Terminal equipment positioning method, device and system

Abstract

The invention discloses a terminal equipment positioning method, device and system, and relates to the technical field of communication. The method comprises: a first AMF receives a first positioning request message, the first positioning request message being used for requesting to obtain position information of a first terminal device, the first terminal device accessing the first AMF through a mobile node, the first AMF being used for providing a service for the terminal device accessing the mobile node; the first AMF sends a second positioning request message to the GMLC, the second positioning request message comprising the first identifier of the mobile node, and the second positioning request message being used for requesting to obtain position information of the mobile node; the first AMF receives the position information of the mobile node from the GMLC; and the first AMF sends a third positioning request message to the LMF, the third positioning request message is used for triggering the LMF to initiate a positioning process to the first terminal device, and the third positioning request message comprises the position information of the mobile node.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a method, apparatus and system for positioning a terminal device. Background Art

[0002] Currently, mobile gNBs with wireless access backhaul (MWAB) are being proposed for vehicular scenarios. MWAB equipment can be deployed on a moving vehicle and consists of a base station (MWAB-gNB) and a terminal (MWAB-UE).

[0003] Because vehicles move, MWAB-gNB and MWAB-UE also have mobility. Among them, MWAB-UE has the functions of ordinary terminal equipment and can access the core network through new radio (NR). Usually, the next generation access protocol (NGAP) backhaul link between the fixed wireless access network equipment on the ground and the core network can be implemented through optical fiber. The NGAP backhaul link between the mobile MWAB-gNB and the core network can be implemented by the protocol data unit (PDU) session between the MWAB-UE and the core network, so that the MWAB-gNB can provide wireless access services to other terminal devices near the vehicle.

[0004] Since MWAB devices are mobile, for terminal devices that access the network through MWAB devices, how to locate the terminal devices is a problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a terminal device positioning method, apparatus, and system for positioning a terminal device that accesses a network through a mobile node.

[0006] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to a mobile node having terminal functions and base station functions, wherein the mobile node includes a mobile node-terminal and a mobile node-base station. The mobile node-terminal has the functions of an ordinary terminal device and can access the core network through a wireless access network device. The mobile node-base station can provide network access services for ordinary terminal devices, and the connection between the ordinary terminal device and the core network (such as an N2 connection or an N3 connection) can be achieved through a session between the mobile node-terminal and the core network. Examples of mobile nodes can be vehicle mounted relays (VMRs), wireless access and backhauling (WABs), or mobile wireless access and backhauling (MWABs).

[0007] In a first aspect, a terminal device positioning method is provided, the method comprising: a first access and mobility management function (AMF) receiving a first positioning request message, the first positioning request message being used to request obtaining location information of a first terminal device, the first terminal device accessing the first AMF through a mobile node, the first AMF being used to provide services for terminal devices accessing the mobile node; the first AMF sending a second positioning request message to a gateway mobile location center (GMLC), the second positioning request message including a first identifier of the mobile node, the second positioning request message being used to request obtaining location information of the mobile node; the first AMF receiving the location information of the mobile node from the GMLC; the first AMF sending a third positioning request message to a location management function (LMF), the third positioning request message being used to trigger the LMF to initiate a positioning process for the first terminal device, the third positioning request message including the location information of the mobile node.

[0008] In the above implementation method, AMF can trigger the positioning process of the mobile node through GMLC and send the location information of the mobile node to LMF, so that LMF can determine the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node and the measurement data obtained by positioning the first terminal device (i.e., the terminal device that accesses the network through the mobile node).

[0009] In one possible implementation, the first access and mobility management function AMF receives a first positioning request message, including: the first AMF receives the first positioning request message from the gateway mobile location center GMLC, and the first positioning request message includes the identifier of the first terminal device; before the first AMF sends a second positioning request message to the GMLC, it also includes: the first AMF obtains the second identifier of the mobile node accessed by the first terminal device based on the identifier of the first terminal device; the first AMF determines the first identifier of the mobile node based on the second identifier of the mobile node.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the first AMF stores a correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node; the first AMF determines the first identifier of the mobile node based on the second identifier of the mobile node, including: the first AMF determines the first identifier of the mobile node based on the second identifier and the correspondence.

[0011] In one possible implementation, before the first AMF receives the first positioning request message, it also includes: the first AMF receives a connection establishment request message from the mobile node, the connection establishment request message is used to request to establish a first connection, the first connection is a connection between the mobile node and the first AMF, and the connection establishment request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node and the second identifier of the mobile node; the first AMF stores the correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node.

[0012] In a possible implementation manner, the first identifier is an identifier of a terminal in the mobile node, and the second identifier is an identifier of a base station in the mobile node.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first AMF obtains the identifier of the second AMF serving the mobile node according to the first identifier of the mobile node; the second positioning request message also includes the identifier of the second AMF.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the second AMF serving the mobile node is located in a first public land mobile network (PLMN), and the second positioning request message also includes an identifier of the first PLMN; wherein the first AMF and the GMLC are located in a second PLMN, and the first PLMN is different from the second PLMN.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the second AMF is located in the first PLMN, the first AMF is located in the second PLMN, and the first AMF sends a second positioning request message to the GMLC, including:

[0016] The first AMF sends the second positioning request message to the second GMLC through the first GMLC, where the first GMLC is located in the second PLMN and the second GMLC is located in the first PLMN;

[0017] The first AMF receiving the location information of the mobile node from the GMLC includes:

[0018] The first AMF receives the location information of the mobile node from the first GMLC, and the location information of the mobile node is sent to the first GMLC via the second GMLC.

[0019] In a second aspect, a terminal device positioning method is provided, the method comprising: the GMLC sends a first positioning request message to the first AMF based on the received location service request message, the location service request message and the first positioning request message are used to obtain the location information of the first terminal device, the first terminal device accesses the second AMF through the mobile node, and the first AMF is used to provide services for the terminal device accessing the mobile node; the GMLC receives a second positioning request message from the first AMF, the second positioning request message includes a first identifier of the mobile node, and the second positioning request message is used to request to obtain the location information of the mobile node; the GMLC obtains the location information of the mobile node; the GMLC sends the location information of the mobile node to the first AMF.

[0020] In the above implementation, after receiving the location service request message for obtaining the location information of the first terminal device (the first terminal device accesses the network through the mobile node), the GMLC can send a first positioning request message to the first AMF to trigger the first AMF to trigger the positioning process of the mobile node through the GMLC, so that the location information of the first terminal device can be determined based on the location information of the mobile node and the measurement data obtained by positioning the first terminal device.

[0021] In a possible implementation, it also includes: the GMLC obtains the identifier of the second AMF serving the mobile node based on the first identifier of the mobile node; the GMLC obtains the location information of the mobile node, including: the GMLC sends a fourth positioning request message to the second AMF, and the fourth positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the second positioning request message also includes an identifier of a second AMF, where the second AMF is the AMF serving the mobile node.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the GMLC determining a first PLMN based on the identifier of the second AMF, where the first PLMN is the PLMN where the second AMF is located; and the GMLC sending the second positioning request message to the GMLC in the first PLMN.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the second positioning request message also includes an identifier of a first PLMN, the first PLMN is the PLMN where the second AMF is located, and the second AMF is the AMF serving the mobile node. The method further includes: the GMLC sends the second positioning request message to the second GMLC in the first PLMN according to the identifier of the first PLMN.

[0025] According to a third aspect, a terminal device positioning method is provided, which includes: the LMF receives a third positioning request message from the first AMF, the third positioning request message is used to trigger the LMF to initiate a positioning process for the first terminal position, the third positioning request message includes the location information of the mobile node, the first terminal device accesses the first AMF through the mobile node, and the first AMF is used to provide services for the terminal device accessing the mobile node; the LMF initiates a positioning process for the first terminal device, obtains measurement data of the positioning process, and the measurement data includes the cell information of the mobile node; the LMF determines the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node and the measurement data.

[0026] In the above implementation, the LMF can determine the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node and the measurement data obtained by positioning the first terminal device (ie, the terminal device that accesses the network through the mobile node).

[0027] In a fourth aspect, a terminal device positioning method is provided, the method comprising: the LMF receives a positioning request message from a first access and mobility management function AMF, the positioning request message is used to trigger the LMF to initiate a positioning process for the first terminal position, the positioning request message includes the location information of the mobile node, the first terminal device accesses the first AMF through the mobile node, and the first AMF is used to provide services for terminal devices accessing the mobile node; the LMF initiates a positioning process for the first terminal device, obtains measurement data of the positioning process, and the measurement data includes the cell information of the mobile node; the LMF determines the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node and the measurement data.

[0028] In the above implementation method, after receiving the first positioning request message for obtaining the location information of the first terminal device (i.e., the terminal device that accesses the network through the mobile node), the LMF obtains the location information of the mobile node, so that the LMF can determine the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node and the measurement data obtained by positioning the first terminal device.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the first positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node; the LMF obtains the location information of the mobile node, including: the LMF sends a second positioning request message to the GMLC, the second positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node, and the second positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node; the LMF receives the location information of the mobile node from the GMLC.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the first positioning request message also includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first terminal device is currently connected to a mobile node; before the LMF sends the second positioning request message to the GMLC, it also includes: the LMF determines that it is necessary to obtain the location information of the mobile node based on the first indication information.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the first positioning request message includes the cell identifier of the mobile node; the LMF obtains the location information of the mobile node, including: the LMF initiates a positioning process for the first terminal device, obtains measurement data of the positioning process, and determines the first identifier of the mobile node according to the cell identifier of the mobile cell node in the measurement data; the LMF sends a second positioning request message to the GMLC, the second positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node, and the second positioning request message is used to request to obtain the location information of the mobile node;

[0032] The LMF receives the location information of the mobile node from the GMLC.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the LMF initiates a positioning process for the first terminal device, obtains measurement data of the positioning process, and determines the first identifier of the mobile node based on the cell identifier of the mobile cell node in the measurement data, including: the LMF initiates a positioning process for the first terminal device, obtains measurement data of the positioning process, and determines the first identifier of the mobile node corresponding to the cell identifier based on the cell identifier of the mobile cell node in the measurement data and the sending-receiving point TRP information of the mobile node stored by the LMF; wherein the TRP information includes one or more of the following: the first identifier of the mobile node, the cell identifier of the mobile node.

[0034] A possible implementation manner further includes: the LMF obtaining the TRP information of the mobile node from the mobile node; and the LMF storing the TRP information of the mobile node.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the LMF sends a second positioning request message to the GMLC, including: the LMF obtains the identifier of the second AMF based on the first identifier of the mobile node, and the second AMF is the AMF serving the mobile node; the LMF sends a second positioning request message to the GMLC, and the second positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node and the identifier of the second AMF.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the second AMF serving the mobile node is located in a first public land mobile network PLMN, and the second positioning request message also includes an identifier of the first PLMN; wherein the first AMF and the GMLC are located in a second PLMN, and the first PLMN is different from the second PLMN.

[0037] In a fifth aspect, a terminal device positioning method is provided, which includes: the LMF initiates a positioning process for the first terminal device and obtains measurement data of the positioning process, the measurement data including cell information of the mobile node, wherein the first terminal device accesses the network through the mobile node; the LMF obtains a first identifier of the mobile node; the LMF obtains first information from a unified data management network element based on the first identifier of the mobile node; the LMF obtains the location information of the mobile node based on the first information; the LMF determines the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node and the measurement data.

[0038] Among them, the LMF can determine the transmission path of the positioning request message (the positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node) (or determine the route of the positioning request message) based on the first information. The first information can be understood as the routing information of the positioning request message, or it can be understood that the first information can be used to indicate or determine the route or transmission path of the positioning request message or the network element passed through. For example, the first information may include the identifier of the network element (such as AMF, GMLC) or the identifier of the PLMN, and the LMF can send the positioning request message based on the identifier of the network element or the identifier of the PLMN.

[0039] In the above implementation method, LMF can initiate a positioning process for the first terminal device to obtain the measurement data of the positioning process, and initiate a positioning process for the mobile node connected to the first terminal device to obtain the location information of the mobile node, so that the location information of the first terminal device can be determined based on the location information of the mobile node and the measurement data obtained by positioning the first terminal device.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the LMF obtains the first identifier of the mobile node, including: the LMF receives a first positioning request message from a first AMF, the first positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node, and the first positioning request message is used to request the location information of the first terminal device; wherein, the first terminal device accesses the first AMF through the mobile node, and the first AMF is used to provide services for terminal devices accessing the mobile node; the LMF obtains the first identifier of the mobile node from the first positioning request message.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the first positioning request message further includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first terminal device is currently connected to a mobile node.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the LMF obtains the first identifier of the mobile node, including: the LMF determines the first identifier of the mobile node based on the cell identifier and the sending-receiving point TRP information of the mobile node stored in the LMF, and the TRP information includes the correspondence between the first identifier of the mobile node and the cell identifier of the mobile node.

[0043] A possible implementation method further includes: the LMF sends a first request message to the mobile node; the LMF receives a first response message from the mobile node, and the first response message includes the cell information of the mobile node and the first identifier of the mobile node.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the first information includes one or more of the following: an identifier of a second AMF serving the mobile node, where the second AMF is located in the public land mobile network PLMN currently accessed by the mobile node; an identifier of a GMLC, where the GMLC is located in the PLMN currently accessed by the mobile node.

[0045] In a possible implementation manner, the PLMN currently accessed by the mobile node and the home PLMN of the mobile node are the same as or different from each other.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the first information includes an identifier of a second AMF, and the LMF obtains the location information of the mobile node based on the first information, including: the LMF sends a positioning request message to the second AMF based on the identifier of the second AMF, the positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node, and the positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node; the LMF receives the location information of the mobile node from the second AMF.

[0047] In a possible implementation, the first information includes the identifier of the GMLC, and the LMF obtains the location information of the mobile node based on the first information, including: the LMF sends a positioning request message to the GMLC based on the identifier of the GMLC, the positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node and the identifier of the second AMF, and the positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node; the LMF receives the location information of the mobile node from the GMLC.

[0048] In the sixth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising an LMF and an AMF; the AMF is used to implement the method as described in any one of the first aspects, and the LMF is used to implement the method as described in any one of the third aspects above; or, the LMF is used to implement the method as described in any one of the fourth aspects, and the AMF is used to implement the method as described in any one of the fifth aspects above.

[0049] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a unit or module for executing the method as described in any one of the first aspects above.

[0050] The communication device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The transceiver unit is used to receive a first positioning request message, the first positioning request message is used to request the location information of a first terminal device, the first terminal device accesses the first AMF through a mobile node, and the first AMF is used to provide services for the terminal device accessing the mobile node; the processing unit is used to send a second positioning request message to the GMLC through the transceiver unit, the second positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node, and the second positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node; the processing unit is also used to receive the location information of the mobile node from the GMLC, and send a third positioning request message to the LMF through the transceiver unit, the third positioning request message is used to trigger the LMF to initiate a positioning process for the first terminal device, and the third positioning request message includes the location information of the mobile node.

[0051] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is specifically used to: receive the first positioning request message from the gateway mobile location center GMLC, the first positioning request message including the identifier of the first terminal device; the transceiver unit is also used to: receive the first positioning request message from the GMLC before sending the second positioning request message to the GMLC, the first positioning request message including the identifier of the first terminal device; the processing unit is also used to: obtain the second identifier of the mobile node to which the first terminal device accesses according to the identifier of the first terminal device, and determine the first identifier of the mobile node according to the second identifier of the mobile node.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the communication device stores a correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node; and the processing unit is specifically configured to determine the first identifier of the mobile node according to the second identifier and the correspondence.

[0053] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is also used to: before receiving the first positioning request message, receive a connection establishment request message from the mobile node, the connection establishment request message is used to request to establish a first connection, the first connection is the connection between the mobile node and the first AMF, and the connection establishment request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node and the second identifier of the mobile node; the processing unit is also used to store the correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node.

[0054] In a possible implementation manner, the first identifier is an identifier of a terminal in the mobile node, and the second identifier is an identifier of a base station in the mobile node.

[0055] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is further used to: obtain the identifier of the second AMF serving the mobile node according to the first identifier of the mobile node; the second positioning request message also includes the identifier of the second AMF.

[0056] In one possible implementation, the second AMF serving the mobile node is located in a first PLMN, and the second positioning request message also includes an identifier of the first PLMN; wherein the first AMF and the GMLC are located in a second PLMN, and the first PLMN is different from the second PLMN.

[0057] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a unit or module for executing the method as described in the third aspect above. The communication device comprises a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The transceiver unit is used to receive a positioning request message from a first AMF, the positioning request message is used to trigger the LMF to initiate a positioning process for the first terminal position, the positioning request message includes the location information of the mobile node, the first terminal device accesses the first AMF through the mobile node, and the first AMF is used to provide services for the terminal device accessing the mobile node; the processing unit is used to initiate a positioning process for the first terminal device, obtain measurement data of the positioning process, the measurement data includes the cell information of the mobile node, and determine the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node and the measurement data.

[0058] In a ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a unit or module for executing the method as described in the fourth aspect above. The communication device comprises a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The processing unit is used to initiate a positioning process for a first terminal device and obtain measurement data of the positioning process, the measurement data including cell information of a mobile node, wherein the first terminal device accesses the network through the mobile node; the LMF obtains a first identifier of the mobile node; obtains first information from a unified data management network element through the transceiver unit according to the first identifier of the mobile node; obtains the location information of the mobile node according to the first information; and determines the location information of the first terminal device according to the location information of the mobile node and the measurement data.

[0059] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is specifically used to receive a first positioning request message from a first AMF, the first positioning request message includes a first identifier of the mobile node, and the first positioning request message is used to request the location information of the first terminal device; wherein, the first terminal device accesses the first AMF through the mobile node, and the first AMF is used to provide services for the terminal device accessing the mobile node; the processing unit is specifically used to obtain the first identifier of the mobile node from the first positioning request message.

[0060] In a possible implementation, the first positioning request message further includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first terminal device is currently connected to a mobile node.

[0061] In a possible implementation, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine the first identifier of the mobile node according to the cell identifier and a correspondence between the first identifier of the mobile node and the cell identifier stored in the LMF.

[0062] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is further used to: send a first request message to the mobile node through the transceiver unit; receive a first response message from the mobile node through the transceiver unit, the first response message including the cell identifier of the mobile node and the first identifier of the mobile node; and store the correspondence between the cell identifier of the mobile node and the first identifier of the mobile node.

[0063] In one possible implementation, the first information includes one or more of the following: an identifier of a second AMF serving the mobile node, where the second AMF is located in the PLMN currently accessed by the mobile node; an identifier of a GMLC, where the GMLC is located in the PLMN currently accessed by the mobile node.

[0064] In a possible implementation manner, the PLMN currently accessed by the mobile node and the home PLMN of the mobile node are the same as or different from each other.

[0065] In one possible implementation, the first information includes an identifier of a second AMF, and the processing unit is specifically used to: send a positioning request message to the second AMF through the transceiver unit according to the identifier of the second AMF, wherein the positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node, and the positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node; receive the location information of the mobile node from the second AMF through the transceiver unit.

[0066] In one possible implementation, the first information includes an identifier of the GMLC, and the processing unit is specifically used to: send a positioning request message to the GMLC through the transceiver unit according to the identifier of the GMLC, the positioning request message including the first identifier of the mobile node and the identifier of the second AMF, and the positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node; receive the location information of the mobile node from the GMLC through the transceiver unit.

[0067] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a unit or module for executing the method described in the fifth aspect. The communication device comprises a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The processing unit is used to obtain a first identifier of a mobile node, and send a first positioning request message to an LMF through the transceiver unit, wherein the first positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node, and the first positioning request message is used to request the location information of a first terminal device; wherein the first terminal device accesses the first AMF through the mobile node, and the first AMF is used to provide services for the terminal device accessing the mobile node.

[0068] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is specifically used to: receive a third positioning request message from the GMLC through the transceiver unit, the third positioning request message including the identifier of the first terminal device, and the third positioning request message is used to request the location information of the first terminal device; obtain the second identifier of the mobile node to which the first terminal device accesses based on the identifier of the first terminal device; and determine the first identifier of the mobile node based on the second identifier of the mobile node.

[0069] In a possible implementation, the communication device stores a correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node; and the processing unit is specifically configured to determine the first identifier of the mobile node according to the second identifier and the correspondence.

[0070] In one possible implementation, before obtaining the first identifier of the mobile node, the transceiver unit is also used to: receive a connection establishment request message from the mobile node, the connection establishment request message is used to request to establish a first connection, the first connection is a connection between the mobile node and the first AMF, and the connection establishment request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node and the second identifier of the mobile node; the processing unit is also used to: store the correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node.

[0071] In a possible implementation, the first positioning request message further includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first terminal device is currently connected to a mobile node.

[0072] In the eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: one or more processors configured to execute the method as described in any one of the first aspects, or the method as described in any one of the third aspects, or the method as described in any one of the fourth aspects, or the method as described in any one of the fifth aspects.

[0073] In the twelfth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, in which a program is stored. When the program is executed by a communication device, the method as described in any one of the first aspects, or the method as described in the third aspect, or the method as described in any one of the fourth aspects, or the method as described in any one of the fifth aspects is implemented.

[0074] In the thirteenth aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising: a memory for storing a computer program; a processor; when the processor calls and runs the computer program from the memory, the communication device equipped with the chip system executes the method as described in any one of the first aspects, or executes the method as described in the third aspect, or executes the method as described in any one of the fourth aspects, or executes the method as described in any one of the fifth aspects.

[0075] In the fourteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising instructions, which, when executed on a processor, cause the processor to execute the method described in any one of the first aspect, or the method described in the third aspect, or the method described in any one of the fourth aspect, or the method described in any one of the fifth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service-oriented interface applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a point-to-point interface applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the basic architecture of the MWAB device in the embodiment of the present application;

[0079] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing that the PLMN to which the MWAB-UE is registered and the PLMN to which the UE accessed through the MWAB-gNB is registered are different from each other in an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an LCS system architecture based on a 5G system applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] Figure 6aA flowchart of a terminal device positioning method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] Figure 6b A flowchart of another terminal device positioning method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] Figure 7a A flowchart of another terminal device positioning method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] Figure 7b A flowchart of another terminal device positioning method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] Figure 8a A flowchart of another terminal device positioning method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] Figure 8b A flowchart of another terminal device positioning method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0089] The 3GPP standards group has developed the architecture for the next-generation mobile communications network system (Next Generation System), known as the 5G network architecture. This architecture supports access to the 5G core network (CN) using radio access technologies defined by the 3GPP standards group (such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and 5G Radio Access Network (RAN). It also supports access to the core network using non-3GPP access technologies via the non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF) or the next-generation packet data gateway (ngPDG).

[0090] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of 5G network architecture based on service-oriented architecture. Figure 1The 5G network architecture shown may include access network equipment and core network equipment. Terminal devices access the data network (DN) through the access network equipment and core network equipment. Among them, the core network equipment includes but is not limited to some or all of the following network elements: authentication server function (AUSF) network element, unified data management (UDM) network element, unified data repository (UDR) network element (not shown in the figure), network storage function (NRF) network element, network exposure function (NEF) network element, network slice selection function (NSSF) network element, network slice selection authentication and authorization function (NSSAAF) network element, network slice admission control function (NSACF) network element, application function (AF) network element, policy control function (PCF) network element, AMF network element, session management function (SMF) network element, user plane function (UPF) network element, binding support function (BSF) network element (not shown in the figure).

[0091] Terminal devices can be user equipment (UE), mobile stations, mobile terminal devices, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, urban air vehicles (such as drones and helicopters), ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc.

[0092] The access network device is a device with wireless transceiver functions, which is used to communicate with the terminal device. The access network device includes but is not limited to base stations (base transceiver station (BTS), Node B, eNodeB / eNB, or gNodeB / gNB), transmission reception points (TRP), base stations subsequently evolved from the third generation partnership project (3GPP), access nodes in Wi-Fi systems, wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, etc. The base station can be: a macro base station, a micro base station, a pico base station, a small station, a relay station, etc. Multiple base stations can support networks with the same access technology or networks with different access technologies. The base station can include one or more co-site or non-co-site transmission and receiving points. The access network device can also be a wireless controller, a centralized unit (CU), and / or a distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. The access network device can also be a server, etc.

[0093] Access network equipment and terminal devices can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; on water; or in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of access network equipment and terminal devices.

[0094] The AMF network element is responsible for UE mobility management, including mobile state management, allocating temporary identities to UEs, and authenticating and authorizing UEs.

[0095] The SMF network element is responsible for the selection and reselection of UPF network elements, IP address allocation, bearer establishment, modification and release, and quality of service (QoS) control.

[0096] The UPF network element supports all or part of the following functions: interconnecting protocol data unit (PDU) sessions with the data network; packet routing and forwarding (for example, supporting uplink classification (uplink classifier) of traffic before forwarding to the data network); and packet inspection.

[0097] The UDM network element is responsible for managing contract data and notifying the corresponding network element when the contract data is modified.

[0098] Figure 1 Nnssf, Nnef, Nnrf, Npcf, Nudm, Naf, Nnssaaf, Nausf, Namf, Nsmf, and Nnsacf are service-oriented interfaces provided by the NSSF, NEF, NRF, PCF, UDM, AF, NSSAAF, AUSF, AMF, SMF, and NSACF, respectively, and are used to invoke corresponding service-oriented operations. N1, N2, N3, N4, N6, and N9 are interface serial numbers, and their meanings are as follows:

[0099] N1: The interface between AMF and terminal devices, which can be used to deliver non-access stratum (NAS) signaling (such as QoS rules from AMF) to terminal devices.

[0100] N2: The interface between AMF and access network equipment, which can be used to transmit radio bearer control information from the core network side to the access network equipment.

[0101] N3: The interface between the access network equipment and UPF, mainly used to transmit uplink and downlink user plane data between the access network equipment and UPF.

[0102] N4: The interface between SMF and UPF can be used to transmit information between the control plane and the user plane, including controlling the issuance of forwarding rules, QoS rules, traffic statistics rules, etc. for the user plane and reporting information to the user plane.

[0103] N6: Interface between UPF and DN, used to transmit uplink and downlink user data flows between UPF and DN.

[0104] N9: User plane interface between UPF network elements, used to transmit uplink and downlink user data flows between UPF network elements.

[0105] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the 5G network architecture based on point-to-point interfaces. The functions of the network elements can be referred to in Figure 1 The introduction of the functions of the corresponding network elements will not be repeated here. Figure 2 and Figure 1 The main differences are: Figure 1 The interfaces between the various control plane network elements in the system are service-oriented interfaces. Figure 2 The interfaces between the various control plane network elements are point-to-point interfaces.

[0106] It is understood that the above-mentioned network element or function can be a network element in a hardware device, a software function running on dedicated hardware, or a virtualized function instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). Optionally, the above-mentioned network element or function can be implemented by a single device, or by multiple devices, or can be a functional module within a single device, and this is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0107] The mobility management network element, session management network element, data management network element, and network storage function network element in this application can be the AMF network element, SMF network element, UDM network element, and NRF network element in the 5G system, respectively, or can be a network element with the functions of the above-mentioned AMF network element, SMF network element, UDM network element, and NRF network element in future communications such as 6G networks. This application is not limited to this. In the embodiments of this application, an example is described in which the AMF network element, SMF network element, UDM network element, and NRF network element are the mobility management network element, session management network element, data management network element, and network storage function network element, respectively. In addition, the AMF network element, SMF network element, UDM network element, and NRF network element are referred to as AMF, SMF, UDM, and NRF, respectively.

[0108] For ease of explanation, the embodiments of the present application are described using a base station and a UE as specific examples of an access network device and a terminal device, respectively. Any base station and UE appearing in any subsequent location can be replaced by an access network device and a terminal device, respectively.

[0109] Vehicle-mounted relay (VMR) devices are currently being proposed for in-vehicle scenarios. VMR devices are typically deployed on moving vehicles. A VMR device consists of a base station and a user equipment (UE). The UE can be referred to as a VMR-UE, and the base station can be referred to as a VMR-gNB. Because vehicles move, the VMR-gNB and VMR-UE also exhibit mobility. The VMR-UE functions as a standard terminal device and can access the core network via NR. Typically, the N2 backhaul link between a fixed ground base station and the core network can be implemented using optical fiber. The N2 backhaul link between the mobile VMR-gNB and the core network can be carried over the PDU session between the VMR-UE and the core network to achieve wireless backhaul. This allows the VMR-gNB to provide wireless access to other terminal devices near the vehicle. The VMR device can also be referred to as a wireless access and backhaul (WAB) device. The UEs that comprise the WAB can be referred to as WAB-UEs, and the base stations that comprise the WAB can be referred to as WAB-gNBs. Alternatively, the VMR device can also be called a mobile wireless access and backhauling (MWAB) device, the UE that constitutes the MWAB can be called a MWAB-UE, and the base station that constitutes the MWAB can be called a MWAB-gNB.

[0110] Taking MWAB equipment as an example, Figure 3The following diagram shows the basic architecture of a MWAB device. The MWAB-UE accesses the core network through a base station on the ground outside the vehicle (e.g., a donor-gNB) and establishes a PDU session between the MWAB-UE and the UPF (UPF#1 in the figure). The donor-gNB is also called a macro base station. N2 message transmission between the MWAB-gNB and the AMF (AMF#2 in the figure) is implemented through a PDU session between the MWAB-UE and the UPF. For example, when the MWAB-gNB needs to send an N2 message to AMF#2, the MWAB-gNB forwards the N2 message to the MWAB-UE via the internal interface between the MWAB-gNB and the MWAB-UE. The MWAB-UE then uses the N2 message as the payload of the data packet and passes it to the anchor UPF of the PDU session (UPF#1 in the figure) via the established PDU session. The anchor UPF then forwards the data packet to AMF#2, completing the forwarding of the N2 message. The N3 message transmission between the MWAB-gNB and the UPF (such as UPF#2 in the figure) can also be implemented through the PDU session between the MWAB-UE and the UPF. For example, when the MWAB-gNB needs to send an N3 message to UPF#2, the MWAB-gNB forwards the N3 message to the MWAB-UE through the internal interface between the MWAB-UE and the MWAB-UE. The MWAB-UE uses the N3 message as the payload of the data packet and passes it to the anchor point UPF of the PDU session (which can be UPF#1 in the figure, or other UPF, not limited in this application) through the established PDU session. The anchor point UPF then forwards the data packet to UPF#2, thereby completing the forwarding of the N3 message.

[0111] based on Figure 3 As shown in the architecture of the MWAB device, the PLMN registered by the MWAB-UE and the PLMN registered by the normal UE can be different PLMNs. Figure 4 As shown in the figure, the MWAB-UE registers as a UE to the core network of PLMN#1 and establishes a PDU session. Through the MWAB-UE's PDU session in PLMN#1, the MWAB-gNB can establish an N2 connection with the AMF of PLMN#2. At the same time, through the MWAB-UE's PDU session in PLMN#1, the MWAB-gNB can establish an N3 connection with the UPF of PLMN#2.

[0112] based on Figure 3In the MWAB device architecture shown, the PLMN registered by the MWAB-UE and the PLMN registered by a normal UE can be the same. The MWAB-UE registers as a UE with PLMN core network #1 and establishes a PDU session. Through this PDU session, the MWAB-gNB can establish an N2 / N3 connection with the core network #2 of the same PLMN.

[0113] There are different positioning processes in current positioning technologies. For example, for the UE-assisted positioning procedure, the terminal device performs positioning measurements based on the signals received from the surrounding cells (the number of surrounding cells may be multiple) and reports the measurement data to the LMF, where the measurement data includes a cell identifier. The LMF can determine, based on the cell identifier sent by the terminal device, the cell signal based on which the terminal device performs the measurement. Further, the LMF determines the location of the terminal device based on the pre-acquired location information of the cell. For another example, for the network-assisted positioning procedure, the access network device receives the signal of the terminal device for positioning measurements and reports the measurement data to the LMF, where the measurement data includes the cell identifier of the base station. The LMF can determine, based on the cell identifier included in the measurement data, the cell from which the measurement data is measured. Further, the LMF determines the location of the terminal device based on the pre-acquired location information of the cell. In summary, regardless of the positioning process, the positioning measurement data of the terminal device is related to the cell, and the LMF further determines the location of the terminal based on the cell information (such as the cell identifier) included in the measurement data.

[0114] In such Figure 3 or Figure 4In the MWAB architecture shown, the MWAB device includes all the functions of the base station (including the functions of CU and DU) and is in a mobile state. The terminal device may access the network through the MWAB device and move with the MWAB device. In this case, when the network side needs to initiate a positioning process for such terminal devices, for example, for the UE assisted positioning procedure, the terminal device may perform positioning measurements based on the signal of the cell of the currently connected MWAB device. For the network assisted positioning procedure, the MWAB cell may use the signal of the terminal device for positioning measurements. The location of the cell of the MWAB device changes with the movement of the mobile relay. Therefore, even if the LMF obtains the cell identifier, it cannot determine the location of the terminal device. Therefore, for terminal devices that access the network through MWAB, how to locate them is a problem that needs to be solved at present.

[0115] To this end, an embodiment of the present application provides a terminal device positioning method and a related device that can implement the method. In the embodiment of the present application, a mobile node with base station functions and terminal functions can provide network access services for terminal devices. For terminal devices that access the network through the mobile node, when the terminal device is positioned, the terminal device's service AMF (or the AMF that the terminal device accesses, or the AMF that the terminal device registers with) triggers the GMLC or LMF to obtain the location of the mobile node, and locates the terminal device in combination with the location of the mobile node.

[0116] First, the technologies and technical terms involved in this application are explained below.

[0117] (1) Mobile Node

[0118] The mobile node in the embodiment of the present application has a terminal function and a base station function. The mobile node can be composed of a terminal and a base station. The terminal can be referred to as a mobile node-terminal or a mobile node-UE, and the base station can be referred to as a mobile node-base station or a mobile node-gNB. The mobile node-terminal has the functions of an ordinary terminal device and can access the core network through a radio access network device. The mobile node-base station can provide network access services for ordinary terminal devices, and the connection between the ordinary terminal device and the core network (such as an N2 connection or an N3 connection) can be realized through a session between the mobile node-terminal and the core network.

[0119] In the mobile node, the mobile node-terminal and the mobile node-base station can each have their own identifier. In the embodiment of the present application, the identifier of the mobile node-terminal is referred to as the first identifier, and the identifier of the mobile node-base station is referred to as the second identifier. Optionally, the first identifier of the mobile node can be a generic public subscription identifier (GPSI), and the second identifier of the mobile node can be a gNB ID. This application is not limited.

[0120] An example of the mobile node may be a VMR device, and accordingly, the mobile node-terminal is a VMR-UE, and the mobile node-base station is a VMR-gNB.

[0121] Another example of the mobile node may be a WAB device, and accordingly, the mobile node-terminal is a WAB-UE, and the mobile node-base station is a WAB-gNB.

[0122] Another example of the mobile node may be a MWAB device, and accordingly, the mobile node-terminal is a MWAB-UE, and the mobile node-base station is a MWAB-gNB.

[0123] (2) First connection and second connection

[0124] In embodiments of the present application, a mobile node-base station can provide wireless access services to surrounding terminal devices, and the terminal devices can access the core network through the mobile node-base station. A connection can be established between the mobile node-base station and the core network to carry signaling and / or data transmission between the terminal devices accessed through the mobile node-base station and the core network.

[0125] The connection established between the mobile node-base station and the core network includes a first connection. The first connection, also known as an N2 connection or NGAP connection, is the connection between the mobile node-base station and the AMF, or in other words, an N2 interface exists between the mobile node-base station and the AMF. The first connection can carry signaling transmission between a terminal device accessed through the mobile node-base station and the core network.

[0126] The connection established between the mobile node-base station and the core network also includes a second connection. The first connection, also known as the N3 connection, is the connection between the mobile node-base station and the UPF, or in other words, there is an N3 interface between the mobile node-base station and the UPF. The first connection can carry data transmission between a terminal device accessed through the mobile node-base station and the core network.

[0127] (3) First session and second session

[0128] In an embodiment of the present application, a mobile node-terminal may register with the core network as a terminal device. For example, a MWAB-UE may register with the AMF as a normal UE. A session may be established between the mobile node-terminal and the core network in which it is registered. The session may be a session between the mobile node-terminal and the UPF, where the UPF may be referred to as the anchor UPF for the session. Taking the 5G core network as an example, the session may be a PDU session.

[0129] The session between the mobile node-terminal and the core network may serve as a backhaul link of the first connection and / or the second connection.

[0130] In an embodiment of the present application, the session established between the mobile node-terminal and the core network may include a first session, and the first session is the backhaul link of the above-mentioned first connection. It can also be understood that the first session is used for wireless backhaul of the first connection. Taking the first session as the first PDU session as an example, the first PDU session is used for wireless backhaul of the N2 connection (PDU session for wireless backhauling of the N2). Alternatively, it can also be understood that the first session is used to carry the backhaul link of the above-mentioned first connection. Alternatively, the first session can be called: PDU session for Wireless backhauling, or PDU session for wireless backhauling of the N2 / N3.

[0131] For example, the mobile node-base station forwards the N2 message to the mobile node-terminal through the internal interface between the mobile node-base station and the mobile node-terminal. The mobile node-terminal uses the N2 message as the payload of the data packet and passes it to the anchor point UPF of the session through the first session. The anchor point UPF then forwards the data packet to the AMF accessed by the terminal device (the terminal device accesses the core network through the mobile node-base station) to complete the transmission of the N2 message.

[0132] In an embodiment of the present application, the session established between the mobile node-terminal and the core network may include a second session, and the second session is the backhaul link of the above-mentioned second connection. It can also be understood that the second session is used for wireless backhaul of the second connection. Taking the second session as the second PDU session as an example, the second PDU session is used for wireless backhaul of the N3 connection (PDU session for wireless backhauling of the N3). Alternatively, it can also be understood that the second session is used to carry the backhaul link of the above-mentioned second connection. Alternatively, the second session can be called: PDU session for Wireless backhauling, or PDU session for wireless backhauling of the N2 / N3.

[0133] For example, the mobile node-base station forwards the N3 message to the mobile node-terminal through the internal interface between the mobile node-terminal and the mobile node-terminal. The mobile node-terminal uses the N3 message as the payload of the data packet and passes it to the anchor point UPF of the session through the second session. The anchor point UPF then forwards the data packet to the UPF accessed by the terminal device (the terminal device accesses the core network through the mobile node-base station), thereby completing the transmission of the N3 message.

[0134] In one possible scenario, the anchor UPF of the first session and the anchor UPF of the second session are different, with the first session serving as the transmission link for the first connection and the second session serving as the backhaul link for the second connection. In another possible scenario, the anchor UPF of the first session and the anchor UPF of the second session are the same, with the first session serving as the transmission link for the first connection and the second session serving as the backhaul link for the second connection. In another possible scenario, the first and second sessions are the same session, meaning that a mobile node-terminal can establish a session to serve as the backhaul link for the first and second connections.

[0135] (4) Location Services (LCS) System Architecture

[0136] Terminal devices can be positioned based on the LCS system.

[0137] Figure 5 An example of an LCS system architecture based on a 5G system is shown. The LCS architecture based on the 5G system architecture mainly includes the following network elements:

[0138] LMF: Calculates the final location estimate based on ranging information (also known as positioning measurements or location data) collected by the UE and NG-RAN, and manages the coordination and scheduling of positioning resources. The LMF manages all resources used for UE positioning, calculates the final positioning result and accuracy, receives positioning notifications from the AMF, obtains UE location measurement data through transparent transmission between the AMF and the (R)AN, and calculates the UE coordinates using a high-precision positioning algorithm and returns them to the AMF.

[0139] UDM: used to store the UE location privacy profile that can indicate whether the UE allows other clients or AF to obtain its location information;

[0140] NEF: Provides a method for accessing location services through external / internal AF or clients;

[0141] GMLC: used to provide a method for accessing location services through external / internal AF or clients, and charging;

[0142] RAN / UE: used to collect positioning measurements or parameters of LMF to calculate the position estimate;

[0143] AMF: used to manage the positioning of the target UE for all types of location requests.

[0144] It should be noted that the location information of the mobile node in the embodiments of the present application can be understood as the location information of the terminal function of the mobile node, such as the location information of the MWAB-UE. The positioning process for the mobile node involved in the embodiments of the present application can be understood as the positioning process for the terminal function of the mobile node, such as the positioning process for the MWAB-UE.

[0145] The embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0146] See also Figure 6a , which is a flow chart of the terminal device positioning method provided in an embodiment of the present application. In this method, the mobile node-terminal has been registered with the second AMF in the core network, and the second AMF is the AMF serving the mobile node-terminal. A first session is established between the mobile node-terminal and the UPF in the core network to which it is registered. A first connection is established between the mobile node-base station and the first AMF. The mobile node-base station can provide network access services for the terminal device. For the accessed terminal device, communication can be performed with the first AMF based on the first connection, that is, the first AMF can be used to provide services for the terminal device accessing the mobile node-base station. Among them, the first session is the backhaul link of the first connection. The second AMF and the first AMF are in the same PLMN.

[0147] For ease of description in the embodiments of the present application, a terminal device that accesses the network through a mobile node is referred to as a first terminal device. When the first AMF receives a positioning request for the first terminal device, the first AMF requests the GMLC to trigger positioning of the mobile node-terminal. After obtaining the location information of the mobile node-terminal, the first AMF provides the location information of the mobile node-terminal to the LMF. The LMF can then determine the location of the first terminal device based on the positioning result of the first terminal device and the location information of the mobile node-terminal.

[0148] In one possible implementation, the mobile node-base station may send the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node to the first AMF (see Figure 6a ). For example, in the process of establishing the first connection between the mobile node-base station and the first AMF, the mobile node-base station may send the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node to the first AMF. Exemplarily, the process of establishing the first connection may include: the mobile node-base station sends a connection establishment request message to the first AMF, the connection establishment request message is used to request the establishment of the first connection, and the connection establishment request message includes the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node. After receiving the connection establishment request message, the first AMF may store the correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node, indicating that the mobile node-terminal corresponding to the first identifier and the mobile node-base station corresponding to the second identifier are located on the same mobile node.

[0149] Optionally, the connection establishment request message may further include indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate that the mobile node-terminal corresponding to the first identifier and the mobile node-base station corresponding to the second identifier are co-located, or the indication information is used to indicate that the mobile node-base station has mobility. Accordingly, the first AMF may establish a correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier based on the indication information.

[0150] like Figure 6a As shown, the process may include the following steps:

[0151] Step 601: The GMLC receives an LCS service request message, wherein the LCS service request message is used to request the location information of a first terminal device. The LCS service request message includes an identifier of the first terminal device.

[0152] In one possible implementation, the GMLC receives an LCS service request message from an LCS client, the LCS service request message including an identifier of the first terminal device, and the LCS service request message is used to request location information of the first terminal device. The LCS client may be a third-party application, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0153] In a possible implementation, the LCS client sends an LCS service request message to the GMLC to request positioning of the first terminal device.

[0154] In one possible implementation, the identifier of the first terminal device is the subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) of the first terminal device, or the generic public subscription identifier (GPSI), which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0155] Step 602: The GMLC sends a first positioning request message to the first AMF, where the first positioning request message is used to request location information of the first terminal device. The first positioning request message includes an identifier of the first terminal device.

[0156] In a possible implementation, the first positioning request message may be a Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo request, which carries an identifier of the first terminal device.

[0157] Among them, the first AMF is the AMF currently serving the first terminal device. Specifically, the GMLC can query the identifier of the first AMF currently serving the first terminal device from the UDM according to the identifier of the first terminal device, and send a first positioning request message to the first AMF.

[0158] Step 603: The first AMF sends a second positioning request message to the GMLC, where the second positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node, and the second positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node.

[0159] The first identifier is an identifier of the mobile node-terminal. The second request message is used to request to obtain the location information of the mobile node, which can also be understood as the second positioning request message is used to request to obtain the location information of the mobile node-terminal.

[0160] In one possible implementation, after receiving the first positioning request message, the first AMF can obtain the identifier of the base station to which the first terminal device is connected based on the identifier of the first terminal device contained in the first positioning request message. Since the first terminal device is currently connected to a mobile node-base station, when the first terminal device accesses the first AMF from the mobile node, the first AMF can receive the second identifier of the mobile node from the mobile node (i.e., the identifier of the mobile node-base station to which the first terminal device is connected). Therefore, the first AMF can determine that the first terminal device is currently connected to a mobile node (mobile node-base station) based on the identifier of the base station to which the first terminal device is connected (i.e., the second identifier of the mobile node). The first AMF queries the correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier stored in the first AMF based on the identifier of the mobile node-base station to which the first terminal device is currently connected (i.e., the second identifier of the mobile node), determines the first identifier of the mobile node (i.e., the identifier of the mobile node-terminal), and sends a second positioning request message to the GMLC, which carries the first identifier of the mobile node.

[0161] In one possible implementation, the first AMF may also obtain, from the UDM, the identifier of the AMF with which the corresponding mobile node-terminal is currently registered, based on the first identifier of the mobile node. In this process, the AMF with which the mobile node-terminal is currently registered is the second AMF, that is, the first AMF may obtain the identifier of the second AMF. Optionally, the second positioning request message sent by the first AMF to the GMLC may also include the identifier of the second AMF.

[0162] In a possible implementation manner, the second positioning request message may be Ngmlc_Location_ProvideLocation_Request.

[0163] Step 604: The GMLC sends a fourth positioning request message to the second AMF, where the fourth positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node. The fourth positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal).

[0164] In one possible implementation, if the second positioning request message received by the GMLC includes the identifier of the second AMF, the GMLC may determine the identifier of the PLMN where the second AMF is located based on the identifier of the second AMF. For example, the identifier of the second AMF includes the identifier of the PLMN where the second AMF is located. In this process, the GMLC determines that the second AMF and the first AMF belong to the same PLMN, so the GMLC may send the fourth positioning request message directly to the corresponding second AMF based on the identifier of the second AMF.

[0165] In another possible implementation, if the second positioning request message received by the GMLC does not include the identifier of the second AMF, the GMLC can obtain the identifier of the AMF currently registered with the mobile node-terminal corresponding to the first identifier from the UDM based on the first identifier of the mobile node. In this process, the AMF currently registered with the mobile node-terminal is the second AMF, that is, the GMLC can obtain the identifier of the second AMF. In this process, the GMLC determines that the second AMF and the first AMF belong to the same PLMN, so the GMLC can send a fourth positioning request message directly to the corresponding second AMF based on the identifier of the second AMF.

[0166] In a possible implementation, the fourth positioning request message may be a Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo request.

[0167] Step 605: The second AMF initiates a positioning process for the mobile node-terminal corresponding to the first identifier based on the received fourth positioning request message. Through this process, the location information of the mobile node-terminal can be obtained. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation method of the positioning process.

[0168] Step 606: The second AMF sends the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal) to the GMLC.

[0169] In one possible implementation, the second AMF sends a Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo response to the GMLC, which carries the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal).

[0170] Step 607: The GMLC sends the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal) to the first AMF.

[0171] In one possible implementation, the GMLC sends Ngmlc_Location_ProvideLocation_Response to the first AMF, which carries the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal).

[0172] Step 608: The first AMF sends a third positioning request message to the LMF, wherein the third positioning request message includes the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal). The third positioning request message is used to trigger the LMF to initiate a positioning process for the first terminal.

[0173] Optionally, the third positioning request message also includes an identifier of the first terminal device.

[0174] Optionally, the third positioning request message also includes a serving cell ID currently accessed by the first terminal device. It can be understood that the serving cell ID currently accessed by the first terminal device is the cell ID of the mobile node-base station.

[0175] In one possible implementation, the first AMF selects an LMF for the first terminal device and sends an Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation request to the LMF, which carries the serving cell ID currently accessed by the first terminal device and the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal).

[0176] Step 609: LMF initiates a positioning process for the first terminal device based on the third positioning request message, and the measurement data of the positioning process can be obtained through the positioning process.

[0177] The positioning process of the first terminal device uses the cell information of the mobile node to perform positioning measurement, and the measurement data includes the cell information of the mobile node. The measurement data is obtained based on the cell of the mobile node.

[0178] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation method of the positioning process of the first terminal device.

[0179] One possible implementation method is that the LMF uses a terminal device-assisted positioning process to initiate a positioning process for the first terminal device to obtain measurement data of the positioning process.

[0180] Exemplarily, the LMF sends a downlink positioning message to the first terminal device to trigger positioning of the first terminal device. After receiving the downlink positioning message from the LMF, the first terminal device performs positioning measurement based on the signals of the surrounding cells (such as positioning reference signals (PRS)). For example, the first terminal device performs positioning measurement based on the cell signal of the mobile node, obtains measurement data of the positioning process, and sends an uplink positioning message to the LMF. The uplink positioning message carries the measurement data of the positioning process, and the measurement data of the positioning process includes information about the cell of the mobile node, such as the Cell ID of the cell of the mobile node-base station.

[0181] Among them, the parameters for positioning measurement performed by the first terminal device based on the signal of the cell of the mobile node-base station are not limited in this application. For example, the first terminal device can perform downlink reference signal time difference measurement on the PRS of the mobile node-base station, and / or the first terminal device can measure the downlink reference signal receiving power of each beam. In addition, the measurement data sent by the first terminal device to the LMF also includes a measurement report, wherein the measurement parameters contained in the measurement report are not limited in this application. For example, the measurement parameters contained in the measurement report may include downlink reference signal time difference, and / or downlink reference signal receiving power of each beam, etc.

[0182] Among them, the first terminal device can use the signal of the cell of the currently connected mobile node-base station for positioning measurement. Moreover, in addition to using the signal of the cell of the mobile relay for positioning measurement, the first terminal device can also use the signal of other cells for measurement at the same time. The other cells can be another cell of the mobile node-base station or a cell of a non-mobile node, for example, the cell of the base station installed on both sides of the road outside the vehicle, that is, a cell in a fixed position.

[0183] Another possible implementation method is that LMF uses a network-assisted positioning process to initiate a positioning process for the first terminal device, that is, the access network device performs measurements based on the signal sent by the first terminal device and sends the measurement data to LMF so that LMF can determine the location of the first terminal device.

[0184] Exemplarily, the LMF sends a network positioning message to the mobile node-base station (for example, the LMF sends a network positioning message to the first AMF serving the first terminal device, and the first AMF sends the above network positioning message to the mobile node-base station) to trigger positioning of the first terminal device. After receiving the positioning message from the LMF, the mobile node-base station triggers the mobile node-base station to perform positioning measurements on the terminal device (that is, the mobile node-base station performs measurements based on the signal sent by the terminal device to obtain measurement data of the positioning process). The mobile node-base station sends a network positioning message to the LMF, and the network positioning message carries the measurement data of the positioning process. The measurement data of the positioning process includes information about the cell of the mobile node-base station, such as the Cell ID of the cell of the mobile node-base station.

[0185] The mobile node-base station performs positioning measurement parameters on the first terminal device, which are not limited in this application. For example, the mobile node-base station measures the uplink relative arrival time. In addition, the measurement data sent by the mobile node-base station to the LMF also includes a measurement report, wherein the measurement parameters included in the measurement report are not limited in this application. For example, the measurement parameters included in the measurement report may be an uplink arrival angle and / or an uplink relative arrival time.

[0186] Step 610: The LMF determines the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal) and the measurement data obtained in step 609.

[0187] According to the above Figure 6a In the process shown, the first AMF can directly trigger the positioning process of the mobile node-terminal through the GMLC according to the identification of the mobile node-terminal, and send the location information of the mobile node-terminal to the LMF, so that the LMF can determine the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node-terminal and the measurement data obtained by positioning the first terminal device (that is, the terminal device that accesses the network through the mobile node).

[0188] See also Figure 6b , which is a flow chart of the terminal device positioning method provided in an embodiment of the present application. In this method, the mobile node-terminal has been registered with the second AMF in the core network, and the second AMF is the AMF serving the mobile node-terminal. A first session is established between the mobile node-terminal and the UPF in the core network to which it is registered. A first connection is established between the mobile node-base station and the first AMF. The mobile node-base station can provide network access services for the terminal device. For the accessed terminal device, communication can be performed with the first AMF based on the first connection, that is, the first AMF can be used to provide services for the terminal device accessing the mobile node-base station. Among them, the first session is the backhaul link of the first connection. The second AMF and the second GMLC are located in the first PLMN, the first AMF and the first GMLC are located in the second PLMN, and the first PLMN and the second PLMN are different PLMNs.

[0189] For ease of description in the embodiments of the present application, a terminal device that accesses the network through a mobile node is referred to as a first terminal device. When the first AMF receives a positioning request for the first terminal device, the first AMF requests the GMLC to trigger positioning of the mobile node-terminal. After obtaining the location information of the mobile node-terminal, the first AMF provides the location information of the mobile node-terminal to the LMF. The LMF can then determine the location of the first terminal device based on the positioning result of the first terminal device and the location information of the mobile node-terminal.

[0190] In one possible implementation, the mobile node-base station may send the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node to the first AMF (see Figure 6a ). For example, in the process of establishing the first connection between the mobile node-base station and the first AMF, the mobile node-base station may send the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node to the first AMF. Exemplarily, the process of establishing the first connection may include: the mobile node-base station sends a connection establishment request message to the first AMF, the connection establishment request message is used to request the establishment of the first connection, and the connection establishment request message includes the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node. After receiving the connection establishment request message, the first AMF may store the correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node, indicating that the mobile node-terminal corresponding to the first identifier and the mobile node-base station corresponding to the second identifier are located on the same mobile node.

[0191] Optionally, the connection establishment request message may further include indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate that the mobile node-terminal corresponding to the first identifier and the mobile node-base station corresponding to the second identifier are co-located, or the indication information is used to indicate that the mobile node-base station has mobility. Accordingly, the first AMF may establish a correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier based on the indication information.

[0192] like Figure 6b As shown, the process may include the following steps:

[0193] Step 621: The first GMLC receives an LCS service request message, wherein the LCS service request message is used to request the location information of the first terminal device. The LCS service request message includes the identifier of the first terminal device.

[0194] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 6a Step 601 in .

[0195] Step 622: The first GMLC sends a first positioning request message to the first AMF, where the first positioning request message is used to request the location information of the first terminal device. The first positioning request message includes an identifier of the first terminal device.

[0196] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 6a Step 602 in .

[0197] Step 623a: The first AMF sends a second positioning request message to the first GMLC, where the second positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node, and the second positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node.

[0198] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 6a Step 603 in .

[0199] In one possible implementation, the first AMF may also obtain, from the UDM, the identifier of the AMF with which the corresponding mobile node-terminal is currently registered, based on the first identifier of the mobile node. In this process, the AMF with which the mobile node-terminal is currently registered is the second AMF, that is, the first AMF may obtain the identifier of the second AMF. Optionally, the second positioning request message sent by the first AMF to the first GMLC may also include the identifier of the second AMF.

[0200] In another possible implementation, after the first AMF obtains the identifier of the second AMF, if it is determined that the second AMF belongs to the first PLMN (for example, the identifier of the second AMF includes the identifier of the PLMN where the second AMF is located), which is different from the PLMN where the first AMF is located, the first AMF can also include the identifier of the first PLMN in the second positioning request message sent to the first GMLC.

[0201] In another possible implementation, the second positioning request message includes the identifier of the second AMF and the identifier of the first PLMN.

[0202] In a possible implementation, the first AMF sends an Ngmlc_Location_ProvideLocation_Request to the first GMLC, which carries the first identifier of the mobile node and, optionally, may also carry the identifier of the second AMF and / or the identifier of the first PLMN.

[0203] Step 623b: The first GMLC sends the second positioning request message to the second GMLC.

[0204] In one possible implementation, if the second positioning request message received by the first GMLC includes the identifier of the second AMF, the first GMLC can determine the identifier of the PLMN where the second AMF is located based on the identifier of the second AMF. For example, the identifier of the second AMF includes the identifier of the PLMN where the second AMF is located, and the first PLMN can determine the identifier of the first PLMN based on the identifier of the second AMF. In this process, the first GMLC determines that the second AMF belongs to the first PLMN, which is different from the second PLMN where the first GMLC and the first AMF are located. Therefore, the first GMLC obtains the identifier of the second GMLC in the first PLMN and sends a second positioning request message to the second GMLC in the first PLMN.

[0205] In another possible implementation, the second positioning request message received by the first GMLC includes the identifier of the first PLMN. The PLMN corresponding to the identifier of the first PLMN is different from the second PLMN where the first GMLC is located. The first GMLC obtains the identifier of the second GMLC in the first PLMN and sends a second positioning request message to the second GMLC in the first PLMN.

[0206] In a possible implementation, the second positioning request message sent by the first GMLC to the second GMLC may include the identifier of the second AMF.

[0207] In a possible implementation, the first GMLC sends an Ngmlc_Location_ProvideLocation_Request to the second GMLC, which carries the first identifier of the mobile node and optionally also carries the identifier of the second AMF.

[0208] Step 624: The second GMLC sends a fourth positioning request message to the second AMF, where the fourth positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node. The fourth positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal).

[0209] In one possible implementation, the second GMLC sends a Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo request to the second AMF, which carries the first identifier of the mobile node.

[0210] Step 625: The second AMF initiates a positioning process for the mobile node-terminal corresponding to the first identifier based on the received fourth positioning request message. Through this process, the location information of the mobile node-terminal can be obtained. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation method of the positioning process.

[0211] Step 626: The second AMF sends the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal) to the second GMLC.

[0212] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 6a Step 606 in .

[0213] Step 627b: The second GMLC sends the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal) to the first GMLC.

[0214] In a possible implementation, the second GMLC sends Ngmlc_Location_ProvideLocation_Response to the first GMLC, which carries the location information of the mobile node-terminal.

[0215] Step 627b: The first GMLC sends the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal) to the first AMF.

[0216] Step 628: The first AMF sends a third positioning request message to the LMF. The third positioning request message includes the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal). The third positioning request message is used to trigger the LMF to initiate a positioning process for the first terminal.

[0217] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 6a Step 608 in .

[0218] Step 629: LMF initiates a positioning process for the first terminal device based on the third positioning request message. Through the positioning process, measurement data of the positioning process can be obtained, and the measurement data includes the cell information of the mobile node.

[0219] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 6a Step 609 in .

[0220] Step 630: The LMF determines the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal) and the measurement data obtained in step 629.

[0221] According to the above Figure 6b In the process shown, in the scenario where the PLMN registered by the mobile node and the PLMN registered by the first terminal device accessing the network through the mobile node are different, the AMF can directly trigger the mobile node-terminal positioning process through the GMLC based on the identifier of the mobile node-terminal, and send the location information of the mobile node-terminal to the LMF, so that the LMF can determine the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node-terminal and the measurement data obtained by positioning the first terminal device (i.e., the terminal device accessing the network through the mobile node).

[0222] See also Figure 7a , which is a flow chart of the terminal device positioning method provided in an embodiment of the present application. In this method, the mobile node-terminal has been registered with the second AMF in the core network, and the second AMF is the AMF serving the mobile node-terminal. A first session is established between the mobile node-terminal and the UPF in the core network to which it is registered. A first connection is established between the mobile node-base station and the first AMF. The mobile node-base station can provide network access services for the terminal device. For the accessed terminal device, communication can be performed with the first AMF based on the first connection, that is, the first AMF can be used to provide services for the terminal device accessing the mobile node-base station. Among them, the first session is the backhaul link of the first connection. The second AMF and the first AMF are in the same PLMN.

[0223] For ease of description in the embodiments of this application, a terminal device that accesses the network through a mobile node is referred to as a first terminal device. When the first AMF receives a positioning request for the first terminal device, the first AMF sends the first identifier of the mobile node to which the first terminal device accesses to the LMF, triggering the LMF to obtain the location information of the mobile node-terminal. After obtaining the location information of the mobile node-terminal, the LMF determines the location of the first terminal device based on the positioning result of the first terminal device and the location information of the mobile node-terminal.

[0224] In one possible implementation, the mobile node-base station may send the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node to the first AMF (see Figure 7a ). For example, in the process of establishing the first connection between the mobile node-base station and the first AMF, the mobile node-base station may send the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node to the first AMF. Exemplarily, the process of establishing the first connection may include: the mobile node-base station sends a connection establishment request message to the first AMF, the connection establishment request message is used to request the establishment of the first connection, and the connection establishment request message includes the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node. After receiving the connection establishment request message, the first AMF may store the correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node, indicating that the mobile node-terminal corresponding to the first identifier and the mobile node-base station corresponding to the second identifier are located on the same mobile node.

[0225] Optionally, the connection establishment request message may further include second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the mobile node-terminal corresponding to the first identifier and the mobile node-base station corresponding to the second identifier are jointly established. Accordingly, the first AMF may establish a correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier based on the second indication information.

[0226] like Figure 7a As shown, the process may include the following steps:

[0227] Step 701: The GMLC receives an LCS service request message, wherein the LCS service request message is used to request the location information of a first terminal device. The LCS service request message includes an identifier of the first terminal device.

[0228] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 6a Step 601 in .

[0229] Step 702: The GMLC sends a third positioning request message to the first AMF, where the third positioning request message is used to request the location information of the first terminal device. The third positioning request message includes an identifier of the first terminal device.

[0230] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 6a Step 602 in .

[0231] Step 703: The first AMF selects an LMF for the first terminal device and sends a first positioning request message to the LMF, where the first positioning request message includes a first identifier of the mobile node, and the first positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node.

[0232] The first identifier is an identifier of the mobile node-terminal. The first request message is used to request to obtain the location information of the mobile node, which can also be understood as the first positioning request message is used to request to obtain the location information of the mobile node-terminal.

[0233] In one possible implementation, after receiving the third positioning request message, the first AMF can obtain the identifier of the base station to which the first terminal device is connected based on the identifier of the first terminal device contained in the third positioning request message. Since the first terminal device is currently connected to a mobile node-base station, when the first terminal device accesses the first AMF from the mobile node, the first AMF can receive the second identifier of the mobile node from the mobile node (i.e., the identifier of the mobile node-base station to which the first terminal device is connected). Therefore, the first AMF can determine that the first terminal device is currently connected to a mobile node (mobile node-base station) based on the identifier of the base station to which the first terminal device is connected (i.e., the second identifier of the mobile node). The first AMF queries the correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier stored in the first AMF based on the identifier of the mobile node-base station to which the first terminal device is currently connected (i.e., the second identifier of the mobile node), determines the first identifier of the mobile node (i.e., the identifier of the mobile node-terminal), and sends a first positioning request message to the LMF, which carries the first identifier of the mobile node.

[0234] In one possible implementation, the first AMF may also obtain the identifier of the AMF with which the corresponding mobile node-terminal is currently registered from the UDM based on the first identifier of the mobile node. In this process, the AMF with which the mobile node-terminal is currently registered is the second AMF, that is, the first AMF may obtain the identifier of the second AMF. Optionally, the first positioning request message sent by the first AMF to the LMF may also include the identifier of the second AMF.

[0235] Optionally, the first positioning request message also includes first indication information, which is used to indicate that the first terminal device is accessing a mobile node, or that the first terminal device is accessing a mobile node jointly established by a base station and a terminal, or the first indication information is used to indicate that the base station accessed by the first terminal device is mobile.

[0236] In a possible implementation, the first positioning request message may be an Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation request, which carries an identifier of a serving cell currently accessed by the first terminal device and a first identifier of a mobile node, and optionally further carries first indication information.

[0237] Step 704: LMF sends a second positioning request message to GMLC, where the second positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node. The second positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal).

[0238] In one possible implementation, the LMF may determine that it needs to obtain the location information of the mobile node based on the first indication information contained in the received first positioning request message, and therefore send a second positioning request message to the GMLC to request the location information of the mobile node.

[0239] In another possible implementation, the LMF can determine that the first terminal device is connected to a mobile node based on the first identifier of the mobile node contained in the received first positioning request message, and therefore sends a second positioning request message to the GMLC to request the location information of the mobile node.

[0240] In one possible implementation, if the first positioning request message received by the LMF includes the identifier of the second AMF, the second positioning request message sent by the LMF to the GMLC includes the identifier of the second AMF.

[0241] In another possible implementation, if the first positioning request message received by the LMF does not include the identifier of the second AMF, the LMF can query the AMF currently registered by the mobile node-terminal from the UDM based on the first identifier of the mobile node (the AMF currently registered by the mobile node-terminal in this process is the second AMF) and include the identifier of the second AMF in the second positioning request message sent to the GMLC.

[0242] In a possible implementation, the second positioning request message is Ngmlc_Location_ProvideLocation_Request, which carries the first identifier of the mobile node. Optionally, the message may also carry the identifier of the second AMF.

[0243] Step 705: The GMLC sends a fourth positioning request message to the second AMF, where the fourth positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node. The fourth positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal).

[0244] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 6a Step 604 in the process shown.

[0245] Step 706: The second AMF initiates a positioning process for the mobile node-terminal corresponding to the first identifier based on the received fourth positioning request message. Through this process, the location information of the mobile node-terminal can be obtained. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation method of the positioning process.

[0246] Step 707: The second AMF sends the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal) to the GMLC.

[0247] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 6a Step 606 in .

[0248] Step 708: GMLC sends the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal) to LMF.

[0249] In a possible implementation, the GMLC sends Ngmlc_Location_ProvideLocation_Response to the LMF, which carries the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal).

[0250] Step 709: LMF initiates a positioning process for the first terminal device, through which measurement data of the positioning process can be obtained, and the measurement data includes cell information of the mobile node.

[0251] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 6a Step 609 in .

[0252] Step 710: The LMF determines the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal) and the measurement data obtained in step 709.

[0253] According to the above Figure 7a In the process shown, LMF can trigger the mobile node-terminal positioning process through GMLC based on the identification of the mobile node-terminal, so that LMF can determine the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node-terminal and the measurement data obtained by positioning the first terminal device (i.e., the terminal device that accesses the network through the mobile node).

[0254] See also Figure 7b, which is a flow chart of the terminal device positioning method provided in an embodiment of the present application. In this method, the mobile node-terminal has been registered with the second AMF in the core network, and the second AMF is the AMF serving the mobile node-terminal. A first session is established between the mobile node-terminal and the UPF in the core network to which it is registered. A first connection is established between the mobile node-base station and the first AMF. The mobile node-base station can provide network access services for the terminal device. For the accessed terminal device, communication can be performed with the first AMF based on the first connection, that is, the first AMF can be used to provide services for the terminal device accessing the mobile node-base station. Among them, the first session is the backhaul link of the first connection. The second AMF and the second GMLC are located in the first PLMN, the first AMF and the first GMLC are located in the second PLMN, and the first PLMN and the second PLMN are different PLMNs.

[0255] For ease of description in the embodiments of this application, a terminal device that accesses the network through a mobile node is referred to as a first terminal device. When the first AMF receives a positioning request for the first terminal device, the first AMF sends the first identifier of the mobile node to which the first terminal device is connected to the LMF, triggering the LMF to obtain the location information of the mobile node-terminal. After obtaining the location information of the mobile node-terminal, the LMF determines the location of the first terminal device based on the positioning result of the first terminal device and the location information of the mobile node-terminal.

[0256] In one possible implementation, the mobile node-base station may send the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node to the first AMF (see Figure 7b ). For example, in the process of establishing a first connection between the mobile node-base station and the first AMF, the mobile node-base station may send the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node to the first AMF. Exemplarily, the process of establishing the first connection may include: the mobile node-base station sends a connection establishment request message to the first AMF, where the connection establishment request message is used to request establishment of the first connection, and the connection establishment request message includes the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node. After receiving the connection establishment request message, the first AMF may store the correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node.

[0257] Optionally, the connection establishment request message may further include second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the mobile node-terminal corresponding to the first identifier and the mobile node-base station corresponding to the second identifier are co-located. Accordingly, the first AMF may establish a correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier based on the second indication information, indicating that the mobile node-terminal corresponding to the first identifier and the mobile node-base station corresponding to the second identifier are located on the same mobile node.

[0258] like Figure 7b As shown, the process may include the following steps:

[0259] Step 721: The first GMLC receives an LCS service request message, where the LCS service request message is used to request location information of the first terminal device.

[0260] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 6a Step 601 in .

[0261] Step 722: The first GMLC sends a third positioning request message to the first AMF, where the third positioning request message is used to request the location information of the first terminal device. The third positioning request message includes an identifier of the first terminal device.

[0262] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 6a Step 602 in .

[0263] Step 723: The first AMF selects an LMF for the first terminal device and sends a first positioning request message to the LMF, where the first positioning request message includes a first identifier of the mobile node, and the first positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node.

[0264] Optionally, the first positioning request message may also include an identifier of the second AMF.

[0265] Optionally, the first positioning request message also includes first indication information, which is used to indicate that the first terminal device is accessing a mobile node, or that the first terminal device is accessing a mobile node jointly established by a base station and a terminal, or the first indication information is used to indicate that the first terminal device is accessing a base station with mobility.

[0266] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 7a Step 703 in .

[0267] In another possible implementation, after the first AMF obtains the identifier of the second AMF, if it is determined that the second AMF belongs to the first PLMN (for example, the identifier of the second AMF includes the identifier of the PLMN where the second AMF is located), which is different from the PLMN where the first AMF is located, the first AMF can also include the identifier of the first PLMN in the first positioning request message sent to the LMF.

[0268] In another possible implementation, the second positioning request message includes the identifier of the second AMF and the identifier of the first PLMN.

[0269] Step 724a: The LMF sends a second positioning request message to the first GMLC. The second positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node. The second positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal).

[0270] In one possible implementation, the LMF may determine that it needs to obtain the location information of the mobile node based on the first indication information contained in the received first positioning request message, and therefore send a second positioning request message to the first GMLC to request the location information of the mobile node.

[0271] In one possible implementation, if the second positioning request message received by the first GMLC includes the identifier of the second AMF, the first GMLC can determine the identifier of the PLMN where the second AMF is located based on the identifier of the second AMF. For example, the identifier of the second AMF includes the identifier of the PLMN where the second AMF is located, and the LMF can determine the identifier of the first PLMN based on the identifier of the second AMF. In this process, the first GMLC determines that the second AMF belongs to the first PLMN, which is different from the second PLMN where the first GMLC and the first AMF are located. Therefore, the first GMLC obtains the identifier of the second GMLC in the first PLMN and sends a second positioning request message to the second GMLC in the first PLMN.

[0272] In another possible implementation, the second positioning request message received by the first GMLC includes the identifier of the first PLMN. The PLMN corresponding to the identifier of the first PLMN is different from the second PLMN where the first GMLC is located. The first GMLC obtains the identifier of the second GMLC in the first PLMN and sends a second positioning request message to the second GMLC in the first PLMN.

[0273] In one possible implementation, the LMF sends an Ngmlc_Location_ProvideLocation_Request to the first GMLC, which carries the first identifier of the mobile node and optionally also carries the identifier of the second AMF and / or the identifier of the first PLMN.

[0274] Step 724b: The first GMLC sends a second positioning request message to the second GMLC. The second positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node. The second positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal).

[0275] Optionally, the second positioning request message includes an identifier of the second AMF.

[0276] In a possible implementation, the second positioning request message is Ngmlc_Location_ProvideLocation_Request, which carries the first identifier of the mobile node. Optionally, the message may also carry the identifier of the second AMF.

[0277] Step 725: The second GMLC sends a fourth positioning request message to the second AMF, where the fourth positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node. The fourth positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal).

[0278] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 6a Step 604 in the process shown.

[0279] Step 726: The second AMF initiates a positioning process for the mobile node-terminal corresponding to the first identifier based on the received fourth positioning request message. Through this process, the location information of the mobile node-terminal can be obtained. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation method of the positioning process.

[0280] Step 727: The second AMF sends the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal) to the second GMLC.

[0281] In one possible implementation, the second AMF sends a Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo response to the second GMLC, which carries the location information of the mobile node.

[0282] Step 728a: The second GMLC sends the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal) to the first GMLC.

[0283] Step 728b: The first GMLC sends the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal) to the LMF.

[0284] Step 729: LMF initiates a positioning process for the first terminal device, through which measurement data of the positioning process can be obtained, and the measurement data includes cell information of the mobile node.

[0285] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 6a Step 609 in .

[0286] Step 730: The LMF determines the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal) and the measurement data obtained in step 729.

[0287] According to the above Figure 7bIn the process shown, in the scenario where the PLMN registered by the mobile node and the PLMN registered by the first terminal device accessing the network through the mobile node are different, the LMF can trigger the mobile node-terminal positioning process through the GMLC based on the mobile node-terminal identifier, so that the LMF can determine the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node-terminal and the measurement data obtained by positioning the first terminal device (i.e., the terminal device accessing the network through the mobile node).

[0288] See also Figure 8a , which is a flow chart of the terminal device positioning method provided in an embodiment of the present application. In this method, the mobile node-terminal has been registered with the second AMF in the core network, and the second AMF is the AMF serving the mobile node-terminal. A first session is established between the mobile node-terminal and the UPF in the core network to which it is registered. A first connection is established between the mobile node-base station and the first AMF. The mobile node-base station can provide network access services for the terminal device. For the accessed terminal device, communication can be performed with the first AMF based on the first connection, that is, the first AMF can be used to provide services for the terminal device accessing the mobile node-base station. Among them, the first session is the backhaul link of the first connection. The second AMF and the first AMF are in the same PLMN.

[0289] For ease of description in the embodiments of this application, a terminal device that accesses the network through a mobile node is referred to as a first terminal device. Upon receiving a positioning request for the first terminal device, the first AMF sends the cell identifier of the mobile node to which the first terminal device is currently connected to the LMF, triggering the LMF to locate the first terminal device using the cell identifier, then locate the mobile node, and then determine the location of the first terminal device based on the positioning result of the first terminal device and the location information of the mobile node.

[0290] In a possible implementation, the LMF may obtain the TRP information of the mobile node from the mobile node, and the TRP information may include the second identifier of the mobile node (i.e., the identifier of the mobile node-base station), the first identifier of the mobile node (i.e., the identifier of the mobile node-terminal), and the cell identifier (cell ID) of the mobile node. The cell identifier (cell ID) of the mobile node is the cell identifier broadcast by the mobile node-base station in the mobile node. Optionally, it may also include first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the mobile node-base station and the mobile node-terminal are jointly set up, or the first indication information is used to indicate that the mobile node-base station has mobility. Exemplarily, the LMF may send a first request message (e.g., a TRP information request message) to the mobile node-base station to request to obtain the TRP information of the mobile node; the mobile node-base station sends a first response message (e.g., a TRP information response message) to the LMF based on the request message, and the TRP information response message contains the TRP information of the mobile node (see Figure 8a After receiving the TRP information of the mobile node, the LMF may store the TRP information of the mobile node.

[0291] Through the above method, LMF can obtain TRP information of one or more mobile nodes respectively.

[0292] like Figure 8a As shown, the process may include the following steps:

[0293] Step 801: The GMLC receives an LCS service request message, wherein the LCS service request message is used to request the location information of a first terminal device. The LCS service request message includes an identifier of the first terminal device.

[0294] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 6a Step 601 in .

[0295] Step 802: The GMLC sends a third positioning request message to the first AMF, where the third positioning request message is used to request the location information of the first terminal device. The third positioning request message includes an identifier of the first terminal device.

[0296] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 6a Step 602 in .

[0297] Step 803: The first AMF selects an LMF for the first terminal device and sends a first positioning request message to the LMF. The first positioning request message is used to request the location information of the first terminal device. The first positioning request message includes the cell identifier of the mobile node.

[0298] The cell identifier of the mobile node is the serving cell identifier currently accessed by the first terminal device, or the cell identifier of the mobile node-base station currently accessed by the first terminal device.

[0299] Optionally, the first positioning request message may further include first indication information.

[0300] In one possible implementation, after receiving the third positioning request message, the first AMF may obtain the cell identifier of the mobile node-base station to which the first terminal device accesses based on the identifier of the first terminal device contained in the third positioning request message. The first AMF may also determine that the first terminal device is currently accessing a mobile node-base station, and therefore may include first indication information in the first positioning request message sent to the LMF, where the first indication information may indicate that the mobile node-base station has mobility.

[0301] In a possible implementation, the first positioning request message may be Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation request, which carries a serving cell identifier (cell ID) to which the first terminal device is currently connected, and optionally also carries first indication information.

[0302] Step 804: LMF initiates a positioning process for the first terminal device, through which measurement data of the positioning process can be obtained, and the measurement data includes cell information.

[0303] The cell information included in the measurement data may be a cell identifier of a mobile node or a cell identifier of a non-mobile node.

[0304] If the measurement data includes a cell identifier of the mobile node, the cell identifier of the mobile node included in the measurement data may be the same as or different from the identifier of the serving cell currently accessed by the first terminal device in step 803. If they are the same, it indicates that the serving cell currently accessed by the first terminal device participates in the positioning process; if they are different, it indicates that cells of other mobile nodes participate in the positioning process.

[0305] If the measurement data includes the cell identifier of the mobile node, step 805 is executed.

[0306] Step 805: The LMF determines the cell in which the mobile node is used in the positioning process according to the cell identifier included in the measurement data, and determines the first identifier of the mobile node according to the cell identifier.

[0307] In a possible implementation, the LMF may obtain the first identifier of the mobile node corresponding to the cell identifier based on the cell identifier and the TRP information of the mobile node stored in the LMF.

[0308] Step 806: LMF sends a second positioning request message to GMLC, where the second positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node. The second positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal).

[0309] In one possible implementation, the LMF may determine, based on the first identifier of the mobile node, that the first terminal device is connected to a mobile node, and therefore send a second positioning request message to the GMLC to request the location information of the mobile node.

[0310] In one possible implementation, the LMF may also obtain first information from the UDM based on the first identifier of the mobile node. The first information includes the identifier of the AMF with which the mobile node-terminal is currently registered, corresponding to the first identifier. In this process, the AMF with which the mobile node-terminal is currently registered is the second AMF. That is, the LMF may obtain the identifier of the second AMF. Optionally, the second positioning request message sent by the LMF to the GMLC may also include the identifier of the second AMF.

[0311] In a possible implementation, the second positioning request message is Ngmlc_Location_ProvideLocation_Request, which carries the first identifier of the mobile node. Optionally, the message may also carry the identifier of the second AMF.

[0312] Step 807: The GMLC sends a fourth positioning request message to the second AMF, where the fourth positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node. The fourth positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal).

[0313] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 6a Step 604 in the process shown.

[0314] Step 808: The second AMF initiates a positioning process for the mobile node-terminal corresponding to the first identifier based on the received fourth positioning request message. Through this process, the location information of the mobile node-terminal can be obtained. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation method of the positioning process.

[0315] Step 809: The second AMF sends the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal) to the GMLC.

[0316] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 6a Step 606 in .

[0317] Step 810: GMLC sends the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal) to LMF.

[0318] In a possible implementation, the GMLC sends Ngmlc_Location_ProvideLocation_Response to the LMF, which carries the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal).

[0319] Step 811: The LMF determines the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal) and the measurement data of the positioning process initiated for the first terminal device obtained in step 804.

[0320] according to Figure 8a In the process shown, if LMF determines that the measurement data obtained by positioning the first terminal device includes the cell information of the mobile node, it can obtain the identification of the mobile node-terminal based on the cell information, and trigger the positioning process of the mobile node-terminal through GMLC, so that LMF can determine the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node-terminal and the measurement data obtained by positioning the first terminal device (that is, the terminal device that accesses the network through the mobile node).

[0321] See also Figure 8b , which is a flow chart of the terminal device positioning method provided in an embodiment of the present application. In this method, the mobile node-terminal has been registered with the second AMF in the core network, and the second AMF is the AMF serving the mobile node-terminal. A first session is established between the mobile node-terminal and the UPF in the core network to which it is registered. A first connection is established between the mobile node-base station and the first AMF. The mobile node-base station can provide network access services for the terminal device. For the accessed terminal device, communication can be performed with the first AMF based on the first connection, that is, the first AMF can be used to provide services for the terminal device accessing the mobile node-base station. Among them, the first session is the backhaul link of the first connection. The second AMF and the second GMLC are located in the first PLMN, the first AMF and the first GMLC are located in the second PLMN, and the first PLMN and the second PLMN are different PLMNs.

[0322] For ease of description in the embodiments of this application, a terminal device that accesses the network through a mobile node is referred to as a first terminal device. Upon receiving a positioning request for the first terminal device, the first AMF sends the cell identifier of the mobile node to which the first terminal device is currently connected to the LMF, triggering the LMF to locate the first terminal device using the cell identifier, then locate the mobile node, and then determine the location of the first terminal device based on the positioning result of the first terminal device and the location information of the mobile node.

[0323] In one possible implementation, the LMF can obtain the TRP information of the mobile node from the mobile node. Figure 8bAfter receiving the TRP information of the mobile node, the LMF may store the TRP information of the mobile node.

[0324] Through the above method, LMF can obtain TRP information of one or more mobile nodes respectively.

[0325] like Figure 8b As shown, the process may include the following steps:

[0326] Step 821: The first GMLC receives an LCS service request message, wherein the LCS service request message is used to request the location information of the first terminal device. The LCS service request message includes the identifier of the first terminal device.

[0327] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 6a Step 601 in .

[0328] Step 822: The first GMLC sends a third positioning request message to the first AMF, where the third positioning request message is used to request the location information of the first terminal device. The third positioning request message includes an identifier of the first terminal device.

[0329] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 6a Step 602 in .

[0330] Step 823: The first AMF selects an LMF for the first terminal device and sends a first positioning request message to the LMF. The first positioning request message is used to request the location information of the first terminal device. The first positioning request message includes the cell identifier of the mobile node.

[0331] Optionally, the first positioning request message may further include first indication information.

[0332] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 8a Step 803 in .

[0333] Step 824: LMF initiates a positioning process for the first terminal device, through which measurement data of the positioning process can be obtained, and the measurement data includes cell information of the mobile node.

[0334] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 8a Step 804 in .

[0335] This process is described by taking the measurement data including the cell identifier of the mobile cell as an example. In this case, the subsequent step 825 is executed.

[0336] Step 825: The LMF determines the cell in which the mobile node is used in the positioning process according to the cell identifier included in the measurement data, and determines the first identifier of the mobile node according to the cell identifier.

[0337] The LMF may obtain the first identifier of the mobile node corresponding to the cell identifier according to the cell identifier and the TRP information of the mobile node stored in the LMF.

[0338] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 8a Step 805 in .

[0339] Step 826a: The LMF sends a second positioning request message to the first GMLC. The second positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node. The second positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal).

[0340] In one possible implementation, the LMF can determine that the first terminal device is connected to a mobile node based on the first identifier of the mobile node, and therefore sends a second positioning request message to the first GMLC to request the location information of the mobile node. The second positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node.

[0341] In another possible implementation, the LMF may also obtain the first information from the UDM according to the first identifier of the mobile node. The parameters included in the first information may include the following:

[0342] Case 1: The first information includes the identifier of the AMF with which the mobile node-terminal is currently registered, corresponding to the first identifier. In this process, the AMF with which the mobile node-terminal is currently registered is the second AMF. That is, the LMF can obtain the identifier of the second AMF. Optionally, the second positioning request message sent by the first AMF to the first GMLC may also include the identifier of the second AMF.

[0343] After the LMF obtains the identifier of the second AMF, if it is determined that the second AMF belongs to the first PLMN (for example, the identifier of the second AMF includes the identifier of the PLMN where the second AMF is located), which is different from the PLMN where the first AMF is located, the LMF can also include the identifier of the first PLMN in the second positioning request message sent to the first GMLC.

[0344] Exemplarily, the second positioning request message is Ngmlc_Location_ProvideLocation_Request, which carries the first identifier of the mobile node. Optionally, the message may also carry the identifier of the second AMF and / or the identifier of the first PLMN.

[0345] Case 2: The first information includes the identifier of the second AMF currently registered by the mobile node-terminal corresponding to the first identifier and the identifier of the second GMLC. In this process, the PLMN currently registered by the mobile node-terminal is the first PLMN, the AMF currently registered by the mobile node-terminal is the second AMF, and the second AMF and the second GMLC are located in the first PLMN. In other words, the LMF can obtain the identifier of the second AMF and the identifier of the second GMLC. Optionally, the second positioning request message sent by the LMF to the first GMLC may also include the identifier of the second AMF and the identifier of the second GMLC.

[0346] Exemplarily, the second positioning request message is Ngmlc_Location_ProvideLocation_Request, which carries the first identifier of the mobile node. Optionally, the message may also carry the identifier of the second AMF and the identifier of the second GMLC.

[0347] Case 3: The first information includes the identifier of the second GMLC. In this process, the mobile node-terminal's currently registered PLMN is the first PLMN, and the second GMLC is located in the first PLMN. In other words, the LMF can obtain the identifier of the second GMLC. Optionally, the second location request message sent by the LMF to the first GMLC may also include the identifier of the second GMLC.

[0348] Exemplarily, the second positioning request message is Ngmlc_Location_ProvideLocation_Request, which carries the first identifier of the mobile node. Optionally, the message may also carry the identifier of the second GMLC.

[0349] Step 826b: The first GMLC sends a fifth positioning request message to the second GMLC. The fifth positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node. The fifth positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal).

[0350] In one possible implementation, if the second positioning request message received by the first GMLC from the LMF includes the first identifier of the mobile node but does not include the identifier of the second AMF and the identifier of the second GMLC, then after receiving the second positioning request message, the first GMLC can obtain the identifier of the second AMF currently registered with the mobile node-terminal corresponding to the first identifier and the identifier of the second GMLC from the UDM based on the first identifier of the mobile node. The first GMLC sends a fifth positioning request message to the second GMLC based on the identifier of the second GMLC, and the fifth positioning request message may also include the identifier of the second AMF.

[0351] In another possible implementation, if the second positioning request message received by the first GMLC from the LMF includes the first identifier of the mobile node, the identifier of the second AMF currently registered with the mobile node-terminal corresponding to the first identifier, and the identifier of the second GMLC, then after the first GMLC receives the second positioning request message, it sends a fifth positioning request message to the second GMLC according to the identifier of the second GMLC. The fifth positioning request message may include the first identifier of the mobile node and the identifier of the second AMF.

[0352] In another possible implementation, if the second positioning request message received by the first GMLC from the LMF includes the first identifier of the mobile node and the identifier of the second AMF with which the mobile node-terminal is currently registered corresponding to the first identifier, the first GMLC sends a fifth positioning request message directly to the second AMF according to the identifier of the second AMF, and the fifth positioning request message may also include the first identifier of the mobile node.

[0353] In another possible implementation, if the second positioning request message received by the first GMLC from the LMF includes the first identifier of the mobile node and the identifier of the second GMLC, but does not include the identifier of the second AMF in which the mobile node-terminal is currently registered corresponding to the first identifier, the first GMLC directly sends a fifth positioning request message to the second GMLC based on the identifier of the second GMLC, and the fifth positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node.

[0354] Step 827: The second GMLC sends a fourth positioning request message to the second AMF, where the fourth positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node. The fourth positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal).

[0355] In a possible implementation, if the fifth positioning request message received by the second GMLC includes the identifier of the second AMF, the second GMLC sends a fourth positioning request message to the corresponding second AMF.

[0356] In another possible implementation, if the second positioning request message received by the second GMLC does not include the identifier of the second AMF, the second GMLC may obtain the identifier of the AMF currently registered by the mobile node-terminal corresponding to the first identifier from the UDM based on the first identifier of the mobile node. In this process, the AMF currently registered by the mobile node-terminal is the second AMF, that is, the second GMLC can obtain the identifier of the second AMF. The second GMLC sends a fourth positioning request message to the second AMF based on the obtained identifier of the second AMF.

[0357] In a possible implementation, the fourth positioning request message may be a Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo request.

[0358] Step 828: The second AMF initiates a positioning process for the mobile node-terminal corresponding to the first identifier based on the received fourth positioning request message. Through this process, the location information of the mobile node-terminal can be obtained. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation method of the positioning process.

[0359] Step 829a: The second AMF sends the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal) to the second GMLC.

[0360] Step 829b: The second GMLC sends the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal) to the first GMLC.

[0361] Step 830: The first GMLC sends the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal) to the LMF.

[0362] Step 831: The LMF determines the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node (mobile node-terminal) and the measurement data of the positioning process initiated for the first terminal device obtained in step 824.

[0363] according to Figure 8b In the process shown, in the scenario where the PLMN registered by the mobile node and the PLMN registered by the first terminal device accessing the network through the mobile node are different, if the LMF determines that the measurement data obtained by positioning the first terminal device includes the cell information of the mobile node, the mobile node-terminal identifier can be obtained based on the cell information, and the positioning process of the mobile node-terminal can be triggered through the GMLC, so that the LMF can determine the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node-terminal and the measurement data obtained by positioning the first terminal device (i.e., the terminal device accessing the network through the mobile node).

[0364] It is understood that in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the network devices and terminal devices include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily appreciate that, in combination with the units and method steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this application, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or in a manner driven by computer software depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0365] Figure 9 and Figure 10Schematic diagram of the structure of possible communication devices provided for embodiments of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the mobile node or AMF or SMF in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be the above-mentioned device or a module (such as a chip) in the above-mentioned device.

[0366] like Figure 9 As shown, the communication device 900 includes a processing unit 910 and a transceiver unit 920. The communication device 900 is used to implement the functions of the AMF or LMF in the method embodiment of the present application.

[0367] When the communication device 900 is used to implement Figure 6a or Figure 6b In the method embodiment shown, the function of AMF is as follows: the transceiver unit 920 is used to receive a first positioning request message, the first positioning request message is used to request to obtain the location information of the first terminal device, the first terminal device accesses the first AMF through the mobile node, and the first AMF is used to provide services for the terminal device accessing the mobile node; the processing unit 910 is used to send a second positioning request message to the GMLC through the transceiver unit 920, the second positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node, and the second positioning request message is used to request to obtain the location information of the mobile node; the transceiver unit 920 is also used to receive the location information of the mobile node from the GMLC; the processing unit 910 is also used to send a third positioning request message to the positioning management function LMF through the transceiver unit 920, the third positioning request message is used to trigger the LMF to initiate a positioning process for the first terminal device, and the third positioning request message includes the location information of the mobile node.

[0368] When the communication device 900 is used to implement Figure 6a or Figure 6b In the method embodiment shown, the function of LMF is as follows: the transceiver unit 920 is used to receive a third positioning request message from the first AMF, and the third positioning request message is used to trigger the LMF to initiate a positioning process for the first terminal position. The third positioning request message includes the location information of the mobile node. The first terminal device accesses the first AMF through the mobile node, and the first AMF is used to provide services for the terminal device accessing the mobile node; the processing unit 910 is used to initiate a positioning process for the first terminal device, obtain measurement data of the positioning process, and the measurement data includes the cell information of the mobile node, and determine the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node and the measurement data.

[0369] When the communication device 900 is used to implement Figure 7a 、 Figure 7b 、 Figure 8a or Figure 8b When the function of LMF in the method embodiment shown is: the processing unit 910 is used to initiate a positioning process for the first terminal device and obtain measurement data of the positioning process, the measurement data including cell information of the mobile node, wherein the first terminal device accesses the network through the mobile node; obtains the first identifier of the mobile node; obtains first information from the unified data management network element through the transceiver unit 920 according to the first identifier of the mobile node; obtains the location information of the mobile node according to the first information; determines the location information of the first terminal device according to the location information of the mobile node and the measurement data.

[0370] When the communication device 900 is used to implement Figure 7a 、 Figure 7b In the method embodiment shown, the function of the AMF is as follows: the processing unit 910 is used to obtain a first identifier of the mobile node, and send a first positioning request message to the LMF through the transceiver unit 920, wherein the first positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node, and the first positioning request message is used to request the location information of the first terminal device; wherein the first terminal device accesses the first AMF through the mobile node, and the first AMF is used to provide services for the terminal device accessing the mobile node.

[0371] A more detailed description of the processing unit 910 and the transceiver unit 920 can be directly obtained by referring to the relevant description in the method embodiment shown in the above drawings, and is not repeated here.

[0372] like Figure 10 As shown, communication device 1000 includes a processor 1010 and an interface circuit 1020. Processor 1010 and interface circuit 1020 are coupled to each other. It is understood that interface circuit 1020 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, communication device 1000 may further include a memory 1030 for storing instructions executed by processor 1010, input data required by processor 1010 to execute instructions, or data generated after processor 1010 executes instructions.

[0373] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the method shown in the above figures, the processor 1010 is used to implement the functions of the above processing unit 910, and the interface circuit 1020 is used to implement the functions of the above transceiver unit 920.

[0374] When the communication device is a chip implemented in the device, the chip implements the functions of the corresponding device in the method embodiment. The chip receives information from other modules in the device (such as a radio frequency module or antenna), where the information is sent to the device by other modules; or the chip sends information to other modules in the device (such as a radio frequency module or antenna).

[0375] When the above-mentioned communication device is a module applied to a mobile node, the module implements the functions of the mobile node in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The module receives information from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or antenna), and the information is sent by the terminal to the device; or the module sends information to other modules in the device (such as a radio frequency module or antenna), and the information is sent by the device to the terminal. The module here can be the baseband chip of the device, or it can be a DU or other module. The DU here can be a DU under the open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture.

[0376] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0377] In the present application, another example of a communication device is provided, which includes at least one processor and at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory are coupled, and the at least one memory is used to store instructions. When the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the communication device executes the method in the above embodiment. For example, a communication device including a processor and a memory is used. Figure 10 As shown, the communication device 1000 includes a processor 1010 and a memory 1030. The processor 1010 and the memory 1030 are coupled, and the memory 1030 stores instructions. When the instructions stored in the memory 1030 are executed by the processor 1010, the communication device 1000 executes the method executed by the terminal device or network device in the above embodiment.

[0378] It should be understood that the processor 1010 and the memory 1030 may also be integrated together, such as in one chip.

[0379] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions that can be executed by a processor. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disk, mobile hard disk, CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a network device or a terminal. The processor and storage medium can also exist in a network device or a terminal as discrete components.

[0380] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions may be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disk; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or nonvolatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile types of storage media.

[0381] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0382] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the text description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship; in the formula of this application, the character " / " indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in a "division" relationship. "Including at least one of A, B and C" can mean: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B and C.

[0383] It is understood that the various numbers used in the embodiments of this application are merely for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not necessarily imply a specific order of execution; the order of execution of the processes should be determined by their functions and inherent logic.

Claims

1. A terminal device positioning method, characterized in that: include: A first access and mobility management function (AMF) receives a first positioning request message, where the first positioning request message is used to request location information of a first terminal device. The first terminal device accesses the first AMF through a mobile node, and the first AMF is used to provide services for the terminal device accessing the mobile node. The first AMF sends a second positioning request message to the gateway mobile location center GMLC, where the second positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node, and the second positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node; The first AMF receives the location information of the mobile node from the GMLC; The first AMF sends a third positioning request message to the positioning management function LMF, and the third positioning request message is used to trigger the LMF to initiate a positioning process for the first terminal device. The third positioning request message includes the location information of the mobile node.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first access and mobility management function AMF receives the first positioning request message, including: The first AMF receives the first positioning request message from the gateway mobile location center GMLC, where the first positioning request message includes an identifier of the first terminal device; Before the first AMF sends the second positioning request message to the GMLC, the method further includes: The first AMF obtains, according to the identifier of the first terminal device, a second identifier of the mobile node accessed by the first terminal device; The first AMF determines the first identifier of the mobile node based on the second identifier of the mobile node.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein The first AMF stores a correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node; The first AMF determining, according to the second identifier of the mobile node, the first identifier of the mobile node, including: The first AMF determines the first identifier of the mobile node based on the second identifier and the corresponding relationship.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein Before the first AMF receives the first positioning request message, the method further includes: The first AMF receives a connection establishment request message from the mobile node, where the connection establishment request message is used to request establishment of a first connection, where the first connection is a connection between the mobile node and the first AMF, and the connection establishment request message includes a first identifier and a second identifier of the mobile node; The first AMF stores the correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The first identifier is an identifier of a terminal in the mobile node, and the second identifier is an identifier of a base station in the mobile node.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The method also includes: The first AMF obtains, according to the first identifier of the mobile node, an identifier of a second AMF serving the mobile node; The second positioning request message also includes the identifier of the second AMF.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The second AMF serving the mobile node is located in a first public land mobile network PLMN, and the second positioning request message further includes an identifier of the first PLMN; The first AMF and the GMLC are located in a second PLMN, and the first PLMN is different from the second PLMN.

8. A terminal device positioning method, characterized in that: include: The positioning management function LMF receives a positioning request message from the first access and mobility management function AMF, where the positioning request message is used to trigger the LMF to initiate a positioning process for the first terminal position. The positioning request message includes the location information of the mobile node. The first terminal device accesses the first AMF through the mobile node. The first AMF is used to provide services for the terminal device accessing the mobile node; The LMF initiates a positioning process for the first terminal device and obtains measurement data of the positioning process, where the measurement data includes cell information of the mobile node; The LMF determines the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node and the measurement data.

9. A terminal device positioning method, characterized in that: include: The positioning management function LMF initiates a positioning process for the first terminal device and obtains measurement data of the positioning process, the measurement data including cell information of a mobile node, wherein the first terminal device accesses the network through the mobile node; The LMF obtains the first identifier of the mobile node; The LMF obtains first information from a unified data management network element according to the first identifier of the mobile node; The LMF obtains the location information of the mobile node according to the first information; The LMF determines the location information of the first terminal device based on the location information of the mobile node and the measurement data.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein The LMF acquiring the first identifier of the mobile node includes: The LMF receives a first positioning request message from a first access and mobility management function (AMF), where the first positioning request message includes a first identifier of the mobile node, and the first positioning request message is used to request location information of the first terminal device; wherein the first terminal device accesses the first AMF through the mobile node, and the first AMF is used to provide services for the terminal device accessing the mobile node; The LMF obtains the first identifier of the mobile node from the first positioning request message.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein The first positioning request message also includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first terminal device is currently connected to a mobile node.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein The LMF acquiring the first identifier of the mobile node includes: The LMF determines the first identifier of the mobile node according to the cell identifier and the correspondence between the first identifier of the mobile node and the cell identifier stored in the LMF.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: Also includes: The LMF sends a first request message to the mobile node; The LMF receives a first response message from the mobile node, where the first response message includes a cell identifier of the mobile node and a first identifier of the mobile node; The LMF stores a correspondence between the cell identifier of the mobile node and the first identifier of the mobile node.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein: The first information includes one or more of the following: an identifier of a second AMF serving the mobile node, where the second AMF is located in a public land mobile network (PLMN) currently accessed by the mobile node; The identifier of the Gateway Mobile Location Center GMLC, where the GMLC is located in the PLMN currently accessed by the mobile node.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The PLMN currently accessed by the mobile node is the same as or different from the home PLMN of the mobile node.

16. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 15, wherein: The first information includes an identifier of the second AMF, and the LMF obtains the location information of the mobile node according to the first information, including: The LMF sends a positioning request message to the second AMF according to the identifier of the second AMF, where the positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node, and the positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node; The LMF receives the location information of the mobile node from the second AMF.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 15, wherein: The first information includes an identifier of the GMLC, and the LMF obtains the location information of the mobile node according to the first information, including: The LMF sends a positioning request message to the GMLC according to the identifier of the GMLC, where the positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node and the identifier of the second AMF, and the positioning request message is used to request the location information of the mobile node; The LMF receives the location information of the mobile node from the GMLC.

18. A terminal device positioning method, characterized in that: include: The first access and mobility management function AMF obtains the first identifier of the mobile node; The first AMF sends a first positioning request message to the positioning management function LMF, where the first positioning request message includes the first identifier of the mobile node, and the first positioning request message is used to request the location information of the first terminal device; wherein, the first terminal device accesses the first AMF through the mobile node, and the first AMF is used to provide services for the terminal device accessing the mobile node.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein The first AMF obtaining the first identifier of the mobile node includes: The first AMF receives a third positioning request message from the gateway mobile location center GMLC, where the third positioning request message includes an identifier of the first terminal device, and the third positioning request message is used to request location information of the first terminal device; The first AMF obtains, according to the identifier of the first terminal device, a second identifier of the mobile node accessed by the first terminal device; The first AMF determines the first identifier of the mobile node based on the second identifier of the mobile node.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein The first AMF stores a correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node; The first AMF determining, according to the second identifier of the mobile node, the first identifier of the mobile node, including: The first AMF determines the first identifier of the mobile node based on the second identifier and the corresponding relationship.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein Before the first AMF obtains the first identifier of the mobile node, the method further includes: The first AMF receives a connection establishment request message from the mobile node, where the connection establishment request message is used to request establishment of a first connection, where the first connection is a connection between the mobile node and the first AMF, and the connection establishment request message includes a first identifier and a second identifier of the mobile node; The first AMF stores the correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier of the mobile node.

22. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein: The first positioning request message also includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first terminal device is currently connected to a mobile node.

23. A communication system, characterized in that: It includes a positioning management function LMF and an access and mobility management function AMF; the AMF is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and the LMF is used to implement the method according to claim 8; or, the LMF is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 9 to 17, and the AMF is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 18 to 22.

24. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a unit or module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or a unit or module for executing the method according to claim 8, or a unit or module for executing the method according to any one of claims 9 to 17, or a unit or module for executing the method according to any one of claims 18 to 22.

25. A communication device, characterized in that: include: The one or more processors are configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1-7, or the method of claim 8, or the method of any one of claims 9-17, or the method of any one of claims 18-22.

26. A readable storage medium, characterized in that The readable storage medium stores a program, and when the program is executed by the communication device, it implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the method according to claim 8, or the method according to any one of claims 9 to 17, or the method according to any one of claims 18 to 22.

27. A chip system, characterized in that: include: a memory for storing computer programs; a processor; When the processor calls and runs the computer program from the memory, the communication device equipped with the chip system executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or executes the method according to claim 8, or executes the method according to any one of claims 9 to 17, or executes the method according to any one of claims 18 to 22.

28. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product includes instructions, which, when executed on a processor, cause the processor to execute the method described in any one of claims 1 to 7, or the method described in claim 8, or the method described in any one of claims 9 to 17, or the method described in any one of claims 18 to 22.

Images