Monitoring of positioning using positioning reference signal resource configurations

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to monitoring of positioning using a positioning reference signal (PRS) resource configuration. A method includes receiving, at a user equipment (UE), a positioning reference signal (PRS) from a reference transmit receive point (TRP) and at least two adjacent TRPs; receiving, from the reference TRP and the at least two adjacent TRP, a phase shifted PRS associated with a respective phase offset configured by a location management function (LMF) for the reference TRP and the at least two adjacent TRP based on the reference hypothetical user equipment location; performing measurements on the PRS and the phase shifted PRS, respectively; and causing a positioning function of the UE to be verified by the UE or by the LMF based at least on a result of the measurement and a reference hypothesis user equipment location.

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Indian Provisional Application No. 202441036198, filed May 7, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Various example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunications, and in particular, to methods, devices, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for monitoring of positioning using Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) resource configuration, especially for positioning monitoring of Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (AI / ML) models / functions. BACKGROUND

[0003] Position awareness enables various location-based services in different applications, and is thus a fundamental aspect of wireless communication networks. With the evolution of the accuracy of technology, the integration and utilization of location information in daily applications is growing significantly.

[0004] Now, positioning technology can rely on AI algorithms, which are superior in essence in terms of accuracy and efficiency of positioning inference. In this regard, model monitoring of positioning performance is important to guarantee the accuracy of positioning. SUMMARY

[0005] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from a reference Transmission Reception Point (TRP) and at least two neighboring TRPs, Positioning Reference Signals (PRSs); receive, from the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs, phase-shifted PRSs associated with respective phase offsets configured by a Location Management Function (LMF) based on a reference assumed user equipment position for the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs; perform measurements on the PRSs and the phase-shifted PRSs, respectively; and cause a positioning function of the apparatus to be verified by the apparatus or by the LMF based at least on results of the measurements and the reference assumed user equipment position.

[0006] In a second aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to determine a reference hypothetical user equipment position based on at least locations of a reference TRP and at least two neighboring TRPs; determine respective phase offsets to be used for positioning reference signal configurations of the TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs based on the reference hypothetical user equipment position; provide the respective phase offsets to the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs; and receive, from a user equipment, information on a verification of a positioning function of the user equipment or information for performing the verification of the positioning function at the apparatus.

[0007] In a third aspect of the disclosure, a method is provided. The method comprises receiving, at a user equipment, PRS from a reference TRP and at least two neighboring TRPs; receiving, from the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs, phase-shifted PRS associated with respective phase offsets configured by a location management function, LMF, for the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs based on a reference hypothetical user equipment position; performing measurements on the PRS and the phase-shifted PRS, respectively; and causing a positioning function of the user equipment to be verified by the user equipment or by the LMF based on at least results of the measurements and the reference hypothetical user equipment position.

[0008] In a fourth aspect of the disclosure, a method is provided. The method comprises determining, at a location management function, LMF, a reference hypothetical user equipment position based on at least locations of a reference TRP and at least two neighboring TRPs; determining respective phase offsets to be used for positioning reference signal configurations of the TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs based on the reference hypothetical user equipment position; providing the respective phase offsets to the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs; and receiving, from a user equipment, information on a verification of a positioning function of the user equipment or information for performing the verification of the positioning function at the LMF.

[0009] In a fifth aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises means for receiving PRS from a reference TRP and at least two neighboring TRPs; means for receiving, from the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs, phase-shifted PRS associated with respective phase offsets configured by a location management function, LMF, for the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs based on a reference hypothetical user equipment position; means for performing measurements on the PRS and the phase-shifted PRS, respectively; and means for causing a positioning function of the apparatus to be verified by the apparatus or by the LMF based on at least results of the measurements and the reference hypothetical user equipment position.

[0010] In a sixth aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises: means for determining a reference hypothetical user equipment position based on at least locations of a reference TRP and at least two neighboring TRPs; means for determining respective phase offsets to be used for positioning reference signal configurations of the TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs based on the reference hypothetical user equipment position; means for providing the respective phase offsets to the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs; and means for receiving, from a user equipment, information on a verification of a positioning function of the user equipment or information for performing the verification of the positioning function at the apparatus.

[0011] In a seventh aspect of the disclosure, a computer readable medium is provided. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the third aspect.

[0012] In an eighth aspect of the disclosure, a computer readable medium is provided. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the fourth aspect.

[0013] It is to be understood that the Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the disclosure. Other features, details, and advantages of the disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 An example communication environment in which example embodiments of the disclosure can be implemented is shown;

[0016] Figure 2 A signaling diagram for model monitoring according to some example embodiments of the disclosure is shown;

[0017] Figure 3 A signaling diagram for model monitoring according to some example embodiments of the disclosure is shown;

[0018] Figure 4 An example of a reference hypothetical UE position according to some example embodiments of the disclosure is shown;

[0019] Figure 5A And Figure 5B An example of a method for PRS monitoring resource configuration according to some example embodiments of the disclosure is shown;

[0020] Figure 6 A UE translation observation using TRP phase ramping according to some example embodiments of the disclosure is shown;

[0021] Figure 7A flow diagram illustrating a method implemented at a device, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure, is shown;

[0022] Figure 8 A flow diagram illustrating a method implemented at a device, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure, is shown;

[0023] Figure 9 A simplified block diagram of a device suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown; and

[0024] Figure 10 A block diagram of an example computer readable medium, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure, is shown.

[0025] Throughout the drawings, identical or similar reference numerals can designate identical or similar elements throughout the several views. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and help the understanding of and enablement of the present disclosure, without implying any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein can be implemented in various ways other than those described below.

[0027] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0028] References in the present disclosure to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “example embodiments”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described can include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment can not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0029] It should be understood that although terms such as “first”, “second”, etc. preceding a term can be used in this document to describe various elements, the elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another, and they do not limit the order of the terms. For example, a first element can be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element can be referred to as a first element, without departing from the scope of the example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0030] As used herein, “at least one of ” and “one or more of ” and similar phrases, where the list of two or more elements is bound 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.

[0031] As used herein, unless expressly stated otherwise, performing a step “in response to A” does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after A occurs, and can include one or more intervening steps.

[0032] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and / or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components, and do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0033] The term “circuitry” as used in this application can refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable): (i) combinations of analog and / or digital hardware circuits with software / firmware and (ii) portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processors), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions and (c) hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but it does not require software to be present to operate.

[0034] The definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation that has a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) and software (or firmware) that works together to cause an apparatus to perform various functions described herein. This definition of circuitry applies to both hardware circuit- based circuitry (including comprising only analog circuits) and software-based circuitry (including comprising no circuits). Software, in accordance with this definition, shall be construed as essentially equivalent to hardware- based circuitry, where a given software instruction that when executed result in the functionality of the hardware circuitry directly correlates in every respect to that same hardware circuitry (including variable states of the hardware circuitry). Thus, a combination of both hardware circuits and software will be recognized as equivalent to either hardware circuits or software, if the given software instruction that when executed result in the functionality of the hardware circuitry directly correlates in every respect to that same hardware circuitry (including variable states of the hardware circuitry).

[0035] As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network that follows any suitable communication standard, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT), etc. Further, communication between terminal devices and network devices in a communication network can be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocol, including but not limited to, first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth generation (5G), 5.5G, sixth generation (6G) communication protocols, and / or any other protocols that are currently known or developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. In view of the rapid development in communications, it will of course also be possible to implement future types of communication systems that can embody the present disclosure. The foregoing should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure to only the aforementioned systems.

[0036] As used herein, the term “network device” refers to a node in a communication network via which terminal devices access the network and receive services therefrom. The network device can refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), such as a NodeB (or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also known as gNB), a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node (such as a femto, pico, non-terrestrial network (NTN)), or a non-terrestrial network device (such as a satellite network device, low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, and geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite, aircraft network device), and the like, depending on the terminology used and the technology applied. In some example embodiments, a radio access network (RAN) split architecture includes a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU) located at an IAB donor node. The IAB node includes a mobile termination (IAB-MT) part that behaves like a UE towards a parent node, and a DU part of the IAB node that behaves like a base station towards a next-hop IAB node.

[0037] The term “terminal device” refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. As examples, without limitation, a terminal device can also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), a subscriber station (SS), a portable subscriber station, a mobile station (MS), or an access terminal (AT). A terminal device can include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone, a wireless local loop phone, a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a desktop computer, an image capture terminal device, such as a digital camera, a gaming terminal device, a music storage and playback appliance, a vehicle-mounted wireless terminal device, a wireless endpoint, a mobile station, a laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), a laptop-mounted equipment (LME), a USB dongle, a smart device, a wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a watch or other wearable device, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, medical devices and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in industrial and / or

[0038] As used herein, the terms “resource,” “transmission resource,” “resource block,” “physical resource block” (PRB), “uplink resource,” or “downlink resource” can refer to any resource used to perform communication, e.g., communication between a terminal device and a network device, such as a time-domain resource, a frequency-domain resource, a spatial-domain resource, a code-domain resource, or any other combination of time-, frequency-, spatial-, and / or code-domain resources that enable communication, etc. In the following, unless explicitly stated otherwise, resources in the frequency and time domain will be used as examples of transmission resources to describe some example embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted that example embodiments of the present disclosure equally apply to other resources in other domains.

[0039] As used herein, the term “transmission reception point (TRP)” can refer to an antenna port or an antenna array (with one or more antenna elements) available at a network device located at a particular geographic location. For example, a network device can be coupled with multiple TRPs in different geographic locations to achieve better coverage. Alternatively or additionally, multiple TRPs can be incorporated into a network device, or in other words, a network device can include multiple TRPs. The term “TRP” can also be referred to as a cell, such as a macro cell, a small cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, a remote radio head, a relay node, etc. It should be understood that the term “TRP” can refer to a logical concept that can be physically implemented in various ways. For example, a TRP can refer to or correspond to a physical cell identity (PCI) or a control resource set (CORESET) pool index (i.e., CORESETPoolIndex).

[0040] Figure 1 An example communication environment 100 in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented is shown. In the communication environment 100, multiple communication devices including a user equipment (UE) 110 and multiple TRPs 120-1, 120-2, 120-3, and 120-4 can communicate with each other. The multiple TRPs 120-1, 120-2, 120-3, and 120-4 can be considered as network nodes, and can be collectively referred to as TRPs 120 hereinafter.

[0041] In Figure 1 In an example, the TRP 120-1 can be considered as a serving TRP of the user equipment 110, and the TRPs 120-2, 120-3, and 120-4 can be considered as neighboring TRPs.

[0042] The communication environment 100 can further include an LMF 130, which can be considered as a core network node / function for location management. The LMF 130 can communicate with the multiple TRPs 120-1, 120-2, 120-3, and 120-4 and the UE 110, respectively.

[0043] It should be understood that the number of devices shown in Figure 1 The number of devices and their connections shown in FIG. 1 are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to suggest any limitations as to the scope of use or functionality of the communication environment 100. The communication environment 100 can include any suitable number of devices configured to implement example embodiments of the present disclosure. Although not shown, it should be understood that one or more additional devices can be deployed in the communication environment 100.

[0044] In some example embodiments, operations described in connection with the UE 110 can be implemented at a network node or other device, and operations described in connection with the TRPs 120 or the LMF 130 can be implemented at a UE or other device.

[0045] In some example embodiments, a link from a TRP 120 to a UE 110 is referred to as the downlink (DL), and a link from a UE 110 to a TRP 120 is referred to as the uplink (UL). In the DL, the TRP 120 is a transmitting (TX) device (or transmitter) and the UE 110 is a receiving (RX) device (or receiver). In the UL, the UE 110 is a TX device (or transmitter) and the TRP 120 is an RX device (or receiver).

[0046] Communications in the communication environment 100 can be implemented according to any suitable communication protocol, including but not limited to cellular communication protocols of first generation (1G), second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), fifth generation (5G), 5.5G, sixth generation (6G), etc., wireless local area network communication protocols such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, and / or any other protocol that is currently known or later developed. Moreover, communications can utilize any suitable wireless communication techniques, including but not limited to: code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division duplexing (FDD), time division duplexing (TDD), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM), and / or any other techniques that are currently known or later developed.

[0047] For the 3GPP work item on AI / ML over the NR air interface, the following use cases are listed with targeting positioning: Table 1

[0048] In Case 1 / Case 2a, an AI / ML model deployed at the UE enables direct AI / ML positioning. The model input is downlink channel observations by the UE (e.g., packet data protocol (PDP), dispersive peripheral (DP), etc.), and the output of the AI / ML model is the UE position or intermediate key performance indicators (KPIs) (e.g., line-of-sight (LOS) / non-line-of-sight (NLOS), time of arrival (ToA), etc.).

[0049] In particular, the present disclosure focuses on UE-side models and aspects for performance monitoring.

[0050] Model monitoring can now include the items in the following table: Table 2

[0051] For Rel-19 AI / ML based positioning, the measurements used to determine the model input are based on DL PRS and UL Sounding Reference Signal (SRS).

[0052] In this disclosure, UE-side model cases (Case 1, Case 2a) are considered, i.e., the model deployed at the UE estimates, e.g., channel impulse response (CIR) / power delay profile (PDP) / delay profile (DP), existing positioning measurements, etc., using downlink PRS from multiple TRPs as input and provides UE position, intermediate KPIs such as ToA, Reference Signal Received Path Power (RSRPP), path phase as model output.

[0053] For Case 1, unlike other use cases of AI / ML such as beam management and channel state information (CSI) feedback, this positioning use case is challenging due to lack of trusted ground truth of UE position to verify that the UE estimated / report position is within the required accuracy. Thus, the lack of UE position information (i.e., ground truth) introduces a huge challenge in trusting the estimated / report position provided by the UE with its own model.

[0054] Further, for Case 2a, the UE needs to have intermediate KPIs (e.g., ToA, path phase, RSRPP) as ground truth to verify the model as part of performance monitoring. Thus, the problem of monitoring or verifying the UE model / functionality for Case 1 / Case 2a is essential for the proper functioning of AI / ML UE based positioning.

[0055] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, a scheme for artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) model / functionality monitoring for positioning using positioning reference signal (PRS) resource configuration is provided. In the scheme, a UE 110 receives PRS from a reference TRP 120-1 and at least two neighboring TRPs, and receives phase-shifted PRS associated with respective phase phase offsets from the reference TRP 120-1 and the at least two neighboring TRPs. The phase offsets are configured by the LMF 130 based on a reference hypothetical UE position. The UE 110 performs measurements on the PRS and the phase-shifted PRS, respectively, and causes a positioning function of the UE 110 to be verified by the UE 110 or by the LMF 130 based at least on results of the measurements and the reference hypothetical UE position.

[0056] The present disclosure addresses the above-mentioned issue of correct functioning of AIML UE based positioning (i.e. Case 1 / Case 2a). Specifically, the proposed method defines a “reference hypothetical UE” in the positioning network and, with the assistance of the “reference hypothetical UE”, derives a PRS pair, i.e. a PRS and another PRS (e.g. PRS, PRS offset), for each TRP, where the “PRS offset” is derived from the “PRS” with a phase offset. Then, the position estimate of the UE with the “PRS offset” from all TRPs is used for monitoring the UE-side AIML model.

[0057] In the present disclosure, a solution is proposed to ensure the correct functioning of the monitoring framework triggered by the LMF to validate the UE-side model. The proposed method uses PRS but with phase-ramped PRS during the transmission from all TRPs configured based on the information provided by the LMF. Thus, the proposed solution introduces a new configuration / process for the transmission of the reference signals for monitoring the UE-side model. In addition, it can also be used to assist the UE to select a suitable model from the list of models available for better positioning estimation that suits the current scenario experienced by the UE (i.e. model switching).

[0058] Example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0059] Reference will now be made to Figure 2 which shows a signaling diagram 200 for model monitoring according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made, for example, by using a UE 110, TRPs 120, and a LMF 130. Figure 1 The signaling diagram 200 is discussed.

[0060] As Figure 2 shown, the UE 110 is configured (202) by the LMF 130 for UE-based positioning with UE-side model, direct AI / ML positioning. A serving TRP (e.g. reference TRP) 120-1 and neighboring TRPs 120-2, 120-2, and 120-3 can be configured (204) with DL PRS configuration by the LMF 130. Assistance data / information related to the PRS of each TRP (e.g. TRP positions, etc.) can be provided (206) from the LMF 130 to the UE 110. The UE 110 can be configured with the DL PRS of each TRP for positioning measurements.

[0061] Optionally or additionally, the UE 110 can indicate (208) assistance information for selection of at least one reference hypothetical UE position to the LMF 130. For example, the assistance information can include at least one TRP ID based on a particular positioning measurement (e.g., strongest RSRP, RSRPP, etc.) to facilitate selection of the reference hypothetical UE position. That is, the LMF 130 can utilize this assistance information to determine a reference hypothetical UE position proximate to the target UE (e.g., UE 110) that triggered the performance monitoring.

[0062] The LMF 130 can then determine at least one reference hypothetical UE position, for example, from the TRP locations in the network. For example, the centroid of the positioning network can be the position of the “reference hypothetical UE” as shown in Figure 4

[0063] By using to represent the “reference hypothetical UE”, and the geometry ToA between the “reference hypothetical UE” and the t i th TRP is all t i = 1, 2, …, N TRP The idea of introducing the “reference hypothetical UE” is to create a new PRS resource configuration (e.g., PRS offset) such that there is a fixed phase ramp with respect to the PRS configured for each TRP. That is, the LMF 130 determines a PRS tuple (PRS offset, PRS) for each TRP such that the PRS sequence does not change from all TRPs except for the phase ramp.

[0064] It should be appreciated that the phase ramp applied in the PRS (to get the PRS offset) translates into a time delay in the frequency bin. Therefore, the CIR obtained by the UE with respect to the PRS and the PRS offset will only resemble the additional / deterministic time offset used for each TRP proportional to the phase ramp (i.e., the offset applied in the PRS offset with respect to the PRS).

[0065] The LMF 130 can determine the phase ramp (offset) to be used by each TRP by utilizing the “reference hypothetical UE” such that there is a fixed known displacement in the CIR / PDP / DP of each TRP with the PRS tuple, e.g., PRS and PRS offset, which can be referred to hereinafter as PRS and another PRS.

[0066] The LMF 130 can configure (212) the TRPs (i.e., the serving TRP (e.g., reference TRP) 120-1 and the neighboring TRPs 120-2, 120-2, and 120-3) with the PRS tuple, i.e., with the PRS offset as well as the PRS for each TRP 120.

[0067] ​In some example implementations, the LMF 130 can indicate to each TRP 120 only the phase offset. The TRP 120 can then apply the phase offset to the PRS already configured.

[0068] Additionally or alternatively, the LMF 130 can indicate to each TRP 120 the transmission period (i.e., interval) between the transmission of PRS tuples (PRS and PRS offset) for each TRP 120. For example, the transmission period (i.e., interval) can be defined in the number of slots, which can be determined based on the mobility of the UE and the network traffic load.

[0069] The LMF 130 can provide (214) assistance data to the UE 110, which can include the transmission period, interval, etc. for monitoring the PRS resources.

[0070] The LMF 130 can then send (216) to the UE 110 a request for the location information with PRS and PRS phase offset.

[0071] Upon receiving (218, 220) the DL PRS from each TRP (e.g., reference TRP) 120-1 and neighboring TRPs 120-2, 120-2, and 120-3, the UE 110 can perform (222) DL PRS measurements on the received PRS and determine at least one first estimated location of the UE 110 based on the results of the measurements. The at least one first estimated location of the UE 110 can be determined by using an AI / ML model for positioning deployed at the UE 110. The at least one first estimated location of the UE 110 can also be referred to as “UE-POS” hereinafter.

[0072] Each TRP (e.g., reference TRP) 120-1 and neighboring TRPs 120-2, 120-2, and 120-3) can then apply (224) the phase offset configured by the LMF 130, for example, to its configured PRS and transmit (226, 228) the PRS offset to the UE 110 by using the respective phase offset. The UE 110 can then perform (230) DL PRS measurements on the received PRS offset and determine at least one second estimated location of the UE 110 based on the results of the measurements. The at least one second estimated location of the UE 110 can be determined by using an AI / ML model for positioning deployed at the UE 110. The at least one second estimated location of the UE 110 can also be referred to as “UE-POS-OFFSET” hereinafter.

[0073] The following can be utilized Figure 5A and 5B A PRS monitoring resource configuration is shown, where Figure 5ASlot offsets for PRS with phase offsets are shown, and Figure 5B Comb offsets for PRS with phase offsets are shown.

[0074] Now referring back to Figure 2 The UE positioning function can be verified, e.g., an AI / ML model / function for UE positioning deployed at the UE 110. As an option, the UE 110 can perform the verification of the AI / ML model / function for UE positioning by itself. In this case, the LMF 130 can provide (232) the UE 110 with at least one AI / ML monitoring metric (e.g., an assumed UE position displacement) and instruct the UE 110 to perform self-monitoring and verify the AI / ML model.

[0075] As described above, for UE positioning, the UE 110 measures a “set of PRS from all TRPs” using a UE-side direct AI / ML positioning model and determines at least one first estimated position (e.g., “UE-POS”) and measures a “set of PRS offset from all TRPs” and determines at least one second position (e.g., “UE-POS-OFFSET”).

[0076] For the function verification at the UE, the UE 110 can determine (234) a positioning bias offset between the at least one first estimated position and the at least one second estimated position based on the at least one monitoring metric. That is, the UE 110 can compute the “positioning bias offset” between the UE-POS and the UE-POS-OFFSET (i.e., abs(“UE-POS” - “UE-POS-OFFSET”)). For example, by using “K” consecutive measurements, the UE 110 can determine the “positioning bias offset”.

[0077] Based on the determined positioning bias offset, the UE 110 can determine whether the performance of the UE positioning function (e.g., an AI / ML model / function for UE positioning) is satisfied. For example, if the “positioning bias offset” is higher than an expected “offset threshold” (which can be set by the LMF 130), the UE 110 can indicate to the LMF 130 information about the UE positioning function, which includes at least the measurement result.

[0078] Further, based on the verification result, the UE 110 can trigger (236) function selection, activation, deactivation, switching, fallback.

[0079] As another option, the validation of the AI / ML model / function for UE positioning can be performed by the network node (e.g., LMF 130). In this case, the LMF 130 can instruct the UE 110 to provide at least one monitoring metric for validation of the AI / ML model, which can be the observed offset between the position estimates acquired by using the “set of PRS from all TRPs” and the “set of PRS offsets from all TRPs”.

[0080] For example, the UE 110 can provide (238) to the LMF 130 at least one first estimated position determined from measurements of the “set of PRS from all TRPs” (e.g., “UE-POS”) and at least one second estimated position determined from measurements of the “set of PRS offsets from all TRPs” (e.g., “UE-POS-OFFSET”). That is, the UE 130 can report to the LMF 130 the UE-POS (using PRS from all TRPs) and the UE-POS-OFFSET (using PRS offsets from all TRPs).

[0081] Then, the LMF 130 can determine (240) the positioning bias offset between the at least one first estimated position and the at least one second estimated position based on the at least one monitoring metric (e.g., assuming UE position displacement). For example, the LMF 130 can compute the positioning bias between the UE-POS and the UE-POS-OFFSET (i.e., abs(“UE-POS” - “UE-POS-OFFSET”)).

[0082] Based on the determined positioning bias offset, the UE 110 can determine whether the performance of the UE positioning function (e.g., AI / ML model / function for UE positioning) is satisfied. For example, if the “positioning bias offset” is higher than an expected “offset threshold” value, e.g., with “K” consecutive measurements (e.g., average, standard deviation, etc.), the LMF 130 can declare a failure of the UE-side AI / ML model and indicate the failure to the UE 110.

[0083] Further, based on the validation result, the LMF 130 can trigger (240) the function selection, activation, deactivation, switching, fallback at the UE 110.

[0084] Reference is now made to Figure 3 which shows a signaling diagram 300 for model monitoring, in accordance with some example embodiments of the disclosure. For purposes of discussion, reference will be made, for example, by using the UE 110, the TRP 120, and the LMF 130. Figure 1 The signaling diagram 300 is discussed.

[0085] Actions 302-320 in signaling diagram 300 are substantially similar to actions 202-220 in signaling diagram 200, which can be omitted here.

[0086] Upon receiving (318, 320) the DL PRS from each TRP (e.g., reference TRP) 120-1 and neighboring TRPs 120-2, 120-2, and 120-3, the UE 110 can perform (322) DL PRS measurements on the received PRS and determine at least one first intermediate performance indicator of the UE 110 based on the results of the measurements. The at least one first intermediate performance indicator of the UE 110 can be determined by using an AI / ML model for positioning deployed at the UE 110. The at least one first intermediate performance indicator of the UE 110 can also be referred to as at least one first ToA, e.g., “ToA-PRS” below.

[0087] Each TRP (e.g., reference TRP) 120-1 and neighboring TRPs 120-2, 120-2, and 120-3) can then apply (324) the phase offset configured, e.g., by the LMF 130, to its configured PRS and transmit (326, 328) a PRS offset to the UE 110 by using the respective phase offset. The UE 110 can then perform (330) DL PRS measurements on the received PRS offset and determine at least one second intermediate performance indicator of the UE 110 based on the results of the measurements. The at least one second intermediate performance indicator of the UE 110 can be determined by using an AI / ML model for positioning deployed at the UE 110. The at least one second intermediate performance indicator of the UE 110 can also be referred to as at least one second ToA, e.g., “ToA-PRS-offset” below.

[0088] The UE positioning function, e.g., the AI / ML model / function for UE positioning deployed at the UE 110, can then be verified. In this case, the verification of the AI / ML model / function for UE positioning can be performed by a network node, e.g., the LMF 130. For example, the LMF 130 can instruct the UE 110 to provide at least one monitoring metric for the verification of the AI / ML model, which can be the observed offset between the estimated ToAs obtained by using the “set of PRS from all TRPs” and the “set of PRS offsets from all TRPs”.

[0089] For example, the UE 110 can provide (332) to the LMF 130 at least one first intermediate performance indicator determined from measurements of a “set of PRS from all TRPs” (e.g., “ToA-PRS”) and at least one second intermediate performance indicator determined from measurements of a “set of PRS offsets from all TRPs” (e.g., “ToA-PRS-offset”). That is, the UE 130 can report to the LMF 130 the ToA-PRS (using PRS from all TRPs) and the ToA-PRS-offset (using PRS offsets from all TRPs).

[0090] The LMF 130 can then determine (334) a positioning bias offset between the at least one first intermediate performance indicator and the at least one second intermediate performance indicator based on at least one monitoring metric (e.g., assuming UE position displacement). For example, the LMF 130 can compute the positioning bias between ToA-PRS and ToA-PRS-offset (i.e., abs(“ToA-PRS”-“ToA-PRS-offset”)).

[0091] Based on the determined positioning bias offset, the UE 110 can determine whether the performance of the UE positioning function (e.g., AI / ML model / function for UE positioning) is satisfied. For example, if the “positioning bias offset” is higher than an expected “offset threshold” value, e.g., with “K” consecutive measurements (e.g., average, standard deviation, etc.), the LMF 130 can declare a failure of the UE-side AI / ML model and indicate the failure to the UE 110.

[0092] Further, based on the validation result, the LMF 130 can trigger (336) a function selection, activation, deactivation, switching, fallback at the UE 110.

[0093] In addition to ToA as an intermediate performance indicator (e.g., KPI) for positioning function monitoring, other parameters can also be used as intermediate performance indicators. As an example, consider that the estimation of the path phase of PRS and offset-PRS can be performed by the UE 110 instead of the respective ToA measurements.

[0094] Further, as another example, consider that the estimation of the path power of PRS and offset-PRS can be performed by the UE 110 instead of the respective path power measurements.

[0095] That is, the estimation of the path phase and / or the estimation of the path power can also be considered as intermediate performance indicators. The procedure for positioning function monitoring by using the estimation of the path phase and / or the estimation of the path power can be similar to the procedure shown in the signaling diagram 300.

[0096] Furthermore, it will be described how to obtain the phase ramp for a selected offset, such as (x0, y0, z0), from a given position, such as (x, y, z). Since the offset is not caused by the actual physical movement of the UE, but is electronically induced, the observed offset will be the same for all UEs in the system.

[0097] The discussion will focus on the reference assumption UE location. Depending on the reference assumption UE, LMF 130 will calculate the reference assumption UE k with TRP t. i The distance d between k,i To calculate the reference ToA from all TRPs, this distance can be approximated as...

[0098] Then, from the reference assumptions UE k and TRPt i TOA can be represented as Where c is the speed of light.

[0099] Now, in order to introduce a fixed offset in the X-axis, Y-axis, or both, a new position can be found from the reference assumption UE, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the corresponding offsets are highlighted in both X and Y. Using the same method, the observed ToA at the new UE location can be calculated, for example, at (x+x0, y+y0, z+z0). Let the observed new ToA be a value with TRP t. i Reference assumption UEτ k,i .

[0100] Then, by obtaining the corresponding ToA value observed at (x,y,z) (i.e., δ) k,i ) and the corresponding ToA value (i.e., τ) observed at the new location (x+x0,y+y0,z+z0). k,i The difference between ) and TOA offset (e.g., κ) i ) can be calculated as

[0101] Note that ToA offset κ i Specific to TRP, and with reference to the assumption that the UE is only used to obtain the ToA offset. Alternatively, in different implementations, the ToA offset κ can also be obtained by using two PRU locations (i.e., PRU A and PRU B) with known locations and their corresponding ToA values. i Then, it can be obtained by subtracting the corresponding ToA value associated with TRP. Therefore, the offset determined by the difference between PRU A position and PRU B position can also be used to determine phase compensation.

[0102] Once the ToA associated with TRPt i is acquired, the PRS transmission associated with TRP t i is multiplied by i where m is the fast Fourier transform (FFT) tone index used for the PRS transmission and SCS is the subcarrier spacing associated with the FFT / inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) used for the transmission. Thus, the above phase ramp changes the delay experienced by the CIR / PDP / DP evaluated at the UE in a predetermined manner. Similar techniques have been used in cyclic delay diversity (CDD) (LTE) to introduce artificial diversity between two correlated antenna transmissions. This is achieved by providing a phase ramp on the second transmit antenna that delays the time domain channel, resulting in frequency selective fading.

[0103] During simulation of the scheme of the present disclosure, both LoS and partial NLoS users can be used, i.e., users see more TRPs in good LoS conditions for at least fewer TRPs. This is typically the best case, which can produce the desired results. As expected, all UEs with good LoS channel conditions estimate the induced position bias as [-20, 10, 0], which is used for evaluation. In this case, the TRP PRS transmissions are changed in the second slot with a linear phase using the ToA acquired from the above method.

[0104] Thus, the proposed procedure can be used to identify TRPs in LoS conditions. Note that the UE can also use the monitoring PRS transmissions to select the TRP in LoS. This can be achieved by using the random sample consensus (RANSAC) algorithm, where different subsets of TRPs can be used to evaluate the positioning bias and the subset that gives the closest estimate of the bias introduced by the LMF is most likely in LoS conditions as Figure 6 shown.

[0105] In the scheme of the present disclosure, the LMF 130 can provide the gNB with a configuration of PRS resource configuration including unaltered transmissions and fixed phase ramp configuration through the NR positioning protocol A (NRPPa). The configuration can include a time offset between the two configurations, which can depend on the UE positioning activity level.

[0106] For example, the LMF 130 can define the periodicity of the monitoring by providing unaltered and altered phase ramp configurations, which can also have information of the selected TRP applied to all ports for PRS resources.

[0107] ​Furthermore, PRS and PRS with phase offsets can be transmitted within the same symbol by using different comb offsets. Thus, the impact of mobility can be avoided.

[0108] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating an example method 700 implemented at an apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For purposes of discussion, the method 700 will be described from the perspective of a UE 110 in a network 100. Figure 1

[0109] At block 710, the UE 110 receives PRS from a reference TRP and at least two neighboring TRPs.

[0110] At block 720, the UE 110 receives phase-shifted PRS from the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs associated with respective phase offsets configured by the LMF based on the reference hypothetical user equipment position for the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs.

[0111] At block 730, the UE 110 performs measurements on the PRS and the phase-shifted PRS, respectively.

[0112] At block 740, the UE 110 causes a positioning function of the UE to be verified by the UE or by the LMF based at least on results of the measurements and the reference hypothetical user equipment position.

[0113] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further includes performing measurements on the PRS and the phase-shifted PRS from each of the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs.

[0114] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further includes obtaining an indication from the LMF that verification of the positioning function of the UE is to be performed by the UE.

[0115] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further includes determining at least one first estimated position of the UE based on the measurements on the PRS; determining at least one second estimated position of the UE based on the measurements on the phase-shifted PRS by using the positioning function of the UE; obtaining at least one monitoring metric associated with the positioning function of the UE from the LMF; and verifying the positioning function by evaluating a positioning bias offset between the at least one first estimated position and the at least one second estimated position based on the at least one monitoring metric.

[0116] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further includes indicating information about performance of the positioning function to the LMF if the positioning bias offset is determined to be above a threshold offset, the information including at least results of the measurements.

[0117] ​In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises obtaining, from the LMF, an indication that information associated with the measurements is to be provided from the UE to the LMF for validation of a positioning function of the UE.

[0118] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises determining at least one first estimated position of the apparatus based on the measurements of the PRS, determining at least one second estimated position of the UE based on the measurements of the phase- shifted PRS by using the positioning function of the UE, and providing the at least one first estimated position and the at least one second estimated position to the LMF for validation of the positioning function.

[0119] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises determining at least one first intermediate performance indicator associated with the positioning of the UE based on the measurements of the PRS, determining at least one second intermediate performance indicator associated with the positioning of the UE based on the measurements of the phase-shifted PRS by using the positioning function of the UE, and providing the at least one first intermediate performance indicator and the at least one second intermediate performance indicator to the LMF for validation of the positioning function.

[0120] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises sending, to the LMF, at least one item of assistance information for selection of a reference hypothetical user equipment position.

[0121] In some example embodiments, the positioning function of the UE comprises a machine learning model deployed at the UE for positioning of the UE.

[0122] Figure 8 A flowchart of an example method 800 implemented at an apparatus according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For purposes of discussion, the method 800 will be described from the perspective of the LMF 130 in Figure 1 The method 800 will be described from the perspective of the LMF 130 in

[0123] At block 810, the LMF 130 determines a reference hypothetical user equipment position based at least on locations of a reference TRP and at least two neighboring TRPs.

[0124] At block 820, the LMF 130 determines respective phase offsets to be used for positioning reference signal configurations of the TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs based on the reference hypothetical user equipment position.

[0125] At block 830, the LMF 130 provides the respective phase offsets to the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs.

[0126] At block 840, the LMF 130 receives, from the UE, information regarding validation of a positioning function of the UE or information for performing validation of the positioning function at the LMF.

[0127] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further includes obtaining, from the UE, at least one item of assistance information used for selection of the reference hypothetical user equipment location; and determining the reference hypothetical user equipment location based on the at least one item of assistance information.

[0128] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further includes providing, to the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs, respective transmission periods for each of the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs to transmit a PRS and a corresponding other PRS associated with a phase offset.

[0129] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further includes sending, to the UE, an indication that verification of the positioning function of the UE is to be performed by the UE.

[0130] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further includes providing, to the UE, at least one monitoring metric associated with the positioning function of the UE.

[0131] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further includes receiving, from the UE, information regarding performance of the positioning function, the information including at least results of measurements of a PRS and a phase-shifted PRS associated with a respective phase offset, the PRS and the phase-shifted PRS received by the user equipment from the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs.

[0132] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further includes sending, to the UE, an indication that the information regarding the results of the measurements of the PRS and the phase-shifted PRS associated with the respective phase offset, the PRS and the phase-shifted PRS received by the user equipment from the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs, is to be provided from the UE to the LMF for verification of the positioning function of the UE.

[0133] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further includes obtaining, from the UE, at least one first estimated location of the UE and at least one second estimated location of the UE; determining a positioning bias offset between the at least one first estimated location and the at least one second estimated location based on the at least one monitoring metric associated with the positioning function of the UE; and verifying the positioning function based on the determined positioning bias offset.

[0134] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further includes obtaining, from the UE, at least one first intermediate performance indicator associated with the positioning of the UE and at least one second intermediate performance indicator associated with the positioning of the UE; determining a positioning bias offset between the at least one first intermediate performance indicator and the at least one second intermediate performance indicator based on the at least one monitoring metric associated with the positioning function of the UE; and verifying the positioning function based on the determined positioning bias offset.

[0135] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further comprises declaring a failure of the positioning function of the UE if it is determined that the positioning bias offset is higher than the threshold offset; and indicating the failure of the positioning function to the UE.

[0136] In some example embodiments, the positioning function of the UE comprises a machine learning model deployed at the UE for positioning of the UE.

[0137] In some example embodiments, the apparatus capable of performing any of the method 700 (e.g., the UE 110 in Figure 1 may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 700. The means can be implemented in any suitable form. For example, they can be implemented in circuitry or software modules. The apparatus can be implemented as or included in the UE 110 in Figure 1 .

[0138] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for receiving PRS from the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs; means for receiving phase-shifted PRS from the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs in association with respective phase offsets configured by the LMF based on the reference assumed user equipment position for the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs; means for performing measurements on the PRS and the phase-shifted PRS, respectively; and means for causing the positioning function of the apparatus to be verified by the apparatus or by the LMF based at least on results of the measurements and the reference assumed user equipment position.

[0139] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for performing measurements on the PRS and the phase-shifted PRS from each of the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs.

[0140] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for obtaining from the LMF an indication that verification of the positioning function of the apparatus is to be performed by the apparatus.

[0141] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for determining at least one first estimated position of the apparatus based on measurements on the PRS; means for determining at least one second estimated position of the apparatus based on measurements on the phase-shifted PRS by using the positioning function of the apparatus; means for obtaining from the LMF at least one monitoring metric associated with the positioning function of the apparatus; and means for verifying the positioning function by evaluating a positioning bias offset between the at least one first estimated position and the at least one second estimated position based on the at least one monitoring metric.

[0142] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for indicating to the LMF information about performance of the positioning function if it is determined that the positioning bias offset is higher than the threshold offset, the information comprising at least results of the measurements.

[0143] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for obtaining, from the LMF, an indication that at least information associated with measurements are to be provided from the apparatus to the LMF for verification of a positioning function of the apparatus.

[0144] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for determining at least one first estimated position of the apparatus based on measurements of PRS; means for determining at least one second estimated position of the apparatus based on measurements of phase-shifted PRS by using a positioning function of the apparatus; and means for providing the at least one first estimated position and the at least one second estimated position to the LMF for verification of the positioning function.

[0145] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for determining at least one first intermediate performance indicator associated with positioning of the apparatus based on measurements of PRS; means for determining at least one second intermediate performance indicator associated with positioning of the apparatus based on measurements of phase-shifted PRS by using a positioning function of the apparatus; and means for providing the at least one first intermediate performance indicator and the at least one second intermediate performance indicator to the LMF for verification of the positioning function.

[0146] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for sending, to the LMF, at least one item of assistance information for selection of a reference hypothetical user equipment position.

[0147] In some example embodiments, the positioning function of the apparatus comprises a machine learning model deployed at the apparatus for positioning of the apparatus.

[0148] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises a user equipment.

[0149] In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing any of the methods 800 (e.g., by the LMF 130 in Figure 1 The apparatus can comprise means for performing the corresponding operations of the methods 800. The means can be implemented in any suitable form. For example, they can be implemented in hardware or software modules. The apparatus can be implemented as or included in the LMF 130 in Figure 1 The apparatus can be implemented as or included in the LMF 130 in

[0150] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: means for determining a reference hypothetical user equipment position based on at least the locations of the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs; means for determining respective phase offsets to be used for positioning reference signal configurations of the TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs based on the reference hypothetical user equipment position; means for providing the respective phase offsets to the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs; and means for receiving, from the user equipment, information on a verification of a positioning function of the user equipment or information for performing the verification of the positioning function at the apparatus.

[0151] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: means for obtaining, from the user equipment, at least one item of assistance information used for selecting the reference hypothetical user equipment position; and means for determining the reference hypothetical user equipment position based on the at least one item of assistance information.

[0152] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: means for providing, to the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs, respective transmission periods for each of the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs to transmit a PRS and a corresponding further PRS associated with a phase offset.

[0153] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: means for sending, to the user equipment, an indication that a verification of a positioning function of the user equipment is to be performed by the user equipment.

[0154] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: means for providing, to the user equipment, at least one monitoring metric associated with the positioning function of the user equipment.

[0155] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: means for receiving, from the user equipment, information on a performance of the positioning function, the information comprising at least results of measurements of a PRS and a phase-shifted PRS associated with a respective phase offset, the PRS and the phase-shifted PRS being received by the user equipment from the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs.

[0156] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: means for sending, to the user equipment, an indication that information on results of measurements of a PRS and a phase-shifted PRS associated with a respective phase offset, the PRS and the phase-shifted PRS being received by the user equipment from the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs, is to be provided from the user equipment to the apparatus for a verification of a positioning function of the user equipment.

[0157] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: means for obtaining, from the user equipment, at least one first estimated position of the user equipment and at least one second estimated position of the user equipment; and means for determining a positioning bias offset between the at least one first estimated position and the at least one second estimated position based on at least one monitoring metric associated with a positioning function of the user equipment; and means for verifying the positioning function based on the determined positioning bias offset.

[0158] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: means for obtaining, from the user equipment, at least one first intermediate performance indicator associated with a positioning of the user equipment and at least one second intermediate performance indicator associated with the positioning of the user equipment; and means for determining a positioning bias offset between the at least one first intermediate performance indicator and the at least one second intermediate performance indicator based on at least one monitoring metric associated with a positioning function of the user equipment; and means for verifying the positioning function based on the determined positioning bias offset.

[0159] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: means for declaring a failure of a positioning function of the user equipment if it is determined that the positioning bias offset is above a threshold offset; and means for indicating the failure of the positioning function to the user equipment.

[0160] In some example embodiments, the positioning function of the user equipment comprises a machine learning model deployed at the user equipment for positioning of the user equipment.

[0161] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises an LMF.

[0162] Figure 9 is a simplified block diagram of a device 900 suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 900 can be provided to implement a communication device, e.g., a UE 110 or an LMF 130, as shown in Figure 1 FIG. 1. As shown, the device 900 includes one or more processors 910, one or more memories 920 coupled to the processors 910, and one or more communication modules 940 coupled to the processors 910.

[0163] The communication module 940 is for bidirectional communication. The communication module 940 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interface can represent any interface necessary to communicate with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 940 can include at least one antenna.

[0164] As non-limiting examples, the processor 910 can be of any type suitable to the local technical network, and can include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multi-core processor architectures, as non-limiting examples. The device 900 can have multiple processors such as a dedicated integrated circuit chip that is time-slaved to a clock of a synchronous host processor.

[0165] The memory 920 can include one or more non-transitory memories and one or more transitory memories. Examples of non-transitory memories include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 924, electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), flash memory, a hard disk, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), an optical disc, a laser disc, and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage. Examples of transitory memories include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) 922 and other volatile memory that will not persist for a duration of a power outage.

[0166] The computer program 930 includes computer-executable instructions executed by the associated processor 910. The instructions of the program 930 can include instructions for performing the operations / actions of some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The program 930 can be stored in a memory, such as the ROM 924. The processor 910 can perform any suitable action and processing by loading the program 930 into the RAM 922.

[0167] Example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented with the aid of the program 930, such that the device 900 can perform any process of the present disclosure as discussed with reference to Figures 2 to 8 Example embodiments of the present disclosure can also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0168] In some example embodiments, the program 930 can be tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium, which can include in the device 900, such as in the memory 920, or other storage devices accessible by the device 900. The device 900 can load the program 930 from the computer-readable medium into the RAM 922 for execution. In some example embodiments, the computer-readable medium can include any type of non-transitory storage medium, such as a ROM, an EPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk, a CD, a DVD, and the like. The term “non-transitory” as used herein is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, as opposed to a signal), and not a limitation of data storage persistence (e.g., RAM versus ROM).

[0169] Figure 10 An example of a computer-readable medium 1000, which can be in the form of a CD, DVD, or other optical storage disk, is shown. The computer-readable medium 1000 has the program 930 stored thereon.

[0170] In general, the various embodiments of the disclosure can be implemented in hardware or special-purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects can be implemented in hardware, and other aspects can be implemented in firmware or software which can be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. While various aspects of embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controler or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0171] Some example embodiments of the disclosure also provide at least one computer program product which is tangibly stored on a computer readable medium, such as a non-transitory computer readable medium. The computer program product includes computer executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, executed by devices, such as on a target physical or virtual processor, to perform any of the methods outlined above. In general, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules can be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine executable instructions for program modules can be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules can be located in both local and remote memory storage media.

[0172] Program code for carrying out methods of the disclosure can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code can be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, causes the machine to perform the functions / operations specified in the flow diagrams and / or block diagrams. The program code can be executed entirely on a machine, partially on a machine, as a stand-alone software package, partially on a machine and partially on a remote machine or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0173] In the context of the present disclosure, computer program code or related data can be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus or processor to perform the various processes and operations as outlined above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer readable media, etc.

[0174] The computer readable medium can be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium can include one or more of volatile, non- volatile, removable, and non-removable tangible media, and / or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Computer readable storage media, specifically, can include, but are not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of computer readable storage media can include, but are not limited to, an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0175] Moreover, while operations can be depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing can be advantageous. Likewise, while a number of specific implementation details have been included for the purpose of providing a thorough description of embodiments of the disclosure, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure, but rather as merely providing an example of features that can be specific to a particular embodiment. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although the application is susceptible to embodiment in various forms, there are described preferred embodiments corresponding to the best modes of practicing the application as it is presently perceived.

[0176] Although the disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject of the appended claims defines the scope of protection of the disclosure and not the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

[0177] The present disclosure provides the following examples:

[0178] Example 1. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive positioning reference signals (PRSs) from a reference transmission reception point (TRP) and at least two neighboring TRPs; receive phase-shifted PRSs from the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs in association with respective phase offsets configured by a location management function (LMF) based on a reference hypothetical user equipment (UE) position for the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs; perform measurements on the PRSs and the phase-shifted PRSs, respectively; and cause a positioning function of the apparatus to be verified by the apparatus or by the LMF based at least on results of the measurements and the reference hypothetical UE position.

[0179] Example 2. The apparatus of example 1, wherein the apparatus is caused to obtain, from the LMF, an indication that verification of the positioning function of the apparatus is to be performed by the apparatus.

[0180] Example 3. The apparatus of example 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus is caused to determine at least one first estimated position of the apparatus based on the measurements of the PRS; determine at least one second estimated position of the apparatus based on the measurements of the phase-shifted PRS by using the positioning function of the apparatus; obtain, from the LMF, at least one monitoring metric associated with the positioning function of the apparatus; and verify the positioning function by evaluating a positioning bias offset between the at least one first estimated position and the at least one second estimated position based on the at least one monitoring metric.

[0181] Example 4. The apparatus of example 3, wherein the apparatus is caused to indicate, to the LMF, information about performance of the positioning function if it is determined that the positioning bias offset is above a threshold offset, the information comprising at least the results of the measurements.

[0182] Example 5. The apparatus of example 1, wherein the apparatus is caused to obtain, from the LMF, an indication that information associated at least with the measurements is to be provided from the apparatus to the LMF for verification of the positioning function of the apparatus.

[0183] Example 6. The apparatus of example 1 or 5, wherein the apparatus is caused to determine at least one first estimated position of the apparatus based on the measurements of the PRS; determine at least one second estimated position of the apparatus based on the measurements of the phase-shifted PRS by using the positioning function of the apparatus; and provide the at least one first estimated position and the at least one second estimated position to the LMF for verification of the positioning function.

[0184] Example 7. The apparatus of example 1 or 5, wherein the apparatus is caused to determine at least one first intermediate performance indicator associated with a position of the apparatus based on the measurements of the PRS; determine at least one second intermediate performance indicator associated with the position of the apparatus based on the measurements of the phase-shifted PRS by using the positioning function of the apparatus; and provide the at least one first intermediate performance indicator and the at least one second intermediate performance indicator to the LMF for verification of the positioning function.

[0185] Example 8. The apparatus of any of examples 1-7, wherein the apparatus is caused to send, to the LMF, at least one item of assistance information for selection of a reference hypothetical user equipment position.

[0186] Example 9. The apparatus of any one of examples 1-7, wherein the positioning functionality of the apparatus comprises a machine learning model deployed at the apparatus for positioning of the apparatus.

[0187] Example 10. The apparatus of any one of examples 1-8, wherein the apparatus is caused to perform measurements on the PRS and the phase-shifted PRS from each of the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs.

[0188] Example 11. The apparatus of any one of examples 1-10, wherein the apparatus comprises a user equipment.

[0189] Example 12. An apparatus comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to determine a reference hypothetical user equipment location based at least on locations of a reference transmission-reception point (TRP) and at least two neighboring TRPs, determine respective phase offsets to be used for positioning reference signal configurations of the TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs based on the reference hypothetical user equipment location, provide the respective phase offsets to the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs, and receive, from a user equipment, information on a verification of a positioning functionality of the user equipment or the verification of the positioning functionality performed at the apparatus.

[0190] Example 13. The apparatus of example 12, wherein the apparatus is caused to obtain, from the user equipment, at least one item of assistance information used for selection of a reference hypothetical user equipment location, and determine the reference hypothetical user equipment location based on the at least one item of assistance information.

[0191] Example 14. The apparatus of example 12 or 13, wherein the apparatus is caused to provide, to the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs, respective transmission periods for each of the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs to transmit a PRS and a corresponding further PRS associated with a phase offset.

[0192] Example 15. The apparatus of any one of examples 12-14, wherein the apparatus is caused to send, to the user equipment, an indication that the verification of the positioning functionality of the user equipment is to be performed by the user equipment.

[0193] Example 16. The apparatus of example 15, wherein the apparatus is caused to provide, to the user equipment, at least one monitoring metric associated with the positioning functionality of the user equipment.

[0194] Example 17. The apparatus of any of Examples 15 or 16, wherein the apparatus is caused to: receive, from the user equipment, information on performance of the positioning function, the information comprising at least results of measurements of PRS and phase-shifted PRS associated with the respective phase offsets, the PRS and the phase-shifted PRS received by the user equipment from the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs.

[0195] Example 18. The apparatus of any of Examples 12-14, wherein the apparatus is caused to: transmit, to the user equipment, an indication that information on results of measurements of PRS and phase-shifted PRS associated with the respective phase offsets, the PRS and the phase-shifted PRS received by the user equipment from the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs, will be provided to the apparatus from the user equipment for the verification of the positioning function of the user equipment.

[0196] Example 19. The apparatus of Example 18, wherein the apparatus is caused to: obtain, from the user equipment, at least one first estimated position of the user equipment and at least one second estimated position of the user equipment; determine a positioning bias offset between the at least one first estimated position and the at least one second estimated position based on at least one monitoring metric associated with the positioning function of the user equipment; and verify the positioning function based on the determined positioning bias offset.

[0197] Example 20. The apparatus of Example 18, wherein the apparatus is caused to: obtain, from the user equipment, at least one first intermediate performance indicator associated with positioning of the user equipment and at least one second intermediate performance indicator associated with positioning of the user equipment; determine a positioning bias offset between the at least one first intermediate performance indicator and the at least one second intermediate performance indicator based on at least one monitoring metric associated with the positioning function of the user equipment; and verify the positioning function based on the determined positioning bias offset.

[0198] Example 21. The apparatus of any of Examples 19 or 20, wherein the apparatus is caused to: declare a failure of the positioning function of the user equipment if the positioning bias offset is determined to be above a threshold offset; and indicate the failure of the positioning function to the user equipment.

[0199] Example 22. The apparatus of any of Examples 12-21, wherein the positioning function of the user equipment comprises a machine learning model deployed at the user equipment for positioning of the user equipment.

[0200] Example 23. The apparatus of any of examples 11-22, wherein the apparatus comprises an LMF.

[0201] Example 24. A method comprising: receiving, at a user equipment, positioning reference signals (PRS) from a reference transmission-reception point (TRP) and at least two neighboring TRPs; receiving, from the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs, phase-shifted PRSs associated with respective phase offsets configured by a location management function (LMF) based on a reference hypothesized user equipment position for the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs; performing measurements on the PRSs and the phase-shifted PRSs, respectively; and causing a positioning function of the apparatus to be verified by the apparatus or by the LMF based at least on results of the measurements and the reference hypothesized user equipment position.

[0202] Example 25. A method comprising: determining, at a location management function, a reference hypothesized user equipment position based at least on locations of a reference transmission-reception point (TRP) and at least two neighboring TRPs; determining respective phase offsets to be used for positioning reference signal configurations of the TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs based on the reference hypothesized user equipment position; providing the respective phase offsets to the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs; and receiving, from a user equipment, information on verification of a positioning function of the user equipment or the verification of the positioning function for execution at the apparatus.

[0203] Example 26. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving, from a reference transmission-reception point (TRP) and at least two neighboring TRPs, positioning reference signals (PRSs); means for receiving, from the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs, phase-shifted PRSs associated with respective phase offsets configured by a location management function (LMF) based on a reference hypothesized user equipment position for the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs; means for performing measurements on the PRSs and the phase-shifted PRSs, respectively; and means for causing a positioning function of the apparatus to be verified by the apparatus or by the LMF based at least on results of the measurements and the reference hypothesized user equipment position.

[0204] Example 27. An apparatus comprising: means for determining a reference assumed user equipment position based on at least locations of a reference transmission reception point, TRP, and at least two neighboring TRPs; means for determining respective phase offsets to be used for positioning reference signal configurations of the TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs based on the reference assumed user equipment position; means for providing the respective phase offsets to the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs; and means for receiving, from a user equipment, information on a verification of a positioning function of the user equipment or the verification of the positioning function performed at the apparatus.

[0205] Example 28. A computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method of example 24 or the method of example 25.

Claims

1. An apparatus for communication, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive positioning reference signals (PRS) from a reference transmission-reception point (TRP) and at least two neighboring TRPs; receive phase-shifted PRS from the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs associated with respective phase offsets configured by a location management function (LMF) based on a reference hypothetical user equipment (UE) position for the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs; perform measurements on the PRS and the phase-shifted PRS, respectively; and cause a positioning function of the apparatus to be verified by the apparatus or by the LMF based at least on results of the measurements and the reference hypothetical UE position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is caused to: obtain, from the LMF, an indication that verification of the positioning function of the apparatus is to be performed by the apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is caused to: determine at least one first estimated position of the apparatus based on the measurements of the PRS; determine at least one second estimated position of the apparatus based on the measurements of the phase-shifted PRS by using the positioning function of the apparatus; obtain, from the LMF, at least one monitoring metric associated with the positioning function of the apparatus; and verify the positioning function by assessing a positioning bias offset between the at least one first estimated position and the at least one second estimated position based on the at least one monitoring metric.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the apparatus is caused to: indicate, to the LMF, information on performance of the positioning function if it is determined that the positioning bias offset is above a threshold offset, the information comprising at least the results of the measurements.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is caused to: obtain, from the LMF, an indication that information associated at least with the measurements is to be provided from the apparatus to the LMF for verification of the positioning function of the apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is caused to: determine at least one first estimated position of the apparatus based on the measurements of the PRS; determine at least one second estimated position of the apparatus based on the measurements of the phase-shifted PRS by using the positioning function of the apparatus; and provide the at least one first estimated position and the at least one second estimated position to the LMF for verification of the positioning function.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is caused to: determine at least one first intermediate performance indicator associated with a position of the apparatus based on the measurements of the PRS; determine at least one second intermediate performance indicator associated with the position of the apparatus based on the measurements of the phase-shifted PRS by using the positioning function of the apparatus; and and ​ providing the at least one first intermediate performance indicator and the at least one second intermediate performance indicator to the LMF for validation of the positioning function.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is caused to: send, to the LMF, at least one item of assistance information used for selection of a reference hypothetical user equipment position.

9. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the apparatus is caused to: perform measurements on the PRS and the phase-shifted PRS from each of the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs.

10. An apparatus for communication, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine a reference hypothetical user equipment position based at least on locations of a reference transmission reception point (TRP) and at least two neighboring TRPs; determine respective phase offsets to be used for positioning reference signal configurations of the TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs based on the reference hypothetical user equipment position; provide the respective phase offsets to the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs; and receive, from a user equipment, information on validation of a positioning function of the user equipment or information used for the validation of the positioning function at the apparatus.

11. A method for communication, comprising: determining a reference hypothetical user equipment position based at least on locations of a reference transmission reception point (TRP) and at least two neighboring TRPs; determining respective phase offsets to be used for positioning reference signal configurations of the TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs based on the reference hypothetical user equipment position; providing the respective phase offsets to the reference TRP and the at least two neighboring TRPs; and receiving, from a user equipment, information on validation of a positioning function of the user equipment or information used for the validation of the positioning function at the apparatus.

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