UE via a direct communication link. Ranging may also include direct communication link positioning, that is, locating the UE via a direct communication link.

[0357] For example, multiple UEs can be used to measure the distance to the target UE, determining the distance and / or direction between the target UE and the multiple UEs. Alternatively, triangulation methods can be employed to determine the coordinates of the target UE using the ranging results between the multiple UEs and the target UE, thus achieving positioning via a direct communication link.

[0358] In this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, "ranging" can include at least one of the following: determining the distance between two or more UEs via a direct communication link, determining the relative direction between one UE and another UE via a direct communication link, determining the relative position between one UE and another UE via a direct communication link, or locating the UE via a direct communication link. Among these, determining the relative direction and relative position between one UE and another UE via a direct communication link is often performed together.

[0359] In one possible implementation, ranging between multiple UEs to be measured based on a direct communication link can be used to determine the distance and / or direction between N UEs to be measured and other UEs among the multiple UEs to be measured, or to determine the position of N UEs to be measured, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the total number of UEs to be measured.

[0360] For example, the UE and / or core network equipment (such as LMF) can determine the distance between UEs based on the time-of-flight of signals transmitted between UEs via PC5 / SR5 ports. Furthermore, the location of UEs in unknown locations can be achieved based on the relative positions of UEs in multiple known locations and UEs in unknown locations. Here, the location of the UE can include, but is not limited to: the geographical coordinates of the UE, the relative position of the UE with respect to a reference point (such as a base station or UEs in known locations), etc. No further limitations are imposed here.

[0361] The location service function can provide ranging service parameters based on the first ranging request.

[0362] In one possible implementation, the ranging service parameters provided by the location service function include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0363] Control whether the UE performs ranging;

[0364] Transmitting information during the ranging process;

[0365] Determine the UE's privacy settings;

[0366] Perform operations related to UE privacy settings, such as determining whether the current situation meets the privacy setting requirements.

[0367] In one possible implementation, the location service function can control the UE to perform ranging through core network elements such as AMF.

[0368] Here, the UE associated with the first ranging request can be a UE related to ranging, which may include, but is not limited to, UEs participating in ranging. The UE associated with ranging may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: reference UE, target UE, observer UE, third-party UE, assisting UE, etc.

[0369] Privacy settings can be used to indicate the privacy information associated with ranging for the UE. This limits the UE's ranging behavior.

[0370] In one possible implementation, the UE's privacy settings may indicate the types of ranging that the UE is allowed to perform, and / or the types of ranging that the UE is not allowed to perform.

[0371] The type of ranging can be determined based on the number of UEs participating in the ranging. For example, the types of ranging include ranging with different numbers of UEs.

[0372] The type of ranging can also be determined based on the ranging results. For example, the type of ranging can include: ranging based on relative distance measurement, ranging based on relative direction measurement, and ranging for UE positioning.

[0373] In one possible implementation, the UE's privacy settings may indicate the allowed and / or prohibited ranging accuracy of the UE. In embodiments of this disclosure, the "allowed ranging accuracy" may specifically be a numerical value or a range of accuracy. Based on the UE's privacy settings, the allowed positioning accuracy of the UE can be determined.

[0374] In one possible implementation, the UE's privacy settings can be pre-stored in the core network. These privacy settings can be provided by the UE, agreed upon by the UE and the network side, stipulated by the communication protocol, or specified by the network operator.

[0375] In one embodiment, the privacy setting is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0376] Is the ranging operation permitted?

[0377] The area within which the ranging is permitted;

[0378] The permitted time range for the distance measurement.

[0379] In one possible implementation, if the location service function determines that the UE's privacy settings indicate permission for the UE to perform the ranging, then proceeds with subsequent ranging steps, such as instructing the UE to perform ranging. Alternatively, if the location service function determines that the UE's privacy settings indicate disallowance for the UE to perform the ranging, then stops subsequent ranging steps, such as not instructing the UE to perform ranging or perform any other operation.

[0380] In one possible implementation, whether the ranging is allowed may include whether the UE is authorized to perform ranging.

[0381] The permitted time range for ranging can be a time range within which the UE is allowed to perform ranging, including at least one of the following: the start time, end time, and duration within which the UE is allowed to perform the ranging.

[0382] In one possible implementation, the area range may include at least one of the following: geographical range, the cell to which the UE belongs, and the coverage area of ​​the base station to which the UE belongs.

[0383] In one possible implementation, the location service function provides ranging services within the time range during which the UE is allowed to perform ranging, such as instructing the UE to perform ranging within the time range during which the UE is allowed to perform ranging.

[0384] In one possible implementation, there can be multiple UEs associated with ranging, and the ranging service parameters can be provided based on the privacy settings corresponding to each of the multiple UEs.

[0385] For example, in the case of ranging between two UEs, the location service function can provide ranging services to both UEs when both UEs' privacy settings indicate that ranging is allowed, such as instructing both UEs to perform ranging.

[0386] The first ranging request can be sent by the first ranging requesting end. After receiving the first ranging request, the positioning service function can determine the UE that is performing ranging, and then provide ranging services based on the UE's privacy settings. The first ranging requesting end can be the UE, the access network, or a network element or function of the core network.

[0387] The first ranging request can indicate the UE that needs to perform ranging.

[0388] The location service function can instruct core network elements such as AMF to provide ranging services based on the UE's privacy settings, such as transmitting information during the ranging process and instructing the UE to perform ranging.

[0389] The UE can obtain the information needed for ranging based on the indication of the location service function, and then perform ranging.

[0390] Thus, by performing ranging on a direct communication link based on the UE's privacy settings, the UE's privacy requirements can be met during the ranging process, thereby improving the security of the ranging.

[0391] In one embodiment, the privacy settings are located in the UE's Unified Data Management (UDM).

[0392] Here, the first ranging request can be sent from the ranging request function to the location service function. When an application in the ranging request function has a ranging requirement, the ranging request function sends the first ranging request to the location service function.

[0393] In one embodiment, the ranging request function includes at least one of the following:

[0394] Core network functions;

[0395] Application Function AF;

[0396] entity.

[0397] In one embodiment, the first ranging request carries the identity identifier of the UE; wherein the location service function is determined by the ranging request function based on the identity identifier of the UE.

[0398] When the ranging request function has a ranging requirement, the location service function can be determined based on the UE's identity identifier (such as SUPI). The UE's identity identifier is then included in the first ranging request and sent to the location service function.

[0399] The UE's privacy settings can be pre-stored in the UDM. The location service function can retrieve the privacy settings from the UDM.

[0400] The location service function allows you to check the UE's privacy settings in the UDM.

[0401] In one possible implementation, the privacy settings of multiple UEs performing ranging can be stored in the same UDM, or the privacy settings of multiple UEs performing ranging can be stored in different UDMs, or the privacy settings of multiple UEs performing ranging can be stored in completely different UDMs.

[0402] In one possible implementation, the first ranging request from the ranging request function to the positioning service function may include at least one of the following: an identifier of the UE for which ranging is required, the ranging result (distance and / or angle), and the requested Quality of Service (QoS).

[0403] The location service function can obtain each UE's privacy settings from the UDM corresponding to each UE. It then determines whether to provide ranging services based on each UE's privacy settings.

[0404] In one possible implementation, the location service function determines whether to allow the ranging request function to request the ranging from the UE to perform the ranging;

[0405] The location service function responds to determining that it is permitted for the ranging request function to request the ranging from the UE to perform the ranging by determining the service parameters for the ranging, at least based on the privacy settings of the UE associated with the first ranging request.

[0406] The location service function can determine whether the ranging request function is authorized to provide ranging services to the UE performing ranging in the first ranging request. If the ranging request function is authorized to provide ranging services to the UE, the location service function provides ranging services according to the privacy settings of the UE performing ranging as indicated in the first ranging request.

[0407] In one possible implementation

[0408] The location service function determines the UDM corresponding to the UE based on the UE's identity identifier carried in the first ranging request;

[0409] The location service function obtains the privacy settings of the UE from the UDM corresponding to the UE.

[0410] The first ranging request may carry the UE's identity identifier. The UE's identity identifier may include the SUPI (Supplemental Identity Provider). The location service function can determine the UDM (Uniform Device Management) based on the UE's identity identifier.

[0411] The location service function can invoke the Nudm_SDM_Get service operation to obtain the UE's privacy settings from the UDM corresponding to the UE. The UDM returns the UE's privacy settings. The location service function can check the UE's privacy configuration. If at least one UE associated with ranging does not allow ranging, the service parameters for ranging are stopped.

[0412] In one embodiment, the AMF provides ranging service parameters based on a direct communication link, including:

[0413] The AMF receives location request information sent by the location service function, wherein the location request information is used to request the location information of the UE from the AMF;

[0414] The AMF sends a location request response to the location service function, wherein the location request response includes the location information of the UE, and the location information of the UE is used by the location service function to determine whether the UE is allowed to perform the ranging in combination with the area range.

[0415] If the privacy settings specify an area where ranging is permitted, the location service function needs to determine whether the UE's current location falls within that area. If the location service function determines that the UE's current location falls within the area, then the UE is allowed to perform ranging. If the location service function determines that the UE's current location does not fall within the area, then the UE is not allowed to perform ranging.

[0416] In one possible implementation, the location service function needs to determine the location of all UEs participating in ranging and whether each UE is located within its respective range where ranging is permitted.

[0417] The location service function can send location request information to each UE's AMF to request the UE's location information.

[0418] For example, the location service function can invoke the Nudm_UECM_Get service operation to the UDM corresponding to the UE. The UDM can return the network address of the UE's current serving AMF.

[0419] For example, the location service function can call the Namf_Location_ProvideLocationInfo service operation to request the UE's location information provided by the network.

[0420] Here, location information may include at least one of the following: the geographical location of the UE, the cell in which the UE is located, and the base station to which the UE belongs.

[0421] In one possible implementation, location information can be stored in the AMF during historical positioning, UE access, cell handover, and other processes.

[0422] In one possible implementation, the AMFs of the multiple UEs performing ranging can be the same, or the AMFs of the multiple UEs performing ranging can be completely different, or the AMFs of the multiple UEs performing ranging can not be completely different.

[0423] AMF can return a location request response to the location service function, and the location request response can carry the UE's location information.

[0424] For example, the AMF returns a Namf_Location_ProvideLocationInfo response to the location service function to return the UE location provided by the network.

[0425] After determining the UE's location information, the location service function can determine whether the UE is within the area where ranging is permitted, and thus determine whether the UE is allowed to perform ranging.

[0426] In one embodiment, the location request information further includes a UE authentication indication for indicating at least one of the following:

[0427] The associated information of the distance measurement;

[0428] Whether it is necessary to indicate the ranging association information to the UE;

[0429] Whether the UE verifies the distance measurement association information;

[0430] The UE verification indication is set by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

[0431] The location service function can determine the UE authentication indication based on privacy settings. These privacy settings can specify the information carried in the UE authentication indication. The location service function can also include the UE authentication indication in the location request information to indicate to the AMF the associated ranging information that requires UE authentication.

[0432] The associated information of the distance measurement can be used to indicate the requesting end of the distance measurement, etc.

[0433] In one embodiment, the associated information of the ranging includes at least one of the following:

[0434] The application identifier of the application requesting the ranging;

[0435] The type of distance measurement.

[0436] Ranging can be initiated by an application within the ranging request function, and the location service function can send the application's application identifier to the AMF.

[0437] The location service function can instruct the AMF to send ranging-related information to the UE.

[0438] The location service function can also instruct the AMF to have the UE verify the associated information of the ranging.

[0439] For example, the location service function can indicate the application identifier of the application requesting ranging to the AMF, which is then sent to the UE for verification to determine whether the application is authorized by the UE to request ranging.

[0440] In one possible implementation, the location service function can instruct the AMF not to send association information to the UE. For example, the location service function may instruct the AMF not to send association information to the UE and not for the UE to verify the association information, thus instructing the AMF not to send association information to the UE.

[0441] In one embodiment, the AMF provides ranging service parameters based on a direct communication link, including:

[0442] In response to the UE authentication indication that the ranging association information needs to be indicated to the UE, the AMF sends a first notification message to the UE, wherein the first notification message is used to indicate the ranging association information.

[0443] In one possible implementation, the location service function can instruct the AMF to send ranging association information to the UE without requiring verification by the UE. In this case, the AMF can send the ranging association information to the UE in the first notification information after receiving the ranging association information.

[0444] In one embodiment, the AMF provides ranging service parameters based on a direct communication link, including:

[0445] In response to the UE verification indication that the UE needs to verify the ranging association information, the AMF sends a second notification message to the UE, wherein the second notification message is used to indicate that the UE needs to verify the ranging association information;

[0446] The UE receives verification result information sent in response to the second notification information, wherein the verification result information is used to indicate the verification result of the ranging association information by the UE;

[0447] Sending a location request response to the location service function includes:

[0448] Send the location request response carrying the verification result to the location service function.

[0449] In one possible implementation, the location service function can instruct the AMF to send ranging-related information to the UE, which needs to be verified by the UE. Upon receiving the ranging-related information, the AMF can instruct the UE to verify the ranging-related information via a second notification message. The second notification message can simultaneously indicate the ranging-related information to the UE and instruct the UE to verify it. The first and second notification messages can be the same signaling.

[0450] The UE can verify the associated information of the ranging and send the verification result to the AMF.

[0451] In one possible implementation, the verification result may include verification success or verification failure.

[0452] AMF can send the verification result determined by the UE to the location service function.

[0453] For example, the AMF can return a Namf_Location_ProvideLocationInfo response to the location service function to return the UE location provided by the network, and include the verification result.

[0454] like Figure 5 As shown, this exemplary embodiment provides a ranging method that can be executed by the AMF of a cellular mobile communication system, including:

[0455] Step 501: In response to determining that the UE needs to send the verification result information and has not received the verification result information, the AMF determines that the verification result is that the UE has failed to verify the distance measurement association information.

[0456] Step 501 can be performed alone or in conjunction with step 401.

[0457] If the AMF instructs the UE to verify the ranging association information and determines that the UE needs to return verification result information, then if no verification result information is received within the expected reception period, the AMF can determine that the UE failed to verify the ranging association information. The UE's failure to verify the ranging association information may include: the UE not verifying the ranging association information, and / or the ranging association information not being authorized by the UE.

[0458] In one possible implementation, the location service function determines whether to allow the UE to perform the ranging based at least on the UE's location information, the area range, and the verification result.

[0459] After determining the UE's location information, the location service function can determine whether the UE is within the area where ranging is permitted, and at the same time determine the verification result, and then determine whether the UE is allowed to perform ranging.

[0460] For example, the location service function can determine that the UE is allowed to perform ranging when the UE is in an area where ranging is permitted and the verification result is successful.

[0461] In one possible implementation, the verification result returned by the UE also includes a timestamp.

[0462] The location service function determines whether to allow the UE to perform ranging based on the allowed time range and timestamp.

[0463] For example, if the timestamp is within the time range, the UE is allowed to perform ranging; otherwise, the UE is not allowed to perform ranging.

[0464] In one embodiment, the verification result information further includes time information, used to indicate the time during which the UE allows and / or does not allow ranging.

[0465] Sending a location request response to the location service function includes:

[0466] Send the location request response carrying the time information to the location service function.

[0467] In one possible implementation, time information is used to indicate the time after the current ranging operation that the UE is allowed and / or not allowed to perform ranging.

[0468] AMF can send time information in the location request response to the location service function. The location service function can then determine when the UE allows and / or disallows ranging.

[0469] In one embodiment, the AMF performs ranging service parameters based on a direct communication link, including:

[0470] The AMF receives a second ranging request sent by the location service function, wherein the second ranging request is determined by the location service function based on the privacy settings to allow the UE to send the ranging request;

[0471] Based on the second ranging request, the UE is instructed to perform the ranging.

[0472] The location service function determines, based on privacy settings, that the UE is allowed to perform ranging (for example, the location service function determines that the locations of two UEs allowed to perform ranging are both within their respective allowed ranging areas and within their respective allowed ranging time periods). The location service function can send a second ranging request to the serving AMF, instructing the AMF to provide ranging services based on the second ranging request. The serving AMF can be the AMF associated with the UE being ranging.

[0473] Here, the second ranging request can be the same as or different from the first ranging request. The second ranging request can indicate the UE performing the ranging, the required ranging results, and other ranging requirements.

[0474] The serving AMF can forward the second ranging request to the UE via NAS signaling. Here, the UE can be a UE associated with ranging.

[0475] The UE performs ranging based on a second ranging request. For example, a reference UE can initiate ranging with the target UE based on a direct communication link based on a second ranging request. The ranging process may include ranging discovery and service operations.

[0476] The UE can send the ranging result to the serving AMF. The serving AMF forwards the ranging result to the location service function. The location service function forwards the ranging result to the ranging request function, thus completing the ranging.

[0477] Here, the ranging result can be the original measurement data such as the signal flight time obtained by the UE when measuring the signal, or it can be the calculated result of distance, direction, position, etc. obtained after processing the original data.

[0478] like Figure 6 As shown, this exemplary embodiment provides a ranging method that can be executed by a UE of a cellular mobile communication system, including:

[0479] Step 601: The UE performs ranging based on the direct communication link, wherein the ranging is performed by the positioning service function at least according to the privacy settings of the UE.

[0480] The Location Network Function (Location NF) can be a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) or a Ranging / Direct Link Positioning Management Function (RSMF), etc. The Location Network Function can be responsible for verifying the privacy settings of the UE associated with ranging and controlling the ranging process. The Location Network Function can be an entity or a function on the network side; this disclosure does not limit this. In one implementation, the Location Network Function can be a function within any entity on the network side, or it can be a new entity. In the disclosed embodiments, the Location Network Function can be implemented using existing network elements, entities, or functions on the network side; therefore, the name "Location Network Function" should not be considered a limitation on the function or network element.

[0481] In one possible implementation, ranging based on a direct communication link may include ranging based on signals from the PC5 port and / or SR5 port of the direct communication link.

[0482] Here, ranging may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: determining the distance between two or more UEs via a direct communication link; determining the relative direction between one UE and another UE via a direct communication link; determining the relative position between one UE and another UE via a direct communication link. Ranging may also include direct communication link positioning, that is, locating the UE via a direct communication link.

[0483] For example, multiple UEs can be used to measure the distance to the target UE, determining the distance and / or direction between the target UE and the multiple UEs. Alternatively, triangulation methods can be employed to determine the coordinates of the target UE using the ranging results between the multiple UEs and the target UE, thus achieving positioning via a direct communication link.

[0484] In this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, "ranging" can include at least one of the following: determining the distance between two or more UEs via a direct communication link, determining the relative direction between one UE and another UE via a direct communication link, determining the relative position between one UE and another UE via a direct communication link, or locating the UE via a direct communication link. Among these, determining the relative direction and relative position between one UE and another UE via a direct communication link is often performed together.

[0485] In one possible implementation, ranging between multiple UEs to be measured based on a direct communication link can be used to determine the distance and / or direction between N UEs to be measured and other UEs among the multiple UEs to be measured, or to determine the position of N UEs to be measured, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the total number of UEs to be measured.

[0486] For example, the UE and / or core network equipment (such as LMF) can determine the distance between UEs based on the time-of-flight of signals transmitted between UEs via PC5 / SR5 ports. Furthermore, the location of UEs in unknown locations can be achieved based on the relative positions of UEs in multiple known locations and UEs in unknown locations. Here, the location of the UE can include, but is not limited to: the geographical coordinates of the UE, the relative position of the UE with respect to a reference point (such as a base station or UEs in known locations), etc. No further limitations are imposed here.

[0487] The location service function can provide ranging service parameters based on the first ranging request.

[0488] In one possible implementation, the ranging service parameters provided by the location service function include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0489] Control whether the UE performs ranging;

[0490] Transmitting information during the ranging process;

[0491] Determine the UE's privacy settings;

[0492] Perform operations related to UE privacy settings, such as determining whether the current situation meets the privacy setting requirements.

[0493] In one possible implementation, the location service function can control the UE to perform ranging through core network elements such as AMF.

[0494] Here, the UE associated with the first ranging request can be a UE related to ranging, which may include, but is not limited to, UEs participating in ranging. The UE associated with ranging may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: reference UE, target UE, observer UE, third-party UE, assisting UE, etc.

[0495] Privacy settings can be used to indicate the privacy information associated with ranging for the UE. This limits the UE's ranging behavior.

[0496] In one possible implementation, the UE's privacy settings may indicate the types of ranging that the UE is allowed to perform, and / or the types of ranging that the UE is not allowed to perform.

[0497] The type of ranging can be determined based on the number of UEs participating in the ranging. For example, the types of ranging include ranging with different numbers of UEs.

[0498] The type of ranging can also be determined based on the ranging results. For example, the type of ranging can include: ranging based on relative distance measurement, ranging based on relative direction measurement, and ranging for UE positioning.

[0499] In one possible implementation, the UE's privacy settings may indicate the allowed and / or prohibited ranging accuracy of the UE. In embodiments of this disclosure, the "allowed ranging accuracy" may specifically be a numerical value or a range of accuracy. Based on the UE's privacy settings, the allowed positioning accuracy of the UE can be determined.

[0500] In one possible implementation, the UE's privacy settings can be pre-stored in the core network. These privacy settings can be provided by the UE, agreed upon by the UE and the network side, stipulated by the communication protocol, or specified by the network operator.

[0501] In one embodiment, the privacy setting is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0502] Is the ranging operation permitted?

[0503] The area within which the ranging is permitted;

[0504] The permitted time range for the distance measurement.

[0505] In one possible implementation, if the location service function determines that the UE's privacy settings indicate permission for the UE to perform the ranging, then proceeds with subsequent ranging steps, such as instructing the UE to perform ranging. Alternatively, if the location service function determines that the UE's privacy settings indicate disallowance for the UE to perform the ranging, then stops subsequent ranging steps, such as not instructing the UE to perform ranging or perform any other operation.

[0506] In one possible implementation, whether the ranging is allowed may include whether the UE is authorized to perform ranging.

[0507] The permitted time range for ranging can be a time range within which the UE is allowed to perform ranging, including at least one of the following: the start time, end time, and duration within which the UE is allowed to perform the ranging.

[0508] In one possible implementation, the area range may include at least one of the following: geographical range, the cell to which the UE belongs, and the coverage area of ​​the base station to which the UE belongs.

[0509] In one possible implementation, the location service function provides ranging services within the time range during which the UE is allowed to perform ranging, such as instructing the UE to perform ranging within the time range during which the UE is allowed to perform ranging.

[0510] In one possible implementation, there can be multiple UEs associated with ranging, and the ranging service parameters can be provided based on the privacy settings corresponding to each of the multiple UEs.

[0511] For example, in the case of ranging between two UEs, the location service function can provide ranging services to both UEs when both UEs' privacy settings indicate that ranging is allowed, such as instructing both UEs to perform ranging.

[0512] The first ranging request can be sent by the first ranging requesting end. After receiving the first ranging request, the positioning service function can determine the UE that is performing ranging, and then provide ranging services based on the UE's privacy settings. The first ranging requesting end can be the UE, the access network, or a network element or function of the core network.

[0513] The first ranging request can indicate the UE that needs to perform ranging.

[0514] The location service function can instruct core network elements such as AMF to provide ranging services based on the UE's privacy settings, such as transmitting information during the ranging process and instructing the UE to perform ranging.

[0515] The UE can obtain the information needed for ranging based on the indication of the location service function, and then perform ranging.

[0516] Thus, by performing ranging on a direct communication link based on the UE's privacy settings, the UE's privacy requirements can be met during the ranging process, thereby improving the security of the ranging.

[0517] In one embodiment, the privacy settings are located in the UDM corresponding to the UE.

[0518] Here, the first ranging request can be sent from the ranging request function to the location service function. When an application in the ranging request function has a ranging requirement, the ranging request function sends the first ranging request to the location service function.

[0519] In one embodiment, the ranging request function includes at least one of the following:

[0520] Core network functions;

[0521] Application Function AF;

[0522] entity.

[0523] When the ranging request function has a ranging requirement, the location service function can be determined based on the UE's identity identifier (such as SUPI). The UE's identity identifier is then included in the first ranging request and sent to the location service function.

[0524] The UE's privacy settings can be pre-stored in the UDM. The location service function can retrieve the privacy settings from the UDM.

[0525] The location service function allows you to check the UE's privacy settings in the UDM.

[0526] In one possible implementation, the privacy settings of multiple UEs performing ranging can be stored in the same UDM, or the privacy settings of multiple UEs performing ranging can be stored in different UDMs, or the privacy settings of multiple UEs performing ranging can be stored in completely different UDMs.

[0527] In one possible implementation, the first ranging request from the ranging request function to the positioning service function may include at least one of the following: an identifier of the UE for which ranging is required, the ranging result (distance and / or angle), and the requested Quality of Service (QoS).

[0528] The location service function can obtain each UE's privacy settings from the UDM corresponding to each UE. It then determines whether to provide ranging services based on each UE's privacy settings.

[0529] In one possible implementation, the location service function determines whether to allow the ranging request function to request the ranging from the UE to perform the ranging;

[0530] The location service function responds to determining that it is permitted for the ranging request function to request the ranging from the UE to perform the ranging by determining the service parameters for the ranging, at least based on the privacy settings of the UE associated with the first ranging request.

[0531] The location service function can determine whether the ranging request function is authorized to provide ranging services to the UE performing ranging in the first ranging request. If the ranging request function is authorized to provide ranging services to the UE, the location service function provides ranging services according to the privacy settings of the UE performing ranging as indicated in the first ranging request.

[0532] In one possible implementation

[0533] The location service function determines the UDM corresponding to the UE based on the UE's identity identifier carried in the first ranging request;

[0534] The location service function obtains the privacy settings of the UE from the UDM corresponding to the UE.

[0535] The first ranging request may carry the UE's identity identifier. The UE's identity identifier may include the SUPI (Supplemental Identity Provider). The location service function can determine the UDM (Uniform Device Management) based on the UE's identity identifier.

[0536] The location service function can call the Nudm_SDM_Get service operation to obtain the UE's privacy settings from the corresponding UDM. The UDM returns the UE's privacy settings. The location service function can check the UE's privacy configuration. If at least one of the UE's settings is not allowed to perform ranging, then the service parameters for ranging will be stopped.

[0537] If the privacy settings specify an area where ranging is permitted, the location service function needs to determine whether the UE's current location falls within that area. If the location service function determines that the UE's current location falls within the area, then ranging can be permitted. If the location service function determines that the UE's current location does not fall within the area, then ranging can be disallowed.

[0538] In one possible implementation, the location service function needs to determine the location of all UEs participating in ranging and whether each UE is located within its respective range where ranging is permitted.

[0539] The location service function can send location request information to each UE's AMF to request the UE's location information.

[0540] For example, the location service function can invoke the Nudm_UECM_Get service operation to the UDM corresponding to the UE. The UDM can return the network address of the UE's current serving AMF.

[0541] For example, the location service function can call the Namf_Location_ProvideLocationInfo service operation to request the UE's location information provided by the network.

[0542] Here, location information may include at least one of the following: the geographical location of the UE, the cell in which the UE is located, and the base station to which the UE belongs.

[0543] In one possible implementation, location information can be stored in the AMF during historical positioning, UE access, cell handover, and other processes.

[0544] In one possible implementation, the AMFs of the multiple UEs performing ranging can be the same, or the AMFs of the multiple UEs performing ranging can be completely different, or the AMFs of the multiple UEs performing ranging can not be completely different.

[0545] AMF can return a location request response to the location service function, and the location request response can carry the UE's location information.

[0546] For example, the AMF returns a Namf_Location_ProvideLocationInfo response to the location service function to return the UE location provided by the network.

[0547] After determining the UE's location information, the location service function can determine whether the UE is within the area where ranging is permitted, and thus determine whether the UE is allowed to perform ranging.

[0548] In one embodiment, the location request information further includes a UE authentication indication for indicating at least one of the following:

[0549] The associated information of the distance measurement;

[0550] Whether it is necessary to indicate the ranging association information to the UE;

[0551] Whether the UE verifies the distance measurement association information;

[0552] The UE verification indication is set by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

[0553] The location service function can determine the UE authentication indication based on privacy settings. These privacy settings can specify the information carried in the UE authentication indication. The location service function can also include the UE authentication indication in the location request information to indicate to the AMF the associated ranging information that requires UE authentication.

[0554] The associated information of the distance measurement can be used to indicate the requesting end of the distance measurement, etc.

[0555] In one embodiment, the associated information of the ranging includes at least one of the following:

[0556] The application identifier of the application requesting the ranging;

[0557] The type of distance measurement.

[0558] Ranging can be initiated by an application within the ranging request function, and the location service function can send the application's application identifier to the AMF.

[0559] The location service function can instruct the AMF to send ranging-related information to the UE.

[0560] The location service function can also instruct the AMF to have the UE verify the associated information of the ranging.

[0561] For example, the location service function can indicate the application identifier of the application requesting ranging to the AMF, which is then sent to the UE for verification to determine whether the application is authorized by the UE to request ranging.

[0562] In one possible implementation, the location service function can instruct the AMF not to send association information to the UE. For example, the location service function may instruct the AMF not to send association information to the UE and not for the UE to verify the association information, thus instructing the AMF not to send association information to the UE.

[0563] like Figure 7 As shown, this exemplary embodiment provides a ranging method that can be executed by a UE of a cellular mobile communication system, including:

[0564] Step 701: The UE receives a first notification message sent by the AMF, wherein the first notification message is used to inform the association information of the ranging; wherein the first notification message is sent by the AMF based on the UE verification indication carried in the location request information sent by the location service function, wherein the UE verification indication is determined by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

[0565] Step 701 can be performed alone or in conjunction with step 601.

[0566] In one possible implementation, the location service function can instruct the AMF to send ranging association information to the UE, but without requiring verification by the UE. In this case, the AMF can send the ranging association information to the UE in the first notification message after receiving it.

[0567] like Figure 8 As shown, this exemplary embodiment provides a ranging method that can be executed by a UE of a cellular mobile communication system, including:

[0568] Step 801: The UE receives a second notification message sent by the AMF, wherein the second notification message is used to inform the UE of the ranging association information and to verify it, wherein the second notification message is sent by the AMF based on the UE verification indication carried in the location request information sent by the location service function, wherein the UE verification indication is determined by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

[0569] Step 801 can be performed alone or in combination with step 601 and / or step 701.

[0570] In one possible implementation, the location service function can instruct the AMF to send ranging-related information to the UE, which needs to be verified by the UE. After receiving the ranging-related information, the AMF can instruct the UE to verify the ranging-related information via a second notification message. The second notification message can simultaneously indicate the ranging-related information to the UE and instruct the UE to verify it. The first and second notification messages can be the same signaling. Figure 9 As shown, this exemplary embodiment provides a ranging method that can be executed by a UE of a cellular mobile communication system, including:

[0571] Step 901: The UE sends verification result information to the AMF, wherein the verification result information is used to indicate to the UE the verification result of the ranging association information.

[0572] Step 801 can be performed alone or in combination with steps 601, 701 and / or 801.

[0573] In one possible implementation, the verification result may include verification success or verification failure.

[0574] AMF can send the verification result determined by the UE to the location service function.

[0575] For example, the AMF can return a Namf_Location_ProvideLocationInfo response to the location service function to return the UE location provided by the network, and include the verification result.

[0576] In one embodiment, the verification result information further includes time information to indicate the time during which the UE is allowed and / or not allowed to perform ranging. In one possible implementation, the time information is used to indicate the time after the current ranging operation that the UE is allowed and / or not allowed to perform ranging.

[0577] AMF can send time information in the location request response to the location service function. The location service function can then determine when the UE allows and / or disallows ranging.

[0578] like Figure 10 As shown, this exemplary embodiment provides a ranging method that can be executed by a UE of a cellular mobile communication system, including one of the following:

[0579] Step 1001a: In response to the failure to verify the ranging association information, the UE does not send the verification result information to the AMF;

[0580] Step 1001b: In response to the failure to verify the associated information of the ranging, the UE sends a verification result message to the AMF indicating that the verification result is a verification failure.

[0581] Step 1001 can be implemented alone or in combination with steps 601, 701, 801 and / or 901.

[0582] In one possible implementation, the location service function can instruct the AMF to send ranging-related information to the UE, which needs to be verified by the UE. Upon receiving the ranging-related information, the AMF can instruct the UE to verify the ranging-related information via a second notification message. The second notification message can simultaneously indicate the ranging-related information to the UE and instruct the UE to verify it. The first and second notification messages can be the same signaling.

[0583] The UE can verify the associated information of the ranging and send the verification result to the AMF.

[0584] In one possible implementation, the verification result may include verification success or verification failure.

[0585] AMF can send the verification result determined by the UE to the location service function.

[0586] For example, the AMF can return a Namf_Location_ProvideLocationInfo response to the location service function to return the UE location provided by the network, and include the verification result.

[0587] If the AMF instructs the UE to verify the ranging association information and determines that the UE needs to return verification result information, then if no verification result information is received within the expected reception period, the AMF can determine that the UE failed to verify the ranging association information. The UE's failure to verify the ranging association information may include: the UE not verifying the ranging association information, and / or the ranging association information not being authorized by the UE.

[0588] In one possible implementation, the location service function determines whether to allow the UE to perform the ranging based at least on the UE's location information, the area range, and the verification result.

[0589] After determining the UE's location information, the location service function can determine whether the UE is within the area where ranging is permitted, and at the same time determine the verification result, and then determine whether the UE is allowed to perform ranging.

[0590] For example, the location service function can determine that the UE is allowed to perform ranging when the UE is in an area where ranging is permitted and the verification result is successful.

[0591] In one possible implementation, the verification result returned by the UE also includes a timestamp.

[0592] The location service function determines whether to allow the UE to perform ranging based on the allowed time range and timestamp.

[0593] For example, if the timestamp is within the time range, the UE is allowed to perform ranging; otherwise, the UE is not allowed to perform ranging.

[0594] In one embodiment, the ranging is instructed by the ranging service AMF to be performed by the UE upon receiving a second ranging request sent by the location service function, wherein the second ranging request is determined by the location service function based on the privacy settings to allow the UE to perform the ranging transmission.

[0595] The location service function determines, based on privacy settings, that the UE is allowed to perform ranging (for example, the location service function determines that the locations of two UEs allowed to perform ranging are both within their respective allowed ranging areas and within their respective allowed ranging time periods). The location service function can send a second ranging request to the serving AMF, instructing the AMF to provide ranging services based on the second ranging request. The serving AMF can be the AMF associated with the UE being ranging.

[0596] Here, the second ranging request can be the same as or different from the first ranging request. The second ranging request can indicate the UE performing the ranging, the required ranging results, and other ranging requirements.

[0597] The serving AMF can forward the second ranging request to the UE via NAS. Here, the UE can be the reference UE.

[0598] The UE performs ranging based on a second ranging request. For example, a reference UE can initiate ranging with the target UE based on a direct communication link based on a second ranging request. The ranging process may include ranging discovery and service operations.

[0599] The UE can send the ranging result to the serving AMF. The serving AMF forwards the ranging result to the location service function. The location service function forwards the ranging result to the ranging request function, thus completing the ranging.

[0600] Here, the ranging result can be the original measurement data such as the signal flight time obtained by the UE when measuring the signal, or it can be the calculated result of distance, direction, position, etc. obtained after processing the original data.

[0601] The following provides a specific example in conjunction with any of the above embodiments:

[0602] Assume UE1 is managed by AMF1 and UDM1, and UE2 is managed by AMF2 and UDM2. If UE1 and UE2 are served by the same network functions, there is no distinction between AMF and UDM, that is, AMF1 and AMF2 are the same or UDM1 and UDM2 are the same.

[0603] like Figure 11 As shown, the Location Network Function (Location NF) can be a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) or a Ranging / SL Positioning Management Function (RSMF), etc. The RSMF is responsible for verifying the ranging UE's privacy settings and forwarding the ranging request to the serving AMF, etc. Specific ranging methods include:

[0604] Step 1101: Provide service authorization policies / parameters to UE1 and UE2.

[0605] Step 1102: The 5GCNF / AF (via the location service function) sends a ranging / SL location service request (i.e., the first ranging request) to the corresponding location service function. If the 5GC NF is a location service function, this step is skipped.

[0606] UE1 can be either the target UE or the reference UE, which can be determined in the 5GC NF / AF request or in step 1110.

[0607] The 5GC NF selects the location service function based on the UE's SUPI. Once a ranging / SL location service request containing the UE's identity identifier (e.g., SUPI) is received, the location service function identifies the UE's home network and initiates an authorization process with the UDM of UE1 / UE2.

[0608] Step 1103: The location service function uses the Nudm_SDM_Get service operation to obtain the UE's privacy settings from the UDM of UE1 / UE2. The UDM returns the privacy settings of UE1 / UE2. The location service function then checks the UE's ranging privacy. If neither UE1 nor UE2 authorizes ranging / SL positioning, or if one of UE1 and UE2 does not authorize ranging / SL positioning, then steps 1104-1112 are skipped.

[0609] If UE1 and UE2 are managed by different UDMs, the location service function should send Nudm_SDM_Get messages to the corresponding UDMs respectively.

[0610] Step 1104: The location service function calls the Nudm_UECM_Get service operation to the UDM of UE1 / UE2. The UDM returns the network address of the current serving AMF of UE1 / UE2.

[0611] Step 1105: If any UE has been granted restricted access within a certain area (i.e., the area where ranging is permitted), the location service function invokes the Namf_Location_ProvideLocationInfo service operation to the AMF (i.e., sends a location request message to the UDM) to request the UE's location provided by the network. This location request message may also carry the privacy check result (UE verification indication) from step 1103, which may include the AF providing the application's identity code and indications for privacy-related actions (i.e., no action (no need to notify the UE of the application's identity code), notification (the UE needs to be notified of the application's identity code), notification and privacy verification, etc. (the UE needs to be notified of the application's identity code and is required to verify the application's identity code)).

[0612] Step 1106a: If the privacy check related operation indicator (UE verification indicator) indicates that the UE must be notified of the associated information or that the UE must be notified to perform privacy verification, and if the UE supports the ranging notification (based on the UE capability information), then the AMF sends a notification call message to UE1 / UE2: NAS location notification call request (second notification information), indicating the application's identity code and whether privacy verification is required.

[0613] Step 1106b: UE1 / UE2 returns a notification result to the AMF: NAS location notification return result (verification result information), indicating whether the privacy verification was passed and whether the current ranging request is allowed or denied. If the UE does not respond after a predetermined time period, the AMF returns an error response to the location service function, which includes a "no response" parameter.

[0614] The notification result may also include a Ranging Privacy Indication (i.e., time information); that is, whether UE1 / UE2 allows subsequent ranging requests (if generated). The Ranging Privacy Indication can also indicate the time point at which subsequent ranging requests are not allowed.

[0615] Step 1107: The AMF returns a Namf_Location_ProvideLocationInfo response (i.e., a location request response) to the location service function to return the UE location provided by the network. This location request response includes a ranging privacy indication.

[0616] Step 1108: The location service function checks whether UE1 / UE2 is within an area where ranging services are permitted, based on the location provided by the network. If the location and time provided by the network meet privacy requirements, the location service function forwards the ranging / SL location service request (second ranging request) to the service AMF.

[0617] Step 1109: AMF forwards the ranging / SL positioning service request to UE1 via NAS signaling.

[0618] Step 1110: UE1 initiates a ranging / SL positioning procedure to UE2 to perform measurements and result calculations. The ranging / SL positioning procedure includes ranging / SL positioning discovery and service operations.

[0619] Step 1111: UE1 sends the ranging / SL positioning result (ranging result) to AMF.

[0620] Step 1112: AMF forwards the ranging / SL positioning results to the positioning service function.

[0621] Step 1113: The location service function forwards the ranging / SL location results to 5GC NF / AF.

[0622] This invention also provides a ranging device, such as... Figure 12 As shown, in a location service function applied to cellular mobile wireless communication, the device 100 includes:

[0623] The processing module 110 is configured to determine the ranging service parameters based at least on the privacy settings of the user equipment (UE) associated with the first ranging request; wherein the first ranging request is a request to perform the ranging via a direct communication link.

[0624] In one embodiment, the privacy setting is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0625] Is the ranging operation permitted?

[0626] The area within which the ranging is permitted;

[0627] The permitted time range for the distance measurement.

[0628] In one embodiment, the device further includes a transceiver module 120 configured to:

[0629] Receive the first ranging request sent by the ranging request function;

[0630] Based on the first ranging request, the privacy settings of the UE are obtained from the Unified Data Management (UDM);

[0631] Whether to provide the ranging service parameters is determined based on the privacy settings.

[0632] In one embodiment, the processing module 110 is further configured to determine whether to allow the ranging request function to request the UE to perform the ranging;

[0633] The processing module 110 is specifically configured to, in response to determining that the ranging request function is allowed to request the ranging from the UE to perform the ranging, determine the service parameters of the ranging based at least on the privacy settings of the UE associated with the first ranging request.

[0634] In one embodiment, the first ranging request carries the identity identifier of the UE; wherein the location service function is determined by the ranging request function based on the identity identifier of the UE.

[0635] In one embodiment, the processing module 110 is specifically configured as follows:

[0636] Based on the UE's identity identifier carried in the first ranging request, determine the UDM corresponding to the UE;

[0637] The privacy settings of the UE are obtained from the UDM corresponding to the UE.

[0638] In one embodiment, the transceiver module 120 is further configured to:

[0639] In response to the privacy setting indicating the area range that allows the ranging, a location request information is sent to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) of the UE, wherein the location request information is used to request the location information of the UE from the AMF;

[0640] Receive the location request response sent by the AMF based on the location request information, wherein the location request response includes the location information of the UE;

[0641] The processing module 110 is specifically configured to: determine whether to allow the UE to perform the ranging based at least on the UE's location information and the area range.

[0642] In one embodiment, the location request information further includes a UE authentication indication for indicating at least one of the following:

[0643] The associated information of the distance measurement;

[0644] Whether it is necessary to indicate the ranging association information to the UE;

[0645] Whether the UE verifies the distance measurement association information;

[0646] The UE verification indication is set by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

[0647] In one embodiment, the associated information of the ranging includes at least one of the following:

[0648] The application identifier of the application requesting the ranging;

[0649] The type of distance measurement.

[0650] In one embodiment, the location request response further includes: the UE verifying the verification result of the associated information.

[0651] In one embodiment, the processing module 110 is specifically configured as follows:

[0652] Based at least on the UE's location information, the area range, and the verification result, it is determined whether the UE is allowed to perform the ranging.

[0653] In one embodiment, the location request response further includes time information to indicate the time during which the UE allows and / or does not allow ranging.

[0654] In one embodiment, the transceiver module 120 is further configured to:

[0655] In response to determining that the UE is allowed to perform the ranging based on the privacy settings, a second ranging request is sent to the UE's AMF, the second ranging request being used to instruct the UE to perform the ranging.

[0656] In one embodiment, the ranging request function includes at least one of the following:

[0657] Core network functions;

[0658] Application Function AF;

[0659] entity.

[0660] This invention also provides a ranging device, such as... Figure 13 As shown, in an AMF (Automatic Facilitation Function) for cellular mobile wireless communication, the device 200 includes:

[0661] The transceiver module 210 is configured to provide ranging service parameters based on a direct communication link, wherein the ranging service parameters are indicated by the positioning service function at least according to the privacy settings of the user equipment (UE) associated with the ranging.

[0662] In one embodiment, the privacy setting is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0663] Is the ranging operation permitted?

[0664] The area within which the ranging is permitted;

[0665] The permitted time range for the distance measurement.

[0666] In one embodiment, the privacy settings are located in the UE's Unified Data Management (UDM).

[0667] In one embodiment, providing ranging service parameters based on a direct communication link includes:

[0668] The transceiver module 210 is further configured to receive location request information sent by the location service function, wherein the location request information is used to request the location information of the UE from the AMF;

[0669] The transceiver module 210 is further configured to send a location request response to the location service function, wherein the location request response includes the location information of the UE, and the location information of the UE is used by the location service function to determine whether the UE is allowed to perform the ranging in conjunction with the area range.

[0670] In one embodiment, the location request information further includes a UE authentication indication for indicating at least one of the following:

[0671] The associated information of the distance measurement;

[0672] Whether it is necessary to indicate the ranging association information to the UE;

[0673] Whether the UE verifies the distance measurement association information;

[0674] The UE verification indication is set by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

[0675] In one embodiment, the associated information of the ranging includes at least one of the following:

[0676] The application identifier of the application requesting the ranging;

[0677] The type of distance measurement.

[0678] In one embodiment, the transceiver module 210 is specifically configured as follows:

[0679] In response to the UE verification indication that the distance measurement association information needs to be indicated to the UE, a first notification information is sent to the UE, wherein the first notification information is used to indicate the distance measurement association information.

[0680] In one embodiment, the transceiver module 210 is further configured to:

[0681] In response to the UE verification indication that the UE needs to verify the ranging association information, a second notification message is sent to the UE, wherein the second notification message is used to indicate that the UE needs to verify the ranging association information;

[0682] The UE receives verification result information sent in response to the second notification information, wherein the verification result information is used to indicate the verification result of the ranging association information by the UE;

[0683] The transceiver module 210 is specifically configured to send a location request response carrying the verification result to the location service function.

[0684] In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a processing module 220 configured to:

[0685] In response to determining that the UE needs to send the verification result information and has not received the verification result information, the verification result is determined to be that the UE failed to verify the distance measurement association information.

[0686] In one embodiment, the verification result information further includes time information, used to indicate the time during which the UE allows and / or does not allow ranging.

[0687] The transceiver module 210 is specifically configured as follows:

[0688] Send the location request response carrying the time information to the location service function.

[0689] In one embodiment, the transceiver module 210 is specifically configured as follows:

[0690] The location service function receives a second ranging request, wherein the second ranging request is determined by the location service function based on the privacy settings to allow the UE to send the ranging request.

[0691] Based on the second ranging request, the UE is instructed to perform the ranging.

[0692] This invention also provides a ranging device, such as... Figure 14 As shown, in a UE used in cellular mobile wireless communication, the device 300 includes:

[0693] Processing module 310 is configured to perform ranging based on a direct communication link, wherein the ranging is performed by the positioning service function at least according to the privacy settings of the UE.

[0694] In one embodiment, the privacy setting is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0695] Is the ranging operation permitted?

[0696] The area within which the ranging is permitted;

[0697] The permitted time range for the distance measurement.

[0698] In one embodiment, the privacy settings are located in the UDM corresponding to the UE.

[0699] In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes:

[0700] The transceiver module 320 is configured to receive a first notification message sent by the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), wherein the first notification message is used to inform the associated information of the ranging; wherein the first notification message is sent by the AMF based on the UE verification indication carried in the location request information sent by the location service function, wherein the UE verification indication is determined by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

[0701] In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes:

[0702] The transceiver module 320 is configured to receive a second notification message sent by the AMF, wherein the second notification message is used to inform the UE of the ranging association information and obtain verification, wherein the second notification message is sent by the AMF based on the location request information sent by the positioning service function, and wherein the UE verification indication is determined by the positioning service function based on the privacy settings.

[0703] In one embodiment, the transceiver module 320 is further configured to:

[0704] The verification result information is sent to the AMF, wherein the verification result information is used to instruct the UE to verify the verification result of the ranging association information.

[0705] In one embodiment, the verification result information further includes time information, used to indicate the time during which the UE allows and / or does not allow ranging.

[0706] In one embodiment, the transceiver module 320 is further configured to:

[0707] In response to the failure to verify the correlation information of the ranging, no verification result information is sent to the AMF;

[0708] In response to the failure to verify the associated information of the ranging, a verification result message indicating that the verification result is a failure is sent to the AMF.

[0709] In one embodiment, the location request information includes a UE authentication indication, wherein the UE authentication indication is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0710] The associated information of the distance measurement;

[0711] Whether it is necessary to indicate the ranging association information to the UE;

[0712] Whether the UE verifies the distance measurement association information;

[0713] The UE verification indication is set by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

[0714] In one embodiment, the associated information of the ranging includes at least one of the following:

[0715] The application identifier of the application requesting the ranging;

[0716] The type of distance measurement.

[0717] In one embodiment, the ranging is instructed by the ranging service AMF to be performed by the UE upon receiving a second ranging request sent by the location service function, wherein the second ranging request is determined by the location service function based on the privacy settings to allow the UE to perform the ranging transmission.

[0718] In an exemplary embodiment, processing module 110, transceiver module 120, transceiver module 210, processing module 220, processing module 310, and transceiver module 320 may be implemented by one or more central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), baseband processors (BPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), DSPs, programmable logic devices (PLDs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), general-purpose processors, controllers, microcontrollers (MCUs), microprocessors, or other electronic components to perform the aforementioned method.

[0719] Figure 15 This is a block diagram illustrating a ranging device 3000 according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, the device 3000 may be a mobile phone, computer, digital broadcasting terminal, messaging device, game console, tablet device, medical device, fitness equipment, personal digital assistant, etc.

[0720] Reference Figure 15The device 3000 may include one or more of the following components: processing component 3002, memory 3004, power supply component 3006, multimedia component 3008, audio component 3010, input / output (I / O) interface 3012, sensor component 3014, and communication component 3016.

[0721] Processing component 3002 typically controls the overall operation of device 3000, such as operations associated with display, telephone calls, data communication, camera operation, and recording. Processing component 3002 may include one or more processors 3020 to execute instructions to complete all or part of the steps of the methods described above. Furthermore, processing component 3002 may include one or more modules to facilitate interaction between processing component 3002 and other components. For example, processing component 3002 may include a multimedia module to facilitate interaction between multimedia component 3008 and processing component 3002.

[0722] Memory 3004 is configured to store various types of data to support the operation of device 3000. Examples of this data include instructions for any application or method operating on device 3000, contact data, phonebook data, messages, pictures, videos, etc. Memory 3004 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, such as static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic storage, flash memory, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0723] Power supply component 3006 provides power to various components of device 3000. Power supply component 3006 may include a power management system, one or more power supplies, and other components associated with generating, managing, and distributing power to device 3000.

[0724] Multimedia component 3008 includes a screen that provides an output interface between device 3000 and the user. In some embodiments, the screen may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a touch panel (TP). If the screen includes a touch panel, the screen may be implemented as a touchscreen to receive input signals from the user. The touch panel includes one or more touch sensors to sense touches, swipes, and gestures on the touch panel. The touch sensors may sense not only the boundaries of touch or swipe actions but also the duration and pressure associated with the touch or swipe operation. In some embodiments, multimedia component 3008 includes a front-facing camera and / or a rear-facing camera. When device 3000 is in an operating mode, such as a shooting mode or a video mode, the front-facing camera and / or rear-facing camera may receive external multimedia data. Each front-facing camera and rear-facing camera may be a fixed optical lens system or have focal length and optical zoom capabilities.

[0725] Audio component 3010 is configured to output and / or input audio signals. For example, audio component 3010 includes a microphone (MIC) configured to receive external audio signals when device 3000 is in an operating mode, such as call mode, recording mode, and voice recognition mode. The received audio signals may be further stored in memory 3004 or transmitted via communication component 3016. In some embodiments, audio component 3010 also includes a speaker for outputting audio signals.

[0726] I / O interface 3012 provides an interface between processing component 3002 and peripheral interface modules, such as keyboards, click wheels, buttons, etc. These buttons may include, but are not limited to, home buttons, volume buttons, start buttons, and lock buttons.

[0727] Sensor assembly 3014 includes one or more sensors for providing state assessments of various aspects of device 3000. For example, sensor assembly 3014 may detect the on / off state of device 3000, the relative positioning of components such as the display and keypad of device 3000, changes in the position of device 3000 or a component of device 3000, the presence or absence of user contact with device 3000, the orientation or acceleration / deceleration of device 3000, and temperature changes of device 3000. Sensor assembly 3014 may include a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of nearby objects without any physical contact. Sensor assembly 3014 may also include an optical sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD image sensor, for use in imaging applications. In some embodiments, sensor assembly 3014 may also include an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.

[0728] Communication component 3016 is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication between device 3000 and other devices. Device 3000 can access wireless networks based on communication standards, such as Wi-Fi, 2G, or 3G, or combinations thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, communication component 3016 receives broadcast signals or broadcast-related information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In one exemplary embodiment, communication component 3016 also includes a near-field communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-range communication. For example, the NFC module may be implemented based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, Infrared Data Association (IrDA) technology, ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, Bluetooth (BT) technology, and other technologies.

[0729] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 3000 may be implemented by one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other electronic components to perform the methods described above.

[0730] In an exemplary embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions is also provided, such as a memory 3004 including instructions, which can be executed by a processor 3020 of the device 3000 to perform the above-described method. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be a ROM, random access memory (RAM), CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, and optical data storage device, etc.

[0731] Other embodiments of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the embodiments of the invention that follow the general principles of the embodiments of the invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed in this disclosure. The specification and embodiments are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the embodiments of the invention are indicated by the following claims.

[0732] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from their scope. The scope of the embodiments of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of ranging, wherein, The location service functions are executed, including: The receiving ranging request function sends a first ranging request; the first ranging request is a request to perform the ranging through a direct communication link; Send location request information to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) of the User Equipment (UE) associated with the first ranging request, the location request information including a UE authentication indication determined based on the UE's privacy settings; Receive the location request response sent by the AMF based on the location request information, wherein the location request response includes verification result information; In response to determining that ranging service is to be provided based on the verification result information, a second ranging request is sent to the UE's AMF, the second ranging request being used to instruct the UE to perform the ranging.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The privacy settings are used to instruct at least one of the following: Is the ranging operation permitted? The area within which the ranging is permitted; The permitted time range for the distance measurement.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The method further includes: Based on the first ranging request, the privacy settings of the UE are obtained from the Unified Data Management (UDM).

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The method further includes: In response to determining that the ranging request function is allowed to request the ranging function to perform the ranging, the ranging service is determined to be provided based on the verification result information.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The method further includes: determining whether to provide ranging services based on verification result information; The determination of whether to provide ranging services based on verification result information includes: In response to the privacy setting indicating the area range that allows the ranging, a location request information is sent to the AMF of the UE, wherein the location request information is used to request the location information of the UE from the AMF; Receive the location request response sent by the AMF based on the location request information, wherein the location request response includes the location information of the UE; Based at least on the UE's location information, the area range, and the verification result information, it is determined whether the UE is allowed to perform the ranging.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The UE verification indication is used to indicate at least one of the following: The associated information of the distance measurement; Whether it is necessary to indicate the ranging association information to the UE; Whether the UE verifies the distance measurement association information; The UE verification indication is set by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The associated information of the ranging includes at least one of the following: The application identifier of the application requesting the ranging; The type of distance measurement.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The location request response also includes time information to indicate the time during which the UE allows and / or does not allow ranging.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The ranging request function includes at least one of the following: Core network functions; Application Function AF; entity.

10. A distance measurement method, wherein, Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMF) are executed, including: Receive location request information sent by the location service function, the location request information including a UE verification indication determined based on the UE's privacy settings; Based on the location request information, a location request response is sent to the location service function, and the location request response includes verification result information; The location service function receives a second ranging request sent by the location service function. The second ranging request is used to instruct the UE to perform the ranging. The second ranging request is sent by the location service function in response to determining to provide ranging service based on verification result information.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The privacy settings are used to instruct at least one of the following: Is the ranging operation permitted? The area within which the ranging is permitted; The permitted time range for the distance measurement.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The method further includes: Receive location request information sent by the location service function, wherein the location request information is used to request the location information of the UE from the AMF; Send a location request response to the location service function, wherein the location request response includes the location information of the UE, and wherein the location information of the UE is used by the location service function to determine whether the UE is allowed to perform the ranging in conjunction with the area range.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The location request information also includes a UE authentication indication, which indicates at least one of the following: The associated information of the distance measurement; Whether it is necessary to indicate the ranging association information to the UE; Whether the UE verifies the distance measurement association information; The UE verification indication is set by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The associated information of the ranging includes at least one of the following: The application identifier of the application requesting the ranging; The type of distance measurement.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The method further includes: In response to the UE verification indication that the distance measurement association information needs to be indicated to the UE, a first notification information is sent to the UE, wherein the first notification information is used to indicate the distance measurement association information.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The method further includes: In response to the UE verification indication that the UE needs to verify the ranging association information, a second notification message is sent to the UE, wherein the second notification message is used to indicate that the UE needs to verify the ranging association information; The UE receives verification result information sent in response to the second notification information, wherein the verification result information is used to indicate the verification result of the ranging association information by the UE; Sending a location request response to the location service function includes: Send the location request response carrying the verification result to the location service function.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The method further includes: In response to determining that the UE needs to send the verification result information and has not received the verification result information, the verification result is determined to be that the UE failed to verify the distance measurement association information.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The verification result information also includes time information, which indicates the time during which the UE is allowed and / or not allowed to perform ranging. Sending a location request response to the location service function includes: Send the location request response carrying the time information to the location service function.

19. A distance measurement method, wherein, Executed by the user equipment (UE), including: In response to a request received from the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), ranging is performed based on a direct communication link; wherein the request is sent by the AMF after receiving a second ranging request, the second ranging request being sent to the AMF by the Location Service Function in response to determining to provide ranging services based on verification result information included in a location request response, the location request response being sent by the AMF after receiving location request information sent by the Location Service Function, the location request information including a UE verification indication determined by the Location Service Function based on the UE's privacy settings.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein, The privacy settings are used to instruct at least one of the following: Is the ranging operation permitted? The area within which the ranging is permitted; The permitted time range for the distance measurement.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The method further includes: The system receives a first notification message sent by the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), wherein the first notification message is used to inform the system of the ranging association information; wherein the first notification message is sent by the AMF based on the UE verification indication carried in the location request information sent by the location service function, wherein the UE verification indication is determined by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The method further includes: The system receives a second notification message sent by the AMF, wherein the second notification message is used to inform the UE of the associated information of the ranging and to obtain verification, wherein the second notification message is sent by the AMF based on the UE verification indication carried in the location request information sent by the location service function, wherein the UE verification indication is determined by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein, The method further includes: The verification result information is sent to the AMF, wherein the verification result information is used to instruct the UE to verify the verification result of the ranging association information.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein, The verification result information also includes time information, which indicates the time during which the UE is allowed and / or not allowed to perform ranging.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein, The method further includes: In response to the failure to verify the correlation information of the ranging, no verification result information is sent to the AMF; In response to the failure to verify the associated information of the ranging, a verification result message indicating that the verification result is a failure is sent to the AMF.

26. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 25, wherein, The UE verification indication is used to indicate at least one of the following: The associated information of the distance measurement; Whether it is necessary to indicate the ranging association information to the UE; Whether the UE verifies the distance measurement association information; The UE verification indication is set by the location service function based on the privacy settings.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein, The associated information of the ranging includes at least one of the following: The application identifier of the application requesting the ranging; The type of distance measurement.

28. A ranging device, wherein, include: The processing module is configured to receive the first ranging request sent by the ranging request function; The first ranging request is a request to perform the ranging through a direct communication link; Send a location request to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) of the User Equipment (UE) associated with the first ranging request, the location request information including a UE verification indication determined based on the UE's privacy settings; receive a location request response sent by the AMF based on the location request information, the location request response including verification result information; in response to determining to provide ranging service based on the verification result information, send a second ranging request to the AMF of the UE, the second ranging request being used to instruct the UE to perform the ranging.

29. A ranging device, wherein, include: The transceiver module is configured to receive location request information sent by a location service function, the location request information including a UE verification indication determined based on the UE's privacy settings; send a location request response to the location service function based on the location request information, the location request response including verification result information; and receive a second ranging request sent by the location service function, the second ranging request being used to instruct the UE to perform ranging, the second ranging request being sent by the location service function in response to determining to provide ranging service based on the verification result information.

30. A ranging device, wherein, include: The processing module is configured to perform ranging based on a direct communication link in response to a request received from the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF); wherein the request is sent by the AMF after receiving a second ranging request, the second ranging request being sent to the AMF by the Location Service Function in response to determining to provide ranging services based on verification result information included in the location request response, the location request response being sent by the AMF after receiving location request information sent by the Location Service Function, the location request information including a UE verification indication determined by the Location Service Function based on the UE's privacy settings.

31. A communication device apparatus, comprising a processor, a memory, and an executable program stored in the memory and executable by the processor, wherein, When the processor runs the executable program, it performs the steps of the ranging method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, 10 to 18, or 19 to 27.

32. A storage medium having an executable program stored thereon, wherein, When the executable program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the ranging method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or 10 to 18, or 19 to 27.

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