Joint UU and sidelink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for joint UU and sidelink positioning

Abstract

Techniques for wireless communication are disclosed. In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) obtains at least one reference node for one or more joint downlink and sidelink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and (1) one or more downlink RSTD (DL-RSTD) measurements, (2) one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements, or (3) both; and based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the at least one reference node and (1) one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit receive points (TRPs) or (2) The one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements are determined by one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by the one or more first sidelink anchor UEs.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] All aspects of this disclosure relate to wireless communications.

[0003] 2. Related technical descriptions

[0004] Wireless communication systems have evolved through many generations, including first-generation analog radiotelephone service (1G), second-generation (2G) digital radiotelephone service (including transitional 2.5G and 2.75G networks), third-generation (3G) high-speed data, wireless services with internet capabilities, and fourth-generation (4G) services (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) or WiMax). Currently, many different types of wireless communication systems are in use, including cellular systems and Personal Communication Services (PCS) systems. Known examples of cellular systems include cellular analog Advanced Mobile Phone Systems (AMPS), as well as digital cellular systems based on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and others.

[0005] The fifth-generation (5G) wireless standard, known as New Radio (NR), delivers higher data speeds, more connections, better coverage, and other improvements. According to the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance, the 5G standard is designed to provide higher data rates, more accurate positioning (e.g., based on positioning reference signals (RS-P), such as downlink, uplink, or sidelink positioning reference signals (PRS)), and other technological enhancements compared to previous standards.

[0006] Furthermore, leveraging 5G's increased data rates and reduced latency, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication technology is being implemented to support autonomous driving applications, such as wireless communication between vehicles, between vehicles and roadside infrastructure, and between vehicles and pedestrians. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The following is a simplified summary of the invention relating to one or more aspects disclosed herein. Therefore, this summary should not be considered an exhaustive overview relating to all conceived aspects, nor should it be considered to identify key or decisive elements relating to all conceived aspects or to depict the scope associated with any particular aspect. Thus, the sole purpose of this summary is to present, in a concise form, certain concepts relating to one or more aspects involving the mechanisms disclosed herein, prior to the detailed description presented below.

[0008] In one aspect, a method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE) includes: obtaining at least one reference node for one or more joint downlink and sidelink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and (1) one or more downlink RSTD (DL-RSTD) measurements, (2) one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements, or (3) both; and determining the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the at least one reference node and (1) one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit-receive points (TRPs) or (2) one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0009] In one aspect, a method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE) includes: obtaining a single reference node for one or more downlink reference signal time difference (DL-RSTD) measurements and one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements; determining the one or more DL-RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit-receive points (TRPs); and determining the one or more SL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0010] In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) includes: one or more memories; one or more transceivers; and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories and the one or more transceivers, the one or more processors being individually or in combination configured to: acquire at least one reference node for one or more joint downlink and sidelink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and (1) one or more downlink RSTD (DL-RSTD) measurements, (2) one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements, or (3) both; and determine the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the at least one reference node and (1) one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit receive points (TRPs) or (2) one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0011] In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) includes: one or more memories; one or more transceivers; and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories and the one or more transceivers, the one or more processors being individually or in combination configured to: obtain a single reference node for one or more downlink reference signal time difference (DL-RSTD) measurements and one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements; determine the one or more DL-RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit-receive points (TRPs); and determine the one or more SL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0012] In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) includes components for acquiring at least one reference node for one or more joint downlink and sidelink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and (1) one or more downlink RSTD (DL-RSTD) measurements, (2) one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements, or (3) both; and components for determining the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the at least one reference node and (1) one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit receive points (TRPs) or (2) one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0013] In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) includes: components for obtaining a single reference node for one or more downlink reference signal time difference (DL-RSTD) measurements and one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements; components for determining the one or more DL-RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit-receive points (TRPs); and components for determining the one or more SL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0014] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to: obtain at least one reference node for one or more joint downlink and sidelink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and (1) one or more downlink RSTD (DL-RSTD) measurements, (2) one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements, or (3) both; and determine the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the at least one reference node and (1) one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit-receive points (TRPs) or (2) one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0015] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to: obtain a single reference node for one or more downlink reference signal time difference (DL-RSTD) measurements and one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements; determine the one or more DL-RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit-receive points (TRPs); and determine the one or more SL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0016] Based on the accompanying drawings and detailed description, other objects and advantages associated with the aspects disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings are provided to help describe various aspects of this disclosure, and are provided for illustrative purposes only and not to limit the aspects.

[0018] Figure 1 Example wireless communication systems according to various aspects of this disclosure are illustrated.

[0019] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C Example wireless network architectures based on various aspects of this disclosure are illustrated.

[0020] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C It is a simplified block diagram of several examples of components that can be used in user equipment (UE), base stations and network entities and configured to support communications as taught herein.

[0021] Figure 4 Examples of various positioning methods supported in new radio (NR) according to aspects of this disclosure are illustrated.

[0022] Figure 5A and Figure 5B Various scenarios of interest, including sidelink-only localization or combined Uu and sidelink localization, are illustrated according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating an example downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) configuration for two transmit-receive points (TRPs) operating in the same positioning frequency layer, according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0024] Figure 7 Examples of Long Term Evolution (LTE) Location Protocol (LPP) capability transfer processes, auxiliary data transfer processes, and location information transfer processes between a target device and a location server are illustrated according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0025] Figure 8 This is an illustration of an example of a combined time difference of arrival (TDOA) positioning method according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0026] Figure 9 Example methods of wireless communication according to various aspects of this disclosure are illustrated.

[0027] Figure 10 Different example priority rules for measuring side-link positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources according to various aspects of this disclosure are illustrated.

[0028] Figure 11 and Figure 12 Example methods of wireless communication according to various aspects of this disclosure are illustrated. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Various aspects of this disclosure are provided in the following description and accompanying drawings of various examples provided for illustrative purposes. Alternative aspects may be devised without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, well-known elements of this disclosure will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of this disclosure.

[0030] Various aspects are involved in wireless positioning as a whole. Some aspects are more specifically involved in obtaining joint downlink and sidelink positioning measurements. In some examples, the location server may select a common reference cell for the sidelink user equipment (UE) and transmit / receive point (TRP), an independent reference cell for the sidelink UE and TRP, or both. In some examples, if the target UE knows the sidelink anchored UE, it may select a reference sidelink anchored UE. This selection may be based on timing error groups, synchronization priorities, or both. The reference sidelink anchored UE may be selected individually or every N times, every T milliseconds, or both. The location server and / or base station may assist the target UE in selecting a reference for the remainder of the positioning session.

[0031] In some examples, the location server and the UE can exchange signaling for measurements between the sidelink anchored UE and the TRP Positioning Reference Signal (PRS). The location server can provide auxiliary data for sidelink anchoring and downlink PRS resources and can use identifiers to indicate resource pairs. The UE can use the identifiers provided in the auxiliary data to report measurements. In some examples, the location server can indicate the minimum number of measurements that will be reported by the UE across sidelink and uplink measurements, and the UE can select sidelink and uplink resources. In some examples, the location server can indicate different priority rules for Uu and sidelink, a common priority rule for Uu and sidelink, or a combination of both. For example, the UE can measure all TRP PRS resources first, and then measure the sidelink UE resources. In another example, the UE can measure the highest priority TRP PRS resources, and then measure the highest priority SL UE resources.

[0032] In some examples, the UE may receive or report at least one reference node for one or more joint downlink and sidelink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and (1) one or more downlink RSTD (DL-RSTD) measurements, (2) one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements, or (3) both. The UE may then obtain one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements for one or more reference signal resources transmitted by at least one reference node and (1) one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first TRPs or (2) one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0033] In some examples, the UE may determine a single reference node for one or more DL-RSTD measurements and one or more SL-RSTD measurements. The UE may then obtain one or more DL-RSTD measurements of one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more first TRPs. The UE may also obtain one or more SL-RSTD measurements of one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more first side-link anchored UEs.

[0034] Specific aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented to achieve one or more of the following potential advantages. In some examples, the described techniques can be used to enable the UE to select an appropriate reference node for joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements by determining at least one reference node for one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements.

[0035] The terms “exemplary” and / or “example” are used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” and / or “example” is not necessarily to be construed as superior to or better than other aspects. Similarly, the term “aspects of this disclosure” does not require that all aspects of this disclosure include the features, advantages, or modes of operation discussed.

[0036] Those skilled in the art will understand that any of a variety of different techniques and methods can be used to represent the information and signals described below. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be mentioned throughout the following description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof, depending in part on the specific application, in part on the desired design, in part on the corresponding technology, and so on.

[0037] Furthermore, many aspects are described according to a sequence of actions to be performed by elements of, for example, a computing device. It will be appreciated that the various actions described herein can be performed by specific circuitry (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), by program instructions executed by one or more processors, or by a combination of both. Additionally, the sequence of actions described herein can be considered to be entirely embodied in any form of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a corresponding set of computer instructions that, when executed, will cause or command the associated processor of the device to perform the functionality described herein. Therefore, various aspects of this disclosure can be embodied in a variety of different forms, all of which are contemplated within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, for each aspect described herein, any corresponding form of any such aspect may be described herein as, for example, "logic configured to perform the described actions."

[0038] As used herein, the terms “user equipment” (UE), “vehicle UE” (V-UE), “pedestrian UE” (P-UE), and “base station” are not intended to be specific to or otherwise limited to any particular radio access technology (RAT) unless otherwise stated. In general, a UE can be any wireless communication device used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network (e.g., vehicle onboard computer, vehicle navigation device, mobile phone, router, tablet computer, laptop computer, asset location device, wearable device (e.g., smartwatch, glasses, augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) headset, etc.), vehicle (e.g., car, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.), Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.). A UE can be mobile or can (e.g., at certain times) be stationary and can communicate with a radio access network (RAN). As used herein, the term “UE” can be interchangeably referred to as “mobile device,” “access terminal” or “AT,” “client device,” “wireless device,” “subscriber equipment,” “subscriber terminal,” “subscriber station,” “user terminal” or UT,” “mobile terminal,” “mobile station,” or variations thereof.

[0039] V-UE is a type of UE and can be any in-vehicle wireless communication device, such as a navigation system, alarm system, head-up display (HUD), onboard computer, in-vehicle infotainment system, automated driving system (ADS), advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), etc. Alternatively, V-UE can be a portable wireless communication device (e.g., cellular phone, tablet computer, etc.) carried by the driver or occupant of a vehicle. The term "V-UE" can refer to the in-vehicle wireless communication device or the vehicle itself, depending on the context. P-UE is a type of UE and can be a portable wireless communication device carried by a pedestrian (i.e., a user who is not driving or riding in a vehicle). Generally, the UE can communicate with the core network via the RAN, and through the core network, the UE can connect to external networks such as the Internet and to other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms for connecting the UE to the core network and / or the Internet are also possible, such as through wired access networks, wireless local area network (WLAN) networks (e.g., based on IEEE 802.11, etc.).

[0040] A base station can communicate with a UE by operating under one of several RATs based on the network in which it is deployed, and may alternatively be referred to as an Access Point (AP), Network Node, Node B, Evolved Node B (eNB), Next Generation eNB (ng-eNB), New Radio (NR) Node B (also known as gNB or gNodeB), etc. The base station is primarily used to support the UE's radio access, including supporting the UE's data, voice, and / or signaling connections. In some systems, the base station may only provide edge node signaling functions, while in others, it may provide additional control and / or network management functions. The communication link through which the UE can transmit signals to the base station is called an uplink (UL) channel (e.g., reverse traffic channel, reverse control channel, access channel, etc.). The communication link through which the base station can transmit signals to the UE is called a downlink (DL) or forward link channel (e.g., paging channel, control channel, broadcast channel, forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term Traffic Channel (TCH) may refer to either the UL / reverse or DL / forward traffic channel.

[0041] The term "base station" can refer to a single physical transmit / receive point (TRP) or multiple physical TRPs that may or may not be co-located. For example, when the term "base station" refers to a single physical TRP, the physical TRP can be the antenna of a base station corresponding to a cell (or several cell sectors) of the base station. When the term "base station" refers to multiple co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRP can be the antenna array of the base station (e.g., as in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system or where the base station employs beamforming). When the term "base station" refers to multiple non-co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRP can be a distributed antenna system (DAS) (a network of spatially separated antennas connected via a transmission medium to a common source) or a remote radio headend (RRH) (a remote base station connected to a serving base station). Alternatively, a non-co-located physical TRP can be the serving base station from which the UE receives measurement reports and a neighboring base station where the UE is measuring its reference radio frequency (RF) signal. Because, as used herein, a TRP is the point by which a base station transmits and receives radio signals, references to transmitting from or receiving at a base station should be understood to refer to a specific TRP of the base station.

[0042] In some specific implementations supporting UE positioning, the base station may not support the UE's radio access (e.g., it may not support the UE's data, voice, and / or signaling connections). Instead, it may send a reference RF signal to the UE for measurement by the UE, and / or receive and measure signals sent by the UE. Such a base station may be referred to as a positioning beacon (e.g., in the case of sending RF signals to the UE) and / or as a location measurement unit (e.g., in the case of receiving and measuring RF signals from the UE).

[0043] An “RF signal” refers to an electromagnetic wave of a given frequency that transmits information across the space between a transmitter and a receiver. As used herein, a transmitter may send a single “RF signal” or multiple “RF signals” to a receiver. However, due to the propagation characteristics of RF signals through multipath channels, a receiver may receive multiple “RF signals” corresponding to each transmitted RF signal. The same transmitted RF signal on different paths between the transmitter and receiver can be referred to as a “multipath” RF signal. As used herein, an RF signal may also be referred to as a “wireless signal” or simply a “signal” where the context clearly indicates that the term “signal” refers to a wireless signal or an RF signal.

[0044] Figure 1An example wireless communication system 100 according to various aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 100 (which may also be referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) may include various base stations 102 (labeled "BS") and various UEs 104. Base station 102 may include macro cell base stations (high-power cellular base stations) and / or small cell base stations (low-power cellular base stations). In one aspect, macro cell base station 102 may include eNB and / or ng-eNB (wherein wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an LTE network) or gNB (wherein wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an NR network) or a combination of both, and small cell base stations may include femtocells, picocells, microcells, etc.

[0045] Base station 102 can collectively form a RAN and interface with core network 170 (e.g., evolved packet core (EPC) or 5G core (5GC)) via backhaul link 122, and interface with one or more location servers 172 (e.g., location management function (LMF) or secure user plane positioning (SUPL) positioning platform (SLP)) via core network 170. Location server 172 can be part of core network 170 or can be external to core network 170. Location server 172 can be integrated with base station 102. UE 104 can communicate with location server 172 directly or indirectly. For example, UE 104 can communicate with location server 172 via base station 102 currently serving UE 104. UE 104 can also communicate with location server 172 via another path, such as via application server (not shown), via another network, such as via wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) (e.g., AP 150 described below), etc. For signaling purposes, communication between UE 104 and location server 172 can be represented as an indirect connection (e.g., via core network 170, etc.) or a direct connection (e.g., as shown via direct connection 128), wherein intermediate nodes (if present) are omitted from the signaling diagram for clarity.

[0046] In addition to other functions, base station 102 may perform functions associated with one or more of the following: transmitting user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, distribution of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, RAN sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment tracking, RAN information management (RIM), paging, location, and delivery of warning messages. Base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via EPC / 5GC) on backhaul link 134, which may be wired or wireless.

[0047] Base station 102 can wirelessly communicate with UE 104. Each base station in base station 102 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110. In one aspect, one or more cells can be supported by base station 102 in each geographic coverage area 110. A “cell” is a logical communication entity used to communicate with a base station (e.g., via a frequency resource, referred to as a carrier frequency, component carrier, carrier, frequency band, etc.) and can be associated with an identifier (e.g., Physical Cell Identifier (PCI), Enhanced Cell Identifier (ECI), Virtual Cell Identifier (VCI), Cell Global Identifier (CGI), etc.) used to distinguish cells operating via the same or different carrier frequencies. In some cases, different cells can be configured according to different protocol types that can provide access for different types of UEs (e.g., Machine Type Communication (MTC), Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), or other protocol types). Because a cell is supported by a specific base station, the term “cell” can refer to one or both of the logical communication entity and the base station that supports it, depending on the context. In some cases, the term "cell" can also refer to the geographic coverage area of ​​a base station (e.g., a sector), as long as the carrier frequency can be detected and used for communication within a portion of the geographic coverage area 110.

[0048] While the geographic coverage areas 110 of adjacent macro cell base stations 102 may partially overlap (e.g., in handover areas), some areas within geographic coverage areas 110 may substantially overlap with larger geographic coverage areas 110. For example, a small cell base station 102' (labeled "SC" for "small cell") may have a geographic coverage area 110' that substantially overlaps with the geographic coverage areas 110 of one or more macro cell base stations 102. A network that includes both small cell base stations and macro cell base stations can be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include a home eNB (HeNB) that can provide service to a restricted group referred to as a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG).

[0049] The communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 104 may include uplink (also known as reverse link) transmission from UE 104 to base station 102 and / or downlink (DL) (also known as forward link) transmission from base station 102 to UE 104. The communication link 120 may use MIMO antenna techniques, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link 120 may use one or more carrier frequencies. Carrier allocation may be asymmetric for the downlink and uplink (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated to the downlink compared to the uplink).

[0050] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a WLAN access point (AP) 150 that communicates with a wireless local area network (WLAN) station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154 in unlicensed spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz). When communicating in unlicensed spectrum, the WLAN STA 152 and / or WLAN AP 150 may perform a free channel assessment (CCA) or listen-before-talk (LBT) process before communication to determine whether the channel is available.

[0051] Small cell base station 102' can operate in licensed and / or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in unlicensed spectrum, small cell base station 102' can employ LTE or NR technology and use the same 5GHz unlicensed spectrum as WLAN AP 150. Small cell base station 102' employing LTE / 5G in unlicensed spectrum can improve the coverage and / or increase the capacity of the access network. NR in unlicensed spectrum may be referred to as NR-U. LTE in unlicensed spectrum may be referred to as LTE-U, Licensed Assisted Access (LAA), or MULTEFIRE. ® .

[0052] The wireless communication system 100 may also include an mmW base station 180, which can operate in millimeter-wave (mmW) frequencies and / or near-mmW frequencies to communicate with the UE 182. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that contains radio frequency (RF). EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz, with wavelengths between 1 mm and 10 mm. Radio waves in this band can be referred to as millimeter waves. Near-mmW can extend down to frequencies of 3 GHz with wavelengths of 100 mm. Ultra-high frequency (SHF) bands extend between 3 GHz and 30 GHz, and are also referred to as centimeter waves. Communication using mmW / near-mmW radio bands has high path loss and relatively short range. The mmW base station 180 and the UE 182 can utilize beamforming (transmit and / or receive) on the mmW communication link 184 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range. Furthermore, it should be understood that in alternative configurations, one or more base stations 102 may also use mmW or near-mmW and beamforming for transmission. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing examples are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the various aspects disclosed herein.

[0053] Transmit beamforming is a technique used to focus RF signals in a specific direction. Traditionally, when a network node (e.g., a base station) broadcasts an RF signal, it broadcasts the signal in all directions (omnidirectionally). Using transmit beamforming, the network node determines where a given target device (e.g., a UE) is located (relative to the transmitting network node) and projects a stronger downlink RF signal in that specific direction, thus providing the receiving device with a faster and stronger RF signal (in terms of data rate). To change the directivity of the RF signal during transmission, the network node can control the phase and relative amplitude of the RF signal at each of one or more transmitters broadcasting the RF signal. For example, the network node can use an array of antennas (called a "phased array" or "antenna array") that forms an RF beam that can be "manipulated" to be pointed in different directions without actually moving the antennas. Specifically, RF currents from the transmitters are fed to individual antennas with the correct phase relationship, such that radio waves from the individual antennas add up in the desired direction to increase radiation, while canceling out in the undesired direction to suppress radiation.

[0054] Transmit beams can be quasi-co-located, meaning they appear to the receiver (e.g., the UE) as having the same parameters regardless of whether the network node's own transmit antennas are physically co-located. In NR, there are four types of quasi-co-located (QCL) relationships. Specifically, a given type of QCL relationship means that certain parameters of a second reference RF signal on a second beam can be derived based on information about the source reference RF signal on the source beam. Therefore, if the source reference RF signal is QCL type A, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, and delay spread of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type B, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and Doppler spread of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type C, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and average delay of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is of type QCL D, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the spatial reception parameters of a second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel.

[0055] In receive beamforming, a receiver uses a receive beam to amplify an RF signal detected on a given channel. For example, the receiver may increase the gain setting of an antenna array in a particular direction and / or adjust the phase setting of the antenna array in a particular direction to amplify the RF signal received from that direction (e.g., increase its gain level). Therefore, when a receiver is described as performing beamforming in a certain direction, it means that the beam gain in that direction is high relative to the beam gain along other directions, or that the beam gain in that direction is the highest compared to the beam gain of all other receive beams available to the receiver in that direction. This results in a stronger received signal strength (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), etc.) of the RF signal received from that direction.

[0056] The transmit and receive beams can be spatially correlated. Spatial correlation means that parameters for a second beam (e.g., transmit or receive beam) for a second reference signal can be derived based on information about a first beam (e.g., receive or transmit beam) for a first reference signal. For example, a UE can use a specific receive beam to receive a reference downlink reference signal (e.g., a synchronization signal block (SSB)) from a base station. The UE can then form a transmit beam for transmitting an uplink reference signal (e.g., a sounding reference signal (SRS)) to that base station based on the parameters of the receive beam.

[0057] It is important to note that, depending on the entity forming the "downlink" beam, the beam can be either a transmit beam or a receive beam. For example, if the base station is forming a downlink beam to transmit a reference signal to the UE, the downlink beam is a transmit beam. However, if the UE is forming a downlink beam, the downlink beam is a receive beam for receiving the downlink reference signal. Similarly, depending on the entity forming the "uplink" beam, the beam can be either a transmit beam or a receive beam. For example, if the base station is forming an uplink beam, the uplink beam is an uplink receive beam, while if the UE is forming an uplink beam, the uplink beam is an uplink transmit beam.

[0058] The electromagnetic spectrum is typically subdivided into various categories, bands, channels, etc., based on frequency / wavelength. In 5G NR, two initial operating bands have been designated as frequency ranges FR1 (410MHz to 7.125GHz) and FR2 (24.25GHz to 52.6GHz). It should be understood that although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6GHz, in various documents and articles, FR1 is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "sub-6GHz" band. A similar naming issue sometimes occurs with FR2, which is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "millimeter wave" band in documents and articles, although this differs from the designation used by the International Telecommunication Union.® Extremely high frequency (EHF) bands (30 GHz to 300 GHz) are designated as “millimeter wave” bands.

[0059] The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are generally referred to as mid-band frequencies. Recent 5G NR studies have identified the operating bands used for these mid-band frequencies as the frequency range designation FR3 (7.125 GHz to 24.25 GHz). Bands falling within FR3 can inherit FR1 and / or FR2 characteristics, thus effectively extending the features of FR1 and / or FR2 to mid-band frequencies. Furthermore, higher frequency bands are currently being explored to extend 5G NR operation beyond 52.6 GHz. For example, three higher operating frequency bands have been identified as the frequency range designations FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz to 71 GHz), FR4 (52.6 GHz to 114.25 GHz), and FR5 (114.25 GHz to 300 GHz). Each of these higher frequency bands falls within the EHF band.

[0060] In light of the foregoing, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that, as used herein, the term "below 6 GHz" and the like can broadly refer to frequencies less than 6 GHz, within FR1, or including intermediate frequency band frequencies. Furthermore, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that, as used herein, the term "millimeter wave" and the like can broadly refer to frequencies that can include intermediate frequency band frequencies, within FR2, FR4, FR4-a or FR4-1 and / or FR5, or within the EHF band.

[0061] In multi-carrier systems such as 5G, one of the carrier frequencies is referred to as the "primary carrier," "anchor carrier," "primary serving cell," or "PCell," and the remaining carrier frequencies are referred to as "secondary carriers," "secondary serving cells," or "SCell." In carrier aggregation, the anchor carrier is the carrier operating on the primary frequency (e.g., FR1) used by UE 104 / 182 and the cell, where UE 104 / 182 performs an initial Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or initiates an RRC connection re-establishment procedure. The primary carrier carries all common and UE-specific control channels and can be a carrier on a licensed frequency (however, this is not always the case). The secondary carrier is a carrier operating on a second frequency (e.g., FR2) that can be configured and used to provide additional radio resources once an RRC connection is established between UE 104 and the anchor carrier. In some cases, the secondary carrier can be a carrier on an unlicensed frequency. Secondary carriers may contain only necessary signaling information and signals. For example, since the primary uplink and primary downlink carriers are typically UE-specific, those UE-specific signaling information and signals may not exist in the secondary carrier. This means that different UEs 104 / 182 within a cell can have different downlink primary carriers. The same applies to the uplink primary carrier. The network can change the primary carrier of any UE 104 / 182 at any time. This is done, for example, to balance the load on different carriers. Since a "serving cell" (whether PCell or SCell) corresponds to the carrier frequency / component carrier through which a base station communicates, the terms "cell," "serving cell," "component carrier," and "carrier frequency" can be used interchangeably.

[0062] For example, still refer to Figure 1 One of the frequencies used by macro cell base station 102 can be an anchor carrier (or "PCell"), and the other frequencies used by macro cell base station 102 and / or mmW base station 180 can be secondary carriers ("SCell"). Simultaneous transmission and / or reception on multiple carriers allows UE 104 / 182 to significantly increase its data transmission and / or reception rates. For example, compared to the data rate obtained by a single 20MHz carrier, two aggregated 20MHz carriers in a multi-carrier system would theoretically result in a doubling of the data rate (i.e., 40MHz).

[0063] exist Figure 1 In the example, the UE shown (for simplicity, in) Figure 1Any UE (shown as a single UE 104) can receive signal 124 from one or more Earth-orbiting spacecraft (SV) 112 (e.g., satellites). In one aspect, SV 112 may be part of a satellite positioning system that allows UE 104 to use as an independent source of location information. Satellite positioning systems typically include a system of transmitters (e.g., SV 112) positioned such that a receiver (e.g., UE 104) can determine its location on or above the Earth based at least in part on positioning signals (e.g., signal 124) received from the transmitters. Such transmitters typically transmit signals marked with a set number of repeating pseudo-random noise (PN) codes. While typically located in SV 112, transmitters may sometimes be located at ground-based control stations, base stations 102, and / or other UEs 104. UE 104 may include one or more dedicated receivers specifically designed to receive signal 124 in order to derive geographic location information from SV 112.

[0064] In a satellite positioning system, the use of signal 124 can be enhanced by various satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS), which may be associated with or otherwise made capable of being used with one or more global and / or regional navigation satellite systems. For example, SBAS may include augmentation systems that provide integrity information, differential correction, etc., such as Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), European Geostationary Navigation Overlap Service (EGNOS), Multifunctional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS), GPS-assisted geographic augmentation navigation, or GPS and geographic augmentation navigation system (GAGAN). Therefore, as used herein, a satellite positioning system may include any combination of one or more global and / or regional navigation satellites associated with such one or more satellite positioning systems.

[0065] On one hand, SV 112 may additionally or alternatively be part of one or more non-terrestrial networks (NTNs). In an NTN, SV 112 connects to an earth station (also referred to as a ground station, NTN gateway, or gateway), which in turn connects to elements in the 5G network, such as the modified base station 102 (without a ground antenna) or network nodes in a 5GC. This element, in turn, provides access to other elements in the 5G network and ultimately to entities outside the 5G network, such as internet web servers and other user equipment. Thus, as a replacement or supplement to communication signals from the ground base station 102, UE 104 can receive communication signals (e.g., signal 124) from SV 112.

[0066] Leveraging the increased data rates and reduced latency of NR (Radio Frequency I / O), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication technology is being implemented to support Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) applications, such as wireless communication between vehicles (V2V), between vehicles and roadside infrastructure (V2I), and between vehicles and pedestrians (V2P). The goal is to enable vehicles to sense their surroundings and communicate that information to other vehicles, infrastructure, and personal mobile devices. This type of vehicle communication will achieve safety, mobility, and environmental improvements that current technologies cannot provide. Once fully realized, this technology is expected to reduce collisions involving undamaged vehicles by 80%.

[0067] Still referencing Figure 1 The wireless communication system 100 may include multiple V-UEs 160, which can communicate with base station 102 on communication link 120 using a Uu interface (i.e., the air interface between the UE and the base station). V-UEs 160 can also communicate directly with each other on wireless sidelink 162, with roadside unit (RSU) 164 (roadside access point) on wireless sidelink 166, or with sidelink-capable UE 104 on wireless sidelink 168 using a PC5 interface (i.e., the air interface between UEs with sidelink capability). A wireless sidelink (or simply "sidelink") is an adaptation of core cellular network (e.g., LTE, NR) standards that allows direct communication between two or more UEs without requiring communication through a base station. Sidelink communication can be unicast or multicast and can be used for device-to-device (D2D) media sharing, V2V communication, V2X communication (e.g., cellular V2X (cV2X) communication, enhanced V2X (eV2X) communication, emergency rescue applications, etc. One or more V-UEs in a group of V-UEs 160 utilizing sidelink communication may be within the geographic coverage area 110 of base station 102. Other V-UEs 160 in such a group may be outside the geographic coverage area 110 of base station 102, or may be unable to receive transmissions from base station 102 for other reasons. In some cases, the groups of V-UEs 160 communicating via sidelink communication may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each V-UE 160 transmits to every other V-UE 160 in the group. In some cases, base station 102 facilitates the scheduling of resources for sidelink communication. In other cases, sidelink communication is performed between V-UEs 160 without involving base station 102.

[0068] On one hand, sidelinks 162, 166, and 168 can operate via a wireless communication medium of interest, which can be shared with other vehicles and / or infrastructure access points and other wireless communications between RATs. “Medium” can include one or more time, frequency, and / or space communication resources (e.g., covering one or more channels across one or more carriers) associated with wireless communication between one or more transmitter / receiver pairs.

[0069] On one hand, sidelinks 162, 166, and 168 can be cV2X links. First-generation cV2X has been standardized in LTE, and the next generation is expected to be defined in NR. cV2X is a cellular technology that also enables device-to-device communication. In the United States and Europe, cV2X is expected to operate in licensed ITS bands below 6 GHz. Other bands may be allocated in other countries. Thus, as a specific example, the medium of interest utilized by sidelinks 162, 166, and 168 may correspond to at least a portion of licensed ITS bands below 6 GHz. However, this disclosure is not limited to this band or cellular technology.

[0070] On one hand, sidelinks 162, 166, and 168 can be Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) links. DSRC is a one-way or two-way short-to-medium-range wireless communication protocol that uses the Vehicle Environment Wireless Access (WAVE) protocol (also known as IEEE 802.11p) for V2V, V2I, and V2P communications. IEEE 802.11p is an approved modification of the IEEE 802.11 standard and operates in the licensed ITS band of 5.9 GHz (5.85 GHz to 5.925 GHz) in the United States. In Europe, IEEE 802.11p operates in the ITS G5A band (5.875 GHz to 5.905 MHz). Other bands may be allocated in other countries. The V2V communications briefly described above occur on a secure channel, which in the United States is typically a 10 MHz channel dedicated to security purposes. The remainder of the DSRC band (total bandwidth of 75MHz) is intended for other services of interest to drivers, such as road rules, toll collection, parking automation, etc. Therefore, as a specific example, the media of interest utilized by side links 162, 166, and 168 may correspond to at least a portion of the licensed ITS band at 5.9GHz.

[0071] Alternatively, the medium of interest may correspond to at least a portion of unlicensed frequency bands shared among various RATs. While different licensed frequency bands have been reserved for certain communication systems (e.g., by government entities such as the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), these systems (particularly those employing small cell access points) have recently expanded their operations to unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) bands used by wireless local area network (WLAN) technologies, most notably the IEEE 802.11x WLAN technology commonly referred to as "Wi-Fi"). Example systems of this type include various variants of CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), and so on.

[0072] Communication between V-UEs 160 is referred to as V2V communication, communication between V-UE 160 and one or more RSUs 164 is referred to as V2I communication, and communication between V-UE 160 and one or more UEs 104 (where these UEs 104 are P-UEs) is referred to as V2P communication. V2V communication between V-UEs 160 may include information such as the location, speed, acceleration, heading, and other vehicle data of these V-UEs 160. V2I information received at a V-UE 160 from the one or more RSUs 164 may include, for example, road rules, parking automation information, etc. V2P communication between V-UE 160 and UE 104 may include information such as the location, speed, acceleration, and heading of V-UE 160, and the location, speed (e.g., in the case where UE 104 is carried by a cyclist), and heading of UE 104.

[0073] It should be noted that, although Figure 1 Only two UEs in the UE list are exemplified as V-UEs (V-UE 160), but any UE in the exemplified UEs (e.g., UE 104, 152, 182, 190) can be V-UEs. Furthermore, although only these V-UEs 160 and a single UE 104 have been exemplified as connected via a sidelink, Figure 1Any of the illustrated UEs, whether V-UE, P-UE, etc., may be capable of sidelink communication. Furthermore, although only UE 182 is described as capable of beamforming, any of the illustrated UEs (including V-UE 160) may be capable of beamforming. When V-UE 160 is capable of beamforming, it can beamform towards each other (i.e., towards other V-UEs 160), towards RSU 164, towards other UEs (e.g., UEs 104, 152, 182, 190), etc. Therefore, in some cases, V-UE 160 may utilize beamforming on sidelinks 162, 166, and 168.

[0074] The wireless communication system 100 may also include one or more UEs (such as UE 190) indirectly connected to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links. Figure 1 In one example, UE 190 has a D2D P2P link 192 with one of UEs 104 connected to one of the base stations 102 (e.g., UE 190 can indirectly obtain cellular connectivity through this D2D P2P link), and a D2D P2P link 194 with a WLANSTA 152 connected to a WLAN AP 150 (UE 190 can indirectly obtain WLAN-based Internet connectivity through this D2D P2P link). In one example, D2D P2P links 192 and 194 can utilize any known D2D RAT (such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), Wi-Fi Direct). ® ,Bluetooth ® (etc.) to support it. As another example, D2D P2P link 192 and D2D P2P link 194 can be side links, as described above with reference to side links 162, 166 and 168.

[0075] Figure 2AAn example wireless network architecture 200 is illustrated. For instance, the 5GC 210 (also referred to as the Next Generation Core (NGC)) can be functionally viewed as control plane (C-plane) functions 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and user plane (U-plane) functions 212 (e.g., UE gateway functions, access to data networks, IP routing, etc.), which work together to form the core network. The user plane interface (NG-U) 213 and the control plane interface (NG-C) 215 connect the gNB 222 to the 5GC 210, specifically to user plane functions 212 and control plane functions 214, respectively. In an additional configuration, the ng-eNB 224 can also connect to the 5GC 210 via the NG-C 215 to the control plane function 214 and the NG-U 213 to the user plane function 212. Furthermore, the ng-eNB 224 can communicate directly with the gNB 222 via a backhaul connection 223. In some configurations, the next-generation RAN (NG-RAN) 220 may have one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations include one or more of both ng-eNBs 224 and gNBs 222. Either or both of the gNBs 222 or ng-eNBs 224 can communicate with one or more UEs 204 (e.g., any of the UEs described herein).

[0076] Another optional aspect may include a location server 230 that can communicate with the 5GC 210 to provide location assistance to the UE 204. The location server 230 may be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, each may correspond to a single server. The location server 230 may be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204 that can be connected to the location server 230 via the core network, the 5GC 210, and / or via the Internet (not illustrated). Furthermore, the location server 230 may be integrated into a component of the core network, or alternatively, may be located outside the core network (e.g., a third-party server, such as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) server or a service server).

[0077] Figure 2B Another example wireless network architecture 240.5GC 260 is illustrated (which can be used with...). Figure 2AThe 5GC 210 (corresponding to 5GC 210) can be functionally considered as a control plane function provided by the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 264 and a user plane function provided by the User Plane Function (UPF) 262, which work together to form the core network (i.e., 5GC 260). The functions of AMF 264 include: registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful interception, transmission of session management (SM) messages between one or more UEs 204 (e.g., any of the UEs described herein) and the Session Management Function (SMF) 266, a transparent proxy service for routing SM messages, access authentication and access authorization, transmission of short message service (SMS) messages between UE 204 and the Short Message Service Function (SMSF) (not shown), and Secure Anchoring Functionality (SEAF). AMF 264 also interacts with the Authentication Server Function (AUSF) (not shown) and UE 204 and receives an intermediate key established as a result of the UE 204's authentication process. In the case of UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) authentication, AMF 264 retrieves security material from the AMF. AMF 264 also includes Security Context Management (SCM). The SCM receives a key from the SEAF and uses this key to derive an access network-specific key. AMF 264 functionality also includes location service management for regulatory services, transmission of location service messages between UE 204 and Location Management Function (LMF) 270 (which acts as location server 230), transmission of location service messages between NG-RAN 220 and LMF 270, Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearer identifier allocation for EPS interoperability, and UE 204 mobility event notification. Furthermore, AMF 264 also supports non-3GPP... ® (Third Generation Partner Program) Access network functionality.

[0078] The functions of UPF 262 include: acting as an anchor point for intra-RAT / inter-RAT mobility (where applicable), acting as an external Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session point interconnecting to a data network (not shown), providing packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, user plane policy rule enforcement (e.g., strobing, redirection, traffic steering), lawful eavesdropping (user plane collection), traffic usage reporting, quality of service (QoS) processing for the user plane (e.g., uplink / downlink rate enforcement, reflective QoS marking in the downlink), uplink traffic verification (Service Data Flow (SDF) to QoS flow mapping), transport-level packet marking in the uplink and downlink, downlink packet buffering and downlink data notification triggering, and delivering and forwarding one or more "end markers" to the source RAN node. UPF 262 can also support the delivery of location service messages between UE 204 and location servers (such as SLP 272) on the user plane.

[0079] The functions of SMF 266 include session management, UE Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management, selection and control of user plane functions, service orientation configuration at UPF 262 for routing services to the correct destination, partial control of policy enforcement and QoS, and downlink data notification. The interface through which SMF 266 communicates with AMF 264 is called the N11 interface.

[0080] Another optional aspect may include an LMF 270, which can communicate with the 5GC 260 to provide location assistance to the UE 204. The LMF 270 can be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, each can correspond to a single server. The LMF 270 can be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204, which can connect to the LMF 270 via the core network, the 5GC 260, and / or via the Internet (not illustrated). SLP 272 can support similar functions to LMF 270, but while LMF 270 can communicate with AMF 264, NG-RAN 220, and UE 204 on the control plane (e.g., using interfaces and protocols designed to transmit signaling messages rather than voice or data), SLP 272 can communicate with UE 204 and external clients (e.g., third-party server 274) on the user plane (e.g., using protocols designed to carry voice and / or data, such as Transmit Control Protocol (TCP) and / or IP).

[0081] Another optional aspect may include a third-party server 274 that can communicate with LMF 270, SLP 272, 5GC 260 (e.g., via AMF 264 and / or UPF 262), NG-RAN 220, and / or UE 204 to obtain location information (e.g., location estimation) of UE 204. Therefore, in some cases, the third-party server 274 may be referred to as a Location Services (LCS) client or an external client. The third-party server 274 may be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, each may correspond to a single server.

[0082] User plane interface 263 and control plane interface 265 connect 5GC 260, and specifically connect UPF 262 and AMF 264 to one or more gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224 in NG-RAN 220. The interface between gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224 and AMF 264 is referred to as the "N2" interface, while the interface between gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224 and UPF 262 is referred to as the "N3" interface. The gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224 of NG-RAN 220 can communicate directly with each other via backhaul connection 223, referred to as the "Xn-C" interface. One or more of gNB 222 and / or ng-eNB 224 can communicate with one or more UEs 204 via a radio interface referred to as the "Uu" interface.

[0083] The functionality of the gNB 222 is divided among the gNB Central Unit (gNB-CU) 226, one or more gNB Distributed Units (gNB-DU) 228, and one or more gNB Radio Units (gNB-RU) 229. The gNB-CU 226 is a logical node that includes base station functions other than those specifically allocated to the gNB-DU 228, including user data delivery, mobility control, radio access network sharing, location, session management, etc. More specifically, the gNB-CU 226 typically hosts the Radio Resource Control (RRC), Serving Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) protocols of the gNB 222. The gNB-DU 228 is a logical node that typically hosts the Radio Link Control (RLC) and Media Access Control (MAC) layers of the gNB 222. Its operation is controlled by the gNB-CU 226. One gNB-DU 228 can support one or more cells, and a cell is supported by only one gNB-DU 228. The interface 232 between gNB-CU 226 and one or more gNB-DU 228 is referred to as the "F1" interface. The physical (PHY) layer functionality of gNB 222 is typically managed by one or more independent gNB-RU 229s, which perform functions such as power amplification and signal transmission / reception. The interface between gNB-DU 228 and gNB-RU 229 is referred to as the "Fx" interface. Therefore, UE 204 communicates with gNB-CU 226 via the RRC, SDAP, and PDCP layers, with gNB-DU 228 via the RLC and MAC layers, and with gNB-RU 229 via the PHY layer.

[0084] The deployment of communication systems such as 5G NR systems can be arranged in a variety of ways using various components or parts. In a 5G NR system or network, network nodes, network entities, network mobility elements, RAN nodes, core network nodes, network elements, or network equipment (such as base stations or one or more units (or components) performing base station functions) can be implemented in aggregated or decomposed architectures. For example, base stations (such as Node B (NB), evolved NB (eNB), NR base stations, 5GNB, access points (APs), transmit / receive points (TRPs), or cells, etc.) can be implemented as aggregated base stations (also known as self-contained base stations or monolithic base stations) or decomposed base stations.

[0085] Aggregated base stations can be configured to utilize a radio protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single RAN node. Decentralized base stations can be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed across two or more units, such as one or more central or centralized units (CUs), one or more distributed units (DUs), or one or more radio units (RUs). In some respects, the CU may be implemented within a RAN node, and one or more DUs may co-located with the CU, or alternatively, may be geographically or virtually distributed across one or more other RAN nodes. DUs may be implemented to communicate with one or more RUs. Each of the CUs, DUs, and RUs may also be implemented as a virtual unit, namely a virtual central unit (VCU), a virtual distributed unit (VDU), or a virtual radio unit (VRU).

[0086] Base station type operation or network design can consider the aggregation characteristics of base station functionality. For example, decomposed base stations can be used in Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) networks, Open Radio Access Networks (O-RAN) (such as those developed by the O-RAN Alliance), and other similar networks. ® This can be used in proposed network configurations or virtualized radio access networks (vRAN, also known as cloud radio access networks (C-RAN)). Decomposition can include distributing functionality across two or more units in various physical locations, as well as virtually distributing the functionality of at least one unit, which allows for flexibility in network design. Various units in a decomposed base station or decomposed RAN architecture can be configured to communicate wirelessly with at least one other unit.

[0087] Figure 2C An example disaggregated base station architecture 250 according to various aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. The disaggregated base station architecture 250 may include one or more central units (CUs) 280 (e.g., gNB-CU 226) that can communicate directly with the core network 267 (e.g., 5GC 210, 5GC 260) via a backhaul link, or indirectly with the core network 267 via one or more disaggregated base station units (such as a near real-time (near-RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC) 259 via an E2 link or a non-real-time (non-RT) RIC 257 associated with a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) framework 255, or both). CUs 280 may communicate with one or more duplex units (DUs) 285 (e.g., gNB-DU 228) via a corresponding midhaul link (e.g., an F1 interface). DUs 285 may communicate with one or more radio units (RUs) 287 (e.g., gNB-RU 229) via a corresponding fronthaul link. RU 287 can communicate with the corresponding UE 204 via one or more radio frequency (RF) access links. In some implementations, UE 204 can be served by multiple RU 287s simultaneously.

[0088] Each of the units (i.e., CU 280, DU 285, RU 287, and near-RT RIC 259, non-RT RIC 257, and SMO frame 255) may include or be coupled to one or more interfaces configured to receive or transmit signals, data, or information (collectively, signals) via wired or wireless transmission media. Each of the units, or an associated processor or controller providing instructions to the communication interfaces of these units, may be configured to communicate with one or more other units via transmission media. For example, these units may include wired interfaces configured to receive signals or transmit signals to one or more other units via wired transmission media. Additionally, these units may include wireless interfaces that may include receivers, transmitters, or transceivers (such as RF transceivers) configured to receive signals or transmit signals to one or more other units, or both, via wireless transmission media.

[0089] In some aspects, the CU 280 can host one or more higher-level control functions. Such control functions may include RRC, PDCP, Serving Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), etc. Each control function can be implemented using an interface configured to signal to other control functions hosted by the CU 280. The CU 280 can be configured to handle user plane functionality (i.e., Central Unit-User Plane (CU-UP)), control plane functionality (i.e., Central Unit-Control Plane (CU-CP)), or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the CU 280 can be logically split into one or more CU-UP units and one or more CU-CP units. When implemented in an O-RAN configuration, the CU-UP units can communicate bidirectionally with the CU-CP units via an interface such as an E1 interface. The CU 280 can be implemented to communicate with the DU 285 for network control and signaling as needed.

[0090] DU 285 may correspond to a logic unit that includes one or more base station functions for controlling the operation of one or more RU 287s. In some aspects, DU 285 may be at least partially based on functional partitioning (such as that provided by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)). ® The DU285 is a functional partition defined to host one or more of the RLC layer, MAC layer, and one or more high PHY layers (such as modules for forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, etc.). In some respects, the DU285 may also host one or more low PHY layers. Each layer (or module) can be implemented using an interface configured to communicate signals with other layers (and modules) hosted by the DU285 or with control functions hosted by the CU280.

[0091] Lower-layer functionality can be implemented by one or more RU 287s. In some deployments, an RU287 controlled by a DU 285 may correspond to a logical node that hosts RF processing functions or low-PHY layer functions (such as performing Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Inverse FFT (iFFT), digital beamforming, Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, or both, based at least in part on functional decomposition (such as lower-layer functional decomposition). In such architectures, the RU 287 may be implemented to handle over-the-air (OTA) communications with one or more UE 204s. In some specific implementations, the real-time and non-real-time aspects of control plane and user plane communications with the RU 287 may be controlled by the corresponding DU 285. In some scenarios, this configuration allows the DU285 and CU 280 to be implemented in a cloud-based RAN architecture (such as a vRAN architecture).

[0092] SMO framework 255 can be configured to support RAN deployment and provisioning of both non-virtualized and virtualized network elements. For non-virtualized network elements, SMO framework 255 can be configured to support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements, which can be managed via operation and maintenance interfaces such as the O1 interface. For virtualized network elements, SMO framework 255 can be configured to interact with cloud computing platforms such as Open Cloud (O-Cloud) 269 to perform network element lifecycle management (such as instantiating virtualized network elements) via cloud computing platform interfaces such as the O2 interface. Such virtualized network elements may include, but are not limited to, CU 280, DU 285, RU 287, and near-RT RIC 259. In some implementations, SMO framework 255 can communicate with the hardware aspects of the 4G RAN (such as Open eNB (O-eNB) 261) via the O1 interface. Additionally, in some implementations, SMO framework 255 can communicate directly with one or more RU 287s via the O1 interface. SMO framework 255 may also include a non-RT RIC 257 configured to support the functionality of SMO framework 255.

[0093] The non-RT RIC 257 can be configured to include logical functions enabling non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, including artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) workflows for model training and updates, or policy-based guidance for applications / features in the near-RT RIC 259. The non-RT RIC 257 can be coupled to or communicate with the near-RT RIC 259, such as via an A1 interface. The near-RT RIC 259 can be configured to include logical functions enabling near real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources via data collection and actions through an interface such as an E2 interface, connecting one or more CU 280s, one or more DU 285s, or both, and O-eNBs to the near-RT RIC 259.

[0094] In some implementations, to generate AI / ML models that will be deployed in the near-RT RIC 259, the non-RT RIC 257 may receive parameters or external enrichment information from an external server. This information can be utilized by the near-RT RIC 259 and can be received from non-network data sources or network functions at the SMO framework 255 or the non-RT RIC 257. In some examples, the non-RT RIC 257 or the near-RT RIC 259 may be configured to modulate RAN behavior or performance. For example, the non-RT RIC 257 may monitor long-term trends and patterns in performance and use AI / ML models to perform corrective actions via the SMO framework 255 (such as reconfiguration via O1) or by creating RAN management policies (such as A1 policies).

[0095] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C Several example components (represented by corresponding boxes) are illustrated, which can be incorporated into UE 302 (which may correspond to any UE described herein), base station 304 (which may correspond to any base station described herein), and network entity 306 (which may correspond to or embody any network function described herein, including location server 230 and LMF 270, or alternatively may be independent of UE 302). Figure 2A and Figure 2BThe NG-RAN 220 and / or 5GC 210 / 260 infrastructures depicted herein (such as dedicated networks) are used to support the operations described herein. It should be understood that these components can be implemented in different specific implementations in different types of devices (e.g., in ASICs, in System-on-Chip (SoCs), etc.). The illustrated components can also be incorporated into other devices in the communication system. For example, other devices in the system may include components similar to those described as providing similar functionality. Furthermore, a given device may contain one or more of these components. For example, a device may include multiple transceiver components that enable the device to operate on multiple carriers and / or communicate via different technologies.

[0096] UE 302 and base station 304 each include one or more Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) transceivers 310 and 350, which provide components (e.g., components for transmitting, components for receiving, components for measuring, components for tuning, components for blocking transmission, etc.) for communication via one or more wireless communication networks (not shown), such as NR networks, LTE networks, GSM networks, etc. WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 may each be connected to one or more antennas 316 and 356 for communication with other network nodes (such as other UEs, access points, base stations (e.g., eNB, gNB), etc.) via at least one designated RAT (e.g., NR, LTE, GSM, etc.) through a wireless communication medium of interest (e.g., a time / frequency resource set in a specific spectrum). WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 can be configured in different ways to transmit and encode signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.) according to a specified RAT, and conversely, to receive and decode signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.). Specifically, WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 each include: one or more transmitters 314 and 354 for transmitting and encoding signals 318 and 358, respectively; and one or more receivers 312 and 352 for receiving and decoding signals 318 and 358, respectively.

[0097] In at least some cases, UE 302 and base station 304 each further include one or more short-range radio transceivers 320 and 360, respectively. The short-range radio transceivers 320 and 360 can be connected to one or more antennas 326 and 366, respectively, and provide the capability to communicate over a wireless communication medium of interest via at least one designated RAT (e.g., Wi-Fi, LTE Direct, Bluetooth). ® ZIGBEE ® Z-WAVE ®Components (e.g., components for transmitting, components for receiving, components for measuring, components for tuning, components for blocking transmission, etc.) that enable communication between PC5, Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC), Wireless Access for Vehicle Environments (WAVE), Near Field Communication (NFC), Ultra Wideband (UWB), etc., and other network nodes (such as other UEs, access points, base stations, etc.). Short-range transceivers 320 and 360 can be configured in different ways to transmit and encode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.) respectively according to a specified RAT, and conversely, to receive and decode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.) respectively. Specifically, short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 each include: one or more transmitters 324 and 364 for transmitting and encoding signals 328 and 368, respectively; and one or more receivers 322 and 362 for receiving and decoding signals 328 and 368, respectively. As a specific example, short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360 may be Wi-Fi transceivers, Bluetooth transceivers, etc. ® Transceiver, Zigbee ® and / or Z-WAVE ® Transceivers, NFC transceivers, UWB transceivers, or vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and / or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) transceivers.

[0098] In at least some cases, UE 302 and base station 304 also include satellite signal receivers 330 and 370. Satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 may be connected to one or more antennas 336 and 376, respectively, and may provide components for receiving and / or measuring satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378, respectively. Where satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 are satellite positioning system receivers, satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378 may be Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) signals, etc. ® The signals can include Galileo signals, BeiDou signals, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NAVIC), Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), etc. When satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 are non-terrestrial network (NTN) receivers, satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378 can be communication signals originating from a 5G network (e.g., carrying control and / or user data). Satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 can include any suitable hardware and / or software for receiving and processing satellite positioning / communication signals 338 and 378, respectively. Satellite signal receivers 330 and 370 may request information and operations from other systems as needed, and in at least some cases, use measurements obtained by any suitable satellite positioning system algorithm to perform calculations to determine the locations of UE 302 and base station 304, respectively.

[0099] Base station 304 and network entity 306 each include one or more network transceivers 380 and 390, which provide components (e.g., transmitting components, receiving components, etc.) for communicating with other network entities (e.g., other base stations 304, other network entities 306). For example, base station 304 may use one or more network transceivers 380 to communicate with other base stations 304 or network entities 306 via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links. Similarly, network entity 306 may use one or more network transceivers 390 to communicate with one or more base stations 304 via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links, or to communicate with other network entities 306 via one or more wired or wireless core network interfaces.

[0100] Transceivers can be configured to communicate via wired or wireless links. A transceiver (whether wired or wireless) includes transmitter circuitry (e.g., transmitters 314, 324, 354, 364) and receiver circuitry (e.g., receivers 312, 322, 352, 362). In some embodiments, the transceiver may be an integrated device (e.g., implementing transmitter and receiver circuitry in a single device), in some embodiments it may include separate transmitter and receiver circuitry, or in other embodiments it may be implemented in a different manner. The transmitter and receiver circuitry of a wired transceiver (e.g., network transceivers 380 and 390 in some embodiments) may be coupled to one or more wired network interface ports. Wireless transmitter circuitry (e.g., transmitters 314, 324, 354, 364) may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), such as an antenna array, which allows the corresponding device (e.g., UE 302, base station 304) to perform transmit beamforming, as described herein. Similarly, wireless receiver circuitry (e.g., receivers 312, 322, 352, 362) may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), such as an antenna array, which allows the corresponding device (e.g., UE 302, base station 304) to perform receive beamforming, as described herein. In one aspect, the transmitter and receiver circuitry may share the same multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), such that the corresponding device may perform only receive or only transmit at a given time, rather than both receive and transmit simultaneously. Wireless transceivers (e.g., WWAN transceivers 310 and 350, short-range wireless transceivers 320 and 360) may also include network listening modules (NLMs) for performing various measurements.

[0101] As used herein, various wireless transceivers (e.g., transceivers 310, 320, 350, and 360 in some specific embodiments, and network transceivers 380 and 390) and wired transceivers (e.g., network transceivers 380 and 390 in some specific embodiments) are generally referred to as "transceiver," "at least one transceiver," or "one or more transceivers." Therefore, whether a particular transceiver is a wired or wireless transceiver can be inferred from the type of communication performed. For example, backhaul communication between network devices or servers typically involves signaling via a wired transceiver, while wireless communication between a UE (e.g., UE 302) and a base station (e.g., base station 304) will typically involve signaling via a wireless transceiver.

[0102] UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 also include other components that can be used in conjunction with the operations disclosed herein. UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 each include one or more processors 332, 384, and 394 for providing functionality related to, for example, wireless communication, and for providing other processing functionality. Thus, processors 332, 384, and 394 may provide components for processing, such as components for determining, components for calculating, components for receiving, components for transmitting, components for indicating, etc. In one aspect, processors 332, 384, and 394 may include, for example, one or more general-purpose processors, multi-core processors, central processing units (CPUs), ASICs, digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), other programmable logic devices or processing circuits, or various combinations thereof.

[0103] UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 each include memory circuitry implementing memories 340, 386, and 396 (e.g., each including a memory device) for maintaining information (e.g., information indicating reserved resources, thresholds, parameters, etc.). Therefore, memories 340, 386, and 396 can provide components for storage, retrieval, maintenance, etc. In some cases, UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 may each include positioning components 342, 388, and 398. Positioning components 342, 388, and 398 may be hardware circuitry that is part of or coupled to processors 332, 384, and 394, respectively, which, when executed, enable UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 to perform the functionality described herein. In other aspects, positioning components 342, 388, and 398 may be external to processors 332, 384, and 394 (e.g., as part of a modem processing system, integrated with another processing system, etc.). Alternatively, positioning components 342, 388, and 398 may be memory modules stored in memories 340, 386, and 396, respectively, which, when executed by processors 332, 384, and 394 (or modem processing system, another processing system, etc.), enable UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 to perform the functionality described herein. Figure 3A Possible locations for the positioning component 342 are illustrated. The positioning component may be, for example, part of one or more WWAN transceivers 310, memory 340, one or more processors 332, or any combination thereof, or may be a standalone component. Figure 3B Possible locations for the positioning component 388 are illustrated. The positioning component may be part of, for example, one or more WWAN transceivers 350, memory 386, one or more processors 384, or any combination thereof, or may be a standalone component. Figure 3C Possible locations for the positioning component 398 are illustrated. The positioning component may be part of, for example, one or more network transceivers 390, memory 396, one or more processors 394, or any combination thereof, or may be a standalone component.

[0104] UE 302 may include one or more sensors 344 coupled to one or more processors 332 to provide components for sensing or detecting motion and / or orientation information independent of motion data derived from signals received by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more short-range wireless transceivers 320, and / or satellite signal receivers 330. By way of example, sensor 344 may include accelerometers (e.g., microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices), gyroscopes, geomagnetic sensors (e.g., compasses), altimeters (e.g., barometric altimeters), and / or any other type of motion detection sensor. Furthermore, sensor 344 may include multiple different types of devices and combine their outputs to provide motion information. For example, sensor 344 may use a combination of multi-axis accelerometers and orientation sensors to provide the ability to calculate positioning in two-dimensional (2D) and / or three-dimensional (3D) coordinate systems.

[0105] In addition, UE 302 includes a user interface 346 that provides components for providing instructions to a user (e.g., audible and / or visual instructions) and / or for receiving user input (e.g., when the user actuates a sensing device such as a keypad, touchscreen, microphone, etc.). Although not shown, base station 304 and network entity 306 may also include user interfaces.

[0106] Referring more specifically to one or more processors 384, in the downlink, IP packets from network entity 306 can be provided to processor 384. One or more processors 384 can implement functionality for the RRC layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and Media Access Control (MAC) layer. One or more processors 384 may provide: RRC layer functionality associated with broadcasting system information (e.g., Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB)), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-RAT mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression, security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functionality associated with the delivery of upper-layer PDUs, error correction via Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ), concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC Service Data Units (SDUs), resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, scheduling information reporting, error correction, priority handling, and logical channel priority ordering.

[0107] Transmitter 354 and receiver 352 implement Layer 1 (L1) functionality associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, including the physical (PHY) layer, may include: error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) decoding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. Transmitter 354 processes the mapping to the signal constellation based on various modulation schemes (e.g., Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK), Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK), M-Phase Shift Keying (M-PSK), M-QAM). The decoded and modulated symbols can then be divided into parallel streams. Each stream can then be mapped to Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) subcarriers, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in the time and / or frequency domains, and then combined using an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a stream of time-domain OFDM symbols. The OFDM symbol stream is spatially pre-decoded to generate multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from a channel estimator can be used to determine the decoding and modulation scheme, as well as for spatial processing. These channel estimates can be derived from a reference signal transmitted by UE 302 and / or channel condition feedback. Each spatial stream can then be provided to one or more different antennas 356. Transmitter 354 can use the corresponding spatial stream to modulate an RF carrier for transmission.

[0108] At UE 302, receiver 312 receives signals via its corresponding antenna 316. Receiver 312 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides this information to one or more processors 332. Transmitter 314 and receiver 312 implement Layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. Receiver 312 can perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for UE 302. If multiple spatial streams are destined for UE 302, they can be combined by receiver 312 into a single OFDM symbol stream. Receiver 312 then uses a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to transform the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain. The frequency domain signal includes a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each subcarrier, along with the reference signal, are recovered and demodulated by determining the most probable signal constellation points transmitted by base station 304. These soft decisions can be based on channel estimates calculated by a channel estimator. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally transmitted by base station 304 on the physical channel. Then, data and control signals are provided to one or more processors 332, which implement layer 3 (L3) and layer 2 (L2) functionality.

[0109] In the downlink, one or more processors 332 provide demultiplexing, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing between the transport and logical channels to recover IP packets from the core network. One or more processors 332 are also responsible for error detection.

[0110] Similar to the functionality described in conjunction with downlink transmissions performed by base station 304, one or more processors 332 provide: RRC layer functionality associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connectivity, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functionality associated with the delivery of upper-layer PDUs, error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction via Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ), priority handling, and logical channel priority ordering.

[0111] The channel estimate derived by the channel estimator from the reference signal or feedback transmitted by the base station 304 can be used by the transmitter 314 to select an appropriate decoding and modulation scheme and facilitate spatial processing. The spatial stream generated by the transmitter 314 can be provided to different antennas 316. The transmitter 314 can use the corresponding spatial stream to modulate the RF carrier for transmission.

[0112] Uplink transmissions are processed at base station 304 in a manner similar to that described in conjunction with the receiver function at UE 302. Receiver 352 receives signals via its corresponding antenna 356. Receiver 352 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides this information to one or more processors 384.

[0113] In the uplink, one or more processors 384 provide demultiplexing, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing between the transport channel and the logical channel to recover IP packets from UE 302. IP packets from one or more processors 384 can be provided to the core network. One or more processors 384 are also responsible for error detection.

[0114] For convenience, UE 302, base station 304 and / or network entity 306 are in Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3CThe document is shown as including various components that can be configured according to the various examples described herein. However, it should be understood that the illustrated components may have different functionalities in different designs. In particular, Figures 3A to 3C Various components are optional in alternative configurations, and various aspects include configurations that can vary due to design choices, cost, equipment usage, or other considerations. For example, in Figure 3A In certain cases, specific implementations of UE 302 may omit WWAN transceiver 310 (e.g., wearable devices, tablets, personal computers (PCs), or laptops may have Wi-Fi and / or Bluetooth). ® (e.g., cellular only), or the short-range wireless transceiver 320 can be omitted (e.g., cellular only), or the satellite signal receiver 330 can be omitted, or the sensor 344 can be omitted, etc. For example, in Figure 3B In certain cases, specific implementations of base station 304 may omit WWAN transceiver 350 (e.g., a Wi-Fi "hotspot" access point without cellular capabilities), or short-range wireless transceiver 360 (e.g., cellular only), or satellite signal receiver 370, etc. For the sake of brevity, examples of various alternative configurations are not provided herein, but will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

[0115] Various components of UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 can be communicatively coupled to each other via data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392, respectively. In one aspect, data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392 can form or be part of the communication interfaces of UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306, respectively. For example, in cases where different logical entities are embodied in the same device (e.g., gNB and location server functionality integrated into the same base station 304), data buses 334, 382, ​​and 392 can provide communication between these different logical entities.

[0116] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C The components can be implemented in various ways. In some specific implementations, Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3CThe components can be implemented in one or more circuits, such as, for example, one or more processors and / or one or more ASICs (which may include one or more processors). Here, each circuit may use and / or combine at least one memory component for storing information or executable code used by the circuit to provide that functionality. For example, some or all of the functionalities represented by blocks 310 to 346 may be implemented by the processor and memory components of UE 302 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). Similarly, some or all of the functionalities represented by blocks 350 to 388 may be implemented by the processor and memory components of base station 304 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). Moreover, some or all of the functionalities represented by blocks 390 to 398 may be implemented by the processor and memory components of network entity 306 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). For simplicity, various operations, actions, and / or functions are described herein as being performed "by the UE," "by the base station," "by the network entity," etc. However, it should be understood that such operations, actions and / or functions can actually be performed by specific components or combinations of components of the UE 302, base station 304, network entity 306, etc., such as processors 332, 384, 394, transceivers 310, 320, 350 and 360, memory 340, 386 and 396, positioning components 342, 388 and 398, etc.

[0117] In some designs, network entity 306 may be implemented as a core network component. In other designs, network entity 306 may operate differently from the network operator or cellular network infrastructure (e.g., NG RAN 220 and / or 5GC 210 / 260). For example, network entity 306 may be a component of a private network that can be configured to communicate with UE 302 via base station 304 or independently of base station 304 (e.g., via a non-cellular communication link such as Wi-Fi).

[0118] NR supports various cellular network-based positioning technologies, including downlink-based positioning methods, uplink-based positioning methods, and positioning methods based on both downlink and uplink. Downlink-based positioning methods include: Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) in LTE, Downlink Time Difference of Arrival (DL-TDOA) in NR, and Downlink Angle of Departure (DL-AoD) in NR. Figure 4Examples of various positioning methods according to aspects of this disclosure are illustrated. In the OTDOA or DL-TDOA positioning process illustrated in scenario 410, the UE measures the difference between the times of arrival (ToA) of a reference signal (e.g., a positioning reference signal (PRS)) received from a base station (referred to as the reference signal time difference (RSTD) or time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurement) and reports these differences to the positioning entity. More specifically, the UE receives identifiers (IDs) of a reference base station (e.g., a serving base station) and multiple non-reference base stations in auxiliary data. The UE then measures the RSTD between the reference base station and each non-reference base station. Based on the known locations of the base stations involved and the RSTD measurement, the positioning entity (e.g., a UE for UE-based positioning or a location server for UE-assisted positioning) can estimate the UE's location.

[0119] For the DL-AoD positioning illustrated in scenario 420, the positioning entity uses measurement reports from the UE regarding the received signal strength of multiple downlink transmit beams to determine the angle between the UE and the transmitting base station. The positioning entity can then estimate the UE's location based on the determined angle and the known location of the transmitting base station.

[0120] Uplink-based positioning methods include uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA) and uplink angle of arrival (UL-AoA). UL-TDOA is similar to DL-TDOA, but is based on uplink reference signals (e.g., sounding reference signals (SRS)) transmitted by the UE to multiple base stations. Specifically, the UE transmits one or more uplink reference signals, which are measured by a reference base station and multiple non-reference base stations. Each base station then reports the reception time of the reference signal (referred to as relative time of arrival (RTOA)) to a positioning entity (e.g., a location server) that knows the location and relative timing of the base stations involved. Based on the received-receive (Rx-Rx) time difference between the reported RTOA of the reference base station and the reported RTOA of each non-reference base station, the known location of the base stations, and their known timing offsets, the positioning entity can use the TDOA to estimate the UE's location.

[0121] For UL-AoA positioning, one or more base stations measure the received signal strength of one or more uplink reference signals (e.g., SRS) received from the UE on one or more uplink receive beams. The positioning entity uses the signal strength measurement and the angle of the receive beam to determine the angle between the UE and the base station. Based on the determined angle and the known location of the base station, the positioning entity can then estimate the location of the UE.

[0122] Downlink and uplink-based positioning methods include Enhanced Cell ID (E-CID) positioning and Multiple Round-Trip Time (RTT) positioning (also known as "Multi-Cell RTT" and "Multi-RTT"). During RTT, a first entity (e.g., a base station or a UE) sends a first RTT-related signal (e.g., PRS or SRS) to a second entity (e.g., a UE or a base station), which then sends a second RTT-related signal (e.g., SRS or PRS) back to the first entity. Each entity measures the time difference between the time of arrival (ToA) of the received RTT-related signal and the time of transmission of the transmitted RTT-related signal. This time difference is called the receive-to-transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference. The Rx-Tx time difference measurement can be performed or adjusted to include only the time difference between the nearest time slot boundary of the received signal and the transmitted signal. The two entities can then transmit their Rx-Tx time difference measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF 270), which calculates the round-trip time (RTT) between the two entities based on these two Rx-Tx time difference measurements (e.g., calculated as the sum of the two Rx-Tx time difference measurements). Alternatively, one entity can transmit its Rx-Tx time difference measurement to another entity, which then calculates the RTT. The distance between the two entities can be determined based on the RTT and a known signal speed (e.g., the speed of light). For the multi-RTT positioning illustrated in scenario 430, a first entity (e.g., a UE or base station) performs an RTT positioning process with multiple second entities (e.g., multiple base stations or UEs) to enable the location of the first entity to be determined based on the distance to the second entities and the known location of the second entities (e.g., using polygonal measurements). RTT and multi-RTT methods can be combined with other positioning technologies (such as UL-AoA and DL-AoD) to improve location accuracy, as illustrated in scenario 440.

[0123] The E-CID positioning method is based on Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements. In E-CID, the UE reports the serving cell ID, timing advance (TA), identifiers of detected neighboring base stations, estimated timing, and signal strength. The UE's location is then estimated based on this information and the known locations of the base stations.

[0124] To assist in positioning operations, a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272) may provide auxiliary data to the UE. For example, auxiliary data may include: the identifier of the base station (or the cell / TRP of the base station) from which the reference signal is measured, reference signal configuration parameters (e.g., including the number of consecutive time slots of the PRS, the periodicity of consecutive time slots of the PRS, silence sequences, frequency hopping sequences, reference signal identifier, reference signal bandwidth, etc.), and / or other parameters applicable to a particular positioning method. Alternatively, auxiliary data may be derived directly from the base station itself (e.g., in periodically broadcast overhead messages, etc.). In some cases, the UE may be able to detect neighboring network nodes without using auxiliary data.

[0125] In the case of OTDOA or DL-TDOA positioning procedures, auxiliary data may also include the expected RSTD value and the associated uncertainty or search window around the expected RSTD. In some cases, the expected RSTD value may range from + / - 500 microseconds (µs). In some cases, when any of the resources used for positioning measurements is in FR1, the uncertainty of the expected RSTD may range from + / - 32 µs. In other cases, when all resources used for positioning measurements are in FR2, the uncertainty of the expected RSTD may range from + / - 8 µs.

[0126] Location estimates can be referred to by other names, such as location estimation, location, positioning, fixed location, etc. Location estimates can be geodesic and include coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and possible elevation), or they can be municipal and include street addresses, postal addresses, or some other verbal description of the location. Location estimates can be further defined relative to some other known location or in absolute terms (e.g., using latitude, longitude, and possible elevation). Location estimates can include expected errors or uncertainties (e.g., by including the area or volume that the location is expected to include with a specified or default confidence level).

[0127] NR supports or enables various sidelink positioning technologies. Figure 5AVarious scenarios of interest, including sidelink-only positioning or joint Uu and sidelink positioning, are illustrated according to various aspects of this disclosure. In scenario 510, at least one peer UE with a known location can improve the Uu-based positioning of a target UE by providing additional anchors (e.g., using sidelink round-trip time (RTT) (SL-RTT)). In scenario 520, a low-end (e.g., a reduced-capability or “RedCap”) target UE can receive assistance from a high-end UE to determine its location using, for example, a sidelink positioning and ranging process with the high-end UE. Compared to the low-end UE, the high-end UE may have more capabilities, such as more sensors, a faster processor, more memory, more antenna elements, higher transmit power capabilities, access to additional frequency bands, or any combination thereof. In scenario 530, a relay UE (e.g., with a known location) participates in the positioning estimation of a remote UE without performing uplink positioning reference signal (PRS) transmission via the Uu interface. Scenario 540 illustrates joint positioning of multiple UEs. Specifically, in scenario 540, two UEs with unknown locations can jointly locate each other under non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions by utilizing constraints from nearby UEs.

[0128] Figure 5B Additional scenarios of interest, including sidelink-only positioning or combined Uu and sidelink positioning, are illustrated according to various aspects of this disclosure. In scenario 550, a UE used for public safety (e.g., by police, firefighters, etc.) may perform peer-to-peer (P2P) positioning and ranging for public safety and other purposes. For example, in scenario 550, a public safety UE may be outside network coverage and use sidelink positioning techniques to determine the location or relative distance and relative positioning between public safety UEs. Similarly, scenario 560 illustrates multiple UEs outside coverage and using sidelink positioning techniques such as SL-RTT to determine their location or relative distance and relative positioning.

[0129] For both downlink and sidelink positioning use cases, specific reference signals, referred to as "Positioning Reference Signals" or "PRS," have been defined for positioning. The set of resource elements (REs) used for PRS transmission is called a "PRS resource." The set of resource elements can span multiple physical resource blocks (PRBs) in the frequency domain and span "N" (such as one or more) consecutive symbols within a time slot in the time domain. In a given OFDM symbol in the time domain, the PRS resource occupies a consecutive PRB in the frequency domain.

[0130] The transmission of PRS resources within a given PRB has a specific comb size (also known as "comb density"). The comb size "N" represents the subcarrier spacing (or frequency / tone spacing) within each symbol of the PRS resource configuration. Specifically, for a comb size "N", the PRS is transmitted in every Nth subcarrier of a symbol within the PRB. For example, for comb size-4, for each symbol of the PRS resource configuration, the RE corresponding to every fourth subcarrier (such as subcarrier 0, 4, 8) is used to transmit the PRS resource. Currently, for DL-PRS, comb sizes-2, comb size-4, comb size-6, and comb size-12 are supported.

[0131] Currently, DL-PRS resources can span 2, 4, 6, or 12 consecutive symbols within a time slot using a full-frequency-domain interleaved mode. DL-PRS resources can be configured in any downlink or flexible (FL) symbol within a time slot, configured by higher layers. For all REs of a given DL-PRS resource, there may be a constant energy per resource element (EPRE). The following are the symbol-by-symbol frequency offsets for comb sizes 2, 4, 6, and 12 on 2, 4, 6, and 12 symbols. 2-symbol comb teeth-2: {0, 1}; 4-symbol comb teeth-2: {0, 1, 0, 1}; 6-symbol comb teeth-2: {0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1}; 12-symbol comb teeth-2: {0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1}; 4-symbol comb teeth-4: {0, 2, 1, 3}; 12-symbol comb teeth-4: {0, 2, 1, 3, 0, 2, 1, 3, 0, 2, 1, 3}; 6-symbol comb teeth-6: {0, 3, 1, 4, 2, 5}; 12-symbol comb teeth-6: {0, 3, 1, 4, 2, 5, ... 5}; and 12-symbol comb-12: {0, 6, 3, 9, 1, 7, 4, 10, 2, 8, 5, 11}.

[0132] A “PRS resource set” is a collection of PRS resources used to transmit PRS signals, where each PRS resource has a PRS resource ID. Furthermore, PRS resources in a PRS resource set are associated with the same TRP. A PRS resource set is identified by a PRS resource set ID and associated with a specific TRP (identified by the TRP ID). Additionally, PRS resources in a PRS resource set have the same periodicity, common silence mode configuration, and the same repetition factor (such as “PRS-ResourceRepetitionFactor”) across time slots. Periodicity is the time from the first repetition of the first PRS resource in the first PRS instance to the same first repetition of the same first PRS resource in the next PRS instance. Periodicity can have a length selected from: 2^µ The time slots are {4, 5, 8, 10, 16, 20, 32, 40, 64, 80, 160, 320, 640, 1280, 2560, 5120, 10240}, where µ = 0, 1, 2, 3. The repetition factor can have a length selected from {1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32} time slots.

[0133] In a PRS resource set, a PRS resource ID is associated with a single beam (or beam ID) transmitted from a single TRP (where one TRP can transmit one or more beams). That is, each PRS resource in a PRS resource set can be transmitted on a different beam, and therefore, a "PRS resource" (or simply "resource") can also be referred to as a "beam." It should be noted that this does not imply whether the UE knows the TRP and beam on which it transmits the PRS.

[0134] A “PRS instance” or “PRS timing” is an instance of a periodically repeating time window (such as a group of one or more consecutive time slots) in which a PRS is expected to be sent. A PRS timing may also be referred to as a “PRS positioning timing,” “PRS positioning instance,” “positioning timing,” “positioning instance,” “positioning repetition,” or simply “timing,” “instance,” or “repetition.”

[0135] A “positioning frequency layer” (also simply “frequency layer”) is a collection of one or more PRS resource sets with identical values ​​for certain parameters across one or more TRPs. Specifically, the collection of PRS resource sets has the same subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix (CP) type (meaning that all parameter sets supported for the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) are also supported by the PRS), the same point A, the same downlink PRS bandwidth, the same starting PRB (and center frequency), and the same comb size. The point A parameter takes the value of the parameter “ARFCN-ValueNR” (where “ARFCN” stands for “Absolute Radio Channel Number”) and is an identifier / code specifying a pair of physical radio channels used for transmission and reception. The downlink PRS bandwidth can have a granularity of four PRBs, with a minimum of 24 PRBs and a maximum of 272 PRBs. Currently, up to four frequency layers have been defined, and up to two PRS resource sets can be configured per frequency layer per TRP.

[0136] The concept of a frequency layer is somewhat similar to that of component carriers and bandwidth portions (BWPs), but the difference is that component carriers and BWPs are used by a single base station (or macrocell base station and small cell base station) to transmit data channels, while a frequency layer is used by several (usually three or more) base stations to transmit PRS. A UE can indicate the number of frequency layers it can support when transmitting its positioning capabilities to the network (such as during an LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) session). For example, a UE can indicate whether it can support one or four positioning frequency layers.

[0137] Note that unless the context otherwise indicates, the terms "positioning reference signal" and "PRS" can refer to a downlink, uplink, or sidelink positioning reference signal. If further differentiation of the type of PRS is required, a downlink positioning reference signal can be referred to as "DL-PRS," an uplink positioning reference signal (e.g., a positioning SRS) as "UL-PRS," and a sidelink positioning reference signal as "SL-PRS." Furthermore, for signals that can be transmitted in the downlink, uplink, and / or sidelink (e.g., a demodulation reference signal (DMRS)), the signal can be preceded by "DL," "UL," or "SL" to distinguish the direction. For example, "UL-DMRS" can be different from "DL-DMRS."

[0138] Figure 6 Figure 600 illustrates an example PRS configuration for two TRPs (labeled "TRP1" and "TRP2") operating in the same positioning frequency layer (labeled "Positioning Frequency Layer 1") according to various aspects of this disclosure. For a positioning session, auxiliary data indicative of the illustrated PRS configuration can be provided to the UE. Figure 6In the example, a first TRP (“TRP1”) is associated with two PRS resource sets labeled “PRS Resource Set 1” and “PRS Resource Set 2” (e.g., sending these resource sets), and a second TRP (“TRP2”) is associated with one PRS resource set labeled “PRS Resource Set 3”. Each PRS resource set includes at least two PRS resources. Specifically, the first PRS resource set (“PRS Resource Set 1”) includes PRS resources labeled “PRS Resource 1” and “PRS Resource 2”, the second PRS resource set (“PRS Resource Set 2”) includes PRS resources labeled “PRS Resource 3” and “PRS Resource 4”, and the third PRS resource set (“PRS Resource Set 3”) includes PRS resources labeled “PRS Resource 5” and “PRS Resource 6”.

[0139] When a UE configures multiple PRS resources beyond its capacity in the auxiliary data for a positioning method, the UE assumes that the PRS resources in the auxiliary data are sorted in descending order of measurement priority. Currently, 64 TRPs for each frequency layer are sorted according to priority, and the two PRS resource sets for each TRP of the frequency layer are also sorted according to priority. However, it is possible or not to sort all four frequency layers according to priority, and it is possible or not to sort the 64 PRS resources in the PRS resource set for each TRP of each frequency layer according to priority. The reference indicated by the auxiliary data parameter "nr-DL-PRS-ReferenceInfo" for each frequency layer has the highest priority at least for the DL-TDOA positioning procedure.

[0140] The Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) is used point-to-point between a location server (e.g., LMF 270) and a target device (e.g., UE) to locate the target device using positioning-related measurements obtained from one or more reference sources (physical entities or portions of physical entities that provide signals measurable by the target device to obtain the location of the target device). An LPP session is used between the location server and the target device to obtain positioning-related measurements or location estimates, or to transfer auxiliary data. Currently, a single LPP session is used to support a single location request, and multiple LPP sessions can be used between the same endpoints to support multiple different location requests. Each LPP session includes one or more LPP transactions (or procedures), where each LPP transaction performs a single operation (capability exchange, auxiliary data transfer, or location information transfer). Each LPP transaction involves the exchange of one or more LPP messages between the location server and the target device. The general format of an LPP message consists of a set of common fields followed by a body. The body (which may be empty) contains information specific to a particular message type. Each message type contains information specific to one or more positioning methods and / or information common to all positioning methods.

[0141] An LPP session typically includes at least a capability transfer or instruction process, an auxiliary data transfer or delivery process, and a location information transfer or delivery process. Figure 7 Examples of LPP capability transfer process 710, LPP auxiliary data transfer process 730, and LPP location information transfer process 750 between a target device (labeled "target") and a location server (labeled "server") according to various aspects of this disclosure are illustrated.

[0142] The purpose of LPP capability transfer procedure 710 is to enable the transfer of capabilities from a target device (e.g., UE 204) to a location server (e.g., LMF 270). In this context, capabilities refer to location and protocol capabilities associated with LPP, as well as location methods supported by LPP. In LPP capability transfer procedure 710, the location server (e.g., LMF 270) indicates the type of capability required by the target device (e.g., UE 204) in an LPP request capability message. The target device responds with an LPP provide capability message. The capabilities included in the LPP provide capability message should correspond to any capability type specified in the LPP request capability message. Specifically, for each location method for which a capability request is included in the LPP request capability message, if the target device supports that location method, the target device includes its capabilities for the supported location method in the LPP provide capability message. For the LPP capability indication procedure, the target device provides capabilities to the location server in the LPP provide capability message that were not requested (i.e., the LPP request capability message was not received).

[0143] The purpose of LPP Assisted Data Delivery Process 730 is to enable a target device to request assisted data from a location server for location assistance, and to enable the location server to deliver assisted data to the target device without a request. In LPP Assisted Data Delivery Process 730, the target device sends an LPP Request Assisted Data message to the location server. The location server responds to the target device with an LPP Provide Assisted Data message containing the requested assisted data. The delivered assisted data should match or be a subset of the assisted data requested in the LPP Request Assisted Data. The location server may also provide any unrequested information it deems useful to the target device. The location server may also send one or more additional LPP Provide Assisted Data messages to the target device containing further assisted data. For the LPP Assisted Data Delivery Process, the location server provides unrequested assisted data necessary for location. Assisted data can be provided periodically or non-periodically.

[0144] The purpose of the LPP location information transmission process 750 is to enable a location server to request location measurement data and / or location estimates from a target device, and to enable the target device to transmit location measurement data and / or location estimates to the location server without a request. In the LPP location information transmission process 750, the location server transmits an LPP request location information message to the target device to request location information, indicating the type of location information required and the potentially associated QoS. The target device responds to the location server with an LPP provide location information message to transmit the location information. Unless the location server explicitly allows additional location information, the transmitted location information should match or be a subset of the location information requested by the LPP request location information message. More specifically, if the requested information is compatible with the capabilities and configuration of the target device, the target device includes the requested information in the LPP provide location information message. Otherwise, if the target device does not support one or more of the requested positioning methods, the target device continues to process the message as if it only contains information about the supported positioning methods, and handles the signaling content of unsupported positioning methods through LPP error detection. If requested by an LPP Request for Location Information message, the target device sends an Additional LPP Provide Location Information message to the location server to deliver additional location information. The LPP location information delivery process supports delivery based on location estimates from unrequested services.

[0145] LPP also defines procedures related to error indication when a receiving endpoint (target device or location server) receives erroneous or unexpected data or detects some data loss. Specifically, when a receiving endpoint determines that a received LPP message contains an error, it may return an error message indicating one or more errors to the sending endpoint and discard the received / erroneous message. If the receiving endpoint is able to determine that the erroneous LPP message is an LPP error or abort message, it discards the received message without returning an error message to the sending endpoint.

[0146] LPP also defines procedures associated with abort instructions to allow a target device or location server to abort an ongoing process due to an unexpected event (e.g., an LCS client canceling a location request). Abort procedures can also be used to stop ongoing processes (e.g., periodic location reports from a target device). During an abort procedure, the first endpoint determines that process P must be aborted and sends an abort message carrying the transaction ID of process P to the second endpoint. The second endpoint then aborts process P.

[0147] As described above, for sidelink localization, in order to obtain a location assessment of the target UE, the localization method utilizes reference signals transmitted between UEs (e.g., SL-PRS), and the resulting measurements can be used to locate the target UE. In some scenarios, based on the type of anchored UE (e.g., RSU that can be used as a TRP for localization purposes), both time-based and angle-based localization methods are applicable. Currently, at least the following localization methods are expected to support sidelink localization: RTT-type solutions using sidelink, SL-AoA, and SL-TDOA.

[0148] For the SL-TDOA positioning method, the target UE's position is assessed based on measurements obtained from multiple anchored UEs via SL-PRS transmitted by the target UE, and / or based on measurements obtained from the target UE via SL-PRS transmitted by multiple anchored UEs. The SL-TDOA positioning method is therefore similar to the DL-TDOA or UL-TDOA positioning methods. Specifically, for a side-link-only TDOA positioning process, at least for the purpose of determining the absolute position of the target UE, SL-PRS is transmitted from multiple anchored UEs to the target UE (e.g., similar to DL-TDOA operation) and / or from the target UE to multiple anchored UEs (e.g., similar to UL-TDOA operation).

[0149] Joint TDOA positioning is a positioning technique in which both DL-PRS from one or more TRPs and SL-PRS from one or more anchored UEs are sent to the target UE and measured by the target UE. Figure 8 Figure 800 illustrates an example of a combined TDOA positioning method according to various aspects of this disclosure. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the target UE measures the DL-RSTD between a pair of TRPs (labeled "TRP1" and "TRP2"), the SL-RSTD between a pair of anchored UEs (labeled "anchored UE1" and "anchored UE2"), and the joint downlink and sidelink RSTD between one TRP (TRP1) and one anchored UE (anchored UE1). That is, the joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurement (or simply "joint RSTD") is the RSTD measurement between the DL-PRS and the SL-PRS.

[0150] exist Figure 8 In the example, the target UE's location cannot be calculated using DL-RSTD or SL-RSTD measurements because DL-TDOA-based positioning uses at least three anchor nodes, one of which is a reference node. Therefore, in situations like... Figure 8In the illustrated scenario, both downlink and sidelink measurements need to be combined. For example, RSTD measurements between the target UE and the TRP, and between the target UE and the sidelink anchored UE, will be used to determine the location of the target UE.

[0151] DL-TDOA and UL-TDOA positioning methods require time synchronization information between a reference TRP and a list of adjacent TRPs to meet positioning accuracy requirements. Generally, the anchored UE and TRP are not accurately time-synchronized. Even if TRPs are synchronized with each other, anchored UEs may be out of sync with each other or with their TRPs. For example, different anchored UEs may have different synchronization points, such as GPS, TRP, and UE. Therefore, selecting a single reference point for both sidelink and Uu measurements during joint TDOA positioning may be inappropriate. Furthermore, as... Figure 8 As illustrated, separate reports for sidelink and Uu measurements may not be sufficient for a location server (e.g., LMF 270) to calculate a joint location assessment for both sidelink and Uu cases, as there may not be enough sidelink-only or Uu-only RSTD measurements. In such cases, the UE may need to report joint RSTD measurements.

[0152] Note that the term "Uu" refers to the air interface between the TRP and the UE. Thus, "Uu measurement" refers to downlink measurement (e.g., measurement of DL-PRS resources) or uplink measurement (e.g., measurement of UL-PRS resources, such as SRS for location resources). Furthermore, when the TRP transmits one or more DL-PRS resources to be measured by the target UE, the target UE can be interchangeably described as measuring the TRP or measuring one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the TRP. Similarly, when the anchor UE transmits one or more SL-PRS resources to be measured by the target UE, the target UE can be interchangeably described as measuring the anchor UE or measuring one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the anchor UE. Likewise, when the target UE can transmit one or more UL-PRS resources and / or one or more SL-PRS resources, the TRP or anchor UE can be interchangeably described as measuring the target UE or measuring one or more PRS resources transmitted by the target UE.

[0153] This disclosure provides techniques for identifying and reporting reference nodes for joint downlink and sidelink TDOA positioning. Figure 9 An example method 900 for wireless communication according to various aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. In one aspect, method 900 may be performed by a UE (e.g., any UE described herein).

[0154] At operation 910, the UE obtains (e.g., from LMF 270) at least one reference node for one or more combined downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements and (1) one or more DL-RSTD measurements, (2) one or more SL-RSTD measurements, or (3) both. In one aspect, operation 910 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340, and / or positioning components 342, any or all of which may be considered as components for performing the operation.

[0155] At operation 920, the UE determines one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by at least one reference node and (1) one or more first DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more first TRPs or (2) one or more first SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs. In one aspect, operation 910 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340, and / or positioning components 342, any or all of which may be considered as components for performing the operation.

[0156] As a first technology described herein, the location server can support different types of reference node configurations. In some cases, the first configuration can be a common reference node for both SL-RSTD and DL-RSTD measurements. That is, the UE uses the common reference node for both downlink and sidelink measurements. In this case, the location server supports all DL-RSTD measurements, SL-RSTD measurements, and joint DL / SL-RSTD measurements (e.g., Figure 8 The illustrated joint RSTD measurement configuration (or UE report) is a single reference node.

[0157] In some cases, the second reference node configuration supported by the location server can be a separate reference node for both SL-RSTD and DL-RSTD measurements. That is, the UE uses the TRP as the reference node for downlink measurements and uses the sidelink-anchored UE as the reference node for sidelink measurements. This applies to cross / joint downlink and sidelink measurements (e.g., Figure 8 (in the joint RSTD measurement), the UE can determine whether TRP is used (e.g., Figure 8 TRP1 in the middle) or anchored UE (e.g., Figure 8The anchor UE1 is used as a reference node for cross / joint downlink and sidelink measurements. In this case, the location server configures (or the UE reports) two reference nodes, one for all DL-RSTDs and one for all SL-RSTDs, and then the UE uses either the downlink or sidelink reference node for joint RSTD measurements.

[0158] refer to Figure 9 In this configuration, at least one reference node is a reference TRP and a reference sidelink anchored UE. One or more reference signal resources can be one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE. In this case, the UE can determine one or more DL-RSTD measurements based on one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second TRPs. The UE can further determine one or more SL-RSTD measurements based on one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE and one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second sidelink anchored UEs.

[0159] Continue to refer to Figure 9 In this scenario, determining one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements at operation 920 may include the UE determining one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by a reference TRP and one or more first DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more first TRPs or one or more first SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs. Alternatively, determining one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements at operation 920 may include the UE determining one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by a reference sidelink anchored UE and one or more first DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more first TRPs or one or more first SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0160] In some cases, the third reference node configuration supported by the location server can be different reference nodes used for downlink measurements, sidelink measurements, and joint measurements. That is, the reference TRP can be configured and / or reported by the UE to all DL-RSTD measurements, the reference anchored UE can be configured and / or reported by the UE to all SL-RSTD measurements, and the reference node (either the TRP or the anchored UE) can be configured and / or reported by the UE to all joint / cross-downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements. The reference node used for all joint RSTD measurements can be the same as or different from the first and second reference nodes.

[0161] refer to Figure 9 At least one of the reference nodes is three reference nodes, which can be a reference TRP for one or more DL-RSTD measurements, a reference sidelink anchored UE for one or more SL-RSTD measurements, and a reference node for joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements. A reference node can be a TRP or a sidelink anchored UE. In this case, one or more reference signal resources can be one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP, one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE, and one or more PRS resources transmitted by the reference nodes.

[0162] Continue to refer to Figure 9 Where at least one reference node is three reference nodes, the UE may further determine one or more DL-RSTD measurements based on one or more DL-PRS resources sent by the reference TRP and one or more second DL-PRS resources sent by one or more second TRPs. The UE may further determine one or more SL-RSTD measurements based on one or more SL-PRS resources sent by the reference sidelink anchored UE and one or more second SL-PRS resources sent by one or more second sidelink anchored UEs.

[0163] In some cases, at least one reference node can be obtained at operation 910 as an indication from the location server. In this case, the location server may signal the at least one reference node to the UE in an LPP Provide Auxiliary Data Message or an LPP Provide Location Information Message. However, the at least one UE may optionally identify at least one second reference node different from the at least one reference node. In this case, the UE may report the indication of the at least one second reference node to the location server. The UE may report the at least one second reference node in an LPP Provide Location Information Message.

[0164] This disclosure further provides techniques for selecting time-varying reference nodes for sidelink positioning (e.g., SL-TDOA). For example, for mode 2 sidelink resource allocation (where the involved UEs negotiate sidelink resources for positioning dialogue), the target UE selects a reference node for sidelink measurements (e.g., SL-PRS resource measurements). In cases where only the target UE knows the sidelink anchored UEs (e.g., for UE-based positioning and mode 2 resource allocation), the target UE may sort all anchored UEs based on their timing error group (TEG) timing error tolerance value or synchronization priority. The target UE may form multiple groups of anchored UEs, and each group may have multiple sidelink anchored UEs. The target UE may select a reference anchored UE with the smallest TEG timing error tolerance value or a higher synchronization priority. In UE-assisted positioning scenarios, the target UE may report the selected reference anchored UE to a location server.

[0165] In some cases, all anchored UEs may have the same TEG and the same synchronization priority. In such cases, the target UE can use different reference anchored UEs for different positioning dialogues or different reporting times within a single positioning dialogue, instead of selecting the same reference anchored UE for each measurement time (the typical measurement time for Uu measurements is 160ms). In this case, all reference anchored UEs may belong to the same TEG. However, the target UE can select a different reference anchored UE for each reporting time, or the target UE can select a reference anchored UE every T ms or every N consecutive measurement times.

[0166] refer to Figure 9 At least one reference node may be the first sidelink anchored UE of a plurality of sidelink anchored UEs, and the plurality of sidelink anchored UEs may belong to the same TEG. In this case, different sidelink anchored UEs of the plurality of sidelink anchored UEs may be selected as the at least one reference node at the following times: (1) each reporting time of the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTD measurements; (2) every T milliseconds (ms), where T is an integer greater than or equal to 1; or (3) every N consecutive measurement times, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0167] In some cases, after obtaining measurements from multiple reference anchored UEs, a location server or serving base station can assist the target UE in selecting a reference anchored UE for the remainder of the localization conversation. The selection of the optimal reference anchored UE can be signaled via LPP, RRC, MAC control element (MAC-CE), or downlink control information (DCI).

[0168] refer to Figure 9The UE can receive the selection of the first-side-link anchored UE via LPP signaling, RRC signaling, MAC-CE signaling, or DCI signaling. Alternatively, the UE can send an indication to the first-side-link anchored UE via LPP signaling, RRC signaling, MAC-CE signaling, or DCI signaling.

[0169] In some cases, the location server can provide signaling to support joint downlink and sidelink measurements between the sidelink anchored UE and the TRP. When the location server is aware of all sidelink anchored UEs configured to locate the target UE, it can provide configuration in location assistance data (e.g., an assistance data message provided by the LPP). The assistance data can identify all SL-PRS resources (sent by the involved sidelink anchored UEs) and DL-PRS resources (sent by the involved TRP) that the target UE is expected / configured to report joint RSTD measurements. The location server can configure each pair of SL-PRS and DL-PRS to utilize a unique identifier for measurement and reporting. The target UE can then use the identifier provided in the assistance data to report each joint RSTD measurement. In this case, the target UE will not need to report the PRS ID of the measured DL-PRS resource or the sidelink anchored UE ID of the anchored UE that sent the measured SL-PRS resource.

[0170] refer to Figure 9 The UE may receive configurations of one or more reference signal resources, one or more first DL-PRS resources, and one or more SL-PRS resources from a location server (e.g., in an LPP Provide Auxiliary Data Message or an LPP Request Location Information Message). The UE may further receive a set of identifiers from the location server (e.g., in an LPP Provide Auxiliary Data Message or an LPP Request Location Information Message), wherein each identifier in the set identifies a pair of DL-PRS resources (including one or more first DL-PRS resources) and a pair of SL-PRS resources (including one or more first SL-PRS resources). The UE may further report a subset of this identifier set to the location server (e.g., in an LPP Provide Location Information Message), wherein each identifier in this subset identifies a pair of DL-PRS resources (including one or more first DL-PRS resources) and a pair of SL-PRS resources (including one or more first SL-PRS resources). In some cases, this subset of the identifier set (rather than the identifiers of one or more first DL-PRS resources and one or more first SL-PRS resources) may be reported to the location server.

[0171] In some cases, the location server can be configured to require a minimum, suggested, or requested number of measurements to be reported by the UE for joint sidelink and downlink measurements. The UE will then be responsible for selecting which SL-PRS and DL-PRS resources to use for joint RSTD measurements. In some cases, the target UE can select PRS resources with a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and good (e.g., above a certain threshold) line-of-sight indicators.

[0172] refer to Figure 9 The UE may receive a request from a location server (e.g., in an LPP request location information message) to obtain one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and one or more SL-RSTD measurements. In response to this request, the UE may further report one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and one or more SL-RSTD measurements to the location server (e.g., in an LPP provide location information message). In some cases, the request may indicate the number of one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements to be reported.

[0173] Different priority rules can be used to determine the order in which SL-PRS resources transmitted by the anchored UE are measured. Priority rules for DL-PRS resource measurements are defined, as referenced above. Figure 6 This is discussed in more detail. Specifically, the UE assumes that the DL-PRS resources in the ancillary data are sorted in descending order of measurement priority. For SL-PRS resources, the location server can provide sidelink priority rules in the ancillary data.

[0174] As a first option, independent priority rules can exist for Uu and sidelink resources. That is, there is one priority rule for DL-PRS resources and another priority rule for SL-PRS resources. There is no relationship between the downlink priority rules and the sidelink priority rules. As a second option, common priority rules can exist for Uu and sidelink resources. That is, the same priority rule can exist for both DL-PRS and SL-PRS resources.

[0175] Figure 10 Different example priority rules for measuring SL-PRS resources are illustrated according to various aspects of this disclosure. Figure 10In this structure, each TRP block (labeled "TRP1", "TRP2", and "TRP3") represents one or more DL-PRS resources sent by the corresponding TRP (i.e., "TRP1", "TRP2", or "TRP3"). Each UE block (labeled "UE1", "UE2", and "UE3") represents one or more SL-PRS resources sent by the corresponding sidelink-anchored UE (i.e., "UE1", "UE2", or "UE3"). The index number of each TRP and UE indicates the relative priority of that TRP and UE. That is, TRP1 has a higher priority than TRP2, and TRP2 has a higher priority than TRP3. Similarly, UE1 has a higher priority than UE2, and UE2 has a higher priority than UE3.

[0176] Figure 1010 illustrates the first priority rule for measuring SL-PRS resources (denoted as "Case 1"). In this case, the target UE will first measure all DL-PRS resources according to the priority order indicated in the auxiliary data. The target UE will then measure all SL-PRS resources according to the priority order. In the example of Figure 1010, TRP1 is the reference node, and therefore, the remaining PRS resources are measured relative to the DL-PRS resources sent by TRP1.

[0177] Figure 1020 illustrates a second priority rule (denoted as "Case 2") for measuring SL-PRS resources. In this case, the target UE will first measure all SL-PRS resources according to the priority order indicated in the auxiliary data. The target UE will then measure all DL-PRS resources according to the priority order. In the example of Figure 1020, TRP1 is the reference node, and therefore, the remaining PRS resources are measured relative to the DL-PRS resources sent by TRP1.

[0178] Figure 1030 illustrates the third priority rule (referred to as "Case 3") used to measure SL-PRS resources. In this case, the priority rule is defined to cover all DL-PRS and SL-PRS resources. The target UE will follow the common priority rule settings provided by the location server. The priority rule may be provided as a list of DL-PRS and SL-PRS identifiers, or a list of TRP and anchored UE identifiers, or similar.

[0179] Figure 11 An example method 1100 for wireless communication according to various aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. In one aspect, method 1100 may be performed by a UE (e.g., any UE described herein).

[0180] At 1110, the UE receives priority rules from a location server (e.g., in an LPP Provide Assisted Data Message or an LPP Request Location Information Message) for measuring at least a plurality of SL-PRS resources (including one or more first SL-PRS resources). In one aspect, operation 1110 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340, and / or positioning components 342, any or all of which may be considered as components for performing the operation.

[0181] On one hand, the priority rule for measuring multiple SL-PRS resources may be independent of the second priority rule for measuring multiple DL-PRS resources including one or more first DL-PRS resources, or the priority rule for measuring multiple SL-PRS resources may be a common priority rule for both measuring multiple SL-PRS resources and multiple DL-PRS resources.

[0182] At 1120, the UE measures multiple DL-PRS resources according to a priority order based on the priority rule, including one or more first DL-PRS resources. In one aspect, operation 1120 can be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340, and / or positioning components 342, any one or all of which can be considered as components for performing the operation.

[0183] At 1130, the UE measures the plurality of SL-PRS resources according to a priority order based on the priority rule. In one aspect, operation 1130 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340 and / or positioning components 342, any one or all of which may be considered as components for performing the operation.

[0184] In some cases, all multiple SL-PRS resources may be measured after all multiple DL-PRS resources have been measured, or all multiple DL-PRS resources may be measured after all multiple SL-PRS resources have been measured, or the measurement of multiple SL-PRS resources may be alternated with the measurement of multiple DL-PRS resources.

[0185] Returning to the first technique described herein, the location server can support the configuration of a common reference node for both SL-RSTD and DL-RSTD measurements. Figure 12 An example method 1200 for wireless communication according to various aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. In one aspect, method 1200 may be performed by a UE (e.g., any UE described herein).

[0186] At 1210, the UE obtains a single reference node for one or more DL-RSTD measurements and one or more SL-RSTD measurements. In one aspect, operation 1210 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340 and / or positioning components 342, any one or all of which may be considered as components for performing the operation.

[0187] At 1220, the UE determines one or more DL-RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by a single reference node and one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first TRPs. In one aspect, operation 1220 can be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340, and / or positioning components 342, any or all of which can be considered as components for performing the operation.

[0188] At 1230, the UE determines one or more SL-RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by a single reference node and one or more first SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more first side-link anchored UEs. In one aspect, operation 1230 may be performed by one or more WWAN transceivers 310, one or more processors 332, memory 340, and / or positioning components 342, any one or all of which may be considered as components for performing the operation.

[0189] In one aspect, method 1200 may further include (not shown): determining one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by a single reference node and (1) one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second TRPs or (2) one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second sidelink anchored UEs.

[0190] On the one hand, a single reference node can be a reference TRP or a reference sidelink anchored UE.

[0191] On one hand, a single reference node can be obtained as an indication from a location server (e.g., LMF 270). However, the UE may optionally determine a second single reference node different from the single reference node. In this case, method 1200 may further include (not shown) reporting the indication of the second single reference node to the location server (e.g., LMF 270).

[0192] As will be understood, the technical advantage of methods 900, 1100, and 1200 is that they enable the UE to select a reference node for joint positioning measurements (e.g., joint RSTD measurements).

[0193] As can be seen in the detailed description above, different features are grouped together in the examples. This manner of disclosure should not be construed as an intention to have more features than those explicitly mentioned in each clause. Rather, the various aspects of this disclosure may include fewer features than those in the individual example clauses disclosed. Therefore, the following clauses should be regarded accordingly as incorporated into the description, where each clause may serve as a separate example. Although each dependent clause may refer in the clause to a specific combination with one of the other clauses, the aspect of that dependent clause is not limited to that specific combination. It should be understood that other example clauses may also include combinations of aspects of a dependent clause with the subject matter of any other dependent or independent clause, or combinations of any feature with other dependent and independent clauses. The various aspects disclosed herein explicitly include these combinations unless explicitly stated or readily inferred that a particular combination is not intended for use (e.g., contradictory aspects, such as defining an element as both an electrical insulator and an electrical conductor). Furthermore, it is contemplated that aspects of a clause may be included in any other independent clause, even if that clause does not directly depend on the independent clause.

[0194] Specific implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses: Clause 1. A method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: obtaining at least one reference node for one or more joint downlink and sidelink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and (1) one or more downlink RSTD (DL-RSTD) measurements, (2) one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements, or (3) both; and determining the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the at least one reference node and (1) one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit-receive points (TRPs) or (2) one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0195] Clause 2. The method according to Clause 1, wherein: the at least one reference node consists of a reference TRP and a reference sidelink anchored UE, and the one or more reference signal resources include one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE.

[0196] Clause 3. The method according to Clause 2, the method further comprising: determining the one or more DL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second TRPs; and determining the one or more SL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE and one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second sidelink anchored UEs.

[0197] Clause 4. The method according to any one of Clauses 2 to 3, wherein determining the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements comprises: determining the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on the one or more DL-PRS resources sent by the reference TRP and (1) the one or more first DL-PRS resources sent by the one or more first TRPs or (2) the one or more first SL-PRS resources sent by the one or more first sidelink anchored UEs; or determining the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on the one or more SL-PRS resources sent by the reference sidelink anchored UE and (1) the one or more first DL-PRS resources sent by the one or more first TRPs or (2) the one or more first SL-PRS resources sent by the one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0198] Clause 5. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 4, wherein: the at least one reference node comprises three reference nodes, the three reference nodes being a reference TRP for the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, a reference sidelink anchored UE for the one or more SL-RSTD measurements, and a reference node for the joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, and the one or more reference signal resources comprising one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP, one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE, and one or more PRS resources transmitted by the reference node.

[0199] Clause 6. The method according to Clause 5, the method further comprising: determining the one or more DL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second TRPs; and determining the one or more SL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE and one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second sidelink anchored UEs.

[0200] Clause 7. The method according to any one of Clauses 5 to 6, wherein the reference node is: a TRP or a sidelink anchored UE.

[0201] Clause 8. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 7, wherein the at least one reference node is obtained from a location server.

[0202] Clause 9. The method according to Clause 8, the method further comprising: determining at least one second reference node different from the at least one reference node; and reporting an indication of the at least one second reference node to the location server.

[0203] Clause 10. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 9, the method further comprising: receiving from a location server a configuration of the one or more reference signal resources, the one or more first DL-PRS resources, and the one or more SL-PRS resources; receiving from the location server a set of identifiers, wherein each identifier in the set of identifiers identifies a pair of DL-PRS resources including the one or more first DL-PRS resources, and a pair of SL-PRS resources including the one or more first SL-PRS resources; and reporting a subset of the set of identifiers to the location server, wherein each identifier in the subset of the set of identifiers identifies a pair of DL-PRS resources of the one or more first DL-PRS resources and a pair of SL-PRS resources of the one or more first SL-PRS resources.

[0204] Clause 11. The method according to Clause 10, wherein the subset of the identifier set, rather than the identifiers of the one or more first DL-PRS resources and the one or more first SL-PRS resources, is reported to the location server.

[0205] Clause 12. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 11, the method further comprising: receiving from a location server a request to obtain the one or more combined downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTD measurements; and reporting the one or more combined downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTD measurements to the location server in response to the request.

[0206] Clause 13. The method according to Clause 12, wherein the request indicates the number of the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements to be reported.

[0207] Clause 14. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 13, wherein: the at least one reference node is a first sidelink anchored UE of a plurality of sidelink anchored UEs, and the plurality of sidelink anchored UEs belong to the same timing error group (TEG).

[0208] Clause 15. The method according to Clause 14, wherein a different sidelink anchored UE among the plurality of sidelink anchored UEs is selected as the at least one reference node: for each of the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTDs; every T milliseconds (ms), where T is an integer greater than or equal to 1; or every N consecutive measurement moments, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0209] Clause 16. The method according to any one of Clauses 14 to 15, the method further comprising: receiving the selection of the first sidelink anchored UE via Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) signaling, Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control Control Element (MAC-CE) signaling, or Downlink Control Information (DCI) signaling; or sending an indication to the first sidelink anchored UE via LPP signaling, RRC signaling, MAC-CE signaling, or DCI signaling.

[0210] Clause 17. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 16, the method further comprising: receiving from a location server a priority rule for measuring at least a plurality of SL-PRS resources including the one or more first SL-PRS resources.

[0211] Clause 18. The method according to Clause 17, wherein: the priority rule for measuring the plurality of SL-PRS resources is independent of the second priority rule for measuring the plurality of DL-PRS resources including the one or more first DL-PRS resources, or the priority rule for measuring the plurality of SL-PRS resources is a common priority rule for measuring both the plurality of SL-PRS resources and the plurality of DL-PRS resources.

[0212] Clause 19. The method according to any one of Clauses 17 to 18, the method further comprising: measuring a plurality of DL-PRS resources including the one or more first DL-PRS resources in a priority order based on the priority rule; and measuring the plurality of DL-PRS resources in a priority order based on the priority rule.

[0213] Clause 20. The method according to Clause 19, wherein: all the plurality of SL-PRS resources are measured after all the plurality of DL-PRS resources are measured, all the plurality of DL-PRS resources are measured after all the plurality of SL-PRS resources are measured, or the measurement of the plurality of SL-PRS resources is alternated with the measurement of the plurality of DL-PRS resources.

[0214] Clause 21. A method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: obtaining a single reference node for one or more downlink reference signal time difference (DL-RSTD) measurements and one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements; determining the one or more DL-RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit-receive points (TRPs); and determining the one or more SL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0215] Clause 22. The method according to Clause 21, the method further comprising: determining one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on the one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and (1) one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second TRPs or (2) one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second sidelink anchored UEs.

[0216] Clause 23. The method according to any one of Clauses 21 to 22, wherein the single reference node is: a reference TRP, or a reference sidelink anchored UE.

[0217] Clause 24. The method according to any one of Clauses 21 to 23, wherein the single reference node is obtained from a location server.

[0218] Clause 25. The method according to Clause 24, the method further comprising: determining a second single reference node different from the single reference node; and reporting an indication of the second single reference node to the location server.

[0219] Clause 26. A user equipment (UE) comprising: one or more memories; one or more transceivers; and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories and the one or more transceivers, the one or more processors being individually or in combination configured to: acquire at least one reference node for one or more joint downlink and sidelink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and (1) one or more downlink RSTD (DL-RSTD) measurements, (2) one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements, or (3) both; and determine the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the at least one reference node and (1) one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit receive points (TRPs) or (2) one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0220] Clause 27. The UE as described in Clause 26, wherein: the at least one reference node comprises a reference TRP and a reference sidelink anchored UE, and the one or more reference signal resources include one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE.

[0221] Clause 28. The UE as described in Clause 27, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: determine the one or more DL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second TRPs; and determine the one or more SL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE and one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second sidelink anchored UEs.

[0222] Clause 29. A UE pursuant to any one of Clauses 27 to 28, wherein the one or more processors configured to determine the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements comprises the one or more processors individually or in combination configured to: determine the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on the one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and (1) the one or more first DL-PRS resources transmitted by the one or more first TRPs or (2) the one or more first SL-PRS resources transmitted by the one or more first sidelink anchored UEs; or determine the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on the one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE and (1) the one or more first DL-PRS resources transmitted by the one or more first TRPs or (2) the one or more first SL-PRS resources transmitted by the one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0223] Clause 30. The UE according to any one of Clauses 26 to 29, wherein: the at least one reference node comprises three reference nodes, the three reference nodes being a reference TRP for the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, a reference sidelink anchored UE for the one or more SL-RSTD measurements, and a reference node for the joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, and the one or more reference signal resources comprising one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP, one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE, and one or more PRS resources transmitted by the reference node.

[0224] Clause 31. The UE according to Clause 30, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: determine the one or more DL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second TRPs; and determine the one or more SL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE and one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second sidelink anchored UEs.

[0225] Clause 32. The UE pursuant to any one of Clauses 30 to 31, wherein the reference node is: a TRP, or a sidelink anchored UE.

[0226] Clause 33. The UE pursuant to any one of Clauses 26 to 32, wherein the at least one reference node is obtained from a location server.

[0227] Clause 34. The UE according to Clause 33, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: determine at least one second reference node different from the at least one reference node; and report an indication of the at least one second reference node to the location server via the one or more transceivers.

[0228] Clause 35. The UE according to any one of Clauses 26 to 34, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: receive from a location server via the one or more transceivers a configuration of the one or more reference signal resources, the one or more first DL-PRS resources, and the one or more SL-PRS resources; receive from the location server via the one or more transceivers a set of identifiers, wherein each identifier in the set of identifiers identifies a pair of DL-PRS resources including the one or more first DL-PRS resources and a pair of SL-PRS resources including the one or more first SL-PRS resources; and report a subset of the set of identifiers to the location server via the one or more transceivers, wherein each identifier in the subset of the set of identifiers identifies a pair of DL-PRS resources including the one or more first DL-PRS resources and a pair of SL-PRS resources including the one or more first SL-PRS resources.

[0229] Clause 36. The UE as described in Clause 35, wherein the subset of the identifier set, rather than the identifiers of the one or more first DL-PRS resources and the one or more first SL-PRS resources, is reported to the location server.

[0230] Clause 37. The UE pursuant to any one of Clauses 26 to 36, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: receive from the location server via the one or more transceivers a request to obtain the one or more combined downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTD measurements; and, in response to the request, report the one or more combined downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTD measurements to the location server via the one or more transceivers.

[0231] Clause 38. The UE as described in Clause 37, wherein the request indicates the number of the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements to be reported.

[0232] Clause 39. A UE according to any one of Clauses 26 to 38, wherein: the at least one reference node is a first sidelink anchored UE of a plurality of sidelink anchored UEs, and the plurality of sidelink anchored UEs belong to the same timing error group (TEG).

[0233] Clause 40. The UE as described in Clause 39, wherein a different sidelink-anchored UE among the plurality of sidelink-anchored UEs is selected as the at least one reference node: for each of the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTDs; for each T milliseconds (ms), where T is an integer greater than or equal to 1; or for each N consecutive measurement timings, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0234] Clause 41. The UE pursuant to any one of Clauses 39 to 40, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: receive the selection of the first sidelink anchored UE via the one or more transceivers via Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) signaling, Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control Control Element (MAC-CE) signaling, or Downlink Control Information (DCI) signaling; or transmit an indication to the first sidelink anchored UE via the one or more transceivers via LPP signaling, RRC signaling, MAC-CE signaling, or DCI signaling.

[0235] Clause 42. The UE pursuant to any one of Clauses 26 to 41, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: receive, via the one or more transceivers, from a location server priority rules for measuring at least a plurality of SL-PRS resources including the one or more first SL-PRS resources.

[0236] Clause 43. The UE as described in Clause 42, wherein: the priority rule for measuring the plurality of SL-PRS resources is independent of the second priority rule for measuring the plurality of DL-PRS resources including the one or more first DL-PRS resources, or the priority rule for measuring the plurality of SL-PRS resources is a common priority rule for measuring both the plurality of SL-PRS resources and the plurality of DL-PRS resources.

[0237] Clause 44. The UE according to any one of Clauses 42 to 43, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: measure a plurality of DL-PRS resources including the one or more first DL-PRS resources in a priority order based on the priority rule; and measure the plurality of DL-PRS resources in a priority order based on the priority rule.

[0238] Clause 45. The UE as described in Clause 44, wherein: all of the plurality of SL-PRS resources are measured after all of the plurality of DL-PRS resources are measured, all of the plurality of DL-PRS resources are measured after all of the plurality of SL-PRS resources are measured, or the measurement of the plurality of SL-PRS resources alternates with the measurement of the plurality of DL-PRS resources.

[0239] Clause 46. A user equipment (UE) comprising: one or more memories; one or more transceivers; and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories and the one or more transceivers, the one or more processors being individually or in combination configured to: obtain a single reference node for one or more downlink reference signal time difference (DL-RSTD) measurements and one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements; determine the one or more DL-RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit-receive points (TRPs); and determine the one or more SL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0240] Clause 47. The UE as described in Clause 46, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: determine one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on the one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and (1) one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second TRPs or (2) one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second sidelink anchored UEs.

[0241] Clause 48. The UE pursuant to any one of Clauses 46 to 47, wherein the single reference node is: a reference TRP, or a reference sidelink anchored UE.

[0242] Clause 49. The UE pursuant to any one of Clauses 46 to 48, wherein the single reference node is obtained from a location server.

[0243] Clause 50. The UE as described in Clause 49, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: determine a second single reference node different from the single reference node; and report an indication of the second single reference node to the location server via the one or more transceivers.

[0244] Clause 51. A user equipment (UE) comprising: a component for obtaining at least one reference node for one or more joint downlink and sidelink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and (1) one or more downlink RSTD (DL-RSTD) measurements, (2) one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements, or (3) both; and a component for determining the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the at least one reference node and (1) one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit receive points (TRPs) or (2) one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0245] Clause 52. The UE as described in Clause 51, wherein: the at least one reference node comprises a reference TRP and a reference sidelink anchored UE, and the one or more reference signal resources include one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE.

[0246] Clause 53. The UE according to Clause 52, the UE further comprising: a component for determining the one or more DL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second TRPs; and a component for determining the one or more SL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE and one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second sidelink anchored UEs.

[0247] Clause 54. The UE according to any one of Clauses 52 to 53, wherein the component for determining the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements comprises: a component for determining the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on the one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and (1) the one or more first DL-PRS resources transmitted by the one or more first TRPs or (2) the one or more first SL-PRS resources transmitted by the one or more first sidelink anchored UEs; or a component for determining the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on the one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE and (1) the one or more first DL-PRS resources transmitted by the one or more first TRPs or (2) the one or more first SL-PRS resources transmitted by the one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0248] Clause 55. The UE according to any one of Clauses 51 to 54, wherein: the at least one reference node comprises three reference nodes, the three reference nodes being a reference TRP for the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, a reference sidelink anchored UE for the one or more SL-RSTD measurements, and a reference node for the joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, and the one or more reference signal resources comprising one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP, one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE, and one or more PRS resources transmitted by the reference node.

[0249] Clause 56. The UE according to Clause 55 further includes: a component for determining the one or more DL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second TRPs; and a component for determining the one or more SL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE and one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second sidelink anchored UEs.

[0250] Clause 57. The UE pursuant to any one of Clauses 55 to 56, wherein the reference node is: a TRP, or a sidelink anchored UE.

[0251] Clause 58. The UE pursuant to any one of Clauses 51 to 57, wherein the at least one reference node is obtained from a location server.

[0252] Clause 59. The UE according to Clause 58, the UE further comprising: components for determining at least one second reference node different from the at least one reference node; and components for reporting an indication of the at least one second reference node to the location server.

[0253] Clause 60. The UE according to any one of Clauses 51 to 59, the UE further comprising: components for receiving configurations of the one or more reference signal resources, the one or more first DL-PRS resources, and the one or more SL-PRS resources from a location server; components for receiving a set of identifiers from the location server, wherein each identifier in the set of identifiers identifies a pair of DL-PRS resources including the one or more first DL-PRS resources, and a pair of SL-PRS resources including the one or more first SL-PRS resources; and components for reporting a subset of the identifier set to the location server, wherein each identifier in the subset of the identifier set identifies a pair of DL-PRS resources of the one or more first DL-PRS resources and a pair of SL-PRS resources of the one or more first SL-PRS resources.

[0254] Clause 61. The UE as described in Clause 60, wherein the subset of the identifier set, rather than the identifiers of the one or more first DL-PRS resources and the one or more first SL-PRS resources, is reported to the location server.

[0255] Clause 62. The UE according to any one of Clauses 51 to 61, the UE further comprising: a component for receiving from a location server a request to obtain the one or more combined downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTD measurements; and a component for reporting the one or more combined downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTD measurements to the location server in response to the request.

[0256] Clause 63. The UE as described in Clause 62, wherein the request indicates the number of the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements to be reported.

[0257] Clause 64. A UE according to any one of Clauses 51 to 63, wherein: the at least one reference node is a first sidelink anchored UE of a plurality of sidelink anchored UEs, and the plurality of sidelink anchored UEs belong to the same timing error group (TEG).

[0258] Clause 65. The UE as described in Clause 64, wherein a different sidelink-anchored UE among the plurality of sidelink-anchored UEs is selected as the at least one reference node: for each of the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTDs; every T milliseconds (ms), where T is an integer greater than or equal to 1; or every N consecutive measurement opportunities, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0259] Clause 66. The UE according to any one of Clauses 64 to 65, the UE further comprising: a component for receiving the selection of the first sidelink anchored UE via Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) signaling, Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control Control Element (MAC-CE) signaling, or Downlink Control Information (DCI) signaling; or a component for transmitting an indication to the first sidelink anchored UE via LPP signaling, RRC signaling, MAC-CE signaling, or DCI signaling.

[0260] Clause 67. The UE according to any one of Clauses 51 to 66, the UE further comprising: a component for receiving from a location server a priority rule for measuring at least a plurality of SL-PRS resources including the one or more first SL-PRS resources.

[0261] Clause 68. The UE as described in Clause 67, wherein: the priority rule for measuring the plurality of SL-PRS resources is independent of the second priority rule for measuring the plurality of DL-PRS resources including the one or more first DL-PRS resources, or the priority rule for measuring the plurality of SL-PRS resources is a common priority rule for measuring both the plurality of SL-PRS resources and the plurality of DL-PRS resources.

[0262] Clause 69. The UE according to any one of Clauses 67 to 68, the UE further comprising: a component for measuring a plurality of DL-PRS resources including the one or more first DL-PRS resources in a priority order based on the priority rule; and a component for measuring the plurality of DL-PRS resources in a priority order based on the priority rule.

[0263] Clause 70. The UE as described in Clause 69, wherein: all the plurality of SL-PRS resources are measured after all the plurality of DL-PRS resources are measured, all the plurality of DL-PRS resources are measured after all the plurality of SL-PRS resources are measured, or the measurement of the plurality of SL-PRS resources alternates with the measurement of the plurality of DL-PRS resources.

[0264] Clause 71. A user equipment (UE) comprising: components for obtaining a single reference node for one or more downlink reference signal time difference (DL-RSTD) measurements and one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements; components for determining the one or more DL-RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit-receive points (TRPs); and components for determining the one or more SL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0265] Clause 72. The UE according to Clause 71 further includes: a component for determining one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on the one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and (1) one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second TRPs or (2) one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second sidelink anchored UEs.

[0266] Clause 73. The UE pursuant to any one of Clauses 71 to 72, wherein the single reference node is: a reference TRP, or a reference sidelink anchored UE.

[0267] Clause 74. The UE pursuant to any one of Clauses 71 to 73, wherein the single reference node is obtained from a location server.

[0268] Clause 75. The UE according to Clause 74, the UE further comprising: components for determining a second single reference node different from the single reference node; and components for reporting an indication of the second single reference node to the location server.

[0269] Clause 76. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to: obtain at least one reference node for one or more joint downlink and sidelink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and (1) one or more downlink RSTD (DL-RSTD) measurements, (2) one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements, or (3) both; and determine the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the at least one reference node and (1) one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit-receive points (TRPs) or (2) one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0270] Clause 77. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to Clause 76, wherein: the at least one reference node comprises a reference TRP and a reference sidelink anchored UE, and the one or more reference signal resources include one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE.

[0271] Clause 78. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to Clause 77 further includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: determine the one or more DL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second TRPs; and determine the one or more SL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE and one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second sidelink anchored UEs.

[0272] Clause 79. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of Clauses 77 to 78, wherein the computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to determine the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: determine the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on the one or more DL-PRS resources sent by the reference TRP and (1) the one or more first DL-PRS resources sent by the one or more first TRPs or (2) the one or more first SL-PRS resources sent by the one or more first sidelink anchored UEs; or determine the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on the one or more SL-PRS resources sent by the reference sidelink anchored UE and (1) the one or more first DL-PRS resources sent by the one or more first TRPs or (2) the one or more first SL-PRS resources sent by the one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0273] Clause 80. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of Clauses 76 to 79, wherein: the at least one reference node comprises three reference nodes, the three reference nodes being a reference TRP for the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, a reference sidelink anchored UE for the one or more SL-RSTD measurements, and a reference node for the joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, and the one or more reference signal resources comprising one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP, one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE, and one or more PRS resources transmitted by the reference node.

[0274] Clause 81. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to Clause 80, further comprising computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: determine the one or more DL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second TRPs; and determine the one or more SL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE and one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second sidelink anchored UEs.

[0275] Clause 82. A nontransitory computer-readable medium pursuant to any one of Clauses 80 to 81, wherein the reference node is: a TRP or a sidelink anchored UE.

[0276] Clause 83. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of Clauses 76 to 82, wherein the at least one reference node is obtained from a location server.

[0277] Clause 84. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to Clause 83 further includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: determine at least one second reference node different from the at least one reference node; and report an instruction to the at least one second reference node to the location server.

[0278] Clause 85. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of Clauses 76 to 84, the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: receive from a location server a configuration of the one or more reference signal resources, the one or more first DL-PRS resources, and the one or more SL-PRS resources; receive from the location server a set of identifiers, wherein each identifier in the set of identifiers identifies a pair of DL-PRS resources including the one or more first DL-PRS resources and a pair of SL-PRS resources including the one or more first SL-PRS resources; and report a subset of the set of identifiers to the location server, wherein each identifier in the subset of the set of identifiers identifies a pair of DL-PRS resources including the one or more first DL-PRS resources and a pair of SL-PRS resources including the one or more first SL-PRS resources.

[0279] Clause 86. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as described in Clause 85, wherein the subset of the identifier set, rather than the identifiers of the one or more first DL-PRS resources and the one or more first SL-PRS resources, is reported to the location server.

[0280] Clause 87. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of Clauses 76 to 86, the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: receive from a location server a request to obtain the one or more combined downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTD measurements; and, in response to the request, report the one or more combined downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTD measurements to the location server.

[0281] Clause 88. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as described in Clause 87, wherein the request indicates the number of the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements to be reported.

[0282] Clause 89. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of Clauses 76 to 88, wherein: the at least one reference node is a first sidelink anchored UE of a plurality of sidelink anchored UEs, and the plurality of sidelink anchored UEs belong to the same timing error group (TEG).

[0283] Clause 90. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to Clause 89, wherein a different sidelink-anchored UE among the plurality of sidelink-anchored UEs is selected as the at least one reference node: for each of the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTD measurements; every T milliseconds (ms), where T is an integer greater than or equal to 1; or every N consecutive measurement moments, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0284] Clause 91. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of Clauses 89 to 90, the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: receive the selection of the first sidelink anchored UE via Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) signaling, Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control Control Element (MAC-CE) signaling, or Downlink Control Information (DCI) signaling; or send an indication to the first sidelink anchored UE via LPP signaling, RRC signaling, MAC-CE signaling, or DCI signaling.

[0285] Clause 92. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of Clauses 76 to 91, the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: receive from a location server a priority rule for measuring at least a plurality of SL-PRS resources including the one or more first SL-PRS resources.

[0286] Clause 93. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to Clause 92, wherein: the priority rule for measuring the plurality of SL-PRS resources is independent of a second priority rule for measuring a plurality of DL-PRS resources including the one or more first DL-PRS resources, or the priority rule for measuring the plurality of SL-PRS resources is a common priority rule for measuring both the plurality of SL-PRS resources and the plurality of DL-PRS resources.

[0287] Clause 94. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of Clauses 92 to 93, the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: measure a plurality of DL-PRS resources including the one or more first DL-PRS resources in a priority order based on the priority rule; and measure the plurality of DL-PRS resources in a priority order based on the priority rule.

[0288] Clause 95. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to Clause 94, wherein: all of the plurality of DL-PRS resources are measured after all of the plurality of DL-PRS resources are measured, all of the plurality of DL-PRS resources are measured after all of the plurality of SL-PRS resources are measured, or the measurement of the plurality of SL-PRS resources alternates with the measurement of the plurality of DL-PRS resources.

[0289] Clause 96. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to: obtain a single reference node for one or more downlink reference signal time difference (DL-RSTD) measurements and one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements; determine the one or more DL-RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit-receive points (TRPs); and determine the one or more SL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

[0290] Clause 97. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to Clause 96 further includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: determine one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on the one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and (1) one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second TRPs or (2) one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second sidelink anchored UEs.

[0291] Clause 98. A nontransitory computer-readable medium pursuant to any one of Clauses 96 to 97, wherein the single reference node is: a reference TRP or a reference sidelink anchored UE.

[0292] Clause 99. A nontransitory computer-readable medium pursuant to any one of Clauses 96 to 98, wherein the single reference node is obtained from a location server.

[0293] Clause 100. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to Clause 99 further includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the UE, cause the UE to: determine a second single reference node different from the single reference node; and report an instruction to the second single reference node to the location server.

[0294] Those skilled in the art will understand that information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and methods. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be mentioned throughout the above description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0295] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability between hardware and software, various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above in general terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functionality in different ways for each specific application, but such specific implementation decisions should not be construed as departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0296] The various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or performed using a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in alternative embodiments, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0297] The methods, sequences, and / or algorithms described in conjunction with the aspects disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or a combination of both. The software module may reside in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Example storage media are coupled to a processor such that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be integral with the processor. The processor and storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal (e.g., a UE). Alternatively, the processor and storage medium may reside as discrete components in the user terminal.

[0298] In one or more examples, the described functionality may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functionality may be stored as one or more instructions or code on or transmitted via a computer-readable medium. A computer-readable medium includes both computer storage media and communication media, which includes any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage medium may be any available medium accessible to a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disc storage, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and is accessible to a computer. Furthermore, any connection is appropriately referred to as a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included within the definition of a medium. As used herein, disks and optical discs include: compact optical discs (CDs), laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs. Disks typically reproduce data magnetically, while optical discs reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of these should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0299] While the foregoing disclosure illustrates exemplary aspects of this disclosure, it should be noted that various changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims. For example, the functions, steps, and / or actions of the method claims according to aspects of this disclosure described herein need not be performed in any particular order. Furthermore, no component, function, action, or instruction described or claimed herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly stated otherwise. Additionally, as used herein, the terms “set,” “group,” etc., are intended to include one or more of the stated elements. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “having,” “comprising,” “including,” etc., do not exclude the presence of one or more additional elements (e.g., element “having” A may also have B). Furthermore, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “at least partially based on” unless otherwise explicitly stated. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to be open-ended when used in a series and is interchangeable with “and / or” unless otherwise expressly stated (e.g., if used in conjunction with “any” or “only one”), or these alternatives are mutually exclusive (e.g., “one or more” should not be interpreted as “one and more”). Additionally, although components, functions, actions, and instructions may be described or claimed in the singular, plural forms may also be considered unless expressly stated as limited to the singular. Therefore, as used herein, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” are intended to include one or more of the described elements. Additionally, as used herein, the terms “at least one” and “one or more” include “one” component, function, action, or instruction that performs or is capable of performing the described or claimed functionality, and also include “two or more” components, functions, actions, or instructions that perform or are capable of performing the described or claimed functionality in combination. Claims (as amended under Article 19 of the Treaty) 1. A user equipment (UE), the user equipment (UE) comprising: One or more memory units; One or more transceivers; and One or more processors, communicatively coupled to one or more memories and one or more transceivers, wherein the one or more processors are configured individually or in combination to: Obtain at least one reference node for one or more joint downlink and sidelink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and (1) one or more downlink RSTD (DL-RSTD) measurements, (2) one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements, or (3) both; and The one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements are determined based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the at least one reference node and (1) one or more first downlink positioning reference signals (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit receive points (TRPs) or (2) one or more first sidelink positioning reference signals (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs. 2. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one reference node consists of a reference TRP and a reference sidelink anchored UE, and The one or more reference signal resources include one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE. 3. The UE of claim 2, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: The one or more DL-RSTD measurements are determined based on the one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and the one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by the one or more second TRPs; and The one or more SL-RSTD measurements are determined based on the one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE and the one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by the one or more second sidelink anchored UEs. 4. The UE of claim 2, wherein the one or more processors configured to determine the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements include the one or more processors individually or in combination configured to perform the following operations: The one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements are determined based on the one or more DL-PRS resources sent by the reference TRP and (1) the one or more first DL-PRS resources sent by the one or more first TRPs or (2) the one or more first SL-PRS resources sent by the one or more first sidelink anchored UEs; or The one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements are determined based on the one or more SL-PRS resources sent by the reference sidelink anchored UE and (1) the one or more first DL-PRS resources sent by the one or more first TRPs or (2) the one or more first SL-PRS resources sent by the one or more first sidelink anchored UEs. 5. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one reference node consists of three reference nodes. The three reference nodes are a reference TRP for the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, a reference sidelink anchored UE for the one or more SL-RSTD measurements, and a reference node for the joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements. The one or more reference signal resources include one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP, one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE, and one or more PRS resources transmitted by the reference node. 6. The UE of claim 5, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: The one or more DL-RSTD measurements are determined based on the one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and the one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by the one or more second TRPs; and The one or more SL-RSTD measurements are determined based on the one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE and the one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by the one or more second sidelink anchored UEs. 7. The UE of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: The configuration of the one or more reference signal resources, the one or more first DL-PRS resources, and the one or more SL-PRS resources is received from the location server via the one or more transceivers; Receive an identifier set from the location server via the one or more transceivers, wherein each identifier in the identifier set identifies a pair of DL-PRS resources including the one or more first DL-PRS resources, and an SL-PRS resource including the one or more first SL-PRS resources; and A subset of the identifier set is reported to the location server via the one or more transceivers, wherein each identifier of the subset of the identifier set identifies a pair of DL-PRS resources of the one or more first DL-PRS resources and an SL-PRS resource of the one or more first SL-PRS resources. 8. The UE of claim 7, wherein the subset of the identifier set, rather than the identifiers of the one or more first DL-PRS resources and the one or more first SL-PRS resources, is reported to the location server. 9. The UE of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: Receive from the location server via the one or more transceivers a request to obtain the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTD measurements; and In response to the request, the one or more combined downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTD measurements are reported to the location server via the one or more transceivers. 10. The UE of claim 9, wherein the request indicates the number of the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements to be reported. 11. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one reference node is the first side-link anchored UE among a plurality of side-link anchored UEs, and The multiple sidelink anchored UEs belong to the same timing error group (TEG). 12. The UE of claim 11, wherein different side-link anchored UEs among the plurality of side-link anchored UEs are selected as the at least one reference node: The timing of each report of the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTD measurements. Every T milliseconds (ms), where T is an integer greater than or equal to 1, or Every N consecutive measurement opportunities, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. 13. The UE of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: Priority rules for measuring at least a plurality of SL-PRS resources, including the one or more first SL-PRS resources, are received from the location server via the one or more transceivers. 14. The UE of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: Measure multiple DL-PRS resources, including the one or more first DL-PRS resources, according to the priority order based on the priority rules; and The plurality of SL-PRS resources are measured in a priority order based on the priority rules. 15. The UE according to claim 14, wherein: After measuring all of the plurality of DL-PRS resources, measure all of the plurality of SL-PRS resources. After measuring all of the plurality of SL-PRS resources, measure all of the plurality of DL-PRS resources, or The measurements of the plurality of SL-PRS resources are alternated with the measurements of the plurality of DL-PRS resources. 16. A user equipment (UE), the user equipment (UE) comprising: One or more memory units; One or more transceivers; and One or more processors, communicatively coupled to one or more memories and one or more transceivers, wherein the one or more processors are configured individually or in combination to: A single reference node is obtained for one or more downlink reference signal time difference (DL-RSTD) measurements and one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements; The one or more DL-RSTD measurements are determined based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit-receive points (TRPs); and The one or more SL-RSTD measurements are determined based on the one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and the one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs. 17. The UE of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: One or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements are determined based on the one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and (1) one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second TRPs or (2) one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second sidelink anchored UEs. 18. The UE of claim 16, wherein the single reference node is obtained from a location server. 19. The UE of claim 18, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: Determine a second single reference node that is different from the single reference node; and The indication of the second single reference node is reported to the location server via the one or more transceivers. 20. A method for wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: Obtain at least one reference node for one or more joint downlink and sidelink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and (1) one or more downlink RSTD (DL-RSTD) measurements, (2) one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements, or (3) both; and The one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements are determined based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the at least one reference node and (1) one or more first downlink positioning reference signals (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit receive points (TRPs) or (2) one or more first sidelink positioning reference signals (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: obtaining one or more joint downlink and sidelink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and at least one reference node of (1) one or more downlink RSTD (DL-RSTD) measurements, (2) one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements, or (3) both; and determining the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the at least one reference node and (1) one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmission reception points (TRPs) or (2) one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchor UEs.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the at least one reference node consists of a reference TRP and a reference sidelink anchor UE, and the one or more reference signal resources comprise one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchor UE.

3. The method of claim 2, the method further comprising: determining the one or more DL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second TRPs; and determining the one or more SL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchor UE and one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second sidelink anchor UEs.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements comprises: determining the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on the one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and (1) the one or more first DL-PRS resources transmitted by the one or more first TRPs or (2) the one or more first SL-PRS resources transmitted by the one or more first sidelink anchor UEs; or determining the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on the one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchor UE and (1) the one or more first DL-PRS resources transmitted by the one or more first TRPs or (2) the one or more first SL-PRS resources transmitted by the one or more first sidelink anchor UEs.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein: the at least one reference node consists of three reference nodes, the one or more reference signal resources comprise one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the three reference nodes, and the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements comprise one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements between the three reference nodes and the one or more first TRPs or the one or more first sidelink anchor UEs. The three reference nodes are a reference TRP for the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, a reference sidelink anchored UE for the one or more SL-RSTD measurements, and a reference node for the joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements. The one or more reference signal resources include one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP, one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE, and one or more PRS resources transmitted by the reference node.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising: The one or more DL-RSTD measurements are determined based on the one or more DL-PRS resources sent by the reference TRP and the one or more second DL-PRS resources sent by the one or more second TRPs; as well as The one or more SL-RSTD measurements are determined based on the one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE and the one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by the one or more second sidelink anchored UEs.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the reference node is: TRP, or Side link anchoring UE.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one reference node is obtained from a location server.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: Identify at least one second reference node that is different from the at least one reference node; as well as The indication for the at least one second reference node is reported to the location server.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Receive the configuration of the one or more reference signal resources, the one or more first DL-PRS resources, and the one or more SL-PRS resources from the location server; Receive a set of identifiers from the location server, wherein each identifier in the set identifies a pair of DL-PRS resources including the one or more first DL-PRS resources and an SL-PRS resource including the one or more first SL-PRS resources. as well as A subset of the identifier set is reported to the location server, wherein each identifier in the subset of the identifier set identifies a pair of DL-PRS resources of the one or more first DL-PRS resources and an SL-PRS resource of the one or more first SL-PRS resources.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the subset of the identifier set, rather than the identifiers of the one or more first DL-PRS resources and the one or more first SL-PRS resources, is reported to the location server.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Receive a request from the location server to obtain the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTD measurements; as well as In response to the request, report the one or more combined downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTD measurements to the location server.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the request indicates the number of the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements to be reported.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one reference node is the first side-link anchored UE among a plurality of side-link anchored UEs, and The multiple sidelink anchored UEs belong to the same timing error group (TEG).

15. The method of claim 14, wherein different side-link anchored UEs among the plurality of side-link anchored UEs are selected as the at least one reference node: The timing of each report of the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTD measurements. Every T milliseconds (ms), where T is an integer greater than or equal to 1, or Every N consecutive measurement opportunities, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: The selection of the first-side link anchored UE is received via Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) signaling, Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control Element (MAC-CE) signaling, or Downlink Control Information (DCI) signaling. or Instructions to the first sidelink anchored UE are sent via LPP signaling, RRC signaling, MAC-CE signaling, or DCI signaling.

17. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Receive priority rules from the location server for measuring at least a plurality of SL-PRS resources, including the one or more first SL-PRS resources.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein: The priority rules used to measure the plurality of SL-PRS resources are independent of the second priority rules used to measure the plurality of DL-PRS resources including the one or more first DL-PRS resources, or The priority rule used to measure the plurality of SL-PRS resources is a common priority rule used to measure both the plurality of SL-PRS resources and the plurality of DL-PRS resources.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: Multiple DL-PRS resources, including the one or more first DL-PRS resources, are measured according to a priority order based on the priority rules. as well as The plurality of SL-PRS resources are measured in a priority order based on the priority rules.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein: After measuring all of the plurality of DL-PRS resources, measure all of the plurality of SL-PRS resources. After measuring all of the plurality of SL-PRS resources, measure all of the plurality of DL-PRS resources, or The measurements of the plurality of SL-PRS resources are alternated with the measurements of the plurality of DL-PRS resources.

21. A method for wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: A single reference node is obtained for one or more downlink reference signal time difference (DL-RSTD) measurements and one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements; The one or more DL-RSTD measurements are determined based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit-receive points (TRPs). as well as The one or more SL-RSTD measurements are determined based on the one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and the one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising: One or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements are determined based on the one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and (1) one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second TRPs or (2) one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second sidelink anchored UEs.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the single reference node is: Refer to TRP, or Reference side link anchoring UE.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the single reference node is obtained from a location server.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising: Determine a second single reference node that is different from the single reference node; as well as The indication for the second single reference node is reported to the location server.

26. A user equipment (UE), the user equipment (UE) comprising: One or more memory units; One or more transceivers; and One or more processors, communicatively coupled to one or more memories and one or more transceivers, wherein the one or more processors are configured individually or in combination to: Obtain at least one reference node for one or more joint downlink and sidelink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and (1) one or more downlink RSTD (DL-RSTD) measurements, (2) one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements, or (3) both; as well as The one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements are determined based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the at least one reference node and (1) one or more first downlink positioning reference signals (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit receive points (TRPs) or (2) one or more first sidelink positioning reference signals (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

27. The UE according to claim 26, wherein: The at least one reference node consists of a reference TRP and a reference sidelink anchored UE, and The one or more reference signal resources include one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE.

28. The UE of claim 27, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: The one or more DL-RSTD measurements are determined based on the one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and the one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by the one or more second TRPs; and The one or more SL-RSTD measurements are determined based on the one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE and the one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by the one or more second sidelink anchored UEs.

29. The UE of claim 27, wherein the one or more processors configured to determine the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements include the one or more processors individually or in combination configured to perform the following operations: The one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements are determined based on the one or more DL-PRS resources sent by the reference TRP and (1) the one or more first DL-PRS resources sent by the one or more first TRPs or (2) the one or more first SL-PRS resources sent by the one or more first sidelink anchored UEs; or The one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements are determined based on the one or more SL-PRS resources sent by the reference sidelink anchored UE and (1) the one or more first DL-PRS resources sent by the one or more first TRPs or (2) the one or more first SL-PRS resources sent by the one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

30. The UE according to claim 26, wherein: The at least one reference node consists of three reference nodes. The three reference nodes are a reference TRP for the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, a reference sidelink anchored UE for the one or more SL-RSTD measurements, and a reference node for the joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements. The one or more reference signal resources include one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP, one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE, and one or more PRS resources transmitted by the reference node.

31. The UE of claim 30, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: The one or more DL-RSTD measurements are determined based on the one or more DL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference TRP and the one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by the one or more second TRPs; and The one or more SL-RSTD measurements are determined based on the one or more SL-PRS resources transmitted by the reference sidelink anchored UE and the one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by the one or more second sidelink anchored UEs.

32. The UE according to claim 30, wherein the reference node is: TRP, or Side link anchoring UE.

33. The UE of claim 26, wherein the at least one reference node is obtained from a location server.

34. The UE of claim 33, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: Determine at least one second reference node that is different from the at least one reference node; and The indication of the at least one second reference node is reported to the location server via the one or more transceivers.

35. The UE of claim 26, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: The configuration of the one or more reference signal resources, the one or more first DL-PRS resources, and the one or more SL-PRS resources is received from the location server via the one or more transceivers; Receive an identifier set from the location server via the one or more transceivers, wherein each identifier in the identifier set identifies a pair of DL-PRS resources including the one or more first DL-PRS resources, and an SL-PRS resource including the one or more first SL-PRS resources; and A subset of the identifier set is reported to the location server via the one or more transceivers, wherein each identifier of the subset of the identifier set identifies a pair of DL-PRS resources of the one or more first DL-PRS resources and an SL-PRS resource of the one or more first SL-PRS resources.

36. The UE of claim 35, wherein the subset of the identifier set, rather than the identifiers of the one or more first DL-PRS resources and the one or more first SL-PRS resources, is reported to the location server.

37. The UE of claim 26, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: Receive from the location server via the one or more transceivers a request to obtain the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTD measurements; and In response to the request, the one or more combined downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTD measurements are reported to the location server via the one or more transceivers.

38. The UE of claim 37, wherein the request indicates the number of the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements to be reported.

39. The UE according to claim 26, wherein: The at least one reference node is the first side-link anchored UE among a plurality of side-link anchored UEs, and The multiple sidelink anchored UEs belong to the same timing error group (TEG).

40. The UE of claim 39, wherein different side-link anchored UEs among the plurality of side-link anchored UEs are selected as the at least one reference node: The timing of each report of the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements, the one or more DL-RSTD measurements, and the one or more SL-RSTD measurements. Every T milliseconds (ms), where T is an integer greater than or equal to 1, or Every N consecutive measurement opportunities, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

41. The UE of claim 39, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: The selection of the first sidelink anchored UE is received via one or more transceivers through Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) signaling, Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control Element (MAC-CE) signaling, or Downlink Control Information (DCI) signaling; or Instructions to the first sidelink anchored UE are transmitted via one or more transceivers through LPP signaling, RRC signaling, MAC-CE signaling, or DCI signaling.

42. The UE of claim 26, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: Priority rules for measuring at least a plurality of SL-PRS resources, including the one or more first SL-PRS resources, are received from the location server via the one or more transceivers.

43. The UE according to claim 42, wherein: The priority rules used to measure the plurality of SL-PRS resources are independent of the second priority rules used to measure the plurality of DL-PRS resources including the one or more first DL-PRS resources, or The priority rule used to measure the plurality of SL-PRS resources is a common priority rule used to measure both the plurality of SL-PRS resources and the plurality of DL-PRS resources.

44. The UE of claim 42, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: Measure multiple DL-PRS resources, including the one or more first DL-PRS resources, according to the priority order based on the priority rules; and The plurality of SL-PRS resources are measured in a priority order based on the priority rules.

45. The UE according to claim 44, wherein: After measuring all of the plurality of DL-PRS resources, measure all of the plurality of SL-PRS resources. After measuring all of the plurality of SL-PRS resources, measure all of the plurality of DL-PRS resources, or The measurements of the plurality of SL-PRS resources are alternated with the measurements of the plurality of DL-PRS resources.

46. ​​A user equipment (UE), the user equipment (UE) comprising: One or more memory units; One or more transceivers; and One or more processors, communicatively coupled to one or more memories and one or more transceivers, wherein the one or more processors are configured individually or in combination to: A single reference node is obtained for one or more downlink reference signal time difference (DL-RSTD) measurements and one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements; The one or more DL-RSTD measurements are determined based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit-receive points (TRPs). as well as The one or more SL-RSTD measurements are determined based on the one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and the one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

47. The UE of claim 46, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: One or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements are determined based on the one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and (1) one or more second DL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second TRPs or (2) one or more second SL-PRS resources transmitted by one or more second sidelink anchored UEs.

48. The UE of claim 46, wherein the single reference node is: Refer to TRP, or Reference side link anchoring UE.

49. The UE of claim 46, wherein the single reference node is obtained from a location server.

50. The UE of claim 49, wherein the one or more processors are further configured individually or in combination to: Determine a second single reference node that is different from the single reference node; and The indication of the second single reference node is reported to the location server via the one or more transceivers.

51. A user equipment (UE), the user equipment (UE) comprising: Components for obtaining at least one reference node for one or more joint downlink and sidelink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and (1) one or more downlink RSTD (DL-RSTD) measurements, (2) one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements, or (3) both; as well as A component for determining the one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the at least one reference node and (1) one or more first downlink positioning reference signals (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit receive points (TRPs) or (2) one or more first sidelink positioning reference signals (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

52. A user equipment (UE), the user equipment (UE) comprising: A component for obtaining a single reference node for one or more downlink reference signal time difference (DL-RSTD) measurements and one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements; Components for determining the one or more DL-RSTD measurements based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit-receive points (TRPs); as well as A component for determining the one or more SL-RSTD measurements based on the one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and the one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

53. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to: Obtain at least one reference node for one or more joint downlink and sidelink reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and (1) one or more downlink RSTD (DL-RSTD) measurements, (2) one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements, or (3) both; and The one or more joint downlink and sidelink RSTD measurements are determined based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the at least one reference node and (1) one or more first downlink positioning reference signals (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit receive points (TRPs) or (2) one or more first sidelink positioning reference signals (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

54. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to: A single reference node is obtained for one or more downlink reference signal time difference (DL-RSTD) measurements and one or more sidelink RSTD (SL-RSTD) measurements; The one or more DL-RSTD measurements are determined based on one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and one or more first downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first transmit-receive points (TRPs). as well as The one or more SL-RSTD measurements are determined based on the one or more reference signal resources transmitted by the single reference node and the one or more first sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) resources transmitted by one or more first sidelink anchored UEs.

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