Resource reservation for positioning reference signals

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to resource reservation for positioning reference signals. A first device obtains a configuration indicating a resource for positioning a reference signal. The positioning reference signal is used for positioning a second device in the first area. The first device selects a set of third devices from a plurality of third devices in the first area. The first device sends a configuration for reserving resources to a set of third devices.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of telecommunications, and in particular, to methods, devices, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for resource reservation of positioning reference signals. Background Art

[0002] Location awareness is an aspect of wireless communication networks that enables numerous location-enabled services in different applications. The integration and utilization of location information in everyday applications is expected to grow as the accuracy of technology continues to improve.

[0003] With the rapid expansion of fifth generation (5G) coverage, new radio (NR) positioning is closely related to public commercial use cases and various industry applications, and has therefore attracted extensive research from industry and academia. For example, NR positioning can be used to improve the positioning accuracy of such use cases. However, with the rapid increase in the number of user equipment (UE), the resource efficiency of positioning technology is generally expected to be further optimized. Summary of the invention

[0004] In a first example embodiment, a first device is provided. The first device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device to at least: obtain a configuration indicating a configuration of resources for a positioning reference signal for a second device in a first area; select a group of third devices from a plurality of third devices in the first area, resources to be reserved by the group of third devices; and send the configuration to the group of third devices.

[0005] In a second exemplary embodiment, a second device is provided. The second device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, causes the second device in a first area to at least: receive a configuration indicating resources for a positioning reference signal of the second device from a fourth device serving the second device or the first device, the resources being reserved by a group of third devices selected from a plurality of third devices in the first area; and send a positioning reference signal to a fifth device measuring the positioning reference signal by utilizing the resources.

[0006] In a third exemplary embodiment, a third device is provided. The third device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the third device to at least: receive a configuration from a first device, the configuration indicating resources for a positioning reference signal for a second device in a first area, the third device being selected from a plurality of third devices in the first area; and reserve resources for the positioning reference signal based on the configuration.

[0007] In a fourth example embodiment, a fourth device is provided. The fourth device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the fourth device to at least: determine resources for a positioning reference signal for a second device in a first area; and send a configuration indicating resources to the first device and the second device, the resources being reserved by a group of third devices selected by the first device from a plurality of third devices in the first area.

[0008] In a fifth exemplary embodiment, a sixth device is provided. The sixth device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the sixth device to at least: obtain updated update information about the second area where the second device is located; and based on the acquisition of the update information, send information indicating that the second device has left the second area to the first device.

[0009] In a sixth example embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes: obtaining a configuration at a first device, the configuration indicating resources for a positioning reference signal for a second device in a first area; selecting a group of third devices from a plurality of third devices in the first area, the resources to be reserved by the group of third devices; and sending the configuration to the group of third devices.

[0010] In a seventh exemplary embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes: receiving, at a second device in a first area, from a fourth device serving the second device or the first device, a configuration indicating resources for a positioning reference signal of the second device, the resources being reserved by a group of third devices selected from a plurality of third devices in the first area; and sending a positioning reference signal to a fifth device measuring the positioning reference signal by utilizing the resources.

[0011] In an eighth exemplary embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes: receiving, at a third device, a configuration from a first device, the configuration indicating a configuration of resources for a positioning reference signal for a second device in a first area, the third device being selected from a plurality of third devices in the first area; and reserving resources for the positioning reference signal based on the configuration.

[0012] In a ninth example embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes: determining, at a fourth device, a resource for a positioning reference signal for a second device in a first area; and sending a configuration indicating the resource to the first device and the second device, the resource being reserved by a group of third devices selected by the first device from a plurality of third devices in the first area.

[0013] In a tenth exemplary embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes: acquiring, at a sixth device, updated update information about a second area where a second device is located; and based on the acquisition of the update information, sending information indicating that the second device has left the second area to a first device.

[0014] In an eleventh exemplary embodiment, a first device is provided. The first device includes: a component for acquiring a configuration indicating resources for a positioning reference signal for a second device in a first area; a component for selecting a group of third devices from a plurality of third devices in the first area, resources to be reserved by the group of third devices; and a component for sending the configuration to the group of third devices.

[0015] In a twelfth exemplary embodiment, a second device is provided. The second device includes: a fourth device for serving a second device or a first device in a first area, receiving a configuration indicating a resource for a positioning reference signal for the second device, the resource being reserved by a group of third devices selected from a plurality of third devices in the first area; and a component for sending a positioning reference signal to a fifth device measuring the positioning reference signal by utilizing the resource.

[0016] In a thirteenth exemplary embodiment, a third device is provided. The third device includes: a component for receiving a configuration from a first device, the configuration indicating resources for a positioning reference signal for a second device in a first area, the third device being selected from a plurality of third devices in the first area; and a component for reserving resources for the positioning reference signal based on the configuration.

[0017] In a fourteenth exemplary embodiment, a fourth device is provided. The fourth device includes: a component for determining resources for a positioning reference signal for a second device in a first area; and a component for sending a configuration indicating resources to the first device and the second device, the resources being reserved by a group of third devices selected by the first device from a plurality of third devices in the first area.

[0018] In a fifteenth exemplary embodiment, a sixth device is provided. The sixth device includes: a component for acquiring updated update information about a second area where a second device is located; and a component for sending information indicating that the second device has left the second area to the first device based on the acquisition of the update information.

[0019] In a sixteenth exemplary embodiment, a computer-readable medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon, the instructions being used to cause an apparatus to at least perform the method according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0020] In a seventeenth exemplary embodiment, a computer-readable medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon, the instructions being used to cause an apparatus to at least perform the method according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0021] In an eighteenth exemplary embodiment, a computer-readable medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon, the instructions being used to cause an apparatus to at least perform the method according to the third exemplary embodiment.

[0022] In a nineteenth exemplary embodiment, a computer-readable medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon, the instructions being used to cause an apparatus to at least perform the method according to the fourth exemplary embodiment.

[0023] In a twentieth exemplary embodiment, a computer-readable medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon, the instructions being used to cause an apparatus to at least perform the method according to the fifth exemplary embodiment.

[0024] It should be understood that the summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the example embodiments, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will be understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1A An example communication environment is shown in which example embodiments may be implemented;

[0027] Figure 1B Another example communication environment is shown in which example embodiments may be implemented;

[0028] Figure 2 shows a signaling diagram for resource reservation according to some example embodiments;

[0029] Figure 3 shows a signaling diagram for resource validation according to some example embodiments;

[0030] Figure 4 shows another signaling diagram for resource validation according to some example embodiments;

[0031] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating an example method implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments;

[0032] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating an example method implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments;

[0033] Figure 7A flowchart illustrating an example method implemented at a third device according to some example embodiments;

[0034] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating an example method implemented at a fourth device according to some example embodiments;

[0035] Fig. 9 A flowchart illustrating an example method implemented at a sixth device according to some example embodiments;

[0036] Fig.10 is a simplified block diagram of a device suitable for implementing the example embodiments; and

[0037] Fig.11 A block diagram of an example computer readable medium is shown, according to some example embodiments.

[0038] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these example embodiments are described only for illustrative purposes and are helpful for those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure without implying any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The example embodiments described herein can be implemented in various ways different from the ways described below.

[0040] 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.

[0041] References in this disclosure to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc. 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 embodiment, it is proposed that, whether or not explicitly described, it is within the knowledge of a person skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments.

[0042] It should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiment, the first element may be referred to as the second element, and similarly, the second element may be referred to as the first element. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0043] As used herein, “at least one of: ” and “at least one of ” and similar expressions, where a list of two or more elements is connected by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements.

[0044] As used herein, unless explicitly stated, performing a step “in response to A” does not mean that the step is performed immediately after “A” occurs, but may include one or more intervening steps.

[0045] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are also intended to include the plural forms. It should also be understood that the terms "include", "comprise", "have", "have", "include" and / or "include" are used herein to specify the presence of the features, elements and / or components, etc., but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0046] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation in analog circuitry and / or digital circuitry only), and (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (where applicable): (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware, and (ii) any portion of hardware processor(s) (including digital signal processor(s)), software and memory(s) with software that work together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions, and (c) Hardware circuits and or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or portions of microprocessor(s), that require software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when not required for operation.

[0047] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As another example embodiment, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of only a hardware circuit, or a 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 (e.g., 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.

[0048] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that complies with any suitable communication standard, such as New Radio (NR), 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 suitable generation communication protocol, including but not limited to the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth generation (5G) communication protocol and / or any other protocol currently known or developed in the future. The example embodiments can be applied in various communication systems. In view of the rapid development of communication, there are of course future types of communication technologies and systems to which the example embodiments can be applied. It should not be considered that the scope of the example embodiments is limited to only the above-mentioned systems.

[0049] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communication network, via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services from the node. A network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), for example, a NodeB (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a low-power node, such as a femto, a micro, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or a non-terrestrial network device, such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite, an aircraft network device, etc., depending on the terminology and technology applied. In some example embodiments, a radio access network (RAN) split architecture includes a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU) at an IAB donor node. An IAB node includes a mobile terminal (IAB-MT) portion, which behaves similarly to a UE for a parent node, and the DU portion of the IAB node behaves similarly to a base station for a next-hop IAB node.

[0050] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. As an example and not limitation, the terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, a user equipment (UE), a subscriber station (SS), a portable subscriber station, a mobile station (MS) or an access terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a voice over IP (VoIP) phone, a wireless local loop phone, a tablet computer, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a desktop computer, an image capture terminal device such as a digital camera, a game terminal device, a music storage and playback device, a vehicle-mounted wireless terminal device, a wireless endpoint, a mobile station, a laptop embedded equipment (LEE), a laptop mounted equipment (LME), a USB dongle, a smart device, a wireless customer premises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a watch or other wearable device, a head mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and an application (e.g., remote surgery), an industrial device and an application (e.g., a robot and / or other wireless device operating in the context of an industrial and / or automated processing chain), a consumer electronic device, a device operating on a commercial and / or industrial wireless network, etc. The terminal device may also correspond to the mobile terminal (MT) part of an IAB node (eg, a relay node).In the following description, the terms "terminal device", "communication device", "terminal", "user equipment" and "UE" may be used interchangeably.

[0051] As used herein, the term "resource", "transmission resource", "resource block", "physical resource block" (PRB), "uplink resource" or "downlink resource" may refer to any resource used to perform communication (e.g., communication between a terminal device and a network device), such as a resource in the time domain, a resource in the frequency domain, a resource in the spatial domain, a resource in the code domain, or any other resource supporting communication. In the following, unless explicitly stated, resources in the frequency domain and the time domain will be used as examples of transmission resources for describing some example embodiments. Note that the example embodiments are equally applicable to other resources in other domains. Example Environment

[0052] Figure 1A An example communication environment 100 is shown in which example embodiments may be implemented. Figure 1AAs shown, the communication environment 100 includes a terminal device 110, a core network 150, and network devices 120-1, 120-2, 120-3, 120-4, 120-5, and 120-6 (hereinafter referred to as network devices 120 individually or collectively as network devices 120). The terminal device 110 and the network device 120 are located in the area 160-1. The network device 120 near the terminal device 110 (e.g., network device 120-4) can serve the terminal device 110. The link from the network device 120 to the terminal device 110 is called a downlink (DL), and the link from the terminal device 110 to the network device 120 is called an uplink (UL). In the DL, the network device 120 is a transmitting (TX) device (or sender), and the terminal device 110 is a receiving (RX) device (or receiver). In the UL, the terminal device 110 is a TX device (or sender) and the network device 120 is a RX device (or receiver).

[0053] The area 160 - 1 where the terminal device 110 is located may change as the terminal device 110 moves. Figure 1B 1 shows another example communication environment 102 in which example embodiments may be implemented. Figure 1B As shown, terminal device 110 leaves area 160-1 and moves to area 160-2. Areas 160-1 and 160-2 are hereinafter referred to as area 160 individually or collectively. Compared with communication environment 100, communication environment 102 also includes network devices 120-7, 120-8, and 120-9 (together with network devices 120-1, 120-2, 120-3, 120-4, 120-5, and 120-6, hereinafter referred to as network devices 120 individually or collectively). Figure 1B In the example, the network device 120 (eg, network device 120 - 7 ) near the terminal device 110 may provide services for the terminal device 110 .

[0054] exist Figure 1A and Figure 1B In the example of , the core network 150 may include an access and mobility management function (AMF) 140 and a location management function (LMF) 130. The AMF 140 maintains a non-access stratum (NAS) signaling connection with the terminal device 110 and manages a registration process. The LMF 130 receives measurement and assistance information from a 5G radio access network (5G-RAN) and the terminal device 110 to determine the location of the terminal device 110.

[0055] It should be understood that Figure 1A and Figure 1BThe number of devices and connections shown in is for illustrative purposes only and does not imply any limitation. Communication environments 100 and 102 may include any suitable number of devices configured to implement the example embodiments. Although not shown, it should be understood that one or more additional devices may be located in area 160, and one or more additional devices may be deployed in communication environment 100.

[0056] The communication in the communication environments 100 and 102 may be implemented according to any suitable communication protocol, including but not limited to cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), fifth generation (5G), sixth generation (6G), etc., wireless local area network communication protocols such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, and / or any other protocol currently known or developed in the future. In addition, the communication may utilize any suitable wireless communication technology, including but not limited to: code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division duplex (FDD), time division duplex (TDD), multiple input multiple output (MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDM), discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and / or any other technology currently known or developed in the future.

[0057] For various business use cases, access to the location information of the terminal device 110 may be obtained. To this end, various positioning technologies have been developed to locate the terminal device 110. In UL positioning, one or more network devices 120 may be configured to measure an uplink positioning reference signal sent by the terminal device 110 and report to the LMF, and the LMF 130 may determine the location of the terminal device 110 based on the reported measurements. As used herein, the term "positioning reference signal (PRS)" refers to a reference signal used to locate the terminal device 110. PRS may include, but is not limited to, a sounding reference signal (SRS), a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble, and the like.

[0058] In a 5G communication network, the terminal device 110 can switch between multiple radio resource control (RRC) states, including an RRC_CONNECTED state, an RRC_IDLE state, and an RRC_INACTIVE state. The RRC_CONNECTED state is optimized for high UE activity, while the RRC_IDLE state is optimized for low power consumption and network resources. The RRC_INACTIVE state is introduced for the 5G communication network to achieve power saving with acceptable access latency, so that the terminal device 110 can return to the RRC_CONNECTED state quickly and efficiently. In the RRC_INACTIVE state, the terminal device 110 does not have an RRC connection with the 5G-RAN, but the 5G-RAN maintains a connection with the core network 150. When the terminal device 110 is in the RRC_INACTIVE state, a RAN-based notification area (RNA) is introduced, and allows the core network 150 and the 5G-RAN to determine the location of the terminal device 110, such as the identity of the cell serving the terminal device 110 or the geographic location of the terminal device 110. An RNA may include one or more service areas (eg, cells) in a group of network devices 120. In some example embodiments, area 160-1 may be an RNA.

[0059] To support UL positioning, UL PRS parameters need to be configured, including but not limited to the reference signal sequence and transmission timing used to locate the UE. In the solution, the UL PRS parameters can be configured by the serving gNB. When the UE moves from one serving gNB to a new serving gNB, the new serving gNB needs to reconfigure the UL PRS according to its own preferences in the RRC_CONNECTED state. For UL positioning in the RRC_INACTIVE state, when the UE moves from one serving gNB to a new serving gNB within the RNA, the UE needs to resume the RRC connection with the new serving gNB and obtain UL PRS updates from the new serving gNB. In order to resume the RRC in the new serving gNB, the network can also relocate the UE access stratum (AS) context from the last serving gNB to the new serving gNB. However, due to the RRC recovery process, the related processes in this solution may result in high power consumption and large positioning latency at the UE.

[0060] In another scheme, a common SRS resource is configured for a predetermined positioning area (e.g., RNA) including multiple cells to facilitate low-power positioning in the RRC_IDLE state and the RRC_INACTIVE state. The UE can continue to send SRS without updating the SRS configuration within the positioning area. The UE can maintain the SRS configuration in the positioning area where the network device 120 can receive the SRS and the UE can send the SRS. When the UE moves out of the positioning area, the UE then establishes a connection to the network to request an update of the SRS. The SRS configuration is sent to the RAN node in the area of ​​the configured cell, which will reserve resources for the UE for SRS transmission. That is, the SRS resources cannot be used for other UL transmissions. However, since each gNB in ​​the RNA reserves common SRS resources for UL positioning, this solution may result in a large resource overhead. In addition, the number of UEs that can be served is also limited in this solution.

[0061] In view of the shortcomings of the above solutions, the resource efficiency for UL positioning is expected to be further improved. Working Principle and Example Signaling for Resource Reservation

[0062] According to some example embodiments, a solution for resource reservation for PRS is provided. In the solution, a first device obtains a configuration indicating resources for PRS. PRS is used to locate a second device in a first area. The first device selects a group of third devices from a plurality of third devices in the first area. The first device sends a configuration for reserving resources to a group of third devices.

[0063] According to an example embodiment, some of the plurality of third devices are selected to reserve resources for PRS. In this way, unnecessary resource reservation at all the plurality of third devices in the area can be avoided. Therefore, the example embodiment can improve resource efficiency and increase the number of UEs that can be served at one gNB.

[0064] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0065] Figure 2 2 shows a signaling diagram 200 for resource reservation according to some example embodiments. Figure 2 As shown, the signaling diagram 200 involves a first device 201, a second device 202, a group of third devices 2031, a group of updated third devices 2032, and a fourth device 204. For discussion purposes, reference is made to Figure 1A and Figure 1B200. In some example embodiments, the first device 201 may be LMF 130, the second device 202 may be terminal device 110, a group of third devices 2031 may be network devices 120-1, 120-2, and 120-3, and the fourth device 204 may be network device 120-4. In some example embodiments, the second device 202 may be in RRC_INACTIVE state or RRC_IDLE state.

[0066] Despite Figure 2 , a first device 201 and a second device 202 are shown, but it should be understood that there may be multiple first devices that perform similar operations as described below with respect to the first device 201 and multiple second devices that perform similar operations as described below with respect to the second device 202.

[0067] The first device 201 obtains a configuration indicating resources for a PRS for the second device 202 in the first area (hereinafter also referred to as "PRS resources"). In an example embodiment in which the second device 202 includes a terminal device and the third device includes a network device, the PRS may be a UL PRS, such as an SRS. Resources may include, but are not limited to, time resources, frequency resources, code domain resources, and / or others. In some example embodiments, the first area may be a geographic area. In some alternative example embodiments, the first area may be covered by at least one third device. As an example, the first area may include multiple cells. As a further example, the first area may be an RNA.

[0068] In some example embodiments, the first device 201 may configure PRS resources for the second device 202 and send a configuration indicating the PRS resources to the second device 202. Alternatively, in some example embodiments, Figure 2 As shown, the fourth device 204 may determine 210 a PRS resource and send 215 a configuration indicating the PRS resource to the first device 201 and the second device 202. Thus, the first device 201 may receive 220 a configuration indicating the PRS resource from the fourth device 204.

[0069] The second device 202 receives 225 a configuration from the fourth device 204 or receives a configuration from the first device 201. The second device 202 can transmit 225 a configuration to at least the fifth device ( Figure 2 The fifth device may measure the PRS on the resource and report the measurement result to the first device 201, so that the first device 201 can determine the location of the second device 202.

[0070] First device 201 selects 225 a group of third devices 2031 from a plurality of third devices in the first area to reserve resources. In some example embodiments, group of third devices 2031 may be selected based on at least one of the following: a location of second device 202, locations of a plurality of third devices, a location of fourth device 204 serving second device 202, or a signal quality of a PRS received by a group of fifth devices measuring second device 202.

[0071] In some example embodiments, the initial location of the second device 202 may be a location when the second device 202 switches to the RRC_INACTIVE state or the RRC_IDLE state. As an example, the location may be represented by geographic coordinates. The first device 201 may select a group of third devices 2031 based on the geographic coordinates of the second device 202 and the plurality of third devices. For example, the first device 201 may determine the distance between the second device 202 and each of the plurality of third devices. If the distance is below a threshold, the corresponding third device may be selected. Reference Figure 1A , the LMF 130 may determine the distance between the terminal device 110 and each of the network devices 120, and the network devices 120-1, 120-2, 120-3, and 120-4 may be selected as a group of third devices, that is, Figure 1A , because the distance between the terminal device 110 and these selected network devices 120 is below the threshold, while the distance between the terminal device 110 and the network device 120-5 and the network device 120-6 is greater than the threshold. The threshold can be predetermined in the specification or configured by the network (e.g., the network device 120 or the LMF 130).

[0072] In some alternative example embodiments, a group of third devices 2031 may be selected based on the locations of the fourth device 204 and the plurality of third devices. For example, the first device 201 may determine the distance between the fourth device 204 and each of the plurality of third devices. If the distance is below a threshold, the corresponding third device may be selected.

[0073] In some alternative example embodiments, a group of third devices 2031 may be selected based on the signal quality of the PRS received by a group of fifth devices. For example, reference signal received power (RSRP) may be used as a measure of signal quality. If the RSRP of the PRS received by the fifth device is greater than a threshold, the fifth device is selected. The threshold may be predetermined in the specification or configured by the network (e.g., network device 120 or LMF 130). It should be understood that any other suitable metric (e.g., reference signal received quality (RSRQ)) may also be used as a measure of signal quality. The scope of the example embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[0074] It should be understood that the possible implementations of the selection of the above-mentioned set of third devices 2031 are merely illustrative and thus should not be construed as limiting the example embodiments in any way.

[0075] continue Figure 2 , the first device sends 235 a configuration indicating resources to a group of third devices 2031 selected at 225. On the side of the group of third devices 2031, they receive 240 the configuration and reserve 245 resources based on the configuration.

[0076] It can be seen that one or more selected third devices need to reserve resources for UL positioning. Therefore, the example embodiments can avoid unnecessary resource reservation at all third devices in the area, and thus effectively improve resource efficiency.

[0077] In some example embodiments, the first device 201 may determine 230 a verification condition, the verification condition being used to determine whether the configuration is valid for use, for example, in the RRC_INACTIVE state. The first device 201 may send 250 an indication of the verification condition to the second device 202. The verification condition specifies a condition for invalidating the PRS resource. After receiving 255 an indication of the verification condition (hereinafter also referred to as a "verification indication"), the second device 202 may determine the validity of the PRS resource according to the verification condition. The second device 202 may invalidate the PRS resource based on (e.g., once) the verification condition is satisfied. Figure 3 and Figure 4 Describe the verification condition in detail.

[0078] The first device 201 may detect 260 a triggering event associated with the movement of the second device 202. In some example embodiments, the triggering event may include a change in the location of the second device 202. As an example, if the change in the location of the second device 202 is greater than a threshold, the triggering event may be detected. Figure 1A and Figure 1B , since the distance between the previous position and the current position of the terminal device 110 is greater than the threshold, a trigger event is detected by the LMF 130. The threshold may be predetermined in the specification or configured by the network (e.g., the network device 120 or the LMF 130). Alternatively, if the second device 202 moves out of the coverage of a group of third devices 2031 or is moving at the boundary of the coverage, a trigger event may be detected.

[0079] In some alternative or additional example embodiments, the triggering event may include a degradation in the signal quality of the PRS received by a group of fifth devices measuring the second device 202. For example, RSRP may be used as a measure of signal quality. If the RSRP of the PRS received by the fifth device is less than a first threshold, the fifth device may be treated as a removed device. If the number of removed devices is greater than a second threshold, the triggering event is detected by LMF 130. The first threshold and / or the second threshold may be predetermined in the specification or configured by the network (e.g., network device 120 or LMF 130).

[0080] In some alternative or additional example embodiments, the triggering event may include a change in the fourth device 204 serving the second device 202. As an example, if the new fourth device 204 serving the second device 202 is located at the boundary or outside of the coverage of a group of third devices 2031, the triggering event is detected by the first device 201. Figure 1A and Figure 1B , when the terminal device 110 moves, the serving network device 120 for the terminal device 110 may be relocated for some other purpose, for example, initiating a small data transmission (SDT) for other UL data or other positioning data transmission requested by RRC recovery. The LMF 130 may determine that the serving network device 120 of the terminal device 110 has moved out of the coverage of the selected network device 120. The triggering event may be detected by the LMF 130.

[0081] In some alternative or additional example embodiments, the triggering event may include the second device 202 leaving the first area. As an example, the first area may be RNA. When the second device 202 leaves the RNA, the second device 202 sends an RNA update message, which notifies the first device 201 that the second device 202 has left the RNA. Thus, the first device 201 detects the triggering event. Figure 1A and Figure 1B , when the terminal device 110 moves out of the area 160-1, the terminal device 110 sends an RNA update message to the AMF 140, and the AMF 140 notifies the LMF 130 that the terminal has moved out of the area 160-1. Then, a trigger event is detected by the LMF 130.

[0082] It should be understood that the possible implementations of the triggering events described above are merely illustrative and thus should not be construed as limiting the example embodiments in any way.

[0083] continue Figure 2, if it is determined that the triggering event is detected, the first device 201 may update 265 a group of third devices 2031 to obtain a group of updated third devices 2032. In some example embodiments, the group of third devices 2031 is updated based on at least one of: a location of the second device 202, locations of a plurality of third devices, a location of a fourth device 204 serving the second device 202, or a signal quality of a PRS received by a group of fifth devices.

[0084] In some example embodiments, the location may be represented by geographic coordinates. The first device 201 may update a group of third devices 2031 based on the geographic coordinates of the second device 202 and the plurality of third devices. For example, the first device 201 may determine the distance between the second device 202 and each of the plurality of third devices. If the distance is below a threshold, the corresponding third device may be added to the group of third devices 2031. If the distance is greater than or equal to the threshold, the corresponding third device may be removed from the group of third devices 2031. The threshold may be predetermined in the specification or configured by the network (e.g., the network device 120 or the LMF 130). For Figure 1B In the example shown in , LMF 130 may determine the distance between terminal device 110 and each of network devices 120, and network devices 120-3, 120-7, and 120-9 may be selected as a group of updated third devices, i.e., Figure 1B , because the distances between the terminal device 110 and the network devices 120-3, 120-7, and 120-9 are below the threshold, while the distances between the terminal device 110 and the remaining network devices 120 are greater than the threshold. In this case, the network devices 120-1, 120-2, and 120-4 can be removed from the initial group 170, and the network devices 120-7 and 120-9 can be added to the initial group 170 to obtain the updated group 172.

[0085] In some alternative example embodiments, a group of third devices 2031 may be updated based on the location of the current fourth device 204 and the plurality of third devices. For example, the first device 201 may determine the distance between the current fourth device 204 and each of the plurality of third devices. If the distance is below a threshold, the corresponding third device may be added to a group of third devices 2031. If the distance is greater than or equal to the threshold, the corresponding third device may be removed from a group of third devices 2031. The threshold may be predetermined in the specification or configured by the network (e.g., network device 120 or LMF 130).

[0086] In some alternative example embodiments, a group of third devices 2031 may be updated based on the signal quality of the PRS received by a group of fifth devices. For example, RSRP may be used as a measure of signal quality. If the RSRP of the PRS received by the fifth device is greater than a threshold, the fifth device is added to a group of third devices 2031. If the RSRP of the PRS received by the fifth device is less than or equal to the threshold, the fifth device is removed from a group of third devices 2031. The threshold may be predetermined in the specification or configured by the network (e.g., network device 120 or LMF 130). It should be understood that any other suitable metric (e.g., reference signal received quality (RSRQ)) may also be used as a measure of signal quality. The scope of the example embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[0087] It should be understood that the possible implementations of the update of the above-described set of third devices 2031 are merely illustrative and therefore should not be construed as limiting the example embodiments in any way.

[0088] The first device 201 may send 275 a first message to a third device removed from a group of third devices 2031 to cause the third device to release resources. In some example embodiments, the first message may indicate a configuration for PRS resources, a time window or time offset when the third device should release PRS resources, a request to release PRS resources, etc. The first message may be sent via the NR Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa) protocol. The removed third device may release the PRS resources accordingly after receiving 280 the first message.

[0089] In some example embodiments, the first device 201 may send 285 a configuration for PRS resources to a third device added to a group of third devices 2031. In addition, the first device 201 may also determine the time offset or time window when the added third device should start reserving PRS resources based on the speed and trajectory of the second device 202. The first device 201 may send an indication of the time offset or time window to the added third device. Additionally, the first device 201 may also send a request for reserving PRS resources to the added third device. The configuration may be sent via the NRPPa protocol. The added third device receives 290 the configuration and reserves PRS resources accordingly. It should be understood that the above illustrations and / or examples are described for descriptive purposes only. The scope of the example embodiments is not limited in this regard.

[0090] In some example embodiments, if it is determined that a triggering event is detected, the first device 201 may update 270 a group of fifth devices that measure the PRS. As an example, the first device 201 may update a group of fifth devices based on the locations of the second device 202 and the plurality of third devices. For example, the first device 201 may determine the distance between the second device 202 and each of the plurality of third devices. If the distance is below a threshold, the corresponding third device may be added to a group of fifth devices. If the distance is greater than or equal to the threshold, the corresponding third device may be removed from a group of fifth devices. It should be understood that the possible implementations of the update of a group of fifth devices described herein are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the example embodiments in any way. Working Principle and Example Signaling for Resource Authentication

[0091] As reference Figure 2 Briefly mentioned, in some example embodiments, the first device 201 may send a validation condition for the PRS resource to the second device 202, and the second device 202 may invalidate the PRS resource accordingly. An example signaling diagram for resource validation is now described.

[0092] The second device 202 may obtain a regional configuration indicating a second region. The second region is a region in which the second device 202 may continue to send PRS without updating the configuration for PRS resources. In some example embodiments, the second region may be a geographic region. In some alternative example embodiments, the second region may be a coverage area of ​​at least one third device. As an example, the second region may include a plurality of cells. In some example embodiments, the second region may be the same as the first region described above. For example, the second region may be an RNA. Alternatively, the second region may be a region different from the first region, such as a positioning region of the second device 202. As an example, the second region may be the region of a factory in which the second device 202 is deployed. It should be understood that the second region may also be any other suitable specific region. The scope of the example embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[0093] As an example, the regional configuration may indicate the geographic coverage of the second area. As another example, the regional configuration may indicate a plurality of cells constituting the second area. In some example embodiments, the second device 202 may receive the regional configuration from the first device 201. In some alternative example embodiments, the second device 202 may receive the regional configuration from the fourth device. In some other example embodiments, the second device 202 may receive the regional configuration from the sixth device 306. That is, at least one of the first device 201, the fourth device, or the sixth device 306 may send the regional configuration to the second device 202.

[0094] The second device 202 may determine whether the second device 202 leaves the second area. After the second device 202 moves out of the second area, the second device 202 determines that it leaves the second area. Therefore, the second device 202 may invalidate the PRS resource and stop sending the PRS on the PRS resource. In some additional example embodiments, the second device 202 may also send an indication that the resource is invalidated to at least one of the first device, the fourth device, or the sixth device. In some additional example embodiments, the second device 202 may also send a request for a third area to at least one of the first device, the fourth device, or the sixth device. Similar to the second area, the third area may be a geographical area or coverage of at least one third device.

[0095] Figure 3 A signaling diagram 300 for resource verification according to some example embodiments is shown. Figure 3 As shown, the signaling diagram 300 involves the first device 201, the second device 202, the sixth device 306, the reserved group 303 and the measurement group 305. For the purpose of discussion, reference is made to Figure 1A and Figure 1B 3. The signaling diagram 300 is described below. In some example embodiments, the sixth device 306 may be the AMF 140. The second device 202 may be in the RRC_INACTIVE state or the RRC_IDLE state.

[0096] The reserved group 303 includes one or more third devices. In some example embodiments, the reserved group 303 may include Figure 2 A group of third devices 303 is described as being selected by the first device 201. In some example embodiments, the reserved group 303 may include a plurality of third devices in the first area where the second device 202 is located.

[0097] Measurement group 305 includes one or more third devices. In some example embodiments, measurement group 305 may include reference Figure 2 A group of fifth devices is described as being selected by the first device 201. In some example embodiments, the measurement group 305 may include any other suitable third devices in the first area where the second device 202 is located.

[0098] Despite Figure 3 A first device 201, a second device 202 and a sixth device 306 are shown, but it should be understood that there may be multiple first devices that perform similar operations as described below with respect to the first device 201, multiple second devices that perform similar operations as described below with respect to the second device 202, and multiple sixth devices that perform similar operations as described below with respect to the sixth device 306.

[0099] exist Figure 3In the example, the verification condition from the perspective of the second device 202 is the sending of a message for updating the second area by the second device 202 (hereinafter also referred to as an "update message"). After the second device 202 moves out of the second area, the second device 202 may send 310 an update message to the sixth device 306. Based on (e.g., upon) the sending of the update message, the second device 202 may invalidate 320 the resource and stop 325 the sending of the PRS on the PRS resource. In some additional example embodiments, the second device 202 may also send an indication that the resource is invalidated to at least one of the first device, the fourth device, or the sixth device. In some additional example embodiments, the second device 202 may also send a request for the third area to at least one of the first device, the fourth device, or the sixth device. In some example embodiments, the second area may be RNA. For Figure 1B In the example shown, after the terminal device 110 leaves the area 160-1, the terminal device 110 may send an RNA update message to the AMF 140. Based on (e.g., upon) sending of the RNA update message, the terminal device 110 may invalidate the PRS resource and stop sending PRS on the resource.

[0100] Due to the movement of the second device 202, the sixth device 306 obtains updated update information about the second area where the second device 202 is located. In some example embodiments, the update information may be an update message. In some alternative example embodiments, the update information may be an identification of the third area to which the second device 202 moves, which will be referred to as Figure 4 Detailed description.

[0101] exist Figure 3 In the example of FIG. 3 , the sixth device 306 receives 315 an update message from the second device 202. Based on the receipt of the update message, the sixth device 306 sends 330 information indicating that the second device 202 has left the second area (hereinafter also referred to as "movement information") to the first device 201. In some example embodiments, the movement information may be an indication that the second device 202 has moved out of the second area. As an example, the movement information may be an explicit indication that the second device 202 has left the second area.

[0102] The first device 201 receives 335 the movement information. Based on the movement information, the first device 201 determines that the second device 202 moves out of the second area and accordingly invalidates 340 the PRS resources. In some example embodiments, the first device 201 may additionally send 345 a second message to cause at least one third device in the reserved group 303 to release the PRS resources. For example, the first device 201 may send the second message to the devices in the reserved group 303. Based on (e.g., upon) receiving this message, the devices in the reserved group 303 may release the PRS resources.

[0103] In some example embodiments, first device 201 may additionally send 350 a third message to cause a fifth device in measurement group 305 to stop measuring the PRS on the PRS resources. For example, first device 201 may send the third message to the devices in measurement group 305. Based on (e.g., upon) receiving the third message, the devices in measurement group 305 may stop measuring the PRS on the PRS resources.

[0104] Figure 4 Another signaling diagram 400 for resource verification according to some example embodiments is shown. Figure 4 As shown, the signaling diagram 400 involves the first device 201, the second device 202, the sixth device 306, the reserved group 303 and the measurement group 305. For the purpose of discussion, reference is made to Figure 1A and Figure 1B 4. The signaling diagram 400 is described below. In some example embodiments, the second device 202 may be in an RRC_INACTIVE state or an RRC_IDLE state.

[0105] Despite Figure 4 A first device 201, a second device 202 and a sixth device 306 are shown, but it should be understood that there may be multiple first devices that perform similar operations as described below with respect to the first device 201, multiple second devices that perform similar operations as described below with respect to the second device 202, and multiple sixth devices that perform similar operations as described below with respect to the sixth device 306.

[0106] exist Figure 4 In the example of , the verification condition from the perspective of the second device 202 is the receipt of an identification of the third area to which the second device 202 moves. Figure 4 As shown, in some example embodiments, after the second device 202 moves out of the second area, the second device 202 may send 410 an update message to the sixth device 306. After receiving 415 the update message, the sixth device 306 determines 430 the third area to which the second device 202 moves. The sixth device 306 sends 435 an identification (ID) of the third area to the first device 201 and the second device 202. Figure 1B In the example shown, after the terminal device 110 leaves the area 160-1, the terminal device 110 may send an RNA update message to the AMF 140. The AMF 140 may determine the new RNA where the terminal device 110 is located, and send an ID for the new RNA to the terminal device 110 and the LMF 130.

[0107] In some alternative or additional example embodiments, the first device 201 may determine the location of the second device 202, such as an ID of a cell serving the second device 202 or a geographic location of the second device 202. Based on (e.g., upon) determining that the second device has left the second area, the first device 201 may send 420 assistance information to the sixth device 306. As an example, the assistance information may include an ID of a physical cell, a UL relative time of arrival (UL-RTOA), etc. After receiving 425 the assistance information, the sixth device 306 determines 430 a third area to which the second device 202 has moved, and sends 435 an ID of the third area to the first device 201 and the second device 202. Figure 1A and Figure 1B In the example shown in , LMF 130 can determine auxiliary information based on positioning measurement information from a location management unit (LMU) and send the auxiliary information to AMF 140. AMF 140 can determine a new RNA where the terminal device 110 is located and send the ID of the new RNA to the terminal device 110 and LMF 130.

[0108] Based on (e.g., upon) receiving 440 the ID of the third region, the second device 202 may invalidate 445 the resource and stop 450 the transmission of the PRS on the PRS resource. In some additional example embodiments, the second device 202 may also send an indication that the resource is invalidated to at least one of the first device, the fourth device, or the sixth device.

[0109] On the first device 201 side, the first device 201 receives 455 an ID of the third area. Based on the receipt of the ID, the first device 201 determines that the second device 202 moves out of the second area and accordingly invalidates 460 the PRS resources. In some example embodiments, the first device 201 may additionally send 465 a second message to cause at least one third device in the reserved group 303 to release the PRS resources. For example, the first device 201 may send the second message to the devices in the reserved group 303. Based on (e.g., upon) receiving the second message, the devices in the reserved group 303 may release the PRS resources.

[0110] In some additional example embodiments, first device 201 may additionally send 470 a third message to cause a fifth device in measurement group 305 to stop measuring the PRS on the PRS resources. For example, first device 201 may send the third message to the devices in measurement group 305. Based on (e.g., upon) receiving the third message, the devices in measurement group 305 may stop measuring the PRS on the PRS resources.

[0111] From the above description, it can be seen that, by means of the indication of the verification condition, the exemplary embodiment can check the validity of the resource and invalidate the resource in time. Therefore, the exemplary embodiment can improve the resource efficiency. Example Method

[0112] Figure 5 FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example method 500 implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments. For discussion purposes, Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The method 500 is described from the perspective of the first device 201.

[0113] At 502, the first device 201 obtains a configuration indicating resources for positioning reference signals for the second device 202 in the first area. At 504, the first device 201 selects a group of third devices 2031 from a plurality of third devices in the first area, and the resources are to be reserved by the group of third devices. At 506, the first device 201 sends the configuration to the group of third devices 2031.

[0114] In some example embodiments, a group of third devices 2031 are selected based on at least one of: the location of the second device 202, the locations of multiple third devices, the location of the fourth device 204 serving the second device 202, or the signal quality of the positioning reference signal received by a group of fifth devices measuring the second device 202.

[0115] In some example embodiments, the first device 201 further detects a trigger event related to the movement of the second device 202. If it is determined that the trigger event is detected, the first device 201 updates a set of third devices 2031.

[0116] In some example embodiments, the triggering event includes at least one of: a change in the location of the second device 202, a degradation in the signal quality of a positioning reference signal received by a group of fifth devices measuring the second device 202, a change in the fourth device 204 serving the second device 202, and the second device 202 leaving the first area.

[0117] In some example embodiments, a group of third devices 2031 are updated based on at least one of: a location of the second device 202, locations of a plurality of third devices, a location of a fourth device 204 serving the second device 202, and a signal quality of a positioning reference signal received by a group of fifth devices measuring the second device 202.

[0118] In some example embodiments, the first device 201 further sends a first message for releasing resources to a third device removed from a group of third devices 2031. The first device 201 further sends at least a configuration for reserving resources by the third device to a third device added to a group of third devices 2031.

[0119] In some example embodiments, if it is determined that the triggering event is detected, the first device 201 updates a set of fifth devices that measure the positioning reference signal.

[0120] In some example embodiments, first device 201 receives information indicating that second device 202 leaves the second area from sixth device 306. Based on the receipt of the information, first device 201 sends a second message that causes at least one third device in a group of third devices 2031 to release resources.

[0121] In some example embodiments, based on the receipt of the information, the first device 201 sends a third message, the third message causing the fifth device to stop measuring the positioning reference signal on the resource.

[0122] In some example embodiments, the information includes an indication that the second device 202 has left the second area. The first device 201 sends an indication of a verification condition such that the second device 202 invalidates the resource based on (eg, upon) sending of a message for updating the second area.

[0123] In some example embodiments, the information includes an identification of a third region that the second device 202 moves to. The first device 201 sends an indication of a verification condition such that the second device 202 invalidates the resource based on (eg, upon) receipt of the identification of the third region.

[0124] In some example embodiments, receiving the information includes: sending the assistance information for assisting in updating the second area to the sixth device 306 ; and receiving an identification of the third area from the sixth device 306 .

[0125] Figure 6 FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example method 600 implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments. For discussion purposes, Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The method 600 is described from the perspective of the second device 202.

[0126] At 602, second device 202 receives, in the first region, from fourth device 204 serving second device 202 or first device 201, a configuration indicating resources for a positioning reference signal of second device 202. In some example embodiments, the resources may be reserved by a group of third devices 2031 selected from a plurality of third devices in the first region. At 604, second device 202 transmits a positioning reference signal to a fifth device measuring the positioning reference signal by utilizing the resources.

[0127] In some example embodiments, the second device 202 further acquires a region configuration indicating the second region.

[0128] In some example embodiments, the second device 202 further determines whether the second device leaves the second area. If it is determined that the second device leaves the second area, the second device invalidates the resource and stops sending the positioning reference signal on the resource.

[0129] In some example embodiments, the second device 202 also sends an indication that the resource is invalidated.

[0130] In some example embodiments, if it is determined that the second device leaves the second area, the second device 202 further sends a request for a third area.

[0131] In some example embodiments, second device 202 further transmits a message for updating the second area to sixth device 306. Based on the transmission of the message, second device 202 invalidates the resource and stops transmitting the positioning reference signal on the resource.

[0132] In some example embodiments, the second device 202 receives an indication of a validation condition from the first device 201, causing the second device 202 to invalidate the resource based on (eg, upon) sending of the message.

[0133] In some example embodiments, the second device 202 receives an identification of a third area to which the second device 202 has moved from the sixth device 306. Based on the receipt of the identification, the second device 202 invalidates the resource and stops sending the positioning reference signal on the resource.

[0134] In some example embodiments, the second device 202 receives an indication of a validation condition from the first device 201, causing the second device 202 to invalidate the resource based on (eg, upon) receipt of the identification.

[0135] Figure 7 FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example method 700 implemented at a third device according to some example embodiments. For discussion purposes, Figure 2 Method 700 is described from the perspective of a third device in a group of third devices 2031.

[0136] At 702, the third device receives a configuration from the first device 201, the configuration indicating resources for positioning reference signals for the second device 202 in the first area. The third device is selected from a plurality of third devices in the first area. At 704, the third device reserves resources for the positioning reference signals based on the configuration.

[0137] In some example embodiments, the third device receives a first message from the first device 201 that causes the third device to release resources. Based on the receipt of the first message, the third device releases the resources. In some example embodiments, the first message may be received after the third device is removed from a selected set of third devices. In some alternative example embodiments, the first message may be received after the resources are invalidated.

[0138] Figure 8 FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example method 800 implemented at a fourth device according to some example embodiments. For discussion purposes, Figure 2 The method 800 is described from the perspective of the fourth device 204.

[0139] At 802, the fourth device 204 determines resources for a positioning reference signal for the second device 202 in the first area. At 804, the fourth device 204 sends a configuration indicating resources to the first device 201 and the second device 202. The resources are reserved by a group of third devices 2031 selected by the first device 201 from a plurality of third devices in the first area.

[0140] Fig. 9 FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example method 900 implemented at a sixth device according to some example embodiments. For discussion purposes, Figure 3 and Figure 4 The method 900 is described from the perspective of the sixth device 306.

[0141] At 902, the sixth device 306 obtains updated update information about the second area where the second device 202 is located. At 904, based on the acquisition of the update information, the sixth device 306 sends information indicating that the second device 202 has left the second area to the first device 201.

[0142] In some example embodiments, obtaining update information includes receiving auxiliary information for assisting in updating the second area from the first device 201. Sending information includes: determining a third area to which the second device 202 moves based on the auxiliary information; and sending an identifier of the third area to the first device 201 and the second device 202.

[0143] In some example embodiments, obtaining update information includes: receiving a message for updating the second area from the second device 202. Sending information includes: determining a third area to which the second device 202 moves; and sending an identifier of the third area to the first device 201 and the second device 202.

[0144] In some example embodiments, the information includes an indication that the second device 202 has left the second area, and wherein obtaining the update information includes receiving a message from the second device 202 for updating the second area. Example devices, equipment, and media

[0145] In some example embodiments, a first device (eg, Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The first device 201 in the method 500 may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of the method 500. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module. The first device may be implemented as or included in Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the first device 201.

[0146] In some example embodiments, the first device includes: a component for acquiring a configuration, the configuration indicating resources for a positioning reference signal for a second device in the first area; a component for selecting a group of third devices from a plurality of third devices in the first area, the resources to be reserved by the group of third devices; and a component for sending the configuration to the group of third devices.

[0147] In some example embodiments, a group of third devices is selected based on at least one of: a location of the second device, locations of a plurality of third devices, a location of a fourth device serving the second device, and signal quality of a positioning reference signal received by a group of fifth devices measuring the second device.

[0148] In some example embodiments, the first device further comprises: means for detecting a triggering event associated with movement of the second device; and means for updating a set of third devices if it is determined that the triggering event is detected.

[0149] In some example embodiments, the triggering event includes at least one of: a change in the location of the second device, a degradation in signal quality of a positioning reference signal received by a set of fifth devices measuring the second device, a change in a fourth device serving the second device, and the second device leaving the first area.

[0150] In some example embodiments, a set of third devices is updated based on at least one of: a location of the second device, locations of a plurality of third devices, a location of a fourth device serving the second device, and a signal quality of a positioning reference signal received by a set of fifth devices measuring the second device.

[0151] In some example embodiments, the first device also includes: a component for sending a first message to a third device removed from a group of third devices to cause the third device to release resources; and a component for sending at least a configuration for reserving resources by the third device to a third device added to a group of third devices.

[0152] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for updating a set of fifth means for measuring positioning reference signals if it is determined that a triggering event is detected.

[0153] In some example embodiments, the first device further includes: a component for receiving information indicating that the second device has left the second area from a sixth device; and a component for sending a second message based on the receipt of the information, the second message causing at least one third device in a group of third devices to release resources.

[0154] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for sending a third message based on the receipt of the information, the third message causing the fifth apparatus to stop measuring the positioning reference signal on the resource.

[0155] In some example embodiments, the information includes an indication that the second device has left the second area. The first device further includes means for sending an indication of a verification condition causing the second device to invalidate the resource based on (eg, upon) sending of a message for updating the second area.

[0156] In some example embodiments, the information includes an identification of a third region that the second apparatus moved to. The first apparatus further includes means for sending an indication of a validation condition causing the second apparatus to invalidate the resource based on (eg, upon) receipt of the identification of the third region.

[0157] In some example embodiments, the means for receiving information includes: means for sending assistance information for assisting in updating the second area to the sixth apparatus; and means for receiving an identification of the third area from the sixth apparatus.

[0158] In some example embodiments, a second device (eg, Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The second device 202 in the method 600 may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of the method 600. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the device may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module. The second device may be implemented as or included in Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the second device 202.

[0159] In some example embodiments, the second device includes: a component for receiving, from a fourth device serving the second device or the first device in the first area, a configuration indicating a resource for a positioning reference signal of the second device; and a component for sending a positioning reference signal to a fifth device measuring the positioning reference signal by utilizing the resource. In some example embodiments, the resource may be reserved by a group of third devices selected from a plurality of third devices in the first area.

[0160] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for acquiring an area configuration indicative of the second area.

[0161] In some example embodiments, the second device further includes: a component for determining whether the second device leaves the second area; a component for invalidating the resource if it is determined that the second device leaves the second area; and a component for stopping sending a positioning reference signal on the resource if it is determined that the second device leaves the second area.

[0162] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for sending an indication that the resource is invalidated.

[0163] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for sending a request for a third area if it is determined that the second device leaves the second area.

[0164] In some example embodiments, the second device further includes: a component for sending a message for updating the second area to the sixth device; a component for invalidating the resource based on the sending of the message; and a component for stopping sending the positioning reference signal on the resource based on the sending of the message.

[0165] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for receiving an indication of a verification condition from the first apparatus, causing the second apparatus to invalidate the resource based on (eg, upon) sending of the message.

[0166] In some example embodiments, the second device further includes: a component for receiving, from a sixth device, an identification of a third area to which the second device has moved; and a component for invalidating a resource based on the reception of the identification, and a component for stopping sending a positioning reference signal on the resource based on the reception of the identification.

[0167] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for receiving an indication of a verification condition from the first apparatus, such that the second apparatus invalidates the resource based on (eg, upon) receipt of the identification.

[0168] In some example embodiments, a third device (eg, Figure 2 A third device in a group of third devices 2031 may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of method 700. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module. The third device may be implemented as or included in Figure 2 A third device in a group of third devices 2031.

[0169] In some example embodiments, the third device includes: a component for receiving a configuration from the first device, the configuration indicating resources for a positioning reference signal for a second device in the first area, the third device selected from a plurality of third devices in the first area; and a component for reserving resources for the positioning reference signal based on the configuration.

[0170] In some example embodiments, the third apparatus further includes: means for receiving a first message from the first apparatus causing the third apparatus to release resources; and means for releasing the resources based on the reception of the first message.

[0171] In some example embodiments, a fourth device (eg, Figure 2 The fourth device 204 in the embodiment may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of the method 800. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module. The fourth device may be implemented as or included in Figure 2 In the fourth device 204.

[0172] In some example embodiments, the fourth device includes: a component for determining resources for a positioning reference signal for a second device in the first area; and a component for sending a configuration indicating resources to the first device and the second device, where the resources are reserved by the first device from a group of third devices selected from a plurality of third devices in the first area.

[0173] In some example embodiments, a sixth device (eg, Figure 3 and Figure 4 The sixth device 306 in the method 900 may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of the method 900. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module. The sixth device may be implemented as or included in Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the sixth device 306.

[0174] In some example embodiments, the sixth device includes: means for acquiring updated update information about the second area where the second device is located; and means for sending information indicating that the second device has left the second area to the first device based on the acquisition of the update information.

[0175] In some example embodiments, the means for obtaining the update information includes: means for receiving auxiliary information from the first device to assist in updating the second area. The means for sending the information includes: means for determining a third area to which the second device moves based on the auxiliary information; and means for sending an identification of the third area to the first device and the second device.

[0176] In some example embodiments, the means for obtaining the update information includes: means for receiving a message for updating the second area from the second device. The means for sending the information includes: means for determining a third area to which the second device moves; and means for sending an identification of the third area to the first device and the second device.

[0177] In some example embodiments, the information includes an indication that the second apparatus has left the second area. Means for obtaining the update information includes means for receiving a message for updating the second area from the second apparatus.

[0178] Fig.10 1 is a simplified block diagram of a device 1000 suitable for implementing an example embodiment. The device 1000 may be provided to implement a communication device, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3 or Figure 4 The first device 201, the second device 202, the fourth device 204, the sixth device 306, or one of the third devices in a group of third devices 2031 is shown. As shown, the device 1000 includes one or more processors 1010, one or more memories 1020 coupled to the processor 1010, and one or more communication modules 1040 coupled to the processor 1010.

[0179] The communication module 1040 is used for two-way communication. The communication module 1040 has one or more communication interfaces to support communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interface may represent any interface for communicating with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 1040 may include at least one antenna.

[0180] As non-limiting example embodiments, processor 1010 may be of any type suitable for a local technology network, and may include one or more of the following: 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. Device 1000 may have multiple processors, such as application specific integrated circuit chips, which are time-slaved to the clock of a synchronized master processor.

[0181] The memory 1020 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Example embodiments of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 1024, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disk, compact disk (CD), digital video disk (DVD), optical disk, laser disk, and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage. Example embodiments of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) 1022 and other volatile memories that do not persist during power-off time.

[0182] The computer program 1030 includes computer executable instructions executed by the associated processor 1010. The instructions of the program 1030 may include instructions for performing the operations / actions of some example embodiments. The program 1030 may be stored in a memory, such as ROM 1024. The processor 1010 may perform any suitable actions and processes by loading the program 1030 into the RAM 1022.

[0183] The example embodiment can be implemented by means of program 1030 so that device 1000 can perform the following steps as shown in FIG. Figures 2 to 9 Any of the processes discussed. Example embodiments may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0184] In some example embodiments, the program 1030 may be tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium that may be included in the device 1000 (such as in the memory 1020) or other storage device accessible by the device 1000. The device 1000 may load the program 1030 from the computer-readable medium to the RAM 1022 for execution. In some example embodiments, the computer-readable medium may include any type of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. As used herein, the term "non-transitory" is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible rather than a signal), not a limitation on data storage persistence (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0185] Fig.11 An example embodiment of a computer readable medium 1100 is shown which may be in the form of a CD, DVD, or other optical storage disk. The computer readable medium 1100 has a program 1030 stored thereon.

[0186] In general, the various example embodiments may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic circuits, or any combination thereof. Some example embodiments 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 are shown and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representation, it should be understood that the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in non-limiting examples as hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic circuits, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0187] Some example embodiments also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium (such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium). The computer program product includes computer executable instructions, such as those included in a program module, executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor to perform any of the methods described above. Typically, a program module includes routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. The functions of the program modules can be combined or split between program modules as needed in various embodiments. 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.

[0188] The program code for executing the method of the example embodiment can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code can be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device so that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, enables the functions / operations specified in the flow chart and / or block diagram to be implemented. The program code can be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as an independent software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0189] In the context of the exemplary embodiments, computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier wave to enable a device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of carrier waves include signals, computer readable media, etc.

[0190] 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, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor systems, devices or apparatuses, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific example embodiments of the computer readable storage medium may 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), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0191] In addition, although operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring such operations to be performed in the particular order shown or in order, or performing all the operations shown to achieve the results described herein. 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 example embodiments, but should be interpreted as specific descriptions of the features that can be to specific example embodiments. Unless explicitly stated, the specific features described in the context of the separate example embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single example embodiment. On the contrary, unless explicitly stated, the various features described in the context of a single example embodiment may also be implemented in multiple example embodiments individually or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0192] Although the exemplary embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments are 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.

Claims

1. A first device, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor cause the first device to at least: obtaining a configuration indicating resources for a positioning reference signal for a second device in a first area; selecting a group of third devices from a plurality of third devices in the first area, the resources to be reserved by the group of third devices; as well as The configuration is sent to the set of third devices.

2. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the set of third devices is selected based on at least one of: the location of the second device, the locations of the plurality of third devices, the location of a fourth device serving the second device, A signal quality of the positioning reference signal received by a set of fifth devices measuring the second device.

3. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is further configured to: detecting a trigger event associated with movement of the second device; and If it is determined that the triggering event is detected, the set of third devices is updated.

4. The first device according to claim 3, wherein the triggering event comprises at least one of the following: a change in the position of the second device, a degradation in signal quality of the positioning reference signal received by a set of fifth devices measuring the second device, a change in a fourth device serving the second device, The second device leaves the first area.

5. The first device of claim 3, wherein the set of third devices is updated based on at least one of: the location of the second device, the locations of the plurality of third devices, the location of a fourth device serving the second device, A signal quality of the positioning reference signal received by a set of fifth devices measuring the second device.

6. The first device according to claim 3, wherein the first device is further configured to: sending a first message to a third device removed from the group of third devices, causing the third device to release the resource; and At least the configuration for reserving the resource by the third device is sent to the third device added to the group of third devices.

7. The first device according to claim 3, wherein the first device is further configured to: If it is determined that the trigger event is detected, a set of fifth devices measuring the positioning reference signal is updated.

8. The first device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first device is further configured to: receiving, from a sixth device, information indicating that the second device has left a second area; and Based on the receiving of the information, a second message is sent, the second message causing at least one third device in the group of third devices to release the resources.

9. The first device according to claim 8, wherein the first device is further caused to: Based on the receiving of the information, a third message is sent, the third message causing a fifth device to stop measuring the positioning reference signal on the resource.

10. The first device of claim 8, wherein the information comprises an indication that the second device has left the second area, and the first device is further caused to: An indication of a verification condition is sent such that the second device invalidates the resource based on sending a message for updating the second area.

11. The first device according to claim 8, wherein the information includes an identification of a third area to which the second device moves, and the first device is further caused to: An indication of a validation condition is sent such that the second device invalidates the resource based on the receipt of the identification of the third region.

12. The first device according to claim 11, wherein in order to receive the information, the first device is caused to: sending auxiliary information for assisting in updating the second area to the sixth device; and The identification of the third region is received from the sixth device.

13. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device comprises a device in a core network, the second device comprises a terminal device, and the plurality of third devices comprises devices in an access network.

14. A second device, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second device in the first region to at least: receiving, from a fourth device serving the second device or the first device, a configuration indicating resources for a positioning reference signal of the second device, the resources being reserved by a group of third devices selected from a plurality of third devices in the first area; and The positioning reference signal is sent to a fifth device that measures the positioning reference signal by utilizing the resource.

15. The second device according to claim 14, wherein the second device is further caused to: Get a region configuration indicating a second region.

16. The second device according to claim 15, wherein the second device is further caused to: determining whether the second device leaves the second area; and If it is determined that the second device leaves the second area, invalidate the resource, and Stop sending the positioning reference signal on the resource.

17. The second device according to claim 16, wherein the second device is further caused to: An indication is sent that the resource is invalidated.

18. The second device according to claim 16, wherein the second device is further caused to: If it is determined that the second device leaves the second area, a request for a third area is sent.

19. The second device according to claim 15, wherein the second device is further caused to: sending a message for updating the second area to a sixth device; and Based on said sending of said message, invalidate the resource, and Stop sending the positioning reference signal on the resource.

20. The second device according to claim 19, wherein the second device is further caused to: An indication of a validation condition is received from the first device causing the second device to invalidate the resource based on the sending of the message.

21. The second device according to claim 14, wherein the second device is further caused to: receiving, from a sixth device, an identification of a third area to which the second device has moved; and Based on said receiving of said identification, invalidate the resource, and Stop sending the positioning reference signal on the resource.

22. The second device according to claim 21, wherein the second device is further caused to: An indication of a validation condition is received from the first device causing the second device to invalidate the resource based on the receipt of the identification.

23. The second device according to claim 14, wherein the first device comprises a device in a core network, the second device comprises a terminal device, the plurality of third devices comprises a plurality of devices in an access network, the fourth device comprises a device in the access network, and the fifth device comprises a device in the access network.

24. A third device, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the third device to at least: receiving a configuration from a first device, the configuration indicating resources for a positioning reference signal for a second device in a first area, the third device being selected from a plurality of third devices in the first area; as well as Based on the configuration, the resource for the positioning reference signal is reserved.

25. The third device according to claim 24, wherein the third device is further caused to: receiving a first message from the first device to cause the third device to release the resource; and Based on the receipt of the first message, the resources are released.

26. The third device according to claim 24, wherein the first device comprises a device in a core network, the second device comprises a terminal device, and the plurality of third devices comprises a plurality of devices in an access network.

27. A fourth device, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the fourth device to at least: determining resources for a positioning reference signal for a second device in a first area; as well as A configuration indicating the resources reserved by a group of third devices selected by the first device from among a plurality of third devices in the first area is sent to the first device and the second device.

28. The fourth device according to claim 27, wherein the first device comprises a device in a core network, the second device comprises a terminal device, the plurality of third devices comprises a plurality of devices in an access network, and the fourth device comprises a device in the access network.

29. A sixth device, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the sixth device to at least: acquiring updated update information about a second area in which the second device is located; as well as Based on the obtaining of the update information, information indicating that the second device has left the second area is sent to the first device.

30. The sixth device according to claim 29, wherein in order to obtain the update information, the sixth device is caused to: receiving, from the first device, assistance information that assists in updating the second area, and In order to send the information, the sixth device is caused to: determining a third area to which the second device moves based on the auxiliary information; and The identifier of the third area is sent to the first device and the second device.

31. The sixth device according to claim 29, wherein in order to obtain the update information, the sixth device is caused to: receiving a message for updating the second area from the second device; and In order to send the information, the sixth device is caused to: determining a third area to which the second device moves; and The identifier of the third area is sent to the first device and the second device.

32. The sixth device of claim 29, wherein the information comprises an indication that the second device has left the second area, and wherein obtaining the update information comprises: A message for updating the second area is received from the second device.

33. The sixth device according to claim 29, wherein the first device comprises a device in a core network, the second device comprises a terminal device, and the sixth device comprises a device in the core network.

34. A method comprising: acquiring, at a first device, a configuration indicating resources for a positioning reference signal for a second device in a first area; selecting a group of third devices from a plurality of third devices in the first area, the resources to be reserved by the group of third devices; as well as The configuration is sent to the set of third devices.

35. A method comprising: receiving, at a second device in a first area, from a fourth device serving the second device or the first device, a configuration indicating resources for a positioning reference signal of the second device, the resources being reserved by a group of third devices selected from a plurality of third devices in the first area; and The positioning reference signal is sent to a fifth device that measures the positioning reference signal by utilizing the resource.

36. A method comprising: receiving, at a third device from a first device, a configuration indicating resources for a positioning reference signal for a second device in a first area, the third device being selected from a plurality of third devices in the first area; as well as Based on the configuration, the resource for the positioning reference signal is reserved.

37. A method comprising: determining, at a fourth device, resources for a positioning reference signal for a second device in the first area; as well as A configuration indicating the resources reserved by a group of third devices selected by the first device from among a plurality of third devices in the first area is sent to the first device and the second device.

38. A method comprising: acquiring, at a sixth device, updated update information about an update of a second area in which the second device is located; as well as Based on the obtaining of the update information, information indicating that the second device has left the second area is sent to the first device.

39. A first device, comprising: means for acquiring a configuration indicating resources for a positioning reference signal for a second device in a first area; means for selecting a group of third devices from a plurality of third devices in the first area, the resources to be reserved by the group of third devices; as well as Means for sending the configuration to the set of third devices.

40. A second device, comprising: means for receiving, from a fourth device serving the second device or the first device in a first area, a configuration indicating resources for a positioning reference signal for the second device, the resources being reserved by a group of third devices selected from a plurality of third devices in the first area; as well as means for transmitting the positioning reference signal to a fifth device measuring the positioning reference signal by utilizing the resource.

41. A third device, comprising: means for receiving a configuration from a first device, the configuration indicating resources for a positioning reference signal for a second device in a first area, the third device being selected from a plurality of third devices in the first area; as well as Means for reserving the resources for the positioning reference signal based on the configuration.

42. A fourth device, comprising: means for determining a resource of a positioning reference signal for a second device in a first area; as well as Means for sending to the first device and the second device a configuration indicating the resources reserved by a group of third devices selected by the first device from a plurality of third devices in the first area.

43. A sixth device, comprising: means for acquiring updated update information about a second area in which the second device is located; as well as means for sending information indicating that the second device has left the second area to the first device based on the obtaining of the update information.

44. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon, the instructions being configured to cause an apparatus to at least perform the method of any one of claims 34 to 38.

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