Positioning of passive backscatterer for positioning

Abstract

Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products for determining an initial (i.e., post-deployment) location and dynamically tracking the location of semi-passive devices using an ad hoc infrastructure with co-located activators and readers. A method may include a UE comparing a current location of a tag with an estimated location of the tag; determining that the current position of the tag is not matched with the estimated position of the tag within an integrity threshold; sending a list of tags associated with potentially impaired locations indicating the tags to a location management function; receiving an update to the current location of the tag from the location management function; and updating the current position of the tag.

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority and benefit from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 451048, filed March 9, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] Some example embodiments may typically relate to mobile or wireless telecommunications systems such as 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5G Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR) Access Technology, 6G, and / or other communication systems. For example, some example embodiments may relate to systems and / or methods for determining the initial (i.e., post-deployment) location of semi-passive devices and dynamically tracking the location of semi-passive devices using a self-organizing infrastructure with co-located activators and readers. Background Art

[0003] Examples of mobile or wireless telecommunications systems can include radio frequency (RF) 5G RAT, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Evolved LTE UTRAN (E-UTRAN), Advanced LTE (LTE-A), LTE-A Pro, NR access technologies and / or the MulteFire Alliance. 5G radio systems refer to next-generation (NG) radio systems and network architectures. 5G systems are typically built on 5G NR, but 5G (or NG) networks can also be built on E-UTRA radio. It is expected that NR can support service classes such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine-type communications (mMTC). NR is expected to deliver extreme broadband, ultra-robust, low-latency connectivity, and massive networking to support the Internet of Things (IoT). Next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN) refers to the radio access network (RAN) for 5G, which can provide radio access for NR, LTE, and LTE-A. Note that in 5G, a node that provides radio access functionality to user equipment (e.g., a node B similar to Node B in UTRAN or an evolved Node B (eNB) in LTE) can be called a next-generation node B (gNB) when built on an NR radio, and a next-generation eNB (NG-eNB) when built on an E-UTRA radio. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to some example embodiments, a method may include: comparing the current location of a tag with an estimated location of the tag by a user equipment. The method may further include: determining by the user equipment that the current location of the tag and the estimated location of the tag do not match within an integrity threshold. The method may further include: sending a list of tags associated with potentially damaged locations of the tags to a location management function by the user equipment. The method may further include: receiving an indication from the location management function for updating the current location of the tag by the user equipment. The method may further include: updating the current location of the tag by the user equipment in response to receiving the indication.

[0005] According to some example embodiments, an apparatus may include components for comparing the current location of a tag with an estimated location of the tag. The apparatus may also include components for determining that the current location of the tag and the estimated location of the tag do not match within an integrity threshold. The apparatus may further include components for sending a list of tags associated with potentially damaged locations of the tags to a location management function. The apparatus may also include components for receiving an indication from the location management function to update the current location of the tag. The apparatus may further include components for updating the current location of the tag in response to receiving the indication.

[0006] According to various example embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may include program instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least one method. The method may include: comparing the current location of a tag with an estimated location of the tag. The method may further include: determining that the current location of the tag and the estimated location of the tag do not match within an integrity threshold. The method may further include: sending a list of tags associated with potentially damaged locations of the tags to a location management function. The method may further include: receiving an indication from the location management function for updating the current location of the tags. The method may further include: updating the current location of the tags in response to receiving the indication.

[0007] According to some example embodiments, a computer program product can perform a method. The method may include: comparing the current location of a tag with an estimated location of the tag. The method may further include: determining that the current location of the tag and the estimated location of the tag do not match within an integrity threshold. The method may further include: sending a list of tags associated with potentially damaged locations of the tags to a location management function. The method may further include: receiving an indication from the location management function for updating the current location of the tag. The method may further include: updating the current location of the tag in response to receiving the indication.

[0008] According to some example embodiments, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least compare the current location of a tag with the estimated location of the tag. The at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may also cause the apparatus to at least determine that the current location of the tag does not match the estimated location of the tag within an integrity threshold. The at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may also cause the apparatus to at least send a list of tags associated with potentially damaged locations of the tags to a location management function. The at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may also cause the apparatus to at least receive an indication from the location management function for updating the current location of the tag. The at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may also cause the apparatus to at least update the current location of the tag in response to receiving the indication.

[0009] According to various example embodiments, an apparatus may include comparison circuitry configured to compare a tag's current location with its estimated location. The apparatus may also include determination circuitry configured to determine that the tag's current location and its estimated location do not match within an integrity threshold. The apparatus may further include transmission circuitry configured to transmit a list of tags associated with potentially damaged locations indicating the tags to a location management function. The apparatus may also include receiving circuitry configured to receive an indication from the location management function for updating the tag's current location. The apparatus may further include updating circuitry configured to update the tag's current location in response to receiving the indication.

[0010] According to some example embodiments, a method may include: receiving a lighting signal from a user equipment by a location management function. The method may further include: receiving a reflection of the lighting signal, including a tag identifier and current location data, from a tag by the location management function. The method may further include: estimating a relative time delay from the tag compared to a direct path from the user equipment, and the angle of arrival of both the tag reflection and the lighting signal, by the location management function. The method may further include: transmitting the relative time delay, angle of arrival, and current location data to the user equipment by the location management function.

[0011] According to some example embodiments, an apparatus may include components for receiving a lighting signal from a user equipment. The apparatus may also include components for receiving a reflection of the lighting signal from a tag, including a tag identifier and current location data. The apparatus may further include components for estimating a relative time delay from the tag compared to a direct path from the user equipment, and the angle of arrival of both the tag reflection and the lighting signal. The apparatus may also include components for transmitting the relative time delay, angle of arrival, and current location data to the user equipment.

[0012] According to various example embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may include program instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least one method. The method may include: receiving a lighting signal from a user equipment. The method may further include: receiving a reflection of the lighting signal from a tag, including a tag identifier and current location data. The method may further include: estimating a relative time delay from the tag compared to a direct path from the user equipment, and the angle of arrival of both the tag reflection and the lighting signal. The method may further include: transmitting the relative time delay, angle of arrival, and current location data to the user equipment.

[0013] According to some example embodiments, a computer program product can perform a method. The method may include: receiving a lighting signal from a user equipment. The method may further include: receiving a reflection of the lighting signal from a tag, including a tag identifier and current location data. The method may further include: estimating a relative time delay from the tag compared to a direct path from the user equipment, and the angle of arrival of both the tag reflection and the lighting signal. The method may further include: transmitting the relative time delay, angle of arrival, and current location data to the user equipment.

[0014] According to some example embodiments, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive at least a lighting signal from a user equipment. The at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may also cause the apparatus to receive at least a reflection of the lighting signal from a tag, including a tag identifier and current location data. The at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may also cause the apparatus to estimate at least the relative time delay from the tag compared to a direct path from the user equipment, and the angle of arrival of both the tag reflection and the lighting signal. The at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may also cause the apparatus to transmit at least the relative time delay, angle of arrival, and current location data to the user equipment.

[0015] According to various example embodiments, an apparatus may include receiving circuitry configured to receive an illumination signal from a user equipment. The apparatus may also include receiving circuitry configured to receive a reflection of the illumination signal from a tag, including a tag identifier and current location data. The apparatus may further include estimation circuitry configured to estimate a relative time delay from the tag compared to a direct path from the user equipment, and the angle of arrival of both the tag reflection and the illumination signal. The apparatus may also include transmitting circuitry configured to transmit the relative time delay, angle of arrival, and current location data to the user equipment.

[0016] According to some example embodiments, a method may include: receiving a lighting signal from a user equipment by a tag. The method may also include: reflecting the lighting signal, including a tag identifier and current location data, from the tag to at least one of the user equipment and a location management function.

[0017] According to some example embodiments, an apparatus may include components for receiving lighting signals from a user equipment. The apparatus may also include components for reflecting the lighting signals, including tag identifiers and current location data, to at least one of the user equipment and a location management function.

[0018] According to various example embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may include program instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least one method. The method may include: receiving a lighting signal from a user equipment. The method may further include: reflecting the lighting signal, including a tag identifier and current location data, to at least one of the user equipment and a location management function.

[0019] According to some example embodiments, a computer program product can perform a method. The method may include: receiving a lighting signal from a user equipment. The method may also include: reflecting the lighting signal, including a tag identifier and current location data, to at least one of the user equipment and a location management function.

[0020] According to some example embodiments, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive a lighting signal from at least a user equipment. The at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may also cause the apparatus to reflect the lighting signal, including a tag identifier and current location data, to at least one of the user equipment and a location management function.

[0021] According to various example embodiments, an apparatus may include receiving circuitry configured to receive a lighting signal from a user equipment. The apparatus may also include reflecting circuitry configured to reflect the lighting signal, including a tag identifier and current location data, toward at least one of the user equipment and a location management function. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To properly understand the exemplary embodiments, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 A positioning solution using a passive backscatterer as a positioning anchor (i.e., a tag) is described.

[0024] Figure 2 An example is shown of using an active device (e.g., a user equipment) and a passive device (e.g., tag-B) to estimate the location of the passive device tag-A;

[0025] Figure 3 An example of a signaling diagram according to certain example embodiments is shown;

[0026] Figure 4 Examples of various network devices according to some example embodiments are shown; and

[0027] Figure 5 Examples of 5G network and system architectures based on certain example embodiments are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0028] It will be readily understood that components of certain example embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, can be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of some example embodiments of systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for determining the initial location of a semi-passive device and dynamically tracking the location of the semi-passive device using a self-organizing infrastructure with co-located activators and readers is not intended to limit the scope of certain example embodiments, but rather represents selected example embodiments.

[0029] In 3GPP, a passive radio device can include a device capable of utilizing energy from a radio signal transmitted on a specific carrier and / or bandwidth, and capable of charging a simple circuit that, once activated, can transmit / reflect signals encoded at least to the ID of the passive radio device. In addition to the passive radio device, the system architecture for such a passive radio device can also include an activator device and a reader device. The activator device can include a device that transmits an activation signal configured to wake up the passive radio device, and the reader device can include a device that listens for and detects the passive radio signal. The reader device may or may not be co-located with the activator device.

[0030] Regarding IoT applications, 3GPP includes Narrowband (NB)-IoT / Enhanced Machine Type Communication (eMTC) and NR Reduced Capability (RedCap) features to meet the requirements for low-cost and low-power devices for wide-area IoT communication. These IoT devices can consume tens or hundreds of milliwatts of power at minimal cost during transmission and reception. However, to support the Internet of Everything, IoT devices with 10 times or even 100 times lower cost and power consumption may be needed, especially for large-scale applications requiring battery-free devices.

[0031] 3GPP IoT technologies suitable for deployment within 3GPP systems can rely on ultra-low-complexity devices with ultra-low power consumption for very low-end IoT applications. This can address scenarios that cannot be achieved otherwise based on existing 3GPP low-power wide-area (LPWA) IoT technologies (e.g., NB-IoT with reduced peak Tx power).

[0032] Regarding energy storage, 3GPP IoT technology can consider device characteristics such as battery-free devices that lack energy storage capabilities and instead rely entirely on the availability of an external energy source (e.g., data harvesting). Furthermore, 3GPP IoT technology can also consider devices with limited energy storage capabilities that do not require manual replacement or recharging. Device categories based on corresponding characteristics (e.g., energy source, energy storage capacity, passive / active transmission, etc.) can also be considered. The peak power consumption of a 3GPP IoT device may be limited by its actual form factor for a specific IoT scenario and its energy source.

[0033] The development of 3GPP IoT technology can also identify suitable deployment scenarios and their characteristics. Specifically, 3GPP IoT technology can also be based on indoor / outdoor environments, base station characteristics (e.g., macro / micro / pec deployments), and connectivity topology, including which nodes (e.g., base stations, UEs, relays, repeaters, etc.) can communicate with the target device. 3GPP IoT technology can also depend on Time Division Duplex (TDD) / Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), frequency bands in licensed or unlicensed spectrum, any coexistence with UEs and infrastructure in frequency bands used for other 3GPP technologies, and any device-initiated and / or device-terminating service assumptions.

[0034] A set of RAN design goals can be formulated based on the identified deployment scenario and its characteristics for the relevant use cases (including at least power consumption, complexity, coverage, data rate, and location accuracy).

[0035] Figure 1An example positioning solution using a passive backscatterer as a positioning anchor (tag) for uplink (UL) time difference of arrival (TDOA) scenarios is depicted. Indoor asset tracking can use cellular base stations for asset location estimation. Similar to GPS, this architecture must be scalable to locate many target devices and provide centimeter-level accuracy. In asset tracking systems, there may also be certain tracking requirements for applications such as machinery and equipment in workshops, box tracking, product tracking, and personnel tracking. The required positioning accuracy for moving objects on a factory floor may be less than 50 cm. A typical indoor positioning system may require at least three base stations to perform trilateration using methods related to time of arrival, time difference of arrival, angle of arrival, and / or received signal strength (e.g., Reference Received Power (RSRP), Reference Received Quality (RSRQ), Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), etc.).

[0036] However, overlapping coverage from multiple base stations in a cellular system may be impractical. Large antenna arrays with multiple beams, map-aided localization, and intelligent reflective surfaces (IRS) can be used as single-base station localization methods. However, large antenna arrays and IRS need to operate in the millimeter-wave band because multiple IRS elements may be required to achieve directivity and minimize the array aperture size. Additionally, map-aided localization may require inferred mapping of the entire environment to use multipathing, which can be labor-intensive, and any changes in the environment may reduce accuracy. Indoor asset tracking problems can be solved using a single base station with at least one antenna, which can be used in areas below 6 GHz. Therefore, backscatter communication systems may be preferred over active transmission to improve energy efficiency and minimize human intervention, allowing for battery replacement at lower frequencies and at lower costs.

[0037] NR positioning of an asset UE may require signaling from multiple nodes with known locations of entities (e.g., UE, gNB, Positioning Reference Unit (PRU), etc.) to determine the UE's location (i.e., obtaining TDOA from a sufficient number of Transmitter Receiver Points (TRPs) and applying a selected positioning method). When a sufficient number of TRPs are unavailable and / or in poor LOS (e.g., very frequently in indoor scenarios), passive, inexpensive devices can act as TRPs, such as... Figure 1 As shown. In most cases, the asset UE may not have a connection to a LAN or public network.

[0038] However, Figure 1 One issue in the scenario illustrated involves the location of each passive device, which is often unknown to the NR network after deployment. This could be because such devices are manually installed at physical locations associated with areas having location blind spots.

[0039] Additionally, the location of each passive device can change over time. Passive devices can be manually moved to cover other / new positioning blind spots (e.g., when an existing TRP is blocked due to temporary obstruction). For example, a TRP might be blocked in an indoor factory when large packages are moving around the facility.

[0040] Furthermore, due to the limited range of such devices, the location of each passive device may not be retrievable using NR positioning. A TRP can detect any device from within 100m, and a device activator may need to be within 10 to 20 meters to activate it. Because these devices can be used as TRPs, their locations need to be determined after deployment and may also be tracked over time and maintained in a central database connected to the LMF. However, due to the extremely limited processing power of these devices, they may not be traceable using standard NR methods.

[0041] Some of the example embodiments described herein may have various benefits and / or advantages to overcome the disadvantages described above. For example, some example embodiments may enable the determination of initial (i.e., post-deployment) locations, the dynamic tracking of the locations of passive backscatter devices using existing NR positioning self-organizing infrastructure, and the dynamic updating of new locations to the LMF database and / or the passive backscatter devices. Therefore, some of the example embodiments discussed below relate to improvements in computer-related technologies.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, some example embodiments can estimate the post-deployment location of passive backscatter devices / passive tags and subsequently track their location so that the passive tag can be used as an NR positioning TRP. Specifically, any given passive device can be opportunistically located / tracked using a combination of different NR entity types (such as other passive devices, assets (i.e., UEs that have recently self-located (without using a passive tag anchor)) and / or TRPs), where such a combination can depend on the availability, number, and positioning level (i.e., how well-suited the entity is from a positioning perspective) of each type of NR entity. For example, a fixed TRP can have a higher level than a mobile UE, and the UE itself can have a higher level than a passive device.

[0043] In various example embodiments, the passive device tag-A may be deployed in indoor scenarios (e.g., factories) and may require positioning. The indoor space may already be filled with at least one NRUE and a gNB or two NRUEs. One or more NRUEs may use GNSS or other non-3GPP location estimation, or a single-anchor positioning method. Alternatively, one or more NRUEs may be positioning reference units (PRUs).

[0044] Figure 3An example signaling diagram is shown depicting a signaling diagram used to determine the initial position and dynamically track the position of a semi-passive device. According to certain example embodiments, such as... Figure 4 As shown, Activator 320 can be similar to UE420, Tag 330 can be similar to Tag 430, and NE340 can be similar to NE410. Some example embodiments can be NW-initiated (e.g., triggered by LMF).

[0045] In step 301, activator 320 may send a lighting signal to tag 330 and / or NE340.

[0046] In step 302, tag 330 may reflect an illumination signal with tag ID and / or current location data (e.g., location A). In some example embodiments, tag 330 may (e.g., during installation or during subsequent updates) store its current location in memory (e.g., non-volatile memory) based on previous positioning information. The benefits and need for local storage in tag 330 may be based on the passive backscatter link budget. Alternatively, backscatter tag location information may be stored in a network database instead of being stored locally in tag 330. Furthermore, enterprise deployments may have gNB coverage for communication, and the estimated link budget for passive backscatter is 10-20 meters for activator illumination and / or ~100 meters for reading reflected signals. Therefore, NE340 may have the link budget required to detect activator 320 and tag 330, but not necessarily the link budget for illuminating the tag. Position estimation can be performed locally in activator 320 without activating the RRC connection with NE340, thus saving power. Alternatively, the central storage device in the LMF can be used with only the additional communication overhead, with the benefits of even lower complexity / lower cost tags.

[0047] In step 303, NE 340 can estimate the relative time delay from the tag compared to the direct path from activator 320, as well as the angle of arrival of both the tag reflection and the illumination signal from the direct path from activator 320.

[0048] In step 304, NE 340 can provide timing and AoA estimation plus tag position data to activator 320.

[0049] In step 305, activator 320 can estimate the position of tag 330 (i.e., position B).

[0050] In step 306, activator 320 can compare the current location data of tag 330 from step 302 with the new estimate obtained in step 305 (e.g., |location B - location A| > integrity threshold). The result of this integrity process can be used to further trigger the acquisition of a new location estimate.

[0051] In step 307, if two locations do not match within an integrity threshold, activator 320 can add the label to a list of labels with potentially compromised location integrity. The list may be empty before step 307 for the initial label. Activator 320 can then add the label to the list as a first list entry.

[0052] In step 308, activator 320 may use the updated list to update the LMF to allow coordination between multiple UEs. Alternatively, activator 320 may send an indication to the LMF that only indicates tag 330 is a potentially compromised tag, instead of a list. In various example embodiments with two UEs for a location session, at least one UE may need to be within coverage to update the LMF. This may be a prerequisite for initiating a location session.

[0053] In step 309, if multiple UEs perform this step (i.e., several known location UEs in the warehouse besides the asset UE to be tracked) and generate a list, this list can be provided to the LMF by each UE. The LMF can intersect / compare with the different provided lists and identify the truly damaged tags.

[0054] In response to step 309, in step 310, NE 340 may indicate to activator 320 that the position of tag 330 can be updated.

[0055] In step 311, based on integrity criteria and (optionally) instructions from NE340, activator 320 may decide to update tag 330 using a new positioning estimate. This new positioning estimate may include a weighted sum of the new estimate and previous estimates.

[0056] In step 312, activator 320 may send a new lighting signal with a unique code to update tag 330 using the new positioning estimate from activator 320.

[0057] In some example embodiments, the unique code may be provided by the network (e.g., from an application managing the tags) or obtained from an application running on activator 320. Alternatively, the unique code may be generated based on the tag ID, a public key derived from the private key known only to tag 330 and the controlling application as input, the remaining timing, and / or a hash of the actual new location estimate to be uploaded to tag 330. The timing and AoA from activator 320 can be used to estimate the location, which can then be uploaded to activator 320.

[0058] Figure 4An example of a system according to certain example embodiments is shown. In one example embodiment, the system may include multiple devices, such as NE-410, UE-420, and / or tag 430.

[0059] NE410 can be one or more of a base station (e.g., a 3G UMTS Node B, a 4G LTE Evolution Node B, or a 5G NR Next Generation Node B), a serving gateway, a server, and / or any other access node or a combination thereof.

[0060] The NE-410 may also include at least one gNB centralized unit (CU), which may be associated with at least one gNB distributed unit (DU). The at least one gNB-CU and the at least one gNB-DU may be connected via a fifth-generation core (5GC) through at least one F1 interface and at least one X... n -C interface and / or at least one NG interface for communication.

[0061] UE-420 may include one or more mobile devices (such as mobile phones, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablets, or portable media players), digital cameras, pocket cameras, video game consoles, navigation units (such as GPS devices), desktop or laptop computers, single-location devices (such as sensors or smart meters), or any combination thereof. Furthermore, NE 410 and / or UE 420 may be one or more Civil Broadband Radio Service (CBSD) devices.

[0062] Tag 430 may include one or more passive radio devices configured to utilize energy, listen for activation signals, and transmit via reflection (i.e., passive transmission, e.g., amplification) within a frequency range. The passive radio device may not have any energy storage capacity and may rely solely on backscattering when sufficient external energy is available. Similarly, a semi-passive radio device may include limited energy storage capacity, thereby lowering the activation threshold for the tag and / or reflecting with lower power loss. An activator radio device may be configured to transmit an activation signal capable of activating the passive radio device. For example, when the passive radio device detects an activation signal from the activator radio device, the passive radio device may transmit / reflect a signal with a radio identifier specific to the tag. Tag 430 may also include a reader configured to listen for and detect the passive radio signal, and the reader may or may not be co-located with the activator radio device.

[0063] NE 410, UE 420, and / or tag 430 may include at least one processor, denoted as 411, 421, and 431, respectively. Processors 411, 421, and 431 may be embodied by any computing or data processing device, such as a central processing unit (CPU), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or similar device. The processor may be implemented as a single controller or multiple controllers or processors.

[0064] At least one memory may be provided in one or more devices, as shown in 412, 422, and 432. The memory may be fixed or removable. The memory may include computer program instructions or computer code contained therein. Memory 412, memory 422, and memory 432 may independently be any suitable storage device, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium. As used herein, the term "non-transitory" may correspond to a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible rather than tactile) rather than a limitation of the persistence of data storage (e.g., random access memory (RAM) versus read-only memory (ROM)). Hard disk drives (HDDs), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, or other suitable memory may be used. The memory may be combined with a processor on a single integrated circuit or may be separate from one or more processors. Furthermore, the computer program instructions stored in the memory and processed by the processor may be any suitable form of computer program code, such as a compiled or interpreted computer program written in any suitable programming language.

[0065] Processors 411, 421, and 431, memories 412, 422, and 432, and any subset thereof, can be configured to provide with Figures 2 to 3 The components corresponding to each box. Although not shown, the device may also include positioning hardware, such as GPS or microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) hardware, which can be used to determine the device's location. Other sensors are also permitted and can be configured to determine position, altitude, speed, orientation, etc., such as barometers, compasses, etc.

[0066] like Figure 4 As shown, transceivers 413, 423, and 433 may be provided, and one or more devices may further include at least one antenna, shown as 414, 424, and 434 respectively. The device may have a plurality of antennas, such as an antenna array configured for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication, or multiple antennas for multiple RATs. Other configurations of these devices may be provided, for example. Transceivers 413, 423, and 433 may be transmitters, receivers, both transmitters and receivers, or may be units or devices configured for both transmitting and receiving.

[0067] Tag 430 can operate processor 431, memory 432, and / or transceiver 433 by utilizing signal energy received from other devices, including those not intended for use with tag 430. As an example, signal energy utilization can be configured according to the Near Field Communication (NFC) Forum Wireless Charging Candidate Specification (WLC) and can operate at a frequency of 13.56 MHz.

[0068] The memory and computer program instructions can be configured, together with a processor for a particular device, to cause a hardware device such as a UE to perform any of the processes described above (i.e., Figures 2 to 3 Therefore, in some example embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium may be encoded with computer instructions that, when executed in hardware, perform one of the procedures described herein. Alternatively, some example embodiments may be executed entirely in hardware.

[0069] In some example embodiments, the apparatus may include being configured to perform Figures 2 to 3 The circuitry for any process or function shown. As used in this application, the term "circuit" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) a hardware circuit implemented solely (such as one implemented with purely analog and / or digital circuitry), (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (if applicable): (i) a combination of (multiple) analog and / or digital hardware circuitry with software / firmware, and (ii) any portion of (multiple) hardware processors having software (including (multiple) digital signal processors, software, and (multiple) memories that work together to enable a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions), and (c) (multiple) hardware circuitry and / or (multiple) processors that require software (e.g., firmware) for operation, such as (Multiple) microprocessors or portions thereof, but the software may be absent when operation does not require it. This definition of "circuit" applies to all uses of the term in this application (including any claim). As another example, as used in this application, the term "circuit" also covers only hardware circuitry or processors (or multiple processors), or portions of hardware circuitry or processors and their accompanying software and / or firmware implementations. For example, where applicable to a particular claim element, the term "circuit" also covers baseband integrated circuits or processor integrated circuits for mobile devices or similar integrated circuits in servers, cellular network devices, or other computing or networking devices.

[0070] Figure 5 Examples of 5G network and system architectures according to certain example embodiments are shown. Multiple network functions are illustrated, which can be implemented as software operating as part of a network device or dedicated hardware, the network device itself or dedicated hardware, or as virtual functions operating as a network device or dedicated hardware. Figure 5 The NE and UE shown can be similar to NE410, UE-420, and tag 430, respectively. User plane functions (UPFs) can provide various services such as intra- and inter-RAT mobility, data packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, user plane quality of service (QoS) processing, downlink packet buffering, and / or triggering of downlink data notifications. Application functions (AFs) can primarily connect to the core network interface to facilitate the application use of service routing and interact with the policy framework.

[0071] According to some example embodiments, processors 411, 421, and / or 431, as well as memories 412, 422, and 432, may be included in or form part of processing or control circuitry. Additionally, in some example embodiments, transceivers 413, 423, and 433 may be included in or form part of transceiver circuitry.

[0072] In some example embodiments, the apparatus (e.g., NE410, UE 420, and / or tag 430) may include components for performing the methods, processes, or any variations discussed herein. Examples of components may include one or more processors, memory, controllers, transmitters, receivers, and / or computer program code for inducing the execution of operations.

[0073] In various example embodiments, the device 420 may be controlled by the memory 422 and the processor 421 to compare the current location of the tag with the estimated location of the tag; determine that the current location of the tag and the estimated location of the tag do not match within an integrity threshold; send a list of tags associated with indicating potentially damaged locations of the tags to the location management function; receive an instruction from the location management function to update the current location of the tag; and update the current location of the tag in response to receiving the instruction.

[0074] Some exemplary embodiments may relate to an apparatus including components for performing any of the methods described herein, including, for example, components for comparing the current location of a tag with an estimated location of the tag; components for determining that the current location of the tag and the estimated location of the tag do not match within an integrity threshold; components for sending a list of tags associated with indicating potentially damaged locations of the tags to a location management function; components for receiving an indication from the location management function for updating the current location of the tag; and components for updating the current location of the tag in response to receiving the indication.

[0075] In various example embodiments, device 410 may be controlled by memory 412 and processor 411 to receive illumination signals from user equipment; receive reflections of illumination signals from tags, including tag identifiers and current location data; estimate the relative time delay from the tag compared to the direct path from user equipment, and the angle of arrival of both the tag reflection and the illumination signal; and transmit the relative time delay, angle of arrival, and current location data to user equipment.

[0076] Some example embodiments may relate to an apparatus including components for performing any of the methods described herein, including, for example, components for receiving a lighting signal from a user equipment; components for receiving a reflection of the lighting signal from a tag, including a tag identifier and current location data; components for estimating a relative time delay from the tag compared to a direct path from the user equipment, and the angle of arrival of both the tag reflection and the lighting signal; and components for transmitting the relative time delay, angle of arrival, and current location data to the user equipment.

[0077] In various example embodiments, device 430 may be controlled by memory 432 and processor 431 to receive lighting signals from user equipment; and to reflect lighting signals including tag identifiers and current location data to at least one of user equipment and location management functions.

[0078] Some example embodiments may relate to an apparatus including components for performing any of the methods described herein, including, for example, components for receiving lighting signals from a user equipment; and components for reflecting lighting signals, including tag identifiers and current location data, to at least one of the user equipment and a location management function.

[0079] The features, structures, or characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more exemplary embodiments. For example, the phrases “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “a few embodiments,” or other similar language used throughout this specification refer to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the exemplary embodiments may be included in at least one exemplary embodiment. Therefore, the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” or other similar language appearing throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same group of exemplary embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0080] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where a list of two or more elements is connected by “and” or “or”, means at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements.

[0081] Furthermore, if necessary, the different functions or processes described above may be executed in different orders and / or simultaneously with each other. Additionally, if necessary, one or more of the described functions or processes may be optional or may be combined. Therefore, the above description should be considered as an illustration of the principles and teachings of certain exemplary embodiments, and not as a limitation thereof.

[0082] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the exemplary embodiments discussed above can be practiced using processes of different sequences and / or hardware components with configurations different from those disclosed. Therefore, although some embodiments have been described based on these exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions will be readily apparent while remaining within the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments.

[0083] Partial Glossary

[0084] 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project

[0085] 5G (Fifth Generation)

[0086] 5GC fifth-generation core

[0087] 6G sixth generation

[0088] AF application functions

[0089] ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit)

[0090] CBSD Civil Broadband Radio Service Equipment

[0091] CPU (Central Processing Unit)

[0092] CU Centralized Unit

[0093] DU Distributed Unit

[0094] eMBB Enhanced Mobile Broadband

[0095] eNB Evolutionary Node B

[0096] FDD (Frequency Division Duplex)

[0097] FWA Fixed Wireless Access

[0098] gNB Next Generation Node B

[0099] GPS Global Positioning System

[0100] HDD (Hard Disk Drive)

[0101] ID intentionally discharges

[0102] IE Information Elements

[0103] IoT (Internet of Things)

[0104] IRS Intelligent Reflective Surface

[0105] LMF location management function

[0106] LOS (Loss of Sight)

[0107] LPWA (Low Power Wide Area)

[0108] LTE Long Term Evolution

[0109] LTE-A Long Term Evolution Advanced

[0110] MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems)

[0111] MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output)

[0112] MMTC (Massively Multi-Machine Type Communication)

[0113] NE network entity

[0114] NG Next Generation

[0115] NG-eNB Next Generation Evolution Node B

[0116] NG-RAN (Next Generation Radio Access Network)

[0117] NLOS (Non-Line of Sight)

[0118] NR New Radio

[0119] NW Network

[0120] PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)

[0121] PRB (Physical Resource Block)

[0122] PRU Positioning Reference Element

[0123] QoS (Quality of Service)

[0124] RAM (Random Access Memory)

[0125] RAN (Radio Access Network)

[0126] RAT Radio Access Technology

[0127] RF (Radio Frequency)

[0128] RFH radio frequency acquisition

[0129] ROM (Read-Only Memory)

[0130] RSRP reference signal received power

[0131] RSRQ reference signal reception quality

[0132] RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator

[0133] RTT Return Time Itinerary

[0134] SCU Session Control Unit

[0135] SL side link

[0136] SRS Detection Reference Signal

[0137] TDD (Time Division Duplex)

[0138] TDOA arrival time difference

[0139] TRP Transmitter / Receiver Point

[0140] Tx transfer

[0141] UE User Equipment

[0142] UL uplink

[0143] UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System)

[0144] UPF User Plane Functions

[0145] URLLC Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication

[0146] UTRAN (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access Network)

Claims

1. A method comprising: The user equipment compares the tag's current location with the tag's estimated location; The user equipment determines that the current location of the tag does not match the estimated location of the tag within an integrity threshold. The user equipment sends a list of tags associated with potentially damaged locations of the tags to the location management function; The user equipment receives an instruction from the location management function to update the current location of the tag; as well as In response to receiving the instruction, the user equipment updates the current location of the tag.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determination triggers the acquisition of at least one location estimate.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: The user equipment sends a lighting signal to the tag.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the illumination signal indicates the current position of the tag, and wherein the illumination signal is derived from at least one of the following: The identifier of the label; A public encryption key derived from the private key known to the tag; or The current position of the label.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the update comprises at least one of the following: The user equipment updates the current position of the tag using the estimated position of the tag or using a weighted sum of the estimated position of the tag and the current position of the tag; The user equipment updates the current location of the tag using the location received in the instruction; or The user equipment updates the current location of the tag using the location estimate of the tag obtained in response to the determination.

6. A method comprising: The location management function receives lighting signals from the user equipment. The location management function receives a reflection of the lighting signal, including the tag identifier and current location data, from the tag. The location management function estimates the relative time delay from the tag compared to the direct path from the user equipment, as well as the angle of arrival of both the tag reflection and the illumination signal; as well as The location management function sends the relative time delay, the angle of arrival, and the current location data to the user equipment.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the current location data is stored in the location management function.

8. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein the illumination signal indicates the current position of the tag, and wherein the illumination signal is derived from at least one of the following: The identifier of the label; A public encryption key derived from the private key known to the tag; or The current position of the label.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising: The location management function receives from the user equipment a list of tags associated with potentially damaged locations of the tags; The location management function determines that the location of the tag is damaged; as well as The location management function sends an indication that the location of the tag will be updated.

10. A method comprising: The tag receives lighting signals from the user equipment; as well as The illumination signal, including the tag identifier and current location data, is reflected from the tag to at least one of the user equipment and the location management function.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the illumination signal indicates the current position of the tag, and wherein the illumination signal is derived from at least one of the following: The identifier of the label; A public encryption key derived from the private key known to the tag; or The current position of the label.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising: The tag stores the current location data based on previous location information.

13. An apparatus comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: Compare the current position of the tag with the estimated position of the tag; It is determined that the current position of the tag does not match the estimated position of the tag within an integrity threshold; Send a list of tags associated with potentially damaged locations of the tags to the location management function; Receive an instruction from the location management function to update the current location of the tag; as well as In response to receiving the instruction, the current position of the tag is updated.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the determination triggers the acquisition of at least one location estimate.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 or 14, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: Send an illumination signal to the tag.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the illumination signal indicates the current position of the tag, and wherein the illumination signal is derived from at least one of the following: The identifier of the label; A public encryption key derived from the private key known to the tag; or The current position of the label.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform at least one of the following: The current position of the tag is updated using the estimated position of the tag or a weighted sum of the estimated position of the tag and the current position of the tag. The current position of the tag is updated using the position received in the instruction; or The current position of the tag is updated using the position estimate of the tag obtained in response to the determination.

18. An apparatus comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: Receive lighting signals from user equipment; Receive the reflection of the lighting signal, which includes the tag identifier and current location data, from the tag; Estimate the relative time delay from the tag compared to the direct path from the user equipment, and the angle of arrival of both the tag reflection and the illumination signal; as well as The relative time delay, angle of arrival, and current location data are sent to the user equipment.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the current location data is stored in the location management function.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 or 19, wherein the illumination signal indicates the current position of the tag, and wherein the illumination signal is derived from at least one of the following: The identifier of the label; A public encryption key derived from the private key known to the tag; or The current position of the label.

21. The apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: Receive from the user equipment a list of tags associated with the locations of potential damage to the tags; It was determined that the location of the label was damaged; as well as The location of the tag being sent will be updated.

22. An apparatus comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: Receive lighting signals from user equipment; as well as The lighting signal, including the tag identifier and current location data, is reflected to at least one of the user equipment and location management functions.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the illumination signal indicates the current position of the tag, and wherein the illumination signal is derived from at least one of the following: The identifier of the label; A public encryption key derived from the private key known to the tag; or The current position of the label.

24. The apparatus of claim 22 or 23, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: The current location data is stored based on previous location information.

25. An apparatus comprising: A component for comparing the current position of the tag with the estimated position of the tag; A component for determining that the current position of the tag does not match the estimated position of the tag within an integrity threshold; A component for sending a list of tags associated with potentially damaged locations of the tags to the location management function; A component for receiving an indication from the location management function to update the current location of the tag; as well as A component for updating the current position of the tag in response to receiving the instruction.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the determination triggers the acquisition of at least one location estimate.

27. The apparatus according to claim 25 or 26, further comprising: A component used to send illumination signals to the tag.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the illumination signal indicates the current position of the tag, and wherein the illumination signal is derived from at least one of the following: The identifier of the label; A public encryption key derived from the private key known to the tag; or The current position of the label.

29. The apparatus according to any one of claims 25 to 28, further comprising at least one of the following: A component for updating the current position of the tag using the estimated position of the tag or using a weighted sum of the estimated position of the tag and the current position of the tag; A component for updating the current position of the tag using the position received in the instruction; or A component for updating the current position of the tag using a position estimate of the tag obtained in response to the determination.

30. An apparatus comprising: Components used to receive lighting signals from user equipment; A component for receiving the reflection of the lighting signal, including the tag identifier and current location data, from the tag; Components for estimating the relative time delay from the tag compared to the direct path from the user equipment, and the angle of arrival of both the tag reflection and the illumination signal; as well as A component for sending the relative time delay, the angle of arrival, and the current location data to the user equipment.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the current location data is stored in the location management function.

32. The apparatus of claim 30 or 31, wherein the illumination signal indicates the current position of the tag, and wherein the illumination signal is derived from at least one of the following: The identifier of the label; A public encryption key derived from the private key known to the tag; or The current position of the label.

33. The apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 32, further comprising: A component for receiving from the user equipment a list of tags associated with indicating potentially damaged locations of the tags; Components used to determine the location of damage to the label; as well as A component used to send an indication that the location of the tag will be updated.

34. An apparatus comprising: Components used to receive lighting signals from user equipment; as well as A component for reflecting the lighting signal, including a tag identifier and current location data, to at least one of user equipment and location management functions.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the illumination signal indicates the current position of the tag, and wherein the illumination signal is derived from at least one of the following: The identifier of the label; A public encryption key derived from the private key known to the tag; or The current position of the label.

36. The apparatus according to claim 34 or 35, further comprising: A component for storing the current location data based on previous location information.

37. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

38. An apparatus comprising circuitry configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

39. A computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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