Method and apparatus for positioning operation

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and equipment for positioning operation. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a user equipment (UE) comprising: a transceiver; and a processor coupled with the transceiver and configured to: transmit, via the transceiver, assistance information for a positioning operation to a positioning server prior to an end of the positioning operation, where the assistance information includes at least one of available time information or ephemeris information of a transmit and receive point (TRP) for the positioning operation; and receiving, via the transceiver, a configuration for the positioning operation from a base station (BS).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, and more particularly, to methods and apparatus for positioning operations. Background Art

[0002] A non-terrestrial network (NTN) refers to a network or network segment that uses radio frequency (RF) resources onboard satellites or high-altitude platform stations (HAPS). Satellites in an NTN can be geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) satellites with a fixed position relative to the Earth, or low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites orbiting the Earth. In some scenarios, satellites in an NTN may also include microsatellite platforms (also known as CubeSats) of limited size and power, and low-density satellite constellations with limited link budgets and intermittent coverage, where UEs can remain stationary for extended periods without detecting satellite cells.

[0003] Compared to terrestrial networks (TNs), NTNs may have much wider coverage, and NTN services may be provided via radio access technologies, with coverage potentially extending far beyond a country's political boundaries, where regulations for communication services may be different.

[0004] When dealing with cross-border communication services, a key question is which regulations should apply. Network operators may be required to cross-check UE locations in order to meet regulatory requirements regarding UE locations.

[0005] However, there are several problems with performing positioning operations in an NTN or other similar network with a limited number of transmit and receive points (TRPs). Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a solution for positioning operations. Summary of the Invention

[0006] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a user equipment (UE), comprising: a transceiver; and a processor, coupled to the transceiver and configured to: transmit assistance information for the positioning operation to a positioning server via the transceiver before the end of the positioning operation, wherein the assistance information includes at least one of available time information or ephemeris information of a TRP for the positioning operation; and receive a configuration for the positioning operation from a base station (BS) via the transceiver.

[0007] In some embodiments, the available time information for the positioning operation includes at least one of the following: a feeder link switching time value of the cell or the TRP obtained from the BS; an out-of-service time value of the cell or the TRP obtained from the BS; a UE-specific out-of-service time value of the cell or the TRP determined by the UE; a remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information of the TRP determined by the UE; or a remaining validity duration of the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) position determined by the UE.

[0008] In some embodiments, the ephemeris information of the TRP includes at least one of: an epoch time value of the ephemeris information; a validity duration of the ephemeris information; an identifier of the ephemeris information; or a format of the ephemeris information.

[0009] In some embodiments, the configuration for the positioning operation indicates at least two measurement windows or at least two reference signal resources, wherein a time interval is contained between two measurement windows in the at least two measurement windows or two reference signal resources in the at least two reference signal resources; or wherein the measurement windows in the at least two measurement windows or the reference signal resources in the at least two reference signal resources are associated with at least one of a start time value or an end time value.

[0010] In some embodiments, the UE may reacquire ephemeris information in response to one of the following: an end of a remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information of the serving cell of the UE is earlier than a last measurement window or a last reference signal resource used for the positioning operation; the end of the remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information of the serving cell of the UE is earlier than a measurement window or a reference signal resource used for the positioning operation; or a time interval between two measurement windows or two reference signal resources used for the positioning operation is equal to or longer than a duration for reacquiring the ephemeris information.

[0011] In some embodiments, the UE may reacquire the GNSS position in response to one of the following: the end of the remaining validity duration of the GNSS position is earlier than the last measurement window or the last reference signal resource used for the positioning operation; the end of the remaining validity duration of the GNSS position is earlier than the measurement window or reference signal resource used for the positioning operation; or the time interval between two measurement windows or two reference signal resources used for the positioning operation is equal to or longer than the duration used to reacquire the GNSS position.

[0012] In some embodiments, the two measurement windows are two adjacent measurement windows, any two measurement windows, or two specific measurement windows; and wherein the two reference signal resources are two adjacent reference signal resources in the time domain, any two reference signal resources, or two specific reference signal resources.

[0013] Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a BS, comprising: a transceiver; and a processor, coupled to the transceiver and configured to: transmit assistance information for the positioning operation to a positioning server via the transceiver before the end of the positioning operation, wherein the assistance information includes at least one of available time information or ephemeris information of a TRP for the positioning operation; and receive first information for the positioning operation from the positioning server via the transceiver.

[0014] In some embodiments, the BS may transmit a configuration for the positioning operation to the UE via the transceiver based on the first information for the positioning operation.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first information used for the positioning operation indicates one of: a first time interval for UE positioning measurements; or a second time interval for TRP positioning measurements.

[0016] In some embodiments, the configuration for the positioning operation indicates at least two measurement windows or at least two reference signal resources, and in the case of indicating the first time interval for UE positioning measurement, a time interval having a length equal to or longer than the length of the first time interval is included between two measurement windows in the at least two measurement windows or two reference signal resources in the at least two reference signal resources; or in the case of indicating the second time interval for TRP positioning measurement, a time interval having a length equal to or longer than the sum of the length of the second time interval plus a maximum round-trip time (RTT) value is included between two measurement windows in the at least two measurement windows, or between two reference signal resources in the at least two reference signal resources, wherein the RTT value is a round-trip time value between the UE and the TRP associated with the BS or between the UE and the BS; wherein the two measurement windows are two adjacent measurement windows, any two measurement windows or two specific measurement windows; and wherein the two reference signal resources are two adjacent reference signal resources in the time domain, any two reference signal resources or two specific reference signal resources.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first information used for the positioning operation indicates at least two reference time values, and when the reference time value among the at least two reference time values ​​is a start time value measured by the UE, the configuration indicates a measurement window or reference signal resource with a start time value later than or equal to the reference time value; when the reference time value among the at least two reference time values ​​is an end time value measured by the UE, the configuration indicates a measurement window or reference signal resource with an end time value earlier than or equal to the reference time value; when the reference time value among the at least two reference time values ​​is a start time value of a TRP measurement, the configuration indicates a measurement window or reference signal resource with a start time value later than or equal to the reference time value plus half of an RTT value; or when the reference time value among the at least two reference time values ​​is an end time value of a TRP measurement, the configuration indicates a measurement window or reference signal resource with an end time value earlier than or equal to the reference time value minus half of the RTT value; wherein the RTT value is a round-trip time value between the UE and the TRP associated with the BS or between the UE and the BS.

[0018] In some embodiments, the first information for the positioning operation indicates an accuracy requirement for the positioning operation.

[0019] In some embodiments, the available time information for the positioning operation includes at least one of: a feeder link switching time value of a cell or TRP; an out-of-service time value of the cell or the TRP; a UE-specific out-of-service time value of the cell or the TRP obtained from the UE; a remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information of the TRP obtained from the UE; or a remaining validity duration of the GNSS position obtained from the UE.

[0020] In some embodiments, the ephemeris information of the TRP includes at least one of: an epoch time value of the ephemeris information; a validity duration of the ephemeris information; an identifier of the ephemeris information; or a format of the ephemeris information.

[0021] Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a positioning server, comprising: a transceiver; and a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to: receive, before the end of the positioning operation, assistance information for the positioning operation from at least one of a BS or a UE via the transceiver; or transmit first information for the positioning operation to the BS via the transceiver; and determine to start the positioning operation, wherein the assistance information includes at least one of available time information for the positioning operation or ephemeris information of a TRP.

[0022] In some embodiments, the BS may determine to initiate the positioning operation based on the assistance information.

[0023] In some embodiments, the available time information from the UE for the positioning operation includes at least one of the following: a feeder link switching time value of the serving cell or the TRP obtained from the BS; a service stop time value of the serving cell or the TRP obtained from the BS; a UE-specific service stop time value of the serving cell or the TRP determined by the UE; a remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information of the TRP determined by the UE; or a remaining validity duration of the GNSS position determined by the UE.

[0024] In some embodiments, the available time information from the BS for the positioning operation includes at least one of the following: a feeder link switching time value of the serving cell or TRP; a service stop time value of the serving cell or the TRP; a UE-specific service stop time value of the serving cell or the TRP obtained from the UE; the remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information of the TRP obtained from the UE; or the remaining validity duration of the GNSS position obtained from the UE.

[0025] In some embodiments, the ephemeris information of the TRP includes at least one of the following: a feeder link switching time value of the serving cell or the TRP; a service stop time value of the serving cell or the TRP; an epoch time value of the ephemeris information; a validity duration of the ephemeris information; an identifier of the ephemeris information; or a format of the ephemeris information.

[0026] In some embodiments, the positioning server may determine the position of the TRP at a specific time value based on the ephemeris information of the TRP.

[0027] In some embodiments, the positioning server may determine the first information based on the auxiliary information.

[0028] In some embodiments, the first information used for the positioning operation indicates one of the following: a first time interval for UE positioning measurement; or a second time interval for TRP positioning measurement; at least two reference time values, wherein the reference time value of the at least two reference time values ​​indicates one of the following: a start time value of UE measurement, an end time value of UE measurement, a start time value of TRP measurement, or an end time value of TRP measurement; or an accuracy requirement for the positioning operation.

[0029] In some embodiments, the positioning server may: before the end of the positioning operation, instruct the UE to re-acquire the ephemeris information of the TRP or the GNSS position based on the auxiliary information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] To illustrate the manner in which the advantages and features of the present application can be obtained, the description of the present application is presented by reference to specific embodiments of the application illustrated in the accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only example embodiments of the present application and therefore should not be considered limiting of its scope.

[0031] Figure 1A A schematic diagram illustrating a wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 1B Another schematic diagram illustrating a wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 2A A schematic diagram illustrating positioning operations according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 2B A schematic diagram illustrating positioning operations according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating positioning operations according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 4A and 4B Two measurement windows for positioning operations configured based on indicated time intervals according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0037] Figures 5A to 5D Two measurement windows for positioning operations configured based on indicated reference time values ​​for UE measurements according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0038] Figures 6A to 6D Two measurement windows for positioning operations configured based on indicated reference time values ​​for TRP measurements according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0039] Figure 7 A method for positioning operation performed by a UE according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is described.

[0040] Figure 8 A method for positioning operation performed by a BS according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is described.

[0041] Figure 9 A method for positioning operations performed by a positioning server according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is described.

[0042] Figure 10 A simplified block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The detailed description of the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention can be practiced. It should be understood that the same or equivalent functions can be achieved by different embodiments intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0044] Although operations are depicted in a particular order in the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that such operations need not be performed in the particular order or sequential order shown, or that all illustrated operations need not be performed to achieve a desired result; one or more operations may sometimes be skipped. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings may schematically depict one or more example processes in the form of flow charts. However, other operations not depicted may be incorporated into the schematically illustrated example processes. For example, one or more additional operations may be performed before, after, simultaneously with, or between any of the illustrated operations. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.

[0045] Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. For ease of understanding, embodiments are provided under specific network architectures and new service scenarios, such as cellular telephone networks, networks based on time division multiple access (TDMA), networks based on code division multiple access (CDMA), networks based on orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), LTE networks, networks based on the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), LTE, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), 3GPP 4G, 3GPP 5G NR, 3GPP Release 16 and higher, satellite communication networks, high-altitude platform networks, etc. It is contemplated that as network architectures and new service scenarios evolve, all embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems; and in addition, the terms stated in the present disclosure may be changed, which should not affect the principles of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 1A A schematic diagram illustrating a wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0047] like Figure 1A As shown in FIG, the network includes UE 101A, BS 102A, TRP 103A and positioning server 104A. Figure 1A Only one UE 101A, one BS 102A, one TRP 103A and one positioning server 104A are depicted, but it is contemplated that any number of UEs, BSs, TRPs or positioning servers may be included in the wireless communication system.

[0048] The UE 101A may include a computing device, such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a smart TV (e.g., a TV connected to the Internet), a set-top box, a game console, a security system (including a security camera), an in-vehicle computer, a network device (e.g., a router, a switch, and a modem), etc. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the UE 101A may include a portable wireless communication device, a smart phone, a cellular phone, a flip phone, a device with a subscriber identity module, a personal computer, a selective call receiver, or any other device capable of sending and receiving communication signals on a wireless network. In some embodiments, the UE 101A may include a wearable device, such as a smart watch, a fitness band, an optical head-mounted display, etc. In addition, the UE 101A may be referred to as a subscriber unit, a mobile device, a mobile station, a user, a terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a fixed terminal, a subscriber station, a user terminal, or a device, or other terms used in the art.

[0049] BSs 102A may be distributed throughout a geographic area. In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, BSs 102A may also be referred to as access points, access terminals, base stations, base units, macrocells, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs), gNBs, home Node Bs, relay nodes, or devices, or other terms used in the art. BSs 102A are typically part of a radio access network, which may include one or more controllers communicatively coupled to one or more corresponding BSs 102A. BSs 102A may communicate with UEs 101A via a Uu interface. For example, BSs 102A may transmit downlink (DL) communication signals to UEs 101A and may receive uplink (UL) communication signals from UEs 101A.

[0050] TRP 103A may be an antenna unit that may be fixed on the earth and may be always available. TRP 103A may belong to BS 102A, and BS 102A may only need to provide the location of TRP 103A (e.g., location in 3D coordinates) to positioning server 104A once.

[0051] TRP 103A may transmit downlink positioning signals for measurement to the UE and may receive uplink positioning signals for measurement from the UE. The measurement results at TRP 103A may be transmitted to positioning server 104A. The measurement results at UE 101A may also be transmitted to positioning server 104A. Based on these measurement results from one or more TRPs and the UE, as well as the locations of the one or more TRPs, the UE's location may be determined by positioning server 104A.

[0052] The positioning server 104A may be a location management function (LMF) entity in the 5G network, which may be an entity in the core network, and may determine the geographic location information of the UE by measuring wireless signals.

[0053] Figure 1B Another schematic diagram illustrating a wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0054] like Figure 1B As shown in FIG, the network includes UE 101B, BS 102B, TRP 103B and positioning server 104B. Figure 1B Only one UE 101B, one BS 102B, one TRP 103B and one positioning server 104B are depicted, but it is contemplated that any number of UEs, BSs, TRPs or positioning servers may be included in the wireless communication system.

[0055] UE 101B may be similar to UE 101A. Additionally, UE 101B may communicate directly with TRP 103B via a serving link. TRP 103B may be a satellite, such as a LEO satellite, a MEO satellite, a GEO satellite, or a highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite.

[0056] Still refer to Figure 1B , TRP 103B provides a geographic cell for serving UE 101B located in the geographic cell. Figure 1B In the present invention, UE 101B may be a conventional mobile terminal 101 that may wirelessly communicate with TRP 103B via a communication link (e.g., a serving link or a radio link) based on an NR access technology (e.g., an NR-Uu interface). TRP 103B may also communicate with a gateway or earth station via a communication link, which may be a feeder link or a radio link based on the NR access technology or other technologies. According to various embodiments, TRP 103B may be implemented with a transparent or regenerative payload. When the satellite carries a "transparent" payload, it only performs RF filtering, frequency conversion, and / or amplification of the onboard signal. Therefore, the waveform signal repeated by the payload remains unchanged. When the satellite carries a regenerative payload, in addition to performing RF filtering, frequency conversion, and amplification, it also performs other signal processing functions, such as onboard demodulation / decoding, switching and / or routing, encoding / decoding, and modulation / demodulation. In other words, for satellites with regenerative payloads, all or part of the base station functions (e.g., gNB, eNB, etc.) are implemented onboard. In the following of this disclosure, TRP 103B may also be referred to as a RAN node, which may include a satellite with a regenerative payload, or a satellite with a regenerative payload. A RAN node may act as an access node, while in some other embodiments of the present disclosure, TRP 103B may also act as a BS.

[0057] Figure 1A and 1B The wireless communication system described in the specification may be compatible with any type of network capable of sending and receiving wireless communication signals. For example, the wireless communication system may be compatible with wireless communication networks, cellular telephone networks, time division multiple access (TDMA)-based networks, code division multiple access (CDMA)-based networks, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA)-based networks, LTE networks, 3GPP-based networks, 3GPP 5G networks, satellite communication networks, high altitude platform networks, and / or other communication networks.

[0058] In one embodiment, the wireless communication system is compatible with NR of the 3GPP protocol, wherein the BS 102B transmits on the DL using an OFDM modulation scheme, and the UE 101B transmits on the UL using a single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) scheme or an OFDM scheme. However, more generally, the wireless communication system may implement some other open or proprietary communication protocols, such as WiMAX, among others.

[0059] 3GPP Rel-17 specifications already provide basic support for NTN features, and further enhancements will be studied in Rel-18. UE location verification by the network is considered one of the main goals of the Rel-18 NTN enhancements and is being studied in the RAN study project "Study on requirements and use cases for network verified UE location for NTN in NR".

[0060] In NTNs, for verification purposes, UE-based positioning methods are excluded in Rel-18 NTN, and only network-based positioning methods (e.g., Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA), (NR) Enhanced Cell ID (E-CID), Multi-RTT, Uplink Time Difference of Arrival (UL-TDOA), and Uplink Angle of Arrival (UL-AOA)) are considered for UE position verification. For network-based positioning methods, a positioning server (e.g., a LMF entity in a 5G network) can calculate the UE position using reported measurement results from the UE, the base station, or both, and the location of the Transmitter Relay (TRP). The measurement results may include the angle, identity, time value, and signal strength of the TRP.

[0061] However, there are several problems in performing network positioning operations in an NTN or other similar network with a limited number of TRPs (e.g., a single TRP), and the problems are described as follows.

[0062] Question #1

[0063] In a TN, there may be multiple available TRPs for network-based positioning operations, and the BS may configure a positioning measurement window (or measurement gap, or one or more measurement resources) to obtain measurements of multiple TRPs at one time.

[0064] Figure 2A A schematic diagram illustrating positioning operations according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0065] Before performing positioning operations, a UE (eg, UE 101A) and a BS (eg, BS 102A) may perform user data transmission and reception.

[0066] Configurable measurement gap (e.g. Figure 2A 1 and 2), which may be common durations during which UE 101A may be used for positioning signal transmission or reception or for other purposes. For example, there are two windows (e.g., window #1 and window #2) in the measurement gap. Window #1 may be a positioning measurement window during which the UE may use one or more UL positioning resources (e.g., UL #1 and UL #2) to transmit positioning signals (e.g., UL sounding reference signals (SRS)). The UE may use one or more DL positioning resources (e.g., DL #1 and DL #2) to receive positioning signals (e.g., DL positioning reference signals (PRS)). The positioning measurement window may be a dedicated duration during which the UE may only transmit or receive positioning signals; and the positioning resources may be dedicated time-frequency resources used for positioning signal transmission or reception.

[0067] Window #2 may be another measurement window, during which the UE may perform transmission and reception of other signals.

[0068] After the measurement gap, the UE and the BS may continue to perform user data transmission and reception.

[0069] In an NTN, the number of TRPs, such as satellites, may be much smaller than the number of TRPs of antenna units in a TN. From the perspective of satellite availability and implementation complexity, network-based positioning measurements can use a single TRP. For positioning operations with a single TRP, it may be necessary to perform positioning measurements at least twice at different time points, and the time interval between the two measurements may need to be large enough to meet certain accuracy requirements.

[0070] Figure 2B A schematic diagram depicting positioning operations according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0071] Before performing positioning operations, a UE (eg, UE 101B) and a BS (eg, BS 102B) may perform user data transmission and reception.

[0072] Two measurement gaps can be configured (e.g. Figure 2B ), which may be a common duration during which UE 101B may be used for positioning signal transmission or reception or for other purposes. Between measurement gap #3 and measurement gap #4, there is an interval that may be long enough to meet accuracy requirements.

[0073] A measurement window (e.g., window #3) may be configured in measurement gap #3. This may be a positioning measurement window, during which the UE may use one UL positioning resource (e.g., UL #3) to transmit a positioning signal (e.g., UL SRS). The UE may use one DL positioning resource (e.g., DL #3) to receive a positioning signal (e.g., DL PRS). A measurement window (e.g., window #4) may be configured in measurement gap #4. This may be a positioning measurement window, during which the UE may use one UL positioning resource (e.g., UL #4) to transmit a positioning signal, and the UE may use one DL positioning resource (e.g., DL #4) to receive a positioning signal.

[0074] exist Figure 2B In the case of a positioning measurement, the positioning measurement can be performed twice, and the duration of the entire positioning operation can be the length of the two measurement windows and the interval, which is longer than Figure 2A Positioning operation in .

[0075] In some other cases, the positioning measurements may be performed more times, for example three times, five times, etc. In this case, the entire positioning operation may be even longer.

[0076] Therefore, the problem of the positioning operation of one TRP is that the duration of the positioning operation may be very long. For positioning operations that need to be performed multiple times at different time points, the problem also exists.

[0077] Question #2

[0078] In order to complete network-based positioning operations for UE position verification in the NTN, a valid UE position result and valid ephemeris data may be required at the UE, which may not be guaranteed.

[0079] In TN, due to the short distance between the UE and the BS (e.g., less than 5 km), the network may detect timing misalignment due to round-trip propagation delay (e.g., less than 0.033 ms) and may instruct the UE to compensate in timing advance using commands (e.g., timing advance commands) to ensure uplink synchronization.

[0080] In an NTN, the distance between the UE and the satellite may be hundreds or thousands of kilometers (e.g., for a LEO satellite, a typical orbit may be 600 km or 1200 km), which may result in a larger round-trip propagation delay (e.g., the round-trip propagation delay for a LEO satellite at 600 km or 1200 km may be 8 ms or 16 ms). The UE may calculate the timing advance based on the UE position and the satellite position and pre-compensate for the round-trip propagation delay for uplink synchronization. Therefore, the UE may need to ensure both a valid UE position result and valid satellite position information (e.g., valid ephemeris data for the satellite).

[0081] Currently, when a UE does not have a valid UE position or valid ephemeris data, the UE may need to enter an idle state and reacquire the UE position (eg, via GNSS) or ephemeris data (via system information).

[0082] The necessity of maintaining a valid UE position result and valid ephemeris data for uplink synchronization in the NTN may cause another availability problem in network-based positioning. That is, a valid UE position result and valid ephemeris data are required at the UE during the execution of the positioning operation.

[0083] For ephemeris data, reacquisition before its expiration depends on the UE implementation. If the ephemeris data expires during a positioning measurement gap or window, the UE may not be able to reacquire it in time and may enter the idle state due to UL synchronization loss, and the positioning operation may be terminated.

[0084] For GNSS position operations that require a long time (seconds or tens of seconds), if it expires at any time during the positioning operation (in or between positioning measurement gaps or windows), the UE may enter the idle state due to UL synchronization loss and the positioning operation may be terminated.

[0085] The problem may be more serious when the positioning operation is performed by a single TRP at different time points rather than by multiple TRPs at once, because the former requires a much longer duration than the latter.

[0086] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating positioning operations according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0087] Figure 3 Positioning operation in Figure 2B The positioning operation in is similar and the details are omitted here. Figure 3In the example, the validity of the ephemeris data may expire during the duration of gap #3, which may cause the UE to enter the idle state to reacquire the ephemeris data. The validity of the GNSS position may expire during the duration of gap #4, which may also cause the UE to enter the idle state to reacquire the UE position. During the positioning operation, UL synchronization is lost.

[0088] Question #3

[0089] In an NTN, a TRP may be a serving satellite that provides LTE or NR access to a UE. Satellites may be traveling in orbit around the Earth, so their position may change over time and have a limited availability duration. For example, in the worst case, a LEO satellite moves at a maximum speed of 7.9 km / s, and its service duration for a given location may only last a few seconds. In an NTN, satellite positions are represented by ephemeris data and broadcast from the base station to the UE. However, the location of satellites (e.g., TRPs) may not be known to the positioning server, which may reduce the accuracy of positioning operations.

[0090] This disclosure proposes some solutions for solving the above problems #1 to #3.

[0091] Solution 1

[0092] In this solution, a positioning server (e.g., positioning server 104B) may provide information for positioning operations, and based on the provided information for positioning operations, the base station may configure at least two measurement windows (or at least two measurement gaps, or at least two reference signal resources, etc.). In some embodiments, the reference signal resources may include a UL positioning resource and a corresponding DL positioning resource. The base station may further generate a configuration for positioning operations that indicates at least two measurement windows (or at least two measurement gaps, or at least two reference signal resources, etc.), and transmit the configuration for positioning operations to the UE. The configuration for positioning operations may be transmitted via a new message or via an existing message. The information for positioning operations from the positioning server may be further described in the following embodiments.

[0093] Example 1:

[0094] The information used for the positioning operation may indicate at least one time interval (or at least one duration, at least one length of the duration, etc.). For an indicated time interval in the at least one indicated time interval, the BS may configure the UE with at least two measurement windows or at least two reference signal resources having a time interval equal to or longer than the indicated time interval.

[0095] The indicated time intervals can be:

[0096] - The time interval between any two measurement windows, or any two measurement gaps, any two reference signal resources, any two UL positioning resources, any two DL positioning resources, any two positioning resources, etc.;

[0097] - the time interval between two specific measurement windows, or two specific measurement gaps, two specific reference signal resources, two specific UL positioning resources, two specific DL positioning resources, two specific positioning resources, etc.; or

[0098] - The time interval between any two adjacent measurement windows, or any two adjacent measurement gaps, any two adjacent reference signal resources, any two adjacent UL positioning resources, any two adjacent DL positioning resources, any two adjacent positioning resources, etc.

[0099] In some embodiments, the indicated time interval may be used for UE measurement, and the BS may configure the UE with at least two measurement windows (or at least two measurement gaps, or at least two reference signal resources, etc.) having a time interval equal to or longer than the indicated time interval.

[0100] Figure 4A and 4B Two measurement windows for positioning operations configured based on indicated time intervals according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0101] exist Figure 4A In the embodiment, the positioning server may indicate the time interval for measurement of the UE (e.g., interval #1), and the BS may configure the UE 101B with two measurement windows (e.g., window #1 and window #2), and there may be a time interval (e.g., interval #2) between the two windows, which has a length longer than that of interval #1.

[0102] In some other embodiments, the indicated time interval may be used for TRP measurement, and the BS may configure the UE with at least two measurement windows (or at least two measurement gaps, or at least two reference signal resources, etc.) having a time interval equal to or longer than the indicated time interval plus the offset duration. The offset duration may be the maximum RTT between the UE and the TRP, or the maximum RTT between the UE and the BS. Alternatively, the offset duration may be longer than the maximum RTT between the UE and the TRP, or the maximum RTT between the UE and the BS.

[0103] exist Figure 4B In the embodiment, the positioning server may indicate the time interval for TRP measurement (e.g., interval #3), and the BS may configure UE101B with two measurement windows (e.g., window #3 and window #4), and there may be a time interval (e.g., interval #4) between the two windows, which has a length longer than the sum of the length of interval #3 plus the length of the offset duration.

[0104] Example 2:

[0105] The information used for the positioning operation may indicate at least two reference time values ​​used for the positioning operation. The reference time value may be a reference start time value measured by the UE, a reference end time value measured by the UE, a reference start time value measured by the TRP, or a reference end time value measured by the TRP.

[0106] For each reference time value, the BS may configure a measurement window (or measurement gap, or reference signal resource) based on the reference time value. More specifically, the BS may configure the measurement window (or measurement gap, or reference signal resource) as follows:

[0107] - The reference time value is a reference start time value for UE measurement, and the BS may configure the UE with a measurement window having a start time equal to or later than the reference start time value;

[0108] - the reference time value is a reference end time value measured by the UE, and the BS may configure the UE with a measurement window having an end time value equal to or earlier than the reference end time value;

[0109] - the reference time value is a reference start time value for TRP measurement, and the BS may configure the UE with a measurement window having a start time equal to or later than the reference start time value plus an offset duration;

[0110] - The reference time value is a reference end time value of TRP measurement, and the BS may configure the UE with a measurement window having an end time value equal to or earlier than the reference end time value minus an offset duration.

[0111] The offset duration may be the maximum RTT between the UE and the TRP; or the maximum RTT between the UE and the BS. Alternatively, the offset duration may have a length longer than the maximum RTT between the UE and the TRP, or the maximum RTT between the UE and the BS.

[0112] Figures 5A to 5D Two measurement windows for positioning operations configured based on indicated reference time values ​​for UE measurements according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0113] exist Figures 5A to 5D In the example, two reference time values ​​(e.g., time value #1 and time value #2) are indicated for UE measurement. Two measurement windows (e.g., window #1 and window #2) are configured based on the two reference time values.

[0114] More specifically, in Figure 5A, time value #1 indicates the start time value of UE measurement, and time value #2 also indicates the start time value of UE measurement, therefore, the start time value of window #1 is later than time value #1, and the start time value of window #2 is later than time value #2.

[0115] exist Figure 5B , time value #1 indicates the start time value of UE measurement, and time value #2 indicates the end time value of UE measurement, therefore, the start time value of window #1 is later than time value #1, and the end time value of window #2 is earlier than time value #2.

[0116] exist Figure 5C , time value #1 indicates the end time value of UE measurement, and time value #2 indicates the start time value of UE measurement, therefore, the end time value of window #1 is earlier than time value #1, and the start time value of window #2 is later than time value #2.

[0117] exist Figure 5D In the example, time value #1 indicates the end time value of UE measurement, and time value #2 also indicates the end time value of UE measurement. Therefore, the end time value of window #1 is earlier than time value #1, and the end time value of window #2 is also earlier than time value #2.

[0118] Figures 6A to 6D Two measurement windows for positioning operations configured based on indicated reference time values ​​for TRP measurements according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0119] exist Figures 6A to 6D In the example, two reference time values ​​(e.g., time value #3 and time value #4) for TRP measurement are indicated. Based on the two reference time values, two measurement windows (e.g., window #3 and window #4) are configured respectively.

[0120] More specifically, in Figure 6A In the example, time value #3 indicates the start time value of the TRP measurement, and time value #4 also indicates the start time value of the TRP measurement. Therefore, the start time value of window #3 is later than time value #3 plus the offset duration, and the start time value of window #4 is later than time value #4 plus the offset duration. The offset duration may be half the maximum RTT between the UE and the TRP associated with the BS, or half the maximum RTT between the UE and the BS. Alternatively, the offset duration may be longer than half the maximum RTT between the UE and the TRP, or half the maximum RTT between the UE and the BS. In some other cases, the offset duration applied to time value #3 and the offset duration applied to time value #4 may be different.

[0121] exist Figure 6B, time value #3 indicates the start time value of the TRP measurement, and time value #4 indicates the end time value of the TRP measurement, therefore, the start time value of window #3 is later than time value #3 plus the offset duration, and the end time value of window #4 is earlier than time value #4 minus the offset duration.

[0122] exist Figure 6C , time value #3 indicates the end time value of the TRP measurement, and time value #4 indicates the start time value of the TRP measurement, so the end time value of window #3 is earlier than time value #3 minus the offset duration, and the start time value of window #4 is later than time value #4 plus the offset duration.

[0123] exist Figure 6D , time value #3 indicates the end time value of the TRP measurement, and time value #4 also indicates the end time value of the TRP measurement, therefore, the end time value of window #3 is earlier than time value #3 minus the offset duration, and the end time value of window #4 is also earlier than time value #4 minus the offset duration.

[0124] Example 3:

[0125] The information used for the positioning operation may indicate one or more requirements for the positioning operation. For example, the one or more requirements may include one or more accuracy requirements, such as the error range of the location may be within 10 meters, 100 meters, etc., or the accuracy of the UE location may be greater than 90%, 95%, etc.

[0126] The BS may determine at least one time interval between at least two positioning measurements based on one or more requirements, and may configure the UE with at least two measurement windows (or at least two measurement gaps, or at least two reference signal resources, etc.) having a time interval equal to or longer than the at least one determined time interval.

[0127] In summary, based on Solution 1, the BS that manages the UE's serving TRP (such as a satellite, a RAN node, or an antenna unit, etc.) (which can schedule the UE to perform positioning operations) can know information about the time interval. Therefore, the BS can appropriately configure at least two positioning measurement gaps (at least two measurement windows, or at least two reference signal resources) for positioning signal transmission and reception.

[0128] In solution 1, the positioning server can determine information for positioning operations without assistance information from the UE or the BS. In solution 2, the UE and the BS can provide assistance information to the positioning server, which can indicate available time information for positioning operations, or ephemeris information indicating TRP, or both. The detailed solution is presented as follows:

[0129] Solution 2

[0130] The assistance information may indicate the available time information for positioning operations. More specifically, the available time information for positioning operations may include: 1) the remaining available duration of the cell or TRP, 2) the remaining available duration of the ephemeris data at the UE, or 3) the remaining available duration of the GNSS position at the UE. After receiving the available time information for positioning operations, the positioning server may determine whether to initiate positioning operations based on the provided available time information for positioning operations.

[0131] Example 2-1:

[0132] Regarding the remaining available duration of the cell or TRP, the BS may indicate at least one of the following to the positioning server:

[0133] - Feeder link switching time value of the cell or TRP;

[0134] - Common out-of-service time value for Quasi-terrestrial Fixed Cells or TRPs;

[0135] - a reference out-of-service time value for an Earth mobile cell or TRP; or

[0136] -UE specific out of service time of the Earth mobile cell or TRP obtained from the UE.

[0137] In some cases, the indicated cell or the indicated TRP is the serving cell or serving TRP of the UE. In some other cases, the indicated cell or the indicated TRP may not be the current serving cell or serving TRP of the UE, and the BS may instruct the UE to continue the positioning operation before losing the connection to the indicated cell or the indicated TRP.

[0138] Example 2-2:

[0139] Regarding the remaining available duration of a cell or TRP, the UE may indicate the following to the positioning server:

[0140] - Feeder link switching time value of the cell or TRP available from the serving BS;

[0141] - the common out-of-service time value of the quasi-terrestrial fixed cell or TRP available from the serving BS;

[0142] - the reference out-of-service time value of the Earth mobile cell or TRP available from the serving BS;

[0143] -UE specific out of service time of a cell (e.g. earth mobile cell) or TRP which can be derived by the UE.

[0144] In some cases, the indicated cell or the indicated TRP may be the serving cell or serving TRP of the UE. In some other cases, the indicated cell or the indicated TRP may not be the current serving cell or serving TRP of the UE, and the UE may be instructed by the BS to continue positioning operations before losing connection to the indicated cell or the indicated TRP.

[0145] Example 2-3:

[0146] Regarding the remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information of the TRP at the UE side, the UE may indicate it to the positioning server. In some other cases, the UE may indicate the remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information of the TRP at the UE side to the BS, and then the BS indicates it to the positioning server.

[0147] Based on the remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information, the positioning server may determine whether to initiate a positioning operation. In some embodiments, the positioning server may instruct the UE to reacquire or not reacquire the ephemeris information of the TRP. When it is determined that the UE may need to reacquire the ephemeris information of the TRP, for example, when the remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information at the UE is not long enough to perform a positioning operation, the positioning server may instruct the BS to trigger the UE to reacquire the ephemeris information of the TRP.

[0148] Alternatively, the positioning server may not instruct the UE to reacquire the ephemeris information of the TRP, and the BS may determine the configuration for the positioning operation and transmit it to the UE.

[0149] After receiving a configuration for positioning operation from the BS (which may indicate at least two measurement windows (or at least two measurement gaps, or at least two reference signal resources, etc.)), the UE may determine a timing relationship between the remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information of the TRP at the UE side and the time information of the at least two measurement windows (or at least two measurement gaps, or at least two reference signal resources, etc.).

[0150] In some embodiments, the timing relationship may include:

[0151] - Whether the end of the remaining validity duration of the TRP's ephemeris information is equal to or later than the last measurement window (or the last measurement gap, or the last reference signal resource) configured for the positioning operation. If the end of the remaining validity duration of the TRP's ephemeris information is equal to or later than the last measurement window, the UE may not reacquire the TRP's ephemeris information before the positioning operation. Otherwise, the UE may determine to reacquire the TRP's ephemeris information before the positioning operation.

[0152] - Whether the end of the remaining validity duration of the GNSS position is equal to or later than the measurement window (or measurement gap, or reference signal resource) used for the positioning operation. If the end of the remaining validity duration of the TRP's ephemeris information is equal to or later than the measurement window, the UE may reacquire the TRP's ephemeris information after the measurement window instead of reacquiring the TRP's ephemeris information before the positioning operation. Otherwise, the UE may determine to reacquire the TRP's ephemeris information before the measurement window.

[0153] - Whether the time interval between two measurement windows (or two measurement gaps, or two reference signal resources) used for positioning operations is equal to or longer than the duration for reacquiring the ephemeris information of the TRP. If the time interval between the two measurement windows used for positioning operations is equal to or longer than the duration for reacquiring the ephemeris information of the TRP, the UE may reacquire the ephemeris information of the TRP during the time interval; otherwise, the UE may determine to reacquire the ephemeris information of the TRP before the first measurement window.

[0154] In some embodiments, the positioning server may determine the timing relationship between the remaining validity duration of the TRP's ephemeris information at the UE side and the time information of at least two measurement windows similarly to the UE, and may determine whether to trigger the UE to reacquire the TRP's ephemeris information.

[0155] Example 2-4:

[0156] Regarding the remaining validity duration of the GNSS position at the UE side, the UE may indicate it to the positioning server. In some other cases, the UE may indicate the remaining validity duration of the GNSS position at the UE side to the BS, and then the BS indicates it to the positioning server.

[0157] Based on the remaining duration of the GNSS position, the positioning server can determine whether to initiate a positioning operation; or the positioning server can instruct the UE to reacquire or not reacquire the GNSS position. When it is determined that the UE may need to reacquire the GNSS position, the positioning server can instruct the BS to trigger the UE to reacquire.

[0158] The UE may indicate the remaining validity duration of its GNSS position to the positioning server. Based on the remaining validity duration of the GNSS position, the positioning server may determine whether to initiate a positioning operation. In some embodiments, the positioning server may instruct the UE to reacquire or not reacquire the GNSS position. When it is determined that the UE may need to reacquire the GNSS position, for example, when the remaining validity duration of the GNSS position at the UE is insufficient to perform a positioning operation, the positioning server may instruct the base station to trigger the UE to reacquire the GNSS position.

[0159] Alternatively, the positioning server may not instruct the UE to reacquire the GNSS position, and the BS may determine the configuration for positioning operation and transmit it to the UE.

[0160] After receiving a configuration for positioning operation from the BS (which may indicate at least two measurement windows (or at least two measurement gaps, or at least two reference signal resources, etc.)), the UE may determine a timing relationship between the remaining validity duration of the GNSS position at the UE side and the time information of the at least two measurement windows (or at least two measurement gaps, or at least two reference signal resources, etc.).

[0161] In some embodiments, the timing relationship may include:

[0162] - Whether the end of the remaining validity duration of the GNSS position is equal to or later than the last measurement window (or the last measurement gap, or the last reference signal resource) configured for the positioning operation. If the end of the remaining validity duration of the GNSS position is equal to or later than the last measurement window, the UE may not reacquire the GNSS position before the positioning operation. Otherwise, the UE may determine to reacquire the GNSS position before the positioning operation.

[0163] - Whether the end of the remaining validity duration of the GNSS position is equal to or later than the measurement window (or measurement gap, or reference signal resource) used for the positioning operation. If the end of the remaining validity duration of the GNSS position is equal to or later than the measurement window, the UE may reacquire the GNSS position after the measurement window instead of reacquiring the GNSS position before the positioning operation. Otherwise, the UE may determine to reacquire the GNSS position before the measurement window.

[0164] - Whether the time interval between two measurement windows (or two measurement gaps, or two reference signal resources) used for positioning operations is equal to or longer than the duration for reacquiring a GNSS position. If the time interval between the two measurement windows used for positioning operations is equal to or longer than the duration for reacquiring a GNSS position, the UE may reacquire a GNSS position during the time interval; otherwise, the UE may determine to reacquire a GNSS position before the first measurement window.

[0165] In some embodiments, the positioning server may determine the timing relationship between the remaining validity duration of the GNSS position at the UE side and the time information of at least two measurement windows similarly to the UE, and may determine whether to trigger the UE to reacquire the GNSS position.

[0166] In some other embodiments, assistance information from the BS, from the UE, or both may indicate the ephemeris information of the TRP to the positioning server. Based on the ephemeris information of the TRP, the positioning server may determine the position of the TRP for positioning measurements at a given time.

[0167] The ephemeris information of the TRP includes at least one of the following: 1) an epoch time value of the ephemeris information; 2) a validity duration of the ephemeris information; 3) an identifier of the ephemeris information; or 4) a format of the ephemeris information.

[0168] The epoch time of the ephemeris may be carried by a new information element (IE), which may be referred to as: ephemeris epoch time; may be part of a new IE, which may be referred to as: ephemeris information; or may be carried by an existing IE, which may be referred to as: timestamp and ephemeris.

[0169] The validity duration of the ephemeris may be carried by a new IE, such as ephemeris validity duration, or may be part of a new IE, such as ephemeris information.

[0170] The satellite ID of the ephemeris may be carried by a new IE, such as ephemeris validity duration; may be part of a new IE, such as ephemeris information, or may be carried by an existing IE TRPID with a value range extended to, for example, 2 18 values.

[0171] The ephemeris format may include the following two formats: 1) orbital parameter ephemeris format; and 2) position and velocity state vector ephemeris format. In the case where the ephemeris format is the orbital parameter ephemeris format, the ephemeris information of the TRP may include orbital parameters, which may include semi-major axis, eccentricity, periapsis, longitude, inclination, and mean anomaly. This may be carried by a new IE, such as ephemeris orbit parameters, or may be part of a new IE, such as ephemeris information.

[0172] In the case where the format of the ephemeris is a position and velocity state vector ephemeris format, the ephemeris information of the TRP may include a position and velocity state vector, which may include position, position, position Z, velocity VX, velocity VY and velocity VZ, which may be carried by a new IE, such as ephemeris position and velocity; or may be a part of a new IE, such as ephemeris information; or may be carried by an existing IE, such as NG-RAN access point location, where the value range (e.g., altitude) is extended to 2 25 values.

[0173] The ephemeris information of the TRP may be placed in at least one of the following IEs: a new IE, such as ephemeris information; an existing IE, such as TRP information; existing, such as geographic coordinates; or existing, such as NG-RAN access point location.

[0174] In some embodiments, the IE (e.g., ephemeris information) may be specified in a protocol, such as an interface protocol (e.g., NRPPa) between a BS and a positioning server, which includes at least one of the following:

[0175] The epoch time of the ephemeris data may have the following format:

[0176] IE / Group Name exist IE Types and References SFN M Integer (0..1023) Subframe M Integer (0..9)

[0177] The validity duration of the ephemeris data may have the following format:

[0178]

[0179] The satellite ID associated with the ephemeris data may have the following format:

[0180] IE / Group Name exist IE Types and References Satellite / TRP identifier M <![CDATA[Integer (0..2 18 -1)]]>

[0181] The IE ephemeris information may be associated with at least one ephemeris data having the following orbital parameter ephemeris format:

[0182] IE / Group Name exist IE Types and References semimajor axis M <![CDATA[Integer (0..2 33 -1)]]> Eccentricity M <![CDATA[Integer (0..2 20 -1)]]> pericenter M <![CDATA[Integer (0..2 28 -1)]]> longitude M <![CDATA[Integer (0..2 28 -1)]]> inclination M <![CDATA[Integer (-2 26 ..2 26 -1)]]> Mean anomaly M <![CDATA[Integer (0..2 28 -1)]]>

[0183] Alternatively, the IE ephemeris information may be associated with at least one ephemeris data having the following position and velocity state vector ephemeris format:

[0184]

[0185]

[0186] It should be noted that the above IEs are exemplary, and other IEs that can achieve the same functions can also be applied to the present disclosure.

[0187] The above information from the UE (which may include at least one of the following: the remaining usable duration of the cell or TRP; the remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information of the TRP at the UE side; or the remaining validity duration of the GNSS position at the UE side) may be transmitted to the BS using, for example, the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP), and the BS may forward the information to the positioning server. Alternatively, the above information from the UE may be transmitted to the BS using an air interface protocol (e.g., NR or LTE), and the BS may transmit the information from the UE to the positioning server using the NR Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa) protocol.

[0188] Figure 7 A method for positioning operation performed by a UE according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is described.

[0189] In operation 701, before the end of the positioning operation, the UE may transmit assistance information for the positioning operation to the positioning server via the transceiver, wherein the assistance information includes at least one of available time information for the positioning operation or ephemeris information of the TRP. In operation 702, the UE may receive a configuration for the positioning operation from the base station via the transceiver.

[0190] In some embodiments, the available time information for positioning operations includes at least one of the following: a feeder link switching time value of a cell or TRP obtained from a BS; an out-of-service time value of a cell or TRP obtained from a BS; a UE-specific out-of-service time value of a cell or TRP determined by a UE; a remaining validity duration of ephemeris information of a TRP determined by a UE; or a remaining validity duration of a GNSS position determined by a UE. In some cases, the cell or TRP may not be a serving cell or serving TRP of the UE.

[0191] In some embodiments, the ephemeris information of the TRP includes at least one of the following: an epoch time value of the ephemeris information; a validity duration of the ephemeris information; an identifier of the ephemeris information (e.g., an ID of a satellite); or a format of the ephemeris information (e.g., an orbital parameter ephemeris format; or a position and velocity state vector ephemeris format).

[0192] In some embodiments, the configuration for positioning operation indicates at least two measurement windows or at least two reference signal resources, wherein a time interval is contained between two measurement windows in the at least two measurement windows or two reference signal resources in the at least two reference signal resources; or wherein the measurement windows in the at least two measurement windows or the reference signal resources in the at least two reference signal resources are associated with at least one of a start time value or an end time value.

[0193] In some embodiments, the UE may reacquire ephemeris information in response to one of the following:

[0194] - The remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information of the UE's serving cell ends earlier than the last measurement window or the last reference signal resource used for the positioning operation. In other words, the remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information may not cover the duration of the entire positioning operation.

[0195] - The remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information of the UE's serving cell ends earlier than the measurement window or reference signal resources used for positioning operations. That is, the remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information may expire during the measurement window used for positioning operations, e.g. Figure 3 As shown in , the ephemeris information expires during window #3.

[0196] - The time interval between two measurement windows or two reference signal resources used for positioning operations is equal to or longer than the duration used to reacquire ephemeris information. Figure 3 In the example, the interval between window #3 and window #4 may be equal to or longer than the duration for reacquiring ephemeris information.

[0197] In some embodiments, the UE may reacquire GNSS position in response to one of the following:

[0198] - The end of the remaining validity duration of the GNSS position is earlier than the last measurement window or the last reference signal resource used for the positioning operation. In other words, the remaining validity duration of the GNSS position may not cover the duration of the entire positioning operation.

[0199] - The remaining validity duration of the GNSS position ends earlier than the measurement window or reference signal resources used for positioning operations. That is, the remaining validity duration of the GNSS position may expire during the measurement window used for positioning operations, e.g. Figure 3 As shown in , the GNSS position expires during window #4.

[0200] - The time interval between two measurement windows or two reference signal resources used for positioning operations is equal to or longer than the duration used to reacquire a GNSS position. Figure 3 , the interval between window #3 and window #4 may be equal to or longer than the duration for reacquiring the GNSS position.

[0201] In some embodiments, the two measurement windows are two adjacent measurement windows, any two measurement windows, or two specific measurement windows; and the two reference signal resources are two adjacent reference signal resources in the time domain, any two reference signal resources, or two specific reference signal resources.

[0202] Figure 8 A method for positioning operation performed by a BS according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is described.

[0203] In operation 801, the BS may transmit assistance information for the positioning operation to the positioning server via a transceiver before the end of the positioning operation, wherein the assistance information includes at least one of available time information for the positioning operation or ephemeris information of a TRP. In operation 802, the BS may receive first information for the positioning operation from the positioning server via a transceiver.

[0204] In some embodiments, the BS may transmit a configuration for the positioning operation to the UE via the transceiver based on the first information for the positioning operation.

[0205] In some embodiments, the first information for positioning operation indicates one of the following: a first time interval for UE positioning measurement (e.g., Figure 4A or a second time interval for TRP positioning measurements (e.g., as shown in Figure 4B Interval #3 shown in ).

[0206] In some embodiments, the configuration for positioning operation indicates at least two measurement windows or at least two reference signal resources,

[0207] - In the case of indicating a first time interval for UE positioning measurement, a time interval having a length equal to or longer than that of the first time interval is included between two measurement windows in at least two measurement windows or between two reference signal resources in at least two reference signal resources. Figure 4A As shown in , interval #2 is included between measurement window #1 and measurement window #2 and has a length longer than that of interval #1.

[0208] When a second time interval for TRP positioning measurement is indicated, a time interval having a length equal to or longer than the sum of the length of the second time interval and the maximum RTT value is included between two measurement windows of the at least two measurement windows, or between two reference signal resources of the at least two reference signal resources, where the RTT value is a round-trip time value between the UE and a TRP associated with the BS, or between the UE and the BS. For example, as shown in FIG4 b , interval #4 is included between measurement windows #3 and measurement window #4 and has a length longer than the sum of the length of interval #3 and the maximum RTT value.

[0209] In some embodiments, the two measurement windows are two adjacent measurement windows, any two measurement windows, or two specific measurement windows; and the two reference signal resources are two adjacent reference signal resources in the time domain, any two reference signal resources, or two specific reference signal resources.

[0210] In some embodiments, the first information for the positioning operation indicates at least two reference time values, and

[0211] - In the case where the reference time value among the at least two reference time values ​​is a start time value of UE measurement, the configuration indicates a measurement window or reference signal resource having a start time value later than or equal to the reference time value. Figure 5B As shown in , time value #1 is the start time value of UE measurement, and window #1 has a start time value later than time value #1.

[0212] - In the case where the reference time value among the at least two reference time values ​​is an end time value of the UE measurement, the configuration indicates a measurement window or reference signal resource having an end time value earlier than or equal to the reference time value. Figure 5B As shown in , time value #2 is the start time value of UE measurement, and window #2 has an end time value earlier than time value #2.

[0213] - In the case where the reference time value among the at least two reference time values ​​is a start time value of TRP measurement, the configuration indicates a measurement window or reference signal resource having a start time value later than or equal to the reference time value plus half of the RTT value. Figure 6B As shown in , time value #3 is the start time value of the TRP measurement, and window #3 has a start time value later than time value #3 plus half of the RTT value.

[0214] - In the case where the reference time value among the at least two reference time values ​​is an end time value of TRP measurement, the configuration indicates a measurement window or reference signal resource having an end time value earlier than or equal to the reference time value minus half of the RTT value. Figure 6B As shown in , time value #4 is the end time value of the TRP measurement, and window #4 has a start time value earlier than time value #4 minus half of the RTT value.

[0215] In some embodiments, the above RTT value is a round-trip time value between the UE and a TRP associated with the BS or between the UE and the BS.

[0216] In some embodiments, the first information for the positioning operation indicates an accuracy requirement for the positioning operation.

[0217] In some embodiments, the available time information for positioning operations includes at least one of: a feeder link switching time value of a cell or TRP; an out-of-service time value of a cell or TRP; a UE-specific out-of-service time value of a cell or TRP obtained from a UE; a remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information of the TRP obtained from the UE; or a remaining validity duration of the GNSS position obtained from the UE.

[0218] Figure 9 A method for positioning operations performed by a positioning server according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is described.

[0219] In operation 901, before the end of the positioning operation, the positioning server may receive assistance information for the positioning operation from at least one of a base station (BS) or a UE via a transceiver, or transmit first information for the positioning operation to the BS via a transceiver. In operation 902, the positioning server may determine to start the positioning operation, wherein the assistance information includes at least one of available time information for the positioning operation or ephemeris information of a TRP.

[0220] In some embodiments, the positioning server may determine to initiate a positioning operation based on the assistance information.

[0221] In some embodiments, the positioning server may determine the location of the TRP at a specific time value based on the ephemeris information of the TRP.

[0222] In some embodiments, the positioning server may determine the first information based on the assistance information.

[0223] In some embodiments, the first information for the positioning operation indicates one of the following: a first time interval for UE positioning measurement; or a second time interval for TRP positioning measurement; at least two reference time values, wherein the reference time value of the at least two reference time values ​​indicates one of the following: a start time value of UE measurement, an end time value of UE measurement, a start time value of TRP measurement, or an end time value of TRP measurement; or an accuracy requirement for the positioning operation.

[0224] In some embodiments, the positioning server may instruct the UE to re-acquire the TRP or ephemeris information of the GNSS position based on the assistance information before the end of the positioning operation.

[0225] Figure 10 A simplified block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0226] like Figure 10 , an example of apparatus 1000 may include at least one processor 1004 and at least one transceiver 1002 coupled to the processor 1004. Apparatus 1000 may be a UE, a BS, a RAN node, a TRP, a positioning server, or any other device having similar functionality.

[0227] Although elements such as at least one transceiver 1002 and a processor 1004 are described in the singular in this figure, the plural form is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the transceiver 1002 may be divided into two devices, such as a receive circuit system and a transmit circuit system. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the device 1000 may further include an input device, a memory, and / or other components.

[0228] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the device 1000 may be a UE. The transceiver 1002 and the processor 1004 may interact with each other to perform Figures 1A to 9 In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the device 1000 may be a BS. The transceiver 1002 and the processor 1004 may interact with each other to perform Figures 1A to 9 In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the device 1000 may be a positioning server. The transceiver 1002 and the processor 1004 may interact with each other to perform Figures 1A to 9 The operations of the positioning server described in any of .

[0229] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the apparatus 1000 may further include at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium.

[0230] For example, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may have computer-executable instructions stored thereon to cause the processor 1004 to implement the method described above with respect to the UE. For example, when the computer-executable instructions are executed, the processor 1004 interacts with the transceiver 1002 to perform Figures 1A to 9 The operations of the UE described in any one of .

[0231] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may have computer-executable instructions stored thereon to cause the processor 1004 to implement the method described above with respect to a BS or a positioning server. For example, when the computer-executable instructions are executed, the processor 1004 interacts with the transceiver 1002 to perform Figures 1A to 9 The operations of the BS or positioning server described in any one of .

[0232] The methods of the present disclosure may be implemented on a programmed processor. However, the controller, flow charts, and modules may also be implemented on a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit components, an integrated circuit, a hardware electronic or logic circuit (e.g., a discrete element circuit), a programmable logic device, etc. In general, any device having a finite state machine capable of implementing the flow charts shown in the figures may be used to implement the processing functions of the present disclosure.

[0233] Although the present disclosure has been described using specific embodiments thereof, it is apparent that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the various components of an embodiment may be interchanged, added, or replaced in other embodiments. In addition, not all elements shown in each figure are necessary for the operation of the disclosed embodiments. For example, a person skilled in the art of the disclosed embodiments will be able to make and use the teachings of the present disclosure by simply adopting the elements of the independent claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure as described herein are intended to be illustrative, not restrictive. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0234] In the present disclosure, for example, relational terms such as "first", "second" can only be used to distinguish an entity or action from another entity or action, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The term "comprises, comprising" or any other variant thereof is intended to encompass non-exclusive inclusions, so that the process, method, article or equipment comprising a series of elements not only comprise those elements, but also may comprise other elements that are not clearly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, articles or equipment. Without more constraints, elements starting with "one", "an" etc. do not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or equipment comprising the elements. In addition, the term "another" is defined as at least a second or more. As used herein, the terms "comprise", "have" etc. are defined as "comprising".

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE), comprising: transceiver; and a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to: Before the end of the positioning operation, transmitting assistance information for the positioning operation to a positioning server via the transceiver, wherein the assistance information includes at least one of available time information for the positioning operation or ephemeris information of a transmission and reception point TRP; and A configuration for the positioning operation is received from a base station BS via the transceiver.

2. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the available time information for the positioning operation includes at least one of the following: A feeder link switching time value of the cell or the TRP obtained from the BS; an out-of-service time value of the cell or the TRP obtained from the BS; a UE-specific out-of-service time value for the cell or the TRP determined by the UE; a remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information of the TRP determined by the UE; or The remaining validity duration of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position determined by the UE.

3. The UE according to claim 1 , wherein the ephemeris information of the TRP includes at least one of the following: The epoch time value of the ephemeris information; The validity duration of the ephemeris information; An identifier of the ephemeris information; or The format of the ephemeris information.

4. The UE of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to retrieve ephemeris information in response to one of: The end of the remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information of the serving cell of the UE is earlier than the last measurement window or the last reference signal resource used for the positioning operation; The end of the remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information of the serving cell of the UE is earlier than the measurement window or reference signal resources used for the positioning operation; or A time interval between two measurement windows or two reference signal resources used for the positioning operation is equal to or longer than a duration used to reacquire the ephemeris information.

5. The UE of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to reacquire a GNSS position in response to one of: The remaining validity duration of the GNSS position ends earlier than the last measurement window or the last reference signal resource used for the positioning operation; The end of the remaining validity duration of the GNSS position is earlier than a measurement window or reference signal resources used for the positioning operation; or A time interval between two measurement windows or two reference signal resources used for the positioning operation is equal to or longer than a duration for reacquiring the GNSS position.

6. A base station BS, comprising: transceiver; and a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to: Before the end of the positioning operation, transmitting assistance information for the positioning operation to a positioning server via the transceiver, wherein the assistance information includes at least one of available time information for the positioning operation or ephemeris information of a transmission and reception point TRP; and First information for the positioning operation is received from the positioning server via the transceiver.

7. The BS according to claim 6, wherein the first information used for the positioning operation indicates one of the following: a first time interval for UE positioning measurements; or Second time interval used for TRP positioning measurements.

8. The BS according to claim 7, wherein the configuration for the positioning operation indicates at least two measurement windows or at least two reference signal resources, In case of indicating the first time interval for UE positioning measurement, a time interval having a length equal to or longer than a length of the first time interval is included between two measurement windows in the at least two measurement windows or two reference signal resources of the at least two reference signal resources; or In the case of indicating the second time interval for TRP positioning measurement, a time interval having a length equal to or longer than a sum of a length of the second time interval and a maximum round trip time (RTT) value is included between two measurement windows of the at least two measurement windows, or between two reference signal resources of the at least two reference signal resources, wherein the RTT value is a round trip time value between the UE and the TRP associated with the BS or between the UE and the BS; The two measurement windows are two adjacent measurement windows, any two measurement windows, or two specific measurement windows; and the two reference signal resources are two adjacent reference signal resources in the time domain, any two reference signal resources, or two specific reference signal resources.

9. The BS according to claim 6, wherein the available time information for the positioning operation includes at least one of the following: Feeder link switching time value of the cell or TRP; an out-of-service time value of the cell or the TRP; a UE-specific out-of-service time value for the cell or the TRP obtained from the UE; a remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information of the TRP obtained from the UE; or The remaining validity duration of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position obtained from the UE.

10. The BS according to claim 6, wherein the ephemeris information of the TRP includes at least one of the following: The epoch time value of the ephemeris information; The validity duration of the ephemeris information; An identifier of the ephemeris information; or The format of the ephemeris information.

11. A positioning server comprising: transceiver; and a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to: Before the end of the positioning operation, receiving assistance information for the positioning operation from at least one of a base station BS or a user equipment UE via the transceiver; or transmitting first information for the positioning operation to the BS via the transceiver; and Determining to start the positioning operation; The assistance information includes at least one of available time information for the positioning operation or ephemeris information of the transmission and reception points TRP.

12. The positioning server according to claim 11, wherein the available time information for the positioning operation from the UE includes at least one of the following: A feeder link switching time value of the serving cell or the TRP obtained from the BS; an out-of-service time value of the serving cell or the TRP obtained from the BS; a UE-specific out-of-service time value for the serving cell or the TRP determined by the UE; a remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information of the TRP determined by the UE; or The remaining validity duration of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position determined by the UE.

13. The positioning server according to claim 11, wherein the available time information for the positioning operation from the BS includes at least one of the following: Feeder link switching time value of the serving cell or the transmitting and receiving point TRP; The out-of-service time value of the serving cell or the TRP; a UE-specific out-of-service time value of the serving cell or the TRP obtained from the UE; a remaining validity duration of the ephemeris information of the TRP obtained from the UE; or The remaining validity duration of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position obtained from the UE.

14. The positioning server according to claim 11, wherein the ephemeris information of the TRP includes at least one of the following: Feeder link switching time value of the serving cell or the transmitting and receiving point TRP; The out-of-service time value of the serving cell or the TRP; The epoch time value of the ephemeris information; The validity duration of the ephemeris information; An identifier of the ephemeris information; or The format of the ephemeris information.

15. The positioning server according to claim 11, wherein the first information used for the positioning operation indicates one of the following: A first time interval for UE positioning measurements, or a second time interval for TRP positioning measurements; At least two reference time values, wherein a reference time value of the at least two reference time values ​​indicates one of: a start time value of UE measurement, an end time value of UE measurement, a start time value of TRP measurement, or an end time value of TRP measurement; or The accuracy requirement for the positioning operation.

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