Apparatus, method and computer program

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, a method and a computer program for communication. There is provided an apparatus comprising: means for performing at least one reference signal carrier phase, RSCP, measurement for a signal; means for determining a coherence time, wherein the coherence time is a duration during which the initial phase of the signal does not change beyond a threshold; means for determining, based on the determined coherence time, that provide the network function with at least one of: at least one RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time; and means for providing the network function with the determined at least one of: the at least one RSCP measurement or the determined indication of the coherence time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a method, apparatus, system and computer program and particularly, but not exclusively, to two-way carrier phase measurement of coherence time taking into account an initial phase offset. Background Art

[0002] A communication system can be viewed as a facility for enabling communication sessions between two or more entities (such as user terminals, base stations, and / or other nodes) by providing carrier waves between the various entities involved in the communication path. A communication system can be provided, for example, by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. A communication session can include, for example, communications for carrying data for communication, such as voice, video, electronic mail (email), text messages, multimedia and / or content data, etc. Non-limiting examples of the services provided include two-way or multi-way calls, data communications or multimedia services, and access to data network systems such as the Internet.

[0003] In a wireless communication system, at least a portion of a communication session between at least two stations takes place over a wireless link. Examples of wireless systems include public land mobile networks (PLMNs), satellite-based communication systems, and different wireless local area networks, such as wireless local area networks (WLANs). Some wireless systems may be divided into cells, and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

[0004] A user may access the communication system by means of an appropriate communication device or terminal. The user's communication device may be referred to as a user equipment (UE) or user device. The communication device is provided with appropriate signal receiving and sending means for enabling communication, such as enabling access to a communication network or communicating directly with other users. The communication device may access a carrier provided by a site, such as a base station of a cell, and send and / or receive communications on the carrier.

[0005] A communication system and associated equipment typically operate according to a given standard or specification that sets what the various entities associated with the system are allowed to do and how it should be achieved. The communication protocols and / or parameters that will be used for the connection are also typically defined. An example of a communication system is the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) (3G radio). Other examples of communication systems are the Long Term Evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio access technology and the so-called 5G or New Radio (NR) networks. NR is standardized by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Other examples of communication systems include 5G-Advanced (NR Rel-18 and above) and 6G. Summary of the invention

[0006] In a first aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: means for performing at least one reference signal carrier phase (RSCP) measurement on a signal; means for determining a coherence time, wherein the coherence time is a duration during which an initial phase of the signal does not change by more than a threshold; means for determining, based on the determined coherence time, to provide to a network function at least one of the following: at least one RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time; and means for providing to the network function at least one of the determined: at least one RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time.

[0007] The apparatus may include means for receiving, from a network function, a coherence time determined at the network function for at least one transmit and receive point TRP.

[0008] The apparatus may include means for receiving a request from a network function to perform M RSCP measurements based on a provided coherence time for at least one TRP and a determined coherence time of the apparatus, where M is an integer greater than or equal to one.

[0009] The device may include: a component for determining a required time period and a component for providing the determined time period to a network function, wherein the required time period is used to perform M DL RSCP measurements regarding a TRP based on a configuration provided on a downlink positioning reference signal DL PRS, or to perform M UL RSCP measurements regarding a UE based on a configuration provided in an uplink sounding reference signal UL SRS.

[0010] The apparatus may include means for determining whether the apparatus is capable of performing M RSCP measurements within the provided coherence time or the determined coherence time.

[0011] The apparatus may include means for sending a request for reconfiguration of at least one of a UL SRS or a DL PRS to perform M RSCP measurements within a provided coherence time or a determined coherence time.

[0012] Determining to provide at least one of the following to the network function may be further based on the determined time period.

[0013] If the determined coherence time is greater than the determined time period, the apparatus may include: a component for providing at least one RSCP measurement to the network function, and if the determined coherence time is less than the determined time period, the apparatus may include: a component for providing an indication of the determined coherence time to the network function.

[0014] The apparatus may include means for receiving a request from a network function to provide the determined coherence time.

[0015] The network function may include a location management function. The apparatus may include a transmission reception point and the RSCP measurement is based on an uplink sounding reference signal. The apparatus includes a user equipment and the RSCP measurement is based on a downlink positioning reference signal transmission.

[0016] In a second aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: means for receiving, by a network function, from a user equipment or a transmission reception point, at least one of: at least one reference signal carrier phase measurement or an indication of a determined coherence time.

[0017] The apparatus may comprise means for providing, from a network function, a coherence time determined at the network function for at least one transmit and receive point TRP.

[0018] The apparatus may include means for providing, from the network function, a request to perform M RSCP measurements based on at least a provided coherence time for one TRP and a determined coherence time of the apparatus, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0019] The apparatus may include: a component for providing a configuration on a downlink positioning reference signal DL PRS and a component for receiving a determined required time period to perform M RSCP measurements regarding a TRP based on the received configuration, or, a component for providing a configuration on an uplink sounding reference signal UL SRS and a component for receiving a determined required time period to perform M RSCP measurements regarding a UE based on the provided configuration.

[0020] The apparatus may include means for providing, from a network function to a transmission reception point or user equipment, a request to provide the determined coherence time.

[0021] The apparatus may include means for determining whether a transmission reception point or user equipment is suitable for performing a positioning procedure based on the received coherence time.

[0022] The apparatus may include: means for determining that there are insufficient user equipment or transmission reception points for performing a positioning procedure; and means for providing reconfiguration of reference signal resources to the user equipment or transmission reception points.

[0023] In a third aspect, a method is provided, comprising: performing at least one reference signal carrier phase (RSCP) measurement on a signal; determining a coherence time, wherein the coherence time is a duration during which an initial phase of the signal does not change by more than a threshold; determining based on the determined coherence time to provide at least one of the following to a network function: at least one RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time; and providing the determined at least one of the following: at least one RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time to the network function.

[0024] The method may comprise receiving, from a network function, a coherence time determined at the network function for at least one transmit and receive point TRP.

[0025] The method may include receiving a request from a network function to perform M RSCP measurements based on a provided coherence time for at least one TRP and a determined coherence time of the device, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0026] The method may include: determining a required time period and providing the determined time period to a network function, the required time period being used to perform M DLRSCP measurements regarding the TRP based on the configuration provided on the downlink positioning reference signal DL PRS, or to perform M UL RSCP measurements regarding the UE based on the configuration provided in the uplink sounding reference signal UL SRS.

[0027] The method may include determining whether the apparatus is capable of performing M RSCP measurements within the provided coherence time or the determined coherence time.

[0028] The method may include sending a request for reconfiguration of at least one of a UL SRS or a DL PRS to perform M RSCP measurements within a provided coherence time or a determined coherence time.

[0029] Determining to provide the network function with at least one of: at least one RSCP measurement or the determined coherence time may be further based on the determined time period.

[0030] If the determined coherence time is greater than the determined time period, the method comprises providing at least one RSCP measurement to the network function, and if the determined coherence time is less than the determined time period, the method comprises providing an indication of the determined coherence time to the network function.

[0031] The method may include receiving a request from a network function to provide the determined coherence time.

[0032] The network function may include a location management function. The method may be performed at a transmission receiving point, and the RSCP measurement may be based on an uplink sounding reference signal. The method may be performed at a user equipment, and the RSCP measurement may be based on a downlink positioning reference signal transmission.

[0033] In a fourth aspect, a method is provided, comprising: receiving, by a network function from a user equipment or a transmission reception point, at least one of: at least one reference signal carrier phase measurement or an indication of a determined coherence time.

[0034] The method may comprise providing, from the network function, a coherence time determined at the network function for at least one transmit and receive point TRP.

[0035] The method may include providing, from the network function, a request to perform M RSCP measurements based on at least a provided coherence time for one TRP and a determined coherence time for the device, where M is an integer greater than or equal to one.

[0036] The method may include providing a configuration on a downlink positioning reference signal DL PRS and receiving a determined required time period to perform M RSCP measurements on a TRP based on the received configuration. The method includes providing a configuration on an uplink sounding reference signal UL SRS and receiving a determined required time period to perform M RSCP measurements on a UE based on the provided configuration.

[0037] The method may comprise providing, from a network function to a transmission reception point or user equipment, a request to provide the determined coherence time.

[0038] The method may include determining whether a transmission reception point or a user equipment is suitable for performing a positioning procedure based on the received coherence time.

[0039] The method may include determining that there are insufficient user equipment or transmission reception points for performing a positioning process; and providing reconfiguration of reference signal resources to the user equipment or the transmission reception points.

[0040] In a fifth aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to at least: perform at least one reference signal carrier phase (RSCP) measurement on a signal; determine a coherence time, wherein the coherence time is a duration during which an initial phase of the signal does not change by more than a threshold; determine, based on the determined coherence time, to provide at least one of the following to a network function: at least one RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time; and provide at least one of the following determined to the network function: at least one RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time.

[0041] The device may be caused to receive from the network function a coherence time determined at the network function for at least one transmission and reception point TRP.

[0042] The device can be caused to receive a request from a network function to perform M RSCP measurements based on a provided coherence time for at least one TRP and a determined coherence time of the device, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0043] The device can determine a required time period and provide the determined time period to a network function, wherein the required time period is used to perform M DL RSCP measurements regarding the TRP based on the configuration provided on the downlink positioning reference signal DL PRS, or to perform M UL RSCP measurements regarding the UE based on the configuration provided in the uplink sounding reference signal UL SRS.

[0044] The apparatus may be caused to determine whether the apparatus is capable of performing M RSCP measurements within the provided coherence time or the determined coherence time.

[0045] The apparatus may be caused to send a request for reconfiguration of at least one of the UL SRS or the DL PRS to perform M RSCP measurements within the provided coherence time or the determined coherence time.

[0046] Determining to provide the network function with at least one of: at least one RSCP measurement or the determined coherence time may be further based on the determined time period.

[0047] If the determined coherence time is greater than the determined time period, the method comprises providing at least one RSCP measurement to the network function, and if the determined coherence time is less than the determined time period, the method comprises providing an indication of the determined coherence time to the network function.

[0048] The apparatus may be caused to receive a request from a network function to provide the determined coherence time.

[0049] The network function may include a location management function. The apparatus may include a transmission reception point, and the RSCP measurement may be based on an uplink sounding reference signal. The apparatus may include a user equipment, and the RSCP measurement may be based on a downlink positioning reference signal transmission.

[0050] In a sixth aspect, a device is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the processor, causes the device to at least: receive, by a network function, at least one of the following from a user equipment or a transmitting / receiving point: at least one reference signal carrier phase measurement or an indication of a determined coherence time.

[0051] The device can be caused to provide a coherence time determined at the network function for at least one sending and receiving point TRP from the network function.

[0052] The device may be caused to provide a request from a network function to perform M RSCP measurements based on a provided coherence time for at least one TRP and a determined coherence time of the device, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0053] The apparatus may be caused to provide a configuration on a downlink positioning reference signal DL PRS and receive a determined required time period to perform M RSCP measurements on a TRP based on the received configuration. The method includes providing a configuration on an uplink sounding reference signal UL SRS and receiving a determined required time period to perform M RSCP measurements on a UE based on the provided configuration.

[0054] The means may be caused to provide a request from a network function to a transmission reception point or user equipment for provision of the determined coherence time.

[0055] The apparatus may be enabled to determine whether a transmission reception point or a user equipment is suitable for performing a positioning procedure based on the received coherence time.

[0056] The apparatus may be caused to determine that there are insufficient user equipment or transmission reception points for performing a positioning process; and provide reconfiguration of reference signal resources to the user equipment or the transmission reception points.

[0057] In a seventh aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed by an apparatus causes the apparatus to at least perform the following:

[0058] Perform at least one reference signal carrier phase (RSCP) measurement on a signal; determine a coherence time, wherein the coherence time is a duration during which an initial phase of the signal does not change by more than a threshold; determine to provide at least one of the following to a network function based on the determined coherence time: at least one RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time; and provide at least one of the following determined to the network function: at least one RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time.

[0059] The apparatus may be caused to receive from a network function a coherence time determined at the network function for at least one transmit and receive point TRP.

[0060] The device can be caused to receive a request from a network function to perform M RSCP measurements based on a provided coherence time for at least one TRP and a determined coherence time of the device, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0061] The device can determine a required time period and provide the determined time period to a network function, wherein the required time period is used to perform M DL RSCP measurements regarding the TRP based on the configuration provided on the downlink positioning reference signal DL PRS, or to perform M UL RSCP measurements regarding the UE based on the configuration provided in the uplink sounding reference signal UL SRS.

[0062] The apparatus may be caused to determine whether the apparatus is capable of performing M RSCP measurements within the provided coherence time or the determined coherence time.

[0063] The apparatus may be caused to send a request for reconfiguration of at least one of the UL SRS or the DL PRS to perform M RSCP measurements within the provided coherence time or the determined coherence time.

[0064] Determining to provide the network function with at least one of: at least one RSCP measurement or the determined coherence time may be further based on the determined time period.

[0065] If the determined coherence time is greater than the determined time period, the method comprises providing at least one RSCP measurement to the network function, and if the determined coherence time is less than the determined time period, the method comprises providing an indication of the determined coherence time to the network function.

[0066] The apparatus may be caused to receive a request from a network function to provide the determined coherence time.

[0067] The network function may include a location management function. The apparatus may include a transmission reception point, and the RSCP measurement may be based on an uplink sounding reference signal. The apparatus may include a user equipment, and the RSCP measurement may be based on a downlink positioning reference signal transmission.

[0068] In an eighth aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed by an apparatus causes the apparatus to at least perform the following:

[0069] At least one of the following is received by the network function from the user equipment or the transmission reception point: at least one reference signal carrier phase measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time.

[0070] The device can be caused to provide a coherence time determined at the network function for at least one sending and receiving point TRP from the network function.

[0071] The device can be caused to provide a request from the network function to perform M RSCP measurements based on the coherence time provided for at least one TRP and the determined coherence time of the device, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0072] The apparatus may be caused to provide a configuration on a downlink positioning reference signal DL PRS and receive a determined required time period to perform M RSCP measurements on a TRP based on the received configuration. The method includes providing a configuration on an uplink sounding reference signal UL SRS and receiving a determined required time period to perform M RSCP measurements on a UE based on the provided configuration.

[0073] The means may be caused to provide a request from a network function to a transmission reception point or user equipment for provision of the determined coherence time.

[0074] The apparatus may be enabled to determine whether a transmission reception point or a user equipment is suitable for performing a positioning procedure based on the received coherence time.

[0075] The apparatus may be caused to determine that there are insufficient user equipment or transmission reception points for performing a positioning process; and provide reconfiguration of reference signal resources to the user equipment or the transmission reception points.

[0076] In a ninth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least perform the method according to the third or fourth aspect.

[0077] In the above, many different embodiments have been described. It should be understood that further embodiments can be provided by combining any two or more of the above embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0078] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0079] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example 5GS communication system is shown;

[0080] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an example mobile communication device is shown;

[0081] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an exemplary control device is shown;

[0082] Figure 4 The signaling flow of two-way (RTT) carrier phase measurement is shown;

[0083] Figure 5 A signaling diagram showing RTT carrier phase measurement against time;

[0084] Figure 6 A flow chart showing a method according to an example embodiment is shown;

[0085] Figure 7 A flow chart showing a method according to an example embodiment is shown;

[0086] Figure 8 shows a signaling diagram according to an example embodiment;

[0087] Fig. 9 A signaling diagram according to an example embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0088] Before explaining the examples in detail, refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3Certain general principles of wireless communication systems and mobile communication devices are briefly explained to aid understanding of the technology underlying the described examples.

[0089] An example of a suitable communication system is the 5G or NR concept. The network architecture in NR can be similar to the network architecture of LTE Advanced. The base station of the NR system can be called the next generation Node B (gNB). Changes to the network architecture may depend on the need to support various radio technologies and more refined quality of service (QoS) support, as well as some on-demand requirements for QoS levels such as supporting user quality of experience (QoE). In addition, network-aware services and applications and service and application-aware networks can bring changes to the architecture. Those involve information-centric networks (ICN) and user-centric content distribution networks (UC-CDN) approaches. NR can use multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, more base stations or nodes than LTE (the so-called small cell concept), including macro sites that operate in collaborative operation with smaller stations and may also adopt various radio technologies for better coverage and enhanced data rates.

[0090] Future networks may utilize network function virtualization (NFV), which is a network architecture concept that proposes virtualizing network node functions into "building blocks" or entities that can be operably connected or linked together to provide services. Virtualized network functions (VNFs) may include one or more virtual machines that use standard or general-purpose servers rather than custom hardware to run computer program codes. Cloud computing or data storage may also be utilized. In radio communications, this may mean that node operations are at least partially performed in a server, host, or node that is operably coupled to a remote radio head. Node operations may also be distributed among multiple servers, nodes, or hosts. It should also be understood that the task allocation between core network operations and base station operations may be different from the task allocation of LTE or even non-existent.

[0091] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a 5G system (5GS) 100 is shown. The 5GS may include a user equipment (UE) 102 (which may also be referred to as a communication device or terminal), a 5G radio access network (5GRAN) 104, a 5G core network (5GCN) 106, one or more internal or external application functions (AFs) 108, and one or more data networks (DNs) 110.

[0092] An example 5G core network (CN) includes functional entities. The 5GCN 106 may include one or more access and mobility management functions (AMFs) 112, one or more session management functions (SMFs) 114, an authentication server function (AUSF) 116, a unified data management (UDM) 118, one or more user plane functions (UPFs) 120, a unified data repository (UDR) 122, and / or a network exposure function (NEF) 124. The UPF is controlled by the SMF (session management function), which receives policies from the PCF (policy control function).

[0093] The CN is connected to the UE via the RAN. The 5G RAN may include one or more gNodeB (gNB) distributed unit (DU) functions connected to one or more gNodeB (gNB) centralized unit (CU) functions. The RAN may include one or more access nodes.

[0094] A user plane function (UPF) known as a PDU Session Anchor (PSA) may be responsible for forwarding frames to and from the DN and the tunnel established over 5G to the UE(s) exchanging traffic with the DN.

[0095] Now refer to Figure 2 describing in more detail possible mobile communication devices, Figure 2 A schematic partial cutaway view of a communication device 200 is shown. Such a communication device is generally referred to as a user equipment (UE) or a terminal. Suitable mobile communication devices can be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples include a mobile station (MS) or a mobile device (such as a mobile phone or a so-called "smart phone"), a computer with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facilities (e.g., a USB dongle), a personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet computer with wireless communication capabilities, a voice over IP (VoIP) phone, a portable computer, a desktop computer, an image capture terminal device such as a digital camera, a game terminal device, a music storage and rechargeable device, a vehicle-mounted wireless terminal device, a wireless endpoint, a mobile station, a laptop embedded device (LEE), a laptop device (LME), an intelligent device, a wireless customer premises equipment (CPE) or any combination of these, etc. Mobile communication devices can provide, for example, communications for carrying data for communication, such as voice, email (email), text messages, multimedia, etc. Therefore, many services can be given and provided via their communication devices. Non-limiting examples of these services include two-way or multi-way calls, data communications or multimedia services or simply access to a data communications network system such as the Internet. Broadcast or multicast data may also be provided to the user. Non-limiting examples of content include downloads, television and radio programs, videos, advertisements, various alerts, and other information.

[0096] The mobile device is typically provided with at least one data processing entity 201, at least one memory 202 and other possible components 203 for software and hardware-assisted execution of the tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access and communication to access systems and other communication devices. Data processing, storage and other related components can be provided on appropriate circuit boards and / or chipsets. This feature is represented by reference numeral 204. The user can control the operation of the mobile device through a suitable user interface such as a keyboard 205, voice commands, a touch-sensitive screen or board, a combination thereof, etc. A display 208, a speaker and a microphone may also be provided. In addition, the mobile communication device may include appropriate connectors (wired or wireless) to other devices and / or for connecting external accessories (e.g., a hands-free device) to it.

[0097] The mobile device 200 may receive signals via an air interface or radio interface 207 via appropriate means for receiving, and may transmit signals via appropriate means for transmitting radio signals. Figure 2 In the embodiment of the present invention, the transceiver arrangement is schematically designated by block 206. The transceiver arrangement 206 may be provided, for example, by means of a radio component and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

[0098] Figure 3 An example of a control device 300 for a communication system is shown, for example, coupled to and / or used to control a station of an access system, such as a RAN node, for example, a base station, an eNB or a gNB, a relay node or a core network node (such as an MME or a serving gateway (S-GW) or a packet data network gateway (P-GW)), or a core network function (such as an AMF / SMF), or a server or a host. The method can be implemented in a single control device or across more than one control device. The control device can be integrated with or external to a node or module of the core network or RAN. In some embodiments, the base station includes a separate control device unit or module. In other embodiments, the control device can be other network elements such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. In some embodiments, each base station can have such a control device and a control device provided in a radio network controller. The control device 300 can be arranged to provide control for communications within a service area of ​​the system. The control device 300 includes at least one memory 301, at least one data processing unit 302, 303 and an input / output interface 304. Via the interface, the control device can be coupled to a receiver and a transmitter of the base station. The receiver and / or the transmitter may be implemented as a radio front end or a remote radio head.

[0099] The following may apply to the positioning of Reduced Capability (RedCap) devices. The RedCap bandwidth is limited to a maximum of 20MHz. In positioning techniques, small bandwidth leads to low accuracy. To address this issue, Frequency Hopping (FH) techniques have been developed for positioning. For RedCap positioning, mobility has not been considered. However, positioning should not be limited to fixed RedCap UEs. In the FH case, the mobility may vary from hop to hop and pose a problem in determining the location of the UE.

[0100] Rel-18 work items have been agreed to further enhance 3GPP RAN1 NR positioning. One of the main topics is to support carrier phase (CP) positioning on top of the currently supported positioning techniques.

[0101] The WID for CP positioning has been defined to specify physical layer measurements and signaling to support NR DL and UL carrier phase positioning based on UE, UE-assisted and NG-RAN node-assisted positioning. The existing DL PRS and UL SRS used for positioning can be used for NR carrier phase measurements. Measurements limited to a single carrier / PFL will be specified and correspond to core requirements, and the impact on existing RAN4 specifications will be identified and specified, including RRM measurements without measurement gaps in connected and inactive modes (including PRS measurement period / reporting) and procedures.

[0102] The round trip time (RTT) type of carrier phase positioning method has been discussed. The RTT carrier phase positioning method can also be called a two-way carrier phase method. The following two-way carrier phase measurement is RSCP (reference signal carrier phase measurement), which will be described in more detail below.

[0103] Figure 4 A high-level signaling diagram for bidirectional carrier phase measurement is shown.

[0104] Using DL carrier phase measurement The DL carrier phase pseudorange expression can be written as Where N is the total number of complete carrier cycles during the DL carrier phase measurement, d is the distance between the gNB and UE during the DL carrier phase measurement, λ is the carrier wavelength, is the initial phase offset of the UE as a receiver, and is the initial phase offset of the gNB as a transmitter. Initial Phase Offset and For example, it can be caused by timing alignment error, time offset, frequency offset, LO (local oscillator) initial phase, etc. Note that for static gNBs and UEs, the measured DL carrier phase is a function of the distance d and the carrier wavelength λ, and is given by For ease of expression, we express the measured phase in terms of "periods" (i.e., the measurement result divided by 2π). (See equation (1)).

[0105] Similarly, by using the UL carrier phase measurement The UL carrier phase pseudorange expression can be written as: in, is the initial phase offset of the gNB as receiver, and is the initial phase offset of the UE acting as a transmitter.

[0106] One channel parameter is the time scale of the effective channel drift. That is, the effective channel drift as a function of time. Channel drift may be due to gNB and / or UE mobility or due to hardware specific issues for static gNBs and UEs. This channel property can be quantified using the concept of coherence time.

[0107] Under ideal coherence time conditions, the initial phase offset of the gNB and UE as transmitter / receiver is constant, that is, and In this case, the two-way (RTT) carrier phase (say ) The pseudorange equation can be expressed as

[0108] Note that in the above two-way phase observable expression (3), the unknown initial phase offsets of gNB and UE are cancelled out. This property can make two-way (RTT) carrier phase measurement a potential solution for high-precision positioning.

[0109] The NR DL Reference Signal Carrier Phase (RSCP) (of the i-th path) is defined as the phase of the channel response at the i-th path delay derived from the resource element (RE) carrying the DL PRS signal configured for measurement. The RSCP is associated with a specific RF frequency.

[0110] Whether / how the reference point and measurement timing of RSCP are defined is for further study.

[0111] The i-th path is used for definition purposes, regardless of whether further discussion is only of the first path or additional paths will be supported.

[0112] The RSCP measurement indicates the carrier phase measurement between the TRP and the UE, which is not a differential measurement. In the above equation in this section, and Respectively represent UL RSCP measurement and DL RSCP measurement. Therefore, the measurement report feature is supported, but it is only a basic feature to support RTT type CP positioning.

[0113] Under ideal measurement conditions, the potential benefit of bidirectional carrier phase positioning based on equation (3) is given. In practice, there is a time gap between UL and DL carrier phase measurements, such as Figure 5 The duration of interest for the carrier phase measurement process includes not only the RTT, but also additionally includes the time between DL and UL reference signal transmission, reception and corresponding radio measurements, i.e., Figure 5 The duration T RTT-CP = t3-t0. We will define T RTT-CP is RTT-ULx-DLx (ie, the total duration during which the RTT carrier phase measurement process occurs).

[0114] During the duration of ΔT [time unit], the initial phase shift and It may fluctuate, but the fluctuation will be limited to a certain time (depending on hardware-specific issues such as static gNBs and UEs), and therefore total elimination of the initial phase offset cannot be achieved. The reason is that the phase offset will drift over time from oscillator drift, etc. Therefore, the long time difference between the reception timing of the DL PRS signal and the transmission timing of the UL SRS can be one of the factors of the phase drift.

[0115] However, in order to achieve high-precision carrier phase based positioning, we should not allow the initial phase offset during UL and DL measurements to change significantly (or remain within a tolerable level, i.e., and ).

[0116] A method is proposed below to take into account the coherence time caused by the initial phase offset variation due to hardware impairments of two-way (also known as RTT) carrier phase measurement / positioning. The UE takes further decision steps and supports the network to take further actions. The coherence time may be defined as the duration of phase continuity that a TRP (such as a gNB) and / or UE can maintain or the duration that a TRP and / or UE can maintain the same phase value within a certain range. The coherence time may depend on the gNB and / or UE capabilities and implementation. Depending on the antenna or antenna panel, the coherence time at the UE may be different. The coherence time between the xth gNB and the UE may be determined by T c (gNB x ). The initial phase is considered because the coherence time is caused by hardware defects rather than mobility.

[0117] It should be noted that the following coherence time is not the channel coherence time, but refers to the duration that the fluctuation or change of the initial phase of the UE or TRP remains less than a certain threshold. For example, 90% coherence time will mean the duration that the fluctuation or change of the initial phase remains less than 10%.

[0118] In the following, the UE is static and no contribution in the coherence time is due to UE mobility.

[0119] Figure 6 A flow chart of a method according to an example embodiment is shown. The method may be performed at a UE or a TRP.

[0120] In 601 , the method includes performing at least one Reference Signal Carrier Phase, RSCP, measurement on a signal.

[0121] At 602, the method includes determining a coherence time, wherein the coherence time is a duration for which an initial phase of a signal does not change by more than a threshold.

[0122] In 603, means for providing at least one of: at least one RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time to a network function is determined based on the determined coherence time.

[0123] In 604, the method includes providing, to a network function, at least one of the determined RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time.

[0124] In an example embodiment, the method is performed at a user equipment and the RSCP measurement is based on a DL PRS.

[0125] In an example embodiment, the method is performed at a transmission reception point and the RSCP measurement is based on the UL SRS.

[0126] Figure 7 A flow chart of a method according to an example embodiment is shown.The method may be performed at a network function, such as a location management function (LMF).

[0127] In 701, the method comprises: receiving, by a network function, from a user equipment or a transmission reception point, at least one of: at least one reference signal carrier phase measurement or an indication of a determined coherence time.

[0128] As reference Figure 7The described method may include determining a required time period for performing M DL RSCP measurements on a TRP based on a configuration provided on a downlink positioning reference signal DL PRS, or for performing M UL RSCP measurements on a UE based on a configuration provided in an uplink sounding reference signal UL SRS, and providing the determined time period to a network function. The TRP may be able to perform RSCP measurements for UL SRS resources and DL PRS transmissions within a coherence time.

[0129] Determining to provide at least one of the following to the network function may be further based on the determined time period: if the determined coherence time is greater than the determined time period, the method includes: providing at least one RSCP measurement to the network function, and if the determined coherence time is less than the determined time period, the method includes: providing an indication of the determined coherence time to the network function.

[0130] The apparatus may receive a request from the network function to provide the determined coherence time.

[0131] In an example embodiment, when the gNB meets the coherence time condition, the UE decides to proceed with RTT carrier phase measurements.

[0132] For example, the UE may report DL RSCP measurements, but it also informs that the measurements are not valid for RTT-type carrier phase positioning (CPP).

[0133] Alternatively or additionally, the UE may perform DL RSCP measurements for all gNBs, but the UE may report the portion of acquired DL RSCP measurements that satisfy the coherence condition(s).

[0134] Alternatively or additionally, the UE may decide to perform RTT carrier phase measurements for all gNBs. The UE provides information to the network (LMF) to take further actions to meet the coherence time condition.

[0135] The network function (eg, LMF) may configure the UE to take action according to one of the above exemplary embodiments. Alternatively or additionally, the network LMF may be an example embodiment of the UE, but the UE determines which one to use.

[0136] The trade-off between the different example embodiments is the additional signaling or payload overhead from the UE to the LMF.

[0137] As reference Figure 7 The described method may comprise receiving, from a network function, a coherence time determined at the network function for at least one transmit and receive point TRP.

[0138] The method may include means for receiving a request from a network function to perform M RSCP measurements based on at least a provided coherence time for one TRP and a determined coherence time for the device, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0139] Alternatively or additionally, a method may include: a component for determining a required time period and providing the determined time period to a network function, the required time period being used to perform M DL RSCP measurements about a TRP based on a configuration provided on a downlink positioning reference signal DL PRS, or to perform M UL RSCP measurements about a UE based on a configuration provided in an uplink sounding reference signal UL SRS. The method may include determining whether the device can perform M RSCP measurements within a provided coherence time or within a determined coherence time of the device. M corresponds to the number of measurement samples. For wait time reduction, M may be equal to 1, but an example typical value of M is 4. If the UE is able to perform multiple measurements on multiple measurement samples within the coherence time condition, the measurement accuracy may be improved.

[0140] The network function may request the UE or TRP to provide an indication whether RTT type CP measurements may be evaluated for each DL PRS and UL SRS measurement (i.e., LMF request for the required time period).

[0141] The device may send a request for reconfiguration of at least one of the UL SRS or DL ​​PRS to perform M RSCP measurements within a provided coherence time or a determined coherence time of the device. For example, one RSCP measurement may be a single RSCP measurement sample. The UE may perform RSCP measurements at a measurement instance, where a single measurement instance includes a required duration for receiving multiple symbols of a single DL PRS resource. If the DL PRS resource is repeated, the same DL PRS resource is sent across multiple time slots. In this case, a single measurement instance would be multiple time slots. In one embodiment, the UE may obtain multiple RSCP measurement samples from the repetition of the PRS resource. If the PRS resource is repeated M times over M time slots, the UE is able to obtain M RSCP measurements in a single measurement instance.

[0142] The network function may determine whether the transmission reception point or user equipment is suitable for performing the positioning process based on the received coherence time. If there are not enough user equipment or transmission reception points for performing the positioning process, the method may include providing a reconfiguration of reference signal resources to the user equipment or transmission reception points.

[0143] Fig. 9An example signaling diagram of a method according to an example embodiment is shown, where the UE decides to continue with RTT carrier phase measurements when the gNB meets the coherence time condition (or the LMF may request the UE to continue with RTT carrier phase measurements (RSCP measurements) that meet the coherence time condition). This is an example of determining to provide at least one RSCP measurement based on the determined coherence time.

[0144] In step 1, the gNB and UE are configured for bidirectional carrier phase positioning.

[0145] In step 2, the LMF provides the UE with the coherence time condition for each gNB or TRP. This is an example of receiving the coherence time determined at the network function from the network function for at least one transmit and receive point TRP. If the LMF is provided with RF characteristics from the gNB (e.g., the coherence time of the phase supported by a specific RF chain / antenna of the gNB), and the LMF requests the UE to report the determined coherence time condition for each gNB / TRP based on information about the UE RF (regardless of the gNB side, as the UE may not be provided with information about the UE RF). The LMF considers both the UE and the gNB to determine the coherence time condition, and provides the information (i.e., the provided coherence time) to the UE so that the UE can determine the coherence time condition. Due to previous reports / statistical knowledge, etc., the coherence time value T for each gNB link c (gNB x ) can be used for LMF. For example, LMF can determine the coherence time condition between the UE and each TRP based on the minimum coherence time of the UE and the coherence time of the TRP.

[0146] In an example embodiment, the LMF requests the UE to report the determined coherence time condition per gNB / TRP taking into account the (phase) coherence time on the gNB side based on the UE RF information in step 2. This is an example of receiving a request from a network function to provide the determined coherence time.

[0147] In optional step 3, the LMF determines UL SRS and DL PRS resource parameters so that M RSCP measurements of the same DL PRS resource and / or UL SRS resource carrier phase measurement can be performed within the coherence time of each gNB link (the value of M is set by the LMF and is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and means a single measurement sample). Figure 5 t3-t0 should be within the coherence time. This is an example of receiving a request from a network function to perform M RSCP measurements based on a provided coherence time for at least one TRP and a determined coherence time of the device, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0148] In step 4, the LMF indicates to the serving gNB the UL SRS parameters to be configured to the UE (in step 5b) for RTT carrier phase measurement.

[0149] In step 7, the LMF provides the DL PRS parameters to the gNB to be configured for RTT carrier phase measurement.

[0150] In step 9, the UE determines the total time required to determine M RTT carrier phase measurements (RSCP measurements) for each gNB link (see Figure 5 T RTT-CP (gNB x )). To this end, the UE can use UL SRS and DL PRS scheduling information. This is an example of determining the required time period for performing M DL RSCP measurements on TRP based on the configuration provided on the downlink positioning reference signal DL PRS, and providing the determined time period to the network function.

[0151] In step 10, the UE performs M RSCP measurements on the same DL PRS resource and / or UL SRS resource. This is an example of performing at least one reference signal carrier phase RSCP measurement.

[0152] In step 13, the UE estimates / updates the coherence time associated with each gNB link based on periodic DL PRS reception. This is an example of determining the coherence time, where the coherence time is the duration for which the initial phase of the signal does not change by more than a threshold.

[0153] In step 14, the UE sends a x Evaluation condition C1(x): T RTT-CP (gNB x )<T c (gNB x ).

[0154] If C1(x) is true, the UE continues to make M RTT carrier phase measurements for those gNBs for which condition C1(x) is true. This is an example where at least one RSCP measurement is provided to the network function if the determined coherence time is greater than the determined time period.

[0155] In step 15, if C1(x) is false, the UE indicates to the LMF that the coherence time condition for RTT carrier phase measurement is not met. The UE instructs the gNB to reconfigure with condition C1(x). x The UE also indicates the coherence time T to the LMF. c (gNB xThis is an example of providing an indication of the determined coherence time to the network function if the determined coherence time is less than the determined time period.

[0156] In step 16, if there are not enough gNBs for positioning, the LMF takes a reconfiguration decision. This step may also enable the LMF to start a new RTT carrier phase measurement session in addition to the current one. With steps 15 and 16 the network can take preemptive actions to invalidate the previously allocated SRS / PRS resources and start a new positioning measurement session with updated SRS / PRS resources. This also instructs (or marks) the LMF to combine measurements from different positioning measurement sessions to estimate the position of the UE. This is an example of determining that there are insufficient user equipment or transmit reception points for performing a positioning process, and a component for reconfiguration of reference signal resources provided to the user equipment or transmit reception point.

[0157] In steps 17 and 18, the UE and gNB provide DL and UL carrier phase measurements to the LMF.

[0158] In step 17, the UE may also provide a soft value for condition C1(x), i.e., the value T c (gNB x )-T RTT-CP (gNB x ). The soft value of C1(x) can be used by LMF for gNB screening.

[0159] In step 19, the LMF calculates the RTT carrier phase and performs positioning estimation.

[0160] Fig. 9 (Continued) An example signaling diagram of an example embodiment is shown, where the UE decides to continue to perform RTT carrier phase measurements (RSCP measurements) for all gNBs. The UE provides information for the network (LMF) to take further actions to meet the coherence time condition.

[0161] Fig. 9 (Continue) Steps 1 to 8 Fig. 9 shown.

[0162] In step 9, the UE performs M RSCP measurements for the same DL PRS resource and / or UL SRS resource.

[0163] In step 13, the UE estimates / updates the coherence time T associated with each gNB link based on periodic DL PRS reception c (gNB x ).

[0164] In steps 14 and 15, the UE and gNB provide DL and UL carrier phase measurements to the LMF. This is an example of providing at least one RSCP measurement to a network function.

[0165] In step 14, the UE provides the LMF with the coherence time T c (gNB x ) value and soft value T c (gNB x )-T RTT-CP (gNB x ). This is an example of providing an indication of the determined coherence time.

[0166] In step 16, the LMF is used for each gNB x Evaluation condition C2(x): T c (gNB x )-T RTT-CP (gNB x )>0. If condition C2(x) is false, then gNB x The link does not meet the RTT coherence time condition and is excluded from the positioning process.

[0167] If there are not enough gNBs for positioning, the LMF triggers reconfiguration with the gNB that meets condition C2(x). x The associated PRS / SRS and re-initiate RTT carrier phase measurement.

[0168] In step 17, the LMF calculates the RTT carrier phase and performs positioning estimation.

[0169] An apparatus may include: means for performing at least one reference signal carrier phase (RSCP) measurement on a signal; means for determining a coherence time, wherein the coherence time is a duration during which an initial phase of the signal does not change by more than a threshold; means for determining, based on the determined coherence time, to provide at least one of the following to a network function: at least one RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time; and means for providing the determined at least one of the following to the network function: at least one RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time.

[0170] The apparatus may include a user equipment, such as a mobile phone, or a TRP such as a gNB, may be the user equipment or the gNB, or be included in the user equipment or the gNB or a chipset for performing at least some actions of the user equipment or the gNB.

[0171] Alternatively or additionally, an apparatus may comprise means for receiving, by a network function from a user equipment or a transmission reception point, at least one of: at least one reference signal carrier phase measurement or an indication of a determined coherence time.

[0172] The apparatus may include a network function, such as an LMF, which may be a network function or included in a network function or a chipset, for performing at least some actions of or for the network function.

[0173] It should be understood that the apparatus may include other units or modules in or for transmission and / or reception, such as a radio component or a radio head, etc. Although the apparatus has been described as one entity, different modules and memories may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

[0174] It is worth noting that although some embodiments have been described with respect to 5G networks, similar principles may be applied with respect to other networks and communication systems (such as 6G networks or 5G-Advanced networks). Therefore, although certain embodiments are described above by way of example and with reference to certain example architectures for wireless networks, technologies and standards, the embodiments may be applied to any other suitable form of communication system than those shown and described herein.

[0175] It is also noted herein that while the above describes exemplifying embodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0176] As used herein, “at least one of: ” and “” and similar expressions, where a list of two or more elements is connected by “and” or “or”, means at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements.

[0177] In general, various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Although various aspects of the present disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representation, it should be understood that the boxes, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in non-limiting examples as hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0178] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation only in analog and / or digital circuits) and (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (where applicable): (i) a combination of analog and / or (multiple) digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and (ii) any portion of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software and memory that work together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions, and hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or portion(s) of microprocessor(s) that requires software (e.g. firmware) for operation, but where software is not required for operation, the software may not be present.

[0179] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of only a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, the term circuitry also covers a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit used in a mobile device or similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or network device, if applicable to the particular claim element.

[0180] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of a mobile device, such as in a processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or programs, also referred to as program products (including software routines, applets and / or macros), may be stored in a data storage medium of any readable device, and they include program instructions for performing specific tasks. A computer program product may include one or more computer executable components that are configured to perform an embodiment when the program is running. One or more computer executable components may be at least one software code or part thereof.

[0181] In addition, in this regard, it should be noted that any box of the logic flow in the accompanying drawings can represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, boxes and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, boxes and functions. Software can be stored on such physical media as memory chips or memory blocks implemented in processors, magnetic media (such as hard disks or floppy disks), and optical media (such as, for example, DVDs and their data variants CDs). Physical media are non-transitory media. As used herein, the term "non-transitory" is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible rather than signals), rather than a limitation on data storage persistence (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0182] The memory may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. As non-limiting examples, the data processor may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an FPGA, a gate-level circuit, and a processor.

[0183] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available to convert logic level designs into semiconductor circuit designs that are ready to be etched and formed on semiconductor substrates.

[0184] The scope of protection sought for various embodiments of the present disclosure is set out by the independent claims. Embodiments and features described in this specification that do not belong to the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0185] The above description provides a complete and informative description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure by way of non-limiting examples. However, in view of the foregoing description, various modifications and adjustments may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant art when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all of these and similar modifications of the teachings of the present disclosure will still fall within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. In fact, further embodiments include combinations of one or more embodiments with any other embodiments previously discussed.

[0186] In some aspects, an apparatus is provided, comprising: means for performing at least one reference signal carrier phase, RSCP, measurement on the signal; means for determining a coherence time, wherein the coherence time is the duration during which the initial phase of the signal does not change by more than a threshold value; means for determining, based on the determined coherence time, to provide to a network function at least one of: at least one RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time; and Means for providing to a network function at least one of the determined RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time.

[0187] In some aspects, the apparatus includes: means for receiving, from a network function, a coherence time determined at the network function for at least one transmit and receive point TRP.

[0188] In some aspects, the apparatus includes means for receiving a request from a network function to perform M RSCP measurements based on a provided coherence time for at least one TRP and a determined coherence time for the apparatus, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0189] In some aspects, the apparatus includes: a component for determining a required time period and a component for providing the determined time period to a network function, the required time period being used to perform M DL RSCP measurements regarding a TRP based on a configuration provided on a downlink positioning reference signal DL PRS, or to perform M UL RSCP measurements regarding a UE based on a configuration provided in an uplink sounding reference signal UL SRS.

[0190] In some aspects, an apparatus includes means for determining whether the apparatus is capable of performing M RSCP measurements within a provided coherence time or a determined coherence time.

[0191] In some aspects, an apparatus includes means for sending a request for reconfiguration of at least one of a UL SRS or a DL PRS to perform M RSCP measurements within a provided coherence time or a determined coherence time.

[0192] In some aspects, wherein the means for determining to provide the network function with at least one of: at least one RSCP measurement or a determined coherence time is based on the determined time period.

[0193] In some aspects, where if the determined coherence time is greater than the determined time period, the apparatus includes: means for providing at least one RSCP measurement to a network function, and if the determined coherence time is less than the determined time period, the apparatus includes: means for providing an indication of the determined coherence time to the network function.

[0194] In some aspects, included is means for receiving a request from a network function to provide the determined coherence time.

[0195] In some aspects, where the network function comprises a location management function, the apparatus comprises a transmission reception point and the RSCP measurement is based on an uplink sounding reference signal, or, the apparatus comprises a user equipment and the RSCP measurement is based on a downlink positioning reference signal transmission.

[0196] In some aspects, an apparatus is provided, comprising: Means for receiving, by a network function, from a user equipment or a transmission reception point, at least one of: at least one reference signal carrier phase measurement or an indication of a determined coherence time.

[0197] In some aspects, the apparatus includes: means for providing, from a network function, a coherence time determined at the network function for at least one transmit and receive point TRP.

[0198] In some aspects, the apparatus includes means for providing, from a network function, a request to perform M RSCP measurements based on a provided coherence time for at least one TRP and a determined coherence time for the apparatus, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0199] In some aspects, the apparatus includes a component for providing a configuration on a downlink positioning reference signal DL PRS and a component for receiving a determined required time period to perform M RSCP measurements regarding a TRP based on the received configuration, or, includes a component for providing a configuration on an uplink sounding reference signal UL SRS and a component for receiving a determined required time period to perform M RSCP measurements regarding a UE based on the provided configuration.

[0200] In some aspects, the apparatus includes means for providing, from a network function to a transmission reception point or user equipment, a request to provide the determined coherence time.

[0201] In some aspects, the apparatus includes means for determining whether a transmission reception point or user equipment is suitable for performing a positioning procedure based on the received coherence time.

[0202] In some aspects, the apparatus includes: means for determining that there are insufficient user equipment or transmission reception points for performing a positioning process; and means for providing reconfiguration of reference signal resources to the user equipment or transmission reception points.

[0203] In some aspects, a method is provided, comprising: performing at least one reference signal carrier phase (RSCP) measurement on the signal; determining a coherence time, wherein the coherence time is the duration during which the initial phase of the signal does not change by more than a threshold; determining, based on the determined coherence time, to provide to a network function at least one of: at least one RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time; and The determined at least one of: at least one RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time is provided to a network function.

[0204] In some aspects, a method is provided, comprising: At least one of the following is received by the network function from the user equipment or the transmission reception point: at least one reference signal carrier phase measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time.

[0205] In some aspects, an apparatus is provided, comprising: at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to at least: performing at least one reference signal carrier phase (RSCP) measurement on the signal; determining a coherence time, wherein the coherence time is the duration during which the initial phase of the signal does not change by more than a threshold; determining, based on the determined coherence time, to provide to a network function at least one of: at least one RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time; and The determined at least one of: at least one RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time is provided to a network function.

[0206] In some aspects, an apparatus is provided, comprising: at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to at least: At least one of the following is received by the network function from the user equipment or the transmission reception point: at least one reference signal carrier phase measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time.

[0207] In some aspects, a computer-readable medium comprising instructions is provided that, when executed by an apparatus, causes the apparatus to at least: performing at least one reference signal carrier phase (RSCP) measurement on the signal; determining a coherence time, wherein the coherence time is the duration during which the initial phase of the signal does not change by more than a threshold; determining, based on the determined coherence time, to provide to a network function at least one of: at least one RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time; and The determined at least one of: at least one RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time is provided to a network function.

[0208] In some aspects, a computer-readable medium comprising instructions is provided that, when executed by an apparatus, causes the apparatus to at least: At least one of the following is received by the network function from the user equipment or the transmission reception point: at least one reference signal carrier phase measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time.

Claims

1. A device for communication, comprising: means for performing at least one reference signal carrier phase, RSCP, measurement on the signal; means for determining a coherence time, wherein the coherence time is the duration during which an initial phase of the signal does not change by more than a threshold value; means for determining, based on the determined coherence time, to provide to a network function at least one of: the at least one RSCP measurement or an indication of the determined coherence time; and Means for providing said determined at least one of: said at least one RSCP measurement or an indication of said determined coherence time to said network function.

2. The device according to claim 1, comprising: Means for receiving from the network function a coherence time determined at the network function at least for one transmit and receive point TRP.

3. The device according to claim 2, comprising: Means for receiving, from the network function, a request to perform M RSCP measurements based on the coherence time provided for at least one TRP and the determined coherence time of the device, where M is an integer greater than or equal to one.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: A component for determining a required time period and a component for providing the determined time period to the network function, wherein the required time period is used to perform M DL RSCP measurements on the TRP based on the configuration provided on the downlink positioning reference signal DL PRS, or to perform M UL RSCP measurements on the UE based on the configuration provided in the uplink sounding reference signal UL SRS.

5. The device according to claim 4, comprising: Means for determining whether the apparatus is capable of performing the M RSCP measurements within the provided coherence time or within the determined coherence time.

6. The device according to claim 5, comprising: Means for sending a request for reconfiguration of at least one of the UL SRS or DL ​​PRS to perform the M RSCP measurements within the provided coherence time or the determined coherence time.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the means for determining to provide the network function with at least one of: the at least one RSCP measurement or the determined coherence time is based on the determined time period.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein if the determined coherence time is greater than the determined time period, the apparatus comprises: means for providing the at least one RSCP measurement to the network function, and if the determined coherence time is less than the determined time period, the apparatus comprises means for providing an indication of the determined coherence time to the network function.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising means for receiving a request from the network function to provide the determined coherence time.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the network function comprises a location management function, the apparatus comprises a transmitting and receiving point and the RSCP measurement is based on an uplink sounding reference signal, or the apparatus comprises a user equipment and the RSCP measurement is based on a downlink positioning reference signal transmission.

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