PRS measurement method, device and system and storage medium

Abstract

The invention provides a PRS measurement method, device and system and a storage medium, and relates to the technical field of wireless communication. The method comprises: sending configuration information of a public PPW to a user equipment, the public PPW being a PPW shared by a plurality of aggregated carriers or PELs; sending an aggregation positioning request to the user equipment, so that the user equipment performs positioning measurement on the PRS on the one or more PFLs in the activated public PPW; and sending the PRS measurement result sent by the user equipment to the LMF network element so as to position the user equipment. By generating the PPW shared by a plurality of aggregated carriers or PELs and issuing the public PPW to the UE, the UE can measure DL-PRS resources on a plurality of aggregated PFLs in a single PPW, the problem of time delay multiplication of time-division PRS measurement based on the PPW in bandwidth aggregation positioning is solved, and the measurement time delay can be greatly reduced compared with time-division multi-PPW measurement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a PRS measurement method, device, system and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] As the cornerstone of many complex technologies, high-precision positioning technology has a wide range of applications in many aspects of production and life, and has been widely studied as an important topic in 5G wireless communication networks. In related technologies, it has been clarified that NR (New Radio) supports standardized positioning based on bandwidth aggregation, including DL-PRS (Down Link-Positioning Reference Signal) or UL-SRS (Up Link-Sounding Reference Signal) resource aggregation in up to three in-band continuous carriers, and standardization discussions and formulation work have been initiated in relevant working groups. Among them, aggregated DL-PRS measurement is a key task.

[0003] In order to reduce latency, the concepts of MG (Measurement Gap) and PPW (PRS processing window) are introduced. The network configures multiple MGs and PPWs for UE (User Equipment) in advance, and then directly activates and uses them through DL MAC CE (Medium Access Control-Control Element) messages, thereby saving reconfiguration time. When measuring PRS of aggregated bandwidth, since the configuration granularity of MG is FR1 or FR2 or UE, PRSs located in different PFLs (positioning frequency layers) can still share the same MG for measurement. However, the aggregated DL-PRS measurement based on PPW urgently needs to be revised. PPW is defined in BWP (Bandwidth Part), and only one PPW is allowed to be activated at the same time in an activated BWP. UE cannot process PRSs of multiple PFLs at the same time, and multiple activated PPWs must be time-divided, resulting in the UE being able to measure only the PRS of one PFL in one PPW. Therefore, in aggregate positioning, the PRS on the aggregated PFL can only be measured in time division within non-overlapping PPWs, which will cause the measurement delay to increase by a multiple, deviating from the original design intention of PPW low latency. Summary of the invention

[0004] A technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a PRS measurement method, device, system and storage medium, which can reduce the measurement delay of PRS.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement method is proposed, including: sending configuration information of a public positioning reference signal processing window (PPW) to a user equipment, wherein the public PPW is a PPW shared by multiple aggregated carriers or positioning frequency layers (PELs); sending an aggregated positioning request to the user equipment, so that the user equipment performs positioning measurement on the PRS on one or more PFLs in the activated public PPW; and sending the PRS measurement result sent by the user equipment to a positioning management function (LMF) network element, so as to locate the user equipment.

[0006] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the common PPW includes a common PPW time domain resource position, which is used to define a starting time slot position and a time slot number, so as to align time domain window positions of the common PPW on multiple aggregated carriers or PELs.

[0007] In some embodiments, the common PPW time domain resource location is configured with the time slot length corresponding to the minimum subcarrier spacing of the bandwidth part BWP on multiple aggregated carriers as the granularity.

[0008] In some embodiments, the common PPW time domain resource location is configured with a time slot length corresponding to a predetermined subcarrier spacing as a granularity, wherein the predetermined subcarrier spacing is less than or equal to the subcarrier spacing used by the BWP on multiple aggregated carriers.

[0009] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW measurement priority, which is used to indicate to the user equipment that the measurement priority of the PRS is higher than the measurement priority of other channels or signals.

[0010] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW measurement priority, which is used to instruct the user equipment to perform positioning measurements using non-discarded PRS resources on the aggregated PFL when the measurement priority of the PRS is at least lower than the measurement priority of some other channels or signals.

[0011] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW measurement priority, which is used to instruct the user equipment not to perform positioning measurement when the measurement priority of the PRS is at least lower than the measurement priority of some other channels or signals.

[0012] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the common PPW includes a common PPW time domain cycle, and the number of time slots in the common PPW time domain cycle matches the number of time slots in the common PPW time domain resource location.

[0013] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW identifier, which is used to distinguish different public PPWs and to distinguish whether a PPW is a public PPW.

[0014] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the public PPW includes the public PPW type.

[0015] In some embodiments, a public PPW activation or deactivation command is sent to the user equipment so that the user equipment activates or deactivates the public PPW.

[0016] In some embodiments, sending the public PPW activation or deactivation command to the user equipment includes: sending the public PPW activation or deactivation command via a downlink media access control element message DL MAC CE, wherein the command includes a public PPW identifier.

[0017] In some embodiments, auxiliary information for positioning services is obtained from the LMF; and configuration information of the public PPW is generated according to the auxiliary information and the terminal capability of the user equipment.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a positioning reference signal PRS measurement method is also proposed, including: receiving configuration information of a public positioning reference signal processing window PPW sent by a base station, wherein the public PPW is a PPW shared by multiple aggregated carriers or positioning frequency layers PEL; upon receiving an aggregated positioning request, performing positioning measurement on the PRS on one or more PFLs in the activated public PPW; and sending the PRS measurement result to the base station, wherein the PRS measurement result is used to position the user equipment.

[0019] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the common PPW includes a common PPW time domain resource position, which is used to define a starting time slot position and a time slot number, so as to align time domain window positions of the common PPW on multiple aggregated carriers or PELs.

[0020] In some embodiments, the common PPW time domain resource location is configured with the time slot length corresponding to the minimum subcarrier spacing of the bandwidth part BWP on multiple aggregated carriers as the granularity.

[0021] In some embodiments, the public PPW time domain resource location is configured with a time slot length corresponding to a predetermined subcarrier spacing, wherein the predetermined subcarrier spacing is less than or equal to the subcarrier spacing used by BWPs on multiple aggregated carriers.

[0022] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW measurement priority, which is used to indicate to the user equipment that the measurement priority of the PRS is higher than the measurement priority of other channels or signals.

[0023] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW measurement priority for instructing the user equipment to perform positioning measurements using non-discarded PRS resources on the aggregated PFL when the measurement priority of the PRS is at least lower than the measurement priority of some other channels or signals.

[0024] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the public PPW includes the public PPW measurement priority for instructing the user equipment not to perform positioning measurement when the measurement priority of the PRS is at least lower than the measurement priority of some other channels or signals.

[0025] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the common PPW includes a common PPW time domain cycle, and the number of time slots in the common PPW time domain cycle matches the number of time slots in the common PPW time domain resource location.

[0026] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW identifier, which is used to distinguish different public PPWs and to distinguish whether a PPW is a public PPW.

[0027] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the public PPW includes the public PPW type.

[0028] In some embodiments, a public PPW activation or deactivation command sent by a base station is received; and the public PPW is activated or deactivated according to the command.

[0029] In some embodiments, receiving the public PPW activation or deactivation command sent by the base station includes: receiving the public PPW activation or deactivation command via a downlink media access control element message DL MAC CE, wherein the command includes a public PPW identifier.

[0030] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a base station is also proposed, including: an information sending module, configured to send configuration information of a public positioning reference signal processing window PPW to a user equipment, wherein the public PPW is a PPW shared by multiple aggregated carriers or positioning frequency layers PEL; a request sending module, configured to send an aggregated positioning request to the user equipment, so that the user equipment performs positioning measurements on the PRS on one or more PFLs in the activated public PPW; and a result forwarding module, configured to send the PRS measurement results sent by the user equipment to a positioning management function LMF network element, so as to locate the user equipment.

[0031] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a base station is further proposed, including: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the above-mentioned PRS measurement method based on instructions stored in the memory.

[0032] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a user equipment is also proposed, including: an information receiving module, configured to receive configuration information of a public positioning reference signal processing window PPW sent by a base station, wherein the public PPW is a PPW shared by multiple aggregated carriers or positioning frequency layers PEL; a PRS measurement module, configured to perform positioning measurement on PRS on one or more PFLs in an activated public PPW upon receiving an aggregated positioning request; and a result sending module, configured to send the PRS measurement result to the base station, wherein the PRS measurement result is used to position the user equipment.

[0033] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a user equipment is further proposed, including: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the above-mentioned PRS measurement method based on instructions stored in the memory.

[0034] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a positioning reference signal PRS measurement system is also proposed, comprising: the above-mentioned base station; the above-mentioned user equipment; and a positioning management function LMF network element, which is configured to locate the user equipment according to the PRS measurement result.

[0035] In some embodiments, the LMF network element is also configured to obtain TRP sending and receiving point information required for positioning services from at least one base station, and send the TRP information to the service base station.

[0036] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is further provided, on which computer program instructions are stored. When the instructions are executed by a processor, the PRS measurement method as described above is implemented.

[0037] In the disclosed embodiment, by generating a PPW shared by multiple aggregated carriers or PELs and sending the common PPW to the UE, the UE can measure the DL-PRS resources on multiple aggregated PFLs in a single PPW, thereby solving the delay doubling problem of time-division PRS measurement based on PPW in bandwidth aggregation positioning, and can greatly reduce the measurement delay compared to time-division measurement within multiple PPWs.

[0038] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The accompanying drawings, which constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0040] The present disclosure may be more clearly understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0041] Figure 1Schematic diagram of some embodiments of the PRS measurement method disclosed in the present invention;

[0042] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of some embodiments of sharing a single common PPW for aggregated PFL PRS measurements in a bandwidth aggregation scenario of the present disclosure;

[0043] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of some embodiments of the public PPW configuration granularity when the BWP parameter sets on the aggregated PFL of the present disclosure are inconsistent;

[0044] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of some embodiments of the present disclosure in which a PRS resource is discarded on a partially aggregated PFL within a public PPW;

[0045] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the flow chart of other embodiments of the PRS measurement method disclosed in the present invention;

[0046] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the flow chart of other embodiments of the PRS measurement method disclosed in the present invention;

[0047] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of some embodiments of the base station disclosed in the present invention;

[0048] Figure 8 Schematic diagrams of structures of other embodiments of the base station disclosed herein;

[0049] Fig. 9 Schematic diagrams of structures of other embodiments of the base station disclosed herein;

[0050] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of some embodiments of the user equipment disclosed in the present invention;

[0051] Fig.11 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of some other embodiments of the user equipment disclosed in the present invention;

[0052] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the structure of some other embodiments of the user equipment disclosed in the present invention; and

[0053] Fig.13 Schematic diagram of the structure of some embodiments of the PRS measurement system disclosed in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the relative arrangement of components and steps, numerical expressions and numerical values ​​set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present disclosure unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0055] At the same time, it should be understood that for the convenience of description, the sizes of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn according to the actual proportional relationship.

[0056] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or uses.

[0057] Technologies, methods, and equipment known to ordinary technicians in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, the technologies, methods, and equipment should be considered as part of the specification.

[0058] In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limiting. Therefore, other examples of the exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0059] It should be noted that like reference numerals and letters refer to similar items in the following figures, and therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further discussed in subsequent figures.

[0060] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present disclosure more clearly understood, the present disclosure is further described in detail below in combination with specific embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0061] Figure 1 It is a flowchart of some embodiments of the PRS measurement method disclosed in the present invention, and the embodiment is executed by a base station.

[0062] In step 110, configuration information of a public PPW is sent to a user equipment, wherein the public PPW is a PPW shared by multiple aggregated carriers or PELs.

[0063] In some embodiments, the base station completes the design of a common PPW across aggregated carriers or PELs. The PRS on each aggregated PFL can be measured in this common PPW. The PFL is defined on the carrier, and there are multiple different PRS resource sets in the PFL, and multiple PRS resources are defined in each PRS resource set.

[0064] In some embodiments, the public PPW is applied in a carrier aggregation scenario, which may be intra-band aggregation of multiple continuous and / or non-continuous carriers, or inter-band aggregation of multiple continuous and / or non-continuous carriers.

[0065] In some embodiments, the base station obtains auxiliary information for positioning services from LMF (Location Management Function); and generates configuration information of the public PPW according to the auxiliary information and the terminal capability of the user equipment.

[0066] The auxiliary information includes, for example, the TRP (Transmission Reception Point) information required for the positioning service, the subcarrier spacing of the BWP on different carriers, the parameters related to the PRS resource position on each BWP, etc. The terminal capabilities of the UE include, for example, the type supported by the UE, etc. The base station refers to these parameters to form the configuration information of the public PPW. For example, according to the type supported by the UE, the base station can determine the public PPW type. According to the subcarrier spacing of the BWP on different carriers, the parameters related to the PRS resource position on each BWP, the public PPW time domain resource position, etc. can be determined.

[0067] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the public PPW includes one or more of a public PPW identifier, a public PPW time domain resource location, a public PPW time domain cycle, a public PPW type, and a public PPW measurement priority.

[0068] In step 120, an aggregate positioning request is sent to the user equipment, so that the user equipment performs positioning measurement on the PRS on one or more PFLs in the activated public PPW.

[0069] In some embodiments, when an aggregate positioning task arrives and a public PPW is activated, DL-PRS measurement is performed in the corresponding public PPW.

[0070] For example, within a common PPW, the UE is allowed to measure the DL-PRS on one PFL or on a group of aggregated PFLs. Figure 2 As shown, for the bandwidth aggregation positioning scenario, PRS measurement can be performed on the aggregated PELi or PELj, or positioning measurement can be performed in the PRS set of the PEL.

[0071] In step 130, the PRS measurement result sent by the user equipment is sent to the LMF network element to locate the user equipment.

[0072] For example, the user equipment sends information such as angle and timestamp to the LMF so that the LMF can locate the UE.

[0073] In the above embodiment, by designing a PPW shared by multiple aggregated carriers or PELs and sending the common PPW to the UE, the UE can measure the DL-PRS resources on multiple aggregated PFLs in a single PPW, thereby solving the delay doubling problem of time-division PRS measurement based on PPW in bandwidth aggregation positioning, and can greatly reduce the measurement delay compared to time-division measurement within multiple PPWs.

[0074] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW time domain resource position, which is used to define a starting time slot position and a number of time slots so as to align the time domain window positions of the public PPW on multiple aggregated carriers or PELs. The user equipment receives the PRS sent by the base station according to the public PPW time domain resource position.

[0075] The common PPW time domain resource location is represented by the parameter dl-PPWCommon-Periodicity-and-StartSlot, which defines the common PPW start time slot and period.

[0076] Considering that in the case of bandwidth aggregation positioning, the parameter set configurations of BWPs in different carriers are not the same. In order to ensure that the PPW time domain positions on aggregated carriers of different parameter sets are aligned, in some embodiments, the public PPW time domain resource position is configured with the time slot length corresponding to the minimum subcarrier spacing of BWPs on multiple aggregated carriers as the granularity. Alternatively, the public PPW time domain resource position is configured with the time slot length corresponding to the predetermined subcarrier spacing as the granularity, wherein the predetermined subcarrier spacing is less than or equal to the subcarrier spacing used by the BWPs on multiple aggregated carriers.

[0077] When the time domain resource position of the common PPW is configured with the time slot granularity corresponding to the minimum subcarrier spacing of all aggregated BWPs on all aggregated carriers, it can be ensured that the starting time slot positions of the common PPW on all aggregated carriers are aligned. Figure 3 As shown, when there are three aggregated PRS resources and their subcarrier spacings are {15KHz, 30KHz, 120KHz}, the common PPW start time slot and period configuration should be configured with the time slot length corresponding to 15KHz as the granularity, and configuration with the time slot corresponding to 30KHz as the granularity is not allowed.

[0078] When configuring the public PPW time domain resource location with the time slot length corresponding to a fixed smaller subcarrier spacing as the allocation granularity, it is necessary to ensure that the selected smaller subcarrier spacing is less than or equal to the subcarrier spacing used by the BWP on all aggregated carriers. For example, since the minimum subcarrier spacing in the NR protocol is 15KHz, the default value can be selected as 15KHz, that is, the time slot length corresponding to the 15KHz subcarrier spacing can be used as the granularity for public PPW starting time slot and period configuration.

[0079] In the above embodiment, by setting the common PPW configuration granularity when the BWP parameter sets on the aggregated PFL are inconsistent, it is possible to ensure that the PPW time domain positions on the aggregated carriers of different parameter sets are aligned, thereby improving the accuracy of the UE receiving the PRS.

[0080] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW measurement priority, which is used to indicate to the user equipment that the measurement priority of PRS is higher than the measurement priority of other channels or signals; or to indicate to the user equipment that when the measurement priority of PRS is at least lower than the measurement priority of some other channels or signals, to use the non-discarded PRS resources on the aggregated PFL to perform positioning measurements, or not to perform positioning measurements.

[0081] The public PPW measurement priority is represented by a parameter priority, for example, indicating the relative priority of PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) / PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel) / CSI-RS (Channel-State-Information Reference Signal) and DL-PRS.

[0082] For example, when configuring the priority of the public PPW, taking into account that in aggregate positioning, the coexistence of PRS resources on each aggregated PFL with other channels or signals is different, if the measurement priority of PRS is higher than the measurement priority of other channels or signals, the public PPW measurement priority is set to st1; if the measurement priority of PRS is lower than the measurement priority of some other channels or signals, for example, the measurement priority of PRS is lower than the measurement priority of PDCCH and part of PDSCH, the public PPW measurement priority is set to st2; if the measurement priority of PRS is lower than the measurement priority of other channels or signals, the public PPW measurement priority is set to st3.

[0083] In the case where the measurement priority of PRS is at least lower than the measurement priority of some other channels or signals, within the common PPW, PRS resources on some aggregated PFLs can be measured while PRS resources on some aggregated PFLs need to be discarded. Figure 4 As shown, t1, t2, t3, and t4 represent different moments. During t3 and t4, there are PDCCH channels and PDSCH channels with higher priority on PFL1, and these PRS set1 will be discarded. However, there are no other channels or signals on PEL2, so PRS set1 is still allowed to be measured.

[0084] In order to avoid measurement inconsistency, the measurement priority of the public PPW is restricted to st1, that is, the PRS measurement priority in the public PPW is higher than the measurement priority of all other channels / signals. Alternatively, when there are PRS resources on some aggregated PFLs that need to be discarded, the UE can still perform positioning measurements based on the remaining aggregated PRSs, or this positioning measurement is not allowed.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the priority design of the public PPW and the public PPW enhanced priority rule can cope with the PRS measurement problem when other channels / signals exist on some carriers / PFLs.

[0086] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the configuration information of the common PPW includes a common PPW time domain period, and the number of time slots in the common PPW time domain period matches the number of time slots in the common PPW time domain resource position. The common PPW time domain period is represented by a parameter length, for example, and the number of time slots of the common PPW is the time domain length. The length parameter should be consistent with the parameter set selected when configuring dl-PPWCommon-Periodicity-and-StartSlot.

[0087] The configuration information of the public PPW also includes a public PPW identifier, which is used to distinguish different public PPWs and to distinguish whether a PPW is a public PPW. The public PPW identifier is represented by, for example, a parameter dl-PPWCommon-ID.

[0088] The configuration information of the public PPW also includes a public PPW type, for example, one of the three parameters Type 1A, Type 1B, and Type 2, and the three PPW types follow the existing design.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the configuration information of the public PPW, such as the public PPW identifier, the public PPW time domain resource location, the public PPW time domain period, the public PPW type and the public PPW measurement priority, can be sent to the UE through the RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling format of the IE DL-PPWCommon-PreConfig, so that the UE receives the PRS and performs positioning measurement according to the configuration information.

[0090] In some other embodiments of the present disclosure, the base station sends a public PPW activation or deactivation command to the user equipment, so that the user equipment activates or deactivates the public PPW. Before the UE performs positioning measurement, it is necessary to activate the public PPW.

[0091] For example, the base station sends a public PPW activation or deactivation command through a DL MAC CE, where the command includes a public PPW identifier.

[0092] In the above embodiment, it is possible to avoid sending a MAC CE message on each carrier or PFL for activation or deactivation, thereby simplifying the signaling process and saving signaling overhead.

[0093] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the flow chart of other embodiments of the PRS measurement method disclosed in the present invention.

[0094] In step 510, LMF interacts with gNB via TRP information.

[0095] In some embodiments, the LMF obtains TRP information required for positioning services from the gNB. If the TRP associated with the PRS measurement belongs to multiple gNBs, the LMF obtains the TRP information required for positioning services from multiple gNBs.

[0096] In step 520, the LMF sends the TRP information to the serving gNB and requests the serving gNB to pre-configure the public PPW.

[0097] In some embodiments, in order to be compatible with existing protocols, the pre-configured public PPW request is initiated by the LMF, that is, initiated by the network side, rather than requested by the UE.

[0098] In some embodiments, the LMF sends the public PPW pre-configuration command via an NRPPa (NR positioning protocol A, a transmission protocol for information transmission between gNB and LMF) message.

[0099] In step 530, the gNB sends the public PPW pre-configuration information through the RRC reconfiguration message.

[0100] In some embodiments, the content of the RRC reconfiguration message for public PPW configuration includes: public PPW identifier, public PPW time domain resource position (including starting time slot position and time slot number), public PPW time domain cycle, public PPW type, and public PPW measurement priority relative to other channels / signals. The public PPW configuration information RRC signaling format is sent to the UE through, for example, IE DL-PPWCommon-PreConfig.

[0101] In step 540, the UE sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message to the gNB to confirm that the pre-configured public PPW information has been received.

[0102] In step 550, the gNB reports a PPW pre-configuration confirmation message to the LMF.

[0103] In some embodiments, after the gNB receives the reconfiguration completion message sent by the UE, it sends a public PPW preconfiguration completion confirmation message to the LMF through an NRPPa message, indicating that the preconfiguration is successful.

[0104] In step 560, the LMF sends a pre-configured public PPW activation message to the gNB.

[0105] In some embodiments, the LMF sends a pre-configured public PPW activation / deactivation request to the gNB via an NRPPa message.

[0106] In step 570, the gNB sends a public PPW activation command to the UE to activate the corresponding public PPW.

[0107] In some embodiments, the gNB sends a public PPW activation / deactivation command to the UE through a DL MAC CE message based on the activation / deactivation request received from the LMF, and the command carries a PPW ID for identifying the corresponding public PPW.

[0108] In order to be compatible with existing protocols, the network side activates / deactivates the pre-configured public PPW through DL MAC CE, that is, the public PPW activation / deactivation request can only be initiated by the LMF, not by the UE.

[0109] In some embodiments, the maximum number of public PPWs that can be activated / deactivated by a DL MAC CE is 1, that is, activation of the public PPW and deactivation of the public PPW are not performed at the same time.

[0110] When an aggregate positioning task arrives and a public PPW has been activated, DL-PRS measurement is performed in the corresponding public PPW.

[0111] In step 580, the LMF sends a positioning request to the UE through the gNB.

[0112] In step 590, the UE sends a positioning assistance data request to the LMF through the gNB.

[0113] In step 5100, the LMF sends a positioning assistance data response to the UE through the gNB.

[0114] In step 5110, the UE performs DL-PRS measurement.

[0115] In some embodiments, within a common PPW, the UE is allowed to measure DL-PRS on one PFL or DL-PRS on a group of aggregated PFLs.

[0116] In step 5120, the UE reports the DL-PRS measurement result to the LMF via RRC signaling.

[0117] In step 5130, the LMF sends a public PPW deactivation command to the gNB.

[0118] In some embodiments, the LMF sends a public PPW deactivation command to the gNB via an NRPPa message.

[0119] In step 5140, the gNB sends a public PPW deactivation command to the UE.

[0120] In some embodiments, the gNB sends a common PPW deactivation command to the UE via a DL MAC CE message.

[0121] In the above embodiment, the gNB pre-configures the public PPW configuration information and sends it to the UE, instructing the UE to activate or deactivate the pre-configured public PPW. When the aggregated positioning task arrives and the public PPW is activated, the UE performs DL-PRS measurement in the public PPW and reports the measurement result to the LMF, which performs position solution. Since the PRS on the aggregated PFL is measured simultaneously in a public PPW, the measurement delay can be greatly reduced compared to the measurement in multiple PPWs in time division. In addition, the design of MAC messages for all aggregated carriers or PELs can simplify the signaling process and save signaling overhead.

[0122] Figure 6 It is a flowchart of some other embodiments of the PRS measurement method disclosed in the present invention, and the embodiment is executed by a user equipment.

[0123] In step 610, configuration information of a public PPW sent by a base station is received, wherein the public PPW is a PPW shared by multiple aggregated carriers or PELs.

[0124] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the common PPW includes a common PPW time domain resource position, which is used to define a starting time slot position and a time slot number, so as to align time domain window positions of the common PPW on multiple aggregated carriers or PELs.

[0125] For example, the public PPW time domain resource position is configured with the time slot length corresponding to the minimum subcarrier spacing of the bandwidth part BWP on multiple aggregated carriers as the granularity. Alternatively, the public PPW time domain resource position is configured with the time slot length corresponding to the predetermined subcarrier spacing, wherein the predetermined subcarrier spacing is less than or equal to the subcarrier spacing used by the BWP on multiple aggregated carriers as the granularity. Thus, the PPW time domain positions on aggregated carriers of different parameter sets can be aligned.

[0126] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW measurement priority, which is used to instruct the user equipment to configure the measurement priority of the PRS to be higher than the measurement priority of other channels or signals. Alternatively, the user equipment is instructed to use the non-discarded PRS resources on the aggregated PFL for positioning measurement, or not to perform positioning, when the measurement priority of the PRS is at least lower than the measurement priority of some other channels or signals.

[0127] This step limits whether to measure the PRS on the remaining PFL when the PRS on some carriers / PFLs cannot be measured due to the existence of other channels / signals with higher priority. This can address the PRS measurement problem when other channels / signals exist on some carriers / PFLs.

[0128] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the common PPW includes a common PPW time domain cycle, and the number of time slots in the common PPW time domain cycle matches the number of time slots in the common PPW time domain resource location.

[0129] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW identifier, which is used to distinguish different public PPWs and to distinguish whether a PPW is a public PPW.

[0130] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the public PPW includes the public PPW type.

[0131] At step 620, in case the aggregate positioning request is received, positioning measurements are performed on the PRSs on one or more PFLs in the activated common PPW.

[0132] In some embodiments, the UE receives a public PPW activation or deactivation command sent by the base station, and activates or deactivates the public PPW according to the command. For example, the public PPW activation or deactivation command is received through a DL MAC CE, wherein the command includes a public PPW identifier.

[0133] In step 630, the PRS measurement result is sent to the base station, wherein the PRS measurement result is used to locate the user equipment.

[0134] In some implementations, the UE sends the PRS measurement results to the LMF through the base station, and the LMF performs position calculation.

[0135] In the above embodiment, the PRS on the aggregated PFL is measured simultaneously in a common PPW, which effectively saves signaling overhead such as configuration activation compared to using multiple PPW measurements, and solves the delay doubling problem of time-division PRS measurement based on PPW in bandwidth aggregation positioning.

[0136] Figure 7This is a structural diagram of some embodiments of the base station disclosed in the present invention, where the base station is, for example, a gNB, and includes an information sending module 710, a request sending module 720, and a result forwarding module 730.

[0137] The information sending module 710 is configured to send configuration information of a public PPW to a user equipment, wherein the public PPW is a PPW shared by multiple aggregated carriers or PELs.

[0138] In some embodiments, Figure 8 As shown, the base station further includes an information acquisition module 810 configured to acquire auxiliary information for positioning services from the LMF. The configuration information of the public PPW is generated according to the auxiliary information and the terminal capability of the user equipment.

[0139] The request sending module 720 is configured to send an aggregate positioning request to the user equipment, so that the user equipment performs positioning measurement on the PRS on one or more PFLs in the activated common PPW.

[0140] In some embodiments, Figure 8 As shown, the base station also includes an activation request module 820, which is configured to send a public PPW activation or deactivation command to the user equipment so that the user equipment activates or deactivates the public PPW. For example, the public PPW activation or deactivation command is sent via a DL MAC CE, wherein the command includes a public PPW identifier.

[0141] The result forwarding module 730 is configured to send the PRS measurement result sent by the user equipment to the positioning management function LMF network element to locate the user equipment.

[0142] In the above embodiments, through the common PPW design across aggregated carriers or PELs, as well as the corresponding configuration and activation parameter design and signaling process, the PRS measurement delay can be reduced, and the signaling overhead such as configuration activation can be effectively saved.

[0143] Fig. 9 Schematic diagram of the structure of other embodiments of the base station of the present disclosure, the base station 900 includes a memory 910 and a processor 920. The memory 910 may be a disk, a flash memory or any other non-volatile storage medium. The memory is used to store the instructions in the above embodiments. The processor 920 is coupled to the memory 910 and may be implemented as one or more integrated circuits, such as a microprocessor or a microcontroller. The processor 920 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory.

[0144] In some embodiments, the processor 920 is coupled to the memory 910 via a BUS 930. The base station 900 can also be connected to an external storage system 950 via a storage interface 940 to call external data, and can also be connected to a network or another computer system (not shown) via a network interface 960. No further detailed description will be given here.

[0145] In this embodiment, the PRS measurement delay can be reduced by storing data instructions in a memory and processing the instructions through a processor.

[0146] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of some embodiments of the user equipment of the present disclosure, where the user equipment includes an information receiving module 1010 , a PRS measurement module 1020 and a result sending module 1030 .

[0147] The information receiving module 1010 is configured to receive configuration information of a public PPW sent by a base station, wherein the public PPW is a PPW shared by multiple aggregated carriers or PELs.

[0148] The PRS measurement module 1020 is configured to perform positioning measurements on the PRSs on one or more PFLs in the activated common PPW when an aggregate positioning request is received.

[0149] In some embodiments, Fig.11 The user equipment further includes an activation module 1110, which is configured to receive a public PPW activation or deactivation command sent by a base station, and activate or deactivate the public PPW according to the command. For example, the public PPW activation or deactivation command is received through a DL MACCE, wherein the command includes a public PPW identifier.

[0150] The result sending module 1030 is configured to send the PRS measurement result to the base station, wherein the PRS measurement result is used to locate the user equipment.

[0151] In the above embodiment, the UE measures the PRS on the aggregated PFL simultaneously in a common PPW, which can greatly reduce the measurement delay compared with the measurement in multiple PPWs in time division.

[0152] Fig.12 The following is a schematic diagram of the structure of some other embodiments of the user equipment of the present disclosure, wherein the user equipment includes a memory 1210 and a processor 1220. The memory 1210 may be a disk, a flash memory, or any other non-volatile storage medium. The memory is used to store the instructions in the above embodiments. The processor 1220 is coupled to the memory 1210 and may be implemented as one or more integrated circuits, such as a microprocessor or a microcontroller. The processor 1220 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory.

[0153] In some embodiments, the processor 1220 is coupled to the memory 1210 via a BUS 1230. The user device 1200 may also be connected to an external storage system 1250 via a storage interface 1240 to call external data, and may also be connected to a network or another computer system (not shown) via a network interface 1260. This will not be described in detail here.

[0154] In this embodiment, the PRS measurement delay can be reduced by storing data instructions in a memory and processing the instructions through a processor.

[0155] Fig.13 The structure diagram of some embodiments of the PRS measurement system of the present disclosure. The system includes a base station 1310, a user equipment 1320 and an LMF network element 1330, wherein the base station 1310 and the user equipment 1320 have been described in detail in the above embodiments and will not be further described here, and the LMF network element 1330 is configured to locate the user equipment according to the PRS measurement result.

[0156] In some embodiments, the LMF network element 1330 is also configured to obtain TRP sending and receiving point information required for positioning services from at least one base station, and send the TRP information to the service base station.

[0157] In some embodiments, the LMF network element 1330 sends a public PPW activation or deactivation message to the user equipment through the base station. In order to be compatible with the existing protocol, the LMF gateway sends a public PPW activation / deactivation request to the gNB through the NRPPa message, and the gNB sends the public PPW activation / deactivation command to the UE through the DL MAC CE message.

[0158] The PRS measurement system disclosed in the present invention can measure DL-PRS resources on multiple aggregated PFLs in a single PPW, solving the delay doubling problem of PPW-based time-division PRS measurement in bandwidth aggregation positioning; in addition, compared with using multiple PPW measurements, it effectively saves signaling overhead such as configuration activation.

[0159] In other embodiments, a computer-readable storage medium stores computer program instructions, which implement the steps of the methods in the above-mentioned embodiments when executed by a processor. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided as methods, devices, or computer program products. Therefore, the present disclosure may take the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware. Moreover, the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable non-transient storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program codes.

[0160] The present disclosure is described with reference to flowcharts and / or block diagrams of methods, devices (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood that each process and / or block in the flowchart and / or block diagram and the combination of processes and / or blocks in the flowchart and / or block diagram can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device generate instructions for implementing the processes in the flowchart and / or block diagram. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in a block or multiple blocks.

[0161] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory capable of directing a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising an instruction device, which implements the process Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A function specified in one or more boxes.

[0162] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions for implementing the process. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps for the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0163] So far, the present disclosure has been described in detail. In order to avoid obscuring the concept of the present disclosure, some details known in the art are not described. Based on the above description, those skilled in the art can fully understand how to implement the technical solution disclosed here.

[0164] The method and apparatus of the present disclosure may be implemented in many ways. For example, the method and apparatus of the present disclosure may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination of software, hardware, and firmware. The above order of steps for the method is for illustration only, and the steps of the method of the present disclosure are not limited to the order specifically described above, unless otherwise specifically stated. In addition, in some embodiments, the present disclosure may also be implemented as a program recorded in a recording medium, which includes machine-readable instructions for implementing the method according to the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure also covers a recording medium storing a program for executing the method according to the present disclosure.

[0165] Although some specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail by way of example, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above examples are for illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments may be modified without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement method, comprising: Sending configuration information of a public positioning reference signal processing window PPW to a user equipment, wherein the public PPW is a PPW shared by multiple aggregated carriers or positioning frequency layers PEL; sending an aggregate positioning request to the user equipment, so that the user equipment performs positioning measurement on the PRS on one or more PFLs in the activated public PPW; and The PRS measurement result sent by the user equipment is sent to a positioning management function LMF network element to locate the user equipment.

2. The PRS measurement method according to claim 1, wherein: The configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW time domain resource position, which is used to define a starting time slot position and a number of time slots, so that the time domain window positions of the public PPW on the multiple aggregated carriers or PELs are aligned.

3. The PRS measurement method according to claim 2, wherein: The public PPW time domain resource position is configured with the time slot length corresponding to the minimum subcarrier spacing of the bandwidth part BWP on the multiple aggregated carriers as the granularity.

4. The PRS measurement method according to claim 2, wherein: The public PPW time domain resource position is configured with a time slot length corresponding to a predetermined subcarrier spacing as a granularity, wherein the predetermined subcarrier spacing is less than or equal to a subcarrier spacing used by the BWP on the multiple aggregated carriers.

5. The PRS measurement method according to claim 1, wherein: The configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW measurement priority, which is used to indicate that the user equipment configures the measurement priority of the PRS to be higher than the measurement priority of other channels or signals.

6. The PRS measurement method according to claim 1, wherein: The configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW measurement priority, which is used to instruct the user equipment to perform positioning measurement using non-discarded PRS resources on the aggregated PFL when the measurement priority of the PRS is at least lower than the measurement priority of some other channels or signals.

7. The PRS measurement method according to claim 1, wherein: The configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW measurement priority, which is used to instruct the user equipment not to perform positioning measurement when the measurement priority of the PRS is at least lower than the measurement priority of some other channels or signals.

8. The PRS measurement method according to claim 2, wherein: The configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW time domain cycle, and the number of time slots in the public PPW time domain cycle matches the number of time slots in the public PPW time domain resource position.

9. The PRS measurement method according to claim 1, wherein: The configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW identifier, which is used to distinguish different public PPWs and to distinguish whether a PPW is a public PPW.

10. The PRS measurement method according to claim 1, wherein: The configuration information of the public PPW includes the public PPW type.

11. The PRS measurement method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising: Send a public PPW activation or deactivation command to the user equipment, so that the user equipment activates or deactivates the public PPW.

12. The PRS measurement method according to claim 11, wherein: Sending a public PPW activation or deactivation command to the user equipment includes: The public PPW activation or deactivation command is sent via a downlink media access control element message DL MAC CE, wherein the command includes the public PPW identifier.

13. The PRS measurement method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising: Acquire auxiliary information for positioning service from the LMF; as well as The configuration information of the public PPW is generated according to the auxiliary information and the terminal capability of the user equipment.

14. A positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement method, comprising: receiving configuration information of a public positioning reference signal processing window PPW sent by a base station, wherein the public PPW is a PPW shared by multiple aggregated carriers or positioning frequency layers PEL; In case of receiving the aggregate positioning request, performing positioning measurement on the PRS on one or more PFLs in the activated common PPW; and The PRS measurement result is sent to the base station, wherein the PRS measurement result is used to locate the user equipment.

15. The PRS measurement method according to claim 14, wherein: The configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW time domain resource position, which is used to define a starting time slot position and a number of time slots, so that the time domain window positions of the public PPW on the multiple aggregated carriers or PELs are aligned.

16. The PRS measurement method according to claim 15, wherein: The public PPW time domain resource position is configured with the time slot length corresponding to the minimum subcarrier spacing of the bandwidth part BWP on the multiple aggregated carriers as the granularity.

17. The PRS measurement method according to claim 15, wherein: The public PPW time domain resource position is configured with a time slot length corresponding to a predetermined subcarrier spacing, wherein the predetermined subcarrier spacing is less than or equal to a subcarrier spacing used by the BWP on the multiple aggregated carriers.

18. The PRS measurement method according to claim 14, wherein: The configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW measurement priority, which is used to indicate that the user equipment configures the measurement priority of the PRS to be higher than the measurement priority of other channels or signals.

19. The PRS measurement method according to claim 14, wherein: The configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW measurement priority for instructing the user equipment to perform positioning measurement using non-discarded PRS resources on the aggregated PFL when the measurement priority of the PRS is at least lower than the measurement priority of some other channels or signals.

20. The PRS measurement method according to claim 14, wherein: The configuration information of the public PPW includes the public PPW measurement priority, which is used to instruct the user equipment not to perform positioning measurement when the measurement priority of the PRS is at least lower than the measurement priority of some other channels or signals.

21. The PRS measurement method according to claim 15, wherein: The configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW time domain cycle, and the number of time slots in the public PPW time domain cycle matches the number of time slots in the public PPW time domain resource position.

22. The PRS measurement method according to claim 14, wherein: The configuration information of the public PPW includes a public PPW identifier, which is used to distinguish different public PPWs and to distinguish whether a PPW is a public PPW.

23. The PRS measurement method according to claim 14, wherein: The configuration information of the public PPW includes the public PPW type.

24. The PRS measurement method according to any one of claims 14 to 23, further comprising: receiving a public PPW activation or deactivation command sent by the base station; as well as The public PPW is activated or deactivated according to the command.

25. The PRS measurement method according to claim 24, wherein: Receiving a public PPW activation or deactivation command sent by the base station includes: The public PPW activation or deactivation command is received through a downlink media access control element message DL MAC CE, wherein the command includes the public PPW identifier.

26. A base station, comprising: An information sending module is configured to send configuration information of a public positioning reference signal processing window PPW to a user equipment, wherein the public PPW is a PPW shared by multiple aggregated carriers or positioning frequency layers PEL; a request sending module, configured to send an aggregate positioning request to the user equipment, so that the user equipment performs positioning measurement on the PRS on one or more PFLs in the activated public PPW; and The result forwarding module is configured to send the PRS measurement result sent by the user equipment to a positioning management function LMF network element to locate the user equipment.

27. A base station, comprising: Memory; as well as A processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the PRS measurement method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 based on instructions stored in the memory.

28. A user equipment, comprising: An information receiving module is configured to receive configuration information of a public positioning reference signal processing window PPW sent by a base station, wherein the public PPW is a PPW shared by multiple aggregated carriers or positioning frequency layers PEL; A PRS measurement module, configured to perform positioning measurement on PRSs on one or more PFLs in the activated common PPW when an aggregate positioning request is received; and The result sending module is configured to send the PRS measurement result to the base station, wherein the PRS measurement result is used to locate the user equipment.

29. A user equipment, comprising: Memory; as well as A processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the PRS measurement method according to any one of claims 14 to 25 based on instructions stored in the memory.

30. A positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement system, comprising: The base station according to claim 26 or 27; The user equipment according to claim 28 or 29; as well as The positioning management function LMF network element is configured to locate the user equipment according to the PRS measurement result.

31. The PRS measurement system of claim 30, wherein: The LMF network element is also configured to obtain TRP sending and receiving point information required for positioning services from at least one base station, and send the TRP information to the service base station.

32. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions, when executed by a processor, implement the PRS measurement method according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

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