Method of operating a user equipment and network components

Abstract

This application relates to methods for operating user equipment and network components. The method for operating a user equipment (UE) includes: receiving configurations of a plurality of frequency domain resources, wherein each frequency domain resource configuration is associated with a bandwidth and a subcarrier spacing (SCS); receiving configurations of one or more positioning reference signals (PRSs), wherein each PRS configuration is associated with a single frequency domain resource among the plurality of frequency domain resources; selecting one or more frequency domain resources among the plurality of frequency domain resources for transmission of at least one of the one or more PRSs; and sending an on-demand request for at least one PRS to a network component on the one or more selected frequency domain resources, wherein the at least one PRS comprises a plurality of PRSs on the plurality of frequency domain resources, and wherein the timing of the plurality of PRSs is interleaved on the plurality of frequency domain resources.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application number 202180045953.8, application date April 26, 2021, entitled "Reference Transmitting and Receiving Points for Frequency Domain Resources and On-Demand Request for Positioning Reference Signals".

[0002] Cross-references to related applications

[0003] This patent application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 048,043, filed July 3, 2020, entitled “REFERENCE TRANSMISSION RECEPTION POINT FOR FREQUENCY-DOMAIN RESOURCE AND ON-DEMAND REQUEST FOR POSITIONING REFERENCE SIGNAL,” and U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 17 / 239,331, filed April 23, 2021, entitled “REFERENCE TRANSMISSION RECEPTION POINT FOR FREQUENCY-DOMAIN RESOURCE AND ON-DEMAND REQUEST FOR POSITIONING REFERENCE SIGNAL,” both of which are assigned to the assignee of this application and are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0004] The aspects of this disclosure generally relate to wireless communications, and more specifically, to reference transmit / receive points (TRPs) for frequency domain resources and on-demand requests for positioning reference signals (PRS). Background Technology

[0005] Wireless communication systems have evolved through multiple generations, including first-generation analog radiotelephone service (1G), second-generation (2G) digital radiotelephone service (including the transitional 2.5G networks), third-generation (3G) high-speed data, wireless services supporting the Internet, and fourth-generation (4G) services (e.g., LTE or WiMax). Currently, many different types of wireless communication systems are 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), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), and TDMA-based Global System for Mobile Access (GSM) variants.

[0006] The fifth-generation (5G) wireless standard, known as New Radio (NR), delivers higher data transmission speeds, more connections, better coverage, and other improvements. According to the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGNA), the 5G standard aims to provide tens of megabits per second (Mbps) of data rate for each of tens of thousands of users, and gigabit per second (Gbps) for dozens of workers on an office floor. To support large-scale wireless sensor deployments, it should support hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections. Therefore, 5G mobile communication should have significantly improved spectral efficiency compared to the current 4G standard. Furthermore, signaling efficiency should be enhanced, and latency should be greatly reduced compared to the current standard. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The following is a brief overview relating to one or more aspects disclosed herein. Therefore, this overview should not be considered a broad review relating to all anticipated aspects, nor should it be considered as identifying key or important elements relating to all anticipated aspects or depicting the scope associated with any particular aspect. Thus, the sole purpose of the following overview is to present, in a simplified form, certain concepts relating to one or more aspects involving the mechanisms disclosed herein, before the detailed descriptions that follow.

[0008] In one aspect, a method of operating a user equipment (UE) includes: receiving configurations of a plurality of frequency domain resources, wherein each frequency domain resource configuration is associated with a bandwidth and a subcarrier spacing (SCS); receiving configurations of one or more positioning reference signals (PRS), wherein each PRS configuration is associated with a single frequency domain resource among the plurality of frequency domain resources; selecting one or more frequency domain resources among the plurality of frequency domain resources for transmission of at least one of the one or more PRS; and sending an on-demand request for at least one PRS to a network component on the one or more selected frequency domain resources, wherein the at least one PRS comprises a plurality of PRS on the plurality of frequency domain resources, and the timing of the plurality of PRS is interleaved on the plurality of frequency domain resources.

[0009] In some respects, on-demand requests are sent via higher-level messages, via Media Access Control Command Elements (MAC-CE), via Uplink Control Information (UCI) communication, or a combination thereof.

[0010] In some respects, at least one PRS comprises a single PRS on a single frequency domain resource, or at least one PRS comprises a single PRS on multiple frequency domain resources, or at least one PRS comprises multiple PRS on multiple frequency domain resources.

[0011] In some respects, multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple frequency bands, or multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple frequency layers, or multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple component carriers (CCs).

[0012] In some respects, the transmission also sends requests for one or more measurement gaps (MGs) associated with at least one PRS on one or more selected frequency domain resources.

[0013] In some respects, at least one PRS is associated with a single frequency domain resource, wherein one or more MGs comprise a single MG on the single frequency domain resource, and wherein each frequency domain resource other than the single frequency domain resource remains available for transmission and reception of control and / or data during the single MG on the single frequency domain resource.

[0014] In some aspects, at least one PRS comprises multiple PRSs on multiple frequency domain resources, wherein one or more MGs comprise a single MG on each of the multiple frequency domain resources, and wherein each of the multiple frequency domain resources remains available for transmission and / or reception of control and / or data outside its respective MG.

[0015] In one aspect, a method of operating a network component includes: sending configurations of a plurality of frequency domain resources to a user equipment (UE), wherein each frequency domain resource configuration is associated with bandwidth and subcarrier spacing (SCS); sending configurations of one or more positioning reference signals (PRS) to the UE, wherein each PRS configuration is associated with a single frequency domain resource among the plurality of frequency domain resources; and receiving from the UE an on-demand request for at least one of the one or more PRS on the one or more frequency domain resources, wherein the at least one PRS comprises a plurality of PRS on the plurality of frequency domain resources, and the timing of the plurality of PRS is interleaved on the plurality of frequency domain resources.

[0016] In some respects, on-demand requests are received via higher-level messages, via Media Access Control Command Elements (MAC-CE), via Uplink Control Information (UCI) communication, or a combination thereof.

[0017] In some respects, at least one PRS comprises a single PRS on a single frequency domain resource, or at least one PRS comprises a single PRS on multiple frequency domain resources, or at least one PRS comprises multiple PRS on multiple frequency domain resources.

[0018] In some respects, multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple frequency bands, or multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple frequency layers, or multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple component carriers (CCs).

[0019] In some aspects, the receiver also receives requests for one or more measurement gaps (MGs) associated with at least one PRS on one or more frequency domain resources.

[0020] In some respects, at least one PRS is associated with a single frequency domain resource, wherein one or more MGs comprise a single MG on a single frequency domain resource, and wherein each frequency domain resource other than the single frequency domain resource retains control and / or data available during a single MG on a single frequency domain resource.

[0021] In some aspects, at least one PRS comprises multiple PRSs on multiple frequency domain resources, wherein one or more MGs comprise a single MG on each of the multiple frequency domain resources, and wherein each of the multiple frequency domain resources retains control and / or data available outside its respective MG.

[0022] In one aspect, a method of operating a user equipment (UE) includes: receiving configurations of a plurality of frequency domain resources, wherein each frequency domain resource configuration is associated with a bandwidth and a subcarrier spacing (SCS); receiving configurations of one or more positioning reference signals (PRS), wherein each PRS is associated with a single frequency domain resource among the plurality of frequency domain resources; determining a single reference transmit / receive point (TRP) for each of the plurality of frequency domain resources, wherein the single reference TRP is different for some or all of the plurality of frequency domain resources; performing one or more PRS measurements on the one or more PRS; and determining positioning measurements based at least on the one or more PRS measurements and the determined reference TRP.

[0023] In some respects, a single reference TRP is different for each of the multiple frequency domain resources.

[0024] In some respects, at least one reference TRP is associated with two or more frequency domain resources among a plurality of frequency domain resources.

[0025] In some respects, the individual reference TRP for each of the multiple frequency domain resources is configured by the network components.

[0026] In some aspects, it is determined that a single reference TRP is selected at the UE for each of the multiple frequency domain resources.

[0027] In some respects, the maximum number of reference TRPs spanning multiple frequency domain resources is equal to the number of multiple frequency domain resources.

[0028] In some respects, multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple frequency bands, or multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple frequency layers, or multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple component carriers (CCs).

[0029] In some aspects, positioning measurements include one or more reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for a positioning process based on time difference of arrival (TDOA), or one or more PRS measurements including a reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement of a first PRS, and positioning measurements including differential RSRP between a first PRS and at least one other PRS, or combinations thereof.

[0030] In one aspect, a method of operating a base station includes: transmitting to a user equipment (UE) the configuration of a plurality of frequency domain resources, wherein each frequency domain resource configuration is associated with bandwidth and subcarrier spacing (SCS); transmitting to the UE the configuration of one or more positioning reference signals (PRS), wherein each PRS is associated with a single frequency domain resource among the plurality of frequency domain resources; and transmitting to the UE at least one of the one or more PRS on at least one of the plurality of frequency domain resources, the base station being a single reference transmit / receive point (TRP) for at least one frequency domain resource, wherein the single reference TRP is different for some or all of the plurality of frequency domain resources.

[0031] In some respects, at least one frequency domain resource is associated with two or more frequency domain resources among a plurality of frequency domain resources.

[0032] In some respects, the base station is selected by the network component as a single reference TRP for at least one frequency domain resource, or the base station is selected by the UE as a single reference TRP for at least one frequency domain resource.

[0033] In some respects, multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple frequency bands, or multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple frequency layers, or multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple component carriers (CCs).

[0034] In some respects, one or more PRSs are associated with a positioning process based on Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA).

[0035] Based on the accompanying drawings and detailed description, other objects and advantages associated with the aspects disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Attached Figure Description

[0036] The accompanying drawings are provided to help describe various aspects of this disclosure, and are provided solely for illustrative purposes and not to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0037] Figure 1 An exemplary wireless communication system is shown according to various aspects.

[0038] Figure 2A and Figure 2B An example wireless network architecture is shown, based on various aspects.

[0039] Figures 3A to 3C It is a simplified block diagram of several example aspects of components that can be used in wireless communication nodes and configured to support communications as taught in this article.

[0040] Figure 4A and Figure 4B This is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame structure and a channel within a frame structure according to aspects of this disclosure.

[0041] Figure 5 An exemplary PRS configuration for a cell supported by a wireless node is shown.

[0042] Figure 6 Exemplary wireless communication systems according to various aspects of this disclosure are shown.

[0043] Figure 7 Exemplary wireless communication systems according to various aspects of this disclosure are shown.

[0044] Figure 8A This is a graph showing the RF channel response at the receiver according to an aspect of this disclosure as a function of time.

[0045] Figure 8B This is a schematic diagram illustrating this separation of clusters in AoD.

[0046] Figure 9 An exemplary process for wireless communication according to aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0047] Figure 10 An exemplary process for wireless communication according to aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0048] Figure 11 The MG configuration of CC1 to CC4 across the corresponding FR is shown according to one aspect of this disclosure.

[0049] Figure 12 An exemplary process for wireless communication according to aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0050] Figure 13 An exemplary process for wireless communication according to aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0051] Figure 14 The aspects based on this disclosure are shown. Figures 12 to 13 The example implementation of the process is the MG configuration across frequency layers 1 to 4 (denoted as CA1 to CA4) of the corresponding FR.

[0052] Figure 15 This illustrates another aspect of the disclosure based on... Figures 12 to 13 Example implementation of the process: MG configuration across CA1 to CA4 of the corresponding FR. Detailed Implementation

[0053] Various aspects of this disclosure are provided in the following description and accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes and represent various examples. Alternative aspects may be devised without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Additionally, well-known elements of this disclosure will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure relevant details of this disclosure.

[0054] The terms “exemplary” and / or “example” are used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” and / or “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or superior to other aspects. Similarly, the term “aspects of this disclosure” does not require that all aspects of this disclosure include the features, advantages, or modes of operation discussed.

[0055] Those skilled in the art will understand that the information and signals described below can be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and processes. For example, depending in part on the specific application, in part on the desired design, in part on the corresponding technology, etc., the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips referenced throughout the following description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, light fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0056] Furthermore, many aspects are described based on sequences of actions to be performed by elements of, for example, a computing device. It will be appreciated that the various actions described herein can be performed by a particular circuit (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), program instructions executed by one or more processors, or a combination of both. Additionally, the sequences of actions described herein can be considered to be implemented entirely in any form of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a corresponding set of computer instructions that, when executed, will cause or instruct the associated processor of the device to perform the functions described herein. Therefore, various aspects of this disclosure can be implemented in a variety of different forms, all of which are considered to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, for each aspect described herein, the corresponding form of any such aspect can be described herein as, for example, "logic" "configured" to perform the described actions.

[0057] As used herein, unless otherwise stated, the terms “User Equipment” (UE) and “Base Station” are not intended to be specific or otherwise limited to any particular Radio Access Technology (RAT). Generally, a UE can be any wireless communication device used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network (e.g., mobile phone, router, tablet computer, laptop computer, tracking device, wearable device (e.g., smartwatch, glasses, augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) headset, etc.), vehicle (e.g., car, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.), Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.). A UE can be mobile or can (e.g., at certain times) be stationary and can communicate with a Radio Access Network (RAN). As used herein, the term “UE” can be interchangeably referred to as “Access Terminal” or “AT,” “Client Equipment,” “Wireless Equipment,” “User Equipment,” “User Terminal,” “User Station,” “User Terminal” or “UT,” “Mobile Terminal,” “Mobile Station,” or variations thereof. Typically, 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 other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms for the UE to connect to the core network and / or the Internet are also possible, such as wired access networks, wireless local area network (WLAN) networks (e.g., based on IEEE 802.11, etc.).

[0058] A base station can operate according to one of several RATs communicating with the UE, depending on the network in which it is deployed, and can be alternatively referred to as an Access Point (AP), Network Node, NodeB, Evolved NodeB (eNB), New Radio (NR) NodeB (also referred to as gNB or gNodeB), etc. Furthermore, in some systems, the base station can provide purely edge node signaling functions, while in others it can provide additional control and / or network management functions. In some systems, the base station can correspond to a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) or Roadside Unit (RSU). In some designs, the base station can correspond to a high-power UE (e.g., a vehicle UE or VUE) that can provide certain limited infrastructure functions. The communication link through which the UE signals to the base station is referred to as an uplink (UL) channel (e.g., reverse traffic channel, reverse control channel, access channel, etc.). The communication link through which the base station signals to the UE is referred to as a downlink (DL) or forward link channel (e.g., paging channel, control channel, broadcast channel, forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term Traffic Channel (TCH) can refer to either a UL / reverse or DL / forward traffic channel.

[0059] The term "base station" can refer to a single physical transmit / receive point (TRP) or multiple physical TRPs, which may or may not be co-located. For example, when the term "base station" refers to a single physical TRP, the physical TRP may be the antenna of a base station corresponding to the cell where the base station is located. When the term "base station" refers to multiple co-located physical TRPs, the TRP may be the antenna array of the base station (e.g., in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system or in the case of beamforming at the base station). When the term "base station" refers to multiple non-co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRP may be a distributed antenna system (DAS) (a spatially separated antenna network connected to a common source via a transmission medium) or a remote radio headend (RRH) (a remote base station connected to the serving base station). Alternatively, a non-co-located physical TRP may be the serving base station from which the UE receives measurement reports and a neighboring base station from which the UE is measuring its reference RF signal. As used herein, because a TRP is the point at which a base station transmits and receives radio signals, references to transmissions from or receptions at a base station should be understood to refer to a specific TRP of the base station.

[0060] An “RF signal” comprises electromagnetic waves of a given frequency that transmit information across space between a transmitter and a receiver. As used herein, a transmitter may send a single “RF signal” or multiple “RF signals” to a receiver. However, due to the propagation characteristics of RF signals through multipath channels, a receiver may receive multiple “RF signals” corresponding to each transmitted RF signal. The same transmitted RF signal on different paths between the transmitter and receiver can be referred to as a “multipath” RF signal.

[0061] According to various aspects, Figure 1 An exemplary wireless communication system 100 is illustrated. The wireless communication system 100 (also referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) may include various base stations 102 and various UEs 104. Base station 102 may include macro cell base stations (high-power cellular base stations) and / or small cell base stations (low-power cellular base stations). In one aspect, the macro cell base station may include an eNB corresponding to an LTE network, or a gNB corresponding to an NR network, or a combination of both, and the small cell base station may include femtocells, picocells, microcells, etc.

[0062] Base stations 102 can collectively form a RAN and are connected to a core network 170 (e.g., an evolved packet core (EPC) network or a next-generation core (NGC) network) via backhaul link 122, and are connected to one or more location servers 172 via the core network 170. Among other functions, base stations 102 can perform one or more functions related to transmitting user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, distribution of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, RAN sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), user and device tracking, RAN information management (RIM), paging, location, and warning message delivery. Base stations 102 can communicate directly or indirectly with each other via backhaul link 134 (e.g., via EPC / NGC), which can be wired or wireless.

[0063] Base station 102 can wirelessly communicate with UE 104. Each base station 102 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110. In one aspect, base station 102 in each coverage area 110 can support one or more cells. A “cell” is a logical communication entity used to communicate with a base station (e.g., via some frequency resources, referred to as carrier frequency, component carrier, carrier, frequency band, etc.) and can be associated with an identifier (e.g., Physical Cell Identifier (PCI), Virtual Cell Identifier (VCI)) to distinguish cells operating via the same or different carrier frequencies. In some cases, different cells can be configured based on different protocol types that can provide access for different types of UEs (e.g., Machine Type Communication (MTC), Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), or others). Because a cell is supported by a specific base station, the term “cell” can refer to one or both of the logical communication entity and the base station that supports it, depending on the context. In some cases, the term “cell” can also refer to a geographic coverage area of ​​a base station (e.g., a sector), provided that the carrier frequency can be detected and used for communication within some portion of the geographic coverage area 110.

[0064] While the geographic coverage areas 110 of adjacent macro cell base stations 102 may partially overlap (e.g., in handover areas), some geographic coverage areas 110 may substantially overlap with larger geographic coverage areas 110. For example, a small cell base station 102' may have a coverage area 110' that substantially overlaps with the coverage areas 110 of one or more macro cell base stations 102. A network that includes both small cell base stations and macro cell base stations can be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include home eNBs (HeNBs) that can provide service to restricted groups referred to as closed subscriber groups (CSGs).

[0065] The communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 104 may include UL (also known as reverse link) transmission from UE 104 to base station 102 and / or downlink (DL) (also known as forward link) transmission from base station 102 to UE 104. The communication link 120 may use MIMO antenna technologies, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link 120 may use one or more carrier frequencies. Carrier allocation may be asymmetrical relative to DL and UL (e.g., DL may be allocated more or fewer carriers than UL).

[0066] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) 150 that communicates with a WLAN station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154 in unlicensed spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz). When communicating in unlicensed spectrum, the WLAN STA 152 and / or WLAN AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) or listen-before-talk process before communication to determine if the channel is available.

[0067] Small cell base station 102' can operate in licensed and / or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in unlicensed spectrum, small cell base station 102' can employ LTE or NR technology and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum as WLAN AP 150. Employing LTE / 5G in unlicensed spectrum can improve the coverage and / or increase the capacity of the access network. NR in unlicensed spectrum can be referred to as NR-U. LTE in unlicensed spectrum can be referred to as LTE-U, Licensed Assisted Access (LAA), or Unlicensed Assisted Access (MulteFire).

[0068] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a millimeter-wave (mmW) base station 180, which can operate at mmW and / or near-mmW frequencies to communicate with the UE 182. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that carries the radio frequency (RF). EHF frequencies range from 30 GHz to 300 GHz, with wavelengths between 1 mm and 10 mm. Radio waves in this band can be referred to as millimeter waves. Near-mmW can extend to frequencies up to 3 GHz with wavelengths of 100 mm. Ultra-high frequency (SHF) bands extend between 3 GHz and 30 GHz and are also known as centimeter waves. Communication using mmW / near-mmW RF bands has high path loss and relatively short range. The mmW base station 180 and the UE 182 can use beamforming (transmit and / or receive) on the mmW communication link 184 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range. Furthermore, it will be understood that, in alternative configurations, one or more base stations 102 may also use mmW or near-mmW and beamforming for transmission. Therefore, it will be understood that the above description is merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the various aspects disclosed herein.

[0069] Transmit beamforming is a technique that focuses an RF signal in a specific direction. Traditionally, when a network node (e.g., a base station) broadcasts an RF signal, it broadcasts the signal in all directions (omnidirectional). Using transmit beamforming, the network node determines the location of a given target device (e.g., a UE) (relative to the transmitting network node) and projects a stronger downlink RF signal in that specific direction, thus providing the receiving device with a faster (in terms of data rate) and stronger RF signal. To change the directivity of the RF signal during transmission, the network node can control the phase and relative amplitude of the RF signal at each of one or more transmitters broadcasting the RF signal. For example, the network node can use an antenna array (called a "phased array" or "antenna array") that generates an RF beam that can be "manipulated" to point in different directions without actually moving the antennas. Specifically, RF currents from the transmitters are fed to the individual antennas with the correct phase relationship, causing the radio waves from the individual antennas to add together to increase radiation in the desired direction while canceling out radiation in undesired directions.

[0070] Transmit beams can be quasi-co-located, meaning they have the same parameters for the receiver (e.g., UE), regardless of whether the transmit antennas of the network nodes themselves are physically juxtaposed. In NR, there are four types of quasi-co-located (QCL) relationships. Specifically, a given type of QCL relationship means that certain parameters about the second reference RF signal on the second beam can be derived from information about the source reference RF signal on the source beam. Therefore, if the source reference RF signal is QCL type A, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, and delay spread of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type B, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and Doppler spread of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type C, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and average delay of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type D, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the spatial reception parameters of a second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel.

[0071] In receive beamforming, a receiver uses a receive beam to amplify an RF signal detected on a given channel. For example, a receiver may increase a gain setting and / or adjust the phase setting of an antenna array in a specific direction to amplify the RF signal received from that direction (e.g., increase its gain level). Therefore, when a receiver is said to be beamforming in a certain direction, it means that the beam gain in that direction is high relative to the beam gain along other directions, or that the beam gain in that direction is the highest compared to the beam gain of all other receive beams available to the receiver in that direction. This results in a stronger received signal strength (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal-to-interference-noise ratio (SINR), etc.) of the RF signal received from that direction.

[0072] The receive beam can be spatially dependent. Spatial dependence means that the parameters of the transmit beam of the second reference signal can be derived from information about the receive beam of the first reference signal. For example, the UE can use a specific receive beam to receive a reference downlink reference signal (e.g., a synchronization signal block (SSB)) from a base station. The UE can then form a transmit beam for transmitting an uplink reference signal (e.g., a sounding reference signal (SRS)) to that base station based on the receive beam parameters.

[0073] It should be noted that a "downlink" beam can be either a transmit or receive beam, depending on the entity forming the beam. For example, if a base station is forming a downlink beam to transmit a reference signal to a UE, then the downlink beam is a transmit beam. However, if a UE is forming a downlink beam, then the beam is a receive beam for receiving downlink reference signals. Similarly, an "uplink" beam can be either a transmit or receive beam, depending on the entity forming the beam. For example, if a base station is forming an uplink beam, then the beam is an uplink receive beam, and if a UE is forming an uplink beam, then the beam is an uplink transmit beam.

[0074] In 5G, the spectrum in which radio nodes (e.g., base stations 102 / 180, UE 104 / 182) operate is divided into multiple frequency ranges: FR1 (from 450 MHz to 6000 MHz), FR2 (from 24250 MHz to 52600 MHz), FR3 (above 52600 MHz), and FR4 (between FR1 and FR2). In multi-carrier systems, such as 5G, one of the carrier frequencies is called the “primary carrier” or “anchor carrier” or “primary serving cell” or “PCell,” while the remaining carrier frequencies are called “subcarriers” or “secondary serving cells” or “SCells.” In carrier aggregation, the anchor carrier is the carrier operating on the primary frequency (e.g., FR1) used by UE 104 / 182, and the cell in which UE 104 / 182 performs the initial radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or initiates the RRC connection re-establishment procedure. The primary carrier carries all public and UE-specific control channels and can be a carrier in a licensed frequency (however, this is not always the case). A subcarrier is a carrier operating on a second frequency (e.g., FR2). This second frequency can be configured once an RRC connection is established between UE 104 and the anchor carrier, and it can be used to provide additional radio resources. In some cases, a subcarrier may be a carrier on an unlicensed frequency. A subcarrier may contain only necessary signaling information and signals; for example, UE-specific information and signals may not be present in the subcarrier because the primary uplink and downlink carriers are typically UE-specific. This means that different UEs 104 / 182 within a cell can have different downlink primary carriers. The same applies to the uplink primary carrier. The network can change the primary carrier of any UE 104 / 182 at any time. This is done, for example, to balance the load of different operators. Because a “serving cell” (whether PCell or SCell) corresponds to the carrier frequency / component carrier that a base station is communicating on, the terms “cell,” “serving cell,” “component carrier,” “carrier frequency,” etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0075] For example, still refer to Figure 1 One of the frequencies used by the macro cell base station 102 can be an anchor carrier (or "PCell"), while the other frequencies used by the macro cell base station 102 and / or the mmW base station 180 can be subcarriers ("SCell"). Simultaneous transmission and / or reception on multiple carriers allows the UE 104 / 182 to significantly increase its data transmission and / or reception rates. For example, compared to a single 20 MHz carrier, the aggregation of two 20 MHz carriers in a multi-carrier system would theoretically result in a doubling of the data rate (i.e., 40 MHz).

[0076] The wireless communication system 100 may also include one or more UEs, such as UE 190, which are indirectly connected to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links. Figure 1 In the example, UE 190 has D2D P2P links 192 and 194, where one of UE 104 is connected to one of base stations 102 (e.g., UE 190 can indirectly obtain cellular connectivity via D2D P2P link 192), and WLAN STA 152 is connected to WLAN AP 150 (UE 190 can indirectly obtain WLAN-based internet connectivity via D2D P2P link 194). In one example, D2D P2P links 192 and 194 can be supported by any well-known D2D RAT, such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth®, etc.

[0077] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a UE 164, which can communicate with the macro cell base station 102 via communication link 120 and / or with the mmW base station 180 via mmW communication link 184. For example, the macro cell base station 102 can support one PCell and one or more SCells for the UE 164, while the mmW base station 180 can support one or more SCells for the UE 164.

[0078] According to various aspects, Figure 2AAn example wireless network architecture 200 is illustrated. For example, NGC 210 (also referred to as "5GC") can functionally be considered as control plane functions 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and user plane functions 212 (e.g., UE gateway functions, access to data networks, IP routing, etc.), which work together to form the core network. User plane interface (NG-U) 213 and control plane interface (NG-C) 215 connect gNB 222 to NGC 210, specifically to control plane functions 214 and user plane functions 212. In an additional configuration, eNB 224 can also connect to NGC 210 via NG-C 215 to control plane function 214 and NG-U 213 to user plane function 212. Furthermore, eNB 224 can communicate directly with gNB 222 via backhaul connection 223. In some configurations, the new RAN 220 may have only one or more gNB 222s, while other configurations include one or more of eNB 224 and gNB 222. The gNB 222 or eNB 224 can be used with UE 204 (e.g., Figure 1 The UE 204 communicates with any UE shown. Another optional aspect may include a location server 230, which can communicate with the NGC 210 to provide location assistance to the UE 204. The location server 230 may be implemented as multiple independent servers (e.g., physically independent servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, each location server 230 may correspond to a single server. The location server 230 may be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204, which may connect to the location server 230 via the core network, the NGC 210, and / or via the Internet (not shown). Furthermore, the location server 230 may be integrated into a component of the core network, or alternatively, may be located outside the core network.

[0079] According to various aspects, Figure 2BAnother example wireless network architecture 250 is shown. For example, NGC 260 (also referred to as "5GC") can be functionally viewed as a control plane function provided by Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) / User Plane Function (UPF) 264 and a user plane function provided by Session Management Function (SMF) 262, which cooperate to form the core network (i.e., NGC 260). User plane interface 263 and control plane interface 265 connect eNB 224 to NGC 260, and specifically to SMF 262 and AMF / UPF 264. In an additional configuration, gNB 222 can also connect to NGC 260 via control plane interface 265 to AMF / UPF 264 and user plane interface 263 to SMF 262. Furthermore, eNB 224 can communicate directly with gNB 222 via backhaul connection 223, regardless of whether the gNB is directly connected to NGC 260. In some configurations, the new RAN 220 may have only one or more gNB 222s, while other configurations include one or more of eNB 224 and gNB 222. The gNB 222 or eNB 224 can be used with UE 204 (e.g., Figure 1 (As shown in the image) communicates. The base station of the new RAN220 communicates with the AMF side of the AMF / UPF 264 through the N2 interface and with the UPF side of the AMF / UPF 264 through the N3 interface.

[0080] The AMF's functions include registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful interception, transmission of Session Management (SM) messages between UE 204 and SMF 262, transparent proxy service for routing SM messages, access authentication and access authorization, transmission of Short Message Service (SMS) messages between UE 204 and the Short Message Service Function (SMSF) (not shown), and the Security Anchor Function (SEAF). The AMF also interacts with the Authentication Server Function (AUSF) (not shown) and UE 204, and receives an intermediate key established as a result of the UE 204 authentication process. In the case of UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Subscriber Identity Module (USIM)-based authentication, the AMF retrieves security material from the AUSSF. The AMF's functions also include Security Context Management (SCM). The SCM receives a key from the SEAF and uses this key to derive a network-specific key for access. The AMF's functions also include location service management for regulatory services, transmission of location service messages between UE 204 and Location Management Function (LMF) 270 and between the new RAN 220 and LMF 270, Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearer identifier allocation for interoperability with EPS, and UE 204 mobility event notification. Furthermore, the AMF supports functions for non-3GPP access networks.

[0081] The functions of the UPF include acting as an anchor point for intra / inter-RAT mobility (where applicable), acting as an external protocol data unit (PDU) session point for interconnection to a data network (not shown), providing packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, user plane policy rule enforcement (e.g., gating, redirection, flow manipulation), lawful interception (user plane collection), traffic usage reporting, user plane quality of service (QoS) processing (e.g., UL / DL rate enforcement, reflected QoS marking in DL), UL traffic verification (mapping of service data flow (SDF) to QoS flow), transport-level packet marking in UL and DL, DL packet buffering and DL data notification triggering, and sending and forwarding one or more "end markers" to the source RAN node.

[0082] The functions of SMF 262 include session management, UE Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management, selection and control of user plane functions, configuration of traffic manipulation in the UPF to route traffic to the correct destination, control of policy enforcement and QoS, and downlink data notification. The interface through which SMF 262 communicates with the AMF side of AMF / UPF 264 is referred to as the N11 interface.

[0083] Another optional aspect may include an LMF 270, which can communicate with the NGC 260 to provide location assistance to the UE 204. The LMF 270 may be implemented as multiple independent servers (e.g., physically independent servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, each LMF 270 may correspond to a single server. The LMF 270 may be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204, which may connect to the LMF 270 via the core network, the NGC 260, and / or via the Internet (not shown).

[0084] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3CSeveral example components (represented by corresponding boxes) are shown that can be incorporated into UE302 (which may correspond to any UE described herein), base station 304 (which may correspond to any base station described herein), and network entity 306 (which may correspond to or implement any network functions described herein, including location server 230 and LMF270) to support the file transfer operations taught herein. It will be understood that these components can be implemented in different types of devices in different implementations (e.g., in an ASIC, in a system-on-a-chip (SoC), etc.). The illustrated components can also be incorporated into other devices in a communication system. For example, other devices in the system may include components similar to those described to provide similar functionality. Similarly, a given device may contain one or more of these components. For example, a device may include multiple transceiver components that enable the device to operate on multiple carriers and / or communicate via different technologies.

[0085] UE 302 and base station 304 each include a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) transceiver 310 and 350, respectively. The WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 are configured to communicate via one or more wireless communication networks (not shown), such as NR networks, LTE networks, GSM networks, etc. The WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 can be connected to one or more antennas 316 and 356, respectively, for communicating with other network nodes (such as other UEs, access points, base stations (e.g., eNB, gNB)) via at least one designated RAT (e.g., NR, LTE, GSM, etc.) through a wireless communication medium of interest (e.g., a set of time / frequency resources in a specific spectrum). Depending on the designated RAT, the WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 can be configured differently to transmit and encode signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.), respectively, and conversely, to receive and decode signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.), respectively. Specifically, transceivers 310 and 350 each include one or more transmitters 314 and 354 for transmitting and encoding signals 318 and 358 respectively, and one or more receivers 312 and 352 for receiving and decoding signals 318 and 358 respectively.

[0086] In at least some cases, UE 302 and base station 304 also include wireless local area network (WLAN) transceivers 320 and 360, respectively. WLAN transceivers 320 and 360 can be connected to one or more antennas 326 and 366, respectively, for communicating with other network nodes (such as other UEs, access points, base stations, etc.) via at least one designated RAT (e.g., WiFi, LTE-D, Bluetooth, etc.) through a wireless communication medium of interest. Depending on the designated RAT, WLAN transceivers 320 and 360 can be configured differently to transmit and encode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.), and conversely, to receive and decode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.), respectively. Specifically, transceivers 320 and 360 include one or more transmitters 324 and 364 for transmitting and encoding signals 328 and 368, respectively, and one or more receivers 322 and 362 for receiving and decoding signals 328 and 368, respectively.

[0087] Transceiver circuitry including a transmitter and a receiver may include, in some embodiments, an integrated device (e.g., transmitter and receiver circuitry embodied as a single communication device), in some embodiments, separate transmitting and receiving devices, or in other embodiments, it may be embodied in other ways. In one aspect, the transmitter may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 336, and 376), such as an antenna array, which allows the corresponding device to perform transmit “beamforming,” as described herein. Similarly, the receiver may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 336, and 376), such as an antenna array, which allows the corresponding device to perform receive beamforming, as described herein. In one aspect, the transmitter and receiver may share the same multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 336, and 376), such that the corresponding device can only receive or transmit at a given time, and cannot receive or transmit simultaneously. The wireless communication devices of devices 302 and / or 304 (e.g., one or both of transceivers 310 and 320 and / or 350 and 360) may also include network eavesdropping modules (NLMs) for performing various measurements.

[0088] In at least some cases, devices 302 and 304 also include Satellite Positioning System (SPS) receivers 330 and 370. SPS receivers 330 and 370 may be connected to one or more antennas 336 and 376, respectively, to receive SPS signals 338 and 378, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) signals, Galileo signals, BeiDou signals, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NAVIC), Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), etc. SPS receivers 330 and 370 may include any suitable hardware and / or software for receiving and processing SPS signals 338 and 378, respectively. SPS receivers 330 and 370 request appropriate information and operation from other systems and perform calculations required to determine the positioning of devices 302 and 304 using measurements obtained through any suitable SPS algorithm.

[0089] Base station 304 and network entity 306 each include at least one network interface 380 and 390 for communicating with other network entities. For example, network interfaces 380 and 390 (e.g., one or more network access ports) may be configured to communicate with one or more network entities via a wired or wireless backhaul connection. In some aspects, network interfaces 380 and 390 may be implemented as transceivers configured to support wired or wireless signal communication. For example, such communication may include sending and receiving messages, parameters, or other types of information.

[0090] Apparatus 302, 304, and 306 also include other components that can be used in conjunction with the operations disclosed herein. UE 302 includes processor circuitry implementing processing system 332 for providing functions related to, for example, fake base station (FBS) detection disclosed herein, and for providing other processing functions. Base station 304 includes processing system 384 for providing functions related to, for example, FBS detection disclosed herein, and for providing other processing functions. Network entity 306 includes processing system 394 for providing functions related to, for example, FBS detection disclosed herein, and for providing other processing functions. In one aspect, for example, processing systems 332, 384, and 394 may include one or more general-purpose processors, multi-core processors, ASICs, digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices or processing circuitry.

[0091] Devices 302, 304, and 306 include memory circuitry that respectively implements memory components 340, 386, and 396 (e.g., each including a memory device) for maintaining information (e.g., information indicating reserved resources, thresholds, parameters, etc.). In some cases, devices 302, 304, and 306 may include PRS modules 342 and 388, respectively. PRS 342 and 388 may be hardware circuitry that is part of or coupled to processing systems 332, 384, and 394, respectively, and when executed, these modules enable devices 302, 304, and 306 to perform the functions described herein. Alternatively, PRS modules 342 and 388 may be memory modules (e.g., stored in memory components 340, 386, and 396, respectively) Figures 3A to 3C As shown in the diagram, when executed by processing systems 332, 384, and 394, these modules enable devices 302, 304, and 306 to perform the functions described herein.

[0092] UE 302 may include one or more sensors 344 coupled to processing system 332 to provide motion and / or orientation information independent of motion data derived from signals received by WWAN transceiver 310, WLAN transceiver 320, and / or GPS receiver 330. For example, sensor 344 may include accelerometers (e.g., microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices), gyroscopes, geomagnetic sensors (e.g., compasses), altimeters (e.g., barometric altimeters), and / or any other type of motion detection sensor. Furthermore, sensor 344 may include a variety of different types of devices and combine their outputs to provide motion information. For example, sensor 344 may use a combination of multi-axis accelerometers and orientation sensors to provide the ability to calculate position in 2D and / or 3D coordinate systems.

[0093] In addition, UE 302 includes a user interface 346 for providing instructions to the user (e.g., auditory and / or visual instructions) and / or for receiving user input (e.g., when the user activates a sensing device such as a keypad, touchscreen, microphone, etc.). Although not shown, devices 304 and 306 may also include user interfaces.

[0094] Referring more specifically to processing system 384, in the downlink, IP packets from network entity 306 can be provided to processing system 384. Processing system 384 can implement the functions of the RRC layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and Media Access Control (MAC) layer. The processing system 384 provides RRC layer functions associated with broadcasting system information (e.g., Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB)), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-RAT mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression, security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functions associated with transmission of upper-layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, scheduling information reporting, error correction, priority processing, and logical channel priority ordering.

[0095] Transmitter 354 and receiver 352 can implement Layer-1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. Layer-1, including the physical (PHY) layer, can include error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. Transmitter 354 processes the mapping to the signal constellation based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), M-phase shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The decoded and modulated symbols can then be split into parallel streams. Each stream can then be mapped to orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) subcarriers, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in the time and / or frequency domains, and then combined using inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a stream of time-domain OFDM symbols. The OFDM streams are spatially pre-decoded to produce multiple spatial streams. The channel estimate from the channel estimator can be used to determine the decoding and modulation scheme, as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimate can be derived from the reference signal transmitted by UE 302 and / or channel condition feedback. Each spatial stream can then be provided to one or more different antennas 356. Transmitter 354 can use the corresponding spatial stream to modulate the RF carrier for transmission.

[0096] At UE 302, receiver 312 receives signals via its corresponding antenna 316. Receiver 312 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides this information to processing system 332. Transmitter 314 and receiver 312 implement Layer-1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. Receiver 312 can perform spatial processing on this information to recover any spatial streams destined for UE 302. If multiple spatial streams are destined for UE 302, they can be combined by receiver 312 into a single OFDM symbol stream. Receiver 312 then uses a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to transform the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain. The frequency domain signal comprises a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. Symbols and reference signals on each subcarrier are recovered and demodulated by determining the most probable signal constellation point transmitted by base station 304. These soft decisions can be based on channel estimates calculated by a channel estimator. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally transmitted by base station 304 on the physical channel. Then, data and control signals are provided to processing system 332, which implements layer-3 and layer-2 functions.

[0097] In the UL, processing system 332 provides demultiplexing, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing between the transport and logical channels to recover IP packets from the core network. Processing system 332 is also responsible for error detection.

[0098] Similar to the functions described in the DL transmission description of base station 304, processing system 332 provides RRC layer functions associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connection, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functions associated with transmission of upper-layer PDUs, error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction via HARQ, priority processing, and logical channel priority ordering.

[0099] Transmitter 314 can use the channel estimate derived from the reference signal transmitted from base station 304 or feedback by the channel estimator to select an appropriate decoding and modulation scheme, and this also facilitates spatial processing. The spatial stream generated by transmitter 314 can be provided to different antennas 316. Transmitter 314 can use the corresponding spatial stream to modulate an RF carrier for transmission.

[0100] UL transmission is processed at base station 304 in a manner similar to that described in conjunction with the receiver function at UE 302. Receiver 352 receives the signal via its corresponding antenna 356. Receiver 352 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides this information to processing system 384.

[0101] In the UL, processing system 384 provides demultiplexing, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing between the transport and logical channels to recover IP packets from UE 302. IP packets from processing system 384 can be provided to the core network. Processing system 384 is also responsible for error detection.

[0102] For convenience, devices 302, 304 and / or 306 are... Figures 3A to 3C The blocks shown are illustrated as including various components that can be configured according to the various examples described herein. However, it will be understood that the blocks shown may have different functionalities in different designs.

[0103] The components of devices 302, 304 and 306 can communicate with each other via data buses 334, 382 and 392, respectively. Figures 3A to 3C The components can be implemented in various ways. In some implementations, Figures 3A to 3C The components can be implemented in one or more circuits, such as one or more processors and / or one or more ASICs (which may include one or more processors). Here, each circuit may use and / or combine at least one memory component for storing information or executable code used by the circuit to provide the functionality. For example, some or all of the functions represented by boxes 310 to 346 can be implemented by the processor and memory components of UE 302 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). Similarly, some or all of the functions represented by boxes 350 to 388 can be implemented by the processor and memory components of base station 304 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). Furthermore, some or all of the functions represented by boxes 390 to 396 can be implemented by the processor and memory components of network entity 306 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). For simplicity, various operations, actions, and / or functions are described herein as being performed "by the UE", "by the base station", "by the positioning entity", etc. However, it will be understood that such operations, actions and / or functions can actually be performed by specific components or combinations of components of the UE, base station, positioning entity, etc., such as processing systems 332, 384, 394, transceivers 310, 320, 350 and 360, memory components 340, 386 and 396, PRS modules 342 and 388, etc.

[0104] Figure 4A Figure 400 shows an example of a DL frame structure according to aspects of this disclosure. Figure 4B Figure 430 illustrates an example of a channel within a DL frame structure according to an aspect of this disclosure. Other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures and / or different channels.

[0105] LTE, and in some cases NR, uses OFDM on the downlink and single-carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) on the uplink. However, unlike LTE, NR can also choose to use OFDM on the uplink. OFDM and SC-FDM divide the system bandwidth into multiple (K) orthogonal subcarriers, which are often referred to as tones, frequency bands, etc. Each subcarrier can be modulated with data. Typically, modulation symbols are transmitted in the frequency domain using OFDM and in the time domain using SC-FDM. The spacing between adjacent subcarriers can be fixed, and the total number of subcarriers (K) can depend on the system bandwidth. For example, the subcarrier spacing can be 15 kHz, and the minimum resource allocation (resource block) can be 12 subcarriers (or 180 kHz). Therefore, for system bandwidths of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 MHz, the nominal FFT size can be equal to 128, 256, 512, 1024, or 2048, respectively. The system bandwidth can also be divided into subbands. For example, a subband can cover 1.08 MHz (i.e., 6 resource blocks), and for system bandwidths of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 MHz, there can be 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 subbands respectively.

[0106] LTE supports a single system parameter (subcarrier spacing, symbol length, etc.). In contrast, NR can support multiple system parameters; for example, subcarrier spacings of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, 120 kHz, and 204 kHz or greater are available. Table 1 below lists some of the different parameters for various NR system parameters.

[0107]

[0108] Table 1

[0109] exist Figure 4A and Figure 4B In the example, a system parameter of 15 kHz was used. Therefore, in the time domain, a frame (e.g., 10 ms) is divided into 10 equal-sized subframes, each 1 ms long, and each subframe includes one time slot. Figure 4A and Figure 4B In this diagram, the horizontal axis (e.g., on the X-axis) represents time, which increases from left to right, while the vertical axis (e.g., on the Y-axis) represents frequency, which increases (or decreases) from bottom to top.

[0110] A resource grid can be used to represent time slots, each of which includes one or more time-concurrent resource blocks (RBs) (also known as physical RBs (PRBs)) in the frequency domain. The resource grid is also divided into multiple resource elements (REs). An RE can correspond to a symbol length in the time domain and a subcarrier in the frequency domain. Figure 4A and Figure 4B In the system parameters, for a normal cyclic prefix, the RB can contain 12 consecutive subcarriers and 7 consecutive symbols in the frequency domain (OFDM symbols for DL; SC-FDMA symbols for UL), for a total of 84 REs. For an extended cyclic prefix, the RB can contain 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 6 consecutive symbols in the time domain, for a total of 72 REs. The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0111] like Figure 4A As shown, some REs carry DL reference (pilot) signals (DL-RS) for channel estimation at the UE. The DL-RS may include demodulation reference signals (DMRS) and channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS), with exemplary locations shown in [reference to image / image / image]. Figure 4A The middle part is marked with "R".

[0112] Figure 4B Examples of various channels within a frame's DL subframe are shown. The Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) carries DL Control Information (DCI) within one or more Control Channel Elements (CCEs). Each CCE comprises nine RE Groups (REGs), and each REG comprises four consecutive REs in an OFDM symbol. The DCI carries information about UL resource allocation (persistent and non-persistent) and a description of the DL data sent to the UE. Multiple (e.g., up to eight) DCIs can be configured in the PDCCH, and these DCIs can have one of several formats. For example, different DCI formats exist for UL scheduling, non-MIMO DL scheduling, MIMO DL scheduling, and UL power control.

[0113] The UE uses the Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS) to determine subframe / symbol timing and physical layer identifiers. The UE uses the Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS) to determine the physical layer cell identifier group number and radio frame timing. Based on the physical layer identifier and physical layer cell identifier group number, the UE can determine the PCI. Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the location of the aforementioned DL-RS. The Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) carrying the MIB can be logically grouped with the PSS and SSS to form an SSB (also known as SS / PBCH). The MIB provides multiple RBs and system frame numbers (SFNs) within the DL system bandwidth. The Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information not transmitted via the PBCH (such as System Information Blocks (SIBs)), and paging messages.

[0114] In some cases, Figure 4A The DL RS shown can be a positioning reference signal (PRS). Figure 5 An exemplary PRS configuration 500 of a cell supported by a wireless node, such as base station 102, is shown. Figure 5 This demonstrates how to use the system frame number (SFN), cell-specific subframe offset (Δ) PRS )552 and PRS cycle (T PRS )520 determines the PRS positioning timing. Typically, the cell-specific PRS subframe configuration is determined by the "PRS configuration index" included in the Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) auxiliary data. PRS To define. PRS period (T) PRS )520 and cell-specific subframe offset (Δ PRS ) is based on PRS configuration index I PRS The definitions are as shown in Table 2 below.

[0115]

[0116] Table 2

[0117] The PRS configuration is defined with reference to the SFN of the cell that sends the PRS. For N including the timing of the first PRS location... PRS In the first subframe of the downlink subframe, the PRS instance can satisfy:

[0118] ,

[0119] Where, n f It is 0 ≤ n f SFN ≤ 1023, n s It is composed of 0 ≤ n s ≤ 19 of n f The defined time slot number within a radio frame, T PRS It is a PRS period of 520, and ΔPRS It is a cell-specific subframe offset of 552.

[0120] like Figure 5 As shown, the cell-specific subframe offset Δ PRS 552 can be defined based on the number of subframes transmitted from system frame number 0 (slot '0', marked as slot 550) to the start of the first (subsequent) PRS positioning timing. Figure 5 In the example, in each of the consecutive PRS positioning times 518a, 518b, and 518c, the consecutive positioning subframes (N) PRS The number of ) is equal to 4. That is, each shadow block representing the PRS positioning time 518a, 518b and 518c represents four subframes.

[0121] In some aspects, when the UE receives the PRS configuration index I in the OTDOA auxiliary data of a specific cell... PRS At that time, the UE can use Table 2 to determine the PRS period T. PRS 520 and PRS subframe offset Δ PRS Then, when the PRS is scheduled in the cell, the UE can determine the radio frame, subframe, and time slot (e.g., using equation (1)). The OTDOA auxiliary data can be determined by a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270), etc., and includes auxiliary data of the reference cell and multiple neighboring cells supported by various base stations.

[0122] Typically, PRS timings from all cells using the same frequency in the network are time-aligned and can have a fixed, known time offset relative to other cells using different frequencies in the network (e.g., a cell-specific subframe offset of 552). In a synchronous SFN network, all radio nodes (e.g., base station 102) can be aligned on frame boundaries and system frame numbers. Therefore, in a synchronous SFN network, all cells supported by various radio nodes can use the same PRS configuration index for any specific frequency of PRS transmission. On the other hand, in an asynchronous SFN network, various radio nodes can be aligned on frame boundaries rather than on system frame numbers. Therefore, in an asynchronous SFN network, the PRS configuration index for each cell can be configured individually by the network, ensuring that PRS timings are time-aligned.

[0123] If the UE can obtain the cell timing (e.g., SFN) of at least one cell (e.g., a reference cell or serving cell), the UE can determine the timing of the PRS timing of the reference cell and neighboring cells for OTDOA positioning. The UE can then derive the timing of other cells based on, for example, the assumption that the PRS timings of different cells overlap.

[0124] The set of resource elements used for PRS transmission is called a "PRS resource". The set of resource elements can span multiple PRBs in the frequency domain and N (e.g., one or more) consecutive symbols 460 within a single time slot 430 in the time domain. Within a given OFDM symbol 460, the PRS resource occupies a consecutive PRB. A PRS resource is described by at least the following parameters: PRS resource identifier (ID), sequence ID, comb size N, resource element offset in the frequency domain, start time slot and start symbol, number of symbols per PRS resource (i.e., duration of the PRS resource), and QCL information (e.g., QCL with other DL reference signals). In some designs, a single antenna port is supported. The comb size indicates the number of subcarriers carrying the PRS in each symbol. For example, a comb size of comb-4 means that every fourth subcarrier in a given symbol carries the PRS.

[0125] A “PRS resource set” is a group of PRS resources used for the transmission of PRS signals, where each PRS resource has a PRS resource ID. Furthermore, PRS resources in a PRS resource set are associated with the same Transmit / Receive Point (TRP). The PRS resource ID in a PRS resource set is associated with a single beam transmitted from a single TRP (where a TRP can transmit one or more beams). That is, each PRS resource in a PRS resource set can be transmitted on a different beam; thus, a “PRS resource” can also be referred to as a “beam.” It should be noted that this has no impact on whether the UE knows the TRP and the beam transmitting the PRS. A “PRS timing” is an instance of a periodically repeating time window (e.g., a set of one or more consecutive time slots) in which the PRS is expected to be transmitted. A PRS timing can also be referred to as a “PRS positioning timing,” “positioning timing,” or simply “timing.”

[0126] It should be noted that the terms "positioning reference signal" and "PRS" can sometimes refer to specific reference signals used for positioning in LTE or NR systems. However, as used herein, unless otherwise stated, the terms "positioning reference signal" and "PRS" refer to any type of reference signal that can be used for positioning, such as, but not limited to, the PRS signal in LTE or NR, the navigation reference signal (NRS) in 5G, the transmitter reference signal (TRS), the cell-specific reference signal (CRS), the channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), the primary synchronization signal (PSS), the secondary synchronization signal (SSS), the SSB, etc.

[0127] SRS is an uplink-only signal transmitted by the UE to help the base station obtain Channel State Information (CSI) for each user. Channel State Information describes how the RF signal propagates from the UE to the base station and represents the combined effects of scattering, fading, and power attenuation with distance. This system uses SRS for resource scheduling, link adaptation, massive MIMO, beam management, and more.

[0128] Several enhancements to the previously defined SRS have been proposed for SRS used for positioning (SRS-P), such as new interleaving patterns within SRS resources, new comb types of SRS, new sequences of SRS, a greater number of SRS resource sets per component carrier, and a greater number of SRS resources per component carrier. Furthermore, the parameters “SpatialRelationInfo” and “PathLossReference” will be configured based on DL RS from adjacent TRPs. Additionally, an SRS resource can be transmitted outside the Active Bandwidth Part (BWP), and an SRS resource can span multiple component carriers. Finally, for UL-AoA, the UE can transmit through the same transmit beam from multiple SRS resources. All of these are additional features to the current SRS framework, which is configured via RRC higher-layer signaling (and may be triggered or activated via MAC Control Elements (CE) or Downlink Control Information (DCI)).

[0129] As described above, in NR, SRS is a UE-specifically configured reference signal transmitted by the UE for probing the uplink radio channel. Similar to CSI-RS, such probing provides information on various levels of radio channel characteristics. In one extreme case, SRS can be used at the gNB to obtain signal strength measurements, for example, for UL beam management purposes. In another extreme case, SRS can be used at the gNB to obtain detailed amplitude and phase estimates as functions of frequency, time, and space. In NR, compared to LTE, channel probing using SRS supports a more diverse set of use cases (e.g., downlink CSI acquisition for reciprocal gNB-based beamforming (downlink MIMO)); uplink CSI acquisition for link adaptation; and codebook / non-codebook-based pre-decoding for uplink MIMO, uplink beam management, etc.).

[0130] SRS can be configured using various options. The time / frequency mapping of SRS resources is defined by the following characteristics.

[0131] Duration N symb SRS - The duration of SRS resources can be 1, 2 or 4 consecutive OFDM symbols within a time slot, which is the opposite of LTE, which only allows a single OFDM symbol per time slot.

[0132] The start symbol position of a l0-SRS resource can be located anywhere within the last 6 OFDM symbols of a time slot, as long as the resource does not cross the time slot end boundary.

[0133] Repetition factor R - For SRS resources configured with frequency hopping, repetition allows the same set of subcarriers to be probed in R consecutive OFDM symbols before the next hop occurs (as used herein, "hop" specifically refers to frequency hopping). For example, the value of R is 1, 2, or 4, where R ≤ N. symb SRS .

[0134] Transmission comb spacing K TC and comb-like offset k TC SRS resources can occupy resource elements (REs) in a frequency domain comb structure, where the comb spacing is 2 or 4 REs, as in LTE. This structure allows different SRS resources from the same or different users to be frequency domain multiplexed on different combs, where different combs are offset from each other by an integer number of REs. The comb offset is defined relative to the PRB boundary and can take values ​​of 0, 1…K. TC Values ​​within the range of -1 RE. Therefore, for the comb spacing K... TC =2, if needed, there are 2 different combs available for reuse, and for the comb spacing K TC =4, there are 4 different combs available.

[0135] Period and slot offset in periodic / semi-persistent SRS cases.

[0136] The detection bandwidth within the bandwidth section.

[0137] For low-latency positioning, the gNB can trigger UL SRS-P via DCI (e.g., the transmitted SRS-P may include repetition or beam scanning to enable several gNBs to receive the SRS-P). Alternatively, the gNB can send information to the UE about aperiodic PRS transmissions (e.g., this configuration may include information about PRS from multiple gNBs to enable the UE to perform timing calculations for positioning (UE-based) or reporting (UE-assisted)). While various embodiments of this disclosure relate to DLPRS-based positioning procedures, some or all of these embodiments can also be applied to UL SRS-P-based positioning procedures.

[0138] It should be noted that the terms “detection reference signal,” “SRS,” and “SRS-P” can sometimes refer to a specific reference signal used for positioning in LTE or NR systems. However, as used herein, unless otherwise stated, the terms “detection reference signal,” “SRS,” and “SRS-P” refer to any type of reference signal that can be used for positioning, such as, but not limited to, SRS signals in LTE or NR, navigation reference signals (NRS) in 5G, transmitter reference signals (TRS), random access channel (RACH) signals used for positioning (e.g., RACH preambles, such as Msg-1 in a 4-step RACH process or Msg-A in a 2-step RACH process), etc.

[0139] 3GPP Rel. 16 describes various NR positioning aspects designed to improve the location accuracy of positioning schemes involving measurements associated with one or more UL or DL ​​PRS (e.g., higher bandwidth (BW), FR2 beam scanning, angle-based measurements such as angle of arrival (AoA) and angle of departure (AoD) measurements, multi-cell round-trip time (RTT) measurements, etc.). If latency reduction is a priority, UE-based positioning techniques (e.g., DL-only techniques without UL location measurement reporting) are typically used. However, if latency is less critical, UE-assisted positioning techniques can be used, which report data measured by the UE to network entities (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270, etc.). The latency associated with UE-assisted positioning techniques can be reduced to some extent by implementing LMF in the RAN.

[0140] Layer 3 (L3) signaling (e.g., RRC or Location Positioning Protocol (LPP)) is typically used to transmit reports including location-based data associated with UE-assisted positioning technologies. Compared to Layer 1 (L1 or PHY layer) signaling or Layer 2 (L2 or MAC layer) signaling, L3 signaling is associated with relatively high latency (e.g., greater than 100 ms). In some cases, lower latency (e.g., less than 100 ms, less than 10 ms, etc.) for location-based reporting between the UE and RAN may be desired. In such cases, L3 signaling may not be able to achieve these lower latency levels. L3 signaling for positioning measurements can include any combination of the following:

[0141] One or more TOA, TDOA, RSRP, or Rx-Tx measurements,

[0142] One or more AoA / AoD measurements (e.g., currently only gNB->LMF reporting DL AoA and UL AoD are agreed upon),

[0143] One or more multipath reporting measurements, such as per-path ToA, RSRP, AoA / AoD (e.g., only per-path ToA is currently allowed in LTE).

[0144] One or more motion states (e.g., walking, driving, etc.) and trajectories (e.g., currently used by the UE), and / or

[0145] One or more report quality indicators.

[0146] Recently, the association of L1 and L2 signaling with PRS-based reporting has been considered. For example, L1 and L2 signaling are currently used in some systems to transmit CSI reports (e.g., Channel Quality Indicator (CQI), Predecoding Matrix Indicator (PMI), Layer Indicator (LI), L1-RSRP, etc.). CSI reports may include a set of fields in a predefined order (e.g., defined by relevant standards). A single UL transmission (e.g., on PUSCH or PUCCH) may include multiple reports, referred to herein as “sub-reports,” which are arranged according to a predefined priority (e.g., defined by relevant standards). In some designs, the predefined order may be based on the associated sub-report periodicity (e.g., aperiodic / semi-persistent / periodic (A / SP / P) on PUSCH / PUCCH), measurement type (e.g., L1-RSRP or non-L1-RSRP), serving cell index (e.g., in the case of carrier aggregation (CA),) and reportconfigID. For a two-part CSI report, Part 1 of all reports is grouped together, and Part 2 is grouped separately, with each group encoded individually (e.g., the payload size of Part 1 is fixed based on configuration parameters, while the size of Part 2 is variable and depends on the configuration parameters and the associated content of Part 1). Multiple decoded bits / symbols to be output after encoding and rate matching are calculated based on multiple input bits and a beta factor, according to relevant standards. A relationship (e.g., time offset) is defined between the measured RS instance and the corresponding report. In some designs, CSI-like reporting based on PRS measurement data using L1 and L2 signaling can be implemented.

[0147] Figure 6 An exemplary wireless communication system 600 according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Figure 6 In the examples, it can correspond to the above regarding Figure 1UE 604 of any UE described (e.g., UE 104, UE 182, UE 190, etc.) attempts to calculate an estimate of its location or assists another entity (e.g., a base station or core network component, another UE, a location server, a third-party application, etc.) in calculating an estimate of its location. UE 604 can wirelessly communicate with multiple base stations 602a to 602d (collectively referred to as base station 602) using RF signals and standardized protocols for RF signal modulation and packet switching. Base stations 602a to 602d can correspond to... Figure 1 Any combination of base station 102 or 180 and / or WLAN AP 150. By extracting different types of information from the exchanged RF signals and utilizing the layout of the wireless communication system 600 (i.e., base station location, geometry, etc.), UE 604 can determine its position in a predefined reference coordinate system, or assist in determining its position. In one aspect, UE 604 can use a two-dimensional coordinate system to specify its position; however, the aspects disclosed herein are not limited to this, and a three-dimensional coordinate system can also be used to determine the position if an additional dimension is required. Additionally, although Figure 6 One UE 604 and four base stations 602 are shown, but it should be understood that there may be more UEs 604 and more or fewer base stations 602.

[0148] To support location estimation, base station 602 can be configured to broadcast reference RF signals (e.g., Positioning Reference Signal (PRS), Cell-Specific Reference Signal (CRS), Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), synchronization signal, etc.) to UE 604 in its coverage area. This enables UE 604 to measure the timing difference (e.g., OTDOA or RSTD) of the reference RF signals between network node pairs and / or identify the beam that best stimulates the LOS or shortest radio path between UE 604 and transmitting base station 602. Identifying the LOS / shortest path beams is of interest, not only because these beams can subsequently be used for OTDOA measurements between a pair of base stations 602, but also because identifying these beams can directly provide some location information based on beam direction. Furthermore, these beams can subsequently be used for other location estimation methods that require accurate ToA, such as methods based on round-trip time estimation.

[0149] As used herein, a "network node" can be base station 602, the cell of base station 602, a remote radio head, or the antenna of base station 602, wherein the location of the antenna of base station 602 is different from the location of base station 602 itself, or any other network entity capable of transmitting reference signals. Furthermore, as used herein, a "node" can refer to a network node or a UE.

[0150] A location server (e.g., location server 230) may send auxiliary data to UE 604, which includes identifiers of one or more neighboring cells of base station 602 and configuration information of reference RF signals transmitted by each neighboring cell. Alternatively, the auxiliary data may be derived directly from base station 602 itself (e.g., in periodically broadcast overhead messages, etc.). Alternatively, UE 604 may detect neighboring cells of base station 602 itself without using auxiliary data. UE 604 (e.g., partly based on auxiliary data, if provided) may measure and (optionally) report the OTDOA from individual network nodes and / or the RSTD between reference RF signals received from paired network nodes. Using these measurements and the known locations of the measured network nodes (i.e., base station 602 or antennas transmitting the reference RF signals measured by UE 604), UE 604 or the location server may determine the distance between UE 604 and the measured network nodes, thereby calculating the location of UE 604.

[0151] As used herein, the term "location estimation" refers to an estimation of the location of UE 604, which can be geographical (e.g., may include latitude, longitude, and possible altitude) or urban (e.g., may include street address, building name, or a precise point or area within or near a building or street address, such as a specific entrance to a building, a specific room or suite within a building, or a landmark such as a town square). Location estimation may also be referred to as "location," "location determination," "location estimation," or other terms. The means of obtaining a location estimation can generally be referred to as "location" or "location determination." The specific scheme used to obtain the location estimation can be referred to as a "location scheme." As part of the location scheme, the specific method used to obtain the location estimation can be referred to as a "location method."

[0152] The term "base station" can refer to a single physical transmission point or multiple physical transmission points, which may be co-located or non-co-located. For example, when the term "base station" refers to a single physical transmission point, the physical transmission point can be the antenna of a base station corresponding to the cell where the base station (e.g., base station 602) is located. When the term "base station" refers to multiple co-located physical transmission points, the physical transmission point can be the antenna array of the base station (e.g., in a MIMO system or where beamforming is used at the base station). When the term "base station" refers to multiple non-co-located physical transmission points, the physical transmission points can be a distributed antenna system (DAS) (a spatially separated antenna network connected to a common source via a transmission medium) or a remote radio head (RRH) (a remote base station connected to the serving base station). Alternatively, non-co-located physical transmission points can be the serving base station receiving measurement reports from the UE and neighboring base stations where the UE (e.g., UE 604) is measuring its reference RF signal. Therefore, Figure 6 An aspect in which base stations 602a and 602b form a DAS / RRH 620 is shown. For example, base station 602a may be the serving base station of UE 604, and base station 602b may be a neighboring base station of UE 604. Thus, base station 602b may be the RRH of base station 602a. Base stations 602a and 602b may communicate with each other via a wired or wireless link 622.

[0153] To accurately determine the location of UE 604 using the OTDOA and / or RSTD between the received RF signals from the network node, UE 604 needs to measure the reference RF signal received on the LOS path (or the shortest NLOS path where the LOS path is unavailable) between UE 604 and the network node (e.g., base station 602, antenna). However, the RF signal propagates not only through the LOS / shortest path between the transmitter and receiver, but also through many other paths, because the RF signal propagates from the transmitter and is reflected by other objects (e.g., mountains, buildings, water, etc.) on its way to the receiver. Therefore, Figure 6 Multiple LOS paths 610 and multiple NLOS paths 612 between base station 602 and UE 604 are shown. Specifically, Figure 6 It is shown that base station 602a transmits via LOS path 610a and NLOS path 612a, base station 602b transmits via LOS path 610b and two NLOS paths 612b, base station 602c transmits via LOS path 610c and NLOS path 612c, and base station 602d transmits via two NLOS paths 612d. Figure 6 As shown, each NLOS path 612 is reflected from some object 630 (e.g., a building). It should be understood that each LOS path 610 and NLOS path 612 transmitted by base station 602 may be transmitted by different antennas of base station 602 (e.g., in a MIMO system), or may be transmitted by the same antenna of base station 602 (thus illustrating the propagation of RF signals). Furthermore, as used herein, the term "LOS path" refers to the shortest path between the transmitter and the receiver, and may not be the actual LOS path, but rather the shortest NLOS path.

[0154] In one aspect, one or more base stations 602 can be configured to transmit RF signals using beamforming. In this case, some available beams can focus the transmitted RF signal along the LOS path 610 (e.g., the beam produces the highest antenna gain along the LOS path), while other available beams can focus the transmitted RF signal along the NLOS path 612. A beam with high gain along a certain path and therefore focusing the RF signal along that path may still have some RF signal propagating along other paths; the strength of the RF signal naturally depends on the beam gain along the other paths. An “RF signal” includes electromagnetic waves that transmit information through space between a transmitter and a receiver. As used herein, a transmitter can transmit a single “RF signal” or multiple “RF signals” to a receiver. However, as further described below, due to the propagation characteristics of RF signals through multipath channels, a receiver can receive multiple “RF signals” corresponding to each transmitted RF signal.

[0155] When base station 602 uses beamforming to transmit RF signals, the beam of interest for data communication between base station 602 and UE 604 will be the beam carrying the RF signal arriving at UE 604 with the highest signal strength (e.g., indicated by Received Signal Received Power (RSRP) or SINR in the presence of directional interference signals), while the beam of interest for location estimation will be the beam carrying the RF signal that excites the shortest path or LOS path (e.g., LOS path 610). In some frequency bands and for commonly used antenna systems, these will be the same beam. However, in other frequency bands such as mmW, a large number of antenna elements can often be used to create narrow transmit beams, which may not be the same beam. See below for reference. Figure 7 As described, in some cases, the signal strength of the RF signal on LOS path 610 may be weaker than that on NLOS path 612 (e.g., due to obstacles), where the RF signal arrives later on NLOS path 612 due to propagation delay.

[0156] Figure 7 An exemplary wireless communication system 700 according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Figure 7 In the example, it can correspond to Figure 6 UE 704, in the context of UE 604, attempts to calculate an estimate of its location or assist another entity (e.g., a base station or core network component, another UE, a location server, a third-party application, etc.) in calculating an estimate of its location. UE 704 can wirelessly communicate with base station 702 using RF signals and standardized protocols for RF signal modulation and packet switching. Base station 702 can correspond to... Figure 6 One of the base stations 602 in the system.

[0157] like Figure 7 As shown, base station 702 utilizes beamforming to transmit multiple RF signal beams 711 to 715. Each beam 711 to 715 can be formed and transmitted by the antenna array of base station 702. Although Figure 7 A base station 702 is shown transmitting five beams 711 to 715, but it is understood that there may be more or fewer than five beams, and beam shapes such as peak gain, width and sidelobe gain may differ between the transmitted beams, and some beams may be transmitted by different base stations.

[0158] A beam index can be assigned to each of the multiple beams 711 to 715 to distinguish RF signals associated with one beam from those associated with another. Furthermore, the RF signal associated with a specific beam among the multiple beams 711 to 715 can carry a beam index indicator. The beam index can also be derived from the transmission time of the RF signal, such as frames, time slots, and / or the number of OFDM symbols. For example, the beam index indicator can be a three-bit field used to uniquely distinguish up to eight beams. If two different RF signals with different beam indices are received, this indicates that the RF signals were transmitted using different beams. If two different RF signals share a common beam index, this indicates that the different RF signals were transmitted using the same beam. Another way to describe the transmission of two RF signals using the same beam is that the antenna port used to transmit the first RF signal and the antenna port used to transmit the second RF signal are quasi-co-located in space.

[0159] exist Figure 7 In the example, UE 704 receives NLOS data stream 723 of RF signals transmitted on beam 713 and LOS data stream 724 of RF signals transmitted on beam 714. Although Figure 7 The NLOS data stream 723 and LOS data stream 724 are shown as single lines (dashed and solid lines, respectively). However, it can be understood that due to, for example, the propagation characteristics of RF signals through multipath channels, the NLOS data stream 723 and LOS data stream 724 may each consist of multiple rays (i.e., "clusters") upon reaching the UE 704. For example, when electromagnetic waves are reflected from multiple surfaces of an object, RF signal clusters are formed, and the reflections arrive at the receiver (e.g., UE 704) from approximately the same angle, with each reflection propagating a few wavelengths (e.g., centimeters) more or less than the others. The "clusters" of received RF signals typically correspond to a single transmitted RF signal.

[0160] exist Figure 7 In the example, NLOS data stream 723 was not initially directed to UE 704, although, as will be understood, it might have been, as Figure 6The RF signal on NLOS path 612 is reflected from reflector 740 (e.g., a building) and reaches UE 704 unimpeded, and therefore may still be a relatively strong RF signal. In contrast, LOS data stream 724 is directed towards UE 704, but passes through obstacles 730 (e.g., vegetation, buildings, hills, disruptive environments such as clouds or smoke), which may cause significant attenuation of the RF signal. As will be understood, although LOS data stream 724 is weaker than NLOS data stream 723, LOS data stream 724 will reach UE 704 before NLOS data stream 723 because it follows the shorter path from base station 702 to UE 704.

[0161] As described above, the beam of interest for data communication between the base station (e.g., base station 702) and the UE (e.g., UE 704) is a beam carrying an RF signal that arrives at the UE with the highest signal strength (e.g., the highest RSRP or SINR). Similarly, the beam of interest for positioning estimation is a beam carrying an RF signal that excites the LOS path and has the highest gain along the LOS path among all other beams (e.g., beam 714). That is, even if beam 713 (the NLOS beam) weakly excites the LOS path (due to the propagation characteristics of the RF signal, even without focusing along the LOS path), the weak signal (if any) of the LOS path of beam 713 may not be reliably detected (compared to the signal from beam 714), resulting in a larger error when performing positioning measurements.

[0162] While for some frequency bands, the beam of interest for data communication and the beam of interest for positioning estimation may be the same beam, for other frequency bands such as mmW, they may not be the same beam. Thus, reference... Figure 7 In the case where UE 704 participates in a data communication session with base station 702 (e.g., base station 702 is the serving base station of UE 704) and does not simply attempt to measure the reference RF signal transmitted by base station 702, the beam of interest for the data communication session could be beam 713, as it carries an unobstructed NLOS data stream 723. However, the beam of interest used for positioning estimation would be beam 714, as it carries the strongest LOS data stream 724, despite being obstructed.

[0163] Figure 8A Graph 800A shows the RF channel response over time at a receiver (e.g., UE 704) according to aspects of this disclosure. Figure 8AUnder the channel shown, the receiver receives two RF signals from the first cluster at time T1, five RF signals from the second cluster at time T2, five RF signals from the third cluster at time T3, and four RF signals from the fourth cluster at time T4. Figure 8A In the example, since the first cluster of RF signals arrives first at time T1, it is assumed to be a LOS data stream (i.e., a data stream arriving via LOS or the shortest path) and can correspond to LOS data stream 724. The third cluster at time T3 consists of the strongest RF signals and can correspond to NLOS data stream 723. From the transmitter side, each cluster of received RF signals can include portions of RF signals transmitted at different angles, and therefore it can be said that each cluster has a different angle of departure (AoD) from the transmitter. Figure 8B Figure 800B illustrates this separation of clusters in AoD. The RF signals transmitted within AoD range 802a can correspond to... Figure 8A One of the clusters (e.g., "cluster 1"), and the RF signal transmitted in the AoD range 802b can correspond to Figure 8A Different clusters (e.g., "cluster 3"). It should be noted that, although... Figure 8B The AoD ranges of the two clusters depicted are spatially isolated, but the AoD ranges of some clusters may partially overlap, even if these clusters are temporally separated. This can occur, for example, when two independent buildings with the same AoD distance from the transmitter reflect signals to the receiver. It should be noted that although... Figure 8A Clusters with two to five channel taps (or “peaks”) are shown, but it is understood that clusters may have more or fewer channel taps than shown.

[0164] The RAN1 (or radio layer) objectives of NR include downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) reference signals to support NR positioning technologies, some of which have already been described above (e.g., DL-TDOA, DL-AoD, UL-TDOA, UL-AoA, multi-cell RTT, and enhanced cell ID (E-CID)). For example, RAN1 NR can support E-CID downlink measurements based on RRM measurements, can identify whether and which 3GPP Rel-15 NR reference signals can be used for different NR positioning technologies, can define new DL positioning reference signals that are at least applicable to DL-TDOA, DL-AoD, and / or RTT, and can define UL SRS with possible positioning enhancements that are at least applicable to RTT, UL-TDOA, and / or UL-AoA.

[0165] RAN1 NR can define UE measurements for DL ​​reference signals (e.g., for serving, reference, and / or neighboring cells) applicable to NR positioning, including DL reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for NR positioning, DL RSRP measurements for NR positioning, and UE Rx-Tx (e.g., hardware group delay from signal reception at the UE receiver to response signal transmission at the UE transmitter, such as time difference measurements for NR positioning, such as RTT).

[0166] RAN1 NR can define gNB measurements based on UL reference signals applicable to NR positioning, such as relative UL time of arrival (RTOA) for NR positioning, UL AoA measurements for NR positioning (e.g., including azimuth and zenith angles), UL RSRP measurements for NR positioning, and gNB Rx-Tx (e.g., hardware group delay from signal reception at gNB receiver to response signal transmission at gNB transmitter, e.g., time difference measurements for NR positioning, such as RTT).

[0167] Physical layer procedures can also be defined in RAN1 NR to facilitate UE and / or gNB measurements for NR positioning.

[0168] As described above, PRS is defined for NR positioning to enable the UE to detect and measure more neighboring TRPs. Several PRS configurations are supported to achieve various PRS deployments (e.g., indoor, outdoor, sub-6 GHz, mmW). To support PRS beam operation, PRS supports beam scanning. Examples of the configuration of the reference signal used for positioning are shown in Table 3, as follows:

[0169]

[0170] Table 3: Configuration of reference signals used for positioning

[0171] In NR, a frequency layer refers to a collection of frequency domain resources with shared characteristics on the same bandwidth, such as a common SCS and a cyclic prefix (CP). For TDOA, a single TRP reference is defined on multiple frequency layers. A single TRP reference can be specified in the location assistance data (AD) transmitted from the network to the UE.

[0172] One or more embodiments of this disclosure are directed to associating a single reference TRP for each of multiple frequency domain resources (e.g., frequency layers, frequency bands, CC, etc.). Such an approach can provide various technical advantages, such as greater flexibility in certain positioning schemes (e.g., multiple reference TRPs can be used for TDOA, etc.), which can improve the accuracy of UE positioning estimation. In some designs, such an approach may be particularly useful in loosely synchronized or asynchronous networks.

[0173] Figure 9 An exemplary process 900 for wireless communication according to an aspect of this disclosure is illustrated. In one aspect, process 900 can be performed by a UE, such as... Figure 3A UE 302.

[0174] At 910, UE 302 (e.g., receiver 312, receiver 322, etc.) receives configurations for multiple frequency domain resources, where each frequency domain resource configuration is associated with bandwidth and SCS. In some designs, multiple frequency domain resources may include corresponding multiple frequency bands, corresponding multiple frequency layers, corresponding multiple CCs, or any combination thereof. In one example, the configuration at 910 may be received via RRC signaling, MAC-CE, etc.

[0175] At 920, UE 302 (e.g., receiver 312, receiver 322, etc.) receives the configuration of one or more PRSs, where each PRS is associated with a single frequency domain resource among multiple frequency domain resources. In one example, the configuration at 920 may be received via RRC signaling, MAC-CE, etc.

[0176] At 930, UE 302 (e.g., processing system 332, etc.) determines a single reference TRP for each of the multiple frequency domain resources, wherein the single reference TRP is different for some or all of the multiple frequency domain resources (e.g., in other words, the single reference TRP is different for all frequency domain resources). In one example, the single reference TRP is different for each of the multiple frequency domain resources. In another example, at least one reference TRP may be associated with two or more of the multiple frequency domain resources. In some designs, the single reference TRP for each of the multiple frequency domain resources is configured by a network component (e.g., specified via a positioning AD received from the network at the UE). In other designs, the single reference TRP for each of the multiple frequency domain resources is configured by a network component. The determination at 930 may include selecting a single reference TRP for each of the multiple frequency domain resources at the UE. In a particular example, the UE may pick a different reference TRP instead of the TRP specified for a specific frequency domain resource in the positioning AD. In some designs, the determination of 930 may be constrained by the maximum number of reference TRPs allowed on multiple frequency domain resources (e.g., in one example, the maximum number of reference TRPs may be equal to the number of multiple frequency domain resources). In one example, the first and second frequency domain resources among the multiple frequency domain resources may include FR1 and FR2 respectively, and the maximum number of reference TRPs may be 2, where one reference TRP is allowed for FR1 and one reference TRP is allowed for FR2.

[0177] At 940, UE 302 (e.g., receiver 312, receiver 322, processing system 332, etc.) performs one or more PRS measurements on one or more PRS. As shown above with respect to Table 3, one or more PRS measurements may include DL RSTD, DLPRS RSRP, UE Rx-Tx time difference (e.g., hardware group delay), etc.

[0178] At 950, UE 302 (e.g., processing system 332, etc.) determines positioning measurements based at least on one or more PRS measurements and a determined reference TRP. For example, at 950, the UE can process raw measurement data from 940 into positioning features, which can be provided as input to the UE's UE-based or network-based positioning estimation process.

[0179] Figure 10 An exemplary process 1000 for wireless communication according to an aspect of this disclosure is illustrated. In one aspect, process 1000 may be executed by a BS, such as... Figure 3B BS 304.

[0180] At 1010, BS 304 (e.g., transmitter 354, transmitter 364, etc.) transmits configurations for multiple frequency domain resources to the UE, where each frequency domain resource configuration is associated with bandwidth and SCS. In some designs, multiple frequency domain resources may include corresponding multiple frequency bands, corresponding multiple frequency layers, corresponding multiple CCs, or any combination thereof. In one example, the configuration at 1010 may be transmitted via RRC signaling, MAC-CE, etc.

[0181] At 1020, BS 304 (e.g., transmitter 354, transmitter 364, etc.) transmits the configuration of one or more PRSs to the UE, where each PRS is associated with a single frequency domain resource among multiple frequency domain resources. In one example, the configuration at 1020 may be transmitted via RRC signaling, MAC-CE, etc.

[0182] At 1030, BS 304 (e.g., transmitter 354, transmitter 364, etc.) transmits at least one of one or more PRSs to the UE on at least one of a plurality of frequency domain resources. The base station is a single reference TRP for the at least one frequency domain resource, wherein the single reference TRP is different for some or all of the plurality of frequency domain resources (e.g., in other words, the single reference TRP, in this case BS 304, is different for all frequency domain resources). In some designs (e.g., DAS / RRH), the base station may include multiple TRPs, whereby one or more of the multiple TRPs can be configured as the reference TRP for the corresponding frequency domain resources. In one example, the single reference TRP is different for each of the plurality of frequency domain resources. In another example, at least one reference TRP may be associated with two or more of the plurality of frequency domain resources. In some designs, the single reference TRP for each of the plurality of frequency domain resources is configured by network components (e.g., specified via a positioning AD received from the network at the UE). In other designs, the single reference for each of the plurality of frequency domain resources is... The reference TRP is configured by network components. In some designs, the UE itself can select a single reference TRP for each of multiple frequency domain resources. In certain examples, the UE can select different reference TRPs instead of specifying a TRP for a specific frequency domain resource in the positioning AD. In some designs, a maximum number of reference TRPs can be defined across multiple frequency domain resources (e.g., in one example, the maximum number of reference TRPs can be equal to the number of multiple frequency domain resources). In one example, the first and second frequency domain resources among the multiple frequency domain resources can respectively include FR1 and FR2, and the maximum number of reference TRPs can be 2, where one reference TRP is allowed for FR1 and one reference TRP is allowed for FR2.

[0183] "On-demand" PRS refers to a request by a UE or another entity (e.g., the target device) for appropriate PRS resources (e.g., a subset of TRP, specific direction / beam, period, PRS configuration, etc.) based on the needs / requirements determined by the target device.

[0184] For example, an on-demand PRS request can allow for an increase in resources allocated to DL PRS transmissions (e.g., increased bandwidth, specific TRPs, or beam directions) and may indicate when DL PRS transmissions are no longer needed. Increased DL PRS transmissions can be simplified by limiting them to certain PRS configurations that may be configured in the gNB and / or LMF. For example, in the absence of any requests to increase PRS transmissions, there might be a single set of PRS configuration parameters corresponding to “normal” PRS transmissions. In some networks, “normal” PRS transmissions might be equivalent to no PRS transmissions at all (to minimize resource usage). Then, there can be one or more increased PRS transmission levels, each associated with a different set of PRS configuration parameters. In the simplest case, PRS transmissions can be opened only when needed via an on-demand PRS request, and closed when not needed, based on the default set of PRS configuration parameters.

[0185] A measurement gap (MG) is a period of time during which a UE suspends "normal" communication (e.g., control signaling and / or data services) to perform one or more measurements (e.g., inter-frequency measurements, inter-RAT measurements, inter-cell measurements, positioning measurements such as PRS, etc.). In NR, the allowed MG configuration depends on the associated FR (e.g., FR1 or FR2) used. A UE can only request one MG across FR1 or FR2. Therefore, for CAs within the same FR, all CCs are affected by the MG.

[0186] Figure 11 An MG configuration 1100 across corresponding FRs CC1 to CC4 is shown according to one aspect of this disclosure. For example... Figure 11 As shown, during MG, the UE measures PRS 1 to PRS 4 on CC1 to CC4 respectively. However, during MG, all RF chains are active, and there is no time for the UE to sleep or micro-sleep on any CC. Therefore, from the perspective of UE power performance, MG configuration 1100 is suboptimal.

[0187] One or more embodiments of this disclosure address on-demand requests for at least one PRS on frequency domain resources selected by the UE. In some designs, on-demand PRS requests can be received in association with MG requests on some or all frequency domain resources selected by the UE. Such an approach can provide various technical advantages, including reduced power consumption at the UE.

[0188] Figure 12 An exemplary process 1200 for wireless communication according to an aspect of this disclosure is illustrated. In one aspect, process 1200 can be performed by a UE, such as... Figure 3A UE 302.

[0189] At 1210, UE 302 (e.g., receiver 312, receiver 322, etc.) receives configurations for multiple frequency domain resources, where each frequency domain resource configuration is associated with bandwidth and SCS. In some designs, multiple frequency domain resources may include corresponding multiple frequency bands, corresponding multiple frequency layers, corresponding multiple CCs, or any combination thereof. In one example, the configuration at 1210 may be received via RRC signaling, MAC-CE, etc.

[0190] At 1220, UE 302 (e.g., receiver 312, receiver 322, etc.) receives the configuration of one or more PRSs, where each PRS is associated with a single frequency domain resource among multiple frequency domain resources. In one example, the configuration at 1220 may be transmitted via RRC signaling, MAC-CE, etc.

[0191] At 1230, UE 302 (e.g., processing system 332, etc.) selects one or more frequency domain resources from a plurality of frequency domain resources to transmit at least one of the one or more PRS.

[0192] At 1240, UE 302 (e.g., transmitter 314, transmitter 324, etc.) sends an on-demand request for at least one PRS to the network component on one or more selected frequency domain resources. In one example, at least one PRS may include a single PRS on a single frequency domain resource, or a single PRS on multiple frequency domain resources (e.g., see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 14 ), or multiple PRS on multiple frequency domain resources (e.g., see Figure 15 In one example, the transmission of an on-demand request at 1240 can be implemented via higher-layer messages (e.g., L3 layer messages such as LLP, RRC, etc.), via MAC CE, via uplink control information (UCI) communication, or a combination thereof. As will be discussed in more detail below, on-demand PRS requests can be received in association with the requested MG configuration.

[0193] Figure 13 An exemplary process 1300 for wireless communication according to an aspect of this disclosure is illustrated. In one aspect, process 1300 may be performed by a network component (e.g., an LMF or a location server), which may be integrated into... Figure 3B BS304, network component 306 in Figure 3, etc.

[0194] At 1310, network components (e.g., transmitters 354, 364, network interfaces 380 to 390, etc.) transmit configurations of multiple frequency domain resources to the UE, where each frequency domain resource configuration is associated with bandwidth and SCS. In some designs, multiple frequency domain resources may include corresponding multiple frequency bands, corresponding multiple frequency layers, corresponding multiple CCs, or any combination thereof. In one example, the configuration at 1010 may be transmitted via RRC signaling, MAC-CE, etc.

[0195] At 1320, network components (e.g., transmitter 354, transmitter 364, network interfaces 380 to 390, etc.) send the configuration of one or more PRSs to the UE, wherein each PRS is associated with a single frequency domain resource among multiple frequency domain resources. In one example, the configuration at 1320 may be sent via RRC signaling, MAC-CE, etc.

[0196] At 1330, network components (e.g., receiver 352, receiver 362, network interfaces 380 to 390, etc.) receive from the UE an on-demand request for at least one of one or more PRSs on one or more frequency domain resources. In one example, at least one PRS may include a single PRS on a single frequency domain resource, or a single PRS on multiple frequency domain resources (e.g., see...). Figure 14 ), or multiple PRS on multiple frequency domain resources (e.g., see Figure 15 In one example, an on-demand request at 1240 can be received via higher-level messages (e.g., L3 messages such as LLP, RRC, etc.), via MAC CE, via UCI communication, or a combination thereof. As will be discussed in more detail below, an on-demand PRS request can be received in association with the requested MG configuration.

[0197] refer to Figures 12 to 13 In some designs as described above, multiple frequency domain resources may include corresponding multiple CCs (i.e., "configured" CCs). An on-demand PRS request can request a PRS on a specific CC or a combination of configured CCs. In other designs as described above, multiple frequency domain resources may include corresponding multiple frequency bands (i.e., "configured" frequency bands). An on-demand PRS request can request a PRS on a specific frequency band or a combination of configured frequency bands.

[0198] refer to Figures 12 to 13 In some designs, the UE can randomly schedule PRS processing across multiple frequency domain resource options (e.g., CC / band / layer). For example, on-demand PRS requests might request PRS on CC1-comb at time T1, request PRS on CC2 at time T2, and so on (see, for example, [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 15 In some designs, the selection of specific frequency domain resources (e.g., CC / band / layer) can be based on local metrics tracked at the UE (e.g., SNR, CC load, UE processing power, battery status, etc.).

[0199] refer to Figures 12 to 13 In some designs, as described above, on-demand PRS requests can be sent by the UE to network components (e.g., BS 304, network entity 306, etc.) associated with a request for an MG associated with at least one PRS on one or more selected frequency domain resources. Figures 14 to 15 As shown. In some designs, an MG request can request a specific frequency domain resource (e.g., CC / band / layer) or a combination of frequency domain resources (e.g., CC / band / layer). In some designs, an on-demand PRS request can request MGs in FR1 and FR2 separately in the same message. In one example, an MG request and an on-demand PRS request can be part of the same message (e.g., the UE can jointly request a specific MG and PRS configuration and / or a sequence of MG and PRS, e.g., on a specific CC, CC combination, band, band combination, FR, etc.).

[0200] Figure 14 The aspects based on this disclosure are shown. Figures 12 to 13 The example implementation of processes 1200 to 1300 shows the MG configuration 1400 across frequency layers 1 to 4 (denoted as CA1 to CA4) of the corresponding FRs. Figure 14 In this example, the PRS requested by the on-demand PRS request only includes PRS 1 through PRS 4 on CC1. Therefore, the requested MG is only related to CA1 (e.g., a single MG on a single frequency domain resource). Figure 14 In this implementation, CA2 through CA4 (e.g., each frequency domain resource other than a single frequency domain resource) are configured to sleep during the MG on CA1 (or in other words, the RF chain at the UE relative to CA2 through CA4 is placed in sleep mode). However, in other implementations, one or more of CA2 through CA4 can use the time corresponding to the MG on CA1 for other purposes, such as maintaining communication available for control and / or data (e.g., sending and receiving). In another example, Figure 14 The RF chain sleep modes described in CA2 to CA4 can also occur on the network side (e.g., even if power consumption is not significant on the network side).

[0201] Figure 15 This illustrates another aspect of the disclosure based on... Figures 12 to 13 The example implementation of process 1200 to 1300 shows the MG configuration 1500 across the corresponding FRs CA1 to CA4. Figure 15In this context, the PRS requested by on-demand PRS requests include PRS 1 to PRS 4 interleaved only on CC1 to CC4 (e.g., multiple PRS on multiple frequency domain resources). Therefore, based on the corresponding PRS scheduling (e.g., a single MG on a single frequency domain resource), the requested MG is interleaved on CC1 to CC4. Figure 15 In this implementation, PRS1 is scheduled on CC1, then PRS2 on CC2, then PRS3 on CC3, and finally PRS4 on CC4. Retuning intervals 1502, 1504, and 1506 are provided between each corresponding CC transition (e.g., to allow the UE sufficient time to tune to different frequencies). When not actively tuning to or measuring the PRS on a corresponding CC, the UE sleeps on each corresponding CC (or in other words, the relevant RF chain at the UE is put into sleep mode). However, in other implementations, one or more of CC1 through CC4 can use this "non-PRS" time on the MG they respond to for other purposes, such as maintaining communication available for control and / or data. In another example, Figure 15 The RF chain sleep mode configuration can also occur on the network side (e.g., even if power consumption is not important on the network side).

[0202] As can be seen in the detailed description above, different features are grouped together in the examples. This manner of disclosure should not be construed as having more features than explicitly mentioned in each clause. Rather, aspects of this disclosure may include fewer features than those of the individual example clauses disclosed. Therefore, the following clauses should be considered as included in the specification, whereby each clause may serve as a separate example. Although each dependent clause may refer in its clause to a specific combination with one of the other clauses, the aspect of that dependent clause is not limited to that specific combination. It should be understood that other example clauses may also include combinations of aspects of a dependent clause with the subject matter of any other dependent or independent clause, or any feature combined with other dependent and independent clauses. The aspects disclosed herein expressly include these combinations unless expressly stated or readily inferred that a particular combination is not intended (e.g., contradictory aspects, such as defining an element as both an insulator and a conductor). Furthermore, it is intended that aspects of a clause may be included in any other independent clause, even if that clause does not directly depend on that independent clause.

[0203] The following numbered clauses describe examples of implementation methods:

[0204] Clause 1. A method of operating a user equipment (UE) includes: receiving configurations of a plurality of frequency domain resources, wherein each frequency domain resource configuration is associated with a bandwidth and a subcarrier spacing (SCS); receiving configurations of one or more positioning reference signals (PRS), wherein each PRS configuration is associated with a single frequency domain resource among the plurality of frequency domain resources; selecting one or more frequency domain resources among the plurality of frequency domain resources for transmission of at least one of the one or more PRS; and sending an on-demand request for at least one PRS to a network component on the one or more selected frequency domain resources.

[0205] Clause 2. The method of Clause 1, wherein on-demand requests are sent via higher-level messages, via Media Access Control Command Elements (MAC-CE), via Uplink Control Information (UCI) communication, or a combination thereof.

[0206] Clause 3. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 2, wherein at least one PRS comprises a single PRS on a single frequency domain resource, or wherein at least one PRS comprises a single PRS on multiple frequency domain resources, or wherein at least one PRS comprises multiple PRS on multiple frequency domain resources.

[0207] Clause 4. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of frequency domain resources correspond to a plurality of frequency bands, or wherein the plurality of frequency domain resources correspond to a plurality of frequency layers, or wherein the plurality of frequency domain resources correspond to a plurality of component carriers (CCs).

[0208] Clause 5. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 4, wherein at least one PRS comprises multiple PRSs on multiple frequency domain resources, and wherein the timing of the multiple PRSs is interleaved on multiple frequency domain resources.

[0209] Clause 6. The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 5, wherein the transmission also transmits a request for one or more measurement gaps (MGs) associated with at least one PRS on one or more selected frequency domain resources.

[0210] Clause 7. The method according to Clause 6, wherein at least one PRS is associated with a single frequency domain resource, wherein one or more MGs comprise a single MG on a single frequency domain resource, and wherein each frequency domain resource other than the single frequency domain resource remains available for transmission and reception of control and / or data during a single MG on a single frequency domain resource.

[0211] Clause 8. The method according to any one of Clauses 6 to 7, wherein at least one PRS comprises multiple PRSs on multiple frequency domain resources, wherein one or more MGs comprise a single MG on each of the multiple frequency domain resources, and wherein each of the multiple frequency domain resources remains available for transmission and / or reception of control and / or data outside its respective MG.

[0212] Clause 9. A method of operating a network component, comprising: transmitting to a user equipment (UE) configurations of a plurality of frequency domain resources, wherein each frequency domain resource configuration is associated with bandwidth and subcarrier spacing (SCS); transmitting to the UE configurations of one or more positioning reference signals (PRS), wherein each PRS configuration is associated with a single frequency domain resource among the plurality of frequency domain resources; and receiving from the UE an on-demand request for at least one of the one or more PRS on the one or more frequency domain resources.

[0213] Clause 10. The method of Clause 9, wherein on-demand requests are received via higher-layer messages, via Media Access Control Command Elements (MAC-CE), via Uplink Control Information (UCI) communication, or a combination thereof.

[0214] Clause 11. The method according to any one of Clauses 9 to 10, wherein at least one PRS comprises a single PRS on a single frequency domain resource, or wherein at least one PRS comprises a single PRS on multiple frequency domain resources, or wherein at least one PRS comprises multiple PRS on multiple frequency domain resources.

[0215] Clause 12. The method according to any one of Clauses 9 to 11, wherein a plurality of frequency domain resources correspond to a plurality of frequency bands, or wherein a plurality of frequency domain resources correspond to a plurality of frequency layers, or wherein a plurality of frequency domain resources correspond to a plurality of component carriers (CCs).

[0216] Clause 13. The method according to any one of Clauses 9 to 12, wherein at least one PRS comprises multiple PRSs on multiple frequency domain resources, and wherein the timing of the multiple PRSs is interleaved on multiple frequency domain resources.

[0217] Clause 14. The method according to any one of Clauses 9 to 13, wherein the receiver also receives a request for one or more measurement gaps (MG) associated with at least one PRS on one or more frequency domain resources.

[0218] Clause 15. The method according to Clause 14, wherein at least one PRS is associated with a single frequency domain resource, wherein one or more MGs comprise a single MG on a single frequency domain resource, and wherein each frequency domain resource other than the single frequency domain resource retains control and / or data available during a single MG on a single frequency domain resource.

[0219] Clause 16. The method according to any one of Clauses 14 to 15, wherein at least one PRS comprises multiple PRSs on multiple frequency domain resources, wherein one or more MGs comprise a single MG on each of the multiple frequency domain resources, and wherein each of the multiple frequency domain resources retains control and / or data available outside its respective MG.

[0220] Clause 17. A method of operating a user equipment (UE) comprising: receiving configurations of a plurality of frequency domain resources, wherein each frequency domain resource configuration is associated with a bandwidth and a subcarrier spacing (SCS); receiving configurations of one or more positioning reference signals (PRS), wherein each PRS is associated with a single frequency domain resource among the plurality of frequency domain resources; determining a single reference transmit / receive point (TRP) for each of the plurality of frequency domain resources, wherein the single reference TRP is different for some or all of the plurality of frequency domain resources; performing one or more PRS measurements on the one or more PRS; and determining positioning measurements based at least on the one or more PRS measurements and the determined reference TRP.

[0221] Clause 18. The method of Clause 17, wherein a single reference TRP is different for each of the multiple frequency domain resources.

[0222] Clause 19. The method according to any one of Clauses 17 to 18, wherein at least one reference TRP is associated with two or more frequency domain resources among a plurality of frequency domain resources.

[0223] Clause 20. The method of any one of Clauses 17 to 19, wherein a single reference TRP for each of the plurality of frequency domain resources is configured by a network component.

[0224] Clause 21. The method according to any one of Clauses 17 to 20, wherein determining includes selecting a single reference TRP for each of the multiple frequency domain resources at the UE.

[0225] Clause 22. The method of any one of Clauses 17 to 21, wherein the maximum number of reference TRPs across multiple frequency domain resources is equal to the number of multiple frequency domain resources.

[0226] Clause 23. The method according to any one of Clauses 17 to 22, wherein the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource among a plurality of frequency domain resources comprise FR1 and FR2 respectively, and wherein the maximum number of reference TRPs is 2, with one reference TRP allowed for FR1 and one reference TRP allowed for FR2.

[0227] Clause 24. The method according to any one of Clauses 17 to 23, wherein a plurality of frequency domain resources correspond to a plurality of frequency bands, or wherein a plurality of frequency domain resources correspond to a plurality of frequency layers, or wherein a plurality of frequency domain resources correspond to a plurality of component carriers (CCs).

[0228] Clause 25. The method according to any one of Clauses 17 to 24, wherein the positioning measurement includes one or more reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for a positioning procedure based on time difference of arrival (TDOA), or wherein one or more PRS measurements include a reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement of a first PRS, and the positioning measurement includes differential RSRP between the first PRS and at least one other PRS, or a combination thereof.

[0229] Clause 26. A method of operating a base station, comprising: transmitting to a user equipment (UE) the configuration of a plurality of frequency domain resources, wherein each frequency domain resource configuration is associated with bandwidth and subcarrier spacing (SCS); transmitting to the UE the configuration of one or more positioning reference signals (PRS), wherein each PRS is associated with a single frequency domain resource among the plurality of frequency domain resources; and transmitting to the UE at least one of the one or more PRS on at least one of the plurality of frequency domain resources, the base station being a single reference transmit / receive point (TRP) for at least one frequency domain resource, wherein the single reference TRP is different for some or all of the plurality of frequency domain resources.

[0230] Clause 27. The method according to Clause 26, wherein at least one frequency domain resource is associated with two or more frequency domain resources among a plurality of frequency domain resources.

[0231] Clause 28. The method according to any one of Clauses 26 to 27, wherein the base station is selected by the network component as a single reference TRP for at least one frequency domain resource, or wherein the base station is selected by the UE as a single reference TRP for at least one frequency domain resource.

[0232] Clause 29. The method according to any one of Clauses 26 to 28, wherein a plurality of frequency domain resources correspond to a plurality of frequency bands, or wherein a plurality of frequency domain resources correspond to a plurality of frequency layers, or wherein a plurality of frequency domain resources correspond to a plurality of component carriers (CCs).

[0233] Clause 30. The method of any one of Clauses 26 to 29, wherein one or more PRS are associated with a positioning procedure based on Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA).

[0234] Clause 31. An apparatus comprising a memory, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and at least one transceiver, wherein the memory, at least one transceiver, and at least one processor are configured to perform a method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 30.

[0235] Clause 32. An apparatus comprising components for performing the method pursuant to any one of Clauses 1 to 30.

[0236] Clause 33. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions including at least one instruction for causing a computer or processor to perform a method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 30.

[0237] Those skilled in the art will understand that information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and processes. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips referenced throughout the above description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, light fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0238] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithmic steps described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability between hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been generally described above in accordance with their functions. Whether such functionality is implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints on the overall system. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functionality in different ways for each specific application, but such implementation decisions should not be construed as departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0239] The various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosed aspects may be implemented or performed using a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0240] The methods, sequences, and / or algorithms described in conjunction with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented directly in hardware, as a software module executed by a processor, or a combination of both. The software module can reside in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor such that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium can be integrated into the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a user terminal (e.g., a UE). Alternatively, the processor and storage medium can reside as discrete components in the user terminal.

[0241] In one or more exemplary aspects, the described functionality can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, these functions can be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code in a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer storage media and communication media, with communication media including any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Storage media can be any available medium accessible to a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disc storage, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and is accessible to a computer. Furthermore, any connection is properly referred to as a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technology (such as infrared, radio, and microwave), then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technology (such as infrared, radio, and microwave) are all included in the definition of medium. As used herein, disks and optical discs include compact optical discs (CDs), laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile optical discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, wherein disks typically reproduce data magnetically, while optical discs reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of these should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0242] While the foregoing disclosure illustrates illustrative aspects of this disclosure, it should be noted that various changes and modifications may be made to this document without departing from the scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The functions, steps, and / or actions of the method claims according to the aspects of the disclosure described herein do not need to be performed in any particular order. Furthermore, although elements of this disclosure may be described or declared in the singular, plural forms are also contemplated unless expressly stated as limited to the singular.

Claims

1. A method for operating a user equipment (UE), comprising: Receive configurations for multiple frequency domain resources, where each frequency domain resource configuration is associated with bandwidth and subcarrier spacing (SCS); A configuration for receiving one or more Positioning Reference Signals (PRS), wherein each PRS configuration is associated with a single frequency domain resource among the plurality of frequency domain resources; Select one or more frequency domain resources from the plurality of frequency domain resources for the transmission of at least one of the one or more PRSs; and Send on-demand requests for the at least one PRS to network components on one or more selected frequency domain resources. Wherein, the at least one PRS includes multiple PRSs on multiple frequency domain resources, and The timing of the multiple PRSs is interleaved across the multiple frequency domain resources.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The on-demand request is sent via higher-level messages, via Media Access Control Command Element (MAC-CE), via Uplink Control Information (UCI) communication, or a combination thereof.

3. The method according to claim 1, in, The at least one PRS includes a single PRS on a single frequency domain resource, or Wherein, the at least one PRS includes a single PRS on multiple frequency domain resources, or The at least one PRS includes multiple PRSs on multiple frequency domain resources.

4. The method according to claim 1, in, The multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple frequency bands, or Wherein, the multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple frequency layers, or The multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple component carriers (CCs).

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The transmission also sends requests for one or more measurement gaps (MGs) associated with the at least one PRS on one or more selected frequency domain resources.

6. The method according to claim 5, in, The at least one PRS is associated with a single frequency domain resource. Wherein, the one or more MGs include a single MG on the single frequency domain resource, and Each frequency domain resource other than the single frequency domain resource remains available for control and / or data transmission and reception during the single MG on the single frequency domain resource.

7. The method according to claim 5, in, The at least one PRS includes multiple PRSs on multiple frequency domain resources. Wherein, the one or more MGs include a single MG on each of the plurality of frequency domain resources, and Each of the plurality of frequency domain resources remains available for control and / or data transmission and reception outside its corresponding MG.

8. A method for operating a network component, comprising: Send configurations of multiple frequency domain resources to the user equipment (UE), wherein each frequency domain resource configuration is associated with bandwidth and subcarrier spacing (SCS); A configuration for sending one or more Positioning Reference Signals (PRS) to the UE, wherein each PRS configuration is associated with a single frequency domain resource among the plurality of frequency domain resources; and The UE receives an on-demand request for at least one of the one or more PRS on one or more frequency domain resources. Wherein, the at least one PRS includes multiple PRSs on multiple frequency domain resources, and The timing of the multiple PRSs is interleaved across the multiple frequency domain resources.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The on-demand request is received via higher-level messages, via Media Access Control Command Element (MAC-CE), via Uplink Control Information (UCI) communication, or a combination thereof.

10. The method according to claim 8, in, The at least one PRS includes a single PRS on a single frequency domain resource, or Wherein, the at least one PRS includes a single PRS on multiple frequency domain resources, or The at least one PRS includes multiple PRSs on multiple frequency domain resources.

11. The method according to claim 8, in, The multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple frequency bands, or Wherein, the multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple frequency layers, or The multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple component carriers (CCs).

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The receiver also receives requests for one or more measurement gaps (MGs) associated with the at least one PRS on the one or more frequency domain resources.

13. The method according to claim 12, in, The at least one PRS is associated with a single frequency domain resource. Wherein, the one or more MGs include a single MG on the single frequency domain resource, and Each frequency domain resource other than the single frequency domain resource retains control and / or data available for use during the single MG on the single frequency domain resource.

14. The method according to claim 12, in, The at least one PRS includes multiple PRSs on multiple frequency domain resources. Wherein, the one or more MGs include a single MG on each of the plurality of frequency domain resources, and Each of the plurality of frequency domain resources remains available for control and / or data outside its respective MG.

15. A method for operating a user equipment (UE), comprising: Receive configurations for multiple frequency domain resources, where each frequency domain resource configuration is associated with bandwidth and subcarrier spacing (SCS); A configuration for receiving one or more Positioning Reference Signals (PRSs), wherein each PRS is associated with a single frequency domain resource among the plurality of frequency domain resources; A single reference transmit / receive point (TRP) is determined for each of the plurality of frequency domain resources, wherein the single reference TRP is different for some or all of the plurality of frequency domain resources; Perform one or more PRS measurements on the one or more PRS; and The positioning measurements are determined based at least on one or more PRS measurements and the determined reference TRP.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The single reference TRP is different for each of the plurality of frequency domain resources.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein, At least one reference TRP is associated with two or more frequency domain resources among the plurality of frequency domain resources.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The individual reference TRP for each of the plurality of frequency domain resources is configured by the network component.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein, Determining includes selecting the single reference TRP for each of the plurality of frequency domain resources at the UE.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein, The maximum number of reference TRPs spanning the multiple frequency domain resources is equal to the number of the multiple frequency domain resources.

21. The method according to claim 15, in, The first and second frequency domain resources among the plurality of frequency domain resources respectively include FR1 and FR2, and The maximum number of reference TRPs is 2, with one reference TRP allowed for FR1 and one reference TRP allowed for FR2.

22. The method according to claim 15, in, The multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple frequency bands, or Wherein, the multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple frequency layers, or The multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple component carriers (CCs).

23. The method according to claim 15, in, The positioning measurements include one or more reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements for a positioning process based on the time difference of arrival (TDOA), or Wherein, the one or more PRS measurements include a reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement of a first PRS, and the positioning measurement includes a differential RSRP between the first PRS and at least one other PRS, or Its combination.

24. A method of operating a base station, comprising: Send configurations of multiple frequency domain resources to the user equipment (UE), wherein each frequency domain resource configuration is associated with bandwidth and subcarrier spacing (SCS); A configuration for sending one or more Positioning Reference Signals (PRSs) to the UE, wherein each PRS is associated with a single frequency domain resource among the plurality of frequency domain resources; and The base station transmits at least one of the one or more PRS to the UE on at least one of the plurality of frequency domain resources, wherein the base station is a single reference transmit / receive point (TRP) for the at least one frequency domain resource, and the single reference TRP is different for some or all of the plurality of frequency domain resources.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein, At least one frequency domain resource is associated with two or more of the plurality of frequency domain resources.

26. The method according to claim 24, in, The base station is selected by the network component as the single reference TRP for the at least one frequency domain resource, or The base station is selected by the UE as the single reference TRP for the at least one frequency domain resource.

27. The method according to claim 24, in, The multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple frequency bands, or Wherein, the multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple frequency layers, or The multiple frequency domain resources correspond to multiple component carriers (CCs).

28. The method according to claim 24, wherein, The one or more PRS are associated with a positioning process based on Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA).

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