Monitoring session-free positioning via sidelink control information for wireless networks

Abstract

A method includes receiving, by a first device in a wireless network, a user equipment identifier and sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information of a second user equipment in the vicinity of the first user equipment, the first user equipment being performing session-free positioning based on the SL-PRS, the second user equipment being transmitting a sidelink positioning reference signal, the SL-PRS identification information is associated with a sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment; transmitting, by the first user equipment, sidelink control information, the sidelink control information comprising at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user equipment is performing session-free positioning, a user equipment identifier of the first user equipment, a user equipment identifier of the second user equipment, or SL-PRS identification information; and performing, by the first user equipment, at least one measurement on a sidelink positioning reference signal transmitted by the second user equipment for session-free positioning of the first user equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to wireless communications. Background Art

[0002] A communication system may be a facility that enables communication between two or more nodes or devices, such as fixed or mobile communication devices. Signals may be carried on wired or wireless carriers.

[0003] An example of a cellular communication system is an architecture standardized by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The latest development in this area is generally referred to as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio access technology. E-UTRA (Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access) is the air interface of the 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) upgrade path for mobile networks. In LTE, a base station or access point (AP) referred to as an enhanced node AP (eNB) provides wireless access within a coverage area or cell. In LTE, a mobile device or mobile station is referred to as a user equipment (UE). LTE has included many improvements or developments. Various aspects of LTE continue to improve.

[0004] The 5G New Radio (NR) development is part of a continuous mobile broadband evolution process to meet the requirements of 5G, similar to the earlier evolution of 3G and 4G wireless networks. In addition, in addition to mobile broadband, 5G also targets emerging use cases. The goal of 5G is to provide significant improvements in wireless performance, which may include new levels of data rate, latency, reliability and security. 5G NR can also be extended to efficiently connect a large number of Internet of Things (IoT) and can provide new types of mission-critical services. For example, ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC) equipment may require high reliability and very low latency. 6G and other wireless networks are also being developed. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to an example embodiment, a method may include: receiving, by a first user device in a wireless network, a user device identifier and sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information of a second user device near the first user device, the first user device is performing session-free positioning based on the SL-PRS, the second user device is sending a sidelink positioning reference signal, and the SL-PRS identification information is associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user device; sending, by the first user device, sidelink control information, the sidelink control information including at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user device is performing session-free positioning, a user device identifier of the first user device, a user device identifier of the second user device, or the SL-PRS identification information; and performing, by the first user device, at least one measurement on the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user device for session-free positioning of the first user device.

[0006] According to an example embodiment, a method may include: receiving, by a second user device, sidelink control information from a first user device, the sidelink control information including at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user device is performing session-less positioning, a user device identifier of the first user device, a user device identifier of the second user device, or a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information associated with a sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user device; determining, by the second user device based on the user device identifier of the second user device, that the sidelink control information is addressed to the second user device; and continuing, by the second user device, to send a sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, or adjusting the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information.

[0007] According to an example embodiment, a method may include: receiving, by a first user device in a wireless network, a user device identifier and sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information of a second user device near the first user device, the first user device is performing session-free positioning based on the SL-PRS, the second user device is sending a sidelink positioning reference signal, and the SL-PRS identification information is associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user device; sending, by the first user device, information including at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user device is performing session-free positioning, a user device identifier of the first user device, a user device identifier of the second user device, or SL-PRS identification information; and performing, by the first user device, at least one measurement on the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user device for session-free positioning of the first user device.

[0008] According to an example embodiment, a method may include: receiving, by a second user device, information from a first user device, the information including at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user device is performing session-less positioning, a user device identifier of the first user device, a user device identifier of the second user device, or a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information associated with a sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user device; determining, by the second user device based on the user device identifier of the second user device, that the information is addressed to the second user device; and continuing, by the second user device, to send a sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, or adjusting the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information.

[0009] Other example embodiments are provided or described for each of the example methods, including: components for performing any of the example methods; a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions stored thereon, which instructions, when executed by at least one processor, are configured to cause a computing system to perform any of the example methods; and an apparatus including at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform any of the example methods.

[0010] The details of one or more examples of embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a wireless network according to an example embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a user equipment (or UE) according to an example embodiment.

[0013] Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a user equipment (or UE) according to another example embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a network according to an example embodiment.

[0015] Figure 5 is a block diagram of a wireless station or node (eg, a network node, a user node or UE, a relay node, or other node). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a wireless network 130 according to an example embodiment. Figure 1In a wireless network 130, user equipment 131, 132, 133 and 135 (which may also be referred to as mobile stations (MS) or user equipment (UE)) may be connected to (and communicate with each other) a base station (BS) 134 (which may also be referred to as an access point (AP), an enhanced Node B (eNB), a gNB or a network node). The terms user device and user equipment (UE) may be used interchangeably. The BS may also include or may be referred to as a RAN (Radio Access Network) node, and may include a portion of a BS or a portion of a RAN node, such as (for example, in the case of a separated BS or separated gNB, such as a centralized unit (CU) and / or a distributed unit (DU)). At least part of the functionality of a BS (e.g., an access point (AP), a base station (BS) or an (e) Node B (eNB), a gNB, a RAN node) may also be performed by any node, server or host operably coupled to a transceiver (such as a remote radio head). BS (or AP) 134 provides wireless coverage within cell 136, including providing wireless coverage to user equipment (or UE) 131, 132, 133 and 135. Although only four user equipment (or UE) are shown as connected or attached to BS 134, any number of user equipment may be provided. BS 134 is also connected to core network 150 via S1 interface 151. This is just a simple example of a wireless network, and other networks may be used.

[0017] A base station (e.g., such as BS 134) is an example of a radio access network (RAN) node within a wireless network. A BS (or RAN node) may be or may include (or may be alternatively referred to as) an access point (AP), a gNB, an eNB or a portion thereof (such as a centralized unit (CU) and / or a distributed unit (DU) in the case of a split BS or split gNB), or other network nodes.

[0018] According to an illustrative example, a BS node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, ...) or a radio access network (RAN) may be part of a mobile telecommunication system. A RAN (radio access network) may include one or more BSs or RAN nodes implementing a radio access technology, for example, to allow one or more UEs to access a network or a core network. Thus, for example, a RAN (RAN node, such as a BS or gNB) may be located between one or more user equipment or UEs and a core network. According to an example embodiment, each RAN node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, ...) or BS may provide one or more wireless communication services for one or more UEs or user equipment, for example, to allow the UE to have wireless access to the network via the RAN node. Each RAN node or BS may perform or provide wireless communication services, for example, such as allowing a UE or user equipment to establish a wireless connection with a RAN node, and to send data to one or more UEs and / or receive data from one or more UEs. For example, after establishing a connection with a UE, a RAN node or a network node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, ...) may forward data received from the network or core network to the UE, and / or forward data received from the UE to the network or core network. A RAN node or network node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, ..) may perform a variety of other wireless functions or services, such as, for example, broadcasting control information (e.g., such as system information or on-demand system information) to UEs, paging UEs when there is data to be transmitted to the UEs, assisting UEs in handover between cells, scheduling resources for uplink data transmission from (multiple) UEs and downlink data transmission to (multiple) UEs, sending control information to configure one or more UEs, etc. These are just a few examples of one or more functions that a RAN node or BS may perform.

[0019] A user device or user node (user terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile terminal, handheld wireless device, etc.) may refer to a portable computing device including a wireless mobile communication device operating with or without a subscriber identity module (SIM), including but not limited to the following types of devices: mobile station (MS), mobile phone, cellular phone, smart phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld, device using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, etc.), laptop and / or touch screen computer, tablet computer, tablet phone, game console, notebook computer, vehicle, sensor and multimedia device (as an example), or any other wireless device. It should be understood that a user device may also be (or may include) an almost exclusively uplink device, an example of which is a camera or video camera that loads images or video clips to a network. In addition, a user node may include a user equipment (UE), a user device, a user terminal, a mobile terminal, a mobile station, a mobile node, a subscriber device, a subscriber node, a subscriber terminal, or other user nodes. For example, a user node may be used for wireless communications with one or more network nodes (e.g., gNB, eNB, BS, AP, DU, CU / DU) and / or with one or more other user nodes, regardless of the technology or radio access technology (RAT). In LTE (as an illustrative example), the core network 150 may be referred to as an evolved packet core (EPC), which may include: a mobility management entity (MME) (which may handle or assist in mobility / handover of user equipment between BSs), one or more gateways (which may forward data and control signals between a BS and a packet data network or the Internet), and other control functions or blocks. Other types of wireless networks, such as 5G (which may be referred to as new radio (NR)) may also include a core network.

[0020] In addition, the techniques described herein may be applied to various types of user equipment or data service types, or may be applied to user equipment that may have multiple applications running thereon, which may belong to different data service types. New radio (5G) developments may support a variety of different applications or a variety of different data service types, such as, for example: machine type communications (MTC), enhanced machine type communications (eMTC), Internet of Things (IoT), and / or narrowband IoT user equipment, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), and ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC). Many of these new 5G (NR) related applications may typically require higher performance than previous wireless networks.

[0021] IoT may refer to the growing group of objects that may have internet or network connectivity so that they can send information to and receive information from other network devices. For example, many sensor-type applications or devices may monitor physical conditions or states and may, for example, send reports to a server or other network device when an event occurs. Machine type communications (MTC, or machine-to-machine communications) may be characterized, for example, by fully automated data generation, exchange, processing, and execution in intelligent machines with or without human intervention. Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) may support much higher data rates than are currently available in LTE.

[0022] Ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) is a new data service type or new use case that may be supported for new radio (5G) systems. This enables emerging new applications and services such as industrial automation, autonomous driving, vehicle safety, e-health services, etc. As an illustrative example, 3GPP aims to provide a 5G-capable network with the same capabilities as 10G. -5 Connectivity with reliability corresponding to a block error rate (BLER) of 100% and up to 1ms U-plane (user / data plane) latency. Thus, for example, a URLLC user equipment / UE may require significantly lower block error rates and low latency than other types of user equipment / UE (with or without requirements for simultaneous high reliability). Thus, for example, a URLLC UE (or a URLLC application on a UE) may require much shorter latency than an eMBB UE (or an eMBB application running on a UE).

[0023] The techniques described herein may be applied to various wireless technologies or wireless networks, such as LTE, LTE-A, 5G (New Radio (NR)), centimeter wave and / or millimeter wave band networks, IoT, MTC, eMTC, eMBB, URLLC, etc., or any other wireless network or wireless technology. These example networks, technologies, or data service types are provided only as illustrative examples.

[0024] In some cases, the UE positioning function can be used to determine the geographic location (or location) of the UE. In some cases, the UE positioning can be performed or determined based on a positioning reference signal (PRS). For example, a positioning reference signal (PRS) can be a reference signal that can be sent and / or received, which can be used to obtain positioning measurements and / or allow the UE position to be determined or estimated. In some cases, the UE position (or UE position estimate) can be determined, for example, based on positioning measurements (such as, measured timing and / or measured received power (or other signal measurements) of one or more PRS). For example, the PRS can be or can include a PRS sequence that can be a pseudo-random sequence having a good (or relatively high) autocorrelation property and a small (or relatively low) cross-correlation property, for example to allow the timing or time difference of two signals to be determined.

[0025] In the case of uplink / downlink (UL / DL) positioning (where the PRS signal is transmitted between the UE and a network node or gNB), the PRS signal may include a downlink (DL) PRS signal (sent by the gNB or other network node to the UE) or an uplink (UL) PRS signal (sent by the UE to the gNB or network node).

[0026] Sidelink (SL) communication (which may also be referred to as device-to-device communication or UE-to-UE communication) is communication directly between UEs (or directly between user equipment or user nodes), for example, without using or passing through a network node (gNB or BS). The UE can obtain SL resources for a SL channel to perform SL communication with one or more other nearby UEs. The UE can be involved in traditional UE-gNB communication and SL communication. Therefore, the UE can have, for example, a UE-gNB radio link established for communication with a gNB or network node, and the UE can be part of a SL group, where the UE can send and / or receive signals or information with other member UEs of the SL group, for example via the SL resources of the SL channel.

[0027] In the case of sidelink (SL) positioning, the PRS signal may include a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS), which may include a reference signal sent by a UE and / or received by a UE via a sidelink channel (e.g., a sidelink resource that may be used for direct UE-to-UE communication), which sidelink channel may be used to obtain positioning measurements and / or locate the UE or other object. In SL positioning, one or more UEs send SL-PRS to one or more other UEs to allow (multiple) positioning measurements to be determined by the receiving UE and / or to allow calculation of the UE's position estimate (based on one or more positioning measurements). In SL positioning, one or more UEs (participating in the positioning session) may determine (based on the received SL-PRS) positioning measurements, such as amplitude or reference signal received power (RSRP), angle of arrival, time of arrival, phase, or other positioning measurements. Depending on the technology used for SL positioning, one or more of these positioning measurements are required to calculate the position estimate of the target UE (the UE to be located). Sidelink (SL) positioning may be performed using different or various positioning methods, such as, for example, time difference of arrival (TDOA), angle of departure (AoD), multiple round trip time (multi-RTT) positioning, angle of arrival (AOA), or other positioning techniques.

[0028] A UE sending data or signals via sidelink communication may typically send sidelink control information, which may include a user equipment identifier (UE ID) of the sending UE as a source UE ID, and may possibly indicate a UE ID of another UE that is the destination of the SCI, as well as possible other information.

[0029] The UE may perform session-based positioning, where a target UE (T-UE) to be positioned establishes a Sidelink Positioning Protocol (SLPP) session with an anchor UE (A-UE), where the A-UE will send a SL-PRS, and the T-UE will perform positioning measurements based on the SL-PRS sent from the A-UE. Session-based positioning involves exchanging messages directly between the A-UE and the T-UE to agree on various parameters of the SLPP session and to allow communication between the T-UE and the A-UE. However, session-based positioning has the disadvantage of requiring significant overhead in terms of time-frequency resources and battery power of the UE to establish the SLPP session.

[0030] The UE may also perform session-less positioning, where the T-UE performs positioning measurements on any SL-PRS that it can detect without establishing a SLPP session with other UEs. This is because various A-UEs may already be transmitting SL-PRS, and therefore, other UEs may be able to detect and perform positioning measurements on these SL-PRS without establishing a SLPP session. Session-less positioning may allow a UE (e.g., a T-UE) to perform positioning measurements without incurring the significant overhead required to establish a SLPP session.

[0031] However, session-less positioning has disadvantages. Because there is no session between the A-UE (e.g., the UE that sends the SL-PRS) and the T-UE (the UE that performs positioning measurements based on the detected SL-PRS), there is no mechanism for the T-UE to communicate with the A-UE. Therefore, the A-UE cannot know whether other UEs are performing positioning based on any of the SL-PRSs it sends. Therefore, as a result, the A-UE may decide whether to add a new SL-PRS or stop sending an existing SL-PRS without feedback from other UEs, which may be an inefficient approach, for example, resulting in lower positioning performance and / or causing delays in performing positioning. Generally speaking, both the anchor UE (A-UE) and the target UE (T-UE) can send SL-PRS, and the T-UE typically performs positioning measurements to determine its position.

[0032] According to an example embodiment, an improved communication technique is provided in which a T-UE may include information in its sidelink control information (SCI) to notify an A-UE that the T-UE is performing sessionless positioning. Thus, the T-UE may notify the A-UE via the T-UE's SCI that the T-UE is performing sessionless positioning (e.g., this may mean or may indicate that the SL-PRS sent by the A-UE is being used by the T-UE for sessionless positioning). In addition, the T-UE's SCI may also include additional information (e.g., SL-PRS identification information), which may identify one or more specific SL-PRSs being used by the T-UE for sessionless positioning. This information may advantageously be sent by the T-UE within its SCI without the need for the T-UE to establish a SLPP session with the A-UE.

[0033] As noted, various UEs that transmit data or signals (such as SL-PRS) via sidelink communications may typically transmit sidelink control information (SCI), which may be monitored by other SL UEs (e.g., including T-UE and / or A-UE, and / or other SL UEs). Thus, according to an example embodiment, a T-UE may transmit an SCI that may include one or more fields or parameters that may inform an A-UE that the T-UE is performing sessionless positioning and / or may identify a specific SL-PRS sent by the A-UE that the T-UE is using for positioning measurements. For example, the T-UE may transmit sidelink control information (SCI) including at least one of the following: an indication that the T-UE is performing sessionless positioning, a user equipment identifier (UE ID) of the T-UE (e.g., as a source of the SCI), a user equipment identifier (e.g., UE ID) of the A-UE (e.g., as a destination of the SCI), and / or sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information associated with a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) transmitted by the A-UE.

[0034] For example, in some example embodiments, the A-UE may decode the SCI only when the destination UE ID in the SCI is the UE ID of the A-UE (e.g., the destination of the SCI is set to the UE ID of the A-UE, which indicates that the SCI is addressed to the A-UE). According to an example embodiment, the A-UE receiving the SCI addressed to the A-UE (including an indication that the T-UE is performing sessionless positioning) thus receives a notification from the T-UE that the T-UE is performing sessionless positioning based on one or more SL-PRSs sent by the A-UE.

[0035] In some example embodiments, the A-UE (anchor UE, transmitting one or more SL-PRSs) may transmit multiple SL-PRSs. According to an example embodiment, the T-UE may indicate which specific SL-PRS is being used (or requested to be used) by the T-UE for session-free positioning by including SL-PRS identification information associated with the SL-PRS transmitted by the A-UE, which SL-PRS identification information is used by the T-UE for session-free positioning. In this way, the A-UE may make a more informed decision to modify or adjust its SL-PRS transmission configuration, for example, to determine which SL-PRSs to continue to transmit (e.g., if more than a threshold number (e.g., one or more T-UEs) are using such SL-PRSs for session-free positioning), and / or which SL-PRSs to stop transmitting (e.g., if less than a threshold number of T-UEs are using such SL-PRSs for session-free positioning), but without requiring the T-UE to establish a SLPP session with the A-UE.

[0036] According to an example embodiment, the SL-PRS identification information associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the A-UE may include at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) sequence identifier (SL-PRS sequence ID) associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the A-UE; or a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resource identifier (SL-PRS resource ID), which indicates the resource of the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the A-UE or is associated with the resource of the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the A-UE.

[0037] For example, a SL-PRS sequence ID may be assigned to a UE (e.g., by a server UE or by an LMF or other network node). Thus, for example, there may be a unique SL-PRS for each SL-PRS sequence ID (or there may be a specific SL-PRS associated with each SL-PRS sequence ID). For example, an equation known to the UE and the LMF or server UE may be used to determine the SL-PRS based on the equation and the SL-PRS sequence ID. In addition, a pool or set of time-frequency resources may be allocated or assigned for transmission of a set of SL-PRS. For example, different SL-PRS resources may be associated with (or used to transmit SL-PRS for) different SL-PRS resource IDs.

[0038] Thus, in an example embodiment, the T-UE may identify to the A-UE a specific SL-PRS that the T-UE is using for session-free positioning by the T-UE, including at least one of a SL-PRS sequence ID or a SL-PRS resource ID within the SCI of the T-UE. The A-UE may receive this type of information (within the corresponding SCI) from one or more (e.g., or even several) T-UEs. The A-UE may modify or adjust its SL-PRS transmission configuration, for example by determining which SL-PRS to continue to send, which SL-PRS to discard or suspend sending to adjust resources (e.g., send more or less frequently), initiating transmission of new SL-PRS based on this SCI sent by one or more T-UEs and / or some other reason such as an indication by a server UE or LMF.

[0039] In this way, the A-UE may obtain feedback from one or more T-UEs, and the T-UEs may perform session-less positioning based on the SL-PRS sent by the A-UE without establishing a SLPP session between the T-UE and the A-UE.

[0040] Figure 22 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a target UE (T-UE) according to an example embodiment. Operation 210 includes: receiving, by a first user equipment (e.g., T-UE) in a wireless network, a user equipment identifier (e.g., UE ID of an anchor UE (A-UE)) and sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information of a second user equipment near the first user equipment, the first user equipment is performing session-free positioning based on the SL-PRS, and the SL-PRS identification information is associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment. Operation 220 includes: sending, by the first user equipment (by the T-UE), sidelink control information (SCI), the SCI including at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user equipment is performing session-free positioning (e.g., a field, bit, or flag in the SCI indicating that the T-UE sending the SCI is performing session-free positioning), a user equipment identifier of the first user equipment, a user equipment identifier of the second user equipment, or the SL-PRS identification information. Furthermore, operation 230 includes: performing, by the first user equipment, at least one measurement on a sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment for session-free positioning of the first user equipment (e.g., the T-UE may perform measurements on the SL-PRS for positioning the T-UE, such as measuring amplitude or reference signal received power (RSRP), angle of arrival, time of arrival, phase, or other measurements of the SL-PRS from the A-UE).

[0041] about Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the methods, and examples described herein, instead of sending sidelink control information (SCI), a first UE (e.g., a T-UE) may send (and a second UE or A-UE may receive) any information or message. SCI is an example of information that may be sent by a T-UE.

[0042] about Figure 2 The method of sending sidelink control information may include: sending, by a first user equipment, sidelink control information including: an indication that the first user equipment is performing session-free positioning, a user equipment identifier of the first user equipment as the source of the sidelink control information, a user equipment identifier of a second user equipment as the destination of the sidelink control information, and SL-PRS identification information.

[0043] about Figure 2 The method may include: detecting, by a first user equipment, a sidelink positioning reference signal from a second user equipment; and performing, by the first user equipment, at least one measurement on the detected sidelink positioning reference signal for session-free positioning of the first user equipment.

[0044] about Figure 2The method may also include: sending, by the first user device to the server user device or the location management function, at least one of the following items: a request to perform session-free positioning, or a user device identifier of one or more second user devices from which the first user device has detected or received a signal.

[0045] about Figure 2 According to the method, the SL-PRS identification information associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment may include at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment; or a sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, which indicates or is associated with a resource used for the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment.

[0046] about Figure 2 The method may also include: receiving, by the first user equipment, indication information, the information indicating a time period or cycle in which the first user equipment should send the sidelink control information.

[0047] about Figure 2 The method may also include: receiving, by the first user equipment, a message from a server user equipment or a location management function, the message indicating how to indicate session-free positioning or information that the first user equipment should include in its sidelink control information.

[0048] Figure 3 310 includes receiving, by a second user equipment (e.g., anchor UE (A-UE)), sidelink control information (SCI) from a first user equipment (e.g., target UE (T-UE)), the sidelink control information (SCI) including at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user equipment is performing session-free positioning, a user equipment identifier of the first user equipment (e.g., UE ID of T-UE), a user equipment identifier of the second user equipment (e.g., UE ID of A-UE), or a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information associated with a sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment. Operation 320 includes determining, by the second user equipment based on the user equipment identifier of the second user equipment, that the sidelink control information is addressed to the second user equipment. And, operation 330 includes continuing, by the second user equipment, to send a sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, or adjusting the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information.

[0049] about Figure 3The method may also include: receiving a signal power or signal quality threshold by a second user equipment, above which the received sidelink control information is considered valid; and determining that the received sidelink control information is valid based on the signal power or signal quality of the received sidelink control information.

[0050] about Figure 3 The method of continuing to send or making adjustments may include: the second user equipment continues to send the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information based on the received sidelink control information, or adjusts the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information.

[0051] about Figure 3 The method of continuing to send or making adjustments may include: the second user equipment continuing to send the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, or making adjustments to the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information based on determining that the received sidelink control information is valid and addressed to the second user equipment.

[0052] about Figure 3 The method of receiving sidelink control information may include: receiving, by a second user equipment from a first user equipment, sidelink control information including: an indication that the first user equipment is performing session-less positioning, a user equipment identifier of the first user as the source of the sidelink control information, a user equipment identifier of the second user equipment as the destination of the sidelink control information, and sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information.

[0053] about Figure 3 According to the method, the SL-PRS identification information associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment may include at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment; or a sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, which indicates or is associated with a resource used for the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment.

[0054] about Figure 3The method may also include: receiving, by a second user device, at least one of the following items: one or more user device identifiers of user devices for which the second user device should monitor sidelink control information; an indication of a time window, within which the second user device should monitor sidelink control information from one or more user devices; or an indication that the second user device should maintain sidelink positioning reference signal transmission associated with sidelink positioning reference signal identification information indicated in the sidelink control information only if there are a threshold number of user devices indicating in their sidelink control information that session-free positioning is performed based on a sidelink positioning reference signal.

[0055] about Figure 3 The method for adjusting may include: determining, by the second user equipment, to modify the transmission of one or more sidelink positioning reference signals; sending, by the second user equipment, a request to modify the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal to the server user equipment or the location management function; receiving, by the second user equipment, a message from the server user equipment or the location management function based on the request, the message indicating an updated sidelink positioning reference signal transmission configuration for the second user equipment; and modifying, by the second user equipment, the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission based on the received updated sidelink positioning reference signal transmission configuration.

[0056] about Figure 3 In the method, modifying the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission may include the second user equipment performing at least one of the following items: performing session-free positioning based on the sidelink positioning reference signal based on less than a threshold number of user equipment, stopping the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal; starting a new sidelink positioning reference signal transmission; or adjusting or changing the time-frequency resources to be used for the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission.

[0057] about Figure 3 The method of starting a new sidelink positioning reference signal transmission, or adjusting or changing the time-frequency resources to be used for the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission, is based on preconfigured parameters preconfigured to the second user equipment by the server user equipment or the location management function.

[0058] When a SLPP session has not been established between the T-UE and the A-UE, the SLPP message may be sent from the location management function (LMF) or the server UE to the A-UE and the T-UE. A technique is provided that allows an anchor UE (A-UE) to infer or determine whether its SL-PRS transmission has been detected and measured by at least one target UE (T-UE) performing sessionless SL positioning. The technique also describes or may also provide how the A-UE may be configured to monitor SCI transmissions from the T-UE performing sessionless positioning. Similarly, the T-UE indicates in its SCI the presence of positioning operations in sessionless mode, and relevant positioning parameters in sessionless mode, such as SL-PRS identification information (e.g., which may include SL-PRS sequence ID and / or SL-PRS resource ID). Based on such SCI monitoring, the A-UE is able to be aware of the presence of one or more T-UEs in the area where its own SL-PRS is measured, although it does not have any direct communication with those T-UEs, as implied by session-less SL positioning (e.g., no session is established between the T-UE and the A-UE, but the A-UE can receive SCI (Sidelink Control Information) from the T-UE so that the A-UE can learn or determine that the T-UE is performing session-less positioning based on the A-UE's (multiple) SL-PRS transmissions. The A-UE can, for example, adjust the transmission of its SL-PRS configuration based on the SCI sent by one or more T-UEs.

[0059] In addition, for example, a configuration may be sent to the T-UE to configure what information should be included in the sidelink control information (SCI) sent by the T-UE. In addition, another configuration may be sent to the A-UE to configure the A-UE to monitor the SCI of various T-UEs for information related to T-UE session-less positioning. (Multiple) configurations (e.g., sent to the T-UE and / or A-UE) may be sent by an entity that manages SL positioning, e.g., a LMF (location management function) or a server UE.

[0060] Figure 4 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a network according to an example embodiment. For example, a target UE (T-UE) may perform measurements based on SL-PRS from one or more anchor UEs (A-UEs) so that the T-UE may determine its position or location. A server UE or LMF (server UE / LMF 414) may also be provided. Figure 4 Various example steps or operations are described.

[0061] exist Figure 4In step 1, the T-UE 410 may indicate to the server UE / LMF 414 its request or preference to perform sessionless positioning (thus, the T-UE indicates that it is ready to perform sessionless positioning). This may be considered an extended positioning request (e.g., an extended MO-LR) by the T-UE, in which the sessionless preference and preparation are indicated. In another embodiment, the T-UE 410 may indicate to the server UE / LMF 414 the UE IDs (UE identifiers) of the A-UEs it has discovered in its vicinity, which the T-UE intends to use to participate in session positioning (e.g., an A-UE in the vicinity of the T-UE, the T-UE wishes to use the A-UE's SL-PRS to perform measurements for the UE positioning of the T-UE). Such an indication may allow the server UE / LMF 414 to determine which A-UEs to configure in step 2a / 2b.

[0062] exist Figure 4 In step 2a, the server UE / LMF 414 configures the T-UE 410 how to indicate session-free positioning in its SCI and / or what information to include in its SCI session-free positioning field. For example, if the configuration comes from the server UE, the configuration may be or may correspond to a new SLPP (Sidelink Positioning Protocol) message; if the configuration comes from the LMF, the configuration may be or may correspond to a new IE (Information Element) that is part of the auxiliary data toward the T-UE 410. The content of this new SLPP / LPP message may include one or more of the following items, for example: 1) The UE ID of the A-UE in the vicinity of the T-UE 410 that is currently sending the SL-PRS. The T-UE will then include the IDs of those A-UEs in the SCI destination ID field to indicate that it is performing session-free positioning by measuring the SL-PRS sent by them (by those indicated A-UEs); SL-PRS identification information, such as, for example, the SL-PRS sequence ID and / or SL-PRS resource ID of the SL-PRS sent by the A-UE as indicated in the above field; 3) Periodicity of indication: In order to save resources, the T-UE 410 can be configured not to indicate session-free positioning in each SCI sent, but to include such indication with a configured periodicity, which can be described in terms of a number of time slots, subframes, frames, or milliseconds, etc.

[0063] exist Figure 4In step 2b, the server UE / LMF 414 configures the A-UE 412 about monitoring SCI for session-less positioning. This can be a new SLPP (or LPP) message SLPPSessionlessSCIMonitoring. The content of the SLPPSessionlessSCIMonitoring configuration message may include, for example: 1) a reference signal received power (RSRP) or reference signal received quality (RSRQ) threshold or range within which (or above which) the SCI monitoring is considered valid (for example, for low RSRP / RSRQ, SCI monitoring should be discarded as unreliable (invalid), while the received SCI with RSRP or RSRQ above the RSRP / RSRQ threshold is considered valid or reliable); 2) the source ID(s) of the T-UE whose SCI needs to be monitored at the A-UE 412. For example, this can be the ID of the T-UE 410 obtained at step 1. In this field, the server UE / LMF 414 indicates the ID of the sessionless T-UE 410 to the A-UE 412 so that the A-UE 412 knows what SCI source ID to monitor for this purpose.

[0064] In another embodiment, in addition to the source ID(s) criteria (e.g., where the A-UE 412 monitors SCI from a T-UE with a specific source ID that the A-UE 412 has been configured to monitor by the server UE / LMF 414), the server UE / LMF 414 may configure the A-UE 412 to maintain transmission of the SL-PRS only when the A-UE 412 receives an SCI indicating the presence of positioning operations in sessionless mode and / or including SL-PRS identification information of the SL-PRS based on which sessionless positioning is performed. In another embodiment, when the A-UE 412 receives an SCI including an SL-PRS trigger indication, the server UE / LMF 414 may configure the A-UE 412 to start transmission of a new SL-PRS. The SL-PRS trigger indication may be an indication in the SCI of the T-UE requesting the transmission of the SL-PRS from the entity specified at the destination ID of the SCI. If the ID of the A-UE is the destination ID in the SCI message, the A-UE is caused to send the SL-PRS.

[0065] For example, the T-UE 410 sending the SCI may trigger or cause a SL SRS transmission at the A-UE 412 receiving the SCI, e.g., the T-UE 410 sends the SCI to trigger a SL SRS transmission at the A-UE 412. The configuration of the SL SRS transmission by the A-UE 412 may include transmission parameters of the SL-PRS (e.g., SL SRS bandwidth, number of symbols, comb size, SL SRS sequence information, etc.), which may be (pre-)configured by the network (such as an LMF) or another UE (which may be the same or different T-UE, or a server UE).

[0066] In addition, based on sidelink control information (SCI) received by the A-UE 412 from the T-UE 410 (e.g., which may include the UE ID of the A-UE and the SL-PRS identification information), the A-UE 412 may, for example, continue to send the SL-PRS associated with the SL-PRS identification information, or make adjustments to the transmission of the SL-PRS associated with the SL-PRS identification information. In an example embodiment, based on the SCI, the A-UE 412 may modify the SL-PRS transmission, which may include performing one or more of the following: based on, for example, less than a threshold number of UEs performing session-free positioning based on the sidelink positioning reference signal, stopping the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission; starting the transmission of a new sidelink positioning reference signal; or adjusting or changing the time-frequency resources to be used for the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission.

[0067] For example, starting a new sidelink positioning reference signal transmission, or adjusting or changing the time-frequency resources to be used for the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission, can be based on the SL-PRS trigger indication and / or pre-configured parameters pre-configured to the A-UE by the server UE or the location management function. In an example embodiment, the SL-PRS trigger indication can be SL-PRS identification information.

[0068] In another embodiment, the A-UE 412 may also be configured with a time window starting from the configured reception or the reception of the latest SCI including the no session indication, within which the A-UE 412 should monitor the SCI to determine whether to maintain its SL-PRS transmission.

[0069] The T-UE 410 and the A-UE 412 may participate in session-less positioning of the T-UE 410. For example, after the server UE / LMF 414 provides one or both configurations to the T-UE 410 and / or the A-UE 412, the A-UE 412 and the T-UE 410 may participate in a session-less positioning mode, which involves the A-UE 412 sending the SL-PRS and the T-UE 410 measuring the SL-PRS (the T-UE 410 performs measurements on the SL-PRS from the A-UE 412), although there is no SLPP message exchange between the T-UE 410 and the A-UE 412 (e.g., no SLPP session is established between the A-UE 412 and the T-UE 410). In addition, for example, a typical or common session-free positioning scenario includes or involves the T-UE 410 performing UE-based positioning, i.e., the T-UE 410 estimates its own position or location based on measurements performed by the T-UE 410 based on SL-PRS signals. In a variant, the T-UE may provide positioning measurements to another entity (e.g., LMF or server UE) for the other entity to estimate the position of the T-UE.

[0070] Therefore, in Figure 4 At step 2c, A-UE 412 sends SL-PRS. At step 2d, T-UE 410 performs measurements on the SL-PRS from A-UE 412, and the T-UE may use these measurements to locate the T-UE 410 (e.g., the T-UE 410 may determine or estimate its own location or position based on these measurements).

[0071] In step 3, the T-UE 410 performing sessionless positioning indicates the presence of sessionless positioning in its SCI message (e.g., thereby indicating that the T-UE 410 is performing sessionless positioning). In addition, according to an example embodiment, the T-UE 410 may include additional information in its SCI, such as information for the A-UE 412 to understand or determine which SL-PRS of the A-UE 412 is being used by the A-UE 412 or should be maintained by the A-UE 412, for example, which SL-PRS sequence and / or SL-PRS resource ID should be maintained after the configuration from step 2a. For example, the T-UE 410 may include SL-PRS identification information (e.g., SL-PRS sequence ID and / or SL-PRS resource ID) within its SCI, which SL-PRS identification information may indicate or identify one or more specific SL-PRSs of the A-UE 412 that are used by the T-UE 410 or may be used by the T-UE 410 for measurement of T-UE positioning.

[0072] After configuration, the T-UE 410 may include an indication in the SCI message that sessionless positioning is being performed. The T-UE 410 may also indicate the UE ID of the T-UE 410 as the source of the SCI and the UE ID of the A-UE 412 as the destination of the SCI. In addition, the T-UE 410 may include SL-PRS identification information in its SCI, such as a SL-PRS sequence ID and / or a SL-PRS resource ID of a SL-PRS measured in sessionless mode. For example, including the UE ID of the A-UE 412 as the destination of the SCI and an indication that the T-UE is performing sessionless positioning in the SCI sent by the T-UE 410 may inform the A-UE 412 (or may indicate to the A-UE 412) that the T-UE 410 is using the SL-PRS of the A-UE 412 for positioning (and therefore, for example, the A-UE 412 may decide whether to continue to send such (multiple) SL-PRSs). Similarly, by including SL-PRS identification information in the SCI of T-UE 410, the SCI can inform A-UE 412: which specific SL-PRS of A-UE 412 is being used or planned to be used by T-UE 410 for UE positioning measurements (for example, because A-UE 412 can send multiple SL-PRSs, and T-UE 410 can use only one or some of them for positioning measurements).

[0073] exist Figure 4In step 4 of , the A-UE monitors the SCI transmission of the T-UE 410 according to the configuration obtained in step 2b. If the A-UE 412 detects that at least one T-UE 410 is performing sessionless positioning by using at least one SL-PRS transmitted by the A-UE associated with the SL-PRS sequence ID or SL-PRS resource ID transmitted by the A-UE, then: 1) the A-UE 412 may decide to maintain the transmission of such SL-PRS associated with the indicated (multiple) SL-PRS sequence ID or (multiple) resource ID valid to allow the T-UE 410 to continue to perform sessionless positioning based on such SL-PRS; and 2) the A-UE 412 may decide to trigger or initiate the transmission of the SL-PRS (if it was not previously transmitted) to allow the T-UE to perform sessionless positioning. On the other hand, if no T-UEs indicate that they are using a particular SL-PRS of A-UE 412 (e.g., for such SL-PRS currently transmitted by A-UE 412, there is no SL-PRS sequence ID or SL-PRS resource ID indicating such SL-PRS in any UE's SCI), then A-UE 412 may make a determination or decision to stop transmitting such SL-PRS, or may adjust the time-frequency resources of such SL-PRS to transmit the SL-PRS at a lower frequency or in a smaller time period or cycle, for example to save resources in such a situation.

[0074] exist Figure 4 In step 5 of , the A-UE 412 may decide to modify its SL-PRS transmission configuration (e.g., modify the SL-PRS resources used for one of its SL-PRSs, suspend transmission of the SL-PRS, add a new SL-PRS to be sent, or other SL-PRS changes or modifications), possibly based on an indication that a portion of its SL-PRS transmissions are used for session-free positioning and / or some other reason / indication. In this case, at step 5, the A-UE 412 indicates the proposed modification to the SL-PRS transmission configuration of the A-UE 412 to the server UE / LMF 414.

[0075] Step 6: The server UE / LMF 414 processes the indication of the requested or proposed change to the SL-PRS transmission configuration of the A-UE 412, and evaluates whether the proposed SL-PRS change at the A-UE 412 (e.g., changing the resource of the SL-PRS, suspending the transmission of the SL-PRS, adding a new SL-PRS transmission to the SL-PRS transmission of the A-UE 412, or other changes or modifications) is consistent or consistent with the positioning operations and / or needs of the T-UE 410 or other T-UEs in the vicinity of the A-UE 412. In the event that any update of the positioning configuration for the A-UE 412 is required, the server UE or LMF 414 updates the SL-PRS configuration accordingly via the updated SLPP / LPP (step 6a, step 6b). At step 6b, the server UE / LMF 414 may confirm that the proposed or requested change to the SL-PRS transmission configuration of the A-UE is accepted, or the server UE / LMF 414 may provide an updated SL-PRS transmission configuration that the A-UE 412 should use (which may be different from what the A-UE 412 has proposed). At step 6b, the server UE / LMF 414 may also send a message to the T-UE 410 to inform the T-UE 410 of the change or modification to the SL-PRS configuration of the A-UE 412.

[0076] exist Figure 4 At step 7 of , the A-UE 412 sends its SL-PRS according to the requested or updated SL-PRS transmission configuration, which may include, for example, the A-UE 412 continuing to send the SL-PRS indicated by the T-UE 410 as being used for session-free positioning, changing or modifying the time-frequency resources of one or more SL-PRSs sent by the A-UE 412, stopping the transmission of the SL-PRS, adding the transmission of a new SL-PRS (starting to send or initiating the transmission), etc. For example, the A-UE 412 continuing to send the SL-PRS (or the A-UE 412 making other changes to its SL-PRS transmission configuration) may be based on or in response to the SCI sent by the T-UE 410 (and / or based on the SCI sent by other UEs). Based on one or more of these SL-PRSs sent by the A-UE 412, the T-UE 410 may perform measurements for session-free positioning of the T-UE 410.

[0077] Some additional examples will be provided.

[0078] Example 1. A method, comprising: receiving, by a first user device in a wireless network, a user device identifier and SL-PRS identification information of a second user device near the first user device, the first user device is performing session-free positioning based on the SL-PRS, the second user device is sending a sidelink positioning reference signal, and the SL-PRS identification information is associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user device; sending, by the first user device, sidelink control information, the sidelink control information including at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user device is performing session-free positioning, a user device identifier of the first user device, a user device identifier of the second user device, or the SL-PRS identification information; and performing, by the first user device, at least one measurement on the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user device for session-free positioning of the first user device.

[0079] Example 2. The method according to Example 1, wherein the sending of the sidelink control information comprises: sending, by the first user equipment, the sidelink control information comprising: an indication that the first user equipment is performing session-less positioning, a user equipment identifier of the first user equipment as a source of the sidelink control information, a user equipment identifier of the second user equipment as a destination of the sidelink control information, and SL-PRS identification information.

[0080] Example 3. A method according to any one of Examples 1-2, wherein the execution includes: detecting, by the first user equipment, a sidelink positioning reference signal from the second user equipment; and performing, by the first user equipment, at least one measurement on the detected sidelink positioning reference signal for session-free positioning of the first user equipment.

[0081] Example 4. The method according to any one of Examples 1-3 further includes: sending, by the first user device to the server user device or the location management function, at least one of the following items: a request to perform session-free positioning, or a user device identifier of one or more second user devices whose signals the first user device has detected or received from.

[0082] Example 5. A method according to any one of Examples 1-4, wherein the SL-PRS identification information associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment includes at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment; or a sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, which indicates or is associated with a resource used for the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment.

[0083] Example 6. The method according to any one of Examples 1-5, further comprising: receiving, by the first user equipment, information indicating a time period or cycle during which the first user equipment should send the sidelink control information.

[0084] Example 7. The method of any of Examples 1-7, further comprising: receiving, by the first user equipment, a message from a server user equipment or a location management function, the message indicating how to indicate session-less positioning or information that the first user equipment should include in its sidelink control information.

[0085] Example 8. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: receive, by a first user equipment in a wireless network, a user equipment identifier and SL-PRS identification information of a second user equipment near the first user equipment, the first user equipment is performing sessionless positioning based on SL-PRS, the second user equipment is sending a sidelink positioning reference signal, and the SL-PRS identification information is associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment; send, by the first user equipment, sidelink control information, the sidelink control information including at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user equipment is performing sessionless positioning, a user equipment identifier of the first user equipment, a user equipment identifier of the second user equipment, or SL-PRS identification information; and perform, by the first user equipment, at least one measurement on the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment for sessionless positioning of the first user equipment.

[0086] Example 9. An apparatus according to Example 8, wherein causing the apparatus to send sidelink control information includes causing the apparatus to: send, by a first user equipment, sidelink control information including: an indication that the first user equipment is performing session-free positioning, a user equipment identifier of the first user equipment as a source of the sidelink control information, a user equipment identifier of a second user equipment as a destination of the sidelink control information, and SL-PRS identification information.

[0087] Example 10. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 8-9, wherein causing the apparatus to execute includes causing the apparatus to: detect, by a first user equipment, a sidelink positioning reference signal from a second user equipment; and perform, by the first user equipment, at least one measurement on the detected sidelink positioning reference signal for session-free positioning of the first user equipment.

[0088] Example 11. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 8-10 further causes the apparatus to: send, by the first user device, to the server user device or the location management function, at least one of the following items: a request to perform session-free positioning, or a user device identifier of one or more second user devices whose signals the first user device has detected or received.

[0089] Example 12. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 8-11, wherein the SL-PRS identification information associated with a sidelink positioning reference signal sent by a second user equipment includes at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment; or a sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier indicating or associated with a resource used for the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment.

[0090] Example 13. The apparatus of any one of Examples 8-12, further causing the apparatus to: receive, by the first user equipment, information indicating a time period or cycle during which the first user equipment should send sidelink control information.

[0091] Example 14. The apparatus of any of Examples 8-13, further causing the apparatus to: receive, by the first user equipment, a message from a server user equipment or a location management function, the message indicating information that the first user equipment should include within its sidelink control information.

[0092] Example 15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, comprising instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by at least one processor, are configured to cause a computing system to: receive, by a first user device in a wireless network, a user device identifier and SL-PRS identification information of a second user device in the vicinity of the first user device, wherein the first user device is performing session-free positioning based on the SL-PRS, and the second user device is sending a sidelink positioning reference signal, and the SL-PRS identification information is associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user device; send, by the first user device, sidelink control information, the sidelink control information comprising at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user device is performing session-free positioning, a user device identifier of the first user device, a user device identifier of the second user device, or the SL-PRS identification information; and perform, by the first user device, at least one measurement on the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user device for session-free positioning of the first user device.

[0093] Example 16. A method, comprising: receiving, by a second user device, sidelink control information from a first user device, the sidelink control information comprising at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user device is performing session-less positioning, a user device identifier of the first user device, a user device identifier of the second user device, or a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information associated with a sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user device; determining, by the second user device based on the user device identifier of the second user device, that the sidelink control information is addressed to the second user device; and continuing, by the second user device, to send a sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, or adjusting the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information.

[0094] Example 17. The method according to Example 16 also includes: receiving a signal power or signal quality threshold by the second user equipment, above which the received sidelink control information is considered valid; and determining that the received sidelink control information is valid based on the signal power or signal quality of the received sidelink control information.

[0095] Example 18. The method according to Example 17, wherein continuing to send or making adjustments comprises: the second user equipment continuing to send a sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, or making adjustments to the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information based on the received sidelink control information.

[0096] Example 19. The method according to Example 17, wherein the continuing to send or making adjustments includes: the second user equipment continuing to send a sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, or making adjustments to the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information based on determining that the received sidelink control information is valid and addressed to the second user equipment.

[0097] Example 20. A method according to any one of Examples 16-19, wherein the receiving sidelink control information comprises: receiving, by the second user equipment from the first user equipment, sidelink control information comprising: an indication that the first user equipment is performing session-less positioning, a user equipment identifier of the first user as the source of the sidelink control information, a user equipment identifier of the second user equipment as the destination of the sidelink control information, and sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information.

[0098] Example 21. A method according to any one of Examples 16-20, wherein the SL-PRS identification information associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment includes at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment; or a sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, which indicates or is associated with a resource used for the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment.

[0099] Example 22. The method according to any one of Examples 16-21 also includes: receiving, by the second user equipment, at least one of the following items: one or more user equipment identifiers of user equipment for which the second user equipment should monitor sidelink control information; an indication of a time window, within which the second user equipment should monitor sidelink control information from one or more user equipment; or an indication that the second user equipment should maintain the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal identification information indicated in the sidelink control information only if there are a threshold number of user equipment indicating in their sidelink control information that session-free positioning is performed based on the sidelink positioning reference signal.

[0100] Example 23. A method according to any one of Examples 16-22, wherein the adjustment comprises: determining, by the second user device, to modify the transmission of one or more sidelink positioning reference signals; sending, by the second user device, a request to modify the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal to a server user device or a location management function; receiving, by the second user device, a message from the server user device or the location management function based on the request, the message indicating an updated sidelink positioning reference signal transmission configuration for the second user device; and modifying, by the second user device, the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission based on the received updated sidelink positioning reference signal transmission configuration.

[0101] Example 24. The method according to Example 23, wherein the modifying the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission includes the second user equipment performing at least one of the following items: performing session-free positioning based on the sidelink positioning reference signal based on less than a threshold number of user equipment, stopping the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission; starting a new sidelink positioning reference signal transmission; or adjusting or changing the time-frequency resources to be used for the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission.

[0102] Example 25. The method according to Example 24, wherein starting the transmission of a new sidelink positioning reference signal, or adjusting or changing the time-frequency resources to be used for the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission, is based on preconfigured parameters preconfigured to the second user equipment by the server user equipment or the location management function.

[0103] Example 26. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: receive, by a second user device, sidelink control information from a first user device, the sidelink control information comprising at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user device is performing session-less positioning, a user device identifier of the first user device, a user device identifier of the second user device, or a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information associated with a sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user device; determine, by the second user device based on the user device identifier of the second user device, that the sidelink control information is addressed to the second user device; and continue, by the second user device, to send a sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, or adjust the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information.

[0104] Example 27. The apparatus according to Example 26 further causes the apparatus to: receive a signal power or signal quality threshold by a second user equipment, above which the received sidelink control information is considered valid; and determine that the received sidelink control information is valid based on the signal power or signal quality of the received sidelink control information.

[0105] Example 28. An apparatus according to Example 26, wherein causing the apparatus to continue to send or make adjustments includes causing the apparatus to: continue to send a sidelink positioning reference signal associated with SL-PRS identification information, or make adjustments to the transmission of a sidelink positioning reference signal associated with SL-PRS identification information, by a second user equipment based on received sidelink control information.

[0106] Example 29. A method according to any one of Examples 26-28, wherein causing the device to continue to send or make adjustments includes: the second user equipment continuing to send a sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, or making adjustments to the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information based on determining that the received sidelink control information is valid and addressed to the second user equipment.

[0107] Example 30. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 26-29, wherein causing the apparatus to receive sidelink control information includes causing the apparatus to: receive, by a second user equipment, from a first user equipment, sidelink control information including: an indication that the first user equipment is performing session-less positioning, a user equipment identifier of the first user as a source of the sidelink control information, a user equipment identifier of the second user equipment as a destination of the sidelink control information, and sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information.

[0108] Example 31. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 26-30, wherein the SL-PRS identification information associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment includes at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment; or a sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, which indicates or is associated with a resource used for the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment.

[0109] Example 32. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 26-31 further causes the apparatus to: receive, by a second user device, at least one of the following items: one or more user device identifiers of user devices for which the second user device should monitor sidelink control information; an indication of a time window, within which the second user device should monitor sidelink control information from one or more user devices; or an indication that the second user device should maintain sidelink positioning reference signal transmission associated with sidelink positioning reference signal identification information indicated in the sidelink control information only when there are a threshold number of user devices indicating in their sidelink control information that session-free positioning is performed based on the sidelink positioning reference signal.

[0110] Example 33. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 26-32, wherein causing the apparatus to make adjustments includes causing the apparatus to: determine, by a second user device, to modify the transmission of one or more sidelink positioning reference signals; send, by the second user device, a request to modify the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal to a server user device or a location management function; receive, by the second user device, information from the server user device or the location management function based on the request, the information indicating an updated sidelink positioning reference signal transmission configuration for the second user device; and modify the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission based on the received updated sidelink positioning reference signal transmission configuration.

[0111] Example 34. An apparatus according to Example 33, wherein causing the apparatus to modify a sidelink positioning reference signal transmission comprises causing the apparatus to perform at least one of the following: performing session-free positioning based on a sidelink positioning reference signal based on fewer than a threshold number of user devices, stopping transmission of a sidelink positioning reference signal transmission; starting transmission of a new sidelink positioning reference signal; or adjusting or changing a time-frequency resource to be used for a sidelink positioning reference signal transmission.

[0112] Example 35. An apparatus according to Example 34, wherein causing the apparatus to start transmission of a new sidelink positioning reference signal, or to adjust or change the time-frequency resources to be used for sidelink positioning reference signal transmission, is based on preconfigured parameters preconfigured to the second user equipment by the server user equipment or the location management function.

[0113] Example 36. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by at least one processor, are configured to cause a computing system to: receive, by a second user device, sidelink control information from a first user device, the sidelink control information comprising at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user device is performing session-free positioning, a user device identifier of the first user device, a user device identifier of the second user device, or a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information associated with a sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user device; determine, by the second user device based on the user device identifier of the second user device, that the sidelink control information is addressed to the second user device; and continue, by the second user device, to send a sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, or adjust the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information.

[0114] Example 37. An apparatus comprising: a component for receiving, by a first user device in a wireless network, a user equipment identifier and SL-PRS identification information of a second user device in the vicinity of the first user device, wherein the first user device is performing session-free positioning based on the SL-PRS, the second user device is sending a sidelink positioning reference signal, and the SL-PRS identification information is associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user device; a component for sending sidelink control information by the first user device, the sidelink control information comprising at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user device is performing session-free positioning, a user equipment identifier of the first user device, a user equipment identifier of the second user device, or the SL-PRS identification information; and a component for performing, by the first user device, at least one measurement on the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user device for session-free positioning of the first user device.

[0115] Example 38. An apparatus comprising: a component for receiving, by a second user device, sidelink control information from a first user device, the sidelink control information comprising at least one of the following: an indication that the first user device is performing session-less positioning, a user device identifier of the first user device, a user device identifier of the second user device, or a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information associated with a sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user device; a component for determining, by the second user device based on the user device identifier of the second user device, that the sidelink control information is addressed to the second user device; and a component for continuing, by the second user device, to send a sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, or to adjust the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information.

[0116] Example 39. A method, comprising: receiving, by a first user device in a wireless network, a user device identifier and SL-PRS identification information of a second user device near the first user device, the first user device is performing session-free positioning based on SL-PRS, the second user device is sending a sidelink positioning reference signal, and the SL-PRS identification information is associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user device; sending, by the first user device, information including at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user device is performing session-free positioning, a user device identifier of the first user device, a user device identifier of the second user device, or SL-PRS identification information; and performing, by the first user device, at least one measurement on the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user device for session-free positioning of the first user device.

[0117] Example 40. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: receive, by a first user equipment in a wireless network, a user equipment identifier and SL-PRS identification information of a second user equipment near the first user equipment, the first user equipment being performing session-free positioning based on SL-PRS, the second user equipment being sending a sidelink positioning reference signal, the SL-PRS identification information being associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment; send, by the first user equipment, information comprising at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user equipment is performing session-free positioning, a user equipment identifier of the first user equipment, a user equipment identifier of the second user equipment, or SL-PRS identification information; and perform, by the first user equipment, at least one measurement on the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment for session-free positioning of the first user equipment.

[0118] Example 41. A method, comprising: receiving, by a second user device, information from a first user device, the information comprising at least one of the following: an indication that the first user device is performing session-less positioning, a user device identifier of the first user device, a user device identifier of the second user device, or a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information associated with a sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user device; determining, by the second user device based on the user device identifier of the second user device, that the information is addressed to the second user device; and continuing, by the second user device, to send a sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, or making adjustments to the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information.

[0119] Example 42. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive, by a second user device, information from a first user device, the information comprising at least one of the following: an indication that the first user device is performing session-less positioning, a user device identifier of the first user device, a user device identifier of the second user device, or a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information associated with a sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user device; determine, by the second user device based on the user device identifier of the second user device, that the information is addressed to the second user device; and continue, by the second user device, to send a sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, or to adjust the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information.

[0120] Figure 5 1 is a block diagram of a wireless station (eg, a user node, a network node, or other node) 1200 according to an example embodiment. The wireless station 1200 may include, for example, one or more (eg, Figure 5 The wireless station also includes two RF (radio frequency) or wireless transceivers 1202A, 1202B shown in the figure, each of which includes a transmitter for transmitting signals and a receiver for receiving signals. The wireless station also includes: a processor or control unit / entity (controller) 1204 to execute instructions or software and control the transmission and reception of signals; and a memory 1206 to store data and / or instructions.

[0121] The processor 1204 may also make decisions or judgments, generate frames, packets or messages for transmission, decode received frames or messages for further processing, and other tasks or functions described herein. For example, the processor 1204 (which may be a baseband processor) may generate messages, packets, frames or other signals for transmission via the wireless transceiver 1202 (1202A or 1202B). The processor 1204 may control the transmission of signals or messages on a wireless network, and may control the reception of signals or messages, etc., via a wireless network (e.g., after being down-converted by the wireless transceiver 1202). The processor 1204 may be programmable and capable of executing software or other instructions stored in a memory or other computer medium to perform the various tasks and functions described above, such as one or more of the tasks or methods described above. The processor 1204 may be (or may include) for example hardware, programmable logic, a programmable processor that executes software or firmware, and / or any combination of these. For example, using other terms, the processor 1204 and the transceiver 1202 may be collectively considered a wireless transmitter / receiver system.

[0122] In addition, reference Figure 5 , the controller (or processor) 1208 can execute software and instructions and can provide overall control for the station 1200 and can Figure 5 Other systems not shown provide controls, such as controlling input / output devices (e.g., display, keyboard), and / or may execute software for one or more applications that may be provided on wireless station 1200, such as, for example, an email program, an audio / video application, a word processor, an IP voice application, or other applications or software.

[0123] Additionally, a storage medium may be provided that includes stored instructions that, when executed by a controller or processor, may cause the processor 1204 or other controller or processor to perform one or more of the functions or tasks described above.

[0124] According to another example embodiment, the RF or (multiple) wireless transceiver 1202A / 1202B can receive signals or data and / or transmit or send signals or data. The processor 1204 (and possibly the transceiver 1202A / 1202B) can control the RF or wireless transceiver 1202A or 1202B to receive, send, broadcast or transmit signals or data.

[0125] However, the embodiments are not limited to the systems given as examples, but those skilled in the art may apply the solution to other communication systems. Another example of a suitable communication system is the 5G concept. It is assumed that the network architecture in 5G may be similar to that of Advanced LTE. 5G may use multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than LTE (the so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in cooperation with small sites, and may also employ various radio technologies to obtain better coverage and enhanced data rates.

[0126] It should be understood that future networks will likely utilize network function virtualization (NFV), which is a network architecture concept that proposes virtualizing network node functions into "building blocks" or entities that can be operably connected or linked together to provide services. Virtualized network functions (VNFs) can include one or more virtual machines that run computer program code using standard or general-purpose servers, rather than customized hardware. Cloud computing or data storage can also be utilized. In radio communications, this can mean that node operations can be performed at least in part in a server, host, or node that can be operably coupled to a remote radio head. Node operations can also be distributed among multiple servers, nodes, or hosts. It should also be understood that the division of labor between core network operations and base station operations may be different from LTE, or even non-existent.

[0127] Embodiments of the various technologies described herein may be implemented in digital electronic circuits, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. Embodiments may be implemented as computer program products, i.e., computer programs tangibly contained in information carriers (e.g., machine-readable storage devices or propagation signals) for execution or control of their operations by data processing devices (e.g., programmable processors, computers, or multiple computers). Embodiments may also be provided on a computer-readable medium or a computer-readable storage medium, which may be a non-transient medium. Embodiments of various technologies may also include embodiments provided via transient signals or media, and / or programs and / or software embodiments downloadable via the Internet or (multiple) other networks (wired networks and / or wireless networks). In addition, embodiments may be provided via machine type communications (MTC) and also via the Internet of Things (IoT).

[0128] A computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or some intermediate form, and it may be stored in some type of carrier, distribution medium, or computer-readable medium, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. Such carriers include, for example, recording media, computer memory, read-only memory, optical and / or electrical carrier signals, telecommunication signals, and software distribution packages. Depending on the processing power required, a computer program may be executed in a single electronic digital computer or may be distributed among multiple computers.

[0129] In addition, embodiments of the various techniques described herein may use a cyber-physical system (CPS) (a system of collaborative computing elements that control physical entities). CPS may enable the use of embodiments and a large number of interconnected ICT devices (sensors, actuators, processors, microcontrollers, ...) embedded in physical objects at different locations. Mobile cyber-physical systems, in which the physical systems discussed have inherent mobility, are a subclass of cyber-physical systems. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robots and electronic products transported by people or animals. The growth in the popularity of smartphones has increased interest in the field of mobile cyber-physical systems. Therefore, various embodiments of the techniques described herein may be provided via one or more of these technologies.

[0130] Computer programs (such as the above-mentioned (multiple) computer programs) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment or a part thereof. A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or multiple computers at one site, or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

[0131] The method steps may be performed by one or more programmable processors executing a computer program or a portion of a computer program to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. The method steps may also be performed by, and the apparatus may be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit).

[0132] By way of example, processors suitable for executing computer programs include both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any type of digital computer, chip or chipset. Typically, the processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The elements of a computer may include at least one processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Typically, a computer may also include one or more mass storage devices (such as magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks or optical disks) for storing data, or be operatively coupled to these devices to receive data from these devices or to transmit data to them, or both. Information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including, for example, semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CDROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and memory may be supplemented by or incorporated into special purpose logic circuits.

[0133] To provide interaction with a user, embodiments may be implemented on a computer having a display device (e.g., a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor) for displaying information to the user and a user interface (e.g., a keyboard and a pointing device (e.g., a mouse or trackball)) through which the user can provide input to the computer. Other types of devices may also be used to provide interaction with the user; for example, the feedback provided to the user may be any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user may be received in any form, including sound, voice, or tactile input.

[0134] Embodiments may be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component (e.g., a data server), or includes a middleware component (e.g., an application server), or includes a front-end component (e.g., a client computer with a graphical user interface or a web browser through which a user can interact with the embodiment), or any combination of such back-end components, middleware components, or front-end components. Components may be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication (e.g., a communication network). Examples of communication networks include local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs), such as the Internet.

[0135] Although certain features of the embodiments have been described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents may now occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it should be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the various embodiments.

Claims

1. A method for communication, comprising: A first user equipment in a wireless network receives a user equipment identifier and a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information of a second user equipment near the first user equipment, the first user equipment is performing session-free positioning based on the SL-PRS, the second user equipment is sending a sidelink positioning reference signal, and the SL-PRS identification information is associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment; sending, by the first user equipment, sidelink control information, the sidelink control information comprising at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user equipment is performing session-less positioning, a user equipment identifier of the first user equipment, the user equipment identifier of the second user equipment, or the SL-PRS identification information; and At least one measurement is performed by the first user equipment on the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment for session-free positioning of the first user equipment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein sending sidelink control information comprises: The sidelink control information sent by the first user equipment includes: the indication that the first user equipment is performing session-less positioning, the user equipment identifier of the first user equipment as the source of the sidelink control information, the user equipment identifier of the second user equipment as the destination of the sidelink control information, and the SL-PRS identification information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the performing comprises: Detecting, by the first user equipment, a sidelink positioning reference signal from the second user equipment; as well as At least one measurement is performed by the first user equipment on the detected sidelink positioning reference signal for session-free positioning of the first user equipment.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The first user equipment sends at least one of the following items to a server user equipment or a location management function: a request to perform session-less positioning, or user equipment identifiers of one or more second user equipments that the first user equipment has detected or received signals from.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the SL-PRS identification information associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment comprises at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment; or A sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, wherein the sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier indicates or is associated with a resource used for the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Information is received by the first user equipment, the information indicating a time period or cycle during which the first user equipment should send the sidelink control information.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: A message is received by the first user equipment from a server user equipment or a location management function, the message indicating how to indicate session-less positioning or information that the first user equipment should include within its sidelink control information.

8. An apparatus for communication, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: A first user equipment in a wireless network receives a user equipment identifier and a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information of a second user equipment near the first user equipment, the first user equipment is performing session-free positioning based on the SL-PRS, the second user equipment is sending a sidelink positioning reference signal, and the SL-PRS identification information is associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment; sending, by the first user equipment, sidelink control information, the sidelink control information comprising at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user equipment is performing session-less positioning, a user equipment identifier of the first user equipment, the user equipment identifier of the second user equipment, or the SL-PRS identification information; and At least one measurement is performed by the first user equipment on the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment for session-free positioning of the first user equipment.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein causing the apparatus to send the sidelink control information comprises causing the apparatus to: The sidelink control information sent by the first user equipment includes: the indication that the first user equipment is performing session-less positioning, the user equipment identifier of the first user equipment as the source of the sidelink control information, the user equipment identifier of the second user equipment as the destination of the sidelink control information, and the SL-PRS identification information.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein causing the apparatus to perform comprises causing the apparatus to: detecting, by the first user equipment, a sidelink positioning reference signal from the second user equipment; and At least one measurement is performed by the first user equipment on the detected sidelink positioning reference signal for session-free positioning of the first user equipment.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, further causing the apparatus to: At least one of the following items is sent by the first user equipment to a server user equipment or a location management function: a request to perform session-less positioning, or user equipment identifiers of one or more second user equipments that the first user equipment has detected or received signals from.

12. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the SL-PRS identification information associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment comprises at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment; or A sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, wherein the sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier indicates or is associated with a resource used for the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment.

13. The apparatus according to claim 8, further causing the apparatus to: Information is received by the first user equipment, the information indicating a time period or cycle during which the first user equipment should send the sidelink control information.

14. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 13, further comprising: A message is received by the first user equipment from a server user equipment or a location management function, the message indicating information that the first user equipment should include within its sidelink control information.

15. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon, which instructions, when executed by at least one processor, are configured to cause the at least one processor to: A first user equipment in a wireless network receives a user equipment identifier and a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information of a second user equipment near the first user equipment, the first user equipment is performing session-free positioning based on the SL-PRS, the second user equipment is sending a sidelink positioning reference signal, and the SL-PRS identification information is associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment; sending, by the first user equipment, sidelink control information, the sidelink control information comprising at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user equipment is performing session-less positioning, a user equipment identifier of the first user equipment, the user equipment identifier of the second user equipment, or the SL-PRS identification information; and At least one measurement is performed by the first user equipment on the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment for session-free positioning of the first user equipment.

16. A method for communication, comprising: Receiving, by the second user equipment, sidelink control information from the first user equipment, the sidelink control information comprising at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user equipment is performing session-less positioning, a user equipment identifier of the first user equipment, a user equipment identifier of the second user equipment, or a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information associated with a SL-PRS sent by the second user equipment; determining, by the second user equipment based on the user equipment identifier of the second user equipment, that the sidelink control information is addressed to the second user equipment; as well as The second user equipment continues to send the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, or adjusts the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: receiving, by the second user equipment, a signal power or signal quality threshold above which received sidelink control information is considered valid; and Based on the signal power or signal quality of the received sidelink control information, it is determined that the received sidelink control information is valid.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein continuing to send or making adjustments comprises: The second user equipment continues to send the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, or makes the adjustment to the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, based on the received sidelink control information.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein continuing to send or making adjustments comprises: The second user equipment continues to send the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, or makes the adjustment to the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, based on determining that the received sidelink control information is valid and addressed to the second user equipment.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein receiving sidelink control information comprises: Sidelink control information including the following items is received by the second user equipment from the first user equipment: the indication that the first user equipment is performing session-less positioning, the user equipment identifier of the first user as the source of the sidelink control information, the user equipment identifier of the second user equipment as the destination of the sidelink control information, and the sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information.

21. The method according to claim 16, wherein the SL-PRS identification information associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment comprises at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment; or A sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, wherein the sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier indicates or is associated with a resource used for the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment.

22. The method of claim 16, further comprising: At least one of the following items is received by the second user equipment: one or more user equipment identifiers of user equipments for which the second user equipment should monitor the sidelink control information; an indication of a time window within which the second user equipment should monitor the sidelink control information from the one or more user equipments; or The following indication: the second user equipment should maintain the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal identification information indicated in the sidelink control information only when there are a threshold number of user equipments indicating in their sidelink control information that session-free positioning is performed based on the sidelink positioning reference signal.

23. The method of any one of claims 16-22, wherein making the adjustment comprises: Determining, by the second user equipment, to modify transmission of one or more sidelink positioning reference signals; The second user equipment sends a request to modify the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal to a server user equipment or a location management function; receiving, by the second user equipment, a message from a server user equipment or a location management function based on the request, the message indicating an updated sidelink positioning reference signal transmission configuration for the second user equipment; as well as The sidelink positioning reference signal transmission is modified by the second user equipment based on the received updated sidelink positioning reference signal transmission configuration.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein modifying the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission comprises the second user equipment performing at least one of the following: ceasing transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission based on less than a threshold number of user equipments performing session-free positioning based on the sidelink positioning reference signal; Start a new sidelink positioning reference signal transmission; or Adjust or change the time-frequency resources to be used for the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein starting the transmission of a new sidelink positioning reference signal, or adjusting or changing the time-frequency resources to be used for the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal, is based on pre-configured parameters pre-configured to the second user equipment by a server user equipment or a location management function.

26. An apparatus for communication, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Receiving, by the second user equipment, sidelink control information from the first user equipment, the sidelink control information comprising at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user equipment is performing session-less positioning, a user equipment identifier of the first user equipment, a user equipment identifier of the second user equipment, or a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information associated with a SL-PRS sent by the second user equipment; determining, by the second user equipment based on the user equipment identifier of the second user equipment, that the sidelink control information is addressed to the second user equipment; as well as The second user equipment continues to send the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, or adjusts the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, further causing the apparatus to: receiving, by the second user equipment, a signal power or signal quality threshold above which received sidelink control information is considered valid; and Based on the signal power or signal quality of the received sidelink control information, it is determined that the received sidelink control information is valid.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein causing the apparatus to continue transmitting or to make adjustments comprises causing the apparatus to: The second user equipment continues to send the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, or makes the adjustment to the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, based on the received sidelink control information.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein causing the device to continue transmitting or to make adjustments comprises: The second user equipment continues to send the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, or makes the adjustment to the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, based on determining that the received sidelink control information is valid and addressed to the second user equipment.

30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein causing the apparatus to receive sidelink control information comprises causing the apparatus to: Sidelink control information including the following items is received by the second user equipment from the first user equipment: the indication that the first user equipment is performing session-less positioning, the user equipment identifier of the first user as the source of the sidelink control information, the user equipment identifier of the second user equipment as the destination of the sidelink control information, and the sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information.

31. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the SL-PRS identification information associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment comprises at least one of the following items: a sidelink positioning reference signal sequence identifier associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment; or A sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier, wherein the sidelink positioning reference signal resource identifier indicates or is associated with a resource used for the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment.

32. The apparatus of claim 26, further causing the apparatus to: At least one of the following items is received by the second user equipment: one or more user equipment identifiers of user equipments for which the second user equipment should monitor the sidelink control information; an indication of a time window within which the second user equipment should monitor the sidelink control information from the one or more user equipments; or The following indication: the second user equipment should maintain the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal identification information indicated in the sidelink control information only when there are a threshold number of user equipments indicating in their sidelink control information that session-free positioning is performed based on the sidelink positioning reference signal.

33. The apparatus of any one of claims 26-32, wherein causing the apparatus to make the adjustment comprises causing the apparatus to: Determining, by the second user equipment, to modify transmission of one or more sidelink positioning reference signals; The second user equipment sends a request to modify the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal to a server user equipment or a location management function; receiving, by the second user equipment, a message from a server user equipment or a location management function based on the request, the message indicating an updated sidelink positioning reference signal transmission configuration for the second user equipment; as well as The sidelink positioning reference signal transmission is modified by the second user equipment based on the received updated sidelink positioning reference signal transmission configuration.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein causing the apparatus to modify the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission comprises causing the apparatus to perform at least one of: ceasing transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission based on less than a threshold number of user equipments performing session-free positioning based on the sidelink positioning reference signal; Start a new sidelink positioning reference signal transmission; or Adjust or change the time-frequency resources to be used for the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission.

35. An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein causing the apparatus to start transmission of a new sidelink positioning reference signal, or to adjust or change the time-frequency resources to be used for the sidelink positioning reference signal transmission, is based on preconfigured parameters preconfigured to the second user equipment by a server user equipment or a location management function.

36. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon, which instructions, when executed by at least one processor, are configured to cause the at least one processor to: Receiving, by the second user equipment, sidelink control information from the first user equipment, the sidelink control information comprising at least one of the following items: an indication that the first user equipment is performing session-less positioning, a user equipment identifier of the first user equipment, a user equipment identifier of the second user equipment, or a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information associated with a SL-PRS sent by the second user equipment; determining, by the second user equipment based on the user equipment identifier of the second user equipment, that the sidelink control information is addressed to the second user equipment; and The second user equipment continues to send the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information, or adjusts the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information.

37. An apparatus for communication, comprising: A component for receiving, by a first user equipment in a wireless network, a user equipment identifier and a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information of a second user equipment near the first user equipment, the first user equipment is performing session-free positioning based on the SL-PRS, the second user equipment is sending a sidelink positioning reference signal, and the SL-PRS identification information is associated with the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment; means for sending, by the first user equipment, sidelink control information, the sidelink control information comprising at least one of the following: an indication that the first user equipment is performing session-less positioning, a user equipment identifier of the first user equipment, the user equipment identifier of the second user equipment, or the SL-PRS identification information; as well as Means for performing, by the first user equipment, at least one measurement on the sidelink positioning reference signal sent by the second user equipment for session-free positioning of the first user equipment.

38. An apparatus for communication, comprising: means for receiving, by a second user equipment, sidelink control information from a first user equipment, the sidelink control information comprising at least one of: an indication that the first user equipment is performing session-less positioning, a user equipment identifier of the first user equipment, a user equipment identifier of the second user equipment, or a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) identification information associated with a SL-PRS sent by the second user equipment; means for determining, by the second user equipment based on the user equipment identifier of the second user equipment, that the sidelink control information is addressed to the second user equipment; as well as A component for continuing to send the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information by the second user equipment, or adjusting the transmission of the sidelink positioning reference signal associated with the SL-PRS identification information.

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