Positioning

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to positioning. A first device receives, from a second device in a radio access network, configuration information associated with a first RS for locating the first device. The configuration information includes a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the first RS. The first device receives, from the second device, a second RS for positioning the first device over a first frequency hopping and a second frequency hopping that overlaps the first frequency hopping in the frequency domain. The first device causes pre-compensation of the transmission of the first RS to be performed based on a phase offset acquired from the received second RS. And the first device sends the first RS to the second device based on the configuration information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of telecommunications, and more particularly to devices, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for multi-cell round trip time (multi-RTT) positioning. Background Art

[0002] New Radio (NR) systems provide positioning support. The following positioning solutions are specified for NR Release 16: Downlink Time Difference of Arrival (DL-TDOA), Uplink Time Difference of Arrival (UL-TDOA), Downlink Angle of Departure (DL-AoD), Uplink Angle of Arrival (UL-AoA), and Multi-cell Round Trip Time (Multi-RTT).

[0003] In Release 17, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) started work on NR positioning enhancements, which focuses on improving accuracy, reducing latency and increasing efficiency over Release 16 solutions.

[0004] Reduced Capability (RedCap) devices are being designed and standardized in Release 17. RedCap devices have a relatively long battery life compared to Internet of Things (IoT) devices. It is expected that the positioning of RedCap devices will be included in Release 18 Work Items (WI) as it is currently the target of Release 18 Study Items (SI). Summary of the invention

[0005] In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a positioning solution.

[0006] In a first aspect, a first device is provided. The first device includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. When the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the first device at least: receives configuration information associated with a first reference signal (RS) for locating the first device from a second device in a radio access network, the configuration information including a frequency hopping configuration associated with the transmission of the first RS; receives a second RS for locating the first device from the second device on the first hopping frequency and the second hopping frequency, the second hopping frequency overlapping with the first hopping frequency in the frequency domain; causes pre-compensation for the transmission of the first RS to be performed based on a phase offset obtained from the received second RS; and sends the first RS to the second device based on the configuration information.

[0007] In a second aspect, a second device is provided. The second device includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second device to at least: send configuration information associated with a first RS to a first device in a radio access network, the configuration information including a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the first RS from the first device; and receive the first RS from the first device based on the configuration information.

[0008] In a third aspect, a third device is provided. The third device includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the third device to at least: send an indication to at least one of a first device and a second device in a radio access network indicating that pre-compensation is to be performed, the pre-compensation being for transmission of an RS for positioning of the first device.

[0009] In a fourth aspect, a first device is provided. The first device includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. When the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the first device at least: receives configuration information associated with a second RS for locating the first device from a second device in a radio access network, the configuration information including a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the second RS from the second device; and receives a second RS from the second device based on the configuration information.

[0010] In a fifth aspect, a second device is provided. The second device includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. When the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the second device at least: sends configuration information associated with a second RS for locating the first device to a first device in a radio access network, the configuration information including a frequency hopping configuration associated with the transmission of the second RS; receives a first RS for locating the first device from the first device on a third hopping frequency and a fourth hopping frequency, the fourth hopping frequency overlapping the third hopping frequency in the frequency domain; performs pre-compensation on the transmission of the second RS based on the phase offset obtained from the received first RS; and sends the second RS to the first device based on the configuration information.

[0011] In a sixth aspect, a method is provided. The method may be performed by a first device in a radio access network, and includes: receiving configuration information associated with a first RS for locating the first device from a second device in the radio access network, the configuration information including a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the first RS; receiving a second RS for locating the first device from the second device on a first hopping frequency and a second hopping frequency, the second hopping frequency overlapping the first hopping frequency in the frequency domain; causing pre-compensation for transmission of the first RS to be performed based on a phase offset obtained from the received second RS; and sending the first RS to the second device based on the configuration information.

[0012] In a seventh aspect, a method is provided. The method may be performed by a second device in a radio access network, and includes: sending configuration information associated with a first RS to a first device in the radio access network, the configuration information including a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the first RS from the first device; and receiving the first RS from the first device based on the configuration information.

[0013] In an eighth aspect, a method is provided. The method may be performed by a third device and includes: sending an indication to at least one of a first device and a second device in a radio access network indicating that pre-compensation is to be performed, the pre-compensation being for transmission of an RS used for positioning of the first device.

[0014] In a ninth aspect, a method is provided. The method may be performed by a first device in a radio access network, and includes: receiving configuration information associated with a second RS for locating the first device from a second device in the radio access network, the configuration information including a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the second RS from the second device; and receiving a second RS from the second device based on the configuration information.

[0015] In a tenth aspect, a method is provided. The method may be performed by a second device in a radio access network, and includes: sending configuration information associated with a second RS for locating the first device to a first device in the radio access network, the configuration information including a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the second RS; receiving a first RS for locating the first device from the first device at a third hopping frequency and a fourth hopping frequency, the fourth hopping frequency overlapping the third hopping frequency in the frequency domain; performing pre-compensation on transmission of the second RS based on a phase offset obtained from the received first RS; and sending the second RS to the first device based on the configuration information.

[0016] In an eleventh aspect, a first device is provided. The first device includes: a component for receiving configuration information associated with a first RS for locating a first device from a second device of a radio access network, the configuration information including a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the first RS; a component for receiving a second RS for locating the first device from the second device on a first hopping frequency and a second hopping frequency, the second hopping frequency overlapping the first hopping frequency in the frequency domain; a component for causing pre-compensation for transmission of the first RS to be performed based on a phase offset obtained from the received second RS; and a component for sending the first RS to the second device based on the configuration information.

[0017] In a twelfth aspect, a second apparatus is provided. The second apparatus comprises: a component for sending configuration information associated with a first RS to a first device in a radio access network, the configuration information comprising a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the first RS from the first device; and a component for receiving the first RS from the first device based on the configuration information.

[0018] In a thirteenth aspect, a third apparatus is provided. The third apparatus includes means for sending an indication to at least one of a first device and a second device in a radio access network indicating that pre-compensation is to be performed, the pre-compensation being for transmission of an RS used for positioning of the first device.

[0019] In a fourteenth aspect, a first device is provided. The first device includes: a component for receiving configuration information associated with a second RS used to locate the first device from a second device in a radio access network, the configuration information including a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the second RS from the second device; and a component for receiving the second RS from the second device based on the configuration information.

[0020] In a fifteenth aspect, a second device is provided. The second device includes: a component for sending configuration information associated with a second RS used to locate the first device to a first device in a radio access network, the configuration information including a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the second RS; a component for receiving a first RS used to locate the first device from the first device on a third hopping frequency and a fourth hopping frequency, the fourth hopping frequency overlapping the third hopping frequency in the frequency domain; a component for performing pre-compensation on transmission of the second RS based on a phase offset obtained from the received first RS; and a component for sending the second RS to the first device based on the configuration information.

[0021] In a sixteenth aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable medium comprises program instructions, and when the program instructions are executed by at least one processor, the apparatus at least performs the method according to any one of the sixth aspect to the tenth aspect.

[0022] It should be understood that the invention summary is not intended to identify the key or essential features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates an example communication network in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0025] Figure 2 illustrates an example of multi-RTT positioning according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 3 illustrates an example of frequency hopping of a reference signal according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 4 illustrates a signaling diagram illustrating a positioning process according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 5A and Figure 5B respectively illustrate examples of frequency hopping for transmission of a reference signal according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 6 illustrates a signaling diagram illustrating a positioning process according to some other example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 7 A signaling diagram is illustrated, which illustrates a positioning process according to other example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0031] Fig. 8A and Figure 8B respectively illustrate examples of frequency hopping for transmission of a reference signal according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0032] Fig. 9 A flowchart illustrating a method implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0033] Fig.10 A flowchart illustrating a method implemented at a second device according to other example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0034] Fig.11 A flowchart illustrating a method implemented at a third device according to other example embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated;

[0035] Fig.12 A flowchart illustrating a method implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0036] Fig.13 A flowchart illustrating a method implemented at a second device according to other example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0037] Fig.14 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an apparatus suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0038] Fig.15 A block diagram of an example computer-readable medium according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0039] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described only for illustrative purposes and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, and do not represent any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various other ways except for the way described below.

[0041] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0042] In this disclosure, references to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," and "an example embodiment" indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment must include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. In addition, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with an example embodiment, those skilled in the art believe that it is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

[0043] It should be understood that although the terms "first" and "second" etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the example embodiments, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0044] The terms used herein are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" also include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It is further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "has", "having", "includes", and / or "including" when used herein specify the presence of the features, elements, and / or components, etc., but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0045] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one, more, or all of the following:

[0046] (a) a pure hardware circuit implementation (such as an implementation using only analog and / or digital circuitry), and

[0047] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software such as (where applicable):

[0048] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and

[0049] (ii) any portion of hardware processor(s) (including digital signal processor(s)) with software, software and memory(s) that work together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions), and

[0050] (c) Hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or portion(s) of microprocessor(s), that require software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but which may not be present when the software is not required for operation.

[0051] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of only a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, if applicable to a particular claim element, the term circuitry also covers a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0052] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that follows any suitable communication standard, such as a fifth generation (5G) system, long term evolution (LTE), advanced LTE (LTE-A), wideband code division multiplexing (WCDMA), high speed packet access (HSPA), narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), etc. In addition, the communication between the terminal device and the network device in the communication network can be performed according to any suitable generation of communication protocols, including but not limited to the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) communication protocol, and / or any other protocol currently known or to be developed in the future. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. In view of the rapid development of communication, there will certainly be communication technologies and systems that can be used to embody future types of the present disclosure. It should not be regarded as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to the above-mentioned system.

[0053] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communication network, via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services from the network. Depending on the terminology and technology applied, a network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), such as a NodeB (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a NR next-generation NodeB (gNB), a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, a low-power node (such as a femto, a micro), etc. The RAN split architecture includes a gNB-CU (centralized unit, which hosts RRC, SDAP, and PDCP), which controls multiple gNB-DUs (distributed units, which host RLC, MAC, and PHY).

[0054] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. As an example and not limitation, the terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, a user equipment (UE), a subscriber station (SS), a portable subscriber station, a mobile station (MS) or an access terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a voice over IP (VoIP) phone, a wireless local loop phone, a tablet computer, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a desktop computer, an image capture terminal device (such as a digital camera), a game terminal device, a music storage and playback device, a vehicle-mounted wireless terminal device, a wireless endpoint, a mobile station, a laptop embedded device (LEE), a laptop mounted device (LME), a USB dongle, a smart device, a wireless customer premises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a watch or other wearable device, a head mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, medical equipment and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial equipment and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in industrial and / or automated processing chain environments), consumer electronic devices, equipment operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, etc. In the following description, the terms "terminal device", "communication device", "terminal", "user equipment" and "UE" may be used interchangeably.

[0055] Although the functions described herein may be performed in fixed and / or wireless network nodes in various example embodiments, in other example embodiments, the functions may be implemented in a user equipment device (such as a mobile phone or tablet or laptop or desktop computer or mobile IoT device or fixed IoT device). For example, the user equipment device may be equipped with corresponding capabilities described in combination with fixed and / or wireless network nodes as required. The user equipment device may be a user device and / or a control device (such as a chipset or processor) that is configured to control the user device when installed in the user device. Examples of such functions include boot server functions and / or home subscriber servers, which may be implemented in the user equipment device by providing software to the user equipment device that is configured to cause the user equipment device to perform from the perspective of these functions / nodes.

[0056] Figure 1 An example communication network 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented is shown. The network 100 may include a first device 110, second devices 120-1 and 120-2, and a third device 130 that may communicate with each other. Hereinafter, for the sake of brevity, the second devices 120-1 and 120-2 may be collectively referred to as the second device 120, or individually referred to as the second device 120.

[0057] In some embodiments, some of the first device 110, the second device 120, and the third device 130 may be implemented as terminal devices, while other devices may be implemented as network devices. In such an embodiment, for example, the first device 110 may be implemented as a terminal device in a radio access network. For example, the first device 110 may be implemented as a capability reduction (RedCap) device. In such an embodiment, the second device 120 may be implemented as a network device in a radio access network, and the third device 130 may be implemented as a network device in a radio access network or a core network. For example, the second device 120 may be implemented as a gNB, and the third device 130 may be implemented as a location management function (LMF) entity. The LMF entity may be implemented in a radio access network or a core network.

[0058] In such an embodiment, the second device 120-1 may serve the first device 110, and the second device 120-2 may not serve the first device 110. In such an embodiment, the second device 120-1 may be referred to as a serving network device, and the second device 120-2 may be referred to as a neighboring network device.

[0059] Furthermore, in such an embodiment, each of the second devices 120-1 and 120-2 may be implemented as a transmission reception point (TRP).

[0060] In other embodiments, each of the first device 110, the second device 120, and the third device 130 may be implemented as a terminal device. In such an embodiment, the first device 110, the second device 120, and the third device 130 may communicate with each other through a side chain therebetween.

[0061] It should be understood that the number of network devices and terminal devices is only for illustrative purposes and does not represent any limitation. Network 100 may include any suitable number of network devices and terminal devices suitable for implementing the embodiments of the present disclosure. Although not shown, it should be understood that one or more terminal devices may be served by the second device 120. In addition, it is understood that there may be more adjacent network devices near the terminal device.

[0062] Communications in the communications network 100 may be implemented according to any appropriate (multiple) communications protocols, including but not limited to cellular communications protocols such as first generation (1G), second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G) and fifth generation (5G), wireless local area network communications protocols such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. In addition, communications may utilize any appropriate wireless communications technology, including but not limited to: code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division duplex (FDD), time division duplex (TDD), multiple input multiple output (MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and / or any other technology currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0063] In some embodiments, multi-RTT positioning of the first device 110 may be performed in the network 100 .

[0064] Figure 2 An example of multi-RTT positioning according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. Figure 2 As shown, for the purpose of multi-RTT positioning, the second device 120-1 sends a second reference signal (RS) to the first device 110 and records the time (represented by t0) at which the second RS is sent. Upon receiving the second RS from the second device 120-1, the first device 110 records the time (represented by t1) at which the second RS is received.

[0065] The first device 110 sends a first RS to the second device 120-1 and records the time of sending the first RS (represented by t2). Upon receiving the first RS from the first device 110, the second device 120-1 records the time of receiving the first RS (represented by t3). Further, the second device 120-1 can determine a first time difference between t3 and t0, i.e., t3-t0.

[0066] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may determine a second time difference between t2 and t1 (ie, t2 - t1 ), and send the second time difference to the second device 120 - 1 .

[0067] Upon receiving the second time difference (t2-t1), the second device 120-1 may determine a first RTT between the second device 120-1 and the first device 110 based on the first time difference and the second time difference. For example, the second device 120-1 may determine the first RTT as the difference between the first time difference and the second time difference, i.e., (t3-t0)-(t2-t1).

[0068] Similarly, the second device 120 - 2 may determine a second RTT between the second device 120 - 2 and the first device 110 .

[0069] In some embodiments, the second device 120-1 and the second device 120-2 may respectively send the first RTT and the second RTT to the third device 130. Alternatively, the first device 110 and the second device 120 may directly send the corresponding time difference to the third device 130, and the third device 130 may determine the corresponding RTT. In turn, the third device 130 may determine the location of the first device 110 based on the first RTT and the second RTT.

[0070] Alternatively, the second device 120-2 may send the second RTT to the second device 120-1. In turn, the second device 120-1 may determine the location of the first device 110 based on the first RTT and the second RTT.

[0071] In some embodiments, frequency hopping may be applied to at least one of the first RS and the second RS to increase the effective bandwidth for positioning while maintaining the instantaneous bandwidth within a maximum bandwidth, such as a RedCap maximum bandwidth. For example, the RedCap maximum bandwidth may be 20 MHz for FR1 and 100 MHz for FR2.

[0072] Figure 3 An example of frequency hopping 300 of a second RS according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. Figure 3 As shown, the first device 110 receives the second RS at hopping frequencies 310, 320, 330, and 340. In order to receive the second RS at different hopping frequencies, the first device 110 may need to perform bandwidth part (BWP) switching. Therefore, switching delay may be caused.

[0073] In an embodiment where frequency hopping of the second RS is applied, the first device 110 may need to have some resource elements (REs), resource blocks (RBs), or subcarriers overlapped between frequency hopping in order to perform phase alignment between frequency hopping. Figure 3 Some REs, RBs or subcarriers that overlap between frequency hops 310 and 320 are illustrated.

[0074] If phase alignment is not performed, the first device 110 may not be able to successfully combine different portions of the second RS across the hop frequencies 310, 320, 330, and 340 to utilize the total bandwidth aggregated by the multiple hop frequencies.

[0075] Phase alignment may be performed at the first device 110 or the second device 120. Phase alignment requires more resources as overlap occurs and also increases the complexity of the measurement process.

[0076] In order to solve the above and other potential problems, in a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a positioning solution. In this solution, a first device receives a second RS for positioning the first device from a second device on a first hopping frequency and a second hopping frequency, and the second hopping frequency overlaps with the first hopping frequency in the frequency domain. The first device obtains a phase offset from the received second RS. Furthermore, the first device performs pre-compensation on the transmission of the first RS to be performed based on the phase offset obtained from the received second RS. In this way, the need for phase alignment at the receiver of the first RS can be eliminated.

[0077] In the following, reference will be made to Figures 4 to 6 Some embodiments of the present disclosure according to the first aspect are described.

[0078] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a signaling diagram of a positioning process 400 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 Process 400 is described. Process 400 may involve Figure 1 The first device 110, the second device 120 and the third device 130 in.

[0079] like Figure 4 As shown, the second device 120 sends 430 to the first device 110 configuration information associated with the first RS for locating the first device 110. The configuration information includes a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the first RS. Therefore, the first device 110 receives the configuration information associated with the first RS from the second device 120.

[0080] Alternatively, the first device 110 may receive configuration information associated with the first RS from the third device 130 .

[0081] In some embodiments, the first RS may include but is not limited to a sounding reference signal (SRS). Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described by taking the SRS as an example. However, other types of reference signals may be applied to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0082] The second device 120 sends 435 a second RS for locating the first device 110 to the first device 110 at the first hopping frequency and the second hopping frequency, the second hopping frequency overlapping with the first hopping frequency in the frequency domain. Figure 5A Give a description.

[0083] Figure 5A An example 500A of frequency hopping for transmission of a second RS according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. Figure 5AAs shown, the second device 120 sends the second RS on frequency hopping 510, 512, 514, and 516. There is an overlap in the frequency domain between frequency hopping 510 and 512. There is an overlap in the frequency domain between frequency hopping 512 and 514. There is an overlap in the frequency domain between frequency hopping 514 and 516.

[0084] In some embodiments, hopping frequencies 510, 512, 514, and 516 may be located on different BWPs from the perspective of first device 110. In such embodiments, first device 110 may need to perform BWP switching to measure the second RS on hopping frequencies 510, 512, 514, and 516.

[0085] In some embodiments, the second RS may include but is not limited to a positioning reference signal (PRS). Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described by taking PRS as an example. However, other types of reference signals may be applied to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0086] Continue to refer Figure 4 , the first device 110 obtains 440 a phase offset from the received second RS.

[0087] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may acquire the phase offset from a first phase offset between a first portion of the second RS on the first hopping frequency and a second portion of the second RS on the second hopping frequency.

[0088] Consider Figure 5A Example 500A is shown. The first device 110 may receive a first portion of a second RS on frequency hopping 510 and a second portion of a second RS on frequency hopping 512. The first device 110 may obtain a first phase offset between the first portion of the second RS on frequency hopping 510 and the second portion of the second RS on frequency hopping 512. Furthermore, the first device 110 may obtain a phase offset for precompensation from the first phase offset.

[0089] In some embodiments, the first phase offset may be between at least one first subcarrier on the first hop frequency and at least one second subcarrier on the second hop frequency. The at least one first subcarrier and the at least one second subcarrier are within an overlap between the first hop frequency and the second hop frequency.

[0090] Still considering Figure 5AExample 500A is shown. The first subcarrier 5101 is on the frequency hopping 510, and the second subcarrier 5121 is on the frequency hopping 520. The first subcarrier 5101 and the second subcarrier 5121 are within the overlap between the frequency hopping 510 and the frequency hopping 512. For example, the first subcarrier 5101 and the second subcarrier 5121 may be located at the same position in the frequency domain. In other words, the first subcarrier 5101 is the same as the second subcarrier 5121. The first phase offset may be between the first subcarrier 5101 and the second subcarrier 5121.

[0091] It is understood that for the purpose of illustration, Figure 5A Only one subcarrier on each frequency hop 510 is shown, and the frequency hop 512 is within the overlap. In other embodiments, multiple subcarriers may be within the overlap. In such an embodiment, the first device 110 may obtain a first plurality of phase offsets associated with the multiple subcarriers. In turn, the first device 110 may determine a phase offset in the first plurality of phase offsets as the phase offset for precompensation. Alternatively, the first device 110 may determine an average of the first plurality of phase offsets as the phase offset for precompensation.

[0092] return Figure 4 , the first device 110 causes 445 pre-compensation of transmission of the first RS to be performed based on the phase offset obtained from the received second RS.

[0093] Furthermore, the first device 110 sends 450 a first RS to the second device 120 based on the configuration information.

[0094] Upon receiving the first RS, the second device 120 may measure 455 the first RS. In an embodiment where multi-RTT positioning of the first device 110 is performed, the second device 120 may measure the first RS to determine the RTT between the second device 120 and the first device 110. In turn, the second device 120 may send the RTT to the third device 130 to locate the first device 110.

[0095] Through the process 400, due to the pre-compensation of the transmission of the first RS, the need for phase alignment at the second device 120 can be eliminated. Therefore, the complexity of the measurement process at the second device 120 can be reduced.

[0096] In some embodiments, the frequency hopping configuration in the configuration information associated with the first RS may indicate that there is no overlap in the frequency domain between the third hopping frequency and the fourth hopping frequency used for transmission of the first RS. Figure 5B Give a description.

[0097] Figure 5B An example 500B of frequency hopping for transmission of a first RS according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. Figure 5BAs shown, the first device 110 transmits the first RS on hopping frequencies 520, 522, 524, and 526. There is no overlap between the hopping frequencies 520, 522, 524, and 526 in the frequency domain.

[0098] In some embodiments, the configuration information may further include resources associated with the first RS. For example, the configuration information may further include an indication that the first resource or the first BWP including the first hop frequency is used as a baseline for obtaining the phase offset. For another example, the configuration information may further include an indication of a second resource or the second BWP including the second hop frequency, to which the phase offset is to be added.

[0099] Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the configuration information may further include an identifier (ID) of a resource associated with the first RS and an ID of a resource associated with the second RS.

[0100] Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the configuration information may further include an identifier of the first hopping frequency, an identifier of the second hopping frequency, an identifier of the third hopping frequency, and an identifier of the fourth hopping frequency.

[0101] In some embodiments, the second device 120 may send the configuration information by using at least one of: LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP), Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, or Media Access Control Control Element (MAC CE).

[0102] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may perform pre-compensation on transmission of the first RS based on the phase offset.

[0103] consider Figure 5A The example in 500A and Figure 5B In these examples, in order to Figure 5B To perform precompensation for transmission of a portion of the first RS on the hopping frequency 522 in the embodiment, the first device 110 may apply a first phase offset between a first portion of the second RS on the hopping frequency 510 and a second portion of the second RS on the hopping frequency 512.

[0104] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may send 410 capability information to the second device 120. The capability information may indicate that the first device 100 supports the ability to perform pre-compensation. In turn, upon receiving the capability information, the second device 120 may send 415 capability information to the third device 130. Alternatively, the first device 110 may send the capability information directly to the third device 130.

[0105] In some embodiments, the capability information may further indicate at least one of the following:

[0106] the accuracy with which the first device 110 performs pre-compensation,

[0107] the maximum time between the third and fourth frequency hops during which the first device 110 is allowed to perform precompensation, or

[0108] • The maximum number of frequency hops for which the first device 110 performs precompensation.

[0109] Upon receiving the capability information, the third device 130 may send 420 to the first device 110 a first indication indicating that precompensation is to be performed by the first device 110. The third device 130 may also send 425 to the second device 120 a first indication indicating that precompensation is to be performed by the first device 110.

[0110] In an embodiment where the first device 110 sends capability information to the second device 120 , the second device 120 may send a first indication to the first device 110 indicating that precompensation is to be performed by the first device 110 .

[0111] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may send a phase offset to the second device 120. Upon receiving the phase offset, the second device 120 may perform pre-compensation on the received first RS based on the phase offset. Figure 6 Give a description.

[0112] Figure 6 FIG. 6 illustrates a signaling diagram of a positioning process 600 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 Process 600 is described. Process 600 may involve Figure 1 The first device 110, the second device 120 and the third device 130 in FIG. 600 can be viewed as an example implementation of the process 400.

[0113] Actions 410, 415, 430, 435, 440, and 455 in process 600 are the same as actions in process 400. Details of these actions are omitted for brevity.

[0114] Process 600 differs from process 400 in actions 610 , 615 , 620 , 625 , and 630 .

[0115] Specifically, the third device 130 sends 610 to the second device 120 a second indication indicating that the phase offset for precompensation will be sent by the first device 110. In turn, the second device 120 sends 615 the second indication to the first device 110. Alternatively, the third device 130 may send the second indication to the first device 110 directly.

[0116] The first device 110 transmits 620 the first RS to the second device 120 based on the configuration information. Pre-compensation of the first RS is not performed by the first device 110.

[0117] In addition, the first device 110 transmits 625 a phase offset for precompensation to the second device 120. Upon receiving the phase offset, the second device 120 performs 630 precompensation on the received first RS based on the phase offset. Because the precompensation is performed by the second device 120, power of the first device can be saved.

[0118] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a positioning solution. In this solution, a second device receives a first RS for positioning a first device from a first device on a third hop frequency and a fourth hop frequency, and the fourth hop frequency overlaps with the third hop frequency in the frequency domain. The second device obtains a phase offset from the received first RS. Furthermore, the second device performs pre-compensation on the transmission of the second RS. In this way, the need for phase alignment at the receiver of the second RS can be eliminated.

[0119] In the following, reference will be made to Figure 7 , Fig. 8A and Figure 8B Some embodiments of the present disclosure according to the second aspect are described.

[0120] Figure 7 FIG. 7 is a signaling diagram of a positioning process 700 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 Process 700 is described. Process 700 may involve Figure 1 The first device 110, the second device 120 and the third device 130 in.

[0121] like Figure 7 As shown, the third device 130 sends 710 to the second device 120 a third indication indicating that precompensation is to be performed by the second device 120. Upon receiving the third indication, the second device 120 sends 715 the third indication to the first device 110. Alternatively, the third device 130 may send the third indication directly to the first device 110.

[0122] The second device 120 sends 720 to the first device 110 configuration information associated with the second RS for locating the first device 110. The configuration information includes a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the second RS. Thus, the first device 110 receives the configuration information associated with the second RS from the second device 120.

[0123] Alternatively, the first device 110 receives configuration information associated with the second RS from the third device 130 .

[0124] In some embodiments, the second RS may include but is not limited to a PRS. Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described by taking the PRS as an example. However, other types of reference signals may be applied to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0125] The second device 120 receives 725 a first RS for locating the first device 110 from the first device 110 at a third hopping frequency and a fourth hopping frequency, the fourth hopping frequency overlapping the third hopping frequency in the frequency domain. Fig. 8A Give a description.

[0126] Fig. 8A An example 800A of frequency hopping for transmission of a first RS according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. Fig. 8A As shown, the second device 120 receives the first RS at frequency hopping 810, 812, 814, and 816. There is an overlap in the frequency domain between frequency hopping 810 and 812. There is an overlap in the frequency domain between frequency hopping 812 and 814. There is an overlap in the frequency domain between frequency hopping 814 and 816.

[0127] In some embodiments, hopping frequencies 810, 812, 814, and 816 may be located on different BWPs. In such embodiments, second device 120 may need to perform BWP switching to measure the first RS on hopping frequencies 810, 812, 814, and 816.

[0128] Since the first RS is transmitted on an overlapping frequency hop, the phase alignment of the first RS is stronger. Therefore, more accurate positioning measurements can be performed.

[0129] In some embodiments, the first RS may include but is not limited to an SRS. Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described by taking the SRS as an example. However, other types of reference signals may be applied to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0130] Continue to refer Figure 7 , the second device 120 obtains 730 a phase offset from the received first RS.

[0131] In some embodiments, the second device 120 may obtain the phase offset from the second phase offset between the first part of the first RS on the third hopping frequency and the second part of the first RS on the fourth hopping frequency.

[0132] Consider Fig. 8A Example 800A is shown. The second device 120 may receive a first portion of a first RS on frequency hopping 810 and a second portion of a first RS on frequency hopping 812. The second device 120 may obtain a second phase offset between the first portion of the first RS on frequency hopping 810 and the second portion of the first RS on frequency hopping 812. Further, the second device 120 may obtain a phase offset for precompensation from the second phase offset.

[0133] In some embodiments, the second phase offset may be between at least one third subcarrier on the third hop frequency and at least one fourth subcarrier on the fourth hop frequency. The at least one third subcarrier and the at least one fourth subcarrier are within an overlap between the third hop frequency and the fourth hop frequency.

[0134] Still considering Fig. 8A Example 800A is shown. The third subcarrier 8101 is on frequency hopping 810, and the fourth subcarrier 8121 is on frequency hopping 820. The third subcarrier 8101 and the fourth subcarrier 8121 are within the overlap between the frequency hopping 810 and the frequency hopping 812. For example, the third subcarrier 8101 and the fourth subcarrier 8121 may be located at the same position in the frequency domain. The second phase offset may be between the third subcarrier 8101 and the fourth subcarrier 8121.

[0135] return Figure 7 , the second device 120 performs 735 pre-compensation on transmission of the second RS based on the phase offset obtained from the received first RS.

[0136] Furthermore, the second device 120 sends 740 a second RS to the first device 110 based on the configuration information.

[0137] Through the process 700, due to the pre-compensation of the transmission of the second RS, the need for phase alignment at the first device 110 can be eliminated. Therefore, the complexity of the measurement process at the first device 110 can be reduced.

[0138] In some embodiments, the frequency hopping configuration in the configuration information associated with the second RS may indicate that there is no overlap in the frequency domain between the first hopping frequency and the second hopping frequency used for transmission of the second RS. Figure 8B Give a description.

[0139] Figure 8B An example 800B of frequency hopping for transmission of a second RS according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. Figure 8B As shown, the second device 120 transmits the second RS on frequency hopping 820, 822, 824, and 826. There is no overlap between frequency hopping 820, 822, 824, and 826 in the frequency domain.

[0140] Some embodiments of process 400 may be applied to process 700. Details of the embodiments are omitted for brevity.

[0141] Fig. 9 FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an example method 900 implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to Figure 1 The method 900 is described from the perspective of the first device 110 .

[0142] At block 910, the first device 110 receives configuration information associated with a first RS used to locate the first device from a second device in a radio access network. The configuration information includes a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmissions of the first RS.

[0143] At block 920 , the first device 110 receives a second RS for positioning the first device from the second device at a first hopping frequency and a second hopping frequency, the second hopping frequency overlapping with the first hopping frequency in the frequency domain.

[0144] At block 930 , the first device 110 causes pre-compensation of transmission of the first RS to be performed based on the phase offset obtained from the received second RS.

[0145] At block 940 , the first device 110 sends a first RS to the second device based on the configuration information.

[0146] In some embodiments, the frequency hopping configuration indicates that there is no overlap in the frequency domain between the third hopping frequency and the fourth hopping frequency used for transmission of the first RS.

[0147] In some embodiments, the phase offset is obtained from a first phase offset between a first portion of the second RS on the first hop frequency and a second portion of the second RS on the second hop frequency.

[0148] In some embodiments, the first phase offset is between at least one first subcarrier on a first hop frequency and at least one second subcarrier on a second hop frequency, and the at least one first subcarrier and the at least one second subcarrier are within an overlap between the first hop frequency and the second hop frequency.

[0149] In some embodiments, at least one first subcarrier is the same as at least one second subcarrier.

[0150] In some embodiments, causing precompensation to be performed includes performing precompensation on transmission of the first RS.

[0151] In some embodiments, method 900 further includes: sending capability information to a second device or a third device, the capability information indicating that the first device supports the ability to perform precompensation; and receiving a first indication from the second device or the third device indicating that precompensation will be performed by the first device.

[0152] In some embodiments, the capability information further indicates at least one of: the accuracy with which the first device performs precompensation, the maximum time between the third and fourth frequency hops for which the first device is allowed to perform precompensation, or the maximum number of frequency hops for which the first device performs precompensation.

[0153] In some embodiments, the configuration information also includes at least one of the following: resources associated with the first RS, an identifier of the resources associated with the first RS and an identifier of the resources associated with the second RS, or an identifier of the first hopping frequency, an identifier of the second hopping frequency, an identifier of the third hopping frequency and an identifier of the fourth hopping frequency.

[0154] In some embodiments, causing pre-compensation to be performed includes sending a phase offset to the second device.

[0155] In some embodiments, the first RS comprises a sounding reference signal and the second RS comprises a positioning reference signal.

[0156] Fig.10 FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an example method 1000 implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to Figure 1 The method 1000 is described from the perspective of the second device 120 .

[0157] At block 1010, the second device 120 sends configuration information associated with a first RS to a first device in a radio access network. The configuration information includes a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the first RS from the first device.

[0158] At block 1020 , the second device 120 receives a first RS from the first device based on the configuration information.

[0159] In some embodiments, the frequency hopping configuration indicates that there is no overlap in the frequency domain between the third hopping frequency and the fourth hopping frequency used for transmission of the first RS.

[0160] In some embodiments, method 1000 also includes: sending a second RS for locating the first device to the first device on a first hop frequency and a second hop frequency, the second hop frequency overlapping with the first hop frequency in the frequency domain; receiving a phase offset from the first device, in some embodiments, the phase offset is obtained from a first phase offset between a first part of the second RS on the first hop frequency and a second part of the second RS on the second hop frequency; and performing pre-compensation on the received first RS based on the phase offset.

[0161] In some embodiments, the first phase offset is between at least one first subcarrier on a first hop frequency and at least one second subcarrier on a second hop frequency, and the at least one first subcarrier and the at least one second subcarrier are within an overlap between the first hop frequency and the second hop frequency.

[0162] In some embodiments, the method 1000 further includes: receiving capability information from the first device, the capability information indicating that the first device supports a capability to perform precompensation; and sending a first indication to the first device indicating that precompensation is to be performed by the first device.

[0163] In some embodiments, the capability information further indicates at least one of: the accuracy with which the first device performs precompensation, the maximum time between the third and fourth frequency hops for which the first device is allowed to perform precompensation, or the maximum number of frequency hops for which the first device performs precompensation.

[0164] In some embodiments, the configuration information also includes at least one of the following: resources associated with the first RS, an identifier of the resources associated with the first RS and an identifier of the resources associated with the second RS, or an identifier of the first hopping frequency, an identifier of the second hopping frequency, an identifier of the third hopping frequency and an identifier of the fourth hopping frequency.

[0165] In some embodiments, the first RS comprises a sounding reference signal and the second RS comprises a positioning reference signal.

[0166] Fig.11 FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an example method 1100 implemented at a third device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to Figure 1 The method 1100 is described from the perspective of the third device 130 .

[0167] At block 1110, the third device 130 sends an indication to at least one of the first device and the second device in the radio access network indicating that pre-compensation is to be performed. Pre-compensation is for transmission of an RS used for positioning of the first device.

[0168] In some embodiments, the method 1100 further includes: receiving capability information from the first device, the capability information indicating that the first device supports a capability of performing pre-compensation.

[0169] In some embodiments, pre-compensation is performed by the first device or the second device.

[0170] In some embodiments, the RS comprises at least one of a sounding reference signal or a positioning reference signal.

[0171] Fig.12 FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an example method 1200 implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to Figure 1 The method 1200 is described from the perspective of the first device 110 .

[0172] At block 1210, the first device 110 receives configuration information associated with a second RS used to locate the first device from a second device in the radio access network. The configuration information includes a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the second RS from the second device.

[0173] At block 1220 , the first device 110 receives a second RS from the second device based on the configuration information.

[0174] In some embodiments, the frequency hopping configuration indicates that there is no overlap in the frequency domain between the first hopping frequency and the second hopping frequency used for transmission of the second RS.

[0175] Fig.13 FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an example method 1300 implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to Figure 1 The method 1300 is described from the perspective of the second device 120 .

[0176] At block 1310, the second device 120 sends configuration information associated with a second RS for locating the first device to a first device in the radio access network. The configuration information includes a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the second RS.

[0177] At block 1320 , the second device 120 receives a first RS for positioning the first device from the first device at a third hopping frequency and a fourth hopping frequency, the fourth hopping frequency overlapping the third hopping frequency in the frequency domain.

[0178] At block 1330, the second device 120 performs pre-compensation on transmission of the second RS based on the phase offset acquired from the received first RS.

[0179] At block 1340 , the second device 120 sends a second RS to the first device based on the configuration information.

[0180] In some embodiments, the frequency hopping configuration indicates that there is no overlap in the frequency domain between the first hopping frequency and the second hopping frequency used for transmission of the second RS.

[0181] In some embodiments, the phase offset is obtained from a second phase offset between a first portion of the first RS on a third hop frequency and a second portion of the first RS on a fourth hop frequency.

[0182] In some embodiments, the second phase offset is between at least one third subcarrier on the third hop frequency and at least one fourth subcarrier on the fourth hop frequency, and the at least one third subcarrier and the at least one fourth subcarrier are within an overlap between the third hop frequency and the fourth hop frequency.

[0183] In some embodiments, the at least one third subcarrier is the same as the at least one fourth subcarrier.

[0184] In some example embodiments, a first device (e.g., first device 110) in a radio access network capable of performing any of the methods in method 900 may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of method 900. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module. The first device may be implemented as first device 110 or included in first device 110. In some example embodiments, the component may include a processor and a memory.

[0185] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus includes: a component for receiving configuration information associated with a first RS for locating the first device from a second device in a radio access network, the configuration information including a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the first RS; a component for receiving a second RS for locating the first device from the second device on the first hopping frequency and a second hopping frequency, the second hopping frequency overlapping with the first hopping frequency in the frequency domain; a component for causing pre-compensation for transmission of the first RS to be performed based on a phase offset obtained from the received second RS; and a component for sending the first RS to the second device based on the configuration information.

[0186] In some embodiments, the frequency hopping configuration indicates that there is no overlap in the frequency domain between the third hopping frequency and the fourth hopping frequency used for transmission of the first RS.

[0187] In some embodiments, the phase offset is obtained from a first phase offset between a first portion of the second RS on the first hop frequency and a second portion of the second RS on the second hop frequency.

[0188] In some embodiments, the first phase offset is between at least one first subcarrier on a first hop frequency and at least one second subcarrier on a second hop frequency, and the at least one first subcarrier and the at least one second subcarrier are within an overlap between the first hop frequency and the second hop frequency.

[0189] In some embodiments, at least one first subcarrier is the same as at least one second subcarrier.

[0190] In some embodiments, means for causing precompensation to be performed includes means for performing precompensation on transmission of the first RS.

[0191] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: a component for sending capability information to a second device or a third device, the capability information indicating that the first device supports the ability to perform precompensation; and a component for receiving a first indication from the second device or the third device indicating that precompensation will be performed by the first device.

[0192] In some embodiments, the capability information further indicates at least one of: the accuracy with which the first device performs precompensation, the maximum time between the third and fourth frequency hops for which the first device is allowed to perform precompensation, or the maximum number of frequency hops for which the first device performs precompensation.

[0193] In some embodiments, the configuration information also includes at least one of the following: resources associated with the first RS, an identifier of the resources associated with the first RS and an identifier of the resources associated with the second RS, or an identifier of the first hopping frequency, an identifier of the second hopping frequency, an identifier of the third hopping frequency and an identifier of the fourth hopping frequency.

[0194] In some embodiments, means for causing precompensation to be performed comprises means for sending the phase offset to the second device.

[0195] In some embodiments, the first RS comprises a sounding reference signal and the second RS comprises a positioning reference signal.

[0196] In some example embodiments, a second device (e.g., second device 120) in a radio access network capable of performing any of the methods in method 1000 may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of method 1000. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module. The second device may be implemented as second device 120 or included in second device 120. In some example embodiments, the component may include a processor and a memory.

[0197] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises: a component for sending configuration information associated with the first RS to a first device in a radio access network, the configuration information comprising a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the first RS from the first device; and a component for receiving the first RS from the first device based on the configuration information.

[0198] In some embodiments, the frequency hopping configuration indicates that there is no overlap in the frequency domain between the third hopping frequency and the fourth hopping frequency used for transmission of the first RS.

[0199] In some embodiments, the second device also includes: a component for sending a second RS for locating the first device to the first device on a first hopping frequency and a second hopping frequency, the second hopping frequency overlapping with the first hopping frequency in the frequency domain; a component for receiving a phase offset from the first device, in some embodiments, the phase offset is obtained from a first phase offset between a first part of the second RS on the first hopping frequency and a second part of the second RS on the second hopping frequency; and a component for performing pre-compensation on the received first RS based on the phase offset.

[0200] In some embodiments, the first phase offset is between at least one first subcarrier on a first hop frequency and at least one second subcarrier on a second hop frequency, and the at least one first subcarrier and the at least one second subcarrier are within an overlap between the first hop frequency and the second hop frequency.

[0201] In some embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: a component for receiving capability information from the first device, the capability information indicating that the first device supports the ability to perform precompensation; and a component for sending a first indication to the first device indicating that precompensation is to be performed by the first device.

[0202] In some embodiments, the capability information further indicates at least one of: the accuracy with which the first device performs precompensation, the maximum time between the third and fourth frequency hops for which the first device is allowed to perform precompensation, or the maximum number of frequency hops for which the first device performs precompensation.

[0203] In some embodiments, the configuration information also includes at least one of the following: resources associated with the first RS, an identifier of the resources associated with the first RS and an identifier of the resources associated with the second RS, or an identifier of the first hopping frequency, an identifier of the second hopping frequency, an identifier of the third hopping frequency and an identifier of the fourth hopping frequency.

[0204] In some embodiments, the first RS comprises a sounding reference signal and the second RS comprises a positioning reference signal.

[0205] In some example embodiments, a third device (e.g., third device 130) in a core network or a radio access network capable of performing any of the methods 1100 may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of method 1100. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module. The third device may be implemented as a third device 130 or included in the third device 130. In some example embodiments, the component may include a processor and a memory.

[0206] In some example embodiments, the third apparatus comprises means for sending an indication to at least one of the first device and the second device in the radio access network indicating that pre-compensation is to be performed, pre-compensating transmission of the RS for positioning of the first device.

[0207] In some embodiments, the method 1100 further includes: receiving capability information from the first device, the capability information indicating that the first device supports a capability of performing pre-compensation.

[0208] In some embodiments, pre-compensation is performed by the first device or the second device.

[0209] In some embodiments, the RS comprises at least one of a sounding reference signal or a positioning reference signal.

[0210] In some example embodiments, a first device (e.g., first device 110) in a radio access network capable of performing any of the methods 1200 may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of method 1200. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module. The first device may be implemented as first device 110 or included in first device 110. In some example embodiments, the component may include a processor and a memory.

[0211] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus includes: a component for receiving configuration information associated with a second RS used to locate the first device from a second device in a radio access network, the configuration information including a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the second RS from the second device; and a component for receiving the second RS from the second device based on the configuration information.

[0212] In some embodiments, the frequency hopping configuration indicates that there is no overlap in the frequency domain between the first hopping frequency and the second hopping frequency used for transmission of the second RS.

[0213] In some example embodiments, a second device (e.g., second device 120) in a radio access network capable of performing any of the methods 1300 may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of method 1300. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module. The second device may be implemented as a second device 120 or included in the second device 120. In some example embodiments, the component may include a processor and a memory.

[0214] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus includes: a component for sending configuration information associated with a second RS used to locate the first device to a first device in a radio access network, the configuration information including a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the second RS; a component for receiving a first RS used to locate the first device from the first device on a third hopping frequency and a fourth hopping frequency, the fourth hopping frequency overlapping with the third hopping frequency in the frequency domain; a component for performing pre-compensation on the transmission of the second RS based on a phase offset obtained from the received first RS; and a component for sending the second RS to the first device based on the configuration information.

[0215] In some embodiments, the frequency hopping configuration indicates that there is no overlap in the frequency domain between the first hopping frequency and the second hopping frequency used for transmission of the second RS.

[0216] In some embodiments, the phase offset is obtained from a second phase offset between a first portion of the first RS on a third hop frequency and a second portion of the first RS on a fourth hop frequency.

[0217] In some embodiments, the second phase offset is between at least one third subcarrier on the third hop frequency and at least one fourth subcarrier on the fourth hop frequency, and the at least one third subcarrier and the at least one fourth subcarrier are within an overlap between the third hop frequency and the fourth hop frequency.

[0218] In some embodiments, the at least one third subcarrier is the same as the at least one fourth subcarrier.

[0219] Fig.14 1400 is a simplified block diagram of a device 1400 suitable for implementing an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 1400 may be provided to implement a communication device, such as Figure 1 The first device 110, the second device 120 or the third device 130 is shown. As shown in the figure, the device 1400 includes one or more processors 1410, one or more memories 1420 coupled to the processor 1410, and one or more communication modules 1440 coupled to the processor 1410.

[0220] The communication module 1440 is used for two-way communication. The communication module 1440 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interface may represent any interface required for communication with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 1440 may include at least one antenna.

[0221] Processor 1410 may be of any type suitable for the local technology network, and may include, as non-limiting examples, one or more of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Device 1400 may have multiple processors, such as application specific integrated circuit chips that are time slaved to a clock synchronized with a main processor.

[0222] The memory 1420 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 1424, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disk, compact disk (CD), digital video disk (DVD), optical disk, laser disk, and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) 1422 and other volatile memories that do not persist during power outages.

[0223] Computer program 1430 includes computer executable instructions that can be executed by associated processor 1410. Program 1430 can be stored in a memory (e.g., ROM 1424). Processor 1410 can perform any suitable actions and processes by loading program 1430 into RAM 1422.

[0224] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by the program 1430 so that the device 1400 may execute the reference Figures 1 to 13 Any process of the present disclosure discussed. The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or a combination of software and hardware.

[0225] In some example embodiments, the program 1430 may be tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium that may be included in the device 1400 (such as in the memory 1420) or in other storage devices accessible to the device 1400. The device 1400 may load the program 1430 from the computer-readable medium to the RAM 1422 for execution. The computer-readable medium may include any type of tangible non-volatile memory, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. Fig.15 An example of a computer readable medium 1500 is shown, which may be in the form of a CD, DVD, or other optical storage disk. The computer readable medium has a program 1430 stored thereon.

[0226] Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented using hardware, while other aspects may be implemented using firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representations, it should be understood that, as non-limiting examples, the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0227] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer executable instructions, such as instructions included in a program module, which are executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor to perform the above reference Figures 1 to 13 Any method described. Typically, a program module includes a routine, program, library, object, class, component, data structure, etc. that performs a specific task or implements a specific abstract data type. In various embodiments, the functions of the program modules can be combined or split between program modules as needed. The machine executable instructions of the program modules can be executed in local or distributed devices. In distributed devices, program modules can be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0228] The program code for executing the method of the present disclosure can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes can be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer or other programmable data processing device so that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, enables the function / operation specified in the flow chart and / or block diagram to be realized. The program code can be executed completely on the machine, partially on the machine, executed as an independent software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or completely on a remote machine or server.

[0229] In the context of the present disclosure, computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer readable media, etc.

[0230] The computer readable medium can be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable medium can include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor systems, devices or equipment, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A more specific example of a computer readable storage medium will include an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable computer floppy disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0231] It should be understood that, although some embodiments can be implemented by / at an IAB node, solutions including the methods and devices proposed in the present disclosure can also be applied to other communication systems with similar technical problems. In addition, although the operations are described in a specific order, this should not be understood as requiring such operations to be performed in the specific order shown or in sequence or performing all the operations shown to obtain the desired results. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather descriptions of features that may be specific to a particular embodiment. Certain features described in the context of a separate embodiment may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. On the contrary, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments individually or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0232] Although the disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it should be understood that the disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features or acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A first device in a radio access network, 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 first device to at least: receiving, from a second device in the radio access network, configuration information associated with a first reference signal (RS) for locating the first device, the configuration information comprising a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the first RS; receiving a second RS for locating the first device from the second device at a first hopping frequency and a second hopping frequency, wherein the second hopping frequency overlaps with the first hopping frequency in the frequency domain; causing precompensation of the transmission of the first RS to be performed based on a phase offset obtained from the received second RS; as well as The first RS is sent to the second device based on the configuration information. 2 . The first device according to claim 1 , wherein the frequency hopping configuration indicates that there is no overlap between a third hopping frequency and a fourth hopping frequency used for the transmission of the first RS in a frequency domain. 3 . The first device of claim 1 , wherein the phase offset is obtained from a first phase offset between a first portion of the second RS on the first frequency hop and a second portion of the second RS on the second frequency hop.

4. The first device of claim 3, wherein the first phase offset is between at least one first subcarrier on the first hop frequency and at least one second subcarrier on the second hop frequency, the at least one first subcarrier and the at least one second subcarrier being within an overlap between the first hop frequency and the second hop frequency.

5. The first device of claim 4, wherein the at least one first subcarrier is the same as the at least one second subcarrier. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the first device is caused to perform the precompensation on the transmission of the first RS.

7. The first device according to claim 6, wherein the first device is further configured to: Sending capability information to the second device or the third device, where the capability information indicates that the first device supports a capability of performing the pre-compensation; and A first indication is received from the second device or the third device indicating that the precompensation is to be performed by the first device.

8. The first device according to claim 7, wherein the capability information further indicates at least one of the following: the accuracy with which the first device performs the precompensation, a maximum time between the third frequency hop and the fourth frequency hop for which the first device is allowed to perform the pre-compensation, or a maximum number of frequency hops for which the first device performs the precompensation.

9. The first device according to claim 2, wherein the configuration information further comprises at least one of the following: resources associated with the first RS, an identifier of the resource associated with the first RS and an identifier of the resource associated with the second RS, or An identifier of the first hopping frequency, an identifier of the second hopping frequency, an identifier of the third hopping frequency, and an identifier of the fourth hopping frequency.

10. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to perform the pre-compensation on the transmission of the first RS by: The phase offset is sent to the second device. 11 . The first device according to claim 1 , wherein the first RS comprises a sounding reference signal, and the second RS comprises a positioning reference signal.

12. A second device in a radio access network, 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 second device to at least: sending configuration information associated with a first reference signal (RS) to a first device in the radio access network, the configuration information comprising a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the first RS from the first device; and The first RS is received from the first device based on the configuration information. 13 . The second device according to claim 12 , wherein the frequency hopping configuration indicates that there is no overlap between a third hopping frequency and a fourth hopping frequency used for the transmission of the first RS in a frequency domain.

14. The second device according to claim 12, wherein the second device is further caused to: Sending a second RS for locating the first device to the first device at a first hopping frequency and a second hopping frequency, where the second hopping frequency overlaps with the first hopping frequency in the frequency domain; receiving a phase offset from the first device, wherein the phase offset is derived from a first phase offset between a first portion of the second RS on the first hop frequency and a second portion of the second RS on the second hop frequency; and Precompensation is performed on the received first RS based on the phase offset.

15. The second device of claim 14, wherein the first phase offset is between at least one first subcarrier on the first hop frequency and at least one second subcarrier on the second hop frequency, the at least one first subcarrier and the at least one second subcarrier being within an overlap between the first hop frequency and the second hop frequency.

16. The second device of claim 15, wherein the at least one first subcarrier is the same as the at least one second subcarrier.

17. The second device according to claim 12, wherein the second device is further caused to: receiving capability information from the first device, the capability information indicating that the first device supports a capability of performing the pre-compensation; and A first indication is sent to the first device indicating that the pre-compensation is to be performed by the first device.

18. The second device according to claim 17, wherein the capability information further indicates at least one of the following: the accuracy with which the first device performs the precompensation, a maximum time between the third frequency hop and the fourth frequency hop for which the first device is allowed to perform the pre-compensation, or a maximum number of frequency hops for which the first device performs the precompensation.

19. The second device according to claim 14, wherein the configuration information further comprises at least one of the following: resources associated with the first RS, an identifier of the resource associated with the first RS and an identifier of the resource associated with the second RS, or An identifier of the first hopping frequency, an identifier of the second hopping frequency, an identifier of the third hopping frequency, and an identifier of the fourth hopping frequency.

20. The second apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first RS comprises a sounding reference signal, and the second RS comprises a positioning reference signal.

21. A third device, 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 third device to at least: An indication is sent to at least one of a first device and a second device in a radio access network indicating that pre-compensation is to be performed for transmission of a reference signal RS used for positioning of the first device.

22. The third device according to claim 21, wherein the third device is further caused to: Capability information is received from the first device, the capability information indicating that the first device supports a capability of performing the precompensation.

23. The third device of claim 21, wherein the pre-compensation is performed by the first device or the second device.

24. The third apparatus of claim 21, wherein the RS comprises at least one of a sounding reference signal or a positioning reference signal.

25. A first device in a radio access network, 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 first device to at least: receiving, from a second device in the radio access network, configuration information associated with a second reference signal (RS) for locating the first device, the configuration information comprising a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the second RS from the second device; and The second RS is received from the second device based on the configuration information. 26 . The first device of claim 25 , wherein the frequency hopping configuration indicates that there is no overlap in the frequency domain between a first hopping frequency and a second hopping frequency used for the transmission of the second RS.

27. A second device in a radio access network, 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 second device to at least: Sending, to a first device in the radio access network, configuration information associated with a second reference signal RS for locating the first device, the configuration information comprising a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the second RS; receiving a first RS for locating the first device from the first device on a third hopping frequency and a fourth hopping frequency, the fourth hopping frequency overlapping with the third hopping frequency in the frequency domain; performing pre-compensation on transmission of the second RS based on a phase offset obtained from the received first RS; as well as The second RS is sent to the first device based on the configuration information.

28. The second device of claim 27, wherein the frequency hopping configuration indicates that there is no overlap in the frequency domain between a first hopping frequency and a second hopping frequency used for the transmission of the second RS.

29. The second device of claim 27, wherein the phase offset is obtained from a second phase offset between a first portion of the first RS on the third hop frequency and a second portion of the first RS on the fourth hop frequency.

30. The second device of claim 29, wherein the second phase offset is between at least one third subcarrier on the third hop frequency and at least one fourth subcarrier on the fourth hop frequency, and the at least one third subcarrier and the at least one fourth subcarrier are within an overlap between the third hop frequency and the fourth hop frequency.

31. The second device of claim 30, wherein the at least one third subcarrier is the same as the at least one fourth subcarrier.

32. A method comprising: receiving, at a first device in a radio access network, configuration information associated with a first reference signal RS for locating the first device from a second device in the radio access network, the configuration information comprising a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the first RS; receiving a second RS for locating the first device from the second device at a first hopping frequency and a second hopping frequency, wherein the second hopping frequency overlaps with the first hopping frequency in the frequency domain; causing precompensation of the transmission of the first RS to be performed based on a phase offset obtained from the received second RS; as well as The first RS is sent to the second device based on the configuration information.

33. A method comprising: sending, from a second device in a radio access network to a first device in the radio access network, configuration information associated with a first reference signal, RS, the configuration information comprising a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the first RS from the first device; and The first RS is received from the first device based on the configuration information.

34. A method comprising: An indication indicating that precompensation is to be performed for transmission of a reference signal RS used for positioning of the first device is transmitted from a third device to at least one of a first device and a second device in a radio access network.

35. A method comprising: receiving, at a first device in a radio access network, configuration information associated with a second reference signal RS for locating the first device from a second device in the radio access network, the configuration information comprising a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the second RS from the second device; and The second RS is received from the second device based on the configuration information.

36. A method comprising: sending, from a second device in a radio access network to a first device in the radio access network, configuration information associated with a second reference signal RS for locating the first device, the configuration information comprising a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the second RS; receiving a first RS for locating the first device from the first device on a third hopping frequency and a fourth hopping frequency, the fourth hopping frequency overlapping with the third hopping frequency in the frequency domain; performing pre-compensation on transmission of the second RS based on a phase offset obtained from the received first RS; as well as The second RS is sent to the first device based on the configuration information.

37. A first device, comprising: means for receiving, at a first device in a radio access network, configuration information associated with a first reference signal RS for locating the first device from a second device of the radio access network, the configuration information comprising a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the first RS; a means for receiving a second RS for locating the first device from the second device at a first hopping frequency and a second hopping frequency, wherein the second hopping frequency overlaps with the first hopping frequency in the frequency domain; means for causing precompensation of the transmission of the first RS to be performed based on a phase offset obtained from the received second RS; as well as means for sending the first RS to the second device based on the configuration information.

38. A second device, comprising: means for sending, from a second device in a radio access network to a first device in the radio access network, configuration information associated with a first reference signal, RS, the configuration information comprising a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the first RS from the first device; as well as Means for receiving the first RS from the first device based on the configuration information.

39. A third device, comprising: Means for sending, from a third device to at least one of a first device and a second device in a radio access network, an indication that pre-compensation is to be performed for transmission of a reference signal RS used for positioning of the first device.

40. A first device, comprising: means for receiving, at a first device in a radio access network from a second device in the radio access network, configuration information associated with a second reference signal RS for locating the first device, the configuration information comprising a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the second RS from the second device; as well as means for receiving the second RS from the second device based on the configuration information.

41. A second device, comprising: means for sending, from a second device in a radio access network to a first device in the radio access network, configuration information associated with a second reference signal RS for locating the first device, the configuration information comprising a frequency hopping configuration associated with transmission of the second RS; A component for receiving a first RS for locating the first device from the first device on a third hopping frequency and a fourth hopping frequency, the fourth hopping frequency overlapping with the third hopping frequency in the frequency domain; means for performing precompensation on transmission of the second RS based on a phase offset obtained from the received first RS; as well as A component for sending the second RS to the first device based on the configuration information.

42. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a computer program for causing an apparatus to at least perform the method according to any one of claims 32 to 36.

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