Mesh-based localization

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a 5G or 6G communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate. A method and apparatus for mesh-based positioning operation in a wireless communication system. A method of operating user equipment (UE) includes receiving first sidelink (SL) positioning reference signals (PRS) from M1 UEs, respectively, where M1gt; = 2; determining a positioning index based on the first SL PRS; determining a first report; and transmitting the first report to the third UE or to one of the M1 UEs. The first report comprises positioning indexes which are from the M1 UEs and respectively correspond to the M2 UEs; timestamps associated with the positioning indicators, respectively; and identities (IDs) of the respective M2 UEs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a grid-based positioning operation in a wireless communication system. Background Art

[0002] With all the technical activities around the world for various candidate technologies from industry and academia, the momentum of 5th generation (5G) or New Radio (NR) mobile communications has been increasing recently. The candidate drivers for 5G / NR mobile communications include massive antenna technology for providing beamforming gain and supporting increased capacity from traditional cellular bands to high frequencies, new waveforms (e.g., new radio access technology (RAT)) for flexibly adapting to various services / applications with different requirements, new multiple access schemes for supporting massive connectivity, and so on.

[0003] 5G mobile communication technology defines a wide frequency band, enabling high transmission rates and new services, and can be implemented not only in the "sub-6 GHz" band such as 3.5 GHz, but also in the "above-6 GHz" band (including 28 GHz and 39 GHz) called millimeter waves. In addition, it has been considered to implement 6G mobile communication technology (referred to as a super 5G system) in the terahertz band (e.g., 95 GHz to 3 THz band) in order to achieve a transmission rate fifty times faster than 5G mobile communication technology and an ultra-low latency one-tenth of 5G mobile communication technology.

[0004] At the beginning of the development of 5G mobile communication technology, in order to support services and meet the performance requirements regarding enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC), and massive machine-type communication (mMTC), standardization has been carried out on the following technologies: beamforming and massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) for reducing radio wave path loss and increasing radio wave transmission distance in millimeter waves; support parameter sets (e.g., operating multiple subcarrier spacings) for dynamic operations for efficiently utilizing millimeter wave resources and time slot formats; initial access technologies for supporting multi-beam transmission and wide frequency bands; the definition and operation of BWP (bandwidth part); new channel coding methods such as LDPC (low-density parity-check) codes for large data transmission and polar codes for highly reliable transmission of control information; L2 preprocessing; and network slicing for providing dedicated networks dedicated to specific services.

[0005] Currently, in terms of the services supported by 5G mobile communication technology, the industry is continuously discussing the improvement and performance enhancement of the initial 5G mobile communication technology, and the physical layer standardization of the following technologies has been completed, such as: V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) for assisting driving decisions based on the information about the position and status of the vehicle sent by the vehicle and for improving user convenience, NR-U (New Radio Unlicensed) aiming at the system operation to meet various regulatory requirements in the unlicensed band, NR UE energy saving, non-terrestrial network (NTN) which is UE satellite direct communication for ensuring coverage in areas where communication with the terrestrial network is not possible, and positioning.

[0006] In addition, the standardization of the air interface architecture / protocol for the following technologies has been continuously promoted, such as: Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) for supporting new services through interoperability and integration with other industries; IAB (Integrated Access and Backhaul) for providing nodes for network service area expansion by supporting wireless backhaul links and access links in an integrated manner; mobility enhancement including conditional handover and DAPS (Dual Active Protocol Stack) handover; and two-step random access (two-step RACH for NR) for simplifying the random access process. At the same time, the standardization of the system architecture / services for the following technologies is also being continuously promoted: 5G baseline architecture for combining network function virtualization (NFV) and software-defined network (SDN) technologies (e.g., service-based architecture or service-based interface); and mobile edge computing (MEC) for receiving services based on UE location.

[0007] With the commercialization of 5G mobile communication systems, exponentially growing connected devices will access the communication network, and thus the enhanced functions and performance of 5G mobile communication systems and the integrated operation of connected devices are expected to be necessary. For this reason, new research on the following technologies has been put on the agenda: extended reality (XR) for efficiently supporting augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), etc.; 5G performance improvement and complexity reduction by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML); AI service support; metaverse service support; and drone communication. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Problem Solution

[0009] A user equipment (UE) includes: a transceiver; and a controller coupled to the transceiver and configured to: receive first sidelink (SL) positioning reference signals (PRSs) from M1 UEs respectively, where M1 >= 2; and determine a positioning metric based on the first SL PRS and determine a first report, where the first report includes: positioning metrics corresponding to M2 UEs respectively from the M1 UEs, timestamps respectively associated with the positioning metrics, and identities (IDs) of the corresponding M2 UEs, where the transceiver is further configured to transmit the first report to a third UE or one of the M1 UEs.

[0010] A base station (BS) includes: a transceiver; and a controller coupled to the transceiver and configured to: transmit a configuration indicating a resource, and receive a report via the resource, where the report includes: positioning metrics corresponding to M user equipments (UEs) respectively, where M >= 1, timestamps respectively associated with the positioning metrics, and identities (IDs) of the corresponding M UEs.

[0011] A method performed by a user equipment (UE) includes: receiving first sidelink (SL) positioning reference signals (PRSs) from M1 UEs respectively, where M1 >= 2; determining a positioning metric based on the first SL PRS; determining a first report, where the first report includes: positioning metrics corresponding to M2 UEs respectively from the M1 UEs, timestamps respectively associated with the positioning metrics, and identities (IDs) of the corresponding M2 UEs; and transmitting the first report to a third UE or one of the M1 UEs.

[0012] A method performed by a base station includes: transmitting a configuration indicating a resource, and receiving a report via the resource, where the report includes: positioning metrics corresponding to M user equipments (UEs) respectively, where M >= 1, timestamps respectively associated with the positioning metrics, and identities (IDs) of the corresponding M UEs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] To more fully understand the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts: Figure 1 FIG. shows an example of a wireless network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 FIG. shows an example of a gNB according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 3 FIG. shows an example of a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 4 AND Figure 5 FIG. shows an example of a wireless transmit and receive path according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 6 Shows an example of a network positioning architecture according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 7 Shows an example of an LMF according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 8 Shows an example of a UE within the coverage area of a network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 9 Shows an example of multiple UEs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and Figure 10 Shows an exemplary method performed by a UE in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 11 Shows the structure of a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 12 Shows the structure of a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0016] The present disclosure relates to grid-based positioning operations in a wireless communication system.

[0017] In one embodiment, a user equipment (UE) is provided. The UE includes a transceiver configured to receive first sidelink (SL) positioning reference signals (PRSs) from M1 UEs respectively, where M1 >= 2. The UE further includes a processor operatively coupled to the transceiver. The processor is configured to determine a positioning metric based on the first SL PRS and determine a first report. The first report includes positioning metrics respectively corresponding to M2 UEs from the M1 UEs; timestamps respectively associated with the positioning metrics; and identities (IDs) of the corresponding M2 UEs, and transmit the first report to a third UE or one of the M2 UEs.

[0018] In another embodiment, a base station (BS) is provided. The BS includes a processor and a transceiver operatively coupled to the processor. The transceiver is configured to transmit a configuration indicating a resource and receive a report via the resource. The report includes positioning metrics respectively corresponding to M UEs (where M >= 1), timestamps respectively associated with the positioning metrics, and IDs of the corresponding M UEs.

[0019] In yet another embodiment, a method of operating a UE is provided. The method includes: receiving first SL PRSs from M1 UEs (where M1 >= 2) respectively; determining a positioning metric based on the first SL PRSs; determining a first report; and transmitting the first report to a third UE, or one of M2 UEs. The first report includes positioning metrics respectively corresponding to the M2 UEs from the M1 UEs; timestamps respectively associated with the positioning metrics; and the IDs of the corresponding M2 UEs.

[0020] With the following drawings, description, and claims, other technical features may be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0021] Before proceeding with the following detailed description, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The term "couple" and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with each other. The terms "transmit," "receive," and "communicate" and their derivatives cover both direct and indirect communication. The terms "include" and "comprise" and their derivatives mean including but not limited to. The term "or" is inclusive and means and / or. The phrase "associated with" and its derivatives mean including, being included within, interconnecting with, containing, being contained within, connected to or connected with, coupled to or coupled with, capable of communicating with, cooperating with, interlacing, juxtaposing, being adjacent to, being bound to or bound with, having, having the properties of, having a relationship with or being related to, etc. The term "controller" refers to any device, system, or part thereof that controls at least one operation. Such a controller may be implemented in hardware or in a combination of hardware and software and / or firmware. The functions associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. The term "module" refers to any device, system, or part thereof that controls at least one operation. Such a module may be implemented in hardware or in a combination of hardware and software and / or firmware. The functions associated with any particular module may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. The phrase "at least one of" when used with a list of items means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used and only one item in the list may be required. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" includes any of the following combinations: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; and A and B and C.

[0022] In addition, the various functions described below can be implemented or supported by one or more computer programs, each formed from computer-readable program code and embodied in a computer-readable medium. The terms "application program" and "program" refer to one or more computer programs, software components, instruction sets, procedures, functions, objects, classes, instances, related data, or portions thereof that are adapted to be implemented with suitable computer-readable program code. The phrase "computer-readable program code" includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code, and executable code. The phrase "computer-readable medium" includes any type of medium accessible by a computer, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), hard disk drives, optical disks (CDs), digital video disks (DVDs), or any other type of memory. A "non-transitory" computer-readable medium excludes wired, wireless, optical, or other communication links that transmit transient electrical or other signals. Non-transitory computer-readable media include media that permanently store data, as well as media that store data and then rewrite the data, such as rewritable optical disks or erasable memory devices.

[0023] Certain other words and phrases are defined throughout this patent document. Those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that, in many if not most instances, such definitions apply to the prior as well as future use of such defined words and phrases.

[0024] discussed below Figures 1 to 10 and the various embodiments used herein to describe the principles of the present disclosure are for purposes of illustration only and should not be construed in any way as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure can be implemented in any suitably arranged system or device.

[0025] The following documents are hereby incorporated by reference into the present disclosure as if fully set forth herein: 3GPP TS 38.211 v18.0.0, "NR; Physical Channels and Modulation"; 3GPP TS 38.212 v18.0.0, "NR; Multiplexing and Channel Coding"; 3GPP TS 38.213 v18.0.0, "NR; Physical Layer Procedures for Control"; 3GPP TS 38.214 v18.0.0, "NR; Physical Layer Procedures for Data"; 3GPP TS 38.215 v18.0.0, "NR; Physical Layer Measurements"; 3GPP TS 38.321 v17.6.0, "NR; Medium Access Control (MAC) Protocol Specification"; 3GPP TS 38.331 v17.6.0, "NR; Radio Resource Control (RRC) Protocol Specification"; 3GPP TS 36.213 v18.0.0, "Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Physical Layer Procedures"; and 3GPP TR 38.845 v17.0.0, "Study on Scenarios and Requirements for In-Coverage, Partial-Coverage, and Out-of-Coverage NR Positioning Use Cases".

[0026] To meet the increasing demand for wireless data traffic since the deployment of 4G communication systems and to enable various vertical applications, 5G / NR communication systems have been deployed and are currently being deployed. The 5G / NR communication system is considered to be implemented in a higher frequency (millimeter wave) band (e.g., 28 GHz or 60 GHz band) to achieve higher data rates, or in a lower band (such as 6 GHz) to achieve robust coverage and mobility support. To reduce the propagation loss of radio waves and increase the transmission distance, beamforming, massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, analog beamforming, and large antenna technology are discussed in the 5G / NR communication system.

[0027] In addition, in the 5G / NR communication system, the development of system network improvements is ongoing based on advanced small cells, cloud radio access network (RAN), ultra-dense network, device-to-device (D2D) communication, wireless backhaul, mobile network, cooperative communication, coordinated multi-point (CoMP), receiver interference cancellation, positioning according to RAT, and so on.

[0028] The discussion of 5G systems and the frequency bands associated therewith is for reference only, as certain embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in 5G systems. However, the present disclosure is not limited to 5G systems or the frequency bands associated therewith, and embodiments of the present disclosure may be used in conjunction with any frequency band. For example, various aspects of the present disclosure may also be applied to 5G communication systems, 6G, or even higher versions of deployments that may use the terahertz (THz) frequency band.

[0029] The following Figures 1 to 3 describes various embodiments implemented in a wireless communication system and using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication techniques. Figures 1 to 3 The description is not intended to imply a physical or architectural limitation on the manner in which different embodiments may be implemented. Different embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged communication system.

[0030] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 The embodiment of the wireless network illustrated is for illustrative purposes only. Other embodiments of the wireless network 100 may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0031] As Figure 1 shown, the wireless network includes gNB 101 (e.g., a base station, BS), gNB 102, and gNB 103. gNB 101 communicates with gNB 102 and gNB 103. gNB 101 also communicates with at least one network 130 such as the Internet, a proprietary Internet protocol (IP) network, or other data network.

[0032] gNB 102 provides wireless broadband access to network 130 for a plurality of first user equipment (UE) located within the coverage area 120 of gNB 102. The plurality of first UEs includes: UE 111, which may be located in a small business; UE 112, which may be located in an enterprise; UE 113, which may be a WiFi hotspot; UE 114, which may be located in a first residence; UE 115, which may be located in a second residence; and UE 116, which may be a mobile device such as a cellular phone, a wireless laptop computer, a wireless PDA, etc. gNB 103 provides wireless broadband access to network 130 for a plurality of second UEs located within the coverage area 125 of gNB 103. The plurality of second UEs includes UE 115 and UE 116. In some embodiments, one or more of gNBs 101 to 103 may use 5G / NR, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A), WiMAX, WiFi, or other wireless communication technologies to communicate with each other and with UEs 111 to 116.

[0033] In another example, UE 116 can be within network coverage, and another UE can be outside network coverage (e.g., UEs 111A to 111C). In yet another example, both UEs are outside network coverage. In some embodiments, one or more of gNBs 101 to 103 can communicate with each other and with UEs 111 to 116 using 5G / NR, LTE, LTE-A, WiMAX, WiFi, or other wireless communication technologies. In some embodiments, UEs 111 to 116 can communicate using a device-to-device (D2D) interface known as PC5 (e.g., also known as sidelink at the physical layer).

[0034] Depending on the network type, the term "base station" or "BS" can refer to any component (or collection of components) configured to provide wireless access to a network, such as a transmission point (TP), a transmit-receive point (TRP), an enhanced base station (eNodeB or eNB), a 5G / NR base station (gNB), a macro base station, a femto base station, a WiFi access point (AP), or other wireless-capable device. The base station can provide wireless access according to one or more wireless communication protocols, e.g., 5G / NR 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) NR, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced (LTE-A), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Wi-Fi 802.11a / b / g / n / ac, etc. For convenience, the terms "BS" and "TRP" may be used interchangeably in this patent document to refer to the network infrastructure component that provides wireless access to a remote terminal. Additionally, depending on the network type, the term "user equipment" or "UE" can refer to any component such as a "mobile station", "subscriber station", "remote terminal", "wireless terminal", "reception point", or "user device". For convenience, the terms "user equipment" and "UE" are used in this patent document to refer to the remote wireless device that wirelessly accesses the BS, whether the UE is a mobile device (such as a mobile phone or a smart phone) or is generally considered a fixed device (such as a desktop computer or a vending machine).

[0035] The dashed lines illustrate the approximate extent of coverage areas 120 and 125, which are shown as approximately circular for purposes of illustration and explanation only. It should be clearly understood that the coverage areas associated with a gNB (such as coverage areas 120 and 125) can have other shapes, including irregular shapes, depending on the configuration of the gNB and variations in the radio environment associated with natural and man-made obstacles.

[0036] As described in more detail below, one or more of UEs 111 to 116 include circuitry, programming, or a combination thereof for transmitting and / or receiving signaling for grid-based positioning operations in a wireless communication system. In certain embodiments, one or more of gNBs 101 to 103 include circuitry, programming, or a combination thereof to support grid-based positioning in a wireless communication system.

[0037] Although Figure 1 an example of a wireless network is shown, various changes may be made Figure 1 thereto. For example, a wireless network may include any number of gNBs and any number of UEs arranged in any suitable manner. Additionally, gNB 101 may communicate directly with any number of UEs and provide wireless broadband access to network 130 to those UEs. Similarly, each of gNBs 102 to 103 may each communicate directly with network 130 and provide direct wireless broadband access to the UEs to network 130. Further, gNBs 101, 102, and / or 103 may provide access to other or additional external networks (such as, an external telephone network or other types of data networks).

[0038] As discussed in more detail below, wireless network 100 may have communications facilitated via one or more devices (e.g., UEs 111A to 111C) that may have SL communication and / or SL positioning with UE 111. For example, in cases where UEs 111A to 111C are located remotely, or in other situations where assistance for a network access connection that covers traditional fronthaul and / or backhaul connection / interfaces is needed or a network access connection in addition to traditional fronthaul and / or backhaul connection / interfaces (e.g., BS 102) is needed, UE 111 may communicate directly with UEs 111A to 111C via a set of SLs (e.g., SL interfaces) to provide sidelink communication. In one example, UE 111 may communicate directly with UEs 111A to 111C via SL communication with or without the support of BS 102. Various UEs (e.g., as depicted by UEs 112 to 116) may be able to communicate and / or perform positioning one or more times with their other UEs (such as UEs 111A to 111C for UE 111).

[0039] Figure 2 An exemplary gNB 102 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 2 The illustrated embodiment of gNB 102 is for illustrative purposes only, and Figure 1 gNBs 101 and 103 may have the same or similar configurations. However, gNBs have a wide variety of configurations, and Figure 2 the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to any particular implementation of gNBs.

[0040] As shown Figure 2 in FIG. 1, gNB 102 includes a plurality of antennas 205a to 205n, a plurality of transceivers 210a to 210n, a controller / processor 225, a memory 230, and a backhaul or network interface 235.

[0041] The transceivers 210a to 210n receive incoming RF signals from the antennas 205a to 205n, such as signals transmitted by UEs in network 100. The transceivers 210a to 210n down-convert the incoming RF signals to generate IF or baseband signals. The IF or baseband signals are processed by receive (RX) processing circuitry in the transceivers 210a to 210n and / or the controller / processor 225, which generates a processed baseband signal by filtering, decoding, and / or digitizing the baseband or IF signal. The controller / processor 225 may further process the baseband signal.

[0042] Transmit (TX) processing circuitry in the transceivers 210a to 210n and / or the controller / processor 225 receives analog or digital data (such as voice data, network data, email, or interactive video game data) from the controller / processor 225. The TX processing circuitry encodes, multiplexes, and / or digitizes the outgoing baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IF signal. The transceivers 210a to 210n up-convert the baseband or IF signal to an RF signal transmitted via the antennas 205a to 205n.

[0043] The controller / processor 225 may include one or more processors or other processing devices that control the overall operation of the gNB 102. For example, the controller / processor 225 may control the transceivers 210a to 210n to receive UL channels and / or signals and transmit DL channels and / or signals according to well-known principles. The controller / processor 225 may also support additional functions, such as more advanced wireless communication functions. For example, the controller / processor 225 may support beamforming or directional routing operations, where outgoing / incoming signals from / to the plurality of antennas 205a to 205n are weighted differently to effectively direct the outgoing signal in a desired direction. Various other functions may be supported in the gNB 102 via the controller / processor 225.

[0044] The controller / processor 225 is also capable of executing programs and other processes resident in the memory 230, such as an OS. The controller / processor 225 may move data into or out of the memory 230 as required by the executing processes. The controller / processor 225 is also capable of executing programs and other processes resident in the memory 230, such as processes for providing or supporting grid-based positioning in a wireless communication system.

[0045] The controller / processor 225 is also coupled to a fronthaul or network interface 235. The fronthaul or network interface 235 allows the gNB 102 to communicate with other devices or systems via a fronthaul connection or via a network. The interface 235 may support communication via any suitable wired or wireless connection. For example, when the gNB 102 is implemented as part of a cellular communication system (such as a cellular communication system supporting 5G / NR, LTE, or LTE-A), the interface 235 may allow the gNB 102 to communicate with other gNBs via a wired or wireless fronthaul connection. When the gNB 102 is implemented as an access point, the interface 235 may allow the gNB 102 to communicate with a larger network (such as the Internet) via a wired or wireless local area network or via a wired or wireless connection. The interface 235 includes any suitable structure that supports communication via a wired or wireless connection (such as Ethernet or a transceiver).

[0046] The memory 230 is coupled to the controller / processor 225. A portion of the memory 230 may include RAM, and another portion of the memory 230 may include flash memory or other ROM.

[0047] Although Figure 2 an example of the gNB 102 is shown, various changes may be made Figure 2 thereto. For example, the gNB 102 may include any number of Figure 2 each of the components shown. Additionally,[[]] Figure 2 the various components in

[0048] Figure 3 An exemplary UE 116 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 3 The illustrated embodiment of the UE 116 is for illustrative purposes only, and Figure 1 UEs 111 to 115 may have the same or similar configurations. However, UEs have a wide variety of configurations, and Figure 3 the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to any particular implementation of the UE.

[0049] As Figure 3 shown, the UE 116 includes an antenna 305, a transceiver 310, and a microphone 320. The UE 116 also includes a speaker 330, a processor 340, an input / output (I / O) interface (IF) 345, an input terminal 350, a display 355, and a memory 360. The memory 360 includes an operating system (OS) 361 and one or more applications 362.

[0050] The transceiver 310 receives an incoming RF signal transmitted by the gNB of the network 100 or by another UE on the SL channel (e.g., one or more of UEs 111 to 115) from the antenna 305. The transceiver 310 down-converts the incoming RF signal to generate an intermediate frequency (IF) or baseband signal. The IF or baseband signal is processed by the RX processing circuitry in the transceiver 310 and / or the processor 340, which generates a processed baseband signal by filtering, decoding, and / or digitizing the baseband or IF signal. The RX processing circuitry sends the processed baseband signal to the speaker 330 (such as for voice data) or is processed by the processor 340 (such as for web browsing data).

[0051] The TX processing circuitry in the transceiver 310 and / or the processor 340 receives analog or digital voice data from the microphone 320 or other outgoing baseband data (such as web data, email, or interactive video game data) from the processor 340. The TX processing circuitry encodes, multiplexes, and / or digitizes the outgoing baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IF signal. The transceiver 310 up-converts the baseband or IF signal to an RF signal transmitted via the antenna 305.

[0052] The processor 340 may include one or more processors or other processing devices and executes the OS 361 stored in the memory 360 to control the overall operation of the UE 116. For example, the processor 340 may control the transceiver 310 to receive DL channels and / or signals or SL channels and / or signals and transmit UL channels and / or signals or SL channels and / or signals according to well-known principles. In some embodiments, the processor 340 includes at least one microprocessor or microcontroller.

[0053] The processor 340 is also capable of executing other processes and programs residing in the memory 360, such as processes for grid-based positioning operations in a wireless communication system. The processor 340 may move data into or out of the memory 360 as needed for executing processes. In some embodiments, the processor 340 is configured to execute the application program 362 based on the OS 361 or in response to a signal received from the gNB or another SL UE or the operator. The processor 340 is also coupled to the I / O interface 345, which provides the UE 116 with the ability to connect to other devices (such as laptop computers and handheld computers). The I / O interface 345 is a communication path between these accessories and the processor 340.

[0054] The processor 340 is also coupled to an input terminal 350 (which includes, for example, a touch screen, a keypad, etc.) and a display 355. An operator of the UE 116 can use the input terminal 350 to input data into the UE 116. The display 355 can be a liquid crystal display, a light-emitting diode display, or other display capable of presenting text and / or at least limited graphics (such as from a website).

[0055] A memory 360 is coupled to the processor 340. A portion of the memory 360 can include random access memory (RAM), and another portion of the memory 360 can include flash memory or other read-only memory (ROM).

[0056] Although Figure 3 one example of the UE 116 is shown, various changes can be made to Figure 3 it. For example, Figure 3 the various components in Figure 3 can be combined, further subdivided, or omitted, and additional components can be added according to specific needs. As a specific example, the processor 340 can be divided into multiple processors, such as one or more central processing units (CPUs) and one or more graphics processing units (GPUs). In another example, the transceiver 310 can include any number of transceivers and signal processing chains and can be connected to any number of antennas. Additionally, although

[0057] Figure 4 and Figure 5 shows an exemplary wireless transmit and receive path according to the present disclosure. In the following description, the transmit path 400 can be described as being implemented in a gNB (such as, gNB 102), while the receive path 500 can be described as being implemented in a UE (such as, UE 116). However, it can be understood that the receive path 500 can be implemented in a gNB, and the transmit path 400 can be implemented in a UE. It can also be understood that the receive path 500 can be implemented in a first UE, and the transmit path 400 can be implemented in a second UE to support grid-based positioning operations in a wireless communication system. In some embodiments, the transmit path 400 and the receive path 500 are configured to support grid-based positioning operations in a wireless communication system as described in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0058] As Figure 4 shown, the transmit path 400 includes a channel coding and modulation block 405, a serial-to-parallel (S-to-P) block 410, an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) block 415 of size N, a parallel-to-serial (P-to-S) block 420, a cyclic prefix addition block 425, and an up-conversion converter (UC) 430. AsFigure 5 The receiving path 500 shown includes a downconverter (DC) 555, a cyclic prefix removal block 560, a serial-to-parallel (S-to-P) block 565, a fast Fourier transform (FFT) block 570 of size N, a parallel-to-serial (P-to-S) block 575, and a channel decoding and demodulation block 580.

[0059] As Figure 4 shown, the channel encoding and modulation block 405 receives a set of information bits, applies encoding (such as, low density parity check (LDPC) encoding) and modulates the input bits (such as, with quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM)) to generate a sequence of frequency domain modulation symbols.

[0060] The serial-to-parallel block 410 converts (such as, demultiplexes) the serially modulated symbols into parallel data to generate N parallel symbol streams, where N is the IFFT / FFT size used in gNB 102 and UE 116. The IFFT block 415 of size N performs an IFFT operation on the N parallel symbol streams to generate a time domain output signal. The parallel-to-serial block 420 converts (such as, multiplexes) the parallel time domain output symbols from the IFFT block 415 of size N to generate a serial time domain signal. The cyclic prefix addition block 425 inserts a cyclic prefix into the time domain signal. The upconverter 430 modulates (such as, upconverts) the output of the cyclic prefix addition block 425 to an RF frequency for transmission via a wireless channel. The signal can also be filtered at baseband before conversion to the RF frequency.

[0061] The RF signal transmitted from gNB 102 or UE 115 arrives at UE 116 after passing through the wireless channel, and operations opposite to those at gNB 102 or UE 115 are performed at UE 116. The RF signal transmitted from a first UE arrives at a second UE after passing through the wireless channel, and operations opposite to those at the first UE are performed at the second UE.

[0062] As Figure 5 shown, the downconverter 555 downconverts the received signal to a baseband frequency, and the cyclic prefix removal block 560 removes the cyclic prefix to generate a serial time domain baseband signal. The serial-to-parallel block 565 converts the time domain baseband signal to a parallel time domain signal. The FFT block 570 of size N performs an FFT algorithm to generate N parallel frequency domain signals. The parallel-to-serial block 575 converts the parallel frequency domain signals to a sequence of modulated data symbols. The channel decoding and demodulation block 580 demodulates and decodes the modulated symbols to recover the original input data stream.

[0063] Each of gNBs 101 to 103 may implement a transmission path 400 similar to that transmitted to UEs 111 to 116 in the downlink as Figure 4 shown, and may implement a reception path 500 similar to that received from UEs 111 to 116 in the uplink as Figure 5 shown. Similarly, each of UEs 111 to 116 may implement a transmission path 400 for transmitting to gNBs 101 to 103 in the uplink or for transmitting to another UE in the sidelink, and may implement a reception path 500 for receiving from gNBs 101 to 103 in the downlink or for receiving from another UE in the sidelink.

[0064] Each of the components in Figure 4 and Figure 5 may be implemented using only hardware or using a combination of hardware and software / firmware. As a specific example, Figure 4 and Figure 5 at least some of the components in may be implemented in software, while other components may be implemented by configurable hardware, or a mixture of software and configurable hardware. For example, FFT block 570 and IFFT block 415 may be implemented as configurable software algorithms, where the value of size N may be modified according to the implementation.

[0065] Furthermore, although described as using FFT and IFFT, this is by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Other types of transforms may be used, such as discrete Fourier transform (DFT) and inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) functions. It can be understood that the value of variable N may be any integer (such as 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) for DFT and IDFT functions, while the value of variable N may be any integer that is a power of two (such as 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc.) for FFT and IFFT functions.

[0066] Although Figure 4 and Figure 5 show examples of wireless transmission and reception paths, various changes may be made to Figure 4 and Figure 5 . For example, Figure 4 and Figure 5 the various components in may be combined, further subdivided or omitted, and additional components may be added according to specific needs. Additionally, Figure 4 and Figure 5 are intended to show examples of the types of transmission and reception paths that may be used in a wireless network. Any other suitable architecture may be used to support wireless communication in a wireless network.

[0067] The time unit for DL signaling, for UL signaling, or for SL signaling in a cell is a symbol. The symbol belongs to a time slot that includes a plurality of symbols (such as 14 symbols). The time slot can also be used as a time unit. A bandwidth (BW) unit is referred to as a resource block (RB). One RB includes a plurality of subcarriers (SC). For example, a time slot can have a duration of one millisecond, and an RB can have a bandwidth of 180 kHz and include 12 SCs, where the SC spacing is 15 kHz. As another example, a time slot can have a duration of 0.25 milliseconds and include 14 symbols, and an RB can have a BW of 720 kHz and include 12 SCs, where the SC spacing is 60 kHz. The RB in one symbol of a time slot is referred to as a physical RB (PRB) and includes a plurality of resource elements (RE). A time slot can be a full DL time slot or a full UL time slot, or a hybrid time slot similar to a special subframe in a time division duplex (TDD) system. Additionally, a time slot can have symbols for SL communication and / or SL positioning. A UE can be configured with one or more bandwidth parts (BWP) of the system BW for transmitting or receiving signals or channels.

[0068] NR supports positioning on the Uu interface. In the DL, the gNB can transmit positioning reference signals (PRS) to the UE to enable the UE to perform positioning measurements. In the UL, the UE can transmit sounding reference signals (SRS) for the gNB to perform positioning measurements. UE measurement values or metrics for positioning include: DL PRS reference signal received power (DL PRS RSRP), DL PRS reference signal received path power (DL PRS-RSRPP), DL reference signal time difference (DL RSTD), UE Rx-Tx time difference, DL reference signal carrier phase (DL RSCP), DL reference signal carrier phase difference (DL RSCPD), NR enhanced cell ID (E-CID), DL SSB radio resource management (RRM) measurements, and NR E-CID DL CSI-RS RRM measurements. UE measurements for positioning on the SL interface include: sidelink PRS reference signal received power (SL PRS-RSRP), sidelink PRS reference signal received path power (SL PRS-RSRPP), sidelink relative time of arrival (SL-RTOA), sidelink angle of arrival (SL AoA), sidelink Rx-Tx time difference, and sidelink reference signal time difference (SL RSTD). NG-RAN measurements for positioning include: UL relative time of arrival (UL-RTOA), UL angle of arrival (UL AoA), UL SRS reference signal received power (UL SRS-RSRP), UL SRS reference signal received path power (UL SRS-RSRPP), gNB Rx-Tx time difference, and UL reference signal carrier phase (UL RSCP). NR has introduced several positioning methods according to the RAT: time difference of arrival-based methods such as DL time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA), UL time difference of arrival (UL TDOA), and SL time difference of arrival (SL TDOA); angle-based methods such as UL angle of arrival (UL AoA), DL angle of departure (DL AoD), and SL angle of arrival (SL AoA); multi-round-trip time (RTT)-based Uu interface and SL interface methods; and E-CID-based methods.

[0069] The positioning solution can be UE-based, i.e., the UE determines the location, or it can also be UE-assisted (e.g., based on the Location Management Function (LMF)), i.e., the UE provides measurements to a network entity (e.g., the LMF) to determine the location; or it can be NG-RAN node-assisted (i.e., the NG-RAN node (such as a gNB) provides measurements to the LMF). The LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP), as shown in 3GPP standard specification TS 37.355, was first introduced for LTE and then extended to NR for communication between the UE and the LMF. The NR Positioning Protocol Annex (NRPPa), as shown in 3GPP standard specification TS 38.455, is used for communication between the gNB and the LMF.

[0070] Figure 6 An example of a network positioning architecture 600 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 6 The embodiment of the network positioning architecture 600 shown is for illustrative purposes only. Figure 6 The overall positioning architecture together with positioning measurements and methods is shown.

[0071] Transmit and receive SL signals and channels on sub-channels within a resource pool, where the resource pool is a set of time-frequency resources for SL transmission and reception within an SL BWP. The SL channels include a Physical SL Shared Channel (PSSCH) that conveys data information and second-level / partial SL Control Information (SCI), a Physical SL Control Channel (PSCCH) that conveys first-level / partial SCI to schedule the transmission / reception of the PSSCH, a Physical SL Feedback Channel (PSFCH) that conveys Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Acknowledgment (HARQ-ACK) information in response to correct (ACK value) or incorrect (NACK value) transmission block reception in the corresponding PSSCH, and the PSFCH can also convey collision information, and a Physical SL Broadcast Channel (PSBCH) that conveys system information to assist SL synchronization.

[0072] The SL signals include Demodulation Reference Signals (DM-RS) multiplexed in the PSSCH or PSCCH transmission to assist in data or SCI demodulation, Channel State Information Reference Signals (CSI-RS) for channel measurement, Phase Tracking Reference Signals (PT-RS) for tracking carrier phase, and an SL Primary Synchronization Signal (S-PSS) and an SL Secondary Synchronization Signal (S-SSS) for SL synchronization. The SCI can include two parts / levels corresponding to two respective SCI formats, where, for example, the first SCI format is multiplexed on the PSCCH and the second SCI format is multiplexed with the SL data on the PSSCH, and the PSSCH is transmitted in the physical resources indicated by the first SCI format.

[0073] The SL channel can operate in different broadcast modes. In unicast mode, the PSCCH / PSSCH transfers SL information from one UE to only another UE. In multicast mode, the PSCCH / PSSCH transfers SL information from one UE to a group of UEs within a (pre-)configured set. In broadcast mode, the PSCCH / PSSCH transfers SL information from one UE to all surrounding UEs. In NR Release 16, there are two resource allocation modes for PSCCH / PSSCH transmission. In resource allocation mode 1, the gNB schedules the UE on SL and transfers the scheduling information to the UE transmitting on SL via a DCI format (e.g., DCI format 3_0) transmitted from the gNB on DL. In resource allocation mode 2, the UE schedules the SL transmission. The SL transmission can operate within the network coverage area, where each UE is within the communication range of the gNB, outside the network coverage area (where all UEs are not communicating with any gNB), or with partial network coverage (where only some UEs are within the communication range of the gNB).

[0074] In the case of multicast PSCCH / PSSCH transmission, the UE can be (pre-)configured with one of two options for the UE to report HARQ-ACK information: (1) HARQ-ACK reporting option 1: For example, if the UE detects the SCI format for scheduling the TB reception via the corresponding PSSCH, the UE can attempt to decode the transport block (TB) in the PSSCH reception. If the UE fails to correctly decode the TB, the UE multiplexes the negative acknowledgment (NACK) in the PSFCH transmission. In this option, when the UE correctly decodes the TB, the UE does not transmit the PSFCH with the positive acknowledgment (ACK); and (2) HARQ-ACK reporting option 2: For example, if the UE detects the SCI format for scheduling the corresponding PSSCH, the UE can attempt to decode the TB. If the UE correctly decodes the TB, the UE multiplexes the ACK in the PSFCH transmission; otherwise, if the UE fails to correctly decode the TB, the UE multiplexes the NACK in the PSFCH transmission.

[0075] In HARQ-ACK reporting option 1, when the UE transmitting the PSSCH detects the NACK in the PSFCH reception, the UE can transmit another PSSCH with the TB (retransmission of the TB). In HARQ-ACK reporting option 2, when the UE transmitting the PSSCH does not detect the ACK in the PSFCH reception, such as when the UE detects the NACK or does not detect the PSFCH reception, the UE can transmit another PSSCH with the TB.

[0076] The sidelink resource pool includes a set / pool of time slots and a set / pool of RBs for sidelink transmission and sidelink reception. The set of time slots belonging to the sidelink resource pool can be represented by: , and can be configured, for example, using at least a bitmap. Wherein, is the number of SL time slots in the resource pool (e.g., in 1024 frames). In each time slot of the sidelink resource pool, there are consecutive subchannels in the frequency domain for sidelink transmission, where is provided by a higher layer parameter. The subchannels (where is between 0 and ) are given by a set of consecutive PRBs, given by , where , and are provided by higher layer parameters.

[0077] For resource (re)selection or re-evaluation in a time slot , the UE can determine a set of available single time slot resources for transmission within a resource selection window , such that the single time slot resource for transmission is defined as a set of consecutive subchannels , where in the time slot , . is determined by the UE such that , where is the PSSCH processing time, for example, as defined in TS 38.214. is determined by the UE such that as long as , , otherwise is equal to the remaining packet delay budget. is configured by a higher layer and depends on the priority of SL transmission.

[0078] The time slots of the SL resource pool are determined as shown in Table 1.

[0079] Table 1.

[0080] The time slots can be numbered (indexed) as physical time slots or logical time slots, where physical time slots include all sequentially numbered time slots, while logical time slots only include the sequentially numbered time slots assigned to the sidelink resource pool as described above. From the physical duration Conversion (in milliseconds) to logical time slots is given by (as shown in 3GPP standard specification 38.214).

[0081] For resource (re)selection or re-evaluation in a time slot the UE may determine, within a resource selection window the set of available single time slot resources for transmission such that the single time slot resources for transmission are defined as a group of consecutive subchannels wherein in a time slot . is determined by the UE such that where is the PSSCH processing time, e.g., as defined in the 3GPP standard specification (TS 38.214). is determined by the UE such that as long as otherwise is equal to the remaining packet delay budget. is configured by the higher layers and depends on the priority of the SL transmission.

[0082] Resource (re)selection is a two-step process: (1) The first step (e.g., performed in the physical layer) is to identify candidate resources within the resource selection window. Candidate resources are resources belonging to the resource pool but excluding resources that have been previously reserved or are potentially reserved by other UEs (e.g., resource exclusion). The excluded resources are based on the SCI of the SL RSRP that has been decoded in the sensing window and measured by the UE to exceed a threshold. The threshold depends on the priority indicated in the SCI format and on the priority of the SL transmission. Thus, sensing within the sensing window involves decoding the first-level SCI and measuring the corresponding SL RSRP, where the SL RSRP can be based on the PSCCH DMRS or the PSSCH DMRS. Sensing is performed on time slots in which the UE does not transmit SL. The excluded resources are based on reserved transmissions or semi-persistent transmissions that may conflict with the excluded resources, or may conflict with any of the reserved or semi-persistent transmissions; candidate resources identified after providing resource exclusion to the higher layers; and (2) The second step (e.g., performed in the higher layers) is to select or reselect resources from the identified candidate resources for PSSCH / PSCCH transmission.

[0083] During the first step of the resource (re)selection process, the UE may, within a sensing window ​​Medium monitoring time slot, where the UE monitors time slots in the corresponding sidelink TX resource pool that are not used for its own transmission. To determine the candidate single time slot resource set to be reported to the higher layer, the UE excludes (e.g., resource exclusion) from the set of available single time slot resources available for SL transmission within the TX resource pool and within the resource selection window, as shown in Table 2.

[0084] Table 2.

[0085] NR sidelink introduces two new procedures for mode 2 resource allocation: re-evaluation and preemption.

[0086] When the UE checks the availability of preselected SL resources before first signaling the resources in SCI format and, if necessary, reselects new SL resources, a re-evaluation check is performed. For preselected resources signaled for the first time in a time slot the UE performs a re-evaluation check at least in the time slot The re-evaluation check includes: (1) performing the first step of the SL resource selection process (as shown in 3GPP standard specification 38.214), which involves identifying the set of candidate (e.g., available) sidelink resources in the resource selection window, as previously described; (2) if the preselected resource in the set of candidate sidelink resources is available, using / signaling that resource for sidelink transmission; and (3) otherwise, if the preselected resource in the set of candidate sidelink resources is unavailable, reselecting a new sidelink resource from the set of candidate sidelink resources.

[0087] When the UE checks the availability of preselected SL resources that have been previously signaled and reserved in SCI format and, if necessary, reselects new SL resources, a preemption check is performed. For preselected and reserved resources to be signaled in a time slot

[0088] the UE performs a preemption check at least in the time slot When the higher layer enables the preemption check, the preemption check includes: (1) performing the first step of the SL resource selection process (as shown in 3GPP standard specification 38.214), which involves identifying the set of candidate (e.g., available) sidelink resources in the resource selection window, as previously described; (2) if the preselected and reserved resource in the set of candidate sidelink resources is available, using / signaling that resource for sidelink transmission; and (3) otherwise, if the preselected and reserved resource in the set of candidate sidelink resources is unavailable. Due to the priority value the UE performs a preemption check at least in the time slot

[0089] ​ The associated SCI has an RSRP exceeding the threshold and excludes the resource from the candidate resource set. Let the priority value for the sidelink resource being checked for preemption be . If the priority value is less than the threshold configured by the higher layer and the priority value is less than the priority value , preempt the preselected and reserved sidelink resource. Reselect a new sidelink resource from the candidate sidelink resource set. It should be noted that a lower priority value indicates a higher priority service. Otherwise, use / signal the resource for sidelink transmission.

[0090] The positioning solution provided for Release 16 addresses the following commercial requirements for commercial applications, as shown in Table 3.

[0091] Table 3.

[0092] To meet these requirements, positioning schemes based on RAT, independent of RAT, and combinations of RAT-based and RAT-independent positioning schemes have been considered. For RAT-based positioning schemes, time-based positioning schemes and angle-based positioning schemes have been considered. For time-based positioning schemes, NR supports downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA) and uses PRS for time-of-arrival measurements. NR also supports uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA) and uses SRS for time-of-arrival measurements. In Release 18, NR introduced SL positioning and supports SL time difference of arrival (SL-TDOA) using SL PRS.

[0093] NR also supports round-trip time (RTT) with one or more neighboring gNBs or TRPs, as well as RTT between UEs. For angle-based positioning schemes, NR utilizes the beam-based air interface and supports downlink angle of departure (DL-AoD), uplink angle of arrival (UL-AoA), and sidelink angle of arrival (SL-AoA). In addition, NR supports positioning schemes based on enhanced cell-ID (E-CID). RAT-independent positioning schemes can be based on global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), WLAN (e.g., WiFi), Bluetooth, terrestrial beacon systems (TBS), and sensors inside the UE, such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, etc. Some UE sensors are also referred to as inertial measurement units (IMU).

[0094] As NR expands into new vertical domains, there is a need to provide improved and enhanced positioning capabilities to meet various regulatory and commercial positioning requirements. 3GPP SA1 considered the service requirements for high-precision positioning in TS 22.261 and identified seven positioning service levels with different precision levels (horizontal and vertical precision), positioning availability, latency requirements, and positioning types (absolute or relative).

[0095] One of the positioning service levels is relative positioning (as shown in 3GPP standard specification TS22.261), where the horizontal and vertical precision is 0.2 m, the availability is 99%, the latency is 1 second, and it is applicable to both indoor and outdoor environments with a speed of up to 30 km / hr, and the distance between UEs or between a UE and a 5G positioning node is 10 m.

[0096] Release 17 further enhanced the precision, latency, reliability, and efficiency of the positioning solutions for commercial and industrial IoT (IIoT) applications. The goal is to achieve sub-meter precision for commercial applications with a target latency of less than 100 ms, and precision better than 20 cm for IIoT applications with a target latency of around 10 ms.

[0097] In Release 17, the 3GPP standard specification provided positioning use cases and requirements for V2X and public safety and identified potential deployment and operation scenarios. The results of this research project are included in TR 38.845.

[0098] Figure 7 An example of the LMF 700 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 7 The illustrated embodiment of the LMF 700 is for illustrative purposes only. However, the LMF has a variety of configurations and Figure 7 does not limit the scope of the present disclosure to any specific implementation of the LMF.

[0099] As Figure 7 shown, the LMF includes a controller / processor 705, a memory 710, and a fronthaul or network interface 715.

[0100] The controller / processor 705 may include one or more processors or other processing means for controlling the overall operation of the LMF 700. For example, the controller / processor 705 may support functions related to positioning and location services. The controller / processor 705 may support any one of a variety of other functions in the LMF 700. In some embodiments, the controller / processor 705 includes at least one microprocessor or microcontroller.

[0101] The controller / processor 705 is also capable of executing programs and other processes resident in the memory, such as the basic OS. In some embodiments, the controller / processor 705 supports communication between entities such as gNB 102 and UE 116 and supports protocols such as the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) and the NR Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa). The controller / processor 705 can move data into or out of the memory 710 as required by the execution process.

[0102] The controller / processor 705 is also coupled to a backhaul or network interface 715. The backhaul or network interface 715 allows the LMF 700 to communicate with other devices or systems via a backhaul connection or via the network. The interface 715 can support communication via any suitable wired or wireless connection. For example, when the LMF 700 is implemented as part of a cellular communication system (such as supporting 5G, LTE, or LTE-A) or a wired or wireless local area network, the interface can allow the LMF 700 to communicate with a gNB or eNB or other network elements via a wired or wireless backhaul connection. The interface 715 includes any suitable structure that supports communication via a wired or wireless connection (such as an Ethernet or RF transceiver).

[0103] The memory 710 is coupled to the controller / processor 705. A portion of the memory 710 can include RAM, and another portion of the memory 710 can include flash memory or other ROM. In certain embodiments, multiple instructions (such as positioning or location algorithms) are stored in the memory. The multiple instructions are configured to cause the controller / processor to perform positioning or location processing and to execute a positioning or location service algorithm.

[0104] V2X positioning requirements depend on the services that the UE operates and apply to both absolute and relative positioning. Use cases include indoor, outdoor, and tunnel areas, within or outside network coverage; and situations where GNSS-based positioning is available or not available or not accurate enough; and situations where the UE speed is up to 250 km / h. There are three sets of requirements for V2X use cases: the first set has a horizontal accuracy in the range of 10 m to 50 m, the second set has a horizontal accuracy in the range of 1 m to 3 m, and the third set has a horizontal accuracy in the range of 0.1 m to 0.5 m. The 5G system can also support determining the speed of the UE with a speed accuracy better than 0.5 m / s and a three-dimensional direction accuracy better than 5 degrees. Public safety positioning supports indoor and outdoor use cases, regardless of whether they are within or outside network coverage; and also regardless of whether GNSS-based positioning is available or the positioning accuracy is sufficient. The goal of public safety positioning use cases is to achieve a horizontal accuracy of 1 meter and a vertical accuracy of 2 m (absolute) or 0.3 m (relative).

[0105] For the deployment and operation scenarios of in - coverage, partial - coverage, and out - of - coverage NR positioning use cases, 3GPP TR 38.845 has identified the following: (1) For network coverage, in - network coverage, partial network coverage, and out - of - network coverage. Except for scenarios without GNSS and / or without network coverage; (2) Radio links: Solutions based on the Uu interface (UL / DL interface), solutions based on the PC5 interface (SL interface), and their combinations (hybrid solutions). And RAT - independent solutions such as GNSS and sensors; (3) Positioning calculation entities: Network - based positioning when the positioning estimate is performed by the network, and UE - based positioning when the positioning estimate is performed by the UE; (4) UE types: For V2X UEs, this can be a UE installed in a vehicle, a roadside unit (RSU), or a vulnerable road user (VRU). Some UEs can have distributed antennas, e.g., multiple antenna patterns available for positioning. UEs can have different power limitations, e.g., VRUs or handheld UEs have limited energy supplies compared to other UEs; and (5) Spectrum: This can include licensed and unlicensed spectrum for the Uu interface and the PC5 interface, and ITS - specific spectrum for the PC5 interface.

[0106] In the present disclosure, a configuration process and signaling operation for grid - based positioning or crowd positioning are provided, where a user uses positioning measurement values or metrics and / or positioning locations of other neighboring UEs when attempting to determine the positioning of a UE. Each UE can transmit a positioning reference signal (e.g., SL positioning reference signal) and positioning measurement values or metrics and / or location information to neighboring UEs.

[0107] Each UE can also receive and measure the positioning reference signal from neighboring UEs. In one example, the UE provides these measurement values and its location information to neighboring UEs. In another example, the UE provides these measurement values to the network, such as a gNB or an LMF. In one example, the UE uses the measurement values performed by the UE and the measurement values and / or location information of neighboring UEs to determine its location. In another example, the network (e.g., a gNB or an LMF) uses the positioning measurement values or metrics and / or location information provided by the UE to jointly determine the location of the UE.

[0108] SL is a promising feature of NR, targeting vertical sectors such as the automotive industry, public safety, industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and other commercial applications. 3GPP Release 16 is the first NR release to include side links through the work item "5G V2X with NR Side Links", focusing on meeting the requirements of V2X and public safety. In Release 17, the support for SL has been extended to other types of UEs, such as vulnerable road users (VRUs), pedestrian UEs (PUEs), and other types of handheld devices, by supporting power saving mechanisms for SL resource allocation and mechanisms to enhance the reliability of SL transmissions and reduce latency.

[0109] In Release 18, SL is evolving to support SL operations in unlicensed spectrum, coexistence between SL LTE and SL NR in the same frequency band, and SL operations in FR2, with a focus on beam management aspects. Another feature supported by NR is positioning, using the NR radio interface to perform positioning measurements or metrics to determine or assist in determining the location of a UE. NR positioning was first introduced in Release 16 through the work item "NR Positioning Support" using the Uu interface. Release 17 further improved the accuracy of NR-based positioning and reduced latency through the work item "NR Positioning Enhancements", as discussed by the 3GPP standards committee.

[0110] In Release 17, studies were conducted in the RAN on "Scenarios and Requirements for In-Coverage, Partial-Coverage, and Out-of-Coverage Positioning Use Cases", with accuracy requirements in the range of tens of centimeters, using the PC5 interface and the Uu interface for absolute and relative positioning. In Release 18, research projects were introduced, followed by work items, to study and standardize SL positioning.

[0111] In the present disclosure, methods and signaling for grid positioning are provided. In a certain area, there may be multiple UEs performing SL positioning, and other types of positioning measurements or metrics may be performed. To perform SL positioning, a UE performs positioning measurements on positioning reference signals transmitted by other UEs, and such measurements may include RTT-based measurements (e.g., Tx-Rx time difference measurements), SL-AoA-based measurements, and SL-TDOA-based measurements. In practice, these measurements are vulnerable to measurement errors at the UE performing the measurements and errors introduced by the UE transmitting the positioning reference signals.

[0112] For UE-based positioning, one way to mitigate such errors is to enable the UE to access the positioning measurements or metrics and / or location information of neighboring UEs on the positioning reference signal it is measuring, which can allow the UE to correct and mitigate the impact of measurement errors.

[0113] For UE-assisted positioning and / or NG-RAN-based positioning, the network (e.g., gNB or LMF) may use positioning measurements or metrics from multiple UEs when determining the location of a UE.

[0114] This disclosure relates to a 5G / NR communication system.

[0115] This disclosure introduces signaling and methods for: (1) reporting positioning measurements or metrics and / or location information to neighboring UEs; (2) receiving positioning measurements or metrics and / or location information from neighboring UEs for use with its own positioning measurements to determine the location of the UE; and (3) the network (e.g., gNB and LMF) using positioning measurements or metrics from multiple UEs to determine the location of the UE.

[0116] In this disclosure, RRC signaling (e.g., via configuration of RRC signaling) includes the following: (1) RRC signaling over the Uu interface, which may be system information block (SIB)-based RRC signaling (e.g., SIB1 or other SIBs) or RRC dedicated signaling sent to a specific UE, and / or (2) PC5-RRC signaling over the PC5 or SL interface.

[0117] In this disclosure, MAC CE signaling includes: (1) MAC CE signaling over the Uu interface and / or (2) MAC CE signaling over the PC5 or SL interface.

[0118] In this disclosure, L1 control signaling includes: (1) L1 control signaling over the Uu interface, which may include (1a) DL control information (e.g., DCI on PDCCH) and / or (1b) UL control information (e.g., UCI on PUCCH or PUSCH), and / or (2) SL control information over the PC5 or SL interface, which may include (2a) first-level sidelink control information (e.g., first-level SCI on PSCCH) and / or (2b) second-level sidelink control information (e.g., second-level SCI on PSSCH) and / or (2c) feedback control information (e.g., control information carried on PSFCH).

[0119] In this disclosure, the SL positioning reference signal generally refers to a physical reference signal transmitted on the SL interface for assisting in determining the location of the SL UE based on measurements made on the SL positioning reference signal. In one example, the physical signal structure and / or resource allocation that the SL positioning reference signal may have is similar to that of the DL PRS used in the DL of the Uu interface in NR, except that the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted / received on the SL interface (PC5 interface).

[0120] In another example, the physical signal structure and / or resource allocation that the SL positioning reference signal can have is similar to the physical signal structure and / or resource allocation of the UL positioning SRS used in the UL of the Uu interface in NR, except that the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted / received on the SL interface (PC5 interface). In another example, the physical signal structure and / or resource allocation of the SL positioning reference signal can combine the following aspects: (1) the DLPRS used in the DL of the Uu interface in NR and (2) the UL positioning SRS used in the UL of the Uu interface in NR, except that the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted / received on the SL interface (PC5 interface). In another example, the SL positioning reference signal can have a new physical signal structure and / or resource allocation for use on the SL interface (PC5 interface). In one example, the SL positioning reference signal (SLPRS) is as described in 38.211.

[0121] In one embodiment, the network can configure the SL resources for the SL positioning reference signal and / or the SL resources for reporting SL measurement values and / or UE location information. The network can also configure the SL UE to perform SL positioning measurements.

[0122] Figure 8 An example of a UE within the coverage of network 800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 8 The embodiment of the UE within the coverage of network 800 shown is for illustration only.

[0123] As Figure 8 shown, the UE is within the network coverage. The network can configure resources for the UE, or activate or indicate UE resources for: (1) the SL positioning reference signal on the SL interface (PC5 interface); and (2) reporting SL positioning measurement values or metrics and / or UL location information on the SL interface (PC5 interface).

[0124] In another embodiment, the UE can be out of coverage, and the UE can determine the resources to be used for: (1) the SL positioning reference signal on the SL interface (PC5 interface); and (2) reporting SL positioning measurement values or metrics and / or UL location information on the SL interface (PC5 interface).

[0125] In one example, the UE is (pre)-configured with the above resources. In one example, the UE determines the resources based on sensing (e.g., full sensing or partial sensing) on the SL interface and determining the available resources. In one example, the UE determines the resources based on random resource selection (e.g., within a resource pool) on the SL interface.

[0126] The SL positioning reference signal is a reference signal transmitted by a first UE on the SL interface. The SL positioning reference signal (SLPRS) is received by one or more second UEs, where the second UEs perform SL positioning measurements on the SL positioning reference signal. In one example, the SL PRS is unicast from a first UE to a second UE. In one example, the SL PRS is multicast from a first UE to a group of second UEs. In one example, the SL PRS is broadcast from a first UE to each second UE (e.g., each UE adjacent to the first UE). The SL positioning measurement value or metric is a measurement value that helps to discover the position of the SL UE, e.g., the absolute position of the first SL UE and / or the absolute position of the second SL UE, and / or the relative position of the first SL UE with respect to the second SL UE, and / or the relative position of the second SL UE with respect to the first SL UE. The absolute position is defined in a reference frame, e.g., a global reference frame (e.g., using latitude and longitude and / or altitude).

[0127] The SL positioning measurement value or metric may include one or more of the following: (1) SL reference signal time difference (SLRSTD), e.g., the time difference between the reception timings of the SL PRS at a first UE of a UE and a UE . (2) SL relative time of arrival (SL RTOA), e.g., the time difference between the SL positioning reference signal received by a UE and a reference time; (3) SL reference signal received power (SL RSRP) of the SL positioning reference signal; (4) SL reference signal received path power (SLRSRPP) of the SL positioning reference signal. This refers to the power of the i-th path of the channel response; (5) SL angle of arrival (SL AoA) of the SL positioning reference signal; (6) SL Rx-Tx time difference, e.g., this may be the difference between the reception time of a first SL positioning reference signal and the transmission time of a second SL positioning reference signal; (7) SL reference signal carrier phase (SL RSCP) of the SL positioning reference signal; (8) SL reference signal phase carrier difference (SL RSCPD), e.g., the carrier phase difference between the carrier phase of the SL PRS of a UE and the carrier phase of the UE received at the UE where the phase measurement is performed; and (9) SL angle of departure (SL AoD) of the SL positioning reference signal.

[0128] Figure 9 FIG. shows an example of a plurality of UEs 900 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 9 The embodiment of the plurality of UEs 900 shown in

[0129] is for illustration only. Figure 9As shown, multiple UEs may exist in an area. One or more of the following categories of UEs may be provided: (1) UEs with known locations. For example, these may be anchor UEs, or positioning reference unit (PRU) UEs or roadside unit (RSU) UEs, whose locations are known and / or pre-determined; (2) UEs with approximately known locations. For example, these UEs use positioning measurements or metrics to determine their locations, or where their locations are informed by a network entity (e.g., gNB or LMF) based on positioning measurements or metrics; and (3) UEs with unknown locations.

[0130] In one example, a UE transmits a SL positioning reference signal. This SL positioning reference signal may be received by one or more neighboring UEs.

[0131] In one example, a UE transmits a SL positioning reference signal. This SL positioning reference signal may be received by one or more neighboring UEs. The SL positioning reference signal is broadcast to all neighboring UEs.

[0132] In one example, a UE transmits a SL positioning reference signal (SL PRS). This SL positioning reference signal may be received by one or more neighboring UEs. The SL positioning reference signal is multicast to neighboring UEs, where the UEs in the multicast set may receive the SL positioning reference signal. Multicasting may be (pre)-configured. In one example, a UE may multicast a SL positioning reference signal. In one example, a UE may multicast a first SL positioning reference signal to a first group of UEs and a second SL positioning reference signal to a second group of UEs, and so on. In one example, the members of the multicast set are part of a closed subscriber group. In one example, different time (e.g., time slot or symbol or subframe or frame) resources or occasions are used for different SL PRSs. In one example, different frequency (e.g., PRB or subchannel or subcarrier) resources or occasions are used for different SL PRSs. In one example, different time and / or frequency resources or occasions are used for different SL PRSs. In one example, resources may also be determined based on the comb shift and cyclic shift of the SLPRS. In one example, resources may also be determined based on the scrambling ID or sequence ID used for the SL PRS.

[0133] In one example, the UE transmits a SL positioning reference signal. The SL positioning reference signal can be received by neighboring UEs. The SL positioning reference signal is unicast to neighboring UEs. In one example, the UE can unicast a first SL positioning reference signal to a first UE and a second SL positioning reference signal to a second UE, and so on. In one example, different time (e.g., time slot or symbol or subframe or frame) resources or occasions are used for different SL PRSs. In one example, different frequency (e.g., PRB or subchannel or subcarrier) resources or occasions are used for different SL PRSs. In one example, different time and / or frequency resources or occasions are used for different SL PRSs. In one example, resources can also be determined based on the comb shift and cyclic shift of the SL PRS. In one example, resources can also be determined based on the scrambling ID or sequence ID used for the SL PRS.

[0134] In one example, the resources for the SL positioning reference signal are pre-configured and / or configured by a higher layer (e.g., RRC layer) and / or configured or indicated by the MAC layer and / or physical layer.

[0135] In one example, the resources for the SL positioning reference signal are determined based on sensing (e.g., full sensing or partial sensing) on the SL interface (e.g., in a resource pool), determining candidate resources available for SL positioning reference signal transmission, and selecting resources from the candidate resources available for SL positioning reference signal transmission. In one example, the resources for the SL positioning reference signal are determined based on random resource selection (e.g., without sensing) on the SL interface (e.g., in a resource pool).

[0136] In one example, the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted in a dedicated resource pool for SL positioning reference signal transmission.

[0137] In one example, the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted in a dedicated resource pool for SL positioning. For example, the resource pool can include SL positioning reference signal transmission and positioning reports (e.g., SL measurement values and / or UE location information).

[0138] In one example, the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted in a resource pool shared with SL communication.

[0139] In one example, the UE transmits a positioning report on a radio interface. In one example, the radio interface is the SL interface (e.g., PC5 interface).

[0140] In one example, the UE transmits a positioning report. The positioning report can include one or more of the following information: (1) positioning measurement values or metrics; and (2) UL location information.

[0141] In one example, the UE transmits a positioning report. The container of the positioning report can be transmitted in one of the following ways: (1) RRC signaling; (2) MAC CE; (3) first and / or second level SL control information (SCI); and (4) a combination of MAC CE and second level SL control information (SCI). In one example, the MAC CE and the second level SCI contain the same information. In another example, the information in the MAC CE and the second level SCI can be different. In one example, if the information payload is greater than (or greater than or equal to) a threshold (e.g., 140 bits), only the MAC CE is used to transmit the positioning report, otherwise, both the MAC CE and the second level SCI are used to transmit the positioning report. In one example, if the information payload is greater than (or greater than or equal to) a threshold (e.g., 140 bits), the MAC CE is used to transmit the positioning report, otherwise, the second level SCI is used to transmit the positioning report. The threshold can be specified in the system specification, and / or configured or updated through higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling on the PC5 interface and / or Uu interface) and / or MAC CE signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or Uu interface) and / or L1 control signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or Uu interface). In one example, if the threshold is not configured, a default value (e.g., 140 bits) is used.

[0142] In one example, the UE reports positioning measurements or metrics to an adjacent UE. The positioning measurements or metrics can include one or more of the following examples. Hereinafter, the resources of the SL PRS can be time resources or frequency resources or time and frequency resources. In one example, the resources of the SL PRS can also be determined based on the comb shift and cyclic shift of the SL PRS. In one example, the resources of the SL PRS can also be determined based on the scrambling ID or sequence ID used for the SL PRS.

[0143] In one example, the arrival time of the SL positioning reference signal together with an indication (or identity) of the UE from which the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, a measured timestamp (e.g., the measured time slot or symbol or occasion or resource) is also included.

[0144] In one example, the Rx - Tx time difference of the SL positioning reference signal together with an indication (or identity) of the UE from which the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, a measured timestamp (e.g., the time slot or symbol or occasion or resource of the Rx measurement and / or Tx measurement) is also included.

[0145] In one example, the time difference between two SL positioning reference signals transmitted from two UEs, along with an indication (or identity) of each UE from which the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, a measured timestamp (e.g., one or more measured time slots or symbols or opportunities or resources) is also included.

[0146] In one example, the angle of arrival of the SL positioning reference signal, along with an indication (or identity) of the UE from which the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, a measured timestamp (e.g., a measured time slot or symbol or opportunity or resource) is also included.

[0147] In one example, the carrier phase of the SL positioning reference signal, along with an indication (or identity) of the UE from which the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, a measured timestamp (e.g., a measured time slot or symbol or opportunity or resource) is also included.

[0148] In one example, the carrier phase difference between two SL positioning reference signals transmitted from two UEs, along with an indication (or identity) of each UE from which the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, a measured timestamp (e.g., one or more measured time slots or symbols or opportunities or resources) is also included.

[0149] In one example, the RSRP of the SL positioning reference signal, along with an indication (or identity) of the UE from which the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, a measured timestamp (e.g., a measured time slot or symbol or opportunity or resource) is also included.

[0150] In one example, the RSRPP of the SL positioning reference signal, along with an indication (or identity) of the UE from which the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, a measured timestamp (e.g., a measured time slot or symbol or opportunity or resource) is also included.

[0151] In one example, if the RSRP (or RSRPP, e.g., based on the maximum multipath RSRPP or the first multipath RSRPP) or SINR of the corresponding SL positioning reference signal is higher than a threshold, then one or more of the above measurements are included. Wherein, the threshold can be specified in the system specification, and / or configured or updated through higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or MAC CE signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or L1 control signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface). In one example, if the threshold is not configured, a default value is used. In one example, if the threshold is not configured, the threshold criterion is not applied.

[0152] In one example, for N UEs, one or more of the above-mentioned measurement values are included. Here, N can be specified in the system specification, and / or configured or updated through high-layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or MAC CE signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or L1 control signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface). In one example, if N is not configured, a default value is used. In one example, the N UEs are the UEs with the maximum RSRP or RSRPP (e.g., based on the maximum multipath RSRPP or the first multipath RSRPP) or SINR.

[0153] In one example, at most N UEs include one or more of the above-mentioned measurement values, where the RSRP (or RSRPP, e.g., based on the maximum multipath RSRPP or the first multipath RSRPP) or SINR exceeds a threshold. In one example, if more than N UEs have an RSRP (or RSRPP) or SINR exceeding the threshold, the N UEs with the maximum RSRP (or RSRPP) or SINR are reported. Here, N can be specified in the system specification, and / or configured or updated through high-layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or MAC CE signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or L1 control signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface). In one example, if N is not configured, a default value is used. The threshold can be specified in the system specification, and / or configured or updated through high-layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or MAC CE signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or L1 control signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface). In one example, if the threshold is not configured, a default value is used. In one example, if the threshold is not configured, the threshold criterion is not applied.

[0154] In one example, a UE reports location information to an adjacent UE. The location information can include one or more of the following: (1) UE location information, such as absolute positioning information or relative positioning information with respect to another UE or with respect to a TRP or with respect to a (Positioning Reference Unit) PRU or with respect to an RSU; and (2) an indicator of the accuracy (or confidence level) of the location information. For example, this can be high accuracy or low accuracy. In another example, the accuracy can be the error margin or tolerance or uncertainty of the location information. In one example, the UE reports the positioning measurement values or metrics as described above in a first report and reports the location information as described above in a second report. In one example, the UE reports the positioning measurement values or metrics as described above and the location information as described above in one report.

[0155] In one example, the accuracy is determined based on the type of device as described above. For example, this can be based on configuration or pre-configuration. In one example, the accuracy is determined based on the reliability of the signal used to perform the measurement (e.g., SL PRS or DL PRS). For example, if the signal used to determine the location of the UE has an RSRP or RSRPP or SINR higher than a threshold, the accuracy can be high. In one example, the accuracy is determined based on an indication from the network (e.g., LMF or gNB), for example, when the network is providing the location of the UE. In one example, the accuracy is determined based on an indication from another UE, for example, when the location of the UE is provided by another UE, or when the UE uses a positioning metric provided by another UE. In one example, the accuracy is determined based on the precision of multiple location measurements performed by or notified to the UE. For example, multiple location measurements with high precision (close to each other) from different sources can indicate high accuracy of the location of the UE.

[0156] In one example, the UE transmits a positioning report. The positioning report can be received by one or more neighboring UEs.

[0157] In one example, the UE transmits a positioning report. The positioning report can be received by one or more neighboring UEs. The positioning report is broadcast to all neighboring UEs.

[0158] In one example, the UE transmits a positioning report. The positioning report can be received by one or more neighboring UEs. The positioning report is multicast to neighboring UEs, where the UEs in the multicast set can receive the positioning report. The multicast can be (pre)-configured. In one example, the UE can multicast a positioning report. In one example, the UE can multicast a first positioning report to a first group of UEs and a second positioning report to a second group of UEs, and so on. In one example, the members of the multicast set are part of a closed subscriber group.

[0159] In one example, the UE transmits a positioning report. The positioning report can be received by neighboring UEs. The positioning report is unicast to neighboring UEs. In one example, the UE can unicast a first positioning report to a first UE and a second positioning report signal to a second UE, and so on.

[0160] In one example, the resources for the positioning report are pre-configured and / or configured by a higher layer (e.g., RRC layer) and / or configured or indicated by the MAC layer and / or physical layer.

[0161] In one example, the resources for positioning reports are determined based on sensing (e.g., full sensing or partial sensing) on the SL interface (e.g., in a resource pool) and determining candidate resources available for positioning report transmission and selecting a resource among the candidate resources available for positioning report transmission. In one example, the resources for positioning reports are determined based on random resource selection (e.g., without sensing) on the SL interface (e.g., in a resource pool).

[0162] In one example, the positioning report is transmitted in a dedicated resource pool for positioning report transmission.

[0163] In one example, the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted in a dedicated resource pool for SL positioning. For example, the resource pool may include SL positioning reference signal transmission and positioning reports (e.g., SL measurement values and / or UE location information).

[0164] In one example, the positioning report is transmitted in a resource pool shared with SL communication.

[0165] In one example, the UE receives the positioning report and uses the positioning report together with positioning measurements performed on the received SL positioning reference signal to perform positioning.

[0166] In one example, the UE transmits the positioning report on a radio interface. In one example, the radio interface is the UL interface (e.g., UL Uu interface).

[0167] In one example, the UE transmits the positioning report on a radio interface. In one example, the radio interface is the UL interface (e.g., UL Uu interface). In one example, the destination of the positioning report is the gNB (or base station or TRP).

[0168] In one example, the UE transmits the positioning report on a radio interface. In one example, the radio interface is the UL interface (e.g., UL Uu interface). In one example, the destination of the positioning report is the LMF.

[0169] In one example, the UE transmits a positioning report. The positioning report may include one or more of the following information: (1) positioning measurement values or metrics; and (2) UL location information.

[0170] In one example, the UE transmits a positioning report. The container of the positioning report can be transmitted in one of the following ways: (1) RRC signaling; (2) MAC CE; (3) uplink control information (UCI) on PUCCH or PUSCH; and (4) a combination of MAC CE and uplink control information (UCI). In one example, the same information is included in both the MAC CE and the UCI. In another example, the information in the MAC CE and the UCI can be different. In one example, if the information payload is greater than (or greater than or equal to) a threshold (e.g., 140 bits), only the MAC CE is used to transmit the positioning report; otherwise, both the MAC CE and the UCI are used to transmit the positioning report. In one example, if the information payload is greater than (or greater than or equal to) a threshold (e.g., 140 bits), the MAC CE is used to transmit the positioning report; otherwise, the UCI is used to transmit the positioning report. The threshold can be specified in the system specification, and / or configured or updated via higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or MAC CE signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or L1 control signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface). In one example, if the threshold is not configured, a default value (e.g., 140 bits) is used.

[0171] In one example, the UE reports positioning measurements or metrics to the network. The positioning measurements or metrics can include one or more of the following examples. Hereinafter, the resources of the SL PRS can be time resources or frequency resources or time and frequency resources. In one example, the resources of the SL PRS can also be determined based on the comb shift and cyclic shift of the SL PRS. In one example, the resources of the SL PRS can also be determined based on the scrambling ID or sequence ID used for the SL PRS.

[0172] In one example, the arrival time of the SL positioning reference signal together with an indication (or identity) of the UE from which the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, the measured timestamp (e.g., the measured time slot or symbol or occasion or resource) is also included.

[0173] In one example, the Rx - Tx time difference of the SL positioning reference signal together with an indication (or identity) of the UE from which the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, the measured timestamp (e.g., the time slot or symbol or occasion or resource of the Rx measurement and / or the Tx measurement) is also included.

[0174] In one example, the time difference between two SL positioning reference signals transmitted from two UEs, together with an indication (or identity) of each UE from which the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, a measured timestamp (e.g., one or more measured time slots or symbols or opportunities or resources) is also included.

[0175] In one example, the angle of arrival of the SL positioning reference signal, together with an indication (or identity) of the UE from which the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, a measured timestamp (e.g., a measured time slot or symbol or opportunity or resource) is also included.

[0176] In one example, the carrier phase of the SL positioning reference signal, together with an indication (or identity) of the UE from which the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, a measured timestamp (e.g., a measured time slot or symbol or opportunity or resource) is also included.

[0177] In one example, the carrier phase difference between two SL positioning reference signals transmitted from two UEs, together with an indication (or identity) of each UE from which the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, a measured timestamp (e.g., one or more measured time slots or symbols or opportunities or resources) is also included.

[0178] In one example, the RSRP of the SL positioning reference signal, together with an indication (or identity) of the UE from which the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, a measured timestamp (e.g., a measured time slot or symbol or opportunity or resource) is also included.

[0179] In one example, the RSRPP of the SL positioning reference signal, together with an indication (or identity) of the UE from which the SL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, a measured timestamp (e.g., a measured time slot or symbol or opportunity or resource) is also included.

[0180] In one example, if the RSRP (or RSRPP, e.g., based on the maximum multipath RSRPP or the first multipath RSRPP) or SINR of the corresponding SL positioning reference signal is higher than a threshold, one or more of the above measurements are included. Here, the threshold can be specified in the system specification, and / or configured or updated through higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or MAC CE signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or L1 control signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface). In one example, if no threshold is configured, a default value is used. In one example, if no threshold is configured, the threshold criterion is not applied.

[0181] In one example, for N UEs, one or more of the above-mentioned measurement values are included. Herein, N can be specified in the system specification, and / or configured or updated through higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or MAC CE signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or L1 control signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface). In one example, if N is not configured, a default value is used. In one example, the N UEs are the UEs with the maximum RSRP or RSRPP (e.g., based on the maximum multipath RSRPP or the first multipath RSRPP) or SINR.

[0182] In one example, up to N UEs include one or more of the above-mentioned measurement values, where the RSRP (or RSRPP, e.g., based on the maximum multipath RSRPP or the first multipath RSRPP) or SINR exceeds a threshold. In one example, if more than N UEs have an RSRP (or RSRPP) or SINR exceeding the threshold, the N UEs with the maximum RSRP (or RSRPP) or SINR are reported. Herein, N can be specified in the system specification, and / or configured or updated through higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or MAC CE signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or L1 control signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface). In one example, if N is not configured, a default value is used. The threshold can be specified in the system specification, and / or configured or updated through higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or MAC CE signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or L1 control signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface). In one example, if the threshold is not configured, a default value is used. In one example, if the threshold is not configured, the threshold criterion is not applied.

[0183] In one example, the UE reports positioning measurement values or metrics to the network. The positioning measurement values or metrics may additionally include one or more of the following examples. Hereinafter, the resources of the DL PRS can be time resources or frequency resources or time and frequency resources. In one example, the resources of the DL PRS can also be determined based on the comb shift and cyclic shift of the DL PRS. In one example, the resources of the DL PRS can also be determined based on the scrambling ID or sequence ID for the DL PRS.

[0184] In one example, the time of arrival of the DL positioning reference signal together with an indication (or identity) of the TRP (or base station or gNB) from which the DL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, it also includes the measured timestamp (e.g., the measured time slot or symbol or occasion or resource).

[0185] In one example, the Rx-Tx time difference of the DL positioning reference signal together with an indication (or identity) of the TRP (or base station or gNB) from which the DL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, it also includes the measured timestamp (e.g., the time slot or symbol or occasion or resource of the Rx measurement and / or Tx measurement).

[0186] In one example, the time difference between two DL positioning reference signals transmitted from two TRPs (or base stations or gNBs) together with an indication (or identity) of each TRP (or base station or gNB) from which the DL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, it also includes the measured timestamp (e.g., one or more measured time slots or symbols or occasions or resources).

[0187] In one example, the time difference between the SL positioning reference signal transmitted from the UE and the DL positioning reference signal transmitted from the TRP (or base station or gNB) together with an indication (or identity) of each UE or TRP (or base station or gNB) from which the SL positioning reference signal or the DL positioning reference signal is respectively transmitted. In one example, it also includes the measured timestamp (e.g., one or more measured time slots or symbols or occasions or resources).

[0188] In one example, the angle of arrival of the DL positioning reference signal together with an indication (or identity) of the TRP (or base station or gNB) from which the DL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, it also includes the measured timestamp (e.g., the measured time slot or symbol or occasion or resource).

[0189] In one example, the carrier phase of the DL positioning reference signal together with an indication (or identity) of the TRP (or base station or gNB) from which the DL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, it also includes the measured timestamp (e.g., the measured time slot or symbol or occasion or resource).

[0190] In one example, the carrier phase difference between two DL positioning reference signals transmitted from two TRPs (or base stations or gNBs) together with an indication (or identity) of each TRP (or base station or gNB) from which the DL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, it also includes the measured timestamp (e.g., one or more measured time slots or symbols or occasions or resources).

[0191] In one example, the carrier phase difference between the SL positioning reference signal transmitted from the UE and the DL positioning reference signal transmitted from the TRP (or base station or gNB), together with the indication (or identity) of each UE or TRP (or base station or gNB) from which the SL positioning reference signal or DL positioning reference signal is respectively transmitted. In one example, it also includes the measured timestamp (e.g., one or more measured time slots or symbols or opportunities or resources).

[0192] In one example, the RSRP of the DL positioning reference signal, together with the indication (or identity) of the TRP (or base station or gNB) from which the DL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, it also includes the measured timestamp (e.g., the measured time slot or symbol or opportunity or resource).

[0193] In one example, the RSRPP of the DL positioning reference signal, together with the indication (or identity) of the TRP (or base station or gNB) from which the DL positioning reference signal is transmitted. In one example, it also includes the measured timestamp (e.g., the measured time slot or symbol or opportunity or resource).

[0194] In one example, if the RSRP (or RSRPP, e.g., based on the maximum multipath RSRPP or the first multipath RSRPP) or SINR of the corresponding DL positioning reference signal is higher than a threshold, then one or more of the above measurements are included. Wherein, the threshold can be specified in the system specification, and / or configured or updated through higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling on the PC5 interface and / or Uu interface) and / or MAC CE signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or Uu interface) and / or L1 control signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or Uu interface). In one example, if the threshold is not configured, a default value is used. In one example, if the threshold is not configured, the threshold criterion is not applied.

[0195] In one example, for M TRPs (or base stations or gNBs) and / or UEs, one or more of the above measurements are included. Wherein, M can be specified in the system specification, and / or configured or updated through higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling on the PC5 interface and / or Uu interface) and / or MAC CE signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or Uu interface) and / or L1 control signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or Uu interface). In one example, if M is not configured, a default value is used. In one example, the M TRPs (or base stations or gNBs) and / or UEs are the TRPs with the maximum RSRP or RSRPP (e.g., based on the maximum multipath RSRPP or the first multipath RSRPP) or SINR.

[0196] In one example, up to M TRPs (or base stations or gNBs) and / or UEs include one or more of the above measurement values, where the RSRP (or RSRPP, e.g., based on the maximum multipath RSRPP or the first multipath RSRPP) or SINR exceeds a threshold. In one example, if more than M TRPs (or base stations or gNBs) and / or UEs have an RSRP (or RSRPP) or SINR exceeding the threshold, then the M TRPs (or base stations or gNBs) and / or UEs with the maximum RSRP (or RSRPP) or SINR are reported. Herein, M can be specified in the system specification, and / or configured or updated via high-layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or MAC CE signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or L1 control signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface). In one example, if M is not configured, a default value is used. The threshold can be specified in the system specification, and / or configured or updated via high-layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or MAC CE signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface) and / or L1 control signaling (e.g., on the PC5 interface and / or the Uu interface). In one example, if the threshold is not configured, a default value is used. In one example, if the threshold is not configured, the threshold criterion is not applied.

[0197] In one example, the UE reports location information to the network. The location information can include one or more of the following: (1) UE location information, such as absolute positioning information or relative positioning information relative to another UE or relative to a TRP or relative to a (Positioning Reference Unit) PRU or relative to an RSU; and (2) an indicator of the accuracy (or confidence level) of the location information. For example, this can be high accuracy or low accuracy. In another example, the accuracy can be the error margin or tolerance or uncertainty of the location information. In one example, the UE reports the positioning measurement values or metrics as described above in a first report and reports the location information as described above in a second report. In one example, the UE reports the positioning measurement values or metrics as described above and the location information as described above in one report.

[0198] In one example, the accuracy is determined based on the type of device as described above, e.g., this can be based on configuration or pre-configuration. In one example, the accuracy is determined based on the reliability of the signal used to perform the measurement (e.g., SL PRS or DL PRS), e.g., if the signal used to determine the location of the UE has an RSRP or RSRPP or SINR higher than a threshold, the accuracy can be high. In one example, the accuracy is determined based on an indication from the network (e.g., LMF or gNB), e.g., when the network is providing the location of the UE. In one example, the accuracy is determined based on an indication from another UE, e.g., when the location of the UE is provided by another UE, or when the UE uses a positioning metric provided by another UE. In one example, the accuracy is determined based on the precision of multiple location measurements performed by or notified to the UE, e.g., multiple location measurements from different sources with high precision (close to each other) can indicate high accuracy of the location of the UE.

[0199] In one example, the resources for positioning reporting are pre-configured and / or configured by a higher layer (e.g., RRC layer) and / or configured or indicated by the MAC layer and / or physical layer. In one example, the UE initiates the transmission of a positioning report.

[0200] In one example, the gNB (or base station or TRP) uses the positioning reports from a set of UEs to determine the location information of the UE. The gNB (or base station or TRP) can also additionally use the positioning measurements or metrics performed by the gNB on a set of UEs or the UE. The positioning measurements or metrics at the gNB (or base station or TRP) are performed using UL positioning reference signals (e.g., positioning SRS).

[0201] In one example, the LMF uses the positioning reports from a set of UEs to determine the location information of the UE. The LMF can also additionally use the positioning measurements or metrics performed by one or more gNBs (or base stations or TRPs) on the set of UEs or the UE. The positioning measurements or metrics at the gNB (or base station or TRP) are performed using UL positioning reference signals (e.g., positioning SRS).

[0202] Provided in the present disclosure are: (1) grid-based positioning, where the location of the UE can be determined based on positioning measurements or metrics made at other UEs and (or instead of) its own positioning measurements; and (2) signaling grid-based positioning on the SL interface, including positioning reports with positioning measurements or metrics and / or location information.

[0203] Figure 10 An exemplary method 1000 performed by a UE in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 10The method 1000 can be performed by Figure 1 any one of UEs 111 to 116 (such as Figure 3 UE 116), and the corresponding method can be performed by Figure 1 another one of UEs 111 to 116 or by Figure 1 any one of BSs 101 to 103 (such as Figure 2 BS 102). The method 1000 is for illustration only and other embodiments can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0204] The method 1000 starts with the UE receiving SL PRSs (1010) from M1 UEs respectively. For example, in 1010, M1 >= 2. Then, the UE determines a positioning metric based on the SL PRSs (1020). In various embodiments, one positioning metric from multiple positioning metrics is the RSTD between two SL PRSs from two UEs among M2 UEs.

[0205] Then, the UE determines a report (1030). For example, in 1030, the report includes the positioning metrics respectively corresponding to M2 UEs from M1 UEs; timestamps respectively associated with the positioning metrics; and the IDs of the corresponding M2 UEs. In various embodiments, when the quality metric of one of the first SL PRSs of one of the M1 UEs is higher than or equal to a threshold, the positioning metric corresponding to one of the M1 UEs from the positioning metrics is included in the first report.

[0206] Then, the UE transmits the report (1040). For example, in 1040, the UE can transmit the report to a UE different from any of the above UEs, or transmit it to one or more of the M1 UEs. In various embodiments, the UE can determine a resource based on sensing, and the first report is transmitted based on the resource. In various embodiments, the UE can receive a configuration indicating the resource, and the first report is transmitted based on the resource. In various embodiments, the UE can receive a configuration indicating the resource and transmit a second report based on the resource. The second report includes the location information of the UE.

[0207] In various embodiments, the UE can also transmit the second report to a third UE or one of the M2 UEs, where the second report includes the location information of the UE. In various embodiments, the second report includes a quality metric indicating the accuracy of the location information.

[0208] In various embodiments, the UE may also receive a second SL PRS from a fourth UE respectively, and receive a second report from one or more fourth UEs. The second report includes: second positioning metrics respectively corresponding to M3 UEs from the fourth UE, where M3 >= 1; second timestamps respectively associated with the second positioning metrics; and second IDs of the corresponding M3 UEs.

[0209] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a user equipment (UE) includes: a transceiver configured to receive a first sidelink (SL) positioning reference signal (PRS) from M1 UEs respectively, where M1 >= 2; and a processor operably coupled to the transceiver, the processor being configured to: determine a positioning metric based on the first SL PRS, and determine a first report, where the first report includes: positioning metrics respectively corresponding to M2 UEs from the M1 UEs, timestamps respectively associated with the positioning metrics, and identities (IDs) of the corresponding M2 UEs, where the transceiver is further configured to transmit the first report to a third UE or one of the M1 UEs.

[0210] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, where: the transceiver is further configured to transmit a second report to a third UE or one of the M1 UEs, and the second report includes location information of the UE.

[0211] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, where the second report includes a quality metric indicating the accuracy of the location information.

[0212] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, where one of the positioning metrics from a plurality of positioning metrics is a reference signal time difference (RSTD) between two SL PRSs from two UEs among the M2 UEs.

[0213] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, where, when a quality metric of one of the first SL PRSs of one of the M1 UEs is higher than or equal to a threshold, the positioning metric corresponding to one of the M1 UEs from the positioning metrics is included in the first report.

[0214] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, where: the processor is further configured to determine a resource based on sensing, and transmit the first report based on the resource.

[0215] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, where: the transceiver is further configured to receive a configuration indicating the resource, and transmit the first report based on the resource.

[0216] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, where: the transceiver is further configured to: receive a configuration indicating the resource, and transmit a second report based on the resource, and the second report includes location information of the UE.

[0217] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein: The transceiver is further configured to receive a second SL PRS from a fourth UE, and receive a second report from the fourth UE, the second report including: one or more second positioning metrics respectively corresponding to M3 UEs, where M3 >= 1, one or more second timestamps respectively associated with the one or more second positioning metrics, and one or more second IDs of the corresponding M3 UEs.

[0218] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a base station (BS) includes: a processor; and a transceiver operatively coupled to the processor, the transceiver being configured to: transmit a configuration indicating a resource, and receive a report via the resource, where the report includes: positioning metrics respectively corresponding to M user equipment (UEs), where M >= 1, timestamps respectively associated with the positioning metrics, and identities (IDs) of the corresponding M UEs.

[0219] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein: The transceiver is further configured to: receive a configuration indicating a resource, and transmit a second report via the resource, and the second report includes location information of the UE.

[0220] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of operating a user equipment (UE) includes: receiving first sidelink (SL) positioning reference signals (PRSs) from M1 UEs respectively, where M1 >= 2; determining positioning metrics based on the first SL PRSs; determining a first report, where the first report includes: positioning metrics respectively corresponding to M2 UEs from the M1 UEs, timestamps respectively associated with the positioning metrics, and identities (IDs) of the corresponding M2 UEs; and transmitting the first report to a third UE or one of the M1 UEs.

[0221] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, it further includes: transmitting a second report to a third UE or one of the M1 UEs, where the second report includes location information of the UE.

[0222] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second report includes a quality metric indicating the accuracy of the location information.

[0223] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, one of the positioning metrics from multiple positioning metrics is a reference signal time difference (RSTD) between two SL PRSs from two UEs among the M2 UEs.

[0224] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the quality metric of one of the first SL PRSs of one of the M1 UEs is higher than or equal to a threshold, the positioning metric corresponding to one of the M1 UEs from the positioning metrics is included in the first report.

[0225] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, it further includes: determining a resource based on sensing, wherein a first report is transmitted based on the resource.

[0226] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, it further includes: receiving a configuration indicating a resource; and transmitting a first report using the resource.

[0227] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, it further includes: receiving a configuration indicating a resource; and transmitting a second report based on the resource, wherein the second report includes location information of the UE.

[0228] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, it further includes: receiving a second SL PRS from a fourth UE, and receiving a second report from the fourth UE, wherein the second report includes: one or more second positioning metrics respectively corresponding to M3 UEs, where M3 >= 1; one or more second timestamps respectively associated with the one or more second positioning metrics; and one or more second IDs of the corresponding M3 UEs.

[0229] FIG. 30 shows the structure of a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0230] As Figure 11 shown, a UE according to an embodiment may include a transceiver 1110, a memory 1120, and a processor 1130. The transceiver 1110, memory 1120, and processor 1130 of the UE may operate according to the above-described communication method of the UE. However, the components of the UE are not limited thereto. For example, the UE may include more or fewer components than those described above. Additionally, the processor 1130, transceiver 1110, and memory 1120 may be implemented as a single chip. Additionally, the processor 1130 may include at least one processor. Furthermore, Figure 11 the UEs respectively correspond to Figure 1 the UEs 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116.

[0231] The transceiver 1110 is collectively referred to as a UE receiver and a UE transmitter, and may transmit signals to / from a base station or a network entity. The signals transmitted to / from a base station or a network entity may include control information and data. The transceiver 1110 may include an RF transmitter for up-converting and amplifying the frequency of the transmitted signal, and an RF receiver for low-noise amplifying and down-converting the frequency of the received signal. However, this is only an example of the transceiver 1110, and the components of the transceiver 1110 are not limited to the RF transmitter and the RF receiver.

[0232] Additionally, the transceiver 1110 may receive signals through a wireless channel and output them to the processor 1130, and transmit the signals output from the processor 1130 through the wireless channel.

[0233] The memory 1120 may store programs and data required for the operation of the UE. Additionally, the memory 1120 may store control information or data included in signals obtained by the UE. The memory 1120 may be a storage medium such as a read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), hard disk, CD-ROM, and DVD, or a combination of storage media.

[0234] The processor 1130 may control a series of processes such that the UE operates as described above. For example, the transceiver 1110 may receive data signals including control signals transmitted by the base station or network entity, and the processor 1130 may determine the results of receiving the control signals and data signals transmitted by the base station or network entity.

[0235] Figure 12 The structure of a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0236] As Figure 12 shown, the base station according to an embodiment may include a transceiver 1210, a memory 1220, and a processor 1230. The transceiver 1210, memory 1220, and processor 1230 of the base station may operate according to the communication method of the base station described above. However, the components of the base station are not limited thereto. For example, the base station may include more or fewer components than those described above. Additionally, the processor 1230, transceiver 1210, and memory 1220 may be implemented as a single chip. Additionally, the processor 1230 may include at least one processor. Furthermore, Figure 12 the base station corresponds to a base station (e.g., Figure 1 BS 101, 102, 103).

[0237] The transceiver 1210 is collectively referred to as a base station receiver and a base station transmitter, and may transmit signals to / from a terminal (UE) or a network entity. The signals transmitted to / from the terminal or network entity may include control information and data. The transceiver 1210 may include an RF transmitter for up-converting and amplifying the frequency of the transmitted signal, and an RF receiver for low-noise amplifying and down-converting the frequency of the received signal. However, this is only an example of the transceiver 1210, and the components of the transceiver 1210 are not limited to the RF transmitter and RF receiver.

[0238] Additionally, the transceiver 1210 may receive signals through a wireless channel and output them to the processor 1230, and transmit the signals output from the processor 1230 through the wireless channel.

[0239] The memory 1220 may store programs and data required for the operation of the base station. Additionally, the memory 1220 may store control information or data included in signals obtained by the base station. The memory 1220 may be a storage medium such as a read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), hard disk, CD-ROM, and DVD, or a combination of storage media.

[0240] The processor 1230 may control a series of processes such that the base station operates as described above. For example, the transceiver 1210 may receive a data signal including a control signal transmitted by the terminal, and the processor 1230 may determine the result of receiving the control signal and data signal transmitted by the terminal.

[0241] The above flowcharts illustrate exemplary methods that may be implemented in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, and various changes may be made to the methods illustrated in the flowcharts herein. For example, although shown as a series of steps, the individual steps in each figure may overlap, occur in parallel, occur in a different order, or occur multiple times. In another example, steps may be omitted or replaced by other steps.

[0242] Although the present disclosure has been described with exemplary embodiments, various changes and modifications may be proposed to those skilled in the art. The present disclosure is intended to embrace such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims. No description in this application should be construed as implying that any particular element, step, or function is an essential element that must be included within the scope of the claims. The scope of the patent subject matter is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE), comprising: A transceiver; And A controller, coupled to the transceiver and configured to: Receive first sidelink (SL) positioning reference signals (PRS) from M1 UEs respectively, where M1 >= 2; And Based on the first SL PRS, determine positioning metrics, and Determine a first report, where the first report includes: The positioning metrics corresponding to M2 UEs respectively from the M1 UEs, Timestamps respectively associated with the positioning metrics, and The identity IDs of the corresponding M2 UEs, Transmit the first report to a third UE or to one of the M1 UEs.

2. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: The transceiver is further configured to transmit a second report to the third UE or to one of the M1 UEs, and The second report includes the location information of the UE.

3. The UE according to claim 2, wherein the second report includes a quality metric indicating the accuracy of the location information.

4. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the positioning metric from the positioning metrics is the reference signal time difference (RSTD) between two SL PRS from two UEs among the M2 UEs.

5. The UE according to claim 1, wherein when the quality metric of one of the first SL PRS of one of the M1 UEs is higher than or equal to a threshold, the positioning metric corresponding to the one of the M1 UEs from the positioning metrics is included in the first report.

6. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is further configured to determine resources based on sensing, and The first report is transmitted based on the resources.

7. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is further configured to receive a configuration indicating resources, and The first report is transmitted based on the resources.

8. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is further configured to: Receive a configuration indicating resources, and Transmit a second report based on the resources, and The second report includes the location information of the UE.

9. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is further configured to: Receive a second SL PRS from a fourth UE, and Receive a second report from the fourth UE, The second report includes: One or more second positioning metrics corresponding to M3 UEs respectively, where M3 >= 1, One or more second timestamps respectively associated with the one or more second positioning metrics, and One or more second IDs of the corresponding M3 UEs.

10. A base station (BS), comprising: A transceiver; And A controller, coupled to the transceiver and configured to: Transmit a configuration indicating resources, and Receive a report via the resources, where the report includes: Positioning metrics corresponding to M user equipments (UEs) respectively, where M >= 1, Timestamps respectively associated with the positioning metrics, and The identity IDs of the corresponding M UEs.

11. The BS according to claim 10, wherein: The controller is further configured to: Receive a configuration indicating resources, and Transmit a second report via the resource, and the second report includes the location information of the UE.

12. A method performed by a user equipment UE, the method comprising: Receiving first sidelink SL positioning reference signals PRS from M1 UEs respectively, where M1 >= 2; Determining a positioning metric based on the first SL PRS; Determining a first report, where the first report includes: The positioning metrics corresponding to M2 UEs respectively from the M1 UEs, Timestamps respectively associated with the positioning metrics, and The identity IDs of the corresponding M2 UEs; And Transmitting the first report to a third UE or to one of the M1 UEs.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: Transmitting a second report to the third UE or to one of the M1 UEs, where the second report includes the location information of the UE.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the second report includes a quality metric indicating the accuracy of the location information.

15. A method performed by a base station, the method comprising: Transmitting a configuration indicating a resource, and Receiving a report via the resource, where the report includes: Positioning metrics corresponding to M user equipment UEs respectively, where M >= 1, Timestamps respectively associated with the positioning metrics, and The identity IDs of the corresponding M UEs.

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