Method and apparatus for supporting positioning service of user equipment in RRC inactive state in wireless communication system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a 5G or 6G communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate. A method performed by an LMF (Location Management Function) entity in a wireless communication system includes identifying an active area associated with requested Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) configuration information for a User Equipment (UE), transmitting a first message including information on the active area to a first base station, and receiving, from the first base station, a second message including SRS configuration information associated with the active area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for supporting a positioning service in a user equipment (UE) in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state in the wireless communication system. Background Art

[0002] 5G mobile communications technology defines a wide frequency band to enable high transmission rates and new services. 5G mobile communications technology can be implemented not only in frequency bands "below 6 GHz," such as 3.5 GHz, but also in frequency bands "above 6 GHz," known as millimeter waves (mmWave), including 28 GHz and 39 GHz. Furthermore, to achieve transmission rates fifty times faster than 5G mobile communications technology and ultra-low latency one-tenth that of 5G mobile communications technology, 6G mobile communications technology (referred to as "beyond 5G systems") is being considered for implementation in the terahertz (THz) frequency band (e.g., the 95 GHz to 3 THz band).

[0003] In the early stages of 5G mobile communication technology development, in order to support services associated with enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC), and massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC) and meet the performance requirements associated therewith, standardization is underway on the following: beamforming and massive MIMO for mitigating radio wave path loss and increasing radio wave transmission range in millimeter waves, supporting parameter sets (numerologies) for efficient utilization of millimeter wave resources and dynamic operation of time slot formats (for example, operation of multiple subcarrier spacings), initial access technology supporting multi-beam transmission and broadband, definition and operation of BWP (bandwidth part), new channel coding methods such as LDPC (low-density parity check) codes for large-capacity data transmission and polar codes for highly reliable transmission of control information, L2 preprocessing, and network slicing for providing specialized networks tailored to specific services.

[0004] Currently, in view of the services to be supported by 5G mobile communication technologies, discussions are underway on improvements and performance enhancements to initial 5G mobile communication technologies, and there is already physical layer standardization on technologies such as V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) for assisting driving determination of autonomous vehicles based on information about the location and status of vehicles transmitted by vehicles and for enhancing user convenience, NR-U (New Radio Unlicensed) for system operation in unlicensed frequency bands that complies with various regulatory requirements, NR UE energy saving, Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) as UE-satellite direct communication for providing coverage in areas where communication with terrestrial networks is unavailable, and positioning.

[0005] Furthermore, in terms of air interface architecture / protocols, standardization is underway for technologies such as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), which supports new services through interoperability and integration with other industries; IAB (Integrated Access and Backhaul), which provides nodes for expanding network service areas by integrating wireless backhaul and access links; mobility enhancements including conditional handover and Dual Active Protocol Stack (DAPS) handover; and two-step random access (NR two-step RACH) for simplifying the random access procedure. In terms of system architecture / services, standardization is also underway for a 5G baseline architecture (e.g., a service-based architecture or service-based interface) that combines Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) technologies; and Mobile Edge Computing (MEC), which allows for receiving services based on the UE's location.

[0006] As 5G mobile communication systems are commercialized, the exponentially growing number of connected devices will be connected to the communication network, and it is expected that enhanced functionality and performance of 5G mobile communication systems and the integrated operation of connected devices will become necessary. To this end, new research is being planned related to: eXtended Reality (XR) for efficient support of AR (augmented reality), VR (virtual reality), MR (mixed reality), etc.; 5G performance improvements and complexity reduction through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML); AI service support; metaverse service support; and drone communications.

[0007] Furthermore, this development of 5G mobile communication systems will serve not only as a foundation for the development of new waveforms, multi-antenna transmission technologies (such as Full Dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, and massive antennas) for providing coverage in the terahertz band for 6G mobile communication technology, metamaterial-based lenses and antennas for improving coverage of terahertz band signals, high-dimensional spatial multiplexing technologies using OAM (orbital angular momentum), and RIS (Reconfigurable Smart Surfaces), but will also serve as a foundation for the development of full-duplex technologies for improving the frequency efficiency of 6G mobile communication technology and improving system networks, AI-based communication technologies for achieving system optimization by leveraging satellites and AI (artificial intelligence) from the design stage and internalizing end-to-end AI support functions, and next-generation distributed computing technologies for realizing services with complexity levels that exceed the operational capabilities of UEs by utilizing ultra-high-performance communication and computing resources.

[0008] The above information is presented as background information only to assist with understanding the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with respect to the present disclosure. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Solution

[0010] The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication network, and more particularly, to a terminal and a communication method thereof in a wireless communication system.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an operating method of a base station in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: receiving a request message for a positioning service from a location management function (LMF), sending configuration information of an uplink sounding reference signal (SRS) to a user equipment and the LMF based on the request message, performing measurement of an uplink SRS based on the SRS configuration information, and sending information including a measurement result of the uplink SRS to the LMF, and the user equipment is in an RRC inactive state.

[0012] Beneficial effects

[0013] Aspects of the present disclosure are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and / or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Therefore, one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an efficient communication method in a wireless communication system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent through the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 The structure of a wireless communication system for providing positioning services according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0016] Figure 2 A signal flow for providing a positioning service by using an uplink SRS transmitted by a user equipment in an RRC inactive state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0017] Figure 3 shows the operating sequence of the LMF according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 4A 1. The present invention illustrates an information element (IE) included in an NRPPa positioning information request message and a configuration of the NRPPa positioning information request message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 4B shows the IE included in the NRPPa positioning information request message and the configuration of the NRPPa positioning information request message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 4C shows the IE included in the NRPPa positioning information request message and the configuration of the NRPPa positioning information request message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 4D shows the IE included in the NRPPa positioning information request message and the configuration of the NRPPa positioning information request message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 4E shows the IE included in the NRPPa positioning information request message and the configuration of the NRPPa positioning information request message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 4F shows the IE included in the NRPPa positioning information request message and the configuration of the NRPPa positioning information request message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 5A 1. Shows the IE included in the NRPPa positioning information update message and the configuration of the NRPPa positioning information update message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 5B 1. Shows the IE included in the NRPPa positioning information update message and the configuration of the NRPPa positioning information update message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 6A1 shows an IE included in an NRPPa measurement request message and a configuration of the NRPPa measurement request message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 6B 1 shows an IE included in an NRPPa measurement request message and a configuration of the NRPPa measurement request message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 7 A signal flow for providing a positioning service by using an uplink SRS transmitted by a user equipment in an RRC inactive state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0029] Figure 8 A signal flow for providing a positioning service by using an uplink SRS transmitted by a user equipment in an RRC inactive state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0030] Figure 9 shows the operating sequence of the LMF according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 10 1. shows a message related to an NRPPa SRS preconfiguration request procedure and a configuration of an IE included in the message related to the NRPPa SRS preconfiguration request procedure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 11 A signal flow for providing a positioning service by using an uplink SRS transmitted by a user equipment in an RRC inactive state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0033] Figure 12 1. Shows messages related to an Xn SRS preconfiguration request procedure and configurations of IEs included in messages related to the Xn SRS preconfiguration request procedure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 13 1. The flow of signals in a case where a serving base station has released an uplink SRS configuration of a user equipment according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0035] Figure 14 1. The flow of signals in a case where a serving base station has released an uplink SRS configuration of a user equipment according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0036] Figure 15 shows the configuration of the NRPPa SRS pre-configuration release request message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 16shows an improved signal flow in a positioning activation process according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 17 shows the configuration of the NRPPa positioning information request message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 18 shows the configuration of the NRPPa positioning information response message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0040] Figure 19 shows the configuration of the NRPPa positioning information update message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 20 An improved signal flow in a signal process in which the LMF sends an NRPPa positioning activation request to the last serving base station in an RRC inactive state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0042] Figure 21A shows the configuration of the Xn retrieve UE context response message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0043] Figure 21B shows the configuration of the Xn retrieve UE context response message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 21C shows the configuration of the Xn retrieve UE context response message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0045] Figure 22 shows the internal structure of a base station according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0046] Figure 23 The configuration of a terminal according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Aspects of the present disclosure are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and / or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Therefore, one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a terminal in a wireless communication system and a communication method thereof.

[0048] The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for supporting a positioning service for a UE in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive state in a wireless communication system, and efficiently provides the service.

[0049] The technical problems to be solved in the present disclosure are not limited to the technical problems to be mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood from the following description by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs.

[0050] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an operating method of a base station in a wireless communication system may include: receiving a request message for a positioning service from a location management function (LMF), sending configuration information of an uplink sounding reference signal (SRS) to a user equipment and the LMF based on the request message, performing measurement of an uplink SRS based on the SRS configuration information, and sending information including a measurement result of the uplink SRS to the LMF, and the user equipment is in an RRC inactive state.

[0051] The present disclosure provides equipment and methods capable of efficiently providing services in a wireless communication system.

[0052] Before proceeding with the following detailed description, it may be helpful to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms "include" and "comprise," and their derivatives, mean including but not limited to; the term "or," is inclusive, meaning and / or; the phrases "associated with" and "associated therewith," and their derivatives, may mean including, included therein, interconnected with, housed therein, connected to or connected therewith, coupled to or coupled therewith, communicable with, cooperating with, interleaved with, juxtaposed with, proximate to, bound to or bound therewith, having, having the property of, and the like; the term "controller" means any device, system, or portion thereof that controls at least one operation, such device being implemented in hardware, firmware, or software, or some combination of at least two thereof. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely.

[0053] In addition, the various functions described below can be implemented or supported by one or more computer programs, each of which is formed of computer-readable program code and embodied in a computer-readable medium. The terms "application" and "program" refer to one or more computer programs, software components, instruction sets, procedures, functions, objects, classes, instances, related data, or portions thereof, suitable for implementation in appropriate computer-readable program code. The phrase "computer-readable program code" includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code, and executable code. The phrase "computer-readable medium" includes any type of medium that can be accessed by a computer, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), hard drives, compact discs (CDs), digital video discs (DVDs), or any other type of memory. "Non-transitory" computer-readable media does not include wired, wireless, optical, or other communication links that transmit transient electrical or other signals. Non-transitory computer-readable media includes media that can permanently store data and media that can store and later rewrite data, such as rewritable optical discs or erasable memory devices.

[0054] Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

[0055] Invention Mode

[0056] Discussed below Figures 1 to 23 The various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are illustrative only and should not be interpreted in any way as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure can be implemented in any suitably arranged system or equipment.

[0057] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0058] When describing the embodiments, descriptions related to well-known technical contents in the field to which the present disclosure belongs and not directly related to the present disclosure will be omitted. Such unnecessary descriptions are omitted in order to prevent the main idea of ​​the present disclosure from being obscured and to convey the main idea more clearly.

[0059] For the same reason, in the accompanying drawings, some elements may be exaggerated, omitted or schematically shown. In addition, the size of each element does not fully reflect the actual size. In the accompanying drawings, consistent reference numerals are provided to the same or corresponding elements.

[0060] The advantages and features of the present disclosure and the manner in which they are achieved will become apparent by reference to the embodiments described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments set forth below, but may be implemented in various different forms. The following embodiments are provided only to fully disclose the present disclosure and to inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is limited only by the scope of the appended claims. Throughout the specification, the same or similar reference numerals designate the same or similar elements. In addition, when describing the present disclosure, detailed descriptions of known functions or configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it is determined that the description may make the subject matter of the present disclosure unnecessarily unclear. The terms to be described below are terms defined in consideration of the functions in the present disclosure and may differ according to the user, the user's intention or custom. Therefore, the definition of terms should be based on the content in the entire specification.

[0061] The following detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure is mainly directed to the new radio (NR) as the radio access network and the packet core (5G system, 5G core network or next generation core (NG Core)) as the core network specified in the 5G mobile communication standard defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) as a mobile communication standardization group, but based on the determination of those skilled in the art, the main ideas of the present disclosure can be applied to other communication systems with similar backgrounds or channel types through some modifications without significantly departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0062] In the following description, for the sake of convenience, some terms and names defined in the 3GPP standards (standards for 5G, NR, LTE, or similar systems) will be used. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these terms and names and can be applied in the same manner to systems conforming to other standards.

[0063] In the following description, for the sake of convenience, terms used to identify access nodes, terms referring to network entities, terms referring to messages, terms referring to interfaces between network entities, terms referring to various identification information, etc. are illustratively used. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the terms used below, and other terms referring to subjects having equivalent technical meanings may be used.

[0064] In the following description, a base station is an entity that allocates resources to a terminal and can be at least one of a gNode B, an eNode B, a Node B, a base station (BS), a wireless access unit, a base station controller, and a node on a network. A terminal can include a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a cellular phone, a smartphone, a computer, or a multimedia system capable of performing communication functions. Of course, examples of base stations and terminals are not limited to these. In this disclosure, "downlink (DL)" refers to the radio link via which a base station transmits signals to a terminal, and "uplink (UL)" refers to the radio link via which a terminal transmits signals to a base station.

[0065] Here, it will be understood that each box shown in the flowchart and the combination of boxes shown in the flowchart can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine so that the instructions run by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device create a component for implementing the function specified in one or more flowchart boxes. These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-usable or computer-readable memory, which can guide the computer or other programmable device to operate in a specific manner so that the instructions stored in the computer-usable or computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including an instruction component that implements the function specified in one or more flowchart boxes. The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process so that the instructions running on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the function specified in one or more flowchart boxes.

[0066] In addition, each frame shown in the flow chart can represent a code module, code segment or code portion comprising one or more executable instructions for realizing a specified logical function. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions mentioned in the frame may not appear in order. For example, two frames shown in succession can actually be run substantially simultaneously, or these frames can sometimes be run in reverse order, depending on the functions involved.

[0067] As used in the embodiments of the present disclosure, a "unit" refers to a software element or hardware element that performs a predetermined function, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). However, a "unit" does not always have a meaning limited to software or hardware. A "unit" can be configured to be stored in an addressable storage medium or to run one or more processors. Therefore, a "unit" includes, for example, a software element, an object-oriented software element, a class element or a task element, a process, a function, a property, a procedure, a subroutine, a program code segment, a driver, firmware, microcode, a circuit, data, a database, a data structure, a table, an array, and a parameter. The elements and functions provided by a "unit" can be combined into a smaller number of elements or "units," or divided into a larger number of elements or "units." In addition, elements and "units" can be implemented as replicating one or more CPUs within an equipment or a secure multimedia card. In addition, according to some embodiments, a "unit" can include one or more processors.

[0068] Wireless communication systems are evolving toward broadband wireless communication systems that provide high-speed and high-quality packet data services as well as typical voice-based services using communication standards such as 3GPP's high-speed packet access (HSPA), LTE (Long Term Evolution or Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access, E-UTRA), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Pro, 3GPP2's high-rate packet data (HRPD), ultra-mobile broadband (UMB), and IEEE 802.16e.

[0069] As a typical example of a broadband wireless communication system, the LTE system adopts an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) scheme in the downlink (DL) and a single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) scheme in the uplink (UL). The uplink refers to the radio link through which a user equipment (UE) (or mobile station (MS)) transmits data or control signals to a base station (BS) (eNode B), and the downlink refers to the radio link through which a base station transmits data or control signals to a UE. This multiple access scheme can separate the data and control information of each user by allocating and operating the time-frequency resources used to transmit the data or control information of the corresponding user, thereby avoiding overlap with each other, that is, establishing orthogonality.

[0070] As a post-LTE communication system, 5G communication systems must freely reflect the diverse needs of users, service providers, and others, and therefore must support services that meet these needs. Services considered for 5G communication systems include enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) communication, massive machine-type communication (mMTC), and ultra-reliability low-latency communication (URLLC).

[0071] eMBB aims to provide higher data rates than those supported by existing LTE, LTE-a, or LTE Pro. For example, in a 5G communication system, eMBB must provide a peak data rate of 20 Gbps in the downlink and 10 Gbps in the uplink for a single base station. Furthermore, 5G communication systems must provide increased user-perceived data rates and maximum data rates to UEs. Meeting these requirements requires improved transmission / reception technologies, including further enhanced multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission technology. Furthermore, the data rates required by 5G communication systems can be achieved using bandwidths greater than 20 MHz in frequency bands between 3 and 6 GHz or above, rather than the 20 MHz transmission bandwidths used in LTE, which require signal transmission in the 2 GHz band.

[0072] In addition, mMTC is being considered to support application services such as the Internet of Things (IoT) in 5G communication systems. In order to effectively provide the IoT, mMTC has requirements such as supporting the connection of a large number of UEs in a cell, enhancing UE coverage, improving battery life, and reducing UE costs. Since the IoT provides communication functions while being provided to various sensors and various equipment, it must support a large number of UEs in a cell (for example, 1,000,000 UEs / km). 2 ). In addition, mMTC-enabled UEs may require wider coverage than other services provided by 5G communication systems because the UEs may be located in shadowed areas, such as basements of buildings, that are not covered by cells due to the nature of the service. mMTC-enabled UEs must be configured to be inexpensive and may require a long battery life because it is difficult to frequently replace the UE's battery.

[0073] Finally, URLLC, as a cellular-based mission-critical wireless communication service, can be used for remote control of robots or machines, industrial automation, unmanned aerial vehicles, telemedicine, emergency alerts, etc. Therefore, URLLC must provide communications with ultra-low latency and ultra-high reliability. For example, services supporting URLLC must meet an air interface latency of less than 0.5 ms and also require 10 -5 or lower data packet error rate. Therefore, for services supporting URLLC, the 5G system must provide a shorter transmission time interval (TTI) than other services and also requires a design that allocates a larger number of resources in the frequency band to ensure the reliability of the communication link. However, the above-mentioned mMTC, URLLC, and eMBB are only examples of different types of services, and the service types applicable to the present disclosure are not limited to the above examples.

[0074] The three 5G services (eMBB, URLLC, and mMTC) can be multiplexed and transmitted within a single system. To meet the diverse requirements of each service, different transmission / reception technologies and parameters can be used between services. Of course, 5G is not limited to the three services mentioned above.

[0075] In providing positioning services for user equipment (UE) in mobile communications, the disclosed embodiments provide a method for providing positioning services using an uplink sounding reference signal (SRS) transmitted by the UE even when the UE is in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state. This method allows the uplink sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration information received when the UE transitions to the RRC inactive state to be continuously used even when the cell in which the UE is located changes as the UE moves, and performs signaling. Furthermore, a method is provided for improving signaling procedures in a mobile communication network (or wireless communication network) related to positioning services for the UE in the RRC inactive state, and reducing the occurrence and delay of unnecessary signals. Hereinafter, the disclosed embodiments are applied to a 5G communication system (5G wireless communication system or 5G system). However, the disclosed embodiments are applicable not only to 5G systems but also to 4G or NR communication systems.

[0076] Figure 1 The structure of a mobile communication system (or wireless communication system) for providing a positioning service according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0077] refer to Figure 1 In a communication system architecture for providing positioning services, radio access network (RAN) nodes (e.g., base stations) 20 and 30 may be mobile communication base stations connected to a core network (CN) 70, such as a 5G core network (5GC), and may be mobile communication base stations directly connected to an access and mobility management function (AMF) 40 included in the 5GC. For example, RAN node 30 may be a NR gNB, etc. User equipment (UE) 10 may communicate with RAN node 20 (e.g., base station) of the cell in which UE 10 is located. Furthermore, neighboring RAN nodes 30 of the cell in which UE 10 is located may receive uplink signals (e.g., uplink SRS signals) transmitted by UE 10 for positioning purposes, and these uplink signals (e.g., uplink SRS signals) transmitted by UE 10 for positioning purposes may be used as information for positioning services. In this context, positioning services may refer to services for calculating the UE's location. The RAN nodes 20 and 30 may perform communication between RAN nodes by using an interface between base stations (eg, an Xn interface).

[0078] The Location Management Function (LMF) 50 is a function of the core network for providing positioning services for calculating the UE's location. It can be connected to the AMF 40 to communicate with the RAN nodes 20 and 30 and the UE 10 through the AMF and provide positioning services. The RAN nodes 20 and 30 and the core network's AMF 40 can communicate with each other using an interface between the RAN nodes and the core network (e.g., the NG interface). The AMF 40 can use positioning-related protocols (e.g., the NR Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa)) when communicating with the Location Management Function (LMF) 50 and the RAN nodes 30 and 40. Positioning-related protocol messages (e.g., NRPPa messages) can be included in and transmitted within messages of the interface (e.g., the NG interface) used for the connection between the RAN nodes 20 and 30 and the core network.

[0079] Figure 2 A signal flow for providing a positioning service by using an uplink SRS transmitted by a user equipment in an RRC inactive state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0080] refer to Figure 2 When providing positioning services using the uplink SRS of a user terminal in the RRC inactive state, the LMF can determine a valid area in which uplink SRS configuration information received when the user terminal transitions to the RRC inactive state can be continuously used even when the cell in which the user terminal is located changes as the user terminal moves, and the user terminal can transmit the information to a serving base station (e.g., a gNB or a transmission and reception point (TRP)). In addition, a method and signaling procedure for the serving base station of the user terminal to retransmit the uplink SRS configuration information to the user terminal can be described.

[0081] In operation 100, the LMF 50 may perform a process of receiving information about a TRP for positioning services from a base station (e.g., an NR gNB or an LTE eNB), and may send and / or receive messages required for the process of receiving TRP information for positioning services through the AMF 40.

[0082] In operation 111, the LMF 50 may request the positioning capability information of the terminal 10 through the LPP capability transfer procedure with the user equipment 10, and receive the positioning capability information from the user equipment. In operation 310, when the LMF 50 determines that the positioning service method using the uplink SRS is used in the user equipment 10 and starts the related procedure, the LMF 50 may determine the valid area related to the transmission of the uplink SRS.

[0083] In operation 320, the LMF 50 may transmit an NRPPa positioning information request message to the serving base station 20 of the user equipment through the AMF 40. The NRPPa positioning information request message may include at least one of the requested SRS transmission characteristic information and the UE report information as information for requesting the uplink SRS configuration to be used by the user equipment. In addition, the NRPPa positioning information request message may also include at least one of the requested SRS transmission characteristic-inactive information and the UE report information-inactive information as information for requesting the uplink SRS configuration to be used by the user equipment in the RRC inactive state, and if there is no additional information related to the RRC inactive state, the serving base station 20 may refer to at least one of the requested SRS transmission characteristic information and the UE report information to perform SRS configuration without distinguishing between the RRC connection state and the RRC inactive state. In addition, information about the valid area determined by the LMF 50 in operation 310 may be included in the NRPPa positioning information request message, and the message may be transmitted to the serving base station 20.

[0084] In operation 330, the serving base station 20, which has received the NRPPa positioning information request message from the LMF 50 in operation 320, may determine resources to be used by the user equipment 10 for uplink SRS (UL-SRS) transmission based on the information included in the NRPPa positioning information request message, and may transmit an RRC message including information related to uplink SRS transmission to the user equipment 10 in operation 340. In addition, in operation 350, the serving base station 20 may transmit the NRPPa positioning information request message including the uplink SRS configuration information transmitted to the LMF 50 through the AMF 40.

[0085] In operation 410, upon receiving the NRPPa positioning information request message transmitted from the serving base station 20, the LMF 50 may determine at least one of a base station, a cell, or a TRP 20 or 30 for monitoring the uplink SRS transmitted by the user equipment. As in operation 420, the LMF 50 may request the uplink SRS monitoring of the user equipment by transmitting the NRPPa measurement request message to each base station through the AMF 40. Although Figure 2Although not shown in FIG4 , if uplink SRS transmission is not configured as persistent transmission and is configured as semi-persistent SRS transmission or aperiodic SRS transmission, the LMF 50 may need to send an NRPPa positioning activation request message to the base station 2 and request activation of the SRS transmission of the user equipment. As in operation 440, the base stations 20 and 30 may monitor the uplink SRS based on the information included in the NRPPa measurement request message received in operation 420, and then transmit the monitoring result to the LMF 50 through the AMF 40 using an NRPPa measurement response message. For example, the information included in the NRPPa measurement response message may be used by the LMF 50 to calculate the location information of the user equipment.

[0086] As in operation 510, if the serving base station 20 determines to transition the corresponding user equipment 10 to the RRC inactive state, the serving base station may determine, in operation 520, resources to be used for uplink SRS (UL-SRS) transmission by the user equipment 10 in the RRC inactive state by using at least one of the SRS transmission characteristic information of the request from the LMF 50 and the UE report information required for the positioning service of the user equipment in the RRC inactive state.

[0087] In operation 530, the serving base station may transmit an RRC message including information related to uplink SRS transmission to user equipment 10. In this case, serving base station 20 may also transmit validity area information to the user equipment. In operation 320, serving base station 20 may again determine the validity area to be configured for the user equipment within the validity area transmitted from LMF 50. Alternatively, serving base station 20 may use the validity area transmitted from LMF 50 or configure the same validity area for the user equipment. When user equipment 10 moves to a cell (or base station) within the validity area while in the RRC inactive state, the user equipment may determine that the uplink SRS configuration information received in operation 530 is continuously valid and perform uplink SRS transmission.

[0088] In operation 540, the serving base station 20 may transmit an NRPPa positioning information update message including uplink SRS configuration information transmitted to the user equipment and valid area information configured for the user equipment to the LMF 50 through the AMF 40. The uplink SRS configuration information included in the message in operation 540 may be transmitted by including a distinguisher corresponding to the SRS configuration information used by the user equipment in the RRC inactive state or by including the SRS configuration information using a name different from the existing uplink SRS configuration information. In addition, if the message in operation 540 does not include the valid area information, the LMF 50 may determine that the serving base station 20 has transmitted the valid area transmitted to the serving base station in operation 320 to the user equipment 10 without change, and may further include an indicator for indicating whether the valid area has been used.

[0089] Upon receiving the NRPPa Positioning Information Update message from the serving base station 20, the LMF 50 may determine, in operation 610, the base station (or TRP) 20 or 30 for monitoring the uplink SRS transmitted by the user equipment. As in operation 620, the LMF 50 may transmit an NRPPa Measurement Request message to each base station via the AMF 40 to request uplink SRS monitoring by the user equipment. In this case, the LMF 50 may include validity area information in the NRPPa Measurement Request message to facilitate reception of the uplink SRS transmitted by the user equipment in each base station. Base stations 20 and 30 may monitor the uplink SRS based on the information included in the NRPPa Measurement Request message received in operation 620, and then transmit the monitoring results to the LMF 50 via the AMF 40 using an NRPPa Measurement Response message, as in operation 640. The information included in the NRPPa Measurement Response message may be used by the LMF 50 to calculate the user equipment's location information.

[0090] Figure 3 The operation sequence of the LMF according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0091] refer to Figure 3 , in operation 100, when a request related to a location information service of a user equipment is received, as in operation 200, the LMF (e.g., Figure 2 The LMF 50) can determine the positioning method required to calculate the location information of the user equipment. In operation 100, the LMF can receive at least one of a user equipment request, a request from another 5G core network entity, and a user equipment location information service request from an application server, etc.

[0092] In operation 300, the LMF may determine whether an uplink SRS (UL-SRS) is used.

[0093] In operation 350 , when the LMF determines to use a positioning method other than the method using the SRS (UL-SRS), the LMF may perform a process according to the positioning method selected as in operation 350 .

[0094] In operation 400, when the LMF determines to use a method using an uplink SRS (UL-SRS), the LMF may determine whether to use a valid region.

[0095] In operation 500, when the LMF determines to use a positioning method using an uplink SRS without using a valid area, the LMF may transmit a positioning information request message not including a valid area to a serving base station through the AMF.

[0096] In operation 510, the LMF may perform configuration for at least one of a base station, a cell, and a TRP for uplink SRS measurement and a related NRPPa measurement request procedure regardless of a valid area.

[0097] In operation 600, when it is determined to use a positioning method using an uplink SRS while using a valid area, the LMF may determine the valid area and transmit an NRPPa positioning information request message including the valid area to a serving base station.

[0098] In operation 610, the LMF receives at least one of an NRPPa positioning information response message and an NRPPa location information response message from a serving base station.

[0099] In operation 620, the LMF may identify whether the message received from operation 610 includes valid area information.

[0100] In operation 700, when the valid area is not included, the LMF may perform configuration of at least one of a base station, a cell, and a TRP for SRS measurement, and perform a related NRPPa measurement request process considering the valid area transmitted to the serving base station in operation 600.

[0101] In operation 800, when the valid area is included, the LMF may perform configuration of at least one of a base station, a cell, and a TRP for SRS measurement, and perform a related NRPPa measurement request procedure in consideration of the received valid area.

[0102] Figure 4A shows an information element (IE) included in an NRPPa positioning information request message and a configuration of the NRPPa positioning information request message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 4Bshows the IE included in the NRPPa positioning information request message and the configuration of the NRPPa positioning information request message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 4C shows the IE included in the NRPPa positioning information request message and the configuration of the NRPPa positioning information request message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 4D shows the IE included in the NRPPa positioning information request message and the configuration of the NRPPa positioning information request message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 4E shows the configuration of the IE included in the NRPPa positioning information request message and the NRPPa positioning information request message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, and Figure 4F IEs included in the NRPPa positioning information request message and the configuration of the NRPPa positioning information request message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.

[0103] refer to Figures 4A to 4F , which can be described in Figure 2 The NRPPa positioning information request message (eg, Figure 2 An example of the configuration of each IE included in the message in operation 320) and the NRPPa positioning information request message transmitted by the LMF to the base station through the AMF. Figures 4A to 4F The terms for IE included in are provided as examples only, and another name having the same function may also be used.

[0104] Figure 4A An example of the configuration of the NRPPa positioning information request message is shown, and in addition to the existing requested SRS transmission characteristics IE and UE report information IE, the NRPPa positioning information request message may also include information required for the configuration of transmitting uplink SRS by a user equipment in an RRC inactive state. In an embodiment, as Figure 4A As indicated by operations 200 and 300 of , information to be used in the RRC inactive state may be distinguished and transmitted like the requested SRS transmission characteristics-inactive IE and the UE reporting information-inactive IE. In addition, in an embodiment, the message may be configured so that in Figure 4A The information indicated in operations 200 and 300 is included in the existing Requested SRS Transmission Characteristics IE and UE Report Information IE. If the information to be used in the RRC inactive state is not distinguished and transmitted, the base station can use the Requested SRS Transmission Characteristics IE and UE Report Information IE information to determine the configuration for transmitting uplink SRS by the user equipment in the RRC inactive state.

[0105] The NRPPa positioning information request message may include valid area IE information indicating an area in which the user equipment can determine that the configuration information for transmitting uplink SRS by the user equipment in the RRC inactive state is valid and use the configuration information. The valid area can be determined and transmitted at the following levels. However, the method described below is provided as only one embodiment, and the valid area can be configured and transmitted according to other methods not described below.

[0106] 1. User device level:

[0107] - is included, as indicated in 300 of Figure 4a.

[0108] 2. For each SRS resource collection:

[0109] - is included Figure 4A The requested SRS transmission characteristics IE indicated in 100, and as Figure 4B The 130 indicated are included.

[0110] 3. For each SRS resource ID:

[0111] - is included Figure 4A The requested SRS transmission characteristics IE indicated in 100, and as Figure 4D The instructions in 210 are included in Figure 4B The spatial relationship information IE indicated in 110, or

[0112] - is included Figure 4A The requested SRS transmission characteristics IE indicated in 100, and as Figure 4E The instructions in 310 are included in Figure 4B The spatial relationship information IE of each SRS resource indicated in 120,

[0113] 4. For each positioning SRS resource ID:

[0114] - is included Figure 4A The requested SRS transmission characteristics IE indicated in 100, and as Figure 4D The 220 schools indicated are included in Figure 4B The spatial relationship information IE indicated in 110, or

[0115] - is included Figure 4A The requested SRS transmission characteristics IE indicated in 100, and as Figure 4E The 320 are indicated as being included in Figure 4B The spatial relationship information IE of each SRS resource indicated in 120.

[0116] The valid area may include cell information for which the uplink SRS configuration transmitted by the user equipment is determined to be valid and transmitted, and may be indicated as follows, regardless of the level at which the valid area is configured, and transmitted and used. However, the method described below is provided as only one embodiment, and the valid area may be indicated according to other methods not described below.

[0117] 1. Indicated by cell list:

[0118] -like Figure 4F As indicated by 410 , the valid area is indicated by a list of cell IDs.

[0119] 2. Indicated by RAN area ID list:

[0120] -like Figure 4F As indicated by 420 , the valid area is indicated by a list of RAN area IDs.

[0121] 3. Indicated by the tracking area ID list (or registration area ID list):

[0122] -like Figure 4F As indicated by 430 , the valid areas are indicated by a list of tracking area IDs (or registration area IDs).

[0123] Figure 5A shows the IE included in the NRPPa positioning information update message and the configuration of the NRPPa positioning information update message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, and Figure 5B IE included in the NRPPa positioning information update message and the configuration of the NRPPa positioning information update message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.

[0124] refer to Figure 5A and Figure 5B , can describe the NRPPa positioning information update message (e.g., Figure 2 An embodiment of the configuration of each IE included in the NRPPa positioning information update message transmitted by the base station to the LMF through the AMF) of operation 540. Figure 5A and 5B The terms for IE included in are provided as examples only, and another name having the same function may also be used.

[0125] Figure 5A and Figure 5B is an example of the configuration of the NRPPa positioning information update message, and in addition to the existing SRS configuration IE, the NRPPa positioning information update message may also include the following: Figure 5AUplink SRS configuration information used by the user equipment in the RRC inactive state as indicated by 100. If the SRS configuration information to be used in the RRC inactive state is not distinguished and transmitted, the base station may determine to use the SRS configuration information included in the existing SRS configuration IE regardless of the RRC state of the user equipment.

[0126] The NRPPa positioning information update message may include the valid area IE information configured by the base station for the user equipment. Even if the LMF has included the valid area information in the NRPPa positioning information request message and transmitted it in the previous process, if the base station does not include the validity IE information in the NRPPa positioning information update message, the LMF can determine that the valid area information transmitted through the NRPPa positioning information request message has been transmitted to the user equipment. If the valid area is included in the NRPPa positioning information update message, the base station can determine the valid area information configured for the user equipment according to the following level and transmit it to the LMF. However, the method described below is provided only as an embodiment, and the valid area may be configured and transmitted according to other methods not described below.

[0127] 1. User device level:

[0128] -like Figure 5A The 200 indicated are included.

[0129] 2. For each SRS resource:

[0130] -like Figure 5B The 110 instructions are included.

[0131] 3. For each located SRS resource:

[0132] -like Figure 5B 120 instructions are included.

[0133] 4. For each SRS resource collection:

[0134] -like Figure 5B 130 instructions are included.

[0135] 5. For each positioning SRS resource set:

[0136] -like Figure 5B 140 instructions are included.

[0137] 6. For each SRS carrier:

[0138] -like Figure 5B Of the 150 indicated are included.

[0139] like Figure 4FAs shown, the validity IE can be configured in the NRPPa location information update message.

[0140] Figure 6A shows the configuration of the IE included in the NRPPa measurement request message and the NRPPa measurement request message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, and Figure 6B IEs included in the NRPPa measurement request message and configurations of the NRPPa measurement request message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0141] refer to Figure 6A and Figure 6B , can describe the NRPPa measurement request message (e.g., Figure 2 An embodiment of the configuration of each IE included in the message of operation 620) and the NRPPa measurement request message transmitted by the LMF to the base station through the AMF. Figure 6A and Figure 6B The terms for IE included in are provided as examples only, and another name having the same function may also be used.

[0142] The NRPPa measurement request message may include the valid area IE information required for uplink SRS measurement of each base station. When the valid area is included in the NRPPa measurement request message, the LMF may determine the valid area information configured for the user equipment according to the following level and transmit it to the base station. However, the method described below is provided as only one embodiment, and the LMF may configure the valid area and transmit the valid area according to other methods not described below.

[0143] 1. User device level:

[0144] -like Figure 6B 300 instructions are included.

[0145] 2. For each TRP ID:

[0146] -like Figure 6A The 100 indicated are included.

[0147] 3. For each SRS resource:

[0148] - is included Figure 6B The SRS configuration IE indicated in 200, and as Figure 5B The indication in 110 is included in the SRS configuration IE.

[0149] 4. For each located SRS resource:

[0150] - is included Figure 6B The SRS configuration IE indicated in 200, and as Figure 5BThe information indicated in 120 is included in the SRS configuration IE.

[0151] 5. For each SRS resource collection:

[0152] - is included Figure 6B The SRS configuration IE indicated in 200, and as Figure 5B The information indicated in 130 is included in the SRS configuration IE.

[0153] 6. For each positioning SRS resource set:

[0154] - is included Figure 6B The SRS configuration IE indicated in 200, and as Figure 5B The indication in 140 is included in the SRS configuration IE.

[0155] 7. For each SRS carrier:

[0156] - is included Figure 6B The SRS configuration IE indicated in 200, and as Figure 5B The information indicated in 150 is included in the SRS configuration IE.

[0157] Figure 7 A signal flow for providing a positioning service by using an uplink SRS transmitted by a user equipment in an RRC inactive state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0158] refer to Figure 7 , a method and signaling process can be described in which, when providing positioning services using the uplink SRS of a user equipment in an RRC inactive state, a serving base station can determine a valid area in which uplink SRS configuration information received when the user equipment transitions to the RRC inactive state can be continuously used even when the cell in which the terminal is located changes as the user equipment moves, and transmit it to the user equipment and the LMF.

[0159] In operation 100, the LMF 50 may perform a process of receiving information about a TRP for positioning services from base stations 20 and 30 (e.g., NR gNB or LTE eNB), and may send and / or receive messages required for the process of receiving information about a TRP for positioning services through the AMF 40.

[0160] In operation 200, the LMF 50 may request positioning capability information of the user equipment 10 through an LPP capability transfer procedure with the user equipment 10, and may receive the positioning capability information from the user equipment. In operation 310, when the LMF 50 determines that the user equipment 10 uses a positioning service method utilizing an uplink SRS and initiates the relevant procedure, the LMF 50 may transmit an NRPPa positioning information request message to the user equipment's serving base station 20 via the AMF 40. The NRPPa positioning information request message may include at least one of requested SRS transmission characteristics information and UE report information as information for requesting an uplink SRS configuration to be used by the user equipment. The NRPPa positioning information request message may also include at least one of requested SRS transmission characteristics-inactive information and UE report information-inactive information as information for requesting an uplink SRS configuration to be used by the user equipment in the RRC inactive state. If there is no additional information related to the RRC inactive state, the serving base station 20 may refer to at least one of the requested SRS transmission characteristics information and the UE report information to perform SRS configuration without distinguishing between the RRC connected state and the RRC inactive state. For example, you can refer to Figures 4A to 4F To configure Figure 7 The configuration of the message used in operation 310.

[0161] In operation 320, the serving base station 20, which has received the NRPPa positioning information request message from the LMF 50 in operation 310, may determine resources to be used for uplink SRS (UL-SRS) transmission by the user equipment 10 based on the information included in the NRPPa positioning information request message, and transmit an RRC message including information related to uplink SRS transmission to the user equipment 10 in operation 330. In addition, in operation 340, the serving base station 20 may transmit the NRPPa positioning information request message including uplink SRS configuration information transmitted to the user equipment to the LMF 50 through the AMF 40.

[0162] In operation 410, upon receiving the NRPPa positioning information response message from the serving base station 20, the LMF 50 may determine at least one of the base station, cell, or TRP 20 or 30 for monitoring the uplink SRS transmitted by the user equipment, and may request the uplink SRS monitoring of the user equipment by transmitting the NRPPa measurement request message to each base station through the AMF 40 as in operation 420. Although Figure 7Although not shown in FIG, if uplink SRS transmission is not configured as persistent transmission and is configured as semi-persistent SRS transmission or aperiodic SRS transmission, the LMF 50 may need to send an NRPPa positioning activation request message to the base station 2 and request activation of the SRS transmission of the user equipment. As in operation 440, the base stations 20 and 30 may monitor the uplink SRS based on the information included in the NRPPa measurement request message received in operation 420, and then transmit the monitoring result to the LMF 50 through the AMF 40 using an NRPPa measurement response message. The information included in the NRPPa measurement response message can be used by the LMF 50 to calculate the location information of the user equipment.

[0163] As in operation 510, if the serving base station 20 determines to transition the corresponding user equipment 10 to the RRC inactive state, the serving base station 20 may determine resources to be used for uplink SRS (UL-SRS) transmission by the user equipment 10 in the RRC inactive state by using at least one of the requested SRS transmission characteristic information required for the positioning service of the user equipment in the RRC inactive state and the UE report information in operation 520. In addition, the serving base station 20 may determine a valid area related to the uplink SRS transmission.

[0164] In operation 530, the serving base station 20 may transmit an RRC message including information related to uplink SRS transmission to the user equipment 10. In this case, the serving base station 20 may also transmit validity area information to the user equipment. When the user equipment 10 moves to a cell (or base station) within the validity area while in the RRC inactive state, the user equipment 10 may determine that the uplink SRS configuration information received in operation 530 is continuously valid and perform uplink SRS transmission.

[0165] In operation 540, the serving base station 20 may transmit an NRPPa positioning information update message including uplink SRS configuration information transmitted to the user equipment and valid area information configured for the user equipment to the LMF 50 through the AMF 40. The uplink SRS configuration information included in the message in operation 540 may be transmitted by including a distinguisher corresponding to the SRS configuration information used by the user equipment in the RRC inactive state or by including the SRS configuration information using a name different from the existing uplink SRS configuration information. Figure 5A and Figure 5B To configure Figure 7 An embodiment of a configuration of a message used in operation 540.

[0166] In the above embodiments (for example, Figure 7In operation 100 to operation 540 of FIG, the serving base station 20 is described as a basic process in which the serving base station 20 determines the valid area in operation 520 and the serving base station 20 transmits the NRPPa positioning information update message to the LMF 50 through the AMF 40 by including the valid area information in operation 540, but the serving base station 20 may determine the valid area in operation 520. Figure 7 In operation 340, the serving base station 20 includes the valid area information in the NRPPa positioning information response message and sends it to the LMF 50 through the AMF 40. If the serving base station 20 includes the valid area information in the NRPPa positioning information response message and sends it to the LMF 50 through the AMF 40, the serving base station 20 can determine the valid area information before operation 340, and can also transmit the valid area information to the user equipment in advance in operation 330. In addition, when the serving base station 20 has already transmitted the valid area information to the user equipment 10 and the LMF 50 in operations 330 and 340, the valid area information can be omitted from the RRCRelease message transmitted by the serving base station 20 to the user equipment 10 in operation 530, and the NRPPa positioning information update message transmitted to the LMF 50 in operation 540 can be transmitted without omitting the valid area information. If the NRPPa positioning information response message includes the valid area in operation 340, the serving base station 20 may include the valid area IE information, and transmit it in the same manner as Figure 5A and 5B The NRPPa positioning information update message is configured using the same or similar method as the method of adding the valid area to the NRPPa positioning information update message included in .

[0167] When the NRPPa positioning information update message is received from the serving base station 20, the LMF 50 may determine the base station (or TRP) 20 or 30 for monitoring the uplink SRS transmitted by the user equipment in operation 610, and may request uplink SRS monitoring of the user equipment by sending an NRPPa measurement request message to each base station through the AMF 40 as in operation 620. In this case, valid area information may be included in the NRPPa measurement request message to assist in the reception of the uplink SRS transmitted by the user equipment in each base station. The base stations 20 and 30 may monitor the uplink SRS based on the information included in the NRPPa measurement request message received in operation 620, and then transmit the monitoring result to the LMF 50 through the AMF 40 by using the NRPPa measurement response message as in operation 640. The information included in the NRPPa measurement response message may be used to calculate the location information of the user equipment by the LMF 50. Reference may be made to Figures 6A to 6B Configured in Figure 7 An embodiment of a configuration of a message used in operation 620.

[0168] Figure 8 A signal flow for providing a positioning service by using an uplink SRS transmitted by a user equipment in an RRC inactive state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0169] refer to Figure 8 When providing positioning services using uplink SRSs transmitted by a terminal in an RRC inactive state, a method and signaling procedure for determining a valid area in which uplink SRS configuration information received when the user equipment transitions to the RRC inactive state can be continuously used even when the cell in which the user equipment is located changes as the user equipment moves. When the base station receives an uplink signal from another terminal, the SRS signal transmitted by the user equipment may be an interference signal. Therefore, a method and signaling procedure for determining candidate base stations and / or cells in which an LMF may be a valid area, transmitting uplink SRS configuration information received from a serving base station to the corresponding base station, and then receiving a response as to whether the information can be used to determine the valid area are described. The LMF may determine candidate base stations and / or cells for the valid area based on at least one of the user equipment's location, serving base station / cell information, requested SRS transmission characteristics to be used by the user equipment in the RRC inactive state, or uplink SRS configuration information. The LMF may finally determine the valid area after transmitting the uplink SRS configuration information to the candidate base stations in the valid area and responding as to whether the information can be used. After the LMF transmits the valid area information to the serving base station, the LMF may transmit the valid area information when the serving base station transmits the uplink SRS configuration to the user equipment.

[0170] Operations 100 to 440 may follow Figure 7 Operation 100 to operation 440.

[0171] As in operation 510, when the serving base station 20 determines to transition the corresponding terminal 10 to the RRC inactive state, in operation 520, the serving base station 20 may determine resources to be used for uplink SRS (UL-SRS) transmission by the user equipment 10 in the RRC inactive state by using at least one of the SRS transmission characteristic information of the request from the LMF 50 and the UE report information required for the positioning service of the user equipment in the RRC inactive state.

[0172] In operation 530, the serving base station 20 may include the uplink SRS configuration information transmitted to the user equipment in the NRPPa positioning information update message and transmit it to the LMF 50 through the AMF 40. In operation 530, the uplink SRS configuration information included in the NRPPa positioning information update message may include a distinguisher corresponding to the SRS configuration information used by the user equipment in the RRC inactive state, or include the SRS configuration information by using a name different from the existing uplink SRS configuration information. Figure 5A and 5B To configure Figure 8 An embodiment of a configuration of a message used in operation 540.

[0173] In operation 610, when the LMF 50 receives the NRPPa positioning information update message from the serving base station 20, the LMF 50 may determine a candidate valid area related to uplink SRS transmission. As in operation 620, the LMF 50 may transmit an NRPPa SRS preconfiguration request message to each base station included in the candidate valid area through the AMF 40. The LMF 50 may transmit the uplink SRS configuration information received from the serving base station 20 to the base station, and then inquire whether the information can be used, and may receive from the base station an NRPPa SRS preconfiguration response message indicating that the information can be used as in operation 630 or an NRPPa SRS preconfiguration rejection message indicating that the information cannot be used in the corresponding base station as in operation 635. As in operation 640, the LMF 50 may determine the valid area based on the messages received from the base station in operations 630 and 635, and may transmit the NRPPa positioning information update message to transmit the determined valid area information to the serving base station. In operation 640, the LMF 50 may allow the NRPPa positioning information update message to be transmitted to the serving base station 20, or may define a new NRPPa message and use the NRPPa message when transmitting the valid area information.

[0174] In the above embodiments (for example, Figure 8 In operation 100 to operation 640 of FIG5 , the LMF 50 determines a candidate valid area in operation 610, and the LMF 50 transmits an NRPPa SRS pre-configuration request message to the serving base station 20 through the AMF 40 by including uplink SRS configuration information in operation 620, and then transmits the determined valid area information to the serving base station 20 based on the response message in operation 640 as a basic process. However, Figure 8After operation 340, the LMF 50 may determine a candidate valid area, and the LMF 50 may perform a process from operation 610 to operation 640 after operation 340, in which the LMF 50 transmits the NRPPa SRS pre-configuration request message to the serving base station 20 through the AMF 40 including uplink SRS configuration information.

[0175] In operation 650, the serving base station 20, which has received the NRPPa positioning information update message including the valid area information from the LMF 50 through the AMF 40 in operation 640, may transmit an RRC message including information related to uplink SRS transmission to the user equipment 10. In this case, the serving base station 20 may transmit the valid area information to the user equipment. When the user equipment 10 moves to at least one of a cell and a base station within the valid area in the RRC inactive state, the user equipment may determine that the uplink SRS transmission configuration information received in operation 650 is continuously valid and perform uplink SRS transmission.

[0176] In operation 710, the LMF determines the base station / cell / TRP 20 or 30 for monitoring the uplink SRS transmitted by the user equipment, and as in operation 720, transmits an NRPPa measurement request message to each base station through the AMF 40 to request uplink SRS monitoring of the user equipment. If the uplink SRS transmission is not configured as persistent transmission and is configured as semi-persistent SRS transmission or aperiodic SRS transmission, the LMF 50 may need to send an NRPPa positioning activation request message to the serving base station 20 and request activation of the SRS transmission of the user equipment, but in this embodiment, this process can be omitted. In operation 720, the base stations 20 and 30 can monitor the uplink SRS based on the information included in the received NRPPa measurement request message, and then transmit the monitoring results to the LMF 50 through the AMF 40 by using an NRPPa measurement response message as in operation 740. The information included in the NRPPa measurement response message can be used by the LMF 50 to calculate the location information of the user equipment.

[0177] Figure 9 The operation sequence of the LMF according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0178] refer to Figure 9 , can be described according to Figure 8 In operation 100, the LMF may receive an NRPPa positioning information response message or an NRPPa positioning information update message including uplink SRS configuration information used by a user equipment in an RRC inactive state from a serving base station.

[0179] In operation 200, the LMF may determine candidate base stations and / or cells of a valid area based on the location of the user equipment (e.g., serving base station (or cell) information, requested SRS transmission characteristics to be used by the user equipment in an RRC inactive state, or uplink SRS configuration information).

[0180] In operation 300, the LMF may transmit an NRPPa SRS preconfiguration request message including uplink SRS configuration information to be used by a user equipment in an RRC inactive state to a base station included in a candidate validity area.

[0181] In operation 400, the LMF may receive at least one of an NRPPa SRS preconfiguration confirm and an NRPPa SRS preconfiguration reject message from a base station included in the candidate valid area, and determine the valid area based on information included in the received message.

[0182] In operation 500, the LMF may transmit a positioning information update message including the determined valid area information to a serving base station.

[0183] Figure 10 Messages related to an NRPPa SRS preconfiguration request procedure and configurations of IEs included in the messages related to the NRPPa SRS preconfiguration request procedure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0184] refer to Figure 10 , messages related to the NRPPa SRS pre-configuration request procedure transmitted by the LMF to the base station via the AMF (e.g., Figure 8 An embodiment of the configuration of each IE included in the message of operations 620, 630 and 635) and the NRPPa SRS preconfiguration request process related. Figure 10 The terms of messages and IEs included in are taken as examples, and other names having the same functions may be used.

[0185] Figure 10 Part (a) of the embodiment of the configuration of the NRPPa SRS pre-configuration request message may include a message type IE for distinguishing between an existing NRPPa message and an identical and similar NRPPa message and an NRPPa transaction ID IE for distinguishing between NRPPa processes. In addition, SRS configuration IE information may be included so that the LMF inquires after the base station whether the uplink SRS configuration information received from the serving base station is available. An example of the configuration of the SRS configuration IE may follow Figure 5B An example of a configuration of messages included in , but may not include Figure 5BThe valid area IE included in.

[0186] Figure 10 Part (b) shows an example of the configuration of the NRPPa SRS preconfiguration response message. The NRPPa SRS preconfiguration response message may include a message type IE for distinguishing between an existing NRPPa message and an identical or similar NRPPa message, an NRPPa transaction ID for distinguishing between NRPPa procedures, and a criticality diagnosis IE for criticality processing during the NRPPa SRS preconfiguration request procedure. In addition, the NRPPa SRS preconfiguration response message may also include uplink SRS configuration information that can be used for the base station. An example of the configuration of the SRS configuration IE may follow Figure 5B An example of a configuration of messages included in , but may not include Figure 5B The valid area IE included in.

[0187] Figure 10 Part (c) shows an example of the configuration of an NRPPa SRS preconfiguration reject message. The NRPPa SRS preconfiguration reject message may include a message type IE for distinguishing between existing NRPPa messages and similar NRPPa messages, an NRPPa transaction ID IE for distinguishing between NRPPa procedures, and a criticality diagnosis IE for criticality processing during the NRPPa SRS preconfiguration request procedure. In addition, the NRPPa SRS preconfiguration reject message may also include a reason IE containing the reason why uplink SRS configuration is not available for the base station.

[0188] Figure 11 A signal flow for providing a positioning service by using an uplink SRS transmitted by a user equipment in an RRC inactive state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0189] refer to Figure 11 , when providing a positioning service using an uplink SRS sent by a user equipment in an RRC inactive state, when determining a valid area in which uplink SRS configuration information received when the user equipment transitions to the RRC inactive state can be continuously used even when the cell in which the user equipment is located changes as the user equipment moves, when the base station receives an uplink signal from another terminal, the SRS signal sent by the user equipment may be an interference signal, and thus a method and a signaling process for determining candidate base stations and / or cells in which an LMF may be a valid area, transmitting the uplink SRS configuration information received from a serving base station to a corresponding base station, and then receiving a response as to whether the information can be used to determine the valid area can be described.

[0190] The serving base station 20 may determine candidate base stations and / or cells for the validity area based on the location of the user equipment (e.g., serving base station or cell information, requested SRS transmission characteristics to be used by the user equipment in the RRC inactive state, or uplink SRS configuration information). The serving base station 20 may finally determine the validity area after transmitting the uplink SRS configuration information to the candidate base stations in the validity area and responding whether the information can be used. The serving base station 20 may transmit the validity area information when transmitting the uplink SRS configuration to the user equipment 10 and the LMF 50.

[0191] Operations 100 to 440 may follow Figure 7 The process of operation 100 to operation 440 is as follows.

[0192] As in operation 510, when the serving station 20 determines to transition the corresponding user equipment 10 to the RRC inactive state, in operation 520, the serving base station 20 may determine a candidate valid area and resources to be used for uplink SRS (UL-SRS) transmission of the user equipment 10 in the RRC inactive state by using at least one of the requested SRS transmission characteristic information required for the positioning service in the RRC inactive state and the UE report information received from the LMF 50.

[0193] In operation 530, the serving base station 20 may send an Xn SRS preconfiguration request message to each base station included in the candidate valid area, as in operation 530, and may transfer uplink SRS configuration information to the base station and then inquire whether the information can be used.

[0194] As in operation 540, the serving base station 20 may receive an Xn SRS pre-configuration response message from each of the base stations indicating that the uplink SRS configuration information can be used. Alternatively, as in operation 545, the serving base station 20 may receive an Xn SRS pre-configuration rejection message from each of the base stations indicating that the information is not available for the corresponding base station. The serving base station 20 may determine a valid area based on the messages received from the base stations in operations 540 and 545, and may transmit an RRC message including the uplink SRS transmission configuration information and the valid area information to the user equipment 10 in operation 560.

[0195] As in operation 570, the serving base station 20 may transmit an NRPPa positioning information update message including uplink SRS transmission configuration information and valid area information to the LMF 50 through the AMF 40. In operation 610, the LMF 50 having received the NRPPa positioning information update message may determine at least one 20 or 30 of a base station, a cell, or a TRP for monitoring the uplink SRS transmitted by the user equipment, and may transmit an NRPPa measurement request message to each base station through the AMF 40 to request uplink SRS monitoring of the user equipment, as in operation 620. However, although Figure 11 Although not shown in the figure, if the uplink SRS transmission is not configured as persistent transmission and is configured as semi-persistent SRS transmission or aperiodic SRS transmission, the LMF 50 may need to send an NRPPa positioning activation request message to the serving base station 20 and request activation of the SRS transmission of the user equipment. The base stations 20 and 30 may monitor the uplink SRS based on the information included in the NRPPa measurement request message received in operation 620, and then transmit the monitoring result to the LMF 50 through the AMF 40 by using the NRPPa measurement response message as in operation 540. The information included in the NRPPa measurement response can be used by the LMF 50 to calculate the position of the user equipment.

[0196] Figure 12 Messages related to an Xn SRS preconfiguration request procedure and configurations of IEs included in the messages related to the Xn SRS preconfiguration request procedure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0197] refer to Figure 12 , and messages related to the Xn SRS pre-configuration request process transmitted by the serving base station 20 to another base station (eg, Figure 11 An embodiment of the configuration of each IE included in the message of operations 530, 540 and 545) and the related Xn SRS pre-configuration request process. Figure 12 The terms of messages and IEs included in are taken as examples, and other names having the same functions may be used.

[0198] Figure 12 Part (a) of FIGURE 1 shows an embodiment of the configuration of an Xn SRS pre-configuration request message. The Xn SRS pre-configuration request message may include a message type IE for distinguishing between Xn messages and a transaction ID IE for distinguishing between positioning-related procedures in the Xn process. In addition, the Xn SRS pre-configuration request message may include SRS configuration IE information to allow the serving base station to inquire whether uplink SRS configuration information is available after other base stations. An example of the configuration of the SRS configuration IE may follow Figure 5BAn example of a configuration of messages included in , but may not include Figure 5B The valid area IE included in.

[0199] Figure 12 Part (b) shows an example of the configuration of the Xn SRS preconfiguration response message. The Xn SRS preconfiguration response message may include a message type IE for distinguishing between Xn messages, a transaction ID for distinguishing between positioning-related procedures in the Xn process, and a criticality diagnosis IE for criticality processing during the SRS preconfiguration request process. In addition, the Xn SRS preconfiguration response message may also include uplink SRS configuration information that can be used by the base station. An example of the configuration of the SRS configuration IE may follow Figure 5B An example of a configuration of messages included in , but may not include Figure 5B The valid area IE included in.

[0200] Figure 12 Part (c) shows an example of the configuration of the Xn SRS preconfiguration reject message. The Xn SRS preconfiguration reject message may include a message type IE for distinguishing between Xn messages, a transaction ID IE for distinguishing between positioning-related procedures in the Xn procedure, and a criticality diagnosis IE for criticality processing during the Xn SRS preconfiguration request procedure, and may also include a reason IE including the reason why uplink SRS configuration is not available for the base station.

[0201] Figure 13 A signal flow is shown in a case where a serving base station has released an uplink SRS configuration of a user equipment according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0202] refer to Figure 13 , a process in which the LMF 50 notifies the base stations included in the valid area that the use of the uplink SRS configuration has been released when the serving base station 20 has released the uplink SRS configuration of the user equipment 10 may be described. Specifically, a process in which the serving base station 20 notifies the LMF 50 that the uplink SRS configuration has been released, and then the LMF 50 notifies the base stations included in the valid area that the use of the uplink SRS configuration has been released may be described.

[0203] In operation 100, uplink SRS configuration information for the user equipment 10 may be transmitted to the user equipment 10 and the base station 30 in the valid area. In operation 100, the uplink SRS configuration information for the user equipment 10 may have been used or may not have been used.

[0204] As in operation 210, when the serving base station 20 releases the uplink SRS configuration for the user equipment 10, the serving base station 20 may send an NRPPa positioning information update message to the LMF 50 through the AMF 40 to notify the release and change of the uplink SRS configuration of the user equipment 10. Figure 13 Although it is explicitly shown in FIG, if necessary, the serving base station 20 can indicate the release and change of the uplink SRS configuration by using an RRCReconfiguration message or an RRCRelease message.

[0205] In operation 220, the serving base station 20 may recognize that the uplink SRS configuration of the user equipment 10 has been released based on information included in the NRPPa positioning information update message.

[0206] As in operation 230, the LMF 50 may send an NRPPa SRS preconfiguration release indication message to the base station 30 that has inquired the user equipment 10 or the base station 30 whether the uplink SRS configuration can be used in the valid area to notify that the uplink SRS configuration of the user equipment 10 has been released.

[0207] Figure 14 A signal flow is shown in a case where a serving base station has released an uplink SRS configuration of a user equipment according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0208] refer to Figure 14 , when the serving base station 20 has released the uplink SRS configuration of the user equipment, a process of notifying the base stations included in the valid area that the use of the uplink SRS configuration has been released may be described. Specifically, the process may include the serving base station 20 notifying the base stations included in the valid area that the use of the uplink SRS configuration has been released.

[0209] In operation 100, uplink SRS configuration information for the user equipment 10 may be transmitted to the user equipment 10 and the base station 30 in the valid area. In operation 100, the uplink SRS configuration information for the user equipment 10 may have been used or may not have been used.

[0210] As in operation 210 , the serving base station 20 may release the uplink SRS configuration for the user equipment 10 .

[0211] As in operation 220, the serving base station 20 may send an Xn SRS pre-configuration release indication message to the base station 30 that has inquired about whether the uplink SRS configuration of the user equipment 10 or the base station 30 can be used in the valid area to notify that the uplink SRS configuration of the user equipment 10 has been released.

[0212] As in operation 230, the serving base station 20 may send an NRPPa positioning information update message to the LMF 50 through the AMF 40 to notify the release and change of the uplink SRS configuration of the user equipment 10. Figure 14 Although it is explicitly shown in FIG, if necessary, the serving base station 20 can indicate the release and change of the uplink SRS configuration by using an RRCReconfiguration message or an RRCRelease message.

[0213] Figure 15 The configuration of the NRPPa SRS pre-configuration release request message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0214] refer to Figure 15 , may describe the NRPPa SRS pre-configuration release request message (e.g., Figure 13 message of operation 230) and an Xn SRS preconfiguration release request message (eg, Figure 14 An embodiment of the configuration of the operation 220 message). Figure 15 The terms of messages and IEs included in the description are provided as examples only, and other names having the same functions may also be used.

[0215] Figure 15 Part (A) of FIGURE 1 shows an example of a configuration of an NRPPa SRS preconfiguration release request message. The NRPPa SRS preconfiguration release request message may include a message type IE for distinguishing between an existing NRPPa message and a similar NRPPa message, and an NRPPa transaction ID IE for distinguishing between NRPPa procedures. In addition, the NRPPa SRS preconfiguration release request message may further include SRS configuration IE information for notifying the release of uplink SRS configuration information to be released. An example of the configuration of the released SRS configuration IE may follow Figure 5B An example of a configuration of messages included in , but may not include Figure 5B In addition, when the released SRS configuration IE is not included, information related to all uplink SRS configurations requested from the corresponding serving base station may be released.

[0216] Figure 15Part (B) shows an example of the configuration of the Xn SRS pre-configuration release request message. The Xn SRS pre-configuration release request message may include a message type IE for distinguishing an Xn message and a transaction ID IE for distinguishing a positioning-related procedure in an Xn procedure. In addition, the Xn SRS pre-configuration release request message may also include SRS configuration IE information for notifying the release of the uplink SRS configuration information to be released. An example of the configuration of the released SRS configuration IE may follow Figure 5B An example of a configuration of messages included in , but may not include Figure 5B In addition, when the released SRS configuration IE is not included, information related to all uplink SRS configurations requested from the corresponding serving base station can be released.

[0217] Figure 16 An improved signal flow in a positioning activation process according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0218] refer to Figure 16 , a method for improving an inefficient signaling process associated with a positioning activation process in an RRC inactive state of a user equipment may be described. In the existing method, when a user equipment maintains a serving cell in an RRC inactive state and starts positioning based on an uplink SRS of the user equipment, the serving base station may need to wait for a predetermined time until an NRPPa positioning activation request message is received from the LMF before sending an RRCRelease message including SRS configuration information to the user equipment. Figure 16 In an embodiment of the present invention, a method for simplifying a positioning activation procedure performed by a user equipment in an RRC inactive state by adding information related to positioning activation or deactivation during an NRPPa positioning information procedure may be described.

[0219] In operation 100, the LMF 50 may perform a process of receiving information about a TRP for positioning services from base stations 20 and 30 (e.g., NR gNB or LTE eNB), and may send and / or receive messages required for the process of receiving information about a TRP for positioning services through the AMF 40.

[0220] In operation 200, the LMF 50 may request the positioning capability information of the user equipment 10 through the LPP capability transfer procedure with the user equipment 10, and may receive the positioning capability information from the user equipment 10. In operation 310, when the LMF 50 determines that the positioning service method using the uplink SRS is used in the user equipment 10 and starts the relevant procedure, the LMF 50 may send an NRPPa positioning information request message to the serving base station 20 of the user equipment. The NRPPa positioning information request message may include at least one of requested SRS transmission characteristic information and UE report information as information for requesting an uplink SRS configuration to be used by the user equipment. The requested SRS transmission characteristic information may include information for requesting an uplink SRS configuration for semi-persistent or aperiodic use.

[0221] In addition, when the LMF 50 determines to request activation based on the information for requesting the uplink SRS configuration for semi-persistent or aperiodic use, the LMF 50 may include an activation request for the UL SRS transmission information in the NRPPa positioning information request message. In the existing operation, the LMF 50 is allowed to request activation of the required uplink SRS configuration from the serving base station 20 based on the uplink SRS configuration information allocated by the serving base station 20, but for the efficiency of the positioning activation process, the LMF 50 may transmit the message by including positioning activation related information for requesting the uplink SRS configuration operation and associating it with the SRS transmission characteristic information of the request for requesting the uplink SRS configuration.

[0222] In operation 320 , the serving base station 20 , which has received the NRPPa positioning information request message from the LMF 50 , may determine resources to be used by the user equipment 10 for uplink SRS (UL-SRS) transmission based on information included in the NRPPa positioning information request message.

[0223] In operation 330 , the serving base station 20 may transmit an RRC message (eg, an RRCReconfiguration message) including information related to uplink SRS transmission to the user equipment 10 .

[0224] In operation 330, the serving base station 20 may transmit activation UE SRS transmission information to the user equipment 10 by using a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) for uplink SRS configuration that needs to be activated, based on the positioning activation information received in operation 310 in the uplink SRS configuration information configured for semi-persistent or aperiodic use.

[0225] In operation 340 , the serving base station 20 may transmit an NRPPa positioning information response message including information about the activation result and uplink SRS configuration information transmitted to the user equipment 10 to the LMF 50 through the AMF 40 .

[0226] In operation 400, the LMF 50 may determine at least one of a base station, a cell, or a TRP 20 or 30 for monitoring an uplink SRS transmitted by the user equipment 10. The LMF 50 may request uplink SRS monitoring by using the NRPPa measurement request procedure from each base station through the AMF 40. The LMF 50 may receive a measurement result of the uplink SRS from the serving base station 20 and may calculate the location information of the user equipment based on the received information.

[0227] As in operation 510, when the serving base station 20 determines to transition the user equipment 10 to the RRC inactive state, in operation 520 the serving base station 20 may determine resources to be used for uplink SRS (UL-SRS) transmission by the user equipment 10 in the RRC inactive state by using at least one of the requested SRS transmission characteristic information required for the positioning service in the RRC inactive state received from the LMF 50 and the UE report information.

[0228] In operation 530, the serving base station 20 may transmit an RRC message (e.g., an RRC Release message) including information related to uplink SRS transmission to the user equipment 10. In this case, the serving base station 20 may transmit information to the user equipment 10 to activate UE SRS transmission by using a MAC CE for the uplink SRS configuration that needs to be activated based on the positioning activation information received in operation 310.

[0229] In operation 540, the serving base station 20 may transmit an NRPPa positioning information update message including information about the activation result and uplink SRS configuration information transmitted to the user equipment to the LMF 50 through the AMF 40.

[0230] In operation 600, the LMF 50 may determine at least one of a base station, a cell, or a TRP 20 or 30 for monitoring an uplink SRS transmitted by the user equipment 10. The LMF 50 may request uplink SRS monitoring of the user equipment 10 from each base station through the AMF 40 by using the NRPPa measurement request procedure. The LMF 50 receives a measurement result of the uplink SRS from the serving base station 20, and the LMF 50 calculates location information of the user equipment, etc. based on the received information.

[0231] Figure 17Schematic diagram showing the configuration of an NRPPa positioning information request message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0232] refer to Figure 17 , Figure 17 The NRPPa positioning information request message (eg, Figure 16 An example of a configuration of the operation 310 message). Figure 17 The names of the IEs included in are provided as examples only, and other names having the same functions may also be used. The NRPPa positioning information request message may include, in addition to the information included in the existing NRPPa positioning information request message, a positioning activation request IE related to the positioning activation request as indicated in 100. The positioning activation request IE may include at least one of activation request information related to semi-persistent uplink SRS transmission and activation request information related to aperiodic uplink SRS transmission. The information related to each activation request is the same as or similar to the IE information included in the existing NRPPa positioning activation request message, so the activation request related information may include at least one of the SRS resource set ID and the SRS spatial relationship and the spatial relationship information of the per-SRS resource related IE information in the semi-persistent case. Alternatively, in the aperiodic case, the activation request related information may include at least one of the aperiodic operation indicator and the SRS resource trigger IE information. In addition, the information related to the activation request may also include existing activation time IE information.

[0233] Figure 18 Schematic diagram showing the configuration of an NRPPa positioning information response message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0234] refer to Figure 18 , Figure 18 The NRPPa positioning information response message (eg, Figure 16 An example of a configuration of the operation 340 message). Figure 18 The names of the IEs included in are provided as examples only, and another name having the same function may also be used. In addition to the information included in the existing NRPPa positioning information response message, the NRPPa positioning information response message may also include a positioning activation response IE related to the result of the positioning activation request as indicated in 100 and details of the result of the processing of the activation request. In addition, as indicated in 200, the NRPPa positioning information response message may include information related to the positioning activation operation. In addition, the information related to the positioning response message is the same as or similar to the IE information included in the existing NRPPa positioning activation response message, and thus may include at least one of the system frame number IE information and the time slot number IE information.

[0235] Figure 19 Schematic diagram showing the configuration of an NRPPa positioning information update message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0236] refer to Figure 19 , Figure 19 The NRPPa positioning information update message (eg, Figure 16 An example of a configuration of the operation 540 message). Figure 19 The names of the IEs included in are provided as examples only, and another name having the same function may also be used. In addition to the information included in the existing NRPPa positioning information update message, the NRPPa positioning information update message may also include a positioning activation response IE related to the result of the positioning activation request as indicated in 100 and details of the result of the processing of the activation request. In addition, as indicated in 200, the NRPPa positioning information update message may include information related to the positioning activation operation. In addition, the information related to the positioning response message is the same as or similar to the IE information included in the existing NRPPa positioning activation response message, and therefore may include at least one of the system frame number IE information and the time slot number IE information.

[0237] A signal flow for providing a positioning service by using an uplink SRS transmitted by a user equipment in an RRC inactive state is shown.

[0238] Figure 20 An improved signal flow of a signal process in a process in which the LMF sends an NRPPa positioning activation request to the last serving base station in an RRC inactive state according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0239] refer to Figure 20 , a method for improving an inefficient signaling process associated with a situation where an LMF sends an NRPPa positioning activation request to a last serving base station in an RRC inactive state may be described. In the existing method, when a user equipment changes serving cells in an RRC inactive state, the LMF rejects the NRPPa positioning activation request for the positioning service of the corresponding user equipment to the last serving base station, and if necessary, after the LMF performs a RAN paging procedure and then sends the NRPPa positioning activation request to the serving base station to which the user equipment is currently connected, the serving base station instructs the user equipment to activate uplink SRS transmission. Figure 20 In, methods for calculating the above existing processes may be included.

[0240] In operation 100, the LMF 50 may perform a process of receiving information about a TRP for positioning services from base stations 20 and 30 (e.g., NR gNB or LTE eNB), and may send and / or receive messages required for the process of receiving information about a TRP for positioning services through the AMF 40.

[0241] In operation 200 , the LMF 50 may request positioning capability information of the user equipment 10 through an LPP capability transfer procedure with the user equipment 10 , and receive the positioning capability information from the user equipment 10 .

[0242] In operation 300, the user equipment 10 may perform a procedure related to uplink SRS transmission configuration while the user equipment is connected to the last serving base station 20, and when there is an activated uplink SRS transmission configuration in the procedure related to uplink SRS transmission configuration, a positioning monitoring procedure related to uplink SRS measurement may be performed. However, regarding a deactivated uplink SRS transmission configuration, the user equipment 10, the base station, and the LMF 50 may store the configuration information without the need for a positioning monitoring procedure, and the user equipment 10 may not perform the configured uplink SRS transmission.

[0243] In operation 400 , the last serving base station 20 may determine to transition the user equipment 10 to the RRC inactive state.

[0244] In operation 410 , the user equipment 10 may move to a cell of the serving base station 25 .

[0245] In operation 510, the LMF 50 may send an NRPPa positioning activation request message to the continuous serving base station 20 through the AMF 40 to request activation of the deactivated uplink SRS configuration.

[0246] When the last serving base station 20 that has received the NRPPa positioning activation request message identifies that the user equipment 10 is in an RRC inactive state, in operation 530, the last serving base station may send an RRC paging message to the user equipment 10, and in operation 520, may send an Xn paging request message to the neighboring base station 30 and request paging of the user equipment.

[0247] In operation 535 , the base station 30 , which has received the Xn paging request message, may transmit an RRC paging message to the user equipment 10 .

[0248] In operation 540, when the user equipment 10 receives a paging message in the cell in which it is moving (for example, in operation 535, when the user equipment 10 receives the RRC paging message transmitted by the serving base station 25), the user equipment 10 may transmit an RRC recovery request message to the serving base station 25. The serving base station 25, which has received the RRC recovery request message from the user equipment 10, may search for the last serving base station storing the context of the user equipment 10 based on information included in the RRC recovery request message.

[0249] In operation 550 , the serving base station 25 may send an Xn retrieve UE context request message to the last serving base station 20 .

[0250] In operation 560, the last serving base station 20 may transmit an Xn retrieval UE context response message including the UE context to the serving base station 25. The last serving base station 20 may transmit the Xn retrieval UE context response message by including the activation request related information included in the NRPPa positioning activation request message received from the LMF 50 in operation 510. In addition, the last serving base station 20 may transmit the message by including the requested SRS transmission characteristic information related to the uplink SRS configuration received from the LMF 50 during the process of operation 300.

[0251] In operation 570, the last serving base station 20 may also transmit an NRPPa positioning activation failure message to the LMF 50 through the AMF 40, and the NRPPa positioning activation failure message may include cause information indicating that the user equipment can move in a new serving base station in an RRC inactive state and perform an activation process (for example, information such as "mobility in RRC inactive").

[0252] In operation 600, after performing a path switching procedure related to a cell change in the RRC inactive state in operation 600, the serving base station 25 may transmit an RRCRelease message to the user equipment 10 to transition the user equipment 10 to the RRC inactive state in operation 710. In addition, the serving base station 25 may include uplink SRS configuration information to be used for positioning services by the user equipment 10 in the RRC inactive state in the RRCRelease message, and may transmit activate UE SRS transmission information for requesting UE SRS transmission activation to the user equipment 10 by using a MAC CE according to the positioning activation request information received from the last serving base station 20 in operation 560.

[0253] In operation 720, the serving base station 25 may transmit an NRPPa positioning information update message to the LMF 50 through the AMF 40, and the NRPPa positioning information update message may be transmitted by including uplink SRS configuration information configured for the user equipment and activation information related to the positioning activation request from the LMF 50. An example of the configuration of the NRPPa positioning information update message transmitted in operation 720 may be the same as Figure 19 The example of the configuration of the message included in is the same.

[0254] In operation 800, the LMF 50 may determine at least one of a base station, a cell, and a TRP 20, 25, or 30 for monitoring an uplink SRS transmitted by a user equipment, and may request uplink SRS monitoring of the user equipment from each base station through the AMF 40 using the NRPPa measurement request procedure. In addition, the LMF 50 may receive a measurement result of the uplink SRS and calculate location information of the user equipment based on the received information.

[0255] Figure 21A 1 shows the configuration of the Xn retrieval UE context response message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 21B The configuration of the Xn retrieval UE context response message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown, and Figure 21C The configuration of the Xn Retrieve UE Context Response message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0256] refer to Figures 21A to 21C , Figures 21A to 21C FIG. 4 shows an Xn retrieve UE context response message (eg, Figure 20 The configuration of the message of operation 560 is provided. Figures 21A to 21C The name of the IE included in the Xn UE context response message is used as an example, and another name having the same function may also be used. In addition to the information included in the existing Xn UE context response message, the Xn UE context retrieval response message may also include information related to the positioning activation request.

[0257] As indicated at 100, the Xn Retrieve UE Context Response message may include a UE Context Information - Retrieve UE Context Response IE for including UE context information, and as indicated at 200, the UE Context Information - Retrieve UE Context Response IE may include a Positioning Information IE containing positioning-related information. In addition to the Requested SRS Transmission Characteristics IE for the uplink SRS configuration request, as indicated at 300, the Positioning Information IE may also include at least one of a Routing ID IE and an NRPPa Transaction ID related to positioning procedures and services. Furthermore, as indicated at 400, a Positioning Activation Request IE related to a positioning activation request may be further included. The Positioning Activation Request IE may include activation request information related to semi-persistent uplink SRS transmission or activation request information related to aperiodic uplink SRS transmission. Each activation request-related information is the same as or similar to the IE information included in the existing NRPPa Positioning Activation Request message, and each activation request-related information may include an SRS resource set ID and an SRS spatial relationship, or, in the case of semi-persistent, spatial relationship information per SRS resource-related IE information. Furthermore, in the case of aperiodic, each activation request-related information may include an aperiodic operation indicator or SRS resource trigger IE information. In addition, each activation request related information may include activation time IE information.

[0258] Figure 22 The internal structure of a base station according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0259] refer to Figure 22 The base station may include a transceiver 2220, a storage device (or memory) 2210, and / or a controller (or processor) 2220. The transceiver 2200, the storage device 2210, and / or the controller 2220 may operate according to the above-described base station communication method. The network equipment may also correspond to the structure of the base station. However, the elements of the base station are not limited to the above examples. For example, the base station may include more or fewer elements than those described above. For example, the base station may include a transceiver 2200 and a controller 2220. Furthermore, the transceiver 2200, the storage device 2210, and / or the controller 2220 may be implemented in the form of a chip. Furthermore, the base station may be separated into multiple network equipment (for example, including at least one of a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), and a remote unit (RU)).

[0260] Transceiver 2200 is a general term for both the receiving and transmitting units of a base station and can transmit or receive signals with user equipment, other base stations, or other network equipment. In this case, the transmitted or received signals may include control information or data. For example, transceiver 2200 can transmit system information to terminals and transmit synchronization signals or reference signals. To this end, transceiver 2200 may include an RF transmitter for up-converting and amplifying the frequency of transmitted signals, an RF receiver for low-noise amplification and down-conversion of received signals, and the like. However, this is only an embodiment of transceiver 2200, and the components of transceiver 2200 are not limited to RF transmitters and RF receivers. Transceiver 2200 may include a wired or wireless transceiver and may include various components for transmitting or receiving signals. Furthermore, transceiver 2200 may receive signals via a communication channel (e.g., a wireless channel) and output them to controller 2220, and may also transmit signals output from controller 2220 via a channel. In addition, the transceiver 2200 may receive a communication signal and output it to the processor, and may transmit the signal output from the processor to a terminal, another base station, or another entity through a wired / wireless network.

[0261] The storage device 2210 can store programs and data required for the operation of the base station. The storage device 2210 can also be referred to as a memory. In addition, the storage device 2210 can store control information or data included in signals received from the base station. The storage device 2210 can be configured as a storage medium such as ROM, RAM, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, and a DVD, or a combination of storage media. In addition, the storage device 2210 can store at least one of information transmitted or received by the transceiver 2200 and information generated by the controller 2220.

[0262] In this disclosure, the controller 2220 may be defined as a circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit, or at least one processor. The controller 2220 may also be referred to as a processor. Processors may include a communication processor (CP) for performing communication control and an application processor (AP) for controlling upper layers such as application programs. The controller 2220 may control the overall operation of the base station according to the embodiments provided in this disclosure. For example, the controller 2220 may control the flow of signals between blocks to perform operations according to the aforementioned flowchart.

[0263] Figure 23 The configuration of a terminal according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0264] refer to Figure 23The terminal may include a transceiver 2300, a storage device (or memory) 2310, and / or a controller (or processor) 2320. The transceiver 2300, storage device 2310, and / or controller 2320 may operate according to the above-described terminal communication method. However, the components of the terminal are not limited to the above examples. For example, the terminal may include more or fewer components than those described above. For example, the terminal may include a transceiver 2300 and a controller 2320. Furthermore, the transceiver 2300, storage device 2310, and / or controller 2320 may be implemented in the form of a chip.

[0265] Transceiver 2300 is a term that collectively refers to a terminal's receiving and transmitting units, and can transmit or receive signals with a base station, another terminal, or a network entity. Signals sent to or received from a base station may include control information or data. For example, transceiver 2300 may receive system information from the terminal and receive synchronization signals or reference signals. To this end, transceiver 2300 may include an RF transmitter for up-converting and amplifying the frequency of transmitted signals, an RF receiver for low-noise amplification and down-conversion of received signals, and the like. However, this is an embodiment of transceiver 2300, and the components of transceiver 2300 are not limited to RF transmitters and RF receivers. Furthermore, transceiver 2300 may include a wired or wireless transceiver and various components for transmitting or receiving signals. Furthermore, transceiver 2300 may receive signals via a wireless channel and output them to controller 2320, and may also transmit signals output from controller 2320 via a wireless channel. Furthermore, transceiver 2300 may receive communication signals and output them to a processor, and may also transmit signals output from the processor via a wired or wireless network.

[0266] The storage device 2310 can store programs and data required for the operation of the terminal. The storage device 2310 can also be referred to as a memory. In addition, the storage device 2310 can store control information or data included in signals obtained from the terminal. The storage device 2310 can be configured as a storage medium such as ROM, RAM, hard disk, CD-ROM, and DVD, or a combination of storage media.

[0267] In this disclosure, controller 2320 can be defined as a circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit, or at least one processor. Controller 2320 can also be referred to as a processor. Processors can include a communication processor (CP) for performing communication control and an application processor (AP) for controlling upper layers such as application programs. Controller 2320 can control the overall operation of the terminal according to the embodiments provided in this disclosure. For example, controller 2320 can control the flow of signals between blocks to perform operations according to the above-described flowchart.

[0268] The methods according to the embodiments described in the claims or the specification of the present disclosure may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0269] Regarding software, a computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs (software modules) may be provided. The one or more programs stored in the computer-readable storage medium may be configured to be executed by one or more processors of electronic equipment. The one or more programs may include instructions for controlling the electronic equipment to execute the methods according to the embodiments described in the claims or the specification of this disclosure.

[0270] Such a program (software module, software) may be stored in a random access memory, including non-volatile memory such as flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a magnetic disk storage device, a compact disc (CD) ROM, a digital versatile disc (DVD), or other optical storage device, and a magnetic tape. Alternatively, it may be stored in a memory that combines some or all of these recording media. Multiple memories may be included.

[0271] In addition, the program may be stored in an attachable storage device that can be accessed via a communication network such as the Internet, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WLAN), or a storage area network (SAN), or a communication network that combines these networks. Such a storage device can be connected to the equipment running the embodiments of the present disclosure through an external port. In addition, a separate storage device on the communication network can be connected to the equipment running the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0272] In the specific embodiments of the present disclosure, the components included in the present disclosure are expressed in singular or plural form. However, for ease of explanation, the singular or plural expression is appropriately selected according to the context provided. The present disclosure is not limited to a single component or multiple components. A component expressed in plural form can be configured as a single component, and a component expressed in singular form can be configured as multiple components.

[0273] At the same time, although specific embodiments have been described in the explanation of this disclosure, it should be noted that various changes can be made therein without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is not limited or defined by the described embodiments, and is limited only by the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0274] The embodiments of the present disclosure described and illustrated in the specification and the drawings are merely for the purpose of easily explaining the technical content of the present disclosure and helping to understand the specific examples that have been presented of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that other variations based on the technical ideas of the present disclosure can be implemented. In addition, the above-mentioned various embodiments can be adopted in combination as needed. For example, a part of an embodiment of the present disclosure can be combined with a part of another embodiment to operate a base station and a terminal. As an example, a part of embodiment 1 of the present disclosure can be combined with a part of embodiment 2 to operate a base station and a terminal. In addition, although the above-mentioned embodiments have been presented based on an FDD LTE system, other variations based on the technical ideas of the above-mentioned embodiments can also be implemented in other systems such as TDD LTE, 5G or NR systems.

[0275] In the drawings describing the methods of the present disclosure, the order of description does not always correspond to the order of performing the steps of each method, and the sequential relationship between the steps may be changed or the steps may be performed in parallel.

[0276] Alternatively, in the drawings describing the method of the present disclosure, some elements may be omitted, and only some elements may be included therein without departing from the basic spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0277] Furthermore, in the method of the present disclosure, some or all of the contents of each embodiment may be implemented in combination without departing from the basic spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0278] Various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above. The above description of the present disclosure is for illustrative purposes only, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure can be easily modified and changed into other specific forms without departing from the technical ideas or basic features of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should not be determined by the above detailed description, but by the appended claims, and all modifications and changes derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be interpreted as falling within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0279] Although the present disclosure has been described with various embodiments, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method performed by a location management function (LMF) entity in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: identifying a validity region associated with requested sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration information for a user equipment (UE); sending a first message including information about the validity area to a first base station; as well as A second message including the SRS configuration information associated with the valid area is received from the first base station.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: transmitting at least one of the information about the effective area and the SRS configuration information to at least one second base station, The first base station is a serving base station of the UE, The at least one second base station does not include the first base station, and The first base station and the at least one second base station are located in the valid area.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein The second message further includes information about a validity area configured for the UE.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The information about the validity area includes a cell list.

5. A method performed by a first base station in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: receiving a first message from a location management function (LMF) entity, the first message comprising information about a validity area associated with requested sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration information for a user equipment (UE); sending a second message including the SRS configuration information associated with the validity area to the UE; as well as A third message including the SRS configuration information associated with the validity area is sent to the LMF entity.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The first base station is a serving base station of the UE, The at least one second base station does not include the first base station. wherein at least one second base station receives at least one of the information about the effective area and the SRS configuration information from the first base station, and The first base station and the at least one second base station are located in the valid area.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The third message further includes information about a valid area configured for the UE.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein The information about the validity area includes a cell list.

9. A location management function (LMF) entity in a wireless communication system, the LMF entity comprising: transceiver; and at least one controller coupled to the transceiver and configured to: identifying a validity region associated with requested sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration information for a user equipment (UE), sending a first message including information about the validity area to a first base station, and A second message including the SRS configuration information associated with the valid area is received from the first base station.

10. The LMF entity according to claim 9, wherein: The at least one controller is further configured to: transmitting at least one of the information about the effective area and the SRS configuration information to at least one second base station, The first base station is a serving base station of the UE, The at least one second base station does not include the first base station, and The first base station and the at least one second base station are located in the valid area.

11. The LMF entity according to claim 9, wherein: The second message further includes information about a validity area configured for the UE.

12. The LMF entity according to claim 9, wherein: The information about the validity area includes a cell list.

13. A first base station in a wireless communication system, the first base station comprising: transceiver; and at least one controller coupled to the transceiver and configured to: receiving a first message from a Location Management Function (LMF) entity, the first message comprising information about a validity area associated with requested Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) configuration information for a User Equipment (UE), sending a second message including the SRS configuration information associated with the validity area to the UE, and A third message including the SRS configuration information associated with the validity area is sent to the LMF entity. The first base station according to claim 13 , wherein: The first base station is a serving base station of the UE, The at least one second base station does not include the first base station. wherein at least one second base station receives at least one of the information about the effective area and the SRS configuration information from the first base station, and The first base station and the at least one second base station are located in the valid area.

15. The first base station according to claim 13, wherein: The third message further includes information about a valid area configured for the UE.

Images