Position determination of UE in mobile IAB systems

Abstract

Various example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods, devices, apparatuses, and computer readable storage media for user equipment (UE) location determination in a mobile integrated access and backhaul (IAB) system. In example embodiments, a first device receives, from a second device in a radio access network, a first request for information associated with a transmit receive point associated with the first device. For example, the second device receives, from a third device, a second request for information associated with the transmit receive point associated with the first device, and in response, transmits the first request to the first device. And then, the first equipment obtains the position of the transmitting and receiving point and the corresponding mobility information. In addition, the first device transmits information indicating the location of the transmit-receive point and / or the corresponding mobility information to the second device. And then, the second device transmits information indicating the position of the transmit-receive point and / or the corresponding mobility information to the third device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of communications, and more particularly to methods, devices, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for user equipment (UE) location determination in a mobile integrated access and backhaul (IAB) system. Background Art

[0002] IAB implements wireless relay for New Radio (NR) access by using NR for backhaul. The relay node in the IAB architecture may be referred to as IAB, IAB device, or IAB node, which provides both access and backhaul by using NR radio access. The network node that terminates the wireless backhaul on the network side may be referred to as a donor, donor device, or donor node, which is typically an NR next-generation NodeB (gNB) with additional functionality to support IAB.

[0003] Positioning of a user equipment (UE) may be supported by radio access technology (RAT) dependent positioning methods that rely on RAT measurements obtained by, for example, a target UE and / or measurements obtained by a network device. Positioning of a UE may also be supported by RAT independent positioning methods that may rely on non-RAT measurements and / or other information obtained by the UE. In a fifth generation (5G) system (5GS), location services (LCS) for UEs may be supported by a location management function (LMF).

[0004] In the mobile IAB system, the vehicle-mounted repeater (VMR) uses the 5G network, which utilizes mobile repeaters (IAB nodes) installed in vehicles (such as trains, buses, trams, subways) and provides services to UEs in or around the vehicle. However, since these devices in the mobile IAB system are mobile, it is difficult to achieve location determination. Therefore, how to efficiently and accurately determine the UE location is an open problem to be solved, in addition to other unresolved issues. Summary of the invention

[0005] In general, various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, devices, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for UE location determination in an IAB system.

[0006] In a first aspect, a method is provided. In the method, a first device receives a first request for information associated with a transmit receive point (TRP) associated with the first device from a second device in the radio access network. In addition, the first device obtains a location of the transmit receive point and corresponding mobility information. Then, the first device transmits information indicating the location of the transmit receive point and / or the corresponding mobility information to the second device.

[0007] In a second aspect, a method is provided. In the method, a second device transmits a first request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with the first device to a first device in the radio access network. In addition, the second device receives information indicating a location of the transmit-receive point and / or corresponding mobility information from the first device. Then, the second device transmits the information indicating the location of the transmit-receive point and / or the corresponding mobility information to a third device.

[0008] In a third aspect, a method is provided. In the method, a third device transmits a second request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with a first device in a radio access network to a second device in the radio access network. The third device then receives information indicating a location of the transmit-receive point and / or corresponding mobility information from the second device.

[0009] In a fourth aspect, a first device is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the first device to receive a first request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with the first device from a second device in the radio access network. In addition, the first device is caused to obtain a location of the transmit-receive point and corresponding mobility information. Then, the first device is caused to transmit information indicating the location of the transmit-receive point and / or the corresponding mobility information to the second device.

[0010] In a fifth aspect, a second device is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to use the at least one processor to cause the second device to transmit a first request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with the first device to a first device in the radio access network. In addition, the second device is caused to receive information indicating the location of the transmit-receive point and / or corresponding mobility information from the first device. Then, the second device is caused to transmit the information indicating the location of the transmit-receive point and / or the corresponding mobility information to a third device.

[0011] In a sixth aspect, a third device is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, using the at least one processor, cause the third device to transmit a second request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with a first device in the radio access network to a second device in the radio access network. Then, cause the third device to receive information indicating a location of the transmit-receive point and / or corresponding mobility information from the second device.

[0012] In a seventh aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising means for performing the method according to the first or second aspect or the third aspect.

[0013] In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium including program instructions stored thereon is provided. When the instructions are executed by a processor of a device, the device is caused to perform the method according to the first, second or third aspect.

[0014] It should be understood that the "Summary of the Invention" section is not intended to identify the key or essential features of the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 An example environment is shown in which various example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0017] Figure 2 shows a signaling flow between a first device, a second device, and a third device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 3 An example process for determining a UE location according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0019] Figure 4 An example process for determining a UE location according to some other example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0020] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating an example method according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating an example method according to some other example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 7a flowchart illustrating an example method according to some further example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0023] Figure 8 A simplified block diagram of a device suitable for implementing the example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0024] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numbers refer to the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described only for illustrative purposes and to help those skilled in the art understand and implement the present disclosure without placing any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various ways except as described below.

[0026] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0027] In the present disclosure, references to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," and "an example embodiment" indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with an example embodiment, it is considered to be within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments (whether or not explicitly described).

[0028] It should be understood that although the terms "first" and "second" etc. may be used to describe various elements in this article, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the functions of various elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0029] The terms used herein are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "said" are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that when used herein, the terms "include", "comprising", "having", "including", and / or "comprising" specify the presence of the features, elements, and / or parts, etc., but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, parts, and / or combinations thereof.

[0030] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0031] (a) hardware circuit implementations only (such as implementations in analog and / or digital circuits only) and

[0032] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (where applicable):

[0033] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware, and

[0034] (ii) any portion of a hardware processor and software (including a digital signal processor), software and memory that work together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions, and

[0035] (c) Hardware circuits and / or processors, such as a microprocessor or portion of a microprocessor, that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but where the software may not be present, the software may not be required for operation.

[0036] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers implementations of only a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to a particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0037] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that complies with any appropriate communication standard such as a fifth generation (5G) system, long term evolution (LTE), advanced LTE (LTE-a), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), high speed packet access (HSPA), narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), etc. In addition, the communication between the terminal device and the network device in the communication network can be performed according to any appropriate generation of communication protocols including but not limited to the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, future fifth generation (5G) new air interface (NR) communication protocol and / or any other protocol currently known or to be developed in the future. The various embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. In view of the rapid development of communication, there will certainly be future types of communication technologies and systems that can embody the present disclosure. It should not be considered that the scope of the present disclosure is limited to the above-mentioned system.

[0038] As used herein, the term "access network device" refers to a node in a communication network through which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. Depending on the terminology and technology applied, a network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), such as a NodeB (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a NR next generation NodeB (gNB), a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a repeater, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, etc. It is allowed to define a network device as part of a gNB, such as in a CU / DU split (in which case the network device is defined as a gNB-CU or a gNB-DU).

[0039] As used herein, in some example embodiments, the term "core network device" refers to a device that can communicate with access network devices and provide services to terminal devices in the core network. Examples of core network devices may include user plane functions (UPF), application servers, mobile switching centers (MSC), MMEs, operations and management (O&M) nodes, operations support system (OSS) nodes, self-organizing network (SON) nodes, positioning nodes such as enhanced serving mobile location centers (E-SMLC), mobile data terminals (MDTs), common control network functions (CCNFs), access and mobility management functions (AMFs), session management functions (SMFs), policy control functions (PCFs), and location management functions (LMFs).

[0040] As used herein, the term "terminal device", "user device" or "user equipment" (UE) refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication with each other or with a base station. Communication may involve transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic signals, radio waves, infrared signals, and / or other types of signals suitable for transmitting information over the air. In some example embodiments, the UE may be configured to transmit and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For example, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to a request from the network side, the UE may transmit information to the base station according to a predetermined schedule.

[0041] Examples of user devices include, but are not limited to, smartphones, wireless-enabled tablets, laptop embedded devices (LEEs), laptop mounted equipment (LMEs), wireless customer premises equipment (CPEs), sensors, metering devices, personal wearable devices such as watches, and / or vehicles capable of communication. For the purposes of discussion, some example embodiments will be described with reference to UE as an example of a terminal device, and in the context of the present disclosure, the terms "terminal device" and "user equipment" (UE) may be used interchangeably.

[0042] Although in various example embodiments, the functions described herein may be performed in fixed and / or wireless network nodes, in other example embodiments, the functions may be implemented in a user equipment device (such as a mobile phone or tablet or laptop or desktop computer or mobile IoT device or fixed IoT device). For example, the user equipment device may be equipped with corresponding functions described in connection with fixed and / or wireless network nodes as required. The user equipment device may be a user device and / or a control device, such as a chipset or processor, configured to control the user device when installed therein. Examples of such functions include boot server functions and / or home subscriber servers, which may be implemented in the user equipment device by providing software to the user equipment device, which is configured to cause the user equipment device to perform from the perspective of these functions / nodes.

[0043] As mentioned above, there are some discussions about 5GS supporting UE to access 5GS location services via VMR. However, when VMR exists, the location of the cell / IAB node serving the UE may change, which will not only affect the positioning process, but also affect the regulatory services that require the UE location.

[0044] Generally, for UEs connected to VMR cells, the UE positioning process can use only the TRP from the VMR. For UEs connected to VMR cells, the UE positioning process can use both the TRP from the VMR and the TRP from the normal gNB cell. For UEs connected to normal gNB cells, the UE positioning process can use both the TRP from the VMR and the TRP from the normal gNB cell.

[0045] In 5GS, LCS for UE may be supported by LMF. LMF determines the UE location based on measurement reports collected from UE / TRP and the location of the TRP involved in the measurement. In a normal terrestrial network, the location of the TRP is fixed and known to the LMF, for example, through OAM configuration, or through the New Air Interface Positioning Protocol Annex (NRPPa) / F1 Application Protocol (F1AP) signaling using the TRP information exchange process. However, the location of the TRP installed on a moving vehicle may change dynamically, for example, when the vehicle moves. In addition, in this case, in certain scenarios such as when the VMR is installed on a bus, the TRP and the IAB mobile terminal (MT) / distributed unit (DU) may be considered to be collocated. In some other scenarios such as when the VMR is installed on a train or ship, the TRP and the IAB-MT / DU may not be collocated. For example, the IAB-MT / DU may be installed in the middle of a train or ship, while the TRP may be deployed near the head and tail of the train or ship. Then, the location of the TRP may be different from the location of the IAB-MT / DU.

[0046] So far, there is no effective method to determine the location of UE in a mobile IAB system.

[0047] Each example embodiment of the present disclosure provides a scheme for determining the position of a UE in an IAB system. Using this scheme, a first device receives a first request for information associated with a TRP associated with the first device from a second device in a radio access network. For example, the second device receives a second request for information associated with the TRP associated with the first device from a third device, and in response, transmits the first request to the first device. Then, the first device obtains the position of the TRP and the corresponding mobility information. In addition, the first device transmits information indicating the position of the TRP and / or the corresponding mobility information to the second device. And then, the second device transmits information indicating the position of the TRP and / or the corresponding mobility information to the third device.

[0048] This scheme facilitates flexible and accurate UE location determination by flexibly and efficiently determining the location of the TRP while taking into account the mobility state. Therefore, it can allow for improved communication efficiency.

[0049] Figure 1 An example environment 100 is shown in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.

[0050] As shown, environment 100 as part of a communication network includes devices 110, 120, and device 130 in a radio access network 125. As an example, device 120 may communicate with devices 110 and 130, or communicate with other devices via devices 110 and 130. The communication between devices 110, 120, and 130 may be direct or indirect.

[0051] Devices 110, 120, and 130 may be implemented by any suitable device in a communication network. In some example embodiments, some of devices 110, 20, and 130 may be implemented by one or more terminal devices, while others may be implemented by one or more network devices, or vice versa. In some other example embodiments, devices 110, 120, and 130 may all be implemented by terminal devices or network devices.

[0052] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, in environment 100, devices 110, 120, and 130 may be implemented by network devices. For discussion purposes only, in some example embodiments, device 110 will be considered as an example of a DU of an integrated access and backhaul device (IAB-DU). Device 120 will be considered as an example of a CU of a donor device (donor CU or IAB donor CU). Device 130 will be considered as an example of a location management function.

[0053] It should be understood that the devices or functions shown in environment 100 are for illustration purposes only and do not imply any limitation. Environment 100 may include any other suitable devices, elements or functions. For example, environment 100 may also include another device, such as a UE communicating with device 110.

[0054] The communication between the devices or functions in the environment 100 may follow any existing or future developed suitable communication standards or protocols, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced LTE (LTE-A), Fifth Generation (5G) New Radio (NR), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) standards, and adopt any suitable communication technology including, for example, Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDM), Bluetooth, ZigBee and Machine Type Communication (MTC), Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC), Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC), Carrier Aggregation (CA), Dual Connectivity (DC) and New Radio Unlicensed (NR-U) technology. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0055] The following will refer to Figure 2-7 The detailed process of UE location determination in mobile IAB system is discussed.

[0056] Figure 2 2 shows a signaling flow 200 between a first device, a second device, and a third device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 The signaling flow 200 is described.

[0057] like Figure 2As shown in , device 130 transmits (205) to device 120 in radio access network 125 a request for information associated with a TRP associated with device 110 in radio access network 125 (also referred to as a second request). In some example embodiments, the location of the TRP may be determined at device 110. In this case, for example, if the updated corresponding mobility information indicates that the TRP is mobile, device 130 may determine that the location of the TRP needs to be updated. Then, in response to the need to update the location of the TRP, device 130 may transmit a second request for information associated with the TRP to second device 120. As an example, if device 130 previously received a mobility information indication that the TRP is "mobile", device 130 may determine that the geographic coordinates of the TRP need to be refreshed. If device 130 did not previously receive a mobility information indication that the TRP is "mobile", or if device 130 previously received a mobility information indication that the TRP is "non-mobile", device 130 may assume that the geographic coordinates of the TRP are static and do not need to be refreshed.

[0058] Device 120 then transmits (210) to device 110 a request (also referred to as a first request) for information associated with a TRP associated with device 110. Device 110 then obtains (215) the location of the TRP and corresponding mobility information.

[0059] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information may indicate that the TRP is mobile. In this case, the corresponding mobility information may be a static characteristic of the IAB node. In some other embodiments, the corresponding mobility information may indicate whether the TRP is mobile or non-mobile during a time period. In some other embodiments, the corresponding mobility information may indicate whether the TRP is non-mobile during a time period. In this case, the corresponding mobility information may be a dynamic state of the IAB node. For example, the TRP may be "parked" or "mobile". When the TRP is "parked", more resource / signal intensive procedures do not need to be performed to continuously locate the TRP.

[0060] In an example embodiment where the location of the TRP is determined at the device 110, the location of the TRP may include the geographic coordinate location of the TRP. For example, the geographic coordinate location of the TRP may be the TRP geographic coordinates. In this case, the device 110 may obtain the location of the TRP in a variety of ways. For example, the device 110 may first obtain the location of a reference point, such as a mobile terminal device (MT) co-located with the device 110. For example, the device 110 may determine the location of the MT using a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) or by triggering a mobile-initiated location request (MO-LR) process by the MT. Then, the device 110 may determine the geographic coordinate location of the TRP based at least on the location of the reference point. In addition, in order to determine the geographic coordinate location of the TRP, it is necessary to determine the relative position of the TRP relative to the location of the reference point. For example, the device 110 may be configured with the relative position of the TRP relative to the location of the reference point. Alternatively, the relative position of the TRP relative to the location of the reference point may be determined based on other mechanisms, such as side link positioning. Then, the device 110 may determine the geographic coordinate location of the TRP based on the location of the reference point and the relative position of the TRP relative to the reference point.

[0061] In this case, for example, the information element includes the geographic coordinate location of the TRP, and the corresponding mobility information can be shown in Table 1.

[0062] Table 1: Geographical coordinates

[0063]

[0064]

[0065] In some other example embodiments, the location of the TRP may be determined at device 130. In this case, the location of the TRP may include at least one of an identification of the reference point and a relative position of the TRP relative to the location of the reference point. For example, the reference point may be associated with an MT co-located with device 110. The relative position of the TRP relative to the location of the reference point may be determined as described above. In some example embodiments, the identification of the reference point may include an identity (ID) of the reference point. For example, the ID may be a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) of the MT or any other identifier. As an example, the MT may retrieve the SUPI from its multi-universal subscriber identity module (USIM) and provide it to device 110.

[0066] In this case, for example, the reference point IE may be enhanced to include an ID that uniquely identifies the reference point (ie, MT), as shown in Table 2.

[0067] Table 2: Reference points

[0068]

[0069]

[0070] like Figure 2 As shown in , device 110 transmits (220) information indicating the location of the TRP and / or corresponding mobility information to device 120. Then, device 120 transmits (225) information indicating the location of the TRP and / or corresponding mobility information to device 130.

[0071] In an embodiment where the location of the TRP includes at least one of an identification of the reference point and a relative position of the TRP relative to the location of the reference point, the device 130 may obtain the location of the reference point. For example, the location of the reference point may be determined using a mobile terminal location request (MT-LR) process. The device 130 may then determine the geographic coordinate location of the TRP based on the location of the reference point and the relative position of the TRP relative to the location of the reference point. In addition, in this case, the device 130 may save the received mobility information and use it later. For example, in a case where the TRP is also needed to locate another UE, if the previously received and saved mobility information indicates that the TRP is mobile, the device 130 may determine that the location of the reference point needs to be updated. Then, in response to the need to update the location of the reference point, the device 130 may update the location of the reference point, for example, by initiating the MT-LR process.

[0072] In this way, flexible and accurate UE position determination may be allowed.

[0073] Figure 3 An example process 300 for determining a UE location according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 Process 300 is described. In this case, device 110 is implemented by IAB-DU 301. Device 120 is implemented by donor CU 303. Device 130 is implemented by LMF 305.

[0074] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 302 , at 302, the LMF 305 transmits an NRPPa:TRP INFORMATION REQUEST message to the donor CU 303 to request information associated with the TRP associated with the IAB-DU 301. Then, at 304, the donor CU 303 transmits an F1AP:TRP INFORMATION REQUEST message to the IAB-DU 301 to request information associated with the TRP associated with the IAB-DU 302.

[0075] At 306, the IAB-DU 301 determines the location of the TRP and the corresponding mobility information. For example, the IAB-DU 301 determines the "mobile" state and the geographic coordinates of the TRP. Then, at 308, the IAB-DU 301 transmits an F1AP:TRPNFORMATION RESPONSE message to the donor CU 303. For example, the F1AP:TRP NFORMATION RESPONSE message may include information indicating the geographic coordinates of the TRP and the corresponding mobility information of the TRP, which, for example, indicates that the TRP is mobile, or indicates that the TRP is mobile during a time period, or indicates that the TRP is not mobile during a time period, or indicates that the TRP is mobile during a first time period and not mobile during a second time period. In another example embodiment, the F1AP:TRP INFORMATION RESPONSE message may include only the corresponding mobility information of the TRP, which indicates, for example, that the TRP is mobile, or that the TRP is mobile during a time period, or that the TRP is not mobile during a time period, or that the TRP is mobile during a first time period and not mobile during a second time period. At 310, the donor CU 303 transmits the NRPPa:TRP INFORMATION RESPONSE message to the LMF 305. For example, the NRPPa:TRP INFORMATION RESPONSE message may include information indicating the geographic coordinates of the TRP and the corresponding mobility information of the TRP, which indicates, for example, that the TRP is mobile, or that the TRP is mobile during a time period, or that the TRP is not mobile during a time period, or that the TRP is mobile during a first time period and not mobile during a second time period. In another exemplary embodiment, the NRPPa:TRP INFORMATION RESPONSE message may include only the corresponding mobility information of the TRP, which may be, for example, mobility information indicating that the TRP is mobile, or indicating that the TRP is mobile during a time period, or indicating that the TRP is not mobile during a time period, or indicating that the TRP is mobile during a first time period and not mobile during a second time period.

[0076] Subsequently, at 312, for example, when the LMF 305 needs to use the TRP to locate the UE 307 connected to the IAB-DU 301, the LMF 305 determines whether the geographic coordinates of the TRP need to be refreshed. Since the previously corresponding mobility information of the TRP received in 310 indicates that the TRP is "mobile", the LMF 305 determines that a refresh is required to obtain the latest location information of the TRP. If the LMF 305 determines at 314-322 that the geographic coordinates of the TRP need to be refreshed, a process similar to the process of steps 302-310 is repeated. At 322, the LMF 305 determines the latest location information associated with the TRP. And then, at 324, a normal UE positioning process using the latest positioning information of the TRP is performed on the UE 307.

[0077] Reference above Figure 1-2 All operations and features described are also applicable to process 300 and have similar effects. For simplicity, details will be omitted.

[0078] Figure 4 An example process 400 for determining a UE location according to some other example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 Process 400 is described. In this case, device 110 is implemented by IAB-DU 401. Device 120 is implemented by donor CU 403. Device 130 is implemented by LMF 405.

[0079] like Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 4 , at 402, LMF 405 transmits an NRPPa:TRP INFORMATION REQUEST message to donor CU 403 to request information associated with a TRP associated with IAB-DU 401. Then, at 404, donor CU 403 transmits an F1AP:TRP INFORMATION REQUEST message to IAB-DU 401 to request information associated with a TRP associated with IAB-DU 402.

[0080] At 406, the IAB-DU 401 determines the location of the TRP and the corresponding mobility information. For example, the IAB-DU 401 determines the "mobile" state, the reference point information (i.e., the identification of the reference point), and the relative position of the TRP relative to the location of the reference point. In this case, for example, the reference point can be the IAB-MT 407. Then, at 408, the IAB-DU 401 transmits an F1AP:TRP INFORMATION RESPONSE to the donor CU 403. For example, the F1AP:TRP INFORMATION RESPONSE may include information indicating the reference point information and the relative position of the TRP relative to the location of the reference point and the corresponding mobility information of the TRP, the corresponding mobility information, for example, indicating that the TRP is mobile, or indicating that the TRP is mobile during a time period, or indicating that the TRP is not moving during a time period, or indicating that the TR moves during a first time period and does not move during a second time period. At 410, the donor CU 403 transmits an NRPPa:TRP INFORMATION RESPONSE to the LMF 405. For example, NRPPa:TRPINFORMATION RESPONSE may include information indicating reference point information and the relative position of the TRP relative to the reference point position and corresponding mobility information of the TRP, for example, the corresponding mobility information indicates that the TRP is mobile, or indicates that the TRP is mobile during a time period, or indicates that the TRP is not moving during a time period, or indicates that the TRP is moving during a first time period and not moving during a second time period.

[0081] Subsequently, at 412, for example, when the LMF needs to use the TRP to locate the UE 409 connected to the IAB-DU 401, the LMF 405 determines whether the geographic coordinates of the TRP need to be refreshed. Since the previously corresponding mobility information of the TRP received in 410 indicates that the TRP is "mobile", the LMF 405 determines that a refresh is required to obtain the latest location information of the TRP. At 414, if the LMF 405 determines that the geographic coordinates of the TRP need to be refreshed, for example, a normal UE positioning process of the reference point is performed. In addition, at 416, the LMF 405 determines the latest absolute position of the TRP based on the updated position of the reference point and the relative position of the TRP relative to the position of the reference point. Then, at 418, a normal UE positioning process using the latest location information of the TRP is performed on the UE 409.

[0082] As mentioned above Figure 1-2 All operations and features described are also applicable to process 400 and have similar effects. For simplicity, details will be omitted.

[0083] Figure 51 shows a flow chart of an example method according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 500 may be performed as follows: Figure 1 For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 Method 500 is described.

[0084] At block 510, device 110 receives a first request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with device 110 from device 120 in radio access network 125. At block 520, device 110 obtains a location of the transmit-receive point and corresponding mobility information. At block 530, device 110 transmits information indicating the location of the transmit-receive point and / or the corresponding mobility information to device 120.

[0085] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information may indicate that the transmit-receive point is mobile.

[0086] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information may indicate whether the transmit-receive point is moving or not moving during a time period.

[0087] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit / receive point may include a geographic coordinate location of the transmit / receive point.

[0088] In some example embodiments, device 110 may obtain a location of a reference point; and determine the geographic coordinate location of the transmission and reception point based on the location of the reference point.

[0089] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit-receive point may include at least one of an identification of a reference point and a relative location of the transmit-receive point with respect to the location of the reference point.

[0090] In some example embodiments, the identification of the reference point may include an identity of the reference point.

[0091] In some example embodiments, the reference point may be associated with a mobile terminal device that is co-located with device 110 .

[0092] In some example embodiments, device 110 may be a distributed unit of integrated access and backhaul equipment, and device 120 may be a centralized unit of donor equipment.

[0093] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above reference Figure 1-4 All operations and features described are also applicable to method 500 and have similar effects.

[0094] Figure 6 600 according to some other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 1For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 Method 600 is described.

[0095] At block 610, device 120 transmits a first request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with a first device to device 110 in radio access network 125. At block 620, device 120 receives information indicating a location of the transmit-receive point and / or corresponding mobility information from device 110. At block 630, device 120 transmits information indicating a location of the transmit-receive point and / or corresponding mobility information to device 130.

[0096] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information may indicate that the transmit-receive point is mobile.

[0097] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information may indicate whether the transmit-receive point is moving or not moving during a time period.

[0098] In some example embodiments, device 120 may transmit a first request for information related to a transmit-receive point to a first device in response to receiving a second request for information associated with the transmit-receive point from a third device.

[0099] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit / receive point may include a geographic coordinate location of the transmit / receive point.

[0100] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit-receive point may include at least one of an identification of a reference point and a relative location of the transmit-receive point with respect to the location of the reference point.

[0101] In some example embodiments, the identification of the reference point may include an identity of the reference point.

[0102] In some example embodiments, the reference point may be associated with a mobile terminal device co-located with device 110 .

[0103] In some example embodiments, device 110 may be a distributed unit of integrated access and backhaul equipment, and device 120 may be a centralized unit of donor equipment, and device 130 may be a location management function.

[0104] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above reference Figure 1-5 All operations and features described are also applicable to method 600 and have similar effects.

[0105] Figure 7 1 shows a flow chart of an example method 700 according to some further example embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 700 may be performed as follows: Figure 1For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 Method 700 is described.

[0106] At block 710, device 130 transmits a second request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with device 110 in radio access network 125 to device 120 in radio access network 128. At block 720, device 130 receives information indicating the location of the transmit-receive point and / or corresponding mobility information from device 120.

[0107] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information may indicate that the transmit-receive point is mobile.

[0108] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information may indicate whether the transmit-receive point is moving or not moving during a time period.

[0109] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit / receive point may include a geographic coordinate location of the transmit / receive point.

[0110] In some example embodiments, device 130 may determine a need to update the location of a transmit receive point in response to corresponding mobility information indicating that the transmit receive point is mobile; and transmit a second request for information associated with the transmit receive point to the second device in response to the need to update the location of the transmit receive point.

[0111] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit-receive point may include at least one of an identification of a reference point and a relative location of the transmit-receive point with respect to the location of the reference point.

[0112] In some example embodiments, device 130 may obtain the location of the reference point; and determine the geographic coordinate location of the transmit / receive point based on the location of the reference point and the relative location of the transmit / receive point with respect to the location of the reference point.

[0113] In some example embodiments, device 130 may determine a need to update the location of the reference point in response to the corresponding mobility information indicating that the transmit / receive point is mobile; and determine the location of the reference point in response to the need to update the location of the reference point.

[0114] In some example embodiments, the identification of the reference point may include an identity of the reference point.

[0115] In some example embodiments, the reference point may be associated with a mobile terminal device co-located with device 110 .

[0116] In some example embodiments, device 110 may be a distributed unit of integrated access and backhaul equipment, and device 120 may be a centralized unit of donor equipment, and device 130 may be a location management function.

[0117] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above reference Figure 1-6 All operations and features described are also applicable to method 700 and have similar effects.

[0118] Figure 8 8 is a simplified block diagram of a device 800 suitable for implementing various example embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 1 As shown, device 800 may be implemented at or as a part of device 110 , device 120 , or device 130 .

[0119] As shown, the device 800 includes a processor 810, a memory 820 coupled to the processor 810, a communication module 830 coupled to the processor 810, and a communication interface (not shown) coupled to the communication module 830. The memory 820 stores at least a program 840. The communication module 830 is used to perform bidirectional communication, for example, via multiple antennas. The communication interface may represent any interface required for communication.

[0120] Assume that the program 840 includes program instructions that, when executed by the associated processor 810, enable the device 800 to operate in accordance with various example embodiments of the present disclosure, as described herein with reference to Figure 1-7 The various example embodiments herein may be implemented by computer software executable by the processor 810 of the device 800, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The processor 810 may be configured to implement various example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0121] The memory 820 may be of any type suitable for the local technology network and, as non-limiting examples, may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as non-transitory computer-readable storage media, semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. Although only one memory 820 is shown in the device 800, there may be several physically distinct memory modules in the device 800. As non-limiting examples, the processor 810 may be of any type suitable for the local technology network and may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. The device 800 may have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips that are time-slave to a clock of a synchronized master processor.

[0122] When the device 800 functions as the device 110 or a part of the device 110, the processor 810 and the communication module 830 may cooperate to implement the above-mentioned Figure 5 When the device 800 acts as the device 120 or a part of the device 120, the processor 810 and the communication module 830 can cooperate to implement the method 500 described above with reference to Figure 6 When the device 800 acts as the device 130 or a part of the device 130, the processor 810 and the communication module 830 can cooperate to implement the method 600 described above with reference to Figure 7 The method 700 is described above. Figure 1-7 All operations and features described are also applicable to the device 800 and have similar effects. For simplicity, the details will be omitted.

[0123] In general, various example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the example embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representations, it should be understood that, as non-limiting examples, the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0124] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer executable instructions, such as instructions contained in a program module, executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor to perform the above-mentioned Figure 5-7 The described methods 500 or 600 or 700. Typically, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. In various example embodiments, the functions of program modules can be combined or divided between program modules as needed. Machine executable instructions for program modules can be executed in local or distributed devices. In distributed devices, program modules can be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0125] The program code for executing the methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, so that when the program code is executed by the processor or controller, the functions / operations specified in the flow chart and / or block diagram are implemented. The program code may be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as a separate software package, partially on the computer and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0126] In the context of the present disclosure, computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus or processor to perform the above-mentioned various processes and operations. Examples of carriers include signals and computer-readable media.

[0127] The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor system, device or apparatus, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples of computer readable storage media would include an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0128] In addition, although the operations are described in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring the operations to be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or requiring the execution of all the operations shown to achieve the desired results. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these details should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be unique to a particular example embodiment. Certain features described in the context of a separate example embodiment may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. On the contrary, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple example embodiments individually or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0129] Although the disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it should be understood that the disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

[0130] Various example embodiments of these techniques have been described. In addition to or as an alternative to the above, the following examples are described. Features described in any of the following examples may be used with any other examples described herein.

[0131] In some aspects, a method includes: receiving, at a first device in a radio access network, a first request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with the first device from a second device in the radio access network; obtaining a location and corresponding mobility information of the transmit-receive point; and transmitting information indicating the location of the transmit-receive point and / or the corresponding mobility information to the second device.

[0132] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information indicates that the transmit-receive point is mobile.

[0133] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information indicates whether the transmit-receive point is moving or not moving during a time period.

[0134] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit / receive point comprises a geographical coordinate location of the transmit / receive point.

[0135] In some example embodiments, the method further comprises: obtaining a position of a reference point; and determining a geographic coordinate position of the transmission and reception point based on the position of the reference point.

[0136] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit-receive point includes at least one of an identification of a reference point and a relative location of the transmit-receive point with respect to the location of the reference point.

[0137] In some example embodiments, the identification of the reference point comprises an identity of the reference point.

[0138] In some example embodiments, the reference point is associated with a mobile terminal device co-located with the first device.

[0139] In some example embodiments, the first device is a distributed unit of integrated access and backhaul equipment, and the second device is a centralized unit of donor equipment.

[0140] In some aspects, a method includes: transmitting, at a second device in a radio access network, a first request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with a first device in the radio access network; receiving information indicating a location of the transmit-receive point and / or corresponding mobility information from the first device; and transmitting information indicating the location of the transmit-receive point and / or the corresponding mobility information to a third device.

[0141] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information indicates that the transmit-receive point is mobile.

[0142] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information indicates whether the transmit-receive point is moving or not moving during a time period.

[0143] In some example embodiments, transmitting a first request for information associated with the transmit receive point associated with the first device includes: in response to receiving a second request for information associated with the transmit receive point from the third device, transmitting the first request for information associated with the transmit receive point to the first device.

[0144] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit / receive point comprises a geographical coordinate location of the transmit / receive point.

[0145] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit-receive point includes at least one of an identification of a reference point and a relative location of the transmit-receive point with respect to the location of the reference point.

[0146] In some example embodiments, the identification of the reference point comprises an identity of the reference point.

[0147] In some example embodiments, the reference point is associated with a mobile terminal device co-located with the first device.

[0148] In some example embodiments, the first device is a distributed unit of integrated access and backhaul equipment, and the second device is a centralized unit of donor equipment, and the third device is a location management function.

[0149] In some aspects, a method includes: transmitting, at a third device, to a second device in a radio access network, a second request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with a first device within the radio access network; and receiving, from the second device, information indicating a location of the transmit-receive point and / or corresponding mobility information.

[0150] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information indicates that the transmit-receive point is mobile.

[0151] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information indicates whether the transmit-receive point is moving or not moving during a time period.

[0152] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit / receive point comprises a geographical coordinate location of the transmit / receive point.

[0153] In some example embodiments, the method further includes: determining a need to update a location of the transmit receive point in response to the corresponding mobility information indicating that the transmit receive point is mobile; and transmitting the second request for information associated with the transmit receive point to the second device in response to the need to update the location of the transmit receive point.

[0154] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit-receive point includes at least one of an identification of a reference point and a relative location of the transmit-receive point with respect to the location of the reference point.

[0155] In some example embodiments, the method further includes: obtaining a position of the reference point; and determining a geographic coordinate position of the transmit / receive point based on the position of the reference point and the relative position of the transmit / receive point relative to the position of the reference point.

[0156] In some example embodiments, the method further includes: determining a need to update the position of the reference point in response to the corresponding mobility information indicating that the transmit-receive point is mobile; and determining the position of the reference point in response to the need to update the position of the reference point.

[0157] In some example embodiments, the identification of the reference point comprises an identity of the reference point.

[0158] In some example embodiments, the reference point is associated with a mobile terminal device co-located with the first device.

[0159] In some example embodiments, the first device is a distributed unit of integrated access and backhaul equipment, and the second device is a centralized unit of donor equipment, and the third device is a location management function.

[0160] In some aspects, a first device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, using the at least one processor, cause the first device to: receive a first request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with the first device from a second device in the radio access network; obtain the location of the transmit-receive point and corresponding mobility information; and transmit information indicating the location of the transmit-receive point and / or the corresponding mobility information to the second device.

[0161] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information indicates that the transmit-receive point is mobile.

[0162] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information indicates whether the transmit-receive point is moving or not moving during a time period.

[0163] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit / receive point comprises a geographical coordinate location of the transmit / receive point.

[0164] In some example embodiments, the first device is further caused to: obtain a position of a reference point; and determine the geographic coordinate position of the transmission and reception point based on the position of the reference point.

[0165] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit-receive point includes at least one of an identification of a reference point and a relative location of the transmit-receive point with respect to the location of the reference point.

[0166] In some example embodiments, the identification of the reference point comprises an identity of the reference point.

[0167] In some example embodiments, the reference point is associated with a mobile terminal device co-located with the first device.

[0168] In some example embodiments, the first device is a distributed unit of integrated access and backhaul equipment, and the second device is a centralized unit of donor equipment.

[0169] In some aspects, the second device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to utilize the at least one processor to cause the second device to: transmit a first request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with the first device to a first device in the radio access network; receive information indicating the location of the transmit-receive point and / or corresponding mobility information from the first device; and transmit information indicating the location of the transmit-receive point and / or the corresponding mobility information to a third device.

[0170] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information indicates that the transmit-receive point is mobile.

[0171] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information indicates whether the transmit-receive point is moving or not moving during a time period.

[0172] In some example embodiments, the second device is caused to transmit the first request for information associated with the transmit receive point associated with the first device by transmitting the first request for information associated with the transmit receive point to the first device in response to receiving the second request for information associated with the transmit receive point from the third device.

[0173] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit / receive point comprises a geographical coordinate location of the transmit / receive point.

[0174] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit-receive point includes at least one of an identification of a reference point and a relative location of the transmit-receive point with respect to the location of the reference point.

[0175] In some example embodiments, the identification of the reference point comprises an identity of the reference point.

[0176] In some example embodiments, the reference point is associated with a mobile terminal device co-located with the first device.

[0177] In some example embodiments, wherein the first device is a distributed unit of integrated access and backhaul equipment, and the second device is a centralized unit of donor equipment, and the third device is a location management function.

[0178] In some aspects, the third device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to utilize the at least one processor to cause the third device to: transmit a second request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with a first device within the radio access network to a second device in the radio access network; and receive information indicating the location of the transmit-receive point and / or corresponding mobility information from the second device.

[0179] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information indicates that the transmit-receive point is mobile.

[0180] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information indicates whether the transmit-receive point is moving or not moving during a time period.

[0181] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit / receive point comprises a geographical coordinate location of the transmit / receive point.

[0182] In some example embodiments, a third device is further caused to: determine the need to update the location of the transmit receive point in response to the corresponding mobility information indicating that the transmit receive point is mobile; and transmit a second request for information associated with the transmit receive point to the second device in response to the need to update the location of the transmit receive point.

[0183] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit-receive point includes at least one of an identification of a reference point and a relative location of the transmit-receive point with respect to the location of the reference point.

[0184] In some example embodiments, the third device is further configured to: obtain a position of the reference point; and determine a geographic coordinate position of the transmit / receive point based on the position of the reference point and a relative position of the transmit / receive point relative to the position of the reference point.

[0185] In some example embodiments, the third device is further caused to: determine the need to update the position of the reference point in response to the corresponding mobility information indicating that the transmit / receive point is mobile; and determine the position of the reference point in response to the need to update the position of the reference point.

[0186] In some example embodiments, the identification of the reference point comprises an identity of the reference point.

[0187] In some example embodiments, the reference point is associated with a mobile terminal device co-located with the first device.

[0188] In some example embodiments, the first device is a distributed unit of integrated access and backhaul equipment, and the second device is a centralized unit of donor equipment, and the third device is a location management function.

[0189] In some aspects, a device includes: a device for receiving a first request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with a first device from a second device in the radio access network; a device for obtaining a location of the transmit-receive point and corresponding mobility information; and a device for transmitting information indicating the location of the transmit-receive point and / or the corresponding mobility information to the second device.

[0190] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information indicates that the transmit-receive point is mobile.

[0191] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information indicates whether the transmit-receive point is moving or not moving during a time period.

[0192] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit / receive point comprises a geographical coordinate location of the transmit / receive point.

[0193] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for: obtaining a position of a reference point; and determining a geographic coordinate position of the transmit-receive point based on the position of the reference point.

[0194] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit-receive point includes at least one of an identification of a reference point and a relative location of the transmit-receive point with respect to the location of the reference point.

[0195] In some example embodiments, the identification of the reference point comprises an identity of the reference point.

[0196] In some example embodiments, the reference point is associated with a mobile terminal device co-located with the first device.

[0197] In some example embodiments, the first device is a distributed unit of integrated access and backhaul equipment, and the second device is a centralized unit of donor equipment.

[0198] In some aspects, a device includes: a device for transmitting a first request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with a first device in a radio access network; a device for receiving information indicating the location of the transmit-receive point and / or corresponding mobility information from the first device; and a device for transmitting the information indicating the location of the transmit-receive point and / or the corresponding mobility information to a third device.

[0199] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information indicates that the transmit-receive point is mobile.

[0200] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information indicates whether the transmit-receive point is moving or not moving during a time period.

[0201] In some example embodiments, the apparatus for transmitting the first request for information associated with the transmit-receive point associated with the first device includes: an apparatus for transmitting the first request for information associated with the transmit-receive point to the first device in response to receiving a second request for information associated with the transmit-receive point from the third device.

[0202] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit / receive point comprises a geographical coordinate location of the transmit / receive point.

[0203] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit-receive point includes at least one of an identification of a reference point and a relative location of the transmit-receive point with respect to the location of the reference point.

[0204] In some example embodiments, the identification of the reference point comprises an identity of the reference point.

[0205] In some example embodiments, the reference point is associated with a mobile terminal device co-located with the first device.

[0206] In some example embodiments, the first device is a distributed unit of integrated access and backhaul equipment, and the second device is a centralized unit of donor equipment, and the third device is a location management function.

[0207] In some aspects, a device includes: a device for transmitting a second request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with a first device in the radio access network to a second device in the radio access network; and a device for receiving information indicating the location of the transmit-receive point and / or corresponding mobility information from the second device.

[0208] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information indicates that the transmit-receive point is mobile.

[0209] In some example embodiments, the corresponding mobility information indicates whether the transmit-receive point is moving or not moving during a time period.

[0210] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit / receive point comprises a geographical coordinate location of the transmit / receive point.

[0211] In some example embodiments, the device also includes: a device for determining the need to update the position of the transmit receive point in response to the corresponding mobility information indicating that the transmit receive point is mobile; and a device for transmitting a second request for information associated with the transmit receive point to the second device in response to the need to update the position of the transmit receive point.

[0212] In some example embodiments, the location of the transmit-receive point includes at least one of an identification of a reference point and a relative location of the transmit-receive point with respect to the location of the reference point.

[0213] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: means for obtaining a position of the reference point; and means for determining a geographic coordinate position of the transmit-receive point based on the position of the reference point and a relative position of the transmit-receive point relative to the position of the reference point.

[0214] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: means for determining the need to update the position of the reference point in response to the corresponding mobility information indicating that the transmit-receive point is mobile; and means for determining the position of the reference point in response to the need to update the position of the reference point.

[0215] In some example embodiments, the identification of the reference point comprises an identity of the reference point.

[0216] In some example embodiments, the reference point is associated with a mobile terminal device co-located with the first device.

[0217] In some example embodiments, the first device is a distributed unit of integrated access and backhaul equipment, and the second device is a centralized unit of donor equipment, and the third device is a location management function.

[0218] In some aspects, a computer-readable storage medium includes program instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to perform methods according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method comprising: At a first device in a radio access network, receiving, from a second device in the radio access network, a first request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with the first device; Obtaining the location of the transmitting and receiving point and corresponding mobility information; as well as Information indicating the location of the transmit / receive point and / or the corresponding mobility information is transmitted to the second device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: The corresponding mobility information indicates that the transmission and reception point is mobile.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein: The corresponding mobility information indicates whether the transmit-receive point is moving or not moving during a time period.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The location of the transmitting and receiving point includes the geographical coordinate location of the transmitting and receiving point.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: Get the position of the reference point; as well as The geographic coordinate position of the transmit and receive point is determined based on the position of a reference point.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The position of the transmit-receive point includes at least one of an identifier of a reference point and a relative position of the transmit-receive point relative to the reference point.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein: The identification of the reference point includes the identity of the reference point.

8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein: The reference point is associated with a mobile terminal device co-located with the first device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The first device is a distributed unit of integrated access and backhaul equipment, and the second device is a centralized unit of donor equipment.

10. A method comprising: At a second device in the radio access network, transmitting, to a first device in the radio access network, a first request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with the first device; receiving, from the first device, information indicating the location of the transmit / receive point and / or corresponding mobility information; as well as Information indicating the location of the transmit / receive point and / or the corresponding mobility information is transmitted to a third device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein: The corresponding mobility information indicates that the transmission and reception point is mobile.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein: The corresponding mobility information indicates whether the transmit-receive point is moving or not moving during a time period.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein: Transmitting the first request for information associated with the transmit-receive point associated with the first device includes: In response to receiving a second request for information associated with the transmit-receive point from the third device, transmitting the first request for information associated with the transmit-receive point to the first device.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein: The location of the transmitting and receiving point includes the geographical coordinate location of the transmitting and receiving point.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein: The position of the transmit-receive point includes at least one of an identifier of a reference point and a relative position of the transmit-receive point relative to the position of the reference point.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein: The identification of the reference point includes the identity of the reference point.

17. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 16, wherein: The reference point is associated with a mobile terminal device co-located with the first device.

18. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein: The first device is a distributed unit of integrated access and backhaul equipment, and the second device is a centralized unit of donor equipment, and the third device is a location management function.

19. A method comprising: At the third device, transmitting, to a second device in a radio access network, a second request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with a first device in the radio access network; as well as Information indicating the location of the transmit / receive point and / or corresponding mobility information is received from the second device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein: The corresponding mobility information indicates that the transmission and reception point is mobile.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein: The corresponding mobility information indicates whether the transmit-receive point is moving or not moving during a time period.

22. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein: The location of the transmitting and receiving point includes the geographical coordinate location of the transmitting and receiving point.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising: In response to the corresponding mobility information indicating that the transmit-receive point is mobile, determining a need to update a location of the transmit-receive point; as well as In response to a need to update the location of the transmit-receive point, the second request for information associated with the transmit-receive point is transmitted to the second device.

24. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein: The position of the transmit-receive point includes at least one of an identifier of a reference point and a relative position of the transmit-receive point relative to the position of the reference point.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising: obtaining the position of the reference point; as well as The geographic coordinate position of the transmit-receive point is determined based on the position of the reference point and the relative position of the transmit-receive point with respect to the position of the reference point.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising: determining a need to update a position of the reference point in response to the corresponding mobility information indicating that the transmit-receive point is mobile; as well as In response to a need to update the position of the reference point, the position of the reference point is determined.

27. The method of any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein: The identification of the reference point includes the identity of the reference point.

28. The method of any one of claims 24 to 27, wherein: The reference point is associated with a mobile terminal device co-located with the first device.

29. The method of any one of claims 19 to 28, wherein: The first device is a distributed unit of integrated access and backhaul equipment, and the second device is a centralized unit of donor equipment, and the third device is a location management function.

30. A first device, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory including computer program code; The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device to: receiving, from a second device in the radio access network, a first request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with the first device; Obtaining the location of the transmitting and receiving point and corresponding mobility information; as well as Information indicating the location of the transmit / receive point and / or the corresponding mobility information is transmitted to the second device.

31. The first device of claim 30, wherein: The corresponding mobility information indicates that the transmission and reception point is mobile.

32. The first device of claim 30, wherein: The corresponding mobility information indicates whether the transmit-receive point is moving or not moving during a time period.

33. The first device according to any one of claims 30 to 32, wherein: The location of the transmitting and receiving point includes the geographical coordinate location of the transmitting and receiving point.

34. The first device of claim 33, wherein: The first device is also configured to: obtaining the location of the reference point; and The geographic coordinate position of the transmitting and receiving point is determined based on the position of the reference point.

35. The first device according to any one of claims 30 to 32, wherein: The position of the transmit-receive point includes at least one of an identifier of a reference point and a relative position of the transmit-receive point relative to the position of the reference point.

36. The first device of claim 35, wherein: The identification of the reference point includes the identity of the reference point.

37. The first device according to any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein: The reference point is associated with a mobile terminal device co-located with the first device.

38. The first device according to any one of claims 30 to 37, wherein: The first device is a distributed unit of integrated access and backhaul equipment, and the second device is a centralized unit of donor equipment.

39. A second device, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory including computer program code; The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device to: transmitting, to a first device in a radio access network, a first request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with the first device; receiving, from the first device, information indicating the location of the transmit / receive point and / or corresponding mobility information; as well as Information indicating the location of the transmit / receive point and / or the corresponding mobility information is transmitted to a third device.

40. The second device of claim 39, wherein: The corresponding mobility information indicates that the transmission and reception point is mobile.

41. The second device of claim 39, wherein: The corresponding mobility information indicates whether the transmit-receive point is moving or not moving during a time period.

42. The second device according to any one of claims 39 to 41, wherein: The second device is caused to transmit the first request for information associated with the transmit-receive point associated with the first device by: In response to receiving a second request for information associated with the transmit-receive point from the third device, transmitting the first request for information associated with the transmit-receive point to the first device.

43. The second device according to any one of claims 39 to 42, wherein: The location of the transmitting and receiving point includes the geographical coordinate location of the transmitting and receiving point.

44. The second device according to any one of claims 39 to 42, wherein: The position of the transmit-receive point includes at least one of an identifier of a reference point and a relative position of the transmit-receive point relative to the position of the reference point.

45. The second device of claim 44, wherein: The identification of the reference point includes the identity of the reference point.

46. ​​The second device according to any one of claims 44-45, wherein: The reference point is associated with a mobile terminal device co-located with the first device.

47. The second device according to any one of claims 39 to 46, wherein: The first device is a distributed unit of integrated access and backhaul equipment, and the second device is a centralized unit of donor equipment, and the third device is a location management function.

48. A third device, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory including computer program code; The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the third device to: transmitting, to a second device in a radio access network, a second request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with a first device in the radio access network; as well as Information indicating the location of the transmit / receive point and / or corresponding mobility information is received from the second device.

49. The third device of claim 48, wherein: The corresponding mobility information indicates that the transmission and reception point is mobile.

50. The third device of claim 48, wherein: The corresponding mobility information indicates whether the transmit-receive point is moving or not moving during a time period.

51. The third device according to any one of claims 48 to 50, wherein: The location of the transmitting and receiving point includes the geographical coordinate location of the transmitting and receiving point.

52. The third device of claim 51, wherein the third device is further caused to: In response to the corresponding mobility information indicating that the transmit-receive point is mobile, determining a need to update a location of the transmit-receive point; and In response to a need to update the location of the transmit-receive point, the second request for information associated with the transmit-receive point is transmitted to the second device.

53. The third device according to any one of claims 48 to 50, wherein: The position of the transmit-receive point includes at least one of an identifier of a reference point and a relative position of the transmit-receive point relative to the position of the reference point.

54. The third device of claim 53, wherein: The third device is further caused to: obtaining the position of the reference point; and The geographic coordinate position of the transmit-receive point is determined based on the position of the reference point and the relative position of the transmit-receive point with respect to the reference point.

55. The third device of claim 54, wherein: The third device is further caused to: In response to the corresponding mobility information indicating that the transmit-receive point is mobile, determining a need to update the position of the reference point; and In response to a need to update the position of the reference point, the position of the reference point is determined.

56. A third device as claimed in any one of claims 53 to 55, wherein: The identification of the reference point includes the identity of the reference point.

57. A third device as claimed in any one of claims 53 to 56, wherein: The reference point is associated with a mobile terminal device co-located with the first device.

58. A third device as claimed in any one of claims 48 to 57, wherein: The first device is a distributed unit of integrated access and backhaul equipment, and the second device is a centralized unit of donor equipment, and the third device is a location management function.

59. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving, from a second device in a radio access network, a first request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with a first device; means for obtaining the position of the transmitting and receiving point and the corresponding mobility information; as well as Means for transmitting information indicative of the location of the transmit-receive point and / or the corresponding mobility information to the second device.

60. An apparatus comprising: means for transmitting, to a first device in a radio access network, a first request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with the first device; means for receiving, from the first device, information indicating the location of the transmit-receive point and / or corresponding mobility information; as well as Means for transmitting information indicating the location of the transmit-receive point and / or the corresponding mobility information to a third device.

61. An apparatus comprising: means for transmitting, to a second device in a radio access network, a second request for information associated with a transmit-receive point associated with a first device within the radio access network; as well as Means for receiving information indicative of the location of the transmit-receive point and / or corresponding mobility information from the second device.

62. A computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to perform the method of any one of claims 1-9.

63. A computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions stored thereon, which instructions, when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to perform the method of any one of claims 10-18.

64. A computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to perform the method of any one of claims 19-29.

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