Non-terrestrial network (NTN) user equipment (UE) positioning with limited number of satellites

Abstract

In some implementations, a device may obtain a first set of pseudoranges and a second set of pseudoranges for each of a user equipment (UE) and a reference station corresponding to a first time and a second time at which the UE is within a threshold distance of the reference station. Each of the first set of pseudoranges and the second set of pseudoranges includes pseudoranges from each of a first near earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a second LEO satellite at respective first and second times. The second time is at least a threshold duration after the first time. The device may determine a UE position estimate based, at least in part, on the first set of pseudo-ranges and the second set of pseudo-ranges, and for each of the first time and the second time, (i) each of the first and second LEO satellites and (ii) a respective position of the reference station. The device may output an indication of the position estimate.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. application No. 18 / 171,166, filed on February 17, 2023, entitled “NON-TERRESTRIAL NETWORK (NTN) USER EQUIPMENT (UE) POSITIONING WITH LIMITED NUMBER OF SATELLITES,” which is assigned to the assignee of this application and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Art 1. Technical Field

[0004] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of wireless communications, and more particularly to determining the position of electronic devices capable of wireless communications.

[0005] 2. Description of Related Technologies

[0006] In wireless communication networks (e.g., cellular networks), the determination of the position of a mobile device or user equipment (UE) has traditionally been performed either by the device itself (e.g., using a dedicated Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellite receiver) or using geometric methods based on position determination using measurements of RF signals by terrestrial transceivers (e.g., base stations) of the wireless communication network. As wireless communication networks have expanded to include non-terrestrial network (NTN) nodes (such as satellites), these networks have not only expanded the geographic area where the communication networks are available, but also expanded the possibilities for performing UE positioning. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, an example method for multi-epoch double-difference ranging (MEDDR) for locating a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication network may include obtaining a first set of pseudoranges corresponding to a first time, wherein the UE is within a threshold distance of a reference station at the first time, and the first set of pseudoranges includes pseudoranges between the UE and each of a first low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a second LEO satellite at the first time, and pseudoranges between the reference station and each of the first and second LEO satellites at the first time. The method may also include obtaining a second set of pseudoranges corresponding to a second time, wherein the UE is within the threshold distance of the reference station at the second time, the second time being at least a threshold duration after the first time, and the second set of pseudoranges includes pseudoranges between the UE and each of the first and second LEO satellites at the second time, and pseudoranges between the reference station and each of the first and second LEO satellites at the second time. The method may also include determining a position estimate for the UE based at least in part on the first set of pseudoranges, the second set of pseudoranges, and the respective positions of each of the first and second LEO satellites, and the reference station, for each of the first and second times. The method may also include outputting an indication of the position estimate.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, an example method for supporting multi-epoch double-difference ranging (MEDDR) for positioning a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication network may include receiving a request message at a reference station indicating a request for positioning of the UE. The method may also include, in response to the request message, transmitting, from the reference station, a response message indicating the location of the reference station to a server. The method may also include receiving, at the reference station, configuration data regarding positioning of the UE from the server. The method may also include performing pseudorange measurements at the reference station at a first time and a second time according to the configuration data, wherein the second time is at least a threshold duration after the first time. The method may also include transmitting, from the reference station, information indicating the pseudorange measurements to the server, the UE, or both.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, an example apparatus for multi-epoch double-difference ranging (MEDDR) for locating a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication network may include a memory, one or more processors communicatively coupled to the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to obtain a first set of pseudoranges corresponding to a first time, wherein the UE is within a threshold distance of a reference station at the first time, and the first set of pseudoranges includes pseudoranges between the UE and each of a first low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a second LEO satellite at the first time, and pseudoranges between the reference station and each of the first and second LEO satellites at the first time. The one or more processors may also be configured to obtain a second set of pseudoranges corresponding to a second time, wherein the UE is within the threshold distance of the reference station at the second time, the second time being at least a threshold duration after the first time, and the second set of pseudoranges includes pseudoranges between the UE and each of the first and second LEO satellites at the second time, and pseudoranges between the reference station and each of the first and second LEO satellites at the second time. The one or more processors may be further configured to determine a position estimate for the UE based at least in part on the first set of pseudoranges, the second set of pseudoranges, and, for each of the first time and the second time, a respective position of each of the first LEO satellite, the second LEO satellite, and the reference station. The one or more processors may be further configured to output an indication of the position estimate.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, an example reference station for supporting multi-epoch double-difference ranging (MEDDR) for positioning a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication network may include a transceiver, a memory, and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to receive, via the transceiver, a request message indicating a request for positioning of the UE. The one or more processors may also be configured to transmit, via the transceiver, a response message indicating the location of the reference station to a server in response to the request message. The one or more processors may also be configured to receive, via the transceiver, configuration data regarding the positioning of the UE from the server. The one or more processors may also be configured to perform pseudorange measurements using the transceiver at a first time and a second time according to the configuration data, wherein the second time is at least a threshold duration after the first time. The one or more processors may also be configured to transmit, via the transceiver, information indicating the pseudorange measurements to the server, the UE, or both.

[0011] This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used alone to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. This subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification, any or all of the drawings, and each claim. The foregoing and other features and examples are described in more detail in the following description, claims, and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is a simplified illustration of a positioning system according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 is a fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) positioning system according to an embodiment, which illustrates Figure 1 How some aspects of a positioning system can be implemented in a wireless network.

[0014] Figure 3 is an example of how, according to an embodiment, a positioning system such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 Message flow diagram of the basic process of delivering assistance data in a positioning system (as illustrated in FIG).

[0015] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating aspects of a non-terrestrial network (NTN) system according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5 is an illustration of a configuration in which multi-epoch double-difference ranging (MEDDR) may be performed for user equipment (UE) positioning, according to an implementation.

[0017] Figure 6 is a message flow diagram of a process for supporting MEDDR-based positioning according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 is a flow chart of a method 700 for locating a MEDDR of a UE in a wireless communication network, according to an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 8 is a flow chart of a method 800 supporting MEDDR for locating a UE in a wireless communication network, according to an embodiment.

[0020] Figure 9 is a block diagram of an implementation scheme of a UE.

[0021] Figure 10 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a computer system.

[0022] Similar reference symbols in the various figures indicate similar elements according to certain example embodiments. In addition, multiple instances of an element may be indicated by following the first digit of the element with a letter or hyphen and a second digit. For example, multiple instances of element 110 may be indicated as 110-1, 110-2, 110-3, etc. or 110a, 110b, 110c, etc. When only the first digit is used to refer to such an element, it should be understood that any instance of the element (e.g., element 110 in the previous example would refer to elements 110-1, 110-2, and 110-3 or to elements 110a, 110b, and 110c) is included. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The following description is directed to certain implementations for the purpose of describing the innovative aspects of the various embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the teachings herein can be applied in a variety of different ways. The described implementations can be implemented in any device, system, or network capable of sending and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals according to any communication standard, such as any of the following: the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.15.4 standard for ultra-wideband (UWB), the IEEE 802.11 standard (including those identified as Technical standards), Standard, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), GSM / General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA), Wideband CDMA (W-CDMA), Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), 1xEV-DO, EV-DO Revision A, EV-DO Revision B, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), High Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed ​​Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Evolved High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA+), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), or other known signals used for communicating within a wireless, cellular or Internet of Things (IoT) network, such as a system utilizing 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G or further implementations thereof.

[0024] As used herein, an "RF signal" includes electromagnetic waves that transmit information through the space between a transmitter (or transmitting device) and a receiver (or receiving device). As used herein, a transmitter may transmit a single "RF signal" or multiple "RF signals" to a receiver. However, due to the propagation characteristics of each RF signal through multiple channels or paths, a receiver may receive multiple "RF signals" corresponding to each transmitted RF signal.

[0025] Additionally, unless otherwise specified, references to "reference signals," "positioning reference signals," "reference signals used for positioning," and the like may refer to signals used for positioning user equipment (UE) in 5G New Radio (NR) networks. As described in more detail herein, such signals may include any of a variety of signal types, but may not necessarily be limited to positioning reference signals (PRS) as defined in relevant wireless standards.

[0026] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the term "positioning" as used herein may include absolute position determination, relative position determination, ranging, or a combination thereof. For the purposes of location or sensing services, such positioning may include and / or be based on timing, angle, phase, or power measurements, or a combination thereof (which may include RF sensing measurements).

[0027] As noted, wireless communication networks may include non-terrestrial network (NTN) nodes, such as Earth-orbiting (LEO) satellites, to extend network coverage to UEs in more geographic locations. Because this expansion is just beginning, at any given time, typically only one or two LEO satellites may be visible to a UE. Consequently, positioning using LEO satellites can be difficult because the geometric solution for positioning typically requires many LEO satellites. Consequently, positioning solutions using LEO satellites are limited.

[0028] The embodiments herein address these and other issues by enabling positioning of a UE using as few as two LEO satellites, including NTN nodes of a communication network (e.g., a cellular network). The embodiments exploit the relative velocities of the LEO satellites in the sky to provide spatial diversity for positioning over two or more epochs, and double-difference measurements between the UE and a reference station to provide accurate positioning of the UE. The embodiments herein may generally be referred to as Multi-Epoch Double-Difference Ranging (MEDDR).

[0029] Various aspects generally relate to positioning a UE using an NTN node (such as a LEO satellite). Some aspects more specifically relate to determining pseudoranges between two or more satellites and each of the UE and a reference station using two or more sets of measurements taken at two or more corresponding times. In some examples, each epoch (or measurement time) may occur at least a threshold duration after a previous epoch to help ensure spatial diversity for determining the position of the UE. In some examples, the reference station may include another UE (e.g., with a known position), a base station, or other device. In some examples, coordination of measurements performed by the UE and the reference station may be provided by a location server, which may provide configuration to the UE and / or the reference station.

[0030] Certain aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented to achieve one or more of the following potential advantages. In some examples, by using LEO satellites (which move relatively quickly compared to other types of satellites), the described techniques can be used to perform multi-epoch positioning of a UE in a relatively short period of time. In addition, power and / or bandwidth efficiencies can be achieved by coordinating the transmission and / or reception of RF signals to perform measurements, from which pseudoranges are determined. These and other aspects will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments described herein. Following the description of the related art, embodiments are described in detail below.

[0031] Figure 1 1 is a simplified illustration of a positioning system 100 according to an embodiment, in which a UE 105, a location server 160, and / or other components of the positioning system 100 may use the techniques provided herein for determining an estimated position of the UE 105 using MEDDR. The techniques described herein may be implemented by one or more components of the positioning system 100, however, the techniques described herein are not limited to such components and may be implemented in other types of systems (not shown). The positioning system 100 may include: a UE 105; one or more satellites 110 (also referred to as space vehicles (SVs)) for a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNS3) (such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), GLONASS, Galileo, or BeiDou) and / or NTN functionality; a base station 120; an access point (AP) 130; a location server 160; a network 170; and an external client 180. In general, the positioning system 100 can estimate the location of the UE 105 based on RF signals received by and / or transmitted from the UE 105 and the known positions of other components that send and / or receive RF signals (e.g., GNSS satellites 110, base stations 120, APs 130). Figure 2 Additional details regarding specific position estimation techniques are discussed in more detail.

[0032] It should be pointed out that Figure 1 Only a generalized illustration of the various components is provided, any or all of which may be utilized as appropriate, and each component may be repeated as needed. Specifically, although only one UE 105 is illustrated, it should be understood that many UEs (e.g., hundreds, thousands, millions, etc.) may utilize the positioning system 100. Similarly, the positioning system 100 may include more than one UE 105. Figure 1A greater or fewer number of base stations 120 and / or APs 130 are illustrated. The illustrated connections connecting the various components in positioning system 100 include data and signaling connections, which may include additional (intermediate) components, direct or indirect physical and / or wireless connections, and / or additional networks. Furthermore, components may be rearranged, combined, separated, replaced, and / or omitted depending on the desired functionality. In some embodiments, for example, external client 180 may be directly connected to location server 160. Those skilled in the art will recognize many modifications to the illustrated components.

[0033] Depending on the desired functionality, network 170 may include any one of a variety of wireless and / or wired networks. Network 170 may, for example, include any combination of public and / or private networks, local area networks and / or wide area networks, etc. In addition, network 170 may utilize one or more wired and / or wireless communication technologies. In some embodiments, network 170 may include, for example, a cellular or other mobile network, a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless wide area network (WWAN), and / or the Internet. Examples of network 170 include long-term evolution (LTE) wireless networks, fifth-generation (5G) wireless networks (also known as new radio (NR) wireless networks or 5G NR wireless networks), Wi-Fi WLAN, and the Internet. LTE, 5G, and NR are wireless technologies defined or being defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Network 170 may also include more than one network and / or more than one type of network.

[0034] Base station 120 and access point (AP) 130 are communicatively coupled to network 170. In some embodiments, base station 120 may be owned, maintained, and / or operated by a cellular network provider and may employ any of a variety of wireless technologies, as described below. Depending on the technology of network 170, base station 120 may include a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), a base transceiver station (BTS), a radio base station (RBS), an NR Node B (gNB), a next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), etc. In the case where network 170 is a 5G network, base station 120, as a gNB or ng-eNB, may be part of a next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN) that may be connected to a 5G core network (5GC). In view of the open radio access network (O-RAN) and / or virtualized radio access network (V-RAN or vRAN) in 5G or higher networks, the functionality performed by the base station 120 in earlier networks (e.g., 3G and 4G) can be divided into different functional components (e.g., radio unit (RU), distributed unit (DU) and central unit (CU)) and layers (e.g., L1 / L2 / L3), which can be executed on different devices at different locations connected, for example, via fronthaul connections, midhaul connections and backhaul connections. As referred to herein, a "base station" (or ng-eNB, gNB, etc.) may include any or all of these functional components. For example, the AP 130 may include a Wi-Fi AP or AP or an AP with cellular capabilities (e.g., 4G LTE and / or 5G NR). Thus, UE 105 can transmit and receive information with network-connected devices such as location server 160 by accessing network 170 via base station 120 using first communication link 133. Additionally or alternatively, because AP 130 can also be communicatively coupled with network 170, UE 105 can communicate with network-connected and Internet-connected devices (including location server 160) using second communication link 135 or via one or more other mobile devices 145.

[0035] As used herein, the term "base station" may generally refer to a single physical transmission point or multiple co-located physical transmission points that may be located at a base station 120. A transmit receive point (TRP) (also referred to as a transmit / receive point) corresponds to this type of transmission point, and the term "TRP" may be used interchangeably herein with the terms "gNB," "ng-eNB," and "base station." In some cases, a base station 120 may include multiple TRPs—for example, where each TRP is associated with a different antenna or a different antenna array of the base station 120. As used herein, the transmit functionality of a TRP may be performed using a transmit point (TP) and / or the receive functionality of a TRP may be performed by a receive point (RP), which may be physically separate or distinct from the TP. That is, a TRP may include both a TP and an RP. A physical transmission point may include an antenna array of the base station 120 (for example, as in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system and / or where the base station employs beamforming). The term "base station" may alternatively refer to multiple non-co-located physical transmission points, which may be distributed antenna systems (DAS) (a network of spatially separated antennas connected to a common source via a transmission medium) or remote radio heads (RRHs) (a remote base station connected to a serving base station).

[0036] As mentioned, satellites 110 can be used to implement NTN functionality, extended communications, positioning, and potentially other functionality of terrestrial networks (e.g., RF sensing). Thus, one or more satellites can be communicatively linked to one or more NTN gateways 150 (also referred to as "gateways," "earth stations," or "ground stations"). NTN gateways 150 can be communicatively linked to base stations 120 via links 155. In some embodiments, NTN gateways 150 can act as DUs for base stations 120, as previously described. This can not only enable UEs 105 to communicate with network 170 via satellites 110, but can also enable network-based positioning, RF sensing, and the like.

[0037] As used herein, the term "cell" may generally refer to a logical communication entity for communicating with base station 120 and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCID), a virtual cell identifier (VCID)) for distinguishing between adjacent cells operating via the same or different operators. In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., machine type communication (MTC), narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), or other protocols) that may provide access to different types of devices. In some cases, the term "cell" may refer to a portion of a geographic coverage area (e.g., a sector) over which the logical entity operates.

[0038] The location server 160 may include a server and / or other computing device configured to determine an estimated location of the UE 105 and / or provide data (e.g., “assistance data”) to the UE 105 to facilitate location measurement and / or location determination by the UE 105. According to some embodiments, the location server 160 may include a Home Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (H-SLP), which may support the SUPL User Plane (UP) location solution defined by the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) and may support location services for the UE 105 based on subscription information of the UE 105 stored in the location server 160. In some embodiments, the location server 160 may include a Discovery SLP (D-SLP) or an Emergency SLP (E-SLP). The location server 160 may also include an enhanced serving mobile location center (E-SMLC) that supports the location of the UE 105 using a control plane (CP) location solution for LTE radio access of the UE 105. The location server 160 may also include a location management function (LMF) that supports positioning of the UE 105 using a control plane (CP) location solution for NR or LTE radio access of the UE 105.

[0039] In the CP location solution, from the perspective of the network 170, signaling for controlling and managing the location of the UE 105 may use existing network interfaces and protocols and be exchanged as signaling between elements of the network 170 and with the UE 105. In the UP location solution, from the perspective of the network 170, signaling for controlling and managing the location of the UE 105 may be exchanged between the location server 160 and the UE 105 as data (e.g., data transmitted using the Internet Protocol (IP) and / or the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)).

[0040] As previously noted (and discussed in more detail below), the estimated position of UE 105 may be based on measurements of RF signals transmitted from and / or received by UE 105. Specifically, these measurements may provide information regarding the relative distances and / or angles of UE 105 from one or more components in positioning system 100 (e.g., satellites 110, APs 130, base stations 120). The estimated position of UE 105 may be estimated geometrically (e.g., using multi-angle measurements and / or multilateration) based on the distance and / or angle measurements along with the known positions of the one or more components.

[0041] Although the ground components (such as AP 130 and base station 120) can be fixed, the embodiments are not limited in this regard. Mobile components can be used. For example, in some embodiments, the location of UE 105 can be estimated based at least in part on measurements of RF signals 140 communicated between UE 105 and one or more other mobile devices 145 (the one or more other mobile devices can be mobile or fixed). As illustrated, the other mobile devices can include, for example, a mobile phone 145-1, a vehicle 145-2, a static communication / positioning device 145-3, or other static and / or mobile devices capable of providing wireless signals for locating UE 105, or a combination thereof. The wireless signals from the mobile devices 145 used to locate UE 105 can include using, for example, (including Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)), IEEE 802.11x (e.g. ), ultra-wideband (UWB), IEEE 802.15x, or a combination thereof. The mobile device 145 may additionally or alternatively use non-RF wireless signals such as infrared signals or other optical technologies to locate the UE 105.

[0042] The mobile devices 145 may include other UEs communicatively coupled to a cellular network or other mobile network (e.g., network 170). When one or more other mobile devices 145 including a UE are used in a positioning determination for a particular UE 105, the UE 105 whose positioning is to be determined may be referred to as a "target UE," and each of the other mobile devices 145 used may be referred to as an "anchor UE." In order to make a positioning determination for the target UE, the corresponding positioning of the one or more anchor UEs may be known and / or determined jointly with the target UE. Direct communication between one or more other mobile devices 145 and the UE 105 may include sidelinks and / or similar device-to-device (D2D) communication technologies. Sidelinks, as defined by 3GPP, are a form of D2D communication under the cellular-based LTE and NR standards.

[0043] According to some embodiments, such as when the UE 105 includes and / or is incorporated into a vehicle, a form of D2D communication used by the UE 105 may include vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. V2X is a communication standard for vehicles to exchange information about the traffic environment with related entities. V2X may include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication between vehicles with V2X capabilities, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication between vehicles and infrastructure-based equipment (commonly referred to as roadside units (RSUs)), vehicle-to-person (V2P) communication between vehicles and nearby people (pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users), etc. In addition, V2X may use any of a variety of wireless RF communication technologies. For example, cellular V2X (CV2X) is a form of V2X that uses cellular-based communications, such as LTE (4G), NR (5G), and / or other cellular technologies, in a direct communication mode defined by 3GPP. Figure 1 The illustrated UE 105 may correspond to a component or device located on a vehicle, an RSU, or other V2X entity for communicating V2X messages. In embodiments where V2X is used, the static communication / positioning device 145-3 (which may correspond to an RSU) and / or the vehicle 145-2 may thus communicate with the UE 105 and may be used to determine the location of the UE 105 using techniques similar to those used by the base station 120 and / or the AP 130 (e.g., using multi-angle measurement and / or multilateration). It may be further noted that, according to some embodiments, the mobile device 145 (which may include a V2X device), the base station 120, and / or the AP 130 may be used together (e.g., in a WWAN positioning solution) to determine the location of the UE 105.

[0044] The estimated position of the UE 105 may be used in a variety of applications, for example, to assist the user of the UE 105 with direction finding or navigation or to assist another user (e.g., associated with an external client 180) in locating the UE 105. "Position" is also referred to herein as a "position estimate," "estimated position," "position," "position estimate," "position fix," "estimated position," "position fix," or "fix." The process of determining a position may be referred to as "positioning," "position determination," or "position determination," among others. The position of the UE 105 may include the absolute position of the UE 105 (e.g., latitude and longitude, and possibly altitude) or the relative position of the UE 105 (e.g., a position expressed as a distance north or south, east or west, and possibly above or below, of some other known fixed position (including, for example, the position of a base station 120 or an AP 130) or some other location, such as the position of the UE 105 at some known previous time, or the position of a mobile device 145 (e.g., another UE) at some known previous time). The location may be specified as a geodetic location including coordinates that may be absolute (e.g., latitude, longitude, and optionally, altitude), relative (e.g., relative to a known absolute location), or local (e.g., X, Y, and optionally Z coordinates according to a coordinate system defined relative to a local area, such as a factory, warehouse, university campus, shopping mall, stadium, or convention center). The location may alternatively be a city location and may then include one or more of a street address (e.g., including the name or label of the country, state, county, city, road, and / or street, and / or road or street number) and / or a label or name of a place, a building, a portion of a building, a floor of a building, and / or a room within a building. The location may also include an uncertainty or error indication, such as a horizontal distance, and possibly a vertical distance, within which the location is expected to be in error, or an indication of a region or volume (e.g., a circle or ellipse) within which the UE 105 is expected to be located with a certain confidence level (e.g., 95% confidence).

[0045] The external client 180 may be a web server or remote application that may have some association with the UE 105 (e.g., accessible by the user of the UE 105), or may be a server, application, or computer system that provides location services to one or more other users, which may include obtaining and providing the location of the UE 105 (e.g., to enable services such as locating friends or relatives or locating children or pets). Additionally or alternatively, the external client 180 may obtain the location of the UE 105 and provide it to emergency service providers, government agencies, etc.

[0046] As previously noted, the example positioning system 100 may be implemented using a wireless communication network such as an LTE-based or 5GNR-based network. Figure 2A diagram of a 5G NR positioning system 200 is shown, illustrating an embodiment of a positioning system (e.g., positioning system 100) that implements 5G NR. The 5G NR positioning system 200 can be configured to determine the location of a UE 105 using access nodes to implement one or more positioning methods. The access nodes can include NR Node Bs (gNBs) 210-1 and 210-2 (collectively referred to herein as gNBs 210), ng-eNBs 214, and / or WLANs 216. The gNBs 210 and / or ng-eNBs 214 can communicate with Figure 1 The base station 120 corresponds to the WLAN 216, and the WLAN 216 can be connected to the base station 120. Figure 1 130. Optionally, the 5G NR positioning system 200 may be additionally configured to determine the location of the UE 105 by using the LMF 220 (which may correspond to the location server 160) to implement one or more positioning methods. Here, the 5G NR positioning system 200 includes the UE 105, and components of the 5G NR network, including the next generation (NG) radio access network (RAN) (NG-RAN) 235 and the 5G core network (5G CN) 240. The 5G network may also be referred to as an NR network; the NG-RAN 235 may be referred to as a 5G RAN or NR RAN; and the 5GCN240 may be referred to as an NG core network. Additional components of the 5G NR positioning system 200 are described below. The 5G NR positioning system 200 may include additional or alternative components.

[0047] The 5G NR positioning system 200 may also utilize information from satellites 110. As previously indicated, satellites 110 may include GNSS satellites from a GNSS system such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) or similar systems (e.g., GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)). Additionally or alternatively, satellites 110 may include NTN satellites. NTN satellites may be in low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), geostationary Earth orbit (GEO), or some other type of orbit. NTN satellites may be communicatively coupled with the LMF 220 and operable to serve as TRPs (or TPs) in the NG-RAN 235. As such, satellites 110 may communicate with one or more gNBs 210 via one or more NTN gateways 150. According to some embodiments, the NTN gateway 150 may operate as a DU of the gNB 210, in which case communication between the NTN gateway 150 and the CU of the gNB 210 may occur via the F interface 218 between the DU and the CU.

[0048] It should be pointed out that Figure 2Only generalized illustrations of various components are provided; any or all of these components may be utilized as appropriate, and each of these components may be repeated or omitted as needed. Specifically, although only one UE 105 is illustrated, it will be understood that many UEs (e.g., hundreds, thousands, millions, etc.) may utilize the 5G NR positioning system 200. Similarly, the 5G NR positioning system 200 may include a larger (or smaller) number of satellites 110, gNBs 210, ng-eNBs 214, wireless local area networks (WLANs) 216, access and mobility management functions (AMFs) 215, external clients 230, and / or other components. The illustrated connections connecting the various components in the 5G NR positioning system 200 include data and signaling connections, which may include additional (intermediate) components, direct or indirect physical and / or wireless connections, and / or additional networks. Furthermore, components may be rearranged, combined, separated, replaced, and / or omitted depending on the desired functionality.

[0049] UE 105 may include and / or be referred to as a device, a mobile device, a wireless device, a mobile terminal, a terminal, a mobile station (MS), a secure user plane location (SUPL) enabled terminal (SET), or some other name. In addition, UE 105 may correspond to a cellular phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a personal data assistant (PDA), a navigation device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, or some other portable or mobile device. Typically, although not necessarily, UE 105 may support the use of one or more radio access technologies (RATs) such as GSM, CDMA, W-CDMA, LTE, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), IEEE 802.11 Bluetooth, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX TM ), 5G NR (e.g., using NG-RAN 235 and 5G CN 240), etc. The UE 105 may also support wireless communications using WLAN 216, which is similar to one or more RATs and as previously described for Figure 1 The use of one or more of these RATs may allow the UE 105 (e.g., via Figure 2 240, or possibly via a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 225) to communicate with an external client 230 and / or allow the external client 230 to receive location information about the UE 105 (e.g., via the GMLC 225). When implemented in or communicatively coupled with a 5G NR network, Figure 2 The external client 230 may correspond to Figure 1 External client 180.

[0050] UE 105 may comprise a single entity or may comprise multiple entities, such as in a personal area network in which a user may employ audio, video, and / or data I / O devices, and / or body sensors and separate wired or wireless modems. The estimate of the location of UE 105 may be referred to as location, location estimate, location fix, fix, position, position estimate, or position fix, and may be geodetic, providing location coordinates (e.g., latitude and longitude) for UE 105 that may or may not include an altitude component (e.g., height above sea level; height above or depth below ground level, floor level, or basement level). Alternatively, the location of UE 105 may be expressed as a civic location (e.g., a postal address or a designation of a point or smaller area in a building, such as a specific room or floor). The location of UE 105 may also be expressed as an area or volume (geodetic or civic-defined) within which UE 105 is expected to be located with a certain probability or confidence level (e.g., 67%, 95%, etc.). The location of the UE 105 may also be a relative location, including, for example, a distance and direction or relative X, Y (and Z) coordinates defined relative to some origin at a known location, which may be defined geodetically, municipally, or with reference to a point, area, or volume indicated on a map, floor plan, or building plan. In the descriptions contained herein, use of the term "location" may include any of these variations unless otherwise indicated. When calculating the location of a UE, local X, Y, and possibly Z coordinates are typically solved for, and then the local coordinates are converted to absolute coordinates (e.g., in terms of latitude, longitude, and altitude above or below mean sea level) if necessary.

[0051] Figure 2 The base stations in the NG-RAN 235 shown may correspond to Figure 1 The base stations 120 in the NG-RAN 235 may include gNBs 210. Pairs of gNBs 210 in the NG-RAN 235 may be connected to each other (e.g., Figure 2 210, or indirectly via other gNBs 210). The communication interface between base stations (gNB 210 and / or ng-eNB 214) may be referred to as an Xn interface 237. Access to the 5G network is provided to the UE 105 via wireless communications between the UE 105 and one or more gNBs 210, which may use 5G NR to provide wireless communication access to the 5G CN 240 on behalf of the UE 105. The wireless interface between the base station (gNB 210 and / or ng-eNB 214) and the UE 105 may be referred to as a Uu interface 239. 5G NR radio access may also be referred to as NR radio access or 5G radio access. In Figure 2, it is assumed that the serving gNB for UE 105 is gNB 210-1, but other gNBs (e.g., gNB 210-2) can act as serving gNBs if UE 105 moves to another location, or can act as secondary gNBs to provide additional throughput and bandwidth to UE 105.

[0052] Figure 2 The base stations in the illustrated NG-RAN 235 may additionally or alternatively include a next generation evolved Node B (also referred to as ng-eNB) 214. The ng-eNB 214 may be connected to one or more gNBs 210 in the NG-RAN 235—e.g., directly or indirectly via other gNBs 210 and / or other ng-eNBs. The ng-eNB 214 may provide LTE radio access and / or evolved LTE (eLTE) radio access to the UE 105. Figure 2 Some gNBs 210 (e.g., gNB 210-2) and / or ng-eNBs 214 in the 5GCN 240 may be configured to function as positioning-only beacons, which may transmit signals (e.g., positioning reference signals (PRS)) and / or broadcast assistance data to assist in locating the UE 105, but may not receive signals from the UE 105 or from other UEs. Some gNBs 210 (e.g., gNB 210-2 and / or another gNB (not shown)) and / or ng-eNBs 214 may be configured to function as detection-only nodes, which may scan for signals containing, for example, PRS data, assistance data, or other location data. Such detection-only nodes may not transmit signals or data to the UE, but may transmit signals or data (relating to, for example, PRS, assistance data, or other location data) to other network entities (e.g., one or more components of the 5GCN 240, the external client 230, or a controller), which may receive and store the data or use the data to locate at least the UE 105. It should be noted that although Figure 2 Only one ng-eNB 214 is shown in FIG, but some embodiments may include multiple ng-eNBs 214. Base stations (e.g., gNB 210 and / or ng-eNB 214) may communicate directly with each other via an Xn communication interface. Additionally or alternatively, the base stations may communicate directly or indirectly with other components of the 5G NR positioning system 200, such as LMF 220 and AMF 215.

[0053] The 5G NR positioning system 200 may also include one or more WLANs 216 that may be connected to a non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF) 250 in the 5GCN 240 (e.g., in the case of an untrusted WLAN 216). For example, the WLAN 216 may support IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi access for the UE 105 and may include one or more Wi-Fi APs (e.g., Figure 1 Here, the N3IWF 250 may connect to other elements in the 5G CN 240, such as the AMF 215. In some embodiments, the WLAN 216 may support another RAT, such as Bluetooth. The N3IWF 250 may provide support for secure access of the UE 105 to other elements in the 5G CN 240 and / or may support interworking of one or more protocols used by the WLAN 216 and the UE 105 with one or more protocols used by other elements of the 5G CN 240, such as the AMF 215. For example, the N3IWF 250 may support: IPSec tunnel establishment with the UE 105, termination of the IKEv2 / IPSec protocol with the UE 105, termination of the N2 and N3 interfaces with the 5G CN 240 for the control plane and user plane, respectively, and relay of uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) control plane non-access stratum (NAS) signaling across the N1 interface between the UE 105 and the AMF 215. In some other embodiments, the WLAN 216 may be directly connected to elements in the 5G CN 240 (e.g., Figure 2 215) and not via the N3IWF 250. For example, a direct connection of the WLAN 216 to the 5GCN 240 may occur if the WLAN 216 is a trusted WLAN for the 5GCN 240 and may use a Trusted WLAN Interworking Function (TWIF) ( Figure 2 It should be noted that although Figure 2 Only one WLAN 216 is shown in FIG, but some embodiments may include multiple WLANs 216.

[0054] The access node may include any of a variety of network entities that enable communication between the UE 105 and the AMF 215. As mentioned, this may include gNB 210, ng-eNB 214, WLAN 216, and / or other types of cellular base stations, and may also include NTN satellite 110. However, the access node providing the functionality described herein may additionally or alternatively include a network entity that enables communication with the AMF 215. Figure 2An entity that communicates with any of a variety of RATs not illustrated in the present disclosure (which may include non-cellular technologies). Therefore, as used in the embodiments described below, the term "access node" may include, but is not necessarily limited to, a gNB 210, an ng-eNB 214, a WLAN 216, or an NTN satellite 110.

[0055] In some embodiments, an access node such as a gNB 210, ng-eNB 214, WLAN 216, or NTN satellite 110, or a combination thereof (alone or in combination with other components of the 5G NR positioning system 200) may be configured to, in response to receiving a request for location information from the LMF 220, obtain location measurements for uplink (UL) signals received from the UE 105 and / or obtain DL location measurements from the UE 105 for downlink (DL) signals received by the UE 105 from one or more access nodes. As mentioned, although Figure 2 The access nodes (gNB 210, ng-eNB 214, WLAN 216, and NTN satellite 110) are depicted as being configured to communicate according to 5G NR, LTE, and Wi-Fi communication protocols, respectively, but access nodes configured to communicate according to other communication protocols may be used, such as, for example, a Node B using the Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) protocol for the Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), an eNB using the LTE protocol for the Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), or an eNB using the Bluetooth protocol for WLAN. For example, in a 4G Evolved Packet System (EPS) that provides LTE radio access to UE 105, the RAN may include E-UTRAN, which may include base stations including eNBs that support LTE radio access. The core network for EPS may include Evolved Packet Core (EPC). EPS may then include E-UTRAN plus EPC, where Figure 2 , E-UTRAN corresponds to NG-RAN 235 and EPC corresponds to 5GCN 240. The methods and techniques described herein for obtaining the municipal location of UE 105 may be applicable to such other networks.

[0056] The gNB 210 and ng-eNB 214 can communicate with the AMF 215, which communicates with the LMF 220 for positioning functionality. The AMF 215 can support the mobility of the UE 105, including cell change and handover of the UE 105 from an access node of a first RAT (e.g., gNB 210, ng-eNB 214, WLAN 216, or NTN satellite 110) to an access node of a second RAT. The AMF 215 can also participate in supporting signaling connections with the UE 105 and possibly supporting data and voice bearers for the UE 105. The LMF 220 may support positioning of the UE 105 using a CP location solution when the UE 105 accesses the NG-RAN 235 or the WLAN 216, and may support positioning procedures and methods, including UE-assisted / UE-based and / or network-based procedures / methods, such as Assisted GNSS (A-GNSS), Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) (which may be referred to as Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) in NR), Frequency Difference of Arrival (FDOA), Real-Time Kinematics (RTK), Precise Point Positioning (PPP), Differential GNSS3 (DGNSS), Enhanced Cell ID (ECID), Angle of Arrival (AoA), Angle of Departure (AoD), WLAN positioning, Round Trip Delay (RTT), Multi-Cell RTT, and / or other positioning procedures and methods. The LMF 220 may also process location service requests for the UE 105 received, for example, from the AMF 215 or from the GMLC 225. The LMF 220 may be connected to the AMF 215 and / or the GMLC 225. In some embodiments, a network (such as 5GCN 240) may additionally or alternatively implement other types of location support modules, such as an Evolved Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC) or a SUPL Location Platform (SLP). Note that in some embodiments, at least a portion of the positioning functionality (including determining the location of UE 105) may be performed at UE 105 (e.g., by measuring downlink PRS (DL-PRS) signals transmitted by wireless nodes such as gNB 210, ng-eNB 214, WLAN 216, or NTN satellite 110 and / or using assistance data provided to UE 105 by, for example, LMF 220).

[0057] The Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 225 may support location requests for the UE 105 received from the external client 230 and may forward such location requests to the AMF 215 for forwarding by the AMF 215 to the LMF 220. A location response (e.g., containing a location estimate for the UE 105) from the LMF 220 may similarly be returned to the GMLC 225 directly or via the AMF 215, and the GMLC 225 may then return the location response (e.g., containing the location estimate) to the external client 230.

[0058] A network exposure function (NEF) 245 may be included in the 5GCN 240. The NEF 245 may support secure exposure of capabilities and events regarding the 5GCN 240 and the UE 105 to the external client 230, which may therefore be referred to as an access function (AF), and may enable secure provisioning of information from the external client 230 to the 5GCN 240. The NEF 245 may connect to the AMF 215 and / or the GMLC 225 for the purpose of obtaining a location (e.g., a municipal location) of the UE 105 and providing the location to the external client 230.

[0059] like Figure 2 As further illustrated, the LMF 220 may communicate with the gNB 210 and / or with the ng-eNB 214 using the NR Positioning Protocol Annex (NRPPa) as defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.455. NRPPa messages may be passed between the gNB 210 and the LMF 220 and / or between the ng-eNB 214 and the LMF 220 via the AMF 215. Figure 2As further illustrated in FIG, the LMF 220 and the UE 105 may communicate using the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) as defined in 3GPP TS 37.355. Here, LPP messages may be communicated between the UE 105 and the LMF 220 via the AMF 215 and the serving gNB 210-1 or serving ng-eNB 214 for the UE 105. For example, LPP messages may be communicated between the LMF 220 and the AMF 215 using messages for service-based operations (e.g., Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)-based) and may be communicated between the AMF 215 and the UE 105 using the 5G NAS protocol. The LPP protocol may be used to support positioning of the UE 105 using UE-assisted and / or UE-based positioning methods such as A-GNSS, RTK, TDOA, multi-cell RTT, AoD, and / or ECID. The NRPPa protocol may be used to support positioning of the UE 105 using network-based positioning methods such as ECID, AoA, uplink TDOA (UL-TDOA), and / or may be used by the LMF 220 to obtain location-related information from the gNB 210 and / or ng-eNB 214, such as parameters defining DL-PRS transmissions from the gNB 210 and / or ng-eNB 214.

[0060] In the event that the UE 105 accesses the WLAN 216, the LMF 220 may use NRPPa and / or LPP to obtain the location of the UE 105 in a manner similar to that just described for the UE 105 accessing the gNB 210 or ng-eNB 214. Thus, NRPPa messages may be passed between the WLAN 216 and the LMF 220 via the AMF 215 and the N3IWF 250 to support network-based positioning of the UE 105 and / or to pass other location information from the WLAN 216 to the LMF 220. Alternatively, NRPPa messages may be passed between the N3IWF 250 and the LMF 220 via the AMF 215 to support network-based positioning of the UE 105 based on location-related information and / or location measurements that are known to or accessible to the N3IWF 250 and passed from the N3IWF 250 to the LMF 220 using NRPPa. Similarly, LPP and / or LPP messages may be communicated between the UE 105 and the LMF 220 via the AMF 215, the N3IWF 250, and the serving WLAN 216 of the UE 105 to support UE-assisted or UE-based positioning of the UE 105 by the LMF 220.

[0061] In the 5G NR positioning system 200, positioning methods may be categorized as "UE-assisted" or "UE-based." This may depend on where the request to determine the location of the UE 105 originates. For example, where the request originates from the UE (e.g., from an application or "app" executed by the UE), the positioning method may be categorized as UE-based. On the other hand, where the request originates from an external client 230, LMF 220, or other device or service within the 5G network, the positioning method may be categorized as UE-assisted (or "network-based").

[0062] With UE-assisted positioning methods, the UE 105 may obtain location measurements and transmit these measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF 220) for use in computing a location estimate for the UE 105. For RAT-dependent positioning methods, the location measurements may include one or more of the following for one or more access points of the gNB 210, ng-eNB 214, and / or WLAN 216: received signal strength indicator (RSSI), round-trip propagation time (RTT), reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), RSTD, time of arrival (TOA), AoA, receive time-transmit time difference (Rx-Tx), differential AoA (DAoA), AoD, or timing advance (TA). Additionally or alternatively, similar measurements may be made on sidelink signals transmitted by other UEs, which may be used as anchor points for positioning the UE 105 if the locations of these other UEs are known. Position measurements may additionally or alternatively include measurements for RAT-independent positioning methods, such as GNSS (eg, GNSS pseudoranges of GNSS satellites, GNSS code phase, and / or GNSS carrier phase), WLAN, and the like.

[0063] Using the UE-based positioning method, the UE 105 can obtain a position measurement (e.g., which can be the same as or similar to the position measurement of the UE-assisted positioning method) and can further calculate the position of the UE 105 (e.g., with the help of assistance data received from a location server such as LMF 220, SLP or broadcast by gNB 210, ng-eNB 214 or WLAN 216).

[0064] Using network-based positioning methods, one or more base stations (e.g., gNB 210 and / or ng-eNB 214), one or more APs (e.g., in WLAN 216), or N3IWF 250 may obtain location measurements (e.g., measurements of RSSI, RTT, RSRP, RSRQ, AoA, or TOA) of signals sent by UE 105, and / or may receive measurements obtained by UE 105 or, in the case of N3IWF 250, by APs in WLAN 216, and may transmit these measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF 220) for use in calculating a position estimate for UE 105.

[0065] Positioning of UE 105 may also be classified as UL-based, DL-based, or DL-UL-based, depending on the type of signal used for positioning. For example, if positioning is based solely on signals received at UE 105 (e.g., from a base station or other UE), the positioning may be classified as DL-based. On the other hand, if positioning is based solely on signals sent by UE 105 (which may be received by, for example, a base station or other UE), the positioning may be classified as UL-based. DL-UL-based positioning includes positioning based on signals sent and received by UE 105, such as RTT-based positioning. Sidelink (SL)-assisted positioning includes signals communicated between UE 105 and one or more other UEs. According to some embodiments, UL, DL, or DL-UL positioning as described herein may be able to use SL signaling as a supplement to or replacement for SL, DL, or DL-UL signaling.

[0066] Depending on the positioning type (e.g., UL-based, DL-based, or DL-UL-based), the type of reference signal used may vary. For example, for DL-based positioning, these signals may include PRS (e.g., DL-PRS transmitted by the base station or SL-PRS transmitted by other UEs), which can be used for TDOA measurements, AoD measurements, and RTT measurements. Other reference signals that can be used for positioning (UL, DL, or DL-UL) may include: Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), synchronization signals (e.g., Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) Synchronization Signal (SS)), Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (P3SCH), Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS), etc. Furthermore, reference signals may be transmitted in a Tx beam and / or received in an Rx beam (e.g., using beamforming techniques), which may affect angle measurements such as AoD and / or AoA.

[0067] As noted, techniques for performing positioning of the UE 105 may involve the LMF 220 providing assistance data to the UE 105. Such assistance data may be provided according to the LPP protocol and may be provided in different manners depending on the scenario. Figure 3 It illustrates how assistance data may be provided.

[0068] Figure 3 is an example of how LPP can be used in a positioning system such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 Message flow diagram of the basic process of delivering assistance data in a positioning system (as illustrated in FIG). Figure 3 The example provided in the illustrative embodiment illustrates the messaging between the UE and the LMF for the NR positioning system (e.g., Figure 2 In addition, the LPP protocol is used to complete Figure 3 The exchanges in the examples illustrated in , but again, the embodiments are not limited thereto. Alternative embodiments may be performed in different types of positioning systems and / or may use different protocols.

[0069] Assistance data may be exchanged in UE-based or UE-assisted positioning. In UE-assisted positioning, LMF 220 may determine that assistance data needs to be provided to UE 105 (e.g., as part of a positioning process) and may transmit an LPP Provide Assistance Data message to UE 105, such as Figure 3 3GPP TS 38.305 (e.g., Sections 5 and 6) and 37.355 (e.g., Section 4) provide additional details regarding LPP positioning and NG-RAN positioning architectures.

[0070] When using NTN satellites to perform positioning (also referred to herein as "NTN positioning" or simply "NTN"), additional considerations may be required due to features implemented in NTN that are not found in terrestrial networks (TNs). An overview of some of these features is provided in Figure 4 Available in.

[0071] Figure 4is a diagram illustrating aspects of an NTN system 400 that may be used to communicate data and / or provide a UE 105 (which may correspond to Figures 1 to 3 UE 105) and may be a larger communication and / or positioning system (e.g., as previously described with respect to Figure 1 and / or Figure 2 It may be noted that, although Figure 4 The illustrated NTN system 400 illustrates satellites 410 for enabling communication and / or positioning of UE 105, but embodiments are not limited thereto. The NTN system 400 may additionally or alternatively include other non-ground vehicles ( Figure 4 (not shown), including non-space vehicles, such as high-altitude platform stations, balloons, airplanes, drones, etc.

[0072] Using satellites 410 and / or other non-terrestrial vehicles to relay communication signals and / or provide positioning for UE 105 can help provide availability and continuity in geographic areas that are not easily serviced using terrestrial means alone. As noted, satellites 410 can include LEO, MEO, or GEO satellites, or a combination thereof. Satellites 410 (and / or other non-terrestrial vehicles in NTN system 400) can use wireless RF feeder links 430 to communicate with gateways 420 (which can communicate with Figure 1 and Figure 2 150) or a ground station to connect to a 5G or other communication network. The satellite 410 may serve a corresponding service area 440, which may be divided into one or more sub-areas or "beams" (which may be elliptical in shape), and may establish a service link 450 with a UE within the corresponding service area 440. The service area 440 (and the corresponding beam) may be mobile, with the movement corresponding to the movement of the respective satellite 410 along its orbit. Alternatively, the service area 440 (and the corresponding beam) may be earth-fixed, in which case some beam pointing mechanism (mechanical or electronic steering features) will compensate for the movement of the satellite 410 (or aircraft). (It may be noted that the concept of a "satellite beam" in this context may be different from the concept of a "beam" in NR FR2. In some respects, a satellite beam may be considered to be similar to a cell in a terrestrial network.) The service link 450 may serve as a Uu interface to a wireless network accessed via the gateway 420. In some embodiments, the gateway 420 and / or satellite 410 may be associated with a base station of a cellular network (e.g., a gNB of a 5G network) and may include remote RUs and / or DUs of the base station that operatively serve as TRPs, TPs, and / or RPs of the base station.

[0073] Positioning a UE 105 using the NTN system 400 may be similar to positioning in a cellular network (e.g., as previously described with respect to Figure 24. 5G NR Positioning System 200 (described in conjunction with the 5G NR Positioning System 200 of the 5G NR system). This may include, for example, using satellites 410 and / or other non-terrestrial vehicles of the NTN system 400 as transmission and / or reception points for transmitting and / or receiving reference signals for positioning the UE 105 (e.g., in addition to or in lieu of TRPs of base stations of the TN). The reference signals may then be used to perform positioning-related measurements such as AoA, RTT, TDOA, etc., as previously described. A location server (e.g., LMF) communicatively linked to the gateway 420 may be used to coordinate positioning sessions using the UE 105 and one or more of the satellites 410. Relevant references include, for example, Technical Reference (TR) 38.821 (e.g., Section 4) and 38_311 (e.g., Section 4.6).

[0074] In NTN, different beam management applications can be used. For example, for frequency range 1 (FR1), beam management based on Release 15 (Rel-15) of the relevant 3GPP standard can be used. For frequency reuse > 1, this can include two possible schemes: (1) one bandwidth part (BWP) is used for each satellite beam, and (2) one component carrier is used for each satellite beam. In addition, a mechanism can be introduced to use a single downlink control information (DCI) to switch both UL and DL BWPs simultaneously to support fast satellite beam switching. Here, the concept of BWP can be used for frequency resource allocation between NTN beams, and the network can configure a specific active BWP for the UE in the beam. In addition, in some implementations, the number of BWPs used for NTN can be higher compared to TN. Note that serving link switching can be considered as part of the beam management mechanism in NR NTN.

[0075] Regarding polarization in NTN networks, neighboring cells may use different polarization modes (e.g., right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) and right-hand circular polarization (LHCP)) to mitigate inter-cell interference. In addition, there may be UEs with different antenna types. Some UEs may be equipped with linearly polarized antennas, while some other UEs may be equipped with circularly polarized antennas. In applicable radio resource control (RRC) layer implementations, in certain scenarios (e.g., when the UE is able to distinguish between RHCP and LHCP using a circularly polarized antenna or a linearly polarized antenna), it may be beneficial to signal the polarization mode used for NTN.

[0076] As noted, NTN positioning using LEO satellites can be challenging due to the limited visibility of LEO satellites by UEs on Earth. Specifically, positioning using three or more satellites may generally not be feasible because the UE may only see one or two satellites during a time window. Nevertheless, as communication networks increase the number of LEOs used for NTN, visibility of two satellites is generally possible. This is especially true when the UE is under overlapping coverage / service areas (e.g., during a transition from one satellite to another). Ultimately, the frequency of instances where a UE can observe two satellites is very high in a LEO satellite network, allowing the possibility of using at least two satellites for UE positioning. As noted, embodiments herein relate to techniques for positioning using two or more satellites (e.g., LEO satellites), which are referred to herein as Multi-Epoch Double Difference Ranging (MEDDR).

[0077] MEDDR is a relative positioning method using a pair of stationed LEO receivers comprising a target UE and a reference station. Broadly speaking, according to embodiments herein, positioning a target UE using MEDDR may involve determining a pseudorange (estimated distance) from the LEO receiver to each of two or more satellites at a first time and a second time, wherein the LEO receiver comprises the target UE and at least one reference station. The pseudoranges at the first time and the second time may be determined using ranging measurements at those times, using ranging techniques (such as RTT) from UL, DL, and / or UL-DL measurements as previously described herein.

[0078] Generally speaking, at time t i , each of the UE and the reference station may measure its respective pseudorange from the LEO satellite 510 as follows:

[0079]

[0080] Where subscript j denotes the LEO receiver (UE or reference station), superscript S denotes the LEO satellite, c is the speed of light, and dT S is the satellite clock bias, dT j is the receiver clock bias, A is the atmospheric ranging offset (e.g., ionosphere, troposphere), is the pseudorange noise (e.g., relativistic effects, multipath, etc.). The true distance between the LEO satellite and the receiver can be written as:

[0081]

[0082] in is the LEO satellite position at the time of transmission, and p j (t i ) is the LEO receiver positioning. An example is Figure 5 Example in.

[0083] Figure 5 is where MEDDR may be performed to determine if UE 505 (which may be related to Figures 1 to 4 FIGURE 5 is a diagram of an example configuration 500 for a location of a UE 105 (corresponding to the depicted location). Figure 5 , satellite 510-1 corresponds to the position of the first satellite at the first time t1, satellite 510-2 corresponds to the position of the second satellite at the first time t1, satellite 510-3 corresponds to the position of the first satellite at the second time t2, and satellite 510-4 corresponds to the position of the second satellite at the second time t2. Reference station 520 may include any of a variety of types of devices (UE, base station, satellite receiver and / or other devices) and, like UE 505, may be capable of communicating with satellite 510. Reference station 520 may include a mobile or stationary device communicatively coupled to the wireless communication network of satellite 510. According to some embodiments, reference station 520 may be capable of broadcasting or otherwise communicating directly with UE 505, however, embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0084] like Figure 5 As shown, both the UE 505 and the reference station 520 make measurements to determine a corresponding pseudorange for each of the first satellite 510-1 and the second satellite 510-2 at time t1. Placing these four pseudoranges in the form of equation 1 yields the following equation:

[0085]

[0086]

[0087] and

[0088]

[0089] Double difference is taken between two LEO satellites and between UE 505 and reference station 520 After that, dT S , dT UE and The ranging errors can be removed. Specifically, when the UE 505 and the reference station 520 are within a threshold distance, the atmospheric errors are canceled out; the receiver clock bias is canceled out from the measurements of the same LEO receiver; and the satellite clock bias is canceled out based on the satellite measurements from the UE 505 and the reference station 520. This leaves a double-difference pseudorange defined as the true range and the noise:

[0090]

[0091] When the baseline (the distance between the UE and the reference station (ref)) is short:

[0092]

[0093] Where b is the relative positioning vector b(t i )=p ref (t i )-p UE (t i ), and los is the line-of-sight unit vector between the satellite and the receiver.

[0094] When the UE 505 is stationary during multiple epochs of double-difference ranging observations (or where movement is otherwise compensated), the following may be determined:

[0095]

[0096] Note UE , p ref and b are constants, so at least three of these linearly independent observations (equations) at different times may be required to solve for the 3D position of the UE 505. However, if the altitude of the UE 505 is known (e.g., using a map, sensors, etc.) or is not required, then only two epochs / observations (e.g., at times t1 and t2) may be used to determine the position of the UE 505. Thus, embodiments may use two or more sets of measurements taken at two or more corresponding times to determine the position of the UE using Equation 6 above.

[0097] It can be noted that the change in satellite position between time t1 and t2 helps ensure that singularities in the least squares solution are avoided. Therefore, according to an embodiment, a threshold amount of time must pass between time t1 and t2 to help ensure that this satellite position change occurs. For LEO satellites, numerical simulation results show that for a baseline length (b) of several kilometers, a 30-second interval for a LEO satellite at an altitude of approximately 300 km can provide reasonable UE positioning accuracy (e.g., meter-level). Depending on the desired functionality, the baseline length can also be longer when the epoch interval becomes longer. Therefore, an embodiment can balance the threshold duration between time t1 and t2 with the baseline length between the UE 505 and the reference station 520, which can be application-specific. For example, if the UE 505 is mobile and is not expected to move for several minutes, it can take advantage of epochs (threshold duration between measurement times) that are longer than 30 seconds, which will allow for a longer baseline length. Thus, in accordance with some embodiments, the threshold duration between time t1 and t2 (and subsequent epochs) may be dynamically customized based on the LEO satellite orbit, the baseline length, and any required accuracy for the UE position estimate (e.g., as defined in relevant specifications, required by the requesting entity or application, etc.).

[0098] Depending on the desired functionality, different devices may use MEDDR to determine the location of the UE as described herein. In accordance with some embodiments, the reference station 520 may provide measurement and location information directly to the UE, as previously noted (e.g., via broadcast and / or other direct wireless transmission). Additionally or alternatively, the reference station may provide this information to the UE via other devices (e.g., communicating the measurement and location information to a server, which may relay the information to the UE). In either of these cases, the UE may then determine its location based on information from the reference station, satellite position information (e.g., a local model or provided by a server), and measurement information obtained through measurements performed at the UE. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may provide information to the reference station in a similar manner, in which case the reference station may determine the location of the UE. In accordance with some embodiments, both the UE and the reference station may transmit measurement information to a server (e.g., a location server), which may then use this information (and the satellite position information) to determine the location of the UE.

[0099] The communication of information such as measurement information, configuration information (e.g., configuring RF signals to be broadcast and measurements to be performed) in a wireless network may be governed by a specific wireless communication standard. For example, to support MEDDR using 3GPP, the LMF may be configured as described above with respect to Figure 3The LMF may provide assistance data to the UE in the manner described, using LPP to communicate with the UE via one or more base stations and satellites to provide assistance data to the UE. According to some embodiments, the LMF may support MEDDR in a manner similar to other types of positioning in LPP. For example, MEDDR may be considered a different type of positioning method (similar to TDOA, AOD, etc.).

[0100] According to an embodiment, a new set of assistance data corresponding to the "MEDDR" positioning method may include one or more of the following data. The LMF may provide the UE with information about the PRSs transmitted by the satellite, including a pair of PRSs (PRS IDs) that should be associated with a pair of TRPs (TRPIDs). The two TRP IDs may correspond to two satellites used to position the UE, which satellites transmit PRSs that are measured by the UE for positioning. It may be noted that the two TRPs (two satellites) may or may not be associated with the same base station (gNB). That is, in some cases, the two satellites may be associated with the same base station, while in other cases, each satellite may be associated with a separate base station. In some embodiments, the associated PRSs may be indicated to the UE (e.g., in the assistance data) for MEDDR positioning so that the UE can report its Rx-Tx time difference with the same PRS pair used by the reference station.

[0101] According to some embodiments, to enhance the accuracy of dual-differential based positioning, the LMF may configure the UL signaling (e.g., SRS) to be sent by the UE and the reference station to be close in time / frequency. Similarly, according to some embodiments, the UE may be instructed which SRS to use for MEDDR measurements, which may allow the UE to utilize the associated PRS / SRS for UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement / reporting.

[0102] Other features can be used to save power. For example, to save UE power, the PRS configuration can be instance-based (e.g., on-demand) rather than a periodic signal (as is the case with traditional PRS). In such an embodiment, in each instance, there can be a periodic PRS sent within a certain time window. In such an embodiment, the time window during which the UE can observe two satellites can be limited and predictable. Again, this narrowing of the window can result in reduced power usage. For each satellite, the instance can be a time such that for at least two instances, sufficient time elapses between the first instance and the second instance to avoid singularities in the least squares solution in the positioning estimate, as previously noted.

[0103] As previously noted, for UE-based positioning, in which the UE determines its position, the position of the reference station may be communicated to the UE. As previously noted, this may be accomplished by direct communication between the reference station and the UE, or may be accomplished via an LMF (e.g., via satellite-based communication) and / or some other indirect communication means. In some embodiments, for example, a measurement report may be provided to the UE (e.g., directly by the reference station or by an LMF that receives the measurement report from the reference station), and the measurement report may include the position of the reference station.

[0104] In some embodiments, the reference station may include a Positioning Reference Unit (PRU), as defined in the relevant 3GPP standards. According to some embodiments, schemes utilizing PRUs as reference stations may require defining procedures for MEDDR positioning. Example procedures are described in Figure 6 Example in.

[0105] Figure 6 6 is a message flow diagram of a process 600 for supporting MEDDR-based positioning, according to an embodiment. Specifically, the process 600 may be used to determine whether there is an available PRU 610 for performing positioning of a UE 605. As shown, the process 600 may be performed by various components of a wireless network, including a UE 605, a PRU 610 (which may correspond to a reference station, as described elsewhere herein), one or more base stations 620 (e.g., gNBs) (which may communicate with the PRU 610 and / or the UE 605 via one or more satellites 625 (e.g., which may include any or both of the satellites used for positioning), and a location server 630 (e.g., a LMF). As with the other figures provided herein, the operations illustrated in the process 600 are provided as non-limiting examples of embodiments for implementing MEDDR-based positioning. Alternative embodiments may add, omit, rearrange, or otherwise alter the illustrated operations depending on the desired functionality.

[0106] Process 600 may begin with a MEDDR positioning request, which may be transmitted from UE 605 to a location server, as indicated by arrow 635. This may be based on, for example, a request from a user or application of UE 605. Alternatively, as indicated at block 640, the MEDDR positioning request may be obtained by the location server based on some other event. Location server 630 may determine to perform MEDDR positioning of UE 605, for example, based on a request for positioning of UE 605 received from within the wireless communication network or from an external client.

[0107] In response to arrow 635 or the request at block 640, the location server 630 may then transmit a request to broadcast a PRU signal to the base station 620, as indicated at arrow 645. This may cause the base station 620 to then transmit a command to the satellite 625, as indicated at arrow 650, which then transmits / broadcasts a PRU search signal, as indicated at arrow 655. Upon receiving the PRU search signal, the PRU 610 may then respond to the location server 630, as indicated by arrow 660. As indicated by the optional functionality at block 665, the PRU 610 may need to establish an RRC network connection with the base station 620 before transmitting the PRU search response.

[0108] The PRU search response (transmitted at arrow 660) may include different types of information, depending on the desired functionality. For example, according to some embodiments, the PRU 610 may indicate the device type or category of the UE 610, such as whether the PRU 610 comprises a terrestrial network (TN) base station, a fixed UE, a mobile UE, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the PRU 610 may report its location.

[0109] It may be noted that the selection of PRU 610 may vary depending on the situation, capabilities, and / or other factors. For example, in a situation where the location of UE 605 is completely unknown, location server 630 may schedule multiple PRUs to support MEDDR positioning of UE 605. In a situation where the coarse location of the UE is known, the LMF may select (e.g., from the multiple PRUs transmitted in response to the PRU search signal at arrow 655) a PRU with a smaller baseline length (the distance from the UE's coarse location to the PRU) to support MEDDR. Furthermore, in some embodiments, PRU selection may vary dynamically. For example, in a first example, location server 630 may select multiple PRUs (e.g., PRU 1, PRU 2, and PRU 3) to perform MEDDR positioning of UE 605. However, in subsequent examples, location server 630 may select only a single PRU (e.g., PRU 2) based on the minimum baseline length to the UE. When PRU 610 is selected, location server 630 may transmit a PRU configuration to PRU 610, as indicated at arrow 670, having information for performing measurements with satellites 625, from which applicable pseudoranges may be determined, as described elsewhere herein.

[0110] It may be noted that the embodiments herein may provide for position determination of the target UE even in the case where the target UE and / or the reference station (eg, PRU) may be moving. Figure 5In the example of , UE 505 and / or reference station 520 may have different corresponding positions at time t1 and t2. For a reference station that is moving, the reference station may only need to provide a corresponding position for each set of satellite measurements. The difference in baselines can then be compensated for by, for example, modifying Equation 6 to take into account different baselines at different measurement times. The movement of the UE can be determined based on sensor information and / or other sources of movement and also compensated. In some embodiments, for example, an equation similar to the modified Equation 6 can be used to solve for velocity in the Doppler domain. (Again, this can allow different baselines to be determined and compensated.) In embodiments where the UE and / or reference station is moving, the UE and / or reference station may also report motion status and / or real-time position to the location server.

[0111] Figure 7 is a flow chart of a method 700 for locating a MEDDR of a UE in a wireless communication network according to an embodiment. Figure 7 The functional structures / components illustrated in one or more of the illustrated blocks may be performed by hardware and / or software components of a UE, a base station, or a server (eg, a location server). Example components of a UE are shown in FIG. Figure 9 Example components of a computer system that is illustrated in FIG. 1 and capable of performing the functionality of a base station or server are shown in FIG. Figure 10 In some embodiments, some or all of the operations of method 700 may be performed in a positioning session (eg, an LPP positioning session) between a UE, a location server, and (optionally) a base station.

[0112] At block 710, functionality includes obtaining a first set of pseudoranges corresponding to a first time, wherein a UE is within a threshold distance (e.g., a first threshold distance) of a reference station at the first time; and the first set of pseudoranges includes: (i) pseudoranges between the UE and each of a first low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a second LEO satellite at the first time, and (ii) pseudoranges between the reference station and each of the first LEO satellite and the second LEO satellite at the first time. Figure 5 , the functionality at block 710 may correspond to determining a pseudorange from measurements taken, for example, by both the UE 505 and the reference station 520 at time t1.

[0113] The means for performing the functionality at block 710 may include, for example, Figure 9 The illustrated bus 905, processor 910, digital signal processor (DSP) 920, wireless communication interface 930, memory 960, other components of UE 900, or any combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the means for performing the functionality at block 710 may include, for example, Figure 10The illustrated bus 1005, one or more processors 1010, one or more storage devices 1025, one or more input devices 1015, a communication subsystem 1030 (which may include a wireless communication interface 1033), a memory 1035 (which may include an operating system 1040 and / or one or more applications 1045), other components of the computer system 1000, or any combination thereof.

[0114] At block 720, the functionality includes obtaining a second set of pseudoranges corresponding to a second time, wherein: the UE is within a threshold distance (e.g., a second threshold distance, which may be the same as or different from the first threshold distance) of the reference station at the second time, the second time being at least a threshold duration after the first time, and the second set of pseudoranges includes: (i) pseudoranges between the UE and each of the first LEO satellite and the second LEO satellite at the second time, and (ii) pseudoranges between the reference station and each of the first LEO satellite and the second LEO satellite at the second time. Figure 5 , the functionality at block 720 may correspond to determining a pseudorange from measurements taken, for example, by both the UE 505 and the reference station 520 at time t2.

[0115] The means for performing the functionality at block 720 may include, for example, Figure 9 The illustrated bus 905, processor 910, digital signal processor (DSP) 920, wireless communication interface 930, memory 960, other components of UE 900, or any combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the means for performing the functionality at block 720 may include, for example, Figure 10 The illustrated bus 1005, one or more processors 1010, one or more storage devices 1025, one or more input devices 1015, a communication subsystem 1030 (which may include a wireless communication interface 1033), a memory 1035 (which may include an operating system 1040 and / or one or more applications 1045), other components of the computer system 1000, or any combination thereof.

[0116] Regarding the functionality at blocks 720 and 730, implementations may implement different features depending on the desired functionality. Regarding measurements performed by the UE and reference stations, these measurements may include RTT measurements, as described herein, where PRS transmitted by the satellite is measured separately by the UE and reference station, and each of the UE and reference station may further transmit an SRS. The measurement of the PRS and the transmission of the SRS by the UE and / or reference station may be based on a configuration received by the location server. This configuration information is provided in assistance data from the location server.

[0117] At block 730, the functionality includes determining a position estimate for the UE based at least in part on: the first set of pseudoranges, the second set of pseudoranges, and, for each of the first time and the second time, the respective positions of each of the first LEO satellite, the second LEO satellite, and the reference station. As noted herein, the position of the reference station may be communicated by the reference station to a location server, the UE, or other device that determines the position of the UE. Position information for regional satellites may be obtained from associated ephemeris, a geometric model, and / or other information sources that can provide satellite position information and measurement times.

[0118] The means for performing the functionality at block 730 may include, for example, Figure 9 The illustrated bus 905, processor 910, digital signal processor (DSP) 920, wireless communication interface 930, memory 960, other components of UE 900, or any combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the means for performing the functionality at block 730 may include, for example, Figure 10 The illustrated bus 1005, one or more processors 1010, one or more storage devices 1025, one or more input devices 1015, a communication subsystem 1030 (which may include a wireless communication interface 1033), a memory 1035 (which may include an operating system 1040 and / or one or more applications 1045), other components of the computer system 1000, or any combination thereof.

[0119] At block 740, the functionality includes outputting an indication of the location estimate. The indication may be provided within the device (e.g., from one component or application to another component or application), provided at a user interface (e.g., to a user of the device), sent to a separate device, or any combination thereof. Thus, according to some embodiments, outputting an indication of the location estimate may include providing the indication using a user interface, communicating the indication to the device, providing the indication to an application layer of the device, providing the indication to a hardware component within the device, or any combination thereof.

[0120] The means for performing the functionality at block 740 may include, for example, Figure 9 The illustrated bus 905, processor 910, digital signal processor (DSP) 920, wireless communication interface 930, memory 960, other components of UE 900, or any combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the means for performing the functionality at block 740 may include, for example, Figure 10The illustrated bus 1005, one or more processors 1010, one or more storage devices 1025, one or more input devices 1015, a communication subsystem 1030 (which may include a wireless communication interface 1033), a memory 1035 (which may include an operating system 1040 and / or one or more applications 1045), other components of the computer system 1000, or any combination thereof.

[0121] As noted in the previously described embodiments, one or more additional features may be implemented depending on the desired functionality. For example, according to some embodiments, determining a position estimate may include taking a double difference for each of a first set of pseudoranges and a second set of pseudoranges. As shown in Equation 4, the double difference of the first set of pseudoranges may include the difference between: (i) the difference between the pseudorange of each of the UE and the reference station and the first LEO satellite at a first time, and (ii) the difference between the pseudorange of each of the UE and the reference station and the second LEO satellite at the first time; and the double difference of the second set of pseudorange measurements includes the difference between: (i) the difference between the pseudorange of each of the UE and the reference station and the first LEO satellite at a second time, and (ii) the difference between the pseudorange of each of the UE and the reference station and the second LEO satellite at the second time. Additionally or alternatively, embodiments may include determining a threshold duration based on an estimated distance of the UE from the reference station. According to some embodiments, the threshold duration is at least 30 seconds. In some embodiments, determining a position estimate for the UE includes compensating for movement of the UE between the first time and the second time. Additionally or alternatively, some embodiments may further include transmitting a request to locate the UE using MEDDR before obtaining the first set of pseudoranges and obtaining the second set of pseudoranges (e.g., as Figure 6 635 and box 640 in FIG.

[0122] As noted, method 700 can be performed by different devices, depending on the desired functionality. For example, according to some embodiments, the method is performed by a UE or a reference station. In such embodiments, the method may also include receiving assistance data from a server, in which case obtaining the first set of pseudoranges and obtaining the second set of pseudoranges may at least partially include performing pseudorange measurements based on the assistance data. In such cases, the assistance data may include an identifier of a PRS to be measured for the pseudorange measurements, a configuration of an SRS to be transmitted for the pseudorange measurements, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the method may be performed by a server or a base station of a wireless communication network. In such cases, obtaining the first set of pseudoranges and obtaining the second set of pseudoranges may respectively include receiving the first set of pseudoranges and the second set of pseudoranges from a UE, a reference station, or both. Furthermore, in such embodiments, obtaining the first set of pseudoranges and obtaining the second set of pseudoranges may include determining the first set of pseudoranges and the second set of pseudoranges based on pseudorange measurements received from a UE, a reference station, a first LEO satellite, a second LEO satellite, or any combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the method may include obtaining a position of the reference station prior to obtaining the first set of pseudoranges and obtaining the second set of pseudoranges.

[0123] Figure 8 8 is a flow chart of a method 800 for supporting MEDDR for positioning a UE in a wireless communication network according to an embodiment. Aspects of the method 800 may reflect the functionality of a reference station (or PRU) as described in the embodiments herein. Figure 8 The functional structures / components illustrated in one or more of the illustrated blocks may be performed by hardware and / or software components of a UE, a base station, or other device used as a reference station. Example components of a UE are shown in FIG. Figure 9 Example components of a computer system that is illustrated in FIG. 1 and capable of performing the functionality of a base station or other device are shown in FIG. Figure 10 In some embodiments, some or all of the operations of method 800 may be performed in a positioning session (eg, an LPP positioning session) between a UE, a location server, and (optionally) a base station.

[0124] At block 810, the functionality includes receiving a request message at a reference station indicating a request for positioning of a UE. Figure 6 As indicated by arrow 655, the request may be in the form of a PRU search signal that may be transmitted by one or more satellites in an attempt to determine available reference stations (PRUs) for positioning the UE. According to some embodiments, the search signal may be provided at certain intervals and / or scheduled times to enable the reference stations to detect the PRU search signal.

[0125] The components for performing the functionality at block 810 may include, for example, Figure 9The illustrated bus 905, processor 910, digital signal processor (DSP) 920, wireless communication interface 930, memory 960, other components of UE 900, or any combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the means for performing the functionality at block 810 may include, for example, Figure 10 The illustrated bus 1005, one or more processors 1010, one or more storage devices 1025, one or more input devices 1015, a communication subsystem 1030 (which may include a wireless communication interface 1033), a memory 1035 (which may include an operating system 1040 and / or one or more applications 1045), other components of the computer system 1000, or any combination thereof.

[0126] At block 820, the functionality includes transmitting, in response to the request message, a response message from the reference station to the server indicating the location of the reference station. Figure 6 As indicated by the PRU search response at arrow 660 of , the reference station may provide various information in the PRU search response, including the location of the PRU. As indicated, this may be used by the location server to determine whether the UE is within a threshold distance (e.g., based on the coarse location of the UE) from the reference station (e.g., as a baseline length within the threshold distance) and / or to compare the reference station with other candidate reference stations to determine which reference station may be the best candidate for locating the UE (e.g., which candidates may have the shortest baseline length). As previously indicated, the response to the request message may include the device type of the reference station. According to some embodiments, the device type of the reference station may include a terrestrial base station, a fixed UE, or a mobile UE, and wherein the method further includes including the device type of the reference station in the response message.

[0127] As noted, the reference station may need to establish an RRC network connection with the base station in order to respond to the request. That is, the reference station may not have previously established a wireless network connection with the base station before receiving the request. Therefore, some embodiments may also include establishing an RRC connection with the wireless communication network in response to the request message and before transmitting the response message.

[0128] The means for performing the functionality at block 820 may include, for example, Figure 9 The illustrated bus 905, processor 910, digital signal processor (DSP) 920, wireless communication interface 930, memory 960, other components of UE 900, or any combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the means for performing the functionality at block 820 may include, for example, Figure 10The illustrated bus 1005, one or more processors 1010, one or more storage devices 1025, one or more input devices 1015, a communication subsystem 1030 (which may include a wireless communication interface 1033), a memory 1035 (which may include an operating system 1040 and / or one or more applications 1045), other components of the computer system 1000, or any combination thereof.

[0129] At block 830, functionality includes receiving configuration data regarding the positioning of the UE from a server at a reference station. Figure 6 As indicated by arrow 665 in FIG. 1 , the configuration data received from the location server may include information that enables the reference station to perform measurements of RF signals transmitted by the satellites for pseudorange determination. Thus, the configuration data may include information about the signals transmitted by the satellites (e.g., PRS information including frequency and / or timing information).

[0130] The means for performing the functionality at block 830 may include, for example, Figure 9 The illustrated bus 905, processor 910, digital signal processor (DSP) 920, wireless communication interface 930, memory 960, other components of UE 900, or any combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the means for performing the functionality at block 830 may include, for example, Figure 10 The illustrated bus 1005, one or more processors 1010, one or more storage devices 1025, one or more input devices 1015, a communication subsystem 1030 (which may include a wireless communication interface 1033), a memory 1035 (which may include an operating system 1040 and / or one or more applications 1045), other components of the computer system 1000, or any combination thereof.

[0131] At block 840, the functionality includes performing pseudorange measurements at a reference station at a first time and a second time according to the configuration data, wherein the second time is at least a threshold duration after the first time. As noted elsewhere herein, the threshold duration may vary depending on the baseline length, the accuracy requirement of the estimated UE position, and / or other such factors.

[0132] The means for performing the functionality at block 840 may include, for example, Figure 9 The illustrated bus 905, processor 910, digital signal processor (DSP) 920, wireless communication interface 930, memory 960, other components of UE 900, or any combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the means for performing the functionality at block 840 may include, for example, Figure 10The illustrated bus 1005, one or more processors 1010, one or more storage devices 1025, one or more input devices 1015, a communication subsystem 1030 (which may include a wireless communication interface 1033), a memory 1035 (which may include an operating system 1040 and / or one or more applications 1045), other components of the computer system 1000, or any combination thereof.

[0133] At block 850, functionality includes transmitting information indicating pseudorange measurements from the reference station to a server, a UE, or both. Here, the device to which the reference station transmits the pseudorange measurements may depend on which device initiates positioning. For UE-based positioning, the reference station may transmit the information to the UE. On the other hand, for network-based positioning (UE-assisted positioning), the reference station may transmit the information to a location server. This information may include, for example, pseudorange measurements, pseudoranges determined using the pseudorange measurements, or a combination thereof.

[0134] The means for performing the functionality at block 850 may include, for example, Figure 9 The illustrated bus 905, processor 910, digital signal processor (DSP) 920, wireless communication interface 930, memory 960, other components of UE 900, or any combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, means for performing the functionality at block 850 may include, for example, Figure 10 The illustrated bus 1005, one or more processors 1010, one or more storage devices 1025, one or more input devices 1015, a communication subsystem 1030 (which may include a wireless communication interface 1033), a memory 1035 (which may include an operating system 1040 and / or one or more applications 1045), other components of the computer system 1000, or any combination thereof.

[0135] As noted, embodiments may compensate for movement of the UE and / or reference station between measurements (e.g., at times t1 and t2). Consequently, the reference station may transmit a server update of the location information. Accordingly, some embodiments may further include transmitting an indication of an updated location of the reference station to the server, wherein the updated location of the reference station indicates the location of the reference station at the second time.

[0136] Figure 9 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a UE 900 that may be utilized as described herein. For example, the UE 900 may correspond to a target UE for which MEDDR positioning is performed and / or a reference station including the UE. It should be noted that Figure 9 It is intended only to provide a generalized illustration of the various components, any or all of which may be utilized as appropriate. It may be noted that in some instances, Figure 9The illustrated components may be localized into a single physical device and / or distributed among various networked devices that may be located at different geographical locations. Furthermore, as previously noted, the functionality of the UE discussed in the previously described embodiments may be provided by Figure 9 One or more of the illustrated hardware components and / or software components execute.

[0137] UE 900 is shown as including hardware elements that may be electrically coupled via bus 905 (or may communicate in other ways as appropriate). The hardware elements may include a processor 910, which may include, but is not limited to, one or more general-purpose processors (e.g., application processors), one or more special-purpose processors (such as digital signal processor (DSP) chips, graphics acceleration processors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.), and / or other processing structures or components. Processor 910 may include one or more processing units, which may be housed in a single integrated circuit (IC) or multiple ICs. Figure 9 As shown, some embodiments may have a separate DSP 920, depending on the desired functionality. Position determination and / or other determinations based on wireless communication (discussed below) may be provided in the processor 910 and / or the wireless communication interface 930. The UE 900 may also include: one or more input devices 970, which may include but are not limited to one or more keyboards, touch screens, touch pads, microphones, buttons, dials, switches, etc.; and one or more output devices 915, which may include but are not limited to one or more displays (e.g., touch screens), light emitting diodes (LEDs), speakers, etc.

[0138] The UE 900 may also include a wireless communication interface 930, which may include but is not limited to a modem, a network card, an infrared communication device, a wireless communication device and / or a chipset (such as a Devices, IEEE 802.11 devices, IEEE 802.15.4 devices, Wi-Fi devices, WiMAX devices, WAN devices and / or various cellular devices, etc.), the wireless communication interface can enable the UE 900 to communicate with other devices as described in the above embodiments. The wireless communication interface 930 can permit communication (e.g., sending and receiving) of data and signaling with the NG-RAN node of the network, for example, via eNB, gNB, ng-eNB, access point, NTN satellite, various base stations, TRP and / or other access node types, and / or other network components, computer systems, and / or any other electronic device communicatively coupled to the TRP, as described herein. Communication can be performed via one or more wireless communication antennas 932 that transmit and / or receive wireless signals 934. According to some embodiments, the wireless communication antenna 932 may include multiple discrete antennas, antenna arrays, or any combination thereof. The antenna 932 may be capable of using beams (e.g., Tx beams and Rx beams) to send and receive wireless signals. Beamforming may be performed using digital and / or analog beamforming techniques with corresponding digital and / or analog circuitry. Wireless communication interface 930 may include such circuitry.

[0139] Depending on the desired functionality, the wireless communication interface 930 may include separate receivers and transmitters, or any combination of transceivers, transmitters, and / or receivers to communicate with base stations (e.g., ng-eNBs and gNBs) and other terrestrial transceivers (such as wireless devices and access points) and NTN satellites. The UE 900 may communicate with different data networks, which may include various network types. For example, the WWAN may be a CDMA network, a time division multiple access (TDMA) network, a frequency division multiple access (FDMA) network, an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) network, a single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) network, a WiMAX (IEEE 802.16) network, etc. A CDMA network may implement one or more RATs, such as WCDMA, etc. These include IS-95, IS-2000, and / or IS-856 standards. A TDMA network may implement GSM, Digital Advanced Mobile Phone System (D-AMPS), or some other RAT. An OFDMA network may employ LTE, LTE-Advanced, 5G NR, and the like. 5G NR, LTE, LTE-Advanced, GSM, and WCDMA are described in documents from 3GPP. It is described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2). 3GPP and 3GPP2 documents are publicly available. A wireless local area network (WLAN) can also be an IEEE 802.11x network, while a wireless personal area network (WPAN) can be a Bluetooth network, IEEE 802.15x, or some other type of network. The techniques described herein can also be used for any combination of WWAN, WLAN, and / or WPAN.

[0140] The UE 900 may also include sensors 940. The sensors 940 may include, but are not limited to, one or more inertial sensors and / or other sensors (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes, cameras, magnetometers, altimeters, microphones, proximity sensors, light sensors, barometers, etc.), some of which may be used to obtain location-related measurements and / or other information.

[0141] Embodiments of the UE 900 may also include a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver 980 capable of receiving signals 984 from one or more GNSS satellites using an antenna 982 (which may be the same as antenna 932). Positioning based on GNSS signal measurements may be used to supplement and / or incorporate the techniques described herein. The GNSS receiver 980 may extract the position of the UE 900 using conventional techniques from GNSS satellites of GNSS systems such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), Galileo, GLONASS, the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) covering Japan, the IRNSS covering India, the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) covering China, and the like. In addition, the GNSS receiver 980 may be used with various augmentation systems (e.g., satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS)) that may be associated with or otherwise enabled for use with one or more global and / or regional navigation satellite systems, such as, for example, the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), the Multifunction Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS), and the Geographic Augmentation Navigation System (GAGAN), among others.

[0142] It can be pointed out that although Figure 9980 as a distinct component, but embodiments are not limited thereto. As used herein, the term "GNSS receiver" may include hardware and / or software components configured to obtain GNSS measurements (measurements from GNSS satellites). Thus, in some embodiments, the GNSS receiver may include (as software) a measurement engine executed by one or more processors, such as the processor 910, the DSP 920, and / or a processor within the wireless communication interface 930 (e.g., in a modem). The GNSS receiver can also optionally include a positioning engine that can use the GNS3 measurements from the measurement engine to determine the position of the GNS3 receiver using an extended Kalman filter (EKF), weighted least squares (WLS), a hatch filter, or a particle filter, among others. The positioning engine can also be executed by one or more processors, such as the processor 910 or the DSP 920.

[0143] The UE 900 may also include and / or communicate with a memory 960. The memory 960 may include, but is not limited to, local and / or network accessible storage, disk drives, drive arrays, optical storage devices, solid-state storage devices such as random access memory (RAM) and / or read-only memory (ROM), which may be programmable, flash-updatable, etc. Such storage devices may be configured to implement any suitable data storage, including, but not limited to, various file systems, database structures, etc.

[0144] The memory 960 of the UE 900 may also include software elements ( Figure 9 900 ), including an operating system, device drivers, executable libraries, and / or other code (such as one or more applications), which may include computer programs provided by various embodiments and / or may be designed to implement methods provided by other embodiments and / or configure systems provided by other embodiments, as described herein. By way of example only, one or more processes described with respect to the methods discussed above may be implemented as code and / or instructions in memory 960 that can be executed by UE 900 (and / or processor 910 or DSP 920 within UE 900). In some embodiments, such code and / or instructions may then be used to configure and / or adapt a general-purpose computer (or other device) to perform one or more operations according to the described methods.

[0145] Figure 10is a block diagram of an embodiment of a computer system 1000 that may be used, in whole or in part, to provide the functionality of one or more components and / or devices as described in the embodiments herein. For example, the computer system 1000 may be used within / implemented by a server (e.g., a location server / LMF) and / or a reference station (e.g., a base station / gNB) as described herein. It should be noted that Figure 10 It is intended only to provide a generalized illustration of the various components, any or all of which may be utilized as appropriate. Figure 10 Broadly illustrates how individual system elements can be implemented in a relatively separate or relatively more integrated manner. In addition, it can be noted that Figure 10 The illustrated components may be localized to a single device and / or distributed across various networked devices that may be located at different geographical locations.

[0146] Computer system 1000 is shown as including hardware elements that can be electrically coupled via bus 1005 (or can communicate in other ways as appropriate). The hardware elements may include a processor 1010, which may include but is not limited to one or more general-purpose processors, one or more special-purpose processors (such as digital signal processing chips, graphics acceleration processors, etc.), and / or other processing structures, which can be configured to perform one or more of the methods described herein. Computer system 1000 may also include one or more input devices 1015, which may include but are not limited to a mouse, keyboard, camera, microphone, etc.; and one or more output devices 1020, which may include but are not limited to a display device, printer, etc.

[0147] The computer system 1000 may also include (and / or communicate with) one or more non-transitory storage devices 1025, which may include, but are not limited to, local and / or network-accessible storage devices, and / or may include, but are not limited to, disk drives, drive arrays, optical storage devices, solid-state storage devices (such as random access memory (RAM) and / or read-only memory (ROM)), which may be programmable, flash-updatable, etc. Such storage devices may be configured to implement any suitable data storage, including, but not limited to, various file systems, database structures, etc. Such data storage may include databases and / or other data structures for storing and managing messages and / or other information to be transmitted to one or more devices via the hub, as described herein.

[0148] The computer system 1000 may also include a communication subsystem 1030, which may include wireless communication technologies managed and controlled by a wireless communication interface 1033, as well as wired technologies (such as Ethernet, coaxial communication, universal serial bus (USB), etc.). The wireless communication interface 1033 may include one or more wireless transceivers that can transmit and receive wireless signals 1055 (e.g., signals according to 5GNR or LTE) via a wireless antenna 1050. Therefore, the communication subsystem 1030 may include a modem, a network card (wireless or wired), an infrared communication device, a wireless communication device and / or a chipset, etc., which may enable the computer system 1000 to communicate with any device on the corresponding network (including UE, base station and / or other transmission / reception point (TRP), satellite, and / or any other electronic device described herein) on any or all of the communication networks described herein. Therefore, the communication subsystem 1030 can be used to receive and transmit data, as described in the embodiments herein.

[0149] In many embodiments, the computer system 1000 will also include a working memory 1035, which may include a RAM or ROM device, as described above. The software elements shown as being located within the working memory 1035 may include an operating system 1040, device drivers, executable libraries, and / or other code (such as one or more applications 1045), which may include computer programs provided by various embodiments and / or may be designed to implement methods provided by other embodiments and / or configure systems provided by other embodiments, as described herein. By way of example only, one or more of the processes described with respect to the methods discussed above may be implemented as code and / or instructions that can be executed by a computer (and / or a processor within a computer); then, in one aspect, such code and / or instructions may be used to configure and / or adapt a general-purpose computer (or other device) to perform one or more operations according to the described methods.

[0150] The set of these instructions and / or codes may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (such as the storage device 1025 described above). In some cases, the storage medium may be incorporated into a computer system such as computer system 1000. In other embodiments, the storage medium may be separate from the computer system (e.g., removable media such as an optical disc) and / or may be provided in an installation package so that the storage medium can be used to program, configure, and / or adapt a general-purpose computer having the instructions / code stored thereon. The instructions may take the form of executable code that can be executed by the computer system 1000 and / or may take the form of source and / or installable code that, when compiled and / or installed on the computer system 1000 (e.g., using any of a variety of commonly available compilers, installers, compression / decompression utilities, etc.), takes the form of executable code.

[0151] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that basic modifications may be made to suit specific requirements. For example, customized hardware may be used, and / or specific elements may be implemented in hardware, software (including portable software such as applets), or both. Furthermore, connections to other computing devices such as network input / output devices may be employed.

[0152] With reference to the accompanying drawings, components that may include memory may include non-transitory machine-readable media. As used herein, the terms "machine-readable medium" and "computer-readable medium" refer to any storage medium that participates in providing data that causes a machine to operate in a specific manner. In the embodiments provided above, various machine-readable media may be involved when providing instructions / code to a processor and / or other device for execution. Additionally or alternatively, machine-readable media may be used to store and / or carry such instructions / code. In many specific implementations, computer-readable media is a physical and / or tangible storage medium. Such media may take many forms, including but not limited to non-volatile media and volatile media. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example: magnetic and / or optical media, any other physical media with a pattern of holes, RAM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or memory cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer can read instructions and / or code.

[0153] The methods, systems, and devices discussed herein are examples. Various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various processes or components as appropriate. For example, features described for certain embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. Different aspects and elements of the embodiments may be combined in a similar manner. The various components of the drawings provided herein may be embodied in hardware and / or software. In addition, technology may evolve, and therefore many elements are examples, which do not limit the scope of this disclosure to those specific examples.

[0154] It proves convenient at times, primarily for reasons of common usage, to refer to such signals as bits, information, values, elements, symbols, characters, variables, terms, numbers, digital symbols, and the like. It will be understood, however, that all of these or similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels. Unless otherwise specifically stated, as will be apparent from the above discussion, it will be understood that throughout this specification, discussions utilizing terms such as "process," "calculate," "calculate," "determine," "ascertain," "identify," "correlate," "measure," "perform," and the like refer to the actions or processes of a specific apparatus such as a special-purpose computer or similar special-purpose electronic computing device. Thus, in the context of this specification, a special-purpose computer or similar special-purpose electronic computing device is capable of manipulating or transforming signals, typically expressed as physical, electronic, electrical, or magnetic quantities in a memory, register, or other information storage device, a transmitting device, or a display device of the special-purpose computer or similar special-purpose electronic computing device.

[0155] As used herein, the terms "and" and "or" may include a variety of meanings that are also intended to depend at least in part on the context in which such terms are used. In general, "or," if used in connection with a list, such as A, B, or C, is intended to mean A, B, and C (used herein in an inclusive sense) as well as A, B, or C (used herein in an exclusive sense). Furthermore, as used herein, the term "one or more" may be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in the singular, or may be used to describe some combination of features, structures, or characteristics. However, it should be noted that this is merely an illustrative example, and the claimed subject matter is not limited to this example. Furthermore, the term "at least one of...", if used in connection with a list, such as A, B, or C, may be interpreted to mean any combination of A, B, and / or C, such as A, AB, AA, AAB, AABBCCC, etc.

[0156] Several embodiments have been described, and various modifications, alternative configurations, and equivalents may be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, the above elements may be merely components of a larger system, wherein other rules may take precedence over the application of the various embodiments or otherwise modify the application of the various embodiments. Additionally, multiple steps may be performed before, during, or after consideration of the above elements. Accordingly, the above description does not limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0157] In view of this description, various embodiments may include different combinations of features. Specific implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0158] Clause 1. A method for multi-epoch double-difference ranging (MEDDR) for positioning a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication network, the method comprising: obtaining a first set of pseudoranges corresponding to a first time, wherein: the UE is within a threshold distance (e.g., a first threshold distance) of a reference station at the first time; and the first set of pseudoranges includes: pseudoranges between the UE and each of a first low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a second LEO satellite at the first time, and pseudoranges between the reference station and each of the first LEO satellite and the second LEO satellite at the first time; obtaining a second set of pseudoranges corresponding to a second time, wherein: the UE is within the threshold distance of the reference station at the second time The method of claim 1 , wherein the UE is within a predetermined time interval (e.g., a second threshold distance); the second time is at least a threshold duration after the first time; and the second set of pseudoranges includes: a pseudorange between the UE and each of the first and second LEO satellites at the second time, and a pseudorange between the reference station and each of the first and second LEO satellites at the second time; determining a position estimate for the UE based at least in part on: the first set of pseudoranges, the second set of pseudoranges, and, for each of the first and second times, a respective position of each of the first, second, and reference stations; and outputting an indication of the position estimate.

[0159] Clause 2. The method of clause 1, wherein determining a position estimate comprises taking a double difference for each of the first set of pseudoranges and the second set of pseudoranges.

[0160] Clause 3. A method according to clause 2, wherein the double difference of the first set of pseudorange measurements comprises the difference between the pseudorange between each of the UE and the reference station and the first LEO satellite at the first time, and the difference between the pseudorange between each of the UE and the reference station and the second LEO satellite at the first time; and the double difference of the second set of pseudorange measurements comprises the difference between the pseudorange between each of the UE and the reference station and the first LEO satellite at the second time, and the difference between the pseudorange between each of the UE and the reference station and the second LEO satellite at the second time.

[0161] Clause 4. The method of any of clauses 1 to 3, further comprising determining the threshold duration based on an estimated distance of the UE from the reference station.

[0162] Clause 5. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the threshold duration is at least 30 seconds.

[0163] Clause 6. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the method is performed by the UE or the reference station.

[0164] Clause 7. The method of clause 6, further comprising receiving assistance data from a server, and wherein obtaining the first set of pseudoranges and obtaining the second set of pseudoranges comprises, at least in part, performing pseudorange measurements based on the assistance data.

[0165] Clause 8. The method of clause 7, wherein the assistance data comprises: an identifier of a positioning reference signal (PRS) to be measured for pseudorange measurements, a configuration of a sounding reference signal (SRS) to be sent for pseudorange measurements, or a combination thereof.

[0166] Clause 9. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the method is performed by a server or a base station of the wireless communication network.

[0167] Clause 10. The method of clause 9, wherein obtaining the first set of pseudoranges and obtaining the second set of pseudoranges respectively comprise receiving the first set of pseudoranges and the second set of pseudoranges from the UE, the reference station, or both.

[0168] Clause 11. The method of clause 9, wherein obtaining the first set of pseudoranges and obtaining the second set of pseudoranges comprises determining the first set of pseudoranges and the second set of pseudoranges based on pseudorange measurements received from the UE, the reference station, the first LEO satellite, the second LEO satellite, or any combination thereof.

[0169] Clause 12. The method of any one of clauses 9 to 11, further comprising obtaining a position of the reference station before obtaining the first set of pseudoranges and obtaining the second set of pseudoranges.

[0170] Clause 13. The method of any of clauses 1 to 12, wherein determining the position estimate for the UE comprises compensating for movement of the UE between the first time and the second time.

[0171] Clause 14. A method according to any one of clauses 1 to 13, wherein outputting an indication of the position estimate includes: providing the indication using a user interface, communicating the indication to a device, providing the indication to an application layer of the device, providing the indication to a hardware component within the device, or any combination thereof.

[0172] Clause 15. The method of any of clauses 1 to 14, further comprising, prior to obtaining the first set of pseudoranges and obtaining the second set of pseudoranges, transmitting a request to locate the UE using MEDDR.

[0173] Clause 16. A method of supporting multi-epoch double-difference ranging (MEDDR) for positioning a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication network, the method comprising: receiving, at a reference station, a request message indicating a request for positioning of the UE; transmitting, in response to the request message, from the reference station to a server a response message indicating a location of the reference station; receiving, at the reference station, configuration data from the server regarding the positioning of the UE; performing, at the reference station according to the configuration data, pseudorange measurements at a first time and a second time, wherein the second time is at least a threshold duration after the first time; and transmitting, from the reference station to the server, the UE, or both, information indicating the pseudorange measurements.

[0174] Clause 17. The method of clause 16, wherein the information indicative of the pseudorange measurement comprises: the pseudorange measurement, a pseudorange determined using the pseudorange measurement, or a combination thereof.

[0175] Clause 18. A method according to any one of clauses 16 to 17, wherein the device type of the reference station comprises a terrestrial base station, a fixed UE or a mobile UE, and wherein the method further comprises: including the device type of the reference station in the response message.

[0176] Clause 19. The method of any of clauses 16 to 18, further comprising establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection with the wireless communication network in response to the request message and before transmitting the response message.

[0177] Clause 20. The method of any one of clauses 16 to 19, further comprising transmitting an indication of an updated position of the reference station to the server, wherein the updated position of the reference station indicates the position of the reference station at the second time.

[0178] Clause 21. An apparatus for multi-epoch double-difference ranging (MEDDR) of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication network, the apparatus comprising: a memory; and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: obtain a first set of pseudoranges corresponding to a first time, wherein: the UE is within a threshold distance of a reference station at the first time; and the first set of pseudoranges includes: a pseudorange between the UE and each of a first low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a second LEO satellite at the first time, and a pseudorange between the reference station and each of the first LEO satellite and the second LEO satellite at the first time; obtain a second set of pseudoranges corresponding to a second time, wherein: the the UE being within a threshold distance of the reference station at the second time; the second time being at least a threshold duration after the first time; and the second set of pseudoranges comprising: a pseudorange between the UE and each of the first and second LEO satellites at the second time, and a pseudorange between the reference station and each of the first and second LEO satellites at the second time; determining a position estimate for the UE based at least in part on: the first set of pseudoranges, the second set of pseudoranges, and, for each of the first and second times, a respective position of each of the first and second LEO satellites, and the reference station; and outputting an indication of the position estimate.

[0179] Clause 22. The apparatus of clause 21, wherein the apparatus comprises the UE or the reference station and further comprises a transceiver, and wherein: the one or more processors are further configured to receive assistance data from a server, and to obtain the first set of pseudoranges and to obtain the second set of pseudoranges, the one or more processors are configured to perform pseudorange measurements using the transceiver based on the assistance data.

[0180] Clause 23. The apparatus of clause 21, wherein the method is performed by a server or a base station of the wireless communication network.

[0181] Clause 24. The apparatus of clause 23, wherein to obtain the first set of pseudoranges and to obtain the second set of pseudoranges, respectively, the one or more processors are configured to receive the first set of pseudoranges and the second set of pseudoranges from the UE, the reference station, or both.

[0182] Clause 25. The apparatus of any of clauses 21 to 24, wherein to determine the position estimate for the UE, the one or more processors are configured to compensate for movement of the UE between the first time and the second time.

[0183] Clause 26. A reference station for supporting multi-epoch double-difference ranging (MEDDR) for positioning a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication network, the reference station comprising: a transceiver; a memory; and one or more processors, the one or more processors being communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: receive, via the transceiver, a request message indicating a request for positioning of the UE; transmit, via the transceiver, a response message indicating a location of the reference station to a server in response to the request message; receive, via the transceiver, configuration data regarding the positioning of the UE from the server; perform, using the transceiver, pseudorange measurements at a first time and a second time according to the configuration data, wherein the second time is at least a threshold duration after the first time; and transmit, via the transceiver, information indicating the pseudorange measurements to the server, the UE, or both.

[0184] Clause 27. The reference station of clause 26, wherein the one or more processors are configured to include in the information indicative of the pseudorange measurement: the pseudorange measurement, a pseudorange determined using the pseudorange measurement, or a combination thereof.

[0185] Clause 28. A reference station according to any one of clauses 26 to 27, wherein the device type of the reference station includes a ground base station, a fixed UE or a mobile UE, and wherein the one or more processors are further configured to include the device type of the reference station in the response message.

[0186] Clause 29. A reference station according to any one of clauses 26 to 28, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: establish a radio resource control (RRC) connection with the wireless communication network in response to the request message and before transmitting the response message.

[0187] Clause 30. A reference station according to any one of clauses 26 to 29, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to transmit an indication of an updated position of the reference station to the server via the transceiver, wherein the updated position of the reference station indicates the position of the reference station at the second time.

[0188] Clause 31. An apparatus having means for performing the method of any one of clauses 1 to 20.

[0189] Clause 32. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions comprising code for performing the method of any one of clauses 1 to 20.

Claims

1. A method for multi-epoch double difference ranging (MEDDR) for positioning a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication network, the method comprising: A first set of pseudoranges corresponding to a first time is obtained, where: The UE is within a first threshold distance of a reference station at the first time; and The first set of pseudoranges includes: (i) a pseudorange between the UE and each of a first low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a second LEO satellite at the first time, and (ii) a pseudorange between the reference station and each of the first LEO satellite and the second LEO satellite at the first time; A second set of pseudoranges corresponding to a second time is obtained, where: The UE is within a second threshold distance of the reference station at the second time; The second time is at least a threshold duration after the first time; and The second set of pseudoranges includes: (i) a pseudorange between the UE and each of the first LEO satellite and the second LEO satellite at the second time, and (ii) a pseudorange between the reference station and each of the first LEO satellite and the second LEO satellite at the second time; determining a position estimate for the UE based at least in part on: The first set of pseudoranges, the second set of pseudoranges, and for each of the first time and the second time, a respective position of each of the first LEO satellite, the second LEO satellite, and the reference station; and An indication of the position estimate is output.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a location estimate comprises: A double difference is taken for each of the first set of pseudoranges and the second set of pseudoranges.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The double difference of the first set of pseudoranges comprises the difference between: (i) a difference between the pseudoranges of each of the UE and the reference station and the first LEO satellite at the first time, and (ii) a difference between the pseudoranges of each of the UE and the reference station and the second LEO satellite at the first time; and The double difference of the second set of pseudorange measurements comprises the difference between: (i) a difference between the pseudoranges of each of the UE and the reference station and the first LEO satellite at the second time, and (ii) a difference between the pseudoranges of each of the UE and the reference station and the second LEO satellite at the second time.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The threshold duration is determined based on an estimated distance of the UE from the reference station. The method of claim 1 , wherein the threshold duration is at least 30 seconds. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method is performed by the UE or the reference station.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: Assistance data is received from a server, and wherein obtaining the first set of pseudoranges and obtaining the second set of pseudoranges comprises at least in part performing pseudorange measurements based on the assistance data.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the assistance data comprises: An identifier of a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) to be measured for pseudorange measurements, a configuration of a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) to be sent for pseudorange measurements, or a combination thereof.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is performed by a server or a base station of the wireless communication network.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein obtaining the first set of pseudoranges and obtaining the second set of pseudoranges respectively comprise receiving the first set of pseudoranges and the second set of pseudoranges from the UE, the reference station, or both.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein obtaining the first set of pseudoranges and obtaining the second set of pseudoranges comprises: The first set of pseudoranges and the second set of pseudoranges are determined based on pseudorange measurements received from the UE, the reference station, the first LEO satellite, the second LEO satellite, or any combination thereof.

12. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: Before obtaining the first set of pseudoranges and obtaining the second set of pseudoranges, a position of the reference station is obtained.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the position estimate for the UE comprises: Compensating for movement of the UE between the first time and the second time.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein outputting an indication of the position estimate comprises: providing said indication using a user interface, communicating said instructions to the device, providing the indication to the application layer of the device, providing said indication to a hardware component within the device, or Any combination of them.

15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Prior to obtaining the first set of pseudoranges and obtaining the second set of pseudoranges, a request to locate the UE using MEDDR is transmitted.

16. A method of supporting multi-epoch double difference ranging (MEDDR) for positioning a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication network, the method comprising: receiving, at a reference station, a request message indicating a request for positioning of the UE; transmitting, in response to the request message, from the reference station to a server a response message indicating a location of the reference station; receiving, at the reference station, configuration data regarding the positioning of the UE from the server; performing pseudorange measurements at the reference station at a first time and a second time according to the configuration data, wherein the second time is at least a threshold duration after the first time; as well as Information indicative of the pseudorange measurements is transmitted from the reference station to the server, the UE, or both.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the information indicative of the pseudorange measurement comprises: The pseudorange measurement, a pseudorange determined using said pseudorange measurement, or A combination of them.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the device type of the reference station comprises a terrestrial base station, a fixed UE, or a mobile UE, and wherein the method further comprises: The device type of the reference station is included in the response message.

19. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: In response to the request message and before transmitting the response message, a radio resource control (RRC) connection is established with the wireless communication network.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising transmitting an indication of an updated position of the reference station to the server, wherein the updated position of the reference station indicates the position of the reference station at the second time.

21. An apparatus for multi-epoch double difference ranging (MEDDR) for positioning a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication network, the apparatus comprising: Memory; and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: A first set of pseudoranges corresponding to a first time is obtained, where: The UE is within a first threshold distance of a reference station at the first time; and The first set of pseudoranges includes: a pseudorange between the UE and each of a first low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a second LEO satellite at the first time, and a pseudorange between the reference station and each of the first LEO satellite and the second LEO satellite at the first time; A second set of pseudoranges corresponding to a second time is obtained, where: The UE is within a second threshold distance of the reference station at the second time; The second time is at least a threshold duration after the first time; and The second set of pseudoranges includes: a pseudorange between the UE and each of the first LEO satellite and the second LEO satellite at the second time, and a pseudorange between the reference station and each of the first LEO satellite and the second LEO satellite at the second time; determining a position estimate for the UE based at least in part on: The first set of pseudoranges, the second set of pseudoranges, and for each of the first time and the second time, a respective position of each of the first LEO satellite, the second LEO satellite, and the reference station; and An indication of the position estimate is output.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the apparatus comprises the UE or the reference station and further comprises a transceiver, and wherein: The one or more processors are further configured to receive auxiliary data from a server, and To obtain the first set of pseudoranges and to obtain the second set of pseudoranges, the one or more processors are configured to perform pseudorange measurements with the transceiver based on the assistance data.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein the device comprises a server or a base station of the wireless communication network.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein to obtain the first set of pseudoranges and to obtain the second set of pseudoranges, respectively, the one or more processors are configured to receive the first set of pseudoranges and the second set of pseudoranges from the UE, the reference station, or both.

25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein to determine the position estimate for the UE, the one or more processors are configured to compensate for movement of the UE between the first time and the second time.

26. A reference station for supporting Multi-Epoch Double Difference Ranging (MEDDR) for positioning a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication network, the reference station comprising: transceiver; Memory; and one or more processors communicatively coupled with the transceiver and the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: receiving, via the transceiver, a request message indicating a request for positioning of the UE; transmitting, in response to the request message, via the transceiver to a server, a response message indicating a location of the reference station; receiving, via the transceiver, configuration data regarding the positioning of the UE from the server; performing pseudorange measurements with the transceiver at a first time and a second time according to the configuration data, wherein the second time is at least a threshold duration after the first time; as well as Information indicative of the pseudorange measurement is transmitted via the transceiver to the server, the UE, or both.

27. The reference station of claim 26, wherein the one or more processors are configured to include in the information indicative of the pseudorange measurements: The pseudorange measurement, a pseudorange determined using said pseudorange measurement, or A combination of them.

28. The reference station of claim 26, wherein a device type of the reference station comprises a terrestrial base station, a fixed UE, or a mobile UE, and wherein the one or more processors are further configured to include the device type of the reference station in the response message.

29. The reference station of claim 26, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to establish a radio resource control (RRC) connection with the wireless communication network in response to the request message and before transmitting the response message.

30. The reference station of claim 26, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to transmit an indication of an updated position of the reference station to the server via the transceiver, wherein the updated position of the reference station indicates the position of the reference station at the second time.

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