Configuration of positioning reference signals for bandwidth aggregation

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention at least provides the following steps: sending information related to positioning reference signal bandwidth aggregation for joint positioning measurement to user equipment; wherein the information comprises information related to a higher layer signaling parameter, and the higher layer signaling parameter comprises at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier; wherein the information comprises an indication of positioning reference signal resources in a linked positioning reference signal resource set across a positioning frequency layer; receiving, from the user equipment, at least one joint positioning measurement related to the positioning reference signal resource in the linked positioning reference signal resource set across the positioning frequency layer; wherein the at least one joint positioning measurement is based on the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier; and estimating a location of the user equipment based on the received at least one joint positioning measurement.

Description

Cross-references to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority and benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 529864, filed July 31, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The exemplary and non-limiting example embodiments generally relate to communications, and more specifically, to a method for configuring positioning reference signals for bandwidth aggregation. Some example embodiments may generally relate to mobile or wireless telecommunications systems, such as the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5G, Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR) Access Technology, 6G, and / or other communication systems. Background Technology

[0003] The location of devices, such as terminal equipment in a communication network, is known. Examples of mobile or wireless telecommunications systems can include radio frequency (RF) 5G RAT, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), LTE Evolution of UTRAN (E-UTRAN), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-A Pro, NR access technology and / or the MulteFire Alliance. 5G radio systems refer to next-generation (NG) radio systems and network architectures. 5G systems are typically built on 5G NR, but 5G (or NG) networks can also be built on E-UTRA radio. NR is expected to support service classes such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine-type communications (mMTC). NR is expected to provide extreme broadband, ultra-robust, low-latency connectivity, and massive networking to support the Internet of Things (IoT). Next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN) refers to the radio access network (RAN) for 5G, which can provide radio access for NR, LTE, and LTE-A. Note that nodes that provide radio access functionality to user equipment in 5G (e.g., similar to B nodes in UTRAN or evolved B nodes (eNBs) in LTE) can be referred to as next-generation B nodes (gNBs) when built on NR radios, and as next-generation eNBs (NG-eNBs) when built on E-UTRA radios. Attached Figure Description

[0004] The foregoing aspects and other features are explained in the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0005] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating PRS transmission on two PFLs.

[0006] Figure 2 A flowchart of the overall process and signaling described in this paper is shown.

[0007] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of one possible, non-limiting system in which exemplary embodiments can be practiced.

[0008] Figure 4 It is an example device configured to implement the examples described herein.

[0009] Figure 5 A representation of an example of a non-volatile memory medium for storing instructions implementing the examples described herein is shown.

[0010] Figure 6 This is an example method based on the example described in this article.

[0011] Figure 7 This is an example method based on the example described in this article.

[0012] Figure 8 This is an example method based on the example described in this article.

[0013] Figure 9 This is an example method based on the example described in this article. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The Rel-18 NR positioning work item includes bandwidth aggregation for DL ​​and / or UL positioning measurements. The scope of bandwidth aggregation from WID (RP-223549) includes the following: specifying bandwidth aggregation for positioning measurements across up to three consecutive in-band carriers, specifying signaling and procedures to support aggregation of PRS / SRS resources across PFL / carriers, for positioning measurements under the assumption that signals on the aggregated resources are transmitted and received using a single RF chain (same antenna) (Note: Support for bandwidth aggregation for positioning measurements is only applicable to timing-related measurements (e.g., RSTD (Reference Signal Time Difference), RTOA, and UE / gNB Rx-Tx Time Difference)), and specifying RRM requirements with measurement gaps in connected and inactive modes, including PRS measurement cycles / reports [RAN4].

[0015] In FR1, the maximum bandwidth for DL ​​PRS per PFL (Location Frequency Layer) is 100 MHz. To improve accuracy performance, 3GPP NR agrees to support joint measurements of aggregated PRS bandwidth across two or three PFLs. RAN1 agrees to support joint measurements and reporting of DL PRS across multiple PFLs, and similarly supports joint measurements based on aggregated SRS resources across multiple CCs. The same features are also supported in FR2. Measurement means location measurement, and joint measurement means performing location measurements by aggregating multiple PRS resources across multiple PFLs, or by aggregating multiple SRS resources across multiple component carriers (CCs). Examples of location measurements are RSTD, RToA, UE / gNB Rx-Tx time difference, RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power), and RSRPP (RSRP per path).

[0016] During the research phase, it was identified that the UE needs to simultaneously receive multiple PRSs transmitted from multiple PFLs. Until now, FDM between different PFLs has been explicitly ruled out, but Rel-18 NR positioning supports simultaneous transmission and reception. Assuming two PFLs are in different CCs... Figure 1 An example of PRS configuration is shown on two PFLs (PFL#1 and PFL#2) that support bandwidth aggregation.

[0017] For bandwidth aggregation of two DL PRS resources, the phase continuity of the DL PRS resources should be maintained. Therefore, gNB / TRP should take this into account for the PRS resources to be used for bandwidth aggregation.

[0018] Traditional UEs do not support bandwidth aggregation, and bandwidth aggregation requires additional processing at the transmitter and receiver. Therefore, link signaling between DL PRS resource sets and a condition list for bandwidth aggregation were introduced and agreed upon. If the conditions are met for DL ​​PRS resources within a linked DL PRS resource set, the UE can assume that it can perform joint (location) measurements based on the PRS resources.

[0019] The examples described in this article relate to the LPP (LTE Positioning Protocol) specification TS 37.355 and the aforementioned current protocol, as the examples described herein address issues arising from more recent protocols. The problems solved by the examples described herein should be addressed to support bandwidth aggregation of positioning measurements across multiple PFLs.

[0020] For bandwidth aggregation used for DL ​​PRS measurements, the LMF can provide a signal to the UE to inform the linked PRS resource set for each TRP (Transmit and Receive Point). If the PRS resources within the linked PRS resource set meet agreed-upon conditions, such as the same QCL (Quasi-Co-Location), comb size, etc., the UE will assume phase coherence of the PRS resources from different PFLs to perform positioning measurements based on the aggregated PRS resources.

[0021] There are two different options for signaling on PFL aggregation: "by each DL PRS resource" and "by each DL PRS resource set", but the configuration for each TRP is the same for both options.

[0022] Because there are no TRP IDs in LPP and NR positioning systems, there is no explicit way to uniquely identify each TRP. Rel-15 NR has consistently avoided introducing TRPs into its specifications, and there is no description of TRPs in the RAN1 specification. One reason is to support UE behavior that is transparent to TRP information, which may provide more flexibility for network implementation. In a UE-transparent manner, the UE only needs to receive and transmit signals indicated by the network, and the network can use any TRP it wants. In Rel-16 / 17, the multi-TRP feature has been introduced into MIMO and positioning. In MIMO, two distinct TRP identifiers are implicitly supported using the CORESET pool index. However, NR positioning supports up to 64 TRPs for a UE, and a higher-layer parameter "dl-PRS ID" was introduced in TS 37.355 to support this, but this does not mean that the TRP ID and "dl-PRS ID" can reach 256, which exceeds the maximum number of TRPs in NR positioning. In TS 37.355, the Downlink Positioning Reference Signal Identifier (dl-PRS-ID) is defined as follows: This field, together with the DL-PRS Resource Set ID and the DL-PRS Resource ID, is used to uniquely identify a DL-PRS resource. This ID can be associated with multiple DL-PRS resource sets associated with a single TRP, for which the higher-layer signaling parameter "RTD-InfoElement" is applicable. However, agreed-upon features should be implemented in the specification, and therefore the example described herein addresses this issue. This problem should be resolved in Rel-18 NR positioning.

[0023] It should be further noted that, as an example, dl-PRS ID#1 can be associated with multiple DL PRS resources or sets of DL PRS resources. The UE can assume that DL PRS associated with the same dl-PRS-ID (dl-PRS-ID=1) are sent from the same TRP. Then, dl-PRS ID#2 can be associated with multiple DL PRS resources or sets of DL PRS resources.

[0024] The example described in this article addresses the problem that the UE assumptions regarding TRP information are unclear for DL ​​PRS resource #1 associated with "dl-PRS ID#1" and for another DL PRS resource #2 associated with "dl-PRS ID#2". That is, it is unclear whether DL PRS resource #1 and DL PRS resource #2 were sent from the same TRP.

[0025] A DL PRS resource consists of a time-domain resource set (e.g., number of symbols, period), a frequency-domain resource set (e.g., number of RBs, comb size), a sequence ID (PRS sequence ID), and a DL PRS resource ID. A specific DL PRS resource can be transmitted by a specific TRP Tx beam, and different DL PRS resources within a DL PRS resource set can be transmitted by different TRP Tx beams.

[0026] A DL PRS resource set includes one or more DL PRS resources, such as {DL PRS resource #1, DL PRS resource #2, ... DL PRS resource #16} and a DL PRS resource set ID.

[0027] Therefore, the concept of the example described in this article is to support bandwidth aggregation of DL PRS.

[0028] LMF (e.g., as Figure 3 The network function 99 of the core network 90 shown provides information to (multiple) UEs about the dl-PRS ID and PRS resources included in the positioning assistance data for positioning measurements. Based on the provided information, the UE performs one or more joint measurements according to the aggregated PRS resources.

[0029] Option 1: LMF provides packet information relating to some or all of the configured dl-PRS IDs associated with the same cell ID (physical cell ID or global cell ID). Regarding Option 1 (including those described herein), Figure 2 Further details of the associated embodiments are provided herein.

[0030] Option 2: LMF does not explicitly provide packet information, but it does provide information on how to packetize linked PRS resource sets (used for bandwidth aggregation) associated with different dl-PRS IDs. UE 10 (reference) Figure 3 ) Perform one or more measurements based on the provided auxiliary data, especially for bandwidth aggregation. Regarding option 2 (including those described herein), Figure 2 Further details of the associated embodiments are provided herein.

[0031] Option 3: The LMF configures the association information of the (dl-PRS-ID, PRS resource set #ID) set, causing the UE to assume that the same TRP is for the associated (dl-PRS-ID, PRS resource set) set, and that it can perform one or more timing measurements by aggregating the PRS resources of that set across the associated PFLs. Regarding Option 3 (including those described herein), Figure 2 Further details of the associated embodiments are provided herein.

[0032] The UE is configured to report either group information (option 1) or association information (option 3) when the UE reports one or more timing measurements based on aggregated PRS resources across PFLs. When the UE reports one or more timing measurements that do not require aggregation of PRS resources across PFLs, it does not report either group information or association information.

[0033] Now for reference Figure 2 Describe the detailed steps of the method described in this paper, wherein Figure 2 The overall signaling flow is shown.

[0034] UE 10 can report its capabilities regarding DL PRS processing, such as DL PRS resources and the maximum number of TRPs (210).

[0035] LMF 99 provides UE 10 with auxiliary data for positioning, including DL PRS configuration.

[0036] LMF 99 provides one or more user equipment (UE) 10 with information about one or more PRS resources and one or more dl-PRS-IDs included in the positioning assistance data for bandwidth aggregation for joint positioning measurements (230, 250). UE 10 performs one or more joint measurements based on the provided information and the aggregated PRS resources (270).

[0037] Option 1 (250-1): LMF 99 provides partial or complete packet information about one or more configured dl-PRS IDs associated with the same cell ID (physical cell ID or global cell ID). That is, LMF 99 informs which dl-PRS-IDs are associated with a specific TRP within a specific cell. For example, the dl-PRS-ID packets may be provided as follows: dl-PRS-ID group #1: 1, 2, 3, and 4; dl-PRS-ID group #2: 5, 6, 7, and 8; and dl-PRS-ID group #3: 9 and 10.

[0038] If two PRS resource sets are linked for bandwidth aggregation purposes, UE 10 is configured to consider DL PRS resources within the two PRS resource sets associated with the same group as being transmitted from the same TRP and / or the same ARP (antenna reference point, e.g., a portion of the TRP). Different group indices imply different TRPs or ARPs. If two DL PRS resource sets are linked but belong to different groups, the UE does not assume they can be aggregated (and vice versa). If two DL PRS resource sets are not linked but belong to the same group (and all other conditions are met), this does not imply that the UE can aggregate the resources.

[0039] In one embodiment, the LMF may provide a group to the UE, but indicate that a specific DL PRS resource set is excluded from the group (meaning they may come from the same TRP but cannot be used for bandwidth aggregation). Alternatively, although a specific PRS resource set is associated with a group in the auxiliary data, the UE excludes that PRS resource set from the group if it is not linked to another PRS resource set used for bandwidth aggregation.

[0040] Option 2 (250-2): LMF 99 does not explicitly provide grouping information, but it does provide information on how to group linked sets of PRS resources (for bandwidth aggregation) associated with different dl-PRS IDs. UE 10 performs one of the following alternatives on the provided auxiliary data, especially for bandwidth aggregation.

[0041] Alternative Solution 1: UE 10 assumes that two different PRSs are sent from the same TRP. If two different dl-PRS-IDs associated with that PRS have the same mod (dl-PRS-ID, ) values, where mod() and These represent the modulo operation and the maximum TRP supported by the UE, respectively. The modulo operation makes mod(a, b) equal to the remainder when a is divided by b, or the remainder when b is divided by a.

[0042] Alternative 2: For different PRS resources and / or sets of PRS resources associated with L (>0) consecutive dl-PRS-IDs, the UE assumes that multiple PRSs transmitted through that PRS resource are sent from the same TRP. For example, the UE groups dl-PRS-IDs such as {1,2,3,4} and {5,6,7,8}, and the UE assumes that each group of dl-PRS-IDs is associated with the same TRP. In the context of the example described herein, the dl-PRS ID defined in the LPP is referred to as the Downlink Positioning Reference Signal Identifier.

[0043] Alternative 3: For PRS resources associated with two or more PRS resource sets of different “dl-PRS-IDs”, if the PRS resource sets are linked for bandwidth aggregation purposes, the UE determines that different “dl-PRS IDs” are associated with different TRPs or ARPs (Antenna Reference Points). In other words, the UE does not expect multiple PRS resources transmitted from the same TRP across PFLs to be associated with different dl-PRS IDs. Traditional UEs do not expect this behavior. That is, traditional UEs will assume that different PRS resources associated with different dl-PRS IDs can be transmitted from the same TRP. Note that Rel-16 / 17 specifies that each dl-PRS ID can be configured with a maximum of two DL PRS resource sets. This condition can be relaxed to support up to three DL PRS resource sets aggregated together.

[0044] Option 3 (250-3): The LMF configures association information about the set of (dl-PRS-ID, PRS resource set #ID) such that the UE assumes the same TRP for the associated (dl-PRS-ID, PRS resource set) sets, and it can perform (multiple) timing measurements by aggregating the PRS resources of that set across the associated PFLs. For example, the following association information can be provided.

[0045] Association #1: (dl-PRS-ID#1, PRS resource set #1) and (dl-PRS-ID#2, PRS resource set #2) are associated for bandwidth aggregation.

[0046] Association #2: (dl-PRS-ID#3, PRS resource set #2) and (dl-PRS-ID#4, PRS resource set #1) are associated for bandwidth aggregation.

[0047] The UE is expected to perform joint positioning measurements (e.g., joint timing measurements, such as RSTD, ToA) based on the aggregated PRS resources from association #1. These measurements can be the time of arrival (ToA) relative to a single TRP or the Rx-Tx time difference measurement. The UE is expected to perform RSTD (Reference Signal Time Difference) measurements based on measurements from association #1 and association #2.

[0048] The UE is configured to report either group information of option 1 or association information of option 3 to the LMF when the UE reports timing measurements based on aggregated PRS resources across PFLs (280). When the UE 10 reports to the LMF that it does not require timing measurements based on aggregated PRS resources across PFLs, it does not report either group information or association information to the LMF 99. The UE reporting behavior is configured by the LMF 99.

[0049] therefore, Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the overall process and signaling between UE 10, LMF 99, and / or gNB 70.

[0050] Signaling between UE 10 and LMF 99 will be exchanged via LPP (LTE Positioning Protocol). Signaling between UE 10 and gNB 70 will be exchanged via RRC (Radio Resource Control). Signaling between gNB 70 and LMF 99 will be exchanged via NRPP a (NR Positioning Protocol a).

[0051] At 210, UE 10 reports the DL PRS processing capability for PRS BW aggregation to LMF 99. At 220, LMF 99 determines the number of PFLs and TRPs used for BW aggregation. At 230, LMF 99 sends location information about the linked PRS resource sets used for BW aggregation to UE 10. At 240, LMF 99 sends information about the linked PRS resource sets used for BW aggregation to gNB 70.

[0052] At 250, LMF 99 sends and provides information about PRS BW aggregation to UE 10, which may include option 1 (250-1), option 2 (250-2), or option 3 (250-3). At 250-1 (option 1), LMF 99 sends one or more group IDs of the dl-PRS ID to UE 10. At 250-2 (option 2), LMF 99 sends rules to UE 10 for dl-PRS ID grouping. At 250-3 (option 3), LMF 99 sends association information about one or more sets, where one of the sets includes the dl-PRS-ID and the PRS resource set ID, where the set is represented as (dl-PRS-ID, PRS resource set ID). At 260, gNB 70 sends one or more positioning reference signals for PRB bandwidth aggregation to UE 10.

[0053] At 270, UE 10 performs actions based on information provided by LMF 99 and / or gNB 70, including options 1 (270-1), 2 (270-2), and 3 (270-3). Option 1 (270-1) corresponds to option 1 (250-1), option 2 (270-2) corresponds to option 2 (250-2), and option 3 (270-3) corresponds to option 3 (250-3). At 270-1 (option 1), UE 10 performs one or more joint timing measurements for the PRS within the linked PRS resource set for each provided group. At 270-2 (option 2), UE 10 identifies multiple groups of multiple dl-PRS-IDs and performs one or more joint timing measurements for the PRS within the linked PRS resource set for the identified groups. At 270-3 (option 3), UE 10 performs one or more joint timing measurements for the PRS within the linked PRS resources based on the provided association information.

[0054] At 280, UE 10 reports joint measurement information to LMF 99, which includes Option 1 or Option 2 (280-12) and Option 3 (280-3). Option 1 or Option 2 (280-12) corresponds to Option 1 (270-1), Option 1 (250-2), Option 2 (270-2), and Option 2 (250-2), and Option 3 (280-3) corresponds to Option 3 (270-3) and Option 3 (250-3). At 280-12, UE 10 reports one or more joint measurements and information about one or more groups used for the measurements to LMF 99. Also at 280-12, in addition to reporting joint measurement information, UE 10 reports to LMF 99 group information or association information used for the joint measurements, such as (dl-PRS-ID, PRS resource set ID). At 280-3, UE 10 reports one or more joint measurements and / or group information and / or information related to the set of (dl-PRS-ID, PRS resource set ID) used for joint measurements to LMF 99. At 290, LMF 99 estimates the UE's location based on the joint measurements.

[0055] It should be noted that, within the description submitted herein, dl-PRS ID does not mean DL PRS resource ID or DL ​​PRS resource set ID. Rather, dl-PRS ID can be associated with one or more DL PRS resource set IDs and / or one or more DL PRS resource IDs.

[0056] The advantages and technical effects of the examples described in this article include improved positioning performance and avoidance of UE behavior that is not planned by the network. The solutions described in this article can be standardized.

[0057] Figure 3 A block diagram illustrating a possible, non-limiting example of a cellular network 1 connected to a user equipment (UE) 10 is shown. Figure 3 The cellular network shows several network elements: base station 70; and core network 90.

[0058] exist Figure 3In this embodiment, User Equipment (UE) 10 wirelessly communicates with base station 70 of cellular network 1 via radio link 11. UE 10 is a wireless communication device configured to access the cellular network, such as a mobile device. UE 10 is shown having one or more antennas 28. The ellipsis 2 indicates that multiple UEs 10 may exist that wirelessly communicate with base station 70 via radio link. UE 10 includes one or more processors 13, one or more memories 15, and other circuitry 16. The other circuitry 16 includes one or more receivers (multiple Rx) 17 and one or more transmitters (multiple Tx) 18. Procedure 12 is used to cause UE 10 to perform the operations described herein. For UE 10, the other circuitry 16 may include circuitry such as user interface elements (not shown) for a display-like device.

[0059] As a network element of cellular network 1, base station 70 provides UE 10 with access to cellular network 1 and data network 91 via core network 90 (e.g., via the user plane function (UPF) of core network 90). Base station 70 is shown having one or more antennas 58. Typically, base station 70 is referred to herein as RAN node 70. An example of RAN node 70 is a gNB. However, there are many other examples of RAN nodes that include eNB (LTE base station) or Transmitter Receiver Point (TRP). Base station 70 includes one or more processors 73, one or more memories 75, and other circuitry 76. The other circuitry 76 includes one or more receivers (multiple Rx) 77 and one or more transmitters (multiple Tx) 78. Procedure 72 is used to cause base station 70 to perform the operations described herein.

[0060] It should be noted that base station 70 can alternatively be implemented via other wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi (a wireless network protocol used by devices to communicate without a direct cable connection). In the case of Wi-Fi, link 11 can be characterized as a wireless link.

[0061] Two or more base stations 70 communicate using, for example, multiple links 79. The multiple links 79 may be wired or wireless or both, and may implement, for example, an Xn interface for fifth generation (5G), an X2 interface for LTE, or other suitable interfaces for other standards.

[0062] Cellular network 1 may include a core network 90, as one or more third elements shown, which may include core network functions and provide connectivity to data network 91 (such as telephone networks and / or data communication networks (e.g., the Internet)) via one or more links 81. Core network 90 includes one or more processors 93, one or more memories 95, and other circuitry 96. The other circuitry 96 includes one or more receivers (multiple Rx) 97 and one or more transmitters (multiple Tx) 98. Program 92 is used to cause core network 90 to perform the operations described herein.

[0063] The core network 90 can be a 5GC (5G core network). The core network 90 can implement or include multiple network functions (NFs) 99, and program 92 can include one or more NFs 99. The 5G core network can use hardware such as memory and processors, as well as a virtualization layer. It can be a single standalone computing system, a distributed computing system, or a cloud computing system. The NFs 99 of the core network (as network elements) can be containers or virtual machines running on the hardware of the computing system constituting the core network 90.

[0064] Core network functions for 5G may include access and mobility management functions provided by network functions such as access and mobility management functions (AMFs), and session management functions provided by network functions such as session management functions (SMFs). Core network functions for access and mobility management in LTE networks may be provided by MME (Mobility Management Entity) and / or SGW (Serving Gateway) functions that route data to the data network. Many others are possible, such as... Figure 3 Examples shown include: AMF; SMF; MME; SGW; Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC); Location Management Function (LMF); Unified Data Management (UDM); Unified Data Repository (UDR); Network Repository Function (NRF); and / or Evolved Services Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC). These are merely exemplary core network functions that can be provided by the core network 90, and note that both 5G and LTE core network functions can be provided by the core network 90. ​​Radio Access Network (RAN) node 70 is coupled to the core network 90 via backhaul link 31. RAN node 70 and core network 90 may include an NG interface for 5G, or an S1 interface for LTE, or other suitable interfaces for other radio access technologies communicating via backhaul link 31.

[0065] In data network 91, there is a computer-readable medium 94. The computer-readable medium 94 contains instructions that, when downloaded and installed into the memory 15, 75, or 95 of the corresponding UE 10, base station 70, and / or (multiple) core network elements 90 and executed by the processor(s) 13, 73, or 93, cause the corresponding device to perform the corresponding actions described herein. The computer-readable medium 94 may be implemented in other forms, such as via a compressed disk or memory stick.

[0066] Programs 12, 72, and 92 contain instructions stored by one or more corresponding memories 15, 75, or 95. When executed by one or more corresponding processors 13, 73, or 93, these instructions cause the corresponding devices 10, 70, or 90 to perform the operations described herein. The computer-readable memories 15, 75, or 95 can be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, firmware, magnetic storage devices and systems, optical storage devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. The computer-readable memories 15, 75, and 95 can be components for performing storage functions. By way of non-limiting example, processors 13, 73, and 93 can be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and can include one or more of general-purpose computers, special-purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), and processors based on multi-core processor architectures. Processors 13, 73, and 93 can be components for causing their respective devices to perform functions such as those described herein.

[0067] Receivers 17, 77, and 97, and transmitters 18, 78, and 98 can implement wired or wireless interfaces. Receivers and transmitters can be grouped together as transceivers.

[0068] Figure 4An example device 400, which can be implemented in hardware, is configured to implement the examples described herein. Device 400 includes at least one processor 402 (e.g., an FPGA and / or CPU), one or more memories 404 including computer program code 405, and computer program code 405 having instructions for performing the methods described herein. The at least one memory 404 and computer program code 405 are configured, together with at least one processor 402, to cause device 400 to implement circuitry, processes, components, modules, or functions (implemented via control module 406) for implementing the examples described herein, including methods for configuring positioning reference signals for bandwidth aggregation. Memory 404 may be a non-transitory memory, transient memory, volatile memory (e.g., RAM), or non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM). Providing or receiving information 430 and performing or receiving measurements 440 of the control module implement aspects of the methods described herein related to configuring positioning reference signals for bandwidth aggregation.

[0069] Device 400 includes a display and / or I / O interface 408, which includes user interface (UI) circuitry and components that can be used to display aspects or states of the methods described herein (e.g., while a method is being performed or at a subsequent time), or to receive input from a user, such as using a keypad, camera, touchscreen, touch area, microphone, biometrics, one or more sensors, etc. Device 400 includes one or more communications, such as network (N / W) interfaces ((multiple) I / F) 410. The (multiple) communication I / F 410 can be wired and / or wireless, and communicate via the Internet / (multiple) other networks via any communication technology, including via one or more links 424. The (multiple) links 424 can be from... Figure 3 Links (multiple) 11 and / or 79 and / or 31 and / or 81. From Figure 3 The multiple links 11 and / or 79 and / or 31 and / or 81 can also be implemented using multiple transceivers 416 and corresponding multiple wireless links 426. The multiple communication I / F 410 may include one or more transmitters or one or more receivers.

[0070] Transceiver 416 includes one or more transmitters 418 and one or more receivers 420. Transceiver 416 and / or communication I / F 410 may include standard well-known components such as amplifiers, filters, frequency converters, (de)modulators and encoder / decoder circuitry, and one or more antennas, such as antenna 414 used for communication via wireless link 426.

[0071] The control module 406 of device 400 includes one or both of portions 406-1 and / or 406-2, which can be implemented in various ways. Control module 406 can be implemented in hardware as control module 406-1, such as being implemented as part of one or more processors 402. Control module 406-1 can also be implemented as an integrated circuit or by other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, control module 406 can be implemented as control module 406-2, which is implemented as computer program code (with corresponding instructions) 405 and executed by one or more processors 402. For example, one or more memories 404 store instructions that, when executed by one or more processors 402, cause device 400 to perform one or more operations as described herein. Furthermore, one or more processors 402 encoded as instructions, programs, or code, one or more memories 404, and example algorithms (e.g., as flowcharts and / or signaling diagrams) are components for causing the execution of the operations described herein.

[0072] The apparatus 400 for implementing the function of control 406 may be a UE 10, a base station 70 (e.g., gNB 70), or a core network 90 including one or more network functions 99, which may be implemented by network entities (such as network entities in the core network 90). Therefore, processor 402 may correspond to processor(s) 13, 73, and / or 93; memory 404 may correspond to one or more memories 15, 75, and / or 95; computer program code 405 may correspond to program 12, 72, or 92; multiple communication I / Fs 410 and / or transceivers 416 may correspond to other circuits 16, 76, or 96; and antenna 414 may correspond to antenna 28 or antenna 58.

[0073] Alternatively, device 400 and its components may not correspond to any of the UE 10, base station 70, or core network and its corresponding components including one or more network functions 99, because device 400 may be part of an self-organizing / optimized network (SON) node or other node (such as a node in the cloud).

[0074] Device 400 can also be distributed throughout the network (e.g., 91), including within and between device 400 and any network elements (such as core network 90 and / or base station 70 and / or UE 10).

[0075] Interface 412 enables data communication and signaling between the various components of device 400, such as... Figure 4As shown. For example, interface 412 may be one or more buses, such as address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optic cables, or other optical communication devices. Computer program code (e.g., instructions) 405 including control 406 may include object-oriented software configured to pass data or messages between objects within computer program code 405. Device 400 need not include every feature mentioned, or may include other features. Various components of device 400 may reside at least partially in a common housing 428, or a subset of various components of device 400 may reside at least partially in different housings, which may include housing 428.

[0076] Figure 5 A schematic diagram is shown of a non-volatile memory medium 500a (e.g., a computer / optical disc (CD) or digital multifunction optical disc (DVD)) and 500b (e.g., a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Memory Stick) and 500b (e.g., cloud storage for downloading instructions and / or parameters 502 or receiving email instructions and / or parameters 502), which, when executed by a processor, allows the processor to perform one or more steps of the method described herein.

[0077] Figure 6 This is an example method 600 based on an example embodiment described herein. At 610, the method includes sending information to a user equipment related to location reference signal bandwidth aggregation for joint positioning measurements. At 620, the method includes information related to higher-layer signaling parameters, wherein the higher-layer signaling parameters include at least one downlink location reference signal identifier. At 630, the method includes an indication of location reference signal resources in a set of linked location reference signal resources across positioning frequency layers. At 640, the method includes receiving from the user equipment at least one joint positioning measurement related to the location reference signal resources in the set of linked location reference signal resources across positioning frequency layers. At 650, the method includes a method where the at least one joint positioning measurement is based on the at least one downlink location reference signal identifier. At 660, the method includes estimating the location of the user equipment based on the received at least one joint positioning measurement. Method 600 can be performed by an LMF 99 or device 400.

[0078] Figure 7This is an example method 700 based on the example embodiments described herein. At 710, the method includes receiving information from a network entity related to location reference signal bandwidth aggregation for joint positioning measurements. At 720, the method includes information related to higher-layer signaling parameters, wherein the higher-layer signaling parameters include at least one downlink location reference signal identifier. At 730, the method includes information including an indication of location reference signal resources of a linked set of location reference signal resources across positioning frequency layers. At 740, the method includes performing at least one joint positioning measurement by aggregating the location reference signal resources of a linked set of location reference signal resources across positioning frequency layers. At 750, the method includes at least one joint positioning measurement based on the at least one downlink location reference signal identifier. Method 700 can be performed by UE 10 or device 400.

[0079] Figure 8 This is an example method 800 based on the examples described herein. At 810, the method includes sending information related to a downlink positioning reference signal identifier to a user equipment. At 820, the method includes receiving at least one measurement based on the downlink positioning reference signal identifier from the user equipment. At 830, the method includes estimating the location of the user equipment based on the received at least one measurement. Method 800 can be performed by an LMF 99 or device 400.

[0080] Figure 9 This is an example method 900 based on the examples described herein. At 910, the method includes receiving information related to a downlink location reference signal identifier from a network entity. At 920, the method includes performing at least one measurement related to the downlink location reference signal identifier. At 930, the method includes performing at least one of the following: sending at least one measurement to a network entity, or estimating the location of a device based on at least one measurement. Method 900 can be performed by UE 10 or device 400.

[0081] The following examples are provided and described in this article.

[0082] Example 1. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: send to a user equipment information relating to a location reference signal bandwidth aggregation for joint positioning measurements; wherein the information includes information relating to higher-layer signaling parameters, wherein the higher-layer signaling parameters include at least one downlink location reference signal identifier; wherein the information includes an indication of location reference signal resources of a set of linked location reference signal resources across a location frequency layer; receive from the user equipment at least one joint positioning measurement relating to the location reference signal resources of the set of linked location reference signal resources across a location frequency layer; wherein the at least one joint positioning measurement is based on the at least one downlink location reference signal identifier; and estimate the location of the user equipment based on the received at least one joint positioning measurement.

[0083] Example 2. The apparatus according to Example 1, wherein the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier is associated with one or more downlink positioning reference signal resources within one or more downlink positioning reference signal resource sets, wherein the downlink positioning reference signal using the one or more downlink positioning reference signal resources is transmitted from the same transmission reference point or the same antenna reference point.

[0084] Example 3. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 2, wherein: the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier is not used to identify a downlink positioning reference signal resource; and the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier is not used to identify a set of downlink positioning reference signal resources.

[0085] Example 4. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: determine at least one group comprising one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers; send to the user equipment the one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers of the at least one group and the one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers of the at least one group; wherein the at least one joint positioning measurement received from the user equipment is based on the one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers of the at least one group.

[0086] Example 5. The apparatus according to Example 4, wherein the information indicates that downlink positioning reference signal resources in two positioning reference signal resource sets associated with the at least one group are transmitted from a transmission receiving point or an antenna reference point, and downlink positioning reference signal resources in positioning reference signal resource sets not associated with the at least one group are transmitted from different transmission receiving points or different antenna reference points.

[0087] Example 6. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 4 to 5, wherein the information indicates that the downlink positioning reference signal resource set is not associated with the one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers in the at least one group.

[0088] Example 7. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 4 to 6, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive group information for the at least one joint positioning measurement from the user equipment, wherein the group information is associated with the at least one group.

[0089] Example 8. The apparatus according to Example 7, wherein the set of information for the at least one joint positioning measurement includes at least one of the following: the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier or positioning signal resource set identifier.

[0090] Example 9. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: send to the user equipment a rule configured to determine at least one group of one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers; wherein the at least one joint positioning measurement received from the user equipment is based on one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers of the at least one group.

[0091] Example 10. The apparatus according to Example 9, wherein the rule indicates that if a first downlink positioning reference signal identifier divided by a first remainder of the transmission receiving points supported by the user equipment is equal to a second remainder of a second downlink positioning reference signal identifier divided by the transmission receiving points supported by the user equipment, then a first positioning reference signal associated with the first downlink positioning reference signal identifier and a second positioning reference signal associated with the second downlink positioning reference signal identifier are transmitted from a single transmission receiving point or antenna reference point, and the first downlink positioning reference signal identifier and the second downlink positioning reference signal identifier are in at least one group.

[0092] Example 11. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 9 to 10, wherein the rule indicates a specific number of consecutive downlink positioning reference signal identifiers in at least one group.

[0093] Example 12. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 9 to 11, wherein the rule indicates that a first downlink positioning reference signal identifier is associated with a first transmit receiving point or a first antenna reference point, and a second downlink positioning reference signal identifier is associated with a second transmit receiving point or a second antenna reference point, wherein the first transmit receiving point or the first antenna reference point is different from the second transmit receiving point or the second antenna reference point.

[0094] Example 13. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 9 to 12, wherein when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the apparatus causes the apparatus to at least: receive group information for the at least one joint positioning measurement from the user equipment, wherein the group information is associated with the at least one group.

[0095] Example 14. The apparatus according to Example 13, wherein the set of information for the at least one joint positioning measurement includes at least one of the following: the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier, or a positioning signal resource set identifier.

[0096] Example 15. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 14, wherein when the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, the apparatus causes the user equipment to at least: send information to the user equipment including at least one association between a set of one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers and a set of one or more positioning reference signal resource set identifiers; wherein the at least one joint positioning measurement received from the user equipment is based on the information including the at least one association.

[0097] Example 16. The apparatus of Example 15, wherein, when executed by the at least one processor, the apparatus causes the apparatus to at least: receive from the user equipment a joint positioning measurement based on aggregated positioning reference signal resources from a first association, wherein the joint positioning measurement includes a time of arrival or a receive-transmit time difference measurement relative to a transmit receiving point or an antenna reference point; wherein the first association includes an association between a first pair and a second pair, the first pair including a first downlink positioning reference signal identifier and a first positioning reference signal resource set identifier, the second pair including a second downlink positioning reference signal identifier and a second positioning reference signal resource set identifier; and wherein the at least one joint positioning measurement received from the user equipment includes a reference signal time difference measurement based on the first association and the second association; wherein the second association includes an association between a third pair and a fourth pair, the third pair including a third downlink positioning reference signal identifier and the second positioning reference signal resource set identifier, the fourth pair including a fourth downlink positioning reference signal identifier and the first positioning reference signal resource set identifier.

[0098] Example 17. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 15 to 16, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: receive association information for the at least one joint positioning measurement from the user equipment.

[0099] Example 18. The apparatus according to Example 17, wherein the association information is based on the association between the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier and the at least one positioning reference signal resource set identifier.

[0100] Example 19. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 18, wherein the apparatus includes a location management function.

[0101] Example 20. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 19, wherein the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier includes a plurality of downlink positioning reference signal identifiers.

[0102] Example 21. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 20, wherein the location reference signal resource set is linked to notify the user equipment that at least phase continuity between a plurality of location reference signal resources within the linked location reference signal resource set is guaranteed by the apparatus for bandwidth aggregation.

[0103] Example 22. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive from a network entity information relating to the aggregation of location reference signal bandwidth for joint positioning measurements; wherein the information includes information relating to higher-layer signaling parameters, wherein the higher-layer signaling parameters include at least one downlink location reference signal identifier; wherein the information includes indications of location reference signal resources of a set of linked location reference signal resources across a positioning frequency layer; and perform at least one joint positioning measurement by aggregating the location reference signal resources of a set of linked location reference signal resources across a positioning frequency layer; wherein the at least one joint positioning measurement is based on the at least one downlink location reference signal identifier.

[0104] Example 23. The apparatus according to Example 22, wherein when the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, the apparatus causes the apparatus to at least: determine that the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier is associated with one or more downlink positioning reference signal resources within one or more downlink positioning reference signal resource sets, wherein the downlink positioning reference signal using the one or more downlink positioning reference signal resources is transmitted from the same transmission reference point or the same antenna reference point.

[0105] Example 24. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 22 to 23, wherein: the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier is not used to identify a downlink positioning reference signal resource; and the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier is not used to identify a set of downlink positioning reference signal resources.

[0106] Example 25. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 22 to 24, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive from the network entity at least one group identifier of one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers identifying the at least one group and the one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers of the at least one group; wherein the at least one joint positioning measurement sent to the network entity is based on at least one group of the one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers.

[0107] Example 26. The apparatus according to Example 25, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: determine, based on received information, that downlink positioning reference signal resources in two positioning reference signal resource sets associated with the at least one group are transmitted from a transmission receiving point or an antenna reference point; and determine, based on received information, that downlink positioning reference signal resources in a positioning reference signal resource set not associated with the at least one group are transmitted from a different transmission receiving point or a different antenna reference point.

[0108] Example 27. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 25 to 26, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: determine, based on the information, that the set of downlink positioning reference signals resources is not associated with the one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers in the at least one group.

[0109] Example 28. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 25 to 27, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: send group information for the at least one joint positioning measurement to the network entity, wherein the group information is associated with the at least one group.

[0110] Example 29. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 25 to 28, wherein the set of information for the at least one joint positioning measurement includes at least one of the following: the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier or positioning signal resource set identifier.

[0111] Example 30. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 22 to 29, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive from the network entity a rule configured to determine one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers of at least one group; and determine the one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers of the at least one group based on the rule; wherein the at least one joint positioning measurement sent to the network entity is based on the one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers of the at least one group.

[0112] Example 31. According to the apparatus of Example 30, the rule indicates that if a first remainder of a first downlink positioning reference signal identifier divided by the number of transmission receiving points supported by the user equipment is equal to a second remainder of a second downlink positioning reference signal identifier divided by the number of transmission receiving points supported by the user equipment, then a first positioning reference signal associated with the first downlink positioning reference signal identifier and a second positioning reference signal associated with the second downlink positioning reference signal identifier are transmitted from a single transmission receiving point or antenna reference point, and the first downlink positioning reference signal identifier and the second downlink positioning reference signal identifier are in at least one group.

[0113] Example 32. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 30 to 31, wherein the rule indicates a specific number of consecutive downlink positioning reference signal identifiers in at least one group.

[0114] Example 33. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 30 to 32, wherein the rule indicates that a first downlink positioning reference signal identifier is associated with a first transmit receiving point or a first antenna reference point, and a second downlink positioning reference signal identifier is associated with a second transmit receiving point or a second antenna reference point, wherein the first transmit receiving point or the first antenna reference point is different from the second transmit receiving point or the second antenna reference point.

[0115] Example 34. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 30 to 33, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: send group information for the at least one joint positioning measurement to the network entity, wherein the group information is associated with the at least one group.

[0116] Example 35. The apparatus according to Example 34, wherein the set of information for the at least one joint positioning measurement includes at least one of the following: the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier or positioning signal resource set identifier.

[0117] Example 36. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 22 to 35, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive from the network entity information including at least one association between a set of one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers and a set of one or more positioning reference signal resource set identifiers; wherein the at least one joint positioning measurement sent to the network entity is based on the information including the at least one association.

[0118] Example 37. The apparatus of Example 36, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: perform a joint positioning measurement based on aggregated positioning reference signal resources from a first association, wherein the joint positioning measurement includes a time of arrival or receive-transmit time difference measurement relative to a transmit receiving point or an antenna reference point; wherein the first association includes an association between a first pair and a second pair, the first pair including a first downlink positioning reference signal identifier and a first positioning reference signal resource set identifier, the second pair including a second downlink positioning reference signal identifier and a second positioning reference signal resource set identifier; and send the joint positioning measurement to the network entity; wherein the at least one joint positioning measurement sent to the network entity includes a reference signal time difference measurement based on the first association and the second association; wherein the second association includes an association between a third pair and a fourth pair, the third pair including a third downlink positioning reference signal identifier and the second positioning reference signal resource set identifier, the fourth pair including a fourth downlink positioning reference signal identifier and the first positioning reference signal resource set identifier.

[0119] Example 38. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 36 to 37, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: send associated information for the at least one joint positioning measurement to the network entity.

[0120] Example 39. The apparatus according to Example 38, wherein the association information is based on the association between the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier and the at least one positioning reference signal resource set identifier.

[0121] Example 40. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 22 to 39, wherein the network entity includes location management functionality.

[0122] Example 41. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 22 to 40, wherein the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier includes a plurality of downlink positioning reference signal identifiers.

[0123] Example 42. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 22 to 41, wherein the location reference signal resource set is linked to notify the apparatus that at least phase continuity among a plurality of location reference signal resources within the linked location reference signal resource set is guaranteed by the network entity for bandwidth aggregation.

[0124] Example 43. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 22 to 42, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: send to the network entity the at least one joint positioning measurement related to the positioning reference signal resource based on the downlink positioning reference signal identifier.

[0125] Example 44. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 22 to 43, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: estimate the position of the apparatus based on at least one joint positioning measurement performed.

[0126] Example 45. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 22 to 44, wherein the apparatus includes user equipment.

[0127] Example 46. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: send information relating to a downlink positioning reference signal identifier to a user equipment; receive at least one measurement based on the downlink positioning reference signal identifier from the user equipment; and estimate the location of the user equipment based on the received at least one measurement.

[0128] Example 47. The apparatus according to Example 46, wherein the information indicates that when the downlink positioning reference signal identifier is associated with at least one positioning reference signal resource, the positioning reference signal using the at least one positioning reference signal resource is transmitted from the same transmission receiving point or the same antenna reference point.

[0129] Example 48. The apparatus according to Example 47, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal resource is within one or more linked sets of positioning reference signal resources.

[0130] Example 49. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 47 to 48, wherein: the positioning reference signal includes a downlink positioning reference signal; and the at least one positioning reference signal resource includes at least one downlink positioning reference signal resource.

[0131] Example 50. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive information related to a downlink location reference signal identifier from a network entity; perform at least one measurement related to the downlink location reference signal identifier; and perform at least one of the following: send the at least one measurement to the network entity, or estimate the location of the apparatus based on the at least one measurement.

[0132] Example 51. The apparatus according to Example 50, wherein when the instruction is executed by the at least one processor, the apparatus at least: determines, based on the information, that when the downlink positioning reference signal identifier is associated with at least one positioning reference signal resource, the positioning reference signal using the at least one positioning reference signal resource is transmitted from the same transmission receiving point or the same antenna reference point.

[0133] Example 52. The apparatus according to Example 51, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal resource is within one or more linked sets of positioning reference signal resources.

[0134] Example 53. A method comprising: sending to a user equipment information relating to a location reference signal bandwidth aggregation for joint positioning measurements; wherein the information includes information relating to higher-layer signaling parameters, wherein the higher-layer signaling parameters include at least one downlink location reference signal identifier; wherein the information includes an indication of location reference signal resources of a set of linked location reference signal resources across a positioning frequency layer; receiving from the user equipment at least one joint positioning measurement relating to the location reference signal resources of the set of linked location reference signal resources across a positioning frequency layer; wherein the at least one joint positioning measurement is based on the at least one downlink location reference signal identifier; and estimating the location of the user equipment based on the received at least one joint positioning measurement.

[0135] Example 54. A method comprising: receiving from a network entity information relating to location reference signal bandwidth aggregation for joint positioning measurements; wherein the information includes information relating to higher-layer signaling parameters, wherein the higher-layer signaling parameters include at least one downlink location reference signal identifier; wherein the information includes an indication of location reference signal resources of a linked set of location reference signal resources across a positioning frequency layer; and performing at least one joint positioning measurement by aggregating the location reference signal resources of the linked set of location reference signal resources across a positioning frequency layer; wherein the at least one joint positioning measurement is based on the at least one downlink location reference signal identifier.

[0136] Example 55. A method comprising: sending information relating to a downlink positioning reference signal identifier to a user equipment; receiving from the user equipment at least one measurement based on the downlink positioning reference signal identifier; and estimating the location of the user equipment based on the received at least one measurement.

[0137] Example 56. A method comprising: receiving information related to a downlink location reference signal identifier from a network entity; performing at least one measurement related to the downlink location reference signal identifier; and performing at least one of the following: sending at least one measurement to the network entity, or estimating the location of a device based on at least one measurement.

[0138] Example 57. An apparatus includes: means for transmitting to a user equipment information relating to location reference signal bandwidth aggregation for joint positioning measurements; wherein the information includes information relating to higher-layer signaling parameters, wherein the higher-layer signaling parameters include at least one downlink location reference signal identifier; wherein the information includes an indication of location reference signal resources in a linked location reference signal resource set across a positioning frequency layer; means for receiving from the user equipment at least one joint positioning measurement relating to the location reference signal resources in the linked location reference signal resource set across a positioning frequency layer; wherein the at least one joint positioning measurement is based on the at least one downlink location reference signal identifier; and means for estimating the location of the user equipment based on the received at least one joint positioning measurement.

[0139] Example 58. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving from a network entity information relating to location reference signal bandwidth aggregation for joint positioning measurements; wherein the information includes information relating to higher-layer signaling parameters, wherein the higher-layer signaling parameters include at least one downlink location reference signal identifier; wherein the information includes an indication of location reference signal resources of a set of linked location reference signal resources across a positioning frequency layer; and means for performing at least one joint positioning measurement by aggregating the location reference signal resources of the set of linked location reference signal resources across a positioning frequency layer; wherein the at least one joint positioning measurement is based on the at least one downlink location reference signal identifier.

[0140] Example 59. An apparatus includes: components for transmitting information related to a downlink positioning reference signal identifier to a user equipment; components for receiving at least one measurement based on the downlink positioning reference signal identifier from the user equipment; and components for estimating the location of the user equipment based on the received at least one measurement.

[0141] Example 60. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving information related to a downlink location reference signal identifier from a network entity; means for performing at least one measurement related to the downlink location reference signal identifier; and means for performing at least one of: sending the at least one measurement to the network entity, or estimating the location of the apparatus based on the at least one measurement.

[0142] Example 61. A machine-readable, non-transitory program storage device tangibly embodies an instruction program executable by the machine for performing operations including: sending to a user equipment information relating to location reference signal bandwidth aggregation for joint positioning measurements; wherein the information includes information relating to higher-layer signaling parameters, wherein the higher-layer signaling parameters include at least one downlink location reference signal identifier; wherein the information includes an indication of location reference signal resources of a set of linked location reference signal resources across a positioning frequency layer; receiving from the user equipment at least one joint positioning measurement user equipment relating to the location reference signal resources of the set of linked location reference signal resources across a positioning frequency layer; wherein the at least one joint positioning measurement is based on the at least one downlink location reference signal identifier; and estimating the location of the user equipment based on the received at least one joint positioning measurement.

[0143] Example 62. A machine-readable, non-transitory program storage device tangibly embodies an instruction program executable by the machine to perform operations including: receiving from a network entity information relating to the aggregation of positioning reference signal bandwidth for joint positioning measurements; wherein the information includes information relating to higher-layer signaling parameters, wherein the higher-layer signaling parameters include at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier; wherein the information includes indications of positioning reference signal resources of a linked set of positioning reference signal resources across positioning frequency layers; and performing at least one joint positioning measurement by aggregating the positioning reference signal resources of the linked set of positioning reference signal resources across positioning frequency layers; wherein the at least one joint positioning measurement is based on the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier.

[0144] Example 63. A machine-readable, non-transitory program storage device tangibly embodies an instruction program executable by the machine for performing operations including: sending information related to a downlink positioning reference signal identifier to a user equipment; receiving at least one measurement based on the downlink positioning reference signal identifier from the user equipment; and estimating the location of the user equipment based on the received at least one measurement.

[0145] Example 64. A machine-readable non-transitory program storage device tangibly implements a machine-executable instruction program for performing operations including: receiving information related to a downlink location reference signal identifier from a network entity; performing at least one measurement related to the downlink location reference signal identifier; and performing at least one of the following: sending the at least one measurement to the network entity, or estimating the location of the device based on the at least one measurement.

[0146] References to 'computer', 'processor', etc., should be understood to encompass not only computers with different architectures (such as single / multiprocessor architectures and sequential or parallel architectures), but also special-purpose circuits (such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), special-purpose circuits (ASICs), signal processing devices, and other processing circuits). References to computer programs, instructions, code, etc., should be understood to encompass software used in programmable processors or firmware, such as, for example, instructions for processors, or programmable content of hardware devices used for configuring fixed-function devices, gate arrays, or programmable logic devices.

[0147] The memory described herein can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, non-transitory memory, transient memory, fixed memory, and removable memory. The memory may include a database for storing data.

[0148] As used herein, the term "circuit" may refer to: (a) a hardware circuit implementation, such as an implementation in analog and / or digital circuitry; and (b) a combination of circuitry and software (and / or firmware), such as (if applicable): (i) a combination of (multiple) processors or (ii) a portion of (multiple) processors / software, including (multiple) digital signal processors, software, and memory working together to enable a device to perform various functions; and (c) a circuit, such as (multiple) microprocessors or a portion of (multiple) microprocessors, which requires software or firmware to operate, even if the software or firmware is not physically present. As another example, as used herein, the term "circuit" will also cover an implementation of a processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a processor and its accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, and if applicable to a particular element, the term "circuit" will also cover a baseband integrated circuit or application processor integrated circuit for use in a mobile phone or server, cellular network equipment, or another network device.

[0149] It should be understood that the foregoing description is illustrative only. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art. For example, features recited in the various dependent claims can be combined with each other in any suitable combination(s). Furthermore, features from the different example embodiments described above can be selectively combined to form new example embodiments. Therefore, this specification is intended to cover all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0150] The following acronyms and abbreviations, which can be found in the instruction manual and / or accompanying drawings, are given below (abbreviations and acronyms may be appended to each other or with other characters such as dashes, hyphens, forward slashes or numbers, or to text(s) indicating multiples, and may be case-insensitive): 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project 4G fourth generation 5G (Fifth Generation) 5GC 5G Core Network 6G sixth generation AMF Access and Mobility Management Functions ARP antenna reference point ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) BW bandwidth CC component carrier CD / Disc / Computer Disk CORESET Control Resource Set CPU (Central Processing Unit) DL downlink DL-PRS downlink positioning reference signal dl-PRS-ID Downlink Positioning Reference Signal Identifier DSP Digital Signal Processor DVD Digital Multifunction Disc eMBB Enhanced Mobile Broadband eNB evolves into Node B (e.g., LTE base station) EPC Evolution Group Core E-SMLC Evolution Service Mobile Location Center E-UTRA evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access E-UTRAN LTE Evolution UTRAN FDM (Frequency Division Multiplexing) FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) FR frequency range GMLC Gateway Mobile Location Center gNB (Next Generation Node B) or a base station used for 5G / NR, i.e., a node that provides NR user plane and control plane protocol termination to the UE and connects to the 5GC via the NG interface. ID identifier I / F interface I / O Input / Output IoT (Internet of Things) LMF location management function LPP LTE positioning protocol LTE Long Term Evolution (4G) LTE-A Advanced LTE MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) MME (Mobility Management Entity) mMTC (Mass Machine Type Communication) NF Network Functions NG Next Generation NG-RAN (Next Generation Radio Access Network) NR Radio NRF Network Storage Function NRPPa NR positioning protocol a N / W network PFL Positioning Frequency Layer PRB (Physical Resource Block) PRS Positioning Reference Signal QCL Quasi-co-location R1 RAN documentation (e.g., R1-2304935) RAM (Random Access Memory) RAN (Radio Access Network) RAN1 Radio Layer 1 RAN4 radio performance and protocols RAT Radio Access Technology Rel version RF radio frequency ROM (Read-Only Memory) RP RAN Plenary Meeting RRC Radio Resource Control RRM Radio Resource Management RSRP reference signal received power RSRPP per-path reference signal received power RSTD (Reference Signal Time Difference) RTD relative time difference RTOA (Relative Time of Arrival) Rx receiver or receiver S1 connects the eNB to the EPC interface. SCS Subcarrier Spacing SGW Service Gateway SMF Session Management Function SON Self-Organizing / Optimizing Network SRS Channel Sound Reference Signal ToA Arrival Time TRP Transmitter / Receiver Point TS Technical Specifications Tx transmitter or transmission UDM Unified Data Management UDR Unified Data Storage UE (User Equipment) (e.g., wireless, typically mobile devices) UI (User Interface) UL uplink UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) UPF User Plane Functions URLLC Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication USB Universal Serial Bus UTRAN (Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network) WID Project Description Wi-Fi is a wireless network protocol used by Wi-Fi devices to communicate without a direct cable connection. Network interfaces between X2 RAN nodes and between the RAN and the core network. Network interface between Xn NG-RAN nodes

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: Send information to the user equipment related to the aggregation of positioning reference signal bandwidth used for joint positioning measurements; The information includes information related to higher-layer signaling parameters, wherein the higher-layer signaling parameters include at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier; The information includes indications of location reference signal resources for a linked set of location reference signal resources across location frequency layers; Receive at least one joint positioning measurement from the user equipment related to the positioning reference signal resources of the linked set of positioning reference signal resources across positioning frequency layers; The at least one joint positioning measurement is based on the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier; as well as The location of the user equipment is estimated based on the received at least one joint positioning measurement.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier is associated with one or more downlink positioning reference signal resources within one or more downlink positioning reference signal resource sets, wherein downlink positioning reference signals using the one or more downlink positioning reference signal resources are transmitted from the same transmission reference point or the same antenna reference point.

3. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier is not used to identify downlink positioning reference signal resources; and The at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier is not used to identify the downlink positioning reference signal resource set.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Identify at least one group that includes one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers; as well as Send to the user equipment at least one group identifier and the one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers of the at least one group; The at least one joint positioning measurement received from the user equipment is based on one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers of the at least one group.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the information indicates that downlink positioning reference signal resources in two positioning reference signal resource sets associated with the at least one group are transmitted from a transmission receiving point or an antenna reference point, and that downlink positioning reference signal resources in a positioning reference signal resource set not associated with the at least one group are transmitted from a different transmission receiving point or a different antenna reference point.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 5, wherein the information indicates that the downlink positioning reference signal resource set is not associated with the one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers in the at least one group.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Receive group information for the at least one joint positioning measurement from the user equipment, wherein the group information is associated with the at least one group.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the group information for the at least one joint positioning measurement includes at least one of the following: the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier, or a positioning signal resource set identifier.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Send rules to the user equipment, the rules being configured to identify one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers for at least one group; The at least one joint positioning measurement received from the user equipment is based on one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers of the at least one group.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the rule indicates that: if a first remainder when the first downlink positioning reference signal identifier is divided by the number of transmission receiving points supported by the user equipment is equal to a second remainder when the second downlink positioning reference signal identifier is divided by the number of transmission receiving points supported by the user equipment, then a first positioning reference signal associated with the first downlink positioning reference signal identifier and a second positioning reference signal associated with the second downlink positioning reference signal identifier are transmitted from a single transmission receiving point or antenna reference point, and the first downlink positioning reference signal identifier and the second downlink positioning reference signal identifier are in the at least one group.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 10, wherein the rule indicates a specific number of consecutive downlink positioning reference signal identifiers in the at least one group.

12. The apparatus of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the rule indicates that a first downlink positioning reference signal identifier is associated with a first transmit receiving point or a first antenna reference point, and a second downlink positioning reference signal identifier is associated with a second transmit receiving point or a second antenna reference point, wherein the first transmit receiving point or the first antenna reference point is different from the second transmit receiving point or the second antenna reference point.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Receive group information for the at least one joint positioning measurement from the user equipment, wherein the group information is associated with the at least one group.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the group information for the at least one joint positioning measurement includes at least one of the following: the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier, or a positioning signal resource set identifier.

15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Send to the user equipment information including at least one association between a set of one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers and a set of one or more positioning reference signal resource set identifiers; The at least one joint positioning measurement received from the user equipment is based on the information including the at least one association.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Receive from the user equipment joint positioning measurements based on aggregated positioning reference signal resources from a first associated source, wherein the joint positioning measurements include time of arrival or time-of-reception measurement relative to a transmission receiving point or an antenna reference point; The first association includes an association between a first pair and a second pair, wherein the first pair includes a first downlink positioning reference signal identifier and a first positioning reference signal resource set identifier, and the second pair includes a second downlink positioning reference signal identifier and a second positioning reference signal resource set identifier; and The at least one joint positioning measurement received from the user equipment includes a reference signal time difference measurement based on the first association and the second association; The second association includes the association between the third pair and the fourth pair. The third pair includes the third downlink positioning reference signal identifier and the second positioning reference signal resource set identifier. The fourth pair includes the fourth downlink positioning reference signal identifier and the first positioning reference signal resource set identifier.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 16, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Receive association information from the user equipment for the at least one joint positioning measurement.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the association information is based on the association between the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier and the at least one positioning reference signal resource set identifier.

19. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the apparatus includes a location management function.

20. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier comprises a plurality of downlink positioning reference signal identifiers.

21. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the positioning reference signal resource set is linked to notify the user equipment that at least phase continuity between a plurality of positioning reference signal resources within the linked positioning reference signal resource set is guaranteed by the apparatus for bandwidth aggregation.

22. An apparatus comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: Receive information from network entities related to the aggregation of positioning reference signal bandwidth used for joint positioning measurements; The information includes information related to higher-layer signaling parameters, wherein the higher-layer signaling parameters include at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier; The information includes indications of location reference signal resources for a linked set of location reference signal resources across location frequency layers; as well as At least one joint positioning measurement is performed by aggregating the positioning reference signal resources of a linked set of positioning reference signal resources across positioning frequency layers. The at least one joint positioning measurement is based on the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: The at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier is determined to be associated with one or more downlink positioning reference signal resources within one or more downlink positioning reference signal resource sets, wherein the downlink positioning reference signals using the one or more downlink positioning reference signal resources are transmitted from the same transmission reference point or the same antenna reference point.

24. The apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 23, wherein: The at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier is not used to identify downlink positioning reference signal resources; and The at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier is not used to identify the downlink positioning reference signal resource set.

25. The apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Receive from the network entity at least one group identifier and the one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers of the at least one group; The at least one joint positioning measurement sent to the network entity is based on one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers of the at least one group.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Based on the received information, it is determined that the downlink positioning reference signal resources within the two positioning reference signal resource sets associated with the at least one group were transmitted from a transmission receiving point or an antenna reference point, and Based on the received information, it is determined that the downlink positioning reference signal resources within the positioning reference signal resource set not associated with the at least one group were transmitted from different transmission receiving points or different antenna reference points.

27. The apparatus according to any one of claims 25 to 26, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Based on the information, it is determined that the downlink positioning reference signal resource set is not associated with the one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers in the at least one group.

28. The apparatus according to any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Send group information for the at least one joint positioning measurement to the network entity, wherein the group information is associated with the at least one group.

29. The apparatus according to any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein the group information for the at least one joint positioning measurement includes at least one of the following: the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier, and a positioning signal resource set identifier.

30. The apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 29, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Receive rules from the network entity, the rules being configured to determine one or more downlink location reference signal identifiers for at least one group; as well as Based on the rules, one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers for the at least one group are determined; The at least one joint positioning measurement sent to the network entity is based on one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers of the at least one group.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the rule indicates that: if a first remainder when the first downlink positioning reference signal identifier is divided by the number of transmission receiving points supported by the user equipment is equal to a second remainder when the second downlink positioning reference signal identifier is divided by the number of transmission receiving points supported by the user equipment, then a first positioning reference signal associated with the first downlink positioning reference signal identifier and a second positioning reference signal associated with the second downlink positioning reference signal identifier are transmitted from a single transmission receiving point or antenna reference point, and the first downlink positioning reference signal identifier and the second downlink positioning reference signal identifier are in the at least one group.

32. The apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 31, wherein the rule indicates a specific number of consecutive downlink positioning reference signal identifiers in the at least one group.

33. The apparatus of any one of claims 30 to 32, wherein the rule indicates that a first downlink positioning reference signal identifier is associated with a first transmit receiving point or a first antenna reference point, and a second downlink positioning reference signal identifier is associated with a second transmit receiving point or a second antenna reference point, wherein the first transmit receiving point or the first antenna reference point is different from the second transmit receiving point or the second antenna reference point.

34. The apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 33, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Send group information for the at least one joint positioning measurement to the network entity, wherein the group information is associated with the at least one group.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the group information for the at least one joint positioning measurement includes at least one of the following: the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier, and a positioning signal resource set identifier.

36. The apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 35, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Receive from the network entity information including at least one association between a set of one or more downlink positioning reference signal identifiers and a set of one or more positioning reference signal resource set identifiers; The at least one joint location measurement sent to the network entity is based on the information including the at least one association.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Joint positioning measurements are performed based on aggregated positioning reference signal resources from a first association, wherein the joint positioning measurements include time of arrival or receive-transmit time difference measurements relative to a transmit receiver point or an antenna reference point. The first association includes an association between a first pair and a second pair, wherein the first pair includes a first downlink positioning reference signal identifier and a first positioning reference signal resource set identifier, and the second pair includes a second downlink positioning reference signal identifier and a second positioning reference signal resource set identifier; and Send the joint location measurement to the network entity; The at least one joint positioning measurement sent to the network entity includes a reference signal time difference measurement based on the first association and the second association; The second association includes the association between the third pair and the fourth pair. The third pair includes the third downlink positioning reference signal identifier and the second positioning reference signal resource set identifier. The fourth pair includes the fourth downlink positioning reference signal identifier and the first positioning reference signal resource set identifier.

38. The apparatus according to any one of claims 36 to 37, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Send the associated information for the at least one joint positioning measurement to the network entity.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the association information is based on the association between the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier and the at least one positioning reference signal resource set identifier.

40. The apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 39, wherein the network entity includes location management functionality.

41. The apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 40, wherein the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier comprises a plurality of downlink positioning reference signal identifiers.

42. The apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 41, wherein the location reference signal resource set is linked to notify the apparatus that at least phase continuity among a plurality of location reference signal resources within the linked location reference signal resource set is guaranteed by the network entity for bandwidth aggregation.

43. The apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 42, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Send the at least one joint positioning measurement related to the positioning reference signal resource based on the downlink positioning reference signal identifier to the network entity.

44. The apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 43, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: The position of the device is estimated based on the at least one joint positioning measurement performed.

45. The apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 44, wherein the apparatus includes user equipment.

46. ​​An apparatus comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: Send information related to the downlink positioning reference signal identifier to the user equipment; Receive at least one measurement based on the downlink positioning reference signal identifier from the user equipment; as well as The location of the user equipment is estimated based on the received at least one measurement.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the information indicates that when the downlink positioning reference signal identifier is associated with at least one positioning reference signal resource, the positioning reference signal using the at least one positioning reference signal resource is transmitted from the same transmission receiving point or the same antenna reference point.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal resource is within one or more linked sets of positioning reference signal resources.

49. The apparatus according to any one of claims 47 to 48, wherein: The positioning reference signal includes a downlink positioning reference signal; and The at least one positioning reference signal resource includes at least one downlink positioning reference signal resource.

50. An apparatus comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: Receive information related to the downlink positioning reference signal identifier from network entities; Perform at least one measurement associated with the downlink positioning reference signal identifier; as well as Perform at least one of the following: Send the at least one measurement to the network entity, or The position of the device is estimated based on the at least one measurement.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Based on the information, it is determined that when the downlink positioning reference signal identifier is associated with at least one positioning reference signal resource, the positioning reference signal using the at least one positioning reference signal resource is transmitted from the same transmission receiving point or the same antenna reference point.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the at least one positioning reference signal resource is within one or more linked sets of positioning reference signal resources.

53. A method comprising: Send information to the user equipment related to the aggregation of positioning reference signal bandwidth used for joint positioning measurements; The information includes information related to higher-layer signaling parameters, wherein the higher-layer signaling parameters include at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier; The information includes indications of location reference signal resources for a linked set of location reference signal resources across location frequency layers; Receive at least one joint positioning measurement from the user equipment related to the positioning reference signal resources of the linked set of positioning reference signal resources across positioning frequency layers; The at least one joint positioning measurement is based on the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier; as well as The location of the user equipment is estimated based on the received at least one joint positioning measurement.

54. A method comprising: Receive information from network entities related to the aggregation of positioning reference signal bandwidth used for joint positioning measurements; The information includes information related to higher-layer signaling parameters, wherein the higher-layer signaling parameters include at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier; The information includes indications of location reference signal resources for a linked set of location reference signal resources across location frequency layers; as well as At least one joint positioning measurement is performed by aggregating the positioning reference signal resources of a linked set of positioning reference signal resources across positioning frequency layers. The at least one joint positioning measurement is based on the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier.

55. A method comprising: Send information related to the downlink positioning reference signal identifier to the user equipment; Receive at least one measurement based on the downlink positioning reference signal identifier from the user equipment; as well as The location of the user equipment is estimated based on the received at least one measurement.

56. A method comprising: Receive information related to the downlink positioning reference signal identifier from network entities; Perform at least one measurement associated with the downlink positioning reference signal identifier; as well as Perform at least one of the following: Send the at least one measurement to the network entity, or The position of the device is estimated based on the at least one measurement.

57. An apparatus comprising: A component used to send information to user equipment related to the aggregation of positioning reference signal bandwidth used for joint positioning measurements; The information includes information related to higher-layer signaling parameters, wherein the higher-layer signaling parameters include at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier; The information mentioned includes an indication of the location reference signal resources of a linked set of location reference signal resources across location frequency layers; A component for receiving from the user equipment at least one joint positioning measurement related to the positioning reference signal resources of a linked set of positioning reference signal resources across positioning frequency layers; The at least one joint positioning measurement is based on the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier; as well as A component for estimating the location of the user equipment based on the received at least one joint positioning measurement.

58. An apparatus comprising: A component for receiving information from network entities related to the aggregation of positioning reference signal bandwidth used for joint positioning measurements; The information includes information related to higher-layer signaling parameters, wherein the higher-layer signaling parameters include at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier; The information includes indications of location reference signal resources for a linked set of location reference signal resources across location frequency layers; as well as A component for performing at least one joint positioning measurement by aggregating the positioning reference signal resources of a linked set of positioning reference signal resources across positioning frequency layers; The at least one joint positioning measurement is based on the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier.

59. An apparatus comprising: Components used to send information related to downlink positioning reference signal identifiers to user equipment; Component for receiving at least one measurement based on the downlink positioning reference signal identifier from the user equipment; as well as A component for estimating the location of the user equipment based on the received at least one measurement.

60. An apparatus comprising: A component used to receive information related to downlink positioning reference signal identifiers from network entities; Components for performing at least one measurement associated with the downlink positioning reference signal identifier; as well as Components used to perform at least one of the following: Send the at least one measurement to the network entity, or The position of the device is estimated based on the at least one measurement.

61. A machine-readable, non-transitory program storage device, tangibly embodying a machine-executable instruction program for performing operations, said operations including: Send information to the user equipment related to the aggregation of positioning reference signal bandwidth used for joint positioning measurements; The information includes information related to higher-layer signaling parameters, wherein the higher-layer signaling parameters include at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier; The information includes indications of location reference signal resources for a linked set of location reference signal resources across location frequency layers; Receive at least one joint positioning measurement from the user equipment related to the positioning reference signal resources of the linked set of positioning reference signal resources across positioning frequency layers; The at least one joint positioning measurement is based on the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier; as well as The location of the user equipment is estimated based on the received at least one joint positioning measurement.

62. A machine-readable, non-transitory program storage device, tangibly embodying a machine-executable instruction program for performing operations, said operations including: Receive information from network entities related to the aggregation of positioning reference signal bandwidth used for joint positioning measurements; The information includes information related to higher-layer signaling parameters, wherein the higher-layer signaling parameters include at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier; The information includes indications of location reference signal resources for a linked set of location reference signal resources across location frequency layers; as well as At least one joint positioning measurement is performed by aggregating the positioning reference signal resources of a linked set of positioning reference signal resources across positioning frequency layers. The at least one joint positioning measurement is based on the at least one downlink positioning reference signal identifier.

63. A machine-readable, non-transitory program storage device tangibly embodies a program of instructions executable by the machine for performing operations, the operations including: Send information related to the downlink positioning reference signal identifier to the user equipment; Receive at least one measurement based on the downlink positioning reference signal identifier from the user equipment; as well as The location of the user equipment is estimated based on at least one received measurement.

64. A machine-readable, non-transitory program storage device tangibly embodies a machine-executable instruction program for performing operations, said operations including: Receive information related to the downlink positioning reference signal identifier from network entities; Perform at least one measurement associated with the downlink positioning reference signal identifier; as well as Perform at least one of the following: Send the at least one measurement to the network entity, or The position of the device is estimated based on the at least one measurement.

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