Positioning reference signal configuration processing method and device, communication equipment and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides an uplink positioning reference signal configuration processing method, which is executed by user equipment (UE), and comprises the following steps: releasing or storing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to a preset rule, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration being used for uplink positioning when the UE is in an RRC (Radio Resource Control) non-connection state. According to the embodiment of the invention, the UE releases or stores the uplink positioning reference signal configuration used in the RRC non-connection state according to the preset rule, so that the release when the UE does not need to release the uplink positioning reference signal configuration used in the RRC non-connection state can be reduced, thereby reducing the situation that the UE rerequests the uplink positioning reference signal configuration from the first network equipment due to excessive release of the UE, and improving the user experience. And the signaling overhead is reduced.

Description

Positioning reference signal configuration processing method and device, communication equipment and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of wireless communication technologies but is not limited to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular to a method and apparatus for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, a communication device, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] New Radio (NR) is a global standard for a new air interface design based on Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), and is also a very important foundation for the next generation of cellular mobile technology. NR has the characteristics of ultra-low latency and high reliability, and supports the positioning of user equipment (UE) in a non-connected state of Radio Resource Control (RRC). The positioning of the UE may include uplink positioning and / or downlink positioning. In some cases, uplink positioning and downlink positioning can be combined to achieve accurate positioning of the UE. During the uplink positioning process, the UE needs to send an uplink positioning reference signal for positioning the UE.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and apparatus for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, a communication device, and a storage medium.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration is provided, which is executed by a user equipment (UE). The method includes:

[0006] According to a preset rule, an uplink positioning reference signal configuration is released or saved, wherein the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is used for uplink positioning when the UE is in an RRC non-connected state.

[0007] A second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure provides a method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, which is performed by a first network device of a first cell. The method includes:

[0008] A radio resource control (RRC) release message is sent, wherein the RRC release message is used to enable the UE to continue to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0009] A third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure provides a method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, which is performed by a second network device of a second cell, including:

[0010] Receive fourth indication information sent by the first network device of the first cell; wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the UE in the RRC connected state switched from the first cell to the second cell saves the uplink positioning reference signal configuration for the RRC non-connected state.

[0011] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for processing an uplink positioning reference signal configuration, which is performed by a wireless communication system including a user equipment (UE). The method includes:

[0012] The UE releases or saves an uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to a preset rule, wherein the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is used for uplink positioning when the UE is in an RRC non-connected state.

[0013] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides a device for processing an uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the device including:

[0014] The processing module is configured to release or save an uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to a preset rule, wherein the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is used for uplink positioning when the UE is in an RRC non-connected state.

[0015] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure provides a device for processing an uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the device including:

[0016] The sending module is configured to send a radio resource control RRC release message, wherein the RRC release message is used to enable the UE to continue to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0017] A seventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure provides a device for processing an uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the device including:

[0018] A receiving module is configured to receive fourth indication information sent by a first network device of a first cell; wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate that a UE in an RRC-connected state switching from the first cell to the second cell saves an uplink positioning reference signal configuration for the RRC-unconnected state.

[0019] An eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, comprising a processor, a transceiver, a memory, and an executable program stored in the memory and capable of being run by the processor, wherein when the processor runs the executable program, it executes the processing method for uplink positioning reference signal configuration provided in any of the above embodiments.

[0020] A ninth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure provides a computer storage medium storing an executable program. After the executable program is executed by a processor, the method for processing the uplink positioning reference signal configuration provided in any of the above embodiments can be implemented.

[0021] According to the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure, the UE releases or saves the uplink positioning reference signal configuration used in the RRC non-connected state according to preset rules. In this way, the release of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration used in the RRC non-connected state can be reduced when the UE does not need to release it, thereby reducing the need to request the uplink positioning reference signal configuration from the first network device again due to redundant release by the UE, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0022] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory and cannot limit the embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a wireless communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0025] FIG2 is a schematic diagram showing a method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0026] FIG3 is a schematic diagram showing another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0027] FIG4 is a schematic diagram showing another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0028] FIG5 is a schematic diagram showing another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0029] FIG6 is a schematic diagram showing another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0030] FIG7 is a schematic diagram showing another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0031] FIG8 is a schematic diagram showing another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0032] FIG9 is a schematic diagram showing another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0033] FIG10 is a schematic diagram showing another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0034] FIG11 is a schematic diagram showing another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0035] FIG12 is a schematic diagram showing another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0036] FIG13 is a schematic diagram showing another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0037] FIG14 is a schematic diagram showing another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0038] FIG15 is a schematic diagram showing a method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0039] FIG16 is a schematic diagram showing a method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0040] FIG17 is a schematic diagram showing another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0041] FIG18 is a schematic diagram showing another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0042] FIG19 is a schematic diagram showing another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0043] FIG20 is a schematic diagram showing another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0044] FIG21 is a schematic diagram showing another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0045] FIG22 is a schematic diagram of a device for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0046] FIG23 is a schematic diagram of another apparatus for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0047] FIG24 is a schematic structural diagram of a UE according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0048] FIG25 is a schematic structural diagram of an access device according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Exemplary embodiments are described in detail herein, with examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, identical numerals in different drawings represent identical or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments are not intended to represent all possible implementations consistent with the present disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0050] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present disclosure. The singular forms "a," "the," and "the" used in the present 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" used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0051] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used to describe various information in the embodiments of the present disclosure, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish information of the same type from each other. For example, without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first information may also be referred to as the second information, and similarly, the second information may also be referred to as the first information. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "at the time of" or "when" or "in response to determining".

[0052] Please refer to Figure 1, which shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a wireless communication system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, the wireless communication system is a communication system based on cellular mobile communication technology, and the wireless communication system may include: at least one UE 11 and several core network devices.

[0053] UE 11 may refer to a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user. UE 11 may communicate with one or more core networks via a Radio Access Network (RAN). UE 11 may be an IoT UE, such as a sensor device, a mobile phone (or cellular phone), and a computer with an IoT UE. For example, it may be a fixed, portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-built-in, or vehicle-mounted device. For example, a station (STA), a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, an access point, a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a user device, or a user UE (user equipment, UE). Alternatively, UE 11 may be a device of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Alternatively, UE 11 may be a vehicle-mounted device, such as a driving computer with wireless communication capabilities, or a wireless communication device connected to an external driving computer. Alternatively, the UE 11 may also be a roadside device, for example, a street lamp, a traffic light, or other roadside device with a wireless communication function.

[0054] The access device 12 may be a network device in a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system may be a fourth generation mobile communication technology (4G) system, also known as a long term evolution (LTE) system; or, the wireless communication system may be a 5G system, also known as a new radio (NR) system or a 5G NR system. Alternatively, the wireless communication system may be a next generation system of the 5G system. The access network in the 5G system may be referred to as NG-RAN (New Generation-Radio Access Network). Alternatively, an MTC system.

[0055] Among them, the access device 12 can be an evolved access device (eNB) adopted in a 4G system. Alternatively, the access device 12 can also be an access device (gNB) adopting a centralized distributed architecture in a 5G system. Alternatively, devices such as a transmission and reception point (TRP), or network equipment in a subsequent evolved communication system. When the access device 12 adopts a centralized distributed architecture, it usually includes a centralized unit (CU) and at least two distributed units (DU). The centralized unit is provided with a protocol stack of a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link layer control protocol (RLC) layer, and a media access control (MAC) layer; the distributed unit is provided with a physical (PHY) layer protocol stack. The embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit the specific implementation method of the access device 12.

[0056] A wireless connection can be established between the access device 12 and the UE 11 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, for example, the wireless air interface is a new air interface; or, the wireless air interface can also be a wireless air interface based on the next generation mobile communication network technology standard of 5G.

[0057] In one embodiment, when the UE obtains the uplink reference positioning signal configuration, it releases the uplink reference positioning signal configuration upon cell reselection or when the UE resumes the RRC connection with the first network device. However, in this case, the UE may reselect a cell where the uplink reference positioning signal configuration is still valid, or the UE itself may not move, that is, the uplink reference positioning signal configuration is still valid when the UE releases it. Therefore, this uplink reference positioning signal configuration release based on the cell reselection event, or the uplink reference positioning signal configuration release based on the RRC connection event between the UE and the first network device, is an unnecessary release.

[0058] After the uplink reference positioning signal configuration is unnecessarily released by the UE, the UE may request the uplink reference positioning signal configuration from the first network device again, thereby causing a re-request for the uplink reference positioning signal configuration introduced by the unnecessary release.

[0059] 2 is a schematic diagram of a method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration. The method may be executed by a UE and includes:

[0060] S100: Release or save an uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to a preset rule, wherein the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is used for uplink positioning when the UE is in an RRC non-connected state.

[0061] Exemplarily, the user equipment UE may be any communication device shown in FIG1 , specifically a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wearable device, a vehicle-mounted device, a smart home device, a smart office device and / or an aircraft device.

[0062] Before executing S100, the method further includes:

[0063] Receive an uplink positioning reference signal configuration sent by the first network device.

[0064] Exemplarily, the receiving an uplink positioning reference signal configuration sent by the first network device includes:

[0065] The UE receives an RRC message instructing the UE to enter an RRC non-connected state from an RRC connected state, wherein the RRC message includes an uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0066] Exemplarily, the UE receives an RRC release message, where the RRC release message instructs the UE to enter an RRC non-connected state from an RRC connected state. The RRC non-connected state includes an RRC idle state and / or an RRC inactive state.

[0067] The uplink positioning reference signal configuration may include at least one of the following:

[0068] The resource configuration of the uplink positioning reference signal at least indicates the time-frequency domain resources for transmitting the uplink positioning reference signal by the UE;

[0069] The measurement and reporting configuration of the uplink positioning reference signal at least indicates the time and frequency domain resources for sending the measurement results reported by the terminal;

[0070] Timing configuration, used to indicate the effective duration of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration. The timing configuration may include but is not limited to: the value of the time alignment timer (TAT);

[0071] The area configuration indicates the valid area included in the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0072] Exemplarily, the preset rule may be any predefined rule. The preset rule may be agreed upon by a protocol, or indicated by uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. For example, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration may further include a release rule configuration for the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0073] In some embodiments, releasing or saving the uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to a preset rule may include:

[0074] When a release event that meets the release rule configuration is detected, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is released; otherwise, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration continues to be saved.

[0075] As another example, releasing or saving the uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to a preset rule may include:

[0076] Continue to save the uplink positioning reference signal configuration during cell reselection;

[0077] and / or,

[0078] The uplink positioning reference signal configuration is not released during cell reselection;

[0079] and / or,

[0080] When the UE resumes the RRC connection with the current serving cell, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration continues to be saved;

[0081] and / or,

[0082] When the UE resumes the RRC connection with the current serving cell, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is not released;

[0083] and / or,

[0084] When the current position of the UE is within the valid area of ​​the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, continue to save the uplink positioning reference signal configuration;

[0085] and / or,

[0086] When the current position of the UE is within the valid area of ​​the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is not released;

[0087] and / or,

[0088] When the UE moves out of the valid area of ​​the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is released.

[0089] After the UR enters the non-connected state from the connected state, it may subsequently enter the connected state from the non-connected state again. If the UE has saved or does not release the previously received uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration can continue to be used, reducing the number of uplink positioning reference signal configuration requests sent by the UE to the first network device and reducing signaling overhead.

[0090] That is, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the UE will release or save the uplink positioning reference signal configuration used in the RRC non-connected state according to the preset rules. In this way, the release of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration used in the RRC non-connected state can be reduced when the UE does not need to release it, thereby reducing the request for the uplink positioning reference signal configuration to the first network device again due to redundant release of the UE, and reducing signaling overhead.

[0091] In one embodiment, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration for the UE in the RRC non-connected state includes a valid region.

[0092] Within the valid area, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is valid, and outside the valid area, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is invalid.

[0093] For example, the effective area may include one or more cells.

[0094] The area configuration indicating the valid area may include:

[0095] Area identifier, different areas have different area identifiers; the area identifier may include a tracking area identifier and / or a wireless access notification area identifier and other geographical area identifiers;

[0096] The cell identifier indicates the cells included in the valid area. The cell identifier can be carried in the cell list.

[0097] In one embodiment, the valid area of ​​the uplink positioning reference signal configuration may be a connected continuous area.

[0098] In one embodiment, if the effective area includes multiple cells, the multiple cells are distributed continuously or adjacently.

[0099] Exemplarily, the valid area may be an area in a valid area list, and the valid area list may be represented as a Physical Cell Identifier (PCI) list. For example, the PCI list may include: PCI1, PCI2, and / or PCI3.

[0100] In one embodiment, referring to FIG3 , which is a schematic diagram of another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the method is executed by a UE and includes:

[0101] S201: When a UE in an RRC non-connected state performs cell reselection and the target cell of the cell reselection is located in a valid area, an uplink positioning reference signal configuration is saved.

[0102] Exemplarily, saving may be continuing saving.

[0103] Exemplarily, when a UE in an RRC non-connected state performs cell reselection and a target cell for cell reselection is located within a valid area, saving an uplink positioning reference signal configuration may include:

[0104] When a UE in RRC idle state performs cell reselection and the target cell for cell reselection is within the valid area, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is saved;

[0105] and / or,

[0106] When a UE in an RRC inactive state performs cell reselection and the target cell of the cell reselection is located in a valid area, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is saved.

[0107] Because the target cell after cell reselection is within the valid area, the UE continues to save the uplink positioning reference signal configuration. After cell reselection or after the UE re-enters the RRC non-connected state from the RRC connected state, it can continue to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration to send uplink positioning reference signals. In this way, the UE does not need to request the uplink positioning reference signal configuration from the first network device again, and the first network device does not need to resend the uplink positioning reference signal configuration to the UE.

[0108] Exemplarily, when a UE in an RRC non-connected state performs cell reselection and the PCI of the target cell for cell reselection is included in the physical cell identifier list, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is saved.

[0109] In one embodiment, the method includes:

[0110] When the UE in the RRC non-connected state performs cell reselection and the target cell of the cell reselection is located in the valid area, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is not released.

[0111] Not releasing here can mean saving.

[0112] After receiving the uplink positioning reference signal configuration sent by the first network device, the UE saves the uplink positioning reference signal configuration. When the UE in the RRC non-connected state performs cell reselection and the target cell of the cell reselection is within the valid area, the UE does not release the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, but continues to save the uplink positioning reference signal configuration. This allows the UE to continue to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration to send an uplink positioning reference signal after cell reselection or after the UE re-enters the RRC non-connected state from the RRC connected state.

[0113] In one embodiment, referring to FIG4 , there is shown another schematic diagram of a method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the method being executed by a UE, and including:

[0114] S202: When a UE in an RRC non-connected state performs cell reselection and the target cell for cell reselection is outside a valid area, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is released.

[0115] Release here may include deletion.

[0116] Because the target cell after cell reselection is located outside the valid area, the UE cannot continue to send an uplink positioning reference signal according to the uplink positioning reference signal configuration in the target cell. By releasing the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the UE can receive the uplink positioning reference signal configuration resent by the first network device, and can send an uplink positioning reference signal according to the reconfigured uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0117] Exemplarily, the valid area is indicated by a physical cell identifier (PCI) in a PCI list.

[0118] When a UE in an RRC non-connected state performs cell reselection and the PCI of the target cell for cell reselection is not included in the physical cell identifier list, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is released. In one embodiment, referring to FIG5 , there is shown a schematic diagram of another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, which is executed by the UE and includes:

[0119] S300: The UE in the RRC connected state performs cell handover and releases the uplink positioning reference signal configuration when the UE is in the RRC unconnected state.

[0120] In this case, if a UE in RRC connected state switches to a cell, the UE's uplink positioning reference signal configuration (uplink positioning reference signal configuration) will be released based on the UE's cell switching event. If the uplink positioning reference signal configuration has a valid area, whether the target cell of the cell switching is within the valid area is not considered.

[0121] Understandably, due to the change of the UE's serving cell caused by UE mobility, in this case, to simplify the processing of the first network device, the UE can release the uplink positioning reference signal configuration. If the UE needs to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration again, it can request it from the cell after switching, or the location management function (LMF) can trigger the base station to provide the uplink positioning reference signal configuration for the UE.

[0122] In one embodiment, referring to FIG6 , which is a schematic diagram of another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the method is executed by a UE and includes:

[0123] S400: When a UE in an RRC connected state performs cell handover and a target cell for handover is located within a valid area, an uplink positioning reference signal configuration is saved.

[0124] After a UE in an RRC connected state performs cell handover, if the target cell is located within a valid area, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration remains valid within the target cell. The UE can then re-enter a non-connected state from a connected state and send an uplink positioning reference signal according to the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0125] This can reduce the number of times the UE sends an uplink positioning reference signal configuration request to the first network device, and also reduce the process of the first network device resending the uplink positioning reference signal configuration to the UE, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0126] In this case, for RRC connected UEs, in order to expand the application scope of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, when the UE switches, the UE will determine whether to release its stored uplink positioning reference signal configuration based on whether the target cell it switches to is within the valid area.

[0127] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0128] When the UE in the RRC connected state performs cell handover and the target cell of the handover is located in the valid area, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is not released.

[0129] After receiving the uplink positioning reference signal configuration sent by the first network device, the UE saves the uplink positioning reference signal configuration. When the UE in the RRC connected state performs a cell handover and the target cell of the handover is located within the valid area, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is not released, and the uplink positioning reference signal configuration continues to be saved. This allows the UE to continue to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration to send an uplink positioning reference signal after cell reselection or after the UE re-enters the RRC non-connected state from the RRC connected state.

[0130] In one embodiment, referring to FIG7 , there is shown another schematic diagram of a method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the method being executed by a UE, and including:

[0131] S500: When a UE in an RRC connected state performs cell handover and the target cell is outside the valid area, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is released.

[0132] When a UE in an RRC connected state performs cell handover and the target cell is outside the valid area, to ensure that the UE can obtain the valid uplink positioning reference signal configuration in the target cell, the UE releases the uplink positioning reference signal configuration when the UE is in an RRC non-connected state. This allows the UE to regain the valid uplink positioning reference signal configuration in the target cell.

[0133] In one embodiment, the first network device configures an uplink positioning reference signal (SRS) configuration in an RRC inactive state for the UE. The UE releases the SRS configuration in the following circumstances:

[0134] The RRC layer of the UE receives a release request from the terminal's Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, requesting the RRC layer to release the uplink positioning reference configuration;

[0135] The RRC layer of the UE receives a radio resource control RRC resume message (RRC resume message) sent by the first network device, which is used to instruct the RRC inactive state UE to enter the RRC connected state;

[0136] The RRC layer of the UE receives a radio resource control RRC establishment message (RRC setup message) sent by the first network device, which is used to instruct the RRC connected state UE to enter the RRC connected state.

[0137] Exemplarily, the UE may include: an RRC layer for controlling an RRC connection between the terminal and a first network device; and a MAC layer, which is a lower layer of the RRC layer and can monitor a locator corresponding to an uplink positioning reference signal configuration. In some cases, if a timer expires, the MAC layer can send a release request to the RRC layer.

[0138] This timer can be a time alignment timer for an uplink positioning reference signal configuration. This timer can be used to time the effective duration of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration. This time alignment timer can be associated with both the uplink positioning reference signal configuration and the timing advance (TA).

[0139] When the time alignment timer runs, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration and the current value of TA are valid. When the time alignment timer times out, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration and the current value of TA are invalid.

[0140] When a timing reference signal configuration is invalid, the UE cannot continue to send an uplink positioning reference signal according to the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0141] In some embodiments, the method comprises:

[0142] The UE sends an uplink positioning reference signal in an RRC non-connected state according to the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0143] and / or,

[0144] In the RRC connected state, the UE stops sending the uplink positioning reference signal according to the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0145] In one embodiment, referring to FIG8 , which is a schematic diagram of another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the method is executed by a UE and includes:

[0146] S600: Receive a first message sent by a first network device, and save an uplink positioning reference signal configuration; the first message is used to enable a UE in an RRC non-connected state to enter an RRC connected state.

[0147] After the UE enters the RRC connected state from the RRC non-connected state, the UE continues to save the uplink positioning reference signal configuration when it was in the RRC non-connected state. In this way, when the UE enters the RRC non-connected state again, it can send an uplink positioning reference signal based on the saved uplink positioning reference signal without requesting the uplink positioning reference signal configuration again.

[0148] Exemplarily, a first message sent by a first network device, which enables a UE in an RRC non-connected state to enter an RRC connected state, is received, and the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is saved.

[0149] In one embodiment, the first message that enables a UE in an RRC non-connected state to enter an RRC connected state is a message for enabling a UE in an RRC non-connected state to enter a connected state.

[0150] Exemplarily, the first message that enables a UE in an RRC unconnected state to enter an RRC connected state may include:

[0151] RRC resume message;

[0152] and / or,

[0153] RRC setup message.

[0154] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0155] Upon receiving the first message sent by the first network device, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is not released.

[0156] When the UE enters the RRC connected state from the RRC non-connected state, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is not released. In this way, when the UE enters the RRC non-connected state again, it can send the uplink positioning reference signal based on the saved uplink positioning reference signal without requesting the uplink positioning reference signal configuration again.

[0157] 9 , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a schematic diagram of a method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the method being executed by a UE and including:

[0158] S601: After receiving an RRC recovery message, save the uplink positioning reference signal configuration when the UE is in an RRC unconnected state.

[0159] The RRC resume message can cause the UE to enter the RRC connected state from the RRC inactive state, and the UE establishes a connection with the first network device based on the RRC resume message. In this case, the UE saves the uplink positioning reference signal configuration used in the RRC non-connected state, so that after the UE re-enters the RRC non-connected state, it can send an uplink positioning reference signal based on the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration used in the RRC non-connected state to achieve positioning of the UE.

[0160] In one embodiment, referring to FIG10 , which is a schematic diagram of another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the method is executed by a UE and includes:

[0161] S602: Receive an RRC setup message and save the uplink positioning reference signal configuration when the UE is in an RRC unconnected state.

[0162] The RRC setup message can cause the UE to transition from an idle state to an RRC connected state. In this case, the UE saves the uplink positioning reference signal configuration from the time the UE was in the RRC non-connected state. This allows the UE to transmit uplink positioning reference signals based on the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration after re-entering the RRC non-connected state from the RRC connected state, thereby enabling positioning of the UE. This reduces unnecessary releases, thereby reducing the number of uplink positioning reference signal configuration requests sent by the UE to the first network device, and saving signaling overhead.

[0163] In one embodiment, referring to FIG11 , which is a schematic diagram of another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the method is executed by a UE, and the method further includes:

[0164] S700: Receive an RRC release message sent by the first network device, wherein the RRC release message is used to enable a UE in an RRC connected state to enter an RRC unconnected state.

[0165] S800: According to the instruction information included in the RRC release message, continue to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0166] After receiving the RRC release message, the UE may enter the RRC non-connected state from the RRC connected state according to the RRC release message, and the UE disconnects the RRC connection with the first network device. At the same time, the UE may determine whether to continue to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to the indication information included in the RRC release message. The UE determines to continue to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to the indication information included in the RRC release message. If the indication information included in the RRC release message instructs the UE to continue to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the UE sends an uplink positioning reference signal according to the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0167] Exemplarily, the indication information included in the RRC release message may instruct the UE to continue using the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0168] Exemplarily, the indication information included in the RRC release message includes first indication information; or, the indication information included in the RRC release message includes second indication information, third indication information and other indication information.

[0169] Exemplarily, the indication information included in the RRC release message can be carried (or carried) by a preset field, that is, the indication information of the RRC release message includes a preset field, and the information content carried by the preset field is the information content indicating whether the UE continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0170] In one embodiment, referring to FIG12 , which is a schematic diagram of another method for processing an uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the method is executed by a UE. After saving the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the method further includes:

[0171] S1000: Determine whether to continue using the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to whether an RRC release message sent by the first network device is received.

[0172] In this embodiment, the UE determines whether to continue using the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration based on the protocol and the result of receiving the RRC release message sent by the first network device. In response to receiving the RRC release message, the UE continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration. In response to not receiving the RRC release message, the UE does not continue to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0173] Exemplarily, in response to not receiving the RRC release message, the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration is released.

[0174] In one embodiment, referring to FIG13 , which is a schematic diagram of another method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the method is executed by a UE, and the method further includes:

[0175] S1100: In a case where the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is saved, pausing or stopping a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0176] Exemplarily, in a case where the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is saved, pausing or stopping a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration may include:

[0177] When the UE enters the RRC connected state and saves the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is suspended or stopped.

[0178] In one embodiment, the method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration further includes:

[0179] When the UE in the RRC non-connected state performs cell reselection and the target cell of the cell reselection is located in the valid area, and the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is saved or not released, the timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is suspended or stopped.

[0180] or,

[0181] When the UE in the RRC connected state performs cell handover and the target cell of the handover is located in the valid area, and the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is saved or not released, pausing or stopping a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0182] or,

[0183] When entering the RRC connected state from the RRC non-connected state according to the first message sent by the received first network device, the timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is suspended or stopped; the first message is used to instruct the UE in the RRC non-connected state to enter the RRC connected state.

[0184] Pausing or stopping the timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration can reduce unnecessary release of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, thereby reducing the number of uplink positioning reference signal configuration requests sent by the UE to the first network device, saving signaling overhead.

[0185] Exemplarily, when the UE receives the RRC resume message and saves or does not release the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the UE suspends or stops the timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0186] Exemplarily, when the UE receives the RRC setup message and saves or does not release the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the UE suspends or stops the timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0187] In one embodiment, since the release of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is related to the timer of the MAC layer, after the UE receives an RRC resume message or an RRC establishment message and the UE determines to save the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the RRC layer of the UE instructs the MAC layer to suspend or stop the timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0188] After receiving the RRC establishment message or the RRC recovery message, the UE suspends or stops the timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, which can reduce unnecessary release of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, thereby reducing the UE's request for uplink positioning reference signal configuration to the first network device and saving signaling overhead.

[0189] The timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration may include: a time alignment timer of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0190] The time alignment timer may be used to time the effective duration of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0191] The time alignment timer can be associated with uplink positioning reference signal configuration and timing advance (TA) at the same time.

[0192] When the time alignment timer runs, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration and the current value of TA are valid. When the time alignment timer times out, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration and the current value of TA are invalid.

[0193] When a timing reference signal configuration is invalid, the UE cannot continue to send an uplink positioning reference signal according to the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0194] In some embodiments, the timer may be a timer maintained and supervised by the MAC layer of the terminal, and may also be referred to as a MAC timer.

[0195] In some embodiments, the timer may also be used to share a timer for the timing advance (TA). If the TA of the UE changes and the timer expires, the MAC layer of the UE will send a release request to the RRC layer of the UE.

[0196] Pausing the timer may include: stopping the timer and maintaining the current timing value;

[0197] Stopping the timer may include: stopping the timer from timing and setting the timing value of the timer to an initial value.

[0198] As another example, the method may include:

[0199] When the UE enters the RRC connected state and releases the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is released.

[0200] In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 14 , which is a schematic diagram of another method for processing an uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the method is executed by a UE. After saving the uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to a preset rule, the method further includes:

[0201] S1200: Determine whether to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to the received RRC release message sent by the first network device;

[0202] S1201: In response to determining to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, start a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration at the moment it is determined to continue to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration; the timer is used to time the effective duration of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0203] Exemplarily, in the case of continuing to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration, when the UE determines to continue to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, starting a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration may include:

[0204] When the UE returns to the RRC unconnected state and continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the UE starts a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration when it is determined to continue to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0205] When the UE determines to continue to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration, and at the moment of determining to continue to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the UE can start a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration to time the uplink positioning reference signal configuration used this time, thereby reducing the situation where the configuration resources continue to be occupied when the timer expires and the UE no longer continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration, thereby facilitating further processing of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration when the timer expires.

[0206] Exemplarily, in the case of continuing to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration, starting a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration may include:

[0207] When the UE returns to the RRC unconnected state and continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is started.

[0208] In one embodiment, starting a timer associated with an uplink positioning reference signal configuration includes:

[0209] Start the resume timing of the timer in the paused state;

[0210] or,

[0211] Starts retiming of a timer that is in the stopped state.

[0212] Here, starting the continued timing of the timer in the pause state is equivalent to continuing the timing based on the timing value of the previous pause timing of the timer.

[0213] Here, starting to re-timing the timer in the stopped state is equivalent to restarting the timing based on the initial value of the timer.

[0214] In one embodiment, the indication information included in the RRC release message includes:

[0215] The first indication information is used to instruct the UE to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0216] In one embodiment, the RRC release message will instruct the UE to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after entering the RRC non-connected state through the first indication information. At this time, if the RRC release message does not carry the first indication information, it means that the first network device instructs the UE not to continue using the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0217] In another embodiment, the RRC release message will indicate whether the UE continues to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after entering the RRC non-connected state through the first indication information. Whether the UE continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration at this time is determined according to the specific content of the first indication information.

[0218] In some embodiments, if the RRC release message explicitly or implicitly indicates that the UE does not continue to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after entering the RRC non-connected state, the UE may release the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0219] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0220] After receiving the RRC release message including the first indication information, the RRC layer of the UE instructs the medium access control MAC layer of the UE to start a timer.

[0221] Since the release of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is related to the timer of the MAC layer, after receiving the first indication information to determine that the UE continues to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the RRC layer of the UE generates an instruction. After the instruction is transmitted to the MAC layer, the MAC layer starts the timer based on the instruction.

[0222] The RRC release message only needs to carry a first indication information, and the UE will automatically start the relevant timer, which has the characteristic of low signaling overhead.

[0223] In one embodiment, the indication information included in the RRC release message includes:

[0224] The second indication information is used to instruct the UE to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration;

[0225] The third indication information is used to instruct to start a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, where the timer is used to time the valid duration of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0226] The RRC layer of the UE receives the second indication information and determines whether to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to the second indication information.

[0227] Since the release of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is related to the timer of the MAC layer, the timer is started at the MAC layer of the UE according to the third indication information.

[0228] The RRC release message may use the second indication information and the third indication information to respectively instruct the UE to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration and to start a related timer.

[0229] The second indication information and the third indication information may be carried by different bits in the RRC release message.

[0230] In one embodiment, the RRC release message may instruct the UE to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after entering the RRC unconnected state through the second indication information. If the RRC release message does not carry the second indication information, it means that the first network device instructs the UE not to continue using the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0231] In one embodiment, the RRC release message indicates through the second indication information whether the UE continues to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after entering the RRC non-connected state. Whether the UE continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration is determined by the specific content of the second indication information.

[0232] In some embodiments, the RRC release message explicitly or implicitly indicates that the UE will not continue to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after entering the RRC non-connected state, and the UE may release the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0233] If the UE releases the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the MAC layer of the UE will also release the relevant timer. Releasing the relevant timer here may include: releasing the timer configuration information and / or clearing the timer value of the last timer suspension.

[0234] In some embodiments, the RRC release message instructs the UE to start a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration via third indication information. If the RRC release message does not carry the third indication information, it indicates that the first network device instructs the UE not to start the timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0235] In some embodiments, the RRC release message instructs the UE to start a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration through the third indication information when the UE returns to the RRC unconnected state and continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0236] In some embodiments, the third indication information may also be used to indicate a method for starting the timer, which may involve starting continued timing based on the timing value of the previous paused timing, or restarting timing based on the initial value of the timer.

[0237] In one embodiment, referring to FIG15 , which is a schematic diagram of a disclosed method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the method is performed by a first network device in a first cell, and the method includes:

[0238] S10: Sending a radio resource control (RRC) release message, wherein the RRC release message is used to enable a user equipment (UE) in an RRC connected state to enter an RRC unconnected state, and to enable the UE to continue using a saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0239] Exemplarily, the first network device can be any access device shown in Figure 1, such as an evolved access device (eNB), or an access device (gNB) adopting a centralized distributed architecture in a 5G system, or a transmission and reception point (TRP), etc.

[0240] Exemplarily, the first network device has a first cell, and the first cell is the cell where the UE is currently located.

[0241] Exemplarily, the RRC release message instructs the UE to enter an RRC non-connected state from an RRC connected state. The RRC non-connected state includes an RRC idle state and / or an RRC inactive state.

[0242] Exemplarily, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration may include at least one of the following:

[0243] The resource configuration of the uplink positioning reference signal at least indicates the time and frequency domain resources for sending the uplink positioning reference signal by the terminal;

[0244] The measurement and reporting configuration of the uplink positioning reference signal at least indicates the time and frequency domain resources for sending the measurement results reported by the terminal;

[0245] Timing configuration, used to indicate the effective duration of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration. The timing configuration may include but is not limited to: the value of the time alignment timer (TAT);

[0246] The area configuration indicates a valid area of ​​the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0247] Exemplarily, the indication information included in the RRC release message may instruct the UE to continue using the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0248] Exemplarily, the indication information included in the RRC release message includes first indication information, and the indication information may further include second indication information and third indication information.

[0249] Exemplarily, the preset information can be carried (or hosted) by a preset field, that is, the indication information included in the RRC release message includes a preset field, and the information content carried by the preset field is the information content indicating whether the UE continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0250] Exemplarily, the RRC release message is used to instruct the UE to continue using the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0251] After receiving the RRC release message, the UE may enter the RRC non-connected state from the RRC connected state according to the RRC release message, and the UE disconnects the RRC connection with the network device. Simultaneously, the UE may determine whether to continue using the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration based on the indication information included in the RRC release message. The UE determines to continue using the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration based on the indication information included in the RRC release message. If the RRC release message continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the UE sends an uplink positioning reference signal according to the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0252] In another embodiment, the RRC release message includes:

[0253] The first indication information is used to instruct the UE to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0254] Since the release of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is related to the timer of the MAC layer, after receiving the first indication information to determine that the UE continues to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the RRC layer of the UE generates an instruction. After the instruction is transmitted to the MAC layer, the MAC layer starts the timer based on the instruction.

[0255] The RRC release message only needs to carry a first indication information, and the UE will automatically start the relevant timer, which has the characteristic of low signaling overhead.

[0256] In another embodiment, the RRC release message includes:

[0257] Second indication information, used to instruct the UE to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration;

[0258] The third indication information is used to instruct to start a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, where the timer is used to time the valid duration of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0259] The RRC layer of the UE receives the second indication information and determines whether to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to the second indication information.

[0260] Since the release of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is related to the timer of the MAC layer, the timer is started at the MAC layer of the UE based on the third indication information.

[0261] The RRC release message may use the second indication information and the third indication information to respectively instruct the UE to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration and to start a related timer.

[0262] The second indication information and the third indication information may be carried by different bits in the RRC release message.

[0263] In one embodiment, the RRC release message may instruct the UE to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after entering the RRC unconnected state through the second indication information. If the RRC release message does not carry the second indication information, it means that the first network device instructs the UE not to continue using the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0264] In one embodiment, the RRC release message may indicate, through the second indication information, whether the UE continues to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after entering the RRC non-connected state. Whether the UE continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration is determined by the specific content of the second indication information.

[0265] In some embodiments, the RRC release message explicitly or implicitly indicates that the UE will not continue to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after entering the RRC non-connected state, and the UE may release the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0266] If the UE releases the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the MAC layer of the UE will also release the relevant timer. Releasing the relevant timer here may include: releasing the timer configuration information and / or clearing the timer value of the last timer suspension.

[0267] In some embodiments, the RRC release message instructs the UE to start a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration via third indication information. If the RRC release message does not carry the third indication information, it indicates that the first network device instructs the UE not to start the timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0268] In some embodiments, the RRC release message instructs the UE to start a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration through the third indication information when the UE returns to the RRC unconnected state and continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0269] In some embodiments, the third indication information may also be used to indicate a method for starting the timer, which may involve starting continued timing based on the timing value of the previous paused timing, or restarting timing based on the initial value of the timer.

[0270] In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 16 , which is a schematic diagram of a disclosed method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the method is performed by a first network device in a first cell, and the method further includes:

[0271] S20: When a UE in an RRC connected state switches from a first cell to a second cell and the UE saves an uplink positioning reference signal configuration for an RRC non-connected state, fourth indication information is sent to a second network device, wherein the fourth indication information indicates that the UE saves an uplink positioning reference signal configuration for an RRC non-connected state.

[0272] Exemplarily, the first cell is a source cell of the UE, and the second cell is a target cell.

[0273] Exemplarily, the second cell is a cell within a valid area of ​​an uplink positioning reference signal configuration in an RRC non-connected state.

[0274] After the UE in the RRC connected state performs a cell handover, since the target cell to which the RRC connection state is handed over is a cell within the valid area, the UE continues to save the uplink positioning reference signal configuration. In order to facilitate the subsequent second network device to know that the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is saved in the UE, the first network device will inform the second network device through any message during the cell handover process.

[0275] Exemplarily, the fourth indication information is included in a cell switching message.

[0276] In some embodiments, any message in the handover process may also include: a context request message for the second network device to obtain the UE context from the first network device, etc.

[0277] In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 17 , which is a schematic diagram of another disclosed method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the method is executed by a second network device of a second cell, and includes:

[0278] S1: Receive fourth indication information sent by a first network device in a first cell; wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate that a UE in an RRC-connected state switched from the first cell to the second cell has saved an uplink positioning reference signal configuration for the RRC-unconnected state.

[0279] Exemplarily, the second network device can be any access device shown in Figure 1, such as an evolved access device (eNB), or an access device (gNB) adopting a centralized distributed architecture in a 5G system, or a transmission and reception point (TRP), etc.

[0280] Exemplarily, the first cell is a source cell of the UE, and the second cell is a target cell.

[0281] Exemplarily, the second cell is a cell within a valid area of ​​an uplink positioning reference signal configuration in an RRC non-connected state.

[0282] After the UE in the RRC connected state performs a cell switch, since the target cell to which the RRC connection state is switched is a cell within the valid area, the UE continues to save the uplink positioning reference signal configuration. Receiving the fourth indication information can facilitate the second network device to subsequently know through the fourth indication information that the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is saved in the UE, and the second network device can receive any message from the first network device during the cell switching process to know.

[0283] Exemplarily, the fourth indication information is included in a cell switching message.

[0284] In some embodiments, any message in the handover process may also include: a context request message for the second network device to obtain the UE context from the first network device, etc.

[0285] Exemplarily, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration may include at least one of the following:

[0286] The resource configuration of the uplink positioning reference signal at least indicates the time and frequency domain resources for sending the uplink positioning reference signal by the terminal;

[0287] The measurement and reporting configuration of the uplink positioning reference signal at least indicates the time and frequency domain resources for sending the measurement results reported by the terminal;

[0288] Timing configuration, used to indicate the effective duration of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration. The timing configuration may include but is not limited to: the value of the time alignment timer (TAT);

[0289] The area configuration indicates a valid area of ​​the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0290] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0291] The second network device sends an RRC release message to the UE.

[0292] The RRC release message is used for the UE to enter an RRC unconnected state and continue to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0293] Exemplarily, the RRC release message sent by the second network device may include:

[0294] The first indication information is used to instruct the UE to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0295] The RRC release message only needs to carry a first indication information, and the UE will automatically start the relevant timer, which has the characteristic of low signaling overhead.

[0296] In one embodiment, the RRC release message will instruct the UE to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after entering the RRC non-connected state through the first indication information. At this time, if the RRC release message does not carry the first indication information, it means that the second network device instructs the UE not to continue using the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0297] In another embodiment, the RRC release message will indicate whether to continue to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after the UE enters the RRC non-connected state through the first indication information. Whether to continue to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration at this time is determined according to the specific content of the first indication information.

[0298] In some embodiments, if the RRC release message explicitly or implicitly indicates that the UE does not continue to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after entering the RRC non-connected state, the UE may release the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0299] In another embodiment, the RRC release message includes:

[0300] Second indication information, used to instruct the UE to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration;

[0301] The third indication information is used to instruct to start a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0302] The RRC layer of the UE receives the second indication information and determines whether to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to the second indication information.

[0303] Since the release of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is related to the timer of the MAC layer, the timer is started at the MAC layer of the UE according to the third indication information.

[0304] The RRC release message may use the second indication information and the third indication information to respectively instruct the UE to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration and to start a related timer.

[0305] The second indication information and the third indication information may be carried by different bits in the RRC release message.

[0306] In one embodiment, the RRC release message may include the second indication information to instruct the UE to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after entering the RRC unconnected state. If the RRC release message does not include the second indication information, it indicates that the second network device instructs the UE not to continue using the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0307] In one embodiment, the RRC release message indicates through the second indication information whether the UE continues to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after entering the RRC non-connected state. Whether the UE continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration is determined by the specific content of the second indication information.

[0308] In some embodiments, the RRC release message explicitly or implicitly indicates that the UE will not continue to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after entering the RRC non-connected state, and the UE may release the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0309] If the UE releases the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the MAC layer of the UE will also release the relevant timer. Releasing the relevant timer here may include: releasing the timer configuration information and / or clearing the timer value of the last timer suspension.

[0310] In some embodiments, the RRC release message instructs the UE to start a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration via third indication information. If the RRC release message does not carry the third indication information, it indicates that the first network device instructs the UE not to start the timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0311] In some embodiments, the RRC release message instructs the UE to start a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration through the third indication information when the UE returns to the RRC unconnected state and continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0312] In some embodiments, the third indication information may also be used to indicate a method for starting the timer, which may involve starting continued timing based on the timing value of the previous paused timing, or restarting timing based on the initial value of the timer.

[0313] In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 18 , which is a schematic diagram of another disclosed method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the method is performed by a wireless communication system including a user equipment (UE), and the method includes:

[0314] Step A: The UE releases or saves the uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to a preset rule, wherein the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is used for uplink positioning when the UE is in an RRC non-connected state.

[0315] Exemplarily, the user equipment UE may be any communication device shown in FIG1 , specifically a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wearable device, a vehicle-mounted device, a smart home device, a smart office device and / or an aircraft device.

[0316] Before performing step A, the method further includes:

[0317] Receive an uplink positioning reference signal configuration sent by the first network device.

[0318] Exemplarily, the receiving an uplink positioning reference signal configuration sent by the first network device includes:

[0319] The UE receives an RRC message instructing the UE to enter an RRC non-connected state from an RRC connected state, wherein the RRC message includes an uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0320] Exemplarily, the UE receives an RRC release message, where the RRC release message instructs the UE to enter an RRC non-connected state from an RRC connected state. The RRC non-connected state includes an RRC idle state and / or an RRC inactive state.

[0321] The uplink positioning reference signal configuration may include at least one of the following:

[0322] The resource configuration of the uplink positioning reference signal at least indicates the time and frequency domain resources for sending the uplink positioning reference signal by the terminal;

[0323] The measurement and reporting configuration of the uplink positioning reference signal at least indicates the time and frequency domain resources for sending the measurement results reported by the terminal;

[0324] Timing configuration, used to indicate the validity period of the uplink positioning reference signal. The timing configuration may include but is not limited to: the value of the time alignment timer (TAT);

[0325] The area configuration indicates a valid area of ​​the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0326] Exemplarily, the preset rule may be any predefined rule. The preset rule may be agreed upon by a protocol, or indicated by uplink positioning reference signal configuration information. For example, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration may further include a release rule configuration for the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0327] In some embodiments, releasing or saving the uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to a preset rule may include:

[0328] When a release event that meets the release rule configuration is detected, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is released; otherwise, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration continues to be saved.

[0329] As another example, releasing or saving the uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to a preset rule may include:

[0330] Continue to save the uplink positioning reference signal configuration during cell reselection;

[0331] and / or,

[0332] When the UE resumes the RRC connection with the current serving cell, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration continues to be saved;

[0333] and / or,

[0334] When the current position of the UE is within the valid area of ​​the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, continue to save the uplink positioning reference signal configuration;

[0335] and / or,

[0336] When the UE moves out of the valid area of ​​the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is released.

[0337] After the UR enters the non-connected state from the connected state, it may subsequently enter the connected state from the non-connected state again. If the UE has saved a previously received uplink positioning reference signal configuration, it can continue to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration, reducing the number of uplink positioning reference signal configuration requests sent by the UE to the first network device and reducing signaling overhead.

[0338] That is, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the UE will release or save the uplink positioning reference signal configuration used in the RRC non-connected state according to the preset rules. In this way, the release of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration used in the RRC non-connected state can be reduced when the UE does not need to release it, thereby reducing the request for the uplink positioning reference signal configuration to the first network device again due to redundant release of the UE, and reducing signaling overhead.

[0339] In one embodiment, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration for the UE in the RRC non-connected state has a valid region.

[0340] Within the valid area, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is valid, and outside the valid area, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is invalid.

[0341] For example, the effective area may include one or more cells.

[0342] The area configuration indicating the valid area may include:

[0343] Area identifier, different areas have different area identifiers; the area identifier may include a tracking area identifier and / or a wireless access notification area identifier and other geographical area identifiers;

[0344] The cell identifier indicates the cells included in the valid area. The cell identifier can be carried in the cell list.

[0345] In one embodiment, the valid area of ​​the uplink positioning reference signal configuration may be a connected continuous area.

[0346] In one embodiment, if the effective area includes multiple cells, the multiple cells are distributed continuously or adjacently.

[0347] In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 19 , which is a schematic diagram of another disclosed method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the method is performed by a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system further including a first network device, and the method further includes:

[0348] Step B: The first network device sends an RRC resume message or an RRC establishment message;

[0349] Step C: The UE receives the RRC resume message or the RRC setup message and saves the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0350] The first network device can be any access device shown in Figure 1, such as an evolved access device (eNB), or an access device (gNB) adopting a centralized distributed architecture in a 5G system, or a transmission and reception point (TRP), etc.

[0351] Radio Resource Control (RRC) resume message (RRC resume message), used to instruct an RRC-inactive UE to enter the RRC-connected state;

[0352] The radio resource control RRC setup message (RRC setup message) is used to instruct an RRC connected state UE to enter the RRC connected state.

[0353] Exemplarily, the RRC layer of the terminal receives a radio resource control RRC resume message (RRC resume message) sent by the first network device; and the RRC layer of the terminal receives a radio resource control RRC establishment message (RRC setup message) sent by the first network device.

[0354] After the UE enters the RRC connected state from the RRC non-connected state, the UE continues to save the uplink positioning reference signal configuration that existed when the UE was in the RRC non-connected state. In this way, when the UE enters the RRC non-connected state again, it can send an uplink positioning reference signal based on the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration without requesting the uplink positioning reference signal configuration again.

[0355] In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 20 , which is a schematic diagram of another disclosed method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the method is performed by a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system further including a first network device, and the method further includes:

[0356] Step D: The first network device sends an RRC release message;

[0357] Step E: The UE receives the RRC release message and continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0358] Exemplarily, the RRC release message instructs the UE to enter an RRC non-connected state from an RRC connected state. The RRC non-connected state includes an RRC idle state and / or an RRC inactive state.

[0359] Exemplarily, the indication information included in the RRC release message may instruct the UE to continue using the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0360] Exemplarily, the indication information included in the RRC release message includes first indication information; or, the indication information included in the RRC release message includes message content such as second indication information and third indication information.

[0361] Exemplarily, the message content may be carried (or hosted) by a preset field, i.e., the message content of the RRC release message includes a preset field, and the information content carried by the preset field is information content indicating whether the UE continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0362] Exemplarily, the RRC release message is used to instruct the UE to continue using the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0363] After receiving the RRC release message, the UE may enter the RRC non-connected state from the RRC connected state according to the RRC release message, and the UE disconnects the RRC connection with the first network device. Simultaneously, the UE may determine whether to continue using the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration based on the indication information included in the RRC release message. The UE determines to continue using the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration based on the indication information included in the RRC release message. If the RRC release message continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the UE sends an uplink positioning reference signal according to the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0364] In another embodiment, the RRC release message includes:

[0365] The first indication information is used to instruct the UE to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0366] In one embodiment, the RRC release message will instruct the UE to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after entering the RRC non-connected state through the first indication information. At this time, if the RRC release message does not carry the first indication information, it means that the first network device instructs the UE not to continue using the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0367] In another embodiment, the RRC release message will indicate whether the UE continues to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after entering the RRC non-connected state through the first indication information. Whether the UE continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration at this time is determined according to the specific content of the first indication information.

[0368] In some embodiments, if the RRC release message explicitly or implicitly indicates that the UE does not continue to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after entering the RRC non-connected state, the UE may release the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0369] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0370] After the UE receives the RRC release message including the first indication information, the RRC layer of the UE instructs the medium access control MAC layer of the UE to start a timer.

[0371] Since the release of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is related to the timer of the MAC layer, after receiving the first indication information to determine that the UE continues to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the RRC layer of the UE generates an instruction. After the instruction is transmitted to the MAC layer, the MAC layer starts the timer based on the instruction.

[0372] The RRC release message only needs to carry a first indication information, and the UE will automatically start the relevant timer, which has the characteristic of low signaling overhead.

[0373] In another embodiment, the RRC release message includes:

[0374] Second indication information, used to instruct the UE to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration;

[0375] The third indication information is used to instruct to start a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0376] Since the release of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is related to the timer of the MAC layer, the timer is started at the MAC layer of the UE based on the third indication information.

[0377] The RRC layer of the UE receives the second indication information and determines whether to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to the second indication information.

[0378] Since the release of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is related to the timer of the MAC layer, the timer is started at the MAC layer of the UE according to the third indication information.

[0379] The RRC release message may use the second indication information and the third indication information to respectively instruct the UE to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration and to start a related timer.

[0380] The second indication information and the third indication information may be carried by different bits in the RRC release message.

[0381] In one embodiment, the RRC release message may instruct the UE to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after entering the RRC unconnected state through the second indication information. If the RRC release message does not carry the second indication information, it means that the first network device instructs the UE not to continue using the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0382] In one embodiment, the RRC release message indicates through the second indication information whether the UE continues to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after entering the RRC non-connected state. Whether the UE continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration is determined by the specific content of the second indication information.

[0383] In some embodiments, the RRC release message explicitly or implicitly indicates that the UE will not continue to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after entering the RRC non-connected state, and the UE may release the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0384] If the UE releases the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the MAC layer of the UE will also release the relevant timer. Releasing the relevant timer here may include: releasing the timer configuration information and / or clearing the timer value of the last timer suspension.

[0385] In some embodiments, the RRC release message instructs the UE to start a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration via third indication information. If the RRC release message does not carry the third indication information, it indicates that the first network device instructs the UE not to start the timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0386] In some embodiments, the RRC release message instructs the UE to start a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration through the third indication information when the UE returns to the RRC unconnected state and continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0387] In some embodiments, the third indication information may also be used to indicate a method for starting the timer, which may involve starting continued timing based on the timing value of the previous paused timing, or restarting timing based on the initial value of the timer.

[0388] In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 21 , which is a schematic diagram of another disclosed method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the method is performed by a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system also including a second network device, and the method further includes:

[0389] Step F: When the UE in the RRC connected state switches from the first cell to the second cell and the UE saves the uplink positioning reference signal configuration for the RRC non-connected state, the first network device sends fourth indication information to the second network device, wherein the fourth indication information indicates that the UE saves the uplink positioning reference signal configuration for the RRC non-connected state.

[0390] Exemplarily, the second network device can be any access device shown in Figure 1, such as an evolved access device (eNB), or an access device (gNB) adopting a centralized distributed architecture in a 5G system, or a transmission and reception point (TRP), etc.

[0391] Exemplarily, the first network device has a first cell, and the first cell is the cell where the UE is currently located.

[0392] Exemplarily, the first cell is a source cell of the UE, and the second cell is a target cell.

[0393] Exemplarily, the second cell is a cell within a valid area of ​​an uplink positioning reference signal configuration in an RRC non-connected state.

[0394] After the UE in the RRC connected state performs a cell handover, since the target cell to which the RRC connection state is handed over is a cell within the valid area, the UE continues to save the uplink positioning reference signal configuration. In order to facilitate the subsequent second network device to know that the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is saved in the UE, the first network device will inform the second network device through any message during the cell handover process.

[0395] Exemplarily, the fourth indication information is included in a cell switching message.

[0396] In some embodiments, any message in the handover process may also include: a context request message for the second network device to obtain the UE context from the first network device, etc.

[0397] In another embodiment, a method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration is provided. The method is performed by a wireless communication system, and the method further includes:

[0398] The second network device receives fourth indication information sent by the first network device of the first cell; wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the UE in the RRC connected state switched from the first cell to the second cell saves the uplink positioning reference signal configuration for the RRC non-connected state.

[0399] In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 22 , which is a schematic diagram of a disclosed apparatus for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the apparatus includes:

[0400] The processing module 1 is configured to release or save an uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to a preset rule, wherein the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is used for uplink positioning when the UE is in an RRC non-connected state.

[0401] In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 23 , which is a schematic diagram of another disclosed apparatus for processing an uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the apparatus includes:

[0402] The sending module 2 is configured to send a message to a user equipment UE, causing the UE in an RRC non-connected state to enter an RRC connected state, where the message is used for the UE to save an uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0403] In another embodiment, a communication device is also disclosed, including a processor, a transceiver, a memory, and an executable program stored in the memory and capable of being run by the processor, wherein the processor executes the processing method for uplink positioning reference signal configuration provided in any of the above embodiments when running the executable program.

[0404] In another embodiment, a computer storage medium is further disclosed, wherein the computer storage medium stores an executable program; after the executable program is executed by a processor, the method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration provided in any of the above embodiments can be implemented.

[0405] In another embodiment, the first network device configures an uplink positioning reference signal configuration in an RRC inactive state for the UE. The UE releases the uplink positioning reference signal configuration in the following circumstances:

[0406] UE performs cell reselection;

[0407] The RRC layer of the UE receives a release request from the terminal's Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, requesting the RRC layer to release the uplink positioning reference configuration;

[0408] The RRC layer of the UE receives a radio resource control RRC resume message (RRC resume message) sent by the first network device, which is used to instruct the RRC inactive state UE to enter the RRC connected state;

[0409] The RRC layer of the UE receives a radio resource control RRC establishment message (RRC setup message) sent by the first network device, which is used to instruct the RRC connected state UE to enter the RRC connected state.

[0410] However, for the uplink positioning reference signal configuration associated with the valid area, the UE does not necessarily need to release the uplink positioning reference signal configuration after performing cell reselection.

[0411] When the UE receives an RRC resume message or an RRC setup message, the UE may stop transmitting the SRS without releasing the SRS configuration.

[0412] In one embodiment, the first network device configures an uplink positioning reference signal configuration associated with a valid area for the UE, where a release condition for the uplink positioning reference signal configuration associated with the valid area includes at least one of the following:

[0413] The UE performs cell reselection and the target cell of the UE reselection is not within the valid area of ​​the uplink positioning reference signal configuration;

[0414] The UE receives an RRC resume message, saves the uplink positioning reference signal configuration associated with the valid area, and the medium access control (MAC) layer in the UE stops the timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration;

[0415] The UE receives an RRC setup message, saves the uplink positioning reference signal configuration associated with the validity area, and the medium access control (MAC) layer in the UE stops the timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration;

[0416] The UE performs cell handover and releases the uplink positioning reference signal configuration associated with the valid area;

[0417] The UE receives an RRC release message, which instructs the UE to use the previously saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration. The medium access control (MAC) layer of the UE starts a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0418] In one embodiment, a method for a UE to process an uplink positioning reference signal configuration associated with a valid area is disclosed, including:

[0419] The UE saves or releases the uplink positioning reference signal configuration associated with the valid area.

[0420] In one embodiment, the first network device configures the UE with an uplink positioning reference signal configuration associated with a valid area. When the UE in an RRC non-connected state performs cell reselection and the target cell of the cell reselection is located outside the valid area, the UE releases the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, and the medium access control (MAC) layer of the UE stops the timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0421] In one embodiment, the valid area is indicated by a physical cell identifier (PCI) in a PCI list, for example, PCI1, PCI2, and / or PCI3. The UE performs cell reselection. If the PCI of the target cell selected by the UE is PCI5, the UE releases the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0422] In one embodiment, the first network device configures the UE with an uplink positioning reference signal configuration associated with a valid area, the UE receives a radio resource control setup (RRC setup) message, the UE saves the uplink positioning reference signal configuration associated with the valid area, and the medium access control (MAC) layer of the UE stops a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0423] In one embodiment, the first network device configures the UE with an uplink positioning reference signal configuration associated with a valid area, the UE receives a radio resource control resume (RRC resume) message, the UE saves the uplink positioning reference signal configuration associated with the valid area, and the medium access control (MAC) layer of the UE stops a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0424] In one embodiment, the first network device configures an uplink positioning reference signal configuration associated with a valid area for the UE. When the UE performs cell handover, the UE releases the uplink positioning reference signal configuration associated with the valid area.

[0425] In one embodiment, the first network device configures an uplink positioning reference signal configuration associated with a valid area for the UE. When the UE performs cell handover and the target cell is outside the valid area, the UE releases the uplink positioning reference signal configuration associated with the valid area.

[0426] In one embodiment, the UE receives an RRC release message, and the RRC release message instructs the UE to continue to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration of the associated valid area. The UE continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration and sends the uplink positioning reference signal according to the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0427] In one embodiment, the medium access control (MAC) layer of the UE starts a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0428] In one embodiment, the UE receives an RRC release message and the UE saves the uplink positioning reference signal configuration of the associated valid area. Then, the UE continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration to send the uplink positioning reference signal according to the indication information included in the RRC release message, and the medium access control (MAC) layer of the UE starts a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

[0429] Figure 24 is a block diagram of a UE 800 according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, the UE 800 may be a mobile phone, a computer, a digital broadcast user equipment, a messaging device, a game console, a tablet device, a medical device, a fitness device, a personal digital assistant, etc.

[0430] 24 , UE 800 may include one or more of the following components: a processing component 802 , a memory 804 , a power component 806 , a multimedia component 808 , an audio component 810 , an input / output (I / O) interface 812 , a sensor component 814 , and a communication component 816 .

[0431] The processing component 802 generally controls the overall operation of the UE 800, such as operations associated with display, phone calls, data communications, camera operation, and recording operations. The processing component 802 may include one or more processors 820 to execute instructions to perform all or part of the steps of the above-described method. In addition, the processing component 802 may include one or more modules to facilitate interaction between the processing component 802 and other components. For example, the processing component 802 may include a multimedia module to facilitate interaction between the multimedia component 808 and the processing component 802.

[0432] The memory 804 is configured to store various types of data to support operations on the UE 800. Examples of such data include instructions for any application or method operating on the UE 800, contact data, phone book data, messages, pictures, videos, etc. The memory 804 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 memory, flash memory, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0433] The power component 806 provides power to various components of the UE 800. The power component 806 may include a power management system, one or more power supplies, and other components associated with generating, managing, and distributing power to the UE 800.

[0434] The multimedia component 808 includes a screen that provides an output interface between the UE 800 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 touch screen to receive input signals from the user. The touch panel includes one or more touch sensors to sense touches, slides, and gestures on the touch panel. The touch sensor may not only sense the boundaries of a touch or slide action, but also detect the duration and pressure associated with the touch or slide operation. In some embodiments, the multimedia component 808 includes a front camera and / or a rear camera. When the UE 800 is in an operating mode, such as a shooting mode or a video mode, the front camera and / or the rear camera may receive external multimedia data. Each front camera and rear camera may be a fixed optical lens system or have focal length and optical zoom capabilities.

[0435] The audio component 810 is configured to output and / or input audio signals. For example, the audio component 810 includes a microphone (MIC) that is configured to receive external audio signals when the UE 800 is in an operating mode, such as a call mode, a recording mode, and a voice recognition mode. The received audio signals may be further stored in the memory 804 or transmitted via the communication component 816. In some embodiments, the audio component 810 further includes a speaker for outputting audio signals.

[0436] I / O interface 812 provides an interface between processing component 802 and peripheral interface modules, such as a keyboard, click wheel, buttons, etc. These buttons may include but are not limited to: a home button, volume buttons, a start button, and a lock button.

[0437] The sensor assembly 814 includes one or more sensors for providing various aspects of the status assessment of the UE 800. For example, the sensor assembly 814 can detect the open / closed state of the UE 800, the relative positioning of components, such as the display and keypad of the UE 800. The sensor assembly 814 can also detect changes in the position of the UE 800 or a component of the UE 800, the presence or absence of user contact with the UE 800, the orientation or acceleration / deceleration of the UE 800, and changes in the temperature of the UE 800. The sensor assembly 814 may include a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of nearby objects without any physical contact. The sensor assembly 814 may also include an optical sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD image sensor, for use in imaging applications. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly 814 may also include an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.

[0438] The communication component 816 is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication between the UE 800 and other devices. The UE 800 can access a wireless network based on a communication standard, such as Wi-Fi, 4G or 5G, or a combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication component 816 receives a broadcast signal or broadcast-related information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication component 816 also includes a near field communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-range communication. For example, the NFC module can be implemented based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, infrared data association (IrDA) technology, ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, Bluetooth (BT) technology and other technologies.

[0439] In an exemplary embodiment, UE800 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 above methods.

[0440] In an exemplary embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions is also provided, such as a memory 804 including instructions, which can be executed by the processor 820 of the UE 800 to perform the above method. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can be a ROM, a random access memory (RAM), a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, etc.

[0441] As shown in Figure 25, an embodiment of the present disclosure shows the structure of an access device. For example, the communication device 900 can be provided as a network device. The communication device can be various network elements such as the aforementioned access network element and / or network function.

[0442] 25 , communication device 900 includes a processing component 922, which further includes one or more processors, and memory resources represented by memory 932 for storing instructions executable by processing component 922, such as applications. The applications stored in memory 932 may include one or more modules, each corresponding to a set of instructions. Furthermore, processing component 922 is configured to execute instructions to perform any of the aforementioned methods applied to the access device, such as the methods shown in any of Figures 4 to 9 .

[0443] The communication device 900 may also include a power supply component 926 configured to perform power management of the communication device 900, a wired or wireless network interface 950 configured to connect the communication device 900 to a network, and an input / output (I / O) interface 958. The communication device 900 may operate based on an operating system stored in the memory 932, such as Windows Server™, Mac OS X™, Unix™, Linux™, FreeBSD™, or the like.

[0444] Other embodiments of the presently disclosed embodiments will readily occur to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the presently disclosed embodiments that follow the general principles of the presently disclosed embodiments and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the presently disclosed embodiments being indicated by the following claims.

[0445] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, wherein: The method is performed by a user equipment UE, and includes: According to a preset rule, an uplink positioning reference signal configuration is released or saved, wherein the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is used for uplink positioning when the UE is in an RRC non-connected state.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The uplink positioning reference signal configuration includes a valid area.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The releasing or saving the uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to a preset rule includes at least one of the following: When the UE in the RRC non-connected state performs cell reselection and the target cell of the cell reselection is located in the valid area, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is not released; When the UE in the RRC non-connected state performs cell reselection and the target cell of the cell reselection is located outside the valid area, releasing the uplink positioning reference signal configuration; The UE in the RRC connected state performs cell switching and releases the uplink positioning reference signal configuration; When the UE in the RRC connected state performs cell switching and the target cell of the switching is located in the valid area, the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is not released; When the UE in the RRC connected state performs cell switching and the target cell of the switching is located outside the valid area, releasing the uplink positioning reference signal configuration; A first message from a first network device is received, and the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is not released, wherein the first message is used to instruct the UE in the RRC non-connected state to enter the RRC connected state.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: The first message includes at least one of the following: RRC recovery message; RRC establishment message.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: After saving the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, the method further includes: Receiving an RRC release message sent by the first network device; According to the indication information included in the RRC release message, continue to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The method further comprises: Whether to continue to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration is determined according to whether an RRC release message sent by the first network device is received.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The method further comprises at least one of the following: When the UE in the RRC non-connected state performs cell reselection and the target cell of the cell reselection is located in the valid area, and the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is saved or not released, pausing or stopping the timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration; The UE in the RRC connected state performs a cell handover and the target cell of the handover is located in the valid area, and saves or without releasing the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, pausing or stopping a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration; When entering the RRC connected state from the RRC non-connected state according to the first message sent by the first network device, while saving or not releasing the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, pausing or stopping the timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration; the first message is used to instruct the UE in the RRC non-connected state to enter the RRC connected state.

8. The method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: After the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is saved according to a preset rule, the method further includes: Determine whether to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to the received RRC release message sent by the first network device; In response to determining to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, starting a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration at a moment when it is determined to continue to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration; The timer is used to time the effective duration of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The instruction information includes: The first indication information is used to instruct the UE to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The method further comprises: After receiving the RRC release message including the first indication information, the RRC layer of the UE instructs the medium access control MAC layer of the UE to start the timer.

11. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The instruction information includes: The second indication information is used to instruct the UE to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration; The third indication information is used to indicate starting a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, wherein the timer is used to time the effective duration of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

12. A method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, wherein: The method is performed by a first network device in a first cell, and includes: A radio resource control (RRC) release message is sent, wherein the RRC release message is used to enable the UE to continue to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The RRC release message includes: The first indication information is used to instruct the UE to use the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The RRC release message includes: The second indication information is used to instruct the UE to continue using the uplink positioning reference signal configuration; The third indication information is used to indicate starting a timer associated with the uplink positioning reference signal configuration, wherein the timer is used to time the effective duration of the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein: The method further comprises: In a case where the UE in the RRC connected state switches from a first cell to a second cell and the UE stores an uplink positioning reference signal for the RRC non-connected state, fourth indication information is sent to a second network device, wherein the fourth indication information indicates that the UE stores an uplink positioning reference signal configuration for the RRC non-connected state.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The fourth indication information is included in the cell switching message.

17. A method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, performed by a second network device of a second cell, comprising: Receive fourth indication information sent by the first network device of the first cell; wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the UE in the RRC connected state switched from the first cell to the second cell saves the uplink positioning reference signal configuration for the RRC non-connected state.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The fourth indication information is included in the cell switching message.

19. A method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration, performed by a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system comprising a user equipment UE, the method comprising: The UE releases or saves an uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to a preset rule, wherein the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is used for uplink positioning when the UE is in an RRC non-connected state.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein: The wireless communication system further includes a first network device, and the method further includes: The first network device sends an RRC recovery message or an RRC establishment message; The UE receives the RRC recovery message or the RRC establishment message, and saves the uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein: The wireless communication system further includes a first network device, and the method further includes: The first network device sends an RRC release message; The UE receives the RRC release message, and continues to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein: The wireless communication system further includes a second network device, and the method further includes: When the UE in the RRC connected state switches from the first cell to the second cell and the UE stores an uplink positioning reference signal for the RRC non-connected state, the first network device sends fourth indication information to the second network device, wherein the fourth indication information indicates that the UE stores the uplink positioning reference signal configuration for the RRC non-connected state.

23. A processing device for uplink positioning reference signal configuration, wherein: The device comprises: The processing module is configured to release or save an uplink positioning reference signal configuration according to a preset rule, wherein the uplink positioning reference signal configuration is used for uplink positioning when the UE is in an RRC non-connected state.

24. A processing device for uplink positioning reference signal configuration, wherein: The device comprises: The sending module is configured to send a radio resource control RRC release message, wherein the RRC release message is used to enable the UE to continue to use the saved uplink positioning reference signal configuration.

25. A processing device for uplink positioning reference signal configuration, wherein: The device comprises: The receiving module is configured to receive fourth indication information sent by the first network device of the first cell; wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the UE in the RRC connected state switching from the first cell to the second cell saves the uplink positioning reference signal configuration for the RRC non-connected state.

26. A communication device comprising a processor, a transceiver, a memory, and an executable program stored in the memory and capable of being run by the processor, wherein: When the processor runs the executable program, it executes the method for processing uplink positioning reference signal configuration provided by any one of claims 1 to 11, any one of 12 to 16, 17 or 18, and any one of 19 to 22.

27. A computer storage medium storing an executable program; after the executable program is executed by a processor, it can implement the processing method for uplink positioning reference signal configuration provided by any one of claims 1 to 11, any one of 12 to 16, 17 or 18, and any one of 19 to 22.

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