System and apparatus for reporting measurements in network and methods associated therewith

Abstract

Systems (100), apparatuses (102), apparatuses (104) and methods (300) for reporting measurements in a network are disclosed. The method (300) comprises: analyzing information relating to sidelink (SL) positioning, the information comprising at least one configuration for one or more dedicated resource pools; determining a resource pool configuration for the user equipment based on the information; generating a control signal based on the resource pool configuration; and transmitting the control signal to the user equipment for reporting measurements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to one or both of a system and apparatus for reporting measurements in a network and in association with, for example, user equipment (UE) and / or base stations that can be used for communication. This disclosure further relates to a method that can be associated with the system and / or apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, wireless networks provide network connectivity to mobile communication devices or user equipment (UEs), such as smartphones, via a radio interface. Congestion control and latency reduction during sidelink (SL) positioning and communication can be helpful in communication networks, such as telecommunications networks based on the 3GPP 5G (fifth generation) New Radio (NR) standard.

[0003] In current technology, when a UE is sending or receiving SL Positioning Reference Signals (SL PRS) in a dedicated resource pool (RP) to perform SL positioning measurements, it may be unable to send measurement reports in the same RP due to the lack of a Physical Side Link Shared Channel (PSSCH). Instead, the UE needs to use an associated SL communication RP or SL sharing RP (which handles both communication and positioning) to send these measurement reports. However, allowing the UE to choose this SL communication RP or SL sharing RP independently could lead to many UEs selecting the same RP. This could result in network congestion and delays in receiving reports. Therefore, existing technology may not optimally facilitate congestion control and latency reduction.

[0004] This disclosure envisions a method that helps to solve or at least alleviate one or more problems associated with conventional techniques used to facilitate congestion control and latency reduction. Specifically, this disclosure envisions a method for indicating which shared RP or SL communication RP a UE can use to send measurement reports and other data related to SL positioning operations in a dedicated RP. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for reporting measurements in a network is provided, the method comprising: analyzing information related to side-link (SL) location, the information including at least one configuration for one or more dedicated resource pools; determining a resource pool configuration for a user equipment based on the information; generating a control signal based on the resource pool configuration; and transmitting the control signal to the user equipment for reporting the measurements.

[0006] Advantageously, the method described herein enables smooth signaling of measurement reports because the receiving user equipment (UE) or side-link (SL) positioning server (UE) knows where the measurement report will be received. This avoids congestion in the resource pool (RP), which could occur if the UE were allowed to select its own RP.

[0007] In an embodiment, determining the resource pool configuration includes generating a mapping between each of one or more dedicated resource pools and a) at least one shared resource pool and / or b) a sidelink communication resource pool.

[0008] In an embodiment, determining the resource pool configuration includes: when the number of shared resource pools is greater than the number of dedicated resource pools, determining the association between each of one or more dedicated resource pools and a) at least one shared resource pool and / or b) a sidelink communication resource pool.

[0009] In an embodiment, determining the resource pool configuration includes: when the number of dedicated resource pools is greater than the number of shared resource pools, determining the association between each of at least one shared resource pool or sidelink communication resource pool and one or more dedicated resource pools.

[0010] In an embodiment, determining the resource pool configuration includes determining a specific shared resource pool or a specific sidelink communication resource pool within at least one shared resource pool.

[0011] In an embodiment, determining a specific shared resource pool or a specific sidelink communication resource pool includes determining the mapping between the priority of sidelink positioning and a) at least one shared resource pool and / or b) a sidelink communication resource pool.

[0012] In an embodiment, determining a specific shared resource pool or a specific sidelink communication resource pool includes determining a mapping between a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL PRS) resource identifier and a) at least one shared resource pool and / or b) a sidelink communication resource pool.

[0013] In one embodiment, the method further includes selecting a resource pool for reporting measurements based on control signals.

[0014] In one embodiment, a computer program is provided that includes instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to the first aspect.

[0015] In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores data representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform the method according to the first aspect.

[0016] In one embodiment, an apparatus for reporting measurements in a network is provided, the apparatus comprising: a first module configured to analyze information related to side-link (SL) location, the information including at least one configuration for one or more dedicated resource pools; a second module configured to process and / or cause the execution of the method of the first aspect to generate at least one output signal; and a third module configured to transmit at least one output signal, wherein the output signal corresponds to a control signal for reporting measurements by a user equipment.

[0017] In an embodiment, the device corresponds to a base station capable of communicating with equipment corresponding to a user equipment (UE), and the base station corresponds to a next-generation node B (gNB) configured to transmit the at least one output signal to the UE.

[0018] In one embodiment, a system is provided, the system comprising: at least one device; and at least one means, wherein the device and the means are coupled via at least one of wired coupling and wireless coupling.

[0019] Advantageously, the system disclosed herein can reduce overhead signal transmission, avoid delays in measurement reporting, and prevent congestion in resource pools. Therefore, when the UE selects a resource pool for reporting measurements, congestion control and latency reduction in the network can be achieved. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Embodiments of this disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1A A schematic diagram illustrating a system for reporting measurements in a network according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, the system including at least one device.

[0022] Figures 1B to 1D An embodiment of the invention is shown with Figure 1A Example scenarios associated with the system.

[0023] Figure 2 A more detailed illustration of an embodiment according to the present invention is shown. Figure 1A A schematic diagram of the device.

[0024] Figure 3 An embodiment of the invention is shown with Figure 1A The system-related methods.

[0025] Figures 4A to 4F An example of an embodiment according to the present invention is shown. Figure 3 A diagram illustrating example scenarios associated with the method. Detailed Implementation

[0026] This specification discloses apparatus for performing the operations of the methods. Such apparatus may be specifically constructed for the desired purpose, or may include a computer or other device selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in a computer. The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently associated with any particular computer or other apparatus. Various machines may be used with the program in accordance with the teachings herein. Alternatively, it may be appropriate to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The structure of a computer will become apparent from the description below.

[0027] Furthermore, this specification implicitly discloses a computer program, as it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that individual steps of the methods described herein can be implemented by computer code. The computer program is not intended to be limited to any particular programming language or implementation thereof. It should be understood that various programming languages ​​and their coding methods can be used to implement the teachings of the disclosure contained herein. Moreover, the computer program is not intended to be limited to any particular control flow. Many other variations of the computer program may be used, which may employ different control flows without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure.

[0028] Furthermore, one or more steps of a computer program can be executed in parallel, rather than sequentially. Such a computer program can be stored on any computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media may include storage devices such as disks or optical discs, memory chips, or other storage devices suitable for interfacing with a computer. Computer-readable media may also include wired media, such as those exemplified in an Internet system, or wireless media, such as those exemplified in a mobile phone system. When loaded onto and executed on such a computer, the computer program effectively produces an apparatus for implementing the steps of the preferred method.

[0029] In some embodiments, the non-limiting terms User Equipment (UE), or Wireless Device, or User Equipment may be used, and the term may refer to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and / or with another UE in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UEs are target devices, device-to-device (D2D) UEs, machine-type UEs or UEs capable of machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, PDAs, PADs, tablets, mobile terminals, smartphones, embedded laptops (LEEs), devices mounted on laptops (LMEs), USB dongles, UE class M1, UE class M2, ProSe UEs, V2V UEs, V2X UEs, etc.

[0030] In some embodiments, the more general term "network node" may be used, and this term may correspond to any type of radio network node or any network node that communicates with user equipment (directly or via another node) and / or with another network node. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, MeNB, ENB, network nodes belonging to MCG or SCG, base stations (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio nodes (such as MSR BS), eNodeB, gNodeB, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), repeater, donor node controlling repeater, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transport point, transport node, RRU, RRH, nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), core network nodes (e.g., mobile switching center (MSC), mobility management entity (MME), etc.), operation and maintenance (O&M), operation support system (OSS), self-optimizing network (SON), location node (e.g., evolved servicing mobile location center (E-SMLC)), minimized drive test (MDT), test equipment (physical node or software), etc.

[0031] Additionally, terms such as base station / gNodeB and UE should be considered non-limiting and, in particular, do not imply any hierarchical relationship between the two; generally, "gNodeB" can be considered device 1 and "UE" can be considered device 2, and the two devices communicate with each other via a radio channel. Furthermore, in the following text, a transmitter or receiver can be a gNodeB (gNB) or a UE.

[0032] Furthermore, the features, structures, or characteristics described in the embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner. Numerous specific details, such as examples of programming, software modules, user selection, network transactions, database queries, database structures, hardware modules, hardware circuits, hardware chips, etc., are provided in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments can be practiced without one or more of these specific details or using other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations have not been shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments. References to “an embodiment,” “embodiment,” or similar language throughout the specification mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Therefore, unless expressly specified otherwise, the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language appearing throughout the specification may, but not necessarily all, refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean “one or more, but not all, embodiments.” Unless expressly specified otherwise, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including, but not limited to,” “including.” Unless expressly specified otherwise, the enumeration of items does not imply that any or all items in the item are mutually exclusive. Unless otherwise expressly specified, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also mean “one or more.”

[0033] This disclosure envisions that, in SL positioning resource allocation, a dedicated resource pool (RP) and / or a shared resource pool with sidelink (SL) communication can be (pre-)configured for the SL Positioning Reference Signal (PRS). This disclosure further envisions that the two types of resource pools can be designed differently, and that the shared resource pool can support backward compatibility.

[0034] This disclosure envisions the possibility that, in SL-PRS transmission, a dedicated resource pool or a shared resource pool, or both, can be (pre-)configured in a single SL bandwidth portion (BWP) of the carrier. This disclosure also envisions that a user equipment (UE) can (pre-)configure one or more dedicated SL resource pools, and that a UE can (pre-)configure one or more shared SL resource pools.

[0035] This disclosure envisions that in SL positioning, a dedicated RP can only be used to transmit SL PRS signals and their associated Physical SL Control Channel (PSCCH). This disclosure also envisions that SL positioning may involve the transmission and reception of measurement reports and other data, which cannot be transmitted within the dedicated RP since there is no data channel, i.e., the Physical SL Shared Channel (PSSCH). Therefore, this disclosure envisions that a dedicated RP may need to be associated with at least one shared RP or SL communication RP.

[0036] This disclosure envisions that if a UE has a dedicated RP, UE behavior can be specified to select an associated shared RP or SL communication RP to ensure that related UEs participating in an SL positioning session use the same RP to exchange measurement reports, and to prevent congestion on a specific RP that could occur if all UEs select the same shared RP or SL communication RP.

[0037] This disclosure envisions that, without any indication, a UE can transmit measurement reports in any shared RP or SL communication RP assigned to it. This could cause a delay in receiving reports for another UE (e.g., a server UE), as that UE would first need to ensure that the intended receiver UE is also using the same RP. If other UEs also select the same RP, the UE's own selection of a shared RP or SL communication RP could also lead to congestion in that RP, since measurement reports carry a large payload. Therefore, this disclosure envisions a systematic approach by which a UE selects a shared RP or SL communication RP for measurement reports.

[0038] This disclosure envisions that when a dedicated RP is assigned to a UE, it may be necessary to define which RP can be used for measurement reporting. According to embodiments of the invention, in the manner described above, a method can be provided to the UE for selecting a resource pool (RP) through which measurement reports corresponding to the SL PRS transmitted in the dedicated resource pool (RP) can be sent. Therefore, according to embodiments of the invention, congestion control and latency reduction can be facilitated in the network.

[0039] The foregoing will be discussed in further detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0040] refer to Figure 1A According to an embodiment of the invention, a schematic diagram illustrating a system 100 for reporting measurements in a network is shown. According to an embodiment of the invention, system 100 may be adapted, for example, to control congestion and reduce latency.

[0041] As shown in the figure, according to an embodiment of the present invention, system 100 may include one or more devices 102, at least one apparatus 104, and optionally a communication network 106.

[0042] Device 102 can be coupled to device 104. Specifically, according to an embodiment of the invention, device 102 can be coupled to device 104, for example, via communication network 106.

[0043] In one embodiment, device 102 may be coupled to communication network 106, and device 104 may be coupled to communication network 106. Coupling may be performed via one or both wired and wireless coupling. According to embodiments of the invention, device 102 may generally be configured to communicate with device 104 via communication network 106.

[0044] According to embodiments of the invention, equipment 102 may be associated with or correspond to one or more user equipments (UEs), or include one or more UEs that may carry one or more computers. For example, according to embodiments of the invention, equipment 102 may correspond to a UE carrying at least one computer (e.g., according to embodiments of the invention, an electronic device or module with computing capabilities, such as an electronic mobile device that can be carried into a vehicle or an electronic module that can be installed in a vehicle), which may be configured to perform one or more processing tasks associated with adaptive / dynamic / progressive control.

[0045] Device 104 may be associated with / correspond to at least one base station, for example, where the at least one base station may be a next-generation Node B (gNB). Furthermore, device 104 may be configured, for example, to carry / be associated with / comprise one or more computers (e.g., electronic devices / modules with computing capabilities), which may be configured, for example, to perform one or more processing tasks associated with the base station. According to embodiments of the invention, device 104 may be configured to receive one or more input signals that can be transmitted from equipment 102. Device 104 may perform one or more processing tasks associated with dynamic / adaptive / progressive control of the input signals, for example, in a manner that generates at least one output signal. This will be discussed in further detail later in the context of an example scenario, according to embodiments of the invention.

[0046] The input signal may be associated with information related to the side-link (SL) positioning of the user equipment (or UE), including at least one configuration for one or more dedicated resource pools. As a possible option, according to embodiments of the invention, an output signal may be transmitted, for example, from device 104. The output signal may correspond to a control signal for reporting measurements in the network by the user equipment (or UE). Reference will be made later to embodiments of the invention. Figure 2 Equipment 102 and device 104 will be discussed in more detail.

[0047] Communication network 106 may correspond, for example, to an Internet communication network, a cellular communication network, a wired communication network, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) communication network, a wireless communication network, or any combination thereof. Communication via communication network 106 (e.g., between devices 102 and / or between devices 102 and apparatus 104) may be conducted via one or both of wired and wireless communication.

[0048] Equipment 102 may be configured, for example, to generate at least one input signal, and device 104 may perform at least one processing task associated with dynamic / adaptive / progressive control of the input signal in a manner that generates at least one output signal. Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, device 104 may be configured, for example, to generate (and transmit) an output signal to equipment 102. Therefore, device 104 may generate a control signal for reporting measurements to equipment 102. According to an embodiment of the invention, reference will be made hereinafter to... Figures 1B to 1D Let's discuss this within the context of the example scenario.

[0049] Figures 1B to 1D An embodiment of the invention is shown with Figure 1A Example scenarios associated with the system. Specifically, Figure 1B Two examples of sidelink (SL) timeslot structures are shown. As shown, a normal timeslot structure includes a Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH), a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH), and possibly a Physical Sidelink Feedback Channel (PSFCH). The Sidelink Synchronization Signal Block (S-SSB) may contain a Sidelink Synchronization Signal (S-SS) and a Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH).

[0050] Figure 1C An example of a sidelink (SL) positioning time slot structure in a dedicated resource pool is shown. In a dedicated resource pool used for SL positioning, the sidelink positioning reference signal (SL PRS) may not be transmitted in a time slot without an associated PSCCH, as the PSCCH may be necessary to indicate the characteristics of the SL PRS signal in that time slot.

[0051] Figure 1D An example of the SL positioning time slot structure in a shared RP is shown. In the shared resource pool, only Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) is supported for PSCCH and SL-PRS multiplexing. In the shared resource pool, for PSSCH and SL-PRS multiplexing, the SL-PRS, the associated PSCCH, and the PSSCH scheduled by that PSCCH are included in the same time slot, and only TDM is supported for comb sizes 1, 2, and 4. In yet another embodiment, in the shared resource pool, the SL-PRS, the associated PSCCH, and the PSSCH scheduled by that PSCCH are included in the same time slot. In this embodiment, the PSSCH can be used for second sidelink control information (SCI) and sidelink shared channel (SL-SCH), and the UE (or user equipment) may not have data available for transmission.

[0052] Therefore, a dedicated resource pool (RP) in SL positioning can only be used to transmit SL PRS signals and their associated PSCCHs. However, SL positioning may involve the transmission and reception of measurement reports and other data that cannot be transmitted within a dedicated RP. Therefore, according to embodiments of the invention, a dedicated RP can be associated with at least one shared RP or SL communication RP for such transmission and reception.

[0053] The aspects of system 100 described above are also applicable to all aspects of equipment 102 and device 104 described below. Similarly, all aspects of equipment 102 and device 104 described below are also applicable to all aspects of system 100 described above.

[0054] The following will refer to Figure 2 The aforementioned device 104 or base station (e.g., gNB) will be discussed in more detail.

[0055] refer to Figure 2 According to an embodiment of the present invention, a schematic diagram of the exemplary device 104 is shown in more detail in the context of an exemplary implementation 200. In the exemplary implementation 200, the device 104 may correspond to an electronic module 200a that may be installed in a base station (or gNB).

[0056] According to embodiments of the present invention, it is conceivable that the electronic module 200a may be able to perform one or more processing tasks in association with adaptive / dynamic / progressive control-related processing.

[0057] Electronic module 200a may include, for example, a housing 200b. Furthermore, electronic module 200a may, for example, carry any one or any combination of the first module 202, the second module 204, and the third module 206.

[0058] In one embodiment, electronic module 200a may carry first module 202, second module 204, and / or third module 206. In a particular example, according to an embodiment of the present invention, electronic module 200a may carry first module 202, second module 204, and third module 206.

[0059] In this regard, it should be understood that, in one embodiment, the shape and size of the housing 200b may be designed to carry any one or any combination of the first module 202, the second module 204 and the third module 206.

[0060] The first module 202 may be coupled to one or both of the second module 204 and the third module 206. The second module 204 may be coupled to one or both of the first module 202 and the third module 206. The third module 206 may be coupled to one or both of the first module 202 and the second module 204. In one example, according to an embodiment of the invention, the first module 202 may be coupled to the second module 204, and the second module 204 may be coupled to the third module 206. The coupling between the first module 202, the second module 204, and / or the third module 206 may be performed, for example, by one or both of wired and wireless coupling. According to an embodiment of the invention, each of the first module 202, the second module 204, and the third module 206 may correspond to one or both of a hardware-based module and a software-based module.

[0061] In one example, the first module 202 may correspond to a hardware-based receiver that can be configured to receive one or more input signals. According to embodiments of the invention, input signals may be transmitted, for example, from equipment 102 (or user equipment or UE).

[0062] According to embodiments of the invention, the second module 204 may correspond, for example, to a hardware-based processor that can be configured to perform one or more processing tasks (e.g., to generate one or more output signals), as will be referred to later. Figure 3 To be discussed in more detail.

[0063] The third module 206 may correspond to a hardware-based transmitter that can be configured to transmit one or more output signals from the electronic module 200a. According to embodiments of the invention, the output signals may, for example, include one or more instruction / command / control signals associated with the aforementioned dynamic / adaptive / progressive control configuration / deterministic strategy to facilitate improved efficiency (e.g., congestion control, latency reduction, and / or communication efficiency). For example, the output signal may be a control signal used by a user equipment (or user equipment UE) to report measurements in a designated resource pool.

[0064] This disclosure envisions the possibility that the first module 202 and the second module 204 can be integrated software-hardware modules, such as electronic components carrying software programs or algorithms associated with receiving and processing functions, or electronic modules programmed to perform receiving and processing functions. This disclosure further envisions the possibility that the first module 202 and the third module 206 can be integrated software-hardware modules, such as electronic components carrying software programs or algorithms associated with receiving and transmitting functions, or electronic modules programmed to perform receiving and transmitting functions. This disclosure further envisions the possibility that the first module 202 and the third module 206 can be integrated hardware modules capable of performing receiving and transmitting functions, such as hardware-based transceivers.

[0065] According to an embodiment of the invention, device 104 (or base station) may be further configured, for example, as will be referred to later. Figure 3 In more detail, input signals are processed in a manner to generate one or more output signals, thereby promoting improved efficiency, such as power efficiency or energy efficiency. In a particular example, according to embodiments of the invention, the output signals may include one or more control signals to promote the implementation of some form of dynamic / adaptive / progressive control configuration / deterministic strategy to promote improved efficiency, such as power efficiency or energy efficiency. For example, the output signals may be control signals for reporting measurements by a user equipment (or UE).

[0066] In an alternative embodiment, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 The schematic diagram can be used to illustrate equipment 102 in the context of example implementation 200.

[0067] Specifically, the device 102 may correspond to the electronic module 200a. According to an embodiment of the invention, in one example, the electronic module 200a, together with the housing 200b, the first module 202, the second module 204, and the third module 206, may correspond to a mobile device that can, for example, be carried by a user into a vehicle. In another example, according to an embodiment of the invention, the electronic module 200a may correspond to an electronic device that can be installed / fitted into a vehicle. In this respect, the electronic module 200a can be considered as being carried by the vehicle (e.g., carried by a user into the vehicle or installed / fixed in the vehicle).

[0068] The aspects of the apparatus 102 and device 104 described above are also similarly applicable to all aspects of the processing / communication method described below. Similarly, all aspects of the method described below are also similarly applicable to all aspects of the apparatus 102 and device 104 described above. It should be understood that these statements also apply similarly to the system 100 discussed earlier in this disclosure.

[0069] refer to Figure 3 An embodiment of the invention illustrates a method 300 (or communication method) associated with system 100 for reporting measurements.

[0070] According to embodiments of the present invention, method 300 may be adapted, for example, to control congestion, optimize networks, and reduce latency.

[0071] According to an embodiment of the present invention, method 300 may include any one or any combination of input step 302, processing step 304 and output step 306.

[0072] In one embodiment, processing method 300 may include an input step 302. In another embodiment, processing method 300 may include an input step 302 and a processing step 304. In another embodiment, processing method 300 may include an input step 302, a processing step 304, and an output step 306. In yet another embodiment, processing method 300 may include a processing step 304 and one or both of input step 302 and output step 306. In yet another further embodiment, processing method 300 may include an input step 302, a processing step 304, and an output step 306. In yet another further additional embodiment, processing method 300 may include a processing step 304. In yet another further additional embodiment, processing method 300 may include any one or any combination of input step 302, processing step 304, and output step 306 (i.e., input step 302, processing step 304, and / or output step 306).

[0073] For input step 302, one or more input signals may be received. For example, according to an embodiment of the invention, the input signal may be transmitted from device 102 and received by device 104. In an alternative embodiment, the input signal may be received by device 102.

[0074] Input step 302 may include analyzing information related to side-link (SL) positioning, including at least one configuration for one or more dedicated resource pools. In an embodiment, the input signal may be generated by and transmitted from device 102 to apparatus 104. Alternatively, the input signal may be generated and received by device 102 before proceeding to processing step 304. For example, the input signal may be generated by a transmitting UE (or user equipment) and received by a receiving UE (or user equipment).

[0075] Regarding processing step 304, according to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one processing task may be performed in a manner associated with the received input signal in order to generate one or more output signals.

[0076] Processing step 304 may include at least one of the following steps: determining a resource pool configuration for the user equipment based on the information; generating a control signal based on the resource pool configuration; transmitting the control signal to the user equipment for reporting measurements; and generating a mapping between each of the one or more dedicated resource pools and a) at least one shared resource pool and / or b) a sidelink communication resource pool.

[0077] Determining the resource pool configuration may include: when the number of shared resource pools is greater than the number of dedicated resource pools, determining the association between each of one or more dedicated resource pools and a) at least one shared resource pool and / or b) a sidelink communication resource pool. Additionally, determining the resource pool configuration may also include: when the number of dedicated resource pools is greater than the number of shared resource pools, determining the association between each of at least one shared resource pool or sidelink communication resource pool and one or more dedicated pools. Determining the resource pool configuration may further include determining a specific shared resource pool or a specific sidelink communication resource pool within the at least one shared resource pool.

[0078] Processing step 304 may further include at least one of the following steps: determining the priority of sidelink positioning and the mapping between a) at least one shared resource pool and / or b) a sidelink communication resource pool; determining a specific shared resource pool or a specific sidelink communication resource pool, including determining the mapping between a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL PRS) resource identifier and a) at least one shared resource pool and / or b) a sidelink communication resource pool; and selecting a resource pool for reporting measurements based on control signals.

[0079] For output step 306, according to an embodiment of the invention, as an option, an output signal may be transmitted, for example. For example, the output signal may correspond to a control signal for reporting measurements and may be transmitted from device 104. In a more specific example, according to an embodiment of the invention, the output signal may optionally be transmitted from device 104 to one or both of at least one of equipment 102. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, equipment 102 (or UE or user equipment) may also perform input step 302, processing step 304, and output step 306.

[0080] This disclosure further envisions a computer program (not shown) that may include instructions that, when executed by a computer (not shown), cause the computer to perform input step 302, processing step 304, and / or output step 306 as discussed in reference method 300. For example, according to an embodiment of the invention, the computer program may include instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform input step 302 and / or processing step 304.

[0081] This disclosure further envisions a computer-readable storage medium (not shown) storing data representing software executable by a computer (not shown), the software including instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform input step 302, processing step 304, and / or output step 306 as discussed in reference method 300. For example, according to an embodiment of the invention, the computer-readable storage medium may store data representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform input step 302 and / or processing step 304.

[0082] In further view of the foregoing, it is understood that this disclosure generally envisions an apparatus 102 and / or device 104 for reporting measurements in a network, which may include a first module 202, a second module 204 and / or a third module 206.

[0083] The first module 202 can be configured to receive one or more input signals. The input signals may be, for example, information related to side link (SL) positioning, which includes at least one configuration for one or more dedicated resource pools.

[0084] The second module 204 may be configured to process input signals and / or cause the processing of input signals to be performed in accordance with the method 300 discussed earlier, to generate one or more output signals.

[0085] The third module 206 can be configured to transmit one or more output signals. The output signals may, for example, correspond to one or more control signals used for reporting measurements by user equipment.

[0086] In one embodiment, equipment 102 may correspond to a user equipment (UE) that can communicate with a device 104 corresponding to a base station. The base station may, for example, correspond to a next-generation node B (gNB) that can be configured to transmit one or more signals (e.g., output signals) to the UE.

[0087] Furthermore, in view of the foregoing, it is understood that this disclosure generally contemplates a system 100, which may include one or more devices 102 and one or more apparatuses 104. The devices 102 and 104 may be coupled, for example, via wired coupling and / or wireless coupling.

[0088] It should be understood that the embodiments described above can be combined in any way where appropriate (e.g., one or more embodiments as discussed in the “Detailed Description” section can be combined with one or more embodiments as described in the “Summary of the Invention” section).

[0089] Those skilled in the art will further understand that variations and combinations of the embodiments described above, rather than alternatives or substitutes, can be combined to form even further embodiments.

[0090] In one example, the possibility of transmitting an output signal from device 104 is discussed. It is understood that it is not necessarily necessary to transmit the output signal to equipment 102. Specifically, according to embodiments of the invention, the possibility that it is not necessarily necessary to transmit the output signal outside of equipment 102 is envisioned. More specifically, according to embodiments of the invention, the output signal may, for example, correspond to internal commands / instructions for adaptively controlling the operational configuration of equipment 102 (e.g., transmitted only within equipment 102).

[0091] Figures 4A to 4F An example of an embodiment according to the present invention is shown. Figure 3 A diagram illustrating example scenarios associated with the method.

[0092] This disclosure envisions the use of both dedicated and shared resource pools (RPs) in side-link (SL) positioning. However, in a dedicated RP, there is no physical SL shared channel (PSSCH) available for data exchange related to SL positioning. Therefore, only the SL positioning reference signal (SL PRS) and the associated physical SL control channel (PSCCH) can be transmitted in the dedicated RP.

[0093] This disclosure further envisions that if a UE has multiple SL-shared RPs and / or SL-communication RPs assigned to it, a systematic approach may be advantageous for the UE to select the associated SL-shared RP or SL-communication RP to exchange data related to SL PRS transmissions in its dedicated RP.

[0094] This disclosure also envisions that the network can provide indications of mappings between dedicated RPs and shared RPs and / or SL communication RPs assigned to a UE (or user equipment). Additionally, if the initial association provides multiple shared RPs and / or SL communication RPs to any single dedicated RP, the network can provide further indications via mappings between the priority of SL positioning operations within the dedicated RP and the associated shared RP or SL communication RP, and / or mappings between SL PRS resource IDs within the dedicated RP and the associated shared RP or SL communication RP.

[0095] This disclosure envisions that when a UE (or user equipment) is assigned a dedicated RP for SL positioning, at least one shared RP or SL communication RP may also be assigned to it. If the UE (or user equipment) is assigned multiple shared and / or SL communication RPs, it may be provided with indications of the associated RPs to be used for measurement reporting and related processes. Such indications may be provided by network (pre)configuration along with resource pool configuration.

[0096] Figure 4A An example illustrating a basic indication mapping is shown. Specifically, the diagram illustrates a proposed basic mapping indication where each dedicated resource pool (RP) is associated with a shared RP or a sidelink (SL) communication RP. The UE (or user equipment) can select the RP for measurement reporting based on an indication provided by the network (or base station). The basic indication can define an implicit indication of a shared RP or SL communication RP that will be used for all measurement reporting associated with SL PRS transmissions / receptions in a particular dedicated RP, which can be provided by the network (or base station). Such indications can include a mapping between each dedicated RP and a shared RP / SL communication RP, and each dedicated RP can be associated with at least one shared RP or SL communication RP. Multiple dedicated RPs can be associated with the same shared RP or SL communication RP.

[0097] Figure 4B An example of a first option mapping is shown, where the associated shared RP or SL communication RP is provided along with the configuration of the dedicated RP, and signal transmission options are described. The first option may include an example embodiment where, when the UE (or user equipment) has more shared RPs than dedicated RPs, this indication can be provided along with the dedicated RP allocation. In other words, for each dedicated RP, the associated shared RP and / or SL communication RP is indicated. This can save signal transmission overhead when compared to a mapping indicating each shared RP and / or SL communication RP individually.

[0098] Figure 4C An example of a second option mapping is shown, where the associated dedicated RP is provided along with the configuration of a shared RP or SL communication RP, and alternative signal transmission options are described. The second option may include an example embodiment where, when the UE (or user equipment) has more dedicated RPs than shared RPs, this indication can be provided along with the assignment of shared RPs or SL communication RPs. In other words, for each shared RP or SL communication RP, a dedicated RP is indicated for which it will carry measurement reports. This can save signal transmission overhead when there are more dedicated RPs than shared RPs.

[0099] Figure 4DAn example of basic instructions is shown, where each dedicated RP is associated with one or more shared RPs or SL communication RPs. In this example embodiment shown, UEs (or user equipment) A, B, C, and D can use dedicated RP 1 for SL PRS transmission or reception and shared RP 1 for measurement report exchange to perform SL ranging and / or SL absolute positioning. In this embodiment, UEs (or user equipment) B and D can use dedicated RP 2 for SL PRS transmission or reception and shared RP 1 for measurement report exchange to perform ranging. In this embodiment, UEs (or user equipment) B and C can use dedicated RP 1 for SL PRS transmission or reception, as well as both shared RP 1 and SL communication RPs, to perform ranging.

[0100] Figure 4E and Figure 4F Examples of further indications for UE (or user equipment) reported measurements are shown. Specifically, these illustrations show further differentiation within dedicated RPs based on location service priorities, with each priority associated with a shared RP or SL communication RP. In embodiments, if more than one shared RP or SL communication RP is associated with any of the dedicated RPs in the basic indication, additional indications can be provided to the UE (or user equipment) to select a specific shared RP or SL communication RP among those associated with a particular dedicated RP. According to... Figure 4E The example embodiment shown can provide such indication using a mapping between the priority of SL positioning operations and the shared RP and / or SL communication RP available at the UE (or user equipment). Figure 4F In another example embodiment shown, an indication can be provided using a mapping between the SL PRS resource ID and the shared RP and / or SL communication RP available at the UE (or user equipment). The UE (or user equipment) can then base its indication on previous data from... Figure 4B and Figure 4C The instructions in the table depicted indicate the appropriate shared or SL communication RP to send or receive measurement reports.

[0101] Various embodiments of this disclosure for addressing at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages have been described in the foregoing manner. Such embodiments are intended to be covered by the appended claims and are not limited to the specific form or arrangement of the components so described, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in view of this disclosure, that many changes and / or modifications can be made, which are also intended to be covered by the appended claims.

[0102]

[0103]

Claims

1. A method (300) for reporting measurements in a network, the method comprising: Analyze information related to side link (SL) positioning, including at least one configuration for one or more dedicated resource pools; Based on the information, the resource pool configuration for the user equipment is determined; Control signals are generated based on the resource pool configuration. as well as The control signal is transmitted to the user equipment for reporting measurements.

2. The method (300) according to claim 1, wherein, Determining the resource pool configuration includes generating a mapping between each of the one or more dedicated resource pools and a) at least one shared resource pool and / or b) a sidelink communication resource pool.

3. The method (300) according to claim 1, wherein, Determining the resource pool configuration includes: when the number of shared resource pools is greater than the number of dedicated resource pools, determining the association between each of the one or more dedicated resource pools and a) at least one shared resource pool and / or b) a sidelink communication resource pool.

4. The method (300) according to claim 1, wherein, Determining the resource pool configuration includes: when the number of dedicated resource pools is greater than the number of shared resource pools, determining the association between each of the at least one shared resource pool or sidelink communication resource pool and the one or more dedicated resource pools.

5. The method (300) according to claim 2, wherein, Determining the resource pool configuration includes determining a specific shared resource pool in the at least one shared resource pool or a specific sidelink communication resource pool associated with a dedicated resource pool.

6. The method (300) according to claim 5, wherein, Determining a specific shared resource pool or a specific sidelink communication resource pool includes determining the mapping between the priority of sidelink positioning and the at least one shared resource pool (a) and / or the sidelink communication resource pool (b).

7. The method (300) according to claim 5, wherein, Determining a specific shared resource pool or a specific sidelink communication resource pool includes determining the mapping between a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL PRS) resource identifier and a) the at least one shared resource pool and / or b) the sidelink communication resource pool.

8. The method (300) of claim 1, further comprising selecting a resource pool for reporting measurements based on the control signal.

9. A computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method (300) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A computer-readable storage medium storing data representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions that, when executed by the computer, perform the method (300) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. A device (104) for reporting measurements in a network, comprising: A first module (202) is configured to analyze information related to side link (SL) positioning, the information including at least one configuration for one or more dedicated resource pools; The second module (204) is configured to process and / or cause the execution of the method (300) according to claims 1 to 8 to generate at least one output signal; as well as The third module (206) is configured to transmit at least one output signal. The output signal corresponds to the control signal used by the user equipment to report the measurement.

12. The apparatus (104) according to claim 11. in, The device (104) corresponds to a base station capable of communicating with equipment (102) corresponding to user equipment (UE), and The base station corresponds to a next-generation node B (gNB) configured to transmit the at least one output signal to the UE.

13. A system (100) comprising: At least one device (104) according to any one of claims 11 and 12. as well as At least one device (102) according to claim 12. The equipment (102) and the device (104) can be coupled via at least one of wired coupling and wireless coupling.

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