Group positioning in telecommunications system

Abstract

According to one example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus configured to: store, in a first user device, information defining a group of user devices, the first user device being included in the group; and associating at least one positioning reference unit with the user equipment of the group such that each user equipment of the group is associated with at least one positioning reference unit, or receiving an association of the user equipment of the group with the at least one positioning reference unit from a cellular communication network.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to positioning of mobile nodes in wireless communication networks. Background Art

[0002] Localizing a user equipment (UE) in a cellular network involves deriving an estimate of the user equipment's current location. Various mechanisms are used in the cellular network NW to derive an estimate of the current location. For example, the estimate can be derived from time difference of arrival information and / or can be assisted by detectable short-range networks such as wireless local area networks (WLANs) and hotspots. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to certain aspects, the subject matter of the independent claims is provided. Some exemplary embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. The independent claims define the scope of protection of various embodiments of the present invention. The embodiments, examples, and features described in this specification that do not fall within the scope of the independent claims (if any) are to be construed as examples that aid in understanding the various embodiments of the present invention.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processing core, at least one memory comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, using the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus to at least: store information defining a group of user devices in a first user device, the first user device being included in the group; and associate at least one positioning reference unit with the user devices of the group, such that each user device of the group is associated with at least one positioning reference unit, or receive an association of the user devices of the group with the at least one positioning reference unit from a cellular communication network.

[0005] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processing core, at least one memory comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, using the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus to at least: store information defining a group of user equipment in a cellular core network node, the first user equipment being included in the group; store information associating at least one positioning reference unit with the user equipment of the group, such that each user equipment of the group is associated with at least one positioning reference unit; and determine a position of at least one user equipment in the group based on information about at least one of the positioning reference units associated with the user equipment in the group.

[0006] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a device is provided, which includes at least one processing core and at least one memory including computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to utilize the at least one processing core to enable the device to at least: control at least one cellular cell as a base station; receive a list of user equipment included in a group, not all user equipment in the group are in the at least one cellular cell controlled by the base station; and generate a time-multiplexed uplink sounding reference signal and / or sidelink positioning reference signal transmission schedule for the user equipment in the group, and provide it to at least one user equipment in the group, or receive a time-multiplexed uplink sounding reference signal and / or sidelink positioning reference signal transmission schedule for the user equipment in the group from the first user equipment in the user equipment in the group.

[0007] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided, comprising: storing information defining a group of user devices in a first user device, the first user device being included in the group; and associating at least one positioning reference unit with the user devices of the group, so that each user device of the group is associated with at least one positioning reference unit, or receiving the association of the user devices of the group with the at least one positioning reference unit from a cellular communication network.

[0008] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided, comprising: storing information defining a group of user equipment in a cellular core network node, a first user equipment being included in the group; storing information associating at least one positioning reference unit with the user equipment of the group, such that each user equipment of the group is associated with one positioning reference unit; and determining a position of at least one user equipment in the group based on information about at least one of the positioning reference units associated with the user equipment in the group.

[0009] According to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided, comprising: controlling at least one cellular cell as a base station; receiving a list of user equipment included in a group, not all user equipment in the group being in the at least one cell controlled by the base station; and generating a time-multiplexed uplink sounding reference signal and / or sidelink positioning reference signal transmission scheduling for the user equipment in the group, and providing it to at least one user equipment in the group, or receiving the time-multiplexed uplink sounding reference signal and / or sidelink positioning reference signal transmission scheduling for the user equipment in the group from the first user equipment in the group.

[0010] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a device is provided, comprising: a device for storing information defining a group of user devices in a first user device, the first user device being included in the group; and associating at least one positioning reference unit with the user devices of the group, so that each user device of the group is associated with at least one positioning reference unit, or receiving the association of the user devices of the group with the at least one positioning reference unit from a cellular communication network.

[0011] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, having a set of computer-readable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the device to at least: store information defining a group of user devices in a first user device, the first user device being included in the group; and associate at least one positioning reference unit with the user devices of the group, so that each user device of the group is associated with at least one positioning reference unit, or receive the association of the user devices of the group with the at least one positioning reference unit from a cellular communication network.

[0012] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, having a set of computer-readable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the device to at least: store information defining a group of user equipment in a cellular core network node, a first user equipment being included in the group; store information associating at least one positioning reference unit with the user equipment of the group, such that each user equipment of the group is associated with at least one positioning reference unit; and determine the position of at least one user equipment in the group based on information about at least one of the positioning reference units associated with the user equipment in the group. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 shows an example system according to at least some example embodiments of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 shows an example system according to at least some example embodiments of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 3 shows example devices capable of supporting at least some example embodiments of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 4 shows signaling according to at least some example embodiments of the present invention, and

[0017] Figure 5 is a flow chart of a method according to at least some example embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Disclosed herein is a positioning mechanism for locating a group of user equipment (UEs) by associating the UEs with one or more positioning reference units (PRUs). The number of PRUs is lower than the number of UEs, so the UEs in the group share these PRUs, and not each UE has its own PRU. The group of UEs is geographically confined, so that the location of even a single PRU represents the location of all UEs in the group. The physical dimensions and size of the group can be dynamically determined based on the current situation. In other words, the UEs in the group are located in close proximity to each other. Furthermore, a time-multiplexed transmission schedule for positioning reference signals (such as uplink sounding reference signals and / or sidelink positioning reference signals) can be assigned to the UEs in the group, so that the UEs in the group transmit these signals one by one in a controlled manner, and no two UEs in the group transmit simultaneously. These features of the disclosed method provide the benefits and technical effects of optimized resource utilization, which is difficult to achieve using conventional positioning procedures, and the proposed local coordination implemented using the sidelink provides the additional benefit of offloading signaling overhead. Typically, the number of UEs in a group can be greater than the number of positioning reference units associated with the UEs in the group.

[0019] Figure 1 An example system according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown. A cellular communication system includes a radio access network and a cellular core network 130. The radio access network includes at least one base station 120, which may include hundreds or even thousands of base stations. Each base station may be configured to control at least one cell. Examples of cellular communication systems include fifth-generation (5G) systems, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) systems, and long-term evolution (LTE) systems.

[0020] User equipment (UE) 112 is communicatively coupled to base station 120 via wireless link 121, which conforms to the same communication standards as UE 112 and base station 120 to achieve interoperability. UEs 112, 114, and 116 may include smartphones, cell phones, tablets, laptops, or desktop computers, or, if applicable, connected automotive communication modules. Typically, a UE may be a mobile device, such as a personal media device, or may be fixedly installed, such as when the UE is a smart metering device installed to read and provide information about water flow or electricity usage to a backend server. External networks 140, such as the Internet, may be accessed via core NW 130.

[0021] exist Figure 1In the embodiment, a group 160 of UEs 112, 114, 116 is defined such that the UEs of the group are located in close proximity to one another. By being located in close proximity to one another, this may mean, for example, that they are within the detection range of a group leader (lead) UE 112 and are able to communicate with the group leader UE without using a base station such as base station 120 or a relay device. The detection range is the distance within which the group leader UE 112 can detect other UEs and at least partially determine the direction and distance to these other UEs. The group leader UE 112 may be configured to define the group 160 by selecting which UEs are included in the group and which UEs are excluded from it. Typically, not all UEs 112, 114, 116 in the group 160 need to have the same serving base station 120.

[0022] The Positioning Reference Unit (PRU) 150 is a device with a known location. This may include the PRU being fixed to a specific, unchanging location, or, for example, being equipped with advanced positioning capabilities, such as multi-constellation satellite positioning or an interface with an airspace control system. The PRU may have at least an appropriate subset of UE capabilities, and in particular, the PRU may have UE capabilities related to positioning. For example, the PRU may be able to transmit its own location to the core NW 130. The PRU may be able to transmit and / or receive electromagnetic pulses that can be used to estimate the distance of the UE from the PRU. These pulses may be included in sidelink (SL) communications between the PRU and the UEs of group 160. The term "sidelink" refers to device-to-device (such as UE-to-UE) communication that does not involve a base station device, where one device transmits electromagnetic energy that is received by a receiver included in the receiving device. In other words, the communication is direct without passing through any other nodes, such as base stations or repeaters. According to an embodiment, the PRU may be configured to provide positioning measurements, such as Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), and / or Receive-Transmit Rx-Tx Time Difference, and to transmit uplink (UL) sounding reference signals (SRS) for positioning. In practical applications, an example of a PRU is a device fixedly mounted at a known location (with known {X, Y, Z} coordinates), such as a light post, that makes positioning measurements and estimates its position in the same way that nearby UEs make measurements and estimate their positions. The comparison of the PRU's estimated position with the (known) true position is used by nearby UEs to improve their own position estimates. In some cases, the PRU can be a UE with reliable positioning capabilities. However, the PRU does not have to be one of the UEs in the UE group, but if the PRU is a UE, it may be one of the UEs.

[0023] Essentially, the group leader UE 112 defines the group 160 by selecting the UEs 112, 114, 116 to be included therein and associates a PRU 150 with each UE in the group. Figure 1The case where all UEs in the group are associated with the same PRU 150 is shown, but the group leader UE 112 may alternatively associate some UEs in the group with different PRUs. However, typically, the number of PRUs is smaller than the number of UEs in the group, so that not all UEs in the group are associated with different PRUs. The associated PRUs will be used for UL and / or SL positioning. Typically, a group 160 of target UEs 112, 114, 116 that are physically close to each other may benefit from the same PRUs to improve their positioning accuracy, because UEs that are close to each other are expected to share similar radio conditions. In addition, the group 160 of UEs may benefit from multiplexed positioning reference signals, such as UL SRS and / or SLPRS transmissions for UL and SL positioning purposes, respectively, which provides the benefit of enhanced positioning latency. In some embodiments, the group 160 is divided into subgroups, where each subgroup is associated with a different PRU. For example, the subgroups may be defined based on the similarity of the mobility states of the UEs within the entire group 160. Once the association is complete, group leader UE 112 may notify member UEs of the association, either for all members or for each UE's specific associated PRU. For example, group leader UE 112 may use intra-group SL communication to perform this notification. In one embodiment, group leader UE 112 sends an SL broadcast message regarding the PRU association to the associated group member UEs, enabling the group member UEs to perform SL positioning using their associated PRUs.

[0024] As an alternative to the leader UE 112 associating PRUs with the UEs of the group, once the leader UE 112 provides information defining the group to a core NW 130 node, such as a location management function (LMF), the core NW 130 node may perform the association. The information provided to the core NW node may include the relative position or relative motion state information of the UEs, such as the relative position or relative motion state information determined by the leader UE 112 through electromagnetic detection. The core NW node may then provide the PRU-UE association to the leader UE, which may notify each UE in the group of all associations or only the association related to the UE in question. For example, Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP) signaling may be used to communicate the UE-PRU association between the leader UE 112 and a core NW node (such as the LMF). This applies regardless of whether the leader UE 112 or the LMF performs the association. As an alternative to notifying only the leader UE 112, the LMF may send an LPP message regarding the PRU association to each associated group member UE. Additionally or alternatively, the LMF and one or more base stations may use NRPPa and radio resource control (RRC) signaling to broadcast the association (mapping) between PRU identities and group member UE identities in the downlink direction to the group 160 of UEs. Alternatively, the LMF and the base stations may first send information about the association of group members with PRU IDs to the group leader UE 112, which may then broadcast the information to the member UEs of the group 160 via the SL.

[0025] Once the association of the UEs in group 160 with the PRUs is complete, and the UEs know which PRU they are associated with, the UEs can perform SL positioning using their associated PRUs.

[0026] Group leader UE 112 may define a group by first selecting an effective size for the group's physical dimensions, i.e., length or radius, and then selecting UEs within its selected length for inclusion in the group. The effective physical dimensions may be selected based on at least one of the following: radio consistency level and positioning integrity and quality of service requirements. Generally, the richer the scattering radio propagation environment, the smaller the coherent radio space, and therefore the smaller the effective group size. Radio consistency depends on the radio characteristics of the environment and the mobility of group leader UE 112. Generally, the effective physical dimensions may be selected based on the UE's mobility criteria. If their mobility is high, only UEs that move in a similar manner toward group leader UE 112 may be included in the group, as otherwise the group would be dispersed and useless for enhancing positioning. Examples of such co-mobile UEs are those in the same moving vehicle as group leader UE 112. Generally, the larger the effective group size, the lower the accuracy of the resulting position estimate (i.e., the greater the variance of the position estimate). Consequently, when using quality of service requirements to select a group, group leader UE 112 derives the integrity requirements and converts them into an allowable effective group size that satisfies these requirements. In other words, if the required positioning accuracy is high, the group size must be small to meet the quality requirement. For example, group size determination can be triggered by the group leader UE 112 itself, another UE in the group, or a core NW 130 node such as the LMF. If the mobility status of the group leader UE 112 or another UE changes, the group 160 may need to be redefined to avoid a decrease in positioning accuracy.

[0027] Once group 160 is defined, group leader UE 112 may generate a time-multiplexed transmission schedule for positioning reference signals (PRS) for UEs 112, 114, and 116 in the group, such as, for example, a time-multiplexed uplink (UL) sounding reference signal (SRS) and / or sidelink (SL) positioning reference signal (PRS) transmission schedule. Group leader UE 112 may notify the network and the member UEs of group 160 of the defined time-multiplexed transmission schedule. By such a time-multiplexed transmission schedule, it is meant a transmission schedule in which each UE in the group has a transmit time slot for transmitting its positioning reference signal (such as an UL SRS and / or SL PRS), and the transmit time slots of the UEs in the group do not overlap, thereby avoiding collisions using the time-multiplexed transmission schedule. For example, according to the time-multiplexed transmission schedule, the member UEs may transmit the UL SRS continuously in a round-robin manner in the time domain. In one embodiment, the set of UEs that multiplex the SRS configuration corresponds to the set of UEs within group 160 that share the same PRU. In another embodiment, the set of UEs that multiplex the SRS configuration share different PRUs.

[0028] As an alternative to the group leader UE 112 determining the time multiplexed transmission schedule, a base station, such as base station 120 serving the group leader UE 112, may determine the schedule and provide it to the UEs in the group individually, by multicasting, or by providing it to the group leader UE 112, which then distributes the time multiplexed transmission schedule to other UEs in the group using, for example, sidelink communications.

[0029] Once a time-multiplexed transmission schedule has been defined and provided to the group 160 member UEs, the LMF or another core NW 130 node can configure the same set of base station transmit / receive points (TRPs) to receive the configured UL SRS transmissions. These base stations can be, for example, gNB nodes in a fifth generation wireless access network.

[0030] Compared to existing positioning methods, the mechanism disclosed herein significantly improves latency and resource efficiency for UL positioning in several aspects. First, in existing systems, if different UEs are served by different base stations, or if some of the UEs are out of network coverage, the SRS transmission schedule can only be signaled in a one-to-one manner by multiple base stations serving or reaching different UEs, resulting in a larger amount of signaling and associated latency. Second, multiple base stations cannot easily reuse different SRS configurations belonging to different UEs in a desired manner because there is no positioning mechanism in existing systems to coordinate SRS configurations across multiple base stations (such as gNBs). Third, even if served and configured by the same base station, existing mechanisms require one-to-one signaling between the network and the group of UEs to transmit assistance data, resulting in more signaling and higher resource consumption than using a group leader UE 112 to propagate association information and time-multiplexed transmission schedules, for example, via a sidelink.

[0031] Figure 2 An example system according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 The same components in Figure 2 The situation in Figure 1 The situation in FIG. 1 is different in that UE 114 of group 160 is not associated with the same PRU 150 as the other two UEs 112, 114. Instead, UE 114 is associated with PRU 152, which is not necessarily of the same type as PRU 150. This association may be the result of, for example, a determination in the group leader UE 112 or the core NW node, whichever is responsible for performing the association, that among the UEs in group 160, UE 114 is closer to PRU 152 than to PRU 150, while UEs 112 and 116 are closer to PRU 150. In general, the present disclosure is by no means limited to the numerical example that the group should specifically include three UEs. Furthermore, although Figure 1 and Figure 2The PRUs 150 and 152 are shown within the circle representing the group 160, but in principle the PRUs need not be within the geographical limits defined for the UEs in the group; rather, they may be slightly outside the limits. The UEs included in the group are defined in the information defining the list of UE identities included in the group. A PRU is not included in this list unless one of the UEs in the group happens to be one of the associated at least one PRU.

[0032] Figure 3 An example apparatus capable of supporting at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown. Shown is a device 300, which may include, for example, a mobile communication device such as Figure 1 or Figure 2 UE 112, or, where applicable, a base station or a device running a core network node, such as a LMF. Device 300 includes a processor 310, which may include, for example, a single-core or multi-core processor, wherein a single-core processor includes one processing core and a multi-core processor includes more than one processing core. Processor 310 may generally include a control device. Processor 310 may include more than one processor unit. Processor 310 may be a control device. A processing core may include, for example, a Cortex-A8 processing core manufactured by ARM Holdings or a Zen processing core designed by Advanced Micro Devices Corporation. Processor 310 may include at least one Qualcomm Snapdragon and / or Intel Atom processor. Processor 310 may include at least one application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Processor 310 may include at least one field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Processor 310 may be configured to execute the method steps in device 300, such as storing, associating, receiving, notifying, generating, selecting, determining, and controlling. Processor 310 may be configured, at least in part, by computer instructions to perform actions.

[0033] The processor may include circuitry, or be constructed as one or more circuits, configured to perform the various stages of the methods according to the embodiments described herein. As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only implementations of the circuit (such as implementations in analog and / or digital circuitry only); and (b) combinations of hardware circuitry and software, such as (as applicable) (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware, and (ii) a hardware processor with software (including a digital signal processor), software, and any portion of memory that work together to enable a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions); and (c) hardware circuitry and / or processors, such as a microprocessor or a portion of a microprocessor, that requires software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but where the software is not required for operation, the software may not be present.

[0034] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this disclosure, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this disclosure, the term circuitry also covers implementations of merely 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 the claimed element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network equipment, or other computing or networking equipment.

[0035] Device 300 may include memory 320. Memory 320 may include random access memory and / or permanent memory. Memory 320 may include at least one RAM chip. Memory 320 may include, for example, solid-state, magnetic, optical, and / or holographic memory. Memory 320 may be at least partially accessible to processor 310. Memory 320 may be at least partially contained within processor 310. Memory 320 may be a device for storing information. Memory 320 may include computer instructions that processor 310 is configured to execute. When computer instructions configured to cause processor 310 to perform certain actions are stored in memory 320, and device 300 as a whole is configured to operate under the direction of processor 310 using computer instructions from memory 320, processor 310 and / or at least one of its processing cores may be considered to be configured to perform the certain actions. Memory 320 may be at least partially contained within processor 310. Memory 320 may be at least partially located external to device 300, but accessible to device 300.

[0036] Device 300 may include a transmitter 330. Device 300 may include a receiver 340. Transmitter 330 and receiver 340 may be configured to transmit and receive information, respectively, in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. Transmitter 330 may include more than one transmitter. Receiver 340 may include more than one receiver. Transmitter 330 and / or receiver 340 may be configured to operate in accordance with Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), 5G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), IS-95, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Ethernet, and / or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) standards, among others.

[0037] The device 300 may include a near field communication (NFC) transceiver 350. The NFC transceiver 350 may support at least one NFC technology, such as NFC, Bluetooth, Wibree, or similar technology.

[0038] Device 300 may include a user interface UI 360. UI 360 may include at least one of a display, a keyboard, a touch screen, a vibrator arranged to signal the user by vibrating device 300, a speaker, and a microphone. The user may be able to operate device 300 via UI 360 to, for example, accept an incoming call, initiate a phone call or video call, browse the internet, manage digital files stored in memory 320 or on a cloud accessible via transmitter 330 and receiver 340 or NFC transceiver 350, and / or play games.

[0039] Device 300 may include or be arranged to accept a user identity module 370. User identity module 370 may include, for example, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card that may be installed in device 300. User identity module 370 may include information identifying a subscription of a user of device 300. User identity module 370 may include cryptographic information that may be used to verify the identity of the user of device 300 and / or facilitate encryption of communication information, as well as billing for communications by the user of device 300 via device 300.

[0040] Processor 310 may be equipped with a transmitter that is arranged to output information from processor 310 to other devices included in device 300 via electrical leads within device 300. Such a transmitter may include a serial bus transmitter that is arranged to output information to memory 320 via at least one electrical lead for storage therein. As an alternative to a serial bus, the transmitter may include a parallel bus transmitter. Similarly, processor 310 may include a receiver that is arranged to receive information from other devices included in device 300 via electrical leads within device 300. Such a receiver may include a serial bus receiver that is arranged to receive information from receiver 340 via at least one electrical lead for processing in processor 310. As an alternative to a serial bus, the receiver may include a parallel bus receiver.

[0041] The apparatus 300 may include Figure 3 Other devices not shown in the figure. For example, if device 300 comprises a smartphone, it may include at least one digital camera. Some devices 300 may include a rear-facing camera and a front-facing camera, wherein the rear-facing camera may be intended for digital photography and the front-facing camera is used for video calling. Device 300 may include a fingerprint sensor, which is arranged to at least partially authenticate the user of device 300. In some embodiments, device 300 lacks at least one of the above-mentioned devices. For example, some devices 300 may lack NFC transceiver 350 and / or user identity module 370.

[0042] The processor 310, memory 320, transmitter 330, receiver 340, NFC transceiver 350, UI 360, and / or user identity module 370 can be interconnected in a variety of different ways via electrical leads within the device 300. For example, each of the above devices can be individually connected to a main bus within the device 300 to allow the devices to exchange information. However, those skilled in the art will understand that this is only an example, and according to example embodiments, various ways of interconnecting at least two of the above devices can be selected without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 4 1 shows signaling according to at least some example embodiments of the present invention. Figure 1 The diagram shows group leader UE 112, UE 114, UE 116, and PRU 150. On the right side, a network NW, including a radio access NW and a core NW, is arranged. Time progresses from top to bottom. The diagram illustrates two alternative processes. The first alternative process includes stages 410-450, and the second alternative process includes stage 410 and stages 460-4100. Stage 4110 is the common endpoint of both alternatives.

[0044] In the initial phase 410, SL measurements are performed. These measurements may include ranging and / or positioning and result in the group leader UE 112 becoming aware of nearby UEs.

[0045] Stage 420 includes the NW providing UL SRS / SL PRS pre-configuration to the group leader UE 112. In stage 430, the group leader UE 112 determines the positioning group ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 The group leader UE 112 may also define a time multiplexing transmission schedule for positioning reference signals such as UL SRS and / or SL PRS for the UEs that are members of the group.

[0046] In stage 440, group leader UE 112 notifies group members and optionally associated PRUs of the association between the UE and the PRU. If group leader UE 112 defines a time-multiplexed transmission schedule for positioning reference signals for group members, this is also notified to the member UEs and optionally associated PRUs. For example, the notification in stage 440 may be performed via SL signaling. In stage 450, group leader UE 112 notifies the network (such as the LMF) of the association between the UE and the PRU. If group leader UE 112 defines a time-multiplexed transmission schedule for positioning reference signals for group members, this is also notified to the NW.

[0047] In the second alternative example embodiment, the process flows from stage 410 to stage 460, where the group leader UE 112 notifies the NW of the SL measurement values ​​and the PRUs that may be considered in stage 410. In response, in stage 470, the NW (e.g., LMF) defines a group of UEs and associates a PRU identity with each UE identity included in the group. Similarly, the NW (e.g., LMF) determines a time multiplexing transmission schedule for positioning reference signals such as UL SRS and / or SL PRS for the members of the group.

[0048] In phase 480, the NW informs the group leader UE 112 of the association and transmission schedule determined in phase 470, and in phase 490, the group leader UE 112 distributes this information in the group, for example, by SL signaling. The PRU may also be notified.

[0049] Finally, in stage 4110, based on the information from the PRU, uplink, downlink or sidelink positioning can be used using the association of the UE with the PRU and the time multiplexed transmission scheduling (if any) for positioning reference signals such as the UL SRS and / or SL PRS of the group members.

[0050] Figure 5 is a flow chart of a method according to at least some example embodiments of the present invention.The stages of the method shown may be performed in the group leader UE 112, or, when installed therein, in a control device configured to control its functions.

[0051] Stage 510 includes storing, in a first user device, information defining a group of user devices, the first user device being included in the group. Stage 520 includes associating at least one positioning reference cell with the user devices of the group, such that each user device of the group is associated with at least one positioning reference cell, or receiving an association of the user devices of the group with the at least one positioning reference cell from a cellular communication network. The number of user devices in the group may be greater than the number of positioning reference cells associated with the user devices in the group. Each user device of the group being associated with at least one positioning reference cell may include each user device of the group being associated with one and only one positioning reference cell.

[0052] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein are not limited to the specific structures, method steps or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents that will be recognized by those skilled in the relevant art. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is only used to describe the purpose of specific embodiments and is not intended to be limiting.

[0053] Throughout this specification, reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" that appear in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. When terms such as "approximately" or "substantially" are used to refer to values, the exact value is also disclosed.

[0054] As used herein, for convenience, multiple items, structural elements, constituent elements and / or materials may be presented in a common list. However, these lists should be interpreted as if each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Therefore, no individual member in such a list should be interpreted as a de facto equivalent of any other member in the same list solely based on its performance in a common group without contrary indications. In addition, various embodiments and examples of the present invention and alternatives to its various components may be referenced herein. It should be understood that such embodiments, examples and alternatives should not be interpreted as de facto equivalents of each other, but should be regarded as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention.

[0055] In addition, the described features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the foregoing description, many specific details, such as examples of length, width, shape, etc., are provided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. However, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the present invention can be implemented without one or more of these specific details, or using other methods, components, materials, etc. to implement. In other cases, in order to avoid obscuring various aspects of the present invention, well-known structures, materials or operations are not shown or described in detail.

[0056] Although the above examples illustrate the principles of the present invention in one or more specific applications, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications can be made to the form, usage, and implementation details without departing from the principles and concepts of the present invention without requiring inventiveness. Therefore, the present invention is not limited except by the following claims.

[0057] The verbs "to comprise" and "to include" are used in this document as open limitations that neither exclude nor require the presence of unrecited features. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the features recited in the dependent claims are freely combinable with each other. Furthermore, it should be understood that throughout this document, the use of "a" or "an" in the singular does not exclude a plural reference.

[0058] Industrial Applicability

[0059] At least some embodiments of the present invention find industrial application in wireless positioning.

[0060] List of abbreviations

[0061] LMF location management function

[0062] NRPPa New Radio Positioning Protocol A

[0063] NW Network

[0064] PRS Positioning Reference Signal

[0065] PRU Positioning Reference Unit

[0066] RRC Radio Resource Control

[0067] SL Side Link

[0068] SRS Sounding Reference Signal

[0069] TRP Transmit / Receive Point

[0070] UE User Equipment

[0071] Reference Symbols List

[0072]

[0073] Technical Terms

[0074] Article 1

[0075] An apparatus comprising at least one processing core, at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus to at least:

[0076] - storing in a first user device information defining a group of user devices, said first user device being included in said group, and

[0077] - associating at least one positioning reference unit with the user equipment of the group, such that each user equipment of the group is associated with at least one positioning reference unit, or receiving the association of the user equipment of the group with the at least one positioning reference unit from a cellular communication network.

[0078] Article 2

[0079] An apparatus as in clause 1, wherein the apparatus is further configured to inform each user equipment in the group of an identity of a positioning reference unit associated with the user equipment.

[0080] Article 3

[0081] An apparatus according to clause 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus is further configured to generate a time-multiplexed uplink sounding reference signal and / or sidelink positioning reference signal transmission schedule for the user equipment in the group, or to receive the time-multiplexed uplink sounding reference signal or sidelink positioning reference signal transmission schedule for the user equipment in the group from the cellular communication network and / or from another user equipment from a second network, and to notify each user equipment in the group of its specific uplink sounding reference signal and / or sidelink positioning reference signal transmission schedule from the generated or received time-multiplexed transmission schedule.

[0082] Article 4

[0083] An apparatus according to any of clauses 1-3, wherein the user equipment of the group are in physical proximity to each other such that the first user equipment can communicate directly with all other user equipment in the group without the aid of relay or base station equipment.

[0084] Article 5

[0085] An apparatus according to any of clauses 1-4, wherein at least one of: all the user equipment in the group are associated with the same positioning reference unit, and the apparatus is further configured to select user equipment to include in the group based on a physical dimension of the group.

[0086] Article 6

[0087] The apparatus of clause 5, wherein the apparatus is further configured to select the physical dimensions of the group based on at least one of: a radio consistency level, positioning integrity, and quality of service requirements relative to the physical dimensions of the group or an effective size of the group.

[0088] Article 7

[0089] An apparatus comprising at least one processing core, at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus to at least:

[0090] -Storing information defining a group of user equipment in a cellular core network node, a first user

[0091] The device is included in the group;

[0092] - storing information associating at least one positioning reference element with said user equipment of said group, such that each user equipment of said group is associated with at least one positioning reference element, and

[0093] - determining a position of at least one user equipment in said group based on information about at least one of the positioning reference elements associated with said user equipment in said group.

[0094] Article 8

[0095] An apparatus according to clause 7, wherein the apparatus is further configured to generate information associating at least one positioning reference element with the user equipment of the group and provide it to at least one user equipment in the group, or receive information associating at least one positioning reference element with the user equipment of the group from the first user equipment.

[0096] Article 9

[0097] An apparatus comprising at least one processing core, at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus to at least:

[0098] - Control at least one cellular cell as a base station;

[0099] - receiving a list of user devices included in a group, not all of which are user devices in the group

[0100] in the at least one cell controlled by the base station;

[0101] - generating a time-multiplexed uplink sounding reference signal and / or sidelink positioning reference signal transmission schedule for the user equipment in the group and providing it to at least one user equipment in the group, or receiving the time-multiplexed uplink sounding reference signal and / or sidelink positioning reference signal transmission schedule for the user equipment in the group from a first user equipment in the group.

[0102] Article 10

[0103] A method comprising:

[0104] - storing in a first user device information defining a group of user devices, said first user device being included in said group, and

[0105] - associating at least one positioning reference unit with the user equipment of the group, such that each user equipment of the group is associated with at least one positioning reference unit, or receiving the association of the user equipment of the group with the at least one positioning reference unit from a cellular communication network.

[0106] Article 11

[0107] A method according to clause 10, wherein the method further comprises informing each user equipment in the group of an identity of a positioning reference unit associated with the user equipment.

[0108] Article 12

[0109] A method according to clause 10 or 11, wherein the method further comprises generating a time-multiplexed uplink sounding reference signal and / or sidelink positioning reference signal transmission schedule for the user equipment in the group, or receiving the time-multiplexed uplink sounding reference signal or sidelink positioning reference signal transmission schedule for the user equipment in the group from a cellular communication network and / or from another user equipment from a second network, and notifying each user equipment of the group of its specific uplink sounding reference signal and / or sidelink positioning reference signal transmission schedule from the generated or received time-multiplexed transmission schedule.

[0110] Article 13

[0111] A method as in any of clauses 10-12, wherein the user equipment of the group are in physical proximity to each other such that the first user equipment can communicate directly with all other user equipment in the group without the aid of relay or base station equipment.

[0112] Article 14

[0113] A method according to any of clauses 10-13, wherein at least one of: all user equipment in a group are associated with the same positioning reference unit, and the method further comprises selecting user equipment to include in the group based on a physical dimension of the group.

[0114] Article 15

[0115] A method as in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the method further comprises selecting the physical dimensions of the group based on at least one of: a radio consistency level, positioning integrity and quality of service requirements relative to the physical dimensions of the group or the effective size of the group.

[0116] Article 16

[0117] A method comprising:

[0118] -Storing information defining a group of user equipment in a cellular core network node, a first user

[0119] The device is included in the group;

[0120] - storing information associating at least one positioning reference element with said user equipment of said group, such that each user equipment of said group is associated with one positioning reference element, and

[0121] - determining a position of at least one user equipment in said group based on information about at least one of the positioning reference elements associated with said user equipment in said group.

[0122] Article 17

[0123] The method of clause 16, further comprising generating information associating at least one positioning reference element with the user equipment of the group and providing the information to at least one user equipment in the group, or receiving information associating at least one positioning reference element with the user equipment from the first user equipment.

[0124] Article 18

[0125] A method comprising:

[0126] - Control at least one cellular cell as a base station;

[0127] - receiving a list of user devices included in a group, not all of which are user devices in the group

[0128] in the at least one cell controlled by the base station;

[0129] - generating a time-multiplexed uplink sounding reference signal and / or sidelink positioning reference signal transmission schedule for the user equipments in the group and providing it to at least one user equipment in the group, or receiving a time-multiplexed uplink sounding reference signal and / or sidelink positioning reference signal transmission schedule for the user equipments in the group from a first user equipment in the group.

[0130] Article 20

[0131] An apparatus comprising means for:

[0132] - storing in a first user device information defining a group of user devices, said first user device being included in said group, and

[0133] - associating at least one positioning reference unit with the user equipment of the group, such that each user equipment of the group is associated with at least one positioning reference unit, or receiving the association of the user equipment of the group with the at least one positioning reference unit from a cellular communication network.

[0134] Article 21

[0135] A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer-readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least:

[0136] - storing in a first user device information defining a group of user devices, said first user device being included in said group, and

[0137] - associating at least one positioning reference unit with user equipment of the group such that each user equipment of the group is associated with at least one positioning reference unit, or receiving an association of the user equipment of the group with the at least one positioning reference unit from a cellular communication network.

[0138] Article 22

[0139] A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer-readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least:

[0140] -Storing information defining a group of user equipment in a cellular core network node, a first user

[0141] The device is included in the group;

[0142] - storing information associating at least one positioning reference element with said user equipment of said group, such that each user equipment of said group is associated with at least one positioning reference element, and

[0143] - determining a position of at least one user equipment in the group based on information about at least one of the positioning reference elements associated with the user equipment in the group.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising at least one processing core, at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to utilize the at least one processing core to cause the apparatus to at least: - storing in a first user device information defining a group of user devices, said first user device being included in said group, and - associating at least one positioning reference unit with the user equipment of the group, so that each user equipment of the group is associated with at least one positioning reference unit, or receiving the association of the user equipment of the group with the at least one positioning reference unit from a cellular communication network.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The apparatus is further configured to inform each user equipment in the group of an identity of a positioning reference unit associated with the user equipment.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The apparatus is also configured to generate a time-multiplexed uplink sounding reference signal and / or sidelink positioning reference signal transmission schedule for the user equipment in the group, or to receive the time-multiplexed uplink sounding reference signal or sidelink positioning reference signal transmission schedule for the user equipment in the group from the cellular communication network and / or from another user equipment from a second network, and to notify each user equipment in the group of its specific uplink sounding reference signal and / or sidelink positioning reference signal transmission schedule from the generated or received time-multiplexed transmission schedule.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The user equipments of the group are physically close to each other, so that the first user equipment can directly communicate with all other user equipments of the group without the aid of relay or base station equipment.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: At least one of the following: all the user equipments in the group are associated with the same positioning reference unit, and the apparatus is further configured to select the user equipments to be included in the group based on a physical dimension of the group.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein: The apparatus is further configured to select a physical dimension of the group based on at least one of: a radio consistency level, positioning integrity, and quality of service requirements relative to the physical dimension of the group or an effective size of the group.

7. An apparatus comprising at least one processing core, at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to utilize the at least one processing core to cause the apparatus to at least: - storing in the cellular core network node information defining a group of user equipment, the first user equipment being included in said group; - storing information associating at least one positioning reference unit with said user equipment of said group, such that each user equipment of said group is associated with at least one positioning reference unit, and - determining a position of at least one user equipment in said group based on information about at least one of said positioning reference units associated with said user equipment in said group.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein: The apparatus is further configured to generate information associating at least one positioning reference unit with the user equipment of the group and provide it to at least one user equipment in the group, or to receive information associating at least one positioning reference unit with the user equipment of the group from the first user equipment.

9. An apparatus comprising at least one processing core, at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to utilize the at least one processing core to cause the apparatus to at least: - Control at least one cellular cell as a base station; - receiving a list of user equipment included in a group, not all user equipment in the group being in the at least one cell controlled by the base station; -Generate a time-multiplexed uplink sounding reference signal and / or sidelink positioning reference signal transmission scheduling for the user equipment in the group and provide it to at least one user equipment in the group, or receive a time-multiplexed uplink sounding reference signal and / or sidelink positioning reference signal transmission scheduling for the user equipment in the group from the first user equipment in the group.

10. A method comprising: - storing in a first user device information defining a group of user devices, said first user device being included in said group, and - associating at least one positioning reference unit with the user equipment of the group, so that each user equipment of the group is associated with at least one positioning reference unit, or receiving the association of the user equipment of the group with the at least one positioning reference unit from a cellular communication network.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The method further comprises informing each user equipment in the group of an identity of a positioning reference unit associated with the user equipment.

12. A method comprising: - storing in the cellular core network node information defining a group of user equipment, the first user equipment being included in said group; - storing information associating at least one positioning reference unit with said user equipment of said group, such that each user equipment of said group is associated with one positioning reference unit, and - determining a position of at least one user equipment in said group based on information about at least one of the positioning reference units associated with said user equipment in said group.

13. A method comprising: - Control at least one cellular cell as a base station; - receiving a list of user equipment included in a group, not all user equipment in the group being in the at least one cell controlled by the base station; -Generate a time-multiplexed uplink sounding reference signal and / or sidelink positioning reference signal transmission scheduling for the user equipment in the group, and provide it to at least one user equipment in the group, or receive a time-multiplexed uplink sounding reference signal and / or sidelink positioning reference signal transmission scheduling for the user equipment in the group from the first user equipment in the group.

14. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least: - storing in a first user device information defining a group of user devices, said first user device being included in said group, and - associating at least one positioning reference unit with the user equipment of the group, so that each user equipment of the group is associated with at least one positioning reference unit, or receiving the association of the user equipment of the group with the at least one positioning reference unit from a cellular communication network.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer-readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least: - storing in the cellular core network node information defining a group of user equipment, the first user equipment being included in said group; - storing information associating at least one positioning reference unit with said user equipment of said group, such that each user equipment of said group is associated with at least one positioning reference unit, and - determining a position of at least one user equipment in said group based on information about at least one of said positioning reference units associated with said user equipment in said group.

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