Method, system and apparatus for ground and non-ground positioning

Abstract

Aspects of the present application relate to eliminating separability and independence of positioning practices implemented for terrestrial networks and positioning practices implemented for non-terrestrial networks. In some extent, a new framework of a user equipment (UE) machine state is introduced. The new framework may be based on a so-called "UE power mode". Each UE power mode may be associated with a particular function. In one embodiment, a UE and a Transmit Receive Point (TRP) may participate in a handshake that includes the UE sending a request to change from a first UE power mode to a second UE power mode. In response to the request, the UE may receive a response from the TRP. The response may include information that enables the UE to perform one or more functions associated with the second UE power mode. The UE power mode may be a low power mode, where functions performed by the UE are limited only to positioning.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to wireless communications in terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks and, in particular embodiments, to measuring positioning reference signals in such networks. Background Art

[0002] Wireless communication systems enable electronic devices (also known as user equipment (UE)) to transmit to and receive from a larger communication network through a transmit and receive point (TRP). Some UEs may be implemented as embedded systems. As is well known, sometimes embedded systems may have limited battery capacity, limited storage space, and limited analog beamforming capabilities. For UEs that support current wireless access technologies (e.g., technologies called fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR)), it can be considered that supporting millimeter wavelength (mmWave) bands is particularly challenging in cases where the UE may need to support multiple receiver (Rx) beamformers. Low-end UEs are inherently low in complexity and may have only a single Rx beamformer. Detecting and / or demodulating different reference signals can be accomplished by implementing different spatial Rx filters at the UE. For low-end UEs, implementing different spatial Rx filters may not always be feasible.

[0003] In current 5G NR systems, known positioning methods rely on methods that use Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) measurements. In the OTDOA positioning method, the UE measures the time difference of arrival of certain reference signals that have been sent by a TRP, relative to the time difference of arrival of a baseline reference signal that has been sent by the same TRP. The quality of the link from the TRP to the UE may affect the quality of the OTDOA measurement. It can be seen that a decrease in the link quality of a reference signal that has been sent by a TRP will have an adverse effect on the degree to which the UE can accurately determine the location. Therefore, it can be considered that a decrease in link quality will affect the integrity of the positioning information.

[0004] Known global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), Galileo and BeiDou are based on code division multiple access (CDMA) signals. In contrast, the known Global'naya Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema (GLONASS) is based on frequency division multiple access (FDMA) signals. All GNSS systems rely on the use of pseudorandom noise (PRN) sequences, which are then modulated by CDMA / FDMA. In GNSS, positioning methods may rely on methods using Time of Arrival (TOA) measurements. It is known that GNSS signals carry information indicating the time of transmission. A GNSS receiver detects and demodulates GNSS signals from at least four satellites to obtain an accurate positioning estimate. Summary of the invention

[0005] Various aspects of the present application are directed to eliminating the separation and independence of positioning practices implemented for terrestrial networks and positioning practices implemented for non-terrestrial networks. To some extent, a new framework for UE machine states is introduced. The new framework can be based on so-called "UE power modes". Each UE power mode can be associated with a specific function. The UE and the TRP can participate in a handshake that includes the UE sending a request to change from a first UE power mode to a second UE power mode. In response to the request, the UE can receive a response from the TRP. The response can include information that enables the UE to perform one or more functions associated with the second UE power mode. The UE power mode can be a low power mode, in which the functions performed by the UE are limited to positioning.

[0006] It is recognized that recently there has been interest in integrating terrestrial networks for mobile communications with non-terrestrial networks for mobile communications. Unfortunately, each of these types of networks has different practices for obtaining and using positioning measurements. It is also recognized that even if the different practices for obtaining and using positioning measurements have been integrated, some prioritization mechanism is needed to enable the UE to determine which type of positioning measurement to use in different scenarios.

[0007] Various aspects of the present application relate to a UE power mode framework. The framework may enable a UE to initiate positioning measurements based on a UE power mode in which the UE operates. Using a positioning accuracy monitoring process, the UE may react to changes in the wireless environment by causing changes in the UE power mode in which the UE operates. A change in the UE power mode may correspond to a change in the type of positioning measurement.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided, comprising: at a device operating in a first mode of a location-based device state machine, sending a request to transition to a second mode of the location-based device state machine; receiving a response to the request at the device, wherein the response includes information enabling the device to perform a function associated with the second mode.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a device is provided. The device includes: a memory storing instructions and a processor. By executing the instructions, the processor: when operating in a first mode of a positioning-based device state machine, sends a request to switch to a second mode of the positioning-based device state machine; receives a response to the request, wherein the response includes information that enables the device to perform a function associated with the second mode.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, a positioning accuracy monitoring method is provided. The method comprises: detecting a positioning failure instance when measuring a ground positioning reference signal; determining that the positioning failure instance has caused a positioning failure instance count to exceed a failure instance threshold within a given time unit; and in response to the determination, starting to measure a non-ground positioning reference signal.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for switching the type of positioning reference signal measured at a device is provided. The method comprises: operating in a first power mode, wherein the first power mode enables the device to measure a ground positioning reference signal; receiving a command; and in response to the received command, starting to operate in a second power mode, wherein the second power mode does not allow the measurement of a ground positioning reference signal and enables the device to measure a non-ground positioning reference signal.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, a device is provided. The device includes: a memory storing instructions and a processor. By executing the instructions, the processor: detects a positioning failure instance when measuring a ground positioning reference signal; determines that the positioning failure instance has caused the positioning failure instance count to exceed a failure instance threshold within a given time unit; and starts measuring a non-ground positioning reference signal in response to the determination.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, a device is provided. The device includes: a memory storing instructions and a processor. By executing the instructions, the processor: detects a positioning failure instance when measuring a ground positioning reference signal; determines that the positioning failure instance has caused the positioning failure instance count to exceed a failure instance threshold within a given time unit; and starts measuring a non-ground positioning reference signal in response to the determination.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided, comprising: measuring a positioning reference signal; detecting a beam failure; determining that the positioning reference signal will be measured on the same symbol as the beam failure recovery reference signal; and in response to the detection, preferentially measuring the beam failure recovery reference signal.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, a device is provided. The device includes: a memory storing instructions and a processor. By executing the instructions, the processor: measures a positioning reference signal; detects a beam failure; determines that the positioning reference signal will be measured on the same symbol where a beam failure recovery reference signal is measured; and in response to the determination, preferentially measures the beam failure recovery reference signal.

[0016] In another aspect, a device is provided, wherein the device comprises a processor, and the processor is configured to cause the device to execute any of the aforementioned methods.

[0017] In another aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium stores machine-executable instructions, and when the instructions are executed by a processing unit of a device, the device executes any of the foregoing methods.

[0018] In another aspect, a computer program product is provided, wherein the computer program product comprises instructions, and when the program is executed by a computer, the instructions cause the computer to perform any of the above methods.

[0019] In another aspect, a processor of a device is provided, wherein the processor is configured to cause the device to execute any of the aforementioned methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more fully understand the embodiments of the present invention and its advantages, the following description is made by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 A communication system is shown in the schematic diagram, in which the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented, and the communication system includes: a plurality of exemplary electronic devices and a plurality of exemplary transmission reception points and various networks;

[0022] Figure 2 The block diagram shows Figure 1 A communication system, the communication system comprising: a plurality of exemplary electronic devices, exemplary ground transmission reception points and exemplary non-ground transmission reception points and various networks;

[0023] Figure 3 As a block diagram, it shows the Figure 2 Elements of an exemplary electronic device of Figure 2 Elements of an exemplary ground transmission receiving point and Figure 2 Elements of an exemplary non-terrestrial transmission reception point;

[0024] Figure 4 As a block diagram, various modules that may be included in an exemplary electronic device, an exemplary terrestrial transmission and reception point, and an exemplary non-terrestrial transmission and reception point according to various aspects of the present application are shown;

[0025] Figure 5 As a block diagram, a sensing management function according to various aspects of the present application is shown;

[0026] FIG6 shows a known UE state machine;

[0027] Figure 7 An example of a framework for UE machine states based on three UE power modes according to aspects of the present application is shown;

[0028] Figure 8 An example of a timeline showing a UE switching between a positioning reference signal transmitted by a terrestrial transmission reception point and a positioning reference signal transmitted by a non-terrestrial transmission reception point in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0029] Fig. 9 A positioning-based UE state machine according to various aspects of the present application is shown;

[0030] Fig.10 An exemplary link establishment request template according to aspects of the present application is shown;

[0031] Fig.11 An exemplary link establishment response template according to aspects of the present application is shown;

[0032] Fig.12 An exemplary link establishment request according to aspects of the present application is shown;

[0033] Fig.13 An exemplary link establishment response according to aspects of the present application is shown;

[0034] Fig.14 An exemplary link establishment request according to aspects of the present application is shown;

[0035] Fig.15An exemplary link establishment response according to aspects of the present application is shown;

[0036] Fig.16 An exemplary link establishment request according to aspects of the present application is shown;

[0037] Fig.17 An exemplary link establishment response according to aspects of the present application is shown;

[0038] Fig.18 An example of a framework for UE machine states based on six UE power modes according to aspects of the present application is shown;

[0039] Fig.19 An example of a system information block message template according to aspects of the present application is shown;

[0040] Fig. 20 An exemplary radio resource control signaling message template according to various aspects of the present application is shown;

[0041] Fig.21 An exemplary link establishment request template according to aspects of the present application is shown;

[0042] Fig. 22 An exemplary link establishment response template according to aspects of the present application is shown;

[0043] Fig.23 An exemplary link release command template according to aspects of the present application is shown;

[0044] Fig.24 An alternative exemplary link release command template according to aspects of the present application is shown;

[0045] Fig.25 It shows that according to various aspects of the present application Fig.18 UE power modes and arrows representing various possible transitions between UE power modes;

[0046] Fig.26 An example of a timeline showing a UE switching between a positioning reference signal transmitted by a terrestrial transmission reception point and a positioning reference signal transmitted by a non-terrestrial transmission reception point in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0047] Fig. 27 An example of a timeline for UE prioritization of reference signals according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] For illustrative purposes, specific exemplary embodiments will be explained in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] The embodiments set forth herein represent information sufficient to practice the claimed subject matter and illustrate methods of practicing such subject matter. After reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the claimed subject matter and will recognize that the application of these concepts is not specifically mentioned herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications are within the scope of the present invention and the appended claims.

[0050] In addition, it should be understood that any module, component or device disclosed herein for executing instructions may include or otherwise access one or more non-transitory computer / processor readable storage media for storing information, such as computer / processor readable instructions, data structures, program modules and / or other data. A non-exhaustive list of examples of non-transitory computer / processor readable storage media includes magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital video disc or digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc TM Optical disks, or other optical storage, volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology. Any of these non-transitory computer / processor storage media can be part of a device or can be accessed or connected by a device. Computer / processor readable / executable instructions for implementing the applications or modules described herein can be stored or otherwise saved by such non-transitory computer / processor readable storage media.

[0051] refer to Figure 1, a simplified schematic diagram of a communication system is provided as an illustrative example but not limiting. The communication system 100 includes a radio access network 120. The radio access network 120 may be a next generation (e.g., sixth generation (6G) or higher) radio access network, or a conventional (e.g., 5G, 4G, 3G, or 2G) radio access network. One or more communication electronic devices (electric devices, ED) 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e, 110f, 110g, 110h, 110i, 110j (generally referred to as 110) may be interconnected with each other or connected to one or more network nodes (170a and 170b, generally referred to as 170) in the radio access network 120. The core network 130 may be part of the communication system and may be dependent on or independent of the radio access technology used in the communication system 100. In addition, the communication system 100 includes a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 140, the Internet 150, and other networks 160.

[0052] Figure 2 An exemplary communication system 100 is shown. In general, the communication system 100 enables multiple wireless or wired elements to send data and other content. The purpose of the communication system 100 can be to provide content such as voice, data, video and / or text through broadcast, multicast and unicast, etc. The communication system 100 can be operated by sharing resources such as carrier spectrum bandwidth between its constituent elements. The communication system 100 may include a ground communication system and / or a non-ground communication system. The communication system 100 can provide a wide range of communication services and applications (such as earth monitoring, remote sensing, passive sensing and positioning, navigation and tracking, autonomous delivery and mobility). The communication system 100 can provide a high degree of availability and robustness through the joint operation of the ground communication system and the non-ground communication system. For example, integrating a non-ground communication system (or its components) into a ground communication system can produce a heterogeneous network including multiple layers. Compared with traditional communication networks, heterogeneous networks can achieve better overall performance through efficient multi-link joint operation, more flexible function sharing, and faster physical layer link switching between ground networks and non-ground networks.

[0053] Terrestrial communication systems and non-terrestrial communication systems can be considered as subsystems of the communication system. Figure 2In the example shown, the communication system 100 includes electronic devices (EDs) 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d (generally referred to as ED 110), radio access networks (RANs) 120a and 120b, non-terrestrial communication networks 120c, core networks 130, public switched telephone networks (PSTNs) 140, the Internet 150, and other networks 160. The RANs 120a and 120b include corresponding base stations (BSs) 170a and 170b, which may be generally referred to as terrestrial transmit and receive points (T-TRPs) 170a and 170b. The non-terrestrial communication network 120c includes an access node 172, which may be generally referred to as a non-terrestrial transmit and receive point (NT-TRP) 172.

[0054] Alternatively or in addition, any ED 110 may be used to connect, access or communicate with any T-TRP 170a, T-TRP 170b and NT-TRP 172, the Internet 150, the core network 130, the PSTN 140, other networks 160, or any combination of the foregoing. In some examples, ED 110a may communicate with T-TRP 170a for uplink and / or downlink transmissions via a ground air interface 190a. In some examples, ED 110a, ED 110b, ED 110c, and ED 110d may also communicate directly with each other via one or more sidelink air interfaces 190b. In some examples, ED 110d may communicate with NT-TRP 172 for uplink and / or downlink transmissions via a non-ground air interface 190c.

[0055] The air interfaces 190a and 190b may use similar communication technologies, such as any applicable wireless access technology. For example, the communication system 100 may implement one or more channel access methods in the air interfaces 190a and 190b, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), space division multiple access (SDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), or direct Fourier transform spread OFDMA (DFT-OFDMA). The air interfaces 190a and 190b may utilize other higher dimensional signal spaces, which may involve a combination of orthogonal and / or non-orthogonal dimensions.

[0056] The non-terrestrial air interface 190c can enable communication between ED 110d and one or more NT-TRPs 172 via a wireless link or a simple link. In some examples, the link is a dedicated connection for unicast transmission, a connection for broadcast transmission, or a connection between a group of EDs 110 and one or more NT-TRPs 175 for multicast transmission.

[0057] The RAN 120a and RAN 120b communicate with the core network 130 to provide various services, such as voice, data, and other services to the ED 110a, ED 110b, and ED 110c. The RAN 120a and RAN 120b and / or the core network 130 may communicate directly or indirectly with one or more other RANs (not shown), which may or may not be directly served by the core network 130 and may or may not use the same radio access technology as the RAN 120a and / or RAN 120b. The core network 130 may also serve as a gateway access between (i) the RAN 120a and RAN 120b and / or the ED 110a, ED 110b, and ED 110c and (ii) other networks (e.g., the PSTN 140, the Internet 150, and other networks 160). In addition, some or all of ED 110a, ED 110b, and ED 110c may include functionality to communicate with different wireless networks over different wireless links using different wireless technologies and / or protocols. ED 110a, ED 110b, and ED 110c may communicate with a service provider or switch (not shown) and with the Internet 150 over a wired communication channel instead of wirelessly (or in addition to wirelessly). PSTN 140 may include a circuit-switched telephone network for providing plain old telephone service (POTS). Internet 150 may include a network of computers and / or subnets (intranets) and incorporate protocols such as Internet Protocol (IP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), etc. ED 110a, ED 110b, and ED 110c may be multi-mode devices capable of operating according to a variety of wireless access technologies and may include a plurality of transceivers required to support these technologies.

[0058] Figure 3Another example of ED 110 and base stations 170a, 170b and / or 170c is shown. ED 110 is used to connect people, objects, machines, etc. ED 110 can be widely used in various scenarios, such as cellular communication, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle to everything (V2X), peer-to-peer (P2P), machine-to-machine (M2M), machine-type communications (MTC), Internet of Things (IOT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), metaverse, digital twin, industrial control, unmanned driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearable, smart transportation, smart city, drone, robot, remote sensing, passive sensing, positioning, navigation and tracking, autonomous delivery and mobility.

[0059] Each ED 110 represents any suitable end-user device for wireless operation, and may include (or may be referred to as): user equipment / device (UE), wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU), mobile station, fixed or mobile user unit, cellular phone, station (STA), machine type communication (MTC) equipment, personal digital assistant (PDA), smart phone, laptop, computer, tablet, wireless sensor, consumer electronic device, watch, head-mounted device, glasses and other wearable devices, smart book, vehicle, car, truck, bus, train or IoT device, industrial equipment, or devices in the above devices (such as communication module, modem or chip), etc. The next generation ED 110 may be referred to using other terms. Each T-TRP of base stations 170a and 170b is referred to as T-TRP 170 below. Also in Figure 3 , NT-TRP is hereinafter referred to as NT-TRP 172. Each ED 110 connected to T-TRP 170 and / or NT-TRP 172 can be dynamically or semi-statically opened (i.e., established, activated or enabled), closed (i.e., released, deactivated or disabled) and / or used in response to one or more of the following: connection availability and connection necessity.

[0060] ED 110 includes a transmitter 201 and a receiver 203 coupled to one or more antennas 204. Only one antenna 204 is shown. Alternatively, one, some or all of the antennas 204 can be panels. Transmitter 201 and receiver 203 can, for example, be integrated into a transceiver. The transceiver is used to modulate data or other content for transmission by at least one antenna 204 or through a network interface controller (NIC). The transceiver can also be used to demodulate data or other content received by at least one antenna 204. Each transceiver includes: any suitable structure for generating signals for wireless or wired transmission and / or for processing signals received by wireless or wired means. Each antenna 204 includes: any suitable structure for sending and / or receiving wireless signals or wired signals.

[0061] ED 110 includes at least one memory 208. Memory 208 stores instructions and data used, generated, or collected by ED 110. For example, memory 208 may store software instructions or modules that are used to implement some or all of the functions and / or embodiments described herein and are executed by one or more processing units (e.g., processor 210). Each memory 208 includes any suitable one or more volatile and / or non-volatile storage and retrieval devices. Any suitable type of memory may be used, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard disk, optical disk, subscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory stick, secure digital (SD) memory card, processor cache.

[0062] ED 110 may also include one or more input / output devices (not shown) or interfaces (e.g., Figure 1 The input / output devices support interaction with users or other devices in the network. Each input / output device includes any suitable structure for providing information to or receiving information from a user, for example, by operating as: a speaker, microphone, keypad, keyboard, display or touch screen, including network interface communications.

[0063] ED 110 includes a processor 210 for performing various operations, including operations related to preparing transmissions for uplink transmission to NT-TRP 172 and / or T-TRP 170, operations related to processing downlink transmissions received from NT-TRP 172 and / or T-TRP 170, and operations related to processing sidelink transmissions to and from another ED 110. Processing operations related to preparing transmissions for uplink transmissions may include operations such as encoding, modulation, transmit beamforming, and generating symbols for transmission. Processing operations related to processing downlink transmissions may include operations such as receive beamforming, demodulation, and decoding received symbols. According to an embodiment, the downlink transmission may be received by receiver 203, possibly using receive beamforming, and processor 210 may extract signaling from the downlink transmission (e.g., by detecting and / or decoding the signaling). An example of signaling may be a reference signal sent by NT-TRP 172 and / or by T-TRP 170. In some embodiments, the processor 210 implements transmit beamforming and / or receive beamforming according to an indication of a beam direction, such as beam angle information (BAI), received from the T-TRP 170. In some embodiments, the processor 210 may perform operations related to network access (e.g., initial access) and / or downlink synchronization, such as operations related to detecting a synchronization sequence, decoding, and obtaining system information. In some embodiments, the processor 210 may perform channel estimation, for example, using a reference signal received from the NT-TRP 172 and / or from the T-TRP 170.

[0064] The processor 210 may be a part of the transmitter 201 and / or a part of the receiver 203, but is not shown in the figure. The memory 208 may be a part of the processor 210, but is not shown in the figure.

[0065] The processor 210, the processing components of the transmitter 201, and the processing components of the receiver 203 may be implemented by the same processor or different processors in one or more processors, and the one or more processors are used to execute instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 208). Alternatively, some or all of the processor 210, the processing components of the transmitter 201, and the processing components of the receiver 203 may be implemented using a programmed field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or other dedicated circuit.

[0066] In some implementations, T-TRP 170 may be referred to by other names: base station, base transceiver station (BTS), wireless base station, network node, network device, network side device, transmitting / receiving node, node B, evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), home base station, next generation base station (gNB), transmission point (TP), site controller, access point (AP), wireless router, relay station, remote radio head, ground node, ground network device, ground base station, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), central unit (CU), distribution unit (DU), positioning node, etc. T-TRP 170 may be a macro BS, a micro BS, a relay node, a host node, etc., or a combination thereof. T-TRP 170 may refer to the aforementioned device, or may refer to a device in the aforementioned device (eg, a communication module, a modem, or a chip).

[0067] In some embodiments, various parts of T-TRP 170 may be distributed. For example, some modules of T-TRP 170 may be located away from the device that houses antenna 256 of T-TRP 170, and may be coupled to the device that houses antenna 256 through a communication link (not shown) sometimes referred to as a fronthaul, such as a common public radio interface (CPRI). Therefore, in some embodiments, the term T-TRP 170 may also refer to a module that performs processing operations such as ED 110 location determination, resource allocation (scheduling), message generation, and encoding / decoding on the network side, and these modules are not necessarily part of the device that houses antenna 256 of T-TRP 170. These modules may also be coupled to other T-TRPs. In some embodiments, T-TRP 170 may actually be multiple T-TRPs that operate together to serve ED 110 by using coordinated multi-point transmission or the like.

[0068] like Figure 3As shown, T-TRP 170 includes at least one transmitter 252 and at least one receiver 254 coupled to one or more antennas 256. Only one antenna 256 is shown. Alternatively, one, some or all of the antennas 256 may be panels. Transmitter 252 and receiver 254 may be integrated as a transceiver. T-TRP 170 also includes a processor 260 for performing various operations, including operations related to preparing transmissions for downlink transmission to ED 110, processing uplink transmissions received from ED 110, preparing transmissions for backhaul transmission to NT-TRP 172, and processing transmissions received from NT-TRP 172 via backhaul. Processing operations related to preparing transmissions for downlink transmission or backhaul transmission may include operations such as coding, modulation, precoding (e.g., multiple input multiple output (MIMO) precoding), transmit beamforming, and generating symbols for transmission. Processing operations related to processing received uplink transmissions or transmissions received through backhaul may include operations such as receive beamforming, demodulating received symbols, and decoding received symbols. Processor 260 may also perform operations related to network access (e.g., initial access) and / or downlink synchronization, such as generating the content of a synchronization signal block (SSB) and generating system information. In some embodiments, processor 260 also generates an indication of a beam direction, such as a BAI, which may be scheduled for transmission by scheduler 253. Processor 260 performs other network-side processing operations described herein, such as determining the location of ED 110 and determining the location of deploying NT-TRP 172. In some embodiments, processor 260 may generate, for example, signaling for configuring one or more parameters of ED110 and / or one or more parameters of NT-TRP 172. Any signaling generated by processor 260 is sent by transmitter 252. It should be noted that, alternatively, "signaling" used in this article may be referred to as control signaling. Dynamic signaling can be sent in a control channel such as a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), and static or semi-static high-layer signaling can be included in a message sent in a data channel such as a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0069] The scheduler 253 may be coupled to the processor 260. The scheduler 253 may be included in the T-TRP 170 or may operate separately from the T-TRP 170. The scheduler 253 may schedule uplink, downlink, and / or backhaul transmissions, including issuing scheduling grants and / or configuring unscheduled (“configured grants”) resources. The T-TRP 170 also includes a memory 258 for storing information and data. The memory 258 stores instructions and data used, generated, or collected by the T-TRP 170. For example, the memory 258 may store software instructions or modules that are used to implement some or all of the functionality and / or embodiments described herein and are executed by the processor 260.

[0070] Processor 260 may be part of transmitter 252 and / or part of receiver 254, but is not shown. Similarly, processor 260 may implement scheduler 253, but is not shown. Memory 258 may be part of processor 260, but is not shown.

[0071] The processor 260, the scheduler 253, the processing components of the transmitter 252, and the processing components of the receiver 254 may be implemented by the same processor or different processors in one or more processors, and the one or more processors are used to execute instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 258). Alternatively, some or all of the processor 260, the scheduler 253, the processing components of the transmitter 252, and the processing components of the receiver 254 may be implemented using a dedicated circuit such as an FPGA, a CPU, a GPU, or an ASIC.

[0072] It should be noted that the NT-TRP 172 is shown as a drone only as an example, but the NT-TRP 172 can be implemented in any suitable non-ground form, such as a high-altitude platform, a satellite, a high-altitude platform as an international mobile communication base station, and an unmanned aerial vehicle, which will be discussed below. In addition, the NT-TRP 172 may use other names in some implementations, such as a non-ground node, a non-ground network device, or a non-ground base station. The NT-TRP 172 includes a transmitter 272 and a receiver 274 coupled to one or more antennas 280. Only one antenna 280 is shown. Alternatively, one, part, or all of the antennas can be panels. The transmitter 272 and the receiver 274 can be integrated into a transceiver. NT-TRP 172 also includes a processor 276 for performing operations, including operations related to preparing transmissions for downlink transmission to ED 110, processing uplink transmissions received from ED 110, preparing transmissions for backhaul transmission to T-TRP 170, and processing transmissions received from T-TRP 170 via backhaul. Processing operations related to preparing transmissions for downlink transmission or backhaul transmission may include operations such as encoding, modulation, precoding (e.g., MIMO precoding), transmit beamforming, and generating symbols for transmission. Processing operations related to processing received uplink transmissions or transmissions received via backhaul may include operations such as receive beamforming, demodulating received signals, and decoding received symbols. In some embodiments, processor 276 implements transmit beamforming and / or receive beamforming based on beam direction information (e.g., BAI) received from T-TRP 170. In some embodiments, processor 276 may generate signaling, such as for configuring one or more parameters of ED 110. In some embodiments, NT-TRP 172 implements physical layer processing but does not implement higher layer functions such as functions of the medium access control (MAC) or radio link control (RLC) layers. Since this is only an example, in general, NT-TRP 172 may implement higher layer functions in addition to physical layer processing.

[0073] NT-TRP 172 also includes a memory 278 for storing information and data. Processor 276 may be part of transmitter 272 and / or part of receiver 274, but is not shown. Memory 278 may be part of processor 276, but is not shown.

[0074] The processor 276, the processing components of the transmitter 272, and the processing components of the receiver 274 can be implemented by the same processor or different processors in one or more processors, and the one or more processors are used to execute instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 278). Alternatively, some or all of the processor 276, the processing components of the transmitter 272, and the processing components of the receiver 274 can be implemented using a programmed FPGA, CPU, GPU, or ASIC or other dedicated circuit. In some embodiments, the NT-TRP 172 can actually be a plurality of NT-TRPs that operate together to serve the ED 110 through coordinated multi-point transmission or the like.

[0075] The T-TRP 170, NT-TRP 172, and / or ED 110 may include other components, but these components have been omitted for clarity.

[0076] One or more steps of the example methods provided herein may be performed by Figure 4 The corresponding unit or module provided is executed. Figure 4 Units or modules in devices such as ED 110, T-TRP 170, or NT-TRP 172 are shown. For example, a signal can be sent by a sending unit or a sending module. The signal can be received by a receiving unit or a receiving module. The signal can be processed by a processing unit or a processing module. Other steps can be performed by artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) modules. The corresponding units or modules can be implemented using hardware, one or more components or devices that execute software, or a combination thereof. For example, one or more of these units or modules can be integrated circuits, such as programmed FPGAs, CPUs, GPUs, or ASICs. It should be understood that if these modules are implemented by (for example) a processor using software for execution, these modules can be retrieved by the processor in whole or in part as needed, retrieved individually or collectively for processing, retrieved in one or more instances, and these modules themselves may include instructions for further deployment and instantiation.

[0077] Other details about ED 110, T-TRP 170 and NT-TRP 172 are known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, these details are omitted here.

[0078] An air interface typically includes a number of components and associated parameters that together specify how transmissions are sent and / or received over a wireless communication link between two or more communication devices. For example, an air interface may include one or more components that define one or more waveforms, one or more frame structures, one or more multiple access schemes, one or more protocols, one or more coding schemes, and / or one or more modulation schemes for transmitting information (e.g., data) over a wireless communication link. A wireless communication link may support a link between a radio access network and a user equipment (e.g., a "Uu" link), and / or a wireless communication link may support a link between devices, such as a link between two user equipments (e.g., a "sidelink"), and / or a wireless communication link may support a link between a non-terrestrial (NT) communication network and a user equipment (UE).

[0079] In cellular communication networks, UE location information is often used to improve various performance indicators of the network. For example, these performance indicators can include capacity, agility, and efficiency. Improvements can be achieved when network elements utilize the UE's location, behavior, mobility patterns, etc. in the context of prior information describing the wireless environment in which the UE operates.

[0080] Sensing systems can be used to help collect UE posture information, including the UE's position in a global coordinate system, the UE's speed and direction of movement in a global coordinate system, azimuth information, and information about the wireless environment. "Location" is also referred to as "position", and the two terms are used interchangeably in this article. Examples of well-known sensing systems include radar (wireless detection and ranging) and lidar (light detection and ranging). Although sensing systems are typically separated from communication systems, it may be advantageous to collect information using an integrated system, which reduces the hardware (and cost) in the system and the time, frequency, or space resources required to perform both functions. However, using communication system hardware to perform sensing of UE posture and environmental information is a very challenging and open problem. The difficulty of this problem is related to factors such as the limited resolution of the communication system, the dynamics of the environment, and the large number of objects whose electromagnetic properties and positions need to be estimated.

[0081] Accordingly, integrated sensing and communication (also referred to as integrated communication and sensing) is a desirable feature in existing and future communication systems.

[0082] Any or all of ED 110 and BS 170 may be sensing nodes in system 100. A sensing node is a network entity that performs sensing by sending and receiving sensing signals. Some sensing nodes are communication devices that perform both communication and sensing. However, some sensing nodes may not perform communication but are instead dedicated to sensing. Sensing agent 174 is an example of a sensing node dedicated to sensing. Unlike ED 110 and BS 170, sensing agent 174 does not send or receive communication signals. However, sensing agent 174 may send configuration information, sensing information, signaling information, or other information within communication system 100. Sensing agent 174 may communicate with core network 130 to communicate information with the rest of communication system 100. For example, sensing agent 174 may determine the location of ED 110a and send the information to base station 170a via core network 130. Although Figure 2 Only one sensing agent 174 is shown in FIG. 1 , but any number of sensing agents may be implemented in the communication system 100 . In some embodiments, one or more sensing agents may be implemented at one or more RANs 120 .

[0083] The sensing node can combine sensing-based technology with reference signal-based technology to enhance the determination of UE posture. This type of sensing node may also be referred to as a sensing management function (SMF). In some networks, SMF may also be referred to as a location management function (LMF). SMF may be implemented as a physically independent entity located at a core network 130, which is connected to multiple BSs 170. In other aspects of the present application, SMF may be implemented as a logical entity co-located inside BS 170 by logic executed by processor 260.

[0084] like Figure 5As shown, when implemented as a physically independent entity, the SMF 176 includes at least one processor 290, at least one transmitter 282, at least one receiver 284, one or more antennas 286, and at least one memory 288. A transceiver (not shown) can be used instead of the transmitter 282 and the receiver 284. A scheduler 283 can be coupled to the processor 290. The scheduler 283 can be included in the SMF 176 or can be run separately from the SMF 176. The processor 290 implements various processing operations of the SMF 176, such as signal encoding, data processing, power control, input / output processing, or any other function. The processor 290 can also be used to implement some or all of the functions and / or embodiments described in detail above. Each processor 290 includes any suitable processing or computing device for performing one or more operations. For example, each processor 290 may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a field programmable gate array, or an application-specific integrated circuit.

[0085] Reference signal-based attitude determination techniques belong to the "active" attitude estimation paradigm. In the active attitude estimation paradigm, the inquirer of attitude information (e.g., UE 110) participates in the process of determining the inquirer's attitude. The inquirer can send and / or receive signals specific to the attitude determination process. Positioning techniques based on global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) such as the known global positioning system (GPS) are other examples of the active attitude estimation paradigm.

[0086] In contrast, sensing techniques based on, for example, radar, can be considered to belong to the "passive" attitude determination paradigm. In the passive attitude determination paradigm, the target has no knowledge of the attitude determination process.

[0087] By integrating sensing and communication in one system, the system does not need to operate according to only a single paradigm. Therefore, a combination of sensing-based techniques and reference signal-based techniques can produce enhanced attitude determination.

[0088] For example, enhanced posture determination may include: obtaining UE channel subspace information, which is particularly useful for UE channel reconstruction at the sensing node, especially for beam-based operations and communications. The UE channel subspace is a subset of the entire algebraic space, defined in the spatial domain where the entire channel from the TP to the UE is located. Accordingly, the UE channel subspace defines the channel from the TP to the UE with very high accuracy. The impact of signals sent through other subspaces on the UE channel is negligible. Understanding the UE channel subspace helps reduce the workload required for UE channel measurement and network-side channel reconstruction. Therefore, compared with traditional methods, the combination of sensing-based techniques and reference signal-based techniques can enable UE channel reconstruction with less overhead. Subspace information can also facilitate subspace-based sensing to reduce sensing complexity and improve sensing accuracy.

[0089] Terrestrial communication systems can also be referred to as land-based or ground-based communication systems, but terrestrial communication systems can also or alternatively be implemented on or in the water. Non-terrestrial communication systems can extend the coverage of cellular networks by using non-terrestrial nodes and bridge the coverage gap in underserved areas, which will be key to establishing seamless global coverage and providing mobile broadband services to unserved / underserved areas. In the current scenario, it is almost impossible to implement terrestrial access point / base station infrastructure in areas such as oceans, mountains, forests or other remote areas.

[0090] The terrestrial communication system may be a wireless communication system using 5G technology and / or next generation wireless technology (e.g., 6G or higher). In some examples, the terrestrial communication system may also adapt to some traditional wireless technologies (e.g., 3G or 4G wireless technologies). The non-terrestrial communication system may be a communication system using a satellite constellation, such as a traditional geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite, which broadcasts public / popular content to a local server. The non-terrestrial communication system may be a communication system using a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, which is known to establish a better balance between a large coverage area and propagation path loss / delay. The non-terrestrial communication system may be a communication system using very low earth orbit (VLEO) stable satellite technology, thereby significantly reducing the cost of launching satellites into lower orbits. The non-terrestrial communication system may be a communication system using a high altitude platform (HAP), which is known to provide a low path loss air interface for users with limited power budgets. A non-terrestrial communication system may be a communication system that uses an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (or unmanned aerial system (UAS)) to achieve dense deployment, because the coverage of an unmanned aerial vehicle can be limited to a local area, such as air, balloons, quadcopters, drones, etc. In some examples, GEO satellites, LEO satellites, UAVs, HAPs, and VLEOs may be horizontal and two-dimensional. In some examples, UAVs, HAPs, and VLEOs may be coupled to integrate satellite communications into cellular networks. The emerging 3D vertical network consists of many mobile (except geostationary satellites) and high-altitude access points, such as UAVs, HAPs, and VLEOs.

[0091] MIMO technology enables antenna arrays of multiple antennas to perform signal transmission and reception to meet high transmission rate requirements. ED110 and T-TRP 170 and / or NT-TRP can use MIMO to communicate through wireless resource blocks. MIMO uses multiple antennas at the transmitter to send wireless resource blocks through parallel wireless signals. It can be seen that multiple antennas can be used at the receiver. MIMO can beamform parallel wireless signals to facilitate reliable multipath transmission of wireless resource blocks. MIMO can bind parallel wireless signals that transmit different data to increase the data rate of wireless resource blocks.

[0092] In recent years, a MIMO (massive MIMO) wireless communication system in which a large number of antennas are configured in the T-TRP 170 and / or the NT-TRP 172 has attracted wide attention from academia and industry. In a massive MIMO system, the T-TRP 170 and / or the NT-TRP 172 is usually configured with more than 10 antenna units (see Figure 3 Antenna 256 and antenna 280 in the T-TRP 170 and / or NT-TRP 172). T-TRP 170 and / or NT-TRP 172 can typically serve dozens (e.g., 40) ED 110. The large number of antenna units of T-TRP 170 and NT-TRP 172 can greatly improve the spatial freedom of wireless communication, greatly improve the transmission rate, spectrum efficiency and power efficiency, and greatly reduce inter-cell interference. The increase in the number of antennas enables each antenna unit to be made in a smaller size and at a lower cost. Utilizing the spatial freedom provided by the large-scale antenna units, the T-TRP 170 and NT-TRP 172 of each cell can communicate with multiple EDs 110 in the cell on the same time-frequency resources at the same time, thereby greatly improving the spectrum efficiency. The large number of antenna units of T-TRP 170 and / or NT-TRP 172 also enables each user to have better spatial directivity of uplink and downlink transmissions, thereby reducing the transmit power of T-TRP 170 and / or NT-TRP 172 and ED 110, and correspondingly improving power efficiency. When the number of antennas of T-TRP 170 and / or NT-TRP 172 is large enough, the random channels between each ED 110 and T-TRP 170 and / or NT-TRP 172 can be close to orthogonality, thereby reducing the impact of interference and noise between cells and users. The above advantages make massive MIMO have broad application prospects.

[0093] A MIMO system may include a receiver connected to a receive (Rx) antenna, a transmitter connected to a transmit (Tx) antenna, and a signal processor connected to the transmitter and the receiver. Each of the Rx antenna and the Tx antenna may include multiple antennas. For example, the Rx antenna may have a uniform linear array (ULA) antenna, in which multiple antennas are arranged in a straight line at uniform intervals. When a radio frequency (RF) signal is transmitted through the Tx antenna, the Rx antenna may receive a signal reflected and returned from a forward target.

[0094] In some embodiments of a MIMO system, a non-exhaustive list of possible elements or possible configurable parameters includes: panel and beam.

[0095] A panel is a unit of an antenna group, antenna array, or antenna subarray that can independently control a Tx beam or an Rx beam.

[0096] A beam may be formed by performing amplitude and / or phase weighting on data sent or received by at least one antenna port. A beam may be formed by other methods (e.g., adjusting relevant parameters of an antenna unit). A beam may include a Tx beam and / or an Rx beam. The transmit beam indicates the distribution of signal strength formed in different directions in space after a signal is sent through an antenna. The receive beam indicates the distribution of signal strength in different directions in space of a wireless signal received from an antenna. The beam information may include a beam identifier, an antenna port identifier, a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) resource identifier, an SSB resource identifier, a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource identifier, or other reference signal resource identifiers.

[0097] ED 110 can operate in multiple modes in order to exchange certain functions for greater or less device power consumption and / or network resource consumption. In 3GPP New Radio (NR), each UE can operate in one of several modes (referred to as Radio Resource Control (RRC) states). Accordingly, the UE (e.g., ED 110) can operate in one of the following three RRC states shown in Figure 6: RRC_IDLE state 608; RRC_CONNECTED state 610; RRC_INACTIVE state 606. In other documents, these states may be referred to as "modes", such as "RRC_IDLE mode". When ED110 is in RRC_CONNECTED state 610, ED 110 can be considered to have been connected to the network through a connection establishment process 624. When ED110 has transitioned to RRC_IDLE state 608 through a release process 642 or a release process 662, etc., ED 110 is not connected to the network, but the network knows that ED 110 exists in the network. By switching to the RRC_INACTIVE state 606 via the release and suspend procedure 646, the ED 110 helps save network resources and local power (thereby extending the perceived battery life of the ED 110, etc.). For example, the RRC_INACTIVE state 606 may be used in situations where the ED 110 is not communicating with the network. When the ED 110 is in the RRC_INACTIVE state 606, the ED 110 also helps save network resources and local power. However, when the ED 110 is in the RRC_INACTIVE state 606, both the network and the ED 110 store at least some configuration information, thereby enabling the ED 110 to reconnect to the network through the recovery procedure 664 faster than the ED 110 could reconnect through the connection establishment procedure 624 when the ED 110 is in the RRC_IDLE state 608. The storage of at least some configuration information when the ED 110 is in the RRC_INACTIVE state 606 is one aspect that distinguishes the RRC_INACTIVE state 606 from the RRC_IDLE state 608. It should be noted that the acronym RRC refers to the well-known Radio Resource Control protocol.

[0098] 6 shows a known UE state machine 600. Specifically, FIG6 shows that the known UE state machine 600 includes an RRC_CONNECTED state 610, an RRC_IDLE state 608, and an RRC_INACTIVE state 606. The release process 642 may include T-TRP 170 sending a higher layer signaling message (ie, an RRC message) to UE 110.

[0099] While UE 110 is in RRC_IDLE state 608, it is expected that UE 110 will monitor short messages, monitor paging messages, perform neighbor measurements, and acquire system information.

[0100] When UE 110 is in RRC_INACTIVE state 606, UE 110 may also periodically perform RAN-based notification area updates when moving outside of the RAN-based notification area.

[0101] UE 110 may also monitor a control channel associated with a shared data channel when UE 110 is in RRC_CONNECTED state 610. Through such monitoring, UE 110 may determine whether data is scheduled for UE 110, UE 110 may determine channel quality, UE 110 may receive feedback information, and UE 110 may perform neighbor measurements and reporting.

[0102] Although most of the communications described above relate to UE 110 determining positioning when communicating with T-TRP 170, most of the communications are also applicable to the case of communicating with NT-TRP 172.

[0103] Unfortunately, positioning practices implemented for terrestrial networks (e.g., 5G NR positioning) and positioning practices implemented for non-terrestrial networks (e.g., GNSS positioning) may be viewed as separate and independent.

[0104] Various aspects of the present application relate to integrating positioning measurements in a joint terrestrial / non-terrestrial system to obtain synergistic benefits. According to some aspects of the present application, the integration of positioning measurements can be based on a framework of so-called UE power modes. According to other aspects of the present application, a prioritization mechanism is defined so that UE 110 can determine the reference signals for which its measurements are to be prioritized. For example, the prioritization mechanism can depend to some extent on the UE power mode and environmental changes. In addition, various aspects of the present application relate to a reference signal measurement switch initiated by the UE. The switch can be based on a positioning accuracy monitoring process.

[0105] As is well known, T-TRP 170 and NT-TRP can send reference signals (RS) to implement various functions. These functions include: location determination, mobility determination, radio link monitoring (RLM), beam management (BM) and channel state information (CSI) determination. The reference signal can be implemented by a binary pseudo-random noise (PRN) sequence. The PRN sequence can be mapped to a time / frequency resource grid by a certain mapping function. Exemplary sequences that can be used to generate PRN sequences include: maximum length sequence, Gold sequence, Kasami sequence and Barker sequence. A simple way for UE 110 to distinguish between the reference signal sent by T-TRP 170 (for example, for location determination) and the reference signal sent by NT-TRP 172 is to distinguish them based on the length of the PRN sequence. That is, T-TRP 170 can use N terrestrial (≥1) sequence length, NT-TRP 172 can use N non-terrestrial (≥1) sequence length, where N terrestrial and N non-terrestrial different.

[0106] Various aspects of the present application are directed to defining a new UE machine state framework. The new framework may be based on so-called "UE power modes". Each UE power mode may be defined by combining a function with an upper bound and a lower bound on power consumption. Examples of functions that a UE 110 may run include: location determination, system information acquisition, paging, and communication. Figure 7 An example of a framework 700 of UE machine states based on three UE power modes is shown. In the context of this application, a UE machine state can be understood as an implementation of a UE power mode, wherein each UE machine state is associated with a given UE power mode with corresponding upper and lower bounds on power consumption.

[0107] Figure 7 , a framework 700 of UE machine states is shown, including three UE machine states: a first UE power mode (denoted as M1) 708, a second UE power mode (denoted as M2) 706, and a third UE power mode (denoted as M3) 710.

[0108] The first UE power mode 708 may be considered to represent a low power consumption mode. Figure 7 The first UE power mode 708 is shown in FIG. 7 , with a lower bound of P=0 and an upper bound of P=P LowThe first UE power mode 708 is associated with a positioning function. When the UE 110 is in the first UE power mode 708, the UE 110 performs positioning measurements based on a positioning reference signal sent by the T-TRP 170 or the NT-TRP 172. The positioning reference signal is based on a pseudo-random noise (PRN) sequence, which is then mapped onto time-frequency resources.

[0109] The second UE power mode 706 may be considered to represent a medium power consumption mode. Figure 7 The second UE power mode 706 is shown in FIG. Low , the upper bound is P Medium The second UE power mode 706 is associated with positioning, system information (SI) acquisition, and paging functions. When the UE 110 is in the second UE power mode 706, the UE 110 performs positioning measurements based on positioning reference signals sent by the T-TRP 170 or the NT-TRP 172. The UE 110 also performs SI acquisition and monitors paging messages on a paging channel.

[0110] The third UE power mode 710 may be considered to represent a high power consumption mode. Figure 7 The third UE power mode 710 is shown in FIG. Medium , the upper bound is P Max . The third UE power mode 710 is associated with positioning, SI acquisition, and paging and communication functions. When the UE 110 is in the third UE power mode 710, the UE 110 performs positioning measurements based on the positioning reference signal sent by the T-TRP 170 or the NT-TRP 172. The UE 110 also performs SI acquisition and monitors paging messages on the paging channel. The UE 110 also performs functions related to communication. For example, such functions may include: monitoring a control channel associated with a data channel to determine whether to receive and / or send data; providing feedback information about channel quality; providing feedback information about beam quality.

[0111] As described above, UE 110 can perform positioning measurements based on a reference signal (RS). The reference signal is typically based on a PRN sequence. The PRN sequence can be generated by a so-called linear feedback shift register (LFSR). After the PRN sequence is generated, it can be mapped to a time-frequency grid. UE 110 attempts to detect and measure RS for various purposes such as positioning, mobility management, radio link monitoring, BM, CSI, and traffic data reception. In the context of various aspects of the present application, it can be assumed that both T-TRP 170 and NT-TRP 172 use positioning RSs based on PRN sequences of different lengths. For example, T-TRP 170 can use a length of NTN For PRN sequences, NT-TRP 172 can use a length of N NTN PRN sequence. Figure 8 An example of a timeline of UE 110 switching between a positioning RS transmitted by T-TRP 170 and a positioning RS transmitted by NT-TRP 172 is shown.

[0112] UE 110 is Figure 8 For the main body of the timeline, it can be assumed that UE 110 has been used to identify the positioning RS sent by the terrestrial TRP (hereinafter referred to as "terrestrial positioning RS") and has been used to identify the positioning RS sent by the non-terrestrial TRP (hereinafter referred to as "non-terrestrial positioning RS").

[0113] In addition to being used to detect and decode physical layer channels, UE 110 is also used to detect and measure reference signals. The radio environment in which UE 110 operates may occasionally change. For example, UE 110 may enter a rural area from an urban area. As is well known, the radio environment in an urban area is different from the radio environment in a rural area. In order to determine that the radio environment has changed, UE 110 may perform a so-called "Positioning Accuracy Monitoring" (PAM) procedure.

[0114] exist Figure 8 In the timeline shown, UE 110 initially operates in a first phase 801, wherein UE 110 performs positioning based on a terrestrial positioning RS. In a first event 810, the wireless environment changes as UE 110 moves from an urban area to a rural area. After the first event 810, UE 110 autonomously switches to a second phase 802, wherein UE 110 performs positioning based on measuring non-terrestrial positioning RS. In a second event 820, the wireless environment changes as UE 110 moves from a rural area to an urban area. After the second event 820, UE 110 autonomously switches to a third phase 803, wherein UE 110 returns to performing positioning based on measuring terrestrial positioning RS.

[0115] According to the PAM procedure, UE 110 may monitor events (e.g., Figure 8The first event 810 and the second event 820 of UE 110 are used to determine whether the positioning measurement is performed by a ground positioning RS or a non-ground positioning RS. An exemplary event that UE 110 can monitor is a "positioning failure" instance. An instance can be defined as a measurement interval defined for a given time unit. For example, a time unit can be an OFDM symbol, a group of OFDM symbols, a chip, a group of chips, a mini-time slot, a group of mini-time slots, a time slot, or a frame. For example, the measurement performed by UE 110 can be a reference signal received power (RSRP), a reference signal received quality (RSRQ), a signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR), or a reference signal time difference (RSTD). For example, a rule can be used to define a threshold for positioning failure based on an RSRP threshold, an RSRQ threshold, an SINR threshold, an RSTD threshold, a residual difference between positioning accuracy or RSTD measurements.

[0116] According to the PAM process, UE 110 may monitor positioning failure instances, and UE 110 may autonomously switch from measuring a reference signal (e.g., terrestrial positioning RS) from one network to measuring a reference signal (e.g., terrestrial positioning RS) from another network according to the monitoring result.

[0117] An integer threshold N can be defined 1 (N 1 ≥1), so that in response to UE 110 detecting N based on measuring ground positioning RS 1 If there are consecutive positioning failure instances, UE 110 autonomously switches to measuring non-terrestrial positioning RS. A positioning failure instance may be defined as a measurement result still below a defined threshold.

[0118] When UE 110 performs positioning according to non-terrestrial positioning RS, UE 110 may continue to monitor terrestrial positioning RS. Positioning recovery instances are defined in a similar manner to positioning failure instances. Positioning recovery instances may be defined as measurement results still being above a defined threshold.

[0119] An integer threshold N can be defined 2 (N 2 ≥1), so that in response to UE 110 detecting N based on measuring ground positioning RS 2In a continuous positioning recovery instance, UE 110 autonomously switches to measuring only the terrestrial positioning RS. That is, while UE 110 is measuring the non-terrestrial positioning RS, UE 110 is also measuring the terrestrial positioning RS. Autonomous switching means switching between measuring both the terrestrial positioning RS and the non-terrestrial positioning RS and measuring only the terrestrial positioning RS.

[0120] This application involves various aspects Fig. 9 A positioning-based UE state machine 900 is shown. Fig. 9 The positioning-based UE state machine 900 is defined according to three states. Specifically, Fig. 9 The positioning-based UE state machine 900 is shown to include an idle mode 908 (also known as a positioning independent state), an inactive mode 906 (also known as a positioning+SI / paging state), and a connected mode 910 (also known as a positioning+SI / paging+communication state).

[0121] Idle mode 908 (positioning independent state) may be the first state that UE 110 enters after power-on. In idle mode 908, UE 110 may be considered to be able to operate at a low UE power consumption level. Since UE 110 has a priori information about the expected angle of arrival of non-terrestrial positioning RSs, which enable UE 110 to perform positioning measurements without having to rely on beam scanning, UE 110 may be used to measure only non-terrestrial positioning RSs. It may be assumed that in idle mode 908, UE 110 has no identity assigned to it by TRP 170 / 172.

[0122] UE 110 may enter inactive mode 906 (positioning + SI / paging state) from idle mode 908 (positioning independent state) or from connected mode 910 (positioning + SI / paging + communication state). In inactive mode 906 (positioning + SI / paging state), UE 110 may be configured to operate at a medium UE power consumption level. UE 110 may select between measuring terrestrial positioning RS and measuring non-terrestrial positioning RS, wherein the selection is based on the requested service, the experienced radio conditions, and the continued power consumption at UE 110. It may be assumed that in inactive mode 906 (positioning + SI / paging state), UE 110 has an identity (e.g., a UE-specific identity or a group-specific identity) that enables UE 110 to monitor SI messages and paging messages.

[0123] UE 110 may enter connected mode 910 (positioning + SI / paging + communication state) from idle mode 908 (positioning independent state) or from inactive mode 906 (positioning + SI / paging state). In connected mode 910, UE 110 may be configured to operate at up to maximum UE power consumption because the UE is performing all types of functions, including communication related functions. UE 110 may select between measuring terrestrial positioning RS and measuring non-terrestrial positioning RS, wherein the selection is based on the requested service, the experienced radio conditions, and the continued power consumption at UE 110. It may be assumed that in connected mode 910 (positioning + SI / paging + communication state), UE 110 has an identity (e.g., a UE-specific identity or a group-specific identity) that enables UE 110 to monitor SI messages, paging messages, and communication messages.

[0124] from Fig. 9 It can be seen that it should be noted that the UE 110 can switch between different modes 906 / 908 / 910 by using high-layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling). To switch from idle mode 908 to inactive mode 906, the UE 110 can send a system link establishment signaling 986. To switch from inactive mode 906 to idle mode 908, the UE 110 can send a release system link signaling 968. To switch from idle mode 908 to connected mode 910, the UE 110 can send a system+communication link establishment signaling 924. To switch from connected mode 910 to idle mode 908, the UE 110 can send a release system+communication link signaling 942. To switch from inactive mode 906 to connected mode 910, the UE 110 can send a communication link establishment signaling 964. To switch from connected mode 910 to inactive mode 906, the UE 110 can send a release communication link signaling 946.

[0125] For signaling 986 / 968 / 924 / 942 / 964 / 946 associated with each mode transition, one of a variety of handshake procedures may be performed between UE 110 and TRP 170 / 172. According to one handshake procedure, UE 110 may send a link establishment request to TRP 170 / 172. Fig.10 An exemplary link setup request template 1000 is shown. In response to receiving a link setup request, the TRP 170 / 172 may send a link setup response. Fig.11 An exemplary link establishment response template 1100 is shown. Fig.11As shown, the link setup response may include information that enables UE 110 to perform functions associated with the state to which UE 110 is to transition. That is, after the link setup request and the link setup response are exchanged, it can be understood that UE 110 has performed a mode transition from idle mode 908 to connected mode 910.

[0126] Obviously, Fig. 9 The modes 906 / 908 / 910 shown correspond closely to the RRC states 606 / 608 / 610 shown in FIG6 . It should be noted that, although there is no structure for transitioning from the RRC_IDLE state 608 to the RRC_INACTIVE state 606, according to various aspects of the present application, establishing system link signaling 986 is expected to enable the UE 110 to perform a mode transition from the idle mode 908 to the inactive mode 906. Obviously, Fig. 9 The illustrated patterns 906 / 908 / 910 also correspond closely to Figure 7 UE power modes 706 / 708 / 710 are shown.

[0127] In a first example, UE 110 (e.g., having an identifier 0x0010) transitions from idle mode 908 to inactive mode 906. UE 110 sends a random access preamble to TRP 170 / 172, thereby initiating a random access channel procedure. The random access preamble is associated with a UE identifier for the random access channel procedure. The UE identifier may be based on a random access preamble index and / or based on the time-frequency resources over which the random access preamble is sent. In this example, the random access channel procedure is associated with a RACH UE identifier (e.g., equal to 0xabcd). UE 110 waits to receive a random access response from TRP 170 / 172. The random access response may be a PDCCH carrying a DCI format scrambled with a UE identifier (0xabcd) associated with the random access preamble. The operation of "scrambling" the DCI format can be implemented in a number of ways: as a first example, the bits of the DCI format are subjected to a binary exclusive-or (XOR) operation with the bits of the UE identifier (0xabcd); as a second example, the cyclic redundancy check (CRC) bits are subjected to an XOR operation with the bits of the UE identifier (0xabcd). Upon receiving the random access response, UE 110 sends a PUSCH transmission. Fig.12 An exemplary link establishment request 1220 is shown that UE 110 may include in a PUSCH transmission.

[0128] In a continuation of the first example, the TRP 170 / 172 may be used to use a group-specific identifier (e.g., equal to 0xFFFE) for system information messages. The TRP 170 / 172 may also be used to use the same group-specific identifier for paging information messages. Fig.12 As shown in the exemplary link setup request 1200, the TRP 170 / 172 may send a PDCCH carrying a DCI format scrambled with ue-Identity=0x0010. The PDCCH may schedule a future PDSCH transmission carrying a link setup response. The TRP 170 / 172 may then send a PDSCH transmission as scheduled. Fig.13 An exemplary link setup response 1300 is shown that the TRP 170 / 172 may include in a PDSCH transmission.

[0129] In response to receiving the link setup response 1300 from the TRP 170 / 172, the UE 110 may transition to the inactive mode 906. The UE 110 may then begin monitoring the SI messages and the paging messages. The UE 110 may also perform positioning measurements. In addition, the UE 110 may send a link setup response complete message (not shown) to the TRP 170 / 172, so that the TRP 170 / 172 can record that the UE 110 has indeed received the link setup response 1300 and has transitioned to the inactive mode 906 in response thereto. The link setup response 1300 may include a high-level parameter radioBearerConfig, which provides the UE 110 with all necessary configuration parameters for establishing a signaling and / or data radio bearer and for receiving and decoding subsequent high-level signaling messages (i.e., RRC messages). The link setup response 1300 may also include a high-level parameter systemLinkConfig, which provides the UE 110 with all necessary configuration parameters for monitoring and decoding system information messages and / or paging messages.

[0130] In a second example, UE 110 (e.g., having an identifier 0x0037) transitions from idle mode 908 to connected mode 910. UE 110 sends a random access preamble to TRP 170 / 172, thereby initiating a random access channel procedure. UE 110 waits to receive a random access response from TRP 170 / 172. The random access response can be a PDCCH carrying a DCI format, wherein the DCI format is scrambled with a UE identifier (0xabcd) associated with the random access preamble, based on the random access preamble index and / or based on the time-frequency resources on which the random access preamble is sent. In this example, the random access channel procedure is associated with a RACH UE identifier (e.g., equal to 0xabcd). Upon receiving the random access response, UE 110 sends a PUSCH transmission. Fig.14An exemplary link establishment request 1400 is shown that UE 110 may include in a PUSCH transmission.

[0131] In continuation of the second example, TRP 170 / 172 may be used to use a group-specific identifier (e.g., equal to 0xFFFF) for system information messages. TRP 170 / 172 may also be used to use a different group-specific identifier (e.g., equal to 0xFFFE) for paging information messages. At runtime, TRP 170 / 172 may assign a UE-specific phylayer-Identity (e.g., equal to 0x0249) to UE 110.

[0132] In response to receiving Fig.14 As shown in the exemplary link setup request 1400, the TRP 170 / 172 may send a PDCCH carrying a DCI format scrambled with ue-Identity=0x0037. The PDCCH may schedule a future PDSCH transmission carrying a link setup response. The TRP 170 / 172 may then send a PDSCH transmission as scheduled. Fig.15 An exemplary link setup response 1500 is shown that the TRP 170 / 172 may include in a PDSCH transmission.

[0133] Upon receiving the link setup response 1500 from the TRP 170 / 172, the UE 110 switches to the connected mode 910 and begins monitoring the SI messages, paging messages, and communication messages. The UE 110 also performs positioning measurements. In addition, the UE 110 may send a link setup response complete message (not shown) to the TRP 170 / 172, so that the TRP 170 / 172 can record that the UE 110 has indeed received the link setup response 1500 and has switched to the connected mode 910 in response thereto. The link setup response 1500 may include a high-level parameter radioBearerConfig, which provides the UE 110 with all necessary configuration parameters for receiving and decoding subsequent high-level signaling messages (i.e., RRC messages). The link setup response 1500 may also include a high-level parameter systemLinkConfig, which provides the UE 110 with all necessary configuration parameters for monitoring and decoding system information messages and / or paging messages. Link setup response 1500 may also include a higher layer parameter communicationLinkConfig that provides UE 110 with all necessary configuration parameters for monitoring and decoding physical layer data transmissions carrying UE specific data traffic.

[0134] In a third example, UE 110 (e.g., having an identifier 0x1a79) transitions from inactive mode 906 to connected mode 910. UE 110 sends a random access preamble to TRP 170 / 172, thereby initiating a random access channel procedure. UE 110 waits to receive a random access response from TRP 170 / 172. The random access response can be a PDCCH carrying a DCI format, wherein the DCI format is scrambled with a UE identifier (0xabcd) associated with the random access preamble, based on the random access preamble index and / or based on the time-frequency resources on which the random access preamble is sent. In this example, the random access channel procedure is associated with a RACH UE identifier (e.g., equal to 0xabcd). Upon receiving the random access response, UE 110 sends a PUSCH transmission. Fig.16 An exemplary link establishment request 1600 is shown that UE 110 may include in a PUSCH transmission.

[0135] In continuation of the third example, TRP 170 / 172 may assign a UE-specific phylayer-Identity (e.g., equal to 0x4f51) to UE 110. Fig.16 As shown in the exemplary link setup request 1600, the TRP 170 / 172 may send a PDCCH carrying a DCI format scrambled with ue-Identity=0x1a79. The PDCCH may schedule a future PDSCH transmission carrying a link setup response. The TRP 170 / 172 may then send a PDSCH transmission as scheduled. Fig.17 An example link setup response 1700 is shown in which the TRP 170 / 172 may be included in a PDSCH transmission.

[0136] Upon receiving the link setup response 1700 from the TRP 170 / 172, the UE 110 switches to the connected mode 910 and begins monitoring the SI message, the paging message, and the communication message. The UE 110 also performs positioning measurements. In addition, the UE 110 may send a link setup response complete message (not shown) to the TRP 170 / 172, so that the TRP 170 / 172 can record that the UE 110 has indeed received the link setup response 1700 and has switched to the connected mode 910 in response thereto.

[0137] Various aspects of this application involve Fig. 9 Definition of UE power modes associated with the positioning-based UE state machine 900. In fact, six UE power modes may be defined, wherein each UE power mode is defined according to one of six different power consumption levels.

[0138] Fig.18An example of a framework 1800 of UE machine states based on six UE power modes is shown.

[0139] Fig.18 The framework 1800 of the UE machine state is shown, including six UE machine states: a first UE power mode (denoted as M1) 1801, a second UE power mode (denoted as M2) 1802, a third UE power mode (denoted as M3) 1803, a fourth UE power mode (denoted as M4) 1804, a fifth UE power mode (denoted as M5) 1805, and a sixth UE power mode (denoted as M6) 1806.

[0140] The first UE power mode 1801 can be regarded as the lowest UE power consumption achieved by not relying on any beam scanning. The UE 110 operates in the first UE power mode 1801 to keep the UE power consumption level below the first threshold P 1 In the first UE power mode 1801, the UE 110 measures only non-terrestrial positioning RSs.

[0141] Fig.18 The second UE power mode 1802 is shown in FIG. 1 , and the lower bound is the first threshold value P 1 , the upper bound is the second threshold P 2 The second UE power mode 1802 is associated with positioning and SI acquisition functionality. That is, in the second UE power mode 1802, the UE 110 only measures non-terrestrial positioning RS and acquires SI (e.g., by monitoring a PDCCH carrying a DCI format scrambled with a UE identity associated with the SI acquisition functionality).

[0142] Fig.18 The third UE power mode 1803 is shown in FIG. 1 , and the lower bound is the second threshold value P 2 , the upper bound is the third threshold P 3 . The third UE power mode 1803 is associated with positioning, SI acquisition and paging functions. That is, in the third UE power mode 1803, UE 110 only measures non-terrestrial positioning RS, acquires SI (for example, by monitoring a PDCCH carrying a DCI format, where the DCI format is scrambled with a UE identity associated with the SI acquisition function), and monitors paging messages (for example, by monitoring a PDCCH carrying a DCI format, where the DCI format is scrambled with a UE identity associated with the paging function).

[0143] Fig.18 The fourth UE power mode 1804 is shown in FIG. 1 , and the lower bound is the third threshold value P 3 , the upper bound is the fourth threshold P 4. The fourth UE power mode 1804 is associated with positioning, SI acquisition, paging, and mobility functions. That is, in the fourth UE power mode 1804, UE 110 measures a ground positioning RS or a non-ground positioning RS, acquires SI (e.g., by monitoring a PDCCH carrying a DCI format, wherein the DCI format is scrambled with a UE identity associated with the SI acquisition function), monitors paging messages (e.g., by monitoring a PDCCH carrying a DCI format, wherein the DCI format is scrambled with a UE identity associated with the paging function), and performs mobility measurements on a mobility RS sent from T-TRP 170 or NT-TRP 172.

[0144] Fig.18 The fifth UE power mode 1805 is shown in FIG. 1 , and the lower bound is the fourth threshold value P 4 , the upper bound is the fifth threshold P 5 . The fifth UE power mode 1805 is associated with positioning, SI acquisition, paging, mobility, and RLM functions. That is, in the fifth UE power mode 1805, UE 110 measures a ground positioning RS or a non-ground positioning RS, acquires SI (for example, by monitoring a PDCCH carrying a DCI format, wherein the DCI format is scrambled with a UE identity associated with the SI acquisition function), monitors paging messages (for example, by monitoring a PDCCH carrying a DCI format, wherein the DCI format is scrambled with a UE identity associated with the paging function), performs mobility measurements on a mobility RS sent from T-TRP 170 or NT-TRP 172, and monitors the wireless quality of a service link (for example, by measuring an RLM-RS sent on the service link).

[0145] Fig.18 The sixth UE power mode 1806 is shown in FIG. 1 , and the lower bound is the fifth threshold value P 5 , the upper bound is the sixth threshold P Max . The sixth UE power mode 1806 is associated with positioning, SI acquisition, paging, mobility, RLM, BM and CSI functions. That is, in the sixth UE power mode 1806, the UE 110 measures a ground positioning RS or a non-ground positioning RS, acquires SI (for example, by monitoring a PDCCH carrying a DCI format, wherein the DCI format is scrambled with a UE identity associated with the SI acquisition function), monitors paging messages (for example, by monitoring a PDCCH carrying a DCI format, wherein the DCI format is scrambled with a UE identity associated with the paging function), performs mobility measurements on a mobility RS sent from a T-TRP 170 or a NT-TRP 172, monitors the wireless quality of a service link (for example, by measuring an RLM-RS sent on the service link), performs beam management (BM), and performs CSI measurements and reporting.

[0146] Each UE power mode 1801 / 1802 / 1803 / 1804 / 1805 / 1806 is associated with a set of functions. The functions may include: detecting, demodulating and measuring reference signals; and / or detecting, demodulating and decoding physical layer channels. Each function involves some form of processing, for example, in the form of executing instructions at the chip level. The processing may result in power consumption at the chip level, for example, in the form of power dissipation caused by electrons moving between different layers of transistors. It should be clear that power consumption can be measured in units such as joules / second. It can be seen that the execution of each function has a specific cost, where the cost can be expressed in power consumption.

[0147] The power consumption thresholds for different UE power modes 1801 / 1802 / 1803 / 1804 / 1805 / 1806 may be explicitly quantified in a standard specification. The power consumption thresholds for different UE power modes 1801 / 1802 / 1803 / 1804 / 1805 / 1806 may be broadcasted by the TRP 170 / 172 in a broadcast message. The power consumption thresholds for different UE power modes 1801 / 1802 / 1803 / 1804 / 1805 / 1806 may be configured by the TRP 170 / 172 in a UE-specific manner for a given UE 110. For example, the UE-specific manner may be based on one or more capabilities associated with a given UE 110.

[0148] As a first example, the power consumption thresholds P of different UE power modes 1801 / 1802 / 1803 / 1804 / 1805 / 1806 are 1 / P 2 / P 3 / P 4 / P 5 / P 6 Can be clearly quantified in standard specifications.

[0149] As a second example, a set of default power consumption thresholds P for different UE power modes 1801 / 1802 / 1803 / 1804 / 1805 / 1806 1 / P 2 / P 3 / P 4 / P 5 / P 6 The TRP 170 / 172 may broadcast the message in a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). The PBCH may carry a system information block (SIB) message. Fig.19 A SIB message template 1900 is shown.

[0150] As a third example, a set of UE-specific power consumption thresholds P for different UE power modes 1801 / 1802 / 1803 / 1804 / 1805 / 1806 1 / P 2 / P 3 / P 4 / P 5 / P 6 It may be configured to UE 110 by TRP 170 / 172 in a higher layer signaling message (eg, RRC signaling message). Fig. 20 An exemplary RRC signaling message template 2000 is shown.

[0151] In all the above examples, it can be assumed that the power consumption threshold P 1 / P 2 / P 3 / P 4 / P 5 / P 6 The value of can be expressed as an integer in the range of {0, 1, …, 1000}, where the unit of each power consumption threshold is expressed in millijoules / millisecond.

[0152] Fig.18 The UE power modes 1801 / 1802 / 1803 / 1804 / 1805 / 1806 shown may correspond to some extent Fig. 9 906 / 908 / 910 shown, this may not be immediately apparent. However, it may be considered that the first UE power mode 1801 and the second UE power mode 1802 may be grouped within the idle mode 908. Similarly, the third UE power mode 1803 and the fourth UE power mode 1804 may be grouped within the inactive mode 906. Then, the fifth UE power mode 1805 and the sixth UE power mode 1806 may be grouped within the connected mode 910. It should be noted that in this grouping case, the UE 110 may switch between two adjacent UE power modes 1801 / 1802 / 1803 / 1804 / 1805 / 1806 without leaving the connected mode 910. Fig. 9 One of the modes 906 / 908 / 910 shown.

[0153] Various aspects of the present application relate to transition mechanisms associated with a positioning-based UE state machine.

[0154] Six UE power modes 1801 / 1802 / 1803 / 1804 / 1805 / 1806 are disclosed above according to six different power consumption ranges. To enable UE 110 to switch between two UE power modes in UE power modes 1801 / 1802 / 1803 / 1804 / 1805 / 1806, one of a plurality of handshake procedures may be performed between UE 110 and TRP 170 / 172. According to one handshake procedure, UE 110 may send a link establishment request to TRP 170 / 172. Fig.21 An exemplary link setup request template 2100 is shown. In response to receiving a link setup request, the TRP 170 / 172 may send a link setup response. Fig. 22 An exemplary link establishment response template 2200 is shown. Fig. 22 As shown, the link setup response may include information that enables UE 110 to perform a function associated with the state to which UE 110 is transitioning.

[0155] TRP 170 / 172 may send a link release command to UE 110. The link release command may enable UE 110 to transition from one of UE power modes 1802 / 1803 / 1804 / 1805 / 1806 to a lower one of UE power modes 1801 / 1802 / 1803 / 1804 / 1805. Fig.23 An exemplary link release command template 2300 is shown. It should be noted that the exemplary link release command template 2300 includes a linkReleaseCommandType field. The TRP 170 / 172 may use the linkReleaseCommandType field to indicate to the UE 110 the function that the UE 110 will continue to perform.

[0156] Fig.24 An alternative exemplary link release command template 2400 is shown. It should be noted that the alternative exemplary link release command template 2400 includes a linkReleaseCommandType field. The TRP 170 / 172 may use the linkReleaseCommandType field to indicate to the UE 110 the function that the UE 110 will stop executing.

[0157] Fig.25 Shows Fig.18 UE power modes 1801 / 1802 / 1803 / 1804 / 1805 / 1806, and arrows representing various possible transitions between UE power modes 1801 / 1802 / 1803 / 1804 / 1805 / 1806.

[0158] Various aspects of the present application relate to updating positioning measurements based on the UE 110 transitioning between different UE power modes 1801 / 1802 / 1803 / 1804 / 1805 / 1806.

[0159] Given that Fig.18 The UE state machine is defined according to six UE power modes 1801 / 1802 / 1803 / 1804 / 1805 / 1806. Consider a scenario where a given UE 110 operating in a third UE power mode M3 1803 receives a link release command from a TRP 170 / 172, instructing the given UE 110 to switch to a second UE power mode M2 ​​1802.

[0160] When a given UE 110 is operating in the third UE power mode M3 1803, it can be reasonably expected that the given UE 110 is performing positioning measurements based on ground positioning RSs. In response to receiving a link release command from the TRP 170 / 172, where the linkReleaseCommandType field is set to "pos-si", the given UE 110 is expected to stop performing positioning measurements based on ground positioning RSs. This change can be attributed to the relatively high power consumption associated with performing positioning measurements based on ground positioning RSs. When applying the link release command from the TRP 170 / 172, the given UE 110 is expected to switch to the second UE power mode M2 ​​1802. In association with switching to the second UE power mode M2 ​​1802, the given UE 110 can autonomously switch the positioning measurements to be based on non-ground positioning RSs. As described above, the power consumption associated with positioning measurements based on non-ground positioning RSs is expected to be lower than the power consumption associated with positioning measurements based on ground positioning RSs.

[0161] When the given UE 110 is operating in the second UE power mode M2 ​​1802, the given UE 110 performs positioning measurements based on the non-terrestrial positioning RS, because the measurement based on the non-terrestrial positioning RS is the only form of measurement that can meet the power consumption requirements associated with the second UE power mode M2 ​​1802. At some stage, the given UE 110 can switch back to the third UE power mode M3 1803. To achieve this switch, the given UE 110 can send a link establishment request to the TRP 170 / 172, where the linkEstablishmentRequestType field is set to si-pag (see Fig.21 ). TRP 170 / 172 responds with a link establishment (see Fig. 22) response to the given UE 110, wherein the paging-Identity field and the pagingConfig field have appropriate values. Upon applying the link establishment response from the TRP 170 / 172, the given UE 110 may switch to the third UE power mode M3 1803. In addition, in response to determining that the given UE 110 is performing a useful service for the measurement of the terrestrial positioning RS, the given UE 110 may autonomously switch the positioning measurement back to the terrestrial positioning RS.

[0162] Fig.26 An example of a timeline of UE 110 switching between a positioning RS sent by NT-TRP 172 and a positioning RS sent by T-TRP 170 is shown.

[0163] exist Fig.26 In the timeline shown, UE 110 initially operates in a first phase 2601, wherein UE 110 performs positioning based on a terrestrial positioning RS. At a first event 2510, UE 110 switches from a third UE power mode M3 1803 to a second UE power mode M2 ​​1802. After the first event 2510, UE 110 autonomously switches to a second phase 2602, wherein UE 110 performs positioning based on measuring non-terrestrial positioning RS. At a second event 2620, UE 110 switches from the second UE power mode M2 ​​1802 to a third UE power mode M3 1803. After the second event 2620, UE 110 autonomously switches to a third phase 2603, wherein UE 110 returns to performing positioning based on measuring terrestrial positioning RS.

[0164] Various aspects of the present application relate to updating positioning measurements based on UE 110 transitioning between different UE power modes and UE 110 operating a positioning accuracy monitoring (PAM) function.

[0165] Given that Fig.18 The UE state machine is defined according to six UE power modes 1801 / 1802 / 1803 / 1804 / 1805 / 1806, considering a scenario where the UE 110 has been configured with a terrestrial positioning RS and a non-terrestrial positioning RS, and the UE 110 has been used to monitor positioning failure / recovery instances. As part of the PAM function, the monitoring can be based on detecting a non-terrestrial positioning RS.

[0166] When UE 110 is in an indoor location, UE 110 may not be able to detect and measure non-terrestrial positioning RSs with sufficient quality to achieve so-called high-precision positioning. In this case, UE 110 may autonomously initiate positioning measurements based on terrestrial positioning RSs.

[0167] In response to UE 110 moving to a new outdoor location, the new location is expected to potentially improve signal quality of the non-ground positioning RS. The improvement in signal quality may be viewed as enabling UE 110 to detect and measure the non-ground positioning RS with sufficient quality to achieve high-precision positioning. When switching to performing positioning measurements based on the non-ground positioning RS, UE 110 may be viewed as achieving lower power consumption since beam scanning is not used or Rx beamforming must otherwise be performed. The use of known beam scanning and Rx beamforming are associated with detecting and measuring ground positioning RS. UE 110 may continue to monitor the non-ground positioning RS. During monitoring, UE 110 may detect a number N of Positioning Recovery Detection (PRD) instances on the non-ground positioning RS. In response to UE 110 determining that N=N max_PRD , where N max_PRD ≥1, UE 110 may autonomously switch positioning measurement from terrestrial positioning RS to non-terrestrial positioning RS.

[0168] In response to UE 110 moving to an indoor location, the indoor location is expected to possibly degrade the signal quality of the non-terrestrial positioning RSs. The degradation of the signal quality may be considered as no longer enabling UE 110 to detect and measure the non-terrestrial positioning RSs with sufficient quality to achieve high-precision positioning.

[0169] UE 110 may continue to monitor the non-terrestrial positioning RS. During the monitoring, UE 110 may detect a number N of Positioning Failure Detection (PFD) instances on the non-terrestrial positioning RS. In response to UE 110 determining that N=N max_PFD , where N max_PFD ≥1, UE 110 may autonomously switch positioning measurements from the non-terrestrial positioning RS to the terrestrial positioning RS.

[0170] Figure 8 An example of a timeline of UE 110 switching between terrestrial positioning RS and non-terrestrial positioning RS and back again is shown. Figure 8 In the timeline shown, UE 110 initially operates in a first phase 801, wherein UE 110 performs positioning based on a terrestrial positioning RS. In a first event 810, when UE 110 moves from an urban area to a rural area and UE 110 determines that N=N max_PRD After the first event 810, the UE 110 autonomously switches to the second stage 802, in which the UE 110 performs positioning based on measuring the non-terrestrial positioning RS. In the second event 820, when the UE 110 moves from a rural area to an urban area and the UE 110 determines that N=N max_PFDAfter the second event 820, the UE 110 autonomously switches to the third stage 803, in which the UE 110 returns to perform positioning based on measuring the ground positioning RS.

[0171] Aspects of the present application are directed to a solution to the known RS multiplexing problem, namely, determining a priority to measure a specific RS based on what is happening at the UE 110 .

[0172] Given that Fig.18 The UE state machine is defined according to six UE power modes 1801 / 1802 / 1803 / 1804 / 1805 / 1806, considering a scenario where the UE 110 is configured to measure ground positioning RS and measure non-ground positioning RS, and the UE 110 is used to monitor positioning failure / recovery instances. As part of the PAM function, the monitoring can be based on detecting non-ground positioning RS.

[0173] When the UE 110 operates in the sixth UE power mode M6 1806, the UE 110 may detect a beam failure. Due to the detection of the beam failure, a beam failure recovery (BFR) timer may start running, and the UE 110 may initiate a BFR process. For example, the BFR process may include the UE 110 scanning candidate beams. For example, scanning the candidate beams may include the UE 110 measuring a BFR reference signal (BFR-RS) on the candidate beams.

[0174] Sometimes it may be the case that the positioning RS happens to be located on the same OFDM symbol as the BFR-RS. Upon detecting that the positioning RS is located on the same OFDM symbol as the associated BFR-RS, the UE 110 may suspend measuring the positioning RS. The UE 110 may maintain the condition of not measuring the positioning RS during the period when the BFR timer is running. Suspension of measuring the positioning RS may be understood as enabling the UE 110 to effectively assign a higher priority to the BFR process and a lower priority to the task of maintaining positioning information.

[0175] Consider that UE 110 has recovered from the detected beam failure (i.e., the BFR process has completed) when the BFR timer expires. UE 110 may then resume measuring the positioning RS that UE 110 had been using for monitoring. Resuming measurement of the positioning RS may result in UE 110 detecting a first PFD instance based on the positioning RS.

[0176] Upon detecting the first PFD instance, UE 110 may start a PFD counter and continue monitoring the positioning RS. In response to UE 110 determining that the number of PFD instances N has reached a configured maximum value Nmax_PFD , UE 110 may start to prioritize measuring the positioning RS over measuring the BFR-RS.

[0177] Fig. 27 An example of a timeline for UE 110 to prioritize RSs is shown. Fig. 27 In the timeline shown, the first event 2710 indicates that the UE 110 detects a beam failure. As described above, in response to detecting a beam failure, the UE 110 may start a BFR timer and the UE 110 may initiate a BFR procedure. Fig. 27 The exemplary timeline of FIG. 1 shows a first stage 2701. In the first stage 2701, the UE 110 will measure the BFR-RS on the candidate beams. Fig. 27 The exemplary timeline of FIG. 1 also shows a second stage 2702. In the second stage 2702, the UE 110 will measure the positioning RS on the same OFDM symbol as the BFR-RS. Fig. 27 In FIG. 2 , the second stage 2702 is shown with a dotted line because the UE 110 has prioritized measuring the BFR-RS over measuring the positioning RS. That is, the UE 110 does not measure the positioning RS in the second stage 2702.

[0178] In the third stage 2703, the measurement of the positioning RS is performed normally. Even though the UE 110 has preferentially measured the BFR-RS, in the third stage 2703, there is no conflict between the positioning RS and the BFR-RS.

[0179] A second event 2720 is shown as occurring during the third stage 2703. The second event 2720 represents a first PFD instance at the UE 110. Since the second event 2720 represents a first PFD instance, the UE 110 may determine that N <N max_PFD , N=1.

[0180] In the fourth stage 2704, the measurement of the positioning RS is performed normally. Even though the UE 110 has preferentially measured the BFR-RS, in the fourth stage 2704, there is no conflict between the positioning RS and the BFR-RS.

[0181] A third event 2730 is shown as occurring at the fourth stage 2704. The third event 2730 represents a PFD instance at the UE 110. Since the PFD instance is represented as the third event 2730, the UE 110 can determine that N=N max_PFD .

[0182] As described above, in response to detecting that N=N max_PFD , UE 110 may prioritize measuring the positioning RS over measuring the BFR-RS.

[0183] It should be noted that Fig. 27The fifth stage 2705 in which the positioning RS will be measured and the sixth stage 2706 in which the BFR-RS will be measured are shown. The UE 110 will measure the positioning RS on the same OFDM symbol as the BFR-RS. Fig. 27 In FIG. 2 , the sixth stage 2706 is shown in dashed lines because the UE 110 has prioritized measuring positioning over measuring the BFR-RS RS. That is, the UE 110 does not measure the BFR-RS in the sixth stage 2706.

[0184] In some embodiments, the physical layer of UE 110 may provide a report from its positioning measurement to a requested higher layer service (e.g., an application layer service), so that the higher layer service is aware of the positioning reference signal (e.g., a ground positioning RS or a non-ground positioning RS) that UE 110 has detected and demodulated in order to generate a corresponding report. As an example, the report provided by UE 110 may include one bit, where "1" indicates that the corresponding positioning report is generated based on the measurement of the ground positioning RS, and "0" indicates that the corresponding positioning report is generated based on the measurement of the non-ground positioning RS.

[0185] In some embodiments, one of the functions that UE 110 may also perform is a sensing function, where the sensing function may be single-station, dual-station, or multi-station.

[0186] In some embodiments, the lowest power consumption mode may be the mode in which the UE performs sensing, and accordingly, the UE may implement a UE state machine with independent sensing states, while other states correspond to other UE power modes, and these modes may include other functions in addition to sensing.

[0187] In some embodiments, one of the functions that UE 110 may also perform is a communication function, wherein the communication function includes UE 110 sending and / or receiving a control channel (e.g., PDCCH and / or PUCCH) and / or a data channel (e.g., PDSCH and / or PUSCH). The control channel and / or the data channel may also include one or more reference signals to assist UE 110 in demodulating the control channel and / or the data channel. UE 110 detects and decodes the payload of the control channel and / or the data channel, and in the case of the data channel, the payload may be a UE-specific traffic data packet.

[0188] In some embodiments, the highest power consumption mode may be a mode in which UE 110 performs communication, positioning, and sensing, and accordingly, UE 110 may implement a UE state machine with a corresponding UE power mode.

[0189] In some embodiments, the linkEstablishmentRequest message may alternatively be a powerModeRequest message. The powerModeRequest message may include a field named powerModeRequestType, which is expected to carry a value from the power mode (e.g., Fig.18 A value selected from an enumerated list of one or more values ​​of {M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6}) as shown in the powerModeRequestType field. Each value in the powerModeRequestType field refers to Fig.18 The UE power mode defined in UE power mode in .

[0190] In some embodiments, the linkEstablishmentResponse message may alternatively be a powerModeResponse message. The powerModeResponse message may include corresponding high-level configuration parameters associated with corresponding functions to be performed by UE 110 in the power mode requested by UE 110 in the powerModeRequestType field of the powerModeRequest message. After UE 110 receives and successfully decodes the powerModeResponse, UE 110 may transition to the power mode requested by UE 110 in the powerModeRequestType field of the powerModeRequest message.

[0191] In some embodiments, the linkReleaseCommand message may alternatively be a powerModeRelease message. The powerModeRelease message may include a field named powerModeReleaseType, which is expected to carry a value from the power mode (e.g., Fig.18 A value selected from an enumerated list of one or more values ​​of {M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6}) as shown in the powerModeReleaseType field. Each value in the powerModeReleaseType field refers to Fig.18 After UE 110 receives and successfully decodes the powerModeRelease message, UE 110 may transition to the power mode indicated in the powerModeReleaseType field of the powerModeRelease message.

[0192] In some embodiments, TRP 170 / 172 may send a powerModeFallback message to UE 110. The powerModeFallback message may include a field named powerMode, which is expected to carry a value from the power mode (e.g., Fig.18 A value selected from an enumerated list of one or more values ​​of {M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6}) shown.

[0193] In some embodiments, the DCI format carried in the PDCCH may contain a 1-bit field named powerModeFallback, which may be used by TRP 170 / 172 to indicate to UE 110 that UE 110 will transition to its fallback power mode upon successful decoding of the DCI format. For example, the fallback power mode may be the lowest power consumption mode.

[0194] In some embodiments, the TRP 170 / 172 may send a Medium Access Control-Control Element (MAC-CE) command to the UE 110, the MAC-CE command carrying a field named powerModeFallback, which is used by the TRP 170 / 172 to indicate to the UE 110 that the UE 110 will transition to its fallback power mode upon successful decoding of the MAC-CE command. In addition, there may be a MAC-CE command application time before the UE 110 transitions to its fallback power mode. For example, the fallback power mode may be the lowest power consumption mode. The purpose of the fallback power mode is to enable the UE 110 to have a default UE power mode to operate in the event of an unexpected problem or situation.

[0195] In some embodiments, the functions of system information acquisition and paging can be combined together. The implementation of this combination can make the DCI format carried in the PDCCH scrambled using systemInformation-Identity and paging-Identity, where the scrambling is completed by the following methods: XORing the bits of the CRC attached to the DCI format with the bits of systemInformation-Identity and paging-Identity. The PDCCH carrying the DCI format scrambled using systemInformation-Identity and paging-Identity schedules the PDSCH carrying the message containing the system information block message and the paging message. More functions can be combined in the manner described above.

[0196] In some embodiments, when UE 110 operates in a given power mode, there may be explicit or implicit priority rules between the functions to be run. Taking UE power mode M2 ​​as an example, the priority of the positioning function may be higher than the priority of the system information acquisition function. Then, UE 110 may spend a higher proportion (e.g., higher than 50%) of its power consumption budget for power mode M2 ​​on the positioning function, and a lower proportion (e.g., lower than 50%) of its power consumption budget for power mode M2 ​​on the system information acquisition function. An example of an explicit priority rule is as follows: TRP 170 / 172 sends a SystemInformationBlock message, which carries a parameter named powerConsumptionPriorityInfo, which carries a field named priority, which can take a value in {pos; SI; Pag; Mob; RLM; BMCSI}. Another example of an explicit priority rule is as follows: TRP 170 / 172 sends a high-layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling) message that carries a parameter named powerConsumptionPriorityInfo that carries a field named priority that can take a value in {pos; SI; Pag; Mob; RLM; BMCSI}. An example of an implicit priority rule is as follows: The priority of a function is based on the number of UE power modes that can execute the function, where a larger number corresponds to a higher priority. Fig.18 Taking the six UE power modes in as an example, since the positioning function can be operated in six UE power modes, the priority of the positioning function is 6, and since the paging function can be operated in four UE power modes, the priority of the paging function is 4.

[0197] It should be understood that one or more steps in the embodiment method provided herein can be performed by corresponding units or modules. For example, data can be sent by a sending unit or a sending module. Data can be received by a receiving unit or a receiving module. Data can be processed by a processing unit or a processing module. The corresponding unit / module can be hardware, software or a combination thereof. For example, one or more units / modules can be integrated circuits, such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). It should be understood that if these modules are software, these modules can be retrieved in whole or in part by a processor as needed, retrieved individually or collectively for processing, retrieved in one or more instances as needed, and these modules themselves can include instructions for further deployment and instantiation.

[0198] Although combinations of features are shown in the illustrated embodiments, it is not necessary to combine all of the features to achieve the advantages of the various embodiments of the present invention. In other words, a system or method designed according to an embodiment of the present invention does not necessarily include all of the features shown in any one of the accompanying drawings or in all of the parts schematically shown in the accompanying drawings. In addition, selected features of an exemplary embodiment may be combined with selected features of other exemplary embodiments.

[0199] Although the present invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments and other embodiments of the present invention after reference to this description. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover any such modifications or embodiments.

Claims

1. A method comprising: At a device operating in a first mode of a location-based device state machine, sending a request to transition to a second mode of the location-based device state machine; A response to the request is received at the device, wherein the response includes information that enables the device to perform a function associated with the second mode.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first mode of the location-based device state machine is defined based on the device operating to maintain a power consumption level above a first lower threshold and below a first upper threshold; The second mode of the location-based device state machine is defined based on the device operating to maintain a power consumption level above a second lower threshold and below a second upper threshold.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first mode is an idle mode, and the device only detects and measures a positioning reference signal.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The device detects and measures only non-terrestrial positioning reference signals.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The functionality associated with the second mode includes system information acquisition.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The functions associated with the second mode include monitoring for paging messages.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The functions associated with the second mode include detecting and measuring mobility reference signals.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The functionality associated with the second mode includes radio link monitoring.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The functionality associated with the second mode includes beam management.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The functionality associated with the second mode includes channel state information determination.

11. An apparatus comprising: a memory for storing instructions; A processor, by executing the instructions, causes the processor to: while operating in a first mode of a location-based device state machine, sending a request to transition to a second mode of the location-based device state machine; A response to the request is received, wherein the response includes information that enables the apparatus to perform a function associated with the second mode.

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the first mode of the location-based device state machine being defined based on the apparatus operating to maintain a power consumption level above a first lower threshold and below a first upper threshold; The second mode of the location-based device state machine is defined based on the apparatus operating to maintain a power consumption level above a second lower threshold and below a second upper threshold.

13. The device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The first mode is an idle mode, and the device only detects and measures positioning reference signals.

14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that The device detects and measures only non-terrestrial positioning reference signals.

15. The device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that The functionality associated with the second mode includes system information acquisition.

16. The device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that The functions associated with the second mode include monitoring for paging messages.

17. The device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that The functions associated with the second mode include detecting and measuring mobility reference signals.

18. The device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that The functionality associated with the second mode includes radio link monitoring.

19. The device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that The functionality associated with the second mode includes beam management.

20. The device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that The functionality associated with the second mode includes channel state information determination.

21. A positioning accuracy monitoring method, the method comprising: Detecting positioning failure instances when measuring ground positioning reference signals; Determining that the positioning failure instance has caused a positioning failure instance count to exceed a failure instance threshold within a given time unit; In response to the determination, measuring non-terrestrial positioning reference signals is initiated.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising: detecting a positioning recovery instance while measuring the ground positioning reference signal; determining that the locating recovery instance has caused a locating recovery instance count to exceed a recovery instance threshold within the given time unit; In response to the determining that the positioning recovery instance count has exceeded the recovery instance threshold, measuring the non-terrestrial positioning reference signal is discontinued.

23. An apparatus comprising: a memory for storing instructions; A processor, by executing the instructions, causes the processor to: Detecting positioning failure instances when measuring ground positioning reference signals; Determining that the positioning failure instance has caused a positioning failure instance count to exceed a failure instance threshold within a given time unit; In response to the determination, measuring non-terrestrial positioning reference signals is initiated.

24. The device according to claim 23, characterized in that Executing the instructions also causes the processor to: detecting a positioning recovery instance while measuring the ground positioning reference signal; determining that the locating recovery instance has caused a locating recovery instance count to exceed a recovery instance threshold within the given time unit; In response to the determining that the positioning recovery instance count has exceeded the recovery instance threshold, measuring the non-terrestrial positioning reference signal is discontinued.

25. A method for switching a type of positioning reference signal measured at a device, the method comprising: operating in a first power mode, wherein the first power mode enables the device to measure a terrestrial positioning reference signal; Receive commands; In response to the received command, operation in a second power mode is initiated, wherein the second power mode does not allow measurement of terrestrial positioning reference signals and enables the device to measure non-terrestrial positioning reference signals.

26. An apparatus comprising: a memory for storing instructions; A processor, by executing the instructions, causes the processor to: operating in a first power mode, wherein the first power mode enables the apparatus to measure a terrestrial positioning reference signal; Receive commands; In response to the received command, operation in a second power mode is initiated, wherein the second power mode does not allow measurement of terrestrial positioning reference signals and enables the apparatus to measure non-terrestrial positioning reference signals.

27. A method comprising: Measuring positioning reference signals; Detect beam failures; Determining that the positioning reference signal is to be measured on the same symbol where the beam failure recovery reference signal is measured; In response to the determination, the beam failure recovery reference signal is preferentially measured.

28. An apparatus comprising: a memory for storing instructions; A processor, by executing the instructions, causes the processor to: Measuring positioning reference signals; Detect beam failures; Determining that the positioning reference signal is to be measured on the same symbol where the beam failure recovery reference signal is measured; In response to the determination, the beam failure recovery reference signal is preferentially measured.

29. An apparatus comprising a processor, the processor being configured to cause the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, 21, 22, 25 or 27.

30. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing machine-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processing unit of a device, cause the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, 21, 22, 25 or 27.

31. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, 21, 22, 25 or 27.

32. A processor of an apparatus, the processor being configured to cause the apparatus to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, 21, 22, 25 or 27.

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