Configuration of dynamically triggered SL PRS transmissions

Abstract

The invention relates to configuration of dynamically triggered SLPRS transmissions. At least one embodiment provides: receiving, from a user equipment, a request to respond to a transmission of a sidelink positioning reference signal; receiving an initial sidelink positioning reference signal from the user equipment; determining a configuration of a responsive sidelink positioning reference signal based at least in part on the configuration of the initial sidelink positioning reference signal; and sending the response side link positioning reference signal to the user equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Example and non-limiting example embodiments relate generally to communications, and more particularly, to configuration of a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL PRS) when transmission of the SL PRS is dynamically triggered by lower layer signaling. Background Art

[0002] It is known to estimate the position of a communication device in a communication network. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] The foregoing aspects and other features are explained in the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0004] Figure 1 It is a diagram of the SL positioning scenario.

[0005] Figure 2 is a signaling diagram of a first example of implementing the examples described herein.

[0006] Figure 3 is a signaling diagram of a second example of implementing the examples described herein.

[0007] Figure 4 is a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting system in which example embodiments may be implemented.

[0008] Figure 5 is an example apparatus configured to implement the examples described herein.

[0009] Figure 6 Representations of examples of non-volatile storage media for storing instructions implementing the examples described herein are shown.

[0010] Figure 7 is an example method based on the examples described herein.

[0011] Figure 8 is an example method based on the examples described herein.

[0012] Fig. 9 is an example method based on the examples described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The method described in this article addresses open issues in sidelink (SL) positioning in 5G New Radio (NR), specifically, how to select the SL PRS configuration when a SL PRS request is triggered by lower layers (e.g., via SC1 or SL PRS).

[0014] Use cases and requirements

[0015] Prior to this, 3GPP RAN studied "Scenarios and requirements for NR positioning use cases in coverage, partial coverage and out of coverage" in Rel-17 focusing on V2X and public safety use cases, and obtained the results in TR38.845. In addition, SA1 has developed requirements for "Ranging-based services" in TS22.261, and positioning accuracy requirements for IIoT use cases in out-of-coverage scenarios in TS22.104.

[0016] In Table 7.3.2.2-1, TS22.261 lists the performance requirements for different positioning service levels. It should be noted that, along with the horizontal and vertical accuracy requirements, the requirements for positioning service availability and positioning service latency are particularly stringent for positioning service levels 4 (99.9% availability and 15ms latency) and 6 (99.9% availability and 10ms latency). Examples of scenarios / use cases for positioning service levels 4 and 6 include (1-2):

[0017] 1. V2X, Group-2 and Group-3 Use Cases [TR38.845]: This corresponds to the ‘Group 2: Lane-level localization requirements’ use cases in RP-210040, such as vehicle platooning, cooperative lane merging, lane change warning, emergency break warning, intersection movement assistance, etc., and the ‘Group 3: Below-meter localization requirements’ use cases, such as high-definition sensor sharing, vulnerable road user (VUR)-collision risk warning, cooperative maneuvering in emergency situations, real-time situation awareness and high-definition mapping, etc.

[0018] 2.IIoT[TS22.104]: Factories of the future, for example, augmented reality in smart factories, mobile control panels with safety functions in smart factories (within factory hazardous areas), inbound logistics for manufacturing (driving trajectories for indoor autonomous driving systems if supported by other sensors such as cameras, GNSS, IMU, etc.).

[0019] SL Positioning Overview

[0020] The following is a list of relevant terms [TR 38.859].

[0021] Target UE: The UE to be located (in this context, SL, ie, PC5 interface is used).

[0022] Anchor UE: A UE that supports positioning of a target UE, for example, by transmitting and / or receiving a reference signal for positioning via a SL interface, providing positioning-related information, etc.

[0023] Sidelink positioning: Use the reference signal transmitted on the SL (ie, PC5 interface) to locate the UE to obtain absolute position, relative position or ranging information.

[0024] Ranging: Determining the distance and / or direction between a UE and another entity (eg, an anchor UE).

[0025] Sidelink Positioning Reference Signal (SLPRS): A reference signal transmitted on the SL for positioning purposes.

[0026] SLPRS (pre-)configuration: (pre-)configuration parameters of SLPRS, such as time-frequency resources (not excluding other parameters), including its bandwidth and periodicity.

[0027] SL positioning is based on transmissions of SL PRS by multiple anchor UEs received by, e.g., a target UE. For example, a SL TDOA method or SL PRS exchange between (one or more) anchor and target UEs. A SL (multi)RTT method is used to achieve positioning of the target UE and / or ranging of the target UE relative to a reference UE (e.g., anchor UE) within the precise delay and accuracy requirements of the corresponding SL positioning. Figure 1 A SL positioning scenario is shown, where a target UE (UE-T 10) performs SL positioning by receiving SL PRS from three anchor UEs (UE-A1 10-1, UE-A2 10-2 and UE-A3 10-3) and determining its position using the SL TDOA method. Here, the anchors are said to provide SL PRS assistance (including SL PRS) to the target UE.

[0028] A UE may trigger another UE for SL PRS transmission via SCI. The examples described herein address several open issues, including triggering of SL-PRS, supporting UE-A to request UE-B to transmit SL-PRS via lower layer signaling sent by UE-A, confirming related WAs of shared and dedicated resource pools, and supporting SCI associated with SL-PRS transmission with respect to lower layer signaling.

[0029] SL positioning is based on SL-PRS exchange between an initiator UE (e.g., an initiator UE, a target UE) and a responding UE (e.g., an anchor UE) in an RTT-based approach. Here, the initiator UE (e.g., a target UE in the first phase of SL RTT) can trigger SL PRS transmission at a responding UE (e.g., an anchor UE in the first phase of SL RTT) to perform PRS exchange between UEs. Note that RAN1 has agreed that SL PRS transmission at a UE can be triggered by its own upper layers (including an upper layer request from the initiator UE), or can be triggered by lower layer signaling (e.g., SCI) from another UE (e.g., the initiator UE).

[0030] SL PRS configuration (bandwidth, frequency offset, comb shape, etc.) is a key factor that directly affects the achievable positioning performance. In scenarios where lower layer signaling-based triggering is used, in particular, the responding UE may not know the expected SL PRS configuration to support positioning at the initiator UE. Since the lower layer triggering signaling (e.g., SCI or SL PRS) may not contain enough information about the expected configuration. Therefore, in the case of lower layer-based SL PRS transmission triggering, how the responding UE selects the SL PRS configuration that best suits the positioning requirements of the initiator UE is a key open problem. IR solves this open problem.

[0031] The examples described herein are based on the observation that if a given SL PRS transmission is used as part of the SL RTT positioning method, any subsequent SL PRS transmissions must exhibit the same or better key parameters in order to not degrade the achievable accuracy of the overall positioning process.

[0032] Among the key SL PRS parameters that determine the overall SL positioning accuracy, mainly include the SL PRS bandwidth and time span (ie, the number of symbols used) and any other parameters that determine the SL PRS S(I)NR (eg, comb pattern, number of repetitions).

[0033] Thus, the examples described herein are generally based on the case where, upon receiving an "initial" SL PRS transmission (from a target UE to an anchor UE), a SL PRS "response" transmission (e.g., from an anchor UE to a target UE) is required, e.g., as part of a SL RTT positioning method and / or due to a lower layer-based (SCI-based, SL PRS-based) SL PRS transmission trigger, the "response" SL PRS transmission is configured with the same (or even better) configuration parameters as the "initial" transmission indicated in the associated SCI transmission. The term "better" is to be understood as an improvement in the achievable accuracy, i.e., in terms of better bandwidth and S(I)NR.

[0034] Furthermore, the method described herein specifically addresses different operational scenarios, including no pre-configured "response" SL PRS - here, the so-called "PRS mirroring" concept is used, and configuring one or more "response" SL PRSs, but not mapped with a specific "initial" SL PRS - here, the so-called "PRS matching" concept is used.

[0035] More specifically, the embodiments described herein are based on the following.

[0036] "Response" UE (e.g., anchor UE)

[0037] The responding UE is configured to transmit (from the LMF / server UE / autonomously) a "response" SL PRS (e.g., based on a trigger based on lower layer signaling (e.g., based on SCI) from the "initiating" UE, or pre-configured), whose configuration is determined relative to the configuration of the "initial" SL PRS sent by the "initiating" UE as follows (Option 0, Option 1, Option 2, Option 3):

[0038] Option 0 ("PRS not preconfigured at the "response" UE"): The configuration of the "response" SL PRS fully or at least partially reuses ("mirrors") the configuration of the "initial" SL PRS configuration defined in the associated SCI. The partial mirroring (e.g. reusing only bandwidth and comb size parameters) may be explicitly configured by the LMF, or as an autonomous (implementation specific) decision.

[0039] Option 1 ("Single PRS preconfigured at the "responding" UE"): Configuration of a preconfigured (single) default SL PRS is used for the "responding" SL PRS.

[0040] Option 2 ("Multiple PRSs preconfigured at the "responding" UE"): The "nearest" configuration among multiple possible (preconfigured) SL PRSs is used for the "responding" SL PRS, where the term "nearest" is understood in the sense that the relevant parameters (e.g. bandwidth or comb size) are the same or better with as small a difference ("closeness") as possible (e.g. to minimize resource usage / overhead).

[0041] Option 3 (“PRS mapping pre-configured at “response” UE”): The configuration of the “response” SL PRS is determined based on guidance provided by the LMF / server UE / autonomously (e.g., in the form of mapping between “initial” and “response” SL PRS).

[0042] "Initiate" UE (e.g., target UE)

[0043] The initiating UE (e.g., target UE) forces the "responding UE" to meet certain minimum requirements by configuring its own SL PRS transmission ("initiating PRS"), utilizing the mechanism for determining the "responding" SL PRS configuration (options 0-3) at the "responding" UE. For example, the "initiating" SL PRS itself is characterized by also forcing the "responding" SL PRS to maintain their said minimum requirements.

[0044] If the "response" SL PRS does not meet the expected minimum requirements, the initiating UE switches to a SL PRS transmission mode that is pre-configured (by upper layers) at both the "initiating" and "responding" UEs. In one example, the "initiating" UE requests session-based positioning with explicit pre-configuration (e.g., SL PRS configuration using option 1). Alternatively, the "initiating" UE requests the "responding" UE to switch between options for determining the "response" SL PRS configuration.

[0045] The initiating UE is given an indication by the LMF / Server UE how the SL PRS configuration is to be determined at the "responding" UE (ie which(s) of options 0-3 to use).

[0046] The apparatus and methods described herein will be described in more detail using the following examples.

[0047] Example 1

[0048] In the first example (see Figure 2 ), the target UE 10 wants to determine its position with a certain accuracy using the SL RTT with the anchor UE 10-1.

[0049] At 210, the LMF 99 sends assistance data which specifies which option to use at the anchor UE for SL PRS configuration determination. Note that the anchor UE may also be configured by the LMF which option to use.

[0050] At 220, during an "initial" (INIT) SL PRS transmission by the target UE, the SCI "prsTrigger" flag is raised to a value of 1 to trigger a "response" SL PRS transmission.

[0051] The anchor UE observes the flag at 230 and responds with its own SL PRS transmission at 240. The configuration of this "Response" (RESP) SL PRS 240 may use any of options 1-3. For example, the same configuration as used for both the INIT 220 and the SL PRS "RESP" 240. The SL PRS measurements are then sent back to the target UE at 250. Note that in the case where the position calculation is performed at the LMF, the measurements may also be sent to the LMF 99. In this example, it is assumed that the target itself is performing the position calculation.

[0052] The target UE may evaluate the quality of the SL PRS "RESP" configuration at 260. If any parameter does not meet expectations (eg, the bandwidth BW of SL PRS "RESP" is less than one of SL PRS "INIT"), the target UE may request a more specific SL PRS configuration through SLPP interaction with the anchor UE.

[0053] As shown at 230, the anchor UE 10-1 determines SL PRS configuration parameters based on Option 1, Option 2, or Option 3. For example, the SL PRS configuration may be determined based on Option 1.

[0054] Example 2

[0055] The second example (see Figure 3 ) is similar to the first example, but there are some differences. The assistance data sent at 310 contains an indication that the UE will use "mirror" option 0.

[0056] At 320, a SL PRS "INIT" is then sent with some required bandwidth BD and comb size, as the LMF lets the target UE know that the responding anchor UE will match this configuration. At 330, the anchor UE mirrors the SL PRS configuration parameters.

[0057] The response SL PRS "RESP" sent at 340 will then be characterized by the required parameters which preserve the achievable positioning set by the parameters of the initial SLPRS "INIT" 320. No degradation is expected and therefore the target UE 10 will not need to require reconfiguration of the positioning session as in the first example.

[0058] At 350 , SL PRS measurements are sent from the anchor UE 10 - 1 to the target UE 10 .

[0059] In an embodiment, the proposed scheme can also be used for SL TDOA similar to DL TDOA, where the target UE can trigger the anchor UE to transmit SLPRS by sending an SCI-based trigger and performing SL PRS transmission (even if no SL PRS transmission from the target UE is required), so that the anchor UE can mirror or match their SL PRS transmission configuration according to the received SL PRS.

[0060] The examples described in this article are for SL positioning, which is a key technology for many use cases including public safety, V2X, and industrial IoT. SL positioning will be standardized in 3GPP Rel-18, and it will potentially affect TS38.355, TS 37.355, etc.

[0061] Figure 4 A block diagram of one possible and non-limiting example of a cellular network 1 connected to a user equipment (UE) 10 is shown. Figure 4 A number of network elements are shown in the cellular network of FIG: a base station 70 ; and a core network 90 .

[0062] exist Figure 4, a user equipment (UE) 10 wirelessly communicates with a base station 70 of a cellular network 1 via a radio link 11. The UE 10 is a wireless communication device, such as a mobile device, configured to access a cellular network. The UE 10 is shown as having one or more antennas 28. The ellipsis 2 indicates that there may be multiple UEs 10 wirelessly communicating with the base station 70 via a radio link. The UE 10 includes one or more processors 13, one or more memories 15, and other circuits 16. The other circuits 16 include one or more receivers (Rx) 17 and one or more transmitters (Tx) 18. The program 12 is used to cause the UE 10 to perform the operations described herein. For the UE 10, the other circuits 16 may include circuits such as for user interface elements (not shown) such as a display.

[0063] The base station 70, which is a network element of the cellular network 1, provides the UE 10 with access to the cellular network 1 and to the data network 91 via the core network 90 (e.g., via the user plane function (UPF) of the core network 90). The base station 70 is shown as having one or more antennas 58. Generally, the base station 70 is referred to as a RAN node 70 in this document. An example of a RAN node 70 is a gNB. However, there are many other examples of RAN nodes including eNBs (LTE base stations) or transmission reception points (TRPs). The base station 70 includes one or more processors 73, one or more memories 75, and other circuits 76. The other circuits 76 include one or more receivers (Rx) 77 and one or more transmitters (Tx) 78. The program 72 is used to enable the base station 70 to perform the operations described herein.

[0064] It is worth noting that the base station 70 may also be implemented by other wireless technologies, such as Wi-Fi (a wireless network protocol that devices use to communicate without direct cable connection). In the case of Wi-Fi, the link 11 may be characterized as a wireless link.

[0065] Two or more base stations 70 communicate using, for example, a link 79. Link 79 may be wired or wireless or both, and may implement, for example, an Xn interface for fifth generation (5G), an X2 interface for LTE, or other suitable interfaces for other standards.

[0066] The cellular network 1 may include a core network 90 as a third illustrated element, which may include core network functions and provide connectivity to a data network 91, such as a telephone network and / or a data communications network (e.g., the Internet), via one or more links 81. The core network 90 includes one or more processors 93, one or more memories 95, and other circuits 96. The other circuits 96 include one or more receivers (Rx(s)) 97 and one or more transmitters (Tx(s)) 98. Programs 92 are used to cause the core network 90 to perform the operations described herein.

[0067] The core network 90 may be a 5GC (5G core network). The core network 90 may implement or include a plurality of network functions (NFs) 99, and the program 92 may include one or more NFs 99. The 5G core network may use hardware such as memory and processors and a virtualization layer. It may be a single independent computing system, a distributed computing system, or a cloud computing system. The NF 99 as a network element of the core network may be a container or a virtual machine running on the hardware of the computing system constituting the core network 90.

[0068] The core network functions of 5G may include access and mobility management functions provided by network functions such as access and mobility management functions (AMF), and session management functions provided by network functions such as session management functions (SMF). The core network functions for access and mobility management in LTE networks may be provided by MME (mobility management entity) and / or SGW (serving gateway) functions, which route data to the data network. Figure 4 , many others are possible: AMF; SMF; MME; SGW; Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC); Location Management Function (LMF); Unified Data Management (UDM); Unified Data Repository (UDR); Network Repository Function (NRF); and / or Evolved Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC). These are merely exemplary core network functions that may be provided by the core network 90, and it is noted that 5G and LTE core network functions may be provided by the core network 90. ​​A radio access network (RAN) node 70 is coupled to the core network 90 via a backhaul link 31. The RAN node 70 and the core network 90 may include an NG interface for 5G, or an S1 interface for LTE, or other suitable interfaces for other radio access technologies for communicating via the backhaul link 31.

[0069] In the data network 91, there is a computer-readable medium 94. The computer-readable medium 94 contains instructions that, when downloaded and installed into the memory 15, 75, or 95 of the corresponding UE 10, base station 70, and / or core network element 90 and executed by the processor 13, 73, or 93, cause the corresponding device to perform the corresponding actions described herein. The computer-readable medium 94 may be implemented in other forms, such as via an optical disk or a memory stick.

[0070] Programs 12, 72 and 92 contain instructions stored by corresponding one or more memories 15, 75 or 95. These instructions, when executed by corresponding one or more processors 13, 73 or 93, cause corresponding devices 10, 70 or 90 to perform the operations described herein. Computer-readable memory 15, 75 or 95 may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, firmware, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. Computer-readable memory 15, 75 and 95 may be a device for performing storage functions. Processors 13, 73 and 93 may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and, as non-limiting examples, may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP) and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Processors 13, 73 and 93 may be devices for causing their respective devices to perform functions, such as those described herein.

[0071] Receivers 17, 77 and 97 and transmitters 18, 78 and 98 may implement a wired or wireless interface. Receivers and transmitters may be grouped together as transceivers.

[0072] Figure 5 An example apparatus 500 is provided, which may be implemented in hardware, configured to implement the examples described herein. The apparatus 500 includes at least one processor 502 (e.g., an FPGA and / or a CPU), one or more memories 504 including computer program code 505 having instructions for performing the methods described herein, wherein the at least one memory 504 and the computer program code 505 are configured to, together with the at least one processor 502, cause the apparatus 500 to implement circuit systems, processes, components, modules, or functions (implemented using a control module 506) to implement the examples described herein, including the configuration of dynamically triggered SL PRS transmissions. The memory 504 may be a non-transitory memory, a temporary memory, a volatile memory (e.g., a non-volatile memory RAM), or a non-volatile memory (e.g., a ROM). The configuration / response 530 of the control module implements aspects described herein related to the configuration of dynamically triggered SL PRS transmissions.

[0073] Device 500 includes a display and / or I / O interface 508, which includes user interface (UI) circuits and elements that can be used to display aspects or states of the methods described herein (e.g., while one of the methods is being performed or at a subsequent time), or to receive input from a user, for example using a keypad, camera, touch screen, touch area, microphone, biometric recognition, one or more sensors, etc. Device 500 includes one or more communications, for example, network (N / W) interfaces (I / F) 510. Communication I / F 510 can be wired and / or wireless, and communicate over the Internet / other network via any communication technology, including via one or more links 524. Link 524 can be Figure 4 Connecting rods 11 and / or 79 and / or 31 and / or 81 in the embodiment. Figure 4 The links 11 and / or 79 and / or 31 and / or 81 in the embodiment may also be implemented using the transceiver 516 and the corresponding wireless link 526. The communication I / F 510 may include one or more transmitters or one or more receivers.

[0074] The transceiver 516 includes one or more transmitters 518 and one or more receivers 520. The transceiver 516 and / or the communication I / F 510 may include standard well-known components such as amplifiers, filters, frequency converters, (de)modulators and encoder / decoder circuits and one or more antennas, such as antenna 514 for communicating via wireless link 526.

[0075] The control module 506 of the device 500 includes one or both of the components 506-1 and / or 506-2 that can be implemented in a variety of ways. The control module 506 can be implemented in hardware as the control module 506-1, for example, as a part of one or more processors 502. The control module 506-1 can also be implemented as an integrated circuit or implemented by other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the control module 506 can be implemented as a control module 506-2, which is implemented as a computer program code (with corresponding instructions) 505 and is executed by one or more processors 502. For example, one or more memories 504 store instructions that, when executed by one or more processors 502, cause the device 500 to perform one or more operations as described herein. In addition, one or more processors 502, one or more memories 504, and example algorithms (e.g., as flow charts and / or signaling diagrams) encoded as instructions, programs, or codes are means for causing the operations described herein to be performed.

[0076] The device 500 implementing the function of controlling 506 may be UE 10, base station 70 (e.g., base station 70. gNB 70), or core network 90, which includes any network function 99 such as LMF 99, which may be implemented by a network entity. Therefore, processor 502 may correspond to processor 13, processor 73 and / or processor 93, memory 504 may correspond to one or more memories 15, one or more memories 75 and / or one or more memories 95, computer program code 505 may correspond to program 12, program 72 or program 92, communication I / F 510 and / or transceiver 516 may correspond to other circuits 16, other circuits 76 or other circuits 96, and antenna 514 may correspond to antenna 28 or antenna 58.

[0077] Alternatively, the apparatus 500 and its elements may not correspond to the UE 10, the base station 70 or the core network and their respective elements, as the apparatus 500 may be part of a Self-Organizing / Optimizing Network (SON) node or other node, such as a node in a cloud.

[0078] The apparatus 500 may correspond to the anchor UE 10-1, the anchor UE 10-2 or the anchor UE 10-3. Figure 4 The UE 10 shown is similarly configured. The apparatus 500 may correspond to a network entity that performs the functions of the LMF 99.

[0079] The apparatus 500 may also be distributed throughout the network (eg, 91 ), including within and between the apparatus 500 and any network elements (eg, core network 90 and / or base station 70 and / or UE 10 ).

[0080] like Figure 5 As shown, interface 512 allows data communication and signaling between various items of device 500. For example, interface 512 can be one or more buses, such as address, data or control buses, and can include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, optical fiber or other optical communication devices, etc. The computer program code (e.g., instructions) 505 including control 506 may include object-oriented software configured to transfer data or messages between objects within computer program code 505. Device 500 need not include each of the features mentioned, or may also include other features. The various components of device 500 may reside at least partially in a common housing 528, or a subset of the various components of device 500 may be at least partially located in different housings, which may include housing 528.

[0081] Figure 6Schematic representations of non-volatile storage media 600a (e.g., a computer / compact disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD)) and 600b (e.g., a computer / compact disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD)). Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory stick) and 600c (e.g., cloud storage for downloading instructions and / or parameters 602 or receiving email instructions and / or parameters 602) are shown storing instructions and / or parameters 602 that, when executed by a processor, enable the processor to perform one or more steps of the methods described herein.

[0082] Figure 7 The present invention is an example method 700 based on the example implementations described herein. At 710, the method includes receiving a request for transmitting a response sidelink positioning reference signal from a user equipment. At 720, the method includes receiving an initial sidelink positioning reference signal from the user equipment. At 730, the method includes determining a configuration of the response sidelink positioning reference signal based at least in part on a configuration of the initial sidelink positioning reference signal. At 740, the method includes sending the response sidelink positioning reference signal to the user equipment. The method 700 may be performed by an anchor UE-A1 10-1, an anchor UE-A2 10-2, an anchor UE-A3 10-3, or an apparatus 500.

[0083] Figure 8 The present invention is an example method 800 based on the example implementation described herein. At 810, the method includes determining a configuration of an initial sidelink positioning reference signal. At 820, the method includes sending an initial sidelink positioning reference signal to a user equipment based on the configuration of the initial sidelink positioning reference signal. At 830, the method includes sending a request to the user equipment for transmitting a response sidelink positioning reference signal. At 840, the method includes receiving a response sidelink positioning reference signal from the user equipment based on the configuration of the response sidelink positioning reference signal. At 850, the method includes: wherein the configuration of the response sidelink positioning reference signal is at least partially based on the configuration of the initial sidelink positioning reference signal. At 860, the method includes estimating the position of the device based on the response sidelink positioning reference signal. The method 800 can be performed by a target UE 10 or device 500.

[0084] Fig. 9The present invention is an example method 900 based on the example implementations described herein. At 910, the method includes transmitting auxiliary information to a user equipment, the auxiliary information being configured to be used with the user equipment to determine a configuration of an initial sidelink positioning reference signal. At 920, the method includes sending an indication to the user equipment that the configuration of a response sidelink positioning reference signal sent by another user equipment in response to the initial sidelink positioning reference signal at least partially reuses the configuration of the initial sidelink positioning reference signal. The method 900 may be performed by a network entity or apparatus 500 implementing LMF 99.

[0085] The following examples are provided and described herein.

[0086] Example 1. A device for communication, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: receive a request for transmission of a response side link positioning reference signal from a user equipment; receive an initial side link positioning reference signal from the user equipment; determine a configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal based at least in part on the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal; and send the response side link positioning reference signal to the user equipment.

[0087] Example 2. An apparatus according to Example 1, wherein the configured parameters of the response sidelink positioning reference signal and the configured parameters of the initial sidelink positioning reference signal are related to at least one of the following: bandwidth, comb size, or number of symbols.

[0088] Example 3. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 2, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: determine the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal to at least partially reuse the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal.

[0089] Example 4. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: determine the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal based on the configuration of a preconfigured or configured side link positioning reference signal.

[0090] Example 5. An apparatus according to Example 4, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive the configured sidelink positioning reference signal from a location management function or a server user equipment.

[0091] Example 6. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: select a configuration of a preconfigured or configured sidelink positioning reference signal from a plurality of corresponding configurations of preconfigured or configured sidelink positioning reference signals; wherein the selected configuration in the preconfigured or configured sidelink positioning reference signal is associated with at least one parameter or parameter combination, and the value of the at least one parameter or parameter combination associated with the selected configuration is closer to at least one parameter or parameter combination associated with the configuration of the initial sidelink positioning reference signal than the corresponding at least one parameter or parameter combination associated with the corresponding other configuration in another preconfigured or configured sidelink positioning reference signal; and determine that the configuration of the response sidelink positioning reference signal includes the selected configuration in the preconfigured or configured sidelink positioning reference signal.

[0092] Example 7. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: determine the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal based on at least one mapping between the mapping configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal and the corresponding mapping configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal.

[0093] Example 8. The apparatus of Example 7, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive the at least one mapping from a location management function or a server user equipment.

[0094] Example 9. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: receive a request from the user equipment based on another configuration of the other response side link positioning reference signal to request the sending of another response side link positioning reference signal when at least one parameter of the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal does not meet at least one expectation.

[0095] Example 10. An apparatus according to Example 9, wherein the at least one expected bandwidth including the configuration of the response sidelink positioning reference is less than the configured bandwidth of the initial sidelink positioning reference signal.

[0096] Example 11. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: receive at least one parameter of the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal from the user equipment; and determine that at least one parameter of the configuration of the response side link positioning is within a threshold of at least one parameter of the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal.

[0097] Example 12. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 11, wherein the request for transmitting the response sidelink positioning reference signal is based on lower layer signaling.

[0098] Example 13. An apparatus according to Example 12, wherein the lower layer signaling includes sidelink control information or the initial sidelink positioning reference signal.

[0099] Example 14. A device for communication, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: determine a configuration of an initial side link positioning reference signal; send an initial side link positioning reference signal to a user device based on the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal; send a request for transmission of a response side link positioning reference signal to the user device; receive the response side link positioning reference signal from the user device based on the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal; wherein the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal is at least partially based on the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal; so as to estimate the position of the device based on the response side link positioning reference signal.

[0100] Example 15. An apparatus according to Example 14, wherein the configured parameters of the response sidelink positioning reference signal and the configured parameters of the initial sidelink positioning reference signal are related to at least one of the following: bandwidth, or comb size, or number of symbols.

[0101] Example 16. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 14 to 15, wherein the configuration of the response sidelink positioning reference signal at least partially reuses the configuration of the initial sidelink positioning reference signal.

[0102] Example 17. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 14 to 16, wherein the configuration of the response sidelink positioning reference signal is based on the configuration of a preconfigured or configured sidelink positioning reference signal.

[0103] Example 18. The apparatus of Example 17, wherein the configured sidelink positioning reference signal is provided by a location management function or a server user equipment.

[0104] Example 19. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 14 to 18, wherein the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal includes the configuration of a preconfigured or configured side link positioning reference signal, and the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal is associated with at least one parameter or parameter combination, and the value of the at least one parameter or parameter combination associated with the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal is closer to at least one parameter or parameter combination associated with the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal than the corresponding at least one parameter or parameter combination associated with the corresponding other configuration of another preconfigured or configured side link positioning reference signal.

[0105] Example 20. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 14 to 19, wherein the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal is based on at least one mapping between a mapping configuration of an initial side link positioning reference signal and a corresponding mapping configuration of a response side link positioning reference signal.

[0106] Example 21. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 14 to 20, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive from a location management function or a server user equipment an indication of a method for the user equipment to determine the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal; and determine the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal based on the indication of the method for the user equipment to determine the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal received from the location management function or the server user equipment.

[0107] Example 22. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 14 to 21, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: determine whether at least one parameter of the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal meets at least one expectation; and in response to at least one parameter of the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal not meeting at least one expectation, send a request to the user equipment based on another configuration of another response side link positioning reference signal to request the sending of the other response side link positioning reference signal.

[0108] Example 23. An apparatus according to Example 22, wherein the at least one expected configuration including the response sidelink positioning reference has a bandwidth that is smaller than the configured bandwidth of the initial sidelink positioning reference signal.

[0109] Example 24. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 14 to 23, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: receive an indication from a network entity, the indication indicating that the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal at least partially reuses the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal; and determine at least one parameter of the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal based on the indication received from the network entity, the indication indicating that the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal at least partially reuses the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal.

[0110] Example 25. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 14 to 24, wherein the request for transmission of the response sidelink positioning reference signal is based on lower layer signaling.

[0111] Example 26. An apparatus according to Example 25, wherein the lower layer signaling includes sidelink control information or the initial sidelink positioning reference signal.

[0112] Example 27. An apparatus for communication, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: send auxiliary information to a user equipment, the auxiliary information being configured to be used with the user equipment to determine a configuration of an initial side link positioning reference signal; and send an indication to the user equipment, the indication indicating that the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal is at least partially reused by another user equipment in response to the configuration of a response side link positioning reference signal sent by the initial side link positioning reference signal.

[0113] Example 28. An apparatus according to Example 27, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: send an indication to the user equipment, the indication indicating a method for the other user equipment to determine the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal.

[0114] Example 29. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 27 to 28, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: send at least one mapping between a mapping configuration of an initial side link positioning reference signal and a corresponding mapping configuration of a response side link positioning reference signal to the other user equipment; wherein the at least one mapping is configured to be used together with the other user equipment to determine the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal.

[0115] Example 30. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 27 to 29, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive at least one measurement based on the initial sidelink positioning reference signal from the other user equipment; and determine the position of the user equipment based on the at least one measurement.

[0116] Example 31. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 27 to 30, wherein the apparatus includes a location management function or a server user equipment.

[0117] Example 32. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 27 to 31, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: send the configured side link positioning reference signal to the other user equipment; wherein the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal sent by the other user equipment is based on the configured side link positioning reference signal sent to the other user equipment.

[0118] Example 33. A method for communication, comprising: receiving a request for transmission of a response side link positioning reference signal from a user equipment; receiving an initial side link positioning reference signal from the user equipment; determining a configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal based at least in part on the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal; and sending the response side link positioning reference signal to the user equipment.

[0119] Example 34. A method for communication, comprising: determining a configuration of an initial side link positioning reference signal; sending the initial side link positioning reference signal to a user equipment based on the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal; sending a request for transmission of a response side link positioning reference signal to the user equipment; receiving the response side link positioning reference signal from the user equipment based on the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal; wherein the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal is at least partially based on the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal; and estimating the position of the device based on the response side link positioning reference signal.

[0120] Example 35. A method for communication, comprising: sending auxiliary information to a user equipment, the auxiliary information being configured to be used with the user equipment to determine the configuration of an initial side link positioning reference signal; and sending an indication to the user equipment, the indication indicating that the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal is at least partially reused by another user equipment in response to the configuration of a response side link positioning reference signal sent by the initial side link positioning reference signal.

[0121] Example 36. An apparatus for communication, comprising: a component for receiving a request for transmission of a response side link positioning reference signal from a user equipment; a component for receiving an initial side link positioning reference signal from the user equipment; a component for determining a configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal based at least in part on the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal; and a component for sending the response side link positioning reference signal to the user equipment.

[0122] Example 37. An apparatus for communication, comprising: a component for determining a configuration of an initial side link positioning reference signal; a component for sending an initial side link positioning reference signal to a user equipment based on the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal; a component for sending a request for transmission of a response side link positioning reference signal to the user equipment; a component for receiving the response side link positioning reference signal from the user equipment based on the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal; wherein the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal is at least partially based on the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal; and a component for estimating the position of the apparatus based on the response side link positioning reference signal.

[0123] Example 38. An apparatus for communication, comprising: a component for sending auxiliary information to a user equipment, the auxiliary information being configured to be used with the user equipment to determine a configuration of an initial side link positioning reference signal; and a component for sending an indication to the user equipment, the indication indicating that a configuration of a response side link positioning reference signal sent by another user equipment in response to the initial side link positioning reference signal at least partially reuses the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal.

[0124] Example 39. A machine-readable program storage device comprising a program of instructions executable by the machine for performing operations, the operations comprising: receiving a request for transmission of a response side link positioning reference signal from a user device; receiving an initial side link positioning reference signal from the user device; determining a configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal based at least in part on the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal; and sending the response side link positioning reference signal to the user device.

[0125] Example 40. A machine-readable program storage device, comprising a program of instructions executable by the machine for performing operations, the operations comprising: determining a configuration of an initial side link positioning reference signal; sending an initial side link positioning reference signal to a user device based on the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal; sending a request for transmission of a response side link positioning reference signal to the user device; receiving the response side link positioning reference signal from the user device based on the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal; wherein the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal is at least partially based on the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal; and estimating the position of the device based on the response side link positioning reference signal.

[0126] Example 41. A machine-readable program storage device comprising a program of instructions executable by the machine for performing operations, the operations comprising: sending auxiliary information to a user device, the auxiliary information being configured to be used with the user device to determine a configuration of an initial side link positioning reference signal; and sending an indication to the user device, the indication indicating that a configuration of a response side link positioning reference signal sent by another user device in response to the initial side link positioning reference signal at least partially reuses the configuration of the initial side link positioning reference signal.

[0127] References to 'computers', 'processors', etc. should be understood to include not only computers having different architectures (such as single / multi-processor architectures and sequential or parallel architectures), but also special purpose circuits (such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific circuits (ASICs), signal processing devices and other processing circuits). References to computer programs, instructions, code, etc. should be understood to include software for a programmable processor or firmware, for example, the programmable content of a hardware device, whether instructions for a processor or configuration settings for a fixed function device, gate array or programmable logic device, etc.

[0128] The memory described herein may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, non-volatile memory, transient memory, fixed memory, and removable memory. The memory may include a database for storing data.

[0129] As used herein, the term 'circuitry' may refer to the following: (a) hardware circuit implementations, such as implementations in analog and / or digital circuits, and (b) combinations of circuitry and software (and / or firmware), such as (if applicable): (i) a combination of processors or (ii) portions of processors / software, including digital signal processors, software, and memory, which work together to enable the device to perform various functions, and (c) circuitry, such as (one or more) microprocessors or portions of (one or more) microprocessors, which require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present. As a further example, as used herein, the term 'circuitry' would also cover implementations of only a processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a processor and its (or its) accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, and if applicable to the particular element, the term 'circuitry' also covers a baseband integrated circuit or an application processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit within a server, a cellular network device, or another network device.

[0130] It should be understood that the foregoing description is merely illustrative. Various alternatives and modifications may be devised by those skilled in the art. For example, the features described in the various dependent claims may be combined with each other in any suitable combination. In addition, features from the different exemplary embodiments described above may be selectively combined into new exemplary embodiments. Therefore, this description is intended to include all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0131] The following acronyms and abbreviations that may be found in the specification and / or drawings are given below (these acronyms and abbreviations may be appended to each other or to other characters using, for example, dashes, hyphens, slashes, or numbers, and may be case-insensitive):

[0132] 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project

[0133] 4G fourth generation

[0134] 5G fifth generation

[0135] 5GC 5G Core Network

[0136] AMF access and mobility management functions

[0137] ASIC

[0138] BP Beam Prediction

[0139] BW Bandwidth

[0140] CD

[0141] config

[0142] CPU Central Processing Unit

[0143] DL Downlink

[0144] DSP Digital Signal Processor

[0145] DVD Digital Versatile Disc

[0146] eNB Evolved Node B (e.g., LTE base station)

[0147] EPC Evolved Packet Core

[0148] E-SMLC Evolved Service Mobile Location Center

[0149] FPGA Field Programmable Gate Array

[0150] GMLC Gateway Mobile Location Center

[0151] GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System

[0152] gNB Next Generation Node B, 5G / NR base station, that is, the node that provides NR user plane and control plane protocol terminals to UE and is connected to 5GC through the NG interface

[0153] I / F Interface

[0154] IIoT Industrial Internet of Things

[0155] IoT

[0156] IMU Inertial Measurement Unit

[0157] INIT

[0158] I / O Input / Output

[0159] LMF location management function

[0160] LTE Long Term Evolution (4G)

[0161] MME mobility management entity

[0162] NF Network Function

[0163] NG New Generation

[0164] NG-RAN Next Generation Radio Access Network

[0165] NR New Radio

[0166] NRF Network Repository Features

[0167] N / W Network

[0168] PC5 direct communication interface

[0169] PRS Positioning Reference Signal

[0170] RAM Random Access Memory

[0171] RAN Radio Access Network

[0172] RAN#RAN Conference

[0173] RAN1 Radio Layer 1

[0174] RESP Response

[0175] ROM Read Only Memory

[0176] RP RAN Plenary Meeting

[0177] RTT Round Trip Time

[0178] Rx Receiver or Receiver

[0179] S1 is the interface that connects eNB to EPC

[0180] SCI side link control information

[0181] SGW Service Gateway

[0182] S(I)NR Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio

[0183] SL side link

[0184] SMF session management function

[0185] SON self-organizing / optimizing network

[0186] TDOA Time Difference of Arrival

[0187] TR Technical Report

[0188] TRP sending and receiving point

[0189] TS Technical Specifications

[0190] Tx transmitter or transmission

[0191] UDM Unified Data Management

[0192] UDR Unified Data Repository

[0193] UE User Equipment (e.g., wireless, usually mobile device)

[0194] UI User Interface

[0195] UPF user plane function

[0196] USB Universal Serial Bus

[0197] V2X Vehicle to Everything

[0198] VUR vulnerable road users

[0199] Wireless networking protocol used by Wi-Fi devices to communicate without a direct cable connection

[0200] X2 Network interface between RAN nodes and between RAN and core network

[0201] Xn Network interface between NG-RAN nodes

Claims

1. A device for communication, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receiving a request from a user equipment to respond to transmission of a sidelink positioning reference signal; receiving an initial sidelink positioning reference signal from the user equipment; determining a configuration of the response sidelink positioning reference signal based at least in part on the configuration of the initial sidelink positioning reference signal; as well as The response side link positioning reference signal is sent to the user equipment.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the configured parameters of the response sidelink positioning reference signal and the configured parameters of the initial sidelink positioning reference signal are related to at least one of the following: bandwidth, comb size or number of symbols.

3. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: The configuration of the response sidelink positioning reference signal is determined to at least partially reuse the configuration of the initial sidelink positioning reference signal.

4. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: The configuration of the response sidelink positioning reference signal is determined based on a preconfigured or configured sidelink positioning reference signal configuration.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: The configured sidelink positioning reference signal is received from a location management function or a server user equipment.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: selecting a configuration of a preconfigured or configured sidelink positioning reference signal from a plurality of configurations of a corresponding plurality of preconfigured or configured sidelink positioning reference signals; in, the selected one of the preconfigured or configured sidelink positioning reference signals being associated with at least one parameter or combination of parameters having a value that is closer to at least one parameter or combination of parameters associated with the configuration of the initial sidelink positioning reference signal than to a corresponding at least one parameter or combination of parameters associated with a corresponding other one of the preconfigured or configured sidelink positioning reference signals; and Determining the configuration of the responsive sidelink positioning reference signal comprises a selected configuration among the preconfigured or configured sidelink positioning reference signals.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: The configuration of the response sidelink positioning reference signal is determined based on at least one mapping between a mapping configuration of an initial sidelink positioning reference signal and a corresponding mapping configuration of a response sidelink positioning reference signal.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein: The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: The at least one mapping is received from a location management function or a server user equipment.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: When at least one parameter of the configuration of the response side link positioning reference signal does not meet at least one expectation, a request is received from the user equipment based on another configuration of the another response side link positioning reference signal to request to send another response side link positioning reference signal.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one expected signal includes a bandwidth of the configuration of the response sidelink positioning reference signal that is smaller than a bandwidth of the configuration of the initial sidelink positioning reference signal.

Images