Method and apparatus for positioning of user equipment configured with discontinuous reception

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application relate to a method and apparatus for positioning of a user equipment (UE) configured with discontinuous reception (DRX). Embodiments of the present application provide a UE comprising: a processor; and a transceiver coupled to the processor and configured to: receive a DRX configuration; and receiving a positioning configuration, wherein the DRX configuration is aligned with the positioning configuration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to positioning of user equipment (UE) configured with discontinuous reception (DRX). Background Art

[0002] In the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 17 study for Radio Resource Control (RRC) Inactive UEs, no regulatory impact was identified for handling the relationship between DRX cycles and positioning requirements in the RRC Inactive state. For 3GPP Release 18 positioning, DRX is considered to be an efficient way to reduce power consumption. In addition, the evaluation of the baseline 3GPP Release 17 RRC Inactive state positioning based on the evaluation assumptions agreed for the study showed that the power consumption in the deep sleep state accounts for the highest proportion of the total power consumption. Therefore, the coordination between the DRX configuration and the positioning configuration needs to be considered, especially for Low Power High Accuracy Positioning (LPHAP) services. Summary of the invention

[0003] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a UE comprising: a processor; and a transceiver coupled to the processor and configured to: receive a DRX configuration; and receive a positioning configuration, wherein the DRX configuration is aligned with the positioning configuration.

[0004] In some embodiments, the DRX configuration includes at least one of a connected DRX (C-DRX) configuration or a paging DRX configuration.

[0005] In some embodiments, the positioning configuration includes at least one of a sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration or a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration.

[0006] In some embodiments, the transceiver is configured to: transmit information associated with the DRX configuration to a location management function (LMF); and receive the positioning configuration after transmitting the information associated with the DRX configuration, wherein the positioning configuration is determined by the LMF at least in part based on the information associated with the DRX configuration.

[0007] In some embodiments, the information associated with the DRX configuration is transmitted via a Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) message.

[0008] In some embodiments, the information associated with the DRX configuration is transmitted to the LMF in response to receiving a DRX configuration request from the LMF.

[0009] In some embodiments, the transceiver is configured to transmit the information associated with the DRX configuration in at least one of the following situations: when the UE is a LPHAP UE; when the UE initiates LPHAP service; or when the DRX configuration is configured, reconfigured or updated.

[0010] In some embodiments, the transceiver is configured to: transmit an on-demand positioning configuration request to the LMF when the processor determines that the current positioning configuration is not aligned with the DRX configuration; and in response to the on-demand positioning configuration request: receive the positioning configuration determined by the LMF at least partially based on the on-demand positioning configuration request; or receive an error cause if the LMF fails to determine the requested positioning configuration or the LMF fails to determine a positioning configuration aligned with the DRX configuration.

[0011] In some embodiments, the processor is configured to determine that the current positioning configuration is not aligned with the DRX configuration when a duration of PRS reception determined by the current positioning configuration fully or partially overlaps with a UE inactivity duration determined by the DRX configuration.

[0012] In some embodiments, the on-demand positioning configuration request is transmitted via an LPP Request Assistance Data message.

[0013] In some embodiments, the LPP Request Assistance Data message is transmitted in a Mobile Originated Location Request (MO-LR) location service request message.

[0014] In some embodiments, the on-demand positioning configuration request indicates at least one of: at least one explicit parameter of the positioning configuration preferred by the UE; a configuration index (ID) of the positioning configuration preferred by the UE; or at least one explicit parameter of the DRX configuration.

[0015] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to start an inhibit timer having a configured value when the transceiver transmits the on-demand positioning configuration request.

[0016] In some embodiments, when the inhibit timer is running, the transceiver is configured to: not repeatedly transmit the on-demand positioning configuration request; and / or, if the DRX configuration is updated, stop the inhibit timer and trigger another on-demand positioning configuration request to the LMF.

[0017] In some embodiments, the transceiver is configured to not repeatedly transmit the on-demand positioning configuration request to the LMF if an error cause is received from the LMF in response to the on-demand positioning configuration request.

[0018] In some embodiments, the error cause is providing assistance data message reception via LPP.

[0019] In some embodiments, the transceiver is configured to transmit the on-demand positioning configuration request to the LMF only if the same request has not been sent previously.

[0020] In some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to transmit at least one of the following to a base station (BS) to trigger the BS to transmit information associated with the DRX configuration to the LMF: an indication indicating that the UE is a LPHAP UE; or an indication indicating LPHAP service requirement.

[0021] In some embodiments, the DRX configuration is determined by a BS based at least in part on the positioning configuration.

[0022] In some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to transmit at least one of the following to the BS to trigger the BS to determine the DRX configuration: an indication indicating that the UE is a LPHAP UE; or an indication indicating LPHAP service requirement.

[0023] In some embodiments, the processor is configured to perform positioning skipping in a no-paging paging occasion (PO).

[0024] In some embodiments, the positioning skip in the non-paging PO includes at least one of the following: not transmitting periodic or semi-persistent SRS in the non-paging PO; not receiving PRS in the non-paging PO; not transmitting positioning measurement report in the non-paging PO; or not transmitting the positioning measurement report in the non-paging PO when the change of the positioning measurement report is within a threshold.

[0025] In some embodiments, in the event that a positioning measurement report is not transmitted in the non-paging PO, the transceiver is configured to transmit the positioning measurement report with a timestamp in a closest paging PO.

[0026] In some embodiments, the processor is configured to not select resources for a small data transmission (SDT) in a no-paging PO.

[0027] In some embodiments, the UE is configured or preconfigured with a maximum number of consecutive paging-free POs in which positioning operations are skipped.

[0028] In some embodiments, the processor is configured to: start a configured or preconfigured timer at the start of the no-paging PO; and keep performing the positioning skip in each subsequent no-paging PO until the timer or paging PO expires.

[0029] In some embodiments, the processor is configured to stop the timer upon the paging PO.

[0030] In some embodiments, the transceiver is configured to receive a paging early indication (PEI) indicating a paging PO, wherein the PEI includes at least one of: an SRS activation or deactivation medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) command; a positioning measurement gap activation or deactivation MAC CE; or a PRS positioning window (PPW) activation or deactivation MAC CE.

[0031] In some embodiments, the processor is configured to perform at least one of the following for positioning operations that occur in a paging PO but are not completed at the end of the paging PO: terminating periodic or semi-persistent SRS transmission when the paging PO ends; or terminating PRS reception when the paging PO ends.

[0032] In some embodiments, the processor is configured to perform at least one of: stopping paging monitoring within the PPW; stopping paging monitoring within the positioning response duration when the positioning measurement report is skipped due to satisfying at least one predefined condition; or stopping monitoring the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or PO when the positioning measurement report is transmitted before the end of the positioning response duration.

[0033] In some embodiments, the at least one predefined condition includes: the positioning measurement report is unchanged; or a variation of the positioning measurement report is within a threshold.

[0034] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a BS comprising: a processor; and a transceiver coupled to the processor and configured to perform at least one of the following: transmitting a first DRX configuration aligned with a first positioning configuration to a UE; or transmitting information associated with a second DRX configuration to an LMF for the LMF to determine a second positioning configuration aligned with the second DRX configuration.

[0035] In some implementations, the first DRX configuration includes at least one of a C-DRX configuration or a paging DRX configuration, and the second DRX configuration includes at least one of a C-DRX configuration or a paging DRX configuration.

[0036] In some implementations, the first positioning configuration includes at least one of an SRS configuration or a PRS configuration, and the second positioning configuration includes a PRS configuration.

[0037] In some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to: in response to transmitting the information associated with the second DRX configuration, receive the second positioning configuration from the LMF before transmitting the PRS to the UE.

[0038] In some embodiments, the transceiver is configured to transmit the information associated with the second DRX configuration to the LMF in response to receiving a DRX configuration request from the LMF.

[0039] In some embodiments, the transceiver is configured to transmit the information associated with the second DRX configuration to the LMF in response to at least one of: receiving an indication from the UE indicating that the UE is an LPHAP UE; receiving an indication from the UE or from the LMF indicating an LPHAP service requirement; the second DRX configuration is configured, reconfigured or updated; or the UE performs cell reselection or switching.

[0040] In some embodiments, the processor is configured to determine the first DRX configuration based at least in part on the first positioning configuration in response to at least one of: an indication from the UE indicating that the UE is an LPHAP UE; an indication from the UE or from the LMF indicating an LPHAP service requirement; or an indication from the LMF indicating that the first DRX configuration needs to be aligned with the first positioning configuration.

[0041] In some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to receive the first positioning configuration from the LMF before the processor determines the first DRX configuration.

[0042] In some embodiments, where the first DRX configuration is a paging DRX configuration, the processor is configured to coordinate the first DRX configuration with at least one neighboring cell.

[0043] In some embodiments, in a case where the UE moves to or selects a new cell within a configured positioning area in which a current positioning configuration is maintained, the processor is configured to transmit an alignment indication indicating that a current DRX configuration is aligned with the current positioning configuration to the new cell to maintain alignment.

[0044] In some embodiments, in the event that the UE performs handover or cell reselection to a target BS, the transceiver is configured to transmit at least one of the following to the target BS: an indication that alignment between the current positioning configuration and the current DRX configuration is required, or alignment information about the current positioning configuration and the current DRX configuration.

[0045] In some embodiments, said at least one of said indication or said alignment information is transmitted in a handover request message.

[0046] In some embodiments, the alignment information includes at least one of: the UE is a LPHAP UE; an LPHAP service requirement; an indication of alignment between the current DRX configuration and the current positioning configuration; information associated with the current positioning configuration; or information associated with the current DRX configuration.

[0047] In some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to transmit a PEI indicating a paging PO in response to receiving a positioning configuration or update from the LMF, wherein the PEI includes at least one of: an SRS activation or deactivation MAC CE command; a positioning measurement gap activation or deactivation MAC CE; or a PPW activation or deactivation MAC CE.

[0048] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a BS comprising: a processor; and a transceiver coupled to the processor and configured to transmit at least one of: a first positioning configuration aligned with a first DRX configuration; or a first indication for triggering the BS to determine a second DRX configuration aligned with a second positioning configuration.

[0049] In some implementations, the first DRX configuration includes at least one of a C-DRX configuration or a paging DRX configuration; and the second DRX configuration includes at least one of a C-DRX configuration or a paging DRX configuration.

[0050] In some implementations, the first positioning configuration includes a PRS configuration, and the second positioning configuration includes at least one of an SRS configuration or a PRS configuration.

[0051] In some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to receive information associated with the first DRX configuration from a UE or from a BS, and the processor is configured to determine the first positioning configuration at least in part based on the information associated with the first DRX configuration before the transceiver transmits the first positioning configuration.

[0052] In some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to transmit a DRX configuration request to the UE or to the BS to obtain the information associated with the first DRX configuration.

[0053] In some embodiments, said information associated with said first DRX configuration is received via an LPP message.

[0054] In some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to receive an on-demand positioning configuration request from a UE, and the processor is configured to determine the first positioning configuration based at least in part on the on-demand positioning configuration request before the transceiver transmits the first positioning configuration.

[0055] In some embodiments, the on-demand positioning configuration request is received via an LPP Request Assistance Data message.

[0056] In some embodiments, the LPP Request Assistance Data message is received in a MO-LR Location Services Request message.

[0057] In some embodiments, the on-demand positioning configuration request includes at least one of the following: at least one explicit parameter of the positioning configuration preferred by the UE; an ID of the positioning configuration preferred by the UE; or at least one explicit parameter of the first DRX configuration.

[0058] In some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to transmit an error cause if the processor fails to determine the requested positioning configuration or the processor fails to determine a positioning configuration aligned with the first DRX configuration.

[0059] In some embodiments, the error cause is providing assistance data message transmission via LPP.

[0060] In some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to transmit a second indication for triggering the BS to transmit information associated with the first DRX configuration to the LMF, wherein the second indication indicates an LPHAP service requirement.

[0061] In some embodiments, the first indication comprises at least one of: an indication indicating an LPHAP service requirement; or an indication indicating that the second DRX configuration needs to be aligned with the second positioning configuration.

[0062] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method performed by an LMF. The method includes: receiving a DRX configuration; and receiving a positioning configuration, wherein the DRX configuration is aligned with the positioning configuration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0063] In order to describe the manner in which the advantages and features of the present application can be obtained, the description of the present application is presented by reference to specific embodiments of the present application illustrated in the accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only example embodiments of the present application and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope thereof.

[0064] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0065] Figure 2 A flow chart illustrating an exemplary method performed by a UE according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0066] Figure 3A flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for alignment between a DRX configuration and a positioning configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0067] Figure 4 A flow chart illustrating another exemplary method for alignment between a DRX configuration and a positioning configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0068] Figure 5 A flow chart illustrating another exemplary method for alignment between a DRX configuration and a positioning configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0069] Figure 6 A flow chart illustrating another exemplary method for alignment between a DRX configuration and a positioning configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0070] Figure 7 A simplified block diagram illustrating an exemplary apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0071] The detailed description of the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of the currently preferred embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention can be practiced. It should be understood that the same or equivalent functions can be accomplished by different embodiments that are intended to be included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0072] Although the operations are depicted in a particular order in the drawings, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that such operations need not be performed in the particular order as shown or in sequential order, or that all of the illustrated operations need not be performed to achieve a desired result; one or more operations may sometimes be skipped. In addition, the drawings may schematically depict one or more example processes in the form of a flow chart. However, other operations not depicted may be incorporated into the schematically illustrated example processes. For example, one or more additional operations may be performed before, after, simultaneously with, or between any of the illustrated operations. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.

[0073] Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding, embodiments are provided under specific network architectures and new service scenarios (e.g., 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced LTE, 5G New Air (NR), Advanced 5G, 6G, etc.). With due consideration, all embodiments in the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical issues as network architectures and new service scenarios evolve; and in addition, the terms cited in the present disclosure may be changed, which should not affect the principles of the present disclosure.

[0074] Figure 1is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless communication system 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0075] like Figure 1 , the wireless communication system 100 includes at least one BS 101, at least one UE 102, and at least one LMF 103. Figure 1 One BS, one UE, and one LMF are depicted in FIG. 1 , but it is contemplated that any number of BSs, UEs, and LMFs may be included in the wireless communication system 100 .

[0076] The wireless communication system 100 is compatible with any type of network capable of sending and receiving wireless communication signals. For example, the wireless communication system 100 is compatible with wireless communication networks, cellular telephone networks, networks based on time division multiple access (TDMA), networks based on code division multiple access (CDMA), networks based on orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), LTE networks, networks based on 3GPP, 3GPP 5G networks, satellite communication networks, high altitude platform networks, and / or other communication networks.

[0077] BS 101 may also be referred to as an access point, an access terminal, a base, a macro cell, a radio access network (RAN) node, a next generation (NG) RAN node, a Node B, an enhanced Node B (eNB), a gNB, a home Node B, a relay node or device, or described using other terms used in the art. BS 101 is typically part of a RAN that may include a controller communicatively coupled to BS 101.

[0078] According to some embodiments of the present application, UE 102 may include a vehicle UE (VUE) and / or an energy-saving UE (also referred to as a power-sensitive UE). An energy-saving UE may include a vulnerable road user (VRU), a public safety UE (PS-UE), and / or a commercial sidelink UE (CS-UE) that is sensitive to power consumption. In an embodiment of the present application, a VRU may include a pedestrian UE (P-UE), a cyclist UE, a wheelchair UE, or other UEs that require energy saving compared to a VUE. In an embodiment of the present application, UE 102 may be a LPHAP UE.

[0079] According to some other embodiments of the present application, UE 102 may include a computing device, such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a smart TV (e.g., a TV connected to the Internet), a set-top box, a game console, a security system (including a security camera), a vehicle-mounted computer, a network device (e.g., a router, a switch, and a modem), etc.

[0080] According to some other embodiments of the present application, UE 102 may include a portable wireless communication device, a smart phone, a cellular phone, a flip phone, a device with a subscriber identity module, a personal computer, a selective call receiver, or any other device capable of sending and receiving communication signals over a wireless network.

[0081] According to some other embodiments of the present application, UE 102 may include a wearable device, such as a smart watch, a fitness band, an optical head-mounted display, etc.

[0082] In addition, a UE may be referred to as a subscriber unit, a mobile device, a mobile station, a user, a terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a fixed terminal, a subscriber station, a user terminal or a device, or described using other terms used in the art.

[0083] exist Figure 1 In the example shown in , UE 102 is within the coverage area of ​​BS 101 and can communicate with BS 101, for example, via an LTE or NRUu interface.

[0084] LMF 103 (also referred to as LMF entity) may refer to a network element or network entity for supporting location services, which may be deployed in a core network (CN) or RAN of the wireless communication system 100. LMF 103 may communicate with BS 101 via NR Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa) signaling, and may communicate with UE 102 via LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) signaling. In the present disclosure, both LMF and BS may be referred to as network entities or networks.

[0085] In the 3GPP Release 17 study, no regulatory impact on the relationship between the DRX cycle and positioning requirements for handling UEs in RRC-inactive state was identified. For 3GPP Release 18 positioning, DRX is considered to be an efficient way to reduce power consumption, and the evaluation of baseline 3GPP Release 17 positioning of UEs in RRC-inactive state based on the evaluation assumptions agreed upon for the study showed that power consumption in deep sleep state accounts for the highest proportion of total power consumption, which means that when the UE is configured with DRX for energy saving purposes, it is recommended to perform the UE's transmit / receive behavior (e.g., PRS reception and SRS transmission) during active time. The principles can also be considered for LPHAP UEs. Therefore, it is recommended to study the impact of DRX on positioning for UEs (e.g., LPHAP UEs). The present disclosure proposes that positioning operations should be aligned with DRX configuration for energy saving. In other words, the DRX configuration and the positioning configuration should be aligned.

[0086] The present disclosure at least provides various solutions for implementing the alignment between the positioning configuration and the DRX configuration, especially for LPHAP UEs, and also considers the case where the UE performs a handover or cell reselection procedure.

[0087] In some embodiments, the positioning configuration may include at least one of a PRS configuration or an SRS configuration. The PRS configuration may be determined by an LMF (e.g., LMF 103) and transmitted by the LMF to a BS (e.g., BS 101) and a UE (e.g., UE 102), so that the BS may transmit the PRS according to the PRS configuration and the UE may receive the PRS according to the PRS configuration. The SRS configuration may be determined by a BS (e.g., BS 101) and transmitted by the BS to a UE (e.g., UE 102), so that the UE may transmit the SRS according to the SRS configuration.

[0088] In some embodiments, the DRX configuration may include at least one of a C-DRX configuration or a paging DRX configuration. For a UE in an RRC connected state, the C-DRX configuration may be determined by the BS, and when C-DRX is configured, the UE does not have to continuously monitor the PDCCH. The paging DRX configuration is defined when a UE in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state only needs to monitor the paging channel during one PO period per DRX cycle. The paging DRX cycle is configured for the UE by the network: for CN-initiated paging, the default cycle is broadcast by the BS in the system information, and the UE-specific cycle can be configured via non-access stratum (NAS) signaling; for RAN-initiated paging, the UE-specific cycle is configured via RRC signaling from the BS. The UE uses the shortest of the applicable DRX cycles, i.e., when the UE is in the RRC idle state, it can use the shortest of the first two of the above three cycles, and when the UE is in the RRC inactive state, it can use the shortest of the above three cycles.

[0089] Figure 2 The following describes a method for executing a command by a UE (eg, Figure 1 1. The flowchart of an exemplary method 200 performed by a UE 102 in FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an exemplary method 200 performed by a UE 102 in FIG. 1. It is considered that the method 200 may also be performed by other devices having similar functions.

[0090] In step 210, the UE may receive a DRX configuration. The DRX configuration may be received from a BS (e.g., Figure 1 In step 220, the UE may receive a positioning configuration, wherein the DRX configuration is aligned with the positioning configuration. The UE may receive a positioning configuration from a BS or LMF (e.g., Figure 1 In some embodiments, the positioning configuration is received after receiving the DRX configuration. In some other embodiments, the positioning configuration is received before receiving the DRX configuration.

[0091] The alignment between the DRX configuration and the positioning configuration may be achieved by various methods, which will be described below. In some embodiments, the LMF performs the alignment between the DRX configuration and the positioning configuration. In some other embodiments, the BS performs the alignment between the DRX configuration and the positioning configuration.

[0092] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 300 for alignment between a DRX configuration and a positioning configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 3 Only necessary steps that embody the spirit of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 3 The method described in the embodiment may be performed by at least three network entities (eg, UE, BS, and LMF). Although the method is described at the system level, those skilled in the art may understand that the method implemented in the three network entities may be implemented separately and incorporated into other devices with similar functions.

[0093] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 3 , in step 301, a UE (eg, Figure 1 UE 102 in the example may receive a signal from a BS (e.g., Figure 1 In step 303, the UE may transmit information associated with the DRX configuration to the LMF (e.g., LMF 103). In step 304, the LMF may determine a positioning configuration (e.g., a PRS configuration) aligned with the DRX configuration based at least in part on the received information associated with the DRX configuration. The LMF may then transmit the determined positioning configuration to the BS (in step 305) and to the UE (in step 306). Step 305 may be performed before, after, or simultaneously with step 306.

[0094] In some embodiments, step 303 may be performed in response to a request from the LMF. For example, in step 302, the LMF may transmit a DRX configuration request to the UE. In response to the DRX configuration request, the UE may transmit information associated with the DRX configuration to the LMF in step 303.

[0095] In some other embodiments, step 303 may be an unsolicited action (i.e., the UE may perform step 303 without receiving any request from the LMF). For example, the UE may transmit the information associated with the DRX configuration via an LPP message (e.g., an LPP request assistance data message (e.g., RequestAssistanceData) or a separate LPP message). In some embodiments, the UE may transmit the information associated with the DRX configuration in at least one of the following situations:

[0096] When the UE is an LPHAP UE;

[0097] ●When the UE initiates LPHAP service; or

[0098] ●When the DRX configuration is configured, reconfigured or updated.

[0099] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 400 for alignment between a DRX configuration and a positioning configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 4 Only necessary steps that embody the spirit of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 4 The method described in the embodiment may be performed by at least three network entities (eg, UE, BS, and LMF). Although the method is described at the system level, those skilled in the art may understand that the method implemented in the three network entities may be implemented separately and incorporated into other devices with similar functions.

[0100] like Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 4 , in step 401, a UE (eg, Figure 1 UE 102 in the example may transmit an on-demand positioning configuration request to the LMF (eg, Figure 1 The UE may transmit an on-demand positioning configuration request when the UE determines that the current positioning configuration is not aligned with the current DRX configuration (which was previously received from the BS), for example, when the duration of PRS reception determined by the current positioning configuration completely or partially overlaps with the UE inactivity duration determined by the current DRX configuration.

[0101] In some embodiments, the UE may transmit the on-demand positioning configuration request to the LMF via an LPP Request Assistance Data message. In some embodiments, the LPP Request Assistance Data message may be transmitted in a MO-LR Location Services Request message.

[0102] In some embodiments, the on-demand positioning configuration request may indicate at least one of the following:

[0103] ● at least one explicit parameter of the positioning configuration preferred by the UE;

[0104] ●The ID of the positioning configuration preferred by the UE; or

[0105] • At least one explicit parameter of the current DRX configuration.

[0106] After receiving the on-demand positioning configuration request, the LMF may attempt to determine a new positioning configuration based at least in part on the on-demand positioning configuration request in step 402. In the event that the LMF successfully determines the new positioning configuration, the LMF may transmit the new positioning configuration to the BS (in step 403) and to the UE (in step 404). Step 403 may be performed before, after, or simultaneously with step 404. In the event that the LMF fails to determine a new positioning configuration in response to an explicit positioning configuration request (e.g., a request indicating at least one explicit parameter or an ID of a preferred positioning configuration) from the UE, or the LMF fails to determine a new positioning configuration aligned with the current DRX configuration, the LMF may transmit an error cause to the UE in step 405, for example via an LPP Provide Assistance Data message. In some embodiments, when the UE receives an error cause from the LMF after transmitting the on-demand positioning configuration request, the UE will not repeatedly transmit the same request to the LMF.

[0107] In some embodiments, when the UE transmits an on-demand positioning configuration request, the UE may start an inhibit timer with a configured value. In some embodiments, when the inhibit timer is running, the UE may not repeatedly transmit the same on-demand positioning configuration request to the LMF. In some embodiments, when the inhibit timer is running, the current DRX configuration may be updated or reconfigured. In such cases, the UE may stop the inhibit timer and trigger a new on-demand positioning configuration request to the LMF.

[0108] In some embodiments, the UE may transmit an on-demand positioning configuration request to the LMF only if the same request has not been sent previously to the LMF.

[0109] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 500 for alignment between a DRX configuration and a positioning configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 5 Only necessary steps that embody the spirit of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 5 The method described in the embodiment may be performed by at least three network entities (eg, UE, BS, and LMF). Although the method is described at the system level, those skilled in the art may understand that the method implemented in the three network entities may be implemented separately and incorporated into other devices with similar functions.

[0110] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 5 , in step 501, a BS (eg, Figure 1 BS 101 in the example may transmit the DRX configuration to the UE (eg, Figure 1 In step 503, the BS may transmit information associated with the DRX configuration to the LMF (e.g., Figure 1The LMF 103 in the DRX configuration is used by the LMF to determine a positioning configuration (eg, a PRS configuration) aligned with the DRX configuration. Step 501 may be performed before, after, or simultaneously with step 503.

[0111] In step 504, the LMF may determine a positioning configuration that is aligned with the DRX configuration based at least in part on the information received in step 503. The LMF may then transmit the determined positioning configuration to the BS (in step 505) and to the UE (in step 506).

[0112] In some embodiments, step 503 may be performed in response to a request from the LMF. For example, in step 502, the LMF may transmit a DRX configuration request to the BS. In response to the DRX configuration request, the BS may transmit information associated with the DRX configuration to the LMF in step 503.

[0113] In some other embodiments, step 503 may be an unsolicited action (i.e., the BS may perform step 503 without receiving any request from the LMF). For example, the BS may transmit information associated with the DRX configuration to the LMF in at least one of the following situations:

[0114] ● When the BS receives an indication from the UE indicating that the UE is a LPHAP UE;

[0115] ● When the BS receives an indication indicating LPHAP service requirement from the UE or from the LMF;

[0116] ● when the DRX configuration is configured, reconfigured or updated; or

[0117] ●When the UE performs cell reselection or handover.

[0118] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 600 for alignment between a DRX configuration and a positioning configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 6 Only necessary steps that embody the spirit of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 6 The method described in the embodiment may be performed by at least three network entities (eg, UE, BS, and LMF). Although the method is described at the system level, those skilled in the art may understand that the method implemented in the three network entities may be implemented separately and incorporated into other devices with similar functions.

[0119] like Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, LMF (e.g., Figure 1The LMF 103 in the BS 100 may determine a first positioning configuration (e.g., a PRS configuration) and transmit the first positioning configuration to the BS (in step 601) and to the UE (in step 602). Step 601 may be performed before, after, or simultaneously with step 602. Additionally or alternatively, in step 603, the BS (e.g., Figure 1 BS101 in the UE may determine a second positioning configuration (eg, an SRS configuration) and transmit the second positioning configuration to the UE (eg, Figure 1 Step 603 may be performed before, after, or simultaneously with step 601 or step 602.

[0120] In some embodiments, the BS may receive an indication from the UE (in step 604) or from the LMF (in step 605), indicating that the BS indicates to perform alignment between the DRX configuration and the positioning configuration. The indication may include at least one of the following:

[0121] ● an indication from the UE indicating that the UE is a LPHAP UE;

[0122] ● an indication from the UE or from the LMF indicating that LPHAP service is required; or

[0123] • An indication from the LMF indicating that the DRX configuration needs to be aligned with the positioning configuration.

[0124] In response to the indication, the BS may determine the DRX configuration based at least in part on the positioning configuration (e.g., the first positioning configuration received from the LMF and / or the second positioning configuration determined by the BS) in step 606. The BS may then transmit the determined DRX configuration to the UE in step 607.

[0125] In some embodiments, in the case where the DRX configuration is already configured when the indication is received, the BS may determine a new DRX configuration and transmit the new DRX configuration to the UE to align with the positioning configuration as closely as possible, wherein the new DRX configuration may be a complete DRX configuration or an incremental DRX structure (e.g., an update to at least one parameter) compared to the previous DRX configuration. In some embodiments, in the case where the DRX configuration is being configured when the indication is received, the BS may determine the DRX configuration and transmit the DRX configuration to the UE to align with the positioning configuration as closely as possible.

[0126] In some embodiments, when it is determined that the DRX configuration is a paging DRX configuration, the BS may coordinate the paging DRX configuration of the UE with at least one neighboring cell. The paging DRX configuration may include at least one of a cell-specific paging DRX configuration provided in a system information block (SIB) message and a UE-specific paging DRX configuration provided through RRC signaling. That is, the serving BS may coordinate the paging DRX configuration with a neighboring cell to which the UE can reselect in an RRC inactive state or an RRC idle state, so that the neighboring cell knows the current paging DRX configuration of the UE and provides a similar DRX configuration to the UE.

[0127] In some other embodiments, in step 606 , the BS may determine a new positioning configuration (eg, SRS configuration) aligned with the current DRX configuration in response to receiving the indication in step 604 or 605 , and transmit the new positioning configuration to the UE in step 607 .

[0128] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, in some cases, a positioning area that maintains a current positioning configuration may be configured to a UE. The positioning area is defined as follows: the positioning configuration is valid when the UE moves within the same positioning area. The positioning area may consist of one or more cells. When the UE moves to or selects a new cell within the configured positioning area, the previous serving BS may coordinate the current DRX configuration aligned with the current positioning configuration with the new cell to maintain the alignment between the current DRX configuration and the current positioning configuration in the positioning area. In some embodiments, the coordination performed by the previous serving BS may include transmitting an alignment indication to the new cell in the same positioning area, the alignment indication indicating that the current DRX configuration is aligned with the current positioning configuration.

[0129] In the case where this positioning area is not configured, when the UE performs handover or cell reselection from the source BS to the target BS, the source BS may transmit at least one of the following to the target BS:

[0130] ● an indication that alignment between the current positioning configuration and the current DRX configuration is required, or

[0131] ●Alignment information about the current positioning configuration and the current DRX configuration.

[0132] At least one of the indication or alignment information may be transmitted in the handover request message. In some embodiments, the alignment information may include at least one of the following:

[0133] The UE is an LPHAP UE;

[0134] ●LPHAP service requirements;

[0135] • an indication of the alignment between the current DRX configuration and the current positioning configuration;

[0136] ● information associated with the current positioning configuration; or

[0137] • Information associated with the current DRX configuration.

[0138] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the paging DRX of a UE in an RRC inactive state or in an RRC idle state may be configured with a PEI, wherein the PEI may indicate whether a subsequent PO is a paging PO (i.e., paging may be transmitted in this PO) or a non-paging PO (i.e., there is no paging in this PO).

[0139] In some embodiments, when the BS receives a PRS configuration or a PRS configuration update from the LMF, the BS may transmit a PEI indicating a paging PO to the UE. The PEI may include at least one of the following:

[0140] ●SRS activate or deactivate MAC CE command;

[0141] ● Positioning measurement gap activation or deactivation MAC CE command; or

[0142] ●PPW activates or deactivates MAC CE command.

[0143] In some embodiments, the UE may perform positioning skipping in paging-free PO. The advantage of positioning skipping in paging-free PO is energy saving. Positioning skipping in paging-free PO may include at least one of the following:

[0144] ● No periodic or semi-persistent SRS is transmitted in the non-paging PO;

[0145] ● PRS is not received in non-paging PO;

[0146] ● Not transmitting a positioning measurement report in a non-paging PO; or

[0147] ● In case the variation of the positioning measurement report is within the threshold, no positioning measurement report is transmitted in the non-paging PO.

[0148] In some embodiments, in the event that the UE does not transmit a positioning measurement report in a no-paging PO, the UE may transmit a positioning measurement with a timestamp associated with the no-paging PO in the closest subsequent paging PO.

[0149] In some embodiments, the UE may not select resources for SDT in a no-paging PO.

[0150] In some embodiments, the UE may be configured or preconfigured with a maximum number of consecutive non-paging POs in which the positioning operation is skipped. That is, after performing the positioning skipping in the maximum number of consecutive non-paging POs, the UE may not perform the positioning skipping in the next PO even if the PEI indicates that the next PO is still a non-paging PO. This is to avoid a long duration of not performing the positioning operation. The maximum number of consecutive non-paging POs guarantees the quality of positioning service (QoS).

[0151] In some embodiments, the UE may start a configured or preconfigured timer at the start of a non-paging PO and keep performing positioning skipping in each subsequent non-paging PO until the timer expires or until the UE receives a PEI indicating a paging PO (i.e., until a paging PO). The UE may stop the timer when it receives a PEI indicating a paging PO (i.e., at a paging PO).

[0152] In some embodiments, for positioning operations that occur in a paging PO but are not completed at the end of the paging PO (e.g., the PPW or positioning response duration continues to the out-of-PO duration), the UE may perform at least one of the following: ● When the paging PO ends (i.e., the paging PO duration stops), terminate the periodic or semi-persistent SRS transmission; or

[0153] ●When the paging PO ends, PRS reception is terminated.

[0154] In some embodiments, for example, when a UE (e.g., an LPHAP UE or a UE with similar functionality) is primarily used to track workpieces in an assembly area and / or warehouse, there may be no other service requirements except for the positioning of the UE. In such cases, it may be worthwhile to relax PO monitoring and / or measurement based on the temporal characteristics of the UE's positioning service to achieve energy saving. Specifically, in some embodiments, the UE may perform at least one of the following:

[0155] ●Stop paging monitoring within PPW;

[0156] When the positioning measurement report is skipped due to satisfying at least one predefined condition, stopping paging monitoring within the positioning response duration, wherein the at least one predefined condition may include:

[0157] ◆The positioning measurement report has not changed; or

[0158] ◆The change in the positioning measurement report is within a configured or predefined threshold; or

[0159] • When the positioning measurement report is transmitted before the end of the positioning response duration, stop monitoring the PDCCH or PO.

[0160] Figure 7A simplified block diagram illustrating an exemplary apparatus 700 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0161] In some embodiments, the device 700 may be or include a device capable of performing any operations performed by a UE as described in the present disclosure (e.g., Figures 2 to 6 At least a portion of a UE of any of the methods described in .

[0162] In some embodiments, the device 700 may be or include a device capable of performing any operations performed by a BS as described in the present disclosure (e.g., Figures 2 to 6 At least a portion of a BS of any of the methods described in .

[0163] In some embodiments, device 700 may be or include a computer capable of performing any of the operations performed by the LMF as described in this disclosure (e.g., Figures 2 to 6 at least a portion of the LMF of any of the methods described in .

[0164] like Figure 7 , the apparatus 700 may include at least a transceiver 710 and a processor 720 coupled to the transceiver 710. In some embodiments, the transceiver 710 may include a transmitter and a receiver integrated together. In some embodiments, the transceiver 710 may include a transmitter and a receiver separated from each other. In some embodiments, the transceiver 710 may be a wireless transceiver.

[0165] In some embodiments, the apparatus 700 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium 730 having stored thereon computer-executable instructions 740. The non-transitory computer-readable medium 730 may be coupled to the processor 720 and the transceiver 710, and the computer-executable instructions 740 may be configured to be executable by the processor 720. In some embodiments, the transceiver 710, the non-transitory computer-readable medium 730, and the processor 720 may be coupled to each other via one or more local buses.

[0166] Despite Figure 7 700 , elements such as transceiver 710 , non-transitory computer-readable medium 730 , and processor 720 are described in the singular, but the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, device 700 may further include other components for practical use.

[0167] In various example embodiments, the processor 720 may include, but is not limited to, at least one hardware processor, including at least one microprocessor (e.g., a CPU), a portion of at least one hardware processor, and any other suitable special-purpose processor (e.g., a special-purpose processor developed based on, for example, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)). In addition, the processor 720 may also include Figure 7 At least one other circuit system or element not shown.

[0168] In various example embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium 730 may include at least one storage medium in various forms, such as volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory. Volatile memory may include, but is not limited to, for example, RAM, cache, etc. Non-volatile memory may include, but is not limited to, for example, ROM, hard disk, flash memory, etc. In addition, the non-transitory computer-readable medium 730 may include, but is not limited to, electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor systems, devices or apparatuses, or any combination thereof.

[0169] Furthermore, in various example embodiments, apparatus 700 may also include at least one other circuit system, element, and interface, such as an antenna element or the like.

[0170] According to some embodiments, the apparatus 700 is a UE. The transceiver 710 and the processor 720 may be configured to perform operations in any of the methods described above performed by the UE. For example, the transceiver 710 may be configured to receive a DRX configuration and receive a positioning configuration, wherein the DRX configuration is aligned with the positioning configuration.

[0171] According to some embodiments, the apparatus 700 is a BS. The transceiver 710 and the processor 720 may be configured to perform the operations in any of the methods described above performed by the BS. For example, the transceiver 710 may be configured to perform at least one of the following: transmitting a first DRX configuration aligned with a first positioning configuration to a UE; or transmitting information associated with a second DRX configuration to a LMF for the LMF to determine a second positioning configuration aligned with the second DRX configuration.

[0172] According to some embodiments, the apparatus 700 is a LMF. The transceiver 710 and the processor 720 may be configured to perform the operations in any of the methods described above performed by the LMF. For example, the transceiver 710 may be configured to transmit at least one of: a first positioning configuration aligned with the first DRX configuration; or a first indication for triggering the BS to determine a second DRX configuration aligned with the second positioning configuration.

[0173] In various example embodiments, the circuit systems, parts, elements and interfaces (including processors and non-transitory computer-readable media) in the exemplary devices may be coupled together in any suitable manner (e.g., electrically, magnetically, optically, electromagnetically, etc.) via any suitable connection (including but not limited to buses, crossbars, wiring and / or wireless lines).

[0174] The method of the present disclosure may be implemented on a programmed processor. However, the controller, flow chart and modules may also be implemented on a general or special purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit components, an integrated circuit, a hardware electronic or logic circuit (such as a discrete element circuit), a programmable logic device, etc. In general, any device having a finite state machine capable of implementing the flow chart shown in the figure can be used to implement the processing functions of the present disclosure.

[0175] Although the present disclosure has been described with its specific embodiments, it is apparent that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the various components of the embodiments may be interchanged, added or replaced in other embodiments. In addition, all elements shown in each figure are not necessary for the operation of the disclosed embodiments. For example, a person skilled in the art of the disclosed embodiments will be able to make and use the teachings of the present disclosure by simply adopting the elements of the independent claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure set forth herein are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0176] The term "includes / includes / including" or any other variation thereof is intended to encompass non-exclusive inclusions, so that the process, method, article or device comprising a list of elements not only comprises those elements but also may comprise other elements that are not explicitly listed or inherent to this process, method, article or device. In the absence of more constraints, an element beginning with "a / an" or the like does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or device comprising the element. In addition, the term "another" is defined as at least a second or more. As used herein, the terms "comprising", "having" etc. are defined as "including".

[0177] In the present disclosure, relational terms such as "first," "second," and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions.

Claims

1. A user equipment UE, comprising: processor; and a transceiver coupled to the processor and configured to: Receive discontinuous reception DRX configuration; and A positioning configuration is received, wherein the DRX configuration is aligned with the positioning configuration.

2. The UE of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is configured to: transmitting information associated with the DRX configuration to a location management function LMF; and The positioning configuration is received after transmitting the information associated with the DRX configuration, wherein the positioning configuration is determined by the LMF at least in part based on the information associated with the DRX configuration.

3. The UE of claim 2, wherein the information associated with the DRX configuration is transmitted to the LMF in response to receiving a DRX configuration request from the LMF.

4. The UE of claim 2, wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit the information associated with the DRX configuration in at least one of the following situations: When the UE is a low power high accuracy positioning LPHAP UE; When the UE initiates LPHAP service; or When the DRX configuration is configured, reconfigured or updated.

5. The UE of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is configured to: When the processor determines that the current positioning configuration is not aligned with the DRX configuration, transmitting an on-demand positioning configuration request to the LMF; and In response to the on-demand positioning configuration request: receiving the positioning configuration determined by the LMF based at least in part on the on-demand positioning configuration request; or An error cause is received in case the LMF fails to determine the requested positioning configuration or the LMF fails to determine a positioning configuration aligned with the DRX configuration.

6. The UE of claim 5, wherein the processor is configured to determine that the current positioning configuration is not aligned with the DRX configuration when a duration of PRS reception determined by the current positioning configuration fully or partially overlaps with a UE inactivity duration determined by the DRX configuration.

7. The UE according to claim 5, wherein the on-demand positioning configuration request indicates at least one of the following: at least one explicit parameter of the positioning configuration preferred by the UE; The configuration index ID of the positioning configuration preferred by the UE; or At least one explicit parameter of the DRX configuration.

8. The UE of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to start a prohibit timer having a configured value when the transceiver transmits the on-demand positioning configuration request, and wherein when the prohibit timer is running, the transceiver is configured to: non-repeatedly transmitting the on-demand positioning configuration request; and / or In case the DRX configuration is updated, the inhibit timer is stopped and another on-demand positioning configuration request to the LMF is triggered.

9. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit at least one of the following to a base station BS to trigger the BS to transmit information associated with the DRX configuration to a LMF: an indication that the UE is a LPHAP UE; or Indication indicating LPHAP service requirements.

10. The UE of claim 1, wherein the DRX configuration is determined by a BS based at least in part on the positioning configuration, and wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit at least one of the following to the BS to trigger the BS to determine the DRX configuration: an indication that the UE is a LPHAP UE; or Indication indicating LPHAP service requirements.

11. The UE of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to perform at least one of the following: Stop paging monitoring in PPW; When positioning measurement reporting is skipped due to satisfying at least one predefined condition, stopping paging monitoring for the positioning response duration; or When the positioning measurement report is transmitted before the end of the positioning response duration, monitoring of the physical downlink control channel PDCCH or PO is stopped.

12. A base station BS, comprising: processor; and a transceiver coupled to the processor and configured to perform at least one of: transmitting a first discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration aligned with the first positioning configuration to a user equipment (UE); or Information associated with the second DRX configuration is transmitted to a location management function LMF for the LMF to determine a second positioning configuration aligned with the second DRX configuration.

13. The BS according to claim 12, wherein, in a case where the UE performs handover or cell reselection to a target BS, the transceiver is configured to transmit at least one of the following to the target BS: an indication indicating that alignment between a current positioning configuration and a current DRX configuration is required, or alignment information about the current positioning configuration and the current DRX configuration.

14. The BS of claim 13, wherein the at least one of the indication or the alignment information is transmitted in a handover request message, and wherein the alignment information comprises at least one of: The UE is an LPHAP UE; LPHAP service requirements; an indication of an alignment between the current DRX configuration and the current positioning configuration; information associated with the current positioning configuration; or Information associated with the current DRX configuration.

15. A method performed by a user equipment UE, comprising: Receive discontinuous reception DRX configuration; and A positioning configuration is received, wherein the DRX configuration is aligned with the positioning configuration.

Images