Method for enhancing SL positioning with past measurements

Abstract

An apparatus and method for wireless communication may be configured to obtain at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement comprises at least one of: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and determining one of the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement or an indication of the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement for a positioning process of the apparatus.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The exemplary and non-limiting embodiments relate generally to UE positioning and, more particularly, to Sidelink LTE Positioning Protocol (SLPP). Background Art

[0002] In UE positioning, it is known to perform one of session-based positioning or session-less positioning. Summary of the invention

[0003] The following summary is intended to be illustrative only. It is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0004] According to one aspect, a device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to perform at least the following items: obtain at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement includes at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and determine one of the following items for use in the positioning process of the device: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0005] According to one aspect, a method includes: obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement using a user equipment, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement includes at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and determining one of the following items for use in the positioning process of the user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0006] According to one aspect, an apparatus includes components for: obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement includes at least one of the following: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and determining one of the following for use in a positioning process of a device: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0007] According to one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following items: obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement includes at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and determining one of the following items for use in a positioning process of a user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0008] According to one aspect, an apparatus comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following items: obtain at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement comprises at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and cause a user equipment to determine one of the following items for use in the positioning process of the user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0009] According to one aspect, a method includes: obtaining, using a positioning management entity, at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement includes at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and enabling a user equipment to determine one of the following items for use in the positioning process of the user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0010] According to one aspect, an apparatus includes components for: obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement includes at least one of the following: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and causing a user equipment to determine one of the following items for use in the positioning process of the user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0011] According to one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following items: obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement includes at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and causing a user equipment to determine one of the following items for use in the positioning process of the user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0012] According to one aspect, a device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to perform at least the following items: determine that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement includes at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and send an indication that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable for at least one of the following items: a target user equipment, a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, another user equipment, or a positioning management entity.

[0013] According to one aspect, a method includes: determining, with a device, that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement includes at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a sessionless positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and sending an indication that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable for at least one of the following items: a target user equipment, a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, another user equipment, or a positioning management entity.

[0014] According to one aspect, an apparatus includes components for: determining that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement includes at least one of the following: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and sending an indication that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable for at least one of the following: a target user equipment, a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, another user equipment, or a positioning management entity.

[0015] According to one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following items: determining, by a device, that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement includes at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a sessionless positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and causing an indication to be sent that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable for at least one of the following items: a target user equipment, a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, another user equipment, or a positioning management entity.

[0016] According to one aspect, a device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: determine that a positioning process of a target user equipment is changed; and obtain at least one positioning reference signal measurement associated with the target user equipment, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement includes at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process.

[0017] According to one aspect, a method includes: determining, using a server user device, that a positioning process of a target user device is changed; and obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement associated with the target user device, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement includes at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process.

[0018] According to one aspect, an apparatus includes components for: determining that a positioning process of a target user equipment is changed; and obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement associated with the target user equipment, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement includes at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process.

[0019] According to one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following items: determining that a positioning process of a target user equipment is changed; and obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement associated with the target user equipment, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement includes at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process.

[0020] According to some aspects, the subject matter of the independent claims is provided. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The foregoing aspects and other features are explained in the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 is a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting example system in which example embodiments may be practiced;

[0023] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating features described herein;

[0024] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating features described herein;

[0025] Figure 4 is a flow chart showing the steps as described herein;

[0026] Figure 5 is a flow chart showing the steps as described herein;

[0027] Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the steps as described herein; and

[0028] Figure 7 is a flow chart showing the steps as described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following abbreviations that may be found in the specification and / or drawings are defined as follows:

[0030] 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project

[0031] 5G Fifth Generation

[0032] 5GC 5G Core Network

[0033] A-IoT Environmental Internet of Things

[0034] AMF Access and Mobility Management Function

[0035] CE Control Elements

[0036] cRAN Cloud Radio Access Network

[0037] CU Central Unit

[0038] D2D Device to Device

[0039] DU Distributed Unit

[0040] ECID identifies the enhanced cell

[0041] eNB (or eNodeB) Evolved Node B (e.g., LTE base station)

[0042] EN-DC E-UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity

[0043] The en-gNB or En-Gnb node provides NR user plane and control plane protocol termination to the UE and acts as a secondary node in EN-DC

[0044] E-UTRA Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access, i.e. LTE radio access technology

[0045] GDOP Geometric falloff in accuracy

[0046] gNB (or gNodeB) A gNB (or gNodeB) base station for 5G / NR, i.e., a node that provides NR user plane and control plane protocol termination to the UE and is connected to the 5GC via the NG interface.

[0047] GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System

[0048] I / F Interface

[0049] IoT

[0050] L1 Layer 1

[0051] LMF Location Management Function

[0052] LOS Line of Sight

[0053] LPP LTE Positioning Protocol

[0054] LTE Long Term Evolution

[0055] MAC Media Access Control

[0056] MME Mobility Management Entity

[0057] MO-LR Mobile initiated positioning request

[0058] Msg

[0059] MT-LR Mobile Terminated Location Request

[0060] ng or NG new generation

[0061] ng-eNB or NG-Enb Next Generation eNB

[0062] NLOS Non Line of Sight

[0063] NR New Radio

[0064] NRPPa NR Positioning Protocol A

[0065] N / W or NW network

[0066] OOC Out of coverage

[0067] O-RAN Open Radio Access Network

[0068] PCI Physical Cell Identifier

[0069] PDCP Packet Data Convergence Protocol

[0070] PHY Physical Layer

[0071] ProSe Proximity Services

[0072] PRS Positioning Reference Signal

[0073] RACH Random Access Channel

[0074] RAN Radio Access Network

[0075] RF

[0076] RLC Radio Link Control

[0077] RRC Radio Resource Control

[0078] RRH Remote Radio Head

[0079] RRM Radio Resource Management

[0080] RS reference signal

[0081] RSU Roadside Unit

[0082] RTT Round Trip Time

[0083] RU Radio Unit

[0084] Rx Receiver

[0085] SDAP Service Data Adaptation Protocol

[0086] SDT Small Data Transfer

[0087] SGW Service Gateway

[0088] SL Side Link

[0089] SLPP Sidelink LTE Positioning Protocol

[0090] SMF session management functions

[0091] SRS Sounding Reference Signal

[0092] TA Timing Advance

[0093] TDoA Time Difference of Arrival

[0094] TRP Transmit Receive Point

[0095] Tx Transmitter

[0096] UE User Equipment (e.g., wireless, usually mobile)

[0097] UPF User Plane Function

[0098] V2N Vehicle to Network

[0099] V2P Vehicle to Pedestrian

[0100] V2V Vehicle to Vehicle

[0101] V2X Vehicle to Everything

[0102] VN Virtualized Network Function

[0103] Go to Figure 1 , which shows a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting example in which these examples may be practiced. A user equipment (UE) 110, a radio access network (RAN) node 170 and a network element 190 are shown. Figure 1In the example of FIG. 1 , a user equipment (UE) 110 wirelessly communicates with a wireless network 100. A UE is a wireless device capable of accessing the wireless network 100. The UE 110 includes one or more processors 120, one or more memories 125, and one or more transceivers 130 interconnected by one or more buses 127. Each of the one or more transceivers 130 includes a receiver Rx 132 and a transmitter Tx 133. The one or more buses 127 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of circuit systems on a motherboard or integrated circuit, optical fiber or other optical communication devices, etc. A "circuit" may include dedicated hardware or hardware associated with software executable thereon. The one or more transceivers 130 are connected to one or more antennas 128. The one or more memories 125 include computer program code 123. The UE 110 includes a module 140, which includes one or both of the parts 140-1 and / or 140-2, which may be implemented in a variety of ways. The module 140 may be implemented in hardware as a module 140-1, for example, as part of one or more processors 120. The module 140-1 may also be implemented as an integrated circuit or by other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the module 140 may be implemented as a module 140-2, which is implemented as a computer program code 123 and executed by one or more processors 120. For example, one or more memories 125 and the computer program code 123 may be configured to, together with the one or more processors 120, cause the user equipment 110 to perform one or more operations described herein. The UE 110 communicates with the RAN node 170 via a wireless link 111.

[0104] The RAN node 170 in this example is a base station that provides access to the wireless network 100 for wireless devices such as UE 110. The RAN node 170 may be, for example, a base station for 5G, also known as New Radio (NR). In 5G, the RAN node 170 may be a NG-RAN node, which is defined as a gNB or ng-eNB. A gNB is a node that provides NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations to a UE and is connected to a 5GC (e.g., network element 190) via an NG interface. An ng-eNB is a node that provides E-UTRA user plane and control plane protocol terminations to a UE and is connected to a 5GC via an NG interface. An NG-RAN node may include multiple gNBs, which may also include a central unit (CU) (gNB-CU) 196 and a distributed unit (DU) (gNB-DU), of which DU 195 is shown. Note that a DU may include or be coupled to and control a radio unit (RU). A gNB-CU is a logical node that hosts the RRC, SDAP, and PDCP protocols of a gNB or controls the RRC and PDCP protocols of an en-gNB that operates one or more gNB-DUs. The gNB-CU terminates the F1 interface connected to the gNB-DU. The F1 interface is shown as interface 198, although interface 198 also shows links between remote units of the RAN node 170 and centralized units of the RAN node 170, such as links between gNB-CU 196 and gNB-DU 195. The gNB-DU is a logical node that houses the RLC, MAC, and PHY layers of a gNB or en-gNB, and its operation is controlled in part by the gNB-CU. One gNB-CU supports one or more cells. A cell is supported by only one gNB-DU. The gNB-DU terminates the F1 interface 198 connected to the gNB-CU. Note that the DU 195 is considered to include the transceiver 160, for example, as part of the RU, but some such examples may have the transceiver 160, for example, as part of a separate RU under the control of the DU 195 and connected to the DU 195. The RAN node 170 may also be an eNB (evolved Node B) base station for LTE (Long Term Evolution), or any other suitable base station, access point, access node or node.

[0105] The RAN node 170 includes one or more processors 152, one or more memories 155, one or more network interfaces (N / WI / F) 161, and one or more transceivers 160 interconnected by one or more buses 157. Each of the one or more transceivers 160 includes a receiver Rx 162 and a transmitter Tx 163. The one or more transceivers 160 are connected to one or more antennas 158. The one or more memories 155 include computer program code 153. The CU 196 may include (multiple) processors 152, memories 155, and network interfaces 161. Note that the DU 195 may also contain its own one or more memories and (multiple) processors, and / or other hardware, but these are not shown.

[0106] The RAN node 170 includes a module 150, which includes one or both of the parts 150-1 and / or 150-2, which can be implemented in a variety of ways. The module 150 can be implemented in hardware as the module 150-1, for example, as part of one or more processors 152. The module 150-1 can also be implemented as an integrated circuit or by other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the module 150 can be implemented as a module 150-2, which is implemented as a computer program code 153 and executed by one or more processors 152. For example, one or more memories 155 and the computer program code 153 are configured to, together with the one or more processors 152, cause the RAN node 170 to perform one or more operations described herein. Note that the functionality of the module 150 can be distributed, for example, distributed between the DU 195 and the CU 196, or implemented only in the DU 195.

[0107] One or more network interfaces 161 communicate over a network, such as via links 176 and 131. Two or more gNBs 170 may communicate using, for example, link 176. Link 176 may be wired or wireless or both, and may implement, for example, an Xn interface for 5G, an X2 interface for LTE, or other appropriate interfaces for other standards.

[0108] The one or more buses 157 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of circuit systems on a motherboard or integrated circuit, optical fiber or other optical communication devices, wireless channels, etc. For example, the one or more transceivers 160 may be implemented as a remote radio head (RRH) 195 for LTE or a distributed unit (DU) 195 for a gNB implementation for 5G, other elements of the RAN node 170 may be physically located at a different location from the RRH / DU, and the one or more buses 157 may be partially implemented as, for example, optical cables or other suitable network connections to connect other elements of the RAN node 170 (e.g., central unit (CU), gNB-CU) to the RRH / DU 195. Reference numeral 198 also indicates those suitable network links.

[0109] It should be noted that the description here indicates that a "cell" performs a function, but it should be clear that the equipment forming the unit will perform these functions. The cell constitutes a part of the base station. That is, each base station can have multiple cells. For example, there can be three cells for a single carrier frequency and associated bandwidth, each cell covering one-third of a 360-degree area, so that the coverage area of ​​a single base station covers an approximate ellipse or circle. In addition, each cell can correspond to a single carrier, and a base station can use multiple carriers. Therefore, if there are three 120-degree cells and two carriers per carrier, the base station has a total of 6 cells.

[0110] The wireless network 100 may include one or more network elements 190, which may include core network functions and provide connectivity to another network such as a telephone network and / or a data communication network (e.g., the Internet) via one or more links 181. Such core network functions for 5G may include access and mobility management functions (AMF) and / or user plane functions (UPF) and / or session management functions (SMF). Such core network functions for LTE may include MME (mobility management entity) / SGW (serving gateway) functions. These are merely illustrative functions that may be supported by the network element 190, and it is noted that 5G and LTE functions may be supported. The RAN node 170 is coupled to the network element 190 via a link 131. The link 131 may be implemented as, for example, an NG interface for 5G, or an S1 interface for LTE, or other appropriate interfaces for other standards. The network element 190 includes one or more processors 175, one or more memories 171, and one or more network interfaces (N / WI / F) 180 interconnected by one or more buses 185. The one or more memories 171 include computer program code 173. The one or more memories 171 and the computer program code 173 are configured to, together with the one or more processors 175, cause the network element 190 to perform one or more operations.

[0111] The wireless network 100 may implement network virtualization, which is the process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functions into a single software-based management entity (virtual network). Network virtualization involves platform virtualization, often in combination with resource virtualization. Network virtualization is classified as external, combining many networks or parts of networks into virtual units, or internal, providing network-like functionality to software containers on a single system. For example, a network may be deployed in a remote cloud, where virtualized network functions (VNFs) run on, for example, data center servers. For example, network core functions and / or radio access networks (e.g., PTZ, O-RAN, edge cloud) may be virtualized. Note that the virtualized entities resulting from network virtualization are still implemented at some level using hardware such as processors 152 or 175 and memories 155 and 171, and such virtualized entities also create technical effects.

[0112] It may also be noted that the operations of the example embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed by multiple cooperating devices (eg, cRAN).

[0113] Computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 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, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. Computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be components for performing storage functions. As non-limiting examples, processors 120, 152, and 175 may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Processors 120, 152, and 175 may be components for performing functions such as controlling UE 110, RAN node 170, and other functions described herein.

[0114] In general, various example embodiments of user device 110 may include, but are not limited to, a cellular telephone (e.g., a smart phone), a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA) with wireless communication capabilities, a portable computer with wireless communication capabilities, an image capture device (e.g., a digital camera with wireless communication capabilities), a gaming device with wireless communication capabilities, a music storage and playback device with wireless communication capabilities, an Internet device allowing wireless Internet access and browsing, a tablet computer with wireless communication capabilities, and a portable unit or terminal incorporating a combination of these functionalities.

[0115] Having thus introduced a suitable but non-limiting technical background for practicing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments will now be described in more detail.

[0116] The features described herein may generally relate to, but are not limited to, new radio (NR) sidelink (SL) enhancements. For example, NR SL methods may be implemented to provide communications between a vehicle and a network, infrastructure, other vehicles, or other road users in the surrounding / immediate area. Such communications may enable proximity services (ProSe), or the sending of information about the surrounding environment between devices in close proximity, such as device-to-device (D2D) communication techniques. Such direct communications may be available even when network coverage is not available. Additionally or alternatively, NR SL methods may be implemented in scenarios that are not related to traffic users, such as public safety scenarios and / or commercial scenarios.

[0117] Additionally or alternatively, the NR SL approach may involve the Internet of Things (IoT) and automotive industries (e.g., for accident risk reduction and safer driving experience). These use cases may include message exchanges between vehicles (V2V), vehicles and pedestrians (V2P), vehicles and infrastructure (V2I), and vehicles and networks (V2N), and may be referred to as vehicle-to-everything (V2X). The sidelink may use the same or a different carrier frequency or band as cellular communications.

[0118] Enhancements to the sidelink procedures may be applied to these V2X and other use cases. Enhancements to the sidelink procedures may be applied to unicast, groupcast, multicast and / or broadcast procedures.

[0119] Additionally or alternatively, the NR SL method may involve surrounding Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Surrounding devices may be described as low-power devices, low-cost devices, and / or devices with limited functionality / processing capabilities. An example of an ambient (A-IoT) device is a passive radio that can utilize energy from a wireless signal sent on a specific carrier and / or bandwidth and charge a simple circuit that, once activated, can emit / reflect a signal that can at least encode the ID of the passive radio. A typical system structure around a passive radio device includes an exciter, a passive radio device, and a reader. An exciter is a device that sends an activation signal that is targeted at waking up a passive radio. A passive radio utilizes energy within a certain frequency range and listens for activation signals. Once such a signal is detected, the passive radio device emits / reflects a signal dedicated to the ID of the radio device. A reader is a device that listens to and detects passive radio signals. The reader may or may not be collocated with the exciter. Other examples of A-IoT devices include semi-passive devices and battery-free devices. A-IoT devices can be used for indoor / outdoor positioning, for example. In the present disclosure, the term anchor device may be used and may include anchor A-IoT devices, low-cost simplified mobile devices, IoT devices, etc.

[0120] The features described here may generally relate to 5G NR positioning, such as the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) and the Sidelink LTE Positioning Protocol (SLPP), such as those studied by 3GPP in the Enhanced Positioning WI of Release 18. In traditional positioning, the UE is positioned in a single dedicated positioning process, during which all required PRS measurements are collected and processed. The positioning process may be session-based or sessionless in nature.

[0121] In session-based SL positioning, a dedicated positioning session is established by a control node (e.g., location management function (LMF) or server UE) using specific LPP / SLPP signaling. Session members are selected so that positioning requirements (e.g., minimum accuracy achievable due to the geometric attenuation of accuracy (GDOP) of the selected anchor) are met, and once configured, all session members commit to follow the configuration and protocol.

[0122] In sessionless positioning, the goal is to avoid the overhead and latency arising from the above-mentioned session establishment and maintenance. Only best-effort positioning services are provided, mainly involving UEs that can self-locate based on simple overhearing of PRS from neighboring active anchor UEs. Typically, LPP / SLPP communications with the network / peers are kept to a minimum (e.g., only the anchor absolute position may be requested if not publicly announced by, for example, discovery messages), and reliability provisions such as SLPP retransmissions are typically not made.

[0123] Whenever a new session is established for a target UE, the positioning management entity (e.g., LMF, server UE, or target UE) itself needs to configure the anchor UE and target UE to send / receive SL positioning reference signals (PRS), perform positioning related measurements, and further report them to the management entity for positioning estimate calculation, which requires a sequence of signaling steps between the entities involved, resulting in increased waiting time.

[0124] However, if the target UE or management entity already has measurements collected in the past or from a concurrent (also called parallel) positioning procedure related to positioning the target UE (e.g., from another session or from session-less positioning), these measurements may be reused, thereby eliminating / reducing the need for any new measurements to be configured and made. As a result, the positioning procedure may be improved in terms of signaling efficiency; however, there is currently no mechanism in the specification that allows for signaling efficiency to be achieved by reusing measurements.

[0125] When starting a new positioning procedure (whether of a session-based or session-less nature), it may be beneficial to reuse existing PRS measurements collected in the past, e.g. in anticipation of this new positioning procedure or as part of other previous positioning procedures. Past measurements provide additional spatial diversity information, which generally improves the overall positioning quality (i.e. accuracy). For example, a UE participating in session-less self-positioning may realize that a quick and simple overhearing of the SL SRS may not lead to sufficiently accurate results (i.e., the results may be determined to be inaccurate), and may decide to trigger session-based positioning, where all previously acquired "session-less" SL SRS measurements may be reused. Vice versa, a UE leaving LMF coverage may be given a full report on the anchored "session-based" measurements so that it can start a session-less self-positioning procedure once it enters out-of-coverage conditions.

[0126] A technical effect of example embodiments of the present disclosure may be to cover existing gaps in specifications regarding reuse of measurements for signaling efficiency.

[0127] In an example embodiment, any PRS measurements may be reused between two consecutive or concurrent / parallel positioning procedures. In an example embodiment, information from a past / concurrent positioning procedure (e.g., associated (SL) PRS measurements) may be provided to initialize a new positioning procedure, whether it is session-based or sessionless in nature.

[0128] In an example embodiment, there may be an indication that such information (e.g., measurement information) is (not) available (e.g., at the target UE or LMF). In an example embodiment, there may be a request to provide such information (e.g., between the target UE and the LMF). In an example embodiment, such information may be provided (e.g., in combination with additional information describing the measurement type and configuration). Examples of measurement types may include the positioning method used for the measurement. For example, for TDoA, the measurement type is time of arrival (or time difference of arrival), i.e., a time measurement. For angle of departure, the measurement type is beam-specific reference signal received power (RSRP), i.e., a power measurement.

[0129] In an example embodiment, such information may be accepted / rejected (e.g., measurements from the selected anchor point may be accepted) and (optionally) confirmed. In an example embodiment, a new positioning process may be configured with respect to the provided information (e.g., only complementary anchor points may be selected as part of the new process, but the provided past data may be used).

[0130] Reference now Figure 2 , shows an example of inheritance of (SL)PRS measurements from the past session-less self-positioning procedure by the new session-based positioning procedure.

[0131] At 205, it may be assumed that the LMF participates in a session-based SL positioning process "1" involving the target UE and several anchor UEs. At 210, the self-positioning UE may eavesdrop on the transmitted SL SRS and, at 215, use them for its own self-positioning purposes (process "0"). At 220, in parallel, it may be determined by the self-positioning UE that the obtained accuracy is insufficient (i.e., the accuracy does not meet certain requirements, is less than / below a (predetermined) threshold, etc.), and that a more reliable session-based positioning is required. In other words, the UE may determine that at least one requirement for accuracy is not met or fails. Examples of accuracy requirements may include a requirement to achieve positioning accuracy in the horizontal plane, and / or a requirement to achieve positioning accuracy in the vertical plane. For example, the requirement may be met if the achievable accuracy in the horizontal (or vertical) plane is greater than or equal to XXX (centimeter) meters. If less than a predetermined accuracy is determined / achieved in the horizontal (or vertical) plane, the requirement may not be met.

[0132] To this end, at 225, the self-positioning UE may issue a mobile originated positioning request (MO-LR) to the LMF, while indicating that past SL SRS measurements are available (e.g., by raising a dedicated binary flag "pastInformationAvailable=1"). If interested, the LMF may formally request measurements at 230 (e.g., by sending a "requestMeasurement" message with an raised flag "pastInformationAvailable=1"). At 235, the self-positioning UE may then respond with a "provideMeasurements" message containing the past measurements and necessary additional information associated with the measurements (e.g., SL SRS configuration / resources, session ID (if available), SL SRS sequence ID, measurement quality for each SL SRS sequence ID, measurement type, and / or sending UE parameters such as identity).

[0133] Although in Figure 2 In the example MO-LR is sent to the LMF, but this is not limiting; an indication that (multiple) past / concurrent SL SRS measurements are available at the UE may be sent to a positioning entity such as a network node, a positioning management entity, another UE or a server UE.

[0134] At 240, the LMF may perform data analysis on the received measurements and / or additional information. The LMF may choose to accept some measurements as seeding information for a new session-based positioning process "1", and at 245, the self-positioning UE may be requested to continue discovering appropriate (multiple) anchor UEs. These anchor UEs may need to be complementary to the UEs reported in the "provideMeasurements" information message to ensure anchor diversity and avoid measurement duplication (i.e., not repeating measurements included in past / concurrent measurement sets). In another example, some or all past anchors may be reselected to calibrate past sidelink time difference of arrival (SL-TDoA) results to new measurements (e.g., to offset synchronization errors between past and new anchors).

[0135] At 250, the self-positioning UE may continue with the selective discovery procedure and report the results. At 255, the LMF may then continue with the session-based positioning procedure "2", in which the provided past SL SRS measurements are reused. For example, the UE may initialize or (re)configure a session-based positioning procedure. For example, the UE may provide an indication to the network or another device / UE that past SL SRS measurements are available when requesting a positioning procedure.

[0136] Reference now Figure 3, which shows an example of (SL)PRS measurements from a past session-based positioning procedure being inherited by a subsequent session-based positioning procedure.

[0137] In an example embodiment, it may be assumed that the LMF hands over the session to the server UE (eg because the target UE is moving out of coverage), and in that case all past measurements may also be handed over to provide continuity of precise positioning.

[0138] At 305, the initial session-based positioning process "1" may be managed by the LMF. Once the possibility of out-of-coverage conditions is determined (e.g., based on Figure 3 At 310, a Mobile Terminated Location Request (MT-LR) may be initiated, whereby the availability of past measurement information may be indicated by setting the "pastInfo" flag to "1", depending on whether an explicit indication from the target UE itself or based on tracking and position extrapolation by the LMF is provided. The MT-LR may be sent by the LMF to the target UE. At 315, this may trigger the establishment of a new positioning session "2", the control of which the LMF may hand over to the server UE. At 320, the target UE or the server UE may then request the past measurement information. Figure 3 In the example of , the target UE may request and obtain it from the LMF at 325. Subsequently, at 330, the target UE may forward this information to the server UE (unless the functionality of the server UE itself is supported) for further use during the session-based positioning procedure "2" at 335. For example, the UE may initialize or (re)configure a session-based positioning procedure. For example, the UE may provide an indication to the network or another device / UE that past SL SRS measurements are available when requesting a positioning procedure.

[0139] Although in Figure 3 In the example, MT-LR is sent using LMF, but this is not limiting; the indication that (multiple) past / concurrent SL SRS measurements are available can be sent from a positioning entity such as a network node, a positioning management entity, another UE or a server UE.

[0140] In another example embodiment, the LMF may provide past measurements directly to the server UE for process "2" (eg, if it is within range of the LMF).

[0141] It can be noted that Figure 2 shows an example of the target UE moving from a session-free positioning procedure, while Figure 3 An example of a target UE moving from a session-based positioning procedure to a subsequent session-based positioning procedure is shown. These examples are not limiting; the target UE may move from a session-based positioning procedure to a session-less positioning procedure, for example to save signaling.

[0142] Figure 4 Possible steps of an example method 400 are shown. The example method 400 may include obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement includes at least one of: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning procedure, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning procedure, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning procedure, 410; and determining one of: the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement or an indication of the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement for use in a positioning procedure of a user equipment, 420. For example, the example method 400 may be performed using a target UE.

[0143] Figure 5 Possible steps of an example method 500 are shown. The example method 500 may include: obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement at 510, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement includes at least one of the following: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and causing a user equipment to determine, at 520, one of the following for use in the positioning process of the user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement. For example, the example method 500 may be performed using a network node, a base station, an eNB, a gNB, a LMF, etc.

[0144] Figure 6 Possible steps of an example method 600 are shown. The example method 600 may include: determining, at 610, that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is not available, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement includes at least one of: a positioning reference signal measurement from a sessionless positioning procedure, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning procedure, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning procedure; and sending, at 620, an indication that the at least one positioning reference signal measurement is not available to at least one of: a target user equipment, a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, another user equipment, or a positioning management entity 620. For example, the example method 600 may be performed using a target UE, a network node, a base station, an eNB, a gNB, a LMF, etc.

[0145] Figure 7Possible steps of an example method 700 are shown. The example method 700 may include: at 710, determining that a positioning process of a target user equipment is changed; and at 720, obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement associated with the target user equipment, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement includes at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process. For example, the example method 700 may be performed using a server UE.

[0146] According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: obtain at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and determine one of the following items for use in the positioning process of the device: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0147] An example apparatus may include a sidelink user equipment.

[0148] The example apparatus may also be configured to: send an indication to a positioning entity that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at the apparatus; receive a request from the positioning entity to provide at least one positioning reference signal measurement; and send the at least one positioning reference signal measurement to the positioning entity.

[0149] The positioning entity may include at least one of the following: a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, another user equipment, or a positioning management entity.

[0150] The example apparatus may also be configured to receive, from the positioning entity, an acknowledgement of the transmitted at least one positioning reference signal measurement.

[0151] The example device may also be configured to: overhear at least one positioning reference signal; perform a session-free positioning process based at least in part on the overheard positioning reference signal; and determine that an accuracy of the session-free positioning process does not meet at least one requirement, wherein in response to the accuracy of the session-free positioning process not meeting at least one requirement, send an indication that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at the device.

[0152] The positioning process may include a session-based positioning process.

[0153] The example apparatus may also be configured to send additional information associated with at least one positioning reference signal measurement to the positioning entity, wherein the additional information may include at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal configuration, a sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, a session identifier, a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a measurement quality of each sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a sending user equipment parameter, or a measurement type.

[0154] The example apparatus may also be configured to: perform a session-based positioning process; receive an indication from a positioning entity that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at a network node; send a request to the positioning entity to provide at least one positioning reference signal measurement; and receive at least one positioning reference signal measurement from the positioning entity.

[0155] The positioning entity may include at least one of the following: a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, another user equipment, or a positioning management entity.

[0156] The positioning process may include a subsequent session-based positioning process.

[0157] The positioning process may include a session-free positioning process.

[0158] The example apparatus may also be configured to receive additional information associated with at least one positioning reference signal measurement from a positioning entity, wherein the additional information may include at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal configuration, a sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, a session identifier, a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a measurement quality of each sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a transmitting user equipment parameter, or a measurement type.

[0159] The example apparatus may also be configured to provide the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement to the server user equipment.

[0160] The example apparatus may be further configured to send an indication to a positioning entity that the device is moving out of coverage of the positioning entity.

[0161] The example apparatus may also be configured to trigger a positioning procedure based at least in part on the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0162] The example apparatus may be further configured to select at least one complementary anchor user equipment based at least in part on the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0163] The example apparatus may also be configured to: accept one or more positioning reference signal measurements of the at least one positioning reference signal measurement; or reject one or more positioning reference signal measurements of the at least one positioning reference signal measurement.

[0164] According to one aspect, an example method may be provided, comprising: utilizing a user device to obtain at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and determining one of the following items for use in the positioning process of the user device: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0165] The user equipment may include sidelink user equipment.

[0166] The exemplary method may also include: sending an indication to a positioning entity that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at a user equipment; receiving a request to provide at least one positioning reference signal measurement from the positioning entity; and sending at least one positioning reference signal measurement to the positioning entity.

[0167] The positioning entity may include at least one of the following: a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, another user equipment, or a positioning management entity.

[0168] The example method may also include receiving, from the positioning entity, an acknowledgement of the transmitted at least one positioning reference signal measurement.

[0169] The exemplary method may also include: eavesdropping on at least one positioning reference signal; performing a session-free positioning process based at least in part on the eavesdropped positioning reference signal; and determining that an accuracy of the session-free positioning process does not meet at least one requirement, wherein an indication that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at a user device may be sent in response to the accuracy of the session-free positioning process not meeting at least one requirement.

[0170] The positioning process may include a session-based positioning process.

[0171] The exemplary method may also include: sending additional information associated with at least one positioning reference signal measurement to the positioning entity, wherein the additional information may include at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal configuration, a sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, a session identifier, a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a measurement quality of each sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a sending user equipment parameter, or a measurement type.

[0172] The exemplary method may also include: performing a session-based positioning process; receiving an indication from a positioning entity that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at a network node; sending a request to the positioning entity to provide at least one positioning reference signal measurement; and receiving at least one positioning reference signal measurement from the positioning entity.

[0173] The positioning entity may include at least one of the following: a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, another user equipment, or a positioning management entity.

[0174] The positioning process may include a subsequent session-based positioning process.

[0175] The positioning process may include a session-free positioning process.

[0176] The exemplary method may also include: receiving additional information associated with at least one positioning reference signal measurement from the positioning entity, wherein the additional information may include at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal configuration, a sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, a session identifier, a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a measurement quality of each sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a transmitting user equipment parameter, or a measurement type.

[0177] The exemplary method may also include providing at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement to a server user equipment.

[0178] The exemplary method may further include sending an indication to the positioning entity that the user equipment is moving out of coverage of the positioning entity.

[0179] The example method may also include triggering a positioning procedure based at least in part on the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0180] The example method may also include selecting at least one complementary anchor user equipment based at least in part on the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0181] The exemplary method may also include: accepting one or more positioning reference signal measurements of the at least one positioning reference signal measurement; or rejecting one or more positioning reference signal measurements of the at least one positioning reference signal measurement.

[0182] According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include: a circuit system configured to perform the following items: utilizing a user device to obtain at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and a circuit system configured to perform the following items: determining one of the following items for use in the positioning process of the user device: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0183] According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include: a processing circuit system; a storage circuit system including computer program code, the storage circuit system and the computer program code being configured, together with the processing circuit, to enable the apparatus to: obtain at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and determine one of the following items for use in the positioning process of the device: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0184] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware circuit implementations only (e.g., implementations in analog and / or digital circuits only) and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and (ii) any portion of a hardware processor (including digital signal processors), software, and memory (s) that work together to enable a device (e.g., a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions, and (c) hardware circuits and / or processors (such as microprocessors or portions of microprocessors) that require software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but that software may not be present when the software is not required for operation. This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers implementations of hardware circuits or processors only (or multiple processors) or portions of hardware circuits or processors and their (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers (for example and if applicable to a particular claim element) a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network equipment or other computing or networking equipment.

[0185] According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include components for: obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and determining one of the following items for use in the positioning process of the apparatus: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0186] The apparatus may include sidelink user equipment.

[0187] The component may also be configured for: sending an indication to a positioning entity that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at the device; receiving a request from the positioning entity to provide at least one positioning reference signal measurement; and sending the at least one positioning reference signal measurement to the positioning entity.

[0188] The positioning entity may include at least one of the following: a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, another user equipment, or a positioning management entity.

[0189] The component may also be configured for: receiving, from the positioning entity, an acknowledgement of the transmitted at least one positioning reference signal measurement.

[0190] The component can also be configured for the following items: eavesdropping on at least one positioning reference signal; performing a session-free positioning process based at least in part on the eavesdropped positioning reference signal; and determining that the accuracy of the session-free positioning process does not meet at least one requirement, wherein in response to the accuracy of the session-free positioning process not meeting at least one requirement, sending an indication that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at the device.

[0191] The positioning process may include a session-based positioning process.

[0192] The component may also be configured for the following items: sending additional information associated with at least one positioning reference signal measurement to the positioning entity, wherein the additional information may include at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal configuration, a sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, a session identifier, a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a measurement quality of each sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a sending user equipment parameter, or a measurement type.

[0193] The component may also be configured for the following: performing a session-based positioning procedure; receiving an indication from a positioning entity that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at a network node; sending a request to the positioning entity to provide at least one positioning reference signal measurement; and receiving at least one positioning reference signal measurement from the positioning entity.

[0194] The positioning entity may include at least one of the following: a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, another user equipment, or a positioning management entity.

[0195] The positioning process may include a subsequent session-based positioning process.

[0196] The positioning process may include a session-free positioning process.

[0197] The component may also be configured for the following items: receiving additional information associated with at least one positioning reference signal measurement from the positioning entity, wherein the additional information may include at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal configuration, a sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, a session identifier, a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a measurement quality of each sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a transmitting user equipment parameter, or a measurement type.

[0198] The component may also be configured to provide at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement to a server user equipment.

[0199] The component may also be configured to: send an indication to a positioning entity that the apparatus is moving out of coverage of the positioning entity.

[0200] The component may also be configured to trigger a positioning procedure based at least in part on the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0201] The component may also be configured to select at least one complementary anchor user equipment based at least in part on the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0202] The component may also be configured to: accept one or more of the at least one positioning reference signal measurement; or reject one or more of the at least one positioning reference signal measurement.

[0203] Processors, memory and / or example algorithms (which may be encoded as instructions, programs or code) may be provided as example means for providing or causing operational performance.

[0204] According to an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to: obtain at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and determine one of the following items for use in a positioning process of a user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0205] According to an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following items: obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and determining one of the following items for use in a positioning process of a user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0206] According to another example embodiment, a machine-readable non-transitory program storage device may be provided, the non-transitory program storage device tangibly containing instructions executable by the machine for performing operations, the operations comprising: causing at least one positioning reference signal measurement to be obtained, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and determining one of the following items for use in a positioning process of a user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0207] According to another example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following items: obtain at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and determine one of the following items for use in a positioning process of a user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0208] A computer-implemented system comprises: at least one processor and at least one non-volatile memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to at least perform: obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and determining one of the following items for use in a positioning process of a user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0209] A computer-implemented system comprising: a component for obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and a component for determining one of the following items for use in a positioning process for a user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0210] According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: obtain at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and cause a user equipment to determine one of the following items for use in the positioning process of the user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0211] The user equipment may include sidelink user equipment.

[0212] An example apparatus may comprise one of: a positioning management entity, a network node, or a location management function.

[0213] The example apparatus may also be configured to: receive an indication from a user device that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at the user device; send a request to the user device to provide at least one positioning reference signal measurement; receive at least one positioning reference signal measurement from the user device; analyze at least one positioning reference signal measurement; and accept one or more positioning reference signal measurements in at least one positioning reference signal measurement.

[0214] The example apparatus may also be configured to send an acknowledgement of the at least one received positioning reference signal measurement to the user equipment.

[0215] The example apparatus may also be configured to receive additional information associated with at least one positioning reference signal measurement from a user equipment, wherein the additional information may include at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal configuration, a sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, a session identifier, a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a measurement quality of each sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a sending user equipment parameter, or a measurement type.

[0216] The example apparatus may also be configured to: determine to switch a session with the user equipment based at least in part on a determination that the user equipment is moving out of coverage of the apparatus; send an indication to the user equipment that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at the apparatus; receive a request from the user equipment to provide at least one positioning reference signal measurement; and send at least one positioning reference signal measurement to the user equipment.

[0217] The example apparatus may also be configured to send additional information associated with at least one positioning reference signal measurement to a user equipment, wherein the additional information may include at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal configuration, a sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, a session identifier, a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a measurement quality of each sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a sending user equipment parameter, or a measurement type.

[0218] The example apparatus may also be configured to receive, from the user equipment, an indication that the user equipment is moving out of a coverage area of ​​the device, wherein a determination that the user equipment is moving out of a coverage area of ​​the device may be based at least in part on the received indication.

[0219] According to one aspect, an example method may be provided, comprising: obtaining, using a positioning management entity, at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and enabling a user equipment to determine one of the following items for use in the positioning process of the user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0220] The user equipment may include sidelink user equipment.

[0221] The positioning management entity may include one of the following: a network node or a location management function.

[0222] The exemplary method may also include: receiving an indication from a user device that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at the user device; sending a request to the user device to provide at least one positioning reference signal measurement; receiving at least one positioning reference signal measurement from the user device; analyzing at least one positioning reference signal measurement; and accepting one or more of the at least one positioning reference signal measurement.

[0223] The exemplary method may also include sending an acknowledgement of at least one received positioning reference signal measurement to the user equipment.

[0224] The exemplary method may also include: receiving additional information associated with at least one positioning reference signal measurement from a user equipment, wherein the additional information may include at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal configuration, a sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, a session identifier, a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a measurement quality of each sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a sending user equipment parameter, or a measurement type.

[0225] The exemplary method may also include: determining to switch a session with the user equipment based at least in part on a determination that the user equipment is moving out of coverage of the positioning management entity; sending an indication to the user equipment that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at the positioning management entity; receiving a request from the user equipment to provide at least one positioning reference signal measurement; and sending at least one positioning reference signal measurement to the user equipment.

[0226] The exemplary method may also include: sending additional information associated with at least one positioning reference signal measurement to a user equipment, wherein the additional information may include at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal configuration, a sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, a session identifier, a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a measurement quality of each sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a sending user equipment parameter, or a measurement type.

[0227] The exemplary method may further include receiving an indication from the user equipment that the user equipment is moving out of coverage of the positioning management entity, wherein the determination that the user equipment is moving out of coverage of the device may be based at least in part on the received indication.

[0228] According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include: a circuit system configured to perform the following items: obtain at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and a circuit system configured to perform the following items for a positioning process of a user equipment: enable the user equipment to determine one of the following items: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0229] According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include: a processing circuit system; a storage circuit system including computer program code, the storage circuit system and the computer program code being configured, together with the processing circuit, to enable the apparatus to: obtain at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and enable a user equipment to determine one of the following items for use in the positioning process of the user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0230] According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include components for: obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and causing a user equipment to determine one of the following items for use in the positioning process of the user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0231] The user equipment may include sidelink user equipment.

[0232] An example apparatus may comprise one of: a positioning management entity, a network node, or a location management function.

[0233] The component can also be configured to: receive an indication from a user device that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at the user device; send a request to the user device to provide at least one positioning reference signal measurement; receive at least one positioning reference signal measurement from the user device; analyze at least one positioning reference signal measurement; and accept one or more positioning reference signal measurements in the at least one positioning reference signal measurement.

[0234] The component may also be configured to send an acknowledgement of at least one received positioning reference signal measurement to the user equipment.

[0235] The component may also be configured for the following items: receiving additional information associated with at least one positioning reference signal measurement from a user equipment, wherein the additional information may include at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal configuration, a sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, a session identifier, a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a measurement quality of each sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a sending user equipment parameter, or a measurement type.

[0236] The component can also be configured to: determine to switch a session with the user equipment based at least in part on a determination that the user equipment is moving out of coverage of the device; send an indication to the user equipment that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at the device; receive a request from the user equipment to provide at least one positioning reference signal measurement; and send at least one positioning reference signal measurement to the user equipment.

[0237] The component may also be configured for the following items: sending additional information associated with at least one positioning reference signal measurement to a user equipment, wherein the additional information may include at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal configuration, a sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, a session identifier, a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a measurement quality of each sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, a sending user equipment parameter, or a measurement type.

[0238] The component may also be configured to receive an indication from the user equipment that the user equipment is moving out of a coverage area of ​​the device, wherein the determination that the user equipment is moving out of a coverage area of ​​the device may be based at least in part on the received indication.

[0239] According to an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to: obtain at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and cause a user equipment to determine one of the following items for use in the positioning process of the user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0240] According to an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following items: causing at least one positioning reference signal measurement to be obtained, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and causing a user equipment to determine one of the following items for use in the positioning process of the user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0241] According to another example embodiment, a machine-readable non-transitory program storage device may be provided, the non-transitory program storage device tangibly containing instructions executable by the machine for performing operations, the operations comprising: causing at least one positioning reference signal measurement to be obtained, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and causing a user equipment to determine one of the following items for use in the positioning process of the user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0242] According to another example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions, which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following items: cause at least one positioning reference signal measurement to be obtained, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and cause a user equipment to determine one of the following items for use in the positioning process of the user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0243] A computer-implemented system comprises: at least one processor and at least one non-volatile memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to at least perform: obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and causing a user equipment to determine one of the following items for use in the positioning process of the user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0244] A computer-implemented system, comprising: a component for enabling at least one positioning reference signal measurement to be obtained, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and a component for enabling a user equipment to determine one of the following items for use in the positioning process of the user equipment: at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or an indication of at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

[0245] According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: determine that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and send an indication that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable for at least one of the following items: a target user equipment, a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, another user equipment, or a positioning management entity.

[0246] The example apparatus may include a target user equipment, and the indication may be sent to at least one of: a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, a further user equipment, or a positioning management entity.

[0247] An example apparatus may include a positioning management entity, and the indication may be sent to a target user equipment.

[0248] According to one aspect, an example method may be provided, comprising: determining, using a device, that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and sending an indication that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable for at least one of the following: a target user device, a network node, a location management function, a server user device, another user device, or a positioning management entity.

[0249] The apparatus may comprise a target user equipment and the indication may be sent to at least one of: a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, a further user equipment or a positioning management entity.

[0250] The apparatus may include a positioning management entity, and the indication may be sent to a target user equipment.

[0251] According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include: a circuit system configured to perform the following items: determine that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and a circuit system configured to perform the following items: send an indication that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable to at least one of: a target user equipment, a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, another user equipment, or a positioning management entity.

[0252] According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include: a processing circuit system; a storage circuit system including computer program code, the storage circuit system and the computer program code being configured to, together with the processing circuit, enable the apparatus to: determine that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and send an indication that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable for at least one of the following items: a target user equipment, a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, another user equipment, or a positioning management entity.

[0253] According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include components for: determining that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and sending an indication that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable for at least one of the following: a target user equipment, a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, another user equipment, or a positioning management entity.

[0254] The example apparatus may include a target user equipment, and the indication may be sent to at least one of: a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, a further user equipment, or a positioning management entity.

[0255] An example apparatus may include a positioning management entity, and the indication may be sent to a target user equipment.

[0256] According to an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to: utilize a device to determine that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and cause an indication to be sent that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable for at least one of the following items: a target user equipment, a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, another user equipment, or a positioning management entity.

[0257] According to an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following items: determining, using a device, that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and causing an indication to be sent that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable for at least one of the following items: a target user equipment, a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, another user equipment, or a positioning management entity.

[0258] According to another example embodiment, a machine-readable non-transitory program storage device may be provided, the non-transitory program storage device tangibly containing instructions executable by the machine for performing operations, the operations comprising: determining, using an apparatus, that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a sessionless positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and causing an indication to be sent that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable for at least one of the following items: a target user equipment, a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, another user equipment, or a positioning management entity.

[0259] According to another example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following items: determine, using the apparatus, that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and cause an indication to be sent that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable for at least one of the following items: a target user equipment, a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, another user equipment, or a positioning management entity.

[0260] A computer-implemented system comprises: at least one processor and at least one non-volatile memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to at least perform: using a device to determine that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and causing an indication to be sent that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable for at least one of the following items: a target user equipment, a network node, a location management function, a server user equipment, another user equipment, or a positioning management entity.

[0261] A computer-implemented system comprising: a component for determining, using an apparatus, that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following: a positioning reference signal measurement from a sessionless positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process; and a component for causing an indication to be sent that at least one positioning reference signal measurement is unavailable for at least one of the following: a target user device, a network node, a location management function, a server user device, another user device, or a positioning management entity.

[0262] According to an example embodiment, a device may include: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: determine that a positioning process of a target user equipment is changed; and obtain at least one positioning reference signal measurement associated with the target user equipment, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process.

[0263] According to one aspect, an example method may be provided, comprising: determining, using a server user device, that a positioning process of a target user device is changed; and obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement associated with the target user device, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process.

[0264] According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include: a circuit system configured to perform the following items: determine that a positioning process of a target user equipment is changed; and a circuit system configured to perform the following items: obtain at least one positioning reference signal measurement associated with the target user equipment, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process.

[0265] According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include: a processing circuit system; a storage circuit system including computer program code, the storage circuit system and the computer program code being configured, together with the processing circuit, to enable the apparatus to: determine that a positioning process of a target user device is changed; and obtain at least one positioning reference signal measurement associated with the target user device, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process.

[0266] According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include components for: determining that a positioning process of a target user equipment is changed; and obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement associated with the target user equipment, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process.

[0267] According to an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to: determine that a positioning process of a target user equipment is changed; and obtain at least one positioning reference signal measurement associated with the target user equipment, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process.

[0268] According to an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following items: determining that a positioning process of a target user equipment is changed; and obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement associated with the target user equipment, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process.

[0269] According to another example embodiment, a machine-readable non-transitory program storage device may be provided, the non-transitory program storage device tangibly containing instructions executable by the machine for performing operations, the operations comprising: determining that a positioning process of a target user device is changed; and obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement associated with the target user device, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process.

[0270] According to another example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions, which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following items: determine that a positioning process of a target user equipment is changed; and obtain at least one positioning reference signal measurement associated with the target user equipment, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process.

[0271] A computer-implemented system comprises: at least one processor and at least one non-volatile memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to at least perform: determining that a positioning process of a target user equipment is changed; and obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement associated with the target user equipment, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process.

[0272] A computer-implemented system comprising: a component for determining a change in a positioning process of a target user device; and a component for obtaining at least one positioning reference signal measurement associated with the target user device, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement may include at least one of the following items: a positioning reference signal measurement from a session-free positioning process, a positioning reference signal measurement from a past positioning process, or a positioning reference signal measurement from a parallel positioning process.

[0273] The term "non-transitory" as used herein is a restriction on the medium itself (ie, tangible, not a signal), not on the persistence of the data storage (eg, RAM versus ROM).

[0274] It should be understood that the foregoing description is merely illustrative. Various substitutions 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 embodiments described above may be selectively combined into new embodiments. Therefore, this specification is intended to include all such substitutions, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for wireless communication, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one non-transitory memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: Obtain at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement comprises at least one of the following: Positioning reference signal measurements from the session-free positioning process, Positioning reference signal measurements from past positioning processes, or Positioning reference signal measurements from a parallel positioning process; and Determine one of the following items to be used in the positioning process of the device: the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or An indication of the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a sidelink user equipment.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: sending an indication to a positioning entity that the at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at the apparatus; receiving, from the positioning entity, a request to provide the at least one positioning reference signal measurement; as well as The at least one positioning reference signal measurement is sent to the positioning entity.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the positioning entity comprises at least one of the following: Network nodes, Location management function, Server User Equipment, Another user device, or Position management entity.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: An acknowledgement of the at least one transmitted positioning reference signal measurement is received from the positioning entity.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: eavesdropping on at least one positioning reference signal; performing the session-free positioning procedure based at least in part on the overheard positioning reference signal; and It is determined that an accuracy of the session-less positioning procedure does not satisfy at least one requirement, wherein in response to the accuracy of the session-less positioning procedure not satisfying the at least one requirement, the indication that the at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at the apparatus is sent. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the positioning procedure comprises a session-based positioning procedure.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: Sending additional information associated with the at least one positioning reference signal measurement to the positioning entity, wherein the additional information includes at least one of the following items: Sidelink positioning reference signal configuration, Sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, session identifier, Sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, the measured quality of each sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, Send user equipment parameters, or Measurement type.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: Performing session-based positioning procedures; receiving, from a positioning entity, an indication that the at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at the network node; sending a request to the positioning entity to provide the at least one positioning reference signal measurement; as well as The at least one positioning reference signal measurement is received from the positioning entity.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the positioning entity comprises at least one of the following: Network nodes, Location management function, Server User Equipment, Another user device, or Position management entity.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the positioning process comprises: Subsequent session-based positioning process.

12. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the positioning process comprises: No session positioning process.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receiving, from the positioning entity, additional information associated with the at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the additional information comprises at least one of the following: Sidelink positioning reference signal configuration, Sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, session identifier, Sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, the measured quality of each sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, Send user equipment parameters, or Measurement type.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: The at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement is provided to a server user equipment.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: An indication is sent to the positioning entity that the apparatus is moving out of coverage of the positioning entity.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: The positioning procedure is triggered based at least in part on the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: At least one complementary anchor user equipment is selected based at least in part on the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

18. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least one of the following: accepting one or more positioning reference signal measurements of the at least one positioning reference signal measurement; or One or more positioning reference signal measurements of the at least one positioning reference signal measurement are rejected.

19. A method for wireless communication, comprising: Obtaining, with a user equipment, at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement comprises at least one of the following: Positioning reference signal measurements from the session-free positioning process, Positioning reference signal measurements from past positioning processes, or Positioning reference signal measurements from a parallel positioning process; and Determine one of the following items for use in a positioning process of the user equipment: the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or An indication of the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the user equipment comprises a sidelink user equipment.

21. The method according to claim 19, further comprising: sending an indication to a positioning entity that the at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at the user equipment; receiving, from the positioning entity, a request to provide the at least one positioning reference signal measurement; as well as The at least one positioning reference signal measurement is sent to the positioning entity.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the positioning entity comprises at least one of the following: Network nodes, Location management function, Server User Equipment, Another user device, or Position management entity.

23. The method according to claim 21, further comprising: An acknowledgement of the at least one transmitted positioning reference signal measurement is received from the positioning entity.

24. The method according to claim 21, further comprising: eavesdropping on at least one positioning reference signal; performing the session-free positioning procedure based at least in part on the overheard positioning reference signal; as well as It is determined that an accuracy of the session-less positioning procedure does not satisfy at least one requirement, wherein in response to the accuracy of the session-less positioning procedure not satisfying the at least one requirement, the indication that the at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at the user equipment is sent.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the positioning procedure comprises a session-based positioning procedure.

26. The method according to claim 21, further comprising: Sending additional information associated with the at least one positioning reference signal measurement to the positioning entity, wherein the additional information includes at least one of the following items: Sidelink positioning reference signal configuration, Sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, session identifier, Sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, the measured quality of each sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, Send user equipment parameters, or Measurement type.

27. The method according to claim 19, further comprising: Performing session-based positioning procedures; receiving, from a positioning entity, an indication that the at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at the network node; sending a request to the positioning entity to provide the at least one positioning reference signal measurement; as well as The at least one positioning reference signal measurement is received from the positioning entity.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the positioning entity comprises at least one of the following: Network nodes, Location management function, Server User Equipment, Another user device, or Position management entity.

29. The method according to claim 27, wherein the positioning process comprises: Subsequent session-based positioning process.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the positioning process comprises: No session positioning process.

31. The method according to claim 27, further comprising: receiving, from the positioning entity, additional information associated with the at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the additional information comprises at least one of the following: Sidelink positioning reference signal configuration, Sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, session identifier, Sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, the measured quality of each sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, Send user equipment parameters, or Measurement type.

32. The method according to claim 27, further comprising: The at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement is provided to a server user equipment.

33. The method according to claim 27, further comprising: An indication is sent to the positioning entity that the user equipment is moving out of the coverage of the positioning entity.

34. The method according to claim 19, further comprising: The positioning procedure is triggered based at least in part on the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

35. The method according to claim 19, further comprising: At least one complementary anchor user equipment is selected based at least in part on the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

36. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 35, further comprising: accepting one or more positioning reference signal measurements of the at least one positioning reference signal measurement; or One or more positioning reference signal measurements of the at least one positioning reference signal measurement are rejected.

37. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one non-transitory memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Obtain at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement comprises at least one of the following: Positioning reference signal measurements from the session-free positioning process, Positioning reference signal measurements from past positioning processes, or Positioning reference signal measurements from a parallel positioning process; and Enable the user equipment to determine one of the following items for use in a positioning process of the user equipment: the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or An indication of the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the user equipment comprises a sidelink user equipment.

39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the apparatus comprises one of the following: Location management entity, network node, or Location management functionality.

40. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receiving, from the user equipment, an indication that the at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at the user equipment; sending a request to the user equipment to provide the at least one positioning reference signal measurement; receiving the at least one positioning reference signal measurement from the user equipment; analyzing the at least one positioning reference signal measurement; as well as One or more positioning reference signal measurements of the at least one positioning reference signal measurement are accepted.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: An acknowledgement of the at least one received positioning reference signal measurement is sent to the user equipment.

42. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receiving, from the user equipment, additional information associated with the at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the additional information comprises at least one of the following: Sidelink positioning reference signal configuration, Sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, session identifier, Sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, the measured quality of each sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, Send user equipment parameters, or Measurement type.

43. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determining to handover a session with the user equipment based at least in part on determining that the user equipment is moving out of coverage of the apparatus; sending, to the user equipment, an indication that the at least one positioning reference signal measurement is available at the apparatus; receiving, from the user equipment, a request to provide the at least one positioning reference signal measurement; as well as The at least one positioning reference signal measurement is sent to the user equipment.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: Sending additional information associated with the at least one positioning reference signal measurement to the user equipment, wherein the additional information includes at least one of the following items: Sidelink positioning reference signal configuration, Sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, session identifier, Sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, the measured quality of each sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier, Send user equipment parameters, or Measurement type.

45. An apparatus according to claim 43 or 44, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: An indication is received from the user equipment that the user equipment is moving out of coverage of the apparatus, wherein determining that the user equipment is moving out of the coverage of the apparatus is based at least in part on the received indication.

46. ​​A method for wireless communication, comprising: obtaining, using a positioning management entity, at least one positioning reference signal measurement, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal measurement comprises at least one of: Positioning reference signal measurements from the session-free positioning process, Positioning reference signal measurements from past positioning processes, or Positioning reference signal measurements from a parallel positioning process; and Enable the user equipment to determine one of the following items for use in a positioning process of the user equipment: the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement, or An indication of the at least one obtained positioning reference signal measurement.

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