Backscatter-based localization

Abstract

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for wireless communication supporting backscatter-based positioning. In a first aspect, a method of wireless communication includes receiving a plurality of measurement reports associated with a tag device. For each of a plurality of transmit / receive points (TRPs), the plurality of measurement reports includes a measurement report for the TRPs. The method also includes determining, based on the plurality of measurement reports, a location of the tag device with a tag delay that is unknown to the network entity.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 060,418, entitled "BACKSCATTER - BASED POSITIONING", filed on November 30, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to backscatter - based positioning. Some features may enable and provide improved communication, including reduced control overhead, efficient resource utilization, improved network access, improved ranging measurements, position determination, TRP selection, reduced interference, or combinations thereof. Background Art

[0004] Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to provide various communication services such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcasting, etc. These wireless networks can be multi - access networks that are capable of supporting multiple users by sharing available network resources. Such networks can be multi - access networks that support communication of multiple users by sharing available network resources.

[0005] A wireless communication network may include several components. These components may include wireless communication devices such as a base station (or Node B) that can support communication of several user equipments (UEs). The UEs can communicate with the base station via a downlink and an uplink. The downlink (or forward link) refers to the communication link from the base station to the UE, and the uplink (or reverse link) refers to the communication link from the UE to the base station.

[0006] The base station can send data and control information to the UE on the downlink or receive data and control information from the UE on the uplink. On the downlink, the transmission from the base station may encounter interference due to transmissions from neighboring base stations or other radio frequency (RF) transmitters. On the uplink, the transmission from the UE may encounter interference from other UEs communicating with neighboring base stations or from uplink transmissions of other wireless RF transmitters. Such interference may degrade the performance on both the downlink and the uplink.

[0007] Due to the continuous growth in the demand for mobile broadband access, with more UEs accessing remote wireless communication networks and more short - range wireless systems deployed in the community, the likelihood of interference and congested networks is also growing. Research and development continue to advance wireless technologies to not only meet the growing demand for mobile broadband access but also enhance and improve the user experience of mobile communication.

[0008] Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems and devices typically include a reader device, referred to as a reader, and one or more tag devices, such as RFID tag devices. Tag devices typically include a wireless microchip for tagging an object for automatic identification. However, the use of tag devices has not been applied to current 3GPP technologies and Internet of Things (IoT) implementations, which may include identification, monitoring, positioning, and tracking (as illustrative non-limiting examples). Additionally, tag devices can vary in terms of individual capabilities and components. Thus, the use of tag devices for current 3GPP technologies (such as coexistence with User Equipment (UE)) and the infrastructure for current 3GPP technology bands have not been established. Given the low power and limited processing capabilities of different types of tag devices, the integration of tag devices with 3GPP technologies presents various complex technical challenges, such as limiting network congestion, overhead, and interference associated with the use of tag devices with 3GPP technologies. SUMMARY

[0009] Some aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below to provide a basic understanding of the technologies discussed. This Summary is not an exhaustive overview of all the expected features of the present disclosure, and is neither intended to identify key or important elements of all aspects of the present disclosure, nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects of the present disclosure. The sole purpose of this Summary is to present some concepts of one or more aspects of the present disclosure in a generalized form as a prelude to the more detailed embodiments that are presented later.

[0010] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for wireless communication is performed by a network entity. The method includes receiving a plurality of measurement reports associated with a tag device. For each of a plurality of Transmit / Receive Points (TRPs), the plurality of measurement reports includes a measurement report for the TRP. The method further includes determining a location of the tag device having a tag delay that is unknown to the network entity based on the plurality of measurement reports.

[0011] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus includes at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to receive a plurality of measurement reports associated with a tag device. For each of a plurality of TRPs, the plurality of measurement reports includes a measurement report for the TRP. The at least one processor is further configured to determine a location of the tag device having a tag delay that is unknown to the network entity based on the plurality of measurement reports.

[0012] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus includes a communication interface configured to receive a plurality of measurement reports associated with a tag device. For each of a plurality of TRPs, the plurality of measurement reports includes a measurement report of the TRP. The apparatus further includes at least one processor coupled to a memory storing processor-readable code, the at least one processor configured to execute the processor-readable code to cause the at least one processor to determine a location of a tag device having a tag latency that is unknown to a network entity based on the plurality of measurement reports.

[0013] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus includes means for receiving a plurality of measurement reports associated with a tag device. For each of a plurality of TRPs, the plurality of measurement reports includes a measurement report of the TRP. The apparatus further includes means for determining a location of a tag device having a tag latency that is unknown to a network entity based on the plurality of measurement reports.

[0014] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include receiving a plurality of measurement reports associated with a tag device. For each of a plurality of TRPs, the plurality of measurement reports includes a measurement report of the TRP. The operations further include determining a location of a tag device having a tag latency that is unknown to a network entity based on the plurality of measurement reports.

[0015] The features and technical advantages of examples in accordance with the present disclosure have been outlined rather broadly above so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described hereinafter. The disclosed concepts and specific examples may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the appended claims. The characteristics of the concepts disclosed herein (both their organization and method of operation) as well as the associated advantages will be better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Each of the drawings provided is for the purpose of illustration and description and is not a definition of the limits of the claims.

[0016] While aspects and specific implementations are described herein by way of some examples for illustration, those skilled in the art will understand that additional specific implementations and use cases may arise in many different arrangements and scenarios. The innovations described herein can be implemented across many different platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, and packaging arrangements. For example, aspects and / or uses can be implemented via integrated chips and other devices based on non-module components (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication devices, computing devices, industrial equipment, retail / purchase devices, medical devices, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled devices, etc.). Although some examples may or may not specifically refer to use cases or applications, a wide variety of applicability of the described innovations can occur. The scope of specific implementations can range from chip-level or modular components to non-modular, non-chip-level implementations, and further to the scope of aggregated, distributed, or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) devices or systems that incorporate one or more aspects of the described innovations. In some practical environments, devices that incorporate the described aspects and features may also necessarily include additional components and features for implementing and practicing the aspects claimed and described. For example, the transmission and reception of wireless signals necessarily includes multiple components for analog and digital purposes (e.g., hardware components including antennas, radio frequency (RF) chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffers, processors, interleavers, adders / summers, etc.). The innovations described herein are intended to be practiced in a variety of devices, chip-level components, systems, distributed arrangements, end-user devices, etc. with different sizes, shapes, and configurations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present disclosure can be realized by reference to the following drawings. In the drawings, like components or features may have the same reference numeral. Additionally, various components of the same type can be distinguished by adding a dash and a second numeral used to differentiate between like components after the reference numeral. If only the first reference numeral is used in the specification, the description applies to any one of the like components having the same first reference numeral, regardless of the second reference numeral.

[0018] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating details of an example wireless communication system in accordance with one or more aspects.

[0019] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating examples of a base station and a user equipment (UE) in accordance with one or more aspects.

[0020] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example wireless communication system that supports backscatter-based positioning in accordance with one or more aspects.

[0021] Figure 4Block diagram of another example of a system supporting backscatter-based positioning according to one or more aspects.

[0022] Figure 5 Block diagram of another example of a system supporting backscatter-based positioning according to one or more aspects.

[0023] Figure 6 Block diagram of another example of a system supporting backscatter-based positioning according to one or more aspects.

[0024] Figure 7 Block diagram of another example of a system supporting backscatter-based positioning according to one or more aspects.

[0025] Figure 8 Flowchart illustrating an example process supporting backscatter-based positioning according to one or more aspects.

[0026] Figure 9 Block diagram of an example network entity supporting backscatter-based positioning according to one or more aspects.

[0027] Same reference numerals and names in different figures indicate the same elements. Detailed Description

[0028] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. On the contrary, the detailed description includes specific details for providing a thorough understanding of the subject matter of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these specific details are not required in every instance and that in some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form for clarity of presentation.

[0029] The present disclosure provides systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable media that support backscatter-based positioning. For example, the present disclosure describes positioning a tag device, such as a passive Internet of Things (IoT) device or other type of tag device, via backscatter transmissions. A location management function (LMF) of a core network may be configured to determine the positioning of the tag device, such as two-dimensional positioning or three-dimensional positioning, based on one or more measurement reports received from one or more transmit / receive points (TRPs). By way of illustration, the LMF may identify a tag device for positioning, such as a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device, and configure multiple TRPs for a tag device positioning session. For example, the LMF may configure one or more TRPs to transmit respective positioning reference signals (PRSs) and receive respective backscatter signals. In some specific implementations, each of the one or more TRPs is configurable for full-duplex operation, asynchronous, or a combination thereof.

[0030] The LMF may receive multiple measurement reports associated with a tag device. For example, for each of multiple TRPs, the multiple measurement reports may include the measurement report of that TRP. The LMF may determine the location of a tag device having a tag delay that is unknown to the LMF based on the multiple measurement reports. The tag delay may include the radio frequency group delay of one or more components of the tag device. To determine the location, the LMF may determine a set of time differences based on the multiple measurement reports. By way of illustration, the multiple TRPs include a reference TRP and a set of TRPs, and the LMF may determine a measurement value for each of the multiple TRPs based on the measurement report of that TRP. To determine the set of time differences, the LMF may, for each of the set of TRPs, subtract the measurement value of the reference TRP from the measurement value of that TRP to determine a difference, and divide the difference by two to determine a quotient that includes the time difference in the set of time differences. The LMF may use the time difference of arrival technique to calculate the location of the tag device based on the set of time differences.

[0031] Specific embodiments of the subject matter described in this disclosure may be implemented to achieve one or more of the following potential advantages or benefits. In some aspects, this disclosure provides techniques for supporting backscatter-based positioning. The techniques described facilitate determining the location of a tag device having limited onboard power and computational resources, such as a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device, such as two-dimensional positioning or three-dimensional positioning. By way of illustration, the LMF is capable of providing a TRP configuration (e.g., a PRS configuration) to one or more TRPs that takes into account specific characteristics of the tag device, such as the limited onboard power or computational resources of the tag device. Additionally, the LMF is capable of determining the location of the tag device based on one or more measurement reports when the tag delay of the tag device is unknown or unavailable. For example, when the tag delay of the tag device is unknown or unavailable to the LMF (e.g., unknown or unavailable to the device calculating the location of the tag device), the LMF may perform measurements for TDoA-based backscatter-based positioning of multiple TRPs.

[0032] This disclosure generally relates to providing or participating in authorized shared access between two or more wireless devices in one or more wireless communication systems (also referred to as wireless communication networks). In various embodiments, the techniques and apparatuses may be used in wireless communication networks such as code division multiple access (CDMA) networks, time division multiple access (TDMA) networks, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) networks, orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) networks, single carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) networks, LTE networks, GSM networks, fifth generation (5G) or new radio (NR) networks (sometimes referred to as “5G NR” networks, systems, or devices), and other communication networks. As described herein, the terms “network” and “system” may be used interchangeably.

[0033] A CDMA network can implement radio technologies such as Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), cdma2000, etc., for example. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (W-CDMA) and Low Chip Rate (LCR). Cdma2000 covers the IS-2000, IS-95, and IS-856 standards.

[0034] A TDMA network can implement radio technologies such as the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), for example. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defines the standards for the GSM EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) Radio Access Network (RAN) (also known as GERAN). GERAN is the radio component of the network of GSM / EDGE together with the networks connecting base stations (such as the Ater and Abis interfaces) and base station controllers (the A interface, etc.). The radio access network represents the component of the GSM network through which telephone calls and packet data are routed from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and the Internet to the subscriber's mobile phone (also known as the user terminal or user equipment (UE)) and from the subscriber's mobile phone to the PSTN and the Internet. The network of a mobile phone operator can include one or more GERANs, which can be coupled to the UTRAN in the case of a UMTS / GSM network. Additionally, the operator's network can also include one or more LTE networks, or one or more other networks. Various different network types can use different Radio Access Technologies (RATs) and RANs.

[0035] OFDMA networks can implement radio technologies such as evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20, flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA, E-UTRA, and GSM are part of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). Specifically, Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a UMTS version that uses E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, GSM, UMTS, and LTE are described in documents provided by an organization called the "3rd Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP), and cdma2000 is described in documents from an organization called the "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2). These radio technologies and standards are known or under development. For example, 3GPP is a cooperation among telecommunications association groups aimed at defining globally applicable third-generation (3G) mobile phone specifications. 3GPP LTE is a 3GPP program aimed at improving the UMTS mobile phone standard. 3GPP can define specifications for next-generation mobile networks, mobile systems, and mobile devices. Certain aspects of the present disclosure may be described with reference to LTE, 4G, or 5G NR technologies; however, the description is not intended to be limited to a specific technology or application, and one or more aspects described with reference to one technology may be understood to be applicable to another technology. Additionally, one or more aspects of the present disclosure may relate to shared access to the radio spectrum between networks using different radio access technologies or radio air interfaces.

[0036] 5G networks are expected to have diverse deployments, diverse spectrums, and diverse services and devices that can be implemented using an OFDM-based unified air interface. To achieve these goals, in addition to developing new radio technologies for 5G NR networks, further enhancements to LTE and LTE-A are also considered. 5G NR will be able to scale to provide coverage (1) to massive Internet of Things (IoT) with ultra-high density (e.g., about 1M nodes / km 2 ), ultra-low complexity (e.g., about 10s bits per second), ultra-low power consumption (e.g., about 10+ year battery life), and deep coverage with the ability to reach challenging locations; (2) including mission-critical control with strong security to protect sensitive personal, financial, or classified information, ultra-high reliability (e.g., about 99.9999% reliability), ultra-low latency (e.g., about 1 millisecond (ms)), and users with a wide range of mobility or lack of mobility; and (3) providing enhanced mobile broadband with enhanced mobile broadband (including extremely high capacity (e.g., about 10 Tbps / km 2 ), extremely high data rates (e.g., multi-Gbps rates, 100+ Mbps user experience rate), and deep awareness coverage with advanced discovery and optimization.

[0037] Devices, networks, and systems can be configured to communicate via one or more portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The electromagnetic spectrum is typically subdivided into various categories, bands, channels, etc. based on frequency / wavelength. In 5G NR, two initial operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz to 7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz). The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are generally referred to as mid-band frequencies. Although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, in various documents and articles, FR1 is typically (interchangeably) referred to as the "sub-6 GHz" band. A similar naming issue sometimes occurs for FR2, where in documents and articles, FR2 is typically (interchangeably) referred to as the "millimeter wave" (mmWave) band, although it is different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz to 300 GHz) identified by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as the "mmWave" band.

[0038] Taking the above aspects into account, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if used herein, terms such as "sub-6 GHz" can broadly represent frequencies that can be less than 6 GHz, can be within FR1, or can include mid-band frequencies. Additionally, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if used herein, terms such as "mmWave" can broadly represent frequencies that can include mid-band frequencies, can be within FR2, or can be within the EHF band.

[0039] 5G NR devices, networks, and systems can be implemented to use waveform features based on optimized OFDM. These features can include scalable parameter sets and transmission time intervals (TTIs); a common flexible framework for efficiently multiplexing services and features using dynamic, low-latency time division duplex (TDD) designs or frequency division duplex (FDD) designs; and advanced radio technologies such as massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO), robust mmWave transmission, advanced channel decoding, and device-centric mobility. The scalability of parameter sets in 5G NR and the scaling of subcarrier spacing can efficiently address the operation of various services across different spectrums and different deployments. For example, in various outdoor and macro coverage deployments with less than 3 GHz FDD or TDD implementations, the subcarrier spacing may occur at 15 kHz, such as for bandwidths exceeding 1 MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 20 MHz, etc. For other various outdoor and small cell coverage deployments with TDD greater than 3 GHz, the subcarrier spacing may occur at 30 kHz over 80 MHz / 100 MHz bandwidths. For other various indoor broadband implementations using TDD in the unlicensed portion of the 5 GHz band, the subcarrier spacing may occur at 60 kHz over 160 MHz bandwidths. Finally, for various deployments transmitting via mmWave components under TDD at 28 GHz, the subcarrier spacing can occur at 120 kHz over 500 MHz bandwidths.

[0040] The scalable parameter sets of 5G NR contribute to scalable TTIs for diverse latency and quality of service (QoS) requirements. For example, shorter TTIs can be used for low latency and high reliability, while longer TTIs can be used for higher spectral efficiency. The efficient multiplexing of long and short TTIs allows transmissions to start at symbol boundaries. 5G NR also anticipates self-contained integrated subframe designs, where uplink or downlink scheduling information, data, and acknowledgments are in the same subframe. Self-contained integrated subframes support communication in unlicensed or contention-based shared spectrums, and adaptive uplink or downlink can be flexibly configured on a per-cell basis to dynamically switch between uplink and downlink to meet current traffic demands.

[0041] For clarity, certain aspects of the apparatus and techniques may be described below with reference to example 5G NR implementations or in a 5G-centric manner, and 5G terminology may be used as illustrative examples in parts of the description below; however, the description is not intended to be limited to 5G applications.

[0042] In addition, it should be understood that in operation, a wireless communication network adapted according to the concepts herein may operate using any combination of licensed spectrum or unlicensed spectrum depending on load and availability. Accordingly, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein can be applied to other communication systems and applications in addition to the specific examples provided.

[0043] While aspects and specific implementations are described herein by way of illustration of some examples, those skilled in the art will understand that additional specific implementations and use cases may arise in many different arrangements and scenarios. The innovations described herein can be implemented across many different platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, packaging arrangements. For example, a specific implementation or use can be implemented via an integrated chip or other non-module-component-based device (e.g., an end-user device, a vehicle, a communication device, a computing device, an industrial device, a retail or point-of-purchase device, a medical device, an AI-enabled device, etc.). While some examples may or may not specifically refer to a use case or application, a wide variety of applicability of the described innovations may occur. The scope of specific implementations can range from chip-level or modular components to non-modular, non-chip-level implementations and further to aggregated, distributed, or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) devices or systems that incorporate one or more of the described aspects. In some practical environments, devices incorporating the described aspects and features may also necessarily include additional components and features for implementing and practicing the claimed and described aspects. It is intended that the innovations described herein be implemented in a wide variety of specific implementations of different sizes, shapes, and configurations, including both large and small devices, chip-level components, multi-component systems (e.g., radio frequency (RF) chains, communication interfaces, processors), distributed arrangements, end-user devices, etc.

[0044] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating details of an example wireless communication system according to one or more aspects. The wireless communication system may include a wireless network 100. The wireless network 100 may include, for example, a 5G wireless network. As recognized by those skilled in the art, Figure 1 the components that appear in are likely to have related corresponding components in other network arrangements, including, for example, cellular-style network arrangements as well as non-cellular-style network arrangements (e.g., device-to-device or peer-to-peer or ad-hoc network arrangements, etc.).

[0045] Figure 1The illustrated wireless network 100 includes a number of base stations 105 and other network entities. A base station can be a station that communicates with a UE and can also be referred to as an evolved Node B (eNB), a next-generation eNB (gNB), an access point, etc. Each base station 105 can provide communication coverage for a specific geographic area. In 3GPP, the term "cell" can refer to the specific geographic coverage area of a base station or the base station subsystem serving that coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used. In a particular implementation of the wireless network 100 herein, the base stations 105 can be associated with the same operator or different operators (e.g., the wireless network 100 can include multiple operator wireless networks). Additionally, in a particular implementation of the wireless network 100 herein, the base stations 105 can use one or more of the same frequencies as adjacent cells (e.g., one or more frequency bands in licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or a combination thereof) to provide wireless communication. In some examples, a single base station 105 or UE 115 can be operated by more than one network operating entity. In some other examples, each base station 105 and UE 115 can be operated by a single network operating entity.

[0046] A base station can provide communication coverage for a macro cell or a small cell (such as a pico cell or a femto cell) or other types of cells. A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g., with a radius of several kilometers) and can allow unrestricted access by UEs having a service subscription with the network provider. A small cell (such as a pico cell) generally covers a relatively small geographic area and can allow unrestricted access by UEs having a service subscription with the network provider. A small cell (such as a femto cell) generally also covers a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home) and can provide restricted access by UEs associated with the femto cell (e.g., UEs in a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG), UEs of users in a home, etc.) in addition to unrestricted access. A base station for a macro cell can be referred to as a macro base station. A base station for a small cell can be referred to as a small cell base station, a pico base station, a femto base station, or a home base station. In Figure 1 the example shown, base stations 105d and 105e are conventional macro base stations, while base stations 105a to 105c are macro base stations implemented using one of 3-dimensional (3D), full-dimensional (FD), or massive MIMO. Base stations 105a to 105c utilize their higher-dimensional MIMO capabilities to employ 3D beamforming in elevation and azimuth beamforming to increase coverage and capacity. Base station 105f is a small cell base station, which can be a home node or a portable access point. A base station can support one or more (e.g., two, three, four, etc.) cells.

[0047] The wireless network 100 may support synchronous or asynchronous operations. For synchronous operations, the base stations may have similar frame timings, and transmissions from different base stations may be approximately aligned in time. For asynchronous operations, the base stations may have different frame timings, and transmissions from different base stations may not be aligned in time. In some cases, the network may be enabled or configured to handle dynamic switching between synchronous and asynchronous operations.

[0048] UEs 115 are scattered throughout the wireless network 100, and each UE can be stationary or mobile. It should be understood that although in the standards and specifications promulgated by 3GPP, mobile devices are commonly referred to as UEs, such devices may additionally or otherwise be referred to by those skilled in the art as mobile stations (MSs), subscriber stations, mobile units, subscriber units, radio units, remote units, mobile devices, wireless devices, wireless communication devices, remote devices, mobile subscriber stations, access terminals (ATs), mobile terminals, wireless terminals, remote terminals, cellular phones, terminals, user agents, mobile clients, clients, gaming devices, augmented reality devices, vehicle components, vehicle devices, or vehicle modules or some other suitable term. In this document, a "mobile" device or UE does not necessarily have the ability to move and can be stationary. Some non-limiting examples of mobile devices may include specific implementations such as one or more UEs 115, including mobile phones, cellular phones, smart phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, laptop computers, personal computers (PCs), notebooks, netbooks, smartbooks, tablet computers, and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Mobile devices can additionally be IoT or "Internet of Everything" (IoE) devices, such as cars or other transportation vehicles, satellite radios, global positioning system (GPS) devices, global navigation satellite system (GNSS) devices, logistics controllers, drones, multi-rotor helicopters, quad-rotor helicopters, smart energy or security devices, solar panels or solar cell arrays, city lighting, water supply or other infrastructure; industrial automation and enterprise equipment; consumer and wearable devices, such as glasses, wearable cameras, smart watches, health or fitness trackers, mammalian implantable devices, gesture tracking devices, medical devices, digital audio players (e.g., MP3 players), cameras, gaming consoles, etc.; and digital home or smart home devices, such as home audio, video, and multimedia devices, appliances, sensors, vending machines, smart lighting, home security systems, smart meters, etc. In one aspect, a UE can be a device that includes a universal integrated circuit card (UICC). In another aspect, a UE can be a device that does not include a UICC. In some aspects, a UE that does not include a UICC can also be referred to as an IoE device. Figure 1The illustrated specific implementations of UEs 115a through 115d are examples of mobile smart phone-type devices that access the wireless network 100. A UE can also be a machine specifically configured for connectivity communications, including machine type communications (MTC), enhanced MTC (eMTC), narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), etc. Figure 1 The illustrated UEs 115e through 115k are examples of various machines that access the wireless network 100 and are configured for communications.

[0049] A mobile device, such as UE 115, may be capable of communicating with any type of base station, whether it is a macro base station, a pico base station, a femto base station, a relay station, etc. In Figure 1 the figure, the communication link (represented as lightning) indicates a wireless transmission between the UE and the serving base station (which is the base station designated to serve the UE on the downlink or uplink), a desired transmission between base stations, and a backhaul transmission between base stations. The UE can operate as a base station or other network node in some scenarios. The backhaul communication between the base stations of the wireless network 100 can be performed using a wired or wireless communication link.

[0050] In operation, at the wireless network 100, base stations 105a through 105c use 3D beamforming and collaborative spatial techniques, such as coordinated multipoint (CoMP) or multi-connectivity, to serve UEs 115a and 115b. Macro base station 105d performs backhaul communication with base stations 105a through 105c and the small cell (base station 105f). Macro base station 105d also transmits multicast services subscribed to and received by UEs 115c and 115d. Such multicast services can include mobile TV or streaming video, or can include other services for providing community information, such as weather emergencies or alerts, such as Amber alerts or Gray alerts.

[0051] The specifically implemented wireless network 100 supports mission-critical communications with ultra-reliable and redundant links for mission-critical devices such as this UE 115e acting as a drone. The redundant communication links with the UE 115e include links from macro base stations 105d and 105e and small cell base station 105f. Other machine type devices such as UE 115f (thermometer), UE 115g (smart meter), and UE 115h (wearable device) can communicate directly with base stations such as small cell base station 105f and macro base station 105e via the wireless network 100, or communicate in a multi-hop configuration by communicating with another user equipment that relays its information to the network, such as UE 115f communicating temperature measurement information to smart meter UE 115g, and then reporting it to the network via small cell base station 105f. The wireless network 100 can also provide additional network efficiency via dynamic, low-latency TDD communication or low-latency FDD communication (such as in a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) mesh network between UEs 115i to 115k communicating with macro base station 105e).

[0052] Base stations 105 can communicate with the core network 130 and with each other. For example, base stations 105 can interface with the core network 130 via a backhaul link 132 (e.g., via S1, N2, N3, or other interfaces). Base stations 105 can communicate with each other directly (e.g., directly between base stations 105) or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130) via a backhaul link (e.g., via X2, Xn, or other interfaces).

[0053] The core network 130 can provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 can be an evolved packet core (EPC), which can include at least one mobility management entity (MME), at least one serving gateway (S-GW), and at least one packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW). The MME can manage non-access stratum (e.g., control plane) functions such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management of UEs 115 served by base stations 105 associated with the EPC. User IP packets can be relayed through the S-GW, which can itself be connected to the P-GW. The P-GW can provide IP address allocation and other functions. The P-GW can be connected to the network operator IP services. The operator IP services can include access to the Internet, intranet, IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), or packet-switched (PS) streaming services.

[0054] In some specific implementations, the core network 130 includes or is coupled to a Location Management Function (LMF) 131, which is an entity in the 5G core network (5GC) that supports various functionalities such as managing support for different location services for one or more UEs. For example, the LMF 131 may include one or more servers, such as multiple distributed servers. The base station 105 may forward location messages to the LMF 131 and may communicate with the LMF via the NR Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa). The LMF 131 is configured to control the positioning parameters of the UE 115, and the LMF 131 may provide information to the base station 105 and the UE 115 such that actions may be taken at the UE 115. In some specific implementations, the UE 115 and the base station 105 are configured to communicate with the LMF 131 via the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0055] A tag device system generally includes a tag device 120 and a reader device 121. The tag device 120 includes a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device or tag, which includes a wireless microchip for tagging an object for automatic object identification. The reader device 121 (such as an RFID reader) may be configured to send an electromagnetic signal to other devices (such as the tag device 120). The reader device 121 may include one or more processors and a memory and is generally capable of processing data. Additionally, the reader device 121 generally includes one or more transmitters and receivers. During typical operation, the reader device 121 may be configured to send a signal that can be received by the tag device 120 and is configured to receive and process a signal from the tag device 120 in response to the sent signal.

[0056] Tag devices such as the tag device 120 are classified based on functionality or capabilities. For example, depending on the functionality or capabilities of the tag device 120, the tag device 120 may be classified as one of a passive tag, a semi-passive tag, and an active tag. Thus, the tag device 120 may correspond to a passive tag, a semi-passive tag, or an active tag.

[0057] Passive tags typically lack a power source, harvest energy from ambient electromagnetic signals, and have limited computing capabilities, often lacking components such as analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and digital-to-analog converters (DACs) for signal processing. Due to the typically lacking signal processing capabilities of passive tags, passive tags generally include simple circuitry to reflect the received electromagnetic signals back into the environment in the form of backscatter transmissions. For example, a reader device 121 may transmit an electromagnetic signal, and a passive tag such as tag device 120 may receive the electromagnetic signal and at least partially reflect the electromagnetic signal in the form of a backscatter signal. Specifically, if tag device 120 is a passive tag, tag device 120 may include circuitry to at least partially reflect, in the form of a backscatter transmission, the unabsorbed portion of the electromagnetic signal received from the surrounding environment, such as the electromagnetic signal transmitted by reader device 121.

[0058] Semi-passive tags generally include an on-board power source to power the on-board electronic components. Generally speaking, semi-passive tags typically have greater computing capabilities than passive tags. Additionally, semi-passive tags may have a limited on-board power source; however, semi-passive tags generally transmit signals via backscatter transmission, as explained above in the context of passive tags.

[0059] Active tags generally include an on-board power source and greater computing capabilities than passive or semi-passive tags. Additionally, unlike passive and semi-passive tags that generally cannot transmit unless a reader device such as reader device 121 is in close proximity to them, active tags are capable of transmitting regardless of the proximity of the reader device. Active tag devices generally include signal processing functions such as ADCs, DACs, etc. Additionally, active tags generally include a power source and are capable of actively transmitting. In particular, unlike passive and semi-passive tags that generate a backscatter signal by at least partially reflecting a transmission received from a reader device (e.g., reader device 121), active tags are capable of transmitting independently of a signal received from another device such as reader device 121.

[0060] Additionally, a tag device (such as tag device 120) generally includes a tag identifier to uniquely identify the tag device. Thus, a tag device (such as tag device 120) may include its unique tag identifier in response to a transmission received from reader device 121 at the tag device. If tag device 120 corresponds to a passive tag or a semi-passive tag, tag device 120 may be configured to at least partially reflect the transmission received from reader device 121 in the form of a backscatter signal that can be read by reader device 121. Although active tags are capable of processing a received transmission signal from reader device 121, in some embodiments, the active tag device may also partially reflect the received signal as a backscatter signal, or may independently transmit a signal to reader device 121 in response to a signal received from reader device 121.

[0061] A tag device system including a tag device 120 and a reader device 121 can be deployed to locate an object associated with the tag device 120. For example, the tag device 120 can be attached to an object, and the reader device 121 can be configured to identify the location of the object to which the tag device 120 is attached (e.g., two-dimensional location, three-dimensional location) by using backscatter-based positioning. Thus, the tag device system can be deployed in a wide range of applications where precise and accurate object location is achieved. As illustrative non-limiting examples, these applications can include self-checkout, medical applications such as monitoring a patient's compliance with medical instructions, and law enforcement and security applications.

[0062] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a base station 105 and a UE 115 according to one or more aspects. The base station 105 and the UE 115 can be Figure 1 any one of the base stations in [base station list] and one of the UEs in [UE list]. For a restricted association scenario (as described above), the base station 105 can be Figure 1 the small cell base station 105f in [small cell base station list], and the UE 115 can be the UE 115c or 115d operating in the service area of the small cell base station 105f, which will be included in the list of accessible UEs of the small cell base station 105f for accessing the small cell base station 105f. The base station 105 can also be some other type of base station. As Figure 2 shown, the base station 105 can be equipped with antennas 234a to 234t, and the UE 115 can be equipped with antennas 252a to 252r for facilitating wireless communication.

[0063] At base station 105, transmit processor 220 may receive data from data source 212 and control information from controller 240 (such as a processor). The control information may be for a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), a physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH), a physical hybrid ARQ (automatic repeat request) indicator channel (PHICH), a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH), an MTC physical downlink control channel (MPDCCH), etc. The data may be for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), etc. Additionally, transmit processor 220 may process (e.g., encode and symbol map) the data and control information respectively to obtain data symbols and control symbols. Transmit processor 220 may also generate reference symbols for, e.g., a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and cell-specific reference signals. Transmit (TX) MIMO processor 230 may perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding) on the data symbols, control symbols, or reference symbols (if applicable), and may provide an output symbol stream to modulators (MOD) 232a through 232t. For example, the spatial processing performed on the data symbols, control symbols, or reference symbols may include precoding. Each modulator 232 may process the corresponding output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain an output sample stream. Additionally or alternatively, each modulator 232 may process the output sample stream (e.g., perform analog conversion, amplification, filtering, and upconversion on it) to obtain a downlink signal. The downlink signals from modulators 232a through 232t may be transmitted via antennas 234a through 234t respectively.

[0064] At UE 115, antennas 252a through 252r may receive the downlink signals from base station 105, and may provide the received signals to demodulators (DEMOD) 254a through 254r respectively. Each demodulator 254 may condition (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, and digitize) the corresponding received signal to obtain input samples. Each demodulator 254 may further process the input samples (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain received symbols. MIMO detector 256 may obtain the received symbols from demodulators 254a through 254r, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols when needed, and provide the detected symbols. Receive processor 258 may process (e.g., demodulate, deinterleave, and decode) the detected symbols, provide the decoded data for UE 115 to data sink 260, and provide the decoded control information to controller 280 (such as a processor).

[0065] On the uplink, at the UE 115, the transmit processor 264 may receive and process data from the data source 262 (e.g., for the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)) and control information from the controller 280 (e.g., for the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)). Additionally, the transmit processor 264 may also generate reference symbols for reference signals. Symbols from the transmit processor 264 may be pre-coded by the TX MIMO processor 266 when needed, further processed by the modulators 254a to 254r (e.g., for SC-FDM, etc.), and transmitted to the base station 105. At the base station 105, the uplink signal from the UE 115 may be received by the antenna 234, processed by the demodulator 232, detected by the MIMO detector 236 when needed, and further processed by the receive processor 238 to obtain the decoded data and control information transmitted by the UE 115. The receive processor 238 may provide the decoded data to the data sink 239 and the decoded control information to the controller 240.

[0066] The controllers 240 and 280 may direct operations at the base station 105 and the UE 115, respectively. The controller 240 or other processors and modules at the base station 105 or the controller 280 or other processors and modules at the UE 115 may execute or direct the execution of various processes for the techniques described herein in order to execute or direct Figure 8 the illustrated execution or other processes for the techniques described herein. The memories 242 and 282 may store data and program codes for the base station 105 and the UE 115, respectively. The scheduler 244 may schedule the UE for data transmission on the downlink or uplink.

[0067] In some cases, UE 115 and base station 105 may operate in a shared radio spectrum band, which may include licensed or unlicensed (e.g., contention-based) spectrum. In the unlicensed frequency portion of the shared radio spectrum band, UE 115 or base station 105 may traditionally perform a medium sensing process to compete for access to the spectrum. For example, UE 115 or base station 105 may perform a listen-before-talk or listen-before-transmit (LBT) process (such as clear channel assessment (CCA)) before communication to determine whether the shared channel is available. In some implementations, CCA may include an energy detection process to determine whether there is any other active transmission. For example, a device may infer that a change in the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of a power meter indicates that the channel is occupied. Specifically, signal power concentrated in a certain bandwidth and exceeding a predetermined noise floor may indicate another wireless transmitter. CCA may also include the detection of a specific sequence indicating the use of the channel. For example, another device may transmit a specific preamble before transmitting a data sequence. In some cases, the LBT process may include a wireless node adjusting its own backoff window based on the amount of energy detected on the channel or the acknowledgment / negative acknowledgment (ACK / NACK) feedback (as an indication of a collision) for its own transmitted packets.

[0068] Figure 3 is a block diagram of an example wireless communication system 300 that supports backscatter-based positioning in accordance with one or more aspects. In some examples, wireless communication system 300 may implement aspects of wireless network 100. Wireless communication system 300 includes tag device 120, first TRP 340, second TRP 342, third TRP 346, fourth TRP 348, fifth TRP 349, and core network 130. Although five TRPs are illustrated, in some other implementations, wireless communication system 300 may generally include fewer or more than five TRPs.

[0069] Tag device 120 may be an RFID tag device. Additionally, tag device 120 may be a passive tag that does not have a power source and has limited computing capabilities, a semi-passive tag that has a limited power source and computing capabilities equal to or greater than those of a passive tag device, or an active tag that has a power source and the same or greater computing capabilities as a semi-passive tag device. In some implementations

[0070] The tag device 120 may include a plurality of components (such as structural hardware components) for performing one or more functions described herein. For example, these components may include a circuit 351, a transmitter 356, and a receiver 358. As a non-limiting example, the circuit 351 may include or correspond to an energy harvesting circuit, a microcontroller, one or more processors, a memory, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), or any combination thereof. The circuit 351 may depend on whether the tag device 120 is a passive tag, a semi-passive tag, or an active tag.

[0071] The transmitter 356 is configured to send a backscatter signal 376, data, or both to one or more other devices (e.g., one or more TRPs or reader devices 121), and the receiver 358 is configured to receive a PRS 374 and data from one or more other devices (e.g., one or more TRPs, reader devices 121, core network 130). For example, the transmitter 356 may send the backscatter signal 376 to one or more TRPs, and the receiver 358 may receive the PRS 374 from one or more TRPs. In some embodiments, the transmitter 356 and the receiver 358 may be integrated in one or more transceivers. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitter 356 or the receiver 358 may include or correspond to one or more components of the tag device 120.

[0072] The tag device 120 may have a tag delay. The tag delay, such as a radio frequency (RF) group delay, may include or be based on one or more components of the tag device (e.g., the circuit 351, the transmitter 356, the receiver 358, or a combination thereof). The one or more components are configured to receive a positioning reference signal, generate a backscatter signal based on the positioning reference signal, and send the backscatter signal. In some embodiments, the tag delay is the amount of time between the tag device 120 receiving a positioning reference signal and sending a backscatter signal based on the received positioning reference signal.

[0073] In some embodiments, the tag device 120 is configured to generate a tag device indicator 370. The tag device indicator 370 may indicate the tag capabilities or tag parameters of the tag device 120. The tag capabilities or tag parameters may include or correspond to a tag ID, a tag type, a tag delay, a bandwidth, a positioning reference signal slot periodicity, a sensitivity, an energy harvesting capability (e.g., energy harvesting information), the energy level of the tag device 120, or a combination thereof. The energy harvesting capability may include or correspond to a charging rate, an energy state, an energy release rate, an energy harvesting type (e.g., solar, vibration, thermal, or RF), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the tag device 120 does not know its tag delay or may not be configured to support tag delay reporting of its tag delay.

[0074] The tagging device 120 may include one or more components as described herein with reference to the tagging device 120. In some specific embodiments, the tagging device 120 is a tagging device with 3GPP capabilities, a tagging device with LTE capabilities, a tagging device with 5G capabilities, a tagging device with 6G capabilities, or a combination thereof.

[0075] The first TRP 340 may include various components (such as structures, hardware components) for performing one or more functions described herein. For example, these components may include one or more processors 302 (collectively referred to hereinafter as "processors 302"), one or more memory devices 304 (collectively referred to hereinafter as "memory 304"), one or more transmitters 316 (collectively referred to hereinafter as "transmitters 316"), and one or more receivers 318 (collectively referred to hereinafter as "receivers 318"). In some specific embodiments, the first TRP 340 may include an interface (e.g., a communication interface) that includes the transmitter 316, the receiver 318, or a combination thereof. The processor 302 may be configured to execute instructions 305 stored in the memory 304 to perform the operations described herein. In some specific embodiments, the processor 302 includes or corresponds to one or more of the receiving processor 238, the transmitting processor 220, and the controller 240, and the memory 304 includes or corresponds to the memory 242, as described with reference to Figure 2 the base station 105.

[0076] The memory 304 includes or is configured to store instructions 305 and information 306. The information 306 may include PRS information 307, measurement gap information 308, tagging device information 309, and measurement information 310.

[0077] The PRS information 307 includes information used by the first TRP 340 to generate a positioning reference signal (PRS) 374. For example, the PRS information 307 may include one or more parameters, such as a repetition rate, a bandwidth configuration, a comb pattern configuration, or any combination thereof. The repetition rate may include or indicate the number of times the PRS is transmitted within a period of time. The comb pattern may include or indicate a configurable resource block allocation. In some specific embodiments, the PRS information 307 may be generated or stored based on the TRP configuration (e.g., 372) or the PRS configuration (e.g., 381).

[0078] The measurement gap information 308 indicates one or more time periods associated with the positioning session of the tag device 120. For example, the measurement gap information 308 may indicate one or more time periods during which one or more TRPs are configured to monitor the PRS 374, the backscatter signal 376, or a combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the measurement gap information 308 may indicate the time periods during which one or more TRPs generate a measurement report (e.g., 378), send the measurement report, or a combination thereof. In some specific implementations, the measurement gap information 308 may indicate the time periods during which one or more TRPs suppress the transmission of signals (such as the PRS 374). For example, the measurement gap information 308 may indicate the time periods during which the first TRP 340 suppresses scheduling one or more transmissions from occurring. The measurement gap information 308 may be based on the TRP configuration (e.g., 372) or the measurement gap (MG) configuration 382.

[0079] The tag device information 309 includes or corresponds to information or characteristics about one or more tag devices (such as the tag device 120). For example, for a tag device, the tag device information 309 may include the tag type, bandwidth, PRS time slot periodicity, sensitivity, tag delay (e.g., group delay), or a combination thereof. The tag type may correspond to whether the tag device (e.g., the tag device 120) is a passive tag, a semi-passive tag, or an active tag. Additionally or alternatively, the tag type may indicate the technology or use of the tag device (such as a surface acoustic wave (SAW) tag device, an IoT tag device, a security tag device, a medical tag device, or a combination thereof). The bandwidth may correspond to the bandwidth on which the tag device 120 is capable of communicating. The PRS time slot periodicity may correspond to the time frame of the period or frequency during which the tag device 120 expects to receive the PRS 374. The sensitivity may correspond to the sensitivity of the tag device 120 to the PRS 374, such as the transmission power of the PRS, the distance from the TRP at which the tag device 120 can successfully receive the signal, or a combination thereof. The tag delay may correspond to the amount of time that the tag device 120 processes the PRS 374 and generates the backscatter signal 376 in response to the reception at the tag device 120 or the PRS 374. In some specific implementations, one or more characteristics of the tag device 120 (such as the tag delay) may be unknown or unavailable to the first TRP 340.

[0080] The measurement information 310 includes or corresponds to the propagation time associated with a positioning reference signal (e.g., 374), a backscatter signal (e.g., 376), or a combination thereof. For example, when the first TRP 340 is configured as a Tx TRP, the measurement information 310 may include the transmission time of the PRS 374, the reception time of the backscatter signal 376, the amount of time elapsed from the transmission of the PRS 374 to the reception of the backscatter signal 376, or a combination thereof. In some specific implementations, when the first TRP is configured as an Rx TRP, the measurement information 310 may include the reception time of the PRS 374, the reception time of the backscatter signal 376, the amount of time elapsed from the reception of the PRS 374 to the reception of the backscatter signal 376, or a combination thereof. In some specific implementations, the measurement information 310 may include or indicate the reception time of the backscatter signal (e.g., 376), the transmission time of a positioning reference signal (e.g., 374) transmitted after the reception of the backscatter signal, the amount of time elapsed from the reception of the backscatter signal to the transmission of the positioning reference signal, or a combination thereof. The first TRP 340 may be configured to generate a measurement report based on the measurement information 310.

[0081] The transmitter 316 is configured to send reference signals, control information, and data to one or more other devices, and the receiver 318 is configured to receive reference signals, synchronization signals, control information, and data from one or more other devices. For example, the transmitter 316 may send signaling, control information, and data to the core network 130, another TRP, or a network entity, while the receiver 318 may receive signaling, control information, and data from the core network, another TRP, or a network entity. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitter 316 may send a first signal (such as a positioning reference signal (e.g., 374)), and the receiver 318 may receive a second signal (such as a backscatter signal (e.g., 376)). In some specific implementations, the transmitter 316 and the receiver 318 may be integrated in one or more transceivers. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitter 316 or the receiver 318 may include or correspond to one or more components described as in the UE 115 or the base station 105 of the reference Figure 2 and. In some specific implementations, the transmitter 316 or the receiver 318 may be configured to operate in full-duplex mode. For example, the first TRP 340 may include a first panel for the transmitter 316 and a second panel for the receiver 318. In some other specific implementations, the first TRP 340 may not be configurable in full-duplex mode.

[0082] In some specific implementations, the first TRP 340 may include one or more antenna arrays. The antenna array may include a plurality of antenna elements configured to perform wireless communication with other devices (such as with the core network 130, another TRP, or the tag device 120). In some specific implementations, the antenna array may be configured to perform wireless communication using different beams (also referred to as antenna beams). The beams may include TX beams and RX beams. For illustration, the antenna array may include a plurality of independent sets (or subsets) of antenna elements (or a plurality of independent antenna arrays), and each set of antenna elements of the antenna array may be configured to communicate using a different corresponding beam, and the corresponding beam may have a corresponding direction different from other beams. For example, the first set of antenna elements of the antenna array may be configured to communicate via a first beam having a first direction, and the second set of antenna elements of the antenna array may be configured to communicate via a second beam having a second direction. In other specific implementations, the antenna array may be configured to communicate via more than two beams. Alternatively, one or more sets of antenna elements of the antenna array may be configured to concurrently generate a plurality of beams, for example, using a plurality of RF chains. Each individual set (or subset) of antenna elements may include a plurality of antenna elements, such as two antenna elements, four antenna elements, ten antenna elements, twenty antenna elements, or any other number greater than two. Although described as an antenna array, in other specific implementations, the antenna array may include or correspond to a plurality of antenna panels, and each antenna panel may be configured to communicate using a different corresponding beam. In some specific implementations, the first TRP 340 may be configured as or include a reader device (e.g., 120), such as an RFID reader device.

[0083] The second TRP 342, the third TRP 346, the fourth TRP 348, and the fifth TRP 349 may include or correspond to the first TRP 340. For example, the second TRP 342, the third TRP 346, the fourth TRP 348, or the fifth TRP 349 may include one or more components similar to the first TRP 340 and may be configured to perform one or more operations or combinations thereof as described with reference to the first TRP 340. In some specific implementations, the first TRP 340, the second TRP 342, the third TRP 346, the fourth TRP 348, or the fifth TRP 349 may include or correspond to the reader device 121. In some specific implementations, the first TRP 340, the second TRP 342, the third TRP 346, the fourth TRP 348, and the fifth TRP 349 may be synchronized, such as time synchronization. For example, multiple TRPs may be configured to enable TDOA or TOA backscatter positioning of the tag device 120 via the LMF 131. In other specific implementations, one or more of the first TRP 340, the second TRP 342, the third TRP 346, the fourth TRP 348, and the fifth TRP 349 may be asynchronous with another of the first TRP 340, the second TRP 342, the third TRP 346, the fourth TRP 348, and the fifth TRP 349.

[0084] The core network 130 may include a 3GPP core network, a 4G core network, a 5G core, or an evolved packet core (EPC). The core network 130 may be coupled (such as communicatively coupled) to one or more network entities, such as the TRPs 340, 342, 346, 348, or 349. The core network 130 may include or correspond to the LMF 131.

[0085] Although shown and described as being included in the core network 130, in some embodiments, the LMF 131 can be different from the core network 130. For example, the LMF 131 can include one or more servers, such as multiple distributed servers. The LMF 131 can be configured to support various functionalities, such as managing support for different location services for one or more UEs, one or more tag devices, or one or more network entities. For example, the LMF 131 is configured to control the positioning parameters of the TRPs 340, 342, 346, 348, or 349 or the tag device 120, and the LMF 131 can provide information to the TRPs 340, 342, 346, 348, or 349 or the tag device 120 such that actions or operations can be taken or executed at the TRPs 340, 342, 346, 348, or 349. The TRPs 340, 342, 346, 348, or 349 (e.g., the base station 105 or the reader device 121) can transmit information to the LMF 131 and can communicate with the LMF 131 via a protocol such as the NR positioning protocol A (NRPPa). In some embodiments, the TRPs 340, 342, 346, 348, or 349, the tag device 120, or a combination thereof is configured to communicate with the LMF 131 via the access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0086] In some embodiments, the LMF 131 is configured to support backscatter-based positioning. Thus, the LMF 131 can include one or more processors 362 (collectively referred to hereinafter as "processor 362") and one or more memory devices 364 (collectively referred to hereinafter as "memory 364") storing instructions executable by the processor 362 to perform the operations described herein. Additionally, the memory 364 can be configured to store tag device information 366. The tag device information 366 can include a tag delay 368 and a positioning 369. In some embodiments, the tag delay 368 of the tag device 120 is unknown or unavailable to the LMF 131. In such embodiments, the memory 364 may not store the tag delay 368 or may store a predetermined value (such as a null value) to indicate that the tag delay 368 is unknown or unavailable.

[0087] To support backscatter-based positioning, the LMF 131 may be configured to perform one or more operations. These functions may include the generation of the TRP configuration 372 and the transmission of the TRP configuration 372 to one or more TRPs (e.g., 340, 342, 346, 348, or 349). Additionally, the LMF 131 may be configured to generate a PRS configuration 381, a measurement gap (MG) configuration 382, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the LMF 131 may be configured to receive one or more measurement reports (collectively referred to hereinafter as "measurement reports 378") generated by one or more TRPs (e.g., 340, 342, 346, 348, 349). In some embodiments, the LMF 131 is configured to determine the positioning 369 of the tag device 120 based on the measurement reports 378. For example, the LMF 131 is configured to determine the positioning 369 of the tag device 120 without knowing the tag delay 368.

[0088] The LMF 131 may be configured to determine the positioning of the tag device 120 based on multiple measurement reports (collectively referred to as "measurement reports 378") and without knowing the tag delay 368 corresponding to the tag device 120. Determining the positioning 369 of the tag device 120 may include calculating the positioning based on the TDoA technique. The positioning may be 2D positioning or 3D positioning. Additionally, the LMF 131 may be configured to use the positioning 369 for one or more operations, or send a positioning indicator indicating the positioning 369 of the tag device 120.

[0089] In some embodiments, the wireless communication system 300 implements a 5G NR network. For example, the wireless communication system 300 may include multiple 5G-capable devices, such as UEs and base stations configured to operate according to 5G NR network protocols defined, for example, by 3GPP. In some other embodiments, the wireless communication system 300 implements a 6G network.

[0090] During the operation of the wireless communication system 300, the LMF 131 may identify the tag device 120 for a positioning session. For example, the LMF 131 may receive a tag device indicator 370 indicating the tag capabilities of the tag device 120. In some embodiments, the LMF 131 may send a request for tag capabilities to the tag device 120, and the tag device 120 may transmit the tag device indicator 370 in response to the request. Additionally or alternatively, the tag device indicator 370 may be received by the core network 130, the LMF 131, one or more TRPs 340 to 348, or a combination thereof. The tag device indicator 370 may include or indicate one or more capabilities or parameters of the tag device 120. In some embodiments, the tag device indicator 370 may not include or indicate the tag delay 368 of the tag device 120.

[0091] The LMF 131 may determine that the tag latency 368 is unknown or unavailable for the LMF 131. For example, the LMF 131 may request the tag capabilities (e.g., tag latency 368) and may not receive the tag latency 368 from the tag device 120.

[0092] The LMF 131 may generate a TRP configuration 372. For example, the LMF 131 may generate the TRP configuration 372 based on the identification of the tag device 120 for a positioning session. Thus, the TRP configuration 372 may be associated with the positioning session for the tag device 120. In some embodiments, the LMF 131 may generate the TRP configuration 372 based on the determination that the tag latency 368 is unknown or unavailable. Additionally or alternatively, the LMF 131 may generate the TRP configuration 372 based on the tag device indicator 370, the tag capabilities of the tag device 120, the parameters of the tag device 120 (e.g., energy level), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the LMF 131 may generate the TRP configuration 372 based on one or more capabilities of the TRPs 340 to 349. For example, the LMF 131 may generate the TRP configuration 372 based on whether one or more of the TRPs are configurable in full-duplex mode, whether one or more of the TRPs among the TRPs 340 to 349 are asynchronous with other TRPs, or a combination thereof.

[0093] The TRP configuration 372 may include or indicate designating one or more TRPs as Tx TRPs, designating one or more TRPs as Rx TRPs, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the TRP configuration may identify or indicate a reference TRP, one or more TRP pairs, full-duplex mode or non-full-duplex mode, measurement report format, or a combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the TRP configuration 372 may include a PRS configuration 381 and an MG configuration 382. The PRS configuration 381 may include or indicate information (such as PRS information 307) for one or more TRPs designated as Tx TRPs to transmit a PRS (such as PRS 374). The MG configuration 382 may include or indicate information, such as measurement gap information 308, for one or more TRPs designated as Rx TRPs to receive the PRS 374, the backscatter signal 376, or a combination thereof.

[0094] The LMF 131 may send the TRP configuration 372 received by one or more of the TRPs 340 to 349. The first TRP 340 may transmit the PRS 374 based on or according to the PRS information 307 (e.g., PRS configuration 381). The PRS 374 may be received by the tag device 120, one or more of the TRPs 342 to 349, or a combination thereof.

[0095] The tag device 120 may receive the PRS 374 and transmit a backscatter signal 376 based on the PRS 374. For example, the tag device 120 may reflect the PRS 374 to generate the backscatter signal 376. The backscatter signal 376 may be received by one or more of the TRPs 340 - 349. In some embodiments, one or more of the TRPs 340 - 349 may receive the backscatter signal 376 during a time period (e.g., measurement gap information 308) indicated by the MG configuration 382.

[0096] One or more of the TRPs 340 - 349 that receive the backscatter signal 376 may generate a measurement report 378. For example, the second TRP 342 may generate and transmit the measurement report 378. In some embodiments, such as when the first TRP 340 and the second TRP 342 are a pair of TRPs, the second TRP 342 may send its measurement report to the first TRP 340. As another example, the first TRP 340 may receive the backscatter signal 376 and generate its own measurement report (e.g., measurement report 378) based on the measurement information 310.

[0097] The LMF 131 may receive one or more measurement reports (e.g., measurement report 378) and determine the location of the tag device 120 based on the one or more measurement reports. By way of illustration, the LMF 131 may determine the location 369 of the tag device 120 for which the tag delay 239 is unknown to the LMF 131. In some embodiments, the measurement report 378 may include a round - trip time (RTT) associated with the tag device 120 as generated by the reporting TRP. Additionally, the LMF 131 may determine the location of the tag device 120 by calculating the location based on the time difference of arrival (TDOA) technique. Thereafter, the LMF 131 may perform one or more operations based on the location 369 of the tag device 120. In some embodiments, the LMF 131 may send a location indicator indicating the location 369 of the tag device 120. Additionally or alternatively, once the location of the tag device 369 is determined, the LMF 131 may calculate the tag delay 368 of the tag device 120.

[0098] In some specific implementations, the LMF 131 may receive multiple measurement reports (e.g., 378) associated with the tag device 120. For example, for each of the multiple TRPs (e.g., 340 to 349), the multiple measurement reports may include the measurement report of that TRP. The LMF 131 may determine the location 369 of the tag device 120 with an unknown tag delay 368 for the LMF 131 based on the multiple measurement reports. The tag delay 368 may include or correspond to the radio frequency group delay of one or more components of the tag device 120. To determine the location 369, the LMF 131 determines a set of time differences based on the multiple measurement reports. For illustration, the multiple TRPs include a reference TRP (e.g., 340) and a set of TRPs (342 to 349), and the LMF 131 may determine a measurement value for each of the multiple TRPs (e.g., 340 to 349) based on the measurement report of that TRP. To determine the set of time differences, the LMF may, for each of the set of TRPs (e.g., 342 to 349), subtract the measurement value of the reference TRP (e.g., 340) from the measurement value of that TRP to determine a difference, and divide the difference by two to determine a quotient, which includes the time difference in the set of time differences. The LMF 131 may calculate the location 369 of the tag device 120 based on the set of time differences using the time difference of arrival technique.

[0099] In some specific implementations, a positioning technique or algorithm based on round-trip time (RTT) backscattering (such as the time difference of arrival (TDOA) technique) is used to determine the location of the tag device 120. In some specific implementations, the LMF 131 may select a positioning technique or algorithm based on RTT backscattering from a variety of positioning techniques or algorithms based on RTT backscattering. For illustration, as an illustrative non-limiting example, the LMF 131 may select a positioning technique or algorithm based on RTT backscattering based on the tag device indicator 370, tag capabilities, TRP capabilities, network topology, environmental information (e.g., the known structure or location of one or more devices), whether the tag delay 368 is known or available, or a combination thereof.

[0100] The implementation or execution of the RTT backscatter-based positioning technique may involve multiple TRPs, such as TRPs 340 to 349. TRPs 340 to 349 may operate as Tx TRPs and Rx TRPs, may operate asynchronously, or a combination thereof. For example, the LMF 131 configures TRPs 340 to 349 such that one or more of TRPs 340 to 349 transmit corresponding PRSs 374. TRPs 340 to 349 may send the PRS 374 to the tag device 120, which may reflect a backscatter signal 376 in response to the reception of the PRS 374. TRPs 340 to 349 may use measurement gaps configured by the LMF 131 to generate and / or send a measurement report 378 to the LMF 131. TRPs 340 to 349 may generate measurement information, determine one or more Tx or Rx times, calculate the RTT, or a combination thereof, and include such information in the measurement report 378 sent to the LMF 131 or indicate such information using the measurement report. Based on the measurement report 378, the LMF 131 may determine the positioning 369 of the tag device 120.

[0101] In some specific implementations, one or more of TRPs 340 to 349 may simultaneously transmit the PRS 374 in a tone-level frequency-domain multiplexing manner. Alternatively, one or more of TRPs 340 to 349 sequentially transmit the PRS in a time-division multiplexing (TDM) manner. In other specific implementations, a first group of TRPs such as TRPs 340 to 342 simultaneously transmit the PRS 374 using FDM, while a second group of TRPs such as TRPs 346 to 349 transmit the PRS 374 using TDM. It should be noted that at least one TRP may be included in both the first group and the second group.

[0102] In some specific implementations, the tag device 120 may generate a tag device indicator 370 indicating the tag capabilities. In some specific implementations, the tag device 120 may receive a request and may generate the tag device indicator 370 based on a request from the LMF 131 or the TRP. The tag capabilities may or may not include group delay. For example, the tag device 120 may not be configured for tag delay reporting. Additionally, the tag capabilities may include tag type, bandwidth, positioning reference signal slot periodicity, sensitivity, or a combination thereof.

[0103] In some specific implementations, a TRP such as the first TRP 340 may receive a TRP configuration 372 associated with the PRS 374 for the tag device 120. In some specific implementations, each TRP in a group of TRPs is configured to operate as a Tx TRP and an Rx TRP during a positioning session with the tag device 120. The TRP may receive a backscatter signal 376 from the tag device 120. The backscatter signal 376 may be generated based on the PRS 374. The TRP may send a measurement report 378 based on the backscatter signal 376. The measurement report may include or indicate the RTT between the TRP and the tag device 120. In some specific implementations, the TRP includes a pair of TRPs, and the measurement report may include or indicate one or more Tx times or one or more Rx times based on: a first positioning reference signal sent by the first TRP in the pair of TRPs, a first backscatter signal sent by the tag device 120 based on the first positioning signal, a second positioning reference signal sent by the second TRP in the pair of TRPs, a second backscatter signal sent by the tag device 120 based on the first positioning signal, or a combination thereof.

[0104] As referenced Figure 3 described, the present disclosure provides techniques for supporting backscatter-based positioning. The described techniques facilitate determining the positioning 369 of a tag device (such as the tag device 120) having limited on-board power and computational resources (e.g., passive or semi-passive tags), such as two-dimensional or three-dimensional positioning. By way of illustration, the LMF 131 is capable of providing a TRP configuration 372 (e.g., a PRS configuration 381) to one or more TRPs, such as the TRPs 340 to 348, which takes into account the specific characteristics of the tag device, such as the limited on-board power or computational resources of the tag device. Additionally, when the tag delay of the tag device 120 is unknown or unavailable, the LMF 131 is capable of determining the positioning of the tag device 120 based on one or more measurement reports 378. For example, when the tag delay 368 of the tag device is unknown or unavailable to the device calculating the positioning 369 of the tag device 120, the LMF 131 may perform measurements of TDoA-based backscatter-based positioning of multiple TRPs 340 to 349.

[0105] Refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example wireless communication system 400 that supports backscatter-based positioning according to one or more aspects. The wireless communication system 400 may include or correspond to the wireless communication system 100 or 300. Figure 4Depicts the asynchronous operation of TRPs 340 to 349, where backscatter-based positioning is used to determine the positioning of the tag device 120. Specifically, TRPs 340 to 349 may each transmit corresponding PRSs 531 to 535 and receive corresponding backscatter signals 541 to 545 reflected from the tag device 120 based on PRSs 432 to 435. PRSs 431 to 435 may include or correspond to PRS 374, and backscatter signals 441 to 445 may include or correspond to backscatter signal 376.

[0106] In some specific implementations, TRPs 340 to 349 sequentially transmit PRSs 431 to 435 in a time-division multiplexing (TDM) manner to avoid interference. For example, the PRS configuration 381 sent to one or more of TRPs 340 to 349 may include timing information for configuring one or more of TRPs 340 to 349 to transmit PRSs 431 to 435 in sequence. Thus, when TRPs 340 to 349 are not synchronized (e.g., lack a common clock), the sequential transmission of PRSs 431 to 435 and the reception of the resulting backscatter signals are achieved by one or more TRPs monitoring the PRSs of another TRP and transmitting accordingly. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of TRPs 340 to 349 simultaneously transmit PRSs 431 to 435 in a frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) manner (e.g., the transmissions of at least two different PRSs at least partially overlap in time) to avoid interference. For example, the PRS configuration 381 sent to one or more of TRPs 340 to 349 may include information for configuring each of TRPs 340 to 349 to transmit PRSs 431 to 435 at different frequencies from each other to avoid interference from simultaneous PRS transmissions. For illustration, the PRS configuration 381 received at TRP 342 may configure the first TRP 340 to generate and transmit PRS 431 at a first frequency, while the PRS configuration 381 received at TRP 342 may configure TRP 340 to generate and transmit PRS 432 at a second frequency different from the first frequency. In this way, at least one of TRPs 340 to 349 may be configured to transmit PRSs 431 to 435 at different non-overlapping frequencies to avoid interference and such that each of the backscatter signals 441 to 445 will be transmitted at a unique non-overlapping frequency.

[0107] In some specific implementations, TRPs 340 to 349 are allocated to a first group including a subset of TRPs 340 to 349 and a second group including a subset of TRPs 340 to 349 that is different from the first group. As described above, the first group may be configured to operate according to TDM, and as described above, the second group may be configured to operate according to FDM. For example, the first group may include TRPs 340 to 348 that are configured to sequentially transmit PRSs 431 to 434. The second group may include TRPs 348 to 349 that are configured to simultaneously transmit PRSs at different frequencies such that the frequency of PRS 434 is different from the frequency of PRS 435.

[0108] Reference Figure 5 , Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example wireless communication system 500 that supports backscatter-based positioning according to one or more aspects. The wireless communication system 500 may include or correspond to the wireless communication system 100, 300, or 400. Figure 5 depicts the full-duplex operation of a first TRP 340, where backscatter-based positioning is used to determine the positioning of the tag device 120. Specifically, the first TRP 340 may transmit a transmission signal 531 and receive a corresponding backscattered signal 541 reflected from the tag device 120 based on the transmission signal 531. The transmission signal 531 may include or correspond to PRS 374 or 431, and the backscattered signal 541 may include or correspond to the backscattered signal 376 or 441.

[0109] The tag device 120 may receive the transmission signal 531 and transmit the backscattered signal 541. Between the tag device receiving the transmission signal 531 and transmitting the backscattered signal 541, the transmission signal 531 may be reflected to generate the backscattered signal 541, as indicated by the tag group delay 651. For example, the tag group delay 651 may include or correspond to the tag delay 368. In some specific implementations, the tag group delay 651 includes the amount of time or is associated with the amount of time between the tag device 120 receiving a positioning reference signal and transmitting a backscattered signal based on the received positioning reference signal. Additionally or alternatively, the tag group delay 651 may correspond to the amount of time elapsed based on the circuit 351, transmitter 356, or receiver 358 of the tag device 120 for the tag device 120 to backscatter or process the received PRS and reflect the PRS as a backscattered signal.

[0110] In some specific implementations, the first TRP 340 may determine the transmission time of the transmission signal 531, the reception time of the backscattered signal 541, the amount of time elapsed from the transmission of the transmission signal 531 to the reception of the backscattered signal 541, or a combination thereof. The first TRP 340 may store the transmission time, reception time, time amount, or a combination thereof as measurement information 310. Additionally or alternatively, the first TRP 340 may generate a measurement report (e.g., 378) that includes or indicates the transmission time, reception time, time amount, or a combination thereof. In some specific implementations, the RTT may be based on a first duration (e.g., a first time amount) corresponding to the transmission signal 531, a second duration corresponding to the tag group delay 651, and a third duration corresponding to the backscattered signal 541.

[0111] In some specific implementations, the tag device 120 may not know its tag group delay 651, or may not be configured to support tag delay reporting of its tag group delay 651. In some specific implementations, the first TRP does not know the tag group delay 651 of the tag device 120, the tag group delay 651 of the tag device 120 is not available to the first TRP 340, or a combination thereof.

[0112] At least with reference to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , backscatter-based positioning may involve at least one Tx TRP (e.g., TRP 340) that performs one or more functions of a reader (e.g., 121), multiple RxTRPs (e.g., TRPs 340 to 348), and a tag device (e.g., 120), and the positioning of the tag device is determined by applying backscatter-based positioning. An estimate associated with the positioning of the tag device 120 is obtained by measuring the round-trip time (RTT), which is the sum of a first amount of time for the PRS 374 to propagate from the Tx TRP (such as TRP 340) to the tag device 120, a second amount of time for the backscattered signal 376 to be reflected from the tag device 120 to one or more TRPs (e.g., TRPs 340 to 349), and a third amount of time indicating the tag delay. The tag delay corresponds to the amount of time elapsed based on the circuit 351, transmitter 356, or receiver 358 of the tag device 120 for the tag device 120 to backscatter or process the received PRS and reflect the PRS as a backscattered signal.

[0113] The first amount of time for the PRS to propagate from the Tx TRP (e.g., TRP 340) to the tag device 120 may be represented as τ TRP_x→标签设备, where the value of x represents the first TRP 340 (x = 1), the second TRP 342 (x = 2), the third TRP 346 (x = 3), the fourth TRP 348 (x = 4), and the fifth TRP 349 (x = 5). The second time amount for the backscatter signal to be reflected from the tag device 120 to the TRP (e.g., TRP 340 to 349) can be expressed as τ 标签设备→TRP_x . The third time amount attributable to the tag delay can be expressed as τ 标签延迟 . For example, based on the received PRS, the time amount for the backscatter signal to be reflected and sent by the tag device 120 can be expressed as τ 标签设备→TRP_2 . Therefore, based on the above notations, the RTT for each of the TRPs 340 to 349 can be:

[0114]

[0115] τ TRP_2 = τ TRP_2→标签设备 + τ 标签延迟 + τ 标签设备→TRP_2 ,

[0116]

[0117] τ TRP_4 = τ TRP_4→标签设备 + τ 标签延迟 + τ 标签设备→TRP_4 , and

[0118] τ TRP_5 = τ TRP_5→标签设备 + τ 标签延迟 + τ 标签设备→TRP_5 .

[0119] Based on the assumption the above equations can be rewritten as:

[0120] τ TRP_1 = 2(τ TRP_1→标签设备 ) + τ 标签延迟 ,

[0121] τ TRP_2 = 2(τ TRP_2→标签设备 ) + τ 标签延迟 ,

[0122] τ TRP_3 = 2(τ TRP_3→标签设备 ) + τ 标签延迟 ,

[0123] τ TRP_4 = 2(τ TRP_4→标签设备 ) + τ 标签延迟 , and

[0124] τ TRP_5 = 2(τTRP_5→标签设备 ) + τ 标签延迟 。

[0125] Using the RTT estimates from all TRPs, if the tag delay τ_tag (e.g., 368) is known, a multilateration method can be used to determine the location of the tag device 120. However, if the tag delay τ_tag (e.g., 368) is unknown or unavailable, another technique such as the time difference of arrival (TDoA) technique can be used. For illustration, the time difference between two TRPs (such as the first TRP 340 and the second TRP 342, where the first TRP 340 is the reference TRP) can be determined as:

[0126]

[0127]

[0128] It should be noted that by subtracting the measurements and dividing by 2, a time differential value that can be used with the TDoA technique is obtained. It should also be noted that the tag delay τ_tag (e.g., 368) is canceled out after the subtraction operation. Thus, in the case where the tag delay τ_tag (e.g., 368) is unknown or unavailable, the time error based on the tag delay τ_tag (e.g., 368) is mitigated.

[0129] Similarly, additional time differences can be determined such that:

[0130]

[0131] And

[0132]

[0133] Specifically, is the RTT value used to obtain the location 369 of the tag device 120 in the time difference of arrival (TDOA) technique. For illustration, to implement TDOA positioning, the device can be configured to perform the following TDOA positioning calculations:

[0134]

[0135] where TRP ref is the reference TRP, and TRP i is another TRP.

[0136] In some specific implementations, one or more devices such as LMF 131 may be configured to determine the AoA by using data included in a measurement report such as measurement report 378. For illustration, TRPs 340 to 349 may include a directional antenna array and may be configured to determine the angle from which one or more backscattered signals (such as backscattered signal 376) are received. TRPs 340 to 349 may include the reception angle of one or more backscattered signals in measurement report 378 sent to LMF 131. Then, LMF 131 may determine the AoA based on the reception angle data included in one or more measurement reports.

[0137] Reference Figure 6 , Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example wireless communication system 600 that supports backscatter-based positioning in accordance with one or more aspects. The wireless communication system 600 may include or correspond to wireless communication systems 100, 300, 400, or 500. Figure 6 depicts the asynchronous operation of TRPs 340 to 349, where backscatter-based positioning may be used to determine the positioning of tag device 120. Specifically, the first TRP 340 may send PRS 631, and one or more of TRPs 340 to 349 may receive corresponding backscattered signals 641 reflected from tag device 120 based on PRS 631. PRS 631 may include or correspond to PRS 374 or 431, and backscattered signal 641 may include or correspond to backscattered signal 376 or 441. In some specific implementations, one or more of TRPs 340 to 349 may or may not be configured to operate in full-duplex operation. As Figure 6 shown, the first TRP 340 is configured to operate in full-duplex operation, while TRPs 342 to 349 are not configured to operate in full-duplex operation.

[0138] During operation, the first TRP 340 may send PRS 631 to tag device 120, and tag device 120 may reflect backscattered signal 441 to TRPs 340 to 349. TRPs 342 to 349 may also receive PRS 631. PRS 631 may include or correspond to PRS 374, and backscattered signal 641 may include or correspond to backscattered signal 376.

[0139] In some specific implementations, TRP pairs (such as TRP 340 and 342) can be designated to facilitate backscatter-based positioning. For example, TRP 340 can send PRS 431 to the tag device 120, and the second TRP 342 can receive the reflected backscatter signal 441 sent by the tag device 120. After receiving the reflected backscatter signal 441, the second TRP 342 can send a PRS to the tag device 120, such as Figure 6 a second PRS not depicted in Figure 6 , and the tag device 120 can send another reflected backscatter signal (not shown) received by the first TRP 340. The first TRP 340 can send its Tx time and Rx time to the second TRP 342 or the LMF 131, or the second TRP 342 can send its Tx time and Rx time to the first TRP 340 or the LMF 131. Additionally or alternatively, the first TRP 340 can receive the Tx and Rx times of the second TRP 340 and can send its Tx time and Rx time and the Tx time and Rx time of the second TRP 340 to the LMF 131. In this way, the transmit and / or receive times can be used for TDOA positioning techniques to determine the location 369 of the tag device 120. At least herein with reference to Figure 7 an example of a pair of TRPs is further described.

[0140] Although Figure 6 the first TRP 340 is depicted as sending PRS 431, another TRP (such as the second TRP 342 to the fifth TRP 349) can also send a corresponding positioning reference signal, which can also cause the tag device 120 to generate a corresponding reflected backscatter signal received by one or more of the first TRP 340 to the fifth TRP 349.

[0141] Refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example wireless communication system 700 that supports backscatter-based positioning according to one or more aspects. The wireless communication system 700 can include or correspond to the wireless communication systems 100, 300, 400, 500, or 600. Figure 7 The asynchronous operation of the TRP 340 and 342 is depicted, where backscatter-based positioning can be used to determine the location of the tag device 120. In some specific implementations, the first TRP 340 or the second TRP 342 may not be configured for full-duplex operation.

[0142] During operation, the first TRP 340 may send the PRS 731 to the tag device 120. For example, the PRS 731 may include or correspond to the PRS 374. The first TRP 340 may determine the Tx time of the transmission of the PRS 731. Based on the PRS 731, the tag device 120 may send the backscatter signal 741. For example, the backscatter signal 741 may include or correspond to the backscatter signal 376. A tag group delay (such as the tag delay 368 or the tag group delay 651) may occur between the tag device 120 receiving the PRS 731 and sending the backscatter signal 741.

[0143] The second TRP 342 may receive the backscatter signal 741 and determine the Rx time of receiving the backscatter signal 741. In response to the reception of the backscatter signal 741, the second TRP 342 may generate and send the PRS 732. For example, the PRS 732 may include or correspond to the PRS 374. The second TRP 342 may determine the Tx time of the transmission of the PRS 732. In some embodiments, the second TRP 342 may include or indicate its Rx time and Tx time, or the difference between its Tx time and Rx time, in a measurement report (e.g., 378) sent to the first TRP 340, the LMF 131, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the difference between the Tx time and Rx time of the second TRP 342 may be the TRP delay of the second TRP 342.

[0144] Based on the PRS 732, the tag device 120 may send the backscatter signal 742. For example, the backscatter signal 742 may include or correspond to the backscatter signal 376. A tag group delay may occur between the tag device 120 receiving the PRS 732 and sending the backscatter signal 742.

[0145] The first TRP 340 may receive the backscatter signal 742 and determine the Rx time of receiving the backscatter signal 742. In some embodiments, the first TRP 340 may include its Rx time and Tx time, or the difference between its Tx time and Rx time, in a measurement report (e.g., 378) sent to the second TRP 342, the LMF 131, or a combination thereof. In embodiments where the first TRP receives a measurement report from the second TRP 342 that includes or indicates the Tx time and Rx time (or the difference between its Tx time and Rx time) of the second TRP 342, the first TRP 340 may include or indicate the measurement report (or its information) of the second TRP 342 in the measurement report of the first TRP 340.

[0146] And the second TRP 342 can receive the reflected backscatter signal 741 sent by the tag device 120. After receiving the reflected backscatter signal 741, the second TRP 342 can send a PRS 732 to the tag device 120, and the tag device 120 can send the backscatter signal 742 received by the first TRP 340. In this way, the transmission and / or reception time can be used for TDOA positioning technology to determine the position 369 of the tag device 120.

[0147] The first TRP 340 can send its Tx time and Rx time to the second TRP 342 or the LMF 131, or the second TRP 342 can send its Tx time and Rx time to the first TRP 340 or the LMF 131. Additionally or alternatively, the first TRP 340 can receive the Tx and Rx times of the second TRP 340, and can send its Tx time and Rx time and the Tx time and Rx time of the second TRP 340 to the LMF 131. In this way, the transmission and / or reception time can be used for TDOA positioning technology to determine the position 369 of the tag device 120.

[0148] In some specific embodiments, the LMF 131 can select or identify multiple pairs of TRPs, such as a first pair including the first TRP 340 and the second TRP 342, a second pair including the first TRP 340 and the third TRP 346, a third pair including the first TRP 340 and the fourth TRP 348, and a fourth pair including the first TRP 340 and the fifth TRP 349. Referring to the first pair, the round-trip time From the first TRP 340 sending a TRP to the first TRP 340 receiving the backscatter signal can be expressed as:

[0149]

[0150] Based on the assumption The above equation can be rewritten as:

[0151]

[0152] It should be noted that, = Rx time at the first TRP 340 - Tx time at the TRP 340, and = Tx time at the second TRP 342 - Rx time at the second TRP 342. Therefore, the above equation can be rewritten as:

[0153]

[0154] If τ 1,2 is defined as Then

[0155]

[0156] Similarly, each of the second, third, and fourth pairs can be expressed as:

[0157]

[0158] And

[0159]

[0160] If the first pair τ 1,2 is used as a reference TRP, the time difference between the first pair and the second pair can be determined as:

[0161]

[0162] Similarly, additional time differences can be determined such that:

[0163] And

[0164]

[0165] The time differences can be used with the TDOA positioning technique to determine the location 369 of the tag device 120.

[0166] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example process 800 that supports backscatter-based positioning according to one or more aspects. The operations of process 800 can be performed by a network entity, such as base station 105, UE 115, LMF 131, reader device 121, TRP 340, 342, 346, 348, or 349, or a network entity as described above with reference to Figure 9 described. For example, the example operations of process 800 can enable a network entity to support backscatter-based positioning.

[0167] At block 802, the network entity receives a plurality of measurement reports associated with the tag device. For example, the plurality of measurement reports can include or correspond to measurement information 310 or measurement report 378. In some particular implementations, for each TRP of the plurality of TRPs, the measurement report for that TRP is based on the positioning signaling between that TRP and the tag device. The tag device can include or correspond to tag device 120. In some particular implementations, the tag device does not support tag delay reporting. For each TRP of the plurality of TRPs, the plurality of measurement reports can include the measurement report for that TRP. The plurality of TRPs can include TRP 340, 342, 346, 348, or 349. In some particular implementations, the plurality of TRPs are asynchronous. For example, at least one TRP of the plurality of TRPs is asynchronous with the other TRPs of the plurality of TRPs.

[0168] At block 804, the network entity determines the location of a tagged device having a tag latency that is unknown to the network entity based on multiple measurement reports. For example, the location may include or correspond to location 369. The tag latency may include or correspond to tag latency 368. In some embodiments, the network entity calculates the location while the tag latency is unknown to the network entity. Additionally or alternatively, the network entity may determine that the tag latency value is unknown to the network entity.

[0169] In some embodiments, the tag latency may include or be the radio frequency group delay of one or more components of the tagged device. The one or more components may include or correspond to circuit 351, transmitter 356, receiver 358, or a combination thereof. The one or more components are configured to receive a positioning reference signal, generate a backscatter signal based on the positioning reference signal, and transmit the backscatter signal. For example, the positioning reference signal may include or correspond to PRS 374. The backscatter signal may include or correspond to backscatter signal 376.

[0170] In some embodiments, the network entity identifies the tagged device for a positioning session. The tagged device may include a passive tagged device or a semi - passive tagged device. Additionally or alternatively, the network entity may include multiple TRPs from multiple TRPs.

[0171] In some embodiments, the network entity may send a TRP configuration. The TRP configuration may include or correspond to PRS information 307, measurement gap information 308, TRP configuration 372, PRS configuration 381, or MG configuration 382. In some embodiments, the TRP configuration indicates the repetition of a positioning reference signal, bandwidth configuration, comb pattern configuration, or a combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, for each TRP of the multiple TRPs, the TRP configuration may indicate the frequency of the positioning reference signal of the TRP, the order of the positioning session of the TRP in the set of asynchronous TRPs, or a combination thereof.

[0172] In some embodiments, the TRP configuration indicates that a first TRP performs first positioning signaling and a second TRP performs second positioning signaling. In some embodiments, the second positioning signaling is performed after the first positioning signaling. Additionally or alternatively, the first positioning signaling may be associated with a first frequency band and be performed concurrently with the second positioning signaling, which is associated with a second frequency band different from the first frequency band.

[0173] In some specific implementations, for each of the multiple TRPs, the measurement report of the TRP indicates a value associated with a first propagation time associated with a transmission signal transmitted from the TRP, a second propagation time associated with a received signal received from the tag device, or a combination thereof. For example, for each of the multiple TRPs, the measurement report may indicate or represent a value associated with a first propagation time from the TRP to the tag device, a tag delay of the tag device, and a second propagation time from the tag device to the TRP. In some specific implementations, the first propagation time is equal to the second propagation time. If the tag device or the TRP is moving, the first propagation time may be different from the second propagation time.

[0174] In some specific implementations, for each of the multiple TRPs, the TRP is configured for full-duplex operation to perform positioning signaling. In some such specific implementations, for each of the multiple TRPs, the value of the measurement report of the TRP indicates the RTT. In other specific implementations, at least one of the multiple TRPs is not configured for full-duplex operation. In some such specific implementations, each of the multiple TRPs includes a pair of TRPs, and the pair of TRPs has the TRP as the first TRP of the pair of TRPs and the same TRP as the second TRP of the pair of TRPs.

[0175] In some specific implementations, the multiple TRPs include a reference TRP and a set of TRPs. The network entity may select a first TRP among the multiple TRPs as the reference TRP.

[0176] In some specific implementations, the network entity determines a set of time differences based on the multiple TRPs. By way of illustration, for each of the multiple TRPs, the network entity may determine a measurement value based on the measurement report of the TRP. To determine the set of time differences, for each of the set of TRPs, the network entity may subtract the measurement value of the reference TRP from the measurement value of the TRP to determine a difference, and divide the difference by two to determine a quotient. The quotient may include or be the time difference in the set of time differences. Additionally, the network entity may calculate the positioning of the tag device based on the set of time differences. The positioning may be determined using the time difference of arrival technique based on the set of time differences. By way of illustration, the positioning may be determined using the time difference of arrival technique based on the determination that the tag delay value is unknown to the network entity. In some specific implementations, the network entity may determine the tag delay of the tag device based on the positioning of the tag device.

[0177] Figure 9 is a block diagram of an example network entity 900 that supports backscatter-based positioning according to one or more aspects. The network entity 900 may be configured to perform operations including reference Figure 8Blocks of the process 800 described. In some particular implementations, the network entity 900 includes the structures, hardware, and components described for the reference base station 105, UE 115, LMF 131, reader device 121, or TRP 340, 342, 346, 348, or 349. For example, the network entity 900 may include a controller 240 that operates to execute logic or computer instructions stored in a memory 242 and controls components that provide the features and functionality of the network entity 900. Under the control of the controller 240, the network entity 900 is configured to transmit and receive signals via wireless radio components 901a to 901t and antennas 234a to 234t. The wireless radio components 901a to 901t include various components and hardware as illustrated for the base station 105 in Figure 2 and include modulators and demodulators 232a to 232t, a transmit processor 220, a TX MIMO processor 230, a MIMO detector 236, and a receive processor 238.

[0178] As shown, the memory 242 may include tag information 902, configuration logic 903, positioning logic 904, and communication logic 905. The tag information 902 may include or correspond to tag device information 309, tag delay 368, positioning 369, tag device indicator 370, or a combination thereof. The configuration logic 903 may be configured to generate one or more configurations or configuration data, such as TRP configuration 372, PRS configuration 381, MG configuration 382, tag device configuration, or a combination thereof. The positioning logic 904 may be configured to determine the positioning of the tag device, such as the positioning 369 of the tag device 120. The communication logic 905 may be configured to enable communication between the network entity 900 and one or more other devices. The network entity 900 may receive signals from or send signals to one or more other devices such as UE 115, base station 105, tag device 120, reader device 121, core network 130, LMF 131, or TRP 340, 342, 346, 348, or 349.

[0179] Note that Figure 8 one or more blocks (or operations) described with reference may be combined with one or more blocks (or operations) described with reference to another figure in the reference drawings. For example, Figure 8 one or more blocks (or operations) of Figures 4 to 7 may be combined with one or more blocks (or operations) of Figure 8 As another example, one or more blocks associated with Figures 1 to 3 may be combined with one or more blocks associated with Figures 1 to 3 or Figure 8 one or more operations described above with reference toFigure 9 One or more combinations of operations described.

[0180] In one or more aspects, techniques for supporting backscatter-based positioning may include additional aspects, such as any individual aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in combination with one or more other processes or devices described elsewhere herein. In a first aspect, techniques for supporting backscatter-based positioning may include receiving a plurality of measurement reports associated with a tag device. For each of the plurality of TRPs, the plurality of measurement reports includes a measurement report for the TRP. The technique may also include determining the positioning of a tag device having a tag delay that is unknown to a network entity based on the plurality of measurement reports. In some examples, the technique in the first aspect may be implemented in a method or process. In some other examples, the technique of the first aspect may be implemented in a wireless communication device (which may include a network entity or a component of a network entity). For example, a wireless communication device (such as a network entity) may include or correspond to a UE, a base station, a core network, an LMF, a reader device, or a TRP. In some examples, the wireless communication device may include at least one processing unit or system (which may include an application processor, a modem, or other components) and at least one memory device coupled to the processing unit. The processing unit may be configured to perform the operations described herein with respect to the wireless communication device. In some examples, the memory device includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code stored thereon that, when executed by the processing unit, is configured to cause the wireless communication device to perform the operations described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless communication device may include an interface (e.g., a wireless communication interface) that includes a transmitter, a receiver, or a combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless communication device may include one or more components configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0181] In a second aspect, in combination with the first aspect, the tag delay includes the radio frequency group delay of one or more components of the tag device.

[0182] In a third aspect, in combination with the second aspect, one or more components are configured to receive a positioning reference signal, generate a backscatter signal based on positioning the reference signal, and transmit the backscatter signal.

[0183] In a fourth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to third aspects, the tag device is not configured to support tag delay reporting.

[0184] In a fifth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to fourth aspects, the technique further includes calculating the positioning when the tag delay is unknown to the network entity.

[0185] In a sixth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to fifth aspects, the technique further includes determining the tag latency of the tag device based on the positioning of the tag device.

[0186] In a seventh aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to sixth aspects, the technique further includes determining that the tag latency value is unknown to the network entity.

[0187] In an eighth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to seventh aspects, the positioning is determined using a time difference of arrival technique based on the determination that the tag latency value is unknown to the network entity.

[0188] In a ninth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to eighth aspects, the technique further includes identifying the tag device for the positioning session; and

[0189] In a tenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to ninth aspects, the technique further includes identifying a plurality of TRPs from a plurality of TRPs.

[0190] In an eleventh aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to tenth aspects, the tag device includes a passive tag device or a semi-passive tag device.

[0191] In a twelfth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to eleventh aspects, at least one TRP of the plurality of TRPs is asynchronous with other TRPs of the plurality of TRPs.

[0192] In a thirteenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to twelfth aspects, for each TRP of the plurality of TRPs, the measurement report of the TRP is based on positioning signaling between the TRP and the tag device.

[0193] In a fourteenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to thirteenth aspects, the technique further includes sending a TRP configuration that instructs a first TRP to perform first positioning signaling and a second TRP to perform second positioning signaling.

[0194] In a fifteenth aspect, in combination with the fourteenth aspect, the TRP configuration instructs the second positioning signaling to be performed after the first positioning signaling.

[0195] In a sixteenth aspect, in combination with the fifteenth or sixteenth aspect, the first positioning signaling is associated with a first frequency band and is performed concurrently with the second positioning signaling, and the second positioning signaling is associated with a second frequency band different from the first frequency band.

[0196] In a seventeenth aspect, in combination with the fifteenth or sixteenth aspect, the TRP configuration indicates a repetition of a positioning reference signal, a bandwidth configuration, a comb pattern configuration, or a combination thereof.

[0197] In an eighteenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the fifteenth to seventeenth aspects, for each TRP of the plurality of TRPs, the TRP configuration indicates: the frequency of the positioning reference signal of the TRP; the order of the positioning sessions of the TRPs in the plurality of TRPs; or a combination thereof.

[0198] In a nineteenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to eighteenth aspects, for each TRP of the plurality of TRPs, the measurement report of the TRP indicates a value associated with a first propagation time associated with a transmission signal transmitted from the TRP, a second propagation time associated with a received signal received from the tag device, or a combination thereof.

[0199] In a twentieth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to eighteenth aspects, for each TRP of the plurality of TRPs, the measurement report indicates a value associated with a first propagation time from the TRP to the tag device, the tag delay of the tag device, and a second propagation time from the tag device to the TRP.

[0200] In a twenty - first aspect, in combination with the twentieth aspect, the first propagation time is equal to the second propagation time.

[0201] In a twenty - second aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to twenty - first aspects, for each TRP of the plurality of TRPs, the value of the measurement report of the TRP indicates the RTT.

[0202] In a twenty - third aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to twenty - second aspects, for each TRP of the plurality of TRPs, the TRP is configured for full - duplex operation to perform positioning signaling.

[0203] In a twenty - fourth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to nineteenth aspects, each TRP of the plurality of TRPs includes a pair of TRPs, and the pair of TRPs has the TRP as the first TRP of the pair of TRPs and the same TRP as the second TRP of the pair of TRPs.

[0204] In a twenty - fifth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first to twenty - fourth aspects, the plurality of TRPs includes a reference TRP and a set of TRPs.

[0205] In a twenty - sixth aspect, in combination with the twenty - fifth aspect, the technique further includes selecting a first TRP of the plurality of TRPs as the reference TRP.

[0206] In a twenty-seventh aspect, in combination with the twenty-fifth aspect, the technique further includes determining a set of time differences based on the plurality of TRPs.

[0207] In a twenty-eighth aspect, in combination with the twenty-seventh aspect, the technique further includes, for each TRP of the plurality of TRPs, determining a measurement value based on the measurement report of the TRP.

[0208] In a twenty-ninth aspect, in combination with the twenty-eighth aspect, to determine the set of time differences, the technique further includes, for each TRP of the set of TRPs, subtracting the measurement value of the reference TRP from the measurement value of the TRP to determine a difference.

[0209] In a thirtieth aspect, in combination with the twenty-ninth aspect, to determine the set of time differences, the technique further includes, for each TRP of the set of TRPs, dividing the difference by two to determine a quotient.

[0210] In a thirty-first aspect, in combination with the thirtieth aspect, the quotient includes the time difference in the set of time differences.

[0211] In a thirty-second aspect, in combination with one or more of the twenty-seventh to thirty-first aspects, the technique further includes calculating the location of the tagged device based on the set of time differences.

[0212] In a thirty-third aspect, in combination with one or more of the twenty-seventh to thirty-second aspects, the location is determined using the set of time differences based on the time difference of arrival technique.

[0213] Those skilled in the art should understand that any one of a variety of different techniques and arts can be used to represent information and signals. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be mentioned throughout the above description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0214] Herein, regarding Figures 1 to 9The described components, functional blocks, and modules include processors, electronic devices, hardware devices, electronic components, logic circuits, memories, software code, firmware code, and so on, or any combination thereof. Software should be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, execution threads, procedures, and / or functions, etc., regardless of whether it is referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or other terms. Additionally, the features discussed herein may be implemented via dedicated processor circuitry, via executable instructions, or a combination thereof.

[0215] Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithmic steps described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in different ways for each particular application, but such specific implementation decisions should not be construed as causing a departure from the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will also readily recognize that the order or combination of the components, methods, or interactions described herein are merely examples, and the components, methods, or interactions of the various aspects of the disclosure may be combined or performed in ways other than those illustrated and described herein.

[0216] The various illustrative logical components, logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithmic processes described in connection with the specific implementations disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of the two. The interchangeability of hardware and software has been generally described in terms of functionality and illustrated in the various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and processes described above. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0217] The hardware and data processing apparatus for implementing or performing the various illustrative logics, logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be realized or executed using a general single-chip or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof that are designed to perform the functions described herein. The general purpose processor can be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. In some particular implementations, the processor can be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in combination with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. In some particular implementations, specific processes and methods can be performed by circuitry specific to a given function.

[0218] In one or more aspects, the described functions can be implemented in hardware, digital electronic circuits, computer software, firmware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or any combination thereof. The particular implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can also be implemented as one or more computer programs, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a computer storage medium for execution by a data processing apparatus or for controlling the operation of a data processing apparatus.

[0219] If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted via a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or code. The processes of the methods or algorithms disclosed herein may be implemented in a processor-executable software module that may reside on a computer-readable medium. A computer-readable medium includes both a computer storage medium and a communication medium including any medium that can be implemented to transfer a computer program from one place to another. The storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Additionally, any connection may be properly termed a computer-readable medium. As used herein, disk and disc include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. Additionally, operations of a method or algorithm may reside as one or any combination of a code and instruction set, on a machine-readable medium and a computer-readable medium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product.

[0220] Various modifications to the specific implementations described in this disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to some other specific implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claims are not intended to be limited to the specific implementations shown herein but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with this disclosure, the principles disclosed herein, and the novel features.

[0221] Additionally, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the terms “upper” and “lower” are sometimes used for ease of describing the figures and indicate a relative positioning corresponding to the orientation of the figure on a correctly oriented page and may not reflect the correct orientation of any device as implemented.

[0222] Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments in this specification can also be implemented in a single embodiment in combination. Conversely, the various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented separately or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple embodiments. Additionally, although the features may have been described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from the claimed combination can in some cases be removed from the combination, and the claimed combination can be directed to a sub-combination or variations of a sub-combination.

[0223] Similarly, although the operations are depicted in the figures in a particular order, this should not be construed as requiring that the operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all of the illustrated operations be performed to achieve the desired result. Additionally, the figures may schematically depict one or more example processes in the form of a flowchart. However, other operations not depicted can be incorporated into the example processes that are schematically illustrated. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, concurrently with, or between any of the illustrated operations. In certain environments, multitasking and parallel processing are advantageous. Additionally, the separation of the various system components in the specific embodiments described above should not be construed as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products. Additionally, some other specific embodiments also fall within the scope of the appended claims. In some cases, the acts recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve the desired result.

[0224] As used herein (including in the claims), the term "or" as used in a list of two or more items means that any one of the listed items can be employed individually, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; a combination of A and B; a combination of A and C; a combination of B and C; or a combination of A, B, and C. Further, as used herein (including in the claims), "or" as used in a list of items beginning with "at least one" indicates a disjunctive list such that, for example, a list of "at least one of A, B, or C" means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C) or any combination of any of these items. The term "substantially" is defined as being largely but not necessarily wholly that which is specified (and includes that which is specified; e.g., substantially 90 degrees includes 90 degrees, and substantially parallel includes parallel), as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In any particular embodiment disclosed, the term "substantially" can be replaced by "[percentage] within" that which is specified, where the percentage includes 0.1%, 1%, 5%, or 10%.

[0225] The foregoing description of the disclosure has been provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication performed by a network entity, the method comprising: Receiving a plurality of measurement reports associated with a tag device, wherein for each of a plurality of transmit / receive points (TRPs), the plurality of measurement reports include a measurement report of the TRP; And Determining a location of the tag device having a tag delay that is unknown to the network entity based on the plurality of measurement reports.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The tag delay includes a radio frequency group delay of one or more components of the tag device; The one or more components are configured to receive a positioning reference signal, generate a backscatter signal based on the positioning reference signal, and transmit the backscatter signal; and The location of the tag device is determined when the tag delay is unknown to the network entity.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: At least one of the plurality of TRPs is asynchronous with other TRPs of the plurality of TRPs.

4. The method according to claim 1, the method further comprising: Transmitting a TRP configuration, and Wherein the TRP configuration indicates that: A first TRP performs first positioning signaling, and a second TRP performs second positioning signaling, and The second positioning signaling is performed after the first positioning signaling, or The first positioning signaling is associated with a first frequency band and is performed concurrently with the second positioning signaling, and the second positioning signaling is associated with a second frequency band different from the first frequency band.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: For each of the plurality of TRPs, the measurement report of the TRP indicates a value associated with a first propagation time associated with a transmission signal transmitted from the TRP, a second propagation time associated with a received signal received from the tag device, or a combination thereof.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein: For each of the plurality of TRPs, the measurement report indicates a value associated with a first propagation time from the TRP to the tag device, the tag delay of the tag device, and a second propagation time from the tag device to the TRP.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein: For each of the plurality of TRPs, the value of the measurement report of the TRP indicates a round-trip time (RTT).

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein: For each of the plurality of TRPs, the TRP is configured for full-duplex operation to perform the positioning signaling.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the plurality of TRPs includes a pair of TRPs, and the pair of TRPs has the TRP as the first TRP of the pair of TRPs and the same TRP as the second TRP of the pair of TRPs.

10. The method according to claim 1, the method further comprising: Selecting a first TRP of the plurality of TRPs as a reference TRP, and Wherein the plurality of TRPs includes a reference TRP and a set of TRPs.

11. The method according to claim 10, the method further comprising: Determining a set of time differences based on the plurality of TRPs, and wherein the plurality of TRPs includes a reference TRP and a set of TRPs.

12. The method according to claim 11, the method further comprising: For each TRP of the plurality of TRPs, determining a measurement value based on the measurement report of the TRP; And For each TRP of the set of TRPs, determining the set of time differences: Subtracting the measurement value of the reference TRP from the measurement value of the TRP to determine a difference; And Dividing the difference by two to determine a quotient, the quotient including the time difference in the set of time differences.

13. The method according to claim 11, the method further comprising: Calculating the positioning of the tag device based on the set of time differences, and wherein the positioning is calculated using the time difference of arrival technique.

14. A network entity, the network entity comprising: A memory storing processor-readable code; And At least one processor coupled to the memory, the at least one processor being configured to execute the processor-readable code to cause the at least one processor to: Receive a plurality of measurement reports associated with a tag device, for each of a plurality of transmit / receive points (TRPs), the plurality of measurement reports including the measurement report of the TRP; And Determine the positioning of the tag device having an unknown tag delay for the network entity based on the plurality of measurement reports.

15. The network entity according to claim 14, wherein: The tag delay includes the radio frequency group delay of one or more components of the tag device; The one or more components are configured to receive a positioning reference signal, generate a backscattered signal based on the positioning reference signal and transmit the backscattered signal; and The positioning of the tag device is determined when the tag delay is unknown to the network entity.

16. The network entity according to claim 14, wherein: For each of the plurality of TRPs, the value of the measurement report of the TRP indicates the round-trip time (RTT).

17. The network entity according to claim 14, wherein, For each of the plurality of TRPs, the TRP is configured for full-duplex operation to perform the positioning signaling.

18. The network entity according to claim 14, wherein: Each of the plurality of TRPs includes a pair of TRPs, the pair of TRPs having the TRP as the first TRP of the pair of TRPs and the same TRP as the second TRP of the pair of TRPs.

19. The network entity according to claim 14, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to execute the processor-readable code to cause the at least one processor to: Select a first TRP among the plurality of TRPs as a reference TRP; And Determine a set of time differences based on the plurality of TRPs, and wherein the plurality of TRPs includes a reference TRP and a set of TRPs.

20. The network entity according to claim 19, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the processor-readable code to cause the at least one processor to: For each of the plurality of TRPs, a measurement value is determined based on the measurement report of the TRP; and For each TRP in the set of TRPs, determine the set of time differences: Subtract the measurement value of the reference TRP from the measurement value of the TRP to determine a difference; and Divide the difference by two to determine a quotient, the quotient including the time difference in the set of time differences.

21. The network entity according to claim 20, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to execute the processor-readable code to cause the at least one processor to calculate the location of the tag device based on the set of time differences, and The location is calculated using time difference of arrival technology.

22. An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising: Means for receiving a plurality of measurement reports associated with a tag device, for each of a plurality of transmit / receive points (TRPs), the plurality of measurement reports including the measurement report of the TRP; and Means for determining the location of the tag device having an unknown tag delay for the network entity based on the plurality of measurement reports.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein: The tag delay includes the radio frequency group delay of one or more components of the tag device; The one or more components are configured to receive a positioning reference signal, generate a backscatter signal based on the positioning reference signal, and transmit the backscatter signal; and The location of the tag device is determined when the tag delay is unknown to the network entity.

24. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein: For each of the plurality of TRPs, the TRP is configured for full-duplex operation to perform the positioning signaling; or Each of the plurality of TRPs includes a pair of TRPs, the pair of TRPs having the TRP as the first TRP of the pair of TRPs and the same TRP as the second TRP of the pair of TRPs.

25. The apparatus according to claim 22, the apparatus further comprising: Means for selecting a first TRP among the plurality of TRPs as a reference TRP; and Means for determining a set of time differences based on the plurality of TRPs, and wherein the plurality of TRPs includes a reference TRP and a set of TRPs.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, the apparatus further comprising: Means for determining a measurement value based on the measurement report of the TRP for each of the plurality of TRPs; and The means for determining includes: Means for subtracting the measurement value of the reference TRP from the measurement value of the TRP for each of the set of TRPs to determine a difference; and Means for dividing the difference by two for each of the set of TRPs to determine a quotient, the quotient including the time difference in the set of time differences.

27. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the following operations: Receive a plurality of measurement reports associated with a tag device, where for each of a plurality of transmit / receive points (TRPs), the plurality of measurement reports include the measurement report of the TRP; and Determine the location of the tag device having a tag delay that is unknown to the network entity based on the plurality of measurement reports.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 27, wherein: The tag delay includes the radio frequency group delay of one or more components of the tag device; The one or more components are configured to receive a positioning reference signal, generate a backscatter signal based on the positioning reference signal, and transmit the backscatter signal; and The location of the tag device is determined when the tag delay is unknown to the network entity.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 27, wherein the operations further include: Select a first TRP among the plurality of TRPs as a reference TRP; And Determine a set of time differences based on the plurality of TRPs, and where the plurality of TRPs includes the reference TRP and a set of TRPs.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 29, wherein the operations further include: For each of the plurality of TRPs, determine a measurement value based on the measurement report of the TRP; And For each of the set of TRPs, determine the set of time differences: Subtract the measurement value of the reference TRP from the measurement value of the TRP to determine a difference; And Divide the difference by two to determine a quotient, where the quotient includes the time difference in the set of time differences.

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