Method and apparatus for hybrid positioning

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to a method and equipment for hybrid positioning. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first user equipment (UE) may include a processor; the system includes a processor, and a transceiver coupled to the processor, where the processor is configured to: receive, via the transceiver, a first request from a location management function (LMF) of a wireless network, the first request indicating that the first UE obtains measurement information associated with a location of the first UE; in response to receiving the first request from the LMF and in the event that a Uu positioning configuration and a sidelink (SL) positioning configuration of the first UE are not operatively aligned, obtaining an updated positioning configuration for obtaining the measurement information associated with the location of the first UE; obtaining the measurement information associated with the location of the first UE using the updated positioning configuration; and transmitting, via the transceiver, the obtained measurement information to the LMF for determining the location of the first UE.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present application generally relate to wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to methods and devices for hybrid positioning. Background Art

[0002] In the 18th version of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), it was agreed to study the architecture and procedures for hybrid positioning, such as a combination of Uu-based positioning and PC5-based positioning. Hybrid positioning may also be referred to as positioning based on a combination of Uu and PC5, positioning based on hybrid Uu+PC5, positioning based on a combination of Uu and sidelink (SL), hybrid Uu+SL positioning, hybrid Uu and PC5 positioning, hybrid Uu and SL positioning, etc. Hybrid positioning shows advantages when independent Uu or SL positioning is not feasible or cannot meet the requirements of positioning or location services. Currently, the details of hybrid positioning have not been discussed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of the present application at least provide technical solutions for hybrid positioning.

[0004] According to some embodiments of the present application, a first user equipment (UE) may include: a processor; and a transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to: receive, via the transceiver, a first request from a location management function (LMF) of a wireless network, the first request indicating that the first UE obtains measurement information associated with the location of the first UE; in response to receiving the first request from the LMF and when the Uu positioning configuration and the SL positioning configuration of the first UE are not operationally aligned, obtain an updated positioning configuration for obtaining the measurement information associated with the location of the first UE; use the updated positioning configuration to obtain the measurement information associated with the location of the first UE; and transmit, via the transceiver, the obtained measurement information to the LMF for determining the location of the first UE.

[0005] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is further configured to transmit, via the transceiver, Uu measurement information associated with the location of the first UE to the LMF, and the first request is received at least partially based on the Uu measurement information.

[0006] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is further configured to: receive, via the transceiver, a condition from the LMF, and in response to satisfying the condition, transmit, via the transceiver, first auxiliary data, wherein the first request is received at least partially based on the first auxiliary data.

[0007] In some embodiments of the present application, the conditions include: the link quality of at least one Uu connection is lower than a first predefined threshold during a time window, while the link quality of at least one other Uu connection is higher than a second predefined threshold during the time window; and at least one SL connection can be established, and the link quality of the at least one SL connection is higher than a third predefined threshold during the time window.

[0008] In some embodiments of the present application, the first auxiliary data indicates at least one of the following: the condition is satisfied; or at least one second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE, and the link quality of the SL connection between each of the at least one second UE and the first UE.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present application, the first request includes at least one of the following: information about at least one second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE; a second request indicating that the first UE discovers a second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE; or an updated Uu positioning configuration.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is further configured to: in the case where the first request includes the information about at least one second UE, discover the at least one second UE and establish an SL connection with the at least one second UE; or in the case where the first request includes the second request indicating that the first UE discovers a second UE, discover a group of candidate second UEs, and select one or more second UEs from the group of candidate second UEs for establishing an SL connection with the one or more second UEs.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is further configured to transmit, via the transceiver, a response indicating at least one of the following to the LMF: an acknowledgement of the first request; or one or more second UEs selected by the first UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present application, the updated positioning configuration is an SL positioning configuration or a Uu positioning configuration.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is further configured to: receive, via the transceiver, information about a Uu positioning reference signal (PRS) processing window (PPW) from a serving base station (BS) of the first UE; and determine an SL PPW aligned with the Uu PPW at least partially based on the information about the Uu PPW.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is configured to receive information of the SL PPW from the serving BS of the first UE or from the LMF via the transceiver, where the SL PPW is aligned with the Uu PPW configured for the first UE.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is further configured to transmit SL measurement information or second auxiliary data associated with the location of the first UE to the LMF via the transceiver, and the first request is received at least in part based on the SL measurement information or the second auxiliary data, where the second auxiliary data indicates at least one of the following: the location estimate of the first UE calculated based on the SL measurement information associated with the location of the first UE fails to meet the quality of service (QoS) requirements of the positioning service; or the failure of the SL measurement.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present application, the condition includes: the link quality of at least one SL connection associated with at least one second UE is lower than a fourth predefined threshold during a time window, and the first UE cannot find one or more second UEs to replace the at least one second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE during the time window, while the link quality of one or more other SL connections is higher than a fifth predefined threshold during the time window, where the number of the one or more other SL connections does not exceed the requested number; and at least one Uu connection can be established, and the link quality of the at least one Uu connection is higher than a sixth predefined threshold during the time window.

[0017] In some embodiments of the present application, the first request includes at least one of the following: information of the BS for performing Uu positioning for the first UE; updated information of the second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE; or a third request instructing the first UE to reselect the second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE.

[0018] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is further configured to reselect one or more second UEs for performing SL positioning for the first UE in the case where the first request includes the third request instructing the first UE to reselect the second UE.

[0019] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is further configured to transmit a response indicating at least one of the following to the LMF via the transceiver: an acknowledgement of the first request; or one or more second UEs reselected by the first UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE.

[0020] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is configured to receive, via the transceiver, information of the Uu PPW and an associated identifier (ID) from the serving BS of the first UE, wherein the Uu PPW is aligned with the SL PPW.

[0021] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is further configured to transmit, via the transceiver, information of the SL PPW to the serving BS of the first UE.

[0022] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is configured to receive, via the transceiver, information of the SL PPW and information of the Uu PPW from the serving BS of the first UE.

[0023] In some embodiments of the present application, the measurement information is included in a measurement report.

[0024] According to some embodiments of the present application, a Location Management Function (LMF) of a radio network may include: a processor; and a transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to: transmit, via the transceiver, a first request to a first UE, the first request instructing the first UE to obtain measurement information associated with the location of the first UE; in response to transmitting the first request from the LMF and in the case where the Uu positioning configuration and the SL positioning configuration of the first UE are not operationally aligned, transmit, via the transceiver, an updated positioning configuration for the first UE to obtain the measurement information associated with the location of the first UE; and receive, via the transceiver, the measurement information from the first UE for determining the location of the first UE.

[0025] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is further configured to receive, via the transceiver, at least one of the following: first Uu measurement information associated with the location of the first UE from the first UE; or second Uu measurement information associated with the location of the first UE from at least one BS performing Uu positioning for the first UE; and the processor is further configured to determine to initiate a hybrid positioning process in response to at least one of the following before transmitting the first request: a location estimate of the first UE calculated based on at least one of the first Uu measurement information or the second Uu measurement information fails to meet the QoS requirements of the positioning service; or at least one of the first Uu measurement information or the second Uu measurement information indicates a failure of the Uu measurement.

[0026] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is further configured to transmit a first condition to the first UE via the transceiver.

[0027] In some embodiments of the present application, the first condition includes: the link quality of at least one Uu connection is lower than a first predefined threshold during a time window, while the link quality of at least one other Uu connection is higher than a second predefined threshold during the time window; and at least one SL connection can be established, and the link quality of the at least one SL connection is higher than a third predefined threshold during the time window.

[0028] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is further configured to receive, via the transceiver, at least one of the following: first auxiliary data from the first UE, where the first auxiliary data indicates at least one of the following: meeting the first condition; or at least one second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE, and the link quality of the SL connection between each of the at least one second UE and the first UE; or second auxiliary data from at least one BS for performing Uu positioning for the first UE, where the second auxiliary data indicates meeting a second condition at the at least one BS; and where the processor is further configured to determine to initiate a hybrid positioning process based on at least one of the first auxiliary data or the second auxiliary data before transmitting the first request.

[0029] In some embodiments of the present application, the first request includes at least one of the following: information about at least one second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE; a second request indicating that the first UE discovers a second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE; or an updated Uu positioning configuration.

[0030] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is further configured to transmit, via the transceiver, an updated Uu positioning configuration to at least one BS that performs a Uu positioning process with the first UE.

[0031] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is further configured to receive, via the transceiver, a response from the first UE indicating at least one of the following: an acknowledgement of the first request; or one or more second UEs selected by the first UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE.

[0032] In some embodiments of the present application, the updated positioning configuration is an SL positioning configuration or a Uu positioning configuration.

[0033] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is further configured to transmit, via the transceiver, information about a second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE to the serving BS of the first UE.

[0034] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is further configured to: receive information of the Uu PPW from the serving BS of the first UE via the transceiver; and transmit, via the transceiver, the information of the Uu PPW and information of the second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE to at least one serving BS of at least one second UE.

[0035] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is further configured to: receive information of the Uu PPW from the serving BS of the first UE via the transceiver; and determine an SL PPW at least partially based on the information of the Uu PPW, wherein the SL PPW is aligned with the Uu PPW.

[0036] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is further configured to: receive SL measurement information or third auxiliary data associated with the position of the first UE from at least one of the first UE or a second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE via the transceiver; and determine to initiate a hybrid positioning process in response to at least one of the following before transmitting the first request: a position estimate of the first UE calculated based on the received SL measurement information fails to meet the QoS requirements of the positioning service, the received SL measurement information indicates a failure of the SL measurement, or the third auxiliary data indicates at least one of the following: a position estimate of the first UE calculated based on the SL measurement information associated with the position of the first UE fails to meet the QoS requirements of the positioning service; or a failure of the SL measurement.

[0037] In some embodiments of the present application, the first condition includes: the link quality of at least one SL connection associated with at least one second UE is lower than a fourth predefined threshold during a time window, and the first UE cannot find one or more second UEs to replace the at least one second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE during the time window, while the link quality of one or more other SL connections is higher than a fifth predefined threshold during the time window, wherein the number of the one or more other SL connections does not exceed the requested number; and at least one Uu connection can be established, and the link quality of the at least one Uu connection is higher than a sixth predefined threshold during the time window.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present application, the first request includes at least one of the following: information of the BS for performing Uu positioning for the first UE; updated information of the second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE; or a third request indicating that the first UE reselects the second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is further configured to receive, via the transceiver, from the first UE a response indicating at least one of the following: an acknowledgement of the first request; or one or more second UEs reselected by the first UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE.

[0040] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is further configured to transmit, via the transceiver, to the serving BS of the first UE at least one of the following: information on the SL PPW; or updated information on a second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE.

[0041] In some embodiments of the present application, the measurement information is included in a measurement report.

[0042] According to some embodiments of the present application, a BS may include: a processor; and a transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to: obtain information related to SL positioning of a first UE, initiate a transition from independent Uu or SL positioning to hybrid Uu and SL positioning for the first UE; determine at least one of a Uu PPW or an SL PPW at least in part based on the information related to the SL positioning of the first UE; and transmit, via the transceiver, information on the determined at least one of the Uu PPW or the SL PPW to at least one of the first UE or a second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE.

[0043] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor is further configured to: transmit, via the transceiver, Uu measurement information associated with the location of the first UE to an LMF of a wireless network; or transmit, via the transceiver, auxiliary data in response to a condition being met at the BS to the LMF.

[0044] In some embodiments of the present application, the information related to the SL positioning of the first UE includes information on a second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE from an LMF of a wireless network, and the processor is configured to: determine an SL PPW aligned with a Uu PPW configured for the first UE at least in part based on the information on the second UE, and transmit, via the transceiver, information on the determined SL PPW to at least one of the first UE or the second UE.

[0045] In some embodiments of the present application, the information related to the SL positioning of the first UE includes information from the first UE, from the serving BS of the second UE that performs SL positioning for the first UE, from the LMF of the wireless network, or the SL PPW determined by the BS, and the processor is configured to: determine a Uu PPW aligned with the SL PPW indicated by the information related to the SL positioning of the first UE, and transmit information about the determined Uu PPW to the first UE via the transceiver.

[0046] In some embodiments of the present application, the information related to the SL positioning of the first UE includes updated information of the second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE from the LMF of the wireless network; and the processor is configured to: determine the Uu PPW and the SL PPW at least partially based on the updated information of the second UE, wherein the Uu PPW is aligned with the SL PPW; and transmit information about the determined Uu PPW to the first UE via the transceiver, and transmit information about the determined SL PPW to at least one of the first UE or the second UE.

[0047] According to some embodiments of the present application, a method performed by a first UE may include: receiving a first request from the LMF of the wireless network, the first request instructing the first UE to obtain measurement information associated with the position of the first UE; in response to receiving the first request from the LMF and when the Uu positioning configuration and the SL positioning configuration of the first UE are not operationally aligned, obtaining an updated positioning configuration for obtaining the measurement information associated with the position of the first UE; using the updated positioning configuration to obtain the measurement information associated with the position of the first UE; and transmitting the obtained measurement information to the LMF for determining the position of the first UE.

[0048] According to some embodiments of the present application, a method performed by the LMF of the wireless network may include: transmitting a first request to a first UE, the first request instructing the first UE to obtain measurement information associated with the position of the first UE; in response to transmitting the first request from the LMF and when the Uu positioning configuration and the SL positioning configuration of the first UE are not operationally aligned, transmitting to the first UE an updated positioning configuration for enabling the first UE to obtain the measurement information associated with the position of the first UE; and receiving the measurement information from the first UE for determining the position of the first UE.

[0049] According to some embodiments of the present application, a method performed by a BS may include: obtaining information related to SL positioning of a first UE, initiating a transition from independent Uu or SL positioning to hybrid Uu and SL positioning for the first UE; determining at least one of a Uu PPW or an SL PPW, at least in part based on the information related to the SL positioning of the first UE; and transmitting information of the determined at least one of the Uu PPW or the SL PPW to at least one of the first UE or a second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0050] To describe the manner in which the advantages and features of the present application can be obtained, a description of the present application is presented by reference to specific embodiments of the application illustrated in the accompanying drawings. These drawings only depict example embodiments of the present application and should not be considered as limiting its scope.

[0051] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0052] Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary process for configuring a PPW;

[0053] Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary scenario of hybrid Uu and SL positioning according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0054] Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary method for hybrid positioning according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0055] Figure 5 illustrates another exemplary method for hybrid positioning according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0056] Figure 6 illustrates another exemplary method for hybrid positioning according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0057] Figure 7 illustrates another exemplary method for hybrid positioning according to some embodiments of the present application; and

[0058] Figure 8 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplary device for hybrid positioning according to some embodiments of the present application. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0059] The detailed description of the drawings is intended as a description of the currently preferred embodiments of the present application and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present application can be practiced. It should be understood that the same or equivalent functions can be achieved by different embodiments that are intended to be covered within the spirit and scope of the present application.

[0060] Although the operations are depicted in a particular order in the drawings, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in a sequential order, or that all of the illustrated operations need to be performed to achieve the desired result, and that one or more operations may sometimes be skipped. Additionally, the drawings may schematically depict one or more example processes in the form of a flowchart. However, other operations not depicted may be incorporated into the example processes schematically illustrated. For example, one or more additional operations may be performed before, after, concurrently with, or between any of the illustrated operations. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.

[0061] Some embodiments of the present application will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. For ease of understanding, the embodiments are provided in a specific network architecture and new service scenario, such as 3GPP 5G (i.e., New Radio (NR)), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE), etc. Those skilled in the art are well aware that as the network architecture and new service scenario evolve, the embodiments in the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems; and furthermore, the terms stated in the present application may change, which should not affect the principles of the present application.

[0062] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless communication system 100 according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0063] As Figure 1 shown, the wireless communication system 100 includes at least one BS 101, at least one UE (e.g., UE 102a, UE 102b, UE 102c, and UE 102d), and at least one LMF 103. Although for illustrative purposes, only one BS, four UEs, and one LMF are depicted in Figure 1 it is contemplated that any number of BSs, UEs, and LMFs may be included in the wireless communication system 100.

[0064] The wireless communication system 100 is compatible with any type of network capable of transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals. For example, the wireless communication system 100 is compatible with wireless communication networks, cellular telephone networks, time division multiple access (TDMA)-based networks, code division multiple access (CDMA)-based networks, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA)-based networks, LTE networks, 3GPP-based networks, 3GPP 5G networks, satellite communication networks, high altitude platform networks, and / or other communication networks.

[0065] BS101 may also be referred to as an access point, access terminal, transmit-receive point (TRP), base, macro cell, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), gNB, home Node B, relay node, or device, or described using other terms in the art. BS101 is typically part of a radio access network (RAN), which may include a controller communicatively coupled to BS101.

[0066] According to some embodiments of the present application, UE 102a, UE 102b, UE 102c, and UE 102d may include vehicle UEs (VUEs) and / or power-saving UEs (also referred to as power-sensitive UEs). Power-saving UEs may include vulnerable road users (VRUs) sensitive to power consumption, public safety UEs (PS-UEs), and / or commercial side-link UEs (CS-UEs). In embodiments of the present application, VRUs may include pedestrian UEs (P-UEs), cyclist UEs, wheelchair UEs, or other UEs that require power saving compared to VUEs.

[0067] According to some other embodiments of the present application, UE 102a, UE 102b, UE 102c, and UE 102d may include computing devices such as desktop computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet computers, smart TVs (e.g., Internet-connected TVs), set-top boxes, game consoles, security systems (including security cameras), in-vehicle computers, network devices (e.g., routers, switches, and modems), etc.

[0068] According to some other embodiments of the present application, UE 102a, UE 102b, UE 102c, and UE 102d may include portable wireless communication devices, smartphones, cellular phones, flip phones, devices with subscriber identity modules, personal computers, paging receivers, or any other device capable of transmitting and receiving communication signals over a wireless network.

[0069] According to some other embodiments of the present application, UE 102a, UE 102b, UE 102c, and UE 102d may include wearable devices such as smartwatches, fitness bands, optical head-mounted displays, etc.

[0070] Furthermore, a UE may also be referred to as a subscriber unit, mobile device, mobile station, user, terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, fixed terminal, subscriber station, user terminal, or device, or described using other terms used in the art.

[0071] In Figure 1In the example described, both UE 102a and UE 102b are within the coverage area of BS101 and can transmit information or data to and receive control information or data from BS101 via, for example, the LTE or NR Uu interface.

[0072] UE 102c and UE 102d are outside the coverage area of BS101. UE 102a can communicate with UE 102b and UE 102c via SL (e.g., via the PC5 interface defined in 3GPP standard documents), and UE 102d can communicate with UE 102b and UE 102c via SL.

[0073] The LMF 103 (also referred to as the LMF entity) can refer to a network element or network entity for supporting location services, which can be deployed in the core network (CN) or RAN of the wireless communication system 100. The LMF 103 can communicate with BS101 via NR positioning protocol A (NRPPa) signaling and can communicate with UE 102a, UE 102b, UE 102c, or UE 102d via LTE positioning protocol (LPP) signaling.

[0074] When a location service request associated with a UE is initiated or occurs, the location of the UE (referred to as the target UE or location service (LCS) target UE) needs to be known. When the target UE is within the coverage area of a BS or network (i.e., within coverage), Uu positioning can be performed on the target UE, where the target UE can transmit PRS to and / or receive PRS from the BS and / or neighboring BSs, and the BS or the target UE can perform measurements on the PRS to obtain positioning information.

[0075] SL positioning refers to transmitting PRS via the sidelink, which can operate independently of network or RAT coverage. According to various embodiments of the present application, regardless of whether it is within coverage or outside coverage, the target UE (also referred to as the SL target UE) can select one or more other UEs as anchor UEs (also referred to as SL anchor UEs), which can participate in SL positioning and help the SL target UE obtain its location by, for example, sending / receiving SL PRS and performing related measurements. According to some other embodiments of the present application, the anchor UE can be determined by the network (e.g., by the LMF or BS), rather than being selected by the target UE. In such embodiments, the target UE and the anchor UE can be within the coverage of the network. The SL anchor UE should have positioning capabilities and can be a roadside unit (RSU) or any SL UE.

[0076] When performing SL positioning, the SL target UE and the SL anchor UE may both be within the coverage area (i.e., the "both within coverage" scenario), or one is within the coverage area and the other is outside the coverage area (i.e., the "partial coverage" scenario), or both are outside the coverage area (i.e., the "both outside coverage" scenario).

[0077] In some cases, to perform Uu positioning, the BS serving the UE may configure the PPW for the UE. Figure 2 Describe an exemplary process for configuring the PPW, which is also specified in 3GPP standard documents (e.g., TS 38.305).

[0078] Reference Figure 2 , in step 200, the LMF may obtain the TRP information required for positioning services from the gNB.

[0079] In step 201, the LMF may provide the PRS information of the neighboring TRP to the serving gNB of the UE and request the serving gNB to preconfigure the PPW configuration via the NRPPa MEASUREMENT PRECONFIGURATION REQUIRED message specified in the 3GPP standard document.

[0080] In step 202, based on the assistance information from the LMF and the UE capabilities, the serving gNB may provide the preconfigured PPW configuration and the associated ID (e.g., the ID of the TRP for positioning services) to the UE by sending the RRC RECONFIGURATION message specified in TS38.331.

[0081] In step 203, the UE may send the RRC RECONFIGURATION COMPLETE message specified in TS 38.331 to the serving gNB to confirm the reception of the preconfigured PPW configuration.

[0082] In step 204, the serving gNB may send a confirmation message to the LMF via the NRPPa MEASUREMENT PRECONFIGURATION CONFIRM message specified in the 3GPP standard document to indicate the success of the preconfiguration of the PPW configuration.

[0083] In step 205, the LMF may send the NRPPa MEASUREMENT ACTIVATION message to request the serving gNB to activate or deactivate the preconfigured PPW.

[0084] In step 206, based on the request from the LMF in step 205, the serving gNB may send a downlink (DL) medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) PPW activation or deactivation command containing an ID to activate or deactivate the associated PPW.

[0085] Hybrid Uu and SL positioning can have advantages when stand-alone Uu or SL positioning is not feasible or cannot meet the requirements of positioning or location services. Figure 3 Describe exemplary scenarios for hybrid Uu and SL positioning according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0086] Refer to Figure 3 , the target UE (e.g., the target UE may refer to the UE at which the location service request originates or occurs) is within the network coverage, and both the Uu and PC5 interfaces of the target UE perform measurements of the PRS. For example, as Figure 3 shown, the target UE may perform Uu positioning with two gNBs and SL positioning with an anchor UE. The anchor UE may refer to, for example, a UE that participates in SL positioning by sending / receiving SL PRS and performing related measurements and helps the target UE obtain its location.

[0087] To implement positioning based on the combination of Uu and PC5 (or hybrid Uu and SL positioning), it is necessary to study the coordination in positioning between Uu signaling and PC5 signaling, which is the main difference from stand-alone Uu or SL positioning.

[0088] As an example, when the UE is performing stand-alone Uu positioning, it is necessary to solve how to initiate and configure hybrid Uu and SL positioning when the stand-alone Uu positioning cannot meet the positioning requirements. As another example, when the UE is performing stand-alone SL positioning, it is also necessary to solve how to initiate and configure hybrid Uu and SL positioning when the stand-alone SL positioning cannot meet the positioning requirements.

[0089] In view of the above, the embodiments of the present application provide various technical solutions for hybrid positioning, which can solve at least one of the above technical problems. For example, the embodiments of the present application provide procedures and signaling for initiating and configuring hybrid Uu and SL positioning. More details will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0090] Case 1

[0091] In case 1, the UE may first perform stand-alone Uu positioning and then transition to hybrid Uu and SL positioning. The following embodiments illustrate how to initiate and configure hybrid Uu and SL positioning when the UE is performing stand-alone Uu positioning.

[0092] Figure 4 Describe an exemplary method for hybrid positioning according to some embodiments of the present application.Figure 4 The method described in can be performed by at least four network entities, such as a first UE, a second UE, a BS (e.g., the serving BS of the first UE), and an LMF. The first UE can be the target UE at which the location service request originates or occurs. In other words, the first UE can be the UE that needs to know its location. The second UE can be an anchor UE that participates in SL positioning and helps the first UE obtain its location, for example, by transmitting / receiving SL PRS and performing related measurements. Although the method is described at the system level, those skilled in the art can understand that the method implemented in the four network entities can be separately implemented and combined in other devices with similar functions.

[0093] In Figure 4 In the exemplary method shown in, in operation 401, the first UE, the BS, and the LMF can perform independent Uu positioning, where Uu measurements of the PRS can be performed by the first UE and / or at least one BS used to perform Uu positioning for the first UE. At least one BS used to perform Uu positioning can include at least one of the serving BS of the UE or one or more other BSs ( Figure 4 not shown in).

[0094] In operation 402a, the first UE can transmit first Uu measurement information associated with the location of the first UE to the LMF. For example, the first Uu measurement information can include measurement results obtained by the first UE based on Uu PRS. For example, the first Uu measurement information can be included in the first Uu measurement report to the LMF. Alternatively or additionally, in operation 402b, at least one BS used to perform Uu positioning for the first UE can transmit second Uu measurement information associated with the location of the first UE to the LMF. For example, the second Uu measurement information from the BS can include measurement results obtained by the BS based on Uu PRS. For example, the second Uu measurement information can be included in the second Uu measurement report to the LMF. In other words, the LMF can receive at least one of the first Uu measurement information from the first UE or the second Uu measurement information from at least one BS used to perform Uu positioning for the first UE.

[0095] In operation 403, the LMF can determine whether to initiate a hybrid positioning process based on at least one of the first Uu measurement information or the second Uu measurement information. The hybrid positioning process can include a hybrid Uu and SL positioning process (which is also referred to as a hybrid Uu and PC5 positioning process), a positioning process based on combined Uu and PC5, a hybrid Uu+PC5 positioning process, etc.

[0096] For example, the LMF can determine to initiate a hybrid positioning process in response to at least one of the following:

[0097] · The position estimate of the first UE calculated based on at least one of the first Uu measurement information or the second Uu measurement information fails to meet the QoS requirements of the positioning service; or

[0098] · At least one of the first Uu measurement information or the second Uu measurement information indicates a failure of the Uu measurement: For example,

[0099] The Uu measurement information received by the LMF may include a failure cause indicating a failure of the Uu measurement of the PRS.

[0100] In the case where the LMF determines to initiate the hybrid positioning process, in operation 404, the LMF may transmit a first request to the first UE instructing the first UE to perform hybrid Uu and SL positioning. In some embodiments, the first request may instruct the first UE to obtain measurement information associated with the position of the first UE.

[0101] In some embodiments, the first request may include at least one of the following: information of at least one second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE; a second request instructing the first UE to discover a second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE; or an updated Uu positioning configuration.

[0102] As an example, if the LMF has determined a second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE, then the first request may include information of the determined second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE.

[0103] As another example, if the LMF has not determined a second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE, then the first request may include a second request instructing the first UE to discover a second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE.

[0104] As an example, if an updated Uu positioning configuration is required, then the first request may further include an updated Uu positioning configuration. The updated Uu positioning configuration may include necessary configuration updates for Uu positioning, for example, updated information of the BS (e.g., the BS that will participate in the Uu positioning of the first UE) for performing Uu positioning for the first UE.

[0105] In some embodiments, if an updated Uu positioning configuration is required, then in operation 405, the LMF may trigger the BS involved in Uu positioning to update the Uu positioning configuration. As an example, for at least one BS that performs Uu positioning after the initiation of the hybrid positioning process, the LMF may transmit an updated Uu positioning configuration to the at least one BS. As another example, if the BS is no longer required to participate in Uu positioning, then the LMF may instruct the BS to abort its Uu positioning configuration, for example, the LMF may transmit a message to the BS instructing the BS to abort its Uu positioning configuration.

[0106] In the case where the first request includes information of at least one second UE, after receiving the first request, in operation 406, the first UE may discover at least one second UE and establish an SL connection with at least one second UE with or without the assistance of the LMF.

[0107] In the case where the first request includes a second request indicating that the first UE discovers the second UE, after receiving the first request, in operation 406, the first UE may discover a set of candidate second UEs and select, with or without the assistance of the LMF, one or more second UEs from the set of candidate second UEs for establishing an SL connection with one or more second UEs.

[0108] In some embodiments, in operation 406, the first UE may transmit a response to the LMF. In some instances, the response may indicate an acknowledgement of the first request. Alternatively or additionally, the response may indicate one or more second UEs selected by the first UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE.

[0109] In operation 407, the LMF may transmit an updated positioning configuration to the first UE. For example, in response to transmitting the first request from the LMF and in the case where the Uu positioning configuration and the SL positioning configuration of the first UE are not operationally aligned, the LMF may transmit an updated positioning configuration for the first UE to obtain measurement information associated with the position of the first UE. In some instances, the non - operational alignment of the Uu positioning configuration and the SL positioning configuration of the first UE may include the misalignment of the Uu PPW for Uu positioning and the SL PPW for SL positioning. In some instances, the non - operational alignment of the Uu positioning configuration and the SL positioning configuration of the first UE may include that the first UE is not configured with an SL positioning configuration. In some instances, the updated positioning configuration may include an SL positioning configuration, for example, a configuration regarding the SL PRS, a configuration regarding measurement and reporting, etc.

[0110] Therefore, in operation 407, the first UE may obtain the updated positioning configuration. For example, in response to receiving the first request from the LMF and in the case where the Uu positioning configuration and the SL positioning configuration of the first UE are not operationally aligned, the first UE may obtain an updated positioning configuration for obtaining measurement information associated with the position of the first UE.

[0111] In some embodiments, obtaining an updated positioning configuration by the first UE may include obtaining an SL positioning configuration from the LMF. As will be described later, the first UE may alternatively or additionally obtain some SL positioning configurations (e.g., SL PPW configuration) by receiving the SL positioning configuration from its serving BS or by determining the SL positioning configuration itself. Thus, obtaining an updated positioning configuration by the first UE may also include receiving the SL positioning configuration from its serving BS or determining the SL positioning configuration itself. In some embodiments, both the SL positioning configuration obtained in operation 407 and the updated Uu positioning configuration that may be obtained from the first request may be referred to as a hybrid positioning configuration or an updated positioning configuration.

[0112] In operation 408a, the first UE may perform at least one of the following based on the updated positioning configuration: Uu PRS transmission; Uu PRS reception, Uu PRS measurement; SL PRS transmission; SL PRS reception, or SL PRS measurement. In some instances, the first UE may use the updated positioning configuration to obtain measurement information associated with the location of the first UE. The measurement information may include at least one of Uu measurement information (e.g., measurement results of Uu PRS) or SL measurement information (e.g., measurement results of SL PRS).

[0113] In step 408b, a second UE that performs SL positioning for the first UE may perform at least one of the following: SL PRS transmission; SL PRS reception; or SL PRS measurement. In some instances, the second UE may use the SL positioning configuration to obtain measurement information associated with the location of the first UE. The measurement information may include SL measurement information (e.g., measurement results of SL PRS).

[0114] In step 408c, a BS that performs Uu positioning for the first UE may perform at least one of the following: Uu PRS transmission; Uu PRS reception; or Uu PRS measurement. In some instances, the BS may use the Uu positioning configuration or the updated Uu positioning configuration to obtain measurement information associated with the location of the first UE. The measurement information may include Uu measurement information (e.g., measurement results of Uu PRS).

[0115] After obtaining Uu and / or SL measurement information, at operation 409, the Uu and / or SL measurement information may be transmitted to a computing node for calculating a location estimate of the first UE. The computing node may be the first UE, a second UE performing SL positioning for the first UE, a BS performing Uu positioning for the first UE (e.g., the serving BS of the first UE), or an LMF. For example, at least one of the first UE, the second UE performing SL positioning for the first UE, or the BS performing Uu positioning for the first UE may transmit the obtained measurement information to the computing node for determining the location of the first UE. In some embodiments, the measurement information obtained by the first UE, the second UE, or the BS may be included in a measurement report to the computing node. In some cases, Figure 4 the above-described process illustrated in may have a latency issue because the hybrid Uu and SL positioning is only initiated after the LMF receives the Uu measurement information from the first UE and / or the BS performing Uu positioning for the first UE. By initiating the hybrid Uu and SL positioning during the Uu positioning process, such a process can be accelerated. For example, before transmitting the Uu measurement information, when some (pre)-configured conditions are met, the first UE and / or the BS may transmit auxiliary data to the LMF. The following embodiments illustrate how to use (pre)-configured conditions to reduce Figure 4 the latency of the process in.

[0116] Figure 5 Illustrate an exemplary method for hybrid positioning according to some embodiments of the present application. Figure 5 The method illustrated in may be performed by at least four network entities (e.g., the first UE, the second UE, the BS (e.g., the serving BS of the first UE), and the LMF). The first UE may be the target UE at which a location service request is initiated or occurs. In other words, the first UE may be the UE that needs to know its location. The second UE may be an anchor UE that participates in the positioning service SL, for example, by sending / receiving SL PRS and performing related measurements, and helps the first UE obtain its location. Although the method is illustrated at the system level, those skilled in the art will understand that the method implemented in the four network entities may be separately implemented and combined in other devices with similar functions.

[0117] In Figure 5 the exemplary method shown in, operation 501 may be the same as operation 401.

[0118] At operation 502, the LMF may transmit (e.g., configure or pre-configure) a first condition to the first UE. Thus, the first UE may receive the first condition from the LMF. In some embodiments, the first condition may be configured or pre-configured by the LMF to the first UE during operation 501 (i.e., during the stand-alone Uu positioning), as Figure 5As shown in . That is to say, operation 502 may be part of operation 501. In some other embodiments, the first condition may be configured or pre-configured by the LMF to the first UE independently of operation 501 (e.g., before or after operation 501).

[0119] In some embodiments, the first condition may include:

[0120] · The link quality of at least one Uu connection is lower than a first predefined threshold during a time window, while the link quality of at least one other Uu connection is higher than a second predefined threshold during the time window; and

[0121] · At least one SL connection can be established, and the link quality of at least one SL connection is higher than a third predefined threshold during the time window.

[0122] The first, second, and third predefined thresholds mentioned above may be the same or different, and may be configured or pre-configured by the LMF. Additionally, the length of the time window mentioned above may also be configured or pre-configured by the LMF.

[0123] In response to satisfying the first condition, the first UE may send first auxiliary data to the LMF in operation 503a. For example, the first auxiliary data may be transmitted via a RequestAssistanceData message or a ProvideLocationInformation message specified in 3GPP standard documents, or may be transmitted via any other new message.

[0124] The first auxiliary data may indicate that the first condition is satisfied. Alternatively or additionally, if the first UE has discovered at least one second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE, then the first auxiliary data may include at least one second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE and the link quality of the SL connection between each of the at least one second UE and the first UE (e.g., the reference signal received power (RSRP) of the PRS, etc.).

[0125] In some embodiments, in operation 503b, at least one BS for performing Uu positioning for the first UE may transmit second auxiliary data to the LMF. The second auxiliary data may indicate that a second condition is satisfied at at least one BS. The at least one BS for performing Uu positioning may include the serving BS of the UE or at least one of one or more other BSs ( Figure 5 not shown in ).

[0126] For example, a BS for performing Uu positioning for a first UE may transmit second assistance data to the LMF in response to a second condition being met at the BS. The second assistance data may indicate that the second condition at the BS is met. The second condition triggering the transmission of the second assistance data at the BS may depend on the implementation of the BS. For example, the second condition at the BS may include that the link quality of the Uu connection between the BS and the first UE is below a threshold during a time window, e.g., the signal quality of the line-of-sight (LOS) signal measured by the BS is below a threshold during the time window. In such instances, the threshold and the time window may be determined by the BS itself.

[0127] Accordingly, the LMF may receive at least one of the first assistance data or the second assistance data.

[0128] In operation 504, the LMF may determine to initiate a hybrid positioning process based on at least one of the first assistance data or the second assistance data. Then, the LMF, the first UE, the second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE, and the BS for performing Uu positioning for the first UE may perform operations 505, 506, 507, 508, 509a, 509b, 509c, and 510, which are the same as the operations Figure 4 illustrated in 404, 405, 406, 407, 408a, 408b, 408c, and 409, respectively.

[0129] In some embodiments, the LMF may also receive Uu measurement information from the first UE or the BS for performing Uu positioning for the first UE. However, such Uu measurement information may be received after receiving at least one of the first assistance data or the second assistance data, and the LMF may determine whether to initiate the hybrid positioning process even before receiving the Uu measurement information.

[0130] In some cases, for hybrid Uu and SL positioning, if the measurement reports on the sidelink and the Uu link are not aligned, then the two types of measurement reports may not be matched to the same location of the first UE. This problem can be solved by configuring an SL PPW (also referred to as an SL measurement window) aligned with the Uu PPW. The following embodiments provide several solutions for configuring an SL PPW aligned with the Uu PPW.

[0131] Solution 1

[0132] In Solution 1, the SL PPW can be determined by the first UE. For example, the first UE can receive information on the Uu PPW to be used in hybrid Uu and SL positioning from the serving BS of the first UE. For example, the information on the Uu PPW can be transmitted by the serving BS to the first UE in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration message specified in 3GPP standard documents. Then, the first UE can determine the SL PPW aligned with the Uu PPW at least partially based on the information on the Uu PPW. In some instances, the SL PPW can also be determined based on information on a second UE used to perform SL positioning for the first UE. The SL PPW can be used by the first UE and / or the second UE to perform SL positioning for the first UE. In some instances, if the second UE used to perform SL positioning for the first UE needs to know the SL PPW (e.g., in the case where the second UE performs SL PRS measurements), then the first UE can transmit auxiliary data indicating the SL PPW to the second UE.

[0133] Solution 2

[0134] In Solution 2, the serving BS of the first UE can obtain information related to the SL positioning of the first UE. Then, the BS can determine the SL PPW at least partially based on the information related to the SL positioning of the first UE.

[0135] In some embodiments, the information related to the SL positioning of the first UE can include information on a second UE used to perform SL positioning for the first UE.

[0136] For example, the LMF can transmit information on a second UE used to perform SL positioning for the first UE to the serving BS of the first UE. Then, the serving BS can determine the SL PPW aligned with the Uu PPW configured for the first UE at least partially based on the information on the second UE. After that, the serving BS can transmit the information on the determined SL PPW to at least one of the first UE or the second UE used to perform SL positioning for the first UE.

[0137] In some cases, for a second UE outside the coverage area of the serving BS of the first UE, the serving BS can provide the information on the determined SL PPW to the second UE via the first UE. That is, the first UE can first receive the information on the determined SL PPW from the serving BS and then transmit the information to the second UE.

[0138] Solution 3

[0139] In Solution 3, the serving BS of the first UE may transmit the information of the Uu PPW to the LMF. After receiving the information, the LMF may transmit the Uu PPW information and the second UE information for performing SL positioning for the first UE to at least one serving BS of at least one of the second UEs. At least one of the second UEs may perform SL PRS measurements. Then, at least one serving BS of at least one of the second UEs may determine the SL PPW of at least one of the second UEs and transmit the determined SL PPW to at least one of the second UEs. For example, the SL PPW may be determined at least in part based on the Uu PPW. In some instances, the SL PPW may also be determined based on the information of the second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE. The determined SL PPW is aligned with the UuPPW indicated by the information received from the LMF.

[0140] Solution 3 is applicable to the case where after starting hybrid Uu and SL positioning, only the second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE will perform measurements on the sidelink and the second UE is outside the coverage area of the serving BS of the first UE.

[0141] Solution 4

[0142] In Solution 4, the serving BS of the first UE may transmit the information of the Uu PPW to the LMF. After receiving the information, the LMF may determine the SL PPW at least in part based on the information of the Uu PPW, where the SL PPW is aligned with the Uu PPW. In some instances, the SL PPW may also be determined based on the information of the second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE. After that, the LMF may transmit the information of the determined SL PPW (e.g., as auxiliary data) to at least one of the first UE or the second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE.

[0143] In some cases, for a second UE outside the network coverage area, the LMF may provide the information of the determined SL PPW to the second UE via the first UE. That is, the first UE may first receive the information of the determined SL PPW from the LMF and then transmit the information to the second UE.

[0144] In the above Solutions 1 to 4, the information of the SL PPW may be a part of the SL positioning configuration obtained by the first UE in Figure 4 Operation 407 in Figure 5 or Figure 4 Operation 508 in Figure 5 That is, the SL positioning configuration obtained by the first UE in Figure 4 Operation 407 or Figure 5 Operation 508 may include obtaining the information of the SL PPW according to the above Solutions 1 to 4.

[0145] Case 2

[0146] In Case 2, the UE may first perform independent SL positioning and then transition to hybrid Uu and SL positioning. The following embodiments illustrate how to initiate and configure hybrid Uu and SL positioning when the UE is performing independent SL positioning.

[0147] Figure 6 Describe another exemplary method for hybrid positioning according to some embodiments of the present application. Figure 6 The method illustrated in may be performed by at least four network entities (e.g., a first UE, a second UE, a BS (e.g., the serving BS of the UE), and an LMF). The first UE may be the target UE at which a location service request is initiated or occurs. In other words, the first UE may be the UE that needs to know its location. The second UE may be an anchor UE that participates in SL positioning and helps the first UE obtain its location, for example, by transmitting / receiving SL PRSs and performing related measurements. Although the method is illustrated at the system level, those skilled in the art will understand that the method implemented in the four network entities may be separately implemented and combined in other devices with similar functions.

[0148] In Figure 6 In the exemplary method illustrated in, in operation 601, the first UE, one or more second UEs, and the LMF may perform independent SL positioning, where SL measurements of the PRS may be performed by the first UE and / or one or more second UEs used to perform SL positioning for the first UE. For simplicity, Figure 6 only one second UE used to perform SL positioning for the first UE is illustrated. In practice, one or more second UEs may perform SL positioning for the first UE.

[0149] In Figure 6In some embodiments, the LMF may be responsible for calculating the position estimate of the first UE. In such embodiments, the first UE and the second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE may perform operation 602. In operation 602, at least one of the first UE or the second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE may transmit SL measurement information associated with the position of the first UE to the LMF. For example, in operation 602, the first UE may transmit SL measurement information to the LMF. For example, the SL measurement information may include measurement results obtained by the first UE based on the SL PRS. For example, the SL measurement information may be included in the SL measurement report to the LMF. Alternatively or additionally, in operation 602, the second UE may transmit SL measurement information to the LMF. For example, the SL measurement information from the second UE may include measurement results obtained by the second UE based on the SL PRS. For example, the SL measurement information may be included in the SL measurement report to the LMF. In some instances, the SL measurement information may indicate a failure of the SL measurement. For example, the SL measurement information may include the reason for the failure from the involved UE, which indicates the failure of the SL measurement of the PRS.

[0150] Therefore, the LMF may receive the SL measurement information from at least one of the first UE or the second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE.

[0151] In operation 603, the LMF may determine whether to initiate a hybrid positioning process based on the received SL measurement information. For example, the LMF may determine to initiate a hybrid positioning process in response to at least one of the following: the position estimate of the first UE calculated based on the received SL measurement information fails to meet the QoS requirements of the positioning service, or the received SL measurement information indicates a failure of the SL measurement.

[0152] In some other embodiments, at least one of the first UE or a second UE that performs SL positioning for the first UE may be responsible for calculating the position estimate of the first UE. In such embodiments, the first UE and the second UE that performs SL positioning for the first UE may perform operation 602'. In operation 602', at least one of the first UE or a second UE that performs SL positioning for the first UE may transmit third auxiliary data to the LMF in response to finding at least one of the following: the position estimate of the first UE calculated based on the SL measurement information fails to meet the QoS requirements of the positioning service; or the failure of the SL measurement. For example, in operation 602', the first UE may transmit third auxiliary data to the LMF in response to finding at least one of the above situations; alternatively or additionally, in operation 602', the second UE may transmit third auxiliary data to the LMF in response to finding at least one of the above situations. In some instances, the third auxiliary data transmitted by at least one of the first UE or the second UE may indicate at least one of the following: the position estimate of the first UE calculated based on the SL measurement information fails to meet the QoS requirements of the positioning service; or the failure of the SL measurement.

[0153] In such embodiments, in operation 603, the LMF may determine to initiate a hybrid positioning process based on the third auxiliary data.

[0154] In the case where the LMF determines to initiate a hybrid positioning process, in operation 604, the LMF may transmit a first request to the first UE instructing the first UE to perform hybrid Uu and SL positioning. In some embodiments, the first request may instruct the first UE to obtain measurement information associated with the position of the first UE.

[0155] In some embodiments, the first request may include at least one of the following: information on the BS that performs Uu positioning for the first UE; updated information on the second UE that performs SL positioning for the first UE; or a third request instructing the first UE to reselect the second UE that performs SL positioning for the first UE.

[0156] In some embodiments, if the first request includes a third request instructing the first UE to reselect the second UE that performs SL positioning for the first UE, then in step 605, the first UE may reselect one or more second UEs that perform SL positioning for the first UE. In other words, in the case where the first request includes a third request instructing the first UE to reselect the second UE, the LMF may trigger or the first UE may perform a process for reselecting the second UE.

[0157] In some embodiments, in operation 605, the first UE may transmit a response to the LMF. In some instances, the response may indicate an acknowledgement of the first request. Alternatively or additionally, the response may include one or more second UEs reselected by the first UE that perform SL positioning for the first UE.

[0158] In operation 606, the LMF may transmit an updated positioning configuration to the first UE. For example, in response to transmitting a first request from the LMF and in the case where the Uu positioning configuration and the SL positioning configuration of the first UE are not operationally aligned, the LMF may transmit an updated positioning configuration for the first UE to obtain measurement information associated with the position of the first UE. In some instances, the non - operational alignment of the Uu positioning configuration and the SL positioning configuration of the first UE may include the misalignment of the Uu PPW for Uu positioning and the SL PPW for SL positioning. In some instances, the non - operational alignment of the Uu positioning configuration and the SL positioning configuration of the first UE may include that the first UE is not configured with a Uu positioning configuration. In some instances, the updated positioning configuration may include a Uu positioning configuration, for example, information on the BS for performing Uu positioning, configuration regarding Uu PRS, configuration regarding measurement and reporting, etc. In the case where the process of reselection of the second UE is performed by the first UE, the updated positioning configuration (also referred to as a hybrid positioning configuration) may further include an SL positioning configuration (for example, an updated SL positioning configuration).

[0159] Thus, in operation 606, the first UE may obtain an updated positioning configuration. For example, in response to receiving a first request from the LMF and in the case where the Uu positioning configuration and the SL positioning configuration of the first UE are not operationally aligned, the first UE may obtain an updated positioning configuration for obtaining measurement information associated with the position of the first UE.

[0160] In some embodiments, the first UE obtaining the updated positioning configuration may include obtaining the updated positioning configuration from the LMF. As will be described later, the first UE may additionally or alternatively obtain some Uu positioning configurations (such as Uu PPW configuration) by receiving the Uu positioning configuration from its serving BS. Thus, the first UE obtaining the updated positioning configuration may further include receiving the Uu positioning configuration from its serving BS.

[0161] In operation 607a, the first UE may perform at least one of the following based on the updated positioning configuration: Uu PRS transmission; Uu PRS reception, Uu PRS measurement; SL PRS transmission; SL PRS reception, or SL PRS measurement. In some instances, the first UE may use the updated positioning configuration to obtain measurement information associated with the position of the first UE. The measurement information may include at least one of Uu measurement information (such as the measurement result of Uu PRS) or SL measurement information (such as the measurement result of SL PRS).

[0162] In step 607b, the second UE performing SL positioning for the first UE may perform at least one of the following: SL PRS transmission; SL PRS reception; or SL PRS measurement. In some instances, the second UE may obtain measurement information associated with the location of the first UE using an SL positioning configuration or an updated SL positioning configuration. The measurement information may include SL measurement information (e.g., the measurement results of SL PRS).

[0163] In step 607c, the BS performing Uu positioning for the first UE may perform at least one of the following: Uu PRS transmission; Uu PRS reception; or Uu PRS measurement. In some instances, the BS may obtain measurement information associated with the location of the first UE using a Uu positioning configuration. The measurement information may include Uu measurement information (e.g., the measurement results of Uu PRS).

[0164] After obtaining the Uu and / or SL measurement information, in operation 608, the Uu and / or SL measurement information may be transmitted to a computing node for calculating a location estimate of the first UE. The computing node may be the first UE, the second UE performing SL positioning for the first UE, the BS performing Uu positioning for the first UE (e.g., the serving BS of the first UE), or the LMF. For example, at least one of the first UE, the second UE performing SL positioning for the first UE, or the BS performing Uu positioning for the first UE may transmit the obtained measurement information to the computing node for determining the location of the first UE. In some embodiments, the measurement information obtained by the first UE, the second UE, or the BS may be included in a measurement report to the computing node.

[0165] In some cases, Figure 6 the above-described process as illustrated in Figure 6 may have a latency issue because the hybrid Uu and SL positioning only starts after the LMF receives SL measurement information or third auxiliary data from the first UE and / or the second UE used to perform SL positioning for the first UE. By starting the hybrid Uu and SL positioning during the process of SL positioning, such a process can be accelerated. For example, before transmitting the SL measurement information, when some (pre)-configured conditions are met, the first UE may transmit auxiliary data to the LMF. The following embodiments illustrate how to use (pre)-configured conditions to reduce the latency of the process in

[0166] Figure 7 Illustrates another exemplary method for hybrid positioning according to some embodiments of the present application. Figure 7The method described may be performed by at least four network entities (e.g., a first UE, a second UE, a BS (e.g., the serving BS of the UE), and an LMF). The first UE may be the target UE at which the location service request originates or occurs. In other words, the first UE may be the UE that needs to know its location. The second UE may be an anchor UE that participates in SL positioning and helps the first UE obtain its location, for example, by transmitting / receiving SL PRS and performing related measurements. Although the method is described at the system level, those skilled in the art will understand that the method implemented in the four network entities can be separately implemented and combined in other devices with similar functions.

[0167] In Figure 7 the exemplary method shown, operation 701 may be the same as operation 601.

[0168] In operation 702, the LMF may transmit (e.g., configure or pre-configure) a second condition to the first UE. Thus, the first UE may receive the second condition from the LMF. In some embodiments, the second condition may be configured or pre-configured by the LMF to the first UE during operation 701 (i.e., during independent SL positioning), as Figure 7 shown. That is, operation 702 may be part of operation 701. In some other embodiments, the second condition may be configured or pre-configured by the LMF independently of operation 701 (e.g., before or after operation 701) to the first UE.

[0169] In some embodiments, the second condition may include:

[0170] · The link quality of at least one SL connection associated with at least one second UE is lower than a fourth predefined threshold during a time window, and the first UE cannot find one or more second UEs to replace at least one second UE used to perform SL positioning for the first UE during the time window, while the link quality of one or more other SL connections is higher than a fifth predefined threshold during the time window, where the number of one or more other SL connections does not exceed the requested number (e.g., the number of SL connections requested by the LMF to meet the requirements of the positioning service); and

[0171] · At least one Uu connection can be established, and the link quality of at least one Uu connection is higher than a sixth predefined threshold during the time window.

[0172] The fourth, fifth, and sixth predefined thresholds described above may be the same or different and may be configured or pre-configured by the LMF. Additionally, the length of the time window mentioned above may also be configured or pre-configured by the LMF.

[0173] In response to the satisfaction of the second condition, the first UE may transmit fourth auxiliary data to the LMF in operation 703. For example, the fourth auxiliary data may be transmitted via a RequestAssistanceData message or a ProvideLocationInformation message as specified in the 3GPP standard document, or may be transmitted via any other new message. The fourth auxiliary data may indicate the satisfaction of the second condition. Thus, in step 603, the LMF may receive the fourth auxiliary data from the first UE.

[0174] In operation 704, the LMF may determine to initiate the hybrid positioning process based on the fourth auxiliary data. Then, the LMF, the first UE, the second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE, and the BS for performing Uu positioning for the first UE may perform operations 705, 706, 707, 708a, 708b, 708c, and 709, which are the same as the operations Figure 6 illustrated in 604, 605, 606, 607a, 607b, 607c, and 608, respectively.

[0175] In some embodiments, the LMF may also receive SL measurement information or third auxiliary data from the first UE or the second UE for performing Uu positioning for the first UE. However, the SL measurement information or the third auxiliary data may be received after receiving the fourth auxiliary data, and the LMF may determine whether to initiate the hybrid positioning process even before receiving the SL measurement information or the third auxiliary data.

[0176] In some cases, for hybrid Uu and SL positioning, if the measurement reports on the sidelink and the Uu link are not aligned, then the two types of measurement reports may not be matched to the same location of the first UE. This problem can be solved by configuring the Uu PPW aligned with the SL PPW.

[0177] In this case, the serving BS of the first UE may obtain information related to the SL positioning of the first UE. Then, the serving BS may determine at least one of the Uu PPW or the SL PPW based at least in part on the information related to the SL positioning of the first UE. After that, the serving BS may transmit information on the determined at least one of the Uu PPW or the SL PPW to at least one of the first UE or the second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE. Specifically, the following embodiments provide several solutions for configuring the Uu PPW aligned with the SL PPW.

[0178] Solution 1'

[0179] In Solution 1', the first UE may transmit information of the SL PPW to the serving BS of the first UE. In Solution 1', the information related to the SL positioning of the first UE may include the information of the SL PPW from the first UE.

[0180] After receiving the information of the SL PPW, the serving BS of the first UE may determine the Uu PPW aligned with the SL PPW indicated by the information of the SL PPW. For example, the Uu PPW may be determined at least in part based on the SL PPW. In some instances, the Uu PPW may also be determined based on the BS information used for performing Uu positioning for the first UE. After that, the serving BS may transmit the information of the determined Uu PPW to the first UE. In some instances, the serving BS may transmit the information of the determined Uu PPW and the associated ID (e.g., the ID of the TRP) to the first UE. In some instances, the information of the determined Uu PPW (and in some cases the associated ID) may be transmitted from the serving BS to the first UE in an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0181] Solution 2'

[0182] In Solution 2', the serving BS of the second UE that pre - forms an independent SL positioning for the first UE may transmit the information of the SL PPW to the serving BS of the first UE. In Solution 2', the information related to the SL positioning may include the information of the SL PPW from the first UE.

[0183] After receiving the information of the SL PPW, the serving BS of the first UE may determine the Uu PPW aligned with the SL PPW indicated by the information of the SL PPW. For example, the Uu PPW may be determined at least in part based on the SL PPW. In some instances, the Uu PPW may also be determined based on the information of the BS used for performing Uu positioning for the first UE. After that, the serving BS may transmit the information of the determined Uu PPW to the first UE. In some instances, the serving BS may transmit the information of the determined Uu PPW and the associated ID (e.g., the ID of the TRP) to the first UE. In some instances, the information of the determined Uu PPW (and in some cases the associated ID) may be transmitted from the serving BS to the first UE in an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0184] Solution 2' is applicable to the case where before starting the hybrid Uu and SL positioning, only the second UE that performs measurements on the sidelink for performing SL positioning for the first UE is outside the coverage of the serving BS of the first UE.

[0185] Solution 3'

[0186] In some embodiments of Solution 3', the SL PPW for independent SL positioning before mixing Uu and SL positioning may be determined by the serving BS of the first UE. In such embodiments, the serving BS of the first UE may determine a Uu PPW that is aligned with the SL PPW determined by the serving BS of the first UE. For example, the Uu PPW may be determined at least in part based on the SL PPW. In some instances, the Uu PPW may also be determined based on information about the BS that performs Uu positioning for the first UE. After that, the serving BS may transmit information about the determined Uu PPW to the first UE. In some instances, the serving BS may transmit information about the determined Uu PPW and an associated ID (e.g., the ID of the TRP) to the first UE. In some instances, the information about the determined Uu PPW (and in some cases the associated ID) may be transmitted from the serving BS to the first UE in an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0187] In some other embodiments of Solution 3', the first UE may perform the procedure for reselecting the second UE as described above. In such embodiments, the LMF may transmit updated information about the second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE to the serving BS of the first UE. In such embodiments, the information related to the SL positioning of the first UE includes the updated information about the second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE. After receiving such information, the serving BS of the first UE may determine the Uu PPW and the SL PPW at least in part based on the updated information about the second UE, where the Uu PPW is aligned with the SL PPW. In some instances, the Uu PPW and the SL PPW may also be determined based on information about the BS that performs Uu positioning for the first UE. Then, the serving BS of the first UE may transmit information about the determined Uu PPW to the first UE. In some instances, the serving BS may transmit information about the determined Uu PPW and an associated ID (e.g., the ID of the TRP) to the first UE. In some instances, the information about the determined Uu PPW (and in some cases the associated ID) may be transmitted from the serving BS to the first UE in an RRC reconfiguration message. In some instances, the serving BS of the first UE may also transmit information about the determined SL PPW (e.g., as auxiliary data) to at least one of the first UE or the second UE.

[0188] In some cases, for a second UE outside the network coverage area, the serving BS may provide the second UE with the information about the determined SL PPW via the first UE. That is, the first UE may first receive the information about the determined SL PPW from the serving BS and then transmit the information to the second UE.

[0189] Solution 4'

[0190] In Solution 4', the SL PPW used in the SL positioning of the first UE can be determined by the LMF, and the LMF can transmit the information of the SL PPW to the serving BS of the first UE, for example, in a request for Uu PPW configuration. In Solution 4', the information related to SL positioning can include the information of the SL PPW from the LMF.

[0191] After receiving the information of the SL PPW, the serving BS of the first UE can determine the Uu PPW aligned with the SL PPW indicated by the information of the SL PPW. For example, the Uu PPW can be determined at least partially based on the SL PPW. In some instances, the Uu PPW can also be determined based on the information of the BS used to perform Uu positioning for the first UE. After that, the serving BS can transmit the information of the determined Uu PPW to the first UE. In some instances, the serving BS can transmit the information of the determined Uu PPW and the associated ID (e.g., the ID of the TRP) to the first UE. In some instances, the information of the determined Uu PPW (and in some cases the associated ID) can be transmitted from the serving BS to the first UE in an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0192] In the above Solutions 1' to 4', the information of the SL PPW and the information of the Uu PPW can be part of the updated positioning configuration obtained by the first UE in operation 606 in Figure 6 or operation 707 in Figure 7 . That is, the updated positioning configuration obtained by the first UE in operation 606 in Figure 6 or operation 707 in Figure 7 can include obtaining at least one of the information of the SL PPW or the information of the Uu PPW according to the above proximity Solutions 1' to 4'.

[0193] Figure 8 FIG. shows a simplified block diagram of an exemplary apparatus for hybrid positioning according to some embodiments of the present application. In some embodiments, the apparatus 800 can be or include at least a part of the first UE, for example, the target UE as described above. In some embodiments, the apparatus 800 can be or include at least a part of the second UE, for example, the anchoring UE as described above. In some other embodiments, the apparatus 800 can be or include at least a part of the BS, for example, the serving BS of the first UE. In some other embodiments, the apparatus 800 can be or include at least a part of the LMF of the wireless network.

[0194] Referring to Figure 8 , the apparatus 800 can include at least one transceiver 802 and at least one processor 806. The at least one transceiver 802 is coupled to the at least one processor 806.

[0195] Although in this figure, elements such as at least one transceiver 802 and processor 806 are described in the singular form, the plural form is contemplated unless explicitly stated to be limited to the singular form. In some embodiments of the present application, the transceiver 802 may be divided into two devices, such as a receiving circuit system (or receiver) and a transmitting circuit system (or transmitter). In some embodiments of the present application, the device 800 may further include an input device, a memory, and / or other components. The transceiver 802 and the processor 806 may be configured to perform any of the methods described herein (e.g., regarding Figures 2 to 7 the method described or other methods described in the embodiments of the present application).

[0196] According to some embodiments of the present application, the device 800 may be a target UE, and the transceiver 802 and the processor 806 may be configured to perform the operations of the target UE in any of the methods described regarding Figures 2 to 7 or other methods described in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the processor 806 is configured to: receive a first request from an LMF of a wireless network via the transceiver 802, the first request instructing the target UE to obtain measurement information associated with the location of the target UE; in response to receiving the first request from the LMF and when the Uu positioning configuration and the SL positioning configuration of the target UE are not operationally aligned, obtain an updated positioning configuration for obtaining measurement information associated with the location of the target UE; obtain measurement information associated with the location of the target UE using the updated positioning configuration; and transmit the obtained measurement information to the LMF via the transceiver 802 for determining the location of the target UE.

[0197] According to some embodiments of the present application, the device 800 may be a BS, and the transceiver 802 and the processor 806 may be configured to perform the operations of the BS in any of the methods described regarding Figures 2 to 7 or other methods described in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the processor 806 is configured to: obtain information related to the SL positioning of a first UE, initiate a transition from independent Uu or SL positioning to hybrid Uu and SL positioning for the first UE; determine at least one of Uu PPW or SL PPW at least partially based on the information related to the SL positioning of the first UE; and transmit information of the determined at least one of Uu PPW or SL PPW to at least one of the first UE or a second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE via the transceiver 802.

[0198] According to some embodiments of the present application, the device 800 may be an LMF, and the transceiver 802 and the processor 806 may be configured to perform the operations of the LMF in any of the methods described regarding Figures 2 to 7The operation of the LMF in any of the described methods or in other methods described in embodiments of the present application. For example, the processor 806 is configured to: transmit a first request to a first UE via the transceiver 802, the first request instructing the first UE to obtain measurement information associated with the location of the first UE; in response to transmitting the first request from the LMF and in the case where the Uu positioning configuration and the SL positioning configuration of the first UE are not operationally aligned, transmit an updated positioning configuration for causing the first UE to obtain measurement information associated with the location of the first UE via the transceiver 802; and receive measurement information from the first UE via the transceiver 802 for determining the location of the first UE.

[0199] In some embodiments of the present application, the device 800 may further include at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the non-transitory computer-readable medium may have computer-executable instructions stored thereon to cause the processor 806 to implement any of the methods described above. For example, when executed, the computer-executable instructions may cause the processor 806 to interact with the transceiver 802 to perform operations such as, for example, as described with respect to Figures 2 to 7 the methods described or other method operations described in embodiments of the present application.

[0200] The method according to an embodiment of the present application may also be implemented on a programmed processor. However, the controller, flowchart, and modules may also be implemented on a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit elements, an integrated circuit, a hardware electronic or logic circuit (such as a discrete element circuit), a programmable logic device, etc. Generally, any device on which a finite state machine capable of implementing the flowchart shown in the figure resides may be used to implement the processor functions of the present application. For example, embodiments of the present application provide a device for hybrid positioning, which includes a processor and a memory. Computer-programmable instructions for implementing a method for hybrid positioning are stored in the memory, and the processor is configured to execute the computer-programmable instructions to implement the method for hybrid positioning. The method for hybrid positioning may be any method described in the present application.

[0201] Alternative embodiments are preferably implemented in a non - transitory computer - readable storage medium storing computer - programmable instructions for implementing the methods of embodiments of the present application. The instructions are preferably executed by a computer - executable component preferably integrated with a network security system. The non - transitory computer - readable storage medium can be stored on any suitable computer - readable medium, such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EEPROM, optical storage devices (CD or DVD), hard disk drives, floppy disk drives, or any suitable device. The computer - executable component is preferably a processor, but the instructions can alternatively or additionally be executed by any suitable dedicated hardware device. For example, embodiments of the present application provide a non - transitory computer - readable storage medium having computer - programmable instructions stored therein. The computer - programmable instructions are configured to implement a method for hybrid positioning according to any embodiment of the present application.

[0202] While the present application has been described in its specific embodiments, it is obvious that many alternatives, modifications, and variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the various components of the embodiments can be interchanged, added, or replaced in other embodiments. Additionally, not all elements of each figure are necessary for the operation of the disclosed embodiments. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art of the disclosed embodiments will be able to make and use the teachings of the present application by simply employing the elements of the independent claims. Thus, the embodiments of the present application as described herein are intended to be illustrative, not restrictive. Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application.

[0203] In this disclosure, relational terms such as "first", "second", etc. may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The term "comprises / comprising" or any other variant thereof is intended to cover non - exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a series of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element preceded by "a / an" or the like does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element. Further, the term "another" is defined as at least a second or more. As used herein, the terms "include", "have", and the like are defined as "comprise".

Claims

1. A first user equipment (UE) comprising: A processor; And A transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to: Receive a first request from a location management function (LMF) of a radio network via the transceiver, the first request instructing the first UE to obtain measurement information associated with the location of the first UE; In response to receiving the first request from the LMF, and when the Uu positioning configuration and the sidelink (SL) positioning configuration of the first UE are not operationally aligned, obtain an updated positioning configuration for obtaining the measurement information associated with the location of the first UE; Obtain the measurement information associated with the location of the first UE using the updated positioning configuration; And Transmit the obtained measurement information to the LMF via the transceiver for determining the location of the first UE.

2. The first UE according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to transmit Uu measurement information associated with the location of the first UE to the LMF via the transceiver, and the first request is received at least in part based on the Uu measurement information.

3. The first UE according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: Receive a condition from the LMF via the transceiver, and In response to the condition being met, transmit first auxiliary data via the transceiver, wherein the first request is received at least in part based on the first auxiliary data.

4. The first UE according to claim 3, wherein the condition includes: The link quality of at least one Uu connection is lower than a first predefined threshold during a time window, while the link quality of at least one other Uu connection is higher than a second predefined threshold during the time window; and At least one SL connection can be established, and the link quality of the at least one SL connection is higher than a third predefined threshold during the time window.

5. The first UE according to claim 1, Wherein the first request includes at least one of the following: Information of at least one second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE; A second request instructing the first UE to discover a second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE; or An updated Uu positioning configuration; or Wherein the first request includes at least one of the following: Information of a base station (BS) for performing Uu positioning for the first UE; Updated information of a second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE; or A third request instructing the first UE to reselect a second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE.

6. The first UE according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to receive information of an SL positioning permission window (SL PPW) from a serving BS of the first UE or from the LMF via the transceiver, wherein the SL PPW is aligned with a Uu positioning permission window (UuPPW) configured for the first UE.

7. The first UE according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to transmit, via the transceiver, SL measurement information or second auxiliary data associated with the position of the first UE to the LMF, and the first request is received at least in part based on the SL measurement information or the second auxiliary data, wherein the second auxiliary data indicates at least one of the following: The position estimate of the first UE calculated based on the SL measurement information associated with the position of the first UE fails to meet the quality of service QoS requirements of the positioning service; or The failure of the SL measurement.

8. The first UE according to claim 3, wherein the condition includes: The link quality of at least one SL connection associated with at least one second UE is lower than a fourth predefined threshold during a time window, and the first UE is unable to find one or more second UEs to replace the at least one second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE during the time window, while the link quality of one or more other SL connections is higher than a fifth predefined threshold during the time window, wherein the number of the one or more other SL connections does not exceed the requested number; and Able to establish at least one Uu connection, and the link quality of the at least one Uu connection is higher than a sixth predefined threshold during the time window.

9. The first UE according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to receive, via the transceiver, information and an associated identification ID of a Uu PPW from the serving BS of the first UE, wherein the Uu PPW is aligned with the SL PPW.

10. A location management function LMF of a wireless network, comprising: A processor; And A transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to: Transmit a first request to a first user equipment UE via the transceiver, the first request instructing the first UE to obtain measurement information associated with the position of the first UE; In response to transmitting the first request from the LMF and when the Uu positioning configuration and the sidelink SL positioning configuration of the first UE are not operationally aligned, transmit, via the transceiver, an updated positioning configuration for the first UE to obtain the measurement information associated with the position of the first UE; And Receive the measurement information from the first UE via the transceiver for determining the position of the first UE.

11. The LMF according to claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to receive at least one of the following via the transceiver: First Uu measurement information associated with the position of the first UE from the first UE; or Second Uu measurement information associated with the position of the first UE from at least one base station BS for performing Uu positioning for the first UE; and The processor is further configured to determine to initiate a hybrid positioning process in response to at least one of the following before transmitting the first request: The position estimate of the first UE calculated based on at least one of the first Uu measurement information or the second Uu measurement information fails to meet the quality of service QoS requirements of the positioning service; or At least one of the first Uu measurement information or the second Uu measurement information indicates a failure of the Uu measurement.

12. The LMF according to claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to receive, via the transceiver, a response from the first UE indicating at least one of the following: An acknowledgement of the first request; or One or more second UEs selected by the first UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE; or wherein the processor is further configured to receive, via the transceiver, a response from the first UE indicating at least one of the following: An acknowledgement of the first request; or One or more second UEs reselected by the first UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE.

13. The LMF according to claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to: Receive, via the transceiver, SL measurement information or third auxiliary data associated with the position of the first UE from at least one of the first UE or a second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE; and Before transmitting the first request, determine to initiate a hybrid positioning process in response to at least one of the following: The position estimate of the first UE calculated based on the received SL measurement information fails to meet the quality of service QoS requirements of the positioning service, The received SL measurement information indicates a failure of the SL measurement, or The third auxiliary data indicates at least one of the following: The position estimate of the first UE calculated based on the SL measurement information associated with the position of the first UE fails to meet the QoS requirements of the positioning service; or A failure of the SL measurement.

14. The LMF according to claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to transmit, via the transceiver, at least one of the following to the serving BS of the first UE: Information on the SL PPW; or Updated information on a second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE.

15. A base station BS, comprising: A processor; And A transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to: Obtain information related to the sidelink SL positioning of a first user equipment UE, and initiate a transition from independent Uu or SL positioning to hybrid Uu and SL positioning for the first UE; Determine at least one of a Uu Uu positioning reference signal PRS processing window PPW or an SL PPW at least partially based on the information related to the SL positioning of the first UE; and Transmit, via the transceiver, information on the determined at least one of the Uu PPW or the SL PPW to at least one of the first UE or a second UE for performing SL positioning for the first UE.

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