Using extended range exact lookup

Abstract

A method for precision finding using two radio technologies includes determining a first distance to a wireless node based at least in part on a first positioning technology, the first positioning technology having a capability to determine a distance to an object within a first range, determining a second distance to the wireless node based on the first distance being within a second range based on a second positioning technology, the second positioning technology having a capability to determine a distance to an object up to a second range, wherein the second range is less than the first range, and outputting location information of the wireless node based at least in part on the second distance.

Description

Cross-references to related applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 18 / 954,431, filed November 20, 2024, entitled "PRECISION FINDING WITH EXTENDED RANGE", and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 601,397, filed November 21, 2023, entitled "PRECISION FINDING WITH EXTENDED RANGE", both of which have been assigned to the assignee of this application and whose entire contents are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to location, and more specifically to precise lookup using extended scope. Background Technology

[0003] Wireless communication systems have gone through several generations of development, including first-generation analog wireless telephone service (1G), second-generation (2G) digital wireless telephone service (including transitional 2.5G and 2.75G networks), third-generation (3G) high-speed data wireless service with internet capabilities, and fourth-generation (4G) services (e.g., LTE or WiMax). ® ), and fifth-generation (5G) services (e.g., 5G New Radio (NR), etc.). Currently, there are many different types of wireless communication systems in use, including cellular and Personal Communication Services (PCS) systems. Known examples of cellular systems include cellular analog advanced mobile phone systems (AMPS), and digital cellular systems based on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Global System for Mobile Access (GSM) TDMA variants, etc.

[0004] It is typically desired to know the location of a user equipment (UE), such as a cellular phone, where the terms "location" and "positioning" are synonymous and used interchangeably herein. A Location Services (LCS) client may require knowledge of the UE's location and may communicate with a location center to request the UE's location. The location center and the UE may exchange messages appropriately to obtain a location estimate for the UE. The location center may then return this location estimate to the LCS client, for example, for use in one or more applications.

[0005] Obtaining the location of a mobile device accessing a wireless network can be useful for many applications, including emergency calls, personal navigation, asset tracking, and locating friends or family members. Other short-range communication technologies can be used for location applications. For example, mobile devices can communicate using short-range communication technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. ® (BT), Ultra-wideband (UWB), millimeter wave (mmWave), etc. Existing positioning methods include those based on measuring radio signals transmitted from various devices, including satellite spacecraft in wireless networks and terrestrial wireless power sources such as base stations and access points. Summary of the Invention

[0006] An example method for determining the location information of a user equipment (UE) based on distance to a wireless node includes: transmitting a first positioning signal between the UE and the wireless node at least in part at a first time based on a first positioning technology, the first positioning technology having the capability to determine a distance to an object within at most a first range; transmitting a second positioning signal between the UE and the wireless node at a second time after the first time based on a second positioning technology, the second positioning technology having the capability to determine a distance to the object within a second range, the second range being larger than the first range; determining the distance between the UE and the wireless node based on the second positioning signal; and outputting the location information of the wireless node at least in part based on the distance between the UE and the wireless node.

[0007] An example method for determining the distance to a wireless node includes: receiving location information of the wireless node; determining a first distance to the wireless node based on the location information; performing a first signal exchange with the wireless node in response to the first distance being lower than a first threshold; determining a second distance to the wireless node based on the first signal exchange; performing a second signal exchange with the wireless node in response to the second distance being lower than a second threshold; and determining a third distance to the wireless node based on the second signal exchange.

[0008] An example method for precise location using two radio technologies includes: determining a first distance to a wireless node based at least in part on a first positioning technology, the first positioning technology having the ability to determine a distance to an object within a first range; determining a second distance to the wireless node based on the first distance within a second range using a second positioning technology, the second positioning technology having the ability to determine a distance to the object within at most the second range, wherein the second range is smaller than the first range; and outputting location information of the wireless node based at least in part on the second distance.

[0009] An example of selecting a positioning technology includes: determining a first location associated with a user equipment; determining a second location associated with a wireless node; selecting the positioning technology based on the first location and the second location; and determining the distance or direction from the user equipment to the wireless node based on the positioning technology.

[0010] The projects and / or technologies described herein can provide one or more of the following capabilities, as well as others not mentioned. A first mobile device may wish to locate a second mobile device. The second mobile device may be associated with another user (e.g., a smartphone) or other asset (e.g., a vehicle, an asset tag). The first mobile device may receive location information associated with the second mobile device via a network. This location information may be based on satellite-based positioning obtained by the second mobile device. The first mobile device may use this location information to determine the distance and direction to the second mobile device. The first and second mobile devices may initiate signal exchange when they are within each other's communication range. In the example, WiFi... ® Short-range wireless communication technology, specifically ranging exchange, can be used to determine the distance between the mobile devices. The first mobile device can be configured to operate via WiFi. ® Signal exchange is used to update the displayed distance to the second mobile device. Other device-to-device radio access technologies (D2D RATs), such as ultra-wideband (UWB), can be used to determine distance and direction information. For example, the mobile devices can be configured to perform UWB ranging exchange when they are within each other's UWB communication range. The updated distance and direction information based on this UWB exchange can be displayed on the first mobile device. Advances in these different positioning technologies can improve the efficiency and accuracy of the search operation. Other capabilities can be provided, and not every specific embodiment according to this disclosure must provide any of the capabilities discussed, let alone all of them. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a simplified diagram of an example wireless communication system.

[0012] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a block diagram of the components of an example user device.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of the components of an example send / receive point.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of the server components, with various examples of the server in... Figure 1 As shown in the image.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a block diagram of an example communication module with multiple transceivers.

[0016] Figure 6 This is a sample message stream used for a round-trip time measurement session.

[0017] Figure 7A This is a diagram illustrating an example signal exchange used for UWB ranging.

[0018] Figure 7B This is a diagram illustrating an example angle of arrival for an RF signal.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating an example use case for exact lookup using extended range.

[0020] Figure 9A This is a diagram illustrating precise areas based on different radio access technologies.

[0021] Figure 9B This is a sample user interface for using an extended range for precise lookup.

[0022] Figure 10 This is an example signal and processing flowchart for precise lookup operations used in network control.

[0023] Figure 11 This is a flowchart of an example method for determining the location information of a user's equipment based on the range to a wireless node.

[0024] Figure 12 This is a flowchart of an example method for determining the range to a wireless node.

[0025] Figure 13 This is a flowchart of the process for configuring precise lookup operations.

[0026] Figure 14 This is a flowchart of a process for a precise search method using two radio technologies.

[0027] Figure 15 This is a flowchart of the process for selecting a positioning technology. Detailed Implementation

[0028] This article discusses techniques for determining the location of wireless devices. In example use cases, a user of a wireless device (e.g., a mobile phone) might want to determine the location of another wireless device, such as a device tag in a crowded area (e.g., a concert, shopping mall, beach, etc.) or another mobile phone user (e.g., a family member, friend, etc.). Methods to help a first user find a second user (and vice versa) could include displaying location information as vectors indicating their “distance” and “direction” (e.g., range and orientation) to each other. The user could then walk in the corresponding direction until they find each other. Other methods could utilize a top-down map view of the corresponding location, and the user could interpret their corresponding location and map and walk towards each other. However, some users find map information difficult to interpret and prefer vector methods. In such use cases, the distance and direction information should be accurate enough to allow mobile devices to find the precise location of another device as the range narrows.

[0029] In operation, the techniques presented herein utilize different radio access technologies as the distance between wireless nodes decreases. Generally, precise lookup operations require determining the distance and direction to another device. For short-range operations, when the target wireless node is nearby, UWB technology can be used to determine the distance and direction from the lookup device to the target device. The distance can be measured using UWB RTT (Round-Trip Time), and the direction can be measured using UWB Angle of Arrival (AoA). However, the effective range of UWB is limited due to regulatory restrictions on transmit power. In the example, when the target device is outside the range of UWB (e.g., greater than 100m to 200m), other radio access technologies can be used. For example, WiFi can be used to perform RTT switching to determine the range to the target device. In some specific implementations, WiFi can also be used to obtain AoA information. When the target device is outside the WiFi range (e.g., greater than 300m), terrestrial and satellite navigation technologies can be used to determine the positions of the lookup device and the target device, and distance and direction vector information can be displayed based on these two positions. For example, cellular networks or other wireless communication links can be used to provide the corresponding positions of the lookup device and the target device. However, other RF range and direction finding technologies, as well as mobile device configurations, can be used.

[0030] Specific aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented to achieve one or more of the following potential advantages: The efficiency and accuracy of device location applications can be improved. Signaling using various device-to-device radio access technologies (D2DRAT) (e.g., WiFi, BT, UWB, sidelink NR, mmWave) can reduce the network signaling overhead required to obtain and propagate the location of the finder device and the target device. Other advantages may also be achieved.

[0031] Obtaining the location of a mobile device accessing a wireless network can be used for many applications, including emergency calls, personal navigation, consumer asset tracking, locating friends or family members, etc. Existing positioning methods include those based on measuring radio signals transmitted from various devices or entities, including satellite vehicles (SVs) in wireless networks and terrestrial radio sources such as base stations and access points. Standardization for 5G wireless networks is expected to include support for various positioning methods that can utilize reference signals transmitted by base stations for location determination in a manner similar to how LTE wireless networks currently use Positioning Reference Signals (PRS) and / or Cell-Specific Reference Signals (CRS).

[0032] The description herein can refer to a sequence of actions to be performed, for example, by elements of a computing device. The various actions described herein can be performed by special-purpose circuitry (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), by program instructions being executed by one or more processors, or by a combination of both. The sequence of actions described herein can be embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a corresponding set of computer instructions that, when executed, will cause the associated processor to perform the functionality described herein. Therefore, the various examples described herein can be embodied in several different forms, all of which fall within the scope of this disclosure, including the claimed subject matter.

[0033] As used herein, the terms “User Equipment” (UE) and “Base Station” are not specific to or otherwise limited to any particular Radio Access Technology (RAT) unless otherwise indicated. Generally, a UE can be any wireless communication device (e.g., mobile phone, router, tablet computer, laptop computer, consumer asset tracking device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, automobile, etc.) used for communication over a wireless communication network. 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 “Access Terminal” or “AT,” “Client Equipment,” “Wireless Equipment,” “Subscriber Equipment,” “Subscriber Terminal,” “Subscriber Station,” “User Terminal” or “UT,” “Mobile Terminal,” “Mobile Station,” “Mobile Equipment,” or variations thereof. In general, a UE can communicate with a core network via the RAN, and through the core network, a UE can connect to external networks such as the Internet and to other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms for connecting to the core network and / or the Internet are also possible for a UE, such as via wired access networks, WiFi, etc. ®Short-range wireless communication technology networks (e.g., based on IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11, etc.). In addition to transmitting information to each other via the network, or instead of transmitting information to each other via the network, two or more UEs can communicate directly.

[0034] Depending on the network in which the base station is deployed, the base station can operate according to one of several RATs when communicating with the UE. Examples of base stations include access points (APs), network nodes, NodeBs, evolved NodeBs (eNBs), or generic NodeBs (gNodeBs, gNBs). Furthermore, 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.

[0035] The UE can be represented by any of several types of devices, including but not limited to printed circuit (PC) cards, compact flash memory devices, external or internal modems, wireless or wired phones, smartphones, tablet devices, consumer asset tracking devices, asset tags, etc. The communication link through which the UE can transmit signals to the RAN is called an uplink channel (e.g., reverse traffic channel, reverse control channel, access channel, etc.). The communication link through which the RAN can transmit signals to the UE is called a downlink or forward link channel (e.g., paging channel, control channel, broadcast channel, forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term "traffic channel (TCH)" can refer to an uplink / reverse traffic channel or a downlink / forward traffic channel.

[0036] As used herein, depending on the context, the term "cell" or "sector" may correspond to one of a plurality of cells of a base station or to the base station itself. The term "cell" may refer to a logical communication entity used to communicate with a base station (e.g., on a carrier) and may be associated with identifiers to distinguish adjacent cells operating via the same or different carriers (e.g., Physical Cell Identifier (PCID), Virtual Cell Identifier (VCID)). In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells and may be configured with different cell types based on different protocol types that can provide access to different types of devices (e.g., Machine-Type Communication (MTC), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), or other protocol types). In some examples, the term "cell" may refer to a portion of the geographic coverage area on which a logical entity operates (e.g., a sector).

[0037] refer to Figure 1Examples of communication system 100 include UE 105, UE 106, radio access network (RAN) (here, fifth-generation (5G) next-generation (NG) RAN (NG-RAN) 135), 5G core network (5GC) 140, and server 150. UE 105 and / or UE 106 can be, for example, an IoT device, a location tracker device, a cellular phone, a vehicle (e.g., a car, truck, bus, ship, etc.), or another device. 5G network can also be referred to as a new radio (NR) network; NG-RAN 135 can be referred to as 5G RAN or NR RAN; and 5GC 140 can be referred to as NG core network (NGC). Standardization of NG-RAN and 5GC is underway within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Therefore, NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140 can follow current or future standards from 3GPP for 5G support. NG-RAN 135 can be another type of RAN, such as 3G RAN, 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) RAN, etc. UE 106 can be configured and coupled similarly to UE 105 to transmit signals to and / or receive signals from similar other entities in system 100, but for simplicity of the figures, in Figure 1 Such signaling is not indicated in this document. Similarly, for simplicity, the discussion focuses on UE 105. Communication system 100 may utilize information from a constellation 185 of satellite spacecraft (SVs) 190, 191, 192, 193 from a satellite positioning system (SPS) such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, or BeiDou, or some other local or regional SPS (such as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), the European Geostationary Navigation Coverage Service (EGNOS), or the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)). Additional components of communication system 100 are described below. Communication system 100 may include additional or optional components.

[0038] like Figure 1As shown, NG-RAN 135 includes NR nodeBs (gNBs) 110a and 110b and a next-generation eNodeB (ng-eNB) 114, and 5GC 140 includes Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMF) 115, Session Management Functions (SMF) 117, Location Management Functions (LMF) 120, and Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 125. gNBs 110a, 110b, and ng-eNB 114 are communicatively coupled to each other, each configured to conduct bidirectional wireless communication with UE 105, and each communicatively coupled to AMF 115 and configured to conduct bidirectional communication with AMF. gNBs 110a, 110b, and ng-eNB 114 may be referred to as base stations (BS). AMF 115, SMF 117, LMF 120, and GMLC 125 are communicatively coupled to each other, and the GMLC is communicatively coupled to an external client 130. The SMF117 can be used as the initial contact point for a Service Control Function (SCF) (not shown) to create, control, and delete media sessions. Base stations (such as gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114) can be macrocells (e.g., high-power cellular base stations), small cells (e.g., low-power cellular base stations), or access points (e.g., short-range base stations configured to use short-range technologies such as WiFi). ® Short-range wireless communication technology, WiFi ® Direct connection (WiFi) ® -D), Bluetooth ® ,Bluetooth ® Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee ® (e.g., one or more of gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114) can be configured to communicate with UE 105 via multiple carriers. Each of gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic area (e.g., cell). Each cell can be divided into multiple sectors based on the base station antennas.

[0039] Figure 1Generalized examples of various components are provided, wherein any or all of the components may be appropriately utilized, and each component may be repeated or omitted as needed. Specifically, although a UE 105 is illustrated, many UEs (e.g., hundreds, thousands, millions, etc.) may be utilized in communication system 100. Similarly, communication system 100 may include a larger (or smaller) number of SVs (i.e., more or fewer than the four SVs 190-193 shown), gNBs 110a and 110b, ng-eNB 114, AMF 115, external client 130, and / or other components. The illustrated connections connecting the various components in communication system 100 include data and signaling connections, which may include additional (intermediate) components, direct or indirect physical and / or wireless connections, and / or additional networks. Furthermore, the components may be rearranged, combined, separated, replaced, and / or omitted according to desired functionality.

[0040] Although Figure 1 A 5G-based network is illustrated, but similar network implementations and configurations can be used for other communication technologies such as 3G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), etc. The specific implementations described herein (for 5G technology and / or for one or more other communication technologies and / or protocols) can be used to transmit (or broadcast) directional synchronization signals, receive and measure directional signals at a UE (e.g., UE 105), and / or provide location assistance to UE 105 (via GMLC 125 or other location servers), and / or calculate the location of UE 105 at a location-capable device (such as UE 105, gNB 110a, 110b, or LMF 120) based on measurement parameters received at UE 105 for such directional transmissions. Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 125, Location Management Function (LMF) 120, Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 115, SMF 117, ng-eNB (eNodeB) 114, and gNB (gNodeB) 110a, 110b are examples and may be replaced by, or include, various other location server functions and / or base station functions, respectively.

[0041] System 100 is capable of wireless communication because its components can communicate directly or indirectly (at least sometimes using a wireless connection), for example, via gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114 and / or 5GC 140 (and / or one or more other devices not shown, such as one or more other transceiver base stations). For indirect communication, the communication can be modified during transmission from one entity to another, for example, by changing the header information of data packets, changing the format, etc. UE 105 may include multiple UEs and may be mobile wireless communication devices, but can communicate wirelessly as well as via wired connections. UE 105 can be any of a variety of devices, such as smartphones, tablets, vehicle-based devices, etc., but these are merely examples, as UE 105 does not need to be any of these configurations, and other configurations of UEs can be used. Other UEs may include wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches, smart jewelry, smart glasses, or head-mounted devices, etc.). Other UEs, whether currently existing or developed in the future, may also be used. In addition, other wireless devices (whether mobile or not) can be implemented within system 100 and can communicate with each other and / or with UE 105, gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, 5GC 140, and / or external client 130. For example, such other devices may include Internet of Things (IoT) devices, medical devices, home entertainment and / or automation devices, etc. 5GC 140 can communicate with external client 130 (e.g., a computer system), for example, to allow external client 130 (e.g., via GMLC 125) to request and / or receive location information about UE 105.

[0042] UE 105 or other devices can be configured to communicate in various networks and / or for various purposes and / or using various technologies (e.g., 5G, Wi-Fi). ® Communication, multi-frequency Wi-Fi ® Communication, satellite positioning, and one or more types of communication (e.g., GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), V2X (vehicle-to-everything communication, e.g., V2P (vehicle-to-pedestrian), V2I (vehicle-to-infrastructure), V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle), etc.), IEEE 802.11p, etc.). V2X communication can be cellular (Cellular-V2X (C-V2X)) and / or WiFi. ®(For example, DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Connection)). System 100 can support operation on multiple carriers (waveform signals of different frequencies). A multi-carrier transmitter can transmit modulated signals simultaneously on multiple carriers. Each modulated signal can be a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) signal, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) signal, an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) signal, a Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) signal, etc. Each modulated signal can be transmitted on different carriers and can carry pilot, overhead information, data, etc. UEs 105 and 106 can communicate with each other via UE-to-UE sidelink (SL) communication by transmitting on one or more sidelink (SL) channels (such as the Physical Sidelink Synchronization Channel (PSSCH), Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH), or Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH)). Direct device-to-device communication (without a network) is generally referred to as sidelink communication, without limiting the communication to a specific protocol.

[0043] UE 105 may include and / or may be referred to as a device, mobile device, wireless device, mobile terminal, terminal, mobile station (MS), Secure User Plane Location Enabled (SUPL) terminal (SET), or some other name. Furthermore, UE 105 may correspond to a cellular phone, smartphone, laptop computer, tablet device, PDA, consumer asset tracking device, navigation device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, health monitor, security system, smart city sensor, smart meter, wearable tracker, or some other portable or mobile device. Typically, although not mandatory, UE 105 may use one or more Radio Access Technologies (RATs) to support wireless communication, such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), LTE, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), IEEE 802.11 WiFi, etc. ® (Also known as Wi-Fi) ® ),Bluetooth ® (BT), WiMax (Global Microwave Access) ® 5G New Radio (NR) (e.g., using NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140), etc. UE 105 can use a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) to support wireless communication, which can connect to other networks (e.g., the Internet) using, for example, digital subscriber line (DSL) or packet cable. Using one or more of these RATs allows UE 105 (e.g., via elements of 5GC 140) Figure 1(not shown in the image), or possibly via GMLC 125, to communicate with external client 130 and / or allow external client 130 (e.g., via GMLC 125) to receive location information about UE 105.

[0044] UE 105 may include a single entity or may include multiple entities, such as in a personal area network, where the user may employ audio, video, and / or data I / O (input / output) devices, and / or body sensors, as well as separate wired or wireless modems. An estimate of the location of UE 105 may be referred to as location, location estimate, location fixed, fixed, positioning, location estimation, or location fixed, and may be geographic, providing the location coordinates of UE 105 (e.g., latitude and longitude), which may or may not include an elevation component (e.g., height above sea level; height above ground level, floor level, or basement level, or depth below). Alternatively, the location of UE 105 may be expressed as a municipal location (e.g., a postal address or designation of a point or smaller area within a building, such as a specific room or floor). The location of UE 105 may be represented as an area or volume (geographically or municipally defined) within which UE 105 is expected to be located with a certain probability or confidence level (e.g., 67%, 95%, etc.). The location of UE 105 can be represented as a relative location, which includes, for example, distance and direction relative to a known location. This relative location can be represented as relative coordinates (e.g., X, Y (and Z) coordinates) defined relative to an origin at a known location, which can be, for example, geographically, municipally, or with reference to a point, area, or volume indicated, for example, on a map, floor plan, or building plan. In the description contained herein, the use of the term "location" can include any of these variations unless otherwise indicated. When calculating the location of the UE, local x, y, and (possibly also) z coordinates are typically solved, and then (if necessary) the local coordinates are converted to absolute coordinates (e.g., with respect to latitude, longitude, and altitude above or below mean sea level).

[0045] UE 105 can be configured to communicate with other entities using one or more of a variety of technologies. UE 105 can be configured to indirectly connect to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links. D2D P2P links can use any suitable D2D radio access technology (RAT) such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi, etc. ® Direct connection (WiFi) ® -D), Bluetooth ®Support is provided. One or more UEs in a UE group utilizing D2D communication may be located within the geographic coverage area of ​​a Transmit / Receive Point (TRP) (such as one or more of gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114). Other UEs in such a group may be outside such geographic coverage area or may be unable to receive transmissions from the base station for other reasons. A UE group communicating via D2D communication may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each UE can transmit to other UEs in the group. The TRP can facilitate the scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication may be performed between UEs without involving the TRP. One or more UEs in a UE group utilizing D2D communication may be located within the geographic coverage area of ​​a TRP. Other UEs in such a group may be outside such geographic coverage area or may be unable to receive transmissions from the base station for other reasons. A UE group communicating via D2D communication may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each UE can transmit to other UEs in the group. TRP can facilitate the scheduling of resources used for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication can be performed between UEs without involving TRP.

[0046] Figure 1 The base stations (BS) in NG-RAN 135 shown include NR Node Bs (referred to as gNB 110a and gNB 110b). Each pair of gNBs 110a and 110b in NG-RAN 135 can be interconnected via one or more other gNBs. Access to the 5G network is provided to UE 105 via wireless communication with one or more of the gNBs 110a and 110b. These gNBs can use 5G to provide wireless communication access to the 5GC 140 on behalf of UE 105. Figure 1 In this context, it is assumed that the serving gNB of UE 105 is gNB 110a, but another gNB (e.g., gNB 110b) may act as the serving gNB or as a secondary gNB to provide additional throughput and bandwidth to UE 105 if UE 105 moves to another location.

[0047] Figure 1The base station (BS) in NG-RAN 135 shown may include ng-eNB 114, also known as Next Generation Evolved Node B. ng-eNB 114 may be connected to one or more of gNBs 110a and 110b in NG-RAN 135 via one or more other gNBs and / or one or more other ng-eNBs. ng-eNB 114 may provide LTE radio access and / or evolved LTE (eLTE) radio access to UE 105. One or more of gNBs 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114 may be configured to act as a location-only beacon, which may transmit signals to assist in determining the location of UE 105, but may not receive signals from UE 105 or other UEs.

[0048] gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 may each include one or more TRPs. For example, each sector within a cell of the BS may include a TRP, but multiple TRPs may share one or more components (e.g., a shared processor but with separate antennas). System 100 may include only macro TRPs, or system 100 may have different types of TRPs, such as macro TRPs, pico TRPs, and / or femto TRPs. Macro TRPs may cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and may allow unrestricted access by terminals with service subscriptions. Pico TRPs may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a pico cell) and may allow unrestricted access by terminals with service subscriptions. Femto or home TRPs may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a femto cell) and may allow restricted access by terminals associated with that femto cell (e.g., terminals of users in a home).

[0049] Each of the gNBs 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 may include a Radio Unit (RU), a Distributed Unit (DU), and a Central Unit (CU). For example, the gNB 110b includes RU 111, DU 112, and CU 113. RU 111, DU 112, and CU 113 define the functionality of the gNB 110b. Although the gNB 110b is shown as having a single RU, a single DU, and a single CU, a gNB may include one or more RUs, one or more DUs, and / or one or more CUs. The interface between CU 113 and DU 112 is referred to as the F1 interface. RU 111 is configured to perform digital front-end (DFE) functions (e.g., analog-to-digital conversion, filtering, power amplification, transmit / receive) and digital beamforming, and includes part of the physical (PHY) layer. RU 111 may perform DFE using massive MIMO and may be integrated with one or more antennas of the gNB 110b. DU 112 hosts the Radio Link Control (RLC), Media Access Control (MAC), and Physical Layer of gNB 110b. A DU can support one or more cells, and each cell is supported by a single DU. The operation of DU 112 is controlled by CU 113. CU 113 is configured to perform functions for delivering user data, mobility control, radio access network sharing, location, session management, etc., although some functions are only assigned to DU 112. CU 113 hosts the Radio Resource Control (RRC), Serving Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) of gNB 110b. UE 105 can communicate with CU 113 via the RRC, SDAP, and PDCP layers, with DU 112 via the RLC, MAC, and PHY layers, and with RU 111 via the PHY layer.

[0050] As pointed out, although Figure 1 The diagram depicts nodes configured to communicate according to 5G communication protocols, but nodes configured to communicate according to other communication protocols (such as, for example, LTE or IEEE 802.11x) can also be used. For instance, in an evolved packet system (EPS) providing LTE radio access to UE 105, the RAN may include an evolved universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN), which may include base stations containing evolved Node Bs (eNBs). The core network for the EPS may include an evolved packet core (EPC). The EPS may include the E-UTRAN plus the EPC, where the E-UTRAN corresponds to... Figure 1 NG-RAN 135 in the figure and EPC corresponds to 5GC 140 in the figure.

[0051] gNB 110a, 110b, and ng-eNB 114 can communicate with AMF 115; for location functionality, AMF communicates with LMF 120. AMF 115 can support UE 105 mobility (including cell changes and handover) and can participate in supporting signaling connections with UE 105 and (possibly) data and voice bearers for UE 105. LMF 120 can communicate directly with UE 105, for example, wirelessly, or directly with gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114. LMF 120 can support UE 105 positioning when UE 105 accesses NG-RAN 135, and can support various positioning procedures / methods, such as Auxiliary GNSS (A-GNSS), Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) (e.g., Downlink (DL) OTDOA or Uplink (UL) OTDOA), Round Trip Time (RTT), Multi-Cell RTT, Real-Time Kinematics (RTK), Precise Point Positioning (PPP), Differential GNSS (DGNSS), Enhanced Cell ID (E-CID), Angle of Arrival (AoA), Angle of Departure (AoD), and / or other positioning methods. LMF 120 can process, for example, location service requests for UE 105 received from AMF 115 or GMLC 125. LMF 120 can connect to AMF 115 and / or GMLC 125. LMF 120 can be referred to by other names, such as Location Manager (LM), Location Function (LF), Commercial LMF (CLMF), or Value-Added LMF (VLMF). The node / system implementing LMF 120 may additionally or alternatively implement other types of location support modules, such as an Enhanced Serving Mobility Location Center (E-SMLC) or a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (SLP). At least a portion of the location functionality (including the derivation of the location of UE 105) can be performed at UE 105 (e.g., using signal measurements obtained by UE 105 against signals transmitted by radio nodes (such as gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114), and / or auxiliary data provided to UE 105, for example, by LMF 120). AMF 115 can be used as a control node to process signaling between UE 105 and 5GC 140 and can provide QoS (Quality of Service) streaming and session management. AMF 115 can support the mobility of UE 105 (including cell changes and handover) and can participate in supporting signaling connections with UE 105.

[0052] Server 150 (e.g., a cloud server) is configured to obtain the location estimate of UE 105 and provide it to external client 130. Server 150 may be configured, for example, to run a microservice / service for obtaining the location estimate of UE 105. Server 150 may, for example (e.g., by sending a location request to it), pull the location estimate from one or more of UE 105, gNB 110a, 110b (e.g., via RU 111, DU 112, and CU 113) and / or ng-eNB 114 and / or LMF 120. As another example, one or more of UE 105, gNB 110a, 110b (e.g., via RU 111, DU 112, and CU 113) and / or LMF 120 may push the location estimate of UE 105 to server 150.

[0053] GMLC 125 can support location requests for UE 105 received from external client 130 via server 150, and can forward such location requests to AMF 115 for forwarding to LMF 120, or can forward the location request directly to LMF 120. A location response from LMF 120 (e.g., containing a location estimate for UE 105) can be returned to GMLC 125 directly or via AMF 115, and GMLC 125 can then return the location response (e.g., containing the location estimate) to external client 130 via server 150. GMLC 125 is shown connected to both AMF 115 and LMF 120, but in some specific implementations it may not be connected to either AMF 115 or LMF 120.

[0054] like Figure 1 As a further example, the LMF 120 can use the new radio positioning protocol A (which may be referred to as NPPa or NRPPa) to communicate with gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114, which can be defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.455. NRPPa can be the same as, similar to or an extension of the LTE Positioning Protocol A (LPPa) defined in 3GPP TS 36.455, where NRPPa messages are transmitted via AMF 115 between gNB 110a (or gNB 110b) and LMF 120, and / or between ng-eNB 114 and LMF 120. Figure 1As a further example, LMF 120 and UE 105 can communicate using the LTE Location Protocol (LPP), which is defined in 3GPP TS 36.355. LMF 120 and UE 105 can also communicate using a new radio positioning protocol (which may be referred to as NPP or NRPP), which may be the same as, similar to, or an extension of LPP. Here, LPP and / or NPP messages can be transmitted between UE 105 and LMF 120 via AMF 115 and UE 105's serving gNB 110a, 110b, or serving ng-eNB 114. For example, LPP and / or NPP messages can be transmitted between LMF 120 and AMF 115 using the 5G Location Services Application Protocol (LCS AP), and between AMF 115 and UE 105 using the 5G Non-Access Stratum (NAS) protocol. The LPP and / or NPP protocols can be used to support the location of UE 105 using UE-assisted and / or UE-based positioning methods (such as A-GNSS, RTK, OTDOA, and / or E-CID). The NRPPa protocol can be used to support the location of UE 105 using network-based positioning methods (such as E-CID) (e.g., when used in conjunction with measurements obtained by gNB 110a, 110b, or ng-eNB 114) and / or can be used by LMF 120 to obtain location-related information from gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114, such as defining parameters sent by directional SS or PRS from gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114. LMF 120 can be co-located or integrated with gNB or TRP, or can be configured to be located away from gNB and / or TRP and communicate directly or indirectly with gNB and / or TRP.

[0055] Using a UE-assisted positioning method, UE 105 can obtain location measurements and transmit these measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF 120) for calculating a location estimate for UE 105. For example, location measurements may include one or more of the following: Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), Round-Trip Time (RTT), Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), and / or Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) for gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, and / or WLAN AP. Location measurements may additionally or alternatively include measurements of GNSS pseudorange, code phase, and / or carrier phase for SV 190-193.

[0056] Using a UE-based positioning method, UE 105 can obtain a location measurement (e.g., which may be the same as or similar to the location measurement of a UE-assisted positioning method) and can calculate the location of UE 105 (e.g., by means of auxiliary data received from a location server (such as LMF 120) or broadcast by gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114 or other base stations or APs).

[0057] Using a network-based positioning method, one or more base stations (e.g., gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114) or APs can obtain location measurements (e.g., measurements of RSSI, RTT, RSRP, RSRQ, or Time of Arrival (ToA) of signals transmitted by UE 105) and / or can receive measurements obtained by UE 105. One or more base stations or APs can transmit the measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF 120) for calculating a location estimate for UE 105.

[0058] The information provided to the LMF 120 by the gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114 using NRPPa may include timing and configuration information for directing SS or PRS transmissions, as well as location coordinates. The LMF 120 may provide some or all of this information as supplementary data to the UE 105 in LPP and / or NPP messages via NG-RAN 135 and 5GC140.

[0059] The LPP or NPP message transmitted from LMF 120 to UE 105 can command UE 105 to perform any of a variety of tasks depending on the desired functionality. For example, the LPP or NPP message may contain instructions for UE 105 to obtain measurements of GNSS (or A-GNSS), WLAN, E-CID, and / or OTDOA (or some other positioning method). In the case of E-CID, the LPP or NPP message may command UE 105 to obtain measurements supported by one or more of gNB 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 (or by some other type of base station such as eNB or WiFi). ® One or more measurement parameters (e.g., beam ID, beamwidth, average angle, RSRP, RSRQ measurements) of directional signals transmitted within a specific cell supported by the AP. UE 105 can transmit these measurement parameters back to LMF 120 via serving gNB110a (or serving ng-eNB 114) and AMF 115 in an LPP or NPP message (e.g., within a 5G NAS message).

[0060] As noted, while a communication system 100 is described in relation to 5G technology, the communication system 100 can be implemented to support other communication technologies (such as GSM, WCDMA, LTE, etc.) for supporting and interacting with mobile devices (such as UE 105) (e.g., to provide voice, data, location, and other functionalities). In some such specific implementations, the 5GC 140 can be configured to control different air interfaces. For example, the 5GC 140 can use non-3GPP interoperability functions (N3IWF) within the 5GC 140. Figure 1 (Not shown) Connected to a WLAN. For example, the WLAN may support IEEE 802.11 WiFi for UE 105. ® Access, and may include one or more WiFi networks. ® AP. Here, the N3IWF can connect to the WLAN and other components in 5GC 140, such as AMF 115. In some examples, both NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140 can be replaced by one or more other RANs and one or more other core networks. For example, in EPS, NG-RAN 135 can be replaced by E-UTRAN containing eNBs, and 5GC 140 can be replaced by EPC containing a Mobility Management Entity (MME) instead of AMF 115, an E-SMLC instead of LMF 120, and a GMLC that can be similar to GMLC 125. In such EPS, the E-SMLC can use LPPa instead of NRPPa to transmit location information to and receive location information from eNBs in the E-UTRAN, and can use LPP to support UE 105's positioning. In these other examples, the location of UE 105 using directional PRS can be supported in a manner similar to that described herein for 5G networks. The difference is that the functions and procedures described herein for gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB114, AMF 115, and LMF 120 can, in some cases, be alternatively applied to other network elements, such as eNBs and WiFi. ® AP, MME, and E-SMLC.

[0061] As noted, in some examples, positioning functionality can be achieved at least in part using directional SS or PRS beams transmitted by base stations (such as gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114) at the location of the UE (e.g., whose location is to be determined). Figure 1 Within the range of UE 105. In some instances, the UE can use directional SS or PRS beams from multiple base stations (such as gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, etc.) to calculate the UE's location.

[0062] Also refer to Figure 2UE 200 may be an example of one of UEs 105 and 106, and may include a computing platform including processor 210, memory 211 including software (SW) 212, one or more sensors 213, transceiver interface 214 for transceiver 215 (which includes wireless transceiver 240 and wired transceiver 250), user interface 216, satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver 217, camera 218, and positioning device (PD) 219. Processor 210, memory 211, sensor 213, transceiver interface 214, user interface 216, SPS receiver 217, camera 218, and positioning device 219 may be communicatively coupled to each other via bus 220 (which may be configured for, for example, optical communication and / or electrical communication). One or more of the devices shown (e.g., camera 218, positioning device 219, and / or one or more sensors in sensor 213, etc.) may be omitted from UE 200. Processor 210 may include one or more hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. Processor 210 may include multiple processors, including a general-purpose / application processor 230, a digital signal processor (DSP) 231, a modem processor 232, a video processor 233, and / or a sensor processor 234. One or more of processors 230 to 234 may include multiple devices (e.g., multiple processors). For example, sensor processor 234 may include processors for, for example, RF (radio frequency) sensing (where one or more transmitted (cellular) wireless signals and reflections are used to identify, map, and / or track objects) and / or ultrasound, etc. Modem processor 232 may support dual SIM / dual connectivity (or even more SIMs). For example, a SIM (subscriber identity module or subscriber identification module) may be used by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), and another SIM may be used by an end user of UE 200 to obtain connectivity. Memory 211 may be a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium that may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk memory, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 211 may store software 212, which may be processor-readable, processor-executable software code containing instructions that, when executed, cause processor 210 to perform the various functions described herein. Alternatively, software 212 may not be directly executable by processor 210, but may be configured, for example, to cause processor 210 to perform these functions when compiled and executed. The description herein may refer to processor 210 performing functions, but this includes other specific implementations, such as specific implementations in which processor 210 performs instructions for software and / or firmware. The description herein may refer to the processor 210 performing functions as a shorthand for one or more of processors 230 to 234 performing processor functions.The description herein may refer to the UE 200 performing functions as a shorthand for one or more appropriate components of the UE 200 performing functions. Processor 210 may include memory with stored instructions, as a supplement to and / or replacement of memory 211. The functionality of processor 210 is discussed more fully below.

[0063] Figure 2 The configuration of UE 200 shown is exemplary and not intended to limit this disclosure (including the claims), and other configurations may be used. For example, an exemplary configuration of the UE may include one or more of processors 230 to 234 in processor 210, memory 211, and wireless transceiver 240. Other exemplary configurations may include one or more of processors 230 to 234 in processor 210, memory 211, wireless transceiver, and one or more of the following devices: sensor 213, user interface 216, SPS receiver 217, camera 218, PD 219, and / or wired transceiver.

[0064] UE 200 may include a modem processor 232, which may be capable of performing baseband processing on signals received and downconverted by transceiver 215 and / or SPS receiver 217. Modem processor 232 may also perform baseband processing on signals to be upconverted for transmission by transceiver 215. Alternatively or additionally, baseband processing may be performed by general-purpose / application processor 230 and / or DSP 231. However, other configurations may be used to perform baseband processing.

[0065] UE 200 may include sensor 213, which may include, for example, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) 270, one or more magnetometers 271, and / or one or more environmental sensors 272. IMU 270 may include, for example, one or more accelerometers 273 (e.g., collectively responding to acceleration of UE 200 in three dimensions) and / or one or more gyroscopes 274 (e.g., three-dimensional gyroscopes). Sensor 213 may include one or more magnetometers 271 (e.g., three-dimensional magnetometers) to determine (e.g., relative to magnetic north and / or true north) an orientation that can be used for any of a variety of purposes, such as supporting one or more compass applications. Environmental sensors 272 may include, for example, one or more temperature sensors, one or more barometric pressure sensors, one or more ambient light sensors, one or more camera imagers, and / or one or more microphones, etc. Sensor 213 may generate analog and / or digital signals, indications of which may be stored in memory 211 and processed by DSP 231 and / or general-purpose / application processor 230 to support one or more applications, such as applications involving positioning and / or navigation operations. Sensor 213 may include one or more of other various types of sensors, such as one or more optical sensors, one or more weight sensors and / or one or more radio frequency (RF) sensors.

[0066] Sensor 213 can be used for relative position measurement, relative position determination, motion determination, etc. Information detected by sensor 213 can be used for motion detection, relative displacement, dead reckoning, sensor-based position determination, and / or sensor-assisted position determination. Sensor 213 can be used to determine whether UE 200 is stationary or moving and / or whether certain useful information related to the mobility of UE 200 needs to be reported to LMF 120. For example, based on information obtained / measured by sensor 213, UE 200 can notify / report to LMF 120 that UE 200 has detected movement or that UE 200 has moved, and report relative displacement / distance (e.g., via dead reckoning implemented by sensor 213, or sensor-based position determination, or sensor-assisted position determination). In another example, for relative positioning information, the sensor / IMU can be used to determine the angle and / or orientation of another device relative to UE 200, etc.

[0067] IMU 270 can be configured to provide measurements of the direction and / or velocity of motion of UE 200, which can be used for relative position determination. For example, one or more accelerometers 273 and / or one or more gyroscopes 274 of IMU 270 can detect the linear acceleration and rotational velocity of UE 200, respectively. The linear acceleration and rotational velocity measurements of UE 200 can be integrated over time to determine the instantaneous direction of motion and displacement of UE 200. The instantaneous direction of motion and displacement can be integrated to track the position of UE 200. For example, a reference position of UE 200 at a given moment can be determined, for example, using SPS receiver 217 (and / or by some other means), and measurements acquired from accelerometers 273 and gyroscopes 274 after that moment can be used for dead reckoning to determine the current position of UE 200 based on the movement (direction and distance) of UE 200 relative to that reference position.

[0068] Magnetometer 271 can determine the strength of magnetic fields in different directions, which can be used to determine the orientation of UE 200. For example, this orientation can be used to provide a digital compass for UE 200. The magnetometer may include a two-dimensional magnetometer configured to detect and provide an indication of magnetic field strength in two orthogonal dimensions. Magnetometer 271 may also include a three-dimensional magnetometer configured to detect and provide an indication of magnetic field strength in three orthogonal dimensions. Magnetometer 271 can provide components for sensing magnetic fields and, for example, providing an indication of the magnetic field to processor 210.

[0069] Transceiver 215 may include a wireless transceiver 240 and a wired transceiver 250 configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 240 may include a wireless transmitter 242 and a wireless receiver 244 coupled to an antenna 246 for transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals 248 (e.g., on one or more uplink channels and / or one or more sidelink channels), and for converting signals from wireless signals 248 into guided (e.g., wired electrical and / or optical) signals and from guided (e.g., wired electrical and / or optical) signals into wireless signals 248. Wireless transmitter 242 includes suitable components (e.g., a power amplifier and a digital-to-analog converter). Wireless receiver 244 includes suitable components (e.g., one or more amplifiers, one or more frequency filters, and an analog-to-digital converter). Wireless transmitter 242 may include multiple transmitters, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wireless receiver 244 may include multiple receivers, which may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. Wireless transceiver 240 may be configured to transmit signals according to various radio access technologies (RATs) such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone Systems), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), and WiFi. ® Short-range wireless communication technology, WiFi ® Direct connection (WiFi) ® -D), Bluetooth ® Short-range wireless communication technology, Zigbee ®Short-range wireless communication technologies, etc. The new radio can use millimeter-wave frequencies and / or frequencies below 6 GHz. Wired transceiver 250 may include a wired transmitter 252 and a wired receiver 254 configured for wired communication, for example, a network interface that can be used to communicate with NG-RAN 135 to transmit and receive communication from NG-RAN 135. Wired transmitter 252 may include multiple transmitters that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wired receiver 254 may include multiple receivers that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. Wired transceiver 250 may be configured, for example, for optical and / or electrical communication. Transceiver 215 may be communicatively coupled to transceiver interface 214, for example, via optical and / or electrical connections. Transceiver interface 214 may be at least partially integrated with transceiver 215. The wireless transmitter 242, the wireless receiver 244, and / or the antenna 246 may each include multiple transmitters, multiple receivers, and / or multiple antennas for transmitting and / or receiving appropriate signals, respectively.

[0070] User interface 216 may include one or more of a number of devices, such as speakers, microphones, display devices, vibration devices, keyboards, touchscreens, etc. User interface 216 may include more than one of these devices. User interface 216 may be configured to enable a user to interact with one or more applications hosted by UE 200. For example, user interface 216 may store indications of analog and / or digital signals in memory 211 in response to actions from the user, for processing by DSP 231 and / or general-purpose / application processor 230. Similarly, applications hosted on UE 200 may store indications of analog and / or digital signals in memory 211 to present output signals to the user. User interface 216 may include audio input / output (I / O) devices, including, for example, speakers, microphones, digital-to-analog circuitry, analog-to-digital circuitry, amplifiers, and / or gain control circuitry (including more than one of these devices). Other configurations of the audio I / O devices may be used. Alternatively or additionally, the user interface 216 may include one or more touch sensors that respond to touch and / or pressure on, for example, the keyboard and / or touchscreen of the user interface 216.

[0071] SPS receiver 217 (e.g., a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver) may be able to receive and acquire SPS signal 260 via SPS antenna 262. SPS antenna 262 is configured to convert SPS signal 260 from a radio signal to a steered signal (e.g., a wired or optical signal) and may be integrated with antenna 246. SPS receiver 217 may be configured to process the acquired SPS signal 260 fully or partially to estimate the location of UE 200. For example, SPS receiver 217 may be configured to determine the location of UE 200 by performing trilateration using SPS signal 260. The acquired SPS signal may be processed fully or partially using general-purpose / application processor 230, memory 211, DSP 231, and / or one or more dedicated processors (not shown), and / or the estimated location of UE 200 may be calculated. Memory 211 may store indications (e.g., measurements) of SPS signal 260 and / or other signals (e.g., signals acquired from wireless transceiver 240) for use in performing positioning operations. General-purpose / application processor 230, DSP 231, and / or one or more dedicated processors, and / or memory 211 may provide or support a location engine for processing measurements to estimate the location of UE 200.

[0072] UE 200 may include a camera 218 for capturing still or moving images. Camera 218 may include, for example, an imaging sensor (e.g., a charge-coupled device or a CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) imager), lenses, analog-to-digital circuitry, frame buffers, etc. Additional processing, conditioning, encoding, and / or compression of signals representing the captured images may be performed by a general-purpose / application processor 230 and / or a DSP 231. Alternatively, a video processor 233 may perform conditioning, encoding, compression, and / or manipulation of signals representing the captured images. The video processor 233 may decode / decompress stored image data for presentation on a display device (not shown), for example, the user interface 216.

[0073] Location device (PD) 219 may be configured to determine the location of UE 200, the movement of UE 200 and / or the relative location of UE 200, and / or time. For example, PD 219 may communicate with SPS receiver 217 and / or include part or all of the SPS receiver. PD 219 may, where appropriate, work in conjunction with processor 210 and memory 211 to perform at least a portion of one or more location methods, although the description herein may refer to PD 219 being configured to perform according to a location method or the PD performing according to a location method. PD 219 may additionally or alternatively be configured to: perform trilateration using terrestrial signals (e.g., at least some radio signals 248), assist in acquisition, and use SPS signal 260 or both to determine the location of UE 200. PD 219 may be configured to determine the location of UE 200 based on the cell of the serving base station (e.g., cell center) and / or another technology (such as E-CID). PD 219 can be configured to determine the location of UE 200 using one or more images from camera 218 and image recognition combined with the known location of landmarks (e.g., natural landmarks such as mountains and / or man-made landmarks such as buildings, bridges, streets, etc.). PD 219 can be configured to determine the location of UE 200 using one or more other technologies (e.g., relying on the UE's self-reported location (e.g., part of the UE's positioning beacon)), and can use a combination of these technologies (e.g., SPS and terrestrial positioning signals) to determine the location of UE 200. PD 219 may include one or more sensors 213 (e.g., gyroscopes, accelerometers, magnetometers, etc.) that can sense the orientation and / or motion of UE 200 and provide an indication of such orientation and / or motion. Processor 210 (e.g., general-purpose / application processor 230 and / or DSP 231) can be configured to use this indication to determine the motion of UE 200 (e.g., velocity vector and / or acceleration vector). PD 219 can be configured to provide an indication of uncertainty and / or error in the determined positioning and / or motion. The functionality of PD 219 can be provided in a variety of ways and / or configurations, such as by a general-purpose / application processor 230, transceiver 215, SPS receiver 217 and / or another component of UE 200, and can be provided by hardware, software, firmware or various combinations thereof.

[0074] Also refer to Figure 3Examples of TRP 300 for gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114 may include a computing platform including processor 310, memory 311 including software (SW) 312, and transceiver 315. Even when cited in the singular, processor 310 may include one or more processors, transceiver 315 may include one or more transceivers (e.g., one or more transmitters and / or one or more receivers), and / or memory 311 may include one or more memories. Processor 310, memory 311 and transceiver 315 may be communicatively coupled to each other via bus 320 (which may be configured for, for example, optical communication and / or electrical communication). One or more of the devices shown in the TRP 300 may be omitted. Processor 310 may include one or more hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. Processor 310 may include multiple processors (e.g., including general-purpose / application processors, DSPs, modem processors, video processors and / or sensor processors, such as... Figure 2 (As shown). Memory 311 may be a non-transitory storage medium including random access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk storage, and / or read-only memory (ROM). Memory 311 may store software 312, which may be processor-readable, processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 310 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, software 312 may not be directly executable by processor 310, but may be configured to cause processor 310 to perform these functions, for example, when compiled and executed.

[0075] The description herein may refer to the execution functions of processor 310, but this includes other specific implementations, such as specific implementations of processor 310 executing software and / or firmware. The description herein may refer to the execution functions of processor 310 as a shorthand for one or more processor execution functions contained within processor 310. The description herein may refer to the execution functions of TRP 300 as a shorthand for the execution functions of one or more appropriate components (e.g., processor 310 and memory 311) of TRP 300 (and therefore one of gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114). Processor 310 may include memory with stored instructions as a complement and / or replacement for memory 311. The functionality of processor 310 is discussed more fully below.

[0076] Transceiver 315 may include a wireless transceiver 340 and / or a wired transceiver 350 configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 340 may include a wireless transmitter 342 and a wireless receiver 344 coupled to one or more antennas 346 for transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals 348 (e.g., on one or more uplink channels and / or one or more downlink channels), and for converting signals from wireless signals 348 into guided (e.g., electromagnetic, electrical, and / or optical) signals and from guided (e.g., electromagnetic, electrical, and / or optical) signals into wireless signals 348. Therefore, wireless transmitter 342 may include multiple transmitters that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wireless receiver 344 may include multiple receivers that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 340 can be configured to transmit signals according to a variety of radio access technologies (RATs) (e.g., with device 200, one or more other UEs, and / or one or more other devices), such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone Systems), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), and WiFi. ® Short-range wireless communication technology, WiFi ® Direct connection (WiFi) ® -D), Bluetooth ® Short-range wireless communication technology, Zigbee ® Short-range wireless communication technologies, etc. The wired transceiver 350 may include a wired transmitter 352 and a wired receiver 354 configured for wired communication, for example, a network interface that can be used to communicate with NG-RAN 135 to transmit and receive communications to, for example, LMF 120 and / or one or more other network entities. The wired transmitter 352 may include multiple transmitters that can be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or the wired receiver 354 may include multiple receivers that can be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wired transceiver 350 may be configured, for example, for optical communication and / or electrical communication.

[0077] Figure 3The configuration of TRP 300 shown is illustrative and not intended to limit this disclosure (including the claims), and other configurations may be used. For example, the description herein discusses that TRP 300 may be configured to perform several functions or that the TRP performs several functions, but one or more of these functions may be performed by LMF 120 and / or UE 200 (i.e., LMF 120 and / or UE 200 may be configured to perform one or more of these functions).

[0078] Also refer to Figure 4 Server 400 (LMF 120 may be an example thereof) may include: a computing platform including processor 410, memory 411 including software (SW) 412, and transceiver 415. Even when cited in the singular, processor 410 may include one or more processors, transceiver 415 may include one or more transceivers (e.g., one or more transmitters and / or one or more receivers), and / or memory 411 may include one or more memories. Processor 410, memory 411, and transceiver 415 may be communicatively coupled to each other via bus 420 (which may be configured for, for example, optical communication and / or electrical communication). One or more devices in the illustrated apparatus (e.g., wireless transceivers) may be omitted from server 400. Processor 410 may include one or more hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. Processor 410 may include multiple processors (e.g., including general-purpose / application processors, DSPs, modem processors, video processors, and / or sensor processors, such as... Figure 2 (As shown). Memory 411 may be a non-transitory storage medium including random access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk storage, and / or read-only memory (ROM). Memory 411 may store software 412, which may be processor-readable, processor-executable software code containing instructions configured to cause processor 410 to perform the various functions described herein when executed. Alternatively, software 412 may not be directly executable by processor 410, but may be configured to cause processor 410 to perform these functions, for example, when compiled and executed. The description herein may refer to processor 410 performing functions, but this includes other specific implementations, such as specific implementations of processor 410 performing software and / or firmware. The description herein may refer to the function performed by processor 410 as an abbreviation for one or more processors included in processor 410 performing functions. The description herein may refer to the function performed by server 400 as an abbreviation for one or more suitable components of server 400 performing functions. Processor 410 may include memory with stored instructions as a supplement to and / or alternative to memory 411. The functionality of processor 410 is discussed more fully below.

[0079] Transceiver 415 may include a wireless transceiver 440 and / or a wired transceiver 450 configured to communicate with other devices via wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, wireless transceiver 440 may include a wireless transmitter 442 and a wireless receiver 444 coupled to one or more antennas 446 for transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals 448 (e.g., on one or more downlink channels) and converting signals from wireless signals 448 into guided (e.g., wired electrical and / or optical) signals and from guided (e.g., wired electrical and / or optical) signals into wireless signals 448. Therefore, wireless transmitter 442 may include multiple transmitters that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wireless receiver 444 may include multiple receivers that may be discrete components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 440 can be configured to transmit signals according to a variety of radio access technologies (RATs) (e.g., with device 200, one or more other UEs, and / or one or more other devices), such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone Systems), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), and WiFi. ® Short-range wireless communication technology, WiFi ® Direct connection (WiFi) ® -D), Bluetooth ® Short-range wireless communication technology, Zigbee ® Short-range wireless communication technologies, etc. Wired transceiver 450 may include a wired transmitter 452 and a wired receiver 454 configured for wired communication, for example, a network interface that can be used to communicate with NG-RAN 135 to transmit and receive communications to, for example, TRP 300 and / or one or more other network entities. Wired transmitter 452 may include multiple transmitters that can be discrete components or combined / integrated components, and / or wired receiver 454 may include multiple receivers that can be discrete components or combined / integrated components. Wired transceiver 450 may be configured, for example, for optical communication and / or electrical communication.

[0080] The description herein may refer to the processor 410 performing functions, but this includes other specific implementations, such as specific implementations of the processor 410 executing software (stored in memory 411) and / or firmware. The description herein may refer to the server 400 performing functions as an abbreviation for one or more appropriate components of the server 400 (e.g., processor 410 and memory 411) performing functions.

[0081] Figure 4 The configuration of server 400 shown is exemplary and not intended to limit this disclosure (including the claims), and other configurations may be used. For example, wireless transceiver 440 may be omitted. Furthermore or alternatively, the description herein discusses server 400 being configured to perform certain functions or the server performing certain functions, but one or more of these functions may be performed by TRP 300 and / or UE 200 (i.e., TRP 300 and / or UE 200 may be configured to perform one or more of these functions).

[0082] For terrestrial positioning of UEs in cellular networks, techniques such as Advanced Forward Link Trilateral Measurement (AFLT) and Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) typically operate in a “UE-assisted” mode, where measurements of reference signals (e.g., PRS, CRS, etc.) transmitted by the base station are acquired by the UE and subsequently provided to a location server. The location server calculates the UE’s location based on this measurement and the known location of the base station. Because these techniques use a location server (rather than the UE itself) to calculate the UE’s location, they are not frequently used in applications such as car or cellular phone navigation, which typically rely on satellite-based positioning instead.

[0083] UEs can use Satellite Positioning System (SPS) (Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)) to achieve high-accuracy positioning using Precise Point Positioning (PPP) or Real-Time Kinematics (RTK) techniques. These techniques use auxiliary data, such as measurements from ground-based stations. LTE Release 15 allows data to be encrypted so that only UEs subscribed to the service can read it. This auxiliary data changes over time. Therefore, a UE with a subscribed service may not be able to easily "crack" the encryption for other UEs by passing the data to them without paying for the subscription. This transmission needs to be repeated every time the auxiliary data changes.

[0084] In UE-assisted positioning, the UE transmits measurements (e.g., TDOA, Angle of Arrival (AoA), etc.) to a positioning server (e.g., LMF / eSMLC). The positioning server has a Base Station Almanac (BSA), which contains multiple "entries" or "records," one record per cell, where each record contains the geographic cell location, but may also include other data. Identifiers of the "records" among the multiple "records" in the BSA can be referenced. The BSA and measurements from the UE can be used to calculate the UE's positioning.

[0085] In conventional UE-based positioning, the UE calculates its own location, thus avoiding transmitting measurements to the network (e.g., a location server), which improves latency and scalability. The UE uses relevant BSA record information from the network (e.g., the location of the gNB (more broadly, the base station)). BSA information can be encrypted. However, since BSA information changes much less frequently than, for example, PPP or RTK auxiliary data described above, it may be easier to make BSA information available to UEs that have not subscribed and have not paid for decryption keys (compared to PPP or RTK information). The transmission of reference signals by the gNB makes BSA information potentially accessible to crowdsourcing or driving attacks, thus essentially enabling BSA information to be generated based on in-the-field and / or over-the-top observations.

[0086] Positioning technologies can be characterized and / or evaluated based on one or more criteria, such as positioning accuracy and / or latency. Latency is the time elapsed between the event that triggers the determination of positioning-related data and the availability of that data at the positioning system interface (e.g., the interface of an LMF 120). The latency for the availability of positioning-related data at the time of positioning system initialization is called the First Fix (TTFF), and is greater than the latency after the TTFF. The reciprocal of the time elapsed between two consecutive availability periods of positioning-related data is called the update rate, i.e., the rate at which positioning-related data is generated after the TTFF. Latency can depend on (e.g., the UE's) processing capacity. For example, assuming an allocation of 272 PRBs (Physical Resource Blocks), the UE can report its processing capacity as the duration (in time units, e.g., milliseconds) of DL PRS symbols that it can process per T time units (e.g., Tms). Other examples of capabilities that may affect latency include the number of TRPs from which the UE can process PRS, the number of PRSs the UE can process, and the UE's bandwidth.

[0087] One or more of many different positioning techniques (also known as positioning methods) can be used to determine the location of an entity (such as one of UE105, 106). Known positioning techniques include RTT, multiple RTT, OTDOA (also known as TDOA and including UL-TDOA and DL-TDOA), Enhanced Cell Identification (E-CID), DL-AoD, UL-AoA, etc. RTT uses the time it takes for a signal to travel from one entity to another and back to determine the range between the two entities. The range, plus the known location of the first entity and the angle between the two entities (e.g., azimuth), can be used to determine the location of the second entity. In multiple RTT (also known as multi-cell RTT), multiple ranges from one entity (e.g., UE) to other entities (e.g., TRP) and the known locations of other entities can be used to determine the location of that one entity. In TDOA, the time difference of travel between an entity and other entities can be used to determine the relative range with respect to other entities, and this relative range, combined with the known locations of other entities, can be used to determine the location of that one entity. Angle of arrival and / or angle of departure can be used to help determine the location of an entity. For example, the angle of arrival or departure of a signal, combined with the range between devices (distances determined using signals (e.g., signal travel time, signal received power, etc.)) and the known location of one of these devices, can be used to determine the location of another device. The angle of arrival or departure can be an azimuth angle relative to a reference direction (such as true north). The angle of arrival or departure can also be a zenith angle relative to directly upwards from the entity (i.e., radially outwards from the Earth's center). E-CID uses the identity of the serving cell, timing advance (i.e., the difference between the reception time and transmission time at the UE), estimated timing and power of detected neighboring cell signals, and possible angles of arrival (e.g., the angle of arrival of signals from the base station at the UE, or vice versa) to determine the location of the UE. In TDOA, the time difference of arrival of signals from different sources at the receiving device, along with the known locations of these sources and the known offsets of the transmission times from these sources, are used to determine the location of the receiving device.

[0088] In network-centric RTT estimation, the serving base station instructs the UE to scan / receive RTT measurement signals (e.g., PRS) on the serving cells of two or more neighboring base stations (and typically the serving base station, as at least three base stations are required). These one or more base stations transmit the RTT measurement signals on low-reuse resources (e.g., resources used by the base station to transmit system information) allocated by the network (e.g., a location server, such as an LMF 120). The UE records the arrival time (also known as the reception time, received time, or time of arrival (ToA)) of each RTT measurement signal relative to the UE's current downlink timing (e.g., as derived by the UE from DL signals received from its serving base station), and (e.g., when instructed by its serving base station) transmits a shared or individual RTT response message (e.g., an SRS (Sound Reference Signal) for positioning, i.e., UL-PRS) to these one or more base stations, and may transmit the time difference between the ToA of the RTT measurement signal and the transmission time of the RTT response message. (i.e., UE T) Rx-Tx or UE Rx-Tx The RTT response time is included in the payload of each RTT response message. The RTT response message will include a reference signal from which the base station can infer the ToA of the RTT response. This is achieved by comparing the transmission time of the RTT measurement signal from the base station with the ToA of the RTT response at the base station. Time difference with UE report Compare and subtract UE Rx-Tx The base station can infer the propagation time between the base station and the UE. Based on this propagation time, the base station can determine the distance between the UE and the base station by assuming the speed of light during this propagation time.

[0089] UE-centric RTT estimation is similar to network-based methods, except that the UE sends an uplink RTT measurement signal (e.g., when commanded by a serving base station), which is received by multiple base stations near the UE. Each base station involved responds with a downlink RTT response message, which may include in its payload the time difference between the ToA of the RTT measurement signal at the base station and the time of transmission of the RTT response message from the base station.

[0090] For both network-centric and UE-centric procedures, the side performing RTT calculation (network or UE) typically (but not always) sends a first message or signal (e.g., an RTT measurement signal), while the other side responds with one or more RTT response messages or signals, which may include the difference between the ToA of the first message or signal and the transmission time of the RTT response message or signal.

[0091] Multiple RTT (Multiple Real-Time Toll) technology can be used to determine location. For example, a first entity (e.g., a UE) may transmit one or more signals (e.g., unicast, multicast, or broadcast from a base station), and multiple second entities (e.g., other TSPs, such as a base station and / or the UE) may receive signals from the first entity and respond to those received signals. The first entity receives responses from the multiple second entities. The first entity (or another entity, such as an LMF) may use the responses from the second entities to determine the range to the second entities, and the location of the first entity may be determined by trilateration using the multiple ranges and the known locations of the second entities.

[0092] In some instances, additional information in the form of angle of arrival (AoA) or angle of departure (AoD) can be obtained, which defines a straight-line direction (e.g., this direction can be in a horizontal plane or in three dimensions) or a possible (e.g., the UE's direction as seen from the base station's location) range of directions. The intersection of the two directions can provide another estimate of the UE's location.

[0093] For positioning techniques that use PRS (Location Reference Signal) signals (e.g., TDOA and RTT), the PRS signals transmitted by multiple TRPs are measured, and the arrival time, known transmission time, and known location of the TRPs are used to determine the range from the UE to the TRPs. For example, RSTD (Reference Signal Time Difference) can be determined for PRS signals received from multiple TRPs, and this RSTD is used in TDOA techniques to determine the UE's location. The Location Reference Signal may be referred to as the PRS or PRS signal. PRS signals are typically transmitted using the same power, and PRS signals with the same signal characteristics (e.g., the same frequency shift) may interfere with each other, causing a PRS signal from a more distant TRP to be overwhelmed by a PRS signal from a closer TRP, making the signal from the more distant TRP undetectable. PRS silencing can be used to help reduce interference by silencing some PRS signals (reducing the power of the PRS signal, e.g., reducing it to zero and thus not transmitting the PRS signal). In this way, the UE can more easily detect the weaker PRS signal (at the UE) without the interference of the stronger PRS signal. The term RS and its variations (e.g., PRS, SRS, CSI-RS (Channel State Information - Reference Signal)) can refer to one or more reference signals.

[0094] The Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) comprises a downlink PRS (DL PRS, often simply referred to as PRS) and an uplink PRS (UL PRS) (the uplink PRS may be referred to as the SRS (Sound Reference Signal) used for positioning). The PRS may include PN codes (pseudo-random codes) or be generated using PN codes (e.g., by modulating a carrier signal with PN codes) so that the PRS source can be used as a pseudo-satellite. The PN code may be unique for the PRS source (at least unique within a specified region, such that the same PRS from different PRS sources does not overlap). The PRS may include PRS resources of a frequency layer and / or a set of PRS resources. The DL PRS positioning frequency layer (or simply frequency layer) is a collection of DL PRS resource sets from one or more TRPs, where the PRS resources have parameters defined by higher-layer parameters. DL- PRS-PositioningFrequencyLayer , DL-PRS-ResourceSet and DL-PRS-Resource Commonly configured parameters. Each frequency layer has a DL PRS subcarrier spacing (SCS) for the DL PRS resource set and DL PRS resources within that frequency layer. Each frequency layer has a DL PRS cyclic prefix (CP) for the DL PRS resource set and DL PRS resources within that frequency layer. In 5G, a resource block occupies 12 consecutive subcarriers and a specified number of symbols. A shared resource block is a set of resource blocks that occupy the channel bandwidth. A bandwidth portion (BWP) is a set of consecutive shared resource blocks and may include all shared resource blocks within the channel bandwidth or a subset of those shared resource blocks. Furthermore, the DL PRS point A parameter defines the frequency of a reference resource block (and the lowest subcarrier of that resource block), where DL PRS resources belonging to the same DL PRS resource set have the same point A, and all DL PRS resource sets belonging to the same frequency layer have the same point A. The frequency layers also have the same DL PRS bandwidth, the same starting PRB (and center frequency), and the same comb size value (i.e., the frequency of the PRS resource element per symbol, such that for comb-N, every Nth resource element is a PRS resource element). A PRS resource set is identified by a PRS resource set ID and can be associated with a specific TRP (identified by a cell ID) transmitted by the antenna panel of a base station. The PRS resource ID in a PRS resource set can be associated with an omnidirectional signal and / or with a single beam (and / or beam ID) transmitted from a single base station (where a base station can transmit one or more beams). Each PRS resource in a PRS resource set can be transmitted on a different beam, and thus, a PRS resource (or simply a resource) can also be referred to as a beam. There is no indication as to whether the base station and beam transmitting the PRS on it are known to the UE.

[0095] The TRP can be configured, for example, by instructions received from a server and / or by software within the TRP, to transmit DL PRS according to a schedule. Depending on this schedule, the TRP can transmit DL PRS intermittently (e.g., periodically at consistent intervals from the initial transmission). The TRP can be configured to transmit one or more PRS resource sets. A resource set is a collection of PRS resources spanning a TRP, wherein the resources have the same periodicity, a shared silent mode configuration (if any), and the same cross-slot repetition factor. Each PRS resource set comprises multiple PRS resources, wherein each PRS resource comprises multiple OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) resource elements (REs), which may reside in multiple resource blocks (RBs) within N (or more) consecutive symbols in a time slot. PRS resources (or, in general, reference signal (RS) resources) may be referred to as OFDM PRS resources (or OFDMRS resources). An RB is a set of REs spanning a certain number of one or more consecutive symbols in the time domain and a certain number (12 for 5G RBs) of consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain. Each PRS resource is configured using RE offset, slot offset, and symbol offset within a slot, as well as the number of consecutive symbols that a PRS resource can occupy within a slot. The RE offset defines the initial RE offset of the first symbol within a DL PRS resource in the frequency. The relative RE offsets of the remaining symbols within a DL PRS resource are defined based on the initial offset. The slot offset is the starting slot of the DL PRS resource relative to the corresponding resource set slot offset. The symbol offset determines the starting symbol of the DL PRS resource within the starting slot. Transmitted REs can be repeated across slots, with each transmission referred to as a repetition, allowing for multiple repetitions within a PRS resource. DL PRS resources in a DL PRS resource set are associated with the same TRP, and each DL PRS resource has a DL PRS resource ID. The DL PRS resource ID in a DL PRS resource set is associated with a single beam transmitted from a single TRP (although a TRP can transmit one or more beams).

[0096] PRS resources can also be defined by quasi-co-location parameters and starting PRB parameters. The quasi-co-location (QCL) parameter defines any quasi-co-location information of the DLPRS resource with other reference signals. The DL PRS can be configured to be of QCL type D with DL PRS or SS / PBCH (Synchronization Signal / Physical Broadcast Channel) blocks from the serving cell or non-serving cell. The DL PRS can be configured to be of QCL type C with SS / PBCH blocks from the serving cell or non-serving cell. The starting PRB parameter defines the starting PRB index of the DLPRS resource with respect to reference point A. This starting PRB index has a granularity of one PRB and can have a minimum value of 0 PRBs and a maximum value of 2176 PRBs.

[0097] A PRS resource set is a collection of PRS resources with the same periodicity, the same silent mode configuration (if any), and the same cross-slot repetition factor. Each time all repetitions of all PRS resources in a PRS resource set are configured to be transmitted is called an "instance". Therefore, an "instance" of a PRS resource set is a specified number of repetitions for each PRS resource and a specified number of PRS resources within the PRS resource set, such that the instance is complete once the specified number of repetitions has been transmitted for each of the specified number of PRS resources. An instance can also be referred to as an "opportunity". A DLPRS configuration, including DL PRS transmission scheduling, can be provided to the UE to facilitate (or even enable) the UE to measure DL PRS.

[0098] Multiple frequency layers of a PRS can be aggregated to provide an effective bandwidth greater than any bandwidth in the individual layers. Multiple frequency layers belonging to component carriers (which can be consecutive and / or separate) and satisfying criteria such as Quasi-Co-location (QCL) and having the same antenna port can be stitched together to provide a larger effective PRS bandwidth (for DL ​​PRS and UL PRS), thereby improving the accuracy of time of arrival measurements. Stitching involves combining PRS measurements on individual bandwidth segments into a unified fragment, such that the stitched PRS can be considered as taken from a single measurement. In the case of QCL, different frequency layers behave similarly, resulting in a larger effective bandwidth for PRS stitching. The larger effective bandwidth (which may be referred to as the bandwidth of the aggregated PRS or the frequency bandwidth of the aggregated PRS) provides better time-domain resolution (e.g., the resolution of TDOA). The aggregated PRS comprises a collection of PRS resources, and each PRS resource in the aggregated PRS may be referred to as a PRS component, and each PRS component may be transmitted on different component carriers, frequency bands, or frequency layers, or on different portions of the same frequency band.

[0099] RTT positioning is an active positioning technology because RTT uses positioning signals transmitted from the TRP to the UE and from the UE (participating in RTT positioning) to the TRP. The TRP can transmit DL-PRS signals received by the UE, and the UE can transmit SRS (Sound Reference Signal) signals received by multiple TRPs. The Sound Reference Signal may be referred to as SRS or SRS signal. In 5G multi-RTT, coordinated positioning can be used, where the UE transmits a single UL-SRS for positioning received by multiple TRPs, instead of transmitting a separate UL-SRS for positioning for each TRP. A participating TRP will typically search for UEs currently residing on that TRP (the served UE, where the TRP is the serving TRP) and also search for UEs residing on neighboring TRPs (neighbor UEs). A neighboring TRP can be a TRP of a single BTS (Broadband Transceiver Station) (e.g., gNB), or it can be a TRP of one BTS and a TRP of a single BTS. For RTT positioning (including multi-RTT positioning), the DL-PRS and UL-SRS positioning signals in the PRS / SRS positioning signal pair used to determine the RTT (and thus the range between the UE and TRP) may occur close to each other in time, so that the errors caused by UE movement and / or UE clock drift and / or TRP clock drift are within acceptable limits. For example, the signals in the PRS / SRS positioning signal pair may be transmitted from the TRP and the UE within approximately 10 ms of each other. In cases where the SRS for positioning is being transmitted by the UE and the PRS and the SRS for positioning are transmitted close to each other in time, it has been found that this may lead to radio frequency (RF) signal congestion (which may result in excessive noise, etc.) (especially if many UEs are concurrently attempting positioning), and / or may lead to computational congestion at the TRP where many UEs are concurrently attempting to measure.

[0100] RTT positioning can be UE-based or UE-assisted. In UE-based RTT, UE 200 determines the RTT and corresponding range to each TRP in TRP 300, and determines the location of UE 200 based on the range to TRP 300 and the known location of TRP 300. In UE-assisted RTT, UE 200 measures positioning signals and provides measurement information to TRP 300, and TRP 300 determines the RTT and range. TRP 300 provides the range to a location server (e.g., server 400), and the server determines the location of UE 200, for example, based on the range to different TRP 300s. RTT and / or range can be determined by TRP 300 receiving signals from UE 200, by TRP 300 in conjunction with one or more other devices (e.g., one or more other TRP 300s and / or server 400), or by one or more devices other than TRP 300 receiving signals from UE 200.

[0101] 5G NR supports various positioning technologies. NR-native positioning methods supported in 5G NR include DL-only positioning, UL-only positioning, and DL+UL positioning. Downlink-based positioning methods include DL-TDOA and DL-AoD. Uplink-based positioning methods include UL-TDOA and UL-AoA. Combined DL+UL positioning methods include RTT with one base station and RTT with multiple base stations (multi-RTT).

[0102] Location estimates (e.g., for a UE) may be referred to by other names, such as location estimation, location, positioning, fixed positioning, etc. Location estimates may be geodesic and include coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and possible altitude), or they may be municipal and include street addresses, postal addresses, or some other textual description of the location. Location estimates may be further defined relative to another known location or (e.g., using latitude, longitude, and possible altitude) in absolute terms. Location estimates may include expected errors or uncertainties (e.g., by including areas or volumes that the location is expected to be included with a specified or default confidence level). Location information may include (e.g., one or more satellite signals, PRS, and / or one or more other signals) one or more location signal measurements, and / or one or more values ​​based on one or more location signal measurements (e.g., one or more distances (possibly including one or more pseudoranges), and / or one or more location estimates, etc.).

[0103] refer to Figure 5A block diagram of an example communication module 502 with multiple transceivers is shown. Communication module 502 can be used as a transceiver in a mobile device (such as transceiver 215 in UE 200) or a transceiver in a base station (such as transceiver 315 in TRP 300). Other devices such as smart tags, meters, laptops, etc., can have some or all of the components of communication module 502. In the example, in a V2X network, communication module 502 can be included in a roadside unit (RSU). Communication module 502 can be communicatively coupled to processor 504, such as general-purpose processor 230 and / or modem processor 232. One or more RF modules such as UWB module 506, BT or BLE module 508, and WiFi module 510 can be communicatively coupled to multiple antennas 514a, 514b, 514c…514n via one or more multiplexers 512. Multiplexer 512 may include switches, phase shifters, and tuning circuitry, and is configured to enable one or more of RF modules 506, 508, and 510 to transmit and receive signals via one or more of antennas 514a to 514n. For example, WiFi module 510 and UWB module 506 may be configured to utilize one or more of antennas 514a to 514n based on their operating frequencies. Phase shifters and other components within multiplexer 512 may implement beamforming to increase transmit or receive gain at different angles from antennas 514a to 514n. In this example, BLE module 508 and processor 504 may be configured for Bluetooth. ® Channel sensing (BTCS) can utilize a combination of round-trip time (RTT) and round-trip phase (RTP) measurement techniques. BTCS can be configured to acquire angular information. One or more of RF modules 506, 508, and 510 can be configured to perform precise search techniques, including acquiring signals configured for distance and direction calculations, as described herein.

[0104] refer to Figure 6An example of a round-trip time (RTT) measurement session 600 is shown. A common approach includes signaling between a responding station 602 and an initiating station 604. The responding station 602 and the initiating station 604 can be a finder wireless device and a target wireless device, such as UE 200, or other wireless mobile devices configured to participate in time-of-flight (RTT) positioning. In this example, and not in a limiting sense, the RTT measurement session 600 can be based on fine timing measurement (FTM) messages exchanged between the responding station 602 and the initiating station 604. Signaling is referred to herein as an exchange, even if the signal is transmitted independently (e.g., not in response to the reception of another signal and / or no reply signaling is required). Other messages and signals, such as a positioning reference signal (PRS), a sounding reference signal (SRS), an infrared camera signal, and / or other reference signals, can be used to determine time-of-flight information between the two mobile devices. The RTT measurement session 600 can utilize FTM protocols (e.g., 802.11mc D4.3 section 10.24.6) to enable the two stations to exchange round-trip measurement frames (e.g., FTM frames). Initiating station 604 can calculate the round-trip time (RTT) by recording the TOA (e.g., t2) of the FTM frame received from responding station 602 and the TOD (departure time) of the acknowledgment (ACK) frame of the FTM frame (e.g., t3). Responding station 602 can record the TOD of the FTM frame (e.g., t1) and the TOA of the ACK received from initiating station 604 (e.g., t4). Variations in message format allow timing values ​​to be transmitted between responding station 602 and initiating station 604. The RTT is thus calculated as: RTT = [(t4-t1) - (t3-t2)] (1) .

[0105] RTT measurement session 600 allows initiating station 604 to obtain range to responding station 602. FTM session is an example of a ranging technique between responding station 602 and initiating station 604. Other ranging techniques such as TDOA and TOA / TOF (Time of Flight) can also be used to determine the relative positions of the two stations. Other signaling can also be used to implement negotiation, measurement exchange, and termination procedures. For example, Wi-Fi 802.11az ranging NDP and trigger-based (TB) ranging NDP sessions can also be used.

[0106] refer to Figure 7AFigure 700 illustrates an example signal exchange for UWB ranging. Figure 700 includes a first UWB device 702 and a second UWB device 704 (e.g., a finder device and a target device, such as a smartphone and / or device tag). UWB devices 702 and 704 may include some or all of the components of UE 200. UE 200 is an example of the first UWB device 702 and / or the second UWB device 704. Each of UWB devices 702 and 704 may include one or more transceivers configured to transmit and receive UWB signals, such as those depicted in communication module 502. Signal exchange may be based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard and may utilize the physical layer (PHY) and media access control (MAC) sublayers to implement secure ranging. Location exchange may also utilize IEEE 802.15.4z security features, such as STS in UWB ranging frames, to prevent preamble insertion attacks. In the first example, the UWB signal may include a one-sided bidirectional ranging exchange 708, such that a first UWB device 702 can send a ranging marker at time t1, which can be received by a second UWB device 704 at time t2. The second UWB device 704 can transmit an acknowledgment frame at time t3, which can be received by the first UWB device 702 at time t4. The first round-trip time (Tround1) is equal to t4 - t1, and the first response time (Treply1) is equal to t3 - t2. The second UWB device 704 can be configured to provide the Treply1 time to the first UWB device 702. The first UWB device 702 can calculate the first round-trip time. Tprop1 = Tround1 - Treply1 (2).

[0107] The distance between the first UWB device 702 and the second UWB device 704 is equal to: Distance = c * (Tprop1 / 2) (3) Where c = speed of light.

[0108] In the second example, the signal may include a two-sided bidirectional ranging exchange 710, allowing the first UWB device 702 to send an acknowledgment at time t5, which can be received by the second UWB device 704 at time t6. The first UWB device 702 can provide a second response time (Treply2) (i.e., t5-t4) to the second UWB device 704. The Tprop time can be calculated as follows: Tprop=((Tround1*Tround2) - (Treply1*Treply2)) / (Tround1 + Tround2 -Treply1 - Treply2) (4) .

[0109] The propagation time (Tprop) represents the time of flight (ToF) of the corresponding signal between UWB devices 702 and 704, and can be used to determine the distance between UWB devices 702 and 704. In operation, the UWB devices can be configured to determine distances of up to 100m to 200m, with an accuracy of approximately + / - 10cm.

[0110] refer to Figure 7B Figure 750 illustrates an example angle of arrival (AoA) of an RF signal. Figure 750 includes an RF device 752 (e.g., WiFi, BT, UWB, sidelink NR, or other D2D RAT) with multiple antennas 754a, 754b in an antenna array. The RF signal 756 can be detected by the antenna array at an angle of arrival (AoA) Φ. Generally, AoA is based on the time difference between the arrival of the RF signal 756 at each of the antennas 754a, 754b in the antenna array. The time delay between signal arrivals can be determined as: t=d*sinΦ / c (5) in, t is the time delay; d is the distance between the antennas; Φ is AoA; and c is the speed of light.

[0111] In operation, RF device 752 can utilize UWB technology and be configured to determine AoA with an accuracy of approximately + / - 1.5 degrees. BTCS technology can also be used to obtain AoA information. Other radio technologies and transceiver / antenna configurations can achieve different accuracy results. For example, WiFi AoA measurements can be obtained using a higher-end wireless node with a suitable antenna array.

[0112] Figure 7B The depicted two-dimensional (2D) AoA measurement is an example, not a limitation. A similar process can be implemented using a three-dimensional (3D) antenna array to calculate the elevation angle (AoE). In some use cases, a first radio technique can be used to obtain the 2D AoA measurement, and a second radio technique can be used to obtain both 3D AoA and AoE measurements. In other use cases, a first radio technique can be used to obtain the target-specific AoA measurement, and a second radio technique can be used to obtain the target-specific AoE measurement.

[0113] refer to Figure 8The diagram illustrates an example use case 800 for precise lookup using extended range. Use case 800 includes a first mobile device 802 and a second mobile device 804. In this example, the first mobile device 802 may be a looker device, and the second mobile device 804 may be a target device. In other examples, both mobile devices 802 and 804 may be both a looker device and a target device (e.g., each device is providing a corresponding location indication to the other device). Mobile devices 802 and 804 may include some or all of the components of UE 200, and UE 200 is an example of one or more of mobile devices 802 and 804. Mobile devices 802 and 804 may be part of a cellular network or other network and are configured to provide location information via the network. For example, one or more base stations such as gNB 806 may be configured to communicate with one or more of mobile devices 802 and 804. gNB 806 may include some or all of the components of TRP 300, and TRP 300 is an example of gNB 806. In the example, in the reference communication system 100, gNB 806 can be included in NG-RAN 135. gNB 806 and possibly other base stations can have a network coverage area 810 including both mobile devices 802 and 804. In the example, the second mobile device 804 can be a tag, a consumer device asset tracker, a pet tracker, or other communication system configured with multiple transceivers, such as [unclear - possibly related to a specific device or system]. Figure 5 As described.

[0114] In operation, the first mobile device 802 may initiate a finder application to attempt to locate the second mobile device 804 via radio frequency signals. A first distance 824 between the mobile devices 802 and 804 corresponding to the initial arrangement of the mobile devices 802 and 804 may be greater than the established 2.4 GHz WiFi range 812. Based on this initial arrangement, the mobile devices 802 and 804 may obtain corresponding positioning via terrestrial and / or satellite technologies. For example, a location server (e.g., LMF 120) may be configured to perform positioning sessions with one or more of the mobile devices 802 and 804 to obtain positioning information based on downlink and / or uplink positioning reference signal transmissions. In the example, the mobile devices 802 and 804 may include an SPS receiver 217 and may obtain corresponding positioning via GNSS. The mobile devices 802 and 804 may be configured to exchange location information directly and / or via one or more networking servers (e.g., LMF 120, external user terminal 130). The first mobile device 802 (e.g., a finder device) can be configured to use the received location information to generate vector information (e.g., distance and direction) to indicate the relative position of the second mobile device 804 (e.g., a target device).

[0115] A user of the first mobile device 802 can travel along trajectory 820 toward the second mobile device 804 based on vector information presented by the first mobile device 802 (e.g., pointing arrows or other visual, auditory, and / or tactile outputs indicating the relative direction to the second mobile device 804). The first mobile device 802 can reach a first intermediate location 822a within the established 2.4 GHz WiFi range 812 and can be configured to perform RTT exchanges with the second mobile device 804 (e.g., regarding...). Figure 6(As described) to determine a second distance 826 between mobile devices 802 and 804. The 2.4GHz WiFi range 812 is the area where 2.4GHz signaling can be used to determine the distance between the first mobile device 802 and the second mobile device 804 (e.g., sufficient power can be utilized to receive 2.4GHz WiFi signals for determining the distance between mobile devices 802 and 804 (e.g., having at least a first threshold accuracy (e.g., uncertainty below the first threshold and / or distance error below the first threshold distance error))). The 2.4GHz WiFi range 812 can be based on signal strength information (e.g., RSSI) measured by the first mobile device 802, such that mobile devices 802 and 804 can exchange RTT messages when the 2.4GHz WiFi signal strength reaches an established threshold. Other station discovery techniques can also be used. In the example, the boundary 813 of the established 2.4GHz WiFi range 812 can be based on expected range values ​​in a data structure stored on the first mobile device 802 (e.g., a lookup table, flat file, etc. stored in memory 211). The first mobile device 802 can be configured to apply stored range values ​​to the current location of mobile devices 802 and 804 to determine whether mobile devices 802 and 804 are within each other's WiFi range. In the example, network resources (e.g., LMF 120) can be configured to provide expected WiFi and other range values ​​to mobile devices 802 and 804 via network signaling (e.g., LPP, Radio Resource Control (RRC)). Network resources can be configured to provide indication to the first mobile device 802 when mobile devices 802 and 804 are within each other's D2D RAT (e.g., WiFi, BT, UWB, sidelink NR, etc.). For example, gNB 806 can be configured to provide indication when mobile devices 802 and 804 are within each other's D2D RAT using higher-layer (e.g., LPP, RRC) or lower-layer message reception (e.g., Downlink Control Information (DCI), Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE)). For example, when mobile devices 802 and 804 are within range of each other, gNB 806 can send a corresponding trigger signal based on WiFi, BT, UWB, sidelink NR, mmWave, or other device-to-device radio access technologies. Other signaling technologies can also be used. In this example, network resources can be configured to provide mobile devices 802 and 804 with channel parameters, security information, and other RF configuration information, enabling them to securely exchange RTT messages. For example, RTT packets can be encrypted to reduce the chances of man-in-the-middle attacks and signal interference or other spoofing operations on mobile devices 802 and 804.For example, a key associated with Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) can be provided to mobile devices 802 and 804 via out-of-band (e.g., secure) communication, and RTT messages can be encrypted based on the established key. RTT configuration information can be provided in response to mobile devices 802 and 804 within each other's D2D RAT range.

[0116] Mobile devices 802 and 804 can continue to provide and / or exchange terrestrial and / or satellite positioning information while within each other's D2D RAT range. For example, the first mobile device 802 can determine a second distance 826 using a combination of distance measurements obtained via 2.4 GHz WiFi RTT exchange and a position obtained via GNSS. Some mobile devices may not be able to determine the AoA information of the WiFi signal, and the direction (e.g., azimuth) to the target device can be based on GNSS (or terrestrial) positioning information. Mobile devices 802 and 804 can continue to exchange ranging messages as the first mobile device travels along trajectory 820 and within the boundary of the 2.4 GHz WiFi range 812. In this example, the mobile devices can be configured to utilize another D2D RAT (e.g., 5 / 6 GHz WiFi), which can achieve increased accuracy within a reduced range. The first mobile device 802 can reach a second intermediate location 822b within the 5 / 6 GHz WiFi range 814. The 5 / 6GHz WiFi range 814 is the area where 5 / 6GHz signaling can be used to determine the distance between the first mobile device 802 and the second mobile device 804 (e.g., sufficient power can be utilized to receive 5 / 6GHz WiFi signals for determining the distance between mobile devices 802 and 804 (e.g., having at least a second threshold accuracy (e.g., uncertainty below a second threshold uncertainty and / or distance error below a second threshold distance error))). The second threshold accuracy can differ from the first threshold accuracy, for example, being more refined than the first threshold accuracy (e.g., the second threshold uncertainty can be lower than the first threshold uncertainty and / or the second threshold distance error can be smaller than the first threshold distance error). 5 / 6GHz The location of the WiFi boundary 815 can be provided based on signal strength information, expected range information (e.g., data structures), WiFi packet switching, and / or by network resources (e.g., network signaling), as previously described. Other station discovery technologies can also be used. Mobile devices 802 and 804 can exchange RTT messages using 5 / 6 GHz technology to obtain a fourth distance 828 between them. Configuration parameters (e.g., channel information, security protocols, etc.) can be exchanged via a 2.4 GHz connection and / or a cellular network as described above. In the example, at least one of the mobile devices 802 and 804 can be configured to determine AoA and / or AoE information based on WiFi signals and to perform direction estimation using AoA and / or AoE. For example, the second mobile device 804 can be configured to determine the AoA of an RF signal transmitted by the first mobile device 802 and then provide the AoA information via a WiFi link and / or via a cellular network. AoE information can also be determined and reported. The first mobile device 802 can be configured to convert the AoA information (e.g., determine the opposite direction) to determine the direction to the second mobile device 804.In the example, the corresponding positions of mobile devices 802 and 804 can be based on terrestrial and / or satellite technologies and can be used to determine the angle (e.g., direction, orientation) between the two devices. Other sensor inputs, such as from IMU 270 and camera 218 and / or from BLE module 508, can be used to determine the estimated positions of mobile devices 802 and 804 and establish corresponding range and / or orientation information.

[0117] The first mobile device 802 can travel along trajectory 820 (i.e., at least in part based on distance and direction information displayed to the user) to a third intermediate position 822c located within the UWB range 816 of mobile devices 802 and 804. The UWB range 816 is the region in which UWB signaling can be used to determine the distance between the first mobile device 802 and the second mobile device 804 (e.g., sufficient power can be used to receive UWB signals for determining the distance between mobile devices 802 and 804 (e.g., having at least a third threshold accuracy (e.g., uncertainty below the third threshold and / or distance error below the third threshold distance error))). The third threshold accuracy can differ from the second threshold accuracy, for example, it can be more refined (e.g., the third threshold uncertainty can be lower than the second threshold uncertainty and / or the third threshold distance error can be smaller than the second threshold distance error). The boundary 817 of the UWB range 816 can be established by measuring the signal strength transmitted by the UWB, station detection, and / or by other coverage area estimation techniques (e.g., locally stored lookup tables and / or network-assisted information). When mobile devices 802 and 804 are within the UWB range 816, they can perform actions such as... Figure 7A The described UWB ranging exchange is used to determine the fourth distance 830, and utilizes information about Figure 7B The described AoA technology. Other distance and direction technologies can be used. The shift from wide-area direction-finding information (e.g., based on terrestrial and / or satellite positioning) to more accurate D2D RAT signals (such as WiFiRTT, UWB RTT, and AoA / AoE) can provide robust and accurate lookup operations for extended ranges. Network assistance can be provided to increase security and personalize interactions based on user and / or operator preferences. For example, in densely populated locations (e.g., stadiums, theme parks, urban canyons, etc.), centralized management of D2D RAT configurations can improve the quality of service for both lookup and target devices.

[0118] Mobile device 802 can attempt to determine the range to mobile device 804 using the most accurate (e.g., highest resolution) positioning technology available to mobile device 802, and can use this positioning technology to determine the distance (range) between mobile devices 802 and 804. For example, mobile device 802 can use GNSS positioning to determine its location, and use the location of mobile device 804 provided to mobile device 802 to determine the range between mobile devices 802 and 804. Mobile device 802 can then use a positioning technology with the shortest range, which includes the distance between mobile devices 802 and 804. For example, if the determined distance between mobile devices 802 and 804 is within range 816, mobile device 802 will use UWB to determine the updated distance between mobile devices 802 and 804. Mobile device 802 can attempt to use positioning technologies in range order to determine the distance between mobile devices 802 and 804. For example, mobile device 802 can first attempt to use the most accurate (shortest range) positioning technology available to mobile device 802 (e.g., UWB signaling) to determine the distance between mobile devices 802 and 804. If the distance is successfully determined, mobile device 802 may determine the distance without attempting to use any other positioning technology. If the distance is not successfully determined, mobile device 802 may attempt to determine the distance using a positioning technology with a higher range (e.g., the second highest range) available to the mobile device (e.g., 5 / 6GHz WiFi signaling). This process may continue until the distance between mobile devices 802 and 804 is determined or a positioning technology with the highest (i.e., the largest, longest) range has been used.

[0119] refer to Figure 9A For further reference Figure 8 This diagram illustrates example precise areas based on different radio access technologies. The diagram includes example finder 902 (e.g., a first user with mobile device 902a) and target 904 (e.g., a second user with mobile device 902a). Figure 9A(A second user is not shown in the image). The seeker 902 and the target 904 are depicted in relatively sized precision areas, such as a first precision area 906, a second precision area 908, and a third precision area 910. The first precision area 906 may be based on location information obtained using ground and / or satellite signals. Generally, uncertainties associated with GNSS signals can generate larger position estimates for the seeker 902 and the target 904, therefore the first precision area 906 is relatively larger than the second precision area 908 and the third precision area 910. The mobile device 902a may be configured using an application or other service to provide instructions to the seeker 902 to assist navigation to the target 904. In the example, the mobile device 902a may display an arrow to estimate the direction to the target 904. Signals from internal sensors such as a magnetometer 271, an accelerometer 273, and a gyroscope 274 may be used to generate the arrow displayed to the seeker 902. A first arrow 906a displayed on mobile device 902a can direct the seeker 902 in direction 906b to indicate that target 904 is at the center of the first precision area 906, even though target 904 is actually located at a certain distance from the center. A second precision area 908 can be based on measurements obtained using WiFi signals (e.g., RTT ranging) and GNSS (or other ground positioning). WiFi RTT measurements can improve ranging accuracy and thus precision. The second precision area 908 can be smaller than the first precision area 906, and a corresponding second arrow 908a displayed on mobile device 902a can direct the seeker 902 in direction 908b to a smaller area including target 904. A third precision area 910 can be based on UWB switching, which is capable of generating distance (e.g., RTT) and direction (e.g., AoA) with higher accuracy than WiFi switching. A third arrow 910a displayed on mobile device 902a can guide the seeker 902 in direction 910b to a smaller area including target 904. The precise location technology presented herein enables mobile device 902a to move using different positioning technologies (e.g., satellite and / or cellular, WiFi, BT, UWB, etc.), and can improve the accuracy of the distance and direction information provided to the finder 902 as each positioning technology is activated. This improved accuracy may be particularly important when the target 904 is in a crowded environment and a large number of individuals are located in less precise areas (e.g., the first precise area 906).

[0120] refer to Figure 9B For further reference Figure 9AThe illustration shows an example user interface on a mobile device 902a. In the example, mobile device 902a may include some or all of the components of UE 200, and UE 200 may be an example of mobile device 902a. Mobile device 902a may include a display device 920 configured to provide visual information to a seeker 902. In the example, the visual information may include a target indication field 922. Target information such as name, phone number, or other identifying information may be displayed in the target indication field 922. Vector information objects 924 (e.g., arrows or other icons indicating direction) may be displayed to indicate the relative direction of the target. The direction of the vector information object 924 may be based at least in part on other sensor information in mobile device 902a, such as magnetometer 271, accelerometer 273, and gyroscope 274, to provide relative direction, regardless of the orientation of mobile device 902a. The range and orientation field 926 can present distance and orientation information based on different units (e.g., imperial, metric) and coordinate systems (e.g., magnetic azimuth, true azimuth (i.e., based on local variations and sensor bias, if known)). In the example, one or more gyroscopes 274 can be configured to align with true north. The accuracy field 928 can be configured to indicate the uncertainty of the orientation and orientation information based on one or more positioning technologies (e.g., terrestrial, satellite, WiFi, BT, UWB, sidelink NR, mmWave, or other D2D RAT) and / or the uncertainty of the orientation and / or range (e.g., + / - 2° and / or + / - 4m). The accuracy field 928 can provide the seeker 902 with feedback on the relative accuracy of the target location, which may affect the seeker's visual search pattern as they approach the target. The accuracy field 928 can be an icon representing the current positioning technology on which the range and orientation information is based. For example, a first icon can depict a satellite, a second icon can depict a satellite and / or WiFi marker, a third icon can indicate a BT marker, and a fourth icon can depict a UWB marker. The user interface and icons are examples, not limitations, because other visual, audio, and / or tactile outputs can be used to indicate the direction and / or range of a target. For example, a screen can indicate red, yellow, or green to indicate the relative direction of a target (e.g., green when the mobile device moves toward the target, yellow when it moves to the left of the target, and red when it moves to the right of the target). Audio tones can be used to indicate the direction of a target, and different tactile indicators (e.g., vibration intensity and / or patterns) can be used to indicate the relative location of the target. Similarly, different tones or vibrations can be used to indicate variations in accuracy field information. For example, a first tone and / or vibration can be used for satellite-based accuracy, a second tone and / or vibration for indicating WiFi-based accuracy, and a third tone and / or vibration for indicating UWB-based accuracy. Other tones and / or vibrations can be used for other radio technologies.

[0121] Figure 9B The single target depicted in the user interface is an example, not a limitation. Within this example, range and orientation information for multiple targets can be obtained and displayed in the user interface. For instance, different vector information objects 924 can be presented to the user along with corresponding target identification information for multiple targets.

[0122] refer to Figure 10 Example signals and processing flow 1000 for precise lookup operations in network control includes the stages shown. Flow 1000 is an example flow and not a limitation. Flow 1000 can be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, concurrently executing one or more messages and / or one or more stages, and / or splitting one or more messages and / or one or more stages into multiple messages and / or stages. Flow 1000 can utilize, as per [reference to...] Figure 1 The signaling protocols described include LPP, NRPPa, etc. Other signaling technologies can also be used.

[0123] Process 1000 can be utilized by locating the mobile device and the target mobile device, such as regarding Figure 8 As described. For example, the first UE 1002 can be designated as the finder device and the second UE 1004 can be designated as the target device. In this use case, both UEs 1002 and 1004 are part of a network (such as communication system 100) and can communicate with network entities such as one or more gNBs 1006 and LMFs 1008. UEs 1002 and 1004 can be smartphones associated with two users, but in other use cases, UEs 1002 and 1004 can include other devices such as asset tags and on-board units (OBUs) in vehicles. For example, the second UE 1004 can be an OBU in a rented vehicle in a crowded parking lot, and the first UE 1002 can be a smartphone operated by a user who has forgotten the type of vehicle and the parking location. UEs 1002 and 1004 can be configured for other use cases.

[0124] In operation, in the example, the first UE 1002 can be configured to send one or more Looker Request messages 1010 to LMF 1008 to initiate a lookup session when UEs 1002 and 1004 are outside D2D RAT range. In phase 1012, LMF 1008 can be configured to obtain location information through one or more positioning sessions with UEs 1002 and 1004. UEs 1002 and 1004 can obtain and report terrestrial positioning measurements (e.g., PRS measurements) or other location information, such as corresponding positioning estimates based on terrestrial and / or satellite signals (e.g., GNSS). In the example, one or more gNBs 1006 can report uplink positioning measurement information, such as sounding reference signals (SRS) for positioning transmitted by UEs 1002 and 1004. LMF 1008 can provide location information to the first UE 1002 to enable remote lookup based on the reported locations of UEs 1002 and 1004.

[0125] In phase 1014, LMF 1008 (or other network resources) can generate a first D2D RAT configuration to enable the UE to perform SL ranging exchange. In the example, the first D2D RAT configuration may be based on WiFi technology, and this configuration may include information to enable UEs 1002 and 1004 to securely exchange timing messages. Other D2D RAT configuration information may also be generated. For example, the first D2D RAT configuration may be based on sidelink NR or sidelink PRS (SL-PRS) resources, and LMF 1008 may provide SL-PRS resources in response to receiving one or more Finder Request messages 1010. LMF 1008 may provide the first D2D RAT configuration information to UEs 1002 and 1004 via network signaling (e.g., LPP, RRC messages).

[0126] In phase 1016, UEs 1002 and 1004 can execute one or more first D2D RAT positioning sessions based on a first D2D RAT configuration. In the example, the first D2D RAT positioning session can be based on, as per [reference to...] Figure 8 The 2.4GHz WiFiRTT exchange is described. Other D2D RAT signaling can also be configured by LMF 1008 and executed by UEs 1002 and 1004. In the example, one or more first D2D RAT positioning sessions at stage 1016 can be initiated in response to receiving first D2D RAT configuration information from LMF 1008. Other triggers can also be used to initiate first D2D RAT positioning sessions.

[0127] In phase 1018, the first UE 1002 can be configured to generate a second D2D RAT configuration for use in an additional D2D RAT positioning session. The second D2D RAT positioning session can utilize technologies that provide more accurate range information compared to the first D2D RAT positioning session. The second D2D RAT configuration can be based on higher frequency WiFi RTT switching (e.g., 5 / 6 GHz). The second D2D RAT configuration can be based on UWB technology. For example, UEs 1002 and 1004 can be configured as Enhanced Ranging Devices (ERDEVs), where the first UE 1002 is configured to act as a controller and the second UE 1004 is configured to act as a controlled device. As a controller, the first UE 1002 can establish parameters for the UWB ranging session and provide session information to the controlled device (e.g., the second UE 1004) via one or more Ranging Control Messages (RCMs). The RCM can include ranging parameters, such as channel information, ranging frames, and time slot configurations, to enable UEs 1002 and 1004 to perform time-scheduled or contention-free UWB ranging sessions. The second UE 1004 (i.e., the controlled UE) can be configured to utilize the ranging parameters received from the first UE 1002 in the RCM. In the example, the first UE 1002 and the second UE 1004 can exchange RCMs to negotiate second D2DRAT positioning session parameters. As described herein, the concepts of controller and controlled UE are based on upper-layer networking perspectives, and the roles of initiator and responder can be used at the physical layer and media access control (MAC) layer. Utilizing the ranging parameters included in the RCM, the initiator can be configured to initiate a ranging exchange by transmitting a first message of the exchange, such as a ranging initiation message (RIM)

[0128] In phase 1020, UEs 1002 and 1004 can execute one or more second D2D RAT positioning sessions based on the configuration information established in phase 1018.

[0129] refer to Figure 11 For further reference Figures 1 to 10An example method 1100 for determining the location information of a wireless node based on the distance between a user equipment and the wireless node includes the stages shown. However, method 1100 is exemplary and not limiting. Method 1100 can be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, performing one or more stages concurrently, and / or by splitting one or more individual stages into multiple stages. Using method 1100, the UE can attempt to determine the distance using the most accurate (e.g., shortest range) positioning technology available to the UE, and if unsuccessful, try one or more less accurate positioning technologies until the distance is determined or the least accurate (highest range) positioning technology available to the UE has been tried (e.g., all positioning technologies available to the UE have been tried).

[0130] In stage 1102, method 1100 includes transmitting a first positioning signal between the user equipment and the wireless node at least in part at a first time based on a first positioning technology having the ability to determine a distance to an object within at most a first range. The UE 200, including processor 210 and transceiver 215, is the component for transmitting the first positioning signal. In examples, the first positioning technology may be based on UWB signaling, or on 5 / 6GHz WiFi RTT switching, or on 2.4GHz WiFi RTT switching. The first positioning technology may be based on UWB switching, which typically has a smaller range than WiFi. In examples, the first positioning technology may be based on terrestrial positioning technologies, such as obtaining measurements of DL-PRS received by the wireless node and / or UL-SRS of the positioning signal transmitted by the wireless node. Terrestrial positioning technologies may be based on, for example, PRS-related measurements such as RSSI, cellular-based RTT, RSTD, RSRP, and / or RSRQ. Other network-based technologies, such as TOA and TDOA procedures, may also be used. Because of the limited range of the first positioning technology, UE 200 may not be able to determine the distance between UE 200 and the wireless node (such as another mobile device) (e.g., if UE 200 is mobile device 804, the first positioning technology is UWB, and mobile device 802 is at location 822b).

[0131] In stage 1104, method 1100 includes transmitting a second positioning signal between the user equipment and the wireless node based on a second positioning technology at a second time after the first time, the second positioning technology having the ability to determine the distance to an object within a second range, wherein the second range is larger than the first range. The UE 200, including processor 210 and transceiver 215, is the component for transmitting the second positioning signal. In an example, the second positioning technology may be based on a D2D RAT signal transmitted by the wireless node. For example, such as regarding... Figure 6The described WiFi RTT switching can be performed using the wireless node to determine the distance between the UE (e.g., UE 200) and the wireless node. Other D2D RAT configurations, such as SL-PRS switching, can be used to determine a second distance. For example, BT technologies, such as BTCS, can be used. Generally, the range of the second positioning technology can be based on power output and / or signal strength limitations assigned to that technology. In commercial applications, WiFi-based signaling is generally considered to have an increased range compared to UWB signaling. Other signaling technologies may have similar physical and / or regulatory limitations that affect the effective range of the signal. As another example, the distance can be determined at least in part based on GNSS positioning estimation. For example, refer to... Figure 8 The first mobile device 802 can be configured to receive GNSS positioning estimates for the second mobile device 804 (i.e., the wireless node) and determine the distance between the UE and the wireless node based on the corresponding positions of the first mobile device 802 and the second mobile device 804.

[0132] In stage 1106, method 1100 includes determining the distance between the user equipment and the wireless node based on the second positioning signal. The UE 200, including processor 210 and transceiver 215, is a component for determining the distance between the user equipment and the wireless node, for example, based on a suitable positioning method.

[0133] In stage 1108, method 1100 includes outputting location information of the wireless node based at least in part on the distance between the user equipment and the wireless node. The UE 200, including processor 210 and user interface 216, is the component for outputting the location information. In the example, reference... Figure 9B Location information can be output as information on a display. For example, location information can be a vector information object 924 and / or a distance field, or other objects configured to indicate to the user the distance between the user equipment and the wireless node. In the example, location information may include location coordinates based on applying the distance and orientation information between the user equipment and the wireless node to a known location (e.g., the current location of the finder's mobile device).

[0134] refer to Figure 12 For further reference Figures 1 to 10 The example method 1200 for determining the distance to a wireless node includes the phases shown. However, method 1200 is an example and not a limitation. Method 1200 can be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, performing one or more phases concurrently, and / or by splitting one or more individual phases into multiple phases.

[0135] In stage 1202, method 1200 includes receiving location information of wireless nodes. The UE 200, including processor 210 and transceiver 215, is a component for receiving location information. In the example, a wireless network such as communication system 100 can be configured to provide location information of wireless nodes in the network. For example, refer to... Figure 8 The first mobile device 802 can be configured to receive location information from the gNB 806. The location information can be geographic coordinates based on ground and / or satellite signals measured by the wireless node. In this example, the wireless node can be configured to transmit the location information via a messaging protocol (e.g., SMS, email, etc.). Other technologies can be used to receive the location information.

[0136] In stage 1204, method 1200 includes determining a first distance to the wireless node based on location information. The UE 200, including processor 210, is a component for determining the first distance. The first distance may be calculated based on the location of a lookup device (e.g., a first mobile device 802) and location information received in stage 1202 (e.g., the location of a target device). Directional information may also be calculated based on the location information. In the example, such as regarding... Figure 9B The user interface described can be configured to present a first distance to the user (e.g., via vector information object 924).

[0137] In stage 1206, method 1200 includes performing a first D2D RAT signaling with the wireless node in response to the first distance being below a first threshold. The UE 200, including processor 210 and transceiver 215, is the component for performing the first D2D RAT signaling. In the example, reference... Figure 8 The first D2D RAT signaling can be based on 2.4GHz WiFi, and the first threshold can be based on the established 2.4GHz WiFi range 812. The first threshold can be an RSSI value associated with the range value. The first threshold can be based on a projected range value stored in a data structure on the mobile device. The first D2D RAT signaling can be based on RTT exchange utilizing WiFi technology. Location messages based on other D2D RAT positioning technologies and frequency ranges can also be used to perform the first D2D RAT signaling. As an example, the first threshold can be approximately 300 meters.

[0138] In phase 1208, method 1200 includes determining a second distance to the wireless node based on a first D2D RAT signal transmission. The UE 200, including processor 210 and transceiver 215, is the component used to determine the second distance. (The remaining text appears to be unrelated and possibly a fragment from another document.) Figure 6The described RTT process can be used to obtain the timing information indicated by equation (1). The distance (range) to the wireless node can be calculated based on multiplying half of the RTT value by the speed of light. Other RF ranging techniques can also be used to determine the second distance based on the first D2D RAT signal transmission.

[0139] In stage 1210, method 1200 includes performing a second D2D RAT signaling with the wireless node in response to the second distance falling below a second threshold. The UE 200, including processor 210 and transceiver 215, is the component for performing the second D2D RAT signaling. In the example, reference... Figure 8 The second D2D RAT signal transmission can be based on 5 / 6GHz WiFi, and the second threshold can be based on the established 5 / 6GHz WiFi range 814. The second threshold may be an RSSI value associated with the range value. The second threshold may be based on the expected range value stored in a data structure on the mobile device. The second D2D RAT signal transmission can be based on RTT switching using WiFi technology. When the distance to the target is approximately 150m, a transition from the 2.4GHz WiFi frequency to the 5 / 6GHz WiFi frequency may occur. Location messages based on other D2D RAT positioning technologies and frequency ranges can also be used to perform the second D2D RAT signal transmission. For example, BT and / or UWB technologies can be used to perform the second D2D RAT signal transmission. In this example, the second threshold may be based on the UWB range 816. The second threshold may be approximately 100 meters.

[0140] In phase 1212, the method includes determining a third distance to the wireless node based on a second D2D RAT signal transmission. The UE 200, including processor 210 and transceiver 215, is the component used to determine the third distance. In the example, when the second D2D RAT signal transmission is based on WiFi technology, such as regarding... Figure 6 The described RTT process can be used to determine a third distance. In the example, when the second D2D RAT signaling is based on the UWB protocol, regarding... Figure 7A The described signal exchange can be used to determine a third distance. Other RF ranging techniques can also be used to determine a third distance based on the second D2D RAT signal transmission.

[0141] refer to Figure 13 For further reference Figures 1 to 10 Example method 1300 for configuring precise lookup operations includes the stages shown. However, method 1300 is an example and not a limitation. Method 1300 can be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, executing one or more stages concurrently, and / or by splitting one or more individual stages into multiple stages.

[0142] In phase 1302, method 1300 includes receiving a looker request from a first wireless node. A server 400 (such as LMF 1008), including processor 410 and transceiver 415, is a component for receiving the looker request. In the example, reference... Figure 10 A mobile device (such as the first UE 1002) can be configured to transmit one or more lookup request messages 1010 to LMF 1008 to initiate a lookup session. The lookup request message 1010 may include identification information for one or more target devices. In the example, the lookup request message may include capability information indicating the D2D RAT signaling capabilities of the lookuper and / or target devices.

[0143] In phase 1304, method 1300 includes determining the location of a second wireless node based at least in part on a looker request. Server 400, including processor 410 and transceiver 415, is a component for determining the location of the second wireless node. The first wireless node may be a looker device, and the second wireless node may be a target device. In the example, LMF 1008 may be configured to request location information and / or schedule a location session with one or more target devices indicated in the looker request message. The one or more target devices may be configured to provide LMF 1008 with location information (e.g., latitude, longitude, altitude) based on GNSS measurements. In the example, the target devices may be configured to provide location measurements to LMF 1008, and LMF 1008 may be configured to determine the corresponding location of the one or more target devices based at least in part on the location measurements.

[0144] In stage 1306, method 1300 includes providing the location information of the second wireless node to the first wireless node. Server 400, including processor 410 and transceiver 415, is the component for providing the location information. LMF 1008 can be configured to store the target location information received or calculated in stage 1304 and provide the location to the requesting locator device. For example, refer to... Figure 10 In phase 1012, location information can be provided to the first UE 1002 along with a location report. Other signaling technologies can be used to provide the location information of the one or more target devices to the finder device.

[0145] At stage 1308, method 1300 includes providing D2D RAT positioning signal configuration information to a first wireless node and a second wireless node. Server 400, including processor 410 and transceiver 415, is a component for providing the D2D RAT positioning signal configuration information. In the example, LMF 1008 can be configured to generate D2D RAT positioning signal configurations that enable the first and second wireless nodes to perform SL ranging exchanges. In the example, the D2D RAT positioning signal configuration information can be based on WiFi technology, and this information can include information for enabling the first and second wireless nodes to securely exchange timing messages. Other D2D RAT positioning signal configuration information can also be generated. For example, the D2D RAT positioning signal configuration information can be based on sidelink PRS (SL-PRS) resources, and LMF 1008 can provide SL-PRS resources to the first and second wireless nodes.

[0146] refer to Figure 14 For further reference Figures 1 to 10 An example method 1400 for precise location using two radio technologies includes the phases shown. However, method 1400 is illustrative and not limiting. Method 1400 can be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, performing one or more phases concurrently, and / or by splitting one or more individual phases into multiple phases.

[0147] In stage 1402, method 1400 includes determining a first distance to a wireless node based at least in part on a first positioning technique, the first positioning technique having the ability to determine distances to objects within a first range. The UE 200, including communication module 502, is a component for determining the first distance. In an example, the first positioning technique may be a GNSS-based positioning estimate of the wireless node. The first distance may be determined based at least in part on the GNSS positioning estimate. For example, refer to... Figure 8The first mobile device 802 can be configured to receive GNSS positioning estimates for the second mobile device 804 (i.e., the wireless node) and determine a first distance based on the respective positions of the first mobile device 802 and the second mobile device 804. In this example, the first positioning technique can be based on terrestrial positioning techniques, such as obtaining measurements of DL-PRS received by the wireless node and / or UL-SRS of positioning signals transmitted by the wireless node. Terrestrial positioning techniques can be based on, for example, PRS-related measurements such as RSSI, cellular-based RTT, RSTD, RSRP, and / or RSRQ. Other network-based techniques, such as TOA and TDOA procedures, can also be used. In this example, the first positioning technique can be based on WiFi or BT as described herein. In some use cases, WiFi ranging exchange can be used to determine AoA information (e.g., orientation). BT ranging can include BTCS techniques and can be configured to determine AoA information. Other ranging techniques can also be used.

[0148] In stage 1404, method 1400 includes determining a second distance to the wireless node based on a second positioning technique within a second range, the second positioning technique having the capability to determine a distance to an object up to the second range, wherein the second range is smaller than the first range. The UE 200, including communication module 502, is a component for determining the second distance. Generally, compared to the first positioning technique utilized at stage 1402, the second positioning technique can be configured to provide a more accurate distance result for shorter distances. A more accurate positioning technique can be used when the distance using a less accurate positioning technique is determined within the range of a more accurate positioning technique (which can determine a distance up to (not exceeding) the second range). Various combinations of the first and second positioning techniques can be used. For example, when the first positioning technique is based on GNSS or terrestrial positioning, the second positioning technique can be WiFi, BT, UWB, or other device-to-device radio access technologies. When the first positioning technique is WiFi, the second positioning technique can be a technology based on high-frequency WiFi, BT, UWB, or other device-to-device radio access technologies with a smaller operating range than the WiFi technology used as the first positioning technique. When the first positioning technology is a BT technology (e.g., BTCS), the second technology can be UWB or other device-to-device radio access technology with a smaller operating range than the BT technology used as the first positioning technology. Other combinations of technologies may also be used.

[0149] In stage 1406, method 1400 includes outputting the location information of the wireless node based at least in part on the second distance. The UE 200, including the communication module 502, is the component for outputting the location information. In the example, reference... Figure 9BLocation information can be output as information on the display. For example, location information can be a vector information object 924 and / or a distance field or other objects configured to indicate a second distance to the user. In the example, location information can include location coordinates based on applying a second distance and orientation information to a known location (e.g., the current location of the finder's mobile device).

[0150] refer to Figure 15 For further reference Figures 1 to 10 Example method 1500 for selecting a positioning technology includes the phases shown. However, method 1500 is illustrative and not restrictive. Method 1500 can be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, performing one or more phases concurrently, and / or by splitting one or more individual phases into multiple phases.

[0151] In phase 1502, method 1500 includes determining the location associated with a user equipment (UE). The UE 200, including processor 210, transceiver 215, or SPS receiver 217, is the component for determining the location. In an example, the UE may be configured to determine a GNSS location estimate based on received satellite signals. In an example, the location may be based on terrestrial positioning techniques, such as obtaining measurements of DL-PRS received by transceiver 215. Terrestrial positioning techniques may be based on, for example, PRS-related measurements such as RSSI, cellular-based RTT, RSTD, RSRP, and / or RSRQ. Other network-based techniques, such as TOA, TDOA, and E-CID procedures, may also be used. In an example, the location may be based on D2D RAT signal transmissions with other stations described herein. The UE may be configured to report the location to network resources such as LMF 120.

[0152] In phase 1504, method 1500 includes determining the location associated with a wireless node. A UE 200, including processor 210, transceiver 215, or SPS receiver 217, is a component for determining the location. In an example, the wireless node may be configured to determine a GNSS location estimate based on received satellite signals. In an example, the wireless node may be configured to determine the location based on terrestrial positioning techniques, such as obtaining measurements of DL-PRS received by transceiver 215. Terrestrial positioning techniques may be based on, for example, PRS-related measurements such as RSSI, cellular-based RTT, RSTD, RSRP, and / or RSRQ. Other network-based techniques, such as TOA, TDOA, and E-CID procedures, may also be used. In an example, the location may be based on D2D RAT signal transmission with other stations described herein. The wireless node may be configured to report its location to network resources such as LMF 120. Other network nodes, such as a UE, may be configured to obtain the location of the wireless node from network resources.

[0153] In stage 1506, method 1500 includes selecting a positioning technique based on the first location and the second location. The UE 200, including processor 210, is a component for selecting the positioning technique. For example, refer to... Figure 8The first location may correspond to a first intermediate location 822a (e.g., within the 2.4 GHz WiFi range 812), and the second location may be the location of the second mobile device 804, optionally utilizing WiFi RTT positioning technology in the 2.4 GHz band. The first location may correspond to a second intermediate location 822b, and the second location may be the location of the second mobile device 804, optionally utilizing WiFi RTT positioning technology in the 5 / 6 GHz or 2.4 GHz band. The first location may correspond to a third intermediate location 822c, and the second location may be the location of the second mobile device 804, and the selected positioning technology may include UWB ranging switching. In the example, WiFi RTT positioning technology in the 5 / 6 GHz or 2.4 GHz band can be optionally utilized. In the example, multiple positioning technologies can be selected, allowing one positioning technology to be used to obtain distance and AoA information, and another positioning technology to be used to obtain distance and AoE information. These positioning technologies may be based on other device-to-device radio access technologies, such as sidelink NR and SL-PRS. The relationship between the location (e.g., distance) of the UE and the wireless node and the available positioning technology to be selected can be based on the expected distance value stored in a data structure on the UE or the wireless node (e.g., a lookup table, planar file, etc. stored in memory 211). In the example, the selection of the positioning technology can be based on 2D or 3D use cases. Some positioning technologies may have highly accurate 2D performance but may not be able to perform 3D measurements. Therefore, for 3D use cases, a 3D-enabled positioning technology may be more preferable.

[0154] In phase 1508, method 1500 includes determining the distance or direction from the user equipment to the wireless node based on the positioning technology. The UE 200, including processor 210 and transceiver 215, is the component used to determine the distance or direction. In the example, as regarding... Figures 6 to 7B The described WiFi and UWB signal exchange can be used to obtain distance and direction information. This direction information can be based on AoA measurements. AoE measurements can also be obtained. Other D2D RAT (e.g., sidelink NR, SL-PRS) signal transmissions can be used to obtain distance and direction information.

[0155] Specific implementation examples Specific implementation examples are provided in the following numbered clauses.

[0156] Clause 1. A method for determining the location information of a wireless node based on the distance between a user equipment and the wireless node, the method comprising: At a first moment, at least in part, a first positioning signal is transmitted between the user equipment and the wireless node based on a first positioning technology, the first positioning technology having the ability to determine a distance to an object within at most a first range; At a second time following the first time, a second positioning signal is transmitted between the user equipment and the wireless node based on a second positioning technology, the second positioning technology having the ability to determine the distance to the object within a second range, wherein the second range is greater than the first range; The distance between the user equipment and the wireless node is determined based on the second positioning signal; and The location information of the wireless node is output at least in part based on the distance between the user equipment and the wireless node.

[0157] Clause 2. The method described in Clause 1, wherein the second positioning technology utilizes a global navigation satellite system.

[0158] Clause 3. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the first positioning technique is based at least in part on positioning reference signals received from one or more base stations in a wireless communication system.

[0159] Clause 4. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the second positioning technology utilizes one or more round-trip time measurement sessions using WiFi radio technology.

[0160] Clause 5. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the first positioning technique utilizes one or more signal exchanges for ultra-wideband ranging.

[0161] Clause 6. The method of Clause 1, the method further comprising determining the location of the wireless node based on the second positioning technology.

[0162] Clause 7. The method according to Clause 6, wherein outputting the location information includes displaying a vector information object based at least in part on the orientation and the distance between the user equipment and the wireless node.

[0163] Clause 8. The method according to Clause 1, the method further comprising outputting an indication of the second positioning technology and the distance between the user equipment and the wireless node.

[0164] Clause 9. The method described in Clause 8, wherein the indication for the second positioning technology is an icon.

[0165] Clause 10. A method for determining the distance to a wireless node, the method comprising: Receive the location information of the wireless node; The first distance to the wireless node is determined based on the location information; In response to the first distance falling below a first threshold, a first signal exchange is performed with the wireless node; The second distance to the wireless node is determined based on the first signal exchange; In response to the second distance falling below a second threshold, a second signal exchange is performed with the wireless node; and The third distance to the wireless node is determined based on the second signal exchange.

[0166] Clause 11. The method according to Clause 10, the method further comprising outputting an indication of the first distance, an indication of the second distance, and an indication of the third distance.

[0167] Clause 12. The method according to Clause 10, the method further comprising determining the location to the wireless node based at least in part on the second signal exchange.

[0168] Clause 13. The method according to Clause 10, wherein the location information of the wireless node is received via a cellular network.

[0169] Clause 14. The method according to Clause 10, wherein the first signal exchange includes one or more round-trip time measurement sessions using WiFi radio technology utilizing a first frequency range, and the second signal exchange includes one or more round-trip time measurement sessions using the WiFi radio technology utilizing a second frequency range higher than the first frequency range.

[0170] Clause 15. The method according to Clause 10, wherein the first signal exchange includes one or more round-trip time measurement sessions utilizing WiFi radio technology, and the second signal exchange includes one or more signal exchanges for ultra-wideband ranging.

[0171] Clause 16. The method according to Clause 10, the method further comprising receiving signal configuration information, wherein the first signal exchange is performed at least in part based on the signal configuration information.

[0172] Clause 17. The method according to Clause 16, wherein the signal configuration information is received from a server in the communication system.

[0173] Clause 18. The method described in Clause 10, wherein the wireless node is an asset tag.

[0174] Clause 19. The method described in Clause 10, wherein the wireless node is an on-board unit (OBU) in a vehicle.

[0175] Clause 20. The method described in Clause 10, wherein the wireless node is user equipment.

[0176] Clause 21. A method for precise location using two radio technologies, the method comprising: The first distance to the wireless node is determined at least in part based on a first positioning technology, which has the ability to determine the distance to the object within a first range; Based on the first distance within a second range, a second distance to the wireless node is determined using a second positioning technique, the second positioning technique having the capability to determine a distance to an object within at most the second range, wherein the second range is smaller than the first range; and The location information of the wireless node is output at least in part based on the second distance.

[0177] Clause 22. The method according to Clause 21, wherein the first positioning technology utilizes a global navigation satellite system, and the second positioning technology is a device-to-device radio access technology.

[0178] Clause 23. The method described in Clause 22, wherein the device-to-device radio access technology is one of WiFi, Bluetooth or ultra-wideband.

[0179] Clause 24. The method according to Clause 21, wherein the first positioning technique is based at least in part on positioning reference signals received from one or more base stations in a wireless communication system, and the second positioning technique is a device-to-device radio access technique.

[0180] Clause 25. The method described in Clause 24, wherein the device-to-device radio access technology is one of WiFi, Bluetooth or ultra-wideband.

[0181] Clause 26. The method according to Clause 21, wherein the first positioning technology utilizes WiFi technology, and the second positioning technology utilizes Bluetooth technology or ultra-wideband technology.

[0182] Clause 27. The method according to Clause 21, wherein the first positioning technology utilizes Bluetooth technology and the second positioning technology utilizes ultra-wideband technology.

[0183] Clause 28. The method according to Clause 21, the method further comprising determining the location of the wireless node based on the first positioning technology and the second positioning technology.

[0184] Clause 29. The method according to Clause 28, wherein outputting the location information includes displaying a vector information object based at least in part on the orientation to the wireless node.

[0185] Clause 30. The method according to Clause 21, the method further comprising outputting an indication of the first positioning technology and the first distance, and an indication of the second positioning technology and the second distance.

[0186] Clause 31. The method according to Clause 30, wherein the indication for the first positioning technology is a first icon, and the indication for the second positioning technology is a second icon.

[0187] Clause 32. An apparatus comprising: At least one memory; At least one transceiver; At least one processor, communicatively coupled to the at least one memory and the at least one transceiver, and configured to: The device transmits a first location signal between the device and the wireless node via the at least one transceiver at a first time, based at least in part on a first location technology, the first location technology having the ability to determine the distance to an object within at most a first range; A second positioning signal is transmitted to the wireless node via the at least one transceiver at a second time after the first time, based on a second positioning technique, the second positioning technique having the ability to determine the distance to the object within a second range, wherein the second range is larger than the first range; and The distance between the device and the wireless node is determined based on the second positioning signal; and The location information of the wireless node is output at least in part based on the distance between the device and the wireless node.

[0188] Clause 33. The apparatus according to Clause 32, wherein the second positioning technology utilizes a global navigation satellite system.

[0189] Clause 34. The apparatus of Clause 32, wherein the first positioning technique is based at least in part on positioning reference signals received from one or more base stations in a wireless communication system.

[0190] Clause 35. The apparatus of Clause 32, wherein the second positioning technology utilizes one or more round-trip time measurement sessions using WiFi radio technology.

[0191] Clause 36. The apparatus according to Clause 32, wherein the first positioning technique utilizes one or more signal exchanges to perform ultra-wideband ranging.

[0192] Clause 37. The apparatus according to Clause 32, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine the location to the wireless node based on the second positioning technology.

[0193] Clause 38. The apparatus according to Clause 37, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display vector information objects based at least in part on the orientation and the distance between the apparatus and the wireless node.

[0194] Clause 39. The apparatus according to Clause 32, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to output an indication of the second positioning technology and the distance between the apparatus and the wireless node.

[0195] Clause 40. The device according to Clause 39, wherein the indication of the second positioning technology is an icon.

[0196] Clause 41. An apparatus comprising: At least one memory; At least one transceiver; At least one processor, communicatively coupled to the at least one memory and the at least one transceiver, and configured to: Receive location information from wireless nodes; The first distance to the wireless node is determined based on the location information; In response to the first distance falling below a first threshold, a first signal exchange is performed with the wireless node; The second distance to the wireless node is determined based on the first signal exchange; In response to the second distance falling below a second threshold, a second signal exchange is performed with the wireless node; and The third distance to the wireless node is determined based on the second signal exchange.

[0197] Clause 42. The apparatus according to Clause 41, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to output an indication of the first distance, an indication of the second distance, and an indication of the third distance.

[0198] Clause 43. The apparatus according to Clause 41, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine the location to the wireless node based at least in part on the second signal exchange.

[0199] Clause 44. The apparatus according to Clause 41, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the location information of the wireless node via a cellular network.

[0200] Clause 45. The apparatus of Clause 41, wherein the first signal exchange includes one or more round-trip time measurement sessions using WiFi radio technology utilizing a first frequency range, and the second signal exchange includes one or more round-trip time measurement sessions using the WiFi radio technology utilizing a second frequency range higher than the first frequency range.

[0201] Clause 46. The apparatus of Clause 41, wherein the first signal exchange includes one or more round-trip time measurement sessions utilizing WiFi radio technology, and the second signal exchange includes one or more signal exchanges for ultra-wideband ranging.

[0202] Clause 47. The apparatus according to Clause 41, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive signal configuration information and perform the first signal exchange based at least in part on the signal configuration information.

[0203] Clause 48. The apparatus according to Clause 47, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the signal configuration information from a server in the communication system.

[0204] Clause 49. The device described in Clause 41, wherein the wireless node is an asset tag.

[0205] Clause 50. The device described in Clause 41, wherein the wireless node is an on-board unit (OBU) in a vehicle.

[0206] Clause 51. The apparatus described in Clause 41, wherein the wireless node is user equipment.

[0207] Clause 52. An apparatus comprising: At least one memory; At least one transceiver; At least one processor, communicatively coupled to the at least one memory and the at least one transceiver, and configured to: The first distance to the wireless node is determined at least in part based on a first positioning technology, which has the ability to determine the distance to the object within a first range; Based on the first distance within a second range, a second distance to the wireless node is determined using a second positioning technique, the second positioning technique having the capability to determine a distance to an object within at most the second range, wherein the second range is smaller than the first range; and The location information of the wireless node is output at least in part based on the second distance.

[0208] Clause 53. The apparatus according to Clause 52, wherein the first positioning technology utilizes a global navigation satellite system, and the second positioning technology is a device-to-device radio access technology.

[0209] Clause 54. The apparatus described in Clause 53, wherein the device-to-device radio access technology is one of WiFi, Bluetooth, or ultra-wideband technology.

[0210] Clause 55. The apparatus of Clause 52, wherein the first positioning technology is based at least in part on positioning reference signals received from one or more base stations in a wireless communication system, and the second positioning technology is a device-to-device radio access technology.

[0211] Clause 56. The apparatus described in Clause 55, wherein the device-to-device radio access technology is one of WiFi, Bluetooth, or ultra-wideband.

[0212] Clause 57. The apparatus according to Clause 52, wherein the first positioning technology utilizes WiFi technology, and the second positioning technology utilizes Bluetooth technology or ultra-wideband technology.

[0213] Clause 58. The apparatus according to Clause 52, wherein the first positioning technology utilizes Bluetooth technology and the second positioning technology utilizes ultra-wideband technology.

[0214] Clause 59. The apparatus according to Clause 52, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine the location to the wireless node based on the first positioning technique and the second positioning technique.

[0215] Clause 60. The apparatus according to Clause 59, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display a vector information object based at least in part on the orientation to the wireless node.

[0216] Clause 61. The apparatus according to Clause 52, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to output an indication of the first positioning technique and the first distance, and an indication of the second positioning technique and the second distance.

[0217] Clause 62. The apparatus according to Clause 61, wherein the indication for the first positioning technology is a first icon, and the indication for the second positioning technology is a second icon.

[0218] Clause 63. A method for selecting a positioning technology, the method comprising: Determine the first location associated with the user equipment; Determine the second location associated with the wireless node; The positioning technology is selected based on the first location and the second location; and The distance or direction from the user equipment to the wireless node is determined based on the positioning technology.

[0219] Clause 64. The method according to Clause 63, wherein the positioning technology is based on one or more radio frequency signal exchanges between the user equipment and the wireless node via device-to-device radio access technology.

[0220] Clause 65. The method described in Clause 64, wherein the device-to-device radio access technology includes sidelink NR.

[0221] Clause 66. The method according to Clause 63, wherein the direction from the user equipment is based on an angle of arrival measurement.

[0222] Clause 67. The method according to Clause 63, wherein the direction from the user equipment is based on an elevation angle measurement.

[0223] Clause 68. The method according to Clause 63, wherein the direction from the user equipment is based on angle of arrival measurement and angle of elevation measurement.

[0224] Clause 69. The method described in Clause 63, wherein the positioning technology utilizes a WiFi signaling protocol or an ultra-wideband signaling protocol.

[0225] Clause 70. An apparatus for determining the location information of a wireless node, the apparatus comprising: Components for transmitting a first positioning signal between the device and the wireless node at a first time, at least in part based on a first positioning technology, the first positioning technology having the ability to determine a distance to an object within at most a first range; At a second time following the first time, a second positioning signal is transmitted between the device and the wireless node based on a second positioning technology, the second positioning technology having the ability to determine the distance to the object within a second range, wherein the second range is greater than the first range; Components for determining the distance between the device and the wireless node based on the second positioning signal; and Components for outputting the location information of the wireless node based at least in part on the distance between the device and the wireless node.

[0226] Clause 71. An apparatus for determining the distance to a wireless node, the apparatus comprising: A component for receiving the location information of the wireless node; A component for determining a first distance to the wireless node based on the location information; Components for performing a first signal exchange with the wireless node in response to the first distance being lower than a first threshold; Components for determining a second distance to the wireless node based on the first signal exchange; Components for performing a second signal exchange with the wireless node in response to the second distance falling below a second threshold; and A component for determining a third distance to the wireless node based on the second signal exchange.

[0227] Clause 72. An apparatus for precise location using two radio technologies, the apparatus comprising: Components for determining a first distance to a wireless node based at least in part on a first positioning technology, the first positioning technology having the ability to determine a distance to an object within a first range; Components for determining a second distance to the wireless node based on a first distance within a second range using a second positioning technique, the second positioning technique having the capability to determine a distance to an object within at most the second range, wherein the second range is smaller than the first range; and Components for outputting the location information of the wireless node based at least in part on the first distance or the second distance.

[0228] Clause 73. An apparatus for selecting a positioning technology, the apparatus comprising: Components used to determine the first location associated with user equipment; Components used to determine a second location associated with a wireless node; Components for selecting the positioning technology based on the first location and the second location; and Components for determining the distance or direction from the user equipment to the wireless node based on the positioning technology.

[0229] Clause 74. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium, the non-transitory processor-readable storage medium including processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors of a device to determine location information of a wireless node, the processor-readable instructions including code for: At a first moment, at least in part, a first positioning signal is transmitted between the device and the wireless node based on a first positioning technology, the first positioning technology having the ability to determine a distance to an object within at most a first range; At a second time following the first time, a second positioning signal is transmitted between the device and the wireless node based on a second positioning technology, the second positioning technology having the ability to determine the distance to the object within a second range, wherein the second range is greater than the first range; The distance between the device and the wireless node is determined based on the second positioning signal; and The location information of the wireless node is output at least in part based on the distance between the device and the wireless node.

[0230] Clause 75. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors to determine a distance to a wireless node, the processor-readable instructions comprising code for: Receive the location information of the wireless node; The first distance to the wireless node is determined based on the location information; In response to the first distance falling below a first threshold, a first signal exchange is performed with the wireless node; The second distance to the wireless node is determined based on the first signal exchange; In response to the second distance falling below a second threshold, a second signal exchange is performed with the wireless node; and The third distance to the wireless node is determined based on the second signal exchange.

[0231] Clause 76. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors to perform a precise lookup using two radio technologies, the processor-readable instructions comprising code for: The first distance to the wireless node is determined at least in part based on a first positioning technology, which has the ability to determine the distance to the object within a first range; Based on the first distance within a second range, a second distance to the wireless node is determined using a second positioning technique, the second positioning technique having the capability to determine a distance to an object within at most the second range, wherein the second range is smaller than the first range; and The location information of the wireless node is output at least in part based on the first distance or the second distance.

[0232] Clause 77. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium, the non-transitory processor-readable storage medium including processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors to select a location technique, the processor-readable instructions including code for: Determine the first location associated with the user equipment; Determine the second location associated with the wireless node; The positioning technology is selected based on the first location and the second location; and The distance or direction from the user equipment to the wireless node is determined based on the positioning technology.

[0233] Other considerations Other examples and specific implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software and computers, the functions described above can be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof executed by a processor. Features implementing the functions can also be physically located in various locations, including various portions distributed such that the functions are implemented in different physical locations.

[0234] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” also include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, references to a device in the singular form included in the claims (e.g., “device,” “the / said device”) include at least one such device (i.e., one or more) (e.g., “processor” includes at least one processor (e.g., one processor, two processors, etc.), “the / said processor” includes at least one processor, “memory” includes at least one memory, “the / said memory” includes at least one memory, etc.). The phrases “at least one” and “one or more” are used interchangeably, and such that the object referred to by “at least one” and the object referred to by “one or more” include embodiments having one referred object and embodiments having multiple referred objects. For example, “at least one processor” and “one or more processors” each include embodiments having one processor and embodiments having multiple processors. Additionally, as used herein, “set” includes one or more members, and a “subset” includes all members of a set less than the set referred to by the subset.

[0235] As used herein, the term "comprising" indicates the presence of the described features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0236] Furthermore, as used herein, a list of items beginning with “at least one of” or “one or more of” indicates a disjunctive list, such that a list of, for example, “at least one of A, B, or C,” or a list of, “at least one of A, B, and C,” or a list of, “one or more of A, B, or C,” or a list of, “A, or B, or C” means A, or B, or C, or AB (A and B), or AC (A and C), or BC (B and C), or ABC (i.e., A, and B, and C), or a combination having more than one feature (e.g., AA, AAB, ABBC, etc.). Therefore, a statement that an item (e.g., a processor) is configured to perform a function relating to at least one of A or B, or a statement that an item is configured to perform function A or function B, indicates that the item can be configured to perform a function relating to A, or can be configured to perform a function relating to B, or can be configured to perform a function relating to both A and B. For example, the phrase "a processor configured to measure at least one of A or B" or "a processor configured to measure A or measure B" means that the processor can be configured to measure A (and may or may not be configured to measure B), or can be configured to measure B (and may or may not be configured to measure A), or can be configured to measure both A and B (and can be configured to select which of A and B or measure both). Similarly, a description of a component for measuring at least one of A or B includes: a component for measuring A (which may or may not be able to measure B), or a component for measuring B (which may or may not be configured to measure A), or a component for measuring A and B (which may be able to select which of A and B or measure both). As another example, a description of an item (e.g., a processor) being configured to perform at least one of function X or function Y means that the item can be configured to perform function X, or can be configured to perform function Y, or can be configured to perform both functions X and Y. For example, the phrase "processor configured to measure at least one of X or Y" means that the processor can be configured to measure X (and may or may not be configured to measure Y), or can be configured to measure Y (and may or may not be configured to measure X), or can be configured to measure both X and Y (and can be configured to select which of X and Y or measure both).

[0237] As used herein, unless otherwise stated, a description of a function or operation as “based on” an item or condition means that the function or operation is based on the described item or condition and may be based on one or more items and / or conditions other than the described item or condition.

[0238] Substantial changes can be made depending on specific requirements. For example, custom hardware may be used, and / or specific elements may be implemented in the hardware, in software executed by the processor (including portable software such as applets), or both. Furthermore, connections to other computing devices, such as network input / output devices, may be employed. Unless otherwise specified, components shown in the figures and / or discussed herein that are connected or communicate with each other (functionally or otherwise) are communicatively coupled. That is, these components may be connected directly or indirectly to enable communication between them.

[0239] The systems and devices discussed above are examples. Various configurations may appropriately omit, substitute, or add various processes or components. For example, features described with respect to certain configurations may be combined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elements of a configuration may be combined in a similar manner. Furthermore, technology is constantly evolving, and therefore many elements are examples and do not limit the scope of this disclosure or the claims.

[0240] A wireless communication system is a system in which communication is transmitted wirelessly between wireless communication devices, that is, through the propagation of electromagnetic waves and / or sound waves through the atmosphere rather than through wires or other physical connections. A wireless communication system (also called a wireless communication system or wireless communication network) may not transmit all communication wirelessly, but is configured to allow at least some communication to be transmitted wirelessly. Furthermore, the term "wireless communication device" or similar terms do not require the device to be functionally exclusive or even primarily used for communication, do not require that communication using the wireless communication device be exclusive or even primarily wireless, and do not require that the device be a mobile device, but rather indicate that the device includes wireless communication capabilities (one-way or two-way), for example, including at least one radio component (each radio component being part of a transmitter, receiver, or transceiver) for wireless communication.

[0241] Specific details are provided in this description to offer a thorough understanding of the example configurations, including specific implementations. However, the configurations can be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques have been shown without unnecessary detail to avoid obscuring these configurations. The description herein provides example configurations and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claims. Rather, the preceding description of the configurations provides a description for implementing the described techniques. Various changes can be made to the function and arrangement of the elements.

[0242] As used herein, the terms “processor-readable medium,” “machine-readable medium,” and “computer-readable medium” refer to any medium that participates in providing data that enables a machine to operate in a particular manner. Using a computing platform, various processor-readable media may involve providing instructions / code to a processor for execution, and / or may be used to store and / or carry such instructions / code (e.g., as signals). In many specific implementations, processor-readable media are physical and / or tangible storage media. Such media can take many forms, including but not limited to non-volatile and volatile media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical discs and / or magnetic disks. Volatile media include, but are not limited to, dynamic memory.

[0243] Having described several example configurations, various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents can be used. For example, the above elements can be components of a larger system, where other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of this disclosure. Furthermore, several operations may be performed before, during, or after considering the above elements. Accordingly, the above description does not limit the scope of the claims.

[0244] Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "about" and / or "approximately" as used herein when referring to measurable values ​​(such as quantities, durations of time, etc.) cover variations of ±20%, ±10%, ±5%, or ±0.1% from the specified value, as appropriate in the context of the systems, devices, circuits, methods, and other specific embodiments described herein. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated, the term "substantially" as used herein when referring to measurable values ​​(such as quantities, durations of time, physical properties (such as frequencies), etc.) also covers variations of ±20%, ±10%, ±5%, or ±0.1% from the specified value, as appropriate in the context of the systems, devices, circuits, methods, and other specific embodiments described herein.

[0245] A statement that a value exceeds (or is greater than or higher than) a first threshold is equivalent to a statement that a value meets or exceeds a second threshold slightly greater than the first threshold. For example, in the resolution of the computing system, the second threshold is one value higher than the first threshold. A statement that a value is less than the first threshold (or within or below the first threshold) is equivalent to a statement that a value is less than or equal to a second threshold slightly lower than the first threshold. For example, in the resolution of the computing system, the second threshold is one value lower than the first threshold.

Claims

1. A method for precise location using two radio technologies, the method comprising: The first distance to the wireless node is determined at least in part based on a first positioning technology, which has the ability to determine the distance to the object within a first range; Based on the first distance within a second range, a second distance to the wireless node is determined using a second positioning technique, the second positioning technique having the capability to determine a distance to an object within at most the second range, wherein the second range is smaller than the first range; and The location information of the wireless node is output at least in part based on the second distance.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first positioning technology utilizes a global navigation satellite system, and the second positioning technology is a device-to-device radio access technology.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the device-to-device radio access technology is one of WiFi technology, Bluetooth technology, or ultra-wideband technology.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first positioning technique is at least partially based on positioning reference signals received from one or more base stations in a wireless communication system, and the second positioning technique is a device-to-device radio access technique.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the device-to-device radio access technology is one of WiFi, Bluetooth, or ultra-wideband technology.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first positioning technology utilizes WiFi technology, and the second positioning technology utilizes Bluetooth technology or ultra-wideband technology.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first positioning technology utilizes Bluetooth technology, and the second positioning technology utilizes ultra-wideband technology.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising determining the location of the wireless node based on the first positioning technology and the second positioning technology.

9. An apparatus comprising: At least one memory; At least one transceiver; At least one processor, communicatively coupled to the at least one memory and the at least one transceiver, and configured to: The first distance to the wireless node is determined at least in part based on a first positioning technology, which has the ability to determine the distance to the object within a first range; Based on the first distance within a second range, a second distance to the wireless node is determined using a second positioning technique, the second positioning technique having the capability to determine a distance to an object within at most the second range, wherein the second range is smaller than the first range; and The location information of the wireless node is output at least in part based on the second distance.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first positioning technology utilizes a global navigation satellite system, and the second positioning technology is a device-to-device radio access technology.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the device-to-device radio access technology is one of WiFi, Bluetooth, or ultra-wideband.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first positioning technique is at least partially based on positioning reference signals received from one or more base stations in a wireless communication system, and the second positioning technique is a device-to-device radio access technique.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the device-to-device radio access technology is one of WiFi, Bluetooth, or ultra-wideband.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first positioning technology utilizes WiFi technology, and the second positioning technology utilizes Bluetooth technology or ultra-wideband technology.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first positioning technology utilizes Bluetooth technology, and the second positioning technology utilizes ultra-wideband technology.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine the location to the wireless node based on the first positioning technique and the second positioning technique.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display a vector information object based at least in part on the orientation to the wireless node.

18. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to output an indication of the first positioning technique and the first distance, and an indication of the second positioning technique and the second distance.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the indication for the first positioning technology is a first icon, and the indication for the second positioning technology is a second icon.

20. An apparatus for precise location using two radio technologies, the apparatus comprising: Components for determining a first distance to a wireless node based at least in part on a first positioning technology, the first positioning technology having the ability to determine a distance to an object within a first range; Components for determining a second distance to the wireless node based on a second positioning technique within a second range, the second positioning technique having the capability to determine a distance to an object within at most the second range, wherein the second range is smaller than the first range; and Components for outputting the location information of the wireless node based at least in part on the first distance or the second distance.

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