On-demand positioning reference signal and band-by-band deployment aspects

Abstract

Techniques for wireless communication are disclosed. In an aspect, a user equipment (UE) transmits a first request to transmit a first on-demand positioning reference signal (PRS) in a first frequency band for a first set of base stations; measuring the on-demand PRS from the first set of base stations in the first frequency band; measuring a periodic PRS from a second set of base stations operating in a second frequency band; and transmitting a positioning measurement of at least the on-demand PRS and the periodic PRS to a positioning entity.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese Patent Application No. 202180024670.5 (PCT / US2021 / 025331) titled "On-Demand Location Reference Signals and Per-Band Deployment Aspects" with a filing date of April 1, 2021. Technical Field

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. Background Art

[0003] Wireless communication systems have evolved through several generations, including the first generation of analog wireless telephone service (1G), the second generation (2G) of digital wireless telephone service (including transitional 2.5G and 2.75G networks), the third generation (3G) of high-speed data wireless service with Internet capabilities, and the fourth generation (4G) service (e.g., Long-Term Evolution (LTE) or WiMax). There are currently many different types of wireless communication systems in use, including cellular as well as personal communication service (PCS) systems. Examples of known cellular systems include the cellular analog Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), and digital cellular systems based on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), etc.

[0004] The fifth generation (5G) wireless standard (referred to as New Radio (NR)) requires higher data transfer speeds, a larger number of connections and better coverage, as well as other improvements. According to the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance, the 5G standard is designed to provide a data rate of dozens of megabits per second to each of thousands of users, and a data rate of 1 gigabit per second to dozens of employees on an office floor. It should support hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections to support large-scale sensor deployments. Therefore, compared to the current 4G standard, the spectral efficiency of 5G mobile communication should be significantly improved. In addition, compared to the current standard, the signaling efficiency should be improved and the latency should be greatly reduced. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A simplified overview related to one or more aspects disclosed herein is given below. Accordingly, the following overview should neither be considered an exhaustive survey of all contemplated aspects, nor should it be considered to identify critical or decisive elements related to all contemplated aspects or to delineate the scope associated with any particular aspect. Accordingly, the sole purpose of the following overview is to present in simplified form certain concepts related to one or more aspects of the mechanisms disclosed herein prior to the detailed description given below.

[0006] In one aspect, a wireless communication method performed by a user equipment (UE) includes: transmitting a first request to transmit a first positioning reference signal (PRS) on demand in a first frequency band for a first set of base stations; measuring the first PRS on demand from the first set of base stations in the first frequency band; measuring a periodic PRS from a second set of base stations operating in a second frequency band; and sending positioning measurements of at least the first PRS on demand and the periodic PRS to a positioning entity.

[0007] In one aspect, a UE includes: a memory, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: cause the at least one transceiver to transmit a first request to transmit a first positioning reference signal (PRS) on demand in a first frequency band for a first set of base stations; measure the first PRS on demand from the first set of base stations in the first frequency band; measure a periodic PRS from a second set of base stations operating in a second frequency band; and send positioning measurements of at least the first PRS on demand and the periodic PRS to a positioning entity.

[0008] In one aspect, a UE includes: means for transmitting a first request to transmit a first positioning reference signal (PRS) on demand in a first frequency band for a first set of base stations; means for measuring the first PRS on demand from the first set of base stations in the first frequency band; means for measuring a periodic PRS from a second set of base stations operating in a second frequency band; and means for sending positioning measurements of at least the first PRS on demand and the periodic PRS to a positioning entity.

[0009] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions includes computer-executable instructions including: at least one instruction to direct a UE to transmit a first request to transmit a first positioning reference signal (PRS) on demand in a first frequency band for a first set of base stations; at least one instruction to direct the UE to measure the first PRS on demand from the first set of base stations in the first frequency band; at least one instruction to direct the UE to measure a periodic PRS from a second set of base stations operating in a second frequency band; and at least one instruction to direct the UE to send positioning measurements of at least the first PRS on demand and the periodic PRS to a positioning entity.

[0010] Based on the drawings and the detailed description, other objectives and advantages associated with the aspects disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The drawings are provided to assist in describing aspects of the present disclosure and are provided only for illustration of the aspects and not for limitation thereof.

[0012] Figure 1 An example wireless communication system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is described.

[0013] Figure 2A and 2B An example wireless network structure in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is described.

[0014] Figures 3A to 3C are simplified block diagrams of some sample aspects of components that may be employed separately in a user equipment (UE), a base station, and a network entity and configured to support communication as taught herein.

[0015] Figure 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating examples of frame structures and channels within these frame structures in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 5 is an example call flow between a UE, a serving base station, and a location server in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 6 An example method of wireless communication in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is described. Detailed Description

[0018] Aspects of the present disclosure are provided in the following description of various examples provided for illustrative purposes and the related drawings. Alternative aspects may be designed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, elements well known in the art will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure relevant details of the present disclosure.

[0019] The terms "exemplary" and / or "example" are used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" and / or "example" is not necessarily to be construed as superior or better than other aspects. Similarly, the term "aspects of the present disclosure" does not require that all aspects of the present disclosure include the discussed features, advantages, or operating modes.

[0020] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the information and signals described below may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to throughout the following description may be represented, in part, depending on the specific application, in part, depending on the desired design, in part, depending on the corresponding technology, etc., by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0021] In addition, many aspects are described in the form of sequences of actions performed by elements of a computing device, for example. It will be recognized that the various actions described herein can be performed by special purpose circuitry (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), by program instructions being executed by one or more processors, or by a combination of both. Additionally, the sequences of actions described herein can be considered to be fully embodied within any form of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein a corresponding set of computer instructions that, when executed, cause or direct the associated processor of the device to perform the functionality described herein. Thus, the various aspects of the present disclosure can be embodied in several different forms, all of which are contemplated as being within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Additionally, for each aspect described herein, any corresponding form of such aspect can be described herein as, for example, "logic configured to perform the described action."

[0022] As used herein, the terms "user equipment" (UE) and "base station" are not intended to be dedicated to or otherwise limited to any particular radio access technology (RAT) unless otherwise specified. In general, a UE can be any wireless communication device (e.g., mobile phone, router, tablet computer, laptop computer, consumer asset tracking device, wearable device (e.g., smart watch, glasses, augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) headset, etc.), vehicle (e.g., car, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.), Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.) used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network. The UE can be mobile or can be stationary (e.g., at certain times) and can communicate with a radio access network (RAN). As used herein, the term "UE" can be interchangeably referred to as "access terminal" or "AT", "client device", "wireless device", "subscriber equipment", "subscriber terminal", "subscriber station", "user terminal" or "UT", "mobile device", "mobile terminal", "mobile station", or variants thereof. In general, a UE can communicate with a core network via a RAN and, through the core network, the UE can connect to an external network (such as the Internet) and to other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms for connecting to the core network and / or the Internet are also possible for a UE, such as via a wired access network, a wireless local area network (WLAN) network (e.g., based on Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards, etc.), and so on.

[0023] A base station can operate according to one of several RATs depending on the network in which the base station is deployed to communicate with a UE, and can alternatively be referred to as an access point (AP), network node, B node, evolved B node (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), New Radio (NR) B node (also referred to as gNB or gNodeB), etc. The base station can be mainly used to support wireless access by the UE, including supporting data, voice, and / or signaling connections for the supported UE. In some systems, the base station can provide a pure edge node signaling function, while in other systems, the base station can provide additional control and / or network management functions. The communication link by which the UE can send signals to the base station is called an uplink (UL) channel (e.g., reverse traffic channel, reverse control channel, access channel, etc.). The communication link by which the base station can send signals to the UE is called a downlink (DL) or forward link channel (e.g., paging channel, control channel, broadcast channel, forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term traffic channel (TCH) can refer to an uplink / reverse traffic channel or a downlink / forward traffic channel.

[0024] The term "base station" can refer to a single physical transmit-receive point (TRP) or can refer to multiple physical TRPs that may or may not be co-located. For example, in the case where the term "base station" refers to a single physical TRP, the physical TRP can be the base station antenna corresponding to a cell (or several cell sectors) of the base station. In the case where the term "base station" refers to multiple co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRPs can be an antenna array of the base station (e.g., as in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system or in the case where the base station employs beamforming). In the case where the term "base station" refers to multiple non-co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRPs can be a distributed antenna system (DAS) (a network of spatially separated antennas connected to a common source via a transmission medium) or a remote radio head (RRH) (a remote base station connected to a serving base station). Alternatively, the non-co-located physical TRPs can be the serving base station that receives measurement reports from the UE and a neighbor base station whose reference radio frequency (RF) signal the UE is measuring. Since the TRP is the point from which the base station transmits and receives wireless signals, as used herein, a reference to a transmission from the base station or a reception at the base station should be understood as a reference to a specific TRP of the base station.

[0025] In some implementations that support UE positioning, a base station may not support the wireless access of the UE (e.g., may not support data, voice, and / or signaling connections for the UE), but may alternatively transmit to the UE reference signals to be measured by the UE and / or may receive and measure signals transmitted by the UE. Such a base station may be referred to as a positioning tower (e.g., in the case of transmitting signals to the UE) and / or as a position measurement unit (e.g., in the case of receiving and measuring signals from the UE).

[0026] An "RF signal" includes an electromagnetic wave of a given frequency that transmits information through the space between a transmitter and a receiver. As used herein, a transmitter may transmit a single "RF signal" or multiple "RF signals" to a receiver. However, due to the propagation characteristics of each RF signal through a multipath channel, a receiver may receive multiple "RF signals" corresponding to each transmitted RF signal. The same RF signal transmitted on different paths between the transmitter and the receiver may be referred to as a "multipath" RF signal.

[0027] Figure 1 An example wireless communication system 100 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 100 (which may also be referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) may include various base stations 102 (labeled "BS") and various UEs 104. The base stations 102 may include macro cell base stations (high-power cell base stations) and / or small cell base stations (low-power cell base stations). In one aspect, the macro cell base stations may include eNBs and / or ng-eNBs (where the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an LTE network), or gNBs (where the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an NR network), or a combination of both, and the small cell base stations may include femtocells, picocells, microcells, etc.

[0028] Each base station 102 may jointly form a RAN and interface with a core network 170 (e.g., an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC)) via a backhaul link 122, and via the core network 170 to one or more location servers 172 (e.g., a location management function (LMF) or a secure user plane location (SUPL) location platform (SLP)). The location server 172 may be part of the core network 170 or may be external to the core network 170. In addition to other functions, the base station 102 may also perform functions related to one or more of transmitting user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (such as handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, distribution of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, RAN sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and device tracking, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of alert messages. The base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via the EPC / 5GC) via a backhaul link 134, which may be wired or wireless.

[0029] The base station 102 may communicate wirelessly with the UE 104. Each base station 102 may provide communication coverage for its respective geographical coverage area 110. In one aspect, one or more cells may be supported by the base station 102 in each geographical coverage area 110. A "cell" is a logical communication entity for communicating with a base station (e.g., on a certain frequency resource, referred to as a carrier frequency, component carrier, carrier, frequency band, etc.), and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCI), a virtual cell identifier (VCI), a cell global identifier (CGI)) to distinguish cells operating via the same or different carrier frequencies. In some cases, different cells may be configured according to different protocol types that may provide access for different types of UEs (e.g., machine type communication (MTC), narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), or others). Since a cell is supported by a specific base station, the term "cell" may, depending on the context, refer to either or both of the logical communication entity and the base station that supports the logical communication entity. In some cases, the term "cell" may also refer to the geographical coverage area (e.g., a sector) of a base station in the sense that a carrier frequency can be detected and used for communication within a certain part of the geographical coverage area 110.

[0030] Although the geographical coverage areas 110 of adjacent macro cell base stations 102 may partially overlap (e.g., in a handover area), some geographical coverage areas 110 may be substantially overlapped by larger geographical coverage areas 110. For example, a small cell (SC) base station 102' may have a geographical coverage area 110' that substantially overlaps the geographical coverage areas 110 of one or more macro cell base stations 102. A network including both small cells and macro cell base stations may be referred to as a heterogeneous network. The heterogeneous network may further include a home eNB (HeNB) that may serve a restricted group referred to as a closed subscriber group (CSG).

[0031] The communication link 120 between the base station 102 and the UE 104 may include an uplink (also referred to as a reverse link) transmission from the UE 104 to the base station 102 and / or a downlink (also referred to as a forward link) transmission from the base station 102 to the UE 104. The communication link 120 may use MIMO antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link 120 may be via one or more carrier frequencies. The allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to the downlink and the uplink (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated to the downlink compared to the uplink).

[0032] The wireless communication system 100 may further include a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) 150 in communication with a WLAN station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154 in an unlicensed spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz). When communicating in an unlicensed spectrum, the WLAN STA 152 and / or the WLAN AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) or a listen-before-talk procedure to determine whether the channel is available before communicating.

[0033] The small cell base station 102' may operate in a licensed and / or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in an unlicensed spectrum, the small cell base station 102' may employ LTE or NR technology and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum as that used by the WLAN AP 150. The small cell base station 102' adopting LTE / 5G in an unlicensed spectrum may boost the coverage of the access network and / or increase the capacity of the access network. NR in an unlicensed spectrum may be referred to as NR-U. LTE in an unlicensed spectrum may be referred to as LTE-U, licensed-assisted access (LAA), or MulteFire.

[0034] Wireless communication system 100 may further include a millimeter wave (mmW) base station 180, which may operate at mmW frequencies and / or near mmW frequencies to communicate with UE 182. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is a part of RF in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz and a wavelength between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters. Radio waves in this frequency band may be referred to as millimeter waves. Near mmW may extend down to 3 GHz frequency with a 100 millimeter wavelength. The super high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz, which is also referred to as centimeter waves. Communication using the mmW / near mmW radio frequency band has high path loss and a relatively short range. The mmW base station 180 and UE 182 may utilize beamforming (transmit and / or receive) on the mmW communication link 184 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range. Additionally, it will be appreciated that in an alternative configuration, one or more base stations 102 may also use mmW or near mmW and beamforming for transmission. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the foregoing explanation is merely an example and should not be construed as limiting the various aspects disclosed herein.

[0035] Transmit beamforming is a technique for focusing an RF signal in a specific direction. Conventionally, when a network node (e.g., a base station) broadcasts an RF signal, the network node broadcasts the signal in all directions (omnidirectionally). With transmit beamforming, the network node determines where a given target device (e.g., a UE) is located (relative to the transmitting network node) and projects a stronger downlink RF signal in that specific direction, thereby providing a faster (in terms of data rate) and stronger RF signal to the receiving device. To change the directivity of the RF signal during transmission, the network node can control the phase and relative amplitude of the RF signal at each of one or more transmitters that are broadcasting the RF signal. For example, the network node may use an antenna array (referred to as a "phased array" or "antenna array") that generates a beam of RF waves, and the beam of RF waves can be "steered" to point in different directions without actually moving the antennas. Specifically, the RF currents from the transmitters are fed to the individual antennas with the correct phase relationships such that the radio waves from the separate antennas add together in the desired direction to increase radiation, while canceling in the undesired directions to suppress radiation.

[0036] Transmission beams can be quasi - co - located, which means that they appear to have the same parameters to the receiving party (e.g., UE), regardless of whether the transmitting antennas of the network node are physically co - located or not. In NR, there are four types of quasi - co - location (QCL) relationships. Specifically, a given type of QCL relationship means that certain parameters of a target reference RF signal on a target beam can be derived from information about a source reference RF signal on a source beam. If the source reference RF signal is of QCL type A, the receiving party can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, and delay spread of the target reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is of QCL type B, the receiving party can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and Doppler spread of the target reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is of QCL type C, the receiving party can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and average delay of the target reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is of QCL type D, the receiving party can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the spatial reception parameters of the target reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel.

[0037] In receive beamforming, the receiver uses a receive beam to amplify the RF signals detected on a given channel. For example, the receiver can increase the gain setting of the antenna array and / or adjust the phase setting of the antenna array in a specific direction to amplify the RF signals received from that direction (e.g., increase its gain level). Thus, when the receiver is said to be beamforming in a certain direction, it means that the beam gain in that direction is higher relative to the beam gains in other directions, or the beam gain in that direction is the highest compared to the beam gains of all other receive beams available to the receiver in that direction. This results in a stronger received signal strength (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal - to - interference - plus - noise ratio (SINR), etc.) for the RF signals received from that direction.

[0038] The receiving beam can be spatially related. Spatial relationship means that the parameters of the transmit beam for the second reference signal can be derived from the information on the receiving beam of the first reference signal. For example, a UE can receive one or more reference downlink reference signals (e.g., positioning reference signal (PRS), tracking reference signal (TRS), phase tracking reference signal (PTRS), cell-specific reference signal (CRS), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), synchronization signal block (SSB), etc.) from a base station using a specific receiving beam. The UE can then form a transmit beam based on the parameters of the receiving beam to send one or more uplink reference signals (e.g., uplink positioning reference signal (UL-PRS), sounding reference signal (SRS), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), PTRS, etc.) to the base station.

[0039] Note that depending on the entity forming the "downlink" beam, the beam can be a transmit beam or a receiving beam. For example, if the base station is forming a downlink beam to transmit a reference signal to the UE, the downlink beam is a transmit beam. However, if the UE is forming a downlink beam, the downlink beam is a receiving beam for receiving the downlink reference signal. Similarly, depending on the entity forming the "uplink" beam, the beam can be a transmit beam or a receiving beam. For example, if the base station is forming an uplink beam, the uplink beam is an uplink receiving beam, and if the UE is forming an uplink beam, the uplink beam is an uplink transmit beam.

[0040] In 5G, the spectrum in which wireless nodes (e.g., base stations 102 / 180, UEs 104 / 182) operate is divided into multiple frequency ranges: FR1 (from 450 to 6000 MHz), FR2 (from 24250 to 52600 MHz), FR3 (above 52600 MHz), and FR4 (between FR1 and FR2). In a multi-carrier system such as 5G, one of the carrier frequencies is referred to as the "primary carrier" or "anchor carrier" or "primary serving cell" or "PCell", and the remaining carrier frequencies are referred to as "secondary carriers" or "secondary serving cells" or "SCells". In carrier aggregation, the anchor carrier is the carrier that operates on the primary frequency (e.g., FR1) utilized by the UE 104 / 182 and on the cell in which the UE 104 / 182 performs the initial radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or initiates the RRC connection re-establishment procedure. The primary carrier carries all common control channels as well as UE-specific control channels, and can be a carrier in a licensed frequency (however, this is not always the case). A secondary carrier is a carrier that operates on a second frequency (e.g., FR2) and can be configured once an RRC connection is established between the UE 104 and the anchor carrier, and this carrier can be used to provide additional radio resources. In some cases, the secondary carrier can be a carrier in an unlicensed frequency. The secondary carrier may only contain necessary signaling information and signals. For example, UE-specific signaling information and signals may not exist in the secondary carrier because both the primary uplink and downlink carriers are typically UE-specific. This means that different UEs 104 / 182 in a cell can have different downlink primary carriers. The same holds true for uplink primary carriers. The network is able to change the primary carrier of any UE 104 / 182 at any time. For example, this is done to balance the load on different carriers. Since a "serving cell" (whether it is a PCell or an SCell) corresponds to the carrier frequency / component carrier that a certain base station is using for communication, the terms "cell", "serving cell", "component carrier", "carrier frequency", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0041] For example, still referring to Figure 1 , one of the frequencies utilized by the macro cell base station 102 can be the anchor carrier (or "PCell"), and the other frequencies utilized by this macro cell base station 102 and / or the mmW base station 180 can be secondary carriers ("SCells"). The simultaneous transmission and / or reception of multiple carriers enables the UE 104 / 182 to significantly increase its data transmission and / or reception rate. For example, two 20 MHz aggregated carriers in a multi-carrier system would theoretically result in a two-fold increase in the data rate (i.e., 40 MHz) compared to the data rate obtained by a single 20 MHz carrier.

[0042] The wireless communication system 100 may further include a UE 164 that may communicate with the macro cell base station 102 over the communication link 120 and / or with the mmW base station 180 over the mmW communication link 184. For example, the macro cell base station 102 may support a PCell and one or more SCell for the UE 164, and the mmW base station 180 may support one or more SCell for the UE 164.

[0043] In Figure 1 an example of, one or more space vehicle (SV) 112 of the Earth orbiting satellite positioning system (SPS) (e.g., satellite) may be used as an independent source of location information for any of the illustrated UEs (shown as a single UE 104 for simplicity in Figure 1 ). The UE 104 may include one or more dedicated SPS receivers that are specifically designed to receive SPS signals 124 from the SV 112 to derive geographic location information. SPS generally includes a transmitter system (e.g., SV 112) that is positioned such that a receiver (e.g., UE 104) can determine the location of these receivers on or above the Earth at least in part based on signals received from the transmitter (e.g., SPS signals 124). Such transmitters generally transmit signals that are marked with a repeating pseudo-random noise (PN) code of a set number of chips. Although the transmitter is generally located in the SV 112, it may sometimes also be located on a ground-based control station, the base station 102, and / or other UEs 104.

[0044] The use of the SPS signals 124 can be augmented by various satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS) that may be associated with one or more global and / or regional navigation satellite systems or otherwise enabled to be used in conjunction with one or more global and / or regional navigation satellite systems. For example, the SBAS may include augmentation systems that provide integrity information, differential corrections, etc., such as, by way of example, the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), the Multi-functional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS), the Global Positioning System (GPS)-aided Geo Augmented Navigation or GPS and Geo Augmented Navigation System (GAGAN), and so on. Thus, as used herein, SPS may include any combination of one or more global and / or regional navigation satellite systems and / or augmentation systems, and the SPS signals 124 may include SPS, SPS-like, and / or other signals associated with such one or more SPS.

[0045] The wireless communication system 100 may further include one or more UEs (such as UE 190), which are indirectly connected to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links (referred to as "sidelinks"). In Figure 1 the example of, UE 190 has a D2D P2P link 192 with a UE 104 connected to a base station 102 (e.g., UE 190 can thus indirectly obtain cellular connectivity), and a D2D P2P link 194 with a WLAN STA 152 connected to a WLAN AP 150 (UE 190 can thus indirectly obtain WLAN-based Internet connectivity). In one example, the D2D P2P links 192 and 194 can use any known D2D RAT (such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), etc.) to support.

[0046] Figure 2A illustrates an example wireless network structure 200. For example, 5GC 210 (also referred to as Next Generation Core (NGC)) can be functionally regarded as a control plane function 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and a user plane function 212 (e.g., UE gateway function, access to data networks, IP routing, etc.), which operate in cooperation to form the core network. The user plane interface (NG-U) 213 and the control plane interface (NG-C) 215 connect the gNB 222 to 5GC 210, especially to the control plane function 214 and the user plane function 212. In an additional configuration, the ng-eNB 224 can also be connected to 5GC 210 via the NG-C 215 to the control plane function 214 and the NG-U 213 to the user plane function 212. In addition, the ng-eNB 224 can communicate directly with the gNB 222 via the backhaul connection 223. In some configurations, the Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN) 220 can have only one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations include one or more ng-eNBs 224 and one or more gNBs 222. The gNB 222 or ng-eNB 224 can communicate with the UE 204 (e.g., Figure 1204). Another optional aspect may include a location server 230 that may be in communication with the 5GC 210 to provide location assistance for the UE 204. The location server 230 may be implemented as a plurality of separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules extended across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively may each correspond to a single server. The location server 230 may be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204, which may be connected to the location server 230 via the core network, the 5GC 210, and / or via the Internet (not illustrated). In addition, the location server 230 may be integrated into a component of the core network, or alternatively may be external to the core network.

[0047] Figure 2B Another example wireless network structure 250 is illustrated. A 5GC 260 (which may correspond to Figure 2A The 5GC 210 in the 5GC 210 can be functionally viewed as control plane functions (provided by access and mobility management function (AMF) 264) and user plane functions (provided by user plane function (UPF) 262), which operate in coordination to form the core network (i.e., 5GC 260). The user plane interface 263 and the control plane interface 265 connect the ng-eNB 224 to the 5GC 260, in particular to the UPF 262 and the AMF 264, respectively. In additional configurations, the gNB 222 may also be connected to the 5GC 260 via a control plane interface 265 to the AMF 264 and a user plane interface 263 to the UPF 262. In addition, the ng-eNB 224 may communicate directly with the gNB 222 via a backhaul connection 223 with or without gNB direct connectivity to the 5GC 260. In some configurations, the NG-RAN 220 may have only one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations include one or more ng-eNBs 224 and one or more gNBs 222. The gNB 222 or the ng-eNB 224 may communicate with the UE 204 (e.g., Figure 1 The base stations of the NG-RAN 220 communicate with the AMF 264 via the N2 interface and communicate with the UPF 262 via the N3 interface.

[0048] The functions of the AMF 264 include registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful interception, transmission of session management (SM) messages between the UE 204 and the session management function (SMF) 266, transparent proxy service for routing SM messages, access authentication and access authorization, transmission of short message service (SMS) messages between the UE 204 and the short message service function (SMSF) (not shown), and security anchor functionality (SEAF). The AMF 264 also interacts with the authentication server function (AUSF) (not shown) and the UE 204, and receives the intermediate key established as a result of the UE 204 authentication process. In the case of authentication based on a UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) subscriber identity module (USIM), the AMF 264 retrieves the security material from the AUSF. The functions of the AMF 264 also include security context management (SCM). The SCM receives the key from the SEAF, which is used by the SCM to derive the access network - specific key. The functionality of the AMF 264 also includes: location service management for regulatory services, transmission of location service messages between the UE 204 and the LMF 270 (which acts as the location server 230), transmission of location service messages between the NG - RAN 220 and the LMF 270, EPS bearer identifier allocation for interworking with the evolved packet system (EPS), and UE 204 mobility event notification. Additionally, the AMF 264 also supports the functionality of non - 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) access networks.

[0049] The functions of the UPF 262 include: acting as an anchor point for intra - RAT / inter - RAT mobility (when applicable), acting as an external protocol data unit (PDU) session point for interconnection to a data network (not shown), providing packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, user plane policy rule enforcement (e.g., gating, redirection, traffic steering), lawful interception (user plane collection), traffic usage reporting, quality of service (QoS) handling for the user plane (e.g., uplink / downlink rate enforcement, reflexive QoS marking in the downlink), uplink traffic verification (service data flow (SDF) to QoS flow mapping), transport - level packet marking in the uplink and downlink, downlink packet buffering and downlink data notification trigger, and sending and forwarding one or more "end markers" to the source RAN node. The UPF 262 can also support the transmission of location service messages between the UE 204 and a location server (such as the SLP 272) on the user plane.

[0050] The functions of the SMF 266 include session management, UE Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management, selection and control of the user plane function, traffic steering configuration for routing traffic to the correct destination at the UPF 262, partial control of policy enforcement and QoS, and downlink data notification. The interface used by the SMF 266 to communicate with the AMF 264 is referred to as the N11 interface.

[0051] Another optional aspect may include an LMF 270, which may communicate with the 5GC 260 to provide location assistance for the UE 204. The LMF 270 may be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules spanning multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively may each correspond to a single server. The LMF 270 may be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204, and the UE 204 can be connected to the LMF 270 via the core network, the 5GC 260, and / or via the Internet (not illustrated). The SLP 272 may support functions similar to those of the LMF 270, but the LMF 270 may communicate with the AMF 264, the NG-RAN 220, and the UE 204 on the control plane (e.g., using interfaces and protocols designed to convey signaling messages without conveying voice or data), and the SLP 272 may communicate with the UE 204 and external clients ( Figure 2B not shown in the figure) on the user plane (e.g., using protocols designed to carry voice and / or data, such as the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and / or IP).

[0052] Figure 3A 、 3B Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate several example components (represented by corresponding boxes) that may be incorporated into a UE 302 (which may correspond to any UE described herein), a base station 304 (which may correspond to any base station described herein), and a network entity 306 (which may correspond to or embody any network function described herein, including the location server 230 and the LMF 270) to support file transfer operations as taught herein. It will be appreciated that these components may be implemented in different types of devices in different implementations (e.g., in an ASIC, in a system-on-chip (SoC), etc.). The illustrated components may also be incorporated into other devices in the communication system. For example, other devices in the system may include components similar to those described to provide similar functionality. Additionally, a given device may include one or more of these components. For example, a device may include multiple transceiver components that enable the device to operate on multiple carriers and / or communicate via different technologies.

[0053] UE 302 and base station 304 each include at least one wireless wide area network (WWAN) transceiver 310 and 350, respectively, to provide means (e.g., means for transmitting, means for receiving, means for measuring, means for tuning, means for suppressing transmission, etc.) for communicating via one or more wireless communication networks (not shown) (such as an NR network, an LTE network, a GSM network, etc.). WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 may be respectively connected to one or more antennas 316 and 356 to communicate with other network nodes (such as other UEs, access points, base stations (e.g., eNB, gNB), etc.) over an interested wireless communication medium (e.g., a set of time / frequency resources in a specific spectrum) via at least one specified RAT (e.g., NR, LTE, GSM, etc.). WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 may be respectively configured in various ways according to the specified RAT for transmitting and encoding signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.), and conversely for receiving and decoding signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.). Specifically, WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 respectively include one or more transmitters 314 and 354 for respectively transmitting and encoding signals 318 and 358, and respectively include one or more receivers 312 and 352 for respectively receiving and decoding signals 318 and 358.

[0054] In at least some cases, UE 302 and base station 304 also each include at least one short-range wireless transceiver 320 and 360, respectively. Short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 may be respectively connected to one or more antennas 326 and 366, and provide means for communicating via at least one specified RAT (e.g., WiFi, LTE-D, Devices such as PC5, dedicated short-range communication (DSRC), wireless access in vehicle environment (WAVE), near-field communication (NFC), etc.) for communicating with other network nodes (such as other UEs, access points, base stations, etc.) over a wireless communication medium of interest (e.g., a device for transmitting, a device for receiving, a device for measuring, a device for tuning, a device for suppressing transmission, etc.). The short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 can be configured in various ways according to the specified RAT to transmit and encode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.) respectively, and vice versa to receive and decode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.). Specifically, the short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 each include one or more transmitters 324 and 364 respectively for transmitting and encoding signals 328 and 368, and each include one or more receivers 322 and 362 respectively for receiving and decoding signals 328 and 368. As a specific example, the short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 can be WiFi transceivers, transceivers, and / or transceivers, NFC transceivers, or vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and / or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) transceivers.

[0055] The transceiver circuitry including at least one transmitter and at least one receiver may include an integrated device (e.g., a transmitter circuit and a receiver circuit implemented as a single communication device) in some implementations, may include separate transmitter devices and separate receiver devices in some implementations, or may be implemented otherwise in other implementations. In one aspect, the transmitter may include or be coupled to a plurality of antennas such as an antenna array (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), and the plurality of antennas permit the corresponding device to perform transmit "beamforming" as described herein. Similarly, the receiver may include or be coupled to a plurality of antennas such as an antenna array (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), and the plurality of antennas permit the corresponding device to perform receive beamforming as described herein. In one aspect, the transmitter and the receiver may share the same plurality of antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366) such that the corresponding device can only receive or transmit at a given time, rather than both simultaneously. The wireless communication devices of the UE 302 and / or the base station 304 (e.g., one or both of the transceivers 310 and 320 and / or one or both of the transceivers 350 and 360) may also include a network listening module (NLM) for performing various measurements, etc.

[0056] In at least some cases, UE 302 and base station 304 also include satellite positioning system (SPS) receivers 330 and 370. SPS receivers 330 and 370 may be respectively connected to one or more antennas 336 and 376, and may respectively provide means for receiving and / or measuring SPS signals 338 and 378, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) signals, Galileo signals, Beidou signals, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NAVIC), Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), etc. SPS receivers 330 and 370 may respectively include any suitable hardware and / or software for receiving and processing SPS signals 338 and 378. SPS receivers 330 and 370 request information and operations from other systems as appropriate, and perform the necessary calculations to determine the positions of UE 302 and base station 304 using measurements obtained by any suitable SPS algorithm.

[0057] Base station 304 and network entity 306 each respectively include at least one network interface 380 and 390, thereby providing means for communicating with other network entities (e.g., means for transmitting, means for receiving, etc.). For example, network interfaces 380 and 390 (e.g., one or more network access ports) may be configured to communicate with one or more network entities via a wired-based backhaul connection or a wireless backhaul connection. In some aspects, network interfaces 380 and 390 may be implemented as transceivers configured to support wired-based signal communication or wireless signal communication. This communication may involve, for example, sending and receiving: messages, parameters, and / or other types of information.

[0058] UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 also include other components that can be used in conjunction with the operations disclosed herein. UE 302 includes processor circuitry that implements at least one processor 332 for providing functionality related to, for example, wireless positioning and for providing other processing functionality. Base station 304 includes at least one processor 384 for providing functionality related to, for example, wireless positioning as disclosed herein and for providing other processing functionality. Network entity 306 includes at least one processor 394 for providing functionality related to, for example, wireless positioning as disclosed herein and for providing other processing functionality. Processors 332, 384, and 394 can thus provide means for processing, such as means for determining, means for calculating, means for receiving, means for transmitting, means for indicating, and so on. In one aspect, processing 332, 384, and 394 can include, for example, one or more processors, such as one or more general-purpose processors, multi-core processors, ASICs, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), other programmable logic devices or processing circuitry, or various combinations thereof.

[0059] UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 include memory circuitry that implements memory components 340, 386, and 396 (e.g., each including a memory device) for maintaining information (e.g., information indicating reserved resources, thresholds, parameters, etc.), respectively. Memory components 340, 386, and 396 can thus provide means for storing, means for retrieving, means for maintaining, and so on. In some cases, UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 can include positioning components 342, 388, and 398, respectively. Positioning components 342, 388, and 398 can be hardware circuits that are part of or coupled to processors 332, 384, and 394, respectively, which, when executed, cause UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 to perform the functionality described herein. In other aspects, positioning components 342, 388, and 398 can be external to processors 332, 384, and 394 (e.g., part of a modem processing system, integrated with another processing system, etc.). Alternatively, positioning components 342, 388, and 398 can be memory modules stored in memory components 340, 386, and 396, respectively, which, when executed by processors 332, 384, and 394 (or a modem processing system, another processing system, etc.), cause UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 to perform the functionality described herein. Figure 3AThe possible locations of positioning component 342 are illustrated, and the positioning component 342 can be part of at least one WWAN transceiver 310, memory component 340, at least one processor 332, or any combination thereof, or can be a self - contained component. Figure 3B The possible locations of positioning component 388 are illustrated, and the positioning component 388 can be part of at least one WWAN transceiver 350, memory component 386, at least one processor 384, or any combination thereof, or can be a self - contained component. Figure 3C The possible locations of positioning component 398 are illustrated, and the positioning component 398 can be part of at least one network interface 390, memory component 396, at least one processor 394, or any combination thereof, or can be a self - contained component.

[0060] UE 302 can include one or more sensors 344 coupled to at least one processor 332 to provide means for sensing or detecting movement and / or orientation information that is independent of motion data derived from signals received by at least one WWAN transceiver 310, at least one short - range wireless transceiver 320, and / or SPS receiver 330. As an example, sensors 344 can include accelerometers (e.g., micro - electro - mechanical system (MEMS) devices), gyroscopes, geomagnetic sensors (e.g., compasses), altimeters (e.g., barometric altimeters), and / or any other type of motion - detection sensors. Additionally, sensors 344 can include multiple different types of devices and combine their outputs to provide motion information. For example, sensors 344 can use a combination of multi - axis accelerometers and orientation sensors to provide the ability to calculate positions in a two - dimensional (2D) and / or three - dimensional (3D) coordinate system.

[0061] Additionally, UE 302 includes a user interface 346 that provides means for providing an indication to a user (e.g., an audible and / or visual indication) and / or for receiving user input (e.g., when the user actuates a sensing device such as a keypad, touchscreen, microphone, etc.). Although not shown, base station 304 and network entity 306 can also include a user interface.

[0062] Referring more specifically to at least one processor 384, in the downlink, IP packets from network entity 306 may be provided to at least one processor 384. The at least one processor 384 may implement functionality for the RRC layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and Medium Access Control (MAC) layer. The at least one processor 384 may provide RRC layer functionality associated with system information (e.g., Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB)) broadcast, RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-RAT mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression, security (ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functionality associated with transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correction via Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ), concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and re-ordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, scheduling information reporting, error correction, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0063] Transmitter 354 and receiver 352 may implement layer 1 (L1) functionality associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, including the Physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. Transmitter 354 handles the mapping to the signal constellation based on various modulation schemes (e.g., Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK), Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK), M-Phase Shift Keying (M-PSK), M-Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (M-QAM)). The decoded and modulated symbols may then be split into parallel streams. Each stream may then be mapped to Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) subcarriers, multiplexed with reference signals (e.g., pilots) in the time domain and / or frequency domain, and then combined together using Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) to generate a physical channel carrying a time-domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM symbol stream is space precoded to generate multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from the channel estimator may be used to determine the coding and modulation schemes and for spatial processing. The channel estimates may be derived from reference signals transmitted by UE 302 and / or channel state feedback. Each spatial stream may then be provided to one or more different antennas 356. Transmitter 354 may modulate an RF carrier with the respective spatial stream for transmission.

[0064] At the UE 302, the receiver 312 receives signals via its respective antenna(s) 316. The receiver 312 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to at least one processor 332. The transmitter 314 and the receiver 312 implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. The receiver 312 may perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for the UE 302. If there are multiple spatial streams destined for the UE 302, they may be combined by the receiver 312 into a single OFDM symbol stream. The receiver 312 then uses a fast Fourier transform (FFT) to transform the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain. The frequency domain signal includes a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols and reference signals on each subcarrier are recovered and demodulated by determining the signal constellation points most likely transmitted by the base station 304. These soft decisions may be based on channel estimates computed by the channel estimator. These soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the original data and control signals transmitted by the base station 304 on the physical channel. These data and control signals are then provided to at least one processor 332 that implements layer 3 (L3) and layer 2 (L2) functionality.

[0065] In the uplink, at least one processor 332 provides demultiplexing between transport channels and logical channels, packet reassembly, deciphering, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the core network. At least one processor 332 is also responsible for error detection.

[0066] Similar to the functionality described in connection with downlink transmissions performed by the base station 304, at least one processor 332 provides RRC layer functionality associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connection, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression and security (ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functionality associated with delivery of upper layer PDUs, error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction via hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ), priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0067] Channel estimates derived by the channel estimator from the reference signals or feedback transmitted by the base station 304 can be used by the transmitter 314 to select an appropriate coding and modulation scheme and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the transmitter 314 can be provided to the different antennas 316. The transmitter 314 can modulate the RF carriers with the respective spatial streams for transmission.

[0068] Uplink transmissions are processed at the base station 304 in a manner similar to that described in conjunction with the receiver functionality at the UE 302. The receiver 352 receives signals via its respective antennas 356. The receiver 352 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carriers and provides the information to at least one processor 384.

[0069] In the uplink, at least one processor 384 provides demultiplexing between the transport channel and the logical channel, packet reassembly, deciphering, header decompression, control signal processing to recover IP packets from the UE 302. The IP packets from at least one processor 384 can be provided to the core network. At least one processor 384 is also responsible for error detection.

[0070] For convenience, the UE 302, the base station 304, and / or the network entity 306 are shown in Figures 3A to 3C as including various components that can be configured according to the various examples described herein. However, it will be appreciated that the illustrated blocks can have different functionality in different designs.

[0071] The various components of the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 can communicate with each other respectively on data buses 334, 382, and 392. Figures 3A to 3C The components of can be implemented in various ways. In some implementations, Figures 3A to 3CThe components can be implemented in one or more circuits, such as, by way of example, one or more processors and / or one or more ASICs (which may include one or more processors). Here, each circuit may use and / or incorporate at least one memory component for storing information or executable code used by the circuit to provide this functionality. For example, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 310 to 346 can be implemented by the processor and (one or more) memory components of the UE 302 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriately configuring the processor components). Similarly, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 350 to 388 can be implemented by the processor and memory components of the base station 304 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriately configuring the processor components). Additionally, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 390 to 398 can be implemented by the processor and (one or more) memory components of the network entity 306 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriately configuring the processor components). For simplicity, various operations, actions, and / or functions are described herein as being "performed by the UE", "performed by the base station", "performed by the network entity", etc. However, as will be appreciated, such operations, actions, and / or functions can actually be performed by specific components or combinations of components of the UE 302, base station 304, network entity 306, etc., such as processors 332, 384, 394, transceivers 310, 320, 350, and 360, memory components 340, 386, and 396, positioning components 342, 388, and 398, etc.

[0072] Various frame structures can be used to support downlink and uplink transmissions between network nodes (e.g., base stations and UEs). Figure 4A FIG. 400 is a diagram illustrating an example of a downlink frame structure in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 4B FIG. 430 is a diagram illustrating an example of channels within a downlink frame structure in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures and / or different channels.

[0073] LTE, and in some cases NR, utilize OFDM on the downlink and single-carrier frequency-division multiplexing (SC-FDM) on the uplink. However, unlike LTE, NR also has the option of using OFDM on the uplink. OFDM and SC-FDM divide the system bandwidth into multiple (K) orthogonal subcarriers, which are also often referred to as frequency tones, frequency bins, etc. Each subcarrier can be modulated with data. Generally speaking, the modulation symbols are sent in the frequency domain for OFDM and in the time domain for SC-FDM. The spacing between adjacent subcarriers can be fixed, and the total number (K) of subcarriers can depend on the system bandwidth. For example, the subcarrier spacing can be 15 kilohertz (kHz), and the minimum resource allocation (resource block) can be 12 subcarriers (or 180 kHz). Thus, for system bandwidths of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 megahertz (MHz), the nominal FFT sizes can be equal to 128, 256, 512, 1024, or 2048, respectively. The system bandwidth can also be divided into subbands. For example, a subband can cover 1.08 MHz (i.e., 6 resource blocks), and for system bandwidths of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 MHz, there can be 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 subbands, respectively.

[0074] LTE supports single-parameter designs (subcarrier spacing (SCS), symbol length, etc.). In contrast, NR supports multiple-parameter designs (μ), e.g., for 15 kHz (μ = 0), 30 kHz (μ = 1), 60 kHz (μ = 2), 120 kHz (μ = 3), and 240 kHz (μ = 4) or larger subcarrier spacings may be available. In each subcarrier spacing, there are 14 symbols per time slot. For 15 kHz SCS (μ = 0), there is one time slot per subframe, 10 time slots per frame, the time slot duration is 1 millisecond (ms), the symbol duration is 66.7 microseconds (μs), and the maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) with a 4K FFT size is 50. For 30 kHz SCS (μ = 1), there are two time slots per subframe, 20 time slots per frame, the time slot duration is 0.5 ms, the symbol duration is 33.3 μs, and the maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) with a 4K FFT size is 100. For 60 kHz SCS (μ = 2), there are four time slots per subframe, 40 time slots per frame, the time slot duration is 0.25 ms, the symbol duration is 16.7 μs, and the maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) with a 4K FFT size is 200. For 120 kHz SCS (μ = 3), there are eight time slots per subframe, 80 time slots per frame, the time slot duration is 0.125 ms, the symbol duration is 8.33 μs, and the maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) with a 4K FFT size is 400. For 240 kHz SCS (μ = 4), there are 16 time slots per subframe, 160 time slots per frame, the time slot duration is 0.0625 ms, the symbol duration is 4.17 μs, and the maximum nominal system bandwidth (in MHz) with a 4K FFT size is 800.

[0075] In Figure 4A and 4B 's example, a parameter set of 15 kHz is used. Thus, in the time domain, a 10 ms frame is divided into 10 equal-sized subframes, each 1 ms, and each subframe includes one time slot. In Figure 4A and 4B , time is represented horizontally (on the X-axis), where time increases from left to right, while frequency is represented vertically (on the Y-axis), where frequency increases (or decreases) from bottom to top.

[0076] A resource grid can be used to represent a time slot, and each time slot includes one or more time-concurrent resource blocks (RBs) (also known as physical RBs (PRBs)) in the frequency domain. The resource grid is further divided into multiple resource elements (REs). An RE can correspond to one symbol length in the time domain and one subcarrier in the frequency domain. In Figure 4A and 4BIn the parameter design, for the normal cyclic prefix, an RB can contain 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 7 consecutive symbols in the time domain, for a total of 84 REs. For the extended cyclic prefix, an RB can contain 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 6 consecutive symbols in the time domain, for a total of 72 REs. The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0077] Some REs carry downlink reference (pilot) signals (DL-RS). The DL-RS can include PRS, TRS, PTRS, CRS, CSI-RS, DMRS, PSS, SSS, SSB, etc. Figure 4A An example location of the REs carrying PRS is illustrated (marked as "R").

[0078] The set of resource elements (REs) used for the transmission of PRS is referred to as "PRS resource". The set of resource elements can span multiple PRBs in the frequency domain and 'N' (such as 1 or more) consecutive symbols within a time slot in the time domain. In a given OFDM symbol in the time domain, the PRS resource occupies consecutive PRBs in the frequency domain.

[0079] The transmission of the PRS resource within a given PRB has a specific comb size (also referred to as "comb density"). The comb size 'N' represents the subcarrier spacing (or frequency / tone spacing) within each symbol of the PRS resource configuration. Specifically, for the comb size 'N', the PRS is transmitted in every Nth subcarrier of a symbol of the PRB. For example, for comb-4, for each symbol of the PRS resource configuration, the REs corresponding to every fourth subcarrier (such as subcarriers 0, 4, 8) are used to transmit the PRS of the PRS resource. Currently, DL-PRS is supported for comb sizes of comb-2, comb-4, comb-6, and comb-12. Figure 4A An example PRS resource configuration for comb-6 (which spans 6 symbols) is illustrated. That is, the location of the shaded REs (marked as "R") indicates the PRS resource configuration for comb-6.

[0080] Currently, DL-PRS resources use a full-frequency domain interleaving pattern that spans 2, 4, 6, or 12 consecutive symbols within a time slot. The DL-PRS resources can be configured in any downlink or flexible (FL) symbol configured by the higher layer in the time slot. There may be a constant energy per resource element (EPRE) for all the resource elements of a given DL-PRS resource. The following are the per-symbol frequency offsets for comb sizes 2, 4, 6, and 12 over 2, 4, 6, and 12 symbols. 2-symbol comb - 2: {0,1}; 4-symbol comb - 2: {0,1,0,1}; 6-symbol comb - 2: {0,1,0,1,0,1}; 12-symbol comb - 2: {0,1,0,1,0,1,0,1,0,1,0,1}; 4-symbol comb - 4: {0,2,1,3}; 12-symbol comb - 4: {0,2,1,3,0,2,1,3,0,2,1,3}; 6-symbol comb - 6: {0,3,1,4,2,5}; 12-symbol comb - 6: {0,3,1,4,2,5,0,3,1,4,2,5}; and 12-symbol comb - 12: {0,6,3,9,1,7,4,10,2,8,5,11}.

[0081] A "PRS resource set" is a set of PRS resources used for the transmission of PRS signals, where each PRS resource has a PRS resource ID. Additionally, the PRS resources in a PRS resource set are associated with the same TRP. A PRS resource set is identified by a PRS resource set ID and is associated with a specific TRP (identified by the TRP ID). Additionally, the PRS resources in a PRS resource set have the same periodicity, common silent mode configuration, and the same repetition factor (such as "PRS-ResourceRepetitionFactor") across time slots. The periodicity is the time from the first repetition of the first PRS resource of the first PRS instance to the same first repetition of the same first PRS resource of the next PRS instance. The periodicity can have a length selected from: 2^μ*{4,5,8,10,16,20,32,40,64,80,160,320,640,1280,2560,5120,10240} time slots, where μ = 0,1,2,3. The repetition factor can have a length selected from {1,2,4,6,8,16,32} time slots.

[0082] The PRS resource ID in the PRS resource pool is associated with a single beam (or beam ID) transmitted from a single TRP (where a TRP can transmit one or more beams). That is, each PRS resource in the PRS resource pool can be transmitted on a different beam, and thus, a "PRS resource" (or simply "resource") can also be referred to as a "beam". Note that this does not imply anything about whether the UE knows the TRP and the beam on which the PRS is transmitted.

[0083] A "PRS instance" or "PRS occasion" is an instance of a periodically repeated time window (such as a group of one or more consecutive time slots) in which the PRS is expected to be transmitted. A PRS occasion can also be referred to as a "PRS positioning occasion", "PRS positioning instance", "positioning occasion", "positioning instance", "positioning repetition", or simply "occasion", "instance", or "repetition".

[0084] A "positioning frequency layer" (also simply referred to as a "frequency layer") is a set of one or more PRS resource pools with the same values for certain parameters across one or more TRPs. Specifically, the set of PRS resource pools has the same subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix (CP) type (meaning that all parameter designs supported for the PDSCH are also supported for the PRS), the same point A, the same value for the downlink PRS bandwidth, the same starting PRB (and center frequency), and the same comb size. The point A parameter takes the value of the parameter "ARFCN-ValueNR" (where "ARFCN" stands for "absolute radio frequency channel number") and is an identifier / code that specifies a pair of physical radio channels used for transmission and reception. The downlink PRS bandwidth can have a granularity of 4 PRBs, and the minimum value is 24 PRBs while the maximum value is 272 PRBs. Currently, up to 4 frequency layers are defined, and each TRP can configure up to 2 PRS resource pools per frequency layer.

[0085] The concept of a frequency layer is somewhat similar to the concepts of a component carrier and a bandwidth part (BWP), but the difference is that component carriers and BWPs are used by a base station (or a macro cell base station and a small cell base station) to transmit data channels, while frequency layers are used by several (usually three or more) base stations to transmit PRSs. A UE can indicate the number of frequency layers that the UE can support when the UE sends its positioning capabilities to the network (such as during an LTE positioning protocol (LPP) session). For example, the UE can indicate whether the UE can support one or four positioning frequency layers.

[0086] Note that the terms "positioning reference signal" and "PRS" generally refer to specific reference signals used for positioning in NR and LTE systems. However, as used herein, the terms "positioning reference signal" and "PRS" can also refer to any type of reference signal that can be used for positioning, such as but not limited to: PRS, TRS, PTRS, CRS, CSI-RS, DMRS, PSS, SSS, SSB, SRS, UL-PRS, etc., as defined in LTE and NR. Additionally, the terms "positioning reference signal" and "PRS" can refer to downlink or uplink positioning reference signals, unless otherwise indicated by context. If further differentiation of the type of PRS is needed, the downlink positioning reference signal can be referred to as "DL-PRS", and the uplink positioning reference signal (e.g., positioning SRS, PTRS) can be referred to as "UL-PRS". Additionally, for signals that can be transmitted in both the uplink and downlink (e.g., DMRS, PTRS), these signals can be prefixed with "UL" or "DL" to distinguish the direction. For example, "UL-DMRS" can be distinguished from "DL-DMRS".

[0087] PRS and other types of positioning reference signals are used in a variety of cellular network-based positioning techniques, including downlink-based positioning methods, uplink-based positioning methods, and downlink- and uplink-based positioning methods. Downlink-based positioning methods include: Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) in LTE, Downlink Time Difference of Arrival (DL-TDOA) in NR, and Downlink Angle of Departure (DL-AoD) in NR. In the OTDOA or DL-TDOA positioning procedure, the UE measures the difference in the Time of Arrival (ToA) of reference signals (e.g., PRS, TRS, CSI-RS, SSB, etc.) received from paired base stations (referred to as Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD) or Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) measurements), and reports these differences to the positioning entity. More specifically, the UE receives the identifiers (IDs) of the reference base station (e.g., serving base station) and multiple non-reference base stations in the assistance data. The UE then measures the RSTD between the reference base station and each non-reference base station. Based on the known positions of the involved base stations and the RSTD measurements, the positioning entity can estimate the position of the UE.

[0088] For DL-AoD positioning, the positioning entity uses beam reports from the UE of received signal strength measurements of multiple downlink transmit beams to determine the angle between the UE and the transmitting base station(s). The positioning entity can then estimate the position of the UE based on the determined angle and the known position of the transmitting base station.

[0089] Uplink-based positioning methods include uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA) and uplink angle of arrival (UL-AoA). UL-TDOA is similar to DL-TDOA, but the UL-TDOA is based on uplink reference signals (e.g., SRS) transmitted by the UE. For UL-AoA positioning, one or more base stations measure the received signal strength of one or more uplink reference signals (e.g., SRS) received from the UE on one or more uplink receive beams. The positioning entity uses the signal strength measurements and the angles of the receive beams to determine the angle between the UE and the base station(s). Based on the determined angle and the known locations of the base stations, the positioning entity can then estimate the location of the UE.

[0090] Downlink- and uplink-based positioning methods include: enhanced cell ID (E-CID) positioning and multi-round-trip time (RTT) positioning (also known as "multi-cell RTT"). In the RTT procedure, the initiator (base station or UE) transmits an RTT measurement signal (e.g., PRS or SRS) to the responder (UE or base station), and the responder transmits an RTT response signal (e.g., SRS or PRS) back to the initiator. The RTT response signal includes the difference between the ToA of the RTT measurement signal and the transmission time of the RTT response signal (referred to as the receive-transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference). The initiator calculates the difference between the transmission time of the RTT measurement signal and the ToA of the RTT response signal (referred to as the transmit-receive (Tx-Rx) time difference). The propagation time between the initiator and the responder (also known as "time of flight") can be calculated from the Tx-Rx and Rx-Tx time differences. Based on the propagation time and the known speed of light, the distance between the initiator and the responder can be determined. For multi-RTT positioning, the UE performs RTT procedures with multiple base stations so that the location of the UE can be triangulated based on the known locations of the base stations. The RTT and multi-RTT methods can be combined with other positioning techniques (such as UL-AoA and DL-AoD) to improve location accuracy.

[0091] The E-CID positioning method is based on radio resource management (RRM) measurements. In E-CID, the UE reports the serving cell ID, timing advance (TA), and the identifiers, estimated timing, and signal strength of the detected neighbor base stations. Subsequently, the location of the UE is estimated based on this information and the known locations of the base stations.

[0092] To assist in positioning operations, a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272) may provide assistance data to a UE. For example, the assistance data may include: an identifier of a base station (or a cell / TRP of a base station) from which to measure a reference signal, reference signal configuration parameters (e.g., the number of consecutive positioning subframes, the periodicity of positioning subframes, silence sequences, hopping sequences, reference signal identifiers, reference signal bandwidths, etc.) and / or other parameters applicable to a particular positioning method. Alternatively, the assistance data may directly originate from the base station itself (e.g., in periodically broadcast overhead messages, etc.). In some cases, the UE itself may be able to detect neighbor network nodes without using assistance data.

[0093] In the case of the OTDOA or DL-TDOA positioning procedures, the assistance data may further include an expected RSTD value and an associated uncertainty, or a search window around the expected RSTD. In some cases, the value range of the expected RSTD may be + / -500 microseconds (μs). In some cases, when any resource used for positioning measurements is in FR1, the value range of the uncertainty of the expected RSTD may be + / -32 μs. In other cases, when all resources used for positioning measurements are in FR2, the value range of the uncertainty of the expected RSTD may be + / -8 μs.

[0094] A location estimate may be referred to by other names, such as positioning estimate, location, positioning, positioning lock, lock, etc. A location estimate may be geodetic and include coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude), or may be civic and include a street address, postal address, or some other verbal location description. A location estimate may be further defined relative to some other known location or in absolute terms (e.g., using latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude). A location estimate may include an expected error or uncertainty (e.g., by including an area or volume within which the location is expected to be included with a certain specified or default confidence).

[0095] The downlink PRS transmitted for the positioning procedure described above can be transmitted periodically or on demand. In contrast to the case where the TRP in the network transmits PRS periodically regardless of whether there is any ongoing positioning session, "on-demand" PRS transmission means that the PRS is transmitted only when there is a request for the PRS to be transmitted. The on-demand PRS itself can be periodic, semi-persistent, or aperiodic within a predefined time period (e.g., during a positioning session). As will be appreciated, using on-demand PRS transmission reduces the PRS overhead. In some cases, the on-demand PRS transmission can be requested by the UE, such as for UE-based positioning procedures (where the UE estimates its own position) or UE-requested positioning procedures (where the UE requests the network to estimate the UE's position). The UE can send a request to receive DL-PRS from each base station involved in the positioning procedure and / or transmit UL-PRS to each base station involved in the positioning procedure, or send a request to its serving base station or location server, which then forwards the request to the involved base stations. In other cases, the on-demand PRS transmission can be requested by the network (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272), such as for UE-assisted positioning procedures (where the network actively estimates the UE's position or upon request from the UE or other entities). In this case, the location server can send a request to the involved base stations.

[0096] Network operators can cover a geographical area by deploying a set of "anchoring" base stations (e.g., eNB, ng-eNB, gNB) across the entire area in one frequency band, and additional base stations (e.g., ng-eNB, gNB) in a subset of the geographical area in one or more other frequency bands. For example, the additional base stations can have more capabilities than the set of anchoring base stations, and the network operator can gradually introduce them based on market demand.

[0097] The present disclosure provides techniques for using a first frequency "band" for periodically broadcast PRS and one or more additional frequency "bands" for on-demand PRS. More specifically, during a given positioning procedure, the UE can receive periodic PRS in one band and can receive on-demand PRS in one or more other bands. Note that, as used herein, the term "band" refers to some general frequency blocks, such as a frequency range (e.g., FRl, FR2, etc.), a frequency band within a frequency range, a component carrier, or a positioning frequency layer. Thus, the periodic PRS will be transmitted in the first frequency range, the first frequency band, the first component carrier, or the first frequency layer, and the on-demand PRS will be transmitted in one or more different frequency ranges, one or more different frequency bands, one or more different component carriers, or one or more different frequency layers.

[0098] The UE may indicate its ability to operate on multiple frequency bands, and the location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272) may configure the assistance information for these frequency bands. For UE-based positioning, the assistance information may include the locations of the base stations involved (i.e., the base stations configured to transmit PRS to the UE), from which the UE may infer the difference in deployment density between the cross-frequency bands (i.e., the frequency bands on which it can operate). That is, since the UE receives the locations of the base stations involved and the frequency bands used by them to transmit PRS, the UE may determine the number and geographical distribution of the base stations transmitting PRS on each frequency band.

[0099] For UE-assisted positioning, the locations of the base stations are not included in the assistance information. However, the UE may infer its location based on the PRS search in the frequency bands it can support. For example, the UE may detect more PRS in the first frequency band in which it can operate than in the second frequency band. Alternatively, the assistance information may include the approximate level of the locations of the base stations involved. For example, the assistance information may indicate that there are more base stations operating in the first frequency band than in the second frequency band. Whether for UE-based positioning or UE-assisted positioning, the PRS configuration received from the location server may indicate that on-demand PRS is only supported in certain frequency bands.

[0100] For on-demand PRS transmission, the UE may send a PRS request (i.e., a request to transmit UL-PRS or receive DL-PRS) to the base stations involved in the positioning procedure via RRC signaling, MAC control element (MAC-CE), or uplink control information (UCI). Alternatively, the UE may send a PRS request to its serving base station or location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272), which identifies the base stations from which it wants to receive PRS. The location server (or serving base station) may then forward the request to the identified base stations. In the case where the location server is located in the core network (e.g., 5GC 210, 5GC 260), the UE may send the request via RRC signaling or LPP signaling. In the case where the location server is located in the RAN (e.g., NG-RAN220) (such as when the location server is co-located with one or more base stations), the UE may use UE-to-base station signaling or UE-to-core network signaling (e.g., RRC) to send the request.

[0101] In the case where the UE sends a PRS request to each involved base station, the frequency band (e.g., frequency range, component carrier, BWP, frequency layer, etc.) on which the request is to be conveyed from the UE to the base station may indicate the frequency band on which the on-demand PRS should be transmitted. Thus, for example, if the request is transmitted in FR2, it indicates that the base station should transmit the PRS in FR2. Similarly, if the request is transmitted on a specific component carrier, it indicates that the base station should transmit the PRS on that component carrier. If the request is transmitted in a specific BWP, it indicates that the base station should transmit the PRS on the frequency layer corresponding to that BWP.

[0102] Alternatively, the PRS request may include a frequency band identifier. For example, as described above, based on the UE's knowledge of the deployment density of base stations in different frequency bands, the UE may indicate one or more preferred frequency bands for on-demand PRS.

[0103] Thus, during a given positioning procedure, the UE may receive periodic PRS in one frequency band and, in addition, may receive on-demand PRS (whether requested by the UE or by a location server) in one or more other frequency bands. In one aspect, the on-demand PRS may be used to supplement the periodic PRS. More specifically, in addition to the periodic PRS that the UE may be measuring, the UE may request PRS on demand from a specific base station (or a specific set of base stations) based on its positioning needs. For example, the UE may request PRS from one or more base stations at a specific altitude in order to calculate a 3D position. This may be based on the UE's previous altitude estimate (e.g., from its barometer), and a good (e.g., above a threshold) geometric dilution of precision (GDOP) may be required. (GDOP specifies the error propagation as the mathematical effect of the navigation satellite geometry on the accuracy of position measurements. In this way, the UE may use the periodic PRS from the first set of base stations operating in a first frequency band to calculate a 2D estimate of its position, and calculate a 3D estimate of its position by incorporating the measurements of the on-demand PRS from one or more sets of base stations operating in one or more other frequency bands.

[0104] As another example, the UE may measure the periodic PRS from a first set of base stations operating in a first frequency band that are all located on one side or both sides of the UE. To improve the resulting position estimate, the UE may identify one or more base stations operating in one or more other frequency bands on the side of the UE opposite the first set of base stations and request on-demand PRS from these base stations. In this way, the UE will receive and measure PRS from the base stations surrounding the UE. As will be appreciated, measuring PRS from the base stations surrounding the UE will provide a better estimate of the UE's position compared to measuring PRS from only the base stations on one side or both sides of the UE.

[0105] In one aspect, the UE may request on-demand PRS in a second frequency band after determining that it cannot receive / measure the periodic PRS transmitted in the first frequency band.

[0106] After measuring the on-demand (and periodic) PRS on the first (and second) frequency band, the UE may report / send the measurement results to a positioning entity. For UE-based positioning, the positioning entity may be a positioning engine on the UE (e.g., positioning component 342). For UE-assisted positioning, the positioning entity may be a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272), a positioning engine at the serving base station, a third-party server, or an application, etc. Depending on various factors, the measurements may be reported individually or may be reported in the same measurement report. These factors may include, for example, the reporting configuration (whether the UE is configured to combine the measurements into one report or send separate reports), the periodicity of the on-demand and periodic PRS, the measurement requirements (e.g., RSTD based on PRS from two separate positioning frequency layers), etc.

[0107] For downlink- and uplink-based positioning sessions (e.g., RTT), the UE may transmit SRS in response to receiving the PRS. Generally, the on-demand PRS on the second frequency band depends on the positioning method performed on the first frequency band. For example, if an RTT positioning procedure is being performed on the first frequency band, then it will be on-demand RTT on the second frequency band (meaning both downlink PRS and uplink PRS). Since the periodic SRS and the on-demand SRS are on two different frequency bands, the UE will likely not be able to transmit the periodic SRS and the on-demand SRS simultaneously. Therefore, the UE may only transmit the on-demand set. However, the Rx-Tx time difference measurements for the RTT positioning procedure on both frequency bands may be combined into one report.

[0108] Therefore, the overall procedure is the same for positioning involving SRS. That is, the UE requests on-demand PRS from the location server, and the location server configures the requested PRS. For DL-PRS, the on-demand configuration is received from the location server via LPP, while for SRS, the configuration is received from the serving cell. The location server will coordinate the PRS transmission and reception across the involved gNBs.

[0109] Figure 5 FIG. 500 is an example call flow between a UE 504 (e.g., any of the UEs described herein), a serving base station (BS) 502 (e.g., any of the base stations described herein), and a location server 570 (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272) in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0110] At stage 505, UE 504 sends a request for on-demand PRS to location server 570. At 510, location server 570 identifies / selects candidate sources (e.g., base stations) for transmitting on-demand PRS. The candidate sources can be selected based on their GDOP relative to UE 504, their availability for transmitting on-demand PRS, etc. At 515, the location server sends on-demand PRS configuration and scheduling to base station 502. At 520, location server 570 or base station 502 sends on-demand PRS configuration and scheduling to UE 504. At 525, location server 570 or base station 502 triggers UE 504 to measure and report on-demand PRS. At 530, if base station 502 is one of the on-demand PRS resources, base station 502 transmits on-demand PRS to UE 504. At 535, UE 504 measures the on-demand PRS received from the on-demand PRS resources, and measures periodic PRS (if available). At 540, for UE-assisted positioning, UE 504 reports the measurements of on-demand PRS and periodic PRS to location server 570. Alternatively, for UE-based positioning, UE 504 will calculate an estimate of its location (not shown).

[0111] Figure 6 An example method 600 of wireless communication in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. In one aspect, method 600 may be performed by any UE such as the UE described herein.

[0112] At 610, the UE transmits a first request for transmitting a first on-demand PRS in a first frequency band for a first set of base stations. In one aspect, operation 610 may be performed by at least one WWAN transceiver 310, at least one processor 332, memory component 340, and / or positioning component 342, where any or all of the components may be considered a means for performing the operation.

[0113] At 620, the UE measures the first on-demand PRS from the first set of base stations in the first frequency band. In one aspect, operation 620 may be performed by at least one WWAN transceiver 310, at least one processor 332, memory component 340, and / or positioning component 342, where any or all of the components may be considered a means for performing the operation.

[0114] At 630, the UE measures periodic PRS from a second set of base stations operating in a second frequency band (different from the first frequency band). In one aspect, operation 630 may be performed by at least one WWAN transceiver 310, at least one processor 332, memory component 340, and / or positioning component 342, where any or all of the components may be considered a means for performing the operation.

[0115] At 640, the UE sends positioning measurements (e.g., ToA, RSTD, etc.) of at least a first on-demand PRS and a periodic PRS to a positioning entity (e.g., a positioning engine at the UE (e.g., positioning component 342), a location server, a serving base station). In one aspect, operation 640 may be performed by at least one WWAN transceiver 310, at least one processor 332, a memory component 340, and / or a positioning component 342, where any or all of the components may be considered as means for performing the operation.

[0116] As will be appreciated, the technical advantages of method 600 include enabling the UE to measure more PRSs from more base stations, thereby improving positioning performance, reducing the use of system resources, allowing reuse of other (non-on-demand) frequency bands, and reducing power consumption (since on-demand PRSs may be transmitted in frequency bands with lower power efficiency).

[0117] In the foregoing detailed description, it can be seen that different features are grouped together in examples. This manner of disclosure should not be construed as intending that the example clauses have more features than those expressly recited in each clause. Rather, various aspects of the present disclosure may include less than all of the features of the disclosed individual example clauses. Accordingly, the appended clauses are hereby considered to be incorporated into this description, where each clause may be a separate example in itself. Although each dependent clause may refer in the clauses to a specific combination with one of the other clauses, the aspects of the dependent clause are not limited to that specific combination. It will be appreciated that other example clauses may also include combinations of aspects of the dependent clause(s) with the subject matter of any other dependent or independent clause or combinations of any feature with other dependent and independent clauses. The various aspects disclosed herein expressly include such combinations, unless expressly stated or readily inferable that a particular combination is not intended (e.g., conflicting aspects, such as defining an element as both an insulator and a conductor). Additionally, it is intended that aspects of the clauses may be included in any other independent clause, even if the clause does not directly depend on that independent clause.

[0118] Implementing examples are described in the following numbered clauses.

[0119] Clause 1. A wireless communication method performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: transmitting a first request for a first on-demand positioning reference signal (PRS) transmitted in a first frequency band by a first set of base stations; measuring the first on-demand PRS from the first set of base stations in the first frequency band; measuring a periodic PRS from a second set of base stations operating in a second frequency band; and enabling a positioning entity to calculate a location of the UE based on the positioning measurements of at least the first on-demand PRS and the periodic PRS.

[0120] Clause 2. The method as in Clause 1 further comprises: transmitting a capability message indicating that the UE is capable of supporting operation on at least the first frequency band and the second frequency band to a location server.

[0121] Clause 3. The method as in Clause 2 further comprises: receiving auxiliary information for at least the first set of base stations and the second set of base stations from the location server.

[0122] Clause 4. The method as in Clause 3, wherein the auxiliary information at least comprises the locations of the first set of base stations and the second set of base stations.

[0123] Clause 5. The method as in any one of Clauses 3 to 4, wherein the auxiliary information at least indicates the number of the first set of base stations operating in the first frequency band and the number of the second set of base stations operating in the second frequency band.

[0124] Clause 6. The method as in any one of Clauses 1 to 5 further comprises: determining at least the number of the first set of base stations operating in the first frequency band and the number of the second set of base stations operating in the second frequency band based on detecting at least the first on-demand PRS and the periodic PRS.

[0125] Clause 7. The method as in Clause 6 further comprises: determining the number of a third set of base stations capable of transmitting a second on-demand PRS in a third frequency band.

[0126] Clause 8. The method as in Clause 7, wherein the UE transmits the first request to the first set of base stations based on the number of the first set of base stations compared with the number of the third set of base stations.

[0127] Clause 9. The method as in any one of Clauses 1 to 8 further comprises: receiving an indication that only the first frequency band supports on-demand PRS.

[0128] Clause 10. The method as in any one of Clauses 1 to 9, wherein: the first request is transmitted in the first frequency band, and the first request transmitted in the first frequency band indicates that the first request is for the first set of base stations to transmit the first on-demand PRS in the first frequency band.

[0129] Clause 11. The method as in any one of Clauses 1 to 10, wherein the first request comprises an identifier of the first frequency band.

[0130] Clause 12. The method as in any one of Clauses 1 to 11, wherein the UE transmits the first request for the first set of base stations to transmit the first on-demand PRS in the first frequency band based on positioning requirements not satisfied by the periodic PRS transmitted by the second set of base stations.

[0131] Clause 13. The method of any one of Clauses 1 to 12 further comprises: transmitting a second request for transmitting a second on-demand PRS in a third frequency band for a third set of base stations; and measuring the second on-demand PRS from the third set of base stations in the third frequency band, wherein enabling the positioning entity to calculate the location of the UE is further based on positioning measurements of the second on-demand PRS.

[0132] Clause 14. The method of any one of Clauses 1 to 13, wherein the UE transmits the first request to each base station in the first set of base stations.

[0133] Clause 15. The method of any one of Clauses 1 to 14, wherein: the UE transmits the first request to a location server or a serving base station, and the first request is forwarded by the location server or the serving base station to each base station in the first set of base stations.

[0134] Clause 16. The method of any one of Clauses 1 to 15, wherein: the first frequency band includes a first frequency range, a first frequency band, a first component carrier, or a first positioning frequency layer, and the second frequency band includes a second frequency range, a second frequency band, a second component carrier, or a second positioning frequency layer.

[0135] Clause 17. The method of any one of Clauses 1 to 16, wherein: the positioning entity includes the UE, and enabling the positioning entity to calculate the location of the UE includes the UE calculating the location of the UE based on the positioning measurements of at least the first on-demand PRS and the periodic PRS.

[0136] Clause 18. The method of any one of Clauses 1 to 17, wherein: the positioning entity includes a location server or a serving base station, and enabling the positioning entity to calculate the location of the UE includes: the UE transmitting the positioning measurements of at least the first on-demand PRS and the periodic PRS to the positioning entity.

[0137] Clause 19. An apparatus comprising: a memory and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory, the memory and the at least one processor being configured to perform the method of any one of Clauses 1 to 18.

[0138] Clause 20. An apparatus for use in performing the means of the method of any one of Clauses 1 to 18.

[0139] Clause 21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions including at least one instruction for causing a computer or a processor to perform the method of any one of Clauses 1 to 18.

[0140] Additional implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses.

[0141] Clause 1. A wireless communication method performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: transmitting a first request for transmitting a first positioning reference signal (PRS) on demand in a first frequency band for a first set of base stations; measuring the first PRS on demand from the first set of base stations in the first frequency band; measuring periodic PRSs from a second set of base stations operating in a second frequency band; and sending positioning measurements of at least the first PRS on demand and the periodic PRSs to a positioning entity.

[0142] Clause 2. The method of Clause 1, further comprising: transmitting a capability message indicating that the UE is capable of supporting operation on at least the first frequency band and the second frequency band to a location server.

[0143] Clause 3. The method of Clause 2, further comprising: receiving auxiliary information for at least the first set of base stations and the second set of base stations from the location server.

[0144] Clause 4. The method of Clause 3, wherein the auxiliary information at least includes the locations of the first set of base stations and the second set of base stations.

[0145] Clause 5. The method of any one of Clauses 3 to 4, wherein the auxiliary information at least indicates the number of the first set of base stations operating in the first frequency band and the number of the second set of base stations operating in the second frequency band.

[0146] Clause 6. The method of any one of Clauses 1 to 5, further comprising: determining at least the number of the first set of base stations operating in the first frequency band and the number of the second set of base stations operating in the second frequency band based on detecting at least the first PRS on demand and the periodic PRSs.

[0147] Clause 7. The method of Clause 6, further comprising: determining the number of a third set of base stations capable of transmitting a second PRS on demand in a third frequency band.

[0148] Clause 8. The method of Clause 7, wherein the UE transmits the first request to the first set of base stations based on the number of the first set of base stations compared to the number of the third set of base stations.

[0149] Clause 9. The method of any one of Clauses 1 to 8, further comprising: receiving an indication that only the first frequency band supports PRS on demand.

[0150] Clause 10. The method of any one of Clauses 1 to 9, wherein: the first request is transmitted in the first frequency band, and the first request transmitted in the first frequency band indicates that the first request is for the first set of base stations to transmit the first PRS on demand in the first frequency band.

[0151] Clause 11. A method as in any one of Clauses 1 to 9, wherein the first request is transmitted in the second frequency band.

[0152] Clause 12. A method as in any one of Clauses 1 to 11, wherein the first request includes an identifier of the first frequency band.

[0153] Clause 13. A method as in any one of Clauses 1 to 12, wherein the UE transmits the first request for the first base station set to transmit the first on-demand PRS in the first frequency band based on positioning requirements satisfied by the periodic PRS not transmitted by the second base station set.

[0154] Clause 14. The method as in Clause 13, wherein the positioning requirements are based on a Geometric Dilution of Precision (GDOP) threshold.

[0155] Clause 15. A method as in any one of Clauses 1 to 14, further comprising: transmitting a second request for a third base station set to transmit a second on-demand PRS in a third frequency band; measuring the second on-demand PRS from the third base station set in the third frequency band; and sending positioning measurements of the second on-demand PRS to the positioning entity.

[0156] Clause 16. A method as in any one of Clauses 1 to 15, wherein the UE transmits the first request to each base station in the first base station set.

[0157] Clause 17. A method as in any one of Clauses 1 to 15, wherein: the UE transmits the first request to a location server or a serving base station, and the first request is sent by the location server or the serving base station to each base station in the first base station set.

[0158] Clause 18. A method as in any one of Clauses 1 to 17, wherein: the first frequency band includes a first frequency range, a first frequency band, a first component carrier, or a first positioning frequency layer, and the second frequency band includes a second frequency range, a second frequency band, a second component carrier, or a second positioning frequency layer.

[0159] Clause 19. A method as in any one of Clauses 1 to 18, wherein: the positioning entity includes a positioning engine at the UE, and the method further comprises: calculating the location of the UE based on the positioning measurements of at least the first on-demand PRS and the periodic PRS.

[0160] Clause 20. A method as in any one of Clauses 1 to 18, wherein the positioning entity includes a location server or a serving base station.

[0161] Clause 21. An apparatus comprising: a memory and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory, the memory and the at least one processor being configured to perform the method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 20.

[0162] Clause 22. An apparatus for use in performing the means of the method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 20.

[0163] Clause 23. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions including at least one instruction for causing a computer or processor to perform the method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 20.

[0164] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0165] In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithmic steps described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, the various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are described above in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0166] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0167] The methods, sequences, and / or algorithms described in connection with the various aspects disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. The software module can reside in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An example storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In an alternative, the storage medium can be integrated into the processor. The processor and the storage medium can reside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a user terminal (e.g., a UE). In an alternative, the processor and the storage medium can reside in the user terminal as discrete components.

[0168] In one or more example aspects, the described functionality can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions can be stored on or transmitted via a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or code. The computer-readable medium includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of the medium. As used herein, disk and disc include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc where disks typically reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0169] Although the foregoing disclosure shows illustrative aspects of the present disclosure, it should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The functions, steps, and / or acts in the method claims according to aspects of the present disclosure described herein need not be performed in any particular order. Further, although elements of the present disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is also contemplated unless explicitly stated to be limited to the singular.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: transmitting, during a positioning session, a first request for transmitting a first positioning reference signal (PRS) on demand; transmitting, during the positioning session, a second request for transmitting a second PRS on demand; measuring the first PRS on demand during the positioning session; measuring the second PRS on demand during the positioning session; measuring a periodic PRS during the positioning session; and sending positioning measurements of at least the first PRS on demand, the second PRS on demand, and the periodic PRS to a positioning entity.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: transmitting, to a location server, a capability message indicating that the UE is capable of operating on at least a first frequency band for transmitting the first PRS on demand and a second frequency band for transmitting the second PRS on demand.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the first PRS on demand is transmitted by a first set of base stations, and the periodic PRS is transmitted by a second set of base stations.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: the first set of base stations is the same as the second set of base stations, or the first set of base stations is different from the second set of base stations.

5. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: receiving, from the location server, assistance information for at least the first set of base stations and the second set of base stations.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the assistance information at least includes the locations of the first set of base stations and the second set of base stations.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the assistance information at least indicates the number of the first set of base stations and the number of the second set of base stations.

8. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: determining at least the number of the first set of base stations and the number of the second set of base stations based on detecting at least the first PRS on demand and the periodic PRS.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein transmitting the first request for transmitting the first PRS on demand and measuring the periodic PRS transmitted in the second frequency band are based on the positioning requirements of the positioning session.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the first request is transmitted on a first frequency band for transmitting the first PRS on demand, and the first request transmitted on the first frequency band indicates that the first request is for transmitting the first PRS on demand on the first frequency band.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first request is transmitted on a second frequency band for transmitting the periodic PRS.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first request includes an identifier of a first frequency band for transmitting the first PRS on demand.

13. The method according to claim 3, wherein transmitting the first request for transmitting the first PRS on demand and measuring the periodic PRS based on the positioning requirements of the positioning session comprises: Transmit a first request for transmitting the first on-demand PRS and measure the periodic PRS based on positioning requirements not satisfied by the periodic PRS.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the positioning requirement is based on a Geometric Dilution of Precision (GDOP) threshold.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Transmit the first on-demand PRS in a first frequency band, Transmit the second on-demand PRS in a second frequency band, and Transmit the periodic PRS in a third frequency band.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the UE transmits the first request to each base station in a first set of base stations, and The first on-demand PRS is transmitted by the first set of base stations.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The UE transmits the first request to a location server or a serving base station, The first request is sent by the location server or the serving base station to each base station in a first set of base stations, and The first on-demand PRS is transmitted by the first set of base stations.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The first frequency band includes a first frequency range, a first frequency band, a first component carrier, or a first positioning frequency layer, The second frequency band includes a second frequency range, a second frequency band, a second component carrier, or a second positioning frequency layer, and The third frequency band includes a third frequency range, a third frequency band, a third component carrier, or a third positioning frequency layer.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The positioning entity includes a positioning engine at the UE, and The method further includes: calculating the location of the UE based on the positioning measurements of at least the first on-demand PRS and the periodic PRS.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The positioning entity includes a location server or a serving base station.

21. A User Equipment (UE), comprising: One or more memories; One or more transceivers; and One or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories and the one or more transceivers, the one or more processors being configured, individually or in combination, to perform the following operations: Transmit, via the one or more transceivers, a first request for transmitting a first on-demand Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) during a positioning session; Transmit, via the one or more transceivers, a second request for transmitting a second on-demand PRS during the positioning session; Measure the first on-demand PRS during the positioning session; Measure the periodic PRS during the positioning session; and Transmit, via the one or more transceivers, positioning measurements of at least the first on-demand PRS, the second on-demand PRS, and the periodic PRS to a positioning entity.

22. The UE according to claim 21, wherein the one or more processors are further configured, individually or in combination, to: Transmit a capability message to a location server via the one or more transceivers, the capability message indicating that the UE is capable of supporting operation on at least a first frequency band for transmitting the first on-demand PRS and a second frequency band for transmitting the periodic PRS.

23. The UE according to claim 20, wherein: the first on-demand PRS is transmitted by a first set of base stations, and the periodic PRS is transmitted by a second set of base stations.

24. The UE according to claim 23, wherein: the first set of base stations is the same as the second set of base stations, or the first set of base stations is different from the second set of base stations.

25. The UE according to claim 23, wherein the one or more processors are further configured, individually or in combination, to: receive, via the one or more transceivers, assistance information for at least the first set of base stations and the second set of base stations from the location server.

26. The UE according to claim 25, wherein the assistance information at least includes the locations of the first set of base stations and the second set of base stations.

27. The UE according to claim 25, wherein the assistance information at least indicates the number of the first set of base stations and the number of the second set of base stations.

28. The UE according to claim 23, wherein the one or more processors are further configured, individually or in combination, to: determine at least the number of the first set of base stations and the number of the second set of base stations based on detecting at least the first on-demand PRS and the periodic PRS.

29. A user equipment (UE), comprising: means for transmitting a first request for transmitting a first on-demand positioning reference signal (PRS) during a positioning session; means for transmitting a second request for transmitting a second on-demand PRS during the positioning session; means for measuring the first on-demand PRS during the positioning session; means for measuring the second on-demand PRS during the positioning session; means for measuring a periodic PRS during the positioning session; and and means for sending positioning measurements of at least the first on-demand PRS, the second on-demand PRS, and the periodic PRS to a positioning entity.

30. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to: transmit a first request for transmitting a first on-demand positioning reference signal (PRS) during a positioning session; transmit a second request for transmitting a second on-demand PRS during the positioning session; measure the first on-demand PRS during the positioning session; measure the second on-demand PRS during the positioning session; measure a periodic PRS during the positioning session; and send positioning measurements of at least the first on-demand PRS, the second on-demand PRS, and the periodic PRS to a positioning entity.

Images