Scheduling restriction intervals for positioning reference signal (PRS) muting

Abstract

Techniques for wireless communication are disclosed. In one aspect, a first transmit-receive point (TRP) receives a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a second TRP, where the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more PRS resources transmitted by the second TRP; and avoiding scheduling downlink transmissions during a scheduling restriction interval for the one or more PRS resources, where the scheduling restriction interval comprises a set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more PRS resources, the set of adjacent time intervals is configured to be muted based on the downlink transmission during which the one or more PRS resources are muted.

Description

[0001] BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Technical Field

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communications. Background Art

[0003] Wireless communication systems have evolved over many generations, including first generation analog wireless telephone service (1G), second generation (2G) digital wireless telephone service (including transitional 2.5G and 2.75G networks), third generation (3G) high speed data, Internet-enabled wireless services, and fourth generation (4G) services (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) or WiMax). Currently, many different types of wireless communication systems are used, including cellular and personal communications service (PCS) systems. Examples of known cellular systems include cellular analog Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) and digital cellular systems based on code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), etc.

[0004] The fifth generation (5G) wireless standard, known as New Radio (NR), enables improvements such as higher data transmission speeds, more connections, and better coverage. According to the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance, the 5G standard is designed to provide higher data rates, more accurate positioning (e.g., based on reference signals for positioning (RS-P), such as downlink, uplink, or sidelink positioning reference signals (PRS)), and other technical enhancements compared to previous standards. These enhancements, along with the use of higher frequency bands, advances in PRS processes and technologies, and high-density deployments of 5G enable highly accurate 5G-based positioning. Summary of the invention

[0005] A simplified overview of one or more aspects disclosed herein is presented below. Therefore, the following overview should not be considered as a broad overview involving all intended aspects, nor should the following overview be considered as identifying key or important elements involving all intended aspects or delineating the scope associated with any particular aspect. Therefore, the sole purpose of the following overview is to present certain concepts of one or more aspects related to the mechanisms disclosed herein in a simplified form prior to the specific embodiments presented below.

[0006] In one aspect, a method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE) includes: receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a positioning session, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more first PRS resources transmitted by a first transmit-receive point (TRP), wherein the PRS configuration also indicates a first scheduling restriction interval for the one or more first PRS resources, and wherein the first scheduling restriction interval includes a first set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more first PRS resources, the first set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the one or more first PRS resources being configured to be muted; and obtaining a first measurement of the one or more first PRS resources.

[0007] In one aspect, a method of wireless communication performed by a first transmit-receive point (TRP) includes: receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a second TRP, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more PRS resources transmitted by the second TRP; and avoiding scheduling downlink transmissions during a scheduling restriction interval for the one or more PRS resources, wherein the scheduling restriction interval includes a set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more PRS resources, and the set of adjacent time intervals is configured to be muted based on the downlink transmission during the period when the one or more PRS resources are muted.

[0008] In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) includes: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: receive, via the at least one transceiver, a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a positioning session, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more first PRS resources transmitted by a first transmit-receive point (TRP), wherein the PRS configuration further indicates a first scheduling restriction interval for the one or more first PRS resources, and wherein the first scheduling restriction interval includes a first set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more first PRS resources, the first set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the one or more first PRS resources being configured to be muted; and obtain positioning measurements for the one or more first PRS resources.

[0009] In one aspect, a first transmit-receive point (TRP) includes: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor being configured to: receive a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a second TRP via the at least one transceiver, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more PRS resources transmitted by the second TRP; and avoid scheduling downlink transmissions during a scheduling restriction interval for the one or more PRS resources, wherein the scheduling restriction interval includes a set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more PRS resources, the set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the downlink transmission during which the one or more PRS resources are muted.

[0010] In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) includes: a component for receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a positioning session, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more first PRS resources transmitted by a first transmit-receive point (TRP), wherein the PRS configuration further indicates a first scheduling restriction interval for the one or more first PRS resources, and wherein the first scheduling restriction interval includes a first set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more first PRS resources, the first set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the one or more first PRS resources being configured to be muted; and a component for obtaining positioning measurements of the one or more first PRS resources.

[0011] In one aspect, a first transmit-receive point (TRP) includes: a component for receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a second TRP, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more PRS resources transmitted by the second TRP; and a component for avoiding scheduling downlink transmissions during a scheduling restriction interval for the one or more PRS resources, wherein the scheduling restriction interval includes a set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more PRS resources, and the set of adjacent time intervals is configured to be muted based on the downlink transmission during the period when the one or more PRS resources are muted.

[0012] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to: receive a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a positioning session, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more first PRS resources transmitted by a first transmit-receive point (TRP), wherein the PRS configuration further indicates a first scheduling restriction interval for the one or more first PRS resources, and wherein the first scheduling restriction interval includes a first set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more first PRS resources, the first set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the one or more first PRS resources being configured to be muted; and obtain positioning measurements for the one or more first PRS resources.

[0013] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a first transmit-receive point (TRP), cause the first TRP to: receive a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a second TRP, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more PRS resources transmitted by the second TRP; and avoid scheduling downlink transmissions during a scheduling restriction interval for the one or more PRS resources, wherein the scheduling restriction interval includes a set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more PRS resources, the set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the downlink transmission during which the one or more PRS resources are muted.

[0014] Other objects and advantages associated with the various aspects disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the drawings and detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The drawings are provided to aid in describing the various aspects of the disclosure and are intended to be illustrative of these aspects only and not limiting thereof.

[0016] Figure 1 An example wireless communication system according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0017] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C An example wireless network structure is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C is a simplified block diagram of several sample aspects of components that may be employed in a user equipment (UE), a base station, and a network entity, respectively, and configured to support communications as taught herein.

[0019] Figure 4 Examples of various positioning methods supported in New Radio (NR) according to aspects of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0020] Figure 5

[0026] Illustrated is a time difference of arrival (TDOA) based positioning process in an example wireless communication system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example frame structure in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 7 is a diagram of example positioning reference signal (PRS) resource repetition and beam scanning options in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of PRS transmission by two transmit-receive points (TRPs) according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0024] Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of inter-instance PRS muting in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0025] Fig.10 is a diagram illustrating an example of intra-instance PRS muting in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0026] Fig.11 is a diagram illustrating example delays for different positioning of non-terrestrial network (NTN) transmission points relative to the location of a UE in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0027] Fig.12 is a diagram illustrating aspects of PRS muting in an NTN positioning scenario in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0028] Fig.13 is a diagram illustrating a first PRS muting technique for an NTN positioning scenario according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0029] Fig.14 is a diagram illustrating a second PRS muting technique for NTN positioning scenarios according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0030] Fig.15 is a diagram illustrating a third PRS muting technique for NTN positioning scenarios according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0031] Fig.16 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a third PRS muting technique for an NTN positioning scenario according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0032] Fig.17 is a diagram illustrating an example of using a scheduling restriction interval according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0033] Fig.18 An example comparison between symmetric and asymmetric scheduling restriction intervals according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0034] Fig.19 and Fig. 20

[0013] An example method of wireless communication according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Various aspects of the present disclosure are provided in the following description and in the relevant figures for various examples provided for illustrative purposes. Alternative aspects can be thought of without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, well-known elements of the present disclosure will not be described in detail or well-known elements will be omitted to avoid blurring the relevant details of the present disclosure.

[0036] The words "exemplary" and / or "example" are used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" and / or "example" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Likewise, the term "aspects of the disclosure" does not require that all aspects of the disclosure include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode of operation.

[0037] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any of a variety of different technologies and techniques may be used to represent the information and signals described below. For example, depending in part on the specific application, in part on the desired design, in part on the corresponding technology, etc., the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips cited throughout the following specification may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0038] Further, many aspects are described in terms of a sequence of actions performed by, for example, elements of a computing device. It will be appreciated that the various actions described herein may be performed by a specific circuit (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), by program instructions executed by one or more processors, or by a combination of the two. In addition, the sequence of actions described herein may be considered to be completely contained in any form of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, in which a corresponding set of computer instructions is stored, which when executed will cause or instruct the associated processor of the device to perform the functions described herein. Therefore, various aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in a variety of different forms, all of which are considered to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. In addition, for each aspect described herein, the corresponding form of any such aspect may be described herein as, for example, "logically configured to" perform the described actions.

[0039] As used herein, unless otherwise noted, the terms "user equipment" (UE) and "base station" are not intended to be specific or otherwise limited to any specific radio access technology (RAT). In general, a UE can be any wireless communication device (e.g., a mobile phone, a router, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a consumer asset location device, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, glasses, augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) headsets, etc.), a vehicle (e.g., a car, a motorcycle, a bicycle, etc.), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.) used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network. A UE can be mobile or can be fixed (e.g., at certain times) and can communicate with a radio access network (RAN). As used herein, the term "UE" is interchangeably referred to as an "access terminal" or "AT", "client device", "wireless device", "subscriber equipment", "subscriber terminal", "subscriber station", "user terminal" or "UT", "mobile device", "mobile terminal", "mobile station" or variations thereof. In general, a UE can communicate with a core network via a RAN, and through the core network, the UE can connect to external networks such as the Internet and to other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms are also possible for the UE to connect to the core network and / or the Internet, such as through a wired access network, a wireless local area network (WLAN) network (eg, based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 specification, etc.).

[0040] A base station may operate according to one of several RATs for communicating with a UE, depending on the network in which it is deployed, and may alternatively be referred to as an access point (AP), a network node, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNB), a next generation eNB (ng-eNB), a new radio (NR) Node B (also referred to as a gNB or gNodeB), etc. A base station may be primarily used to support wireless access for a UE, including supporting data, voice, and / or signaling connections for the supported UE. In addition, in some systems, a base station may only provide edge node signaling functions, while in other systems it may provide additional control and / or network management functions. The communication link through which a UE may signal a base station is referred to as an uplink (UL) channel (e.g., a reverse traffic channel, a reverse control channel, an access channel, etc.). The communication link through which a base station may signal a UE is referred to as a downlink (DL) or forward link channel (e.g., a paging channel, a control channel, a broadcast channel, a forward traffic channel, etc.). The term traffic channel (TCH) as used herein may refer to an uplink / reverse traffic channel or a downlink / forward traffic channel.

[0041] The term "base station" may refer to a single physical transmit-receive point (TRP) or to multiple physical TRPs that may or may not be co-located. For example, where the term "base station" refers to a single physical TRP, the physical TRP may be an antenna of the base station corresponding to the cell (or several cell sectors) of the base station. Where the term "base station" refers to multiple co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRP may be an antenna array of the base station (e.g., as in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system or where the base station employs beamforming). Where the term "base station" refers to multiple non-co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRP may be a distributed antenna system (DAS) (a network of spatially separated antennas connected to a common source via a transmission medium) or a remote radio head (RRH) (a remote base station connected to a serving base station). Alternatively, the non-co-located physical TRP may be a serving base station that receives measurement reports from a UE and an adjacent base station whose reference radio frequency (RF) signal the UE is measuring. Because a TRP is a point from which a base station transmits and receives wireless signals, as used herein, references to transmission from a base station or reception at a base station will be understood to refer to a specific TRP of a base station.

[0042] In some embodiments of supporting UE positioning, the base station may not support the UE for wireless access (e.g., may not support data, voice and / or signaling connections for the UE), but may send a reference signal to the UE for measurement by the UE, and / or may receive and measure a signal sent by the UE. Such a base station may be referred to as a positioning beacon (e.g., when sending a signal to the UE) and / or a position measurement unit (e.g., when receiving and measuring a signal from the UE).

[0043] An "RF signal" includes an electromagnetic wave of a given frequency that transmits information through the space between a transmitter and a receiver. As used herein, a transmitter may transmit a single "RF signal" or multiple "RF signals" to a receiver. However, due to the propagation characteristics of RF signals through multipath channels, a receiver may receive multiple "RF signals" corresponding to each transmitted RF signal. The same transmitted RF signal on different paths between a transmitter and a receiver may be referred to as a "multipath" RF signal. As used herein, an RF signal may also be referred to as a "wireless signal" or simply a "signal," where it is clear from the context that the term "signal" refers to either a wireless signal or an RF signal.

[0044] Figure 1 An example wireless communication system 100 according to various aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 100 (which may also be referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) may include various base stations 102 (labeled as "BS") and various UEs 104. The base stations 102 may include macro cells (high-power cellular base stations) and / or small cell base stations (low-power cellular base stations). In one aspect, the macro cell base station may include an eNB and / or ng-eNB in ​​which the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an LTE network, or a gNB in ​​which the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an NR network, or a combination of the two, and the small cell base station may include a femto cell, a pico cell, a micro cell, etc.

[0045] The base stations 102 may collectively form a RAN and interface with a core network 170 (e.g., an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC)) via a backhaul link 122 and interface with one or more location servers 172 (e.g., a location management function (LMF) or a secure user plane location (SUPL) location platform (SLP)) via the core network 170. The location server 172 may be part of the core network 170 or may be external to the core network 170. The location server 172 may be integrated with the base station 102. The UE 104 may communicate with the location server 172 directly or indirectly. For example, the UE 104 may communicate with the location server 172 via the base station 102 currently serving the UE 104. The UE 104 may also communicate with the location server 172 via another path, such as via an application server (not shown), via another network, such as via a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) (e.g., the AP 150 described below), etc. For signaling purposes, communication between UE 104 and location server 172 may be represented as an indirect connection (e.g., through core network 170, etc.) or a direct connection (e.g., as shown via direct connection 128), with intermediate nodes (if any) omitted from the signaling diagram for clarity.

[0046] The base station 102 may also perform functions related to one or more of the following functions, among other functions: transmitting user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, distribution for non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, RAN sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and device tracking, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of warning messages. The base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., through EPC / 5GC) via a backhaul link 134, which may be wired or wireless.

[0047] Base station 102 can communicate wirelessly with UE 104. Each base station 102 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110. In one aspect, the base station 102 in each geographic coverage area 110 can support one or more cells. A "cell" is a logical communication entity used to communicate with a base station (e.g., on a certain frequency resource, which is called a carrier frequency, component carrier, carrier, frequency band, etc.), and can be associated with an identifier (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCI), an enhanced cell identifier (ECI), a virtual cell identifier (VCI), a cell global identifier (CGI), etc.) for distinguishing cells operating via the same or different carrier frequencies. In some cases, different cells can be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., machine type communication (MTC), narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) or other) that can provide access to different types of UEs. Because a specific base station supports a cell, the term "cell" can refer to either or both of the logical communication entity and the base station that supports it, depending on the context. In addition, because a TRP is usually a physical transmission point of a cell, the terms "cell" and "TRP" can be used interchangeably. In some cases, the term “cell” may also refer to a geographic coverage area (eg, sector) of a base station, as long as a carrier frequency can be detected and used for communications within some portion of the geographic coverage area 110 .

[0048] Although the geographic coverage areas 110 of adjacent macrocell base stations 102 may partially overlap (e.g., in a handoff region), some geographic coverage areas 110 may be substantially overlapped by a larger geographic coverage area 110. For example, a small cell base station 102' (labeled "SC" for "small cell") may have a geographic coverage area 110' that substantially overlaps with the geographic coverage areas 110 of one or more macrocell base stations 102. A network that includes both small cell and macrocell base stations may be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include a home eNB (HeNB), which may provide services to a restricted group referred to as a closed subscriber group (CSG).

[0049] The communication link 120 between the base station 102 and the UE 104 may include an uplink (also referred to as a reverse link) transmission from the UE 104 to the base station 102 and / or a downlink (DL) (also referred to as a forward link) transmission from the base station 102 to the UE 104. The communication link 120 may use MIMO antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link 120 may be over one or more carrier frequencies. The allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to the downlink and uplink (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated for the downlink than for the uplink).

[0050] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) 150 that communicates with a WLAN station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154 in an unlicensed spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz). When communicating in the unlicensed spectrum, the WLAN STA 152 and / or the WLAN AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) or a listen-before-talk (LBT) process prior to communication to determine whether a channel is available.

[0051] The small cell base station 102' can operate in licensed and / or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in the unlicensed spectrum, the small cell base station 102' can adopt LTE or NR technology and use the same 5GHz unlicensed spectrum used by the WLAN AP 150. The small cell base station 102' adopting LTE / 5G in the unlicensed spectrum can enhance the coverage of the access network and / or increase the capacity of the access network. NR in the unlicensed spectrum can be referred to as NR-U. LTE in the unlicensed spectrum can be referred to as LTE-U, License Assisted Access (LAA) or MulteFire.

[0052] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a millimeter wave (mmW) base station 180, which can operate at mmW frequencies and / or near mmW frequencies when communicating with UE 182. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is a part of radio frequency (RF) in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range of 30GHz to 300GHz and a wavelength between 1 mm and 10 mm. Radio waves in this band can be called millimeter waves. Approximately mmW can extend down to a frequency of 3GHz, a wavelength of 100 mm. The super high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3GHz and 30GHz, also known as centimeter waves. Communications using mmW / near mmW radio frequency bands have higher path losses and relatively short distances. The mmW base station 180 and UE 182 can utilize beamforming (sending and / or receiving) on ​​the mmW communication link 184 to compensate for extremely high path losses and short ranges. In addition, it should be understood that in alternative configurations, one or more base stations 102 can also use mmW or near mmW and beamforming for transmission. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing description is only exemplary, and should not be construed as limiting the various aspects disclosed herein.

[0053] Transmit beamforming is a technique for focusing an RF signal in a specific direction. Traditionally, when a network node (e.g., a base station) broadcasts an RF signal, it broadcasts the signal in all directions (omnidirectional). With transmit beamforming, the network node determines the location of a given target device (e.g., UE) (relative to the transmitting network node) and projects a stronger downlink RF signal in that specific direction, thereby providing a faster (in terms of data rate) and stronger RF signal to the receiving device. In order to change the direction of the RF signal when transmitting, the network node can control the phase and relative amplitude of the RF signal at each of the one or more transmitters that are broadcasting the RF signal. For example, the network node can use an antenna array (called a "phased array" or "antenna array") that creates an RF beam that can be "steered" to point in different directions without actually moving the antenna. Specifically, the RF current from the transmitter is fed to the individual antennas in the correct phase relationship so that the radio waves from the individual antennas can be added together to increase the radiation in the desired direction while canceling to suppress the radiation in the undesired direction.

[0054] The transmit beams can be quasi-co-located, which means that they appear to have the same parameters to the receiver (e.g., UE) regardless of whether the network node's own transmit antenna is physically co-located. In NR, there are four types of quasi-co-located (QCL) relationships. Specifically, a given type of QCL relationship means that certain parameters about the second reference RF signal on the second beam can be derived from information about the source reference RF signal on the source beam. Therefore, if the source reference RF signal is QCL type A, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay and delay spread of the second reference RF signal sent on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type B, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and Doppler spread of the second reference RF signal sent on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type C, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and average delay of the second reference RF signal sent on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type D, the receiver may use the source reference RF signal to estimate spatial reception parameters of a second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel.

[0055] In receive beamforming, the receiver uses a receive beam to amplify the RF signal detected on a given channel. For example, the receiver may increase the gain setting and / or adjust the phase setting of the antenna array in a particular direction to amplify the RF signal received from that direction (e.g., to increase the gain level of the RF signal). Therefore, when the receiver is said to be beamforming in a certain direction, it means that the beam gain in that direction is high relative to the beam gain along other directions, or the beam gain in that direction is the highest relative to all other receive beams available to the receiver. This results in a stronger received signal strength (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), etc.) of the RF signal received from that direction.

[0056] The transmit and receive beams may be spatially correlated. The spatial relationship means that the parameters of the second beam (e.g., transmit or receive beam) used for the second reference signal may be derived from information about the first beam (e.g., receive beam or transmit beam) used for the first reference signal. For example, the UE may use a specific receive beam to receive a reference downlink reference signal (e.g., a synchronization signal block (SSB) or the like) from a base station. The UE may then form a transmit beam for sending an uplink reference signal (e.g., a sounding reference signal (SRS)) to the base station based on the parameters of the receive beam.

[0057] Note that a "downlink" beam can be either a transmit beam or a receive beam, depending on the entity that forms it. For example, if the base station is forming a downlink beam to send a reference signal to the UE, the downlink beam is a transmit beam. However, if the UE is forming a downlink beam, it is a receive beam that receives the downlink reference signal. Similarly, an "uplink" beam can be either a transmit beam or a receive beam, depending on the entity that forms it. For example, if the base station is forming an uplink beam, it is an uplink receive beam, while if the UE is forming an uplink beam, it is an uplink transmit beam.

[0058] The electromagnetic spectrum is often subdivided into various categories, bands, channels, etc. based on frequency / wavelength. In 5G NR, the two initial operating bands are identified with the frequency range names FR1 (410MHz-7.125GHz) and FR2 (24.25GHz-52.6GHz). It should be understood that although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6GHz, FR1 is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "Sub-6 GHz" band in various literature and articles. A similar naming issue sometimes arises for FR2, which is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "millimeter wave" band in literature and articles, although it is different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30GHz-300GHz) identified as the "millimeter wave" band by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

[0059] Frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are often referred to as mid-band frequencies. Recent 5G NR research has identified the operating bands for these mid-band frequencies as the frequency range designation FR3 (7.125 GHz - 24.25 GHz). Frequency bands falling within FR3 may inherit FR1 characteristics and / or FR2 characteristics, and may therefore effectively extend the characteristics of FR1 and / or FR2 to mid-band frequencies. In addition, higher frequency bands are currently being explored to extend 5G NR operations above 52.6 GHz. For example, three higher operating bands have been identified as the frequency range designations FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz - 71 GHz), FR4 (52.6 GHz - 114.25 GHz), and FR5 (114.25 GHz - 300 GHz). Each of these higher frequency bands falls within the EHF band.

[0060] In view of the above aspects, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if the term "sub-6 GHz" or the like is used in this document, it can broadly represent frequencies that can be less than 6 GHz, can be within FR1, or can include mid-band frequencies. In addition, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that the term "millimeter wave" or the like (if used in this document) can broadly represent frequencies that can include mid-band frequencies, can be within FR2, FR4, FR4-a or FR4-1 and / or FR5, or can be within the EHF band.

[0061] In a multi-carrier system such as 5G, one of the carrier frequencies is referred to as a "primary carrier" or "anchor carrier" or "primary serving cell" or "PCell", while the remaining carrier frequencies are referred to as "secondary carriers" or "secondary serving cells" or "SCells". In carrier aggregation, the anchor carrier is a carrier operating on the primary frequency (e.g., FR1) and cell used by the UE 104 / 182 in which the UE 104 / 182 performs an initial radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or initiates an RRC connection reestablishment procedure. The primary carrier carries all common and UE-specific control channels and can be a carrier in a licensed frequency (however, this is not always the case). The secondary carrier is a carrier operating on a second frequency (e.g., FR2) that can be configured once an RRC connection is established between the UE 104 and the anchor carrier and can be used to provide additional radio resources. In some cases, the secondary carrier can be a carrier in an unlicensed frequency. The secondary carrier may contain only necessary signaling information and signals, for example, those that are UE-specific may not be present in the secondary carrier, because the primary uplink and downlink carriers are typically both UE-specific. This means that different UEs 104 / 182 in a cell can have different downlink primary carriers. The same is true for the uplink primary carrier. The network can change the primary carrier of any UE 104 / 182 at any time. This is done, for example, to balance the load on different carriers. Because a "serving cell" (whether a PCell or an SCell) corresponds to a carrier frequency / component carrier on which a certain base station communicates, the terms "cell", "serving cell", "component carrier", "carrier frequency", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0062] For example, still referring to Figure 1, one of the frequencies utilized by the macrocell base station 102 may be an anchor carrier (or "PCell"), while the other frequencies utilized by the macrocell base station 102 and / or the mmW base station 180 may be secondary carriers ("SCells"). Simultaneous transmission and / or reception of multiple carriers enables the UE 104 / 182 to significantly increase its data transmission and / or reception rate. For example, two 20 MHz aggregated carriers in a multi-carrier system would theoretically result in a two-fold increase in data rate (i.e., 40 MHz) compared to the data rate achieved with a single 20 MHz carrier.

[0063] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a UE 164 that communicates with the macrocell base station 102 via a communication link 120 and / or communicates with the mmW base station 180 via a mmW communication link 184. For example, the macrocell base station 102 may support a PCell and one or more SCells for the UE 164, and the mmW base station 180 may support one or more SCells for the UE 164.

[0064] In some cases, UE 164 and UE 182 are capable of sidelink communication. A sidelink-enabled UE (SL-UE) may communicate with base station 102 via communication link 120 using a Uu interface (i.e., an air interface between a UE and a base station). SL-UEs (e.g., UE 164, UE 182) may also communicate directly with each other via a wireless sidelink 160 using a PC5 interface (i.e., an air interface between sidelink-enabled UEs). A wireless sidelink (or just "sidelink") is an adaptation of a core cellular (e.g., LTE, NR) standard that allows direct communication between two or more UEs without passing through a base station. Sidelink communications may be unicast or multicast and may be used for device-to-device (D2D) media sharing, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications (e.g., cellular V2X (cV2X) communications, enhanced V2X (eV2X) communications, etc.), emergency rescue applications, etc. One or more SL-UEs in a group of SL-UEs utilizing sidelink communications may be within the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 102. Other SL-UEs in such a group may be outside the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 102 or unable to receive transmissions from the base station 102. In some cases, a group of SL-UEs communicating via sidelink communications may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each SL-UE transmits to each other SL-UE in the group. In some cases, the base station 102 facilitates resource scheduling for the sidelink communications. In other cases, sidelink communications are conducted between SL-UEs without involving the base station 102.

[0065] In one aspect, the sidelink 160 can operate over a wireless communication medium of interest, which can be shared with other wireless communications between other vehicles and / or infrastructure access points and other RATs. A "medium" can consist of one or more time, frequency, and / or spatial communication resources (e.g., covering one or more channels across one or more carriers) associated with wireless communications between one or more transmitter / receiver pairs. In one aspect, the medium of interest can correspond to at least a portion of an unlicensed band shared between various RATs. While different licensed bands have been reserved for certain communication systems (e.g., by government entities such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States), these systems, particularly those employing small cell access points, have recently expanded operations into unlicensed bands such as the unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) band used by wireless local area network (WLAN) technology (most notably the IEEE 802.11x WLAN technology commonly referred to as "Wi-Fi"). Example systems of this type include different variants of CDMA systems, TDMA systems, FDMA systems, orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) systems, single carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) systems, and the like.

[0066] Note that although Figure 1 Only two UEs (i.e., UE 164 and 182) are shown as SL-UEs, but any of the UEs shown may be SL-UEs. In addition, although only UE 182 is described as being capable of beamforming, any of the UEs shown, including UE 164, may be capable of beamforming. In the case where SL-UEs are capable of beamforming, they may beamform toward each other (i.e., toward other SL-UEs), toward other UEs (e.g., UE 104), toward a base station (e.g., base station 102, 180, small cell 102', access point 150), and the like. Thus, in some cases, UEs 164 and 182 may utilize beamforming over sidelink 160.

[0067] exist Figure 1 In the example of Figure 1114 and 116) can receive a signal 124 from one or more earth orbiting space vehicles (SVs) 112 (e.g., satellites). In one aspect, SV 112 can be part of a satellite positioning system that UE 114 and / or 116 (or any other UE) can use as an independent source of location information. A satellite positioning system typically includes a transmitter system (e.g., SV 112) that is positioned so that a receiver (e.g., UE 114 and / or 116) can determine their location on or above the earth based at least in part on a positioning signal (e.g., signal 124) received from the transmitter. Such a transmitter typically transmits a signal marked with a repeating pseudo-random noise (PN) code of a set number of chips. Although typically located in SV 112, the transmitter can sometimes be located on a ground-based control station, base station 102, and / or other UE 104. A UE (e.g., UE 114 and / or 116) can include one or more dedicated receivers that are specifically designed to receive the signal 124 used to derive geographic location information from SV 112.

[0068] In a satellite positioning system, the use of the signal 124 may be enhanced by various satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS) that may be associated with or otherwise enabled for use with one or more global and / or regional navigation satellite systems. For example, the SBAS may include one or more augmentation systems that provide integrity information, differential corrections, etc., such as the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), the European Geosynchronous Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), the Multifunctional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS), the Global Positioning System (GPS) Assisted Geographic Augmentation Navigation or the GPS and Geographic Augmentation Navigation System (GAGAN), etc. Thus, as used herein, a satellite positioning system may include any combination of one or more global and / or regional navigation satellites associated with such one or more satellite positioning systems.

[0069] In one aspect, SV 112 may additionally or alternatively be part of one or more non-terrestrial networks (NTNs). In the NTN, SV 112 is connected to an earth station (ES) 118 (also referred to as a ground station, NTN gateway, or gateway), which in turn is connected to an element in the 5G network, such as a modified base station 102 (in the absence of a ground antenna) or a network node in the 5GC (e.g., core network 170). This element in turn will provide access to other elements in the 5G network, and ultimately provide access to entities outside the 5G network, such as Internet network servers and other user devices. In this way, UE 114 and / or 116 can receive communication signals (e.g., signal 124) from SV 112 instead of receiving communication signals from ground base stations 102, or receive communication signals from SV 112 in addition to receiving communication signals from ground base stations 102. The radio link between a UE (e.g., UE 114, 116) and SV 112 is referred to as a "service link" (e.g., service link 124). The radio links between SV 112 and earth station 118 are referred to as “feeder links” (eg, feeder link 126 ).

[0070] NTN can also be used to enhance 5G service reliability by providing service continuity for machine-to-machine (M2M) and / or IoT devices, or for passengers on mobile platforms (e.g., passenger vehicles such as airplanes, ships, high-speed trains, buses, etc.), or ensuring service availability anywhere (especially for critical communications). NTN can also achieve 5G network scalability by providing efficient multicast / broadcast resources for data delivery to the network edge or even UEs (e.g., UEs 114 and / or 116).

[0071] exist Figure 1 In the example of , SV 112 communicates with UE 114 (representing a UE in an area not served by the terrestrial 5G network) outside the coverage area of ​​base station 102, and communicates with UE 116 (representing a UE underserved by the terrestrial 5G network) within the coverage area of ​​base station 102. Therefore, SV 112 can act as a serving base station to UE 114 and act as a primary cell or a secondary cell to UE 116, depending on the service provided by base station 102 to UE 116.

[0072] It should be noted that although Figure 1 Only a single SV 112 and a single earth station 118 are illustrated, but as will be appreciated, this is merely an example and there may be any number of SVs 112 connected to any number of earth stations 118 .

[0073] The wireless communication system 100 may also include one or more UEs (such as UE 190) that are indirectly connected to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) or peer-to-peer (P2P) links (referred to as “side links”). Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , UE 190 has a D2D P2P link 192 with one of UEs 104 connected to one of base stations 102 (e.g., through which UE 190 can indirectly obtain cellular connectivity), and also has a D2D P2P link 194 with WLAN STA 152 connected to WLAN AP 150 (through which UE 190 can indirectly obtain WLAN-based Internet connectivity). In one example, D2D P2P links 192 and 194 can be supported by any well-known D2D RAT, such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), wait.

[0074] Figure 2A An example wireless network architecture 200 is illustrated. For example, the 5GC 210 (also referred to as the Next Generation Core (NGC)) can be functionally viewed as the control plane (C-plane) functions 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and user plane (U-plane) functions 212 (e.g., UE gateway functions, access to data networks, IP routing, etc.) that operate in concert to form a core network. The user plane interface (NG-U) 213 and the control plane interface (NG-C) 215 connect the gNB 222 to the 5GC 210, and specifically to the user plane functions 212 and the control plane functions 214, respectively. In additional configurations, the ng-eNB 224 can also be connected to the 5GC 210 via the NG-C 215, to the control plane functions 214, and to the user plane functions 212 via the NG-U 213. In addition, the ng-eNB 224 can communicate directly with the gNB 222 via the backhaul connection 223. In some configurations, the next generation RAN (NG-RAN) 220 may have one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations include one or more of the ng-eNB 224 and the gNB 222. Either the gNB 222 or the ng-eNB 224 (or both) may communicate with one or more UEs 204 (e.g., any UE described herein).

[0075] Another optional aspect may include a location server 230 that can communicate with the 5GC 210 to provide location assistance for the UE 204. The location server 230 can be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively each can correspond to a single server. The location server 230 can be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204, which can be connected to the location server 230 via the core network, the 5GC 210, and / or via the Internet (not shown). In addition, the location server 230 can be integrated into a component of the core network, or alternatively can be external to the core network (e.g., a third-party server, such as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) server or a service server).

[0076] Figure 2B Another example wireless network structure 240 is shown. 5GC 260 (which may correspond to Figure 2AThe 5GC 210 in the UE 200 may be functionally considered as a control plane function provided by an access and mobility management function (AMF) 264, and a user plane function provided by a user plane function (UPF) 262, which operate in cooperation to form a core network (i.e., 5GC 260). The functions of the AMF 264 include registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful interception, transmission of session management (SM) messages between one or more UEs 204 (e.g., any UE described herein) and a session management function (SMF) 266, a transparent proxy service for routing SM messages, access authentication and access authorization, transmission of short message service (SMS) messages between the UE 204 and a short message service function (SMSF) (not shown), and security anchor functionality (SEAF). The AMF 264 also interacts with an authentication server function (AUSF) (not shown) and the UE 204, and receives an intermediate key established as a result of the UE 204 authentication process. In the case of authentication based on the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), the AMF 264 obtains security material from the AUSF. The functions of the AMF 264 also include security context management (SCM). The SCM receives keys from the SEAF, which are used to derive access network-specific keys. The functionality of the AMF 264 also includes location service management for management services, transmission of location service messages between the UE 204 and the Location Management Function (LMF) 270 (which acts as a location server 230), transmission of location service messages between the NG-RAN 220 and the LMF 270, allocation of Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearer identifiers for interworking with EPS, and notification of UE 204 mobility events. In addition, the AMF 264 also supports functionality for non-3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) access networks.

[0077] The functions of UPF 262 include acting as an anchor point for intra-RAT / inter-RAT mobility (when available), acting as an external protocol data unit (PDU) session point for interconnection to a data network (not shown), providing packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, user plane policy rule enforcement (e.g., gating, redirection, traffic steering), lawful interception (user plane collection), traffic usage reporting, user plane quality of service (QoS) processing (e.g., uplink / downlink rate enforcement, reflective QoS marking in downlink), uplink traffic verification (service data flow (SDF) to QoS flow mapping), transport layer packet marking in uplink and downlink, downlink packet buffering and downlink data notification triggering, and sending and forwarding one or more "end markers" to the source RAN node. UPF 262 can also support the transmission of location service messages on the user plane between UE 204 and a location server such as SLP 272.

[0078] The functions of SMF 266 include session management, UE Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management, selection and control of user plane functions, traffic steering configuration at UPF 262 to route traffic to the appropriate destination, control part policy enforcement and QoS, and downlink data notification. The interface over which SMF 266 communicates with AMF 264 is called the N11 interface.

[0079] Another optional aspect may include LMF 270, which can communicate with 5GC 260 to provide location assistance for UE 204. LMF 270 can be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed on multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively can each correspond to a single server. LMF 270 can be configured to support one or more location services for UE 204, and UE 204 can be connected to LMF 270 via the core network, 5GC 260 and / or via the Internet (not shown). SLP 272 can support similar functionality as LMF 270, but while LMF 270 can communicate with AMF 264, NG-RAN 220, and UE 204 on the control plane (e.g., using interfaces and protocols designed to carry signaling messages rather than voice or data), SLP 272 can communicate with UE 204 and external clients (e.g., third-party servers 274) on the user plane (e.g., using protocols designed to carry voice and / or data, such as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and / or IP).

[0080] Yet another optional aspect may include a third-party server 274 that may communicate with the LMF 270, SLP 272, 5GC 260 (e.g., via AMF 264 and / or UPF 262), NG-RAN 220, and / or UE 204 to obtain location information (e.g., location estimate) of the UE 204. As such, in some cases, the third-party server 274 may be referred to as a location service (LCS) client or external client. The third-party server 274 may be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or may alternatively each correspond to a single server.

[0081] The user plane interface 263 and the control plane interface 265 connect the 5GC 260, in particular the UPF 262 and the AMF 264, respectively, to one or more gNBs 222 and / or ng-eNBs 224 in the NG-RAN 220. The interface between the gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224 and the AMF 264 is referred to as the "N2" interface, while the interface between the gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224 and the UPF 262 is referred to as the "N3" interface. The gNBs 222 and / or ng-eNBs 224 of the NG-RAN 220 may communicate directly with each other via a backhaul connection 223 referred to as an "Xn-C" interface. One or more of the gNBs 222 and / or ng-eNBs 224 may communicate with one or more UEs 204 via a wireless interface referred to as a "Uu" interface.

[0082] The functionality of the gNB 222 may be divided between a gNB central unit (gNB-CU) 226, one or more gNB distributed units (gNB-DU) 228, and one or more gNB radio units (gNB-RU) 229. The gNB-CU 226 is a logical node that includes base station functions such as transmitting user data, mobility control, radio access network sharing, positioning, session management, etc., in addition to those functions specifically assigned to the gNB-DU 228. More specifically, the gNB-CU 226 typically hosts the radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) protocols of the gNB 222. The gNB-DU 228 is a logical node that typically hosts the radio link control (RLC) and media access control (MAC) layers of the gNB 222. Its operation is controlled by the gNB-CU 226. One gNB-DU 228 may support one or more cells, and one cell is supported by only one gNB-DU 228. The interface 232 between the gNB-CU 226 and one or more gNB-DUs 228 is referred to as the "F1" interface. The physical (PHY) layer functionality of the gNB 222 is typically hosted by one or more independent gNB-RUs that perform functions such as power amplification and signal transmission / reception. The interface between the gNB-DU 228 and the gNB-RU 229 is referred to as the "Fx" interface. Thus, the UE 204 communicates with the gNB-CU 226 via the RRC, SDAP, and PDCP layers, with the gNB-DU 228 via the RLC and MAC layers, and with the gNB-RU 229 via the PHY layer.

[0083] The deployment of a communication system such as a 5G NR system can be arranged in a variety of ways with various components or parts. In a 5G NR system or network, a network node, a network entity, a mobility element of a network, a RAN node, a core network node, a network element or a network equipment (such as a base station, or one or more units (or one or more components) performing base station functionality) can be implemented in an aggregated or decomposed architecture. For example, a base station (such as a Node B (NB), an evolved NB (eNB), a NR base station, a 5G NB, an access point (AP), a transmit receive point (TRP), or a cell, etc.) can be implemented as an aggregated base station (also called an independent base station or a single-chip base station) or a decomposed base station.

[0084] The aggregated base station may be configured to utilize a radio protocol stack physically or logically integrated within a single RAN node. The decomposed base station may be configured to utilize a protocol stack physically or logically distributed between two or more units, such as one or more central or centralized units (CUs), one or more distributed units (DUs), or one or more radio units (RUs). In some aspects, the CU may be implemented within a RAN node, and one or more DUs may be co-located with the CU, or alternatively, may be geographically or virtually distributed in one or more other nodes. The DU may be implemented to communicate with one or more RUs. Each of the CU, DU, and RU may also be implemented as a virtual unit, i.e., a virtual central unit (VCU), a virtual distributed unit (VDU), or a virtual radio unit (VRU).

[0085] Base station type operations or network designs may take into account the aggregated nature of base station functionality. For example, decomposed base stations may be utilized in an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an open radio access network (O-RAN (such as a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance)), or a virtualized radio access network (vRAN, also known as a cloud radio access network (C-RAN)). Decomposition may include distributing functionality over two or more units at various physical locations, as well as virtually distributing functionality for at least one unit, which may enable flexibility in network design. Individual units of a decomposed base station or decomposed RAN architecture may be configured for wired or wireless communication with at least one other unit.

[0086] Figure 2CAn example decomposed base station architecture 250 is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The decomposed base station architecture 250 may include one or more central units (CUs) 280 (e.g., gNB-CUs 226) that may communicate directly with a core network 267 (e.g., 5GC 210, 5GC 260) via a backhaul link, or indirectly with a core network 267 via an E2 link through one or more decomposed base station units such as a near real-time (Near-RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC) 259, or a non-real-time (Non-RT) RIC 257 associated with a service management and orchestration (SMO) framework 255, or both. The CU 280 may communicate with one or more distributed units (DUs) 285 (e.g., gNB-DUs 228) via corresponding mid-haul links such as an F1 interface. The DUs 285 may communicate with one or more radio units (RUs) 287 (e.g., gNB-DUs 229) via corresponding fronthaul links. The RU 287 may communicate with a corresponding UE 204 via one or more radio frequency (RF) access links. In some implementations, a UE 204 may be served by multiple RUs 287 simultaneously.

[0087] Each unit, i.e., CU 280, DU 285, RU 287, and near-RT RIC 259, non-RT RIC 257, and SMO framework 255, may include one or more interfaces or be coupled to one or more interfaces configured to receive or send signals, data, or information (collectively referred to as signals) via a wired or wireless transmission medium. Each unit, or an associated processor or controller that provides instructions to a communication interface of a unit, may be configured to communicate with one or more other units via a transmission medium. For example, these units may include a wired interface that is configured to receive or send signals to one or more other units via a wired transmission medium. In addition, these units may include a wireless interface that may include a receiver, a transmitter, or a transceiver (such as a radio frequency (RF) transceiver) that is configured to receive or send signals or both receive and send signals to one or more other units via a wireless transmission medium.

[0088] In some aspects, CU 280 may host one or more higher layer control functions. Such control functions may include radio resource control (RRC), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), etc. Each control function may be implemented using an interface configured to communicate signals with other control functions hosted by CU 280. CU 280 may be configured to process user plane functions (i.e., central unit-user plane (CU-UP)), control plane functions (i.e., central unit-control plane (CU-CP)), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, CU 280 may be logically divided into one or more CU-UP units and one or more CU-CP units. When implemented in an O-RAN configuration, the CU-UP unit may communicate bidirectionally with the CU-CP unit via an interface such as an E1 interface. CU 280 may be implemented to communicate with DU 285 as needed for network control and signaling.

[0089] DU 285 may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions to control the operation of one or more RU 287. In some aspects, DU 285 may reside in one or more of a radio link control (RLC) layer, a media access control (MAC) layer, and one or more high physical (PHY) layers (such as modules for forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, etc.), depending at least in part on a functional split such as defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). In some aspects, DU 285 may also reside in one or more low PHY layers. Each layer (or module) may be implemented using an interface configured to communicate signals with other layers (and modules) hosted by DU 285 or with control functions hosted by CU 280.

[0090] The lower layer functionality may be implemented by one or more RUs 287. In some deployments, a RU 287 controlled by a DU 285 may correspond to a logical node that hosts RF processing functions, or low PHY layer functions (such as performing Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Inverse FFT (iFFT), digital beamforming, physical random access channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, etc.), or both, based at least in part on a functional split such as a lower layer functional split. In such an architecture, the RU 287 may be implemented to handle over-the-air (OTA) communications with one or more UEs 204. In some embodiments, real-time and non-real-time aspects of control and user plane communications with the RU 287 may be controlled by the corresponding DU 285. In some scenarios, this configuration may enable the DU 285 and CU 280 to be implemented in a cloud-based RAN architecture (such as a vRAN architecture).

[0091] The SMO framework 255 may be configured to support RAN deployment and provisioning of non-virtualized and virtualized network elements. For non-virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 255 may be configured to support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements, which may be managed via an operation and maintenance interface, such as an O1 interface. For virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 255 may be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform, such as an open cloud (O-Cloud) 269, to perform network element lifecycle management (such as instantiating virtualized network elements) via a cloud computing platform interface, such as an O2 interface. Such virtualized network elements may include, but are not limited to, CU 280, DU 285, RU 287, and near-RT RIC 259. In some embodiments, the SMO framework 255 may communicate with hardware aspects of a 4G RAN, such as an open eNB (O-eNB) 261, via an O1 interface. In addition, in some embodiments, the SMO framework 255 may communicate directly with one or more RUs 287 via an O1 interface. The SMO framework 255 may also include a non-RT RIC 257 configured to support the functionality of the SMO framework 255 .

[0092] The non-RT RIC 257 may be configured to include logic functions that enable non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, including artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) workflows for model training and updating, or policy-based guidance of applications / features in the near-RT RIC 259. The non-RT RIC 257 may be coupled to or in communication with the near-RT RIC 259 (such as via an A1 interface). The near-RT RIC 259 may be configured to include logic functions that enable near real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources through data collection and action over an interface connecting one or more CUs 280, one or more DUs 285, or both, and the O-eNB to the near-RT RIC 259 (such as via an E2 interface).

[0093] In some embodiments, in order to generate an AI / ML model to be deployed in the near-RT RIC 259, the non-RTRIC 257 may receive parameters or external enrichment information from an external server. Such information may be used by the near-RT RIC 259 and may be received from a non-network data source or from a network function at the SMO framework 255 or the non-RT RIC 257. In some examples, the non-RT RIC 257 or the near-RT RIC 259 may be configured to adjust RAN behavior or performance. For example, the non-RTRIC 257 may monitor long-term trends and patterns of performance and employ AI / ML models to take corrective actions through the SMO framework 255 (such as via reconfiguration of O1) or via the creation of RAN management policies (such as A1 policies).

[0094] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C The diagram illustrates a network entity 306 that may be coupled to a UE 302 (which may correspond to any UE described herein), a base station 304 (which may correspond to any base station described herein), and a network entity 306 (which may correspond to or embody any network function described herein, including a location server 230 and a LMF 270, or alternatively may be independent of the network entity 306. Figure 2A and Figure 2B Several example components (represented by corresponding boxes) in the NG-RAN 220 and / or 5GC 210 / 260 infrastructure (such as a private network) depicted in the figure are shown to support the operations described herein. It will be understood that these components can be implemented in different types of devices in different embodiments (e.g., in an ASIC, in a system on a chip (SoC), etc.). The illustrated components may also be incorporated into other devices in the communication system. For example, other devices in the system may include components similar to the described components to provide similar functionality. In addition, a given device may include one or more of the components. For example, a device may include multiple transceiver components that enable the device to operate on multiple carriers and / or communicate via different technologies.

[0095] UE 302 and base station 304 each include one or more wireless wide area network (WWAN) transceivers 310 and 350, respectively, which provide means (e.g., means for transmitting, means for receiving, means for measuring, means for tuning, means for avoiding transmitting, etc.) for communicating via one or more wireless communication networks (not shown), such as NR networks, LTE networks, GSM networks, etc. Each of WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 may be connected to one or more antennas 316 and 356, respectively, for communicating with other network nodes (e.g., other UEs, access points, base stations (e.g., eNBs, gNBs), etc.) via at least one designated RAT (e.g., NR, LTE, GSM, etc.) over a wireless communication medium of interest (e.g., a certain set of time / frequency resources in a particular spectrum). The WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 may be configured differently to transmit and encode signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.), respectively, and conversely, to receive and decode signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.), respectively, according to a specified RAT. Specifically, the WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 include one or more transmitters 314 and 354, respectively, for transmitting and encoding signals 318 and 358, respectively, and one or more receivers 312 and 352, respectively, for receiving and decoding signals 318 and 358, respectively.

[0096] UE 302 and base station 304 also include, at least in some cases, one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360, respectively. Short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 may be connected to one or more antennas 326 and 366, respectively, and provide for communicating via at least one designated RAT (e.g., WiFi, LTE-D, The short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 are components (e.g., components for sending, components for receiving, components for measuring, components for tuning, components for avoiding sending, etc.) for communicating with other network nodes such as other UEs, access points, base stations, etc., based on the RAT (e.g., dedicated short-range communication (DSRC), wireless access for vehicular environments (WAVE), near field communication (NFC), ultra-wideband (UWB), etc.). The short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 can be configured differently to send and encode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.), respectively, and conversely, to receive and decode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.), respectively, according to a specified RAT. Specifically, the short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 include one or more transmitters 324 and 364 for sending and encoding signals 328 and 368, respectively, and one or more receivers 322 and 362 for receiving and decoding signals 328 and 368, respectively. As a specific example, the short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 may be WiFi transceivers, Transceiver, and / or transceiver, NFC transceiver, UWB transceiver, or vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and / or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) transceiver.

[0097] At least in some cases, the UE 302 and the base station 304 also include satellite signal receivers 330 and 370. The satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 may be connected to one or more antennas 336 and 376, respectively, and may provide components for receiving and / or measuring satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378, respectively. In the case where the satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 are satellite positioning system receivers, the satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378 may be global positioning system (GPS) signals, global navigation satellite system (GLONASS) signals, Galileo signals, Beidou signals, Indian regional navigation satellite system (NAVIC), Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), etc. In the case where the satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 are non-terrestrial network (NTN) receivers, the satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378 may be communication signals (e.g., carrying control and / or user data) originating from a 5G network. The satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 may include any suitable hardware and / or software for receiving and processing satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378, respectively. Satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 may request information and operations from other systems as appropriate and, at least in some cases, perform calculations using measurements obtained by any appropriate satellite positioning system algorithm to determine the position of UE 302 and base station 304, respectively.

[0098] The base station 304 and the network entity 306 each include one or more network transceivers 380 and 390, respectively, which provide means (e.g., means for transmitting, means for receiving, etc.) for communicating with other network entities (e.g., other base stations 304, other network entities 306). For example, the base station 304 may employ one or more network transceivers 380 to communicate with other base stations 304 or network entities 306 via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links. As another example, the network entity 306 may employ one or more network transceivers 390 to communicate with one or more base stations 304 via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links, or communicate with other network entities 306 via one or more wired or wireless core network interfaces.

[0099] The transceiver can be configured to communicate over a wired or wireless link. The transceiver (whether a wired transceiver or a wireless transceiver) includes a transmitter circuit (e.g., transmitter 314, 324, 354, 364) and a receiver circuit (e.g., receiver 312, 322, 352, 362). In some embodiments, the transceiver can be an integrated device (e.g., implementing the transmitter circuit and the receiver circuit in a single device), can include a separate transmitter circuit and a separate receiver circuit, or can be implemented in other ways in other embodiments. The transmitter circuit and the receiver circuit of the wired transceiver (e.g., network transceivers 380 and 390 in some embodiments) can be coupled to one or more wired network interface ports. The wireless transmitter circuitry (e.g., transmitters 314, 324, 354, 364) may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), such as antenna arrays, which allow the respective devices (e.g., UE 302, base station 304) to perform transmit "beamforming", as described herein. Similarly, the wireless receiver circuitry (e.g., receivers 312, 322, 352, 362) may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), such as antenna arrays, which allow the respective devices (e.g., UE 302, base station 304) to perform receive beamforming, as described herein. In one aspect, the transmitter circuitry and the receiver circuitry may share the same multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366) so that the respective devices can only receive or transmit at a given time, rather than receiving and transmitting at the same time. The wireless transceivers (eg, WWAN transceivers 310 and 350, short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360) may also include a network listening module (NLM) or the like for performing various measurements.

[0100] As used herein, various wireless transceivers (e.g., transceivers 310, 320, 350, and 360 in some embodiments, and network transceivers 380 and 390) and wired transceivers (e.g., network transceivers 380 and 390 in some implementations) may be generally characterized as a "transceiver," "at least one transceiver," or "one or more transceivers." In this way, whether a particular transceiver is a wired or wireless transceiver may be inferred from the type of communication being conducted. For example, backhaul communications between network devices or servers typically involve signaling via a wired transceiver, while wireless communications between a UE (e.g., UE 302) and a base station (e.g., base station 304) typically involve signaling via a wireless transceiver.

[0101] UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 also include other components that can be used in conjunction with the operations disclosed herein. UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 include one or more processors 332, 384, and 394, respectively, for providing functionality related to, for example, wireless communication, and for providing other processing functionality. Thus, processors 332, 384, and 394 can provide means for processing, such as means for determining, means for calculating, means for receiving, means for sending, means for indicating, etc. In one aspect, processors 332, 384, and 394 can include, for example, one or more general purpose processors, multi-core processors, central processing units (CPUs), ASICs, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), other programmable logic devices or processing circuits, or various combinations thereof.

[0102] UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 include memory circuitry implementing memory 340, 386, and 396 (e.g., each including a memory device) for maintaining information (e.g., information indicating reserved resources, thresholds, parameters, etc.). Thus, memory 340, 386, and 396 may provide means for storing, means for retrieving, means for maintaining, etc. In some cases, UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 may include positioning components 342, 388, and 398, respectively. Positioning components 342, 388, and 398 may be hardware circuitry that is part of or coupled to processors 332, 384, and 394, respectively, which, when executed, causes UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 to perform the functionality described herein. In other aspects, the positioning components 342, 388, and 398 can be external to the processors 332, 384, and 394 (e.g., part of a modem processing system, integrated with another processing system, etc.). Alternatively, the positioning components 342, 388, and 398 can be memory modules stored in the memories 340, 386, and 396, respectively, which, when executed by the processors 332, 384, and 394 (or a modem processing system, another processing system, etc.), cause the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 to perform the functionality described herein. Figure 3A Possible locations are illustrated for a location component 342, which may be, for example, part of one or more WWAN transceivers 310, memory 340, one or more processors 332, or any combination thereof, or may be a standalone component. Figure 3B Possible locations are illustrated for a positioning component 388, which may be, for example, part of one or more WWAN transceivers 350, memory 386, one or more processors 384, or any combination thereof, or may be a standalone component. Figure 3C Possible locations are illustrated for a location component 398, which may be, for example, part of one or more network transceivers 390, memory 396, one or more processors 394, or any combination thereof, or may be a stand-alone component.

[0103] UE 302 may include one or more sensors 344 coupled to one or more processors 332 to provide a means for sensing or detecting movement and / or orientation information that is independent of motion data derived from signals received by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320, and / or satellite signal receivers 330. As an example, sensor 344 may include an accelerometer (e.g., a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device), a gyroscope, a geomagnetic sensor (e.g., a compass), an altimeter (e.g., a pressure altimeter), and / or any other type of motion detection sensor. In addition, sensor 344 may include multiple different types of devices and combine their outputs to provide motion information. For example, sensor 344 may use a combination of a multi-axis accelerometer and an orientation sensor to provide the ability to calculate positioning in a two-dimensional (2D) and / or three-dimensional (3D) coordinate system.

[0104] In addition, the UE 302 includes a user interface 346 that provides a means for providing indications (e.g., audible and / or visual indications) to a user and / or for receiving user input (e.g., upon user actuation of a sensing device such as a keypad, touch screen, microphone, etc.). Although not shown, the base station 304 and the network entity 306 may also include a user interface.

[0105] Referring to the one or more processors 384 in more detail, in a downlink, IP packets from the network entity 306 may be provided to the processor 384. The one or more processors 384 may implement functionality for an RRC layer, a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer. One or more processors 384 may provide RRC layer functionality associated with broadcasting of system information (e.g., master information block (MIB), system information block (SIB)), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-RAT mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression, security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functionality associated with transmission of upper layer PDUs, error correction through automatic repeat request (ARQ), concatenation, segmentation and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, scheduling information reporting, error correction, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0106] The transmitter 354 and the receiver 352 may implement layer 1 (L1) functionality associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, including the physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to physical channels, modulation / demodulation of physical channels, and MIMO antenna processing. The transmitter 354 handles mapping to signal constellations based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), M-phase shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The decoded and modulated symbols may then be separated into parallel streams. Each stream may be mapped to an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in the time and / or frequency domain, and then combined together using an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a time domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM symbol stream is spatially precoded to produce multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from the channel estimator may be used to determine coding and modulation schemes, as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimates may be derived based on a reference signal and / or channel condition feedback sent by the UE 302. Each spatial stream may then be provided to one or more different antennas 356. The transmitter 354 may modulate an RF carrier with a corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0107] At the UE 302, the receiver 312 receives the signal through its corresponding antenna 316. The receiver 312 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to one or more processors 332. The transmitter 314 and the receiver 312 implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. The receiver 312 can perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial stream destined for the UE 302. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE 302, they can be combined into a single OFDM symbol stream by the receiver 312. The receiver 312 then transforms the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain using a fast Fourier transform (FFT). The frequency domain signal includes a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols and reference signals on each subcarrier are recovered and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation point sent by the base station 304. These soft decisions can be based on channel estimates calculated by a channel estimator. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally sent by the base station 304 on the physical channel. The data and control signals are then provided to one or more processors 332 which implement layer 3 (L3) and layer 2 (L2) functionality.

[0108] In the uplink, one or more processors 332 provide demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the core network. One or more processors 332 are also responsible for error detection.

[0109] Similar to the functionality described in conjunction with downlink transmission of base station 304, one or more processors 332 provide RRC layer functionality associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connection, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functionality associated with transmission of upper layer PDUs, error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ), priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0110] The transmitter 314 may select an appropriate coding and modulation scheme and facilitate spatial processing using channel estimates derived by a channel estimator from a reference signal or feedback sent by the base station 304. The spatial streams generated by the transmitter 314 may be provided to different antennas 316. The transmitter 314 may modulate an RF carrier with a corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0111] The uplink transmission is processed at the base station 304 in a manner similar to that described in conjunction with the receiver functionality at the UE 302. The receiver 352 receives the signal through its respective antenna 356. The spatial streams generated by the transmitter 314 may be provided to different antennas 316.

[0112] In the uplink, one or more processors 384 provide demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, control signal processing to recover IP packets from UE 302. The IP packets from one or more processors 384 may be provided to the core network. One or more processors 384 are also responsible for error detection.

[0113] For convenience, UE 302, base station 304 and / or network entity 306 may be configured to: Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C 1 is shown as including various components that can be configured according to the various examples described herein. However, it will be appreciated that the components illustrated can have different functionality in different designs. Specifically, FIG. 3A to FIG. 3CIt is optional to have alternative configurations, and each aspect includes configurations that may vary due to design choice, cost, use of the device, or other considerations. For example, in Figure 3A In the case of , a specific implementation of UE 302 may omit WWAN transceiver 310 (e.g., a wearable device or tablet or PC or laptop may have wireless and / or Bluetooth capabilities but no cellular capabilities), or may omit short-range wireless transceiver 320 (e.g., only cellular, etc.), or may omit satellite signal receiver 330, or may omit sensor 344, etc. In another example, in Figure 3B In the case of a wireless "hotspot" access point without cellular capabilities, a specific implementation of the base station 304 may omit the WWAN transceiver 350 (e.g., a wireless "hotspot" access point without cellular capabilities), or may omit the short-range wireless transceiver 360 (e.g., cellular only, etc.), or may omit the satellite receiver 370, etc. For the sake of brevity, illustrations of various optional configurations are not provided herein, but will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

[0114] The various components of the UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 may be communicatively coupled to one another via data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392, respectively. In one aspect, the data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392 may form or be a part of a communication interface for the UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306, respectively. For example, where different logical entities are embodied in the same device (e.g., a gNB and location server functionality incorporated in the same base station 304), the data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392 may provide communication therebetween.

[0115] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C The components can be implemented in various ways. In some embodiments, Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3CThe components may be implemented in one or more circuits, such as, for example, one or more processors and / or one or more ASICs (which may include one or more processors). Here, each circuit may use and / or incorporate at least one memory component for storing information or executable code used by the circuit to provide the functionality. For example, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 310 to 346 may be implemented by the processor and memory components of UE 302 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). Similarly, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 350 to 388 may be implemented by the processor and memory components of base station 304 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). In addition, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 390 to 398 may be implemented by the processor and memory components of network entity 306 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriately configuring the processor components). For simplicity, various operations, actions and / or functions are described herein as being performed "by UE", "by base station", "by network entity", etc. However, it will be appreciated that such operations, actions and / or functions may actually be performed by specific components or combinations of components of the UE 302, base station 304, network entity 306, etc. (e.g., processors 332, 384, 394, transceivers 310, 320, 350 and 360, memories 340, 386 and 396, positioning components 342, 388 and 398, etc.).

[0116] In some designs, the network entity 306 may be implemented as a core network component. In other designs, the network entity 306 may be operated independently of a network operator or cellular network infrastructure (e.g., NG RAN 220 and / or 5GC 210 / 260). For example, the network entity 306 may be a component of a dedicated network that may be configured to communicate with the UE 302 via the base station 304 or independently of the base station 304 (e.g., via a non-cellular communication link such as WiFi).

[0117] NR supports multiple cellular network-based positioning technologies, including downlink-based, uplink-based, and downlink and uplink-based positioning methods. Downlink-based positioning methods include Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) in LTE, Downlink Time Difference of Arrival (DL-TDOA) in NR, and Downlink Angle of Departure (DL-AoD) in NR. Figure 4Examples of various positioning methods according to various aspects of the disclosure are illustrated. In the OTDOA or DL-TDOA positioning process illustrated by scenario 410, the UE measures the difference between the arrival times (ToA) of reference signals (e.g., positioning reference signals (PRS)) received from a base station pair (referred to as reference signal time difference (RSTD) or arrival time difference (TDOA) measurement) and reports it to the positioning entity. More specifically, the UE receives identifiers (IDs) of a reference base station (e.g., a serving base station) and multiple non-reference base stations in auxiliary data. The UE then measures the RSTD between the reference base station and each non-reference base station. Based on the known positions of the base stations involved and the RSTD measurements, a positioning entity (e.g., a UE for UE-based positioning or a positioning server for UE-assisted positioning) can estimate the position of the UE.

[0118] For DL-AoD positioning, the positioning entity uses measurement reports of received signal strength measurements of multiple downlink transmit beams from the UE to determine the angle between the UE and the transmitting base station, as shown in scenario 420. The positioning entity can then estimate the position of the UE based on the determined angle and the known location of the transmitting base station.

[0119] Uplink-based positioning methods include uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA) and uplink angle of arrival (UL-AoA). UL-TDOA is similar to DL-TDOA, but is based on uplink reference signals (e.g., sounding reference signals (SRS)) sent by the UE to multiple base stations. Specifically, the UE sends one or more uplink reference signals measured by a reference base station and multiple non-reference base stations. Each base station then reports the reception time of the reference signal (called relative time of arrival (RTOA)) to a positioning entity (e.g., a location server), which knows the location and relative timing of the base stations involved. Based on the received-to-receive (Rx-Rx) time difference between the reported RTOA of the reference base station and the reported RTOA of each non-reference base station, the known locations of the base stations, and their known timing offsets, the positioning entity can use TDOA to estimate the position of the UE.

[0120] For UL-AoA positioning, one or more base stations measure the received signal strength of one or more uplink reference signals (e.g., SRS) received from the UE on one or more uplink receive beams. The positioning entity uses the signal strength measurements and the angle of the receive beam to determine the angle between the UE and the base station. Based on the determined angle and the known location of the base station, the positioning entity can then estimate the location of the UE.

[0121] Downlink and uplink based positioning methods include enhanced cell ID (E-CID) positioning and multi-round trip time (RTT) positioning (also known as "multi-cell RTT" and "multi-RTT"). In the RTT process, a first entity (e.g., a base station or UE) sends a first RTT-related signal (e.g., PRS or SRS) to a second entity (e.g., UE or base station), and the second entity sends a second RTT-related signal (e.g., SRS or PRS) back to the first entity. Each entity measures the time difference between the arrival time (ToA) of the received RTT-related signal and the transmission time of the transmitted RTT-related signal. The time difference is called the received-to-transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference. The Rx-Tx time difference measurement can be performed, or the Rx-Tx time difference measurement can be adjusted to include only the time difference between the nearest time slot boundaries of the received and transmitted signals. The two entities may then send their Rx-Tx time difference measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF 270), which calculates the round trip propagation time (i.e., RTT) between the two entities based on the two Rx-Tx time difference measurements (e.g., as the sum of the two Rx-Tx time difference measurements). Alternatively, one entity may send its Rx-Tx time difference measurement to the other entity, which then calculates the RTT. The distance between the two entities may be determined based on the RTT and a known signal speed (e.g., the speed of light). For multi-RTT positioning, as shown in scenario 430, a first entity (e.g., a UE or a base station) performs an RTT positioning process with multiple second entities (e.g., multiple base stations or UEs) to enable the location of the first entity to be determined (e.g., using multilateration) based on the distance to the second entity and the known location of the second entity. RTT and multi-RTT methods may be combined with other positioning techniques (such as UL-AoA and DL-AoD) to improve positioning accuracy, as illustrated in scenario 440.

[0122] The E-CID positioning method is based on radio resource management (RRM) measurements. In E-CID, the UE reports the serving cell ID, timing advance (TA), and the identifiers of detected neighboring base stations, estimated timing and signal strength. The UE's position is then estimated based on this information and the known locations of the base stations.

[0123] To assist the positioning operation, a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272) may provide assistance data to the UE. For example, the assistance data may include an identifier of the base station (or cell / TRP of the base station) from which the reference signal is measured, reference signal configuration parameters (e.g., the number of consecutive time slots including PRS, the periodicity of consecutive time slots including PRS, a muting sequence, a frequency hopping sequence, a reference signal identifier, a reference signal bandwidth, etc.), and / or other parameters applicable to a particular positioning method. Alternatively, the assistance data may come directly from the base station itself (e.g., in a periodically broadcast overhead message, etc.). In some cases, the UE may be able to detect neighboring network nodes itself without using assistance data.

[0124] A position estimate may be referred to by other names, such as position estimate, location, position, position fix, fix, etc. A position estimate may be geodetic and include coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude), or may be municipal and include a street address, postal address, or some other verbal description of a location. A position estimate may also be defined relative to some other known location or in absolute terms (e.g., using latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude). A position estimate may include an expected error or uncertainty (e.g., by including an area or volume within which the location is expected to be included within some specified or default confidence level).

[0125] Figure 5 The present invention illustrates a positioning process based on time difference of arrival (TDOA) in an example wireless communication system 500 according to various aspects of the present disclosure. The positioning process based on TDOA can be an observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) positioning process as in LTE, or a downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA) positioning process as in 5G NR. Figure 5 In an example of UE 504 (e.g., any UE described herein) attempts to compute an estimate of its location (referred to as "UE-based" positioning), or assists another entity (e.g., a base station or core network component, another UE, a location server, a third-party application, etc.) in computing an estimate of its location (referred to as "UE-assisted" positioning). UE 504 may communicate with (e.g., send information to and receive information from) one or more of a plurality of transmission points 502 (e.g., any combination of base stations, TRPs, SVs, etc. described herein) labeled "TP1" 502-1, "TP2" 502-2, and "TP3" 502-3.

[0126] To support position estimation, the transmission point 502 may be configured to broadcast positioning signals (e.g., positioning reference signals (PRS), tracking reference signals (TRS), cell-specific reference signals (CRS), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS), demodulation reference signals (DMRS), etc.) to UEs 504 in its coverage area to enable the UEs 504 to measure the characteristics of such reference signals. In a TDOA-based positioning process, the UE 504 measures the relative time difference between the reference transmission point 502 and each of two or more non-reference transmission points 502, referred to as reference signal time difference (RSTD) or TDOA. The UE 504 may determine the relative time difference as the difference between the start of a subframe (or time slot) from the non-reference transmission point 502 that is closest in time to the subframe received from the reference transmission point 502 and the start of a subframe (or time slot) from the reference transmission point 502.

[0127] More specifically, the RSTD of non-reference transmission point "j" relative to reference transmission point "i" may be given as T_SubframeRx,j - T_SubframeRx,i, where T_SubframeRx,j is the time when UE 504 receives the start of a subframe from transmission point j, and T_SubframeRx,i is the time when UE 504 receives the corresponding start of a subframe from transmission point i that is closest in time to the subframe received from transmission point j. Figure 5 In the example of , the measured RSTD between transmission point 502-1 (reference transmission point) and transmission points 502-2 and 502-3 can be represented as T2-T1 and T3-T1, where T1, T2, and T3 represent the time when UE 504 receives the start of a subframe from transmission points 502-1, 502-2, and 502-3, respectively. UE 504 can determine the start of a subframe (or time slot) based on the measurement of one or more downlink reference signals (e.g., PRS, TRS, CRS, CSI-RS, etc.) sent by each transmission point 502.

[0128] For FR1, the reference point for RSTD measurements is the antenna connector of UE 504. For FR2, the reference point for RSTD measurements is the antenna of UE 504. Reference transmission point 502 remains the same for all RSTDs used for any single positioning for TDOA measured by UE 504, and will typically correspond to the serving cell of UE 504 or another nearby cell with good signal strength at UE 504. In one aspect, non-reference transmission point 502 is typically a cell supported by a different base station than the base station of the reference cell, and may have good or poor signal strength at UE 504.

[0129] To assist the TDOA-based positioning operation, the location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272) may provide assistance data for reference transmission points 502 and non-reference transmission points 502 to the UE 504 with respect to the transmission points 502. For example, the assistance data may include an identifier (e.g., PCI, VCI, CGI, etc.) of each transmission point 502 in the set of transmission points 502 that the UE 504 desires to measure. The assistance data may also provide a center channel frequency of each transmission point 502, various reference signal configuration parameters (e.g., the number of consecutive positioning time slots, the periodicity of the positioning time slots, the muting sequence, the frequency hopping sequence, the reference signal identifier, the reference signal bandwidth), and / or other transmission point-related parameters applicable to the TDOA-based positioning process. The assistance data may also indicate a serving cell of the UE 504 as the reference transmission point 502.

[0130] In some cases, the assistance data may also include an "expected RSTD" parameter, which, together with the uncertainty of the expected RSTD parameter, provides the UE 504 with information about the RSTD value that the UE 504 expects to measure between the reference transmission point 502 and each non-reference transmission point 502 at its current location. The expected RSTD, together with the associated uncertainty, defines a search window for the UE 504 within which the UE 504 expects to measure the RSTD value. In some cases, the range of values ​​for the expected RSTD may be + / -500 microseconds (μs). That is, the full reporting range for the RSTD measurement is [-0.5ms, 0.5ms]. In some cases, when any resource used for positioning measurements is in FR1, the range of values ​​for the expected RSTD uncertainty may be + / -32μs. In other cases, when all resources used for positioning measurements are in FR2, the range of values ​​for the uncertainty of the expected RSTD may be + / -8μs.

[0131] In one aspect, a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272) may send assistance data to UE 504. Alternatively, the assistance data may originate directly from the transmission point 502 itself (e.g., in an overhead message that is periodically broadcast, etc.). Alternatively, UE 504 may detect the non-reference transmission point (e.g., neighboring cell) itself without using assistance data.

[0132] UE 504 may report the RSTD measurements to a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272) or compute a location estimate based on the RSTD measurements itself. The location of UE 504 may be determined (by UE 504 or location server) using (i) RSTD measurements, (ii) known absolute or relative transmission timing of each transmission point 502 (e.g., whether the transmission points 502 are precisely synchronized or whether each transmission point 502 transmits with some known time offset relative to other transmission points 502), (iii) known locations of the transmission points 502, and / or (iv) directional reference signal characteristics such as transmission direction (if known).

[0133] In one aspect, the location estimate may specify the location of the UE 504 in a two-dimensional (2D) coordinate system; however, the aspects disclosed herein are not so limited and may also be adapted to determine the location estimate using a three-dimensional (3D) coordinate system if additional dimensions are required. Figure 5 One UE 504 and three transmission points 502 are shown, but it is understood that there may be more UEs 504 and more transmission points 502.

[0134] Still reference Figure 5 , when UE 504 uses RSTD to obtain a position estimate, necessary additional data (e.g., the location and relative transmission timing of transmission point 502) may be provided by a location server to UE 504. In some embodiments, the position estimate of UE 504 may be obtained from RSTD and other measurements (e.g., measurements of signal timing from Global Positioning System (GPS) or other Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellites) made by UE 504 (e.g., by UE 504 itself or by a location server). In these embodiments, referred to as hybrid positioning, RSTD measurements may help obtain a position estimate for UE 504, but may not fully determine the position estimate.

[0135] Various frame structures may be used to support downlink and uplink transmissions between network nodes (eg, base stations and UEs). Figure 6 600 is a diagram illustrating an example frame structure in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The frame structure may be a downlink or uplink frame structure. Other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures and / or different channels.

[0136] LTE, and in some cases NR, utilizes Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) on the downlink and Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiplexing (SC-FDM) on the uplink. However, unlike LTE, NR also has the option of using OFDM on the uplink. OFDM and SC-FDM divide the system bandwidth into multiple (K) orthogonal subcarriers, which are also commonly referred to as tones, bins, etc. In general, modulation symbols are sent out in the frequency domain using OFDM, and modulation symbols are sent out in the time domain using SC-FDM. The spacing between adjacent subcarriers can be fixed, and the total number of subcarriers (K) can depend on the system bandwidth. For example, the spacing of the subcarriers can be 15 kilohertz (kHz), and the minimum resource allocation (resource block) can be 12 subcarriers (or 180kHz). Thus, for a system bandwidth of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 megahertz (MHz), the nominal fast Fourier transform (FFT) size may be equal to 128, 256, 512, 1024, or 2048, respectively. The system bandwidth may also be partitioned into subbands. For example, a subband may cover 1.08 MHz (i.e., 6 resource blocks), and there may be 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 subbands for a system bandwidth of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 MHz, respectively.

[0137] LTE supports a single numerology (subcarrier spacing (SCS), symbol length, etc.). In contrast, NR can support multiple numerologies (μ), for example, 15kHz (μ=0), 30kHz (μ=1), 60kHz (μ=2), 120kHz (μ=3), and 240kHz (μ=4) or larger subcarrier spacings are available. In each subcarrier spacing, there are 14 symbols per slot. For 15kHz SCS (μ=0), there is one slot per subframe, 10 slots per frame, a slot duration of 1 millisecond (ms), a symbol duration of 66.7 microseconds (μs), and a maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) of 50 with a 4K FFT size. For 30kHz SCS (μ=1), there are two slots per subframe, 20 slots per frame, the slot duration is 0.5ms, the symbol duration is 33.3μs, and the maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) with a 4K FFT size is 100. For 60kHz SCS (μ=2), there are four slots per subframe, 40 slots per frame, the slot duration is 0.25ms, the symbol duration is 16.7μs, and the maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) with a 4K FFT size is 200. For 120kHz SCS (μ=3), there are 8 slots per subframe, 80 slots per frame, the slot duration is 0.125ms, the symbol duration is 8.33μs, and the maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) with a 4K FFT size is 400. For 240kHz SCS (μ=4), there are 16 slots per subframe, 160 slots per frame, the slot duration is 0.0625ms, the symbol duration is 4.17μs, and the maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) is 800 with 4K FET size.

[0138] exist Figure 6 In the example, a parameter set of 15 kHz is used. Therefore, in the time domain, the 10 ms frame is divided into 10 equally sized subframes, each subframe is 1 ms, and each subframe includes one time slot. Figure 6 , time is represented horizontally (on the X-axis), with time increasing from left to right, and frequency is represented vertically (on the Y-axis), with frequency increasing (or decreasing) from bottom to top.

[0139] A resource grid may be used to represent a time slot, each of which includes one or more time-concurrent resource blocks (RBs) (also referred to as physical RBs (PRBs)) in the frequency domain. The resource grid is further divided into a plurality of resource elements (REs). An RE may correspond to one symbol length in the time domain and one subcarrier in the frequency domain. Figure 6In the parameter set of , for a normal cyclic prefix, an RB can contain 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 7 consecutive symbols in the time domain, for a total of 84 REs. For an extended cyclic prefix, an RB can contain 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 6 consecutive symbols in the time domain, for a total of 72 REs. The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0140] Some REs may carry reference (pilot) signals (RS). Reference signals may include positioning reference signals (PRS), tracking reference signals (TRS), phase tracking reference signals (PTRS), cell-specific reference signals (CRS), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS), demodulation reference signals (DMRS), primary synchronization signals (PSS), secondary synchronization signals (SSS), synchronization signal blocks (SSB), sounding reference signals (SRS), etc., depending on whether the illustrated frame structure is for uplink or downlink communication. Figure 6 Example locations of REs carrying reference signals (labeled "R") are illustrated.

[0141] A set of resource elements (REs) used for PRS transmission is referred to as a "PRS resource". A set of resource elements may span multiple PRBs in the frequency domain and "N" (such as 1 or more) consecutive symbols within a slot in the time domain. In a given OFDM symbol in the time domain, a PRS resource occupies consecutive PRBs in the frequency domain.

[0142] The transmission of PRS resources within a given PRB has a specific comb size (also referred to as "comb density"). The comb size "N" represents the subcarrier spacing (or frequency / tone spacing) within each symbol of the PRS resource configuration. Specifically, for comb size "N", the PRS is transmitted in every Nth subcarrier of the symbol of the PRB. For example, for comb-4, for each symbol of the PRS resource configuration, the RE corresponding to every fourth subcarrier (such as subcarriers 0, 4, 8) is used to transmit the PRS of the PRS resource. Currently, comb sizes of comb-2, comb-4, comb-6, and comb-12 are supported for DL-PRS. Figure 6 An example PRS resource configuration for Comb-4 (spanning four symbols) is illustrated. That is, the positions of the shaded REs (marked as "R") indicate a Comb-4 PRS resource configuration.

[0143] Currently, DL-PRS resources can span 2, 4, 6, or 12 consecutive symbols within a slot in a full frequency domain staggered pattern. DL-PRS resources can be configured in any higher layer configured downlink or flexible (FL) symbols of a slot. There may be a constant energy per resource element (EPRE) for all REs of a given DL-PRS resource. The following are the inter-symbol frequency offsets for comb sizes 2, 4, 6, and 12 over 2, 4, 6, and 12 symbols. 2-Symbol Comb-2: {0,1}; 4-Symbol Comb-2: {0,1,0,1}; 6-Symbol Comb-2: {0,1,0,1,0,1}; 12-Symbol Comb-2: {0,1,0,1,0,1,0,1,0,1,0,1}; 4-Symbol Comb-4: {0,2,1,3} (as in Figure 6 in the example); 12-symbol comb-4: {0,2,1,3,0,2,1,3,0,2,1,3}; 6-symbol comb-6: {0,3,1,4,2,5}; 12-symbol comb-6: {0,3,1,4,2,5,0,3,1,4,2,5}; and 12-symbol comb-12: {0,6,3,9,1,7,4,10,2,8,5,11}.

[0144] A "PRS resource set" is a set of PRS resources used to send a PRS signal, where each PRS resource has a PRS resource ID. In addition, the PRS resources in the PRS resource set are associated with the same TRP. A PRS resource set is identified by a PRS resource set ID and is associated with a specific TRP (identified by a TRP ID). In addition, the PRS resources in the PRS resource set have the same periodicity, a common muting pattern configuration, and the same cross-slot repetition factor (such as "PRS-ResourceRepetitionFactor"). The periodicity is the time from the first repetition of the first PRS resource of the first PRS instance to the same first repetition of the same first PRS resource of the next PRS instance. The periodicity can have a length selected from 2^μ*{4, 5, 8, 10, 16, 20, 32, 40, 64, 80, 160, 320, 640, 1280, 2560, 5120, 10240} time slots, where μ=0, 1, 2, 3. The repetition factor may have a length selected from {1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32} time slots.

[0145] The PRS resource ID in a PRS resource set is associated with a single beam (or beam ID) transmitted from a single TRP (where the TRP can transmit one or more beams). That is, each PRS resource of a PRS resource set can be transmitted on a different beam, and therefore, a "PRS resource", or simply "resource", may also be referred to as a "beam".

[0146] A "PRS instance" or "PRS opportunity" is an instance of a periodically repeated time window (such as a group of one or more consecutive time slots) in which a PRS is expected to be transmitted. A PRS opportunity may also be referred to as a "PRS positioning opportunity", "PRS positioning instance", "positioning opportunity", "positioning instance", "positioning repetition", or simply "opportunity", "instance" or "repetition".

[0147] A "positioning frequency layer" (also referred to simply as a "frequency layer") is a series of one or more PRS resource sets across one or more TRPs that have the same values ​​for certain parameters. Specifically, the series of PRS resource sets have the same subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix (CP) type (meaning that all digital schemes supported for the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) are also supported for PRS), the same point A, the same downlink PRS bandwidth value, the same starting PRB (and center frequency), and the same comb size. The point A parameter takes the value of the parameter "ARFCN-ValueNR" (where "ARFCN" stands for "Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number") and is an identifier / code for specifying a pair of physical radio channels for transmission and reception. The downlink PRS bandwidth can have a granularity of four PRBs, with a minimum of 24 PRBs and a maximum of 272 PRBs. Currently, a maximum of four frequency layers are defined, and a maximum of two PRS resource sets can be configured per frequency layer per TRP.

[0148] The concept of frequency layer is a bit like the concept of component carrier and bandwidth part (BWP), but the difference is that component carrier and BWP are used by one base station (or macro cell base station and small cell base station) to send data channels, while frequency layer is used by several (usually three or more) base stations to send PRS. The UE can indicate the number of frequency layers it can support when it signals its positioning capabilities to the network, such as during an LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) session. For example, the UE can indicate whether it can support one or four positioning frequency layers.

[0149] Note that the terms "positioning reference signal" and "PRS" generally refer to specific reference signals used for positioning in NR and LTE systems. However, as used herein, the terms "positioning reference signal" and "PRS" may also refer to any type of reference signal that may be used for positioning, such as, but not limited to, PRS, TRS, PTRS, CRS, CSI-RS, DMRS, PSS, SSS, SSB, SRS, UL-PRS, etc. defined in LTE and NR. In addition, unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms "positioning reference signal" and "PRS" may refer to downlink, uplink, or sidelink positioning reference signals. If the type of PRS needs to be further distinguished, the downlink positioning reference signal may be referred to as "DL-PRS", the uplink positioning reference signal (e.g., SRS, PTRS used for positioning) may be referred to as "UL-PRS", and the sidelink positioning reference signal may be referred to as "SL-PRS". In addition, for signals (e.g., DMRS) that may be sent in the downlink, uplink, and / or sidelink, "DL", "UL", or "SL" may be added before the signal to distinguish the direction. For example, "UL-DMRS" is different from "DL-DMRS".

[0150] Figure 7 is a diagram of example PRS resource repetition and beam scanning options according to aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 7 In the example of FIG. 1 , time is represented horizontally and frequency is represented vertically. Each block represents a time slot in the time domain and some bandwidth in the frequency domain.

[0151] Figure 7 An example (or occasion) of two DL-PRS resource sets is illustrated, namely a first DL-PRS resource set 710 and a second DL-PRS resource set 750. Each DL-PRS resource set 710 and 750 includes four PRS resources (labeled as "Resource 1", "Resource 2", "Resource 3" and "Resource 4") and has a repetition factor of 4. The repetition factor of 4 means that each of the four PRS resources is repeated four times (i.e., transmitted four times) within the DL-PRS resource set. That is, there are four repetitions of each of the four PRS resources in the DL-PRS resource set. The repetition factor can be configured to the UE via a higher layer parameter "PRS-ResourceRepetitionFactor" and can have a value selected from the set {1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32}. Note that, as Figure 7 As shown, the duration spanned by a DL-PRS resource set including repeated DL-PRS resources should not exceed the PRS periodicity.

[0152] exist Figure 7In the example of , DL-PRS resource set 710 and DL-PRS resource set 750 have different time gaps. The time gap is an offset in time slots between two repeated instances of DL-PRS resources corresponding to the same PRS resource ID within a single instance of a DL-PRS resource set. The time gap can be configured to the UE through a higher layer parameter "PRS-ResourceTimeGap" and can have a value selected from the set {1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32}.

[0153] exist Figure 7 , DL-PRS resource set 710 has a time interval of one slot, which means that each repetition of a PRS resource (e.g., "resource 1") starts on the first slot after the previous repetition of the PRS resource. Therefore, as shown in DL-PRS resource set 710, four repetitions of each of the four PRS resources are grouped together. Specifically, the four repetitions of PRS resource "resource 1" occupy the first four slots of DL-PRS resource set 710 (i.e., slots n to n+3), the four repetitions of PRS resource "resource 2" occupy the second four slots (i.e., slots n+4 to n+7), the four repetitions of PRS resource "resource 3" occupy the third four slots (i.e., slots n+8 to n+11), and the four repetitions of PRS resource "resource 4" occupy the last four slots (i.e., slots n+12 to n+15).

[0154] In contrast, DL-PRS resource set 750 has a time interval of four time slots, which means that each repetition of a PRS resource (e.g., "Resource 2") begins on the fourth time slot after the previous repetition of the PRS resource. Thus, as shown in DL-PRS resource set 750, four repetitions of each of the four PRS resources are scheduled every fourth time slot. For example, the four repetitions of PRS resource "Resource 1" occupy the first, fifth, ninth, and thirteenth time slots of DL-PRS resource set 750 (i.e., time slots n, n+4, n+8, and n+12).

[0155] The purpose of repetition of PRS resources is to allow receive beam scanning (e.g., by the UE) over the repetitions of the PRS resources, enabling the receiver to combine signal gain for coverage extension, and to allow for intra-instance muting (e.g., if one repetition is muted, there are other repetitions for the receiver to measure). Note that UE receive beam scanning depends on the UE implementation.

[0156] PRS muting can be signaled using one or more bitmaps to indicate which PRS resources are transmitted at zero power. Currently, the bitmap can have a length of {2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32} bits. NR supports inter-instance muting and intra-instance muting. For inter-instance muting, muting is applied to each transmission instance of a PRS resource set. Each bit in the muting bitmap corresponds to a configurable number of consecutive instances of a PRS resource set controlled by a higher layer (e.g., RRC or LPP) parameter "PRS muting bit repetition factor", which can have a value of {1, 2, 4, 8}. For intra-instance muting, each bit in the bitmap corresponds to a single repetition of a PRS resource within an instance of a PRS resource set. Inter-instance and intra-instance muting can also be used together. In this case, an inter-instance muting bitmap and an intra-instance muting bitmap are provided to the UE. If a PRS muting pattern (bitmap) is provided for inter-instance and intra-instance muting, the UE applies a logical AND operation.

[0157] Figure 8 800 is a diagram illustrating an example of PRS transmission by two TRPs in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 8 In the example of , each block represents a time slot, and each cross-hatched block represents a time slot containing PRS resources. Each block group represents an instance of a PRS resource set containing PRS resources. Figure 8 In the example of FIG. 1 , the PRS resource set has a length of eight time slots and contains a single PRS resource, but it should be understood that the PRS resource set can be shorter or longer than eight time slots and can include more than one PRS resource. The start of each instance (labeled as "instance i" and "instance i+1") is separated by a PRS periodicity (e.g., 160ms). Figure 8 As shown, the first TRP (labeled as "TRP1") and the second TRP (labeled as "TRP2") transmit PRS resources in the first two time slots of each PRS resource set instance. That is, the PRS resources have a repetition factor of "2" in each PRS resource set instance, which means that the PRS resources are transmitted twice in each instance.

[0158] Fig. 9 900 is a diagram illustrating an example of inter-instance PRS muting in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Fig. 9 In the example of , each block represents a time slot, and each block group represents an instance of a PRS resource set containing PRS resources. Fig. 9 In the example of , the PRS resource set has a length of eight time slots and contains a single PRS resource, but it should be understood that the PRS resource set can be shorter or longer than eight time slots and can include more than one PRS resource. The start of each instance (labeled "instance i" and "instance i+1") is separated by a PRS periodicity (e.g., 160ms).

[0159] As in Figure 8 In the example, Fig. 9 In the example of , two TRPs (labeled "TRP1" and "TRP2") are scheduled to transmit PRS resources in the first two time slots of each corresponding PRS resource set instance. However, to avoid interference of the PRS resources at the UE, the second TRP (TRP2) mutes (i.e., transmits with zero power) the PRS resources during the first PRS resource set instance, and the first TRP (TRP1) mutes the PRS resources during the second PRS resource set instance. Therefore, the UE is signaled that the bit map pattern of the first TRP is "10" and the bit map pattern of the second TRP is "01". Because there are two TRPs and one is muted in each instance, the UE needs to receive two instances to measure all PRS resources from each TRP.

[0160] Fig.10 1000 is a diagram illustrating an example of PRS muting within an example according to aspects of the present disclosure. Fig.10 In the example of , each block represents a time slot, and each block group represents an instance of a PRS resource set containing PRS resources. Fig.10 In the example of , the PRS resource set has a length of eight time slots and contains a single PRS resource, but it should be understood that the PRS resource set can be shorter or longer than eight time slots and can include more than one PRS resource. The start of each instance (labeled "instance i" and "instance i+1") is separated by a PRS periodicity (e.g., 160ms).

[0161] As in Fig. 9 In the example, Fig.10 In the example of , two TRPs (labeled "TRP1" and "TRP2") are scheduled to send PRS resources in the first two time slots of each corresponding PRS resource set instance. However, to avoid interference of the PRS resources at the UE, the second TRP (TRP2) mutes the PRS resources during the first time slot of each PRS resource set instance, and the first TRP (TRP1) mutes the PRS resources during the second time slot of each PRS resource set instance. Therefore, the UE is signaled that the bit map pattern of the first TRP is "10" and the bit map pattern of the second TRP is "01". Because only one PRS resource repetition out of the two repetitions in each instance is muted in each instance, the UE only needs to receive one instance in order to measure all PRS resources from each TRP.

[0162] The network operator may be required to cross-check the UE location reported by the UE in order to meet regulatory requirements regarding network-verified UE location (e.g., lawful interception, emergency calls, public warning systems, etc.). That is, the network operator should be able to check the location information reported by the UE, for example by estimating the UE's location on the network side, and specify whether a mechanism is needed to meet regulatory requirements. Currently, in order to determine the network-verified UE location, an NTN-capable UE can report its GNSS location (because an NTN-capable UE needs to have GNSS), and the network (e.g., location server) verifies or improves the UE's GNSS report through NTN positioning technology.

[0163] The problem with NR-based NTN positioning techniques (e.g., TDOA-based techniques) is the long propagation delay (latency) between the NTN transmission point (e.g., SV112) and the UE. As described above, the reporting range of RSTD measurement is [-0.5ms, 0.5ms], which means that the RSTD measurement needs to be less than or equal to 1ms (e.g., the duration of a subframe). However, in the NTN case, due to the propagation delay between different NTN transmission points, the RSTD measurement may be much larger than 1ms. Fig.11 is a diagram 1100 illustrating example delays for different positioning of non-terrestrial network (NTN) transmission points relative to the location of a UE in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0164] Due to the large latency in NTN positioning scenarios, there is a problem of how to ensure that PRSs from other transmission points are heard at the UE. Fig.12 1200 is a diagram illustrating aspects of PRS muting in an NTN positioning scenario in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Fig.12 In the example of , each block represents a time slot, and each cross-hatched block represents a time slot containing PRS resources. In addition, it is assumed that the actual RSTD measurement is in the range of [-2, 2] ms. In addition, for a 15KHz SCS, the length of 1 time slot is 1 ms.

[0165] exist Fig.12 In the example of FIG. 1 , the first TRP (labeled as “TRP1”) transmits PRS resources in the fourth time slot (i.e., time slot 3) of the eight-time slot PRS resource set. As shown, because the expected RSTD measurement is in the range of [-2, 2] ms around the time slot in which the PRS resources are transmitted (i.e., the fourth time slot, time slot 3), the range of time slots from the second TRP (labeled as “TRP2”) that may interfere with the PRS resources from the first TRP (TRP1) at the UE is from the second time slot (i.e., time slot 1) to the sixth time slot (i.e., time slot 5). Thus, in order to avoid interfering with the PRS resource transmission from the first TRP, the second TRP (TRP2) will need to mute any transmissions from the second time slot to the sixth time slot.

[0166] There are currently enabled PRS configurations that can be used to resolve Fig.12 Various solutions to the illustrated scenario (eg, a single PRS resource to be transmitted per PRS resource set and an RSTD range of [-2, 2]). Fig.13 1300 is a diagram illustrating a first PRS muting technique for NTN positioning scenarios according to aspects of the present disclosure. For the first muting technique, a continuous time slot may be allocated for a PRS resource with combined inter-instance and intra-instance muting. The PRS resource is then muted based on the AND of the two muting patterns. Fig.13 In the example of , each block represents a time slot, and each block group represents an instance of a PRS resource set containing PRS resources. Fig.13 In the example of , the PRS resource set has a length of eight time slots and contains five PRS resource repetitions, but it should be understood that the PRS resource set can be shorter or longer than eight time slots. The start of each instance (labeled "instance i" and "instance i+1") is separated by a PRS periodicity (e.g., 160ms).

[0167] exist Fig.13 In the example of , two TRPs (labeled as "TRP1" and "TRP2") are scheduled to send five PRS resource repetitions in the second to sixth time slots of each corresponding PRS resource set instance. That is, the PRS resources have a repetition factor of five. However, in order to address the possible RSTD range of [-2, 2] and avoid interference of PRS resources at the UE, the second TRP (TRP2) mutes the PRS resource repetitions during the first PRS resource set instance, and the first TRP (TRP1) mutes the PRS resource repetitions during the second PRS resource set instance. During the first PRS resource set instance, the first TRP mutes two PRS resource repetitions around the desired PRS resource repetition (in the fourth time slot). Similarly, during the second PRS resource set instance, the second TRP mutes two PRS resource repetitions around the desired PRS resource repetition (in the fourth time slot). Therefore, the UE is signaled that the intra-instance bit pattern of each TRP is "00100", the inter-instance bit pattern of the first TRP is "10", and the inter-instance bit pattern of the second TRP is "01".

[0168] Fig.14 1400 is a diagram illustrating a second PRS muting technique for NTN positioning scenarios in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. For the second muting technique, two PRS resources are allocated in the same instance with different resource repetition factors and offsets on two TRPs. The first PRS resources of the two TRPs are always unmuted, while the second PRS resources of the two TRPs are always muted. Fig.14In the example of , each block represents a time slot, and each block group represents a PRS resource set including one or more PRS resources. Fig.14 In the example of , the PRS resource set has a length of eight time slots, but it should be understood that the PRS resource set can be shorter or longer than eight time slots. Fig.14 In the example, the two PRS resource sets are a single PRS resource set instance.

[0169] exist Fig.14 In the example of FIG. 1 , a first TRP (labeled “TRP1”) is scheduled to send a first PRS resource in the fourth time slot of a first PRS resource set, and a second TRP (labeled “TRP2”) is scheduled to send the first PRS resource in the fourth time slot of a second PRS resource set. The first TRP is also scheduled to send five repetitions of the second PRS resource on the second to sixth time slots of the second PRS resource set. The second TRP is scheduled to send five repetitions of the second PRS resource on the second to sixth time slots of the first PRS resource set. Fig.14 As shown, the first and second TRPs transmit the first PRS resource (on the fourth time slot) and mute the second PRS resource (on the second to sixth time slots).

[0170] Fig.15 1500 is a diagram illustrating a third PRS muting technique for NTN positioning scenarios in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. For the third muting technique, contiguous time slots are allocated for PRS resources, and only inter-instance PRS muting is used. In this case, the UE searches only some of the repetitions based on the expected RSTD (e.g., [-2, 2] ms), or uses only some of the PRS repetitions based on the signal power. Fig.15 In the example of , each block represents a time slot, and each block group represents an instance of a PRS resource set containing PRS resources. Fig.15 In the example of , the PRS resource set has a length of eight time slots and contains five PRS resource repetitions, but it should be understood that the PRS resource set can be shorter or longer than eight time slots. The start of each instance (labeled "instance i" and "instance i+1") is separated by a PRS periodicity (e.g., 160ms).

[0171] exist Fig.15In the example of , two TRPs (labeled as "TRP1" and "TRP2") are scheduled to send five PRS resource repetitions in the second to sixth time slots of each corresponding PRS resource set instance. That is, the PRS resource has a repetition factor of five. Here, the second TRP (TRP2) mutes the PRS resource repetitions during the first PRS resource set instance, and the first TRP (TRP1) mutes the PRS resource repetitions during the second PRS resource set instance. However, the first TRP does not mute any PRS resource repetitions during the first instance, and the second TRP does not mute any PRS resource repetitions during the second instance. In this way, the UE can search for only some of the non-muted PRS resource repetitions based on the expected RSTD (e.g., [-2, 2] ms), or use only some of the PRS repetitions based on its measured signal power.

[0172] Fig.16 1600 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a third PRS muting technique for NTN positioning scenarios according to aspects of the present disclosure. Fig.16 In the example of , each block represents a time slot, and each block group represents an instance of a PRS resource set containing PRS resources. Fig.16 In the example of FIG. 5 , the PRS resource set has a length of eight time slots and contains five PRS resource repetitions, but it should be understood that the PRS resource set may be shorter or longer than eight time slots.

[0173] exist Fig.16 In the example of FIG. 1 , the actual RSTD of the second TRP (labeled as "TRP2") relative to the first TRP (labeled as "TRP1") is 0.9ms, the expected RSTD is 0.95ms, and the RSTD uncertainty is 0.1ms. In this case, the UE may search only for PRS resource repetitions corresponding to the third to sixth time slots (i.e., time slots 2, 3, 4, and 5) because the transmissions from TRP2 will be muted for those time slots.

[0174] The aforementioned solutions have various disadvantages. Fig.13 ), the PRS resource repetitions next to the non-muted PRS resource repetitions are always muted. Eliminating these PRS resource repetitions does not help because downlink transmissions from neighboring TRPs may interfere with them. This results in poor resource utilization. For the second solution ( Fig.14 ), PRS resources with different repetition factors must be in different PRS resource sets. However, currently, each positioning frequency layer only supports at most two PRS resource sets. For the third solution ( Fig.15 and Fig.16 ), although it has the same data transmission efficiency as the first solution, TRP is forced to send PRS resource repetitions in a continuous manner.

[0175] The present disclosure proposes a "scheduling restriction" interval for each PRS resource. When a specific opportunity for a PRS resource is muted, the time slots belonging to its "scheduling restriction" interval (if defined) are also muted / blank unless they are high priority. High priority signals may include SSB, high priority PDSCH, etc. High priority classification may be defined in the applicable wireless communication standard or indicated by a flag to specify which signals are high priority. Such a flag may be included for each PRS resource, PRS resource set, positioning frequency layer and / or TRP. The advantage of the scheduling restriction interval is that adjacent time slots do not need to be reserved for PRS, but can be used for other purposes. Therefore, adjacent time slots can be muted only when necessary.

[0176] Fig.17 1700 is a diagram illustrating an example of using a scheduling restriction interval according to aspects of the present disclosure. Fig.17 In the example of , each block represents a time slot, and each block group represents an instance of a PRS resource set containing PRS resources. Fig.17 In the example of , the PRS resource set has a length of 8 time slots and contains one PRS resource, but it should be understood that the PRS resource set can be shorter or longer than eight time slots and can include more than one PRS resource or multiple PRS resource repetitions. The start of each instance (labeled "instance i" and "instance i+1") is separated by a PRS periodicity (e.g., 160ms).

[0177] exist Fig.17 In the example, only one repetition of the PRS resource is allocated for each TRP (labeled "TRP1" and "TRP2"). The time slots adjacent to the PRS resources are non-PRS resources. The PRS resources can be allocated a scheduling restriction interval of [-2, 2] ms (time slots of 15kHz SCS) based on the expected RSTD range of [-2, 2] ms. When the PRS resources (in the fourth time slot) are muted, if the other time slots of the scheduling restriction interval do not carry high priority traffic, they are also muted (here are time slots 1, 2, 4 and 5). In this way, inter-instance muting with a guard interval can be used (the guard interval can be used as a scheduling restriction interval). Specifically, in Fig.17 In the example, the UE will be configured with an inter-instance mute pattern of "10" for the first TRP (TRP1) and "01" for the second TRP (TRP2).

[0178] Note that currently, slots 1, 2, 4, and 5 would need to be reserved for sending PRS resource repetitions in order to be muted. In contrast, with the scheduling restriction intervals disclosed herein, these slots can be used unconditionally when the associated PRS is not muted, and when the associated PRS is muted, these slots are only used for high priority downlink traffic. In addition, the size of the scheduling restriction interval can be determined by the TRP involved and the estimated location of the UE, similar to the expected RSTD and RSTD uncertainty.

[0179] In one aspect, the scheduling restriction interval may be symmetric or asymmetric around each PRS resource. Fig.18 An example comparison between symmetric and asymmetric scheduling restriction intervals according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. Fig.18 In the example of , each block represents a time slot, and each block group represents an instance of a PRS resource set containing PRS resources. Fig.18 In the example of FIG. 5 , the PRS resource set has a length of eight time slots and includes one PRS resource, but it should be understood that the PRS resource set may be shorter or longer than eight time slots and may include more than one PRS resource or multiple PRS resource repetitions.

[0180] Diagram 1800 illustrates an example of a symmetric scheduling restriction interval around a PRS resource. The symmetric scheduling restriction interval may be specified by a single value applied to the left (front) and right (back) sides of the PRS resource. The value may be specified as a number of symbols, slots, subframes, milliseconds, etc. In the example of diagram 1800, the value is two slots.

[0181] Diagram 1850 illustrates an example of an asymmetric scheduling restriction interval around a PRS resource. The asymmetric scheduling restriction interval can be specified using two separate values ​​for the left side (front) and right side (back) of the PRS resource. These values ​​can be specified as a number of symbols, slots, subframes, milliseconds, etc. In the example of diagram 1850, the value on the left side (front) of the PRS resource is two slots, while the value on the right side (back) of the PRS resource is one slot.

[0182] There are various techniques for indicating the PRS scheduling restriction interval. As a first technique, the PRS definition may be changed. As a first option, the guard interval (herein the scheduling restriction interval) may be PRS resource specific and signaled in the PRS resource configuration. For example, similar to the comb size, the scheduling restriction interval may be added to the higher layer (e.g., RRC, LPP) information element "NR-DL-PRS-Resource". As a second option, the guard interval may be PRS resource set specific and signaled in the PRS resource set configuration. For example, similar to the muting pattern, the scheduling restriction interval may be added to the higher layer information element "NR-DL-PRS-ResourceSet". For this technique, the UE will be aware of the scheduling restriction interval.

[0183] As a second technique, the scheduling restriction interval can be handled entirely by the network side with no impact on the UE side. As a first option, each TRP can be aware of the scheduling of PRS transmissions of neighboring TRPs and can avoid scheduling transmissions on time slots before and after these PRS transmissions according to the scheduling restriction interval. As a second option, the location server (e.g., LMF 270) can signal (e.g., via NR Positioning Protocol Type A (NRPPa)) the scheduling restriction interval for each PRS resource to each TRP, and the TRP can avoid scheduling in these time slots accordingly. In these cases, the UE does not need to be aware of the scheduling restriction, and the solution reduces unnecessary information being sent.

[0184] Note that although the foregoing generally refers to the scheduling restriction interval as a plurality of slots of 1 millisecond duration, it should be understood that the scheduling restriction interval may be indicated by the length of a symbol, a slot, a subframe, a millisecond, etc. Likewise, the length of a slot may have a duration different from 1 millisecond, depending on the parameter set of the PRS resource (e.g., SCS).

[0185] Fig.19 An example method 1900 of wireless communication in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. In one aspect, the method 1900 may be performed by a UE (eg, any UE described herein).

[0186] At 1910, the UE receives a PRS configuration for a positioning session, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more first PRS resources sent by a first TRP (e.g., a base station, an AP, an SV, etc.), wherein the PRS configuration further indicates a first scheduling restriction interval for the one or more first PRS resources, and wherein the first scheduling restriction interval includes a first set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more first PRS resources, the first set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the one or more first PRS resources being configured to be muted. In one aspect, operation 1910 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340, and / or positioning component 342, any or all of which may be considered means for performing the operation.

[0187] At 1920, the UE obtains a first measurement of the one or more first PRS resources. In one aspect, operation 1920 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340, and / or positioning component 342, any or all of which may be considered means for performing the operation.

[0188] Fig. 20 An example method 2000 of wireless communication according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. In one aspect, the method 2000 may be performed by a first TRP (eg, any of the TRPs described herein).

[0189] At 2010, the first TRP receives a PRS configuration for a second TRP, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more PRS resources transmitted by the second TRP. In one aspect, operation 2010 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 350, one or more processors 384, memory 386, and / or positioning component 388, any or all of which may be considered means for performing the operation.

[0190] At 2020, the first TRP avoids scheduling downlink transmissions during a scheduling restriction interval for the one or more PRS resources, wherein the scheduling restriction interval includes a set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more PRS resources, the set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the downlink transmission during which the one or more PRS resources are muted. In one aspect, operation 2020 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 350, one or more processors 384, memory 386, and / or positioning component 388, any or all of which may be considered means for performing the operation.

[0191] As will be appreciated, a technical advantage of methods 1900 and 2000 is that the time slots of the scheduling restriction interval (or other time intervals) need not be reserved for PRS, but can be used for other purposes.

[0192] In the above detailed description, it can be seen that different features are combined together in the examples. This disclosure should not be understood as an example clause having more features than the features explicitly mentioned in each clause. Instead, various aspects of the present disclosure may include fewer features than all the features of the disclosed single example clause. Therefore, the following clauses should be considered to be combined in the specification, where each clause itself can be used as a separate example. Although each subordinate clause can be referenced in a clause with a specific combination of one of the other clauses, the various aspects of the subordinate clause are not limited to a specific combination. It should be understood that other example clauses may also include a combination of the subject matter of the subordinate clause with any other subordinate clause or independent clause, or any feature with other subordinate clauses and independent clauses. The various aspects disclosed herein explicitly include these combinations, unless it is explicitly expressed or can be easily inferred that a specific combination is not desired (for example, contradictory aspects, such as defining an element as both an electrical insulator and an electrical conductor). In addition, it is also intended that various aspects of the clause can be included in any other independent clause, even if the clause is not directly subordinate to the independent clause.

[0193] Examples of implementation are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0194] Clause 1: A method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a positioning session, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more first PRS resources transmitted by a first transmit-receive point (TRP), wherein the PRS configuration further indicates a first scheduling restriction interval for the one or more first PRS resources, wherein the first scheduling restriction interval includes a first set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more first PRS resources, the first set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the one or more first PRS resources being configured to be muted; and obtaining positioning measurements for the one or more first PRS resources.

[0195] Clause 2: The method of clause 1, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP during the first set of adjacent time intervals is not muted based on the one or more first PRS resources being muted.

[0196] Clause 3: A method according to Clause 2, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP includes a synchronization signal block (SSB) sent by the first TRP, a high priority physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), or both.

[0197] Clause 4: A method according to any one of clauses 2 to 3, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP is indicated in the PRS configuration, the wireless communication standard, or both.

[0198] Clause 5: A method according to any one of clauses 2 to 4, wherein one or more first flags associated with the one or more first PRS resources, one or more first PRS resource sets including the one or more first PRS resources, a first positioning frequency layer associated with the first TRP, or the first TRP indicates the high priority signal sent by the first TRP.

[0199] Clause 6: The method of any of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the first set of adjacent time intervals comprises the same number of time intervals before and after each first PRS resource of the one or more first PRS resources.

[0200] Clause 7: A method according to any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the first set of adjacent time intervals includes a number of time intervals before each first PRS resource in the one or more first PRS resources that is different from the number of time intervals after each first PRS resource in the one or more first PRS resources.

[0201] Clause 8: A method according to clause 7, wherein the PRS configuration indicating the first scheduling restriction interval includes a PRS configuration indicating the number of time intervals before each first PRS resource in the one or more first PRS resources and the number of time intervals after each first PRS resource in the one or more first PRS resources.

[0202] Clause 9: A method according to any of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the first set of contiguous time intervals comprises a first plurality of symbols, slots, subframes, or milliseconds.

[0203] Clause 10: A method according to any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein: the PRS configuration comprises a first PRS resource configuration for the one or more first PRS resources, and the first scheduling restriction interval is indicated in the first PRS resource configuration for the one or more first PRS resources.

[0204] Clause 11: A method according to any one of clauses 1 to 10, wherein: the PRS configuration comprises a first PRS resource set configuration for a first PRS resource set comprising the one or more first PRS resources, and the first scheduling restriction interval is indicated in the first PRS resource set configuration.

[0205] Clause 12: The method of any of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the one or more first PRS resources comprise a first plurality of repetitions of a first PRS resource.

[0206] Clause 13: A method according to any one of clauses 1 to 12, wherein the positioning session comprises a time difference of arrival (TDOA) based positioning session, an angle based positioning session, a round trip time (RTT) based positioning session, or a signal strength based positioning session.

[0207] Clause 14: A method according to any one of clauses 1 to 13, wherein: the PRS configuration also indicates one or more second PRS resources sent by a second TRP, the PRS configuration also indicates a second scheduling restriction interval for the one or more second PRS resources, the second scheduling restriction interval includes a second adjacent time interval set around each second PRS resource in the one or more second PRS resources, the second adjacent time interval set is configured to be muted based on the one or more second PRS resources being configured to be muted, and the positioning measurement of the one or more first PRS resources is obtained based on the one or more second PRS resources and the second adjacent time interval set around each second PRS resource in the one or more second PRS resources being muted.

[0208] Clause 15: A method according to clause 14, wherein: the positioning measurement includes a reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement between the first TRP and the second TRP, and the RSTD measurement is greater than one millisecond.

[0209] Clause 16: The method of any of clauses 14 to 15, wherein the first TRP and the second TRP are or are located on a space vehicle.

[0210] Clause 17: A method of wireless communication performed by a first transmit-receive point (TRP), comprising: receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a second TRP, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more PRS resources transmitted by the second TRP; and avoiding scheduling downlink transmissions during a scheduling restriction interval for the one or more PRS resources, wherein the scheduling restriction interval includes a set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more PRS resources, the set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the downlink transmission during the period when the one or more PRS resources are muted.

[0211] Clause 18: A method according to clause 17, wherein high priority signals sent by the first TRP during the set of adjacent time intervals are not muted.

[0212] Clause 19: A method according to clause 18, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP includes a synchronization signal block (SSB) sent by the first TRP, a high priority physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), or both.

[0213] Clause 20: The method according to any one of clauses 17 to 19 further comprises: receiving the scheduling restriction interval from a location server or the second TRP.

[0214] Clause 21: A method according to any of clauses 17 to 20, wherein the PRS configuration is received from a location server or the second TRP.

[0215] Clause 22: The method according to any one of clauses 17 to 21, further comprising: muting PRS resource transmission during a time interval including the one or more PRS resources; or avoiding scheduling downlink transmission during the time interval including the one or more PRS resources.

[0216] Clause 23: A method according to any of clauses 17 to 22, wherein the set of adjacent time intervals comprises the same number of time intervals before and after each of the one or more PRS resources.

[0217] Clause 24: A method according to any of clauses 17 to 22, wherein the set of adjacent time intervals comprises a number of time intervals before each of the one or more PRS resources that is different from the number of time intervals after each of the one or more PRS resources.

[0218] Clause 25: A method according to any of clauses 17 to 24, wherein the set of contiguous time intervals comprises a plurality of symbols, slots, subframes, or milliseconds.

[0219] Clause 26: A method according to any of clauses 17 to 25, wherein: the PRS configuration comprises a PRS resource configuration for the one or more PRS resources, and the scheduling restriction interval is indicated for the one or more PRS resources.

[0220] Clause 27: A method according to any one of clauses 17 to 26, wherein: the PRS configuration comprises a PRS resource set configuration for a PRS resource set comprising the one or more PRS resources, and the scheduling restriction interval is indicated for the PRS resource set configuration.

[0221] Clause 28: The method of any of clauses 17 to 27, wherein the first TRP and the second TRP are or are located on a space vehicle.

[0222] Clause 29: A user equipment (UE) comprising: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: receive, via the at least one transceiver, a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a positioning session, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more first PRS resources transmitted by a first transmit-receive point (TRP), wherein the PRS configuration further indicates a first scheduling restriction interval for the one or more first PRS resources, wherein the first scheduling restriction interval includes a first set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more first PRS resources, the first set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the one or more first PRS resources being configured to be muted; and obtain positioning measurements for the one or more first PRS resources.

[0223] Clause 30: A UE according to clause 29, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP during the first set of adjacent time intervals is not muted based on the one or more first PRS resources being muted.

[0224] Clause 31: A UE according to clause 30, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP includes a synchronization signal block (SSB) sent by the first TRP, a high priority physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), or both.

[0225] Clause 32: A UE according to any one of clauses 30 to 31, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP is indicated in the PRS configuration, the wireless communication standard, or both.

[0226] Clause 33: A UE according to any one of clauses 30 to 32, wherein one or more first flags associated with the one or more first PRS resources, one or more first PRS resource sets including the one or more first PRS resources, a first positioning frequency layer associated with the first TRP, or the first TRP indicates the high priority signal sent by the first TRP.

[0227] Clause 34: A UE according to any of clauses 29 to 33, wherein the first set of adjacent time intervals comprises the same number of time intervals before and after each first PRS resource of the one or more first PRS resources.

[0228] Clause 35: A UE according to any one of clauses 29 to 33, wherein the first set of adjacent time intervals comprises a number of time intervals before each of the one or more first PRS resources that is different from the number of time intervals after each of the one or more first PRS resources.

[0229] Clause 36: A UE according to clause 35, wherein the PRS configuration indicating the first scheduling restriction interval includes a PRS configuration indicating the number of time intervals before each first PRS resource in the one or more first PRS resources and the number of time intervals after each first PRS resource in the one or more first PRS resources.

[0230] Clause 37: A UE according to any of clauses 29 to 36, wherein the first set of contiguous time intervals comprises a first plurality of symbols, slots, subframes, or milliseconds.

[0231] Clause 38: A UE according to any one of clauses 29 to 37, wherein: the PRS configuration comprises a first PRS resource configuration for the one or more first PRS resources, and the first scheduling restriction interval is indicated in the first PRS resource configuration for the one or more first PRS resources.

[0232] Clause 39: A UE according to any one of clauses 29 to 38, wherein: the PRS configuration comprises a first PRS resource set configuration for a first PRS resource set comprising the one or more first PRS resources, and the first scheduling restriction interval is indicated in the first PRS resource set configuration.

[0233] Clause 40: A UE according to any of clauses 29 to 39, wherein the one or more first PRS resources comprise a first plurality of repetitions of the first PRS resource.

[0234] Clause 41: A UE according to any one of clauses 29 to 40, wherein the positioning session comprises a time difference of arrival (TDOA) based positioning session, an angle based positioning session, a round trip time (RTT) based positioning session, or a signal strength based positioning session.

[0235] Clause 42: A UE according to any one of clauses 29 to 41, wherein: the PRS configuration further indicates one or more second PRS resources sent by a second TRP, the PRS configuration further indicates a second scheduling restriction interval for the one or more second PRS resources, the second scheduling restriction interval comprising a second adjacent time interval set around each of the one or more second PRS resources, the second adjacent time interval set being configured to be muted based on the one or more second PRS resources being configured to be muted, and the positioning measurement of the one or more first PRS resources is obtained based on the one or more second PRS resources and the second adjacent time interval set around each of the one or more second PRS resources being muted.

[0236] Clause 43: A UE according to clause 42, wherein: the positioning measurement comprises a reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement between the first TRP and the second TRP, and the RSTD measurement is greater than one millisecond.

[0237] Clause 44: A UE according to any one of clauses 42 to 43, wherein the first TRP and the second TRP are or are located on a space vehicle.

[0238] Clause 45: A first transmit-receive point (TRP), comprising: a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor being configured to: receive a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a second TRP via the at least one transceiver, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more PRS resources transmitted by the second TRP; and avoid scheduling downlink transmissions during a scheduling restriction interval for the one or more PRS resources, wherein the scheduling restriction interval includes a set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more PRS resources, the set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the downlink transmission during the period when the one or more PRS resources are muted.

[0239] Clause 46: A first TRP according to clause 45, wherein high priority signals sent by the first TRP during the set of adjacent time intervals are not muted.

[0240] Clause 47: A first TRP according to clause 46, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB) sent by the first TRP, a high priority physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), or both.

[0241] Clause 48: The first TRP according to any one of clauses 45 to 47, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive the scheduling restriction interval from a location server or the second TRP via the at least one transceiver.

[0242] Clause 49: A first TRP according to any one of clauses 45 to 48, wherein the PRS configuration is received from a location server or the second TRP.

[0243] Clause 50: A first TRP according to any one of clauses 45 to 49, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: mute PRS resource transmission during a time interval containing the one or more PRS resources; or avoid scheduling downlink transmission during the time interval containing the one or more PRS resources.

[0244] Clause 51: The first TRP according to any one of clauses 45 to 50, wherein the set of adjacent time intervals comprises the same number of time intervals before and after each of the one or more PRS resources.

[0245] Clause 52: A first TRP according to any one of clauses 45 to 50, wherein the set of adjacent time intervals comprises a number of time intervals before each PRS resource in the one or more PRS resources that is different from the number of time intervals after each PRS resource in the one or more PRS resources.

[0246] Clause 53: A first TRP according to any one of clauses 45 to 52, wherein the set of adjacent time intervals comprises a plurality of symbols, time slots, subframes, or milliseconds.

[0247] Clause 54: A first TRP according to any one of clauses 45 to 53, wherein: the PRS configuration comprises a PRS resource configuration for the one or more PRS resources, and the scheduling restriction interval is indicated for the one or more PRS resources.

[0248] Clause 55: A first TRP according to any one of clauses 45 to 54, wherein: the PRS configuration comprises a PRS resource set configuration for a PRS resource set comprising the one or more PRS resources, and the scheduling restriction interval is indicated for the PRS resource set configuration.

[0249] Clause 56: The first TRP according to any one of clauses 45 to 55, wherein the first TRP and the second TRP are or are located on a spacecraft.

[0250] Clause 57: A user equipment (UE), comprising: components for receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a positioning session, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more first PRS resources transmitted by a first transmit-receive point (TRP), wherein the PRS configuration further indicates a first scheduling restriction interval for the one or more first PRS resources, wherein the first scheduling restriction interval includes a first set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more first PRS resources, the first set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the one or more first PRS resources being configured to be muted; and components for obtaining positioning measurements of the one or more first PRS resources.

[0251] Clause 58: A UE according to clause 57, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP during the first set of adjacent time intervals is not muted based on the one or more first PRS resources being muted.

[0252] Clause 59: A UE according to clause 58, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP includes a synchronization signal block (SSB) sent by the first TRP, a high priority physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), or both.

[0253] Clause 60: A UE according to any one of clauses 58 to 59, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP is indicated in the PRS configuration, the wireless communication standard, or both.

[0254] Clause 61: A UE according to any one of clauses 58 to 60, wherein one or more first flags associated with the one or more first PRS resources, one or more first PRS resource sets including the one or more first PRS resources, a first positioning frequency layer associated with the first TRP, or the first TRP indicates the high priority signal sent by the first TRP.

[0255] Clause 62: A UE according to any of clauses 57 to 61, wherein the first set of adjacent time intervals comprises the same number of time intervals before and after each first PRS resource of the one or more first PRS resources.

[0256] Clause 63: A UE according to any one of clauses 57 to 61, wherein the first set of adjacent time intervals comprises a number of time intervals before each of the one or more first PRS resources that is different from the number of time intervals after each of the one or more first PRS resources.

[0257] Clause 64: A UE according to clause 63, wherein the PRS configuration indicating the first scheduling restriction interval includes a PRS configuration indicating the number of time intervals before each first PRS resource in the one or more first PRS resources and the number of time intervals after each first PRS resource in the one or more first PRS resources.

[0258] Clause 65: A UE according to any of clauses 57 to 64, wherein the first set of contiguous time intervals comprises a first plurality of symbols, slots, subframes, or milliseconds.

[0259] Clause 66: A UE according to any one of clauses 57 to 65, wherein: the PRS configuration comprises a first PRS resource configuration for the one or more first PRS resources, and the first scheduling restriction interval is indicated in the first PRS resource configuration for the one or more first PRS resources.

[0260] Clause 67: A UE according to any one of clauses 57 to 66, wherein: the PRS configuration comprises a first PRS resource set configuration for a first PRS resource set comprising the one or more first PRS resources, and the first scheduling restriction interval is indicated in the first PRS resource set configuration.

[0261] Clause 68: A UE according to any of clauses 57 to 67, wherein the one or more first PRS resources comprise a first plurality of repetitions of the first PRS resource.

[0262] Clause 69: A UE according to any one of clauses 57 to 68, wherein the positioning session comprises a time difference of arrival (TDOA) based positioning session, an angle based positioning session, a round trip time (RTT) based positioning session, or a signal strength based positioning session.

[0263] Clause 70: A UE according to any one of clauses 57 to 69, wherein: the PRS configuration further indicates one or more second PRS resources sent by a second TRP, the PRS configuration further indicates a second scheduling restriction interval for the one or more second PRS resources, the second scheduling restriction interval comprising a second adjacent time interval set around each of the one or more second PRS resources, the second adjacent time interval set being configured to be muted based on the one or more second PRS resources being configured to be muted, and the positioning measurement of the one or more first PRS resources being obtained based on the one or more second PRS resources and the second adjacent time interval set around each of the one or more second PRS resources being muted.

[0264] Clause 71: A UE according to clause 70, wherein: the positioning measurement comprises a reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement between the first TRP and the second TRP, and the RSTD measurement is greater than one millisecond.

[0265] Clause 72: A UE according to any one of clauses 70 to 71, wherein the first TRP and the second TRP are or are located on a space vehicle.

[0266] Clause 73: A first transmit-receive point (TRP), comprising: a component for receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a second TRP, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more PRS resources transmitted by the second TRP; and a component for avoiding scheduling downlink transmissions during a scheduling restriction interval for the one or more PRS resources, wherein the scheduling restriction interval includes a set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more PRS resources, the set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the downlink transmission during the period when the one or more PRS resources are muted.

[0267] Clause 74: A first TRP according to clause 74, wherein high priority signals sent by the first TRP during the set of adjacent time intervals are not muted.

[0268] Clause 75: A first TRP according to clause 74, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB) sent by the first TRP, a high priority physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), or both.

[0269] Clause 76: The first TRP according to any one of clauses 73 to 75 further includes: a component for receiving the scheduling restriction interval from a location server or the second TRP.

[0270] Clause 77: A first TRP according to any one of clauses 73 to 76, wherein the PRS configuration is received from a location server or the second TRP.

[0271] Clause 78: The first TRP according to any one of clauses 73 to 77 further includes: a component for muting PRS resource transmission during a time interval containing the one or more PRS resources; or a component for avoiding scheduling downlink transmission during the time interval containing the one or more PRS resources.

[0272] Clause 79: The first TRP according to any one of clauses 73 to 78, wherein the set of adjacent time intervals comprises the same number of time intervals before and after each of the one or more PRS resources.

[0273] Clause 80: A first TRP according to any one of clauses 73 to 78, wherein the set of adjacent time intervals comprises a number of time intervals before each PRS resource in the one or more PRS resources that is different from the number of time intervals after each PRS resource in the one or more PRS resources.

[0274] Clause 81: A first TRP according to any one of clauses 73 to 80, wherein the set of adjacent time intervals comprises a plurality of symbols, time slots, subframes, or milliseconds.

[0275] Clause 82: A first TRP according to any one of clauses 73 to 81, wherein: the PRS configuration comprises a PRS resource configuration for the one or more PRS resources, and the scheduling restriction interval is indicated for the one or more PRS resources.

[0276] Clause 83: A first TRP according to any one of clauses 73 to 82, wherein: the PRS configuration comprises a PRS resource set configuration for a PRS resource set comprising the one or more PRS resources, and the scheduling restriction interval is indicated for the PRS resource set configuration.

[0277] Clause 84: A first TRP according to any one of clauses 73 to 83, wherein the first TRP and the second TRP are or are located on a space vehicle.

[0278] Clause 85: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to: receive a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a positioning session, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more first PRS resources transmitted by a first transmit-receive point (TRP), wherein the PRS configuration further indicates a first scheduling restriction interval for the one or more first PRS resources, wherein the first scheduling restriction interval includes a first set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more first PRS resources, the first set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the one or more first PRS resources being configured to be muted; and obtain positioning measurements for the one or more first PRS resources.

[0279] Clause 86: The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 85, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP during the first set of adjacent time intervals is not muted based on the one or more first PRS resources being muted.

[0280] Clause 87: A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to clause 86, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP includes a synchronization signal block (SSB) sent by the first TRP, a high priority physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), or both.

[0281] Clause 88: A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any of clauses 86 to 87, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP is indicated in the PRS configuration, the wireless communication standard, or both.

[0282] Clause 89: A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 86 to 88, wherein one or more first flags associated with the one or more first PRS resources, one or more first PRS resource sets including the one or more first PRS resources, a first positioning frequency layer associated with the first TRP, or the first TRP indicates the high priority signal sent by the first TRP.

[0283] Clause 90: The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 85 to 89, wherein the first set of adjacent time intervals comprises a same number of time intervals before and after each first PRS resource of the one or more first PRS resources.

[0284] Clause 91: A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 85 to 89, wherein the first set of adjacent time intervals includes a number of time intervals before each first PRS resource in the one or more first PRS resources that is different from the number of time intervals after each first PRS resource in the one or more first PRS resources.

[0285] Clause 92: A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to clause 91, wherein the PRS configuration indicating the first scheduling restriction interval includes a PRS configuration indicating the number of time intervals before each first PRS resource in the one or more first PRS resources and the number of time intervals after each first PRS resource in the one or more first PRS resources.

[0286] Clause 93: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of clauses 85 to 92, wherein the first set of adjacent time intervals comprises a first plurality of symbols, slots, subframes, or milliseconds.

[0287] Clause 94: A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 85 to 93, wherein: the PRS configuration includes a first PRS resource configuration for the one or more first PRS resources, and the first scheduling restriction interval is indicated in the first PRS resource configuration for the one or more first PRS resources.

[0288] Clause 95: A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 85 to 94, wherein: the PRS configuration includes a first PRS resource set configuration for a first PRS resource set including the one or more first PRS resources, and the first scheduling restriction interval is indicated in the first PRS resource set configuration.

[0289] Clause 96: The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 85 to 95, wherein the one or more first PRS resources comprise a first plurality of repetitions of a first PRS resource.

[0290] Clause 97: A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 85 to 96, wherein the positioning session comprises a time difference of arrival (TDOA) based positioning session, an angle based positioning session, a round trip time (RTT) based positioning session, or a signal strength based positioning session.

[0291] Clause 98: A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 85 to 97, wherein: the PRS configuration further indicates one or more second PRS resources sent by a second TRP, the PRS configuration further indicates a second scheduling restriction interval for the one or more second PRS resources, the second scheduling restriction interval includes a second adjacent time interval set around each of the one or more second PRS resources, the second adjacent time interval set is configured to be muted based on the one or more second PRS resources being configured to be muted, and the positioning measurement of the one or more first PRS resources is obtained based on the one or more second PRS resources and the second adjacent time interval set around each of the one or more second PRS resources being muted.

[0292] Clause 99: A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to clause 98, wherein: the positioning measurement includes a reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement between the first TRP and the second TRP, and the RSTD measurement is greater than one millisecond.

[0293] Clause 100: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of clauses 98 to 99, wherein the first TRP and the second TRP are or are located on a space vehicle.

[0294] Item 101: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a first transmit-receive point (TRP), cause the first TRP to: receive a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a second TRP, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more PRS resources transmitted by the second TRP; and avoid scheduling downlink transmissions during a scheduling restriction interval for the one or more PRS resources, wherein the scheduling restriction interval includes a set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more PRS resources, the set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the downlink transmission during the period when the one or more PRS resources are muted.

[0295] Clause 102: The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 101, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP during the set of adjacent time intervals is not muted.

[0296] Clause 103: A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to clause 102, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP includes a synchronization signal block (SSB) sent by the first TRP, a high priority physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), or both.

[0297] Clause 104: The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 101 to 103, further comprising computer-executable instructions which, when executed by the first TRP, cause the first TRP to: receive the scheduling restriction interval from a location server or the second TRP.

[0298] Clause 105: The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 101 to 104, wherein the PRS configuration is received from a location server or the second TRP.

[0299] Clause 106: A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of clauses 101 to 105, further comprising computer-executable instructions which, when executed by the first TRP, cause the first TRP to: mute PRS resource transmission during a time interval containing the one or more PRS resources; or avoid scheduling downlink transmission during the time interval containing the one or more PRS resources.

[0300] Clause 107: The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 101 to 106, wherein the set of adjacent time intervals comprises a same number of time intervals before and after each of the one or more PRS resources.

[0301] Clause 108: A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any of clauses 101 to 106, wherein the set of adjacent time intervals includes a number of time intervals before each PRS resource in the one or more PRS resources that is different from the number of time intervals after each PRS resource in the one or more PRS resources.

[0302] Clause 109: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of clauses 101 to 108, wherein the set of contiguous time intervals comprises a plurality of symbols, time slots, subframes, or milliseconds.

[0303] Clause 110: The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 101 to 109, wherein: the PRS configuration comprises a PRS resource configuration for the one or more PRS resources, and the scheduling restriction interval is indicated for the one or more PRS resources.

[0304] Clause 111: A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any of clauses 101 to 110, wherein: the PRS configuration comprises a PRS resource set configuration for a PRS resource set including the one or more PRS resources, and the scheduling restriction interval is indicated for the PRS resource set configuration.

[0305] Clause 112: The non-transitory computer readable medium of any of clauses 101 to 111, wherein the first TRP and the second TRP are or are located on a space vehicle.

[0306] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0307] In addition, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithmic steps described in conjunction with aspects disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of the two. In order to clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been generally described above with respect to their functionality. Whether this functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on specific applications and the design constraints imposed on the entire system. The technician can implement the described functions in different ways for each specific application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing deviations from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0308] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or performed using a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in an alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0309] The methods, sequences and / or algorithms described in conjunction with the aspects disclosed herein may be directly embodied in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. The software module may reside in a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a register, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An example storage medium is coupled to a processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. In an alternative, the storage medium may be integrated into the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal (e.g., UE). In an alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside in a user terminal as discrete components.

[0310] In one or more example aspects, the functions described can be implemented with hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, these functions can be stored on a computer-readable medium or transmitted on a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. Computer-readable media include both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not by way of limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store a desired program code in the form of an instruction or data structure and can be accessed by a computer. In addition, any connection is appropriately referred to as a computer-readable medium. For example, if software is sent from a website, server or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL) or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio and microwaves, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio and microwaves are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc as used herein include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc, wherein disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0311] Although the foregoing disclosure shows illustrative aspects of the present disclosure, it should be noted that various changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The functions, steps, and / or actions of the method claims according to the aspects of the present disclosure described herein do not need to be performed in any particular order. In addition, although elements of the present disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is encompassed unless explicitly stated to be limited to the singular.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a positioning session, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more first PRS resources transmitted by a first transmit-receive point (TRP), wherein the PRS configuration further indicates a first scheduling restriction interval for the one or more first PRS resources, wherein the first scheduling restriction interval comprises a first set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more first PRS resources, the first set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the one or more first PRS resources being configured to be muted; and Positioning measurements of the one or more first PRS resources are obtained.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: High priority signals sent by the first TRP during the first set of adjacent time intervals are not muted based on the one or more first PRS resources being muted.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The high priority signal sent by the first TRP includes a synchronization signal block (SSB) sent by the first TRP, a high priority physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), or both.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP is indicated in the PRS configuration, the wireless communication standard, or both.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein: One or more first flags associated with the one or more first PRS resources, one or more first PRS resource sets including the one or more first PRS resources, a first positioning frequency layer associated with the first TRP, or the first TRP indicates the high priority signal sent by the first TRP.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The first set of adjacent time intervals includes the same number of time intervals before and after each first PRS resource of the one or more first PRS resources.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The first set of adjacent time intervals includes time intervals before each of the one or more first PRS resources, the number of which is different from the number of time intervals after each of the one or more first PRS resources.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: The PRS configuration indicating the first scheduling restriction interval includes a PRS configuration indicating the number of time intervals before each of the one or more first PRS resources and the number of time intervals after each of the one or more first PRS resources.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The first set of adjacent time intervals includes a first plurality of symbols, time slots, subframes, or milliseconds.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein: The PRS configuration includes a first PRS resource configuration for the one or more first PRS resources, and The first scheduling restriction interval is indicated in the first PRS resource configuration for the one or more first PRS resources.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The PRS configuration includes a first PRS resource set configuration for a first PRS resource set including the one or more first PRS resources, and The first scheduling restriction interval is indicated in the first PRS resource set configuration.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein: The one or more first PRS resources include a first plurality of repetitions of a first PRS resource.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the positioning session comprises a time difference of arrival (TDOA) based positioning session, an angle based positioning session, a round trip time (RTT) based positioning session, or a signal strength based positioning session.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein: The PRS configuration further indicates one or more second PRS resources transmitted by the second TRP, The PRS configuration further indicates a second scheduling restriction interval for the one or more second PRS resources, The second scheduling restriction interval includes a set of second adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more second PRS resources, the second set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the one or more second PRS resources being configured to be muted, The positioning measurement of the one or more first PRS resources is obtained based on the one or more second PRS resources and the second set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more second PRS resources being muted.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The positioning measurement includes a reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement between the first TRP and the second TRP, and The RSTD measurement is greater than one millisecond.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the first TRP and the second TRP are space vehicles or are located on the space vehicles.

17. A method of wireless communication performed by a first transmit-receive point (TRP), comprising: receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a second TRP, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more PRS resources transmitted by the second TRP; as well as and avoiding scheduling downlink transmissions during a scheduling restriction interval for the one or more PRS resources, wherein the scheduling restriction interval comprises a set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more PRS resources, the set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the downlink transmissions during which the one or more PRS resources are muted.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein high priority signals sent by the first TRP during the set of adjacent time intervals are not muted.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB) sent by the first TRP, a high priority physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), or both.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising: The scheduling restriction interval is received from a location server or the second TRP.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the PRS configuration is received from a location server or the second TRP.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising: muting PRS resource transmission during a time interval including the one or more PRS resources; or Scheduling downlink transmissions during the time interval including the one or more PRS resources is avoided.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the set of adjacent time intervals comprises a same number of time intervals before and after each of the one or more PRS resources.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the set of adjacent time intervals comprises a number of time intervals before each of the one or more PRS resources that is different from a number of time intervals after each of the one or more PRS resources.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the set of contiguous time intervals comprises a plurality of symbols, time slots, subframes, or milliseconds.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein: The PRS configuration includes a PRS resource configuration for the one or more PRS resources, and The scheduling restriction interval is indicated for the one or more PRS resources.

27. The method of claim 17, wherein: The PRS configuration includes a PRS resource set configuration for a PRS resource set including the one or more PRS resources, and The scheduling restriction interval is indicated for the PRS resource set configuration.

28. The method of claim 17, wherein the first TRP and the second TRP are space vehicles or are located on the space vehicles.

29. A user equipment (UE), comprising: Memory; at least one transceiver; as well as at least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: receiving, via the at least one transceiver, a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a positioning session, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more first PRS resources transmitted by a first transmit-receive point (TRP), wherein the PRS configuration further indicates a first scheduling restriction interval for the one or more first PRS resources, wherein the first scheduling restriction interval comprises a first set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more PRS resources, the first set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the one or more PRS resources being configured to be muted; and Positioning measurements of the one or more first PRS resources are obtained.

30. The UE of claim 29, wherein a high priority signal sent by the first TRP during the first set of adjacent time intervals is not muted based on the one or more first PRS resources being muted.

31. A UE according to claim 30, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP includes a synchronization signal block (SSB) sent by the first TRP, a high priority physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), or both.

32. A UE according to claim 30, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP is indicated in the PRS configuration, the wireless communication standard, or both.

33. The UE of claim 30, wherein one or more first flags associated with the one or more first PRS resources, one or more first PRS resource sets including the one or more first PRS resources, a first positioning frequency layer associated with the first TRP, or the first TRP indicates the high priority signal sent by the first TRP.

34. The UE of claim 29, wherein the first set of adjacent time intervals comprises a same number of time intervals before and after each of the one or more first PRS resources.

35. The UE of claim 29, wherein the first set of adjacent time intervals includes time intervals before each of the one or more first PRS resources, the number of which is different from the number of time intervals after each of the one or more first PRS resources.

36. The UE of claim 35, wherein the PRS configuration indicating the first scheduling restriction interval comprises a PRS configuration indicating the number of time intervals before each of the one or more first PRS resources and the number of time intervals after each of the one or more first PRS resources.

37. The UE of claim 29, wherein the first set of adjacent time intervals comprises a first plurality of symbols, time slots, subframes, or milliseconds.

38. The UE according to claim 29, wherein: The PRS configuration includes a first PRS resource configuration for the one or more first PRS resources, and The first scheduling restriction interval is indicated in the first PRS resource configuration for the one or more first PRS resources.

39. The UE according to claim 29, wherein: The PRS configuration includes a first PRS resource set configuration for a first PRS resource set including the one or more first PRS resources, and The first scheduling restriction interval is indicated in the first PRS resource set configuration.

40. The UE of claim 29, wherein the one or more first PRS resources comprise a first plurality of repetitions of a first PRS resource.

41. The UE of claim 29, wherein the positioning session comprises a time difference of arrival (TDOA) based positioning session, an angle based positioning session, a round trip time (RTT) based positioning session, or a signal strength based positioning session.

42. The UE of claim 29, wherein: The PRS configuration further indicates one or more second PRS resources transmitted by the second TRP, The PRS configuration further indicates a second scheduling restriction interval for the one or more second PRS resources, The second scheduling restriction interval includes a set of second adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more second PRS resources, the second set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the one or more second PRS resources being configured to be muted, The positioning measurement of the one or more first PRS resources is obtained based on the one or more second PRS resources and the second set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more second PRS resources being muted.

43. The UE according to claim 42, wherein: The positioning measurement includes a reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurement between the first TRP and the second TRP, and The RSTD measurement is greater than one millisecond.

44. The UE of claim 42, wherein the first TRP and the second TRP are space vehicles or are located on the space vehicles.

45. A first transmit-receive point (TRP), comprising: Memory; at least one transceiver; as well as at least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: receiving, via the at least one transceiver, a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a second TRP, wherein the PRS configuration indicates at least one or more PRS resources transmitted by the second TRP; and and avoiding scheduling downlink transmissions during a scheduling restriction interval for the one or more PRS resources, wherein the scheduling restriction interval comprises a set of adjacent time intervals around each of the one or more PRS resources, the set of adjacent time intervals being configured to be muted based on the downlink transmissions during which the one or more PRS resources are muted.

46. ​​A first TRP according to claim 45, wherein high priority signals sent by the first TRP during the set of adjacent time intervals are not muted.

47. A first TRP according to claim 46, wherein the high priority signal sent by the first TRP includes a synchronization signal block (SSB) sent by the first TRP, a high priority physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), or both.

48. The first TRP of claim 45, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: The scheduling restriction interval is received from a location server or the second TRP via the at least one transceiver.

49. The first TRP of claim 45, wherein the PRS configuration is received from a location server or the second TRP.

50. The first TRP of claim 45, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: muting PRS resource transmission during a time interval containing the one or more PRS resources; or Scheduling downlink transmissions during the time interval including the one or more PRS resources is avoided.

51. The first TRP of claim 45, wherein the set of adjacent time intervals comprises the same number of time intervals before and after each of the one or more PRS resources.

52. A first TRP according to claim 45, wherein the set of adjacent time intervals includes time intervals before each PRS resource in the one or more PRS resources, and the number of time intervals is different from the number of time intervals after each PRS resource in the one or more PRS resources.

53. The first TRP of claim 45, wherein the set of adjacent time intervals comprises a plurality of symbols, time slots, subframes, or milliseconds.

54. A first TRP according to claim 45, wherein: The PRS configuration includes a PRS resource configuration for the one or more PRS resources, and The scheduling restriction interval is indicated for the one or more PRS resources.

55. A first TRP according to claim 45, wherein: The PRS configuration includes a PRS resource set configuration for a PRS resource set including the one or more PRS resources, and The scheduling restriction interval is indicated for the PRS resource set configuration.

56. The first TRP of claim 45, wherein the first TRP and the second TRP are space vehicles or are located on the space vehicles.

Images