NTN network positioning method and device, and communication equipment

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides an NTN network positioning method and device, access network equipment and a computer readable storage medium, and relates to the field of communication. The method comprises the following steps: sending first information to an LMF (Location Management Function) network element; wherein the first information is used for determining the position of the UE from two candidate positions of the UE. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, by sending the first information to the LMF network element, the LMF network element can determine the actual position of the UE from the two candidate positions according to the first information when determining the two candidate positions of the UE, thereby solving the problem of position mirroring of the UE, and improving the positioning efficiency without triggering E-CID positioning.

Description

NTN network positioning method, device and communication equipment Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a positioning method, apparatus, and communication equipment for an NTN network. Background Art

[0002] In a non-terrestrial network (NTN), it is determined that a user equipment (UE) can report location information to a core network device.

[0003] When the UE's location is obtained by measuring the positioning of a satellite at different times, there is a UE location mirroring problem - that is, there are multiple mirrored candidate locations, and the NTN network cannot determine the specific location of the UE.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, apparatus, communication device, and computer-readable storage medium for locating an NTN network, which can solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. The technical solution is as follows:

[0006] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a positioning method for an NTN network is provided, which is applied to a communication device, where the communication device is a UE or an access network device. The method includes:

[0007] Sending first information to the LMF network element;

[0008] The first information is used to determine the position of the UE from two candidate positions of the UE.

[0009] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a positioning method for an NTN network is provided, which is applied to an LMF network element. The method includes:

[0010] receiving first information sent by a communication device;

[0011] The first information is used to determine the position of the UE from two candidate positions of the UE.

[0012] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a positioning device for an NTN network is provided, which is applied to a communication device, where the communication device is a UE or an access network device, and the device includes:

[0013] A sending module, configured to send first information to a location management function LMF network element;

[0014] The first information is used to determine the position of the UE from two candidate positions of the UE.

[0015] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a positioning device for an NTN network, wherein a receiving module is configured to receive first information sent by a communication device;

[0016] The first information is used to determine the position of the UE from two candidate positions of the UE.

[0017] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, which includes a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory, and the processor executes the computer program to implement the steps of the method provided in the first or second aspect.

[0018] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method provided in the first or second aspect are implemented.

[0019] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure have the following beneficial effects:

[0020] By sending the first information to the LMF network element, when the LMF network element determines the candidate positions of the two mirror images of the UE, it can determine the position of the UE from the two candidate positions according to the first information, thereby solving the problem of the UE's position mirroring, and there is no need to trigger E-CID positioning, thereby improving the positioning efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG1a is a schematic diagram of a UE location mirroring problem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG1b is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG2 is a flow chart of a positioning method for an NTN network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG3a is a schematic flow chart of a method for positioning an NTN network performed by a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG3 b is a flow chart of a positioning method for an NTN network performed by an LMF network element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG4a is a schematic flow chart of a method for positioning an NTN network performed by a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG4 b is a schematic flow chart of a method for positioning an NTN network performed by a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG4 c is a schematic flow chart of a positioning method for an NTN network executed by a UE side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG4 d is a schematic flow chart of a positioning method for an NTN network executed by a UE side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG4e is a schematic flow chart of a positioning method for an NTN network executed by a UE side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG4 f is a flow chart of a method for locating an NTN network executed by an access network device side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG4g is a flow chart of a method for locating an NTN network executed by an access network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG4h is a flow chart of a method for locating an NTN network executed by an access network device side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [0034.1] [Corrected 07.08.2023 according to Rule 91] Figure 4i is a schematic diagram of the multi-RTT process of NR in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG5 is a schematic structural diagram of a positioning device for an NTN network applied to communication equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of a positioning device for an NTN network applied to an LMF network element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG7 is a flow chart of a positioning method for an NTN network applied to a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following describes embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings are exemplary descriptions for explaining the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0040] Those skilled in the art will understand that, unless otherwise stated, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" used herein may also include plural forms. It should be further understood that the terms "including" and "comprising" used in the embodiments of the present disclosure mean that the corresponding features can be implemented as the presented features, information, data, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude implementation as other features, information, data, steps, operations, elements, components and / or combinations thereof supported by the present technical field. It should be understood that when we say that an element is "connected" or "coupled" to another element, the element can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or it can refer to the element and the other element establishing a connection relationship through an intermediate element. In addition, the "connection" or "coupling" used here can include wireless connection or wireless coupling. The term "and / or" used here indicates at least one of the items defined by the term, for example, "A and / or B" can be implemented as "A", or as "B", or as "A and B".

[0041] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present disclosure more clear, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] The NTN network positioning method, apparatus, communication device, and computer-readable storage medium provided in the present disclosure are intended to solve the above technical problems in the prior art.

[0043] The following describes several exemplary embodiments to illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure and the technical effects produced by the technical solutions of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the following embodiments can refer to, draw on, or combine with each other, and the same terms, similar features, and similar implementation steps in different embodiments will not be repeated.

[0044] In the NTN network, it is determined that the user equipment can report location information to the next generation base station (gNodeB, gNB). The location information is the GNSS location information determined by the UE based on its Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning capability.

[0045] The gNB can utilize the UE's location information in the following ways:

[0046] - Select an appropriate AMF based on the UE's location information. For example, the UE's country is determined based on the UE's location information, and then an Authentication Management Function (AMF) network element deployed in the UE's country is selected for the UE;

[0047] -Determine the corresponding paging area (tracking area) and tracking area code based on the UE's location, and send the relevant information to the AMF;

[0048] - Construct a cell global ID (CGI) based on the UE's location and send the CGI to the AMF;

[0049] In the NTN network, the GNSS location information of the UE may be tampered with. Therefore, the NTN network needs to be able to verify whether the GNSS location information reported by the UE is reliable.

[0050] Considering the reliability of the UE location information obtained by the Location Management Function (LMF) through the Location Service (LCS). The LCS uses the positioning function introduced by the New Radio (NR) to obtain the UE's location. Currently, the decision is to use the multi-round-trip time (multi-RTT) method to obtain the UE's location, and then use this location to verify the reliability of the GNSS position reported by the UE.

[0051] Considering that in the early stages of NTN network deployment, the UE may only be able to measure the signal of one satellite, it is determined that the UE measures the PRS sent by a satellite at different times, and the satellite measures the SRS sent by the UE at different times, thereby obtaining multiple measurement results, and then calculating the UE position based on the multiple measurement results.

[0052] However, when obtaining the UE position through positioning-related measurement results of a satellite at different times, there is a UE position mirroring problem. Please refer to Figure 1a, which exemplifies a schematic diagram of the UE position mirroring problem. As shown in the figure, each hexagonal pattern in the figure is a communication cell, and all hexagonal patterns constitute the coverage area of ​​the satellite. The satellite orbit plane is exactly in a symmetrical position of its coverage area. Then, the UE position calculated by the time-related positioning algorithm (such as DL-TDOA, multi-RTT, etc.) has a mirroring problem. For example, the calculated position of UE1 may be the position in cell 6 or the position in cell 2, and the two positions are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the satellite orbit.

[0053] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE location mirroring problem can be solved by correctly configuring the UE's neighboring cell measurements, for example, measurements of two neighboring cells on opposite sides of the satellite beam. In other words, the UE location mirroring problem can be solved based on the measurement results of the UE's neighboring cells.

[0054] The problem of UE position mirroring in UE position verification can be solved by measuring the UE neighboring cells. However, the current method for position verification is to use multi-RTT positioning, and the measurement results of UE neighboring cells can only be obtained through E-CID positioning. Therefore, it may be necessary to trigger E-CID positioning when verifying the UE position through multi-RTT.

[0055] FIG1 b is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG1 b , the communication system 100 includes a UE 101 , an access network device 102 , and a core network device 103 .

[0056] In some embodiments, UE101 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0057] In some embodiments, the access network device 102 is, for example, a node or device that accesses the UE to a wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, but is not limited thereto.

[0058] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 may be a device including one or more network elements, or may be multiple devices or device groups, each including an AMF network element. The network element may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0059] In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0060] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0061] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0062] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in Figure 1b, or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in Figure 1b are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or part of the entities shown in Figure 1b, or may include other entities outside of Figure 1b. The number and form of the entities may be arbitrary. The connection relationship between the entities is illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0063] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), future radio access (FRA), new radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR), new radio access (NX), future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on and extending these methods. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0064] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an interactive schematic diagram of a positioning method for an NTN network, as shown in FIG2 . The method includes:

[0065] Step S2101: The Location Management Function (LMF) network element sends a first instruction to a communication device.

[0066] The communication device may be an access network device or a UE.

[0067] In some embodiments, the communications device receives a first indication.

[0068] In some embodiments, the first indication is used to request first information.

[0069] In some embodiments, the first information is used to determine the position of the UE from two candidate positions of the UE, and the two candidate positions are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the satellite orbit plane.

[0070] In some embodiments, the first information comprises the position of the UE relative to the satellite orbital plane.

[0071] In some embodiments, the position of the UE relative to the satellite orbit plane includes any of the following:

[0072] The UE is located to the left of the satellite orbit plane, or

[0073] The UE is located to the right of the satellite orbit plane, or

[0074] The position of the UE relative to the intersection of the satellite orbit plane and the Earth's surface.

[0075] In some embodiments, the first information includes measurement results of neighboring cells of the UE.

[0076] In some embodiments, the measurement results of the UE's neighboring cells include at least one of the following:

[0077] 1) Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS) measurement results;

[0078] 2) Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) measurement results;

[0079] 3) Cell ID of the neighboring cell.

[0080] In some embodiments, the measurement result of the channel state information reference signal includes at least one of the following:

[0081] 1) CSI Reference Signal Received Power (CSI-RSRP);

[0082] 2) Synchronization Signal-Reference Signal Receiving Quality (SS-RSRQ)

[0083] In some embodiments, the measurement result of the synchronization signal block includes at least one of the following:

[0084] 1) Synchronization signal reference signal received power SS-RSRP;

[0085] 2)SS-RSRQ.

[0086] In some embodiments, the cell identity of the neighboring cell includes at least one of the following:

[0087] 1) Physical Cell Identifier (PCI);

[0088] 2) Frequency, or

[0089] 3) Cell Global ID (CGI).

[0090] In some embodiments, a method of determining a UE's position relative to a satellite orbital plane includes:

[0091] Information determining the satellite's orbital plane;

[0092] Determine the measurement results of the UE's neighboring cells;

[0093] The position of the UE relative to the satellite orbit plane is determined based on the information of the satellite orbit plane and the measurement results of the UE's neighboring cells.

[0094] In some embodiments, the UE determines information about the satellite orbit plane through the received ephemeris information.

[0095] In some embodiments, the information of the satellite orbit plane includes at least one of a direction of motion of the satellite and a position of the satellite orbit plane projected onto a satellite coverage area.

[0096] In some embodiments, the UE determines the satellite orbital plane prior to the multi-RTT procedure.

[0097] Taking Figure 1a as an example, the measurement results of the UE's neighboring cells are determined to be the cell identifiers of the neighboring cells - the cell identifiers of cell 1 and cell 5. Combined with the determined satellite orbital plane, the UE's position relative to the satellite orbital plane is determined to be on the side where cells 1 and 5 are located, rather than on the side where cells 2 and 3 are located.

[0098] In some embodiments, the first information is the measurement result of the UE's neighboring cell. Since the LMF network element can also determine the satellite orbit plane, the LMF network element can determine the UE's position relative to the satellite orbit plane based on the above method.

[0099] In some embodiments, the communication device may be UE 101 .

[0100] In some embodiments, the LMF network element sends a positioning information request RequestLocationInformation to the UE, and the positioning information request includes a first indication.

[0101] In some embodiments, the location information request is specifically:

[0102] New radio multi-round-trip time location information request nr-Multi-RTT-RequestLocationInformation, or

[0103] The new air interface downlink reaches the time difference positioning information request nr-DL-TDOA-RequestLocationInformation.

[0104] In some embodiments, the communication device may be an access network device 102 .

[0105] In some embodiments, the LMF network element sends a measurement request Measurement Request to the access network device, where the measurement request includes a first indication.

[0106] Step S2102: The communication device sends first information to the LMF network element.

[0107] In some embodiments, the communication device is UE 101 .

[0108] In some embodiments, the UE sends the first information to the LMF network element via a Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LTE Positioning Protocol, LPP) message.

[0109] In some embodiments, the LPP message includes any of the following:

[0110] nr-Multi-RTT-ProvideLocationInformation, or

[0111] The new air interface downlink reaches the time difference positioning information provision message nr-DL-TDOA-ProvideLocationInformation.

[0112] In some embodiments, the communication device is an access network device 101 .

[0113] In some embodiments, the access network device sends the first information to the LMF network element via a New Radio Positioning Protocol NRPPa message.

[0114] In some embodiments, the NRPPa message is a measurement report.

[0115] Step S2103: The LMF network element determines the location of the UE from two candidate locations based on the first information.

[0116] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2103. For example, step S2101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2101+S2102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S2102+S2103 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0117] In some embodiments, step S2101 and step S2102 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously.

[0118] In some embodiments, step S2101 may be omitted or replaced by one or more of these steps in different embodiments.

[0119] In some embodiments, step S2102 may be omitted or replaced by one or more of these steps in different embodiments.

[0120] In some embodiments, step S2103 may be omitted or replaced by one or more of these steps in different embodiments.

[0121] FIG3a is a flow chart of a method for locating an NTN network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3a , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for locating an NTN network, which is executed by a communication device. The method includes:

[0122] Step S3101: Receive a first instruction.

[0123] The optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG2, which will not be repeated here.

[0124] In some embodiments, the communication device is a UE or an access network device.

[0125] In some embodiments, the communication device receives a first indication sent by an LMF network element, but is not limited thereto, and may also receive a first indication sent by other entities.

[0126] In some embodiments, the communications device obtains a first indication specified by a protocol.

[0127] In some embodiments, the communication device obtains the first indication from an upper layer(s).

[0128] In some embodiments, the communication device performs processing to obtain the first indication.

[0129] In some embodiments, step S3101 is omitted, and the communication device autonomously implements the function indicated by the first indication, or the above function is default or acquiescent.

[0130] In some embodiments, the first indication is used to request the communication device to send the first information. Its optional implementation method can refer to the optional implementation method of step S2102 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0131] Step S3102, sending the first information.

[0132] The optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0133] In some embodiments, the communication device sends first information to the LMF network element.

[0134] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 and S3102. For example, step S3101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S3101+S3102 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0135] In some embodiments, step S3101 and step S3102 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously.

[0136] In some embodiments, step S3101 may be omitted or replaced by one or more of these steps in different embodiments.

[0137] In some embodiments, step S3102 may be omitted or replaced by one or more of these steps in different embodiments.

[0138] FIG3 b is a flow chart of a positioning method for an NTN network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3 b , the present disclosure embodiment relates to a positioning method for an NTN network, which is executed by an LMF network element. The method includes:

[0139] Step S3201: Send a first instruction.

[0140] The optional implementation of step S3201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG2, which will not be repeated here.

[0141] In some embodiments, the LMF network element sends a first indication to the communication device, but is not limited to this, and may also receive a first indication sent by other entities.

[0142] In some embodiments, the communication device is a UE or an access network device.

[0143] In some embodiments, the first indication is used to request the communication device to send the first information. Its optional implementation method can refer to the optional implementation method of step S2102 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0144] Step S3202: Receive first information.

[0145] The optional implementation of step S3202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0146] In some embodiments, the LMF network element receives first information sent by the communication device.

[0147] S3203. Determine the position of the UE from two candidate positions of the UE according to the first information.

[0148] The optional implementation of step S3203 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0149] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3201 to S3203. For example, step S3201 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3202 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3203 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3201+S3202 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S3202+S3203 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0150] In some embodiments, step S3201 and step S3202 may be executed in an interchangeable order or simultaneously.

[0151] In some embodiments, step S3202 and step S3203 may be performed simultaneously.

[0152] In some embodiments, step S3201 may be omitted or replaced by one or more of these steps in different embodiments.

[0153] In some embodiments, step S3202 may be omitted or replaced by one or more of these steps in different embodiments.

[0154] In some embodiments, step S3203 may be omitted or replaced by one or more of these steps in different embodiments.

[0155] FIG4a is a flow chart of a method for locating an NTN network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4a , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for locating an NTN network, which is executed by a communication device, which may be a UE or an access network device. The method includes:

[0156] S4101. Send first information to the LMF network element;

[0157] The first information is used to determine the position of the UE from two candidate positions of the UE.

[0158] The optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0159] The positioning method of the NTN network in the embodiment of the present disclosure is executed by a communication device. By sending the first information to the LMF network element, the LMF network element can determine the position of the UE from the two candidate positions according to the first information when determining the two candidate positions of the UE, thereby solving the problem of UE position mirroring and eliminating the need to trigger E-CID positioning, thereby improving positioning efficiency.

[0160] Based on the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, the first information includes:

[0161] The position of the UE relative to the satellite orbit plane, or

[0162] The UE's measurement results of the neighboring cells of the cell corresponding to the candidate location.

[0163] It should be noted that the embodiment of the present disclosure provides two optional first information:

[0164] The UE's position relative to the satellite orbital plane can help the LMF network element determine which side of the satellite orbital plane the UE is located on. Therefore, when determining the UE's position, the candidate position on that side can be used as the position. For example, in Figure 1a, if the first information determines that the UE is located on the left side of the satellite orbital plane, then position 1 can be used as the position.

[0165] When reporting the positioning measurement results of the multi-RTT positioning method, the communication device of the embodiment of the present disclosure also reports the measurement results of the UE's neighboring cells to avoid triggering E-CID positioning. The UE measures the neighboring cells of the cell corresponding to the candidate position, and by comparing the measurement results of the neighboring cells, it can also determine the position from the two candidate positions. Taking Figure 1a as an example, if it is determined that the measurement result of the neighboring cell 5 of the candidate position 1 is better than the measurement result of the neighboring cell 3 of the candidate position 2, then the candidate position 1 can be determined as the position.

[0166] In accordance with the above claims, as an optional embodiment, the position of the UE relative to the satellite orbit plane includes any one of the following:

[0167] The UE is located to the left of the satellite orbit plane, or

[0168] The UE is located to the right of the satellite orbit plane, or

[0169] The position of the UE relative to the intersection of the satellite orbit plane and the Earth's surface.

[0170] It should be noted that the left or right side of the embodiment of the present disclosure is determined based on the direction of satellite movement. Taking Figure 1a as an example, if the satellite moves from bottom to top, the UE is located on the left side of the satellite orbit plane, that is, the left side of the satellite orbit plane in the figure. If the satellite moves from top to bottom, the UE is located on the left side of the satellite orbit plane, that is, the right side of the satellite orbit plane in the figure.

[0171] Based on the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, the measurement result of the neighboring cell of the UE includes at least one of the following:

[0172] Channel state information reference signal measurement results;

[0173] Measurement results of synchronization signal blocks;

[0174] Cell ID of the neighboring cell.

[0175] In some embodiments, the measurement result of the channel state information reference signal includes at least one of the following:

[0176] 1) CSI-RSRP;

[0177] 2)SS-RSRQ.

[0178] In some embodiments, the measurement result of the synchronization signal block includes at least one of the following:

[0179] 1) SS-RSRP;

[0180] 2)SS-RSRQ.

[0181] In some embodiments, the cell identity of the neighboring cell includes at least one of the following:

[0182] 1) PCI;

[0183] 2) Frequency, or

[0184] 3)CGI.

[0185] Based on the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, when the communication device is a UE, sending the first information to the LMF network element includes:

[0186] The first information is sent to the LMF network element via an LPP message.

[0187] Since the UE and the LMF network element can exchange positioning information through LPP messages, the UE further sends the first information to the LMF network element through the LPP message, and the process is simple.

[0188] Based on the above embodiment, as an optional embodiment, the UE sends the position of the UE relative to the satellite orbital plane through the positioning information provision message ProvideLocationInformation. Specifically, the UE sends the position of the UE relative to the satellite orbital plane through nr-Multi-RTT-ProvideLocationInformation or nr-DL-TDOA-ProvideLocationInformation.

[0189] In some embodiments, the UE sends the neighbor cell measurement result through nr-Multi-RTT-ProvideLocationInformation or nr-DL-TDOA-ProvideLocationInformation.

[0190] Based on the above embodiment, as an optional embodiment, the access network device sends the first information to the LMF network element via an NRPPa message. Specifically, the NRPPa message is a measurement report.

[0191] Based on the above embodiment, as an optional embodiment, the first information is sent to the LMF network element, and the method further includes:

[0192] Receive a first indication sent by the LMF network element, where the first indication is used to request first information.

[0193] The optional implementation of this step can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0194] In some embodiments, when the communication device is a UE, receiving a first indication sent by an LMF network element includes: receiving a positioning information request RequestLocationInformation sent by the LMF network element, where the positioning information request includes the first indication.

[0195] In some embodiments, the location information request is:

[0196] New radio multi-round-trip time location information request nr-Multi-RTT-RequestLocationInformation, or

[0197] The new air interface downlink reaches the time difference positioning information request nr-DL-TDOA-RequestLocationInformation.

[0198] Based on the above embodiment, as an optional embodiment, when the communication device is an access network device, receiving the first indication sent by the LMF network element includes:

[0199] Receive a measurement request sent by the LMF network element, where the measurement request includes a first indication.

[0200] Since the LMF network element can request positioning information from the UE through a measurement request, the LMF network element further requests the first information from the LMF network element through a measurement request, and the process is simple.

[0201] FIG4 b is a flow chart of a positioning method for an NTN network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4 b , the present disclosure embodiment relates to a positioning method for an NTN network, which is executed by an LMF network element. The method includes:

[0202] S4201. Receive first information sent by a communication device;

[0203] The first information is used to determine the position of the UE from two candidate positions of the UE.

[0204] The optional implementation of step S4201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0205] The positioning method of the NTN network in the embodiment of the present disclosure is executed by the LMF. By receiving the first information sent by the communication device, the LMF network element can determine the UE's position from the two candidate positions according to the first information when determining the two candidate positions of the UE, thereby solving the problem of UE position mirroring and eliminating the need to trigger E-CID positioning, thereby improving positioning efficiency.

[0206] Based on the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, the first information includes:

[0207] The position of the UE relative to the satellite orbit plane, or

[0208] Measurement results of UE neighboring cells.

[0209] Based on the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, the position of the UE relative to the satellite orbit plane includes any one of the following:

[0210] The UE is located to the left of the satellite orbit plane, or

[0211] The UE is located to the right of the satellite orbit plane, or

[0212] The position of the UE relative to the intersection of the satellite orbit plane and the Earth's surface.

[0213] Based on the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, the measurement result of the neighboring cell of the UE includes at least one of the following:

[0214] Channel state information reference signal measurement results;

[0215] Measurement results of synchronization signal blocks;

[0216] Cell ID of the neighboring cell.

[0217] Based on the foregoing embodiments, as an optional embodiment, when the communication device is a UE, receiving first information sent by the communication device includes:

[0218] First information sent by the UE through an LPP message is received.

[0219] Based on the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, the LPP message includes any one of the following:

[0220] New air interface multiple round trip time positioning information provision message, or

[0221] The new air interface downlink reaches the time difference positioning information provision message.

[0222] Based on the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, when the communication device is an access network device, receiving the first information sent by the communication device includes:

[0223] Receive first information sent by the access network device through an NRPPa message.

[0224] Based on the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, the NRPPa message is a measurement report.

[0225] Based on the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, receiving the first information sent by the communication device further includes:

[0226] A first indication is sent to a communication device, where the first indication is used to request first information.

[0227] Based on the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, when the communication device is a UE, sending a first indication to the communication device includes:

[0228] A positioning information request is sent to the UE, where the positioning information request includes a first indication.

[0229] Based on the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, the positioning information request is:

[0230] NR multiple round trip time positioning information request, or

[0231] The new air interface downlink reaches the time difference positioning information request.

[0232] Based on the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, sending a first indication to a communication device includes:

[0233] A measurement request is sent to the access network device, where the measurement request includes a first indication.

[0234] FIG4c is a flow chart of a positioning method for an NTN network executed by a UE side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in the figure, including:

[0235] S4301. Send first information to the LMF network element.

[0236] For optional implementations of step S4301, reference may be made to the optional implementations of step S2102 in FIG. 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 .

[0237] In some embodiments, the UE sends the first information to the LMF network element through the following LPP message:

[0238] The UE sends its position relative to the satellite orbit plane via the ProvideLocationInformation message:

[0239] Specifically, the UE sends the position of the UE relative to the satellite orbit plane through the new air interface multi-round-trip time positioning information provision message nr-Multi-RTT-ProvideLocationInformation or the new air interface downlink time difference positioning information provision message nr-DL-TDOA-ProvideLocationInformation.

[0240] In some embodiments, the UE sends the measurement results of the neighboring cells through the new air interface multi-round-trip time positioning information provision message nr-Multi-RTT-ProvideLocationInformation or the new air interface downlink time difference arrival positioning information provision message nr-DL-TDOA-ProvideLocationInformation.

[0241] FIG4 d is a flow chart of a positioning method for an NTN network executed by a UE side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in the figure, including:

[0242] S4401. Receive the first indication sent by the LMF network element.

[0243] For optional implementations of step S4401 , reference may be made to the optional implementations of step S2101 in FIG. 2 and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 .

[0244] In some embodiments, a first indication is received from an LMF network element via an LPP message. The LPP message may be, for example, a location information request RequestLocationInformation, which includes the first indication.

[0245] In some embodiments, the location information request is:

[0246] New radio multi-round-trip time location information request nr-Multi-RTT-RequestLocationInformation, or

[0247] The new air interface downlink reaches the time difference positioning information request nr-DL-TDOA-RequestLocationInformation.

[0248] FIG4e is a flow chart of a positioning method for an NTN network executed by a UE side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in the figure, including:

[0249] S4501. Receive the first indication sent by the LMF network element.

[0250] The optional implementation of step S4501 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2, and can also refer to the optional implementation of step S4401 in Figure 4d, which will not be repeated here.

[0251] S4502. Send the first information to the LMF network element.

[0252] The optional implementation of step S4502 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2 and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2, and can also refer to the optional implementation of step S4401 in Figure 4c, which will not be repeated here.

[0253] FIG4 f is a flow chart of a method for locating an NTN network executed by an access network device side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in the figure, including:

[0254] S4601. Send the first information to the LMF network element.

[0255] For optional implementations of step S4601, please refer to the optional implementations of step S2102 in Figure 2 and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2. Specifically, the access network device sends the first information to the LMF network element through an NRPPa message.

[0256] FIG4g is a flow chart of a method for locating an NTN network executed by an access network device side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in the figure, including:

[0257] S4701. Receive the first indication sent by the LMF network element.

[0258] The optional implementation method of step S4701 can refer to the optional implementation method of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2. Specifically, the LMF network element sends a measurement request to the access network device, and the measurement request includes a first indication.

[0259] FIG4h is a flow chart of a method for locating an NTN network executed by an access network device side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in the figure, including:

[0260] S4801. Receive the first indication sent by the LMF network element.

[0261] The optional implementation of step S4801 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2, and can also refer to the optional implementation of step S4701 in Figure 4g, which will not be repeated here.

[0262] S4802. Send the first information to the LMF network element.

[0263] The optional implementation of step S4802 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2 and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2, and can also refer to the optional implementation of step S4601 in Figure 4f, which will not be repeated here.

[0264] Please refer to Figure 4i, which exemplarily shows a schematic diagram of the multi-RTT process of NR in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the multi-RTT method includes the following processes:

[0265] S4900. Obtain downlink positioning reference signal and configuration information exchange through the new radio positioning protocol a (i.e., NRPPa DL PRS Configuration Information Exchange)

[0266] The LMF NE obtains information about the gNB's downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) and transmit / receive point (TRP) through the New Radio Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa) process.

[0267] S4901. Transferring positioning capabilities via the LTE positioning protocol (i.e., LPP Capability Transfer)

[0268] The LMF network element and the UE obtain relevant information such as positioning capabilities through the relevant processes of the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP);

[0269] S4902. The LMF network element sends an NRPPa Positioning Information Request to the gNB;

[0270] S4903. The gNB allocates uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS) resources to the UE.

[0271] S4903a. The gNB configures the UE’s UL-SRS.

[0272] S4904. The gNB sends the UE's UL-SRS information to the LMF network element via the NRPPa Positioning Information Response.

[0273] S4905a. If the UL-SRS configured by the gNB for the UE is semi-persistent or aperiodic SRS, the LMF network element sends an NRPPa Positioning Activation Request to the gNB;

[0274] S4905b. The gNB sends the Activate UE SRS Transmission command to the UE.

[0275] S4905c. gNB sends NRPPa Positoning Activation Response to LMF;

[0276] S4906. The LMF network element sends an NRPPa measurement request NRPPa Measurement Request to the serving cell and the neighboring cell.

[0277] Optionally, in an example, the measurement request includes a first indication, and the first indication is used to request, for example, an access network device to report first information.

[0278] S4907. The LMF network element provides DL-PRS information to the UE through LPP Provide Assistance Data signaling;

[0279] S4908. The LMF network element requests location information through the LPP message - RequestLocationInformation.

[0280] Optionally, in one example, the positioning information request includes a first indication, and the first indication is used to request, for example, an access network device to report first information.

[0281] S4909a.UE measures DL-PRS;

[0282] S4909b.gNB measures UL-SRS;

[0283] S4910.UE sends an LPP message - LPP ProvideLocationInformation to the LMF network element.

[0284] The positioning information providing message is used to inform the UE of the measurement information.

[0285] Optionally, in an example, the positioning information providing message includes first information, and the first information is used to determine the position of the user equipment UE from two candidate positions of the UE.

[0286] In one example, the first information includes at least one of the following: the position of the UE relative to the satellite orbit plane, and the measurement results of the UE's neighboring cells.

[0287] S4911.gNB sends NRPPa measurement report to LMF network element.

[0288] Among them, the NRPPa measurement report is used to inform the positioning measurement information on the gNB side; the LMF network element calculates the UE position through the measurement results reported by the UE and gNB combined with the coordinate position of the TRP.

[0289] Optionally, in one example, the measurement report includes first information, where the first information is used to determine the position of the user equipment UE from two candidate positions. In one example, the first information includes at least one of the following: the position of the UE relative to the satellite orbit plane, and measurement results of neighboring cells of the UE.

[0290] S4912. The LMF network element sends an NRPPa Positioning Deactivation message to the gNB.

[0291] The present disclosure provides an NTN network positioning device, which is applied to a communication device, where the communication device is a UE or an access network device. As shown in FIG5 , the NTN network positioning device may include:

[0292] A sending module 501 is configured to send first information to an LMF network element;

[0293] The first information is used to determine the position of the UE from two candidate positions of the UE.

[0294] The present disclosure provides a positioning device for an NTN network, which is applied to an LMF network element. As shown in FIG6 , the positioning device for the NTN network may include:

[0295] Receiving module 601, configured to receive first information sent by a communication device;

[0296] The first information is used to determine the position of the UE from two candidate positions of the UE.

[0297] The device of the embodiment of the present disclosure can execute the method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure, and its implementation principle is similar. The actions performed by each module in the device of each embodiment of the present disclosure correspond to the steps in the method of each embodiment of the present disclosure. For the detailed functional description of each module of the device, please refer to the description in the corresponding method shown in the previous text, and will not be repeated here.

[0298] FIG7 is a flow chart of a method for positioning an NTN network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG7 , the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a communication system 100. The method includes:

[0299] Step S7101: The communication device sends the first information to the LMF network element.

[0300] The optional implementation of step S7101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2, step S3102 in Figure 3, step S4301 in Figure 4c, etc., and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2, Figures 3a~3b, and Figures 4a~4i, which will not be repeated here.

[0301] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the above embodiments of the communication system side, UE side, access network equipment side, core network equipment side, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0302] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an electronic device, including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory. The processor executes the above-mentioned computer program to implement the steps of the positioning method of the NTN network. Compared with the related art, it can achieve: by sending first information to the LMF network element, the LMF network element can determine the UE's position from the two candidate positions according to the first information when determining two candidate positions of the UE, thereby solving the problem of UE position mirroring, and does not need to trigger E-CID positioning, thereby improving positioning efficiency.

[0303] [Corrected 07.08.2023 according to Rule 91] In an optional embodiment, a communication device is provided, as shown in FIG8 , wherein the communication device 4000 shown in FIG8 includes: a processor 4001 and a memory 4003. The processor 4001 and the memory 4003 are connected, such as via a bus 4002. Optionally, the communication device 4000 may further include a transceiver 4004, which may be used for data exchange between the communication device and other communication devices, such as data transmission and / or data reception. It should be noted that in actual applications, the number of transceivers 4004 is not limited to one, and the structure of the communication device 4000 does not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0304] Processor 4001 may be a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a general-purpose processor, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It may implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the present disclosure. Processor 4001 may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, and the like.

[0305] [Corrected 07 / 08 / 2023 according to Rule 91] Bus 4002 may include a path for transmitting information between the aforementioned components. Bus 4002 may be a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus or an EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture) bus, for example. Bus 4002 may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and so on. For ease of illustration, FIG8 shows only one thick line, but this does not indicate that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0306] The memory 4003 may be a ROM (Read Only Memory) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a RAM (Random Access Memory) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) or other optical disk storage, optical disc storage (including compact discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media, other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store computer programs and can be read by a computer, without limitation herein.

[0307] The memory 4003 is used to store the computer program for executing the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the execution is controlled by the processor 4001. The processor 4001 is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory 4003 to implement the steps shown in the above method embodiments.

[0308] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps and corresponding contents of the aforementioned method embodiment can be implemented.

[0309] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a computer program product, including a computer program, which can implement the steps and corresponding contents of the aforementioned method embodiments when executed by a processor.

[0310] The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," "1," "2," and the like (if any) in the description and claims of the present disclosure and the accompanying drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a particular order or sequential sequence. It should be understood that the terms used in this manner are interchangeable where appropriate, such that the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein can be practiced in an order other than that shown or described.

[0311] It should be understood that, although the flowcharts of the embodiments of the present disclosure indicate the various operation steps by arrows, the order of implementation of these steps is not limited to the order indicated by the arrows. Unless otherwise clearly stated herein, in some implementation scenarios of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the implementation steps in each flowchart can be performed in other orders as required. In addition, some or all of the steps in each flowchart may include multiple sub-steps or multiple stages based on the actual implementation scenario. Some or all of these sub-steps or stages can be executed at the same time, and each sub-step or stage in these sub-steps or stages can also be executed at different times. In scenarios where the execution times are different, the order of execution of these sub-steps or stages can be flexibly configured as required, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit this.

[0312] The above are only optional implementation methods for some implementation scenarios of the present disclosure. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, without departing from the technical concept of the solution of the present disclosure, other similar implementation methods based on the technical ideas of the present disclosure are also within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A positioning method for a non-terrestrial network NTN network, characterized in that: Applied to a communication device, the method comprises: Sending first information to a location management function LMF network element; The first information is used to determine the position of the user equipment UE from two candidate positions of the UE.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first information includes at least one of the following: The position of the UE relative to the satellite orbit plane, Measurement results of UE neighboring cells.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The measurement result of the UE neighboring cell includes at least one of the following: A measurement result of a channel state information reference signal; The measurement results of the synchronization signal block; The cell identifier of the neighboring cell.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The communication device is a UE or an access network device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The communication device is a UE, and the sending the first information to the LMF network element includes: The first information is sent to the LMF network element via a Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol LPP message.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The LPP message includes any one of the following: nr-Multi-RTT-ProvideLocationInformation, or The new air interface downlink reaches the time difference positioning information provision message nr-DL-TDOA-ProvideLocationInformation.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The communication device is an access network device, and the sending of the first information to the LMF network element includes: The first information is sent to the LMF network element via a new radio positioning protocol NRPPa message.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The NRPPa message is a measurement report.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The sending of the first information to the LMF network element also includes: Receive a first indication sent by the LMF network element, where the first indication is used to request first information.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The communication device is a UE, and the receiving a first indication sent by the LMF network element includes: Receive a positioning information request RequestLocationInformation sent by the LMF network element, where the positioning information request includes the first indication.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The positioning information request is: New radio multi-round-trip time location information request nr-Multi-RTT-RequestLocationInformation, or The new air interface downlink reaches the time difference positioning information request nr-DL-TDOA-RequestLocationInformation.

12. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The communication device is an access network device, and the receiving a first indication sent by the LMF network element includes: Receive a measurement request sent by the LMF network element, where the measurement request includes the first indication.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The two candidate positions are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the satellite orbit plane.

14. A method for positioning an NTN network, characterized in that: Applied to LMF network element, the method comprises: receiving first information sent by a communication device; The first information is used to determine the position of the UE from two candidate positions of the UE.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The first information includes: The position of the UE relative to the satellite orbital plane, or Measurement results of UE neighboring cells.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The measurement result of the UE neighboring cell includes at least one of the following: A measurement result of a channel state information reference signal; The measurement results of the synchronization signal block; The cell identifier of the neighboring cell.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that: The communication device is a UE or an access network device.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that: The communication device is a UE, and the receiving first information sent by the communication device includes: Receive the first information sent by the UE through an LPP message.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The LPP message includes any one of the following: The new air interface multiple round trip time positioning information provides a message, or The new air interface downlink reaches the time difference positioning information providing message.

20. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that: When the communication device is an access network device, the receiving the first information sent by the communication device includes: Receive the first information sent by the access network device through an NRPPa message.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The NRPPa message is a measurement report.

22. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 21, characterized in that: The receiving of first information sent by the communication device also includes: A first indication is sent to the communication device, where the first indication is used to request first information.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The communication device is a UE, and sending a first indication to the communication device includes: Send a positioning information request to the UE, where the positioning information request includes the first indication.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that The positioning information request is: NR multiple round trip time positioning information request, or The new air interface downlink reaches the time difference positioning information request.

25. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The communication device is an access network device, and sending a first indication to the communication device includes: Send a measurement request to the access network device, where the measurement request includes the first indication.

26. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 25, characterized in that: The two candidate positions are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the satellite orbit plane.

27. A positioning device for an NTN network, characterized in that: Applied to communication equipment, the device comprises: A sending module, used for sending the first information to the LMF network element; The first information is used to determine the position of the UE from two candidate positions of the UE.

28. A positioning device for an NTN network, characterized in that: Applied to LMF network element, the device comprises: A receiving module, configured to receive first information sent by a communication device; The first information is used to determine the position of the UE from two candidate positions of the UE.

29. A communication device comprising a memory, a processor and a computer program stored in the memory, characterized in that: The processor executes the computer program to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 26.

30. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 26 are implemented.

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