Device discovery and positioning

Abstract

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for passive Internet of Things (IoT) discovery and localization. A method may include obtaining, by a first device, a configuration to transmit a first signal for discovering a tag, and selecting a configuration of a transmitter device to transmit a second signal for locating the tag. The method may also include transmitting the first signal. The method may further include obtaining information about reception of the tag response signal for the first signal. Further, the method may include selecting a transmitter device for transmitting the second signal based on the obtained information. Further, the method may include selecting a reader device for a tag response signal for the second signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Some example embodiments generally relate to mobile or wireless telecommunication systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or fifth generation (5G) New Radio (NR) access technology, or above 5G, or other communication systems. For example, certain example embodiments may relate to apparatus, systems, and / or methods for discovery and positioning. Background Art

[0002] Examples of mobile or wireless telecommunication systems may include Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), LTE Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), Advanced LTE (LTE-A), MulteFire, LTE-A Pro, and / or fifth generation (5G) radio access technology or NR access technology. 5G wireless systems refer to next generation (NG) radio systems and network architectures. 5G network technology is primarily based on New Radio (NR) technology, but 5G (or NG) networks can also be built on E-UTRAN radios. It is estimated that NR can provide bit rates of 10-20Gbit / s or higher, and can support at least enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC) and massive machine type communications (mMTC). NR is expected to provide ultra-wideband and ultra-robust, low latency connections and massive networks to support IoT. Summary of the invention

[0003] Some example embodiments may relate to a method. The method may include obtaining, by a first device, a configuration for sending a first signal for discovering a tag, and selecting a configuration for a transmitter device for sending a second signal for locating the tag. The method may also include sending the first signal. The method may further include obtaining information about the reception of a tag response signal for the first signal, wherein the information includes information about receiving the tag response signal by at least one second device. In addition, the method may include selecting a transmitter device for sending the second signal based on the obtained information. Further, the method may include selecting at least one reader device for the tag response signal for the second signal.

[0004] Other example embodiments may relate to an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least obtain a configuration for sending a first signal for discovering a tag, and a configuration for selecting a transmitter device for sending a second signal for locating the tag. The apparatus may also be caused to send a first signal. The apparatus may further be caused to obtain information about the reception of a tag response signal for the first signal, wherein the information includes information about receiving the tag response signal by at least one second device. In addition, the apparatus may be caused to select a transmitter device for sending a second signal based on the information obtained. Further, the apparatus may select at least one reader device for a tag response signal for the second signal.

[0005] Other example embodiments may relate to an apparatus. The apparatus may include components for obtaining a configuration for sending a first signal for discovering a tag, and selecting a configuration for a transmitter device for sending a second signal for locating the tag. The apparatus may also include components for sending the first signal. The apparatus may further include components for obtaining information about the reception of a tag response signal for the first signal, wherein the information includes information about the receipt of the tag response signal by at least one second device. In addition, the apparatus may include components for selecting a transmitter device for sending the second signal based on the obtained information. Further, the apparatus may include components for selecting at least one reader device for the tag response signal for the second signal.

[0006] According to other example embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may be encoded with instructions that, when executed in hardware, perform a method. The method may include obtaining, by a first device, a configuration for sending a first signal for discovering a tag, and selecting a configuration for a transmitter device for sending a second signal for locating the tag. The method may also include sending the first signal. The method may further include obtaining information about the reception of a tag response signal for the first signal, wherein the information includes information about receiving the tag response signal by at least one second device. In addition, the method may include selecting a transmitter device for sending the second signal based on the obtained information. Further, the method may include selecting at least one reader device for a tag response signal for the second signal.

[0007] Other example embodiments may relate to a computer program product that performs a method. The method may include obtaining, by a first device, a configuration for sending a first signal for discovering a tag, and selecting a configuration for a transmitter device for sending a second signal for locating the tag. The method may also include sending the first signal. The method may further include obtaining information about the reception of a tag response signal for the first signal, wherein the information includes information about receiving the tag response signal by at least one second device. In addition, the method may include selecting a transmitter device for sending the second signal based on the obtained information. Further, the method may include selecting at least one reader device for the tag response signal for the second signal.

[0008] Other example embodiments may relate to an apparatus that may include circuitry configured to obtain a configuration for sending a first signal for discovering a tag, and a configuration for selecting a transmitter device for sending a second signal for locating the tag. The apparatus may also include circuitry configured to send the first signal. The apparatus may further include circuitry configured to obtain information about the reception of a tag response signal for the first signal, wherein the information includes information about the receipt of the tag response signal by at least one second device. In addition, the apparatus may include circuitry configured to select a transmitter device for sending the second signal based on the obtained information. Further, the apparatus may include circuitry configured to select at least one reader device for the tag response signal for the second signal.

[0009] Certain example embodiments may be directed to a method. The method may include receiving a configuration from a network element, wherein the configuration includes reporting settings for discovery measurements to a first device. The method may also include, based on the configuration, listening for a tag. The method may further include, based on the listening, sending a measurement report to the first device. According to certain example embodiments, the measurement report includes information about a tag power or a binary indicator associated with the tag.

[0010] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least receive a configuration from a network element, wherein the configuration includes reporting a setting for discovery measurements to a first device. The apparatus may also be caused to listen to a tag based on the configuration. The apparatus may further be caused to send a measurement report to the first device based on the listening. According to certain example embodiments, the measurement report includes information about a tag power or a binary indicator associated with the tag.

[0011] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for receiving a configuration from a network element, wherein the configuration includes reporting settings for discovery measurements to a first device. The apparatus may also include means for listening to a tag based on the configuration. The apparatus may further include means for sending a measurement report to the first device based on the listening. According to certain example embodiments, the measurement report includes information about a tag power or a binary indicator associated with the tag.

[0012] According to other example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may be encoded with instructions that, when executed in hardware, perform a method. The method may include receiving a configuration from a network element, wherein the configuration includes reporting settings for discovery measurements to a first device. The method may also include, based on the configuration, listening for a tag. The method may further include, based on the listening, sending a measurement report to the first device. According to certain example embodiments, the measurement report includes information about a tag power or a binary indicator associated with the tag.

[0013] Other example embodiments may be directed to a computer program product that performs a method. The method may include receiving a configuration from a network element, wherein the configuration includes reporting settings for discovery measurements to a first device. The method may also include, based on the configuration, listening for a tag. The method may further include, based on the listening, sending a measurement report to the first device. According to certain example embodiments, the measurement report includes information about a tag power or a binary indicator associated with the tag.

[0014] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus that may include circuitry configured to receive a configuration from a network element, wherein the configuration includes reporting settings for discovery measurements to a first device. The apparatus may also include circuitry configured to listen for a tag based on the configuration. The apparatus may further include circuitry configured to send a measurement report to the first device based on the listening. According to certain example embodiments, the measurement report includes information about a tag power or a binary indicator associated with the tag.

[0015] Certain example embodiments may be directed to a method. The method may include receiving a configuration from a network element, wherein the configuration includes a setting for reporting discovery measurements to a first device. The method may also include triggering discovery of a tag by configuring a first configuration of a discovery activator as a configuration activation signal for the first device. The method may also include triggering a positioning session by configuring a setting for selecting a positioning activator and a positioning reader for the first device. The method may further include configuring a second device and at least one other device as a set of discovery readers that report discovery measurements to the first device.

[0016] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to trigger discovery of a tag by at least configuring a first device as a first configuration of a discovery activator that configures an activation signal. The apparatus may also include triggering a location session by configuring a first device with settings for selecting a location activator and a location reader. The apparatus may further configure a second device and at least one other device as a set of discovery readers that report discovery measurements to the first device.

[0017] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for triggering discovery of a tag by configuring a first device with a first configuration of a discovery activator as a configuration activation signal. The apparatus may also include means for triggering a location session by configuring the first device with settings for selecting a location activator and a location reader. The apparatus may further include means for configuring a second device and at least one other device as a set of discovery readers that report discovery measurements to the first device.

[0018] According to other example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may be encoded with instructions that, when executed in hardware, perform a method. The method may include receiving a configuration from a network element, wherein the configuration includes a setting for reporting discovery measurements to a first device. The method may also include triggering discovery of a tag by configuring a first configuration of a discovery activator as a configuration activation signal for the first device. The method may also include triggering a location session by configuring a setting for selecting a location activator and a location reader for the first device. The method may further include configuring a second device and at least one other device as a set of discovery readers that report discovery measurements to the first device.

[0019] Other example embodiments may be directed to a computer program product that performs a method. The method may include receiving a configuration from a network element, wherein the configuration includes a setting for reporting discovery measurements to a first device. The method may also include triggering discovery of a tag by configuring a first configuration of a discovery activator as a configuration activation signal for the first device. The method may also include triggering a positioning session by configuring a setting for selecting a positioning activator and a positioning reader for the first device. The method may further include configuring a second device and at least one other device as a set of discovery readers that report discovery measurements to the first device.

[0020] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus that may include circuitry configured to trigger discovery of a tag by configuring a first device with a first configuration of a discovery activator as a configuration activation signal. The apparatus may also include circuitry configured to trigger a location session by configuring the first device with settings for selecting a location activator and a location reader. The apparatus may further include circuitry configured to configure a second device and at least one other device as a set of discovery readers that report discovery measurements to the first device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] For a proper understanding of the example embodiments, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 An example tag detection and localization process is shown in accordance with certain example embodiments.

[0023] Figure 2 Example signal diagrams are shown in accordance with certain example embodiments.

[0024] Figure 3 An example flow diagram illustrating a method according to certain example embodiments.

[0025] Figure 4 An example flow chart illustrating another method according to certain example embodiments.

[0026] Figure 5 An example flow chart illustrating another method according to certain example embodiments.

[0027] Figure 6 A set of apparatuses according to certain example embodiments is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] It will be readily appreciated that the components of certain example embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations. The following is a detailed description of some example embodiments of systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for discovery and positioning. For example, certain example embodiments may relate to return time indication for network (NW) switching for passive Internet of Things (IoT) discovery and positioning.

[0029] The features, structures, or characteristics of the example embodiments described in this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments. For example, the use of the phrases "certain embodiments," "example embodiments," "some embodiments," or other similar language in this specification means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with one embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment. Therefore, the appearance of the phrases "certain embodiments," "example embodiments," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," or other similar language in this specification does not necessarily refer to the same set of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments. In addition, the terms "cell," "node," "gNB," "network," or other similar language may be used interchangeably in this specification. In addition, the terms "tag positioning" and "positioning" may refer to positioning tags.

[0030] As used herein, “at least one of: <a list of two or more elements / elements>” and “at least one of <a list of two or more elements / elements>” and similar expressions (wherein a list of two or more elements / elements is connected by “and” or “or”) mean at least any one element / element, or at least any two or more elements / elements, or at least all elements / elements.

[0031] The technical specifications of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specify narrowband (NB) IoT / enhanced machine type communication (eMTC) and NR Reduced Capability (RedCap) to meet the requirements for low-cost and low-power devices for wide-area IoT communications. These IoT devices can consume tens or hundreds of milliwatts of power when transmitting and receiving, although the cost of doing so is still low. However, in order to realize the Internet of Everything, IoT devices with ten or even a hundred times lower cost and power consumption may be required, especially for a large number of applications that may require battery-free devices.

[0032] The number of IoT connections has been growing rapidly in recent years. As more and more "things" are expected to be connected to improve production efficiency and increase living comfort, the size, cost, and power consumption of IoT devices may need to be further reduced. For example, it may be impractical to regularly replace the batteries of IoT devices due to the large expenditure of materials and manpower. It has also become a trend to use energy collected from the environment to power IoT devices for their own sustainable communications. This may be especially true in applications with a large number of devices (e.g., ID tags and sensors).

[0033] Given the limited device size, a problem with existing 3GPP technologies in certain target use cases may be the ability to collaborate with energy harvesting. Cellular devices may consume tens or hundreds of milliwatts of power for transceiver and processing. Taking the NB-IoT module as an example, the typical current consumption for receive processing may be around 60mA when the supply voltage is above 3.1V, while 70mA may be required for transmit processing at 0dBm transmit power. Considering the small size of several square centimeters of actual devices, the output power provided by a typical energy harvester may be less than 1 milliwatt. Since the available power is significantly less than the consumed power, it may not be practical to power cellular devices directly through energy harvesting.

[0034] A possible solution to the above problems may be to integrate energy harvesting with rechargeable batteries or supercapacitors. However, some problems may still exist. For example, the life of both rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors may be shortened because it is difficult to provide a constant charging current or voltage through energy harvesting, and long-term continuous charging may be required due to the small output power from the energy harvester. Both unstable charging current and long-term continuous charging may be harmful to battery life. In particular, for supercapacitors, their life in high temperature environments may be significantly shortened (e.g., less than 3 years at 50°C).

[0035] Another problem may be due to the potentially significantly increased device size. Since a small coin cell battery can provide a few tens of milliamps, a much larger battery (e.g., AA battery) can be used to power a cellular device, which can even be larger than the module itself. In order to store energy for a reasonable operating time (e.g., one second), the capacitance required for a supercapacitor may be in the hundreds of mill-farads range. In addition, the size of such a supercapacitor may be larger than the NB-IoT module.

[0036] Other issues may be that both rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors can be more expensive than the module itself. Even if purchased in large quantities, the cost of a suitable battery or supercapacitor can reach a dollar or several dollars, which is almost twice the cost of the device itself.

[0037] In view of the above, there are certain non-3GPP technologies that can help solve these problems. For example, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology can support battery-free tags (e.g., devices / devices). Commercial passive RFID tags can have power consumption as low as 1 microwatt. Key technologies to achieve this low power consumption may include envelope detection for downlink (DL) data reception and back-reflection communication for uplink (UL) data transmission. RFID can be designed for short-range communication, with a typical effective range of less than 10 meters. Since the air interface of RFID has remained essentially unchanged since 2005, overly simple transmission schemes have become an obstacle to improving its link budget and supporting scalable network capabilities.

[0038] 3GPP provides certain passive IoT solutions in 5G NR. However, from certain use cases and requirements, different companies have proposed various different options regarding both use cases and requirements for NR-based IoT. Therefore, there is still a need to develop a baseline solution for NR-based passive IoT. In order to support and integrate passive IoT in the 5G NR network infrastructure, the network may need to identify the rough location (i.e., approximate location) of the tag because there may be no active elements on the tag, and therefore, the tag cannot make itself visible or audible.

[0039] Discovering passive IoT devices can be challenging due to the inherent characteristics of passive radios. In particular, a passive radio may have no power source, may be mobile, and may hear other radios in its own proximity (e.g., most commonly within a 5-10m radius). Furthermore, the mobility and operation (i.e., how much data is collected) of a passive IoT device may be transparent to the NR NW. Due to this limitation, the NR NW may not apply typical NR UE paging operations and may need to define alternatives.

[0040] In some cases, the NRNW may discover the tag if the tag hears an activation signal loud enough that the tag can be sufficiently charged, and therefore the tag can generate a loud enough "I'm here" response to be heard by another nearby NW element (e.g., gNB, road side unit (RSU), UE, etc.). In view of the foregoing, certain example embodiments may address various issues exhibited by passive IoT devices in 5G NR networks, including, for example, issues associated with time and spectrally efficient discovery and positioning of such passive IoT devices.

[0041] Figure 1 An example tag detection and localization process is shown in accordance with certain example embodiments. Figure 1As shown in , some example embodiments may provide a resource-optimized framework for discovery and subsequent positioning of passive devices (such as, for example, tags). For example, the framework of some example embodiments may include steps for tag discovery, which may be performed by an activator selected by the NW (such as, for example, a discovery activator (DA)). Figure 1 As shown in , the NW can select and configure UE1 as a DA and coordinator and UE2 as a discovery reader (DR). The DA can use a small bandwidth, coarse resolution, short activation signal (CRAS) to trigger tag discovery. The DA may sometimes be referred to as a transmitter device for sending a first signal (or CRAS) for discovering one or more tags. In addition, tag discovery can be performed by a group of DRs. For example, the group of DRs may include multiple DRs. For example, a network (such as an LMF) may select a DR. The DR may sometimes be referred to as a reader or receiving device for receiving a tag response from one or more tags to be discovered, wherein the tag response is sent by one or more tags based on or in response to the first signal. In some example embodiments, the DA may also select and configure an activator for subsequent tag positioning (i.e., a positioning activator (LA)), and select and configure one or more positioning readers (LRs). The LA may sometimes be referred to as a transmitter device for sending a second signal (FRAS) for locating or addressing one or more tags. The LR may sometimes be referred to as a receiving or reader device for receiving a tag response from one or more tags to be located, wherein the tag response is sent by the one or more tags based on or in response to the second signal. The tag response signal for the first signal may also be referred to as a first tag response signal, and the tag response signal for the second signal may also be referred to as a second tag response signal.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown in , in certain example embodiments, the framework may also include steps involving tag localization. According to some example embodiments, tag localization may be coordinated by an initial DA and may be triggered by the selected LA via the transmission of an activation signal (FRAS) of a larger BW, finer resolution, and / or longer duration by the LA. In addition, tag localization may be performed by the LA and the LR, wherein the latter may collect positioning measurements regarding tag replies to the FRAS. Thus, as described above, when little or no information about the tag location is known, tag discovery may reduce associated resource utilization, while tag localization may enable the LA to perform targeted activation to enable the tag to charge and respond loudly enough to be read by multiple readers.

[0043] Figure 2 An example signal diagram according to certain example embodiments is shown. At 200, the LMF / gNB may trigger a tag discovery and positioning session via a given UE (UE1). Figure 2 As shown in , UE1 may be selected by the LMF / gNB as the DA. In some example embodiments, UE1 may be selected based on past knowledge of the tag location or randomly (if no such knowledge is available). According to certain example embodiments, and as discussed in more detail below, the LMF / gNB may authorize UE1 to select the LA and LR for tag positioning.

[0044] At 205, the LMF / gNB may configure a set of DRs, such as, for example, UE2 and other devices listening for replies from the tag (i.e., device X). The LMF / gNB may also configure UE1 to be able to specify a LA or LR. In some example embodiments, the LMF / gNB may configure the DRs to report discovery measurements to UE1 and allow UE1 to configure the LA or LR role for them in the tag location step.

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown in , once UE1 and UE2 have been configured, tag discovery can be initiated or performed by the DA (e.g., UE1). Specifically, at 210, UE1 can broadcast a CRAS, which can be a low BW signal that activates the tag to reply, and can also charge the tag according to the tag structure. In certain example embodiments, the CRAS can be sent with BW Bcras on a dedicated carrier Fcras, and can have a known short duration Tcras selected and configured by the NW. In some example embodiments, a reduced power CRAS can be sufficient for tag discovery by one or several DRs. Therefore, the DAUE1 can send the CRAS at maximum power, reduced power, or resend the CRAS at increased power until the DR begins reporting detection.

[0046] At 215, the DA UE1 and the selected DR (e.g., UE2 and device X) may listen for potential tag replies. At 220, 225, and 230, the DR that hears the tag reply may report the reply to the coordination entity (e.g., UE1) in the form of a discovery measurement. In certain example embodiments, the discovery measurement may include an RX tag power value and / or a binary indicator associated with each tag heard by the DR. For example, the binary indicator associated with each tag may be represented as tag(IDx)=1, which may mean that an IDx tag has been detected.

[0047] At 235, UE1 may receive a measurement report from the DR. At 240, UE1 may use the measurement report to determine coarse location information (CLI) as the centroid of all listening devices (when their locations are known). Alternatively, in other example embodiments, UE1 may use the measurement report to generate a list of neighbor devices that are considered close to the tag. For example, the neighbor device may be within a range R from the tag, where R may be 5, 10, or 30 m. In some example embodiments, the list may be arranged in ascending order of the distance between the device and the tag. For example, list = {UE2, UE1, device X} may indicate that UE2 is closest to the tag and device X is farthest from the tag. In other example embodiments, UE1 may use the CLI derived above to select a LA and one or more LRs. For example, UE2 may be selected as the LA, and UE1 and device X may be selected as LRs.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown in , a tag positioning step may be provided. Under this step, the location of the tag may be determined. This may also be referred to as determining the address of the tag. Therefore, the tag positioning step may also be referred to as a tag addressing step. At 245, in the tag positioning step, UE1 may configure UE2 as a LA. That is, UE1 may indicate to UE2 that UE2 has been selected as a transmitter device for sending a positioning activation signal. As a LA, UE2 may send a positioning activation signal. Compared to the discovery activation signal (sometimes referred to as the first signal or CRAS), the positioning activation signal (sometimes referred to as the second signal or FRAS) may be characterized by a larger BW, and / or a longer duration. In certain example embodiments, the configuration may include parameters (e.g., carrier, bandwidth, time) of the FRAS for each target tag. According to certain example embodiments, the FRAS for each target tag may include Ffras, Bfras, Tfras, etc., wherein Bfras>Bcras, and Tfras>Tcras. Ffras refers to the carrier frequency of the FRAS signal, Fcras refers to the carrier frequency of the CRAS signal, Bfras refers to the bandwidth of the FRAS signal, Bcras refers to the bandwidth of the CRAS signal, Tfras refers to the duration of the FRAS signal, and Tfras refers to the duration of the CRAS signal. For example, the duration of the signal can be indicated in a radio symbol, such as an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbol.

[0049] At 250, UE1 may configure the communication device as an LR. For example, in some example embodiments, UE1 may configure itself as an LR. Further, at 255, UE1 may configure device X as an LR. In some example embodiments, the LR may receive a tag reply and measure the reply to obtain a position measurement for locating the tag. According to some example embodiments, the configuration may include parameters of the tag reply (required to detect the tag signal). For example, the parameters of the tag reply may include a tag-specific waveform (e.g., carrier, BW, code, etc.), and the parameters may include positioning metrics that the reader may calculate (e.g., tag time of arrival (TOA), angle of arrival (AOA), received power, etc.).

[0050] At 260, UE2 may send a positioning activation signal FRAS to the tag, and at 265, the reader may measure the tag and report the measurements to UE1, or directly to the reader's serving gNB. In some example embodiments, the positioning measurements may be reported to an entity responsible for calculating the final position of the tag. This entity may be the entity that initiated the tag detection and positioning process (e.g., UE1), or another entity designated to do so (i.e., another reader or activator). Furthermore, in some example embodiments, the reported measurements may be used to locate the tag.

[0051] In other example embodiments, the DA may select the LA and may authorize the LA to select its own LR. According to some example embodiments, the LA may in turn select a set of neighbor UEs as LRs with which the LA has previously established secondary links (SLs). In other example embodiments, the DA may select the LA and a first set of LRs and may also authorize the LA to select a second set of LRs. In turn, the DA may configure the first set of LRs while the LA configures (as instructed by the DA) the second set of LRs.

[0052] According to certain example embodiments, CRAS may correspond to a discovery activation signal that activates a tag for reply. CRAS may be a type of waveform, such as, for example, a single carrier or a multi-carrier, wherein the waveform is unique to the ID of the tag that it activates. In other example embodiments, CRAS may be a carrier frequency Fcras that the tag is listening to. According to some example embodiments, Fcras may be selected by the NW in conjunction with the type of tag that the NW needs to locate. In other example embodiments, CRAS may be a small BW Bcras, such as, for example, Bcras=5MHz. With a small BW, resource efficiency may be optimized. In other example embodiments, CRAS may be described as a duration Tcras, such as, for example, Tcras=1 OFDM symbol, wherein the duration is selected relative to the selected transmit power Pcras (i.e., for a single CRAS transmission) so that the average power over the total transmission time is less than a preset threshold (e.g., set by the UE himself or the NW).

[0053] In some example embodiments, CRAS may be sent by the DA and may not be heard by the discovery reader. In some example embodiments, DA-to-tag interference may occur when tag replies for CRAS are on the same resource. To mitigate this effect, the NW may also transmit the CRAS configuration to each DR so that the DR can eliminate the CRAS effect from the RX signal before attempting tag discovery.

[0054] According to certain example embodiments, FRAS may correspond to a positioning activation signal, which may be a type of waveform. For example, the waveform may be single carrier or multi-carrier, wherein the waveform is unique to the ID of the tag that FRAS needs to activate. In other example embodiments, FRAS may correspond to the carrier frequency Ffras that the tag is listening to. In certain example embodiments, Ffras may be selected by the NW in conjunction with the type of tag that the NW needs to locate. In certain example embodiments, large BW Bfras>Bcras. For example, Bcras=20MHz to achieve a finer sampling resolution for tag replies to FRAS. In other example embodiments, a larger duration Tfras>Tcras may be required. For example, Tfras=8 OFDM symbols to ensure that the tag is fully charged and that the tag reply is heard by the selected LR.

[0055] In certain example embodiments, FRAS may be sent by LAs and may or may not be heard by LRs. When tag replies for FRAS are on the same resources, LA-to-tag interference may occur. Therefore, to mitigate this effect, UE1 may also transmit a FRAS configuration to each LR so that the LRs can remove the FRAS effect from the RX signal before attempting tag location measurements.

[0056] According to certain example embodiments, configuration of DA and DR by the NW may be implemented via a serving gNB. For example, this may be accomplished via a downlink physical downlink shared channel (DL PDSCH) or a DL small data transmission (SDT) (for radio resource control (RRC) INACTIVE). Here, the payload may include at least a list of tags that should be discovered, a CRAS configuration, and a total listening duration Dcras during discovery measurements for the DR to collect tags. In some example embodiments, configuration of DA and DR by the NW may be implemented via the LMF via LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) assistance data (sent between the LMF and the UE), wherein such assistance data includes the same payload as the gNB described above.

[0057] In certain example embodiments, the configuration of LA and LR may be performed by the DA and may be implemented via the SL Physical SL Shared Channel (PSSCH) sent by the DA. In other example embodiments, the configuration of LA and LR by the DA may be implemented via the DL PDSCH sent by the serving gNB. For example, the DL PDSCH may be sent by the serving gNB after the DA has sent a list of LA and LR to the gNB. In other example embodiments, the configuration of LA and LR by the DA may be implemented by the LMF via the LPP after the DA has sent a list of LA and LR to the LMF. In addition, in certain example embodiments, the payload of the above-mentioned data channels (e.g., SL PSSCH, DL PDSCH, and LPP) may include at least a list of tags that should be located, a FRAS configuration, and a total listening duration Dfras during the positioning measurement of the LR collecting tags.

[0058] Figure 3 An example flow chart of a method according to certain example embodiments is shown. In one example embodiment, Figure 3 The method may be performed by a network entity or a group of multiple network elements in a 3GPP system (such as LTE or 5G-NR). For example, in an example embodiment, Figure 3 The method can be similar to Figure 6 The method is performed by a UE of one of the apparatuses 10 or 20 shown in FIG.

[0059] According to certain example embodiments, Figure 3The method may include, at 300, obtaining, by a first device, a configuration for sending a first signal for discovering a tag, and selecting a configuration for sending a transmitter device for locating a second signal of the tag. The method may also include, at 305, sending the first signal. The method may further include, at 310, obtaining information about the reception of a tag response signal for the first signal, wherein the information includes information about receiving the tag response signal by at least one second device. In addition, the method may include, at 315, selecting a transmitter device for sending a second signal based on the obtained information. Further, the method may include, at 320, selecting at least one reader device for a tag response signal for the second signal. In some examples, a reader device may be referred to as a receiving device. Selection as used herein (e.g., operation 315 and / or operation 320) may include sending one or more messages or indications by the first device to the selected device, wherein the one or more messages or indications indicate to the selected device that it has been selected as a transmitter device or as a reader device. If the first device selects itself as a transmitter device or as a reader device, no message may need to be sent via the radio interface and the first device may simply select itself for the determined role.

[0060] According to some example embodiments, obtaining information about the reception of a tag response signal for the first signal may include receiving information about the reception of the tag response signal by the at least one second device from the at least one second device. According to some example embodiments, obtaining information about the reception of the tag response signal for the first signal may include receiving the tag response signal from the tag. According to other example embodiments, the method may further include obtaining a configuration of selecting at least one reader device for receiving a response to the second signal from the tag, and selecting at least one reader device among the first device and the at least one second device.

[0061] In certain example embodiments, selecting one of the at least one second devices as a transmitter device may include selecting one of the at least one second devices as a transmitter device. In other example embodiments, the method may further include sending information indicating the selection and the configuration of the second signal to the selected second device. In some example embodiments, selecting at least one reader device in the first device and at least one second device may include selecting the first device as one of the at least one reader device. In other example embodiments, the method may further include initiating receipt of a tag response signal to the second signal from the tag. In other example embodiments, the method may further include obtaining information about receipt of the tag response signal to the second signal. In other example embodiments, the method may include at least one of the following: sending information to a network unit for locating the tag, or determining the location of the tag based on the obtained information.

[0062] According to certain example embodiments, information about the reception of a tag response signal for a second signal may be obtained at least in part by receiving information about the reception of a tag response signal for the second signal from one or more second devices. According to some example embodiments, the first signal may be configured to be sent via at least one of: a smaller bandwidth, a coarser resolution, a shorter time period, or a lower power than the second signal. According to other example embodiments, selecting a transmitter device may be based on at least one parameter indicating a distance between the tag and the transmitter device. According to other example embodiments, at least one parameter may be obtained based on information about the reception of a tag response signal for the first signal.

[0063] Figure 4 An example flow chart of a method according to certain example embodiments is shown. In one example embodiment, Figure 4 The method may be performed by a network entity or a group of multiple network elements in a 3GPP system (such as LTE or 5G-NR). For example, in an example embodiment, Figure 5 The method can be similar to Figure 6 The method is performed by a UE of one of the apparatuses 10 or 20 shown in FIG.

[0064] According to certain example embodiments, Figure 3 The method may include, at 400, receiving a configuration from a network element, wherein the configuration includes reporting settings for discovery measurements to a first device. At 405, the method may also include listening to a tag based on the configuration. At 410, the method may include sending a measurement report to the first device based on the listening. In some example embodiments, the measurement report includes information about a tag power or a binary indicator associated with the tag.

[0065] According to some example embodiments, the method may further include receiving, from the first device, configuration settings for operating as a locate activator. According to some example embodiments, the configuration settings for operating as a locate activator include parameters for a fine resolution activation signal for each target tag.

[0066] Figure 5 An example of a flow chart of another method according to certain example embodiments is shown. In one example embodiment, Figure 5 The method may be performed by a network entity or a group of multiple network elements in a 3GPP system (such as LTE or 5G-NR). For example, in an example embodiment, Figure 5 The method can be similar to Figure 6 The method may be performed by an LMF, a gNB, a network, a cell or any other device of one of the apparatuses 10 or 20 shown in FIG.

[0067] According to certain example embodiments, Figure 5 The method may include, at 500, triggering discovery of tags by configuring a first device as a discovery activator that configures an activation signal. At 505, the method may further include triggering a positioning session by configuring the first device with settings for selecting a positioning activator and a positioning reader. At 510, the method may also include configuring a second device and at least one other device as a group of discovery readers that report discovery measurements to the first device.

[0068] According to some example embodiments, configuring the second device may include configuring a discovery reader to report a discovery measurement to the first device. According to other example embodiments, the discovery measurement may include a tag power level measurement, or a binary indicator associated with the tag.

[0069] Figure 6 A set of apparatuses 10 and 20 according to some example embodiments are shown. In some example embodiments, the apparatus 10 may be a unit / element in a communication network or a unit / element associated with such a network, such as a UE, a mobile equipment (ME), a mobile station, a mobile device, a stationary device, an IoT device, or other device. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art will understand that the apparatus 10 may include Figure 6 Components or features not shown.

[0070] In some example embodiments, the apparatus 10 may include one or more processors, one or more computer-readable storage media (e.g., memory, storage, etc.), one or more radio access components (e.g., modems, transceivers, etc.), and / or a user interface. In some example embodiments, the apparatus 10 may be configured to operate using one or more radio access technologies, such as GSM, LTE, LTE-A, NR, 5G, WLAN, WiFi, NB-IoT, Bluetooth, NFC, MulteFire, and / or any other radio access technology. It should be noted that one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the apparatus 10 may include Figure 6 Components or features not shown.

[0071] like Figure 6 As shown in the example of , the device 10 may include or be coupled to a processor 12 for processing information and executing instructions or operations. The processor 12 may be any type of general or special purpose processor. In fact, as an example, the processor 12 may include one or more of the following: a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Although Figure 6 A single processor 12 is shown in FIG. 1 , but multiple processors may be used according to other example embodiments. For example, it should be understood that in some example embodiments, the apparatus 10 may include two or more processors that may constitute a multiprocessor system that may support multiprocessing (e.g., in which case the processor 12 may represent a multiprocessor). According to some example embodiments, the multiprocessor system may be tightly coupled or loosely coupled (e.g., to form a computer cluster).

[0072] Processor 12 may perform functions associated with the operation of device 10, including, as some examples, precoding of antenna gain / phase parameters, encoding and decoding of individual bits constituting a communication message, formatting of information, and overall control of device 10, including Figure 1-5 The process shown in .

[0073] The device 10 may further include or be coupled to a memory 14 (internal or external), which may be coupled to the processor 12 for storing information and instructions that can be executed by the processor 12. The memory 14 may be one or more memories and may be of any type suitable for the local application environment, and may be implemented using any suitable volatile or non-volatile data storage technology (such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and / or removable memory). For example, the memory 14 may include any combination of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), static storage devices such as magnetic disks or optical disks, hard disk drives (HDDs), or any other type of non-transitory machine or computer readable media. The instructions stored in the memory 14 may include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by the processor 12, enables the device 10 to perform tasks as described herein.

[0074] In certain example embodiments, the apparatus 10 may further include or be coupled to a (internal or external) drive or port configured to accept and read an external computer-readable storage medium, such as an optical disk, a USB drive, a flash drive, or any other storage medium. For example, the external computer-readable storage medium may store a computer program or software for execution by the processor 12 and / or the apparatus 10 to perform Figure 1-5 Any of the methods shown in .

[0075] In some example embodiments, the apparatus 10 may also include or be coupled to one or more antennas 15 for receiving downlink signals from the apparatus 10 and transmitting from the apparatus 10 via the UL. The apparatus 10 may further include a transceiver 18 configured to send and receive information. The transceiver 28 may include a radio interface (e.g., a modem) coupled to the antenna 15. The radio interface may correspond to a variety of radio access technologies, including one or more of the following: GSM, LTE, LTE-A, 5G, NR, WLAN, NB-IoT, Bluetooth, BT-LE, NFC, RFID, UWB, etc. The radio interface may include components such as filters, converters (e.g., digital-to-analog converters, etc.), symbol demappers, signal shaping components, inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) modules, etc., to process symbols carried by the downlink or UL, such as OFDMA symbols.

[0076] For example, the transceiver 18 may be configured to modulate information onto a carrier waveform for transmission by the antenna 15, and to demodulate information received via the antenna 15 for further processing by other elements of the apparatus 10. In other example embodiments, the transceiver 18 may be capable of directly transmitting and receiving signals or data. Additionally or alternatively, in some example embodiments, the apparatus 10 may include input and / or output devices (I / O devices). In certain example embodiments, the apparatus 10 may further include a user interface, such as a graphical user interface or a touch screen.

[0077] In certain example embodiments, the memory 14 may store software modules that provide functionality when executed by the processor 12. These modules may include, for example, an operating system that provides operating system functionality for the device 10. The memory may also store one or more functional modules, such as applications or programs, to provide additional functionality for the device 10. The components of the device 10 may be implemented in hardware, or as any suitable combination of hardware and software. According to certain example embodiments, the device 10 may optionally be configured to communicate with the device 20 via a wireless or wired communication link 70 according to any radio access technology (such as NR).

[0078] According to some example embodiments, the processor 12 and the memory 14 may be included in a processing circuit or a control circuit, or may constitute a part of a processing circuit or a control circuit. In addition, in some example embodiments, the transceiver 18 may be included in a transceiver circuit, or may constitute a part of a transceiver circuit.

[0079] For example, in certain example embodiments, the apparatus 10 may be controlled by the memory 14 and the processor 12 to obtain a configuration for sending a first signal for discovering a tag, and a configuration for selecting a transmitter device for sending a second signal for locating the tag. The apparatus 10 may also be controlled by the memory 14 and the processor 12 to send the first signal. The apparatus 10 may further be controlled by the memory 14 and the processor 12 to obtain information about the reception of a tag response signal for the first signal, wherein the information includes information about receiving the tag response signal by at least one second device. In addition, the apparatus 10 may be controlled by the memory 14 and the processor 12 to select a transmitter device for sending the second signal based on the obtained information. Further, the apparatus 10 may be controlled by the memory 14 and the processor 12 to select at least one reader device for the tag response signal for the second signal.

[0080] In other example embodiments, the apparatus 10 may be controlled by the memory 14 and the processor 12 to receive a configuration from a network element, wherein the configuration includes a setting for reporting discovery measurements to the first device. The apparatus 10 may also be controlled by the memory 14 and the processor 12 to listen to a tag based on the configuration. The apparatus 10 may be further controlled by the memory 14 and the processor 12 to send a measurement report to the first device based on the listening. In some example embodiments, the measurement report may include information about the tag power or a binary indicator associated with the tag.

[0081] like Figure 6 As shown in the example of , the device 20 may be a network, a core network element, or a unit / element in a communication network or a unit / element associated with such a network, such as an LMF or a gNB. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art will understand that the device 20 may include Figure 6 Components or features not shown.

[0082] like Figure 6 As shown in the example of , the device 20 may include a processor 22 for processing information and executing instructions or operations. The processor 22 may be any type of general or special purpose processor. In fact, as an example, the processor 22 may include one or more of the following: a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Although Figure 6 A single processor 22 is shown in FIG. 1 , but multiple processors may be used according to other example embodiments. For example, it should be understood that in some example embodiments, the apparatus 20 may include two or more processors that may constitute a multiprocessor system that may support multiprocessing (e.g., in which case the processor 22 may represent a multiprocessor). According to some example embodiments, the multiprocessor system may be tightly coupled or loosely coupled (e.g., to form a computer cluster).

[0083] According to certain example embodiments, processor 22 may perform functions associated with the operation of device 20, which may include, for example, precoding of antenna gain / phase parameters, encoding and decoding of individual bits constituting a communication message, formatting of information, and overall control of device 10, including Figure 1 , 2 and the process shown in 5.

[0084] The device 20 may further include or be coupled to a memory 24 (internal or external), which may be coupled to the processor 22 for storing information and instructions that can be executed by the processor 22. The memory 24 may be one or more memories and may be of any type suitable for the local application environment, and may be implemented using any suitable volatile or non-volatile data storage technology (such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and / or removable memory). For example, the memory 24 may include any combination of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), static storage devices such as magnetic disks or optical disks, hard disk drives (HDDs), or any other type of non-transitory machine or computer readable media. The instructions stored in the memory 24 may include program instructions or computer program codes that, when executed by the processor 22, enable the device 20 to perform tasks as described herein.

[0085] In certain example embodiments, the apparatus 20 may further include or be coupled to a (internal or external) drive or port configured to accept and read an external computer-readable storage medium, such as an optical disk, a USB drive, a flash drive, or any other storage medium. For example, the external computer-readable storage medium may store a computer program or software for execution by the processor 22 and / or the apparatus 20 to perform Figure 3-5 Any of the methods shown in .

[0086] In certain example embodiments, the apparatus 20 may also include or be coupled to one or more antennas 25 for sending signals and / or data to the apparatus 20 and receiving signals and / or data from the apparatus 20. The apparatus 20 may further include or be coupled to a transceiver 18 configured to send and receive information. The transceiver 28 may include, for example, a plurality of radio interfaces that may be coupled to the antenna 15. The radio interface may correspond to a variety of radio access technologies, including one or more of the following: GSM, NB-IoT, LTE, 5G, WLAN, Bluetooth, BT-LE, NFC, radio frequency identification (RFID), ultra-wideband (UWB), MulteFire, etc. The radio interface may include components such as filters, converters (e.g., digital-to-analog converters, etc.), mappers, fast Fourier transform (FFT) modules, etc., to generate symbols for transmission via one or more downlinks, and receive symbols (e.g., via UL).

[0087] Thus, the transceiver 28 may be configured to modulate information onto a carrier waveform for transmission by the antenna 25, and to demodulate information received via the antenna 25 for further processing by other elements of the apparatus 20. In other example embodiments, the transceiver 28 may be capable of directly transmitting and receiving signals or data. Additionally or alternatively, in some example embodiments, the apparatus 20 may include input and / or output devices (I / O devices).

[0088] In certain example embodiments, memory 24 may store software modules that provide functionality when executed by processor 22. These modules may include, for example, an operating system that provides operating system functionality for device 20. The memory may also store one or more functional modules, such as applications or programs, to provide additional functionality to device 20. The components of device 20 may be implemented in hardware, or as any suitable combination of hardware and software.

[0089] According to some example embodiments, the processor 22 and the memory 24 may be included in a processing circuit or a control circuit, or may constitute a part of a processing circuit or a control circuit. In addition, in some example embodiments, the transceiver 28 may be included in a transceiver circuit, or may constitute a part of a transceiver circuit.

[0090] As used herein, the term "circuit" may refer to any portion of a hardware circuit implementation (e.g., analog and / or digital circuits), a combination of hardware circuits and software, a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, a hardware processor (including a digital signal processor) with software that works together to enable a device (e.g., devices 10 and 20) to perform various functions, and / or a hardware circuit and / or processor, or portion thereof, that uses software to operate but the software may not be present when the operation does not require the software. As a further example, as used herein, the term "circuit" may also cover an implementation of a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors), or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its accompanying software and / or firmware. The term "circuit" may also cover, for example, a baseband integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network node or device, or other computing or network device.

[0091] For example, in some example embodiments, the apparatus 20 may be controlled by the memory 24 and the processor 22 to trigger discovery of a tag by configuring a first configuration of a discovery activator as a configuration activation signal for the first device. The apparatus 20 may also be controlled by the memory 24 and the processor 22 to trigger a positioning session by configuring settings for selecting a positioning activator and a positioning reader for the first device. The apparatus 20 may further be controlled by the memory 24 and the processor 22 to configure the second device and at least one other device as a group of discovery readers that report discovery measurements to the first device.

[0092] In some example embodiments, an apparatus (e.g., apparatus 10 and / or apparatus 20) may include components for performing the methods, processes, or any variants discussed herein. Examples of components may include one or more processors, memories, controllers, transmitters, receivers, and / or computer program codes for causing the execution of operations.

[0093] Certain example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus comprising components for performing any of the methods described herein, for example, comprising components for obtaining a configuration for sending a first signal for discovering a tag, and selecting a transmitter device for sending a second signal for locating the tag. The apparatus may also include components for sending the first signal. The apparatus may further include components for obtaining information about the reception of a tag response signal for the first signal, wherein the information includes information about receiving the tag response signal by at least one second device. In addition, the apparatus may include components for selecting a transmitter device for sending the second signal based on the obtained information. Further, the apparatus may include components for selecting at least one reader device for the tag response signal for the second signal.

[0094] Certain example embodiments may also be directed to an apparatus comprising means for receiving a configuration from a network element, wherein the configuration comprises settings for reporting discovery measurements to a first device. The apparatus may also comprise means for listening to a tag based on the configuration. The apparatus may further comprise means for sending a measurement report to the first device based on the listening. According to certain example embodiments, the measurement report may comprise information about a tag power or a binary indicator associated with the tag.

[0095] Certain example embodiments may also be directed to an apparatus including means for triggering discovery of a tag by configuring a first device with a first configuration of a discovery activator as a configuration activation signal. The apparatus may also include means for triggering a location session by configuring the first device with settings for selecting a location activator and a location reader. The apparatus may further include means for configuring a second device and at least one other device as a set of discovery readers that report discovery measurements to the first device.

[0096] Certain example embodiments described herein provide several technical improvements, enhancements and / or advantages. For example, in some example embodiments, tag discovery time can be optimized, tag location estimation can be optimized through tag activator proximity optimization, spectrum resource usage can be optimized, and NW complexity and configuration can be minimized.

[0097] A computer program product may include one or more computer executable components that are configured to perform some example embodiments when the program is run. The one or more computer executable components may be at least one software code or part thereof. Modifications and configurations required to implement the functions of some example embodiments may be performed as routines, which may be implemented as added or updated software routines. The software routines may be loaded into a device.

[0098] As an example, software or computer program code or parts thereof may be in source code form, object code form, or some intermediate form, and may be stored in some carrier, distribution medium, or computer readable medium, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. Such carriers may include, for example, recording media, computer memory, read-only memory, optoelectronic and / or electrical carrier signals, telecommunication signals, and / or software distribution packages. Depending on the processing power required, the computer program may be executed in a single electronic digital computer or may be distributed among multiple computers. The computer readable medium or computer readable storage medium may be a non-transitory medium.

[0099] In other example embodiments, the functions may be performed by hardware or circuitry included in a device (e.g., device 10 or device 20), such as by using an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable gate array (PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other combination of hardware and software. In another example embodiment, the functions may be implemented as signals, such as non-tangible components, which may be carried by electromagnetic signals downloaded from the Internet or other networks.

[0100] According to certain example embodiments, an apparatus such as a node, a device or a corresponding component may be configured as a circuit, a computer or a microprocessor (such as a single-chip computer unit), or as a chipset, which may include at least a memory for providing storage capacity for arithmetic operations and / or an operation processor for performing arithmetic operations.

[0101] Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the above disclosure may be practiced with processes in a different order and / or with hardware units that are different from the disclosed configurations. Therefore, although the present disclosure has been described based on these example embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative configurations will be apparent while remaining within the spirit and scope of the example embodiments. Although the above embodiments relate to 5G NR and LTE technologies, the above embodiments may also be applied to any other current or future 3GPP technologies, such as Advanced LTE, and / or fourth generation (4G) technologies.

[0102] Partial glossary:

[0103] 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project

[0104] 5G fifth generation

[0105] 5GCN 5G Core Network

[0106] 5GS 5G System

[0107] AOA Angle of Arrival

[0108] BS Base Station

[0109] CPE

[0110] CRAS coarse resolution activation signal

[0111] DA Discovery Activator

[0112] DL Downlink

[0113] DR Discovery Reader

[0114] eNB Enhanced Node B

[0115] E-UTRAN Evolved UTRAN

[0116] FRAS fine-resolution activation signal

[0117] gNB 5G or Next Generation NodeB

[0118] LA Positioning Activator

[0119] LR Positioning Reader

[0120] LTE Long Term Evolution

[0121] NR New Radio

[0122] NW Network

[0123] Rx Receive TOA arrival time

[0124] Tx

[0125] UE User Equipment

[0126] UL Uplink

Claims

1. A method comprising: The first device obtains a configuration for sending a first signal for discovering a tag, and selects a configuration of a transmitter device for sending a second signal for locating the tag; sending the first signal; obtaining information regarding receipt of a tag response signal to the first signal, wherein the information includes information regarding receipt of the tag response signal by at least one second device; Based on the obtained information, selecting the transmitter device for sending the second signal; and At least one reader device is selected for a tag response signal to the second signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Obtaining information about receipt of the tag response signal to the first signal comprises: Information is received from the at least one second device regarding receipt of the tag response signal by the at least one second device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Obtaining information about receipt of the tag response signal to the first signal comprises: The tag response signal is received from the tag.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: obtaining a configuration of the at least one reader device selected for receiving the tag response from the tag to the second signal; as well as The at least one reader device is selected among the first device and the at least one second device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: Selecting the transmitter device for sending the second signal includes: selecting one of the at least one second device as the transmitter device, the method further comprising: Information indicating the selection and the configuration of the second signal is sent to the selected second device.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: Selecting the at least one reader device among the first device and the at least one second device comprises: selecting the first device as one of the at least one reader device, the method further comprising: Receiving a tag response signal from the tag to the second signal is initiated.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: obtaining information regarding receipt of a tag response signal to the second signal; as well as At least one of the following: sending the information to a network element for locating the tag, or determining the location of the tag based on the obtained information.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: Information regarding receipt of the tag response signal to the second signal is obtained at least in part by receiving information regarding receipt of the tag response signal to the second signal from one or more second devices.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The first signal is configured to be transmitted using at least one of: a smaller bandwidth, a coarser resolution, a shorter time period, or a lower power than the second signal.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: Selecting the transmitter device is based on at least one parameter indicative of a distance between the tag and the transmitter device.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The at least one parameter is obtained based on information regarding receipt of the tag response signal to the first signal.

12. A method comprising: receiving a configuration from a network element, wherein the configuration includes settings for reporting discovery measurements to the first device; Based on the configuration, listening for tags; and Based on the monitoring, sending a measurement report to the first device, The measurement report includes information about tag power or a binary indicator associated with the tag.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: Configuration settings are received from the first device for operating as a location activator.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The configuration settings for operating as the localization activator include parameters for a fine resolution activation signal for each target tag.

15. A method comprising: triggering discovery of tags by configuring a first device with a first configuration of a discovery activator as a configuration activation signal; triggering a location session by configuring the first device with settings for selecting a location activator and a location reader; as well as The second device and at least one other device are configured as a set of discovery readers that report discovery measurements to the first device.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: Configuring the second device includes configuring the discovery reader to report the discovery measurements to the first device.

17. The method according to any one of claims 15 or 16, wherein: The discovery measurements include: Tag power level measurement, or A binary indicator associated with the tag.

18. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Obtaining a configuration for transmitting a first signal for discovering a tag, and selecting a configuration for a transmitter device for transmitting a second signal for locating the tag; sending the first signal; obtaining information regarding receipt of a tag response signal to the first signal, wherein the information includes information regarding receipt of the tag response signal by at least one second device; Based on the obtained information, selecting the transmitter device for sending the second signal; and At least one reader device is selected for a tag response signal to the second signal.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein: The at least one memory further stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Information is received from the at least one second device regarding receipt of the tag response signal by the at least one second device.

20. The device according to claim 18 or 19, wherein: The at least one memory further stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: The tag response signal is received from the tag.

21. The device according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein: The at least one memory further stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: obtaining a configuration of at least one reader device selected for receiving a response to the second signal from the tag; as well as The at least one reader device is selected among the apparatus and the at least one second device.

22. The device according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein: When one of the at least one second device is selected as the transmitter device, the at least one memory further stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Information indicating the selection and the configuration of the second signal is sent to the selected second device.

23. The device according to any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein: When the first device is selected as one of the at least one reader device, the at least one memory further stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Receiving a response signal to the second signal from the tag is initiated.

24. The device according to any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein: The at least one memory further stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: obtaining information regarding receipt of a tag response signal to the second signal; as well as At least one of the following: sending the information to a network element for locating the tag, or determining the location of the tag based on the obtained information.

25. The device according to claim 24, wherein: Information regarding receipt of the tag response signal to the second signal is obtained at least in part by receiving information regarding receipt of the tag response signal to the second signal from one or more second devices.

26. The device according to any one of claims 18 to 25, wherein: The first signal is configured to be transmitted using at least one of: a smaller bandwidth, a coarser resolution, a shorter time period, or a lower power than the second signal.

27. The device according to any one of claims 18 to 26, wherein: The selection of the transmitter device is based on at least one parameter indicative of a distance between the tag and the transmitter device.

28. The device according to claim 27, wherein The at least one parameter is obtained based on information regarding receipt of the tag response signal to the first signal.

29. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receiving a configuration from a network element, wherein the configuration includes settings for reporting discovery measurements to the first device; Based on the configuration, listening for tags; and Based on the monitoring, sending a measurement report to the first device, The measurement report includes information about tag power or a binary indicator associated with the tag.

30. The device according to claim 29, wherein: The at least one memory further stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Configuration settings are received from the first device for operating as a location activator.

31. The device according to claim 30, wherein The configuration settings for operating as the localization activator include parameters for a fine resolution activation signal for each target tag.

32. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: triggering discovery of tags by configuring a first device with a first configuration of a discovery activator as a configuration activation signal; triggering a location session by configuring the first device with settings for selecting a location activator and a location reader; as well as The second device and at least one other device are configured as a set of discovery readers that report discovery measurements to the first device.

33. The device according to claim 32, wherein: Configuring the second device includes configuring the discovery reader to report the discovery measurements to the first device.

34. The device according to any one of claims 32 or 33, wherein: The discovery measurements include: Tag power level measurement, or A binary indicator associated with the tag.

35. An apparatus comprising: means for obtaining a configuration for transmitting a first signal for discovering a tag, and selecting a transmitter device for transmitting a second signal for locating the tag; means for sending said first signal; means for obtaining information regarding receipt of a tag response signal to the first signal, wherein the information comprises information regarding receipt of the tag response signal by at least one second device; means for selecting said transmitter device for transmitting said second signal based on the obtained information; and Means for selecting at least one reader device for a tag response signal to said second signal.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising: Means for receiving, from the at least one second device, information regarding receipt of the tag response signal by the at least one second device.

37. The apparatus according to claim 35 or 36, further comprising: Means for receiving said tag response signal from said tag.

38. The apparatus according to any one of claims 35 to 37, further comprising: means for obtaining a configuration for selecting at least one reader device for receiving a response to said second signal from said tag; as well as Means for selecting said at least one reader device among said apparatus and said at least one second device.

39. The device according to any one of claims 35 to 38, wherein: Selecting one of the at least one second device as the transmitter device comprises: Means for sending information indicative of the selection and the configuration of the second signal to the selected second device.

40. The device according to any one of claims 35 to 39, wherein: Selecting the first device as one of the at least one reader device comprises: Means for initiating receipt of a response signal from the tag to the second signal.

41. The apparatus according to any one of claims 35 to 40, further comprising: means for obtaining information regarding receipt of a tag response signal to said second signal; as well as At least one of the following: means for sending the information to a network element for locating the tag, or means for determining the position of the tag based on the obtained information.

42. The device according to claim 41, wherein Information regarding receipt of the tag response signal to the second signal is obtained at least in part by receiving information regarding receipt of the tag response signal to the second signal from one or more second devices.

43. The device according to any one of claims 35 to 42, wherein: The first signal is configured to be transmitted using at least one of: a smaller bandwidth, a coarser resolution, a shorter time period, or a lower power than the second signal.

44. The device according to any one of claims 35 to 43, wherein: Selecting the transmitter device is based on at least one parameter indicative of a distance between the tag and the transmitter device.

45. The device according to claim 44, wherein The at least one parameter is obtained based on information regarding receipt of the tag response signal to the first signal.

46. ​​An apparatus comprising: means for receiving a configuration from a network element, wherein the configuration comprises settings for reporting discovery measurements to the first device; means for listening for tags based on the configuration; and means for sending a measurement report to the first device based on the monitoring, The measurement report includes information about tag power or a binary indicator associated with the tag.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising: Means for receiving, from said first device, configuration settings for operating as a location activator.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein: The configuration settings for operating as the localization activator include parameters for a fine resolution activation signal for each target tag.

49. An apparatus comprising: means for triggering discovery of tags by configuring a first device with a first configuration of a discovery activator as a configuration activation signal; means for triggering a location session by configuring settings for selecting a location activator and a location reader for said first device; as well as Means for configuring a second device and at least one other device as a set of discovery readers that report discovery measurements to said first device.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: Configuring the second device includes configuring the discovery reader to report the discovery measurements to the first device.

51. The apparatus of claim 49 or 50, wherein: The discovery measurements include: Tag power level measurement, or A binary indicator associated with the tag.

52. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for executing the method according to any one of claims 1-17.

53. An apparatus comprising circuitry configured to cause the apparatus to perform a process according to any one of claims 1-17.

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