Positioning method and device

Abstract

The invention discloses a positioning method and device, relates to the technical field of communication, and can reduce the complexity of equipment design without supporting an additional side link positioning protocol by terminal equipment and network side equipment when the terminal equipment is positioned. The method comprises the following steps: a first terminal device receives a first request from a network device; sending a first signaling to a plurality of second terminal devices according to the first request; the first terminal device receives first information from a plurality of second terminal devices; measuring the first information to obtain measurement results of a plurality of second terminal devices; and sending the positioning information of the plurality of second terminal devices to the network device according to the measurement result. Wherein the first request is used for requesting the first terminal device to trigger a plurality of second terminal devices to access the first terminal device and performing positioning measurement on the plurality of second terminal devices; the first signaling is used for indicating the plurality of second terminal devices to access the first terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a positioning method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] In communication systems, the importance of locating terminal devices during the communication process is becoming increasingly prominent. This can be achieved through interactions between the terminal device and network-side devices, or by the network-side devices locating the terminal devices through sidelinks between them.

[0003] For example, taking a first terminal device and multiple second terminal devices as an example, a side link can be established between the first terminal device and the multiple second terminal devices. The first terminal device can receive information sent by the multiple second terminal devices through the side link and forward it to the network side device. The network side device can locate the multiple second terminal devices based on the information received from the multiple second terminal devices.

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned method for locating terminal devices based on sidelinks, the first terminal device, multiple second terminal devices, and network-side devices need to interact through the sidelink positioning protocol (SLPP). That is, the first terminal device, multiple second terminal devices, and network-side devices all need to support the additional SLPP protocol, which increases the complexity of device design. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a positioning method and apparatus that enables the terminal device and network-side equipment to be positioned without supporting additional sidelink positioning protocols, thereby reducing the complexity of equipment design.

[0006] Firstly, this application provides a positioning method, which can be executed by a first terminal device. Unless otherwise specified, "first terminal device" in this application can refer to the first terminal device itself, a component within the first terminal device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first terminal device. The method includes: receiving a first request from a network device; sending a first signaling message to a plurality of second terminal devices according to the first request; receiving first information from the plurality of second terminal devices; and sending positioning information of the plurality of second terminal devices to the network device. The first request is used to request the first terminal device to trigger the plurality of second terminal devices to access the first terminal device and perform positioning measurements on the plurality of second terminal devices; the first signaling message is used to instruct the plurality of second terminal devices to access the first terminal device; and the positioning information is determined based on the first information.

[0007] Based on the first aspect, through the first request message, the first terminal device can measure uplink information while triggering the access of the second device, and report the location information obtained after processing the measurement results. The first request message combines the inventory process and the location process, enabling support for the location process while ensuring the inventory process is maintained. As an intermediate node between the second terminal device and the network-side devices, the first terminal device makes the network structure more flexible and reduces the functional requirements of the second terminal device, lowering its design complexity.

[0008] In one possible design, the first request includes one or more of the following: identification information of the measurement result type or measurement task.

[0009] In one possible design, the first request is one or more of the following: initial trigger signaling or paging signaling.

[0010] In one possible design, the first signaling is one or more of the following: initial triggering signaling or paging signaling.

[0011] In one possible design, the location information is determined based on the first information, including: measuring the first information to obtain measurement results of multiple second terminal devices; and sending the location information of the multiple second terminal devices to the network device based on the measurement results of the multiple second terminal devices.

[0012] In one possible design, the positioning information includes measurement results or the positioning information includes the location information of multiple second terminal devices; wherein the location information of the multiple second terminal devices is determined based on the measurement results.

[0013] Based on this possible design, the first terminal device can determine the type of location information to be reported according to its device functions, thereby increasing the flexibility of the first terminal device's function configuration.

[0014] In one possible design, the positioning information may also include one or more of the following: the identification information of the first terminal device corresponding to the positioning information, the identification information of the measurement task corresponding to the positioning information, or the information type corresponding to the positioning information.

[0015] In one possible design, sending the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the network device includes: sending a first non-access stratum signaling to the network device; wherein the first non-access stratum signaling includes uplink data of multiple second terminal devices and the location information of multiple second terminal devices.

[0016] Based on this possible design, uplink data and location information are merged into the first non-access stratum signaling, saving signaling overhead.

[0017] In one possible design, the location information of multiple second terminal devices is sent to the network device, including: encapsulating the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the ambient IoT positioning protocol (A-IoTPP) to obtain second signaling; and sending the second signaling to the network device.

[0018] Based on this possible design, the second terminal device does not need to support the A-IoTPP and SLPP protocols, which reduces the complexity of the second terminal device design.

[0019] In one possible design, sending the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the network device includes: encapsulating the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the Environmental Internet of Things Positioning Protocol (A-IoTPP) to obtain encapsulated location information; and sending a second non-access stratum signaling to the network device; wherein the second non-access stratum signaling includes uplink data of multiple second terminal devices and the encapsulated location information.

[0020] In one possible design, the first information is a positioning signal. Before receiving the first information from multiple second terminal devices, configuration information of the positioning signal is sent to the multiple second terminal devices. The configuration information of the positioning signal includes one or more of the following: time resources, frequency resources, positioning signal type, positioning signal sequence, number of repeated transmissions, or transmission period.

[0021] In one possible design, before sending the configuration information for the location signal to multiple second terminal devices, the method further includes receiving the configuration information for the location signal from the network device.

[0022] Secondly, this application provides a positioning method, which can be executed by a network device. Unless otherwise specified, "network device" in this application can refer to the first terminal device itself, a component within the network device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logical module or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device's functions. The method includes: obtaining a first request; sending the first request to the first terminal device; receiving positioning information from multiple second terminal devices from the first terminal device; and sending the positioning information from the multiple second terminal devices. The first request is used to request the first terminal device to trigger multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device and perform positioning measurements on the multiple second terminal devices; the positioning information is determined by the first terminal device based on the first information from the multiple second terminal devices.

[0023] Based on the second aspect, through the first request message, the first terminal device can measure uplink information while triggering the access of the second device, and report the location information obtained after processing the measurement results. The first request message combines the inventory process and the location process, thus supporting the location process while ensuring the inventory process is maintained.

[0024] In one possible design, obtaining the first request includes: receiving a first request from a mobility management network element; or, receiving a first request from a tag management network element; or, receiving the first request from a location management network element; or, receiving a second request from a location management network element, and determining the first request based on the second request; wherein the second request is used to request location measurement of multiple second terminal devices; or, receiving a second request from a tag management network element, and determining the first request based on the second request; wherein the second request is used to request location measurement of multiple second terminal devices; or, receiving a second request from a location management network element, receiving a third request from a mobility management network element, and determining the first request based on the second request and the third request; wherein the second request is used to request location measurement of multiple second terminal devices, and the third request is used to request a first terminal device to trigger access of multiple second terminal devices to the first terminal device.

[0025] Based on this possible design, network devices have multiple ways to obtain the first request, which provides a variety of possible solutions for core network element configuration.

[0026] In one possible design, the second request includes one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device, identification information of the service network device of the first terminal device, identification information of the measurement task, identification information of the positioning management network element, or measurement result type.

[0027] In one possible design, the third request is one or more of the following: initial trigger signaling or paging signaling.

[0028] In one possible design, the first request includes one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device, identification information of the service network device of the first terminal device, identification information of the measurement task, or measurement result type.

[0029] In one possible design, the first request is one or more of the following: initial trigger signaling or paging signaling.

[0030] In one possible design, the positioning information includes measurement results from multiple second terminal devices; or, the positioning information includes location information from multiple second terminal devices; wherein the location information from multiple second terminal devices is determined based on the measurement results from multiple second terminal devices.

[0031] Based on this possible design, network devices can determine the type of location information to be reported according to their device functions, thereby increasing the flexibility of the function configuration of the first terminal device.

[0032] In one possible design, the location information may also include one or more of the following: the identification information of the first terminal device corresponding to the location information, the identification information of the service network device of the first terminal device, the identification information of the measurement task corresponding to the location information, or the information type corresponding to the location information.

[0033] In one possible design, sending the location information of multiple second terminal devices includes: sending the location information of multiple second terminal devices to a mobility management network element; or sending the location information of multiple second terminal devices to a tag management network element; or sending the location information of multiple second terminal devices to a location management network element.

[0034] In one possible design, receiving location information from multiple second terminal devices from a first terminal device and sending the location information from the multiple second terminal devices includes: receiving first non-access stratum signaling from the first terminal device; wherein the first non-access stratum signaling includes uplink data from the multiple second terminal devices and location information from the multiple second terminal devices; and sending the first non-access stratum signaling to the mobility management network element.

[0035] In one possible design, receiving location information from multiple second terminal devices from a first terminal device and sending the location information from the multiple second terminal devices includes: receiving second signaling from the first terminal device; wherein the second signaling is signaling encapsulated based on the A-IoTPP environmental IoT positioning protocol; and sending the second signaling to the mobility management network element.

[0036] In one possible design, receiving location information from multiple second terminal devices from a first terminal device and sending the location information of the multiple second terminal devices to a mobility management network element includes: receiving second non-access stratum signaling from the first terminal device; wherein the second non-access stratum signaling includes uplink data from multiple second terminal devices and encapsulated location information, the encapsulated location information being information encapsulated based on the A-IoTPP environmental IoT positioning protocol for the location information of multiple second terminal devices; and sending the second non-access stratum signaling to the mobility management network element.

[0037] Based on the above three possible designs, multiple possible solutions are provided for network devices to send the location information of the second terminal device to the mobility management network element.

[0038] Thirdly, this application provides a positioning method, which can be executed by a mobility management network element. Unless otherwise specified, "mobility management network element" in this application can refer to the mobility management network element itself, components within the mobility management network element (such as processors, chips, or chip systems), or logical modules or software capable of implementing all or part of the mobility management network element's functions. The method includes: sending a fourth request to a positioning management network element; sending a third request to a network device; sending a first request to the positioning management network element; and receiving location information from multiple second terminal devices from the positioning management network element. Specifically, the fourth request requests positioning measurements on the multiple second terminal devices; the third request requests a first terminal device to trigger multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device; the network device is a serving network device for the first terminal device; the location information of the multiple second terminal devices is determined based on the positioning information of the multiple second terminal devices, which is determined by the first terminal device based on the first information of the multiple second terminal devices; and the first request requests the first terminal device to trigger multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device and to perform positioning measurements on the multiple second terminal devices.

[0039] Based on the third aspect, mobility management network elements can implement the positioning and inventory processes of second terminal devices in various ways.

[0040] In one possible design, the fourth request may include one or more of the following: information type of the fourth request, identification information of the first terminal device, identification information of the service network device of the first terminal device, and identification information of the measurement task.

[0041] In one possible design, the third request is one or more of the following: initial trigger signaling or paging signaling.

[0042] In one possible design, before receiving location information from multiple second terminal devices from the location management network element, the method further includes: receiving first non-access stratum signaling from a network device; wherein the first non-access stratum signaling includes uplink data from multiple second terminal devices and location information of multiple second terminal devices; determining the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the first non-access stratum signaling; and sending the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the location management network element.

[0043] In one possible design, before receiving location information from multiple second terminal devices from the location management network element, the method further includes: receiving second signaling from the network device; wherein the second signaling is signaling after encapsulating the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the A-IoTPP environmental IoT positioning protocol; and sending the second signaling to the location management network element.

[0044] In one possible design, before receiving location information from multiple second terminal devices from the location management network element, the method further includes: receiving second non-access stratum signaling from the network device; wherein the second non-access stratum signaling includes uplink data from multiple second terminal devices and encapsulated location information, the encapsulated location information being information encapsulated based on the A-IoTPP environmental IoT positioning protocol for multiple second terminal devices; and sending the encapsulated location information to the location management network element according to the second non-access stratum signaling.

[0045] Based on the above three possible designs, multiple possible solutions are provided for the mobility management network element to receive location information of the second terminal device sent from the network device.

[0046] Fourthly, this application provides a positioning method, which can be executed by a positioning management network element. Unless otherwise specified, the term "positioning management network element" in this application can refer to the positioning management network element itself, a component within the positioning management network element (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the positioning management network element's functions. The method includes: sending a first request or a second request to a network device; obtaining positioning information of multiple second terminal devices; and sending the location information of the multiple second terminal devices to a mobility management network element based on the positioning information. The first request is used to request a first terminal device to trigger multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device and perform positioning measurements on the multiple second terminal devices; the second request is used to request positioning measurements on the multiple second terminal devices; and the positioning information is determined by the first terminal device based on the first information of the multiple second terminal devices.

[0047] Based on the fourth aspect, through the first request message, the first terminal device can measure the uplink information while triggering the access of the second device, and report the location information obtained after processing the measurement results. The first request message combines the inventory process and the location process, thus enabling support for the location process while ensuring the inventory process is maintained.

[0048] In one possible design, sending a first request to a network device includes: receiving a first request from a mobility management network element; and sending the first request to the network device.

[0049] In one possible design, sending a second request to the network device includes: receiving a fourth request from a mobility management network element; and sending the second request to the network device based on the fourth request. The fourth request is used to request location measurements for multiple second terminal devices.

[0050] In one possible design, the fourth request may include one or more of the following: information type of the fourth request, identification information of the first terminal device, identification information of the service network device of the first terminal device, and identification information of the measurement task.

[0051] In one possible design, the second request includes one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device, identification information of the service network device of the first terminal device, identification information of the measurement task, identification information of the positioning management network element, or measurement result type.

[0052] In one possible design, obtaining the location information of multiple second terminal devices includes: receiving the location information of multiple second terminal devices from a mobility management network element.

[0053] In one possible design, obtaining the location information of multiple second terminal devices includes: receiving second signaling from a mobility management network element; wherein the second signaling is signaling after encapsulating the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the A-IoTPP environmental IoT positioning protocol; and decapsulating the second signaling based on the A-IoTPP protocol to obtain the location information of multiple second terminal devices.

[0054] In one possible design, obtaining the location information of multiple second terminal devices includes: receiving encapsulated location information from a mobility management network element; wherein the encapsulated location information is information after encapsulating the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the A-IoTPP protocol; and decapsulating the encapsulated location information based on the A-IoTPP protocol to obtain the location information of multiple second terminal devices.

[0055] Based on the above three possible designs, several possible solutions are provided for the location management network element to receive location information from the second terminal device sent by the mobility management network element.

[0056] Fifthly, this application provides a positioning method, which can be executed by a mobility management network element or a tag management network element. Unless otherwise specified, "mobility management network element or tag management network element" in this application can refer to the mobility management network element or tag management network element itself, a component within the mobility management network element or tag management network element (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logical module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the mobility management network element or tag management network element. The method includes: sending a first request to a network device; obtaining positioning information of multiple second terminal devices; wherein the first request is used to request a first terminal device to trigger multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device and perform positioning measurements on the multiple second terminal devices; the network device is a serving network device for the first terminal device; and the positioning information is determined by the first terminal device based on first information from the multiple second terminal devices.

[0057] Based on the fifth aspect, through the first request message, the first terminal device can measure uplink information while triggering the access of the second device, and report the location information obtained after processing the measurement results. The first request message combines the inventory process and the location process, thus enabling support for the location process while ensuring the inventory process is maintained.

[0058] In one possible design, the first request includes one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device, identification information of the service network device of the first terminal device, identification information of the measurement task, or measurement result type.

[0059] In one possible design, the first request is one or more of the following: initial trigger signaling or paging signaling.

[0060] In one possible design, the positioning information includes measurement results from multiple second terminal devices; or, the positioning information includes location information from multiple second terminal devices; wherein the location information from multiple second terminal devices is determined based on the measurement results from multiple second terminal devices.

[0061] In one possible design, the location information may also include one or more of the following: the identification information of the first terminal device corresponding to the location information, the identification information of the service network device of the first terminal device, the identification information of the measurement task corresponding to the location information, or the information type corresponding to the location information.

[0062] In one possible design, obtaining the location information of multiple second terminal devices includes: receiving a first non-access stratum signaling from a network device; wherein the first non-access stratum signaling includes uplink data from multiple second terminal devices and the location information of multiple second terminal devices.

[0063] Based on this possible design, uplink data and location information are merged into the first non-access stratum signaling, saving signaling overhead.

[0064] In one possible design, obtaining the location information of multiple second terminal devices includes: receiving the location information of multiple second terminal devices from a network device; or, receiving the location information of multiple second terminal devices from a mobility management network element.

[0065] Based on this possible design, the location information of the second terminal device can be obtained from different network elements.

[0066] In one possible design, the method further includes: determining the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on their positioning information; or sending the positioning information of multiple second terminal devices to the positioning management network element and receiving the location information of multiple second terminal devices from the positioning management network element.

[0067] Based on this possible design, the location information of the second terminal device can be obtained through flexible methods.

[0068] In one possible design, before sending the first request to the network device, the method further includes: sending a fifth request to the location management network element; wherein the fifth request is used to request whether the location function is supported; and receiving a fifth response from the location management network element; wherein the fifth response is used to indicate that the location function is supported.

[0069] Sixthly, this application provides a communication device that can be applied to the first terminal device described in the first aspect to realize the functions performed by the first terminal device. The communication device can be the first terminal device itself, or it can be a chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip of the first terminal device, etc. The communication device can execute the functions performed by the first terminal device through hardware, or it can execute corresponding software through hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. For example, a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module can independently complete the following transceiver operations, or it can cooperate with the processing module to complete the following transceiver operations; correspondingly, the processing module can independently complete the following processing operations, or it can cooperate with the transceiver module to complete the following processing operations, without limitation.

[0070] For example, the transceiver module can be used to receive a first request from a network device; send a first signaling message to multiple second terminal devices according to the first request; and receive first information from the multiple second terminal devices. The processing module can be used to measure the first information to obtain measurement results from the multiple second terminal devices. The transceiver module is further used to send location information of the multiple second terminal devices to the network device according to the measurement results. The first request is used to request the first terminal device to trigger the multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device and perform location measurements on the multiple second terminal devices. The first signaling message is used to instruct the multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device.

[0071] Optionally, the transceiver module and processing module of the communication device in the sixth aspect may also perform the corresponding functions in any possible design of the first aspect, as detailed in the method examples, and the beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be found in the foregoing related content.

[0072] Seventhly, this application provides a communication device that can be applied to the network device described in the second aspect above to realize the functions performed by the network device. The communication device can be the network device itself, or it can be a chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip (SoC) of the network device. The communication device can execute the functions performed by the network device through hardware or through corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above. For example, a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module can independently complete the following transceiver operations or cooperate with the processing module to complete the following transceiver operations; correspondingly, the processing module can independently complete the following processing operations or cooperate with the transceiver module to complete the following processing operations, without limitation.

[0073] For example, the transceiver module can be used to obtain a first request; send the first request to a first terminal device; receive location information from multiple second terminal devices from the first terminal device; and send the location information from the multiple second terminal devices. The first request is used to request the first terminal device to trigger multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device and perform location measurements on the multiple second terminal devices; the location information is determined by the first terminal device based on the first information from the multiple second terminal devices.

[0074] Optionally, the transceiver module and processing module of the communication device in the seventh aspect may also perform the corresponding functions in any possible design of the second aspect above, as detailed in the method examples, and the beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be found in the foregoing related content.

[0075] Eighthly, this application provides a communication device that can be applied to the mobility management network element described in the third aspect above to realize the functions performed by the mobility management network element. The communication device can be the mobility management network element itself, or it can be a chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip of the mobility management network element, etc. The communication device can execute the functions performed by the mobility management network element through hardware, or it can execute corresponding software through hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. For example, a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module can independently complete the following transceiver operations, or it can cooperate with the processing module to complete the following transceiver operations; correspondingly, the processing module can independently complete the following processing operations, or it can cooperate with the transceiver module to complete the following processing operations, without limitation.

[0076] For example, the transceiver module can be used to send a fourth request to the location management network element; send a third request to the network device; and receive location information of multiple second terminal devices from the location management network element. The fourth request is used to request location measurement of the multiple second terminal devices; the third request is used to request the first terminal device to trigger access of the multiple second terminal devices to the first terminal device; the network device is a serving network device for the first terminal device; the location information of the multiple second terminal devices is determined based on the location information of the multiple second terminal devices, and the location information of the multiple second terminal devices is determined by the first terminal device based on the first information of the multiple second terminal devices.

[0077] Optionally, the transceiver module and processing module of the communication device in the eighth aspect may also perform the corresponding functions in any possible design of the third aspect described above, as detailed in the method examples, and the beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be found in the foregoing related content.

[0078] Ninthly, this application provides a communication device that can be applied to the positioning management network element described in the fourth aspect above to realize the functions performed by the positioning management network element. The communication device can be the positioning management network element itself, or it can be a chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip of the positioning management network element, etc. The communication device can execute the functions performed by the positioning management network element through hardware, or it can execute corresponding software through hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. For example, a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module can independently complete the following transceiver operations, or it can cooperate with the processing module to complete the following transceiver operations; correspondingly, the processing module can independently complete the following processing operations, or it can cooperate with the transceiver module to complete the following processing operations, without limitation.

[0079] For example, the transceiver module can be used to receive a fourth request from a mobility management network element; send a second request to a network device; and obtain location information of multiple second terminal devices. The fourth request is used to request location measurements of the multiple second terminal devices; the second request is used to request location measurements of the multiple second terminal devices; the location information is determined by a first terminal device based on first information of the multiple second terminal devices; and the location information of the multiple second terminal devices is sent to the mobility management network element based on the location information.

[0080] Optionally, the transceiver module and processing module of the communication device in the ninth aspect may also perform the corresponding functions in any possible design of the fourth aspect above, as detailed in the method examples, and the beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be found in the foregoing related content.

[0081] Tenthly, this application provides a communication device that can be applied to the mobility management network element or tag management network element described in the fifth aspect above to realize the functions performed by the aforementioned mobility management network element or tag management network element. The communication device can be a mobility management network element or tag management network element, or it can be a chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip of the mobility management network element or tag management network element. The communication device can execute the functions performed by the aforementioned mobility management network element or tag management network element through hardware, or it can execute corresponding software through hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions. For example, a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module can independently complete the following transceiver operations, or it can cooperate with the processing module to complete the following transceiver operations; correspondingly, the processing module can independently complete the following processing operations, or it can cooperate with the transceiver module to complete the following processing operations, without limitation.

[0082] For example, the transceiver module can be used to send a first request to a network device and obtain the location information of multiple second terminal devices; wherein, the first request is used to request the first terminal device to trigger multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device and perform location measurement on the multiple second terminal devices; the network device is the serving network device of the first terminal device; the location information is determined by the first terminal device based on the first information of the multiple second terminal devices.

[0083] Optionally, the transceiver module and processing module of the communication device in the tenth aspect may also perform the corresponding functions in any possible design of the fifth aspect above, as detailed in the method examples, and the beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be found in the foregoing related content.

[0084] Eleventhly, this application provides a communication device comprising one or more processors; the one or more processors being configured to run computer programs or instructions, such that when the one or more processors execute the computer instructions or instructions, the positioning method described in any one of the first to fifth aspects is performed.

[0085] In one possible design, the communication device further includes one or more memories coupled to one or more processors, the memories used to store the aforementioned computer programs or instructions. In one possible implementation, the memories are located outside the communication device. In another possible implementation, the memories are located inside the communication device. In this application, the processor and memory may also be integrated into a single device, i.e., the processor and memory may be integrated together. In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a transceiver for receiving and / or transmitting information.

[0086] In one possible design, the communication device further includes one or more communication interfaces coupled to one or more processors, and the communication interfaces are used to communicate with other modules outside the communication device.

[0087] In a twelfth aspect, this application provides a communication device (physical device) including an interface circuit and a logic circuit; the interface circuit is used for inputting and / or outputting information; the logic circuit is used for performing the positioning method as described in any one of the first to second aspects, processing and / or generating information based on the information.

[0088] In a thirteenth aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions or programs that, when executed on a computer, cause the positioning method as described in any one of the first to second aspects to be performed.

[0089] In a fourteenth aspect, this application provides a computer program product containing computer instructions that, when run on a computer, causes the positioning method as described in any one of the first to second aspects to be executed.

[0090] In a fifteenth aspect, this application provides a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the positioning method described in any one of the first to second aspects to be executed.

[0091] In a sixteenth aspect, this application provides a chip comprising: one or more processors coupled to one or more memories, the memories being used to store programs or instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the positioning method as described in any one of the first to second aspects to be executed.

[0092] The technical effects of any of the design methods in aspects five through ten can be found in the technical effects of any of the aspects one through two mentioned above, and will not be elaborated upon further.

[0093] In a seventeenth aspect, this application provides a communication system that may include communication means for performing the communication described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, communication means for performing the communication described in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect, communication means for performing the communication described in the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect, communication means for performing the communication described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, and communication means for performing the communication described in the fifth aspect or any possible design of the fifth aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0094] Figure 1 A flowchart of a side-link positioning process provided in this application embodiment;

[0095] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a protocol stack provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0096] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating the process of a reader selecting, storing, and accessing tags, provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0097] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0098] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an O-RAN communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0099] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of an Internet of Things (IoT) topology provided in this application embodiment;

[0100] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0101] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating a positioning method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0102] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a first non-access stratum signaling provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0103] Figure 10 A flowchart of a protocol stack provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0104] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of a second non-access stratum signaling provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0105] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the association between location information and position information provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0106] Figure 13 A flowchart illustrating a positioning method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0107] Figure 14 A flowchart illustrating a positioning method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0108] Figure 15 A flowchart illustrating a positioning method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0109] Figure 16 A flowchart illustrating a positioning method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0110] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0111] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0112] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0113] Before describing the embodiments of this application, the technical terms involved in the embodiments of this application will be described.

[0114] In communication systems, the importance of locating terminal devices during the communication process is becoming increasingly prominent. This can be achieved through interactions between the terminal device and network-side devices, or by the network-side devices locating the terminal devices through sidelinks between them.

[0115] For example, taking a first terminal device and a second terminal device as an example, a side link can be established between the first terminal device and the second terminal device. The first terminal device can receive information sent by the second terminal device through the side link and forward it to the network side device. The network side device can locate the second terminal device based on the information received from the second terminal device.

[0116] For example, such as Figure 1 As shown, taking terminal devices including terminal device 1, terminal device 2, ..., terminal device n as an example, the network device can complete the location of terminal device 2, ..., terminal device n based on the following steps:

[0117] Step 101: The mobility management network element sends a location request to the location management network element.

[0118] The location request is used to request one or more terminal devices (e.g., Figure 1 The terminal devices 2, 3, ..., n are located.

[0119] Step 102: The location management network element sends a sidelink mobile terminated location request (SL-MT-LR) to the terminal device 1.

[0120] Among them, terminal device 1 is a terminal device that uses a sidelink-assisted positioning management network element to locate one or more of the aforementioned terminal devices. Terminal device 1 can also be referred to as an anchor terminal device. The SL-MT-LR request can be carried in, for example... Figure 2The sidelink positioning protocol (SLPP) layer shown is used to trigger the sidelink (SL) positioning process.

[0121] Among them, the location management network element can send an SL-MT-LR request to the terminal device 1 through the mobility management network element and network equipment.

[0122] Among them, the location management network element can communicate with the mobility management network element through the NL1 interface, the mobility management network element can communicate with the network device through the NG-C interface, and the network device can communicate with UE1 through the Uu interface.

[0123] Step 103: Establish SL connection between terminal device 1 and one or more terminal devices through a discovery process.

[0124] Step 104: Terminal device 1 and one or more terminal devices communicate via SLPP capability.

[0125] Step 105: Terminal device 1 returns an SL-MT-LR response to the positioning management network element.

[0126] Among them, the terminal device can send an SL-MT-LR response to the location management element through network equipment and mobility management element.

[0127] Based on the above steps, terminal devices 2, ..., n can send one or more of the following messages to terminal device 1 via the SLPP layer through the sidelink: SLPP capability transmission message, SLPP assistance data transmission message, and SLPP location information transmission message. Terminal device 1 can forward the messages sent by terminal devices 2, ..., n to the location management network element. The location management network element can then locate terminal devices 2, ..., n based on the received messages, and subsequently send the location results of terminal devices 2, ..., n to the mobility management network element via a location response.

[0128] The SLPP layer is a protocol layer designed for sidelink positioning, primarily used to transmit location information, capabilities, and auxiliary data. Terminal devices 2, ..., n, 1, and the positioning management network element can transmit these messages via SLPP protocol data units (PDUs).

[0129] Among them, such as Figure 2As shown, terminal equipment may also include the following protocol layers: Non-access stratum (NAS) layer, radio resource control (RRC) layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, radio link control (RLC) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer, and layer 1 (L1); network equipment may include the following protocol layers: RRC layer, PDCP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer, layer 1 (L1), NG application protocol (NGAP) layer, stream control transmission protocol (SCTP) layer, internet protocol (IP) layer, and layer 2 (L2) layer; mobility management network elements may include the following protocol layers: NAS layer, NGAP layer, SCTP layer, IP layer, layer 2 (L1) and layer 1 (L2), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP / 2) layer, transport layer security (TLS) layer, and transmission control protocol (TLS). Protocol (TCP) layer; Location management network elements may include the following protocol layers: HTTP / 2 layer, TLS layer, TCP layer, IP layer, L2 layer and L1 layer.

[0130] However, in the above method for locating terminal devices based on side links, the first terminal device, the second terminal device, and the network-side device need to interact through the SLPP protocol. That is, the first terminal device, the second terminal device, and the network-side device all need to support the additional SLPP protocol, which increases the complexity of device design.

[0131] To address this technical problem, embodiments of this application provide a positioning method. In this method, a first terminal device receives a first request from a network device; based on the first request, it sends a first signaling message to multiple second terminal devices; the first terminal device receives first information from the multiple second terminal devices; it measures the first information to obtain measurement results from the multiple second terminal devices; and based on the measurement results, it sends positioning information of the multiple second terminal devices to the network device. The first request is used to request the first terminal device to trigger the access of the multiple second terminal devices to the first terminal device and to perform positioning measurements on the multiple second terminal devices; the first signaling message is used to instruct the second terminal devices to access the first terminal device.

[0132] In this embodiment, the first terminal device can trigger the access of the second terminal device based on a first request. During the access process (e.g., inventory process), the first terminal device can perform location measurement of the second terminal device based on the uplink information sent by the second terminal device. By combining the inventory process with the location process, compared with the above-mentioned location of the terminal device through the SLPP protocol, in this embodiment, no sidelink needs to be established between the first and second terminal devices. The first terminal device, the second terminal device, and the network-side device do not need to support the SLPP protocol to achieve the location of the second terminal device, which can reduce the complexity of device design. The implementation of the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0133] The positioning method provided in this application embodiment can be used in any communication system, such as a third-generation partnership project (3GPP) communication system, for example, a radio frequency identification (RFID) system, a long-term evolution (LTE) system, a fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication system, a new radio (NR) communication system, a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) system, and can also be applied to LTE and 5G hybrid networking systems, or non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems, device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, ambient IoT (A-IoT) systems, universal mobile telecommunications systems (UMTS) systems, and code division multiple access (CDMA) systems. Access (CDMA) systems and other next-generation communication systems, such as 6G and other future communication systems, can also be non-3GPP communication systems, such as wireless local area networks (WLANs), without restriction.

[0134] For example, the positioning method provided in this application embodiment can be applied to ultra-low power communication scenarios, such as communication scenarios with power consumption below milliwatts or microwatts, for example, RFID scenarios, A-IoT and other scenarios.

[0135] RFID systems are contactless automatic identification systems primarily used for identity verification, and can also be used for reading and writing user data. An RFID system typically includes a reader and tags. The reader interacts with the electronic tags to manage them. For example, the reader can read information from the tag or write information to the tag. Contactless data communication occurs between the reader and the tag.

[0136] Tags, also known as electronic tags or RFID tags, can be divided into passive tags, semi-passive tags, and active tags.

[0137] Passive tags consume approximately 1μW of power. They have no energy storage capacity; their operation (receiving and transmitting signals) relies entirely on the radio frequency (RF) energy of the reader. In other words, the tag converts the wireless signal emitted by the reader into energy, which powers its operation. Uplink transmission of passive tags relies on reflection communication. The reader sends a carrier signal to trigger the passive tag to send a reflected signal, using RF energy to transmit the uplink signal back to the reader. For example, some energy from the continuous wave (CW) transmitted by the reader can be used for internal processing such as encoding / decoding and modulation / demodulation. Furthermore, this continuous wave can also serve as a carrier wave to carry the tag's uplink information. Passive tags can also be referred to as passive Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

[0138] Semi-passive tags consume approximately 100μW of power and can include an internal battery. Internal processing such as encoding / decoding and modulation / demodulation can be powered by the battery. In other words, compared to passive tags, semi-passive tags can store some energy (e.g., using batteries or capacitors), and their transmission power consumption can be greater than that of passive tags. Semi-passive tags also rely on reflection communication, requiring a continuous wave from the reader as a carrier, but their communication capabilities (such as transmission rate) are stronger than those of passive tags.

[0139] Active tags consume approximately 50mW of power. They have their own batteries and can actively transmit signals, communicating without relying on reflected signals, thus providing stronger communication capabilities.

[0140] The tag design is relatively simple, integrating the application layer and air interface into a single design, supporting power consumption at the microwatt or hundred-microwatt level. Tags can be encoded and decoded based on on-off-keying (OOK) modulation methods, such as amplitude modulation, decoding data based on high and low voltage levels. For multi-tag communication, time-division multiplexing can be used, with multiple tags read serially.

[0141] The reader / writer can be a device with read / write capabilities, such as a handheld or fixed device for reading or writing tag information. Alternatively, it can be understood as a device that communicates with the tag, and its form can be a terminal device, a network device, a device with read / write capabilities, or an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, etc., without limitation.

[0142] In RFID systems, readers can perform operations such as select, inventory, and access on tags. The select operation selects one or a group of tags for inventory and access. The inventory operation can be understood as the process of the reader identifying tags; the RFID tag inventory rate is an important performance indicator. The access operation can be understood as the process of interaction between the reader and the tag. A tag needs to be identified by the reader before it can be accessed.

[0143] For example, the process of a reader selecting, storing, and accessing tags can be as follows: Figure 3 As shown. See also Figure 3 The process includes the following steps:

[0144] Step 301: The reader sends a select signal.

[0145] The reader / writer can select one or a group of tags for access by sending selection signaling. This selection signaling can include one or more of the following: inventory session, action, or mask.

[0146] The tag that matches the received select signal can set the session and the corresponding flag. For example, if the inventory session selects session:S0 and action=0, and the mask matches, the tag will set the flag of session S0 to A.

[0147] Step 302: The reader sends a query signal.

[0148] The reader / writer sends a query signaling message to initialize a storage cycle. The query signaling message may include random access resource configuration (such as parameter Q), session identifier, and flag bits. The tag calculates the maximum number of transmission slots based on the random access configuration (parameter Q) and randomly selects an access slot for random access. For example, the random access resource configuration may include a maximum access slot range.

[0149] For example, taking session identifier S0 and flag bit A as an example, when the tag's session identifier and flag bit match, the tag can calculate the maximum access time slot range as [0, 2Q-1] based on the Q value. The tag can randomly select a value within this range and save it as a counter. If no tag sends a response, the reader continues to send QueryRep. When the tag receives QueryRep, counter = counter - 1.

[0150] For multiple tags selected by the reader, disk access can be performed using time-division multiplexing, meaning that the reader starts accessing the disk of the next tag after finishing accessing the disk of one tag. The following steps are illustrated using disk access of a single tag as an example.

[0151] Step 303: The tag sends a random number (RN) to the reader.

[0152] For example, the random number can be a 16-bit random number (RN16) for race resolution.

[0153] For example, when counter equals 0 in the above steps, the tag can send a random number, such as RN16. Otherwise, no response is received. If the reader does not receive RN16, the reader sends a QueryRep.

[0154] Step 304: The reader sends an acknowledgment (ACK) message back to the tag.

[0155] If the reader successfully receives the random number sent by the tag, it can send an acknowledgment message to the tag. This acknowledgment message may include the random number sent by the tag to the reader.

[0156] Step 305: The tag sends uplink data to the reader.

[0157] The tag can send uplink data to the reader when a random number is matched; otherwise, it will not send uplink data.

[0158] For example, the upstream data can be the electronic product code (EPC).

[0159] Step 306: The reader sends a query response (QueryRep) to the tag.

[0160] When a tag completes the transmission of uplink data and receives a query response, it indicates that the data transmission was successful, and the inverted flag bit is set to B to prevent tags that have already been stored from being stored again.

[0161] Similar to RFID systems, A-IoT systems are based on cellular network communication infrastructure and consist of network equipment and Class I terminal devices. Their main functions include inventory management, location tracking, sensor reporting, and command processing; understandably, command processing can involve writing or locking processes. Typical application scenarios include logistics, warehousing, industrial manufacturing, identification, and environmental monitoring.

[0162] In this system, network devices can be devices with reader / writer functionality, and the first type of terminal device can be devices with tag functionality. In this case, both the reader / writer and the tag can be implemented based on the infrastructure of a cellular network. In other words, both the reader / writer and the tag can be devices within a cellular network. For example, the reader / writer function can be implemented by network devices, such as base stations. The tag can be implemented by terminal devices within a cellular network, such as ultra-low power, ultra-low complexity IoT terminal devices, i.e., the first type of terminal device. The network device and the first type of terminal device can perform contactless data communication, thereby reading information from the first type of terminal device and / or writing information that needs to be stored into the first type of terminal device.

[0163] For example, inventory management involves using network devices to access the first type of terminal devices within the coverage area. Successfully connected devices can send their unique identifier (identifiable by the network device, such as the EPC in RFID) to the network device. Positioning services can use positioning signals to locate the position of the first type of terminal devices. Sensing services can involve the first type of terminal devices reporting sensor data, such as temperature data, to the network device. Command services can be operation instructions, such as write and lock. The write process involves the network device sending a downlink command and data, instructing the first type of terminal device to write data into its memory. The lock process involves the network device sending a downlink command, instructing the first type of terminal device to lock the specified address in the memory, making the contents of that memory area unchangeable and / or unreadable.

[0164] For example, similar to tags in an RFID system, the first type of terminal devices can be divided into three categories: device A, which is similar to a passive tag; device B, which is similar to a semi-passive tag; and device C, which is similar to an active tag.

[0165] Optionally, the “uplink” described in the embodiments of this application can also be understood as “D2R” or “DR”, and the “downlink” can also be understood as “R2D” or “RD”. Further, the “uplink signaling” can be “D2R signaling” or “DR signaling”, and the “downlink signaling” can also be called “R2D signaling” or “RD signaling”, but this application does not specifically limit it in this regard.

[0166] It is understood that the communication systems and scenarios applicable to this application described above are merely illustrative examples, and the communication systems applicable to this application are not limited thereto. This will be explained uniformly here and will not be repeated below.

[0167] The following is based on Figure 4 Taking an example, the communication system provided in the embodiments of this application will be described.

[0168] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application is shown below. Figure 4 As shown, the communication system may include terminal equipment, network equipment, and core network equipment.

[0169] Terminal devices can communicate with network devices over the air via either the uplink (UL) or downlink (DL). For example, in the UL direction, the terminal device can send uplink data to the network device via the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH); in the DL direction, the network device can send downlink data to the terminal device via the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). Terminal devices can also communicate with each other via sidelinks.

[0170] Optionally, the terminal device can be a passive terminal device, meaning that the energy and carrier required for the terminal device to operate can be provided by the network device.

[0171] Optionally, the network device in this application can function as a reader / writer, or the network device can implement the functions of a reader / writer. The terminal device can function as a tag, or the terminal device can be a device including a tag; the terminal device can also implement the functions of a reader / writer, which can be understood as another type of terminal device. The tag can be located within the coverage area provided by the reader / writer. When the reader / writer is a terminal device, the communication between it and the tag can be considered as transmission between terminal devices; when the reader / writer is a network device, the communication between it and the tag is via a Uu interface, i.e., air interface communication.

[0172] in, Figure 4The terminal device in this context can be a device with wireless transceiver capabilities or a chip or chip system that can be configured on that device, and can be used to provide voice and / or data connectivity to the user. It can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), terminal, mobile station (MS), or mobile terminal (MT), etc. For example, Figure 4 The terminal devices can be handheld devices or in-vehicle devices with wireless connectivity, such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, or computers with wireless transceiver capabilities. Terminal devices can also be mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) terminals, augmented reality (AR) terminals, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, in-vehicle terminals, vehicles with vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication capabilities, intelligent connected vehicles, drones with drone-to-drone (U2U) communication capabilities, etc., without restriction.

[0173] in, Figure 4The network device in this context can be any device deployed in the access network capable of wireless communication with terminal devices. It primarily serves to implement functions such as wireless physical control, resource scheduling and management, wireless access control, and mobility management. Specifically, the network device can be either a wired access device or a wireless access device. For example, the network device can be an access network (AN) / radio access network (RAN) device, composed of multiple AN / RAN nodes. AN / RAN nodes can be: base stations (nodeB, NB), macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, enhanced nodeB (eNB), next-generation nodeB (NRnodeB, gNB), radio network controllers (RNC), base station controllers (BSC), base transceiver stations (BTS), home base stations (e.g., home evolved nodeB, home nodeB, HNB), baseband units (BBU), access points (AP), or wireless fidelity APs (Wi-Fi APs), transmission reception points (TRP), transmission points (TP), wireless relay nodes, or wireless backhaul nodes in integrated access and backhaul (IAB) (i.e., IAB nodes), or some other access node, reader, or reading / writing device, etc., without restriction.

[0174] In another example, the network equipment may include a baseband unit (BBU) and a remote radio unit (RRU). The BBU and RRU can be located in different locations; for example, the RRU can be deployed remotely to a high-traffic area, while the BBU is located in a central equipment room. Alternatively, the BBU and RRU can be located in the same equipment room. Furthermore, the BBU and RRU can be different components within the same rack.

[0175] In another example, the network device can be a device that includes centralized unit (CU) nodes, distributed unit (DU) nodes, or both CU and DU nodes. For instance, the network device can be logically divided into CUs and DUs, with some protocol layer functions centrally controlled by the CU, and the remaining partial or complete protocol layer functions distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU. The CU and DU can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a BBU. Furthermore, the centralized unit (CU) can be further divided into a control plane (CU-CP) and a user plane (CU-UP).

[0176] In another example, the network device may also be a device that includes a radio unit (RU), or a device that includes a CU, a DU, and a RU. The RU may be included in a radio frequency device or radio frequency unit, such as an RRU, an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0177] It is understood that CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names in different systems, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an open radioaccess network (O-RAN) system, CU can also be called an O-RAN central unit (O-CU), DU can also be called an O-RAN distributed unit (O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an O-RAN central unit control plane (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an O-RAN central unit user plane (O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an O-RAN radio unit (O-RU). For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0178] The O-CU is used to implement the RRC layer, PDCP layer, service data adaptation protocol layer, and other control functions. The O-CU-CP, similar to the CU-CP in the NR system, implements the functions of the RRC layer and the control plane functions of the PDCP layer. It is part of the O-CU. The O-CU-UP, similar to the CU-UP in the NR system, implements the functions of the SDAP layer and the user plane functions of the PDCP layer. It is part of the O-CU. The O-DU, based on low-layer function segmentation, implements the functions of the RLC layer, MAC layer, and higher physical layer. The higher physical layer functions include one or more of the following: forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding, scrambling / descrambling, modulation / demodulation. The O-RU, based on low-layer function segmentation, implements low physical layer functions and radio frequency functions. The low physical layer functions include one or more of the following: fast fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast fourier transform (iFFT), digital beamforming, extraction and filtering of physical random access channel (PRACH), etc., similar to the transmission reception point (TRP) or remote radio head (RRH) in 3GPP, but including low physical layer functions such as FFT / iFFT or PRACH extraction.

[0179] The following is based on Figure 5 Taking an example, the O-RAN communication system provided in the embodiments of this application will be described. Figure 5 As shown, the network elements of this communication system include: Service Management and Orchestration Framework (SMO), Non-Real Time RAN Intelligent Controller (Non-RT RIC), Near-Real Time RAN Intelligent Controller (Near-RT RIC), and O-RAN Cloud (O-Cloud).

[0180] Among them, the A1 interface is the interface between the Non-RT RIC and the Near-RT RIC; the E2 interface is the open interface between two endpoints; the O1 interface is the interface between the management entity in the SMO and the O-RAN module; the O2 interface is the interface between the SMO and the infrastructure management framework that supports the O-RAN virtual network function; the Open Fronthaul CUS-Plane interface includes the control plane C-Plane, user plane U-Plane, and synchronization plane S-Plane; the NG interface is the interface between NR RAN equipment and the NR core network, NG-u is the user plane NG interface, and NG-c is the control plane NG interface; the Xn interface is the interface between NR RAN equipment, Xn-u is the user plane Xn interface, and Xn-c is the control plane Xn interface; the X2 interface is the interface between LTE RAN equipment, X2-u is the user plane X2 interface, and X2-c is the control plane X2 interface; in NR, the X2 interface is mainly used in E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity (EN-DC) scenarios, where the master station is LTE. The RAN equipment, the master station is connected to the LTE core network via the X2 interface; the E1 interface is the interface between CU-CP and CU-UP; the F1-C interface is the interface between CU-CP and DU; the F1-U interface is the interface between CU-UP and DU.

[0181] The SMO (System Management Object) functions similarly to network management. The Non-RT RIC (Network Intelligent Control Center) is located within the SMO module and is used for model training and inference, such as training artificial intelligence (AI) models. These AI models are then used for inference to achieve non-real-time intelligent management of network device functions. This non-real-time intelligent management enables an AI workflow that includes model training and updates, and guides applications / functions within the Near-RT RIC based on policies. The Non-RT RIC can obtain information about network devices (e.g., CUs, CU-CPs, CU-UPs, DUs, RUs) and terminal devices. This information can be used as training data or inference data. Optionally, the Non-RT RIC can deliver the inference results to network devices or terminal devices. Optionally, inference results can be exchanged between CUs and DUs, and between DUs and RUs; for example, the Non-RT RIC delivers the inference results to the DU, which then forwards them to the RU. The Near-RT RIC is used for model training and inference, such as training AI models, and using these AI models for inference to achieve near real-time intelligent management of network devices. Through data collection and related operations on the E2 interface, near real-time control and optimization of O-RAN modules and resources are achieved. Near-RT RIC can obtain information from network devices (e.g., CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and / or RU) and terminal devices. This information can be used as training data or inference data. Optionally, Near-RT RIC can deliver inference results to network devices and terminal devices. Optionally, inference results can be exchanged between CU and DU, and between DU and RU. For example, Near-RT RIC delivers inference results to DU, and DU sends them to RU. Near-RT RIC and Non-RT RIC can also be configured as separate network elements. Optionally, Near-RT RIC and Non-RT RIC can also be part of other devices. For example, Near-RT RIC can be set in network devices (e.g., CU, DU), while Non-RT RIC can be set in operation administration maintenance (OAM), cloud servers, core network devices, or other network devices. O-RAN Cloud, as a cloud computing platform, includes physical infrastructure nodes for hosting O-RAN functions such as RIC and O-DU; it also supports software components (such as operating systems, virtual machine monitoring, and container runtimes), management, and orchestration functions.

[0182] Based on the above description of network devices and terminal devices, alternatively, network devices and terminal devices can also communicate through intermediate nodes. Intermediate nodes can be repeaters, terminal devices, IAB nodes, or other devices that can be used to implement relay functions; there are no restrictions.

[0183] For example, such as Figure 6 As shown in (a) above, taking the A-IoT device as an example, the network device can communicate with the A-IoT device through an intermediate node. The intermediate node can transmit A-IoT data and signaling between the network device and the A-IoT device. Or, as shown in (a) below. Figure 6 As shown in (b) or (c), the network device can also communicate directly with the A-IoT device, with the A-IoT device sending data and signaling to the network device and receiving data and signaling from the intermediate node; or the A-IoT device receiving data and signaling from the network device and sending data and signaling to the intermediate node.

[0184] Among them, the above Figure 4 The core network equipment in a network can be a collective term for various functional entities used to manage users, data transmission, and network equipment configuration.

[0185] For example, core network equipment may include network elements such as mobility management network elements, location management network elements, and tag management network elements, without limitation. The mobility management network element can be an access and mobility management function (AMF). The location management network element can be a location management function (LMF). The tag management network element can be a tag management function (TMF), an ambient IoT function (AIoTF), or an ambient IoT management function (AIoTMF).

[0186] The mobility management network element is primarily responsible for signaling processing, including functions such as access control, mobility management, attach and detach, and gateway selection. When the mobility management network element provides services to a session in a terminal device, it can provide control plane storage resources for that session to store the session identifier and the session management network element identifier associated with the session identifier.

[0187] Among them, the positioning management network element is mainly responsible for the overall coordination and scheduling of the resources required for the positioning of terminal devices that register or access the core network. It can also calculate or verify the final position and different speed estimates, and estimate the accuracy achieved.

[0188] Among them, the tag management network element can be a network element used for tags, which can manage tag inventory and other related processes. It can be connected to the terminal device through the transparent transmission of the mobility management network element, or it can be directly connected to the terminal device (equivalent to replacing the mobility management network element).

[0189] Optionally, based on the above description, one or more AI modules can be configured in one or more of the core network devices, network devices, and terminal devices.

[0190] The AI ​​module is used to implement corresponding AI functions. AI modules deployed on different devices can be the same or different. Depending on the parameter configuration, the AI ​​module can achieve different functions. The AI ​​module model can be configured based on one or more of the following parameters: structural parameters (such as the number of neural network layers, neural network width, inter-layer connections, neuron weights, neuron activation functions, or biases in the activation functions), input parameters (such as the type and / or dimension of the input parameters), or output parameters (such as the type and / or dimension of the output parameters). The biases in the activation functions can also be called the neural network biases.

[0191] Optionally, an AI module may have one or more models. A model can infer an output that includes one or more parameters. The learning, training, or inference processes of different models can be deployed on different nodes or devices, or they can be deployed on the same node or device.

[0192] For example, such as Figure 7 As shown, AI modules can be set up in core network devices, network devices, and terminal devices respectively. Taking network devices including CU and DU as an example, AI modules can be set up in CU and DU respectively.

[0193] It is understood that the terminal device, network device, and core network device in the embodiments of this application can be one or more chips, or a system on chip (SOC), etc. Figure 4 The accompanying drawings are merely illustrative and the number of devices included is not limited. Furthermore, except... Figure 4 In addition to the devices shown, the communication system may also include other devices. Figure 4 The names of the various devices and links are unrestricted, except... Figure 4 In addition to the names shown, each device and each link can be named with other names without restriction.

[0194] In combination with the above Figures 4 to 7 Any of the communication systems shown, refer to the following Figure 8 The positioning method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described, wherein the first terminal device may be Figures 4 to 7 In the communication system shown, any terminal device, the second terminal device can be... Figures 4 to 7 In the communication system shown, any terminal device other than the first terminal device, and the network device can be... Figures 3 to 7 The network equipment providing services to the first terminal device in the communication system shown can be a mobility management network element. Figure 4 In the communication system shown, any mobility management network element, and the location management network element can be... Figure 4 In the communication system shown, any location management network element, or tag management network element, can be... Figure 4 In the communication system shown, the processing performed by any tag management network element shown in this application embodiment by a single execution entity (first terminal device, second terminal device, network device, mobility management network element, location management network element, tag management network element) can also be divided into multiple execution entities. These execution entities can be logically and / or physically separated, without limitation.

[0195] It is understood that the number of second terminal devices in the positioning method provided in this application embodiment can be one or more. The following description uses multiple second terminal devices as an example. A terminal device can be described as an environmental IoT device (device) (the device can be one implementation example of a terminal device), and a network device or intermediate node can be described as a reader. Accordingly, the communication link between the device and the reader can include a device-to-reader (DR or D2R) link and a reader-to-device (RD or R2D) link.

[0196] Figure 8 An interaction diagram of a positioning method provided in an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 8 As shown, the method may include:

[0197] Step 801: The network device obtains the first request.

[0198] The first request can be used to request the first terminal device to trigger multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device and perform location measurements on the multiple second terminal devices. Alternatively, the first request can also be described as being used to trigger multiple second terminal devices to send uplink data and perform location measurements on the multiple second terminal devices.

[0199] The above description of the first request is based on multiple second terminal devices. It can be understood that it can also be a single second terminal device. That is, the first request can also be used to request the first terminal device to trigger a second terminal device to access the first terminal device and perform positioning measurement on the second terminal device.

[0200] Optionally, the first terminal device can trigger multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device through the first service. Based on this, the first request can also be described as: requesting the first terminal device to trigger the first service of multiple second terminal devices and perform positioning measurement on the multiple second terminal devices.

[0201] Optionally, the first service may include one or more of the following: selection service, paging service, inventory service, command (e.g., read, write, deactivate, lock) service, proximity determination service, sensing service, location service, registration service, authentication service, or certification service.

[0202] For example, based on a selection service, the first request can also be described as: requesting a first terminal device to trigger a selection service for multiple second terminal devices and perform location measurements on the multiple second terminal devices. Alternatively, based on an inventory service, it can also be described as: requesting a first terminal device to trigger an inventory service for multiple second terminal devices and perform location measurements on the multiple second terminal devices. Alternatively, based on a paging service, it can also be described as: requesting a first terminal device to trigger a paging service for multiple second terminal devices and perform location measurements on the multiple second terminal devices.

[0203] Optionally, the first request can also be used to request multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device, or to request positioning measurements of multiple second terminal devices. Alternatively, it can be used to request multiple second terminal devices to send uplink data.

[0204] The first request can be an initial trigger signaling or a paging signaling.

[0205] Paging signaling, used for paging a second terminal device, refers to signaling in which the group identifier / mask information / identification information included in the signaling matches the identification information of the second terminal device (e.g., device ID, EPC, or temporary identifier). When paging signaling for paging a second terminal device includes mask information, the aforementioned matching means that the portion of the identification information of the second terminal device indicated by the mask is the same as the mask information. For example, if the mask is 1000, indicating that the first 4 bits of the identification information of the second terminal device are the same as the mask information, then the matching condition is satisfied. That is, if the first four bits of the identification information of the second terminal device are 1000, then the identification information of the second terminal device matches the mask information. For example, if the identification information is 10001111, then the identification information of the second terminal device matches the mask information.

[0206] Optionally, the paging signaling may not include identification information, i.e., indicating that all second terminal devices can access the network device or the first terminal device. Alternatively, the paging signaling may also include identification information to indicate which second terminal devices can access the first terminal device. For example, the identification information may be mask information; if a specific part of the information used to identify a second terminal device (such as EPC) matches the mask information, it indicates that the first request instructs the second terminal device to access the first terminal device. Alternatively, the identification information may also be other information used to identify second terminal devices; this embodiment of the application does not limit this.

[0207] Optionally, the paging signaling can be one or more of the following: initial trigger message, trigger message, downlink trigger message, similar paging message, or selection signaling.

[0208] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, paging can also be replaced by selection, triggering, or indication. For ease of description, the embodiments of this application are all described using paging as an example. Optionally, the first request may also include one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device, identification information of the serving network device of the first terminal device, measurement result type, or identification information of the measurement task.

[0209] Optionally, the first request may further include communication parameters for sending a first signaling message and receiving messages from multiple second terminal devices. The communication parameter messages may include one or more of the following: encoding method, preamble configuration, frequency information, and paging / inventory service-related information (e.g., identification information or filtering information of the second terminal devices).

[0210] By including the identification information of the first terminal device in the first request, the network device can determine which first terminal device to send the obtained first request to based on the first request. The identification information of the first terminal device can be any identification information that can be used to represent the first terminal device. For example, the identification information of the first terminal device can be the UE identity (UE ID), IP address, MAC layer identification information, temporary identification information, access layer identification information, core network identification information, application layer identification information, non-access layer identification information, A-IoT MAC layer identification information, etc. Alternatively, the identification information of the first terminal device can also be temporary identification information configured for the first terminal device by the network device or core network device, such as NGAP UE ID, AMF UE ID, etc., without restriction. Using this temporary identification information can more conveniently identify the first terminal device while saving signaling overhead.

[0211] By including the identification information of the serving network device of the first terminal device in the first request, the network device can determine whether it is the serving network device of the first terminal device based on the identification information. If it is, it can send the obtained first request to the first terminal device; otherwise, it can send the obtained first request to the serving network device of the first terminal device, which then sends the obtained first request to the first terminal device. The identification information of the serving network device of the first terminal device can be any identification information that can be used to represent the serving network device of the first terminal device. For example, it can be gNB ID, TRP ID, cell ID, reader ID, etc., without limitation.

[0212] By including the measurement result type in the first request, the first terminal device can perform a corresponding measurement according to the measurement result type indicated by the first request. For example, the measurement result type can be one or more of the following: angle of arrival (AOA), reference signal received power (RSRP), received signal strengthen indicator (RSSI), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), or signal to interference noise ratio (SINR), etc., without limitation.

[0213] The identification information of the measurement task can be used to indicate the current measurement task. By carrying the identification information of the measurement task in the first request, the network device can determine the measurement task corresponding to the first request. For example, the identification information of the measurement task can be a transaction ID, a service ID, a process ID, etc., and is not limited thereto.

[0214] Optionally, the network device may obtain the first request by referring to any one or more of the following possible designs, from the first to the sixth:

[0215] In the first possible design, the network device can receive the first request from the mobility management network element.

[0216] In the second possible design, the network device can receive the first request from the tag management network element.

[0217] Optionally, in the two possible designs described above, before the mobility management network element or tag management network element sends the first request to the network device, the mobility management network element or tag management network element may send a fifth request to the location management network element; the fifth request is used to request whether the location function is supported; the location management network element may send a fifth response to the mobility management network element or tag management network element based on the fifth request, the fifth response is used to indicate support for the location function, and then the mobility management network element or tag management network element may send the first request to the network device.

[0218] In the third possible design, the network device can receive the first request from the location management network element.

[0219] Optionally, the mobility management network element may send a first request to the location management network element, which then forwards the received first request to the network device.

[0220] Optionally, in the three possible designs described above, the first request sent by the mobility management network element, tag management network element, or location management network element to the network device may also include a message type, which indicates the information requested in the first request. The message type may include: a location request, a calculation request, etc.

[0221] For example, when the information type is a location request, the first request triggers a location-related process; when the information type is a calculation request, the first request triggers a calculation-related process.

[0222] In the fourth possible design, the network device can receive a second request from the location management network element and determine the first request based on the second request.

[0223] The second request can be used to request location measurements of multiple second terminal devices. Based on this second request, the network device can request the first terminal device to trigger access from multiple second terminal devices; that is, the network device can generate the aforementioned first request based on the second request.

[0224] Optionally, the second request may include one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device, identification information of the service network device of the first terminal device, identification information of the measurement task, identification information of the positioning management network element, or measurement result type.

[0225] By including the identification information of the location management network element in the second request, the network device can subsequently send location information of multiple second terminal devices to the location management network element corresponding to that identification information. The descriptions of the identification information of the first terminal device, the identification information of the serving network device of the first terminal device, the identification information of the measurement task, and the measurement result type can be found in the foregoing descriptions and will not be repeated here.

[0226] Optionally, before the location management network element sends the second request to the network device, the mobility management network element may send a fourth request to the location management network element to request location measurements of multiple second terminal devices. Based on this fourth request, the location management network element may send the second request to the network device.

[0227] The fourth request may include one or more of the following: the information type of the fourth request, the identification information of the first terminal device, the identification information of the service network device of the first terminal device, or the identification information of the measurement task.

[0228] In the fifth possible design, the network device can receive a second request from the tag management network element and determine the first request based on the second request.

[0229] The second request can be used to request location measurements of multiple second terminal devices. Based on this second request, the network device can request the first terminal device to trigger access from multiple second terminal devices; that is, the network device can generate the aforementioned first request based on the second request.

[0230] Optionally, the second request may include one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device, identification information of the service network device of the first terminal device, identification information of the measurement task, identification information of the tag management network element, or measurement result type.

[0231] By including the identification information of the tag management network element in the second request, the network device can subsequently send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the tag management network element corresponding to that identification information. The descriptions of the identification information of the first terminal device, the identification information of the serving network device of the first terminal device, the identification information of the measurement task, and the measurement result type can be found in the foregoing descriptions and will not be repeated here.

[0232] In the sixth possible design, the network device can receive a second request from the location management network element, receive a third request from the mobility management network element, and determine the first request based on the second and third requests.

[0233] The description of the second request can be found in the relevant description in the fourth possible design above, and will not be repeated here.

[0234] The third request can be used to request the first terminal device to trigger multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device.

[0235] Optionally, the first terminal device can trigger multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device through any one or more of the following processes: selection process, inventory process, or paging process. Based on this, the third request can also be described as: requesting the first terminal device to trigger a selection process for multiple second terminal devices. Alternatively, it can be described as: requesting the first terminal device to trigger an inventory process for multiple second terminal devices. Alternatively, it can be described as: requesting the first terminal device to trigger a paging process for multiple second terminal devices.

[0236] Optionally, the third request can be one or more of the following: initial triggering signaling or paging signaling.

[0237] It is understandable that, based on the above description of the network device obtaining the first request, the first request can be passed through the network device to the terminal device, that is, the network device does not need to obtain or sense the first request, but only needs to pass it through. This step 801 can be an optional step.

[0238] Step 802: The network device sends a first request to the first terminal device; correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first request from the network device.

[0239] When a network device sends a first request to a first terminal device, it can directly send the first request in step 801 above to the first terminal device. Alternatively, the network device can also reduce the information included in the first request in step 801 (such as removing the identification information of the first terminal device, the identification information of the serving network device of the first terminal device, etc., without restriction) and send the processed first request to the first terminal device to reduce signaling overhead.

[0240] For example, the first request sent by the network device to the first terminal device may include one or more of the following: measurement result type, or identification information of the measurement task.

[0241] Optionally, the first request sent by the network device to the first terminal device may be one or more of the following: initial triggering signaling or paging signaling.

[0242] Step 803: The first terminal device sends a first signaling message to multiple second terminal devices according to the first request; correspondingly, the multiple second terminal devices receive the first signaling message from the first terminal device.

[0243] The first signaling can be used to instruct multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device. Alternatively, the first signaling can also be described as instructing / triggering multiple second terminal devices to access the network, or as instructing / triggering multiple second terminal devices to send uplink data.

[0244] For example, the first terminal device can trigger multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device through the first service, that is, the first signaling can be one or more of the following: initial triggering signaling or paging signaling.

[0245] Optionally, the initial trigger signaling can also be described as selection signaling or query signaling. Query signaling is used to trigger / indicate access opportunities for at least one second terminal device, such as directly or indirectly indicating the total number of access opportunities, or it can be used to trigger the first access opportunity. Based on this, query signaling can also be called an access round indication / trigger message.

[0246] Optionally, paging signaling can also be described as an initial trigger message, a trigger message, a downlink trigger message, a paging-like message, a select signaling, or a reader-to-device trigger message.

[0247] For a detailed description of the first service, please refer to the relevant description in the communication protocol; it will not be repeated here.

[0248] Step 804: Multiple second terminal devices send first information to the first terminal device; correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first information from the multiple second terminal devices.

[0249] The first information can be one or more of the following: an uplink message, a device-to-reader (DR / D2R) trigger message. The first information can be any first information sent by multiple second terminal devices to the first terminal device. For example, it can be the first information sent by multiple second terminal devices to the first terminal device during the access process, or it can be the first information sent by multiple second terminal devices to the first terminal device after successfully accessing the first terminal device; there is no limitation.

[0250] For example, the first information may be one or more of the following: random access request, random number or temporary identifier (for contention resolution), uplink data, location signal, reference signal, etc., without limitation.

[0251] Optionally, random access can be described as: access, data transmission, contention resolution, or identification. Correspondingly, successful random access can be described as successful access, successful data transmission, successful contention resolution, successful identification, or service completion; random access failure can be described as unsuccessful access, unsuccessful data transmission, unsuccessful contention resolution, unsuccessful identification, or incomplete service; random access failure after being paging can be described as unsuccessful access after being paging, unsuccessful data transmission after being paging, unsuccessful contention resolution after being paging, unsuccessful identification after being paging, incomplete service after being paging, pending random access, pending data transmission, or pending contention resolution. For example, the completion of the first service on the second terminal device can be described as successful data transmission, successful access, successful random access, or successful identification; the failure of the first service on the second terminal device can be described as unsuccessful access, unsuccessful random access, unsuccessful data transmission, or unsuccessful identification. The following descriptions of random access refer to the above descriptions and will not be repeated.

[0252] Optionally, multiple second terminal devices may send first information such as random access requests, random numbers, and random access identifiers to the first terminal device during the access process. After successfully accessing the first terminal device, multiple second terminal devices may also send first information such as uplink data, positioning signals, or reference signals to the first terminal device without restriction.

[0253] Optionally, random access or contention resolution can be skipped, and uplink data, positioning signals, etc. can be sent directly (access without contention resolution).

[0254] Optionally, uplink data may include one or more of the following: device storage data (such as EPC, tag identification (tag ID), device ID, user data, encrypted data, keys, sensor data, written data, etc.), cached data, feedback (or response) messages to downlink data (or downlink signaling, downlink messages, etc.), data stored in registers or memory, specific sequences (such as positioning sequences, scrambling sequences, etc.), request messages (such as authentication requests, registration requests, authorization requests, etc.), etc.

[0255] Optionally, the uplink data can be encapsulated or carried in RRC messages, MAC messages, non-access stratum messages, RLC, application layer messages, or A-IoT-NAS messages, etc. This uplink data can be sent to access network devices or an entity capable of receiving uplink messages from multiple second terminal devices, such as a reader entity. Alternatively, it can be transparently transmitted by the base station to core network devices or servers. The core network devices can be 5G, 5.5G, or 6G core network devices such as AMF, AIoTMF, AIoTF, TMF, UPF, and application functions (AF). The servers can be IoT servers, factory servers, user servers, etc. Optionally, the uplink data can also be sent to terminal devices or forwarded from terminal devices to access network devices.

[0256] For example, the content of uplink data encapsulated in non-access stratum messages (such as non-access stratum protocol data units, PDUs) is not visible to relay devices or access network devices, or the relay devices or access network devices cannot parse / read the content therein.

[0257] Based on the above description, uplink data can also be described as non-access layer data or application layer data.

[0258] Optionally, when the first information is a positioning signal or a reference signal, the first terminal device may send the configuration information of the positioning signal or the configuration information of the reference signal to multiple second terminal devices. The multiple second terminal devices send the positioning signal to the first terminal device according to the configuration information of the positioning signal, or send the reference signal to the first terminal device according to the configuration information of the reference signal.

[0259] The configuration information of the positioning signal or the configuration information of the reference signal can be determined by the first terminal device and sent to multiple second terminal devices, or it can be determined by the network device and sent to the first terminal device, which then forwards it to multiple second terminal devices, without restriction.

[0260] For example, the configuration information of the positioning signal or the configuration information of the reference signal may include one or more of the following: time resources, frequency resources, positioning signal type, positioning signal sequence, number of repeated transmissions, or transmission period, etc., without limitation.

[0261] Step 805: The first terminal device measures the first information and obtains the measurement results of multiple second terminal devices.

[0262] Optionally, the first terminal device may measure the first information sent by multiple second terminal devices according to the measurement result type in the first request, and obtain the measurement results of multiple second terminal devices.

[0263] One possible approach is to specify the measurement result type in the protocol, thus eliminating the need to indicate the measurement result type in the first request.

[0264] For example, taking RSRP as the measurement result type and the positioning signal as the first information, the measurement result can be the RSRP of the positioning signal. Alternatively, taking AOA as the measurement result type and the positioning signal as the first information, the measurement result can be the AOA of the positioning signal.

[0265] Step 806: The first terminal device sends the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the network device based on the measurement results; correspondingly, the network device receives the location information of multiple second terminal devices from the first terminal device.

[0266] The location information of multiple second terminal devices may include location information related to multiple second terminal devices, such as the location information of the first terminal device, which can indirectly obtain the location information of the second terminal devices; or, the location information of multiple second terminal devices may include the location information of multiple second terminal devices.

[0267] Optionally, the location information can be latitude and longitude, or location coordinates, etc., without restriction.

[0268] The first terminal device can directly send the measurement results of multiple second terminal devices to the network device, or the first terminal device can perform positioning calculations on the measurement results to obtain the location information of multiple second terminal devices and send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the network device.

[0269] Optionally, the location information of the multiple second terminal devices can be the absolute location information of the multiple second terminal devices, or it can be the relative location information of the multiple second terminal devices, such as the relative location information of the multiple second terminal devices relative to the first terminal device or network device, etc., without limitation.

[0270] For example, taking RSRP (Real-Side Positioning Parameter) as the positioning signal, the first terminal device can calculate the distance between multiple second terminal devices and the first terminal device (or network device) based on the RSRP, and send this distance as the location information of the multiple second terminal devices to the network device. Alternatively, taking AOA (Area of ​​Orientation) as the positioning signal, the first terminal device can calculate the direction of the multiple second terminal devices relative to the first terminal device (or network device) based on the AOA, and send this direction as the location information of the multiple second terminal devices to the network device.

[0271] In another example, the first terminal device can also determine the absolute location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the location information of the first terminal device (or network device) and the location information of multiple second terminal devices relative to the first terminal device (or network device).

[0272] In one example, the first terminal device can also determine the absolute position information of multiple second terminal devices based on direction (or angle) information, distance information (which can be a specific length or range, such as range 1 corresponding to no more than 5 meters, range 2 corresponding to 5 to 15 meters, etc., or optionally, distance information can be indirectly indicated by other parameters such as time).

[0273] Optionally, the positioning information of multiple second terminal devices may also include one or more of the following: the identification information of the first terminal device corresponding to the positioning information, the identification information of the measurement task corresponding to the positioning information, or the information type corresponding to the positioning information.

[0274] For example, the location information of multiple second terminal devices includes location information related to multiple second terminal devices. For instance, the relevant location information may be the identification information of the first terminal device. Alternatively, the location of the first terminal device can be determined through the identification information of the first terminal device and then approximated as the location of the second terminal device.

[0275] Optionally, when the first terminal device sends the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the network device, it can directly send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the network device, or it can use one or more of the following possible designs (first to fourth) to send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the network device:

[0276] In the first possible design, the first terminal device sends a first non-access stratum signaling to the network device; wherein, the first non-access stratum signaling includes uplink data from multiple second terminal devices and location information of multiple second terminal devices.

[0277] In this system, after multiple second terminal devices connect to the first terminal device, they can send uplink data from the second terminal devices to the first terminal device. The first terminal device can then forward the uplink data from the second terminal devices to the network device. When the first terminal device forwards the uplink data from the second terminal devices to the network device, it can encapsulate the location information of the second terminal devices and the uplink data from the second terminal devices into a single NAS signaling (such as first non-access stratum signaling) and send it to the network device.

[0278] The uplink data received by the first terminal device can be uplink data from the NAS layer or application layer of multiple second terminal devices. For example, the uplink data from multiple second terminal devices can be EPC, identification information of A-IoT devices, device ID, temporary identity information, etc., without limitation.

[0279] For example, such as Figure 9 As shown, the first terminal device can combine the uplink data of multiple second terminal devices and the location information of multiple second terminal devices into a single NAS PDU and send it to the network device. This NAS PDU is the aforementioned first non-access stratum signaling.

[0280] It is understandable that the NAS PDU is information used to transmit between the first terminal device and the mobility management network element. Its content is not visible to the network device, that is, the network device can transparently transmit the first non-access stratum signaling sent by the first terminal device to the mobility management network element.

[0281] It is understood that the name of the aforementioned NAS (non-access stratum) protocol layer is not limited. The function of the NAS protocol layer is to carry non-access stratum information between terminal devices and core network elements, or to be responsible for the access, registration, authentication, and other processes of terminal devices. Core network equipment can be 5G, 5.5G, or 6G core network equipment such as AMF, AIoTMF, AIoTF, TMF, UPF, and application function (AF). Servers can be IoT servers, factory servers, user servers, etc. Optionally, the core network element can be the same network element as the positioning function network element, or they can be different; there are no restrictions.

[0282] In the second possible design, the first terminal device can encapsulate the positioning information of multiple second terminal devices based on the A-IoT positioning protocol (A-IoTPP) to obtain the second signaling; and send the second signaling to the network device.

[0283] Among them, such as Figure 10 As shown, the A-IoTPP protocol layer can be configured for the first terminal device and the location management network element. The first terminal device can encapsulate the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the A-IoTPP protocol, obtain the second signaling, and send it to the network device. The network device and the mobility management network element will then transmit the second signaling to the location management network element. The location management network element can then decapsulate the encapsulated location information in the second signaling according to the A-IoTPP protocol to obtain the location information of multiple second terminal devices.

[0284] Understandably, in this second possible design, since multiple second terminal devices do not need to interact with the positioning management network element, they do not need to support the A-IoTPP protocol, which can reduce the design complexity of multiple second terminal devices.

[0285] It is understandable that the protocol name of the IoT positioning protocol used to encapsulate the positioning information of the second terminal is just an example, and other names can be used in the specific implementation without restriction.

[0286] In the third possible design, the first terminal device can encapsulate the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the A-IoTPP protocol to obtain the encapsulated location information; and send the encapsulated location information and the uplink data of multiple second terminal devices to the network device in the second non-access stratum signaling.

[0287] The first terminal device can be based on, for example, Figure 10 The A-IoTPP protocol shown encapsulates the location information of multiple second terminal devices to obtain encapsulated location information. When forwarding uplink data of multiple second terminal devices to the network device, the encapsulated location information and the uplink data of multiple second terminal devices are encapsulated in a NAS signaling (such as second non-access stratum signaling) and sent to the network device.

[0288] For example, such as Figure 11 As shown, the first terminal device can combine the uplink data of multiple second terminal devices and the encapsulated location information into a single NAS PDU and send it to the network device. This NAS PDU is the aforementioned second non-access stratum signaling.

[0289] It is understandable that the NAS PDU is information used for transmission between the first terminal device and the mobility management network element (MLE). Its content is invisible to the network device; that is, the network device can transparently transmit the second non-access stratum signaling sent by the first terminal device to the MLE. Furthermore, since the MLE does not necessarily support the A-IoTPP protocol, after receiving the second non-access stratum signaling transparently transmitted by the network device, the MLE can decapsulate the signaling to obtain uplink data and encapsulated location information from multiple second terminal devices. It then sends the encapsulated location information to the location management network element, which decapsulates the location information according to the A-IoTPP protocol to obtain the location information of the multiple second terminal devices.

[0290] In the fourth possible design, the first terminal device can encapsulate the location information and access layer messages of multiple second terminal devices to obtain third signaling; and send the third signaling to the network device.

[0291] For example, the access layer message is a MAC message sent by multiple second terminal devices. The first terminal device encapsulates the MAC message and the location messages of the multiple second terminal devices to obtain the third signaling; and sends the third signaling to the network device.

[0292] Optionally, the access layer message can carry access layer identification information to associate the access layer message with the second terminal device corresponding to the access layer message. In this way, the network device can identify the specific second terminal device among multiple second terminal devices by using the access layer identification information.

[0293] Step 807: The network device sends the location information of multiple second terminal devices.

[0294] Specifically, when the network device receives location information from multiple second terminal devices that includes measurement results from those devices, the network device can send it directly. Alternatively, it can determine the location information of the multiple second terminal devices based on their measurement results and send this location information as the overall location information of the second terminal devices.

[0295] The description of determining the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the measurement results of multiple second terminal devices can refer to the description of step 806 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0296] Optionally, the location information may also include one or more of the following: the identification information of the first terminal device corresponding to the location information, the identification information of the service network device of the first terminal device, the identification information of the measurement task corresponding to the location information, or the information type corresponding to the location information, etc., without limitation.

[0297] Optionally, in conjunction with the acquisition method of the first request in step 801 above, the network device can send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the mobility management network element. Alternatively, the network device can send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the tag management network element. Or, the network device can send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the location management network element. This allows the network element initiating the location measurement of multiple second terminal devices to obtain the location information of the multiple second terminal devices.

[0298] Based on the above Figure 8 The method shown allows a first terminal device to trigger access from multiple second terminal devices based on a first request. During the access process (e.g., inventory process, selection process, paging process, etc.), the first terminal device can perform location measurement on the multiple second terminal devices based on the first information sent by the multiple second terminal devices. By combining the access process with the location process, compared with the location of terminal devices through the SLPP protocol, in this embodiment, the first terminal device and the multiple second terminal devices do not need to establish a side link. The first terminal device, the multiple second terminal devices, and the network-side device do not need to support the SLPP protocol to achieve the location of the multiple second terminal devices, which can reduce the complexity of device design.

[0299] The following describes in detail the step of the network device sending location information of multiple second terminal devices, taking into account the method of the first terminal device sending location information of multiple second terminal devices to the network device in step 806 above, and referring to any of the following possible designs:

[0300] In the first possible design, the network device sends the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the mobility management network element.

[0301] In this scenario, the network device can directly send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the mobility management network element. Alternatively, the network device can also send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the mobility management network element according to any of the following four examples:

[0302] In the first example, when the first terminal device sends the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the network device in the first non-access stratum signaling, since the content of the first non-access stratum signaling is not visible to the network device, the network device can pass the first non-access stratum signaling through to the mobility management network element. The mobility management network element parses the first non-access stratum signaling to obtain the location information of multiple second terminal devices.

[0303] The first non-access stratum signaling may include uplink data from multiple second terminal devices and location information of multiple second terminal devices. The description of the first non-access stratum signaling can refer to the relevant description in step 806 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0304] Optionally, when the location information of multiple second terminal devices in the first non-access stratum signaling includes the measurement results of multiple second terminal devices, the mobility management network element can determine the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the measurement results. Alternatively, the mobility management network element can send the measurement results of multiple second terminal devices to the location management network element, which then determines the location information of the multiple second terminal devices based on the measurement results and sends the location information of the multiple second terminal devices to the mobility management network element. Alternatively, when the location information of multiple second terminal devices in the first non-access stratum signaling includes the location information of multiple second terminal devices, the mobility management network element can determine the location information of the multiple second terminal devices based on the first non-access stratum signaling.

[0305] Optionally, the mobility management network element may send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to one or more of the following devices: location management network element, tag management network element, or first terminal device, etc., without restriction.

[0306] In the second example, when the first terminal device encapsulates the location information of multiple second terminal devices in a second signaling message based on the A-IoTPP protocol and sends it to the network device, since the network device does not necessarily support the A-IoTPP protocol, it can transparently transmit the second signaling message to the mobility management network element. Since the mobility management network element also does not necessarily support the A-IoTPP protocol, it can transparently transmit the second signaling message to the location management network element that supports the A-IoTPP protocol. The location management network element then decapsulates the second signaling message to obtain the location information of the multiple second terminal devices.

[0307] The second signaling is a signaling that encapsulates the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the A-IoTPP protocol. The description of the second signaling can be referred to the relevant description in step 806 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0308] Optionally, when the location information of multiple second terminal devices in the second signaling includes the measurement results of multiple second terminal devices, the location management network element can determine the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the measurement results of multiple second terminal devices. Alternatively, when the location information of multiple second terminal devices in the second signaling includes the location information of multiple second terminal devices, the location management network element can determine the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the second signaling.

[0309] Optionally, the location management network element can also send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to one or more of the following devices: mobility management network element, IoT server, first terminal device, etc., which will not be elaborated further.

[0310] Optionally, when the mobility management network element obtains the location information of multiple second terminal devices, it may also send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to one or more of the following devices: tag management network element, or first terminal device, etc., without restriction.

[0311] In the third example, when the first terminal device encapsulates the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the A-IoTPP protocol and sends the encapsulated location information to the network device in the form of second non-access stratum signaling, since the content of the second non-access stratum signaling is not visible to the network device, the network device can transparently transmit the second non-access stratum signaling to the mobility management network element. The mobility management network element parses the second non-access stratum signaling to obtain the encapsulated location information. Since the mobility management network element does not need to support the A-IoTPP protocol, it can send the encapsulated location information to the location management network element that supports the A-IoTPP protocol. The location management network element then decapsulates the encapsulated location information based on the A-IoTPP protocol to obtain the location information of the multiple second terminal devices.

[0312] The second non-access stratum signaling includes uplink data from multiple second terminal devices and encapsulated location information. The encapsulated location information is information encapsulated based on the A-IoTPP protocol for the location information of multiple second terminal devices. The relevant description of the second non-access stratum signaling can be referred to the relevant description in step 806 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0313] Optionally, when the encapsulated positioning information includes measurement results from multiple second terminal devices, the positioning management network element can determine the location information of the multiple second terminal devices based on their measurement results. Alternatively, when the encapsulated positioning information includes the location information of multiple second terminal devices, the positioning management network element can determine the location information of the multiple second terminal devices based on the encapsulated positioning information.

[0314] Optionally, the location management network element can also send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to one or more of the following devices: mobility management network element, IoT server, first terminal device, etc., which will not be elaborated further.

[0315] Optionally, when the mobility management network element obtains the location information of multiple second terminal devices, it may also send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to one or more of the following devices: tag management network element, or first terminal device, etc., without restriction.

[0316] The second possible design involves the network device sending the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the tag management network element.

[0317] In this scenario, network devices can directly send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the tag management network element, or network devices can send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the tag management network element through the mobility management network element.

[0318] For example, a tag management network element can establish NAS-like interfaces between multiple second terminal devices. When the tag management network element can identify the first terminal device (e.g., an interface has been established between the tag management network element and the first terminal device), the first terminal device can send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the tag management network element through network devices. When the tag management network element cannot identify the first terminal device (e.g., there is no direct interface between the tag management network element and the first terminal device, and the tag management network element can only identify multiple second terminal devices), the first terminal device can send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the tag management network element through network devices and mobility management network elements.

[0319] It is understandable that when the first terminal device sends the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the tag management network element through the network device and the mobility management network element, the first terminal device and the network device can send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the mobility management network element in accordance with the first possible design described above, and then the mobility management network element sends the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the tag management network element.

[0320] Optionally, when the positioning information of multiple second terminal devices includes the measurement results of multiple second terminal devices, the tag management network element can determine the location information of the multiple second terminal devices based on the measurement results. Alternatively, the tag management network element can send the measurement results of multiple second terminal devices to the positioning management network element, which then determines the location information of the multiple second terminal devices based on the measurement results and sends the location information of the multiple second terminal devices to the tag management network element. Alternatively, when the positioning information of multiple second terminal devices includes the location information of multiple second terminal devices, the tag management network element can determine the location information of the multiple second terminal devices based on this positioning information.

[0321] Optionally, the tag management network element may send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to one or more of the following devices: location management network element, mobility management network element, or first terminal device, etc., without restriction.

[0322] In the third possible design, the network device sends the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the location management network element.

[0323] In this scenario, the network device can directly send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the location management network element, or the network device can also send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the location management network element through the mobility management network element.

[0324] For example, a network device can send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the location management network element via NR positioning protocol A (NRPPa). For instance, the network device can send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the location management network element in a measurement response message.

[0325] It is understandable that when network devices send location information of multiple second terminal devices to the location management element through the mobility management element, the relevant description in the first possible design above can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0326] Optionally, the location management network element may send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to one or more of the following devices: mobility management network element, tag management network element, or first terminal device, etc., without restriction.

[0327] Based on the above description of the transmission process of location information of multiple second terminal devices, optionally, the mobility management network element (or tag management network element) sends the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the location management network element. The location management network element determines the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the location information of multiple second terminal devices and sends it to the mobility management network element (or tag management network element). If there is location information of multiple second terminal devices and their corresponding location information, the mobility management network element and the location management network element can refer to the following four possible designs and adopt the method of adjusting the transmission order or adding identification information to make the location information of each of the multiple second terminal devices associated with its corresponding location information. This way, the location information can be matched with multiple second terminal devices, avoiding the occurrence of mismatch between location information and location information.

[0328] In the first possible design, the mobility management network element can send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the location management network element in a certain order. When the location management network element feeds back the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the mobility management network element, it can send the location information corresponding to each location information to the mobility management network element in the same sending order as the location information of multiple second terminal devices.

[0329] For example, such as Figure 12 As shown in (a), assume that the mobility management network element sends location information of multiple second terminal devices to the location management network element in the following sending order: location information 1, location information 2, and location information 3. The location management network element can send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the mobility management network element in the following sending order: location information 1 corresponding to location information 1, location information 2 corresponding to location information 2, and location information 3 corresponding to location information 3. When the mobility management network element receives the location information, it can associate the location information with the location information according to the receiving order.

[0330] In the second possible design, the mobility management network element can also send one location information to the location management network element at a time, and after receiving the location information corresponding to the location information sent by the location management network element, send the next location information to the location management network element.

[0331] For example, such as Figure 12As shown in (b), taking the location information received by the mobility management network element as including location information 1, location information 2 and location information 3 as an example, the mobility management network element can send location information 1 to the location management network element, the location management network element sends the location information corresponding to location information 1 to the mobility management network element, after receiving the location information corresponding to location information 1, the mobility management network element sends location information 2 to the location management network element, the location management network element sends the location information corresponding to location information 2 to the mobility management network element, after receiving the location information corresponding to location information 2, the mobility management network element sends location information 3 to the location management network element, and the location management network element sends the location information corresponding to location information 3 to the mobility management network element.

[0332] In the third possible design, when the mobility management network element sends location information to the location management network element, it can also send the sequence number associated with the location information to the location management network element. When the location management network element sends the location information corresponding to the location information to the mobility management network element, it can also send the sequence number associated with the location information to the mobility management network element. The mobility management network element can determine the location information corresponding to the location information based on the sequence number associated with the received location information.

[0333] For example, taking the location information received by the mobility management network element as including location information 1, location information 2 and location information 3 as an example, the mobility management network element can send (location information 1, sequence number 1), (location information 2, sequence number 2), and (location information 3, sequence number 3) to the location management network element, and the location management network element can send (location information 2, sequence number 2), (location information 3, sequence number 3), and (location information 1, sequence number 1) to the mobility management network element. Based on the sequence number corresponding to the received location information, the mobility management network element can determine that location information 2 corresponds to location information 2, location information 3 corresponds to location information 3, and location information 1 corresponds to location information 1.

[0334] In the fourth possible design, when the mobility management network element sends location information to the location management network element, it can also send the identification information of multiple second terminal devices associated with the location information to the location management network element. When the location management network element sends the location information corresponding to the location information to the mobility management network element, it can also send the identification information of multiple second terminal devices associated with the location information to the mobility management network element. The mobility management network element can determine the second terminal device corresponding to the location information based on the identification information of the multiple second terminal devices associated with the received location information.

[0335] For example, taking the location information received by the mobility management network element as including location information 1, location information 2 and location information 3 as an example, the mobility management network element can send (location information 1, identification information of the second terminal device 1), (location information 2, identification information of the second terminal device 2), (location information 3, identification information of the second terminal device 3) to the location management network element, and the location management network element can send (location information 2, identification information of the second terminal device 2), (location information 3, identification information of the second terminal device 3), (location information 1, identification information of the second terminal device 1) to the mobility management network element. Based on the identification information of the second terminal device corresponding to the received location information, the mobility management network element can determine that location information 2 corresponds to the second terminal device 2, location information 3 corresponds to the second terminal device 3, and location information 1 corresponds to the second terminal device 1.

[0336] Based on the above description, refer to the following Figure 13 Taking the process of a mobility management network element initiating a location measurement of multiple second terminal devices through a location management network element as an example, the location measurement process of multiple second terminal devices is described in detail in conjunction with the inventory process:

[0337] Step 1301: The mobility management network element sends a position request to the positioning management network element.

[0338] The location request can be used to request location measurement of multiple second terminal devices. The description of the location request can refer to the relevant description of the fourth request mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0339] Step 1302: The location management network element sends a measurement request to the network device.

[0340] The measurement request can be used to request positioning measurements for multiple second terminal devices. The description of the measurement request can refer to the aforementioned description of the second request, and will not be repeated here.

[0341] Optionally, the location management network element can send measurement requests to network devices based on the NRPPa protocol.

[0342] Step 1303: The mobility management network element sends an inventory request to the network device.

[0343] The inventory request can be used to request the first terminal device to trigger multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device, or it can be described as: to request the first terminal device to trigger an inventory process for multiple second terminal devices. The description of this inventory request can be found in the aforementioned description of the third request, and will not be repeated here.

[0344] Optionally, the mobility management network element can send inventory requests to network devices based on the NGAP protocol.

[0345] It should be noted that the present application does not restrict the execution order of steps 1302 and 1303. Step 1302 can be executed first and then step 1303, or step 1303 can be executed first and then step 1302, or steps 1302 and 1303 can be executed simultaneously.

[0346] Step 1304: The network device sends an inventory measurement request to the first terminal device.

[0347] The inventory measurement request can be used to request the first terminal device to trigger multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device and perform positioning measurements on the multiple second terminal devices. The description of the inventory measurement request can refer to the aforementioned description of the first request, and will not be repeated here.

[0348] Step 1305: The first terminal device sends initial triggering signaling / paging signaling to multiple second terminal devices.

[0349] The initial triggering signaling / paging signaling can be used to instruct multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device. The description of this initial triggering signaling / paging signaling can be found in the foregoing description of the first signaling, and will not be repeated here.

[0350] Step 1306: Multiple second terminal devices initiate a random access procedure to the first terminal device.

[0351] Step 1307: Multiple second terminal devices send uplink data to the mobility management network element through the first terminal device and the network device.

[0352] Optionally, uplink data can be sent to the mobility management network element via non-access stratum signaling.

[0353] Step 1308: The first terminal device sends the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the network device.

[0354] The first terminal device can perform positioning measurements on the first information sent by multiple second terminal devices, obtain the measurement results of the multiple second terminal devices, and send the positioning information of the multiple second terminal devices to the network device. For details, please refer to the foregoing descriptions of steps 804, 805, and 806, which will not be repeated here.

[0355] Step 1309: The network device sends the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the location management network element.

[0356] Among them, network devices can send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the location management network element based on the NRPPa protocol.

[0357] Step 1310: The positioning management network element determines the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on their positioning information.

[0358] Optionally, the location management network element can determine the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the location information of multiple second terminal devices and the location information of the first terminal device (or network device). For details, please refer to the relevant description of determining the location information based on the location information in step 806 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0359] Step 1311: The location management network element sends the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the mobility management network element.

[0360] With the above Figure 13 The process by which the mobility management network element initiates location measurement for multiple second terminal devices through the location management network element differs from that of the network device, such as... Figure 14 As shown, the mobility management network element can also directly initiate the location measurement process for multiple second terminal devices from the first terminal device through the network equipment:

[0361] Step 1401: The mobility management network element sends an inventory measurement request to the first terminal device through the network device.

[0362] The inventory measurement request can be used to request the first terminal device to trigger multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device and perform positioning measurements on the multiple second terminal devices. The description of the inventory measurement request can refer to the aforementioned description of the first request, and will not be repeated here.

[0363] Optionally, before the mobility management network element sends an inventory measurement request to the first terminal device, such as Figure 14 As shown in steps 1400a and 1400b, the mobility management network element can also send a positioning request to the positioning management network element. This positioning request can be used to request whether the positioning function is supported. The positioning management network element sends a positioning response / measurement response to the mobility management network element based on the positioning request to indicate that the positioning function is supported. Then, the mobility management network element can send an inventory measurement request to the first terminal device.

[0364] The description of the location request can refer to the aforementioned description of the fifth request, and the description of the location response / measurement response can refer to the aforementioned description of the fifth response, and will not be repeated here.

[0365] Step 1402: The first terminal device sends initial triggering signaling / paging signaling to multiple second terminal devices.

[0366] The initial triggering signaling / paging signaling can be used to instruct multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device. The description of this initial triggering signaling / paging signaling can be found in the foregoing description of the first signaling, and will not be repeated here.

[0367] Step 1403: Multiple second terminal devices initiate a random access procedure to the first terminal device.

[0368] Step 1404: Multiple second terminal devices send uplink data to the first terminal device.

[0369] Step 1405: The first terminal device sends uplink data and location information of multiple second terminal devices to the mobility management network element through the network device.

[0370] The first terminal device can perform positioning measurements on the first information sent by multiple second terminal devices, obtain the measurement results of the multiple second terminal devices, and determine the positioning information of the multiple second terminal devices based on the measurement results. For details, please refer to the aforementioned descriptions of steps 804 and 805, which will not be repeated here.

[0371] Optionally, the first terminal device may send uplink data and location information of multiple second terminal devices to the mobility management network element via non-access stratum signaling (such as first non-access stratum signaling).

[0372] Step 1406: The mobility management network element sends a calculation request to the location management network element.

[0373] The calculation request may include the location information of multiple second terminal devices.

[0374] Step 1407: The positioning management network element determines the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on their positioning information.

[0375] Optionally, the location management network element can determine the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the location information of multiple second terminal devices and the location information of the first terminal device (or network device). For details, please refer to the relevant description of determining the location information based on the location information in step 806 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0376] Step 1408: The location management network element sends the calculation result to the mobility management network element.

[0377] The calculation results may include the location information of multiple second terminal devices.

[0378] With the above Figure 14 The difference between the inventory measurement request sent by the mobility management network element to the first terminal device through the network device and the other is that... Figure 15 As shown, the location management network element can also send an inventory measurement request to the first terminal device through the mobility management network element and network equipment:

[0379] Step 1501: The mobility management network element sends an inventory position request to the positioning management network element.

[0380] Among them, the inventory positioning request can be used to request the first terminal device to trigger multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device and perform positioning measurements on the multiple second terminal devices.

[0381] Step 1502: The location management network element sends an inventory measurement request to the first terminal device through the mobility management network element and network equipment.

[0382] The inventory measurement request can be used to request the first terminal device to trigger multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device and perform positioning measurements on the multiple second terminal devices. The description of the inventory measurement request can refer to the aforementioned description of the first request, and will not be repeated here.

[0383] Optionally, the positioning management network element can send an inventory measurement request to the first terminal device based on the AIoTPP (ambient IoT positioning protocol) PDU.

[0384] Step 1503: The first terminal device sends initial triggering signaling / paging signaling to multiple second terminal devices.

[0385] The initial triggering signaling / paging signaling can be used to instruct multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device. The description of this initial triggering signaling / paging signaling can be found in the foregoing description of the first signaling, and will not be repeated here.

[0386] Step 1504: Multiple second terminal devices initiate a random access procedure to the first terminal device.

[0387] Step 1505: Multiple second terminal devices send uplink data to the mobility management network element through the first terminal device and the network device.

[0388] Step 1506: The first terminal device sends the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the location management network element through the network device and the mobility management network element.

[0389] The first terminal device can perform positioning measurements on the first information sent by multiple second terminal devices, obtain the measurement results of the multiple second terminal devices, and determine the positioning information of the multiple second terminal devices based on the measurement results. For details, please refer to the aforementioned descriptions of steps 804 and 805, which will not be repeated here.

[0390] Optionally, the first terminal device can encapsulate the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the A-IoTPP protocol, and send the encapsulated location information to the location management network element in an LPP PDU (such as a second signaling).

[0391] Step 1507: The positioning management network element determines the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on their positioning information.

[0392] Among them, the location management network element can decapsulate the received LPP PDU (such as the second signaling) based on the A-IoTPP protocol to obtain the location information of multiple second terminal devices.

[0393] Optionally, the location management network element can determine the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the location information of multiple second terminal devices and the location information of the first terminal device (or network device). For details, please refer to the relevant description of determining the location information based on the location information in step 806 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0394] Step 1508: The positioning management network element sends the inventory position result to the mobility management network element.

[0395] The inventory and positioning results may include the location information of multiple second terminal devices.

[0396] Alternatively, unlike steps 1505 to 1508 above, the location information of multiple second terminal devices can also be sent in the manner shown in steps 1509 to 1513 below:

[0397] Step 1509: Multiple second terminal devices send uplink data of multiple second terminal devices to the first terminal device.

[0398] Step 1510: The first terminal device sends uplink data and location information of multiple second terminal devices to the mobility management network element through the network device.

[0399] The first terminal device can encapsulate the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the A-IoTPP protocol, and send the encapsulated location information and uplink data of multiple second terminal devices to the mobility management network element in non-access stratum signaling (such as second non-access stratum signaling).

[0400] Step 1511: The mobility management network element sends the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the location management network element.

[0401] Among them, the mobility management network element can parse the received non-access stratum signaling (such as second non-access stratum signaling) to obtain the encapsulated location information, and send the encapsulated location information to the location management network element.

[0402] Step 1512: The positioning management network element determines the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on their positioning information.

[0403] Among them, the location management network element can decapsulate the received encapsulated location information based on the A-IoTPP protocol to obtain the location information of multiple second terminal devices.

[0404] Optionally, the location management network element can determine the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the location information of multiple second terminal devices and the location information of the first terminal device (or network device). For details, please refer to the relevant description of determining the location information based on the location information in step 806 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0405] Step 1513: The positioning management network element sends the inventory position result to the mobility management network element.

[0406] The inventory and positioning results may include the location information of multiple second terminal devices.

[0407] With the above Figures 13 to 15 The location measurement process for multiple second terminal devices initiated by the mobility management network element differs from that in other cases, such as... Figure 16 As shown, the tag management network element can also initiate the positioning and measurement process for multiple second terminal devices:

[0408] Step 1601: The tag management network element sends an inventory measurement request to the network device.

[0409] The inventory measurement request can be used to request the first terminal device to trigger multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device and perform positioning measurements on the multiple second terminal devices. The description of the inventory measurement request can refer to the aforementioned description of the first request, and will not be repeated here.

[0410] Step 1602: The network device sends an inventory measurement request to the first terminal device.

[0411] Step 1603: The first terminal device sends initial triggering signaling / paging signaling to multiple second terminal devices.

[0412] The initial triggering signaling / paging signaling can be used to instruct multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device. The description of this initial triggering signaling / paging signaling can be found in the foregoing description of the first signaling, and will not be repeated here.

[0413] Step 1604: Multiple second terminal devices initiate a random access procedure to the first terminal device.

[0414] Step 1605: Multiple second terminal devices send uplink data of multiple second terminal devices to the tag management network element through the first terminal device and the network device.

[0415] Step 1606: The first terminal device sends the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the network device.

[0416] Specifically, the first terminal device can perform positioning measurements on the first information sent by multiple second terminal devices, obtain the measurement results of the multiple second terminal devices, and determine the positioning information of the multiple second terminal devices based on the measurement results. For details, please refer to the foregoing descriptions of steps 804, 805, and 806, which will not be repeated here.

[0417] Step 1607: The network device sends the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the tag management network element.

[0418] Optionally, the tag management network element can establish a NAS-like interface between multiple second terminal devices. When the tag management network element can identify the first terminal device (e.g., an interface is established between the tag management network element and the first terminal device), the first terminal device can send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the tag management network element through the network device, referring to steps 1606 and 1607 above.

[0419] Alternatively, when the tag management network element cannot identify the first terminal device (e.g., there is no direct interface between the tag management network element and the first terminal device, and the tag management network element can only identify multiple second terminal devices), the first terminal device can send the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the tag management network element through the network device and the mobility management network element, as described in steps 1608 and 1609 below.

[0420] Step 1608: The first terminal device sends the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the network device.

[0421] Step 1609: The network device sends the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the mobility management network element.

[0422] Step 1610: The mobility management network element sends the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the tag management network element.

[0423] Based on the above steps, optionally, when the tag management network element obtains the location information of multiple second terminal devices, the tag management network element can refer to step 1611 below to determine the location information of the multiple second terminal devices itself, or the tag management network element can refer to steps 1612 and 1614 below to obtain the location information of the multiple second terminal devices from the location management network element.

[0424] Step 1611: The tag management network element determines the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on their location information.

[0425] Optionally, the tag management network element can determine the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the location information of multiple second terminal devices and the location information of the first terminal device (or network device). For details, please refer to the relevant description of determining the location information based on the location information in step 806 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0426] Step 1612: The tag management network element sends the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the location management network element.

[0427] Step 1613: The positioning management network element determines the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on their positioning information.

[0428] Optionally, the location management network element can determine the location information of multiple second terminal devices based on the location information of multiple second terminal devices and the location information of the first terminal device (or network device). For details, please refer to the relevant description of determining the location information based on the location information in step 806 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0429] Step 1614: The positioning management network element sends the location information of multiple second terminal devices to the tag management network element.

[0430] The above Figures 8 to 16 In the description, the first terminal device for performing positioning measurements on multiple second terminal devices can be designated by a mobility management network element or a tag management network element. Optionally, the first terminal device can also be determined by the network device itself.

[0431] For example, a network device can select a first terminal device based on the RIC module.

[0432] For example, the RIC module can determine the appropriate first terminal device based on information such as the predicted trajectory and historical trajectory of each terminal device.

[0433] It can be understood that, for the scheme of assisting network devices in selecting the first terminal device based on the RIC module, before the network device sends the first request to the first terminal device, the RIC module can provide the network device with the identification information or related information of the first terminal device (such as location information), so that the network device can determine which terminal device the first terminal device is.

[0434] It should be noted that the various embodiments of this application can be implemented independently or in combination, without limitation. Unless otherwise specified or in conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions between the different embodiments provided in this application are consistent and can be referenced mutually. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0435] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the executing entity may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are merely examples, and the embodiments of this application may also perform other operations or variations thereof. Furthermore, the various steps may be executed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of this application, and it is not necessarily necessary to execute all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

[0436] The foregoing primarily describes the solutions provided in this application from the perspective of device-to-device interaction. It is understood that each device, in order to achieve the aforementioned functions, includes corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0437] This application embodiment can divide each device into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0438] When dividing each function into modules according to its corresponding function. Figure 17 A communication device 170 is shown, which can perform the above-described... Figures 8 to 16 The actions performed by any of the terminal devices, network devices, mobility management network elements, location management network elements, or tag management network elements in the method shown can all be referenced from the functional descriptions of the corresponding functional modules in the above method embodiments. The technical effects that can be obtained can be referred to in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0439] The communication device 170 may include a transceiver module 1701 and a processing module 1702. Exemplarily, the communication device 170 may be a communication equipment, or a chip or other combination device or component having the aforementioned communication device functions. When the communication device 170 is a communication equipment, the transceiver module 1701 may be a transceiver, which may include an antenna and radio frequency circuits; the processing module 1702 may be a processor (or processing circuit), such as a baseband processor, which may include one or more CPUs. When the communication device 170 is a component having the aforementioned communication device functions, the transceiver module 1701 may be a radio frequency unit; the processing module 1702 may be a processor (or processing circuit), such as a baseband processor. When the communication device 170 is a chip system, the transceiver module 1701 may be an input / output interface of a chip (e.g., a baseband chip); the processing module 1702 may be a processor (or processing circuit) of the chip system, and may include one or more central processing units. It should be understood that the transceiver module 1701 in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit components; the processing module 1702 can be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuit components (or, referred to as processing circuit).

[0440] For example, transceiver module 1701 can be used to perform... Figures 8 to 16 In the illustrated embodiment, all transmit and receive operations performed by the communication device, and / or other processes used to support the technology described herein; the processing module 1702 can be used to perform Figures 8 to 16 The embodiments shown include all operations performed by the communication device other than the transmit and receive operations, and / or other processes used to support the techniques described herein.

[0441] As another feasible approach Figure 17 The transceiver module 1701 can be replaced by a transceiver unit, which can integrate the functions of the transceiver module 1701; the processing module 1702 can be replaced by a processor, which can integrate the functions of the processing module 1702. Furthermore, Figure 17 The communication device 170 shown may also include a memory.

[0442] As another feasible approach Figure 17 The transceiver module 1701 can be replaced by a transceiver that can integrate the functions of the transceiver module 1701; the processing module 1702 can be replaced by a processor that can integrate the functions of the processing module 1702.

[0443] Alternatively, when the processing module 1702 is replaced by a processor and the transceiver module 1701 is replaced by a transceiver, the device 170 involved in the embodiments of this application can also be... Figure 18 The communication device 180 shown.

[0444] The processor can be logic circuit 1801, and the transceiver can be interface circuit 1802. Furthermore, Figure 18 The communication device 180 shown may also include a memory 1803.

[0445] This application embodiment also provides a method such as Figure 19 The communication device 1900 shown can be a terminal device or a chip or system-on-a-chip within a terminal device; it can also be a network device or a chip or system-on-a-chip within a network device; or it can be a core network device or a chip or system-on-a-chip within a core network device. Figure 19 As shown, the communication device 1900 includes a processor 1901, a transceiver 1902, and a communication line 1903.

[0446] Furthermore, the communication device 1900 may also include a memory 1904. The processor 1901, the memory 1904, and the transceiver 1902 can be connected via a communication line 1903.

[0447] The processor 1901 can be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), or any combination thereof. The processor 1901 can also be other devices with processing capabilities, such as circuits, devices, or software modules, without limitation.

[0448] Transceiver 1902 is used to communicate with other devices or other communication networks. These other communication networks can be Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), etc. Transceiver 1902 can be a module, circuit, transceiver, or any device capable of enabling communication.

[0449] Communication line 1903 is used to transmit information between the components included in communication device 1900.

[0450] Memory 1904 is used to store instructions. These instructions can be computer programs.

[0451] The memory 1904 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and / or instructions; it may also be a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and / or instructions; it may also be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, etc., without limitation.

[0452] It should be noted that the memory 1904 can exist independently of the processor 1901, or it can be integrated with the processor 1901. The memory 1904 can be used to store instructions, program code, or some data, etc. The memory 1904 can be located inside or outside the communication device 1900, without limitation. The processor 1901 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 1904 to implement the positioning method provided in the following embodiments of this application.

[0453] In one example, processor 1901 may include one or more CPUs, for example Figure 19 CPU0 and CPU1 in the CPU.

[0454] As an optional implementation, the communication device 1900 includes multiple processors, for example, besides Figure 19 In addition to processor 1901, it may also include processor 1907.

[0455] As an optional implementation, the communication device 1900 also includes an output device 1905 and an input device 1906. For example, the input device 1906 is a device such as a keyboard, mouse, microphone, or joystick, and the output device 1905 is a device such as a display screen or speaker.

[0456] It should be noted that the communication device 1900 can be a desktop computer, laptop computer, network server, mobile phone, tablet computer, wireless terminal, embedded device, chip system, or something else. Figure 19 Equipment with a similar structure. Furthermore... Figure 19 The structural composition shown does not constitute a limitation on the communication device, except... Figure 19 In addition to the components shown, the communication device may include more or fewer components than illustrated, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0457] In this embodiment of the application, the chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0458] Furthermore, the actions, terms, etc., involved in the various embodiments of this application can be referenced interchangeably without limitation. The message names or parameter names in the messages exchanged between the various devices in the embodiments of this application are merely examples, and other names may be used in specific implementations without limitation.

[0459] This application also provides a computer program product that, when executed by a computer, can implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0460] This application also provides a computer program that, when executed by a computer, can implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0461] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. This program can be stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, it can include the processes of the above method embodiments. The computer-readable storage medium can be an internal storage unit of the terminal (including a data sending end and / or a data receiving end) of any of the foregoing embodiments, such as the terminal's hard disk or memory. The computer-readable storage medium can also be an external storage device of the terminal, such as a plug-in hard disk, smart media card (SMC), secure digital (SD) card, flash card, etc., equipped on the terminal. Further, the computer-readable storage medium can include both the terminal's internal storage unit and external storage devices. The computer-readable storage medium is used to store the computer program and other programs and data required by the terminal. The computer-readable storage medium can also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or will be output.

[0462] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. "First" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this embodiment, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0463] Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the steps or units listed, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0464] It should be understood that in this application, "at least one (item)" means one or more. "More than one" means two or more. "At least two (items)" means two or three or more. "And / or" is used to describe the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one (item) of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one (item) of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. Both "...when" and "if" indicate that a corresponding action will be taken under certain objective circumstances. They are not time limits, nor do they require a judgment action to be taken when the action is taken, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0465] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner to facilitate understanding.

[0466] In this application, "sending information to...(terminal device)" can be understood as the destination of the information being the terminal device. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to the terminal device. "Receiving information from...(terminal device)" can be understood as the source of the information being the terminal device, and can include receiving information directly or indirectly from the terminal device. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source.

[0467] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, only the division of the above functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0468] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of modules or units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another device, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0469] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. A component shown as a unit can be one or more physical units; that is, it can be located in one place or distributed in multiple different locations. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0470] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0471] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application embodiment, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a device (which may be a microcontroller, chip, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

Claims

1. A positioning method, characterized in that, include: Receive a first request from a network device; wherein the first request is used to request a first terminal device to trigger multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device and perform positioning measurements on the multiple second terminal devices; According to the first request, a first signaling message is sent to the plurality of second terminal devices; wherein, the first signaling message is used to instruct the second terminal devices to access the first terminal device; Receive first information from the plurality of second terminal devices; The location information of the plurality of second terminal devices is sent to the network device; wherein the location information is determined by the first terminal device based on the first information of the plurality of second terminal devices.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first request includes one or more of the following: measurement result type, or identification information of the measurement task.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first request is one or more of the following: initial triggering signaling or paging signaling.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first signaling is one or more of the following: initial triggering signaling or paging signaling.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The location information is determined based on the first information and includes: The first information is measured to obtain the measurement results of the plurality of second terminal devices; Based on the measurement results of the plurality of second terminal devices, the location information of the plurality of second terminal devices is sent to the network device.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The positioning information includes the location information of the plurality of second terminal devices; wherein, the location information of the plurality of second terminal devices is determined based on the measurement results.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The location information also includes one or more of the following: the identification information of the first terminal device corresponding to the location information, the identification information of the measurement task corresponding to the location information, or the information type corresponding to the location information.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, Sending the location information of the plurality of second terminal devices to the network device includes: Send a first non-access stratum signaling to the network device; wherein the first non-access stratum signaling includes uplink data of the plurality of second terminal devices and location information of the plurality of second terminal devices.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, Sending the location information of the plurality of second terminal devices to the network device includes: The positioning information of the multiple second terminal devices is encapsulated based on the A-IoTPP environmental IoT positioning protocol to obtain the second signaling. Send the second signaling to the network device.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, Sending the location information of the plurality of second terminal devices to the network device includes: The positioning information of the multiple second terminal devices is encapsulated based on the A-IoTPP environmental IoT positioning protocol to obtain the encapsulated positioning information. Send a second non-access stratum signaling to the network device; wherein the second non-access stratum signaling includes uplink data from the plurality of second terminal devices and the encapsulated location information.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The first information is a location signal. Before receiving the first information from the plurality of second terminal devices, the method further includes: Configuration information for sending the positioning signal to the plurality of second terminal devices; wherein the configuration information includes one or more of the following: time resources, frequency resources, positioning signal type, positioning signal sequence, number of repeated transmissions, or transmission period.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, Before sending the configuration information of the positioning signal to the plurality of second terminal devices, the method further includes: Configuration information for receiving the positioning signal from the network device.

13. A positioning method, characterized in that, include: Obtain a first request; wherein the first request is used to request a first terminal device to trigger multiple second terminal devices to access the first terminal device and perform positioning measurements on the multiple second terminal devices; Send the first request to the first terminal device; The system receives location information from the plurality of second terminal devices from the first terminal device; wherein the location information is determined by the first terminal device based on first information from the plurality of second terminal devices. The location information of the plurality of second terminal devices is sent.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The process of obtaining the first request includes: Receive the first request from the mobility management network element; or Receive the first request from the tag management network element; or Receive the first request from the location management network element; or Receive a second request from a location management network element, and determine the first request based on the second request; wherein the second request is used to request location measurement of the plurality of second terminal devices; or Receive a second request from a tag management network element, and determine the first request based on the second request; wherein, the second request is used to request positioning measurement of the plurality of second terminal devices; The system receives a second request from the location management network element, receives a third request from the mobility management network element, and determines the first request based on the second request and the third request; wherein the second request is used to request location measurement of the plurality of second terminal devices, and the third request is used to request the first terminal device to trigger the plurality of second terminal devices to access the first terminal device.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The second request includes one or more of the following: the identification information of the first terminal device, the identification information of the service network device of the first terminal device, the identification information of the measurement task, the identification information of the positioning management network element, the identification information of the tag management network element, or the measurement result type.

16. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The third request is one or more of the following: initial triggering signaling, paging signaling.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13-16, characterized in that, The first request includes one or more of the following: the identification information of the first terminal device, the identification information of the service network device of the first terminal device, the identification information of the measurement task, or the measurement result type.

18. The method according to any one of claims 13-17, characterized in that, The first request is one or more of the following: initial triggering signaling, paging signaling.

19. The method according to any one of claims 13-18, characterized in that, The location information includes the measurement results of the plurality of second terminal devices; or The positioning information includes the location information of the plurality of second terminal devices; wherein the location information of the plurality of second terminal devices is determined based on the measurement results of the plurality of second terminal devices.

20. The method according to any one of claims 13-19, characterized in that, The location information also includes one or more of the following: the identification information of the first terminal device corresponding to the location information, the identification information of the service network device of the first terminal device, the identification information of the measurement task corresponding to the location information, or the information type corresponding to the location information.

21. The method according to any one of claims 13-20, characterized in that, Sending the location information of the plurality of second terminal devices includes: Send the location information of the plurality of second terminal devices to the mobility management network element; or Send the location information of the multiple second terminal devices to the tag management network element; or The location information of the multiple second terminal devices is sent to the location management network element.

22. The method according to any one of claims 13-20, characterized in that, The step of receiving location information from the first terminal device and sending the location information from the plurality of second terminal devices includes: Receive a first non-access stratum signaling from the first terminal device; wherein, the first non-access stratum signaling includes uplink data from the plurality of second terminal devices and location information of the plurality of second terminal devices; The first non-access stratum signaling is sent to the mobility management network element.

23. The method according to any one of claims 13-20, characterized in that, The step of receiving location information from the first terminal device and sending the location information from the plurality of second terminal devices includes: Receive a second signaling from the first terminal device; wherein, the second signaling is a signaling that encapsulates the positioning information of the plurality of second terminal devices based on the A-IoTPP environmental positioning protocol; Send the second signaling to the mobility management network element.

24. The method according to any one of claims 13-20, characterized in that, The step of receiving location information from the plurality of second terminal devices from the first terminal device and sending the location information of the plurality of second terminal devices to the mobility management network element includes: Receive second non-access stratum signaling from the first terminal device; wherein, the second non-access stratum signaling includes uplink data from the plurality of second terminal devices and encapsulated positioning information, and the encapsulated positioning information is information encapsulated based on the A-IoTPP environmental IoT positioning protocol for the positioning information of the plurality of second terminal devices; Send the second non-access stratum signaling to the mobility management network element.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor; the processor is configured to run a computer program or instructions that cause the positioning method as described in any one of claims 1-12 to be executed, or cause the positioning method as described in any one of claims 13-24 to be executed.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes an interface circuit and a logic circuit; the interface circuit is used to input and / or output information; the logic circuit is used to execute the positioning method as described in any one of claims 1-12, or to execute the positioning method as described in any one of claims 13-24, and to process and / or generate the information based on the information.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs that, when executed on a computer, cause the positioning method as described in any one of claims 1-12 to be executed, or cause the positioning method as described in any one of claims 13-24 to be executed.

28. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes computer instructions; when some or all of the computer instructions are executed on a computer, they cause the positioning method as described in any one of claims 1-12 to be executed, or cause the positioning method as described in any one of claims 13-24 to be executed.

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