SYSTEM, METHOD, DEVICE, AND PROGRAM FOR IMPROVED POSITIONING IN ENVIRONMENTS WITH REPEATERS - Patent application

Abstract

A method may be provided for improved positioning of a user device in a telecommunications network including one or more repeaters in communication between a network element and the user device. The method may include assigning, by the network element, one or more transaction beam IDs. Each of the one or more transaction beam IDs is associated with a respective repeater of the one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network. The method may further include generating, by the network element, a positioning reference relationship table. The positioning reference relationship table includes a relationship between a positioning reference signal ID and each of the one or more transaction beam IDs. The method may further include receiving, by a core element, an adjusted position of the user device. The adjusted position of the user device is adjusted to a position of a particular repeater between the network element and the user device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to estimating the location of one or more user devices in a telecommunications and / or wireless network that may include smart repeaters. In particular, the present disclosure relates to methods, apparatus, and systems for estimating the location of one or more user devices in a telecommunications and / or wireless network that has invisible smart repeaters. [Background technology]

[0002] In telecommunication networks, smart repeaters are often used to amplify weak radio frequency (RF) signals and extend the area covered by network devices of the telecommunication network. However, although smart repeaters extend the range of RF signals, they are invisible to network elements such as cell towers or base stations. Thus, when a network element estimates the location of a user device, the presence of a smart repeater between them (not visible to the network element) can cause the network element to cause a dramatic change in the direction of the beam that is affected by the user device. This causes significant errors in the estimation of the location of the user device.

[0003] Accurate positioning is important for providing continuous and efficient network services to users and their devices. However, the presence of invisible smart repeaters in the communication between network elements (e.g., base stations) and user devices can introduce dramatic errors in the location estimation of the user devices. These errors can cause interruptions in network services to user devices, essentially degrading the efficiency, reliability, availability, and quality of service of telecommunications networks.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a method to identify smart repeaters in a telecommunications network and to adjust erroneous location estimates of a user device when a smart repeater is identified. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to an embodiment, a method for improving positioning of a user device in a telecommunications network including one or more repeaters in communication between a network element and the user device may be provided. The method may be executed by one or more processors. The method may include assigning, by the network element, one or more transaction beam IDs. Each of the one or more transaction beam IDs is associated with a respective repeater of the one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network. The method may also include generating, by the network element, a positioning reference relationship table. The positioning reference relationship table includes a relationship between a positioning reference signal ID and each of the one or more transaction beam IDs, the positioning reference signal ID being associated with a positioning reference signal, and each of the one or more transaction beam IDs being associated with a respective repeater of the one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network. Furthermore, the method may include receiving, by the core element, an adjusted position of the user device. The adjusted position of the user device is adjusted to a position of a particular repeater between the network element and the user device.

[0006] According to an embodiment, an apparatus may be provided for improved positioning of a user device in a telecommunications network including one or more repeaters in communication between a network element and the user device. The apparatus may include at least one memory configured to store computer program code and at least one processor configured to access the computer program code and operate as instructed by the computer program code. The program may include a first allocation code configured to cause the first processor to allocate one or more transaction beam IDs. Each of the one or more transaction beam IDs is associated with a respective repeater of the one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network. The program may also include a first generation code configured to cause the first processor to generate a positioning reference relationship table. The positioning reference relationship table includes a relationship between a positioning reference signal ID and each of the one or more transaction beam IDs, the positioning reference signal ID being associated with a positioning reference signal, and each of the one or more transaction beam IDs being associated with a respective repeater of the one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network. Furthermore, the program may include a first receiving code configured to cause the second processor to receive an adjusted position of the user device. The adjusted location of the user device is adjusted relative to the location of a particular repeater between the network element and the user device.

[0007] According to an embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may be provided. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may store a program that causes a computer to execute a process. The process may include allocating, by a network element, one or more transaction beam IDs. Each of the one or more transaction beam IDs is associated with a respective repeater of one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network. The process may also include generating, by the network element, a positioning reference relationship table. The positioning reference relationship table includes a relationship between a positioning reference signal ID and each of the one or more transaction beam IDs, where the positioning reference signal ID is associated with a positioning reference signal, and each of the one or more transaction beam IDs is associated with a respective repeater of the one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network. Furthermore, the process may include receiving, by the core element, an adjusted position of the user device. The adjusted position of the user device is adjusted to a position of a particular repeater between the network element and the user device.

[0008] The features, advantages, and significance of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate like elements, and in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an example diagram of a network architecture in which the systems and / or methods described in this disclosure may be implemented. [Diagram 2] 2 is an example diagram of components of the network architecture of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 2 is an example diagram of components of the network architecture of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4]FIG. 1 is an example diagram of a network architecture in which the systems and / or methods described in this disclosure may be implemented. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is an example diagram of a network architecture in which the systems and / or methods described in this disclosure may be implemented. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an example workflow diagram illustrating an example process for determining improved positioning of a user device in a telecommunications network including one or more repeaters, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is an example diagram of a network architecture in which the systems and / or methods described in this disclosure may be implemented. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is an example workflow diagram illustrating an example process for determining improved positioning of a user device in a telecommunications network including one or more repeaters, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is an example diagram of a network architecture in which the systems and / or methods described in this disclosure may be implemented. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is an example workflow diagram illustrating an example process for determining improved positioning of a user device in a telecommunications network including one or more repeaters, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 1 is an example flowchart illustrating an example process for determining improved positioning of a user device in a telecommunications network including one or more repeaters, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numbers in different drawings may refer to the same or similar elements.

[0011] The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practicing the implementations.

[0012] It will be apparent that the systems and / or methods described herein may be implemented in various forms of hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. The actual dedicated control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods is not intended to limit the implementation. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and / or methods are described herein without reference to specific software code, and it will be understood that software and hardware can be designed to implement the systems and / or methods based on the description herein.

[0013] As is conventional in the art, the embodiments may be described and illustrated with blocks performing one or more described functions. These blocks, sometimes referred to herein as units or modules, may be physically implemented by analog or digital circuits, such as logic gates, integrated circuits, microprocessors, microcontrollers, memory circuits, passive electronic components, active electronic components, optical components, hardwired circuits, etc., and may be driven by firmware and software. Optionally, they may be driven by firmware. The circuits may be embodied, for example, in one or more semiconductor chips or on a substrate support, such as a printed circuit board. The circuits included in the blocks may be implemented by dedicated hardware, or by a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuits), or by a combination of dedicated hardware for performing some functions of the block and a processor for performing other functions of the block. Each block of the embodiments may be physically separated into two or more interacting individual blocks. Similarly, the blocks of the embodiments may be physically combined into more complex blocks.

[0014] Although particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and / or disclosed herein, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of possible implementations. Indeed, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or disclosed herein. Although each dependent claim listed below may depend directly on only one claim, in the disclosure of possible implementations, each dependent claim includes all other claims recited in the claims.

[0015] No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described. Additionally, the articles "a" and "an" as used herein are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with "one or more." When only one item is intended, the term "one" or similar language is used. Additionally, the terms "has," "have," "having," "include," "including," and the like, as used herein, are intended to be open-ended terms. Additionally, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "based at least in part on," unless specifically noted otherwise.

[0016] As mentioned above, accurate positioning of user devices and network devices is important to provide continuous and efficient service to users of a telecommunication network. Although smart repeaters extend the reach of signals in a telecommunication network, they may not be visible to elements of the telecommunication network. It is difficult for network elements and user devices to identify signal propagation involving repeaters. As an example, a network device may not know that a smart repeater exists to facilitate communication between a network element (e.g., a base station) and a user device when the smart repeater exists to facilitate the communication.

[0017] Positioning accuracy depends very much on the propagation path of the radio frequency (RF) signal. If a network element assumes (guesses, thinks) that the location of a smart repeater is the location of a user device, the network element can potentially drastically change the beam direction and signal strength to provide network services at the location of the smart repeater. The network element can see these changes of the unseen smart repeater as sudden scattering and / or reflection to the user device, ultimately resulting in an inaccurate estimation of the positioning. Positioning errors may not be easy to detect. Metrics such as Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) and Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) are used as accuracy metrics, but because smart repeaters generate strong signals, these metrics may not be reliable measures of accuracy.

[0018] Some solutions may include adding specifications so that smart repeaters also support positioning, e.g., implementing a positioning scheme in the smart repeater. However, implementing a positioning scheme is a trivial solution. Not only is it trivial, it is an expensive solution for telecommunication networks, both in terms of monetary and computing resources.

[0019] Therefore, there is a need for a method to identify smart repeaters or their locations and account for or adjust the location of user devices accordingly.

[0020] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to identifying signals transmitted by smart repeaters using network elements (e.g., gNodeB, eNodeB, etc.). According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a telecommunications network can define resource sets associated with the transmission of signals transmitted from a smart receiver and resource sets associated with the reception of signals received by a smart repeater at the associated network elements. These resource sets can be used to identify smart repeaters in the propagation path of an RF signal.

[0021] Embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to accurate positioning of user devices by taking into account the location of smart repeaters. To accurately determine the location of a user device, repeater specific parameters can be applied during positioning.

[0022] As an example, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a network element can identify a beam ID associated with a smart repeater in a received or transmitted signal. If a beam ID associated with a smart repeater is identified, those signals may be treated as if they were through the smart repeater, and repeater-specific positioning parameters may be applied to determine the location of the smart repeater, which in turn may determine the precise location of the user device. According to some embodiments, a user device can identify a beam ID associated with a smart repeater in a received or transmitted signal, and then apply repeater-specific positioning to determine (locate) the location of the smart repeater.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network element of a telecommunications network, or a core network element of a telecommunications network, may assign (give) a transaction beam ID or beam ID (used interchangeably herein) to a particular repeater associated with the network element. If beam IDs are already assigned at the network element, the possible beam ID values ​​may be separated into sets, and each set may be assigned for a specific purpose. As an example, if 64 beam IDs are available, beam IDs 0-31 may be assigned for beam formation at the network element, and beam IDs 32-63 may be assigned to a particular repeater for beam formation at the repeater. In some embodiments, the beam ID may be unique to each network element (e.g., gNodeB and eNodeB). In some other embodiments, the beam ID may be common to a particular portion or the entire telecommunications network. The transaction beam ID may be assigned incrementally, based on the type of smart repeater, or based on the capabilities of the smart repeater. In some embodiments, the transaction beam ID may be specifically for uplink provisioning or downlink provisioning.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network element may generate a positioning reference relationship table that defines a relationship between a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) ID and a transaction beam ID. The embodiments of the present disclosure may not be limited to a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS). According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, any suitable reference signal may be used. According to an embodiment, a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) may be used, for example, during uplink positioning. A transaction beam ID may be configured for or correspond to a specific smart repeater. A network element may generate a positioning reference signal dedicated to a specific smart repeater by generating a positioning reference signal having a PRS ID that corresponds to the transaction beam ID of the specific smart repeater. The network element may then transmit the generated positioning reference signal having the PRS ID to the specific smart repeater.

[0025] When a user device measures a positioning reference signal, the user device can report the PRS ID of the positioning reference signal to a network element or a core network element, which can use a positioning reference relationship table to identify a beam ID associated with the received PRS ID, and essentially identify a smart repeater in the propagation path between the network element and the user device.

[0026] In some demonstrative embodiments, the network element may configure a positioning reference relationship table that maps transaction beam IDs to PRS IDs of positioning reference signals. However, the network element may transmit or broadcast the positioning reference relationship table to user devices, and one or more user devices associated with the network element may store the positioning reference relationship table.

[0027] Using the positioning reference relationship table, not only can a network element identify smart repeaters in the propagation path of the network element, but also a user device of a telecommunication network can identify smart repeaters in its propagation path.

[0028] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a core network element or a network element can determine and / or calculate an accurate location of a user device, and the calculated location of the user device can be the adjusted location of the user device relative to an identified smart repeater. As mentioned above, when a smart repeater may be present in the propagation path of a network element toward a user device, the network element may miscalculate the location of the user device due to signal divergence / distortion caused by the smart repeater. Identification of the smart repeater in the propagation path enables the network element to determine an accurate and adjusted location of the user device, eliminating the effect of the divergence / distortion caused by the smart repeater.

[0029] FIG. 1 is an example diagram of a network architecture 100 in which the systems and / or methods described in this disclosure may be implemented.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, a telecommunications network 100 can include a network element 101, a user device 103, and a smart repeater 104.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the network element 101 can directly use a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) 110 to determine the location of the user device 103 when the network element and the user device are within Line Of Sight (LOS) of each other. If the PRS 110 can be transmitted and received by the network element, the network element 101 can accurately and easily determine the location of the user device 103 based on the characteristics of the transmitted and received PRS 110. The PRS 110 can be used to measure the distance between the network element 101 and the user device 103 based on Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), and / or beam information. In some embodiments, the time lag between transmission and reception of the PRS between the network element 101 and the user device 103, location information associated with the user device 103, power information associated with the user device 103, power information associated with the network element 101, the arrival time of the PRS, or angle information associated with reception of the PRS may also be used to determine the location of the user device 103.

[0032] However, sometimes the network element 101 and the user device 103 may not be within each other's LOS (i.e., No Line Of Sight (NLOS)), or they (the network element and the user device) may be too far from each other and require the smart repeater 104 to extend / propagate the signal. As an example, the network element 101 may transmit a PRS 111 that can pass through the smart repeater 104 and be received by the user device 103. The smart repeater 104 may not appear as a repeater to the network element 101, and since the smart repeater 104 and the user device 103 are not aligned (not aligned, not in a straight line), the network element may make excessive errors in determining the location of the user device 103. The location of the user device 103 determined based on the PRS 110 may be more accurate than the location of the user device 103 based on the PRS 111.

[0033] Embodiments of the present disclosure may enable a network element 101 to identify a smart repeater 104 in its propagation path. Embodiments of the present disclosure may also enable a network element 101, a core network element 505, or a user device 103 to correct and / or compensate for distortions caused by the smart repeater 104.

[0034] As an example, the network element 101 can assign a transaction beam ID or beam ID (used interchangeably herein) to the smart repeater 104 associated with the network element 101. As another example, beam IDs 32-63 may be assigned to a specific repeater for forming a repeater beam. By using the beam ID and associating beam IDs (or transaction IDs) with PRS IDs, the network element 101 can generate a positioning reference relationship table. The network element 101 can generate a positioning reference signal dedicated to the smart repeater 104 by generating a positioning reference signal having a PRS ID corresponding to the beam ID of the smart repeater 104. The network element can then transmit the generated PRS 111 having the PRS ID to the smart repeater 104.

[0035] When the user device 103 is able to measure the PRS 111, the user device can report the PRS ID of the positioning reference signal to the network element 101. The network element 101 can use a positioning reference relationship table to identify the beam ID associated with the received PRS ID, essentially identifying the smart repeaters 104 in the (NLOS) propagation path between the network element 101 and the user device 103.

[0036] 2 is a diagram of an example environment 200 in which the methods and systems described herein may be implemented. As shown in FIG. 2, environment 200 may include a user device 210, a platform 220, and a network 230. The devices of environment 200 may be interconnected by wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. In an embodiment, any of the functions of the elements included in telecommunications network 100 may be performed by any combination of elements shown in FIG. 2.

[0037] The devices 210 include one or more devices that can receive, generate, store, process, and / or provide information related to the platform 220. For example, the devices 210 may include computing devices (e.g., desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, handheld computers, smart speakers, servers, etc.), mobile phones (e.g., smartphones, wireless phones, etc.), wearable devices (e.g., smart glasses or smart watches), or similar devices. In some implementations, the devices 210 can receive information from and / or transmit information to the platform 220. In some embodiments, the devices 210 can include network elements 101, user premise equipment 104, user devices 103, or any automated guided vehicle.

[0038] Platform 220 includes one or more devices capable of providing network services, as described elsewhere herein. In some implementations, platform 220 may include a cloud server or a collection of cloud servers. In some implementations, platform 220 may be designed to be modular so that specific software components can be swapped out depending on specific needs. Thus, platform 220 can be easily and / or quickly reconfigured for different uses.

[0039] In some implementations, as shown, platform 220 may be hosted in a cloud computing environment 222. Notably, although the implementations described herein describe platform 220 as being hosted in a cloud computing environment 222, in some implementations platform 220 may not be cloud-based (i.e., may be implemented outside of a cloud computing environment) or may be partially cloud-based.

[0040] Cloud computing environment 222 includes an environment that hosts platform 220. Cloud computing environment 222 may provide services such as computation, software, data access, storage, etc. that do not require end-user (e.g., device 210) knowledge of the physical location and configuration of the systems and / or devices that host platform 220. As shown, cloud computing environment 222 may include a collection of computing resources 224 (sometimes referred to collectively and sometimes individually as “computing resources 224”).

[0041] The computing resources 224 include one or more personal computers, workstation computers, server devices, or other types of computing and / or communication devices. In some implementations, the computing resources 224 can host the platform 220. Cloud resources may include compute instances running within the computing resources 224, storage devices provided within the computing resources 224, data transfer devices provided by the computing resources 224, etc. In some implementations, the computing resources 224 may communicate with other computing resources 224 via wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of wired and wireless connections.

[0042] As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the computing resources 224 include a group of cloud resources, such as one or more applications ("APP") 224-1, one or more virtual machines ("VMs") 224-2, virtualized storage ("VS") 224-3, one or more hypervisors ("HYPs") 224-4, etc. The applications 224-1 include one or more software applications that may be provided or accessed by the device 210. The applications 224-1 may eliminate the need to install or run software applications on the device 210. For example, the applications 224-1 may include software related to the platform 220 and / or any other software that may be provided through the cloud computing environment 222. In some implementations, one application 224-1 may send or receive information to one or more other applications 224-1 via the virtual machine 224-2.

[0043] The virtual machine 224-2 includes a software implementation of a machine (e.g., a computer) that executes programs like a physical machine. The virtual machine 224-2 can be either a system virtual machine or a process virtual machine, depending on the application and the degree to which the virtual machine 224-2 matches an actual machine. A system virtual machine can provide a complete system platform that supports the execution of a complete operating system ("OS"). A process virtual machine can execute a single program and support a single process. In some implementations, the virtual machine 224-2 can run on behalf of a user (e.g., the device 210) and manage the infrastructure of the cloud computing environment 222, such as data management, synchronization, or long-term data transfer.

[0044] Virtualized storage 224-3 includes one or more storage systems and / or one or more devices that use virtualization technology within the storage systems or devices of computing resources 224. In some implementations, in the context of a storage system, types of virtualization may include block virtualization and file virtualization. Block virtualization may refer to the abstraction (or separation) of logical storage from physical storage such that the storage system may be accessed regardless of the physical storage or heterogeneous structure. The separation may allow administrators flexibility in the storage system regarding how they manage the storage for end users. File virtualization may eliminate the dependency between data accessed at the file level and where the file is physically stored. This may enable optimization of storage usage, server consolidation, and / or performing non-disruptive file migrations.

[0045] Hypervisor 224-4 can provide hardware virtualization technology that allows multiple operating systems (e.g., "guest operating systems") to run simultaneously on a host computer, such as computing resource 224. Hypervisor 224-4 can present a virtual operating platform to the guest operating systems and can manage the execution of the guest operating systems. Multiple instances of various operating systems can share virtualized hardware resources.

[0046] Network 230 may include one or more wired and / or wireless networks. For example, network 230 may include a cellular network (e.g., a fifth generation (5G) network, a long term evolution (LTE) network, a third generation (3G) network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network, etc.), a public land mobile network (PLMN), a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a telephone network (e.g., a public switched telephone network (PSTN)), a private network, an ad-hoc network, an intranet, the Internet, an optical fiber-based network, etc., and / or a combination of these or other types of networks.

[0047] The number and arrangement of devices and networks shown in Figure 2 are provided as an example. In practice, there may be additional devices and / or networks, fewer devices and / or networks, different devices and / or networks, or devices and / or networks in a different arrangement than those shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, two or more devices shown in Figure 2 may be implemented within a single device, or a single device shown in Figure 2 may be implemented as multiple distributed devices. Additionally or alternatively, a set of devices (e.g., one or more devices) of environment 200 may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of devices of environment 200.

[0048] 3 is a diagram of example components of a device 300. The device 300 may correspond to the device 210 and / or the platform 220. As shown in FIG. 3, the device 300 may include a bus 310, a processor 320, a memory 330, a storage component 340, an input component 350, an output component 360, and a communication interface 370.

[0049] The bus 310 includes components that enable communication between the components of the device 300. The processor 320 is implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. The processor 320 is a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), an Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or another type of processing component. In some implementations, the processor 320 includes one or more processors that can be programmed to perform functions. The memory 330 includes a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), and / or another type of dynamic or static storage device (e.g., flash memory, magnetic memory, and / or optical memory) that stores information and / or instructions for use by the processor 320.

[0050] The storage component 340 stores information and / or software related to the operation and use of the device 300. For example, the storage component 340 may include a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and / or a solid-state disk), a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a floppy disk, a cartridge, a magnetic tape, and / or other types of non-transitory computer-readable storage media along with a corresponding drive. The input component 350 includes components that enable the device 300 to receive information via user input (e.g., a touch screen display, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a button, a switch, and / or a microphone), and the like. Additionally or alternatively, the input component 350 may include sensors for sensing information (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) component, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and / or an actuator). The output component 360 includes components that provide output information from the device 300 (e.g., a display, a speaker, and / or one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs)).

[0051] The communications interface 370 includes transceiver-like components (e.g., a transceiver and / or a separate receiver and transmitter) that enable the device 300 to communicate with other devices, such as via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. The communications interface 370 may enable the device 300 to receive information from and / or provide information to another device. For example, the communications interface 370 may include an Ethernet interface, an optical interface, a coaxial interface, an infrared interface, a radio frequency (RF) interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a Wi-Fi interface, a cellular network interface, etc.

[0052] The device 300 may perform one or more processes described herein. The device 300 may perform these processes in response to the processor 320 executing software instructions stored by a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as the memory 330 and / or the storage component 340. A computer-readable medium is defined herein as a non-transitory memory device. A memory device includes memory space within a single physical storage device or across multiple physical storage devices.

[0053] Software instructions may be loaded into memory 330 and / or storage component 340 from another computer-readable medium or from another device via communications interface 370. The software instructions stored in memory 330 and / or storage component 340, when executed, may cause processor 320 to perform one or more of the processes described herein.

[0054] Additionally, or instead, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions to perform one or more of the processes described herein. Thus, implementations described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

[0055] The number and arrangement of components shown in Figure 3 are provided as an example. In practice, device 300 may include additional, fewer, different, or differently arranged components than those shown in Figure 3. Additionally or alternatively, a set of components (e.g., one or more components) of device 300 may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components of device 300.

[0056] In an embodiment, any one of the modules or components of FIG. 1 may be implemented by or using any one of the elements shown in FIGS.

[0057] 4 is an example diagram of a network architecture 400 for determining (locating) a coordinated precise location of a user device when a smart repeater may be present in the propagation path. As shown in FIG. 4, the network architecture 400 may include a network element 101, a smart repeater 104, and a user device 103.

[0058] As described above, a network element, a user device, or a core network element can identify smart repeaters that may be in the propagation path of a signal. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the signal relayed by the smart repeater can be identified and measured, and then the repeater specific parameters can be applied to determine the accurate and coordinated location of the user device, and the impact / divergence / distortion caused by the smart repeater being in the propagation path can be largely eliminated.

[0059] According to some embodiments, known methods and those described herein can be used to identify and measure signals repeated by smart repeaters and then determine the length of the propagation path, which can be used in conjunction with the minimum distance and absolute location of the smart repeater to determine the location of the user device.

[0060] According to some embodiments, the precise and coordinated location of the user device may be calculated based on the location of a particular repeater relative to the location of a network element, the location of a particular repeater relative to the location of the user device, timing information associated with one or more signals between the network element and the particular repeater, or processing delays associated with one or more signals between the network element and the particular repeater.

[0061] As an example, based on the signals and information relayed between the smart repeater and the network element, the network element can determine the distance between the network element and the smart repeater, and can also determine the absolute position of the smart repeater. According to some embodiments, the network element can determine the total propagation path by utilizing timing information (e.g., Time Difference Of Arrival (TDOA) positioning techniques). The network element can then identify and / or determine the distance between the user device and the smart repeater. Then, based on the total propagation path, the distance between the network element and the smart repeater, the absolute position of the smart repeater, the timing information, and / or the distance between the user device and the smart repeater, the network element can determine the absolute position of the user device.

[0062] 4, a first distance 455, d_{gNB-SR}, between the network element 101 and the smart repeater 104 can be determined based on signals and information relayed between the smart repeater 104 and the network element 101. The timing information can then be used to determine the total propagation path, d_{gNB-SR}+d_{SR-UE}. Then, using the absolute location of the repeater, as well as the total propagation path, the timing information, and the first distance 455, the network element can determine a second distance 460, d_{SR-UE}, between the smart repeater 104 and the user device 103, which in turn can be used to determine the absolute location of the user device 103.

[0063] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network element can use information of processing delays associated with smart repeaters to determine the absolute location and adjusted location of a user device. The network element can subtract the information of the processing delays from the total propagation delay. These measurements can be based on one or more TDOA positioning techniques.

[0064] 5 is an exemplary diagram of a network architecture 500 for determining a coordinated and accurate position of a user device during uplink positioning when a smart repeater may be present in the propagation path. As shown in FIG. 5, the network architecture 500 may include a network element 101, a smart repeater 104, and a user device 103.

[0065] According to an embodiment, a user device may transmit an uplink wireless signal (e.g., a sounding reference signal) to a network element via a smart repeater in a propagation path. In an embodiment, the network element may generate a positioning reference relationship table that defines a relationship between a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) ID and a transaction beam ID. A positioning reference signal ID may be associated with a positioning reference signal, and each of the one or more transaction beam IDs may be associated with a respective smart repeater of one or more smart repeaters of the telecommunications network.

[0066] Then, according to some embodiments, the network element can identify a particular smart repeater between the network element and the user device based on using the positioning reference relationship table to determine a particular transaction beam ID associated with the particular smart repeater. In other words, the network element can identify a smart repeater based on a transaction beam ID of an uplink wireless signal that matches a beam ID assigned to one of the smart repeaters.

[0067] In some embodiments, after identifying smart repeaters in the propagation path of the network element, the network element can apply repeater-specific parameters for positioning to determine the absolute location of the user device.

[0068] An exemplary workflow for determining an adjusted precise location of a user device during uplink positioning when a smart repeater may be present in the propagation path is shown in FIG.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 6, a workflow process 600 may illustrate one or more operations for determining an adjusted precise position of a user device during uplink positioning when a smart repeater may be present in the propagation path.

[0070] Operations 605-615 may relate to generating and transmitting beam IDs or transaction beam IDs to respective smart repeaters. In operation 605, the smart repeater may transmit a connection request to a network element to be associated with the network element. As an example, the smart repeater 104 may transmit a connection request to the network element 101.

[0071] In operation 610, the network element 101 may assign (assign) one or more transaction beam IDs, each of which may be associated with a respective repeater, e.g., smart repeater 104. The operation may also include a process of generating a positioning reference relationship table by the network element 101, the positioning reference relationship table including a relationship between a positioning reference signal ID and each of the one or more transaction beam IDs. The positioning reference signal ID may be associated with a positioning reference signal, and each of the one or more transaction beam IDs may be associated with a respective repeater. In some embodiments, the positioning reference relationship table further includes a flag indicating whether each of the one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network may be a smart repeater.

[0072] In operation 615, network element 101 may transmit or broadcast the transaction beam ID associated with each smart repeater to all smart repeaters included in or connected to the network element. As an example, network element 101 may transmit all transaction beam IDs associated with smart repeaters connected to network element 101, such as smart repeater 104.

[0073] In operation 620, the core network element can send a positioning request to the user device 103. In some embodiments, the positioning request can be a trigger signal for the positioning process. In some embodiments, the positioning request can be made periodically or can be triggered by a particular telecommunications condition, such as an alert or a failure in the provision of network services by the telecommunications network.

[0074] In an operation 625, an uplink radio signal (RS) 510 may be transmitted by the user device 103 to the network element 101. The uplink radio signal may include a significant amount of information, including a PRS ID associated with the uplink radio signal 510.

[0075] In operation 630, the network element may identify a particular repeater between the network element and the user device based on determining a particular transaction beam ID associated with the particular repeater using the positioning reference relationship table.

[0076] As an example, the network element 101 can use the positioning reference relationship table to identify a transaction beam ID from a PRS ID of the received uplink wireless signal 510. If the PRS ID matches an entry in the positioning reference relationship table, the corresponding transaction beam ID can be identified. Thus, the network element 101 can identify a repeater associated with the identified transaction beam ID.

[0077] In operation 635, the network element may transmit location information related to a particular repeater between the network element and the user device to the core network element. As an example, the network element 101 may transmit repeater-specific parameters (e.g., absolute location of the repeater, TDOA, etc.) to the core network element 405, so that the core network element 405 may calculate an accurate and adjusted location of the user device 103 in operation 640 by ignoring the effects of the smart repeater 104. The adjusted location may be calculated based on the location of the particular repeater relative to the location of the network element, the location of the particular repeater relative to the location of the user device, timing information related to one or more signals between the network element and the particular repeater, or processing delays related to one or more signals between the network element and the particular repeater.

[0078] 7 is an example diagram of a network architecture 700 for determining a coordinated and accurate position of a user device during downlink positioning when a smart repeater may be present in the propagation path. As shown in FIG. 7, the network architecture 700 may include a network element 101, a smart repeater 104, and a user device 103.

[0079] According to an embodiment, a network element may transmit a downlink wireless signal to a user device via a smart repeater in the propagation path.

[0080] In an embodiment, the network element may generate a positioning reference relationship table that defines a relationship between a positioning reference signal (PRS) ID and a transaction beam ID. A positioning reference signal ID may be associated with a positioning reference signal, and each of the one or more transaction beam IDs may be associated with a respective smart repeater of one or more smart repeaters of the telecommunications network.

[0081] Then, according to some embodiments, the network element can identify a particular smart repeater between the network element and the user device based on using the positioning reference relationship table to determine a particular transaction beam ID associated with the particular smart repeater. In other words, the network element can identify a smart repeater based on a transaction beam ID of a downlink wireless signal that matches a beam ID assigned to one of the smart repeaters. In some embodiments, the particular transaction beam ID can be determined based on the transmission of the downlink wireless signal and the received measurement report.

[0082] Then, according to some embodiments, the network element can identify a particular smart repeater between the network element and the user device based on determining the particular transaction beam ID and positioning measurement report.

[0083] In some embodiments, after identifying smart repeaters in the propagation path of the network element, the network element can apply repeater-specific parameters for positioning to determine the absolute location of the user device.

[0084] By identifying the transaction beam ID at the network element of the repeater, the network element can identify whether the positioning measurement report of the downlink reference signal may be from the repeater. For positioning based on the positioning measurement report from the repeater, the network element or the core network element can utilize the known information about the repeater.

[0085] An exemplary workflow for determining a refined precise location of a user device during downlink positioning when a smart repeater may be present in the propagation path is shown in FIG.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 8, a workflow process 800 may illustrate one or more operations for determining an adjusted precise position of a user device during downlink positioning when a smart repeater may be present in the propagation path.

[0087] Actions 805-820 may be similar to actions 605-620 of workflow 600 related to generating and transmitting a beam ID or transaction beam ID to a respective smart repeater.

[0088] At operation 825, a downlink wireless signal 710 may be transmitted by the network element 101 to the user device 103. The downlink wireless signal may include a significant amount of information, including a PRS ID associated with the downlink wireless signal 710.

[0089] At operation 830 , the measurement report generated by the user device 103 may be transmitted to the network element 101 .

[0090] In operation 835, the network element may transmit location information related to a particular repeater between the network element and the user device to the core network element. As an example, the network element 101 may transmit repeater-specific parameters (e.g., absolute location of the repeater, TDOA, etc.) to the core network element 405, so that the core network element 405 may calculate an accurate and adjusted location of the user device 103 in operation 840 by ignoring the effects of the smart repeater 104. The adjusted location may be calculated based on the location of the particular repeater relative to the location of the network element, the location of the particular repeater relative to the location of the user device, timing information related to one or more signals between the network element and the particular repeater, or processing delays related to one or more signals between the network element and the particular repeater.

[0091] By identifying the transaction beam ID at the network element of the repeater, the network element identifies whether the positioning measurement report of the downlink reference signal may be from the repeater. For positioning based on the report from the repeater, the network element and the core network element can utilize the known information about the repeater.

[0092] 9 is an example diagram of a network architecture 900 for determining a coordinated precise location of a user device during downlink or broadcast positioning when a smart repeater may be present in the propagation path. As shown in FIG. 9, the network architecture 900 may include a network element 101, a smart repeater 104, and a user device 103.

[0093] According to an embodiment, a network element can transmit a downlink radio signal to a user device via smart repeaters in the propagation path, while the user device can calculate its own precise and coordinated location using broadcast positioning.

[0094] In order to identify the presence of a smart repeater in broadcast based positioning, a network element or a core network element can generate a positioning reference relationship table that defines a relationship between a positioning reference signal (PRS) ID and a transaction beam ID. A positioning reference signal ID may be associated with a positioning reference signal, and each of the one or more transaction beam IDs may be associated with a respective smart repeater of one or more smart repeaters of the telecommunications network. The network element or the core network element can then broadcast the positioning reference relationship table and location information related to one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network. In some embodiments, the network element or the core network element can broadcast the positioning reference relationship table, which may further include a flag indicating whether each repeater of one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network may be a smart repeater.

[0095] In some embodiments, following the broadcast of the positioning reference relationship table, the user device can identify a particular smart repeater between the network element and the user device based on using the positioning reference relationship table to determine a particular transaction beam ID associated with the particular smart repeater. The user device can then request information related to the particular smart repeater based on identifying the transaction beam ID of the particular smart receiver. In response to the request, the core network element can transmit location information related to the particular repeater between the network element and the user device to the user device.

[0096] The user device can then calculate a precise and coordinated location for itself (the user device) based on the location information associated with a particular repeater and the information obtained from the PRS.

[0097] An exemplary workflow for determining a coordinated precise location of a user device during downlink or broadcast positioning when a smart repeater may be present in the propagation path is shown in FIG.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 10, a workflow process 1000 may illustrate one or more operations for determining a coordinated precise location of a user device during downlink or broadcast positioning when a smart repeater may be present in the propagation path.

[0099] Actions 1005-1015 may be similar to actions 605-615 of workflow 600 and 805-815 of workflow 800, and may relate to generating and transmitting a beam ID or transaction beam ID to the respective smart repeater.

[0100] In operation 1020, the core network element may broadcast the positioning reference relationship table and location information associated with one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network using a broadcast signal 910. In some embodiments, the network element or core network element may broadcast the positioning reference relationship table, which may further include a flag indicating whether each of the one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network is a smart repeater.

[0101] At operation 1025, a downlink wireless signal 915 may be transmitted by the network element 101 to the user device 103. The downlink wireless signal may include a significant amount of information, including a PRS ID associated with the downlink wireless signal 915.

[0102] In operation 1030, following the broadcast of the positioning reference relationship table, the user device can identify a particular smart repeater between the network element and the user device based on using the positioning reference relationship table to determine a particular transaction beam ID associated with the particular smart repeater. Then, based on identifying the transaction beam ID of the particular smart receiver, the user device can request information related to the particular smart repeater.

[0103] In response to the request, the core network element may transmit location information associated with a particular repeater between the network element and the user device to the user device in operation 1035. By way of example, the core network element may transmit repeater-specific parameters (e.g., absolute location of the repeater, TDOA, etc.) to the user device 103.

[0104] In operation 1040, the user device 103 can calculate an accurate and adjusted location of the user device 103 by ignoring the effects of the smart repeater 104. The adjusted location can be calculated based on the location of the particular repeater relative to the location of the network element, the location of the particular repeater relative to the location of the user device, timing information associated with one or more signals between the network element and the particular repeater, or processing delays associated with one or more signals between the network element and the particular repeater.

[0105] FIG. 11 is an example flowchart illustrating an example process 1100 for improved positioning of a user device in a telecommunications network including one or more repeaters in communication between network elements and the user device, according to an embodiment.

[0106] According to an embodiment, operation 1110 may include assigning, by the network element, one or more transaction beam IDs, each of the one or more transaction beam IDs associated with a respective repeater of the one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network. In some embodiments, the communication between the network element and the user device may be downlink communication, and the particular transaction beam ID may be determined based on downlink wireless signal transmissions and received measurement reports.

[0107] According to embodiments, operation 1115 may include generating, by the network element, a positioning reference relationship table, where the positioning reference relationship table may include a relationship between a positioning reference signal ID and each of the one or more transaction beam IDs, where the positioning reference signal ID may be associated with a positioning reference signal, and where each of the one or more transaction beam IDs may be associated with a respective repeater of the one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network. According to some embodiments, the positioning reference relationship table may further include a flag indicating whether each repeater of the one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network may be a smart repeater.

[0108] According to an embodiment, operation 1120 may include identifying, by the network element, a particular repeater between the network element and the user device, where identifying may be based on determining a particular transaction beam ID associated with the particular repeater using a positioning reference relationship table. In some embodiments, operation 1120 may also include transmitting, by the network element to the core element, location information related to the particular repeater between the network element and the user device.

[0109] According to an embodiment, operation 1125 may include calculating, by the network element, the core network element, or the user device, an adjusted location of the user device. In some embodiments, the adjusted location may be calculated based on a location of a particular repeater relative to a location of the network element, a location of a particular repeater relative to a location of the user device, timing information associated with one or more signals between the network element and the particular repeater, or processing delays associated with one or more signals between the network element and the particular repeater.

[0110] According to an embodiment, operation 1130 may include receiving, by the core network element, an adjusted location of the user device, where the adjusted location of the user device may be adjusted relative to a location of a particular repeater between the network element and the user device.

[0111] In some embodiments, in operation 1130, the user device can calculate the adjusted position of the user device. In some embodiments, when the user device can calculate the adjusted position of the user device, operation 1130 can include broadcasting a positioning reference relationship table by the core network element. Then, based on the particular repeater being a smart repeater, operation 1103 can include receiving, by the core network element, from the user device, a smart repeater ID of the particular repeater. After receiving the smart repeater ID, operation 1130 can include transmitting, by the core network element, location information related to the particular repeater between the network element and the user device to the user device.

[0112] As another example, in some embodiments, the user device may calculate an adjusted position of the user device in operation 1130. In some embodiments, when the user device is able to calculate the adjusted position of the user device, operation 1130 may include broadcasting, by the core network element, the positioning reference relationship table and location information associated with one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network before the core network element receives the adjusted position of the user device.

[0113] The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practicing the implementations.

[0114] Some embodiments may relate to systems, methods, and / or computer-readable media at any possible level of technical detail of integration. Furthermore, one or more of the above components described above may be implemented as instructions stored on a computer-readable medium and executable by at least one processor (and / or may include at least one processor). The computer-readable medium may include a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium(s) having computer-readable program instructions for causing a processor to perform operations.

[0115] A computer-readable storage medium may be a tangible device that can hold and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. A computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination thereof. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of computer-readable storage media includes the following: portable computer diskettes, hard disks, random access memories (RAMs), read-only memories (ROMs), erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs or flash memories), static random access memories (SRAMs), portable compact disk read-only memories (CD-ROMs), digital versatile disks (DVDs), memory sticks, floppy disks, mechanically encoded devices such as punch cards or grooved ridge structures having instructions recorded therein, and any suitable combination thereof. Computer-readable storage media as used herein should not be interpreted as transitory signals per se, such as electric waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission medium (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through wires.

[0116] The computer-readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded from a computer-readable storage medium to the respective computing / processing device or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, such as the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, and / or a wireless network. The network may include copper transmission cables, optical fiber transmission, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers, and / or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing / processing device receives the computer-readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer-readable program instructions for storage in a computer-readable storage medium in the respective computing / processing device.

[0117] The computer readable program code / instructions for performing the operations may be either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including assembler instructions, Instruction-Set-Architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, configuration data for an integrated circuit, or object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk, C++, and procedural programming languages ​​such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may be executed entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a standalone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN), or may be connected to an external computer (e.g., through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, a programmable logic circuit, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or a programmable logic array (PLA) can execute computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry to perform an aspect or operation.

[0118] These computer-readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to generate a machine such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for performing the functions / operations specified in one or more blocks of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams. These computer-readable program instructions may also be stored on a computer-readable storage medium capable of directing a computer, programmable data processing apparatus, and / or other device to function in a particular manner, such that the computer-readable storage medium on which the instructions are stored includes a product including instructions implementing aspects of the functions / operations specified in one or more blocks of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams.

[0119] The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device to execute a series of operational steps to generate a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions executing on the computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device perform the functions / operations specified in one or more blocks of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams.

[0120] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer-readable media according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block in the flowcharts or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or part of an instruction that includes one or more executable instructions for implementing a specified logical function. The methods, computer systems, and computer-readable media may include additional, fewer, different, or differently arranged blocks than those shown in the figures. In some alternative implementations, the functions described in the blocks may be performed in a different order than that described in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may actually be executed simultaneously or substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order depending on the functionality involved. It should also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, as well as combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, may be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified functions or operations or executes a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0121] It will be apparent that the systems and / or methods described herein may be implemented in various forms of hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. The actual dedicated control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods is not intended to limit the implementation. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and / or methods are described herein without reference to specific software code, and it will be understood that software and hardware can be designed to implement the systems and / or methods based on the description herein.

Claims

1. 1. A method for improved positioning of a user device in a telecommunications network including one or more repeaters in communication between network elements and the user device, the method being executed by one or more processors, the method comprising: assigning, by the network element, one or more transaction beam IDs, each of the one or more transaction beam IDs being associated with a respective repeater of the one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network; The method further includes generating, by the network element, a positioning reference relationship table, the positioning reference relationship table including a relationship between a positioning reference signal ID and each of the one or more transaction beam IDs, the positioning reference signal ID being associated with a positioning reference signal, and each of the one or more transaction beam IDs being associated with a respective one of the one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network; The method further includes receiving, by a core element, an adjusted location of the user device, the adjusted location of the user device being adjusted relative to a location of a particular repeater between the network element and the user device.

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjusted location is calculated based on at least two of: a location of the particular repeater relative to a location of the network element, a location of the particular repeater relative to a location of the user device, timing information associated with one or more signals between the network element and the particular repeater, or a processing delay associated with the one or more signals between the network element and the particular repeater.

3. Prior to receiving the adjusted position of the user device, the method further comprises: identifying, by the network element, the particular repeater between the network element and the user device, the identifying being based on determining a particular transaction beam ID associated with the particular repeater using the positioning reference relationship table; 2. The method of claim 1, prior to receiving the adjusted location of the user device, the method further comprising: transmitting, by the network element to the core element, location information relating to the particular repeater between the network element and the user device.

4. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the communication between the network element and the user device is a downlink communication, and the specific transaction beam ID is determined based on downlink wireless signal transmissions and received measurement reports.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the adjusted location of the user device is calculated by the core element of the telecommunications network.

6. The adjusted position of the user device is calculated by the user device, and the method includes, prior to receiving the adjusted position of the user device, broadcasting the positioning reference relationship table by the core element; receiving, by the core element, a smart repeater ID of the particular repeater from the user device based on the particular repeater being a smart repeater; 2. The method of claim 1, comprising transmitting, by the core element, location information to the user device relating to the particular repeater between the network element and the user device.

7. The adjusted position of the user device is calculated by the user device, and the method includes, prior to receiving the adjusted position of the user device, The method of claim 1 , comprising broadcasting, by the core element, the positioning reference relationship table and location information associated with the one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the positioning reference relationship table further comprises a flag indicating whether the respective one of the one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network is a smart repeater.

9. 1. An apparatus for improved positioning of a user device in a telecommunications network including one or more repeaters in communication between a network element and the user device, the apparatus comprising: at least one memory configured to store computer program code; at least one processor configured to access the computer program code and to operate as instructed by the computer program code; The computer program code comprises: a first assignment code configured to cause a first processor to assign one or more transaction beam IDs, each of the one or more transaction beam IDs associated with a respective repeater of the one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network; The computer program code further comprises: a first generation code configured to cause the first processor to generate a positioning reference relationship table, the positioning reference relationship table including a relationship between a positioning reference signal ID and each of the one or more transaction beam IDs, the positioning reference signal ID being associated with a positioning reference signal, and each of the one or more transaction beam IDs being associated with a respective one of the one or more repeaters in the telecommunications network; The computer program code further comprises: an apparatus comprising: first receiving code configured to cause a second processor to receive an adjusted location of the user device, the adjusted location of the user device being adjusted relative to a location of a particular repeater between the network element and the user device;

10. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the adjusted location is calculated based on at least two of: the location of the particular repeater relative to a location of the network element, the location of the particular repeater relative to a location of the user device, timing information associated with one or more signals between the network element and the particular repeater, or a processing delay associated with the one or more signals between the network element and the particular repeater.

11. Prior to the first receiving code, the program code further comprises: a first identification code configured to cause the first processor to identify the particular repeater between the network element and the user device, the identifying being based on determining a particular transaction beam ID associated with the particular repeater using the positioning reference relationship table; Prior to the first receiving code, the program code further comprises:

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: first transmission code configured to cause the first processor to transmit location information associated with the particular repeater between the network element and the user device to the second processor.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the communication between the network element and the user device is a downlink communication, and the particular transaction beam ID is determined based on downlink wireless signal transmissions and received measurement reports.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the adjusted position of the user device is calculated by the second processor, the second processor being part of a core element of the telecommunications network.

14. The adjusted position of the user device is calculated by a third processor, the third processor being part of the user device, and prior to the first receiving code, the program code further comprises: a broadcast code configured to cause the second processor to broadcast the positioning reference relationship table; a second receiving code configured to cause the second processor to receive, based on the particular repeater being a smart repeater, from the first processor, a smart repeater ID of the particular repeater; and second transmission code configured to cause the second processor to transmit location information associated with the particular repeater between the network element and the user device to the first processor.

15. The adjusted position of the user device is calculated by a third processor, the third processor being part of the user device, and prior to the first receiving code, the program code further comprises:

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a broadcast code configured to cause the second processor to broadcast the positioning reference relationship table and location information associated with the one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network.

16. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the positioning reference relationship table further includes a flag indicating whether the respective one of the one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network is a smart repeater.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a program for causing a computer system to execute a process, the process comprising: assigning, by a network element, one or more transaction beam IDs, each of the one or more transaction beam IDs being associated with a respective repeater of one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network; the process further includes generating, by the network element, a positioning reference relationship table, the positioning reference relationship table including a relationship between a positioning reference signal ID and each of the one or more transaction beam IDs, the positioning reference signal ID being associated with a positioning reference signal, and each of the one or more transaction beam IDs being associated with a respective one of the one or more repeaters of the telecommunications network; The program further includes receiving, by a core element, an adjusted location of the user device, the adjusted location of the user device being adjusted relative to a location of a particular repeater between the network element and the user device.

18. 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the adjusted location is calculated based on at least two of: the location of the particular repeater relative to a location of the network element, the location of the particular repeater relative to a location of the user device, timing information associated with one or more signals between the network element and the particular repeater, or a processing delay associated with the one or more signals between the network element and the particular repeater.

19. Prior to receiving the adjusted position of the user device, the process further comprises: identifying, by the network element, the particular repeater between the network element and the user device, the identifying being based on determining a particular transaction beam ID associated with the particular repeater using the positioning reference relationship table; Prior to receiving the adjusted position of the user device, the process further comprises:

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, comprising transmitting, by the network element to the core element, location information related to the particular repeater between the network element and the user device.

20. The adjusted position of the user device is calculated by the user device, and the method includes, prior to receiving the adjusted position of the user device, broadcasting the positioning reference relationship table by the core element; receiving, by the core element, a smart repeater ID of the particular repeater from the user device based on the particular repeater being a smart repeater; 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising transmitting, by the core element, location information associated with the particular repeater between the network element and the user device to the user device.

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