Enhanced positioning reference signal processing

Abstract

The positioning reference signal measurement method includes receiving an OFDM PRS (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing Positioning Reference Signal) from a network entity at a user equipment, the OFDM PRS including a first set of first OFDM symbols, the first set including a first central symbol and at least one pair of first side symbols that are consecutive and arranged symmetrically with respect to the first central symbol and have an identical resource element sounding pattern, combining the first side symbols in each of the at least one pair of first side symbols to generate at least one first combined symbol, and determining a measurement value of the OFDM PRS based on the at least one first combined symbol and the first central symbol.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS)

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Greek Patent Application No. 20210100899, entitled "ENHANCED POSITIONING REFERENCE SIGNAL PROCESSING," filed on December 20, 2021, which is assigned to the assignee of this application and the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this specification for all purposes. [Background technology]

[0002]

[0002] Wireless communication systems have evolved through various generations, including first-generation analog wireless phone service (1G), second-generation (2G) digital wireless phone service (including interim 2.5G and 2.75G networks), third-generation (3G) high-speed data, Internet-enabled wireless service, fourth-generation (4G) service (e.g., Long-Term Evolution (LTE) or WiMax), fifth-generation (5G) service, etc. Currently, many different types of wireless communication systems are in use, including cellular systems and Personal Communications Service (PCS) systems. Examples of known cellular systems include the Cellular Analog Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) and digital cellular systems based on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), the Global System for Mobile access (GSM) variant of TDMA, and the like.

[0003]

[0003] The fifth generation (5G) mobile standard requires, among other improvements, higher data rates, a larger number of connections, and better coverage. According to the Next Generation Mobile Network Alliance, the 5G standard is designed to provide data rates of tens of megabits per second to tens of thousands of users, and 1 gigabit per second to a few dozen users on an office floor. To support large-scale deployment of sensors, hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections must be supported. Therefore, the spectral efficiency of 5G mobile communications should be significantly increased compared to the current 4G standard. Furthermore, signaling efficiency should be increased and latency should be significantly reduced compared to the current standard. Summary of the Invention

[0004]

[0004] An exemplary user equipment includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to receive from a network entity via the transceiver an OFDM PRS (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing Positioning Reference Signal) including a first set of first OFDM symbols that are contiguous and include a first central symbol and at least one pair of first side symbols that are symmetrically positioned about the first central symbol and have an identical resource element sounding pattern, combine the first side symbol in each of the at least one pair of first side symbols to generate at least one first combination symbol, and determine a measurement value of the OFDM PRS based on the at least one first combination symbol and the first central symbol.

[0005]

[0005] An exemplary positioning reference signal measurement method includes receiving an OFDM PRS (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing Positioning Reference Signal) from a network entity in a user equipment, the OFDM PRS including a first set of first OFDM symbols, the first set including a first central symbol and at least one pair of first side symbols that are consecutive and arranged symmetrically about the first central symbol and have an identical resource element sounding pattern, combining the first side symbol in each of the at least one pair of first side symbols to generate at least one first combination symbol, and determining a measurement value of the OFDM PRS based on the at least one first combination symbol and the first central symbol.

[0006]

[0006] Another exemplary user equipment includes means for receiving from a network entity an OFDM PRS (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing Positioning Reference Signal) including a first set of first OFDM symbols, the first set including a first central symbol and at least one pair of first side symbols that are contiguous and arranged symmetrically about the first central symbol and have an identical resource element sounding pattern, means for combining the first side symbols in each of the at least one pair of first side symbols to generate at least one first combination symbol, and means for determining a measurement value of the OFDM PRS based on the at least one first combination symbol and the first central symbol.

[0007]

[0007] An exemplary non-transitory processor-readable storage medium includes processor-readable instructions that cause a processor of a user equipment to receive from a network entity an OFDM PRS (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing Positioning Reference Signal) including a first set of first OFDM symbols that are contiguous and include a first central symbol and at least one pair of first side symbols that are symmetrically positioned about the first central symbol and have an identical resource element sounding pattern, combine the first side symbol in each of the at least one pair of first side symbols to generate at least one first combination symbol, and determine a measurement value of the OFDM PRS based on the at least one first combination symbol and the first central symbol.

[0008]

[0008] An exemplary network entity includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to schedule transmission of a first PRS (positioning reference signal) of Com 2 with at least one repetition, or schedule transmission of a second PRS having a sounding tone that is symmetrical with respect to an intermediate symbol of the second PRS, or a combination thereof, in response to an inability indication indicating an inability of a first user equipment to determine location information with at least a threshold accuracy based on measurements of a PRS of Com 4 or a higher Com, or based on any Com 2 PRS without repetition.

[0009]

[0009] An exemplary positioning reference signal scheduling method includes, in response to an inability indication indicating an inability of a first user equipment to determine location information with at least a threshold accuracy based on measurements of a PRS of Com 4 or a higher Com, or based on any Com 2 PRS without repetition, scheduling at a network entity the transmission of a first PRS (positioning reference signal) of Com 2 with at least one repetition, or scheduling at the network entity the transmission of a second PRS having sounding tones that are symmetrical with respect to intermediate symbols of the second PRS, or a combination thereof.

[0010]

[0010] Another exemplary network entity includes a transceiver and means for scheduling, via the transceiver, transmission of a first PRS (positioning reference signal) of Com 2 with at least one repetition, or means for scheduling, via the transceiver, transmission of a second PRS having a sounding tone that is symmetrical with respect to an intermediate symbol of the second PRS, or a combination thereof, in response to an inability indication indicating an inability of a first user equipment to determine location information with at least a threshold accuracy based on measurements of a PRS of Com 4 or a higher Com, or based on any Com 2 PRS without repetition.

[0011]

[0011] Another exemplary non-transitory processor-readable storage medium includes processor-readable instructions that cause a processor of a network entity to schedule transmission of a first PRS (positioning reference signal) of Com 2 with at least one repetition, or schedule transmission of a second PRS having a sounding tone that is symmetrical with respect to an intermediate symbol of the second PRS, or a combination thereof, in response to an inability indication indicating an inability of a first user equipment to determine location information with at least a threshold accuracy based on measurements of a PRS of Com 4 or a higher Com, or based on any Com 2 PRS without repetition. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a simplified diagram of an example wireless communication system. [Diagram 2]

[0013] 2 is a block diagram of components of the exemplary user equipment shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3]

[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of components of an exemplary transmission / reception point. [Figure 4]

[0015] The embodiment is a block diagram of components of an exemplary server shown in FIG. [Figure 5A]

[0016] 1 is an example of a downlink positioning reference signal resource set having four resources, a repetition factor of four, and a time gap of one slot. [Figure 5B]

[0017] 11 is another example of a downlink positioning reference signal resource set having four resources, a repetition factor of four, and a time gap of four slots. [Figure 6A]

[0018] 1 is a simplified Comb 2, two-symbol OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) transmission schedule. [Figure 6B]

[0019] 4 shows a 4-symbol OFDM transmission schedule. [Figure 6C]

[0020] 2 shows a 12-symbol OFDM transmission schedule. [Figure 6D]

[0021] 4 shows a 12-symbol OFDM transmission schedule. [Figure 6E]

[0022] 6 shows a 6-symbol OFDM transmission schedule. [Figure 6F]

[0023] com 12, 12 symbol OFDM transmission schedule. [Figure 6G]

[0024] 4 shows the 6-symbol OFDM transmission schedule for Com 2. [Figure 6H]

[0025] 6 shows a 12-symbol OFDM transmission schedule. [Figure 7]

[0026] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example user equipment. [Figure 8]

[0027] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example network entity. [Figure 9]

[0028] 2 is a diagram of two OFDM symbols with a relative residual frequency offset between the two OFDM symbols. [Figure 10]

[0029] 1 is a simplified diagram of a channel energy response having real and aliased peaks; [Figure 11]

[0030] 1 is a symmetric OFDM transmission schedule for Comb 2 signals over three symbols. [Figure 12]

[0031] 1 is a symmetric OFDM transmission schedule for Comb-4 signals over 7 symbols. [Figure 13]

[0032] 1 is a symmetric OFDM transmission schedule for a Com6 signal across 11 symbols. [Figure 14]

[0033] 1 is an example of an explicit request for a symmetric OFDM transmission schedule. [Figure 15]

[0034] 1 is an example of an implicit request for an enhanced positioning reference signal. [Figure 16]

[0035] 1 is an example of a look-up table for a symmetric transmission schedule. [Figure 17]

[0036] 2 is a Com2 positioning reference signal transmission pattern with a single repetition. [Figure 18]

[0037] 13 is an example of an explicit request for a Com2 transmission schedule with at least one repetition. [Figure 19]

[0038] 1 is an example lookup table of a Com 2 transmission schedule with at least one repetition. [Figure 20]

[0039] FIG. 1 is a timing diagram of the signaling and process flow for scheduling and using enhanced positioning reference signals to determine position information. [Figure 21]

[0040] 1 is a block flow diagram of a positioning reference signal measurement method. [Figure 22]

[0041] 1 is a block flow diagram of a positioning reference signal scheduling method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013]

[0042] Techniques for enhanced positioning reference signal processing, for example, scheduling and / or using (e.g., measuring) enhanced positioning reference signals and / or enhanced measurements of positioning reference signals, that reduce the effects of residual frequency offset, are discussed herein. For example, a symmetric positioning reference signal transmission schedule (also referred to as a transmission pattern) may be explicitly and / or implicitly requested by a user equipment and provided by a base station (e.g., with a server). As another example, a Com2 positioning reference signal with at least one repetition may be explicitly and / or implicitly requested by a user equipment and provided by a base station (e.g., with a server). A user equipment may process a positioning reference signal by combining symbols that have the same resource element sounding and are symmetrically positioned with respect to a center symbol. The center symbol and the combined symbol may be further combined and processed to determine measurements of the positioning reference signal and possibly further position information (e.g., pseudorange or position estimate). These implementations are examples and other implementations may be used.

[0014]

[0043] Items and / or techniques described herein may provide one or more of the following capabilities, as well as other capabilities not mentioned: The effect of residual frequency offset on position information based on positioning reference signal measurements may be reduced. Positioning accuracy may be increased. Other capabilities may be provided, and not every implementation according to this disclosure must provide any, much less all, of the capabilities discussed.

[0015]

[0044] Obtaining the location of a mobile device accessing a wireless network can be useful for many applications, including, for example, emergency calls, personal navigation, consumer asset tracking, locating friends or family, etc. Existing positioning methods include methods based on measuring radio signals transmitted from various devices or entities, including satellite vehicles (SVs) and terrestrial radio sources in the wireless network, such as base stations and access points. It is expected that standardization of 5G wireless networks will include support for various positioning methods, which may utilize reference signals transmitted by base stations in a manner similar to how LTE wireless networks currently utilize Positioning Reference Signals (PRS) and / or Cell-specific Reference Signals (CRS) for position determination.

[0016]

[0045] The description may, for example, refer to sequences of actions to be performed by elements of a computing device. The various actions described herein may be performed by specific circuitry (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), by program instructions executed by one or more processors, or a combination of both. The sequences of actions described herein may be embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a corresponding set of computer instructions that, when executed, cause an associated processor to perform the functions described herein. Thus, the various aspects described herein may be embodied in several different forms, all of which are within the scope of this disclosure, including the claimed subject matter.

[0017]

[0046] The terms "user equipment" (UE) and "base station" as used herein are not specific or otherwise limited to any particular Radio Access Technology (RAT) unless otherwise stated. Generally, such a UE may be any wireless communication device (e.g., a mobile phone, a router, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a consumer asset tracking device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.) used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network. A UE may be mobile or stationary (e.g., at a particular time) and may communicate with a Radio Access Network (RAN). The term "UE" as used herein may be referred to interchangeably as an "access terminal" or "AT", "client device", "wireless device", "subscriber device", "subscriber terminal", "subscriber station", "user terminal" or UT, "mobile terminal", "mobile station", "mobile device", or variations thereof. Generally, a UE may communicate with a core network via a RAN, through which the UE may be connected to external networks such as the Internet and to other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms for connecting to the core network and / or the Internet are possible for the UE, such as via a wired access network, a WiFi network (eg, based on IEEE 802.11, etc.), etc.

[0018]

[0047] A base station may operate according to one of several RATs in communication with UEs depending on the network in which it is deployed. Examples of base stations include an Access Point (AP), a network node, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNB), or a general Node B (gNodeB, gNB). Additionally, in some systems, the base station may provide purely edge node signaling functionality, while in other systems the base station may provide additional control and / or network management functionality.

[0019]

[0048] A UE may be embodied by any of several types of devices, including, but not limited to, a printed circuit (PC) card, a compact flash device, an external or internal modem, a wireless or wireline phone, a smart phone, a tablet, a consumer asset tracking device, an asset tag, etc. A communication link through which a UE can transmit signals to a RAN is called an uplink channel (e.g., a reverse traffic channel, a reverse control channel, an access channel, etc.). A communication link through which a RAN can send signals to a UE is called a downlink channel or a forward link channel (e.g., a paging channel, a control channel, a broadcast channel, a forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term traffic channel (TCH) may refer to either an uplink / reverse traffic channel or a downlink / forward traffic channel.

[0020]

[0049] The term "cell" or "sector" as used herein may correspond to one of multiple cells of a base station or to the base station itself, depending on the context. The term "cell" may refer to a logical communication entity used for communication with a base station (e.g., over a carrier) and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., physical cell identifier (PCID), virtual cell identifier (VCID)) to distinguish adjacent cells operating over the same or different carriers. In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., machine-type communication (MTC), narrowband Internet-of-Things (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), or others) that may provide access to different types of devices. In some examples, the term "cell" may refer to a portion (e.g., sector) of a geographic coverage area over which the logical entity operates.

[0021]

[0050] Referring to FIG. 1, an example of a communication system 100 includes a UE 105, a UE 106, a radio access network (RAN), here a fifth generation (5G) next generation (Next Generation, NG) RAN (Next Generation (NG) RAN, NG-RAN) 135, a 5G core network (5G Core, 5GC) 140, and a server 150. The UE 105 and / or the UE 106 may be, for example, an IoT device, a location tracker device, a cellular phone, a vehicle (e.g., a car, a truck, a bus, a boat, etc.), or other device. The 5G network may also be referred to as a New Radio (NR) network, the NG-RAN 135 may also be referred to as a 5G RAN or an NR RAN, and the 5GC 140 may also be referred to as an NG Core network (NG Core, NGC). Standardization of the NG-RAN and 5GC is underway in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). As such, the NG-RAN 135 and the 5GC 140 may conform to current and future standards for 5G support from 3GPP. The NG-RAN 135 may be another type of RAN, e.g., a 3G RAN, a 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) RAN, etc. The UE 106 may be configured to send and / or receive signals to / from similar other entities in the system 100 and may be similarly coupled to the UE 105, although such signaling is not shown in FIG. 1 for ease of illustration. Similarly, the present discussion focuses on the UE 105 for brevity.The communication system 100 may utilize information from a constellation 185 of satellite vehicles (SVs) 190, 191, 192, 193 for a Satellite Positioning System (SPS) (e.g., Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)), such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), Galileo, or Beidou, or some other local or regional SPS, such as the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS), the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), or the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). Additional components of the communication system 100 are described below. The communication system 100 may include additional or alternative components.

[0022]

[0051] 1, the NG-RAN 135 includes NR nodeBs (gNBs) 110a, 110b, and a next generation eNodeB (ng-eNB) 114, and the 5GC 140 includes an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 115, a Session Management Function (SMF) 117, a Location Management Function (LMF) 120, and a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 125. The gNBs 110a, 110b, and the ng-eNB 114 are communicatively coupled to one another and each configured to wirelessly communicate bidirectionally with the UE 105, and each communicatively coupled to the AMF 115 and configured to communicate bidirectionally with the AMF 115. The gNBs 110a, 110b, and the ng-eNB 114 may be referred to as base stations (BSs). The AMF 115, SMF 117, LMF 120, and GMLC 125 are communicatively coupled to each other, and the GMLC is communicatively coupled to an external client 130. The SMF 117 may serve as an initial point of contact for a Service Control Function (SCF) (not shown) that creates, controls, and deletes media sessions. A base station, such as the gNBs 110a, 110b, and / or the ng-eNB 114, may be a macro cell (e.g., a high power cellular base station), or a small cell (e.g., a low power cellular base station), or an access point (e.g., a short-range base station configured to communicate with a short-range technology, such as WiFi, WiFi Direct (WiFi-Direct, WiFi-D), Bluetooth, Bluetooth-low energy (BLE), Zigbee, etc.). One or more BSs, for example, one or more of the gNBs 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114, may be configured to communicate with the UE 105 over multiple carriers.Each of the gNBs 110a, 110b, and the ng-eNB 114 may provide communication coverage for a respective geographic region, e.g., a cell. Each cell may be partitioned into multiple sectors according to the base station antennas.

[0023]

[0052] FIG. 1 provides a generalized view of the various components, and any or all of the components may be utilized as appropriate, and each of the components may be duplicated or omitted as desired. Specifically, while one UE 105 is shown, many UEs (e.g., hundreds, thousands, millions, etc.) may be utilized in the communication system 100. Similarly, the communication system 100 may include more (or fewer) SVs (i.e., more or fewer than the four SVs 190-193 shown), gNBs 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, AMF 115, external client 130, and / or other components. The connections shown connecting the various components in the communication system 100 include data and signaling connections, which may include additional (intermediate) components, direct or indirect physical and / or wireless connections, and / or additional networks. Furthermore, the components may be rearranged, combined, separated, substituted, and / or omitted depending on the desired functionality.

[0024]

[0053] 1 illustrates a 5G-based network, similar network implementations and configurations may be used for other communication technologies, such as 3G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), etc. Implementations described herein (whether for 5G technology and / or for one or more other communication technologies and / or protocols) may be used to transmit (or broadcast) directional synchronization signals, receive and measure directional signals at a UE (e.g., UE 105), and / or provide location assistance to the UE 105 (via the GMLC 125 or other location server), and / or calculate the location of the UE 105 at a location-enabled device, such as the UE 105, gNBs 110a, 110b, or LMF 120, based on measurements received at the UE 105 for such directionally transmitted signals. The Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 125, Location Management Function (LMF) 120, Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 115, SMF 117, ng-eNB (eNodeB) 114, and gNBs (gNodeBs) 110a, 110b are examples and may each be replaced by or include various other location server functions and / or base station functions in various embodiments.

[0025]

[0054] The system 100 is capable of wireless communication in that the components of the system 100 can communicate with each other (at least sometimes using a wireless connection) directly or indirectly, for example, via the gNBs 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, and / or 5GC 140 (and / or one or more other devices, not shown, such as one or more other base transceiver stations). In the case of indirect communication, the communication may be altered during transmission from one entity to another, for example, to alter header information of the data packets, to change the format, etc. The UE 105 may include multiple UEs and may be a mobile wireless communication device, but may communicate wirelessly and via a wired connection. The UE 105 may be any of a variety of devices, such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, a vehicle-based device, etc., although these are examples and other configurations of UEs may be used, as the UE 105 need not be any of these configurations. Other UEs may include wearable devices (e.g., a smart watch, smart jewelry, smart glasses, or a headset, etc.). Still other UEs, whether currently existing or developed in the future, may be used. Additionally, other wireless devices (whether mobile or not) may be implemented within the system 100 and may communicate with each other and / or with the UE 105, the gNBs 110a, 110b, the ng-eNB 114, the 5GC 140, and / or the external client 130. For example, such other devices may include Internet of Things (IoT) devices, medical devices, home entertainment and / or automation devices, etc. The 5GC 140 may communicate with the external client 130 (e.g., a computer system), for example, to enable the external client 130 to request and / or receive location information regarding the UE 105 (e.g., via the GMLC 125).

[0026]

[0055] The UE 105 or other devices may communicate in various networks and / or for various purposes and / or using various technologies (e.g., 5G, Wi-Fi communications, multiple frequencies of Wi-Fi communications, satellite positioning, one or more types of communications (e.g., Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE)), V2X (Vehicle to Everything, e.g., V2P (Vehicle to Pedestrian), V2I (Vehicle to Infrastructure), V2V (Vehicle to Vehicle), etc.), IEEE 802.11p, etc.). The V2X communication may be cellular (Cellular-V2X, C-V2X) and / or WiFi (e.g., DSRC (dedicated short-range connection)). The system 100 may support operation on multiple carriers (waveform signals at different frequencies). A multi-carrier transmitter can transmit modulated signals on multiple carriers simultaneously. Each modulated signal may be a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) signal, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) signal, an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) signal, a Single-Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (Single-Carrier The modulated signals may be, for example, a SC-FDMA (Single-Core Frequency Division Multiple Access) signal, etc. Each modulated signal may be sent on a different carrier and may carry pilot, overhead information, data, etc. The UEs 105, 106 may communicate with each other via UE-to-UE sidelink (SL) communication by transmitting on one or more sidelink channels, such as a physical sidelink synchronization channel (PSSCH), a physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH), or a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH).

[0027]

[0056] The UE 105 may include and / or be referred to as a device, a mobile device, a wireless device, a mobile terminal, a terminal, a mobile station (MS), a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Enabled Terminal (SET), or some other name. Additionally, the UE 105 may correspond to a cell phone, a smartphone, a laptop, a tablet, a PDA, a consumer asset tracking device, a navigation device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a health monitor, a security system, a smart city sensor, a smart meter, a wearable tracker, or some other portable or movable device. Typically, but not necessarily, the UE 105 may support wireless communications using one or more Radio Access Technologies (RATs), such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), LTE, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), IEEE 802.11 WiFi (also referred to as Wi-Fi), Bluetooth (BT), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), 5G New Radio (NR) (e.g., using NG-RAN 135 and 5GC 140), etc. The UE 105 may support wireless communications using, for example, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), which may connect to other networks (e.g., the Internet) using a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or packet cable.Use of one or more of these RATs may enable the UE 105 to communicate with an external client 130 (e.g., via elements of the 5GC 140 not shown in FIG. 1, or possibly via the GMLC 125) and / or enable the external client 130 to receive location information regarding the UE 105 (e.g., via the GMLC 125).

[0028]

[0057] The UE 105 may comprise a single entity or may comprise multiple entities, such as in a personal area network in which a user may employ audio, video and / or data I / O (input / output) devices and / or body sensors and a separate wireline or wireless modem. An estimate of the location of the UE 105 may be referred to as a location, location estimate, location fix, fix, position, position estimate, or position fix, and provides location coordinates (e.g., latitude and longitude) of the UE 105 that may or may not include an altitude component (e.g., elevation, height or depth above ground, floor, or basement). Alternatively, the location of the UE 105 may be represented as a civic location (e.g., as a postal address, or a destination or small area designation of some point in a building such as a particular room or floor). The location of the UE 105 may be represented as an area or volume (defined either geographically or in a civic form) within which the UE 105 is expected to be located with some probability or confidence level (e.g., 67%, 95%, etc.). The location of the UE 105 may be expressed as a relative location, including, for example, distance and direction from a known location. The relative location may be expressed as relative coordinates (e.g., X, Y (and Z) coordinates) defined relative to some origin in a known location, which may be defined, for example, geographically, in terms of cities, or by reference to a point, area, or volume shown, for example, on a map, floor plan, or building plan. In the description contained herein, use of the term location may include any of these variations unless otherwise indicated. When calculating the location of a UE, it is common to determine local x, y, and possibly z coordinates and then convert the local coordinates to absolute coordinates (e.g., for latitude, longitude, and altitude above or below mean sea level) if desired.

[0029]

[0058] The UE 105 may be configured to communicate with other entities using one or more of a variety of technologies. The UE 105 may be configured to indirectly connect to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links. The D2D P2P links may be supported using any suitable D2D radio access technology (RAT), such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth, etc. One or more of a group of UEs utilizing D2D communication may be within a geographic coverage area of ​​a Transmission / Reception Point (TRP), such as one or more of the gNBs 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114. Other UEs in such a group may be outside such geographic coverage area or may not otherwise be able to receive transmissions from the base station. A group of UEs communicating via D2D communication may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system in which each UE may transmit to other UEs in the group. The TRP may facilitate scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication may be performed between UEs without the involvement of a TRP. One or more of a group of UEs utilizing D2D communication may be within a geographic coverage area of ​​a TRP. Other UEs in such a group may be outside such geographic coverage area or may not otherwise be able to receive transmissions from a base station. A group of UEs communicating via D2D communication may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system in which each UE may transmit to other UEs in the group. The TRP may facilitate scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication may be performed between UEs without the involvement of a TRP.

[0030]

[0059] The base stations (BSs) in the NG-RAN 135 shown in FIG. 1 include NR Node Bs referred to as gNBs 110a and 110b. The pair of gNBs 110a, 110b in the NG-RAN 135 may be connected to each other via one or more other gNBs. Access to the 5G network is provided to the UE 105 via wireless communication between the UE 105 and one or more of the gNBs 110a, 110b, which may provide wireless communication access to the 5G C 140 on behalf of the UE 105 using 5G. In FIG. 1, the serving gNB for the UE 105 is assumed to be gNB 110a, although another gNB (e.g., gNB 110b) may act as a serving gNB if the UE 105 moves to another location, or as a secondary gNB that provides additional throughput and bandwidth to the UE 105.

[0031]

[0060] 1 may include the ng-eNB 114, also referred to as next generation evolved node B. The ng-eNB 114 may be connected to one or more of the gNBs 110a, 110b in the NG-RAN 135, possibly via one or more other gNBs and / or one or more other ng-eNBs. The ng-eNB 114 may provide LTE wireless access and / or evolved LTE (eLTE) wireless access to the UE 105. One or more of the gNBs 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114 may be configured to function as positioning-only beacons that may transmit signals to assist in determining the location of the UE 105, but may not receive signals from the UE 105 or from other UEs.

[0032]

[0061] The gNBs 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNBs 114 may each comprise one or more TRPs. For example, each sector in a cell of a BS may comprise a TRP, but the multiple TRPs may share one or more components (e.g., may share a processor but have separate antennas). The system 100 may include only a macro TRP, or the system 100 may have different types of TRPs, such as macro TRPs, pico TRPs, and / or femto TRPs. A macro TRP may cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and may allow unrestricted access by terminals subscribing to the service. A pico TRP may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a pico cell) and may allow unrestricted access by terminals subscribing to the service. A femto TRP or home TRP may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a femto cell) and may allow restricted access by terminals having an association with a femto cell (e.g., a terminal for a user in a home).

[0033]

[0062] Each of the gNBs 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 may include a radio unit (RU), a distributed unit (DU), and a central unit (CU). For example, the gNB 110a includes an RU 111, a DU 112, and a CU 113. The RU 111, the DU 112, and the CU 113 divide the functionality of the gNB 110a. Although the gNB 110a is shown with a single RU, a single DU, and a single CU, the gNB may include one or more RUs, one or more DUs, and / or one or more CUs. The interface between the CU 113 and the DU 112 is referred to as the F1 interface. The RU 111 is configured to perform digital front end (DFE) functions (e.g., analog-to-digital conversion, filtering, power amplification, transmit / receive) and digital beamforming, and includes part of the physical (PHY) layer. The RU 111 may implement a DFE using massive multiple input / multiple output (MIMO) and may be integrated with one or more antennas of the gNB 110a. The DU 112 hosts the Radio Link Control (RLC), Medium Access Control (MAC), and physical layer of the gNB 110a. One DU can support one or multiple cells, and each cell is supported by a single DU. The operation of the DU 112 is controlled by the CU 113. The CU 113 is configured to implement functions such as transferring user data, mobility control, radio access network sharing, positioning, session management, etc., although some functions are exclusively allocated to the DU 112.The CU 113 hosts the Radio Resource Control (RRC), Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) protocols of the gNB 110a. The UE 105 may communicate with the CU 113 via the RRC, SDAP, and PDCP layers, with the DU 112 via the RLC, MAC, and PHY layers, and with the RU 111 via the PHY layer.

[0034]

[0063] As noted, while FIG. 1 illustrates nodes configured to communicate according to a 5G communication protocol, nodes configured to communicate according to other communication protocols, such as, for example, an LTE protocol or an IEEE 802.11x protocol, may be used. For example, in an Evolved Packet System (EPS) providing LTE wireless access to the UE 105, the RAN may include an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), which may include base stations including evolved Node Bs (eNBs). The core network for the EPS may comprise an Evolved Packet Core (EPC). The EPS may include the E-UTRAN plus the EPC, where in FIG. 1, the E-UTRAN corresponds to the NG-RAN 135 and the EPC corresponds to the 5GC 140.

[0035]

[0064] The gNBs 110a, 110b, and ng-eNB 114 may communicate with the AMF 115, which in turn communicates with the LMF 120 for positioning functions. The AMF 115 may support mobility of the UE 105, including cell changes and handovers, and may be responsible for supporting signaling connections to the UE 105, and possibly data and voice bearers for the UE 105. The LMF 120 may communicate directly with the UE 105, for example, through wireless communication, or alternatively, with the gNBs 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114. The LMF 120 may support positioning of the UE 105 when the UE 105 accesses the NG-RAN 135 and may support location procedures / methods such as Assisted GNSS (A-GNSS), Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) (e.g., Downlink (DL) OTDOA or Uplink (UL) OTDOA), Round Trip Time (RTT), Multi-cell RTT, Real Time Kinematic (RTK), Precise Point Positioning (PPP), Differential GNSS (DGNSS), Enhanced Cell ID (E-CID), angle of arrival (AoA), angle of departure (AoD), and / or other positioning methods. The LMF 120 may process location service requests for the UE 105, for example, received from the AMF 115 or from the GMLC 125. The LMF 120 may be connected to the AMF 115 and / or to the GMLC 125. The LMF 120 may be referred to by other names, such as a Location Manager (LM), a Location Function (LF), a commercial LMF (CLMF), or a value added LMF (VLMF).A node / system running the LMF 120 may additionally or alternatively run other types of location support modules, such as an Enhanced Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC) or a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (SLP). At least a portion of the positioning functionality (including derivation of the location of the UE 105) may be performed in the UE 105 (e.g., using signal measurements obtained by the UE 105 for signals transmitted by wireless nodes such as the gNBs 110a, 110b, and / or the ng-eNB 114, and / or assistance data provided to the UE 105, e.g., by the LMF 120). The AMF 115 may act as a control node that handles signaling between the UE 105 and the 5GC 140 and may provide QoS (quality of service) flow and session management. The AMF 115 may support the mobility of the UE 105, including cell changes and handovers, and may be responsible for supporting signaling connections to the UE 105.

[0036]

[0065] The server 150, e.g., a cloud server, is configured to obtain and provide a location estimate of the UE 105 to the external client 130. The server 150 may be configured to run a microservice / service that obtains a location estimate of the UE 105, for example. The server 150 may pull a location estimate from, for example, the UE 105, one or more of the gNBs 110a, 110b (e.g., via the RU 111, the DU 112, and the CU 113), and / or the ng-eNB 114, and / or the LMF 120 (e.g., by sending a location request thereto). As another example, the UE 105, one or more of the gNBs 110a, 110b (e.g., via the RU 111, the DU 112, and the CU 113), and / or the LMF 120 may push a location estimate of the UE 105 to the server 150.

[0037]

[0066] The GMLC 125 may support location requests for the UE 105 received from the external client 130 via the server 150 and may forward such location requests to the AMF 115 for forwarding by the AMF 115 to the LMF 120 or may forward the location requests directly to the LMF 120. A location response from the LMF 120 (e.g., including a location estimate for the UE 105) may be returned to the GMLC 125 either directly or via the AMF 115, which may then return a location response (e.g., including the location estimate) to the external client 130 via the server 150. Although the GMLC 125 is shown connected to both the AMF 115 and the LMF 120, in some implementations it may not be connected to the AMF 115 or the LMF 120.

[0038]

[0067] As further shown in FIG. 1, the LMF 120 may communicate with the gNBs 110a, 110b, and / or the ng-eNB 114 using a New Radio Positioning Protocol A (NPPa or NRPPa, as may be defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.455). NRPPa may be the same as, similar to, or an extension of the LTE Positioning Protocol A (LPPa, as may be defined in 3GPP TS 36.455), and NRPPa messages are transferred between the gNB 110a (or gNB 110b) and the LMF 120 and / or between the ng-eNB 114 and the LMF 120 via the AMF 115. As further shown in FIG. 1, the LMF 120 and the UE 105 may communicate using the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP, as may be defined in 3GPP TS 36.355. The LMF 120 and the UE 105 may also or instead communicate using a New Radio Positioning Protocol (sometimes referred to as NPP or NRPP), which may be the same as, similar to, or an extension of the LPP, where the LPP and / or NPP messages may be transferred between the UE 105 and the LMF 120 via the serving gNB 110a, 110b or the serving ng-eNB 114 for the AMF 115 and the UE 105. For example, the LPP and / or NPP messages may be transferred between the LMF 120 and the AMF 115 using a 5G Location Services Application Protocol (LCS AP), and may be transferred between the AMF 115 and the UE 105 using a 5G Non-Access Stratum (NAS) protocol. The LPP and / or NPP protocols may be used to support positioning of the UE 105 using UE-assisted and / or UE-based positioning methods such as A-GNSS, RTK, OTDOA, and / or E-CID.The NRPPa protocol may be used to support positioning of the UE 105 using network-based positioning methods such as E-CID (e.g., when used in conjunction with measurements obtained by the gNBs 110a, 110b, or ng-eNB 114) and / or may be used by the LMF 120 to obtain location related information from the gNBs 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114, such as parameters defining directional SS or PRS transmissions from the gNBs 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114. The LMF 120 may be co-located or integrated with the gNBs or TRPs, or may be located remotely from the gNBs and / or TRPs, and may be configured to communicate directly or indirectly with the gNBs and / or TRPs.

[0039]

[0068] With the UE-assisted positioning method, the UE 105 can obtain location measurements and send the measurements to a location server (e.g., the LMF 120) for computation of a location estimate for the UE 105. For example, the location measurements may include one or more of a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), a Round Trip signal propagation Time (RTT), a Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD), a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), and / or a Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) for the gNBs 110a, 110b, the ng-eNBs 114, and / or the WLAN APs. The location measurements may also or instead include measurements of GNSS pseudorange, code phase, and / or carrier phase for the SVs 190-193.

[0040]

[0069] In a UE-based positioning method, the UE 105 can obtain location measurements (which may, for example, be the same as or similar to the location measurements of a UE-assisted positioning method) and can calculate the location of the UE 105 (e.g., using assistance data received from a location server such as the LMF 120 or broadcast by the gNB 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, or other base station or AP).

[0041]

[0070] In a network-based positioning method, one or more base stations (e.g., gNBs 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114) or APs may obtain location measurements (e.g., RSSI, RTT, RSRP, RSRQ, or Time of Arrival (ToA) measurements for signals transmitted by the UE 105) and / or receive measurements obtained by the UE 105. The one or more base stations or APs may send the measurements to a location server (e.g., LMF 120) for computation of a location estimate for the UE 105.

[0042]

[0071] The information provided to the LMF 120 by the gNBs 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 using the NRPPa may include timing and configuration information for directional SS or PRS transmissions, as well as location coordinates. The LMF 120 may provide some or all of this information to the UE 105 as assistance data in LPP and / or NPP messages via the NG-RAN 135 and the 5GC 140.

[0043]

[0072] An LPP or NPP message sent from the LMF 120 to the UE 105 can instruct the UE 105 to do any of a variety of things depending on the desired functionality. For example, the LPP or NPP message may include instructions for the UE 105 to obtain measurements for GNSS (or A-GNSS), WLAN, E-CID, and / or OTDOA (or some other positioning method). In the case of E-CID, the LPP or NPP message can instruct the UE 105 to obtain one or more measurements (e.g., beam ID, beam width, average angle, RSRP, RSRQ measurements) of directional signals transmitted within a particular cell supported by one or more of the gNBs 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114 (or supported by some other type of base station such as an eNB or WiFi AP). The UE 105 may send the measurement quantities back to the LMF 120 in an LPP or NPP message (e.g., inside a 5G NAS message) via the serving gNB 110a (or serving ng-eNB 114) and the AMF 115.

[0044]

[0073] As mentioned, although the communication system 100 is described with respect to 5G technology, the communication system 100 may be implemented to support other communication technologies, such as GSM, WCDMA, LTE, etc., used to support and interact with mobile devices, such as the UE 105 (e.g., to perform voice, data, positioning, and other functions). In some such embodiments, the 5GC 140 may be configured to control different air interfaces. For example, the 5GC 140 may be connected to a WLAN using a Non-3GPP InterWorking Function (N3IWF, not shown in FIG. 1) in the 5GC 140. For example, the WLAN may support IEEE 802.11 WiFi access for the UE 105 and may comprise one or more WiFi APs. Here, the N3IWF may connect to the WLAN and to other elements in the 5GC 140, such as the AMF 115. In some embodiments, both the NG-RAN 135 and the 5GC 140 may be replaced with one or more other RANs and one or more other core networks. For example, in an EPS, the NG-RAN 135 may be replaced with an E-UTRAN including eNBs, and the 5GC 140 may be replaced with an EPC including a Mobility Management Entity (MME) instead of the AMF 115, an E-SMLC instead of the LMF 120, and a GMLC that may be similar to the GMLC 125. In such an EPS, the E-SMLC may use LPPa instead of NRPPa to send and receive location information to and from the eNBs in the E-UTRAN, and may use LPP to support positioning of the UE 105. In these other embodiments, positioning of the UE 105 using directional PRS may be supported in a manner similar to that described herein for 5G networks, with the difference being that the functions and procedures described herein for the gNBs 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114, AMF 115, and LMF 120 may instead be applied to other network elements, such as eNBs, WiFi APs, MMEs, and E-SMLCs, in some cases.

[0045]

[0074] As mentioned, in some embodiments, the positioning functions may be performed, at least in part, using directional SS or PRS beams sent by base stations (such as gNBs 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114) that are within range of the UE (e.g., UE 105 of FIG. 1) whose position is to be determined. The UE may, in some instances, use directional SS or PRS beams from multiple base stations (such as gNBs 110a, 110b, ng-eNB 114) to calculate the UE's position.

[0046]

[0075] 2, UE 200 is one example of UE 105, 106 and comprises a computing platform including a processor 210, memory 211 including software (SW) 212, one or more sensors 213, a transceiver interface 214 for a transceiver 215 (including a wireless transceiver 240 and a wired transceiver 250), a user interface 216, a satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver 217, a camera 218, and a position device (PD) 219. The processor 210, memory 211, sensor(s) 213, transceiver interface 214, user interface 216, SPS receiver 217, camera 218, and position device 219 may be communicatively coupled to each other by a bus 220 (which may be configured for optical and / or electrical communication, for example). One or more of the depicted devices (e.g., camera 218, position device 219, and / or one or more of sensor(s) 213, etc.) may be omitted from UE 200. Processor 210 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. Processor 210 may comprise multiple processors, including a general purpose / application processor 230, a digital signal processor (DSP) 231, a modem processor 232, a video processor 233, and / or a sensor processor 234. One or more of processors 230-234 may comprise multiple devices (e.g., multiple processors). For example, sensor processor 234 may comprise a processor for, for example, RF (radio frequency) sensing (using one or more (cellular) wireless signals transmitted and reflection(s) used to identify, map, and / or track objects), ultrasound, etc. The modem processor 232 may support dual SIM / dual connectivity (or even more SIMs).For example, one SIM (Subscriber Identity Module or Subscriber Identity Module) may be used by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and another SIM may be used by an end user of UE 200 for connectivity. Memory 211 is a non-transitory storage medium that may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk memory, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 211 stores software 212, which may be processor-readable processor-executable software code including instructions that, when executed, are configured to cause processor 210 to perform various functions described herein. Alternatively, software 212 may not be directly executable by processor 210, but may be configured, for example, when compiled and executed, to cause processor 210 to perform functions. Although the description may refer to processor 210 performing functions, this includes other implementations, such as when processor 210 executes software and / or firmware. The description may refer to processor 210 performing a function as shorthand for one or more of processors 230-234 performing the function. The description may refer to UE 200 performing a function as shorthand for one or more suitable components of UE 200 performing the function. Processor 210 may include memory having stored instructions in addition to and / or in place of memory 211. The functionality of processor 210 is discussed more fully below.

[0047]

[0076] The configuration of UE 200 shown in FIG. 2 is an example of the present disclosure including the claims, and is not limiting, and other configurations may be used. For example, an exemplary configuration of a UE includes one or more of processors 230-234 of processor 210, memory 211, and wireless transceiver 240. Other exemplary configurations include one or more of processors 230-234 of processor 210, memory 211, a wireless transceiver, and one or more of sensor(s) 213, user interface 216, SPS receiver 217, camera 218, PD 219, and / or wired transceiver.

[0048]

[0077] The UE 200 may include a modem processor 232 that may be capable of performing baseband processing of signals received and downconverted by the transceiver 215 and / or the SPS receiver 217. The modem processor 232 may perform baseband processing of signals to be upconverted for transmission by the transceiver 215. Additionally or alternatively, the baseband processing may be performed by the general purpose / application processor 230 and / or the DSP 231. However, other configurations may be used to perform the baseband processing.

[0049]

[0078] The UE 200 may include sensor(s) 213, which may include one or more of various types of sensors, such as, for example, one or more inertial sensors, one or more magnetometers, one or more environmental sensors, one or more optical sensors, one or more weight sensors, and / or one or more radio frequency (RF) sensors. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) may comprise, for example, one or more accelerometers (e.g., collectively responsive to acceleration of the UE 200 in three dimensions) and / or one or more gyroscopes (e.g., three-dimensional gyroscope(s)). The sensor(s) 213 may include one or more magnetometers (e.g., three-dimensional magnetometer(s)) that determine an orientation (e.g., relative to magnetic north and / or true north), which may be used for any of a variety of purposes, such as, for example, to support one or more compass applications. The environmental sensor(s) may comprise, for example, one or more temperature sensors, one or more barometric pressure sensors, one or more ambient light sensors, one or more camera imagers, and / or one or more microphones, etc. The sensor(s) 213 may generate analog and / or digital signals, indications of which may be stored in memory 211 and processed by DSP 231 and / or general purpose / application processor 230 in support of one or more applications, such as, for example, applications directed to positioning and / or navigation operations.

[0050]

[0079] The sensor(s) 213 may be used in relative location measurement, relative location determination, motion determination, etc. Information detected by the sensor(s) 213 may be used for motion detection, relative displacement, autonomous navigation, sensor-based location determination, and / or sensor-aided location determination. The sensor(s) 213 may be useful in determining whether the UE 200 is fixed (stationary) or mobile and / or whether certain useful information regarding the mobility of the UE 200 should be reported to the LMF 120. For example, based on the information obtained / measured by the sensor(s) 213, the UE 200 may notify / report to the LMF 120 that the UE 200 has detected movement or that the UE 200 has moved, and may report a relative displacement / distance (e.g., via autonomous navigation or sensor-based location determination or sensor-aided location determination enabled by the sensor(s) 213). In another example, for relative positioning information, the sensor / IMU may be used to determine the angle and / or orientation of other devices relative to the UE 200, etc.

[0051]

[0080] The IMU may be configured to provide measurements of the direction of motion and / or the speed of motion of the UE 200 that may be used in relative location determination. For example, one or more accelerometers and / or one or more gyroscopes of the IMU may detect the linear acceleration and rotational velocity of the UE 200, respectively. The linear acceleration and rotational velocity measurements of the UE 200 may be integrated over time to determine the instantaneous direction of motion and displacement of the UE 200. The instantaneous direction of motion and displacement may be integrated to track the location of the UE 200. For example, a reference location of the UE 200 may be determined for a moment in time, e.g., using the SPS receiver 217 (and / or by some other means), and measurements from the accelerometer(s) and gyroscope(s) obtained after this moment may be used in autonomous navigation to determine the current location of the UE 200 based on the motion (direction and distance) of the UE 200 compared to the reference location.

[0052]

[0081] The magnetometer(s) may determine magnetic field strength in different directions, which may be used to determine an orientation of the UE 200. For example, the orientation may be used to provide the UE 200 with a digital compass. The magnetometer(s) may include a two-dimensional magnetometer configured to detect and provide an indication of magnetic field strength in two orthogonal dimensions. The magnetometer(s) may include a three-dimensional magnetometer configured to detect and provide an indication of magnetic field strength in three orthogonal dimensions. The magnetometer(s) may provide a means for sensing a magnetic field and providing an indication of the magnetic field, for example, to the processor 210.

[0053]

[0082] The transceiver 215 may include a wireless transceiver 240 and a wired transceiver 250 configured to communicate with other devices over wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, the wireless transceiver 240 may include a wireless transmitter 242 and a wireless receiver 244 coupled to an antenna 246 to transmit (e.g., on one or more uplink channels and / or one or more sidelink channels) and / or receive (e.g., on one or more downlink channels and / or one or more sidelink channels) wireless signals 248 and convert signals from the wireless signals 248 to wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals and from the wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals to the wireless signals 248. The wireless transmitter 242 includes appropriate components (e.g., a power amplifier and a digital-to-analog converter). The wireless receiver 244 includes appropriate components (e.g., one or more amplifiers, one or more frequency filters, and an analog-to-digital converter). The wireless transmitter 242 may include multiple transmitters, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components, and / or the wireless receiver 244 may include multiple receivers, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 240 may be configured to communicate signals (e.g., with the TRP and / or one or more other devices) according to various radio access technologies (RATs), such as 5G New Radio (NR), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc. The new radio may use mm-wave and / or sub-6 GHz frequencies.The wired transceiver 250 may include a wired transmitter 252 and a wired receiver 254 configured for wired communication, e.g., a network interface that may be utilized to communicate with the NG-RAN 135 for the purposes of sending and receiving communications to and from the NG-RAN 135. The wired transmitter 252 may include multiple transmitters, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components, and / or the wired receiver 254 may include multiple receivers, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components. The wired transceiver 250 may be configured for optical and / or electrical communication, for example. The transceiver 215 may be communicatively coupled to the transceiver interface 214, e.g., by optical and / or electrical connections. The transceiver interface 214 may be at least partially integrated with the transceiver 215. The wireless transmitter 242, the wireless receiver 244, and / or the antenna 246 may each include multiple transmitters, multiple receivers, and / or multiple antennas, for sending and / or receiving appropriate signals, respectively.

[0054]

[0083] The user interface 216 may comprise one or more of several devices, such as, for example, a speaker, a microphone, a display device, a vibrating device, a keyboard, a touch screen, etc. The user interface 216 may include two or more of any of these devices. The user interface 216 may be configured to allow a user to interact with one or more applications hosted by the UE 200. For example, the user interface 216 may store in the memory 211 indications of analog and / or digital signals to be processed by the DSP 231 and / or the general purpose / application processor 230 in response to actions from a user. Similarly, applications hosted on the UE 200 may store in the memory 211 indications of analog and / or digital signals to present output signals to the user. The user interface 216 may include audio input / output (I / O) devices, including, for example, a speaker, a microphone, digital-to-analog circuitry, analog-to-digital circuitry, amplifiers, and / or gain control circuits (including any two or more of these devices). Other configurations of audio I / O devices may be used. Additionally or alternatively, user interface 216 may include one or more touch sensors that respond to contact and / or pressure, for example, on a keyboard and / or touch screen of user interface 216 .

[0055]

[0084] The SPS receiver 217 (e.g., a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver) may be capable of receiving and acquiring the SPS signals 260 via the SPS antenna 262. The SPS antenna 262 is configured to convert the SPS signals 260 from wireless signals to wired signals, e.g., electrical or optical signals, and may be integrated with the antenna 246. The SPS receiver 217 may be configured to process the acquired SPS signals 260, in whole or in part, to estimate the location of the UE 200. For example, the SPS receiver 217 may be configured to determine the location of the UE 200 by trilateration using the SPS signals 260. The general purpose / application processor 230, the memory 211, the DSP 231, and / or one or more dedicated processors (not shown) may be utilized in conjunction with the SPS receiver 217 to process the acquired SPS signals, in whole or in part, and / or to calculate the estimated location of the UE 200. Memory 211 may store indications (e.g., measurements) of SPS signals 260 and / or other signals (e.g., signals obtained from wireless transceiver 240) for use in performing positioning operations. General purpose / application processor 230, DSP 231, and / or one or more special purpose processors, and / or memory 211 may provide or support a location engine for use in processing the measurements to estimate the location of UE 200.

[0056]

[0085] The UE 200 may include a camera 218 that captures still or moving images. The camera 218 may comprise, for example, an imaging sensor (e.g., a charge-coupled device or CMOS imager), a lens, analog-to-digital circuitry, a frame buffer, etc. Additional processing, conditioning, encoding, and / or compression of signals representing the captured images may be performed by a general-purpose / application processor 230 and / or a DSP 231. Also or alternatively, a video processor 233 may perform conditioning, encoding, compression, and / or manipulation of signals representing the captured images. The video processor 233 may decode / decompress stored image data, for example, for presentation on a display device (not shown) of the user interface 216.

[0057]

[0086] The position device (PD) 219 may be configured to determine the location of the UE 200, the movement of the UE 200, and / or the relative location of the UE 200, and / or time. For example, the PD 219 may be in communication with and / or include a portion or all of the SPS receiver 217. The PD 219 may operate with the processor 210 and memory 211 to implement at least a portion of one or more positioning methods as appropriate, but the description herein may refer to the PD 219 being configured to implement or implementing according to the positioning method(s). The PD 219 may also or alternatively be configured to determine the location of the UE 200 using terrestrial-based signals (e.g., at least some of the signals 248) for trilateration, to assist in obtaining and using the SPS signals 260, or both. The PD 219 may be configured to determine the location of the UE 200 based on another technique, such as the cell (e.g., cell center) of the serving base station and / or E-CID. The PD 219 may be configured to use one or more images from the camera 218 and image recognition combined with known locations of landmarks (e.g., natural landmarks such as mountains and / or man-made landmarks such as buildings, bridges, roads, etc.) to determine the location of the UE 200. The PD 219 may be configured to use one or more other techniques to determine the location of the UE 200 (e.g., relying on the UE's self-reported location (e.g., as part of the UE's location beacon)) and may use a combination of techniques (e.g., SPS and terrestrial positioning signals) to determine the location of the UE 200. The PD 219 may include one or more of sensors 213 (e.g., gyroscope(s), accelerometer(s), magnetometer(s), etc.) that may detect and provide an indication of the orientation and / or movement of the UE 200, and the processor 210 (e.g., general purpose / application processor 230 and / or DSP 231) may be configured to use the indication to determine the movement (e.g., velocity vector and / or acceleration vector) of the UE 200.PD 219 may be configured to provide an indication of uncertainty and / or error in a determined position and / or movement. The functionality of PD 219 may be provided in various manners and / or configurations by, for example, general purpose / application processor 230, transceiver 215, SPS receiver 217, and / or other components of UE 200, and may be provided by hardware, software, firmware, or various combinations thereof.

[0058]

[0087] 3, an example of a TRP 300 of a gNB 110a, 110b and / or ng-eNB 114 comprises a computing platform including a processor 310, a memory 311 including software (SW) 312, and a transceiver 315. The processor 310, the memory 311, and the transceiver 315 may be communicatively coupled to each other by a bus 320 (e.g., which may be configured for optical and / or electrical communication). One or more of the depicted devices (e.g., a wireless transceiver) may be omitted from the TRP 300. The processor 310 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The processor 310 may include multiple processors (e.g., including a general purpose / application processor, a DSP, a modem processor, a video processor, and / or a sensor processor, as shown in FIG. 2). Memory 311 is a non-transitory storage medium that may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk memory, and / or read only memory (ROM), etc. Memory 311 stores software 312, which may be processor-readable processor-executable software code including instructions that, when executed, are configured to cause processor 310 to perform various functions described herein. Alternatively, software 312 may not be directly executable by processor 310, but may be configured, for example, when compiled and executed, to cause processor 310 to perform functions.

[0059]

[0088] The description may refer to the processor 310 performing a function, including other implementations, such as when the processor 310 executes software and / or firmware. The description may refer to the processor 310 performing a function as shorthand for one or more of the processors included within the processor 310 performing the function. The description may refer to the TRP 300 performing a function as shorthand for one or more suitable components (e.g., the processor 310 and memory 311) of the TRP 300 (and thus one of the gNBs 110a, 110b, and / or ng-eNB 114) performing the function. The processor 310 may include a memory having instructions stored therein in addition to and / or instead of the memory 311. The functionality of the processor 310 is discussed more fully below.

[0060]

[0089] The transceiver 315 may include a wireless transceiver 340 and / or a wired transceiver 350 configured to communicate with other devices over wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, the wireless transceiver 340 may include a wireless transmitter 342 and a wireless receiver 344 coupled to one or more antennas 346 to transmit (e.g., on one or more uplink channels and / or one or more downlink channels) and / or receive (e.g., on one or more downlink channels and / or one or more uplink channels) wireless signals 348 and convert signals from the wireless signals 348 to wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals and from the wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals to the wireless signals 348. Thus, the wireless transmitter 342 may include multiple transmitters, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components, and / or the wireless receiver 344 may include multiple receivers, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 340 may be configured to communicate signals (e.g., with the UE 200, one or more other UEs, and / or one or more other devices) according to various radio access technologies (RATs), such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone System), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth, Zigbee, and the like. The wired transceiver 350 may include a wired transmitter 352 and a wired receiver 354 configured for wired communications, e.g., a network interface that may be utilized to communicate with the NG-RAN 135 and / or with one or more other network entities, e.g., to send communications to and receive communications from the LMF 120.The wired transmitter 352 may include multiple transmitters, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components, and / or the wired receiver 354 may include multiple receivers, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components. The wired transceiver 350 may be configured for optical and / or electrical communications, for example.

[0061]

[0090] 3 is an example of the present disclosure, including the claims, and is not limiting, and other configurations may be used. For example, the description herein discusses the TRP 300 being configured to perform or performing certain functions, but one or more of these functions may be performed by the LMF 120 and / or the UE 200 (i.e., the LMF 120 and / or the UE 200 may be configured to perform one or more of these functions).

[0062]

[0091] 4, the server 400, of which the LMF 120 is an example, comprises a computing platform including a processor 410, a memory 411 including software (SW) 412, and a transceiver 415. The processor 410, the memory 411, and the transceiver 415 may be communicatively coupled to each other by a bus 420 (which may be configured for optical and / or electrical communication, for example). One or more of the depicted devices (e.g., a wireless transceiver) may be omitted from the server 400. The processor 410 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The processor 410 may include multiple processors (including, for example, a general purpose / application processor, a DSP, a modem processor, a video processor, and / or a sensor processor, as shown in FIG. 2). The memory 411 is a non-transitory storage medium, which may include a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a disk memory, and / or a read only memory (ROM), etc. The memory 411 stores software 412, which may be processor-readable processor-executable software code including instructions that, when executed, are configured to cause the processor 410 to perform various functions described herein. Alternatively, the software 412 may not be directly executable by the processor 410, but may be configured, for example, when compiled and executed, to cause the processor 410 to perform a function. The description may refer to the processor 410 performing a function, which includes other implementations, such as when the processor 410 executes software and / or firmware. The description may state that the processor 410 performs a function as shorthand for one or more of the processors included within the processor 410 performing the function. The description may refer to the server 400 performing a function as shorthand for one or more suitable components of the server 400 performing the function.The processor 410 may include memory having stored instructions in addition to and / or in place of the memory 411. The functionality of the processor 410 is discussed more fully below.

[0063]

[0092] The transceiver 415 may include a wireless transceiver 440 and / or a wired transceiver 450 configured to communicate with other devices over wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, the wireless transceiver 440 may include a wireless transmitter 442 and a wireless receiver 444 coupled to one or more antennas 446 to transmit (e.g., on one or more downlink channels) and / or receive (e.g., on one or more uplink channels) wireless signals 448 and convert signals from the wireless signals 448 to wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals and from the wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals to the wireless signals 448. Thus, the wireless transmitter 442 may include multiple transmitters, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components, and / or the wireless receiver 444 may include multiple receivers, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 440 may be configured to communicate signals (e.g., with the UE 200, one or more other UEs, and / or one or more other devices) according to various radio access technologies (RATs), such as 5G New Radio (NR), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone System), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth, Zigbee, and the like. The wired transceiver 450 may include a wired transmitter 452 and a wired receiver 454 configured for wired communications, e.g., a network interface that may be utilized to communicate with the NG-RAN 135 and / or with one or more other network entities, e.g., to send communications to and receive communications from the TRP 300.The wired transmitter 452 may include multiple transmitters, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components, and / or the wired receiver 454 may include multiple receivers, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components. The wired transceiver 450 may be configured for optical and / or electrical communications, for example.

[0064]

[0093] The description herein may refer to the processor 410 performing a function, including other implementations, such as when the processor 410 executes software and / or firmware (stored in memory 411). The description herein may refer to the server 400 performing a function as shorthand for one or more appropriate components of the server 400 (e.g., the processor 410 and memory 411) performing the function.

[0065]

[0094] The configuration of the server 400 shown in FIG. 4 is an example of the present disclosure, including the claims, and is not limiting, and other configurations may be used. For example, the wireless transceiver 440 may be omitted. Also or alternatively, although the description herein discusses the server 400 being configured to perform or performing certain functions, one or more of these functions may be performed by the TRP 300 and / or the UE 200 (i.e., the TRP 300 and / or the UE 200 may be configured to perform one or more of these functions).

[0066]

[0095] 5A and 5B, exemplary downlink PRS resource sets are shown. In general, a PRS resource set is a collection of PRS resources across one base station (e.g., TRP 300) with the same periodicity, common muting pattern configuration, and the same repetition factor across slots. A first PRS resource set 502 includes 4 resources and a repetition factor of 4, with a time gap equal to 1 slot. A second PRS resource set 504 includes 4 resources and a repetition factor of 4, with a time gap equal to 4 slots. The repetition factor indicates the number of times each PRS resource is repeated within each single instance of a PRS resource set (e.g., values ​​of 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32). The time gap represents the offset in slots (e.g., values ​​of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32) between two repeated instances of a PRS resource corresponding to the same PRS resource ID within a single instance of a PRS resource set. The length of time spanned by one PRS resource set, including the repeated PRS resources, does not exceed the PRS period. Repetition of PRS resources allows for sweeping of the receiver beam across the repetitions and combining of RF gains to increase coverage. Repetition may also allow for intra-instance muting. A single instance of a PRS resource set, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B, may be referred to as a "PRS occasion."

[0067]

[0096] Generally, the PRS resource shown in Figures 5A and 5B may be a set of resource elements used for the transmission of a PRS. The set of resource elements may span multiple physical resource blocks (PRBs) in the frequency domain and N (e.g., one or more) consecutive symbol(s) in a slot in the time domain. In a given OFDM symbol, the PRS resource occupies consecutive PRBs. 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, starting slot and starting symbol, number of symbols per PRS resource (i.e., duration of the PRS resource), and QCL (quasi-co-location) information (e.g., QCL with other DL reference signals). The comb size indicates the number of subcarriers in each symbol carrying a PRS. For example, a comb size of comb 4 means that every fourth subcarrier of a given symbol carries a PRS.

[0068]

[0097] 6A-6H, exemplary subframe and slot formats for positioning reference signal transmission schedules (also referred to as transmission patterns, including transmission patterns within individual symbols) are shown. The exemplary subframe and slot formats are included within the PRS resource set shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The subframe and slot formats in FIGS. 6A-6H are examples and are not exhaustive, including Com 2, 2 symbol transmission schedule 602, Com 4, 4 symbol transmission schedule 604, Com 2, 12 symbol transmission schedule 606, Com 4, 12 symbol transmission schedule 608, Com 6, 6 symbol transmission schedule 610, Com 12, 12 symbol transmission schedule 612, Com 2, 6 symbol transmission schedule 614, and Com 6, 12 symbol transmission schedule 616. In general, a subframe may include 14 symbols with indexes 0-13. In general, a base station may transmit a PRS from an antenna port (e.g., antenna port 5000) on one or more slots in each subframe configured for PRS transmission.

[0069]

[0098] A base station may transmit a PRS over a specific PRS bandwidth, which may be configured by higher layers. The PRS resource may be located anywhere in the frequency grid. A common reference point for the PRS may be defined as "PRS Point A". "PRS Point A" may serve as a common reference point for the PRS resource block grid and may be represented by an Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (ARFCN). A PRS starting Physical Resource Block (PRB) may be defined as a frequency offset, expressed in resource blocks, between PRS Point A and the lowest subcarrier of the lowest PRS resource block. A base station may transmit a PRS on subcarriers spaced across the PRS bandwidth.

[0070]

[0099] The base station may also transmit the PRS based on parameters such as a PRS period, a PRS resource set slot offset, a PRS resource slot offset, a PRS resource repetition factor, and a PRS resource time gap. The PRS period is the period, expressed in number of slots, during which the PRS resources are transmitted. The PRS period may depend on the subcarrier spacing (SCS), e.g., 2 μ The slots may be {4,5,8,10,16,20,32,40,64,80,160,320,640,1280,2560,5120,10240}, with μ=0,1,2,3 for SCS 15, 30, 60, and 120 kHz, respectively. The PRS resource set slot offset defines the slot offset with respect to the System Frame Number (SFN) / slot number 0 of the TRP (i.e., defines the slot in which the first PRS resource of the PRS resource set occurs). The PRS resource slot offset defines the starting slot of the PRS resource with respect to the corresponding PRS resource set slot offset. The PRS resource repetition factor defines how many times each PRS resource is repeated for a single instance of a PRS resource set. The PRS resource time gap defines the offset in number of slots between two repeated instances of a PRS resource within a single instance of a PRS resource set, as explained above.

[0071]

[0100] PRS resources may be muted. Muting may be signaled using a bitmap to indicate which configured PRS resources are transmitted at zero power (i.e., muted). As one option, the muting bitmap may have a length of {2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32} bits, and muting is applied to each transmission instance of a PRS resource set. Each bit in the bitmap may correspond to a configurable number of consecutive instances of a PRS resource set. For example, if the corresponding bit in the bitmap indicates "0", all PRS resources in a PRS resource set instance may be muted (transmitted at zero power). The number of consecutive instances may be controlled by a parameter PRS muting bit repetition factor, which may have a value of {1, 2, 4, 8}. In another option, muting may be applied to each repetition of each of the PRS resources. Each bit in the bitmap may correspond to a single repetition of a PRS resource in an instance of a PRS resource set. The length of the bitmap may be equal to the PRS resource repetition factor.

[0072]

[0101] Positioning technology

[0102] For terrestrial positioning of UEs in cellular networks, techniques such as Advanced Forward Link Trilateration (AFLT) and Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) often operate in a "UE-assisted" mode, in which measurements of reference signals (e.g., PRS, CRS, etc.) transmitted by base stations are taken by the UE and then provided to a location server. The location server then calculates the UE's position based on the measurements and the known locations of the base stations. Because these techniques use a location server rather than the UE itself to calculate the UE's position, these positioning techniques are not frequently used in applications such as car navigation or cell phone navigation, which instead typically rely on satellite-based positioning.

[0073]

[0103] UEs may use a satellite positioning system (SPS) (Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)) for high-precision positioning using precise point positioning (PPP) or real-time kinematic (RTK) techniques. These techniques use assistance data, such as measurements from ground-based stations. LTE Release 15 allows data to be encrypted so that UEs that have subscribed to the service can read the information exclusively. Such assistance data changes over time. Thus, UEs that have subscribed to the service cannot easily "break the encryption" for other UEs by passing the data to other UEs that have not paid for the subscription. This passing would need to be repeated every time the assistance data changes.

[0074]

[0104] In UE-assisted positioning, the UE sends measurements (e.g., TDOA, Angle of Arrival (AoA), etc.) to a positioning server (e.g., LMF / eSMLC). The positioning server has a base station almanac (BSA) that contains multiple "entries" or "records", one record per cell, where each record includes the geographic cell location but may also include other data. An identifier for a "record" among multiple "records" in the BSA may be referenced. The BSA and measurements from the UE may be used to calculate the UE's position.

[0075]

[0105] In traditional UE-based positioning, the UE calculates its own position and thus avoids sending measurements to the network (e.g., location server), which improves latency and scalability. The UE uses relevant BSA record information from the network (e.g., gNB (more broadly, base station) locations). The BSA information may be encrypted. However, since the BSA information changes much less frequently than, for example, the PPP or RTK assistance data previously described, it may be easier (compared to PPP or RTK information) to make the BSA information available to UEs that have not subscribed and paid to obtain a decryption key. The transmission of reference signals by gNBs makes the BSA information potentially accessible for crowdsourcing or wardriving, essentially allowing the BSA information to be generated based on local and / or over-the-top observations.

[0076]

[0106] Positioning techniques may be characterized and / or assessed based on one or more criteria, such as position determination accuracy and / or latency. Latency is the time elapsed between an event that triggers the determination of location-related data and the availability of that data at a positioning system interface, e.g., the interface of the LMF 120. At the initialization of the positioning system, the latency for the availability of location-related data is called the time to first fix (TTFF) and is greater than the latency after the TTFF. The inverse of the time elapsed between two successive location-related data becoming available is called the update rate, i.e., the rate at which location-related data is generated after the first fix. Latency may depend, for example, on the processing capability of the UE. For example, the UE may report the processing capability of the UE as the duration of DL PRS symbols in time units (e.g., milliseconds) that the UE can process per amount of time T (e.g., T ms) assuming a 272 PRB (Physical Resource Block) allocation. Other examples of capabilities that may affect latency are the number of TRPs from which the UE can process PRSs, the number of PRSs the UE can process, and the bandwidth of the UE.

[0077]

[0107] One or more of many different positioning techniques (also called positioning methods) may be used to determine the location of an entity, such as one of the UEs 105, 106. For example, known positioning techniques include RTT, multi-RTT, OTDOA (also called TDOA, including UL-TDOA and DL-TDOA), Enhanced Cell Identification (E-CID), DL-AoD, UL-AoA, etc. RTT uses the time it takes a signal to travel from one entity to another and back to determine the distance between two entities. That distance, plus the known location of a first one of the entities and the angle (e.g., azimuth) between the two entities, may be used to determine the location of a second one of the entities. In multi-RTT (also called multi-cell RTT), multiple distances from one entity (e.g., UE) to another entity (e.g., TRPs) and the known location of the other entity may be used to determine the location of the one entity. In TDOA technology, the difference in time of flight between one entity and the other entity may be used to determine the relative distance from the other entity, and the relative distance combined with the known location of the other entity may be used to determine the location of the one entity. The angle of arrival and / or the angle of departure may be used to help determine the location of the entities. For example, the angle of arrival or the angle of departure of a signal (determined using the signal, e.g., the time of flight of the signal, the received power of the signal, etc.) combined with the distance between the devices and the known location of one of the devices may be used to determine the location of the other device. The angle of arrival or the angle of departure may be an azimuth angle relative to a reference direction such as due north. The angle of arrival or the angle of departure may be a zenith angle directly upward from the entity (i.e., radiating outward from the center of the earth).E-CID uses the identity of the serving cell, the timing advance (i.e., the difference between the receive time and transmit time at the UE), the estimated timing and power of detected neighbor cell signals, and possibly the angle of arrival (e.g., of a signal from a base station to the UE or vice versa) to determine the location of the UE. In TDOA, the difference in the arrival times at a receiving device of signals from different sources, together with the known locations of the sources and the known offsets in the transmit times from the sources, are used to determine the location of the receiving device.

[0078]

[0108] In network-centric RTT estimation, the serving base station instructs the UE to scan / receive RTT measurement signals (e.g., PRS) on serving cells of two or more neighboring base stations (and generally the serving base station, since at least three base stations are required). One or more base stations transmit the RTT measurement signals on low reuse resources (e.g., resources used by the base station to transmit system information) allocated by the network (e.g., a location server such as the LMF 120). The UE records the arrival time (also called receive time, reception time, time of reception, or time of arrival (ToA)) of each RTT measurement signal relative to the UE's current downlink timing (e.g., as derived by the UE from a DL signal received from its serving base station), transmits (e.g., when commanded by its serving base station) a common or individual RTT response message (e.g., a sounding reference signal (SRS) for positioning, i.e., UL-PRS) to one or more base stations, and records in the payload of each RTT response message the time difference T between the ToA of the RTT measurement signal and the transmission time of the RTT response message. Rx→Tx (i.e., UE T Rx-Tx or UE Rx-TxThe RTT response message may include a reference signal from which the base station can infer the ToA of the RTT response. Tx→Rx The time difference T Rx→Tx By comparing it with the propagation time between the base station and the UE, the base station can infer the propagation time between the base station and the UE, from which the base station can determine the distance between the UE and the base station by assuming the speed of light during this propagation time.

[0079]

[0109] UE-centric RTT estimation is similar to the network-based method, except that the UE (e.g., when commanded by the serving base station) transmits an uplink RTT measurement signal(s) that is received by multiple base stations neighboring the UE. Each participating base station responds with a downlink RTT response message, which may include in the RTT response message payload the time difference between the ToA of the RTT measurement signal at the base station and the transmission time of the RTT response message from the base station.

[0080]

[0110] For both network-centric and UE-centric procedures, the party performing the RTT calculation (network or UE) typically (but not always) sends a first message(s) or signal(s) (e.g., RTT measurement signal(s)), and the other side responds with one or more RTT response message(s) or signal(s), which may include the difference between the ToA of the first message(s) or signal(s) and the transmission time of the RTT response message(s) or signal(s).

[0081]

[0111] Multi-RTT techniques may be used to determine location. For example, a first entity (e.g., a UE) may send one or more signals (e.g., unicast, multicast, or broadcast from a base station), and multiple second entities (e.g., other TSPs such as base station(s) and / or UE(s)) may receive signals from the first entity and respond to the received signals. The first entity receives responses from multiple second entities. The first entity (or another entity such as an LMF) may use the responses from the second entities to determine a distance to the second entities, and may use the multiple distances and the known locations of the second entities to determine the location of the first entity by trilateration.

[0082]

[0112] In some cases, additional information may be obtained in the form of a linear direction (which may be, for example, in the horizontal plane or in three dimensions), or possibly an angle of arrival (AoA) or angle of departure (AoD), which defines a range of directions (e.g., for the UE from the location of the base station). The intersection of the two directions may provide another estimate of the location for the UE.

[0083]

[0113] For positioning techniques using PRS (positioning reference signal) signals (e.g., TDOA and RTT), PRS signals sent by multiple TRPs are measured and the arrival time of the signal, the known time of transmission, and the known location of the TRPs are used to determine the distance from the UE to the TRP. For example, RSTD (reference signal time difference) may be determined for PRS signals received from multiple TRPs and used in TDOA techniques to determine the location of the UE. Positioning reference signals may be referred to as PRS or PRS signals. PRS signals are generally sent using the same power, and PRS signals with the same signal characteristics (e.g., the same frequency shift) may interfere with each other, such that a PRS signal from a more distant TRP may be overwhelmed by a PRS signal from a closer TRP such that the signal from the more distant TRP cannot be detected. PRS muting may be used to help reduce interference by muting some PRS signals (reducing the power of the PRS signal, e.g., to zero, and thus not transmitting the PRS signal). In this way, weaker PRS signals (at the UE) may be more easily detected by the UE without the stronger PRS signals interfering with the weaker PRS signals. The term RS and its variants (e.g., PRS, SRS, CSI-RS (Channel State Information-Reference Signal)) may refer to one reference signal or two or more reference signals.

[0084]

[0114] Positioning reference signals (PRS) include downlink PRS (DL PRS, often simply referred to as PRS) and uplink PRS (UL PRS) (sometimes referred to as SRS (Sounding Reference Signal) for positioning). The PRS may include a PN code (pseudorandom code) or may be generated using the PN code (e.g., by modulating a carrier signal with the PN code) such that a source of the PRS may act as a pseudolite. The PN code may be unique for a PRS source (at least within a designated area such that identical PRS from different PRS sources do not overlap). The PRS may comprise a PRS resource and / or a PRS resource set of a frequency layer. A DL PRS positioning frequency layer (or simply frequency layer) is a collection of DL PRS resource sets from one or more TRPs with PRS resource(s) having common parameters configured by higher layer parameters DL-PRS-PositioningFrequencyLayer, DL-PRS-ResourceSet, and DL-PRS-Resource. Each frequency layer has a DL PRS resource set in the frequency layer and a DL PRS subcarrier spacing (SCS) for the DL PRS resources. Each frequency layer has a DL PRS resource set in the frequency layer and a DL PRS cyclic prefix (CP) for the DL PRS resources. In 5G, a resource block occupies 12 consecutive subcarriers and a specified number of symbols. A common resource block is a set of resource blocks that occupy a channel bandwidth. A bandwidth part (BWP) is a set of consecutive common resource blocks, which may include all common resource blocks or a subset of common resource blocks in the channel bandwidth.Also, the DL PRS Point A parameter defines the frequency of the reference resource block (and the lowest subcarrier of the resource block), the DL PRS resources belong to the same DL PRS resource set with the same Point A, and all DL PRS resource sets belong to the same frequency layer with the same Point A. The frequency layer also has the same DL PRS bandwidth, the same starting PRB (and center frequency), and the same value of comb size (i.e., for comb N, the frequency of PRS resource elements per symbol, such that every Nth resource element is a PRS resource element). A PRS resource set may be identified by a PRS resource set ID and associated with a particular TRP (identified by a cell ID) transmitted by the antenna panel of the base station. A PRS resource ID in a PRS resource set may be associated with an omnidirectional signal and / or a single beam (and / or beam ID) transmitted from a single base station (a base station may transmit one or multiple beams). Each PRS resource in a PRS resource set may be transmitted on a different beam, and thus a PRS resource (or simply a resource) may also be referred to as a beam. This does not have any implication on whether the beams on which the base station and the PRS transmit are known to the UE.

[0085]

[0115] A TRP may be configured to send DL PRS per schedule, e.g., by instructions received from a server and / or by software in the TRP. According to the schedule, the TRP may send DL PRS intermittently, e.g., periodically at consistent intervals from the initial transmission. A TRP may be configured to send one or more PRS resource sets. A resource set is a collection of PRS resources across one TRP, where the resources have the same period, common muting pattern configuration (if any), and same repetition factor across slots. Each PRS resource set includes multiple PRS resources, where each PRS resource includes multiple OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) resource elements (REs) that may be in multiple resource blocks (RBs) in N (one or more) consecutive symbol(s) in a slot. A PRS resource (or a reference signal (RS) resource in general) may be referred to as an OFDM PRS resource (or an OFDM RS resource). An RB is a collection of REs spanning one or more consecutive symbol amounts in the time domain and consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain (12 for 5G RBs). Each PRS resource is configured with an RE offset, a slot offset, a symbol offset within the slot, and a number of consecutive symbols that the PRS resource may occupy within the slot. The RE offset defines the starting RE offset of the first symbol in the DL PRS resource in frequency. The relative RE offsets of the remaining symbols in the DL PRS resource are defined based on the initial offset. The slot offset is the starting slot of the DL PRS resource relative to the corresponding resource set slot offset. The symbol offset determines the starting symbol of the DL PRS resource within the starting slot. The transmitted RE may be repeated across the slot, and each transmission is called a repetition such that there may be multiple repetitions within the PRS resource. The DL PRS resources in a DL PRS resource set are associated with the same TRP, and each DL PRS resource has a DL PRS resource ID.A DL PRS resource ID in a DL PRS resource set is associated with a single beam transmitted from a single TRP (although a TRP may transmit one or multiple beams).

[0086]

[0116] The PRS resources may also be defined by quasi-co-location and starting PRB parameters. The quasi-co-location (QCL) parameter may define any quasi-co-location information of DL PRS resources with other reference signals. The DL PRS may be configured to be QCL type D with DL PRS or SS / PBCH (synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel) blocks from a serving or non-serving cell. The DL PRS may be configured to be QCL type C with SS / PBCH blocks from a serving or non-serving cell. The starting PRB parameter defines the starting PRB index of the DL PRS resources with respect to reference point A. The starting PRB index has a granularity of one PRB and may have a minimum value of 0 and a maximum value of 2176 PRBs.

[0087]

[0117] A PRS resource set is a collection of PRS resources with the same period, the same muting pattern configuration (if any), and the same repetition factor across slots. Every time that all repetitions of all PRS resources of a PRS resource set are configured to be transmitted is called an "instance." Thus, an "instance" of a PRS resource set is a specified number of repetitions for each PRS resource and a specified number of PRS resources in a PRS resource set, such that an instance is complete when a specified number of repetitions have been transmitted for each of the specified number of PRS resources. An instance may also be called an "occasion." To facilitate (and even enable) a UE to measure DL PRS, a DL PRS configuration including a DL PRS transmission schedule may be provided to the UE.

[0088]

[0118] Multiple frequency layers of a PRS may be aggregated to provide a larger effective bandwidth than any of the layer bandwidths individually. Multiple frequency layers that meet criteria such as constituent carriers (which may be contiguous and / or distinct) and quasi-colocated (QCL) and have the same antenna ports may be stitched together to provide a larger effective PRS bandwidth (for DL ​​and UL PRS), improving time-of-arrival measurement accuracy. Stitching involves combining PRS measurements across individual bandwidth fragments into an integrated one, such that the stitched PRS can be treated as if taken from a single measurement. When QCL'd, the different frequency layers behave similarly, allowing stitching of PRSs to provide a larger effective bandwidth. The larger effective bandwidth may be referred to as the bandwidth of the aggregated PRS or the frequency bandwidth of the aggregated PRS, and provides better time-domain resolution (e.g., of TDOA). An aggregated PRS includes a collection of PRS resources, where each PRS resource of the aggregated PRS may be referred to as a PRS component, and each PRS component may be transmitted on a different component carrier, band, or frequency layer, or on a different portion of the same band.

[0089]

[0119] RTT positioning is an active positioning technique in that the RTT uses positioning signals sent by the TRP to the UE and by the UE (participating in the RTT positioning) to the TRP. The TRP may send DL-PRS signals that are received by the UE, and the UE may send SRS (sounding reference signal) signals that are received by multiple TRPs. The sounding reference signal may be referred to as SRS or SRS signal. In 5G multi-RTT, cooperative positioning may be used with the UE sending a single UL-SRS for positioning that is received by multiple TRPs, rather than sending separate UL-SRS for positioning for each TRP. A TRP participating in multi-RTT generally searches for UEs currently camped on that TRP (served UEs, where the TRP is the serving TRP) and UEs also camped on neighboring TRPs (neighboring UEs). The neighboring TRPs may be TRPs of a single BTS (e.g., gNB), or TRPs of one BTS and TRPs of separate BTSs. For RTT positioning including multi-RTT positioning, the DL-PRS signal and the UL-SRS signal in the positioning PRS / SRS signal pair used to determine the RTT (and thus the distance between the UE and the TRP) may occur close in time to each other such that errors due to UE movement and / or UE clock drift and / or TRP clock drift are within acceptable limits. For example, the signals in the positioning PRS / SRS signal pair may be transmitted within about 10 ms of each other from the TRP and the UE, respectively. It has been found that the positioning SRS signal being sent by the UE and the positioning PRS and SRS signals being transmitted close in time to each other may cause radio frequency (RF) signal congestion (which may cause excessive noise, etc.), especially when many UEs are attempting positioning simultaneously, and / or computational congestion at the TRP attempting to measure many UEs simultaneously.

[0090]

[0120] RTT positioning may be UE-based or UE-assisted. In UE-based RTT, the UE 200 determines the RTT and corresponding distance to each of the TRPs 300 and the location of the UE 200 based on the distance to the TRPs 300 and the known locations of the TRPs 300. In UE-assisted RTT, the UE 200 measures positioning signals and provides measurement information to the TRPs 300, which determines the RTT and distance. The TRPs 300 provide distances to a location server, e.g., server 400, which determines the location of the UE 200 based on the distances to the different TRPs 300. The RTT and / or distance may be determined by TRP300 receiving a signal(s) from UE200, by this TRP300 in combination with one or more other devices, e.g., one or more other TRPs300 and / or server 400, or by one or more devices other than TRP300 receiving a signal(s) from UE200.

[0091]

[0121] In 5G NR, various positioning techniques are supported. NR-specific positioning methods supported in 5G NR include DL-only, UL-only, and DL+UL positioning methods. Downlink-based positioning methods include DL-TDOA and DL-AoD. Uplink-based positioning methods include UL-TDOA and UL-AoA. Combined DL+UL-based positioning methods include RTT with one base station and RTT with multiple base stations (multi-RTT).

[0092]

[0122] A position estimate (e.g., for a UE) may be referred to by other names, such as a location estimate, location, position, position fix, fix, etc. A position estimate may be geodetic and may include coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude), or may be urban, including a street address, postal address, or some other verbal description of the location. A position estimate may also be defined relative to some other known location, or may be defined in absolute terms (e.g., using latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude). A position estimate may include an expected error or uncertainty (e.g., by including an area or volume within which the location is expected to fall with some specified or default confidence level).

[0093]

[0123] 7, the UE 700 includes a processor 710, a transceiver 720, and a memory 730 communicatively coupled to each other by a bus 740. The UE 700 may include the components shown in FIG. 7. The UE 700 may include one or more other components, such as any of the components shown in FIG. 2, such that the UE 200 may be an example of a UE 700. For example, the processor 710 may include one or more of the components of the processor 210. The transceiver 720 may include one or more of the components of the transceiver 215, such as the wireless transmitter 242 and antenna 246, or the wireless receiver 244 and antenna 246, or the wireless transmitter 242, the wireless receiver 244, and the antenna 246. Additionally or alternatively, the transceiver 720 may include a wired transmitter 252 and / or a wired receiver 254. Memory 730 may be configured similarly to memory 211, including, for example, software having processor-readable instructions configured to cause processor 710 to perform functions.

[0094]

[0124] The description herein may refer to the processor 710 performing a function, but includes other implementations, such as when the processor 710 executes software and / or firmware (stored in memory 730). The description herein may refer to the UE 700 performing a function as a shorthand for one or more suitable components of the UE 700 (e.g., the processor 710 and memory 730) performing the function. The processor 710 includes a PRS measurement unit 750 (possibly together with the memory 730 and, where appropriate, the transceiver 720). The PRS measurement unit 750 is discussed further below, and the description may refer generally to the processor 710 or generally to the UE 700 as performing any of the functions of the PRS measurement unit 750. The UE 700 is configured to perform the functions of the PRS measurement unit 750 discussed herein.

[0095]

[0125] Still referring to FIG. 8, the network entity 800 includes a processor 810, a transceiver 820, and a memory 830 communicatively coupled to each other by a bus 840. The network entity 800 may include the components shown in FIG. 8. The network entity 800 may include one or more other components, such as any of the components shown in FIG. 3 and / or FIG. 4, such that the TRP 300 and / or the server 400 may be examples of the network entity 800. For example, the processor 810 may include one or more of the components of the processor 310 and / or the processor 410. The transceiver 820 may include one or more of the components of the transceiver 315 and / or the transceiver 415. The memory 830 may be configured similarly to the memory 311 and / or the memory 411, including, for example, software having processor-readable instructions configured to cause the processor 810 to perform functions.

[0096]

[0126] The description herein may refer to the processor 810 performing a function, but includes other implementations, such as when the processor 810 executes software and / or firmware (stored in memory 830). The description herein may refer to the network entity 800 performing a function as shorthand for one or more of the appropriate components of the network entity 800 (e.g., the processor 810 and memory 830) performing the function. The processor 810 (possibly together with the memory 830 and, if necessary, the transceiver 820) includes a PRS unit 850. The PRS unit 850 is discussed further below, and the description may refer generally to the processor 810 or generally to the network entity 800 as performing any of the functions of the PRS unit 850. The network entity 800 is configured to perform the functions of the PRS unit 850 discussed herein.

[0097]

[0127] Still referring to FIG. 9, there may be a frequency offset between symbols of a PRS resource 900, here Comb 2, a two-symbol resource. Although one or more actions may be used to attempt to remove the frequency offset, some residual frequency offset between symbols typically exists (e.g., due to UE mobility and / or hardware limitations). The residual frequency offset, which is exaggerated in FIG. 9, causes resource elements in one symbol, e.g., symbol 910, to not align in frequency with resource elements in another symbol, e.g., symbol 920. This misalignment in frequency between symbols of a PRS resource results in an overlap 930 of resource elements between symbols 910, 920 and a frequency gap 940 between symbols 910, 920. To avoid the effects of the residual frequency offset, the PRS may be configured with a Comb 1 transmission pattern that occupies all REs within the PRS bandwidth in a single symbol. Multiple PRS resources may be multiplexed within a slot using TDM (Time Division Multiplexing) and CDM (Code Division Multiplexing).

[0098]

[0128] Referring again to FIG. 10, the frequency offset between symbols may result in measurement errors. For example, ToA estimation algorithms for PRSs generally perform a threshold-based detection of channel energy response (CER) to determine the ToA. The algorithm destaggers the PRS by combining tones (RE, tones) from all PRS symbols in the PRS resource and performing channel impulse response (CIR) and CER estimation, for example, through an IFFT (inverse fast Fourier transform) operation on the combined tones. In the absence of frequency offset between symbols, the CER 1000 may have an actual peak 1010 that is a single well-defined peak (much larger than any other peak in the CER 1000). However, the overlap 930 and frequency gap 940 resulting from the residual frequency offset may cause one or more aliased peaks, which may lead to inaccurate measurement results. In the CER 1000, the aliased peak 1020 results from the residual frequency offset. The relative strength of the aliased peak 1020 and the actual peak 1010 varies with the amount of frequency offset, and the higher the frequency offset, the smaller the difference (smaller dB) between the actual peak 1010 and the aliased peak 1020. The PRS provided by the network entity 800 and processing by the UE 700 can reduce or even overcome the effect of the residual frequency offset on the CER, e.g., reduce or remove one or more aliased peaks (e.g., aliased peak 1020) from the CER, which may improve the accuracy of PRS measurements, e.g., ToA measurements, and position estimates for the UE 700.

[0099]

[0129] 11-13, the network entity 800, e.g., the PRS unit 850, may be configured to schedule and / or transmit PRS resources with one or more symmetric transmission patterns. The transmission patterns are symmetric with respect to a central symbol and therefore symmetric in time, and the RE sounding patterns on either side of the central symbol are mirror images of each other. Thus, pairs of side symbols located on either side of the central symbol and having symbols with the same separation from the central symbol have the same RE sounded with the same content. For a ComN PRS resource, the PRS unit 850 may schedule the PRS resource and N-1 additional symbols (at the beginning or end of the PRS resource) to formulate a symmetric PRS resource with a central symbol and N-1 pairs of side symbols, e.g., as shown in Figs. 11-13. For example, the transmission schedule 1100 shown in Fig. 11 is for a Com2 PRS resource. The PRS unit 850 may schedule PRS resources in symbols 3 and 4, and may schedule an additional symbol (N-1=2-1=1 symbol) in symbol 5 with the same resource element sounding pattern (transmission pattern) as the symbol in symbol 3 (or alternatively, may add a symbol in symbol 2 with the same transmission pattern as the symbol in symbol 4). In this example, the transmission pattern includes a center symbol 1110 (also called a middle symbol) occupying symbol 4, and a pair of side symbols 1121, 1122 occupying symbols 3 and 5. The PRS unit 850 schedules the pair of side symbols with the same resource element sounding pattern using REs of the same subcarriers with the same content. As another example, the transmission schedule 1200 shown in FIG. 12 is for Com 4 PRS resources. The PRS unit 850 may schedule PRS resources in symbols 2-5, and may schedule an additional three symbols (N-1=4-1=3 symbols) in symbols 6-8.In this example, the transmission pattern includes a central symbol 1210 occupying symbol 5 and three pairs of side symbols: a first pair of side symbols 1221, 1222 occupying symbols 4 and 6, a second pair of side symbols 1231, 1232 occupying symbols 3 and 7, and a third pair of side symbols 1241, 1242 occupying symbols 2 and 8. The PRS unit 850 schedules the symbols in each of the side symbol pairs with the same resource element sounding pattern (same REs are sounded) using REs of the same subcarriers with the same content. As another example, the transmission schedule 1300 shown in FIG. 13 is for the Com 6 PRS resource. The PRS unit 850 may schedule the PRS resource in symbols 2 through 7 and an additional five symbols (N-1=6-1=5 symbols) in symbols 8 through 12. In this example, the transmission pattern includes a central symbol 1310 occupying symbol 7 and five pairs of side symbols: a first pair 1320 of side symbols occupying symbols 6 and 8, a second pair 1330 of side symbols occupying symbols 5 and 9, a third pair 1340 of side symbols occupying symbols 4 and 10, a fourth pair 1350 of side symbols occupying symbols 3 and 11, and a fifth pair 1360 of side symbols occupying symbols 2 and 12. The PRS unit 850 schedules the side symbol pairs 1320, 1330, 1340, 1350, 1360 with identical resource element sounding patterns using REs of the same subcarriers with the same content.

[0100]

[0130] Other symmetric transmission patterns may be used. For example, a Com 2 transmission pattern having an odd integer number of symbols greater than 3 may be used. The number of Com 2 symbols may be, for example, 5, 7, 9, or 11. As another example, a symmetric transmission pattern may have gaps between symbols with sounding resource elements (i.e., symbols without sounding resource elements). In this case, symbols that do not include resource elements sounded for the PRS are symmetrically arranged about a center symbol. There may be multiple pairs of symbols without resource elements of the PRS in the transmission pattern. There may or may not be multiple consecutive symbols with resource elements of the PRS. A symmetric transmission pattern may have a combination of consecutive symbols with PRS resource elements and one or more isolated symbols with PRS resource elements (e.g., at least two symmetric gaps between symbols with PRS resource elements, no consecutive symbols with PRS resource elements, etc.). Still other symmetric transmission patterns may be used. For example, odd Com numbers other than Com 3 may be used to provide a symmetric transmission pattern.

[0101]

[0131] 14, the UE 700, e.g., the PRS measurement unit 750, may be configured to request the network entity 800 to schedule and / or provide a symmetric PRS transmission pattern, and the network entity 800, e.g., the PRS unit 850, may be configured to respond to the request by scheduling and / or transmitting PRS resources in the appropriate PRS transmission pattern. For example, the UE 700 may be configured to send an explicit request 1400 to the network entity via the transceiver, generally explicitly requesting a symmetric PRS transmission pattern. The explicit request 1400 may include a comb number field 1410 and / or a comb number threshold field 1420. With an explicit request for a symmetric PRS transmission pattern, the UE 700 may explicitly request a comb number in the comb number field 1410 and / or may explicitly request a threshold comb number (such as a maximum comb number) in the comb number threshold field 1430 of the explicit request 1400. If the UE 700 requests the highest com number, the network entity 800 may schedule and / or transmit a PRS having that com number or a lower com number (e.g., if the UE 700 requests the highest value of com 6, the network entity 800 may schedule and / or transmit a PRS for com 6, com 4, or com 2 with N-1 symbols to make the transmission pattern symmetric). The explicit request 1400 may include a com number threshold and a com number to indicate the com numbers that the UE 700 supports, for example, while also requesting a preferred com number for a symmetric transmission pattern.

[0102]

[0132] 15 , the UE 700, e.g., the PRS measurement unit 750, may be configured to send an implicit request for a symmetric PRS transmission pattern to the network entity 800. For example, the UE 700 may be configured to send the implicit request 1500 to the network entity 800 with a UE type field 1510 indicating a type of the UE 700 (e.g., indicating that the UE 700 is a reduced capability (redcap) UE, indicating that the UE 700 is a particular type of redcap UE, and / or indicating a model number of the UE 700, etc.), and the network entity 800 may be configured to determine to schedule and / or transmit a symmetric PRS transmission pattern based on the indication of the type of the UE 700. For example, still referring to FIG. 16, the memory 830 may store a lookup table 1600 comprising a UE type field 1610 and a com number field 1620 of UE type and transmission pattern com numbers, respectively, and the PRS unit 850 may be configured to find the UE type, determine a corresponding PRS transmission pattern, and schedule and / or transmit PRS resources with the corresponding PRS transmission pattern. The network entity 800 may determine the com number based on an indication of the UE type. For example, the com number may be specified for the UE type. As another example, a range of allowable (e.g., supported) com numbers (e.g., com 6 and below) may be specified for the UE type, and the PRS unit 850 may select from the range of allowable com numbers (e.g., select the allowable com number using the fewest symbols).

[0103]

[0133] The UE 700, e.g., the PRS measurement unit 750, may be configured to process a PRS resource having a symmetric PRS transmission pattern using one or more combinations of symbols, which may reduce the effect of residual frequency offset in the PRS resource. For example, the PRS measurement unit 750 may combine the side symbols 1121 with the side symbols 1122, e.g., average the side symbols 1121, 1122 in the time domain, to determine a combined symbol (having the transmission pattern of the side symbols 1121, 1122, but with an average frequency offset of the frequency offsets of the side symbols 1121, 1122). If the resource offset is consistent between symbols, the combined symbol will have zero frequency offset with respect to the center symbol 1110, such that processing the combined symbol with the center symbol will reduce, if not eliminate, the effect of residual frequency offset on the measurement of the PRS resource (and on other position information based on the measurement). The PRS measurement unit 750 may perform an FFT on the combined symbol and the center symbol 1110 to generate a transformed combined symbol and a transformed center symbol. The PRS measurement unit 750 may combine the transformed combination symbol with the transformed center symbol to destagger the PRS resource and generate a destaggered PRS resource. The PRS measurement unit 750 may perform an IFFT on the destaggered PRS resource to generate an inverted resource and determine a CIR / CER estimate using the inverted resource. The PRS measurement unit 750 may determine the ToA from the CIR / CER peak(s). The PRS measurement unit 750 may be configured to process other symmetric PRS transmission patterns in a similar manner to determine PRS measurements with reduced residual frequency offset effects. The PRS measurement unit 750 may combine each of the multiple pairs of side symbols to generate multiple combination symbols that the PRS measurement unit 750 may combine with the center symbol.For example, the PRS measurement unit 750 may combine (e.g., average) the side symbols 1221, 1222, combine the side symbols 1231, 1232, and combine the side symbols 1241, 1242 to generate three combined symbols that the PRS measurement unit 750 may combine with the central symbol 1210 (e.g., after performing an FFT on each of the combined symbols and the central symbol 1210) to generate a destaggered PRS resource. Similarly, the PRS measurement unit 750 may combine (e.g., average) the symbols of each of the pairs 1320, 1330, 1340, 1350, 1360, respectively, to generate five combined symbols that the PRS measurement unit 750 may combine with the central symbol 1310 to generate a destaggered PRS resource. Similar to the discussion above, the PRS measurement unit may perform an IFFT on the destaggered PRS resources to generate inverted PRS resources, determine a CIR / CER estimate from the inverted PRS resources, and determine the ToA from the CIR / CER estimate.

[0104]

[0134] 6G and 6C, and also with reference to FIG. 17, a network entity 800, e.g., a PRS unit 850, may be configured to schedule and / or transmit a Com 2 PRS resource with one or more consecutive repetitions. The one or more repetitions are consecutive in that the repetition(s) follow the PRS resource without any symbol gap between the PRS resource and the first repetition or between one repetition and the next repetition (if any). For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the PRS unit 850 may be configured to schedule and / or transmit a Com 2, 2 symbol PRS resource using a transmission pattern 1700 having four consecutive symbols, with the PRS resource in symbols 2 and 3 and a repetition of the PRS resource in symbols 4 and 5. As another example, as shown in FIG 6G, the PRS unit 850 may be configured to schedule and / or transmit comb 2, 2-symbol PRS resources and two repetitions using a PRS transmission pattern having six consecutive symbols, with the PRS resource in symbols 2 and 3 and repetitions of the PRS resource in symbols 4 and 5 and symbols 6 and 7, respectively. As another example, as shown in FIG 6C, the PRS unit 850 may be configured to schedule and / or transmit comb 2, 2-symbol PRS resources and five repetitions using a PRS transmission pattern having twelve consecutive symbols, with the PRS resource in symbols 2 and 3 and repetitions of the PRS resource in symbols 4 and 5, symbols 6 and 7, symbols 8 and 9, symbols 10 and 11, and symbols 12 and 13, respectively.

[0105]

[0135] 18, the UE 700, e.g., the PRS measurement unit 750, may be configured to transmit an explicit request 1800 for the network entity 800 to schedule and / or provide Com 2 PRS resources with at least one consecutive repetition, and the network entity 800, e.g., the PRS unit 850, may be configured to respond to the explicit request 1800 by scheduling and / or transmitting PRS resources in an appropriate PRS transmission pattern. For example, the UE 700 may be configured to send an explicit request 1800 to the network entity 800 via the transceiver 720, including a request Com 2 with a repetition pattern field 1810, a repetition count field 1820, and / or a repetition count threshold field 1830, explicitly requesting Com 2 PRS resources with at least one consecutive repetition. With an explicit request 1800 for a Com2 PRS transmission pattern with at least one repetition, the UE 700 may explicitly request the amount of repetition using the repetition count field 1820 and / or may explicitly request a threshold amount of repetition using the repetition count threshold field 1830. If the UE 700 requests the threshold amount of repetition, the network entity 800 may schedule and / or transmit a PRS with at least that amount of repetition (e.g., if the UE 700 requests at least one repetition, the network entity 800 may schedule and / or transmit a Com2 PRS with one repetition, two repetitions, etc.).

[0106]

[0136] As another example, the UE 700, e.g., the PRS measurement unit 750, may be configured to send an implicit request for a Com2 PRS transmission pattern with one or more repetitions to the network entity 800. For example, the UE 700 may be configured to send an implicit request (e.g., implicit request 1500) to the network entity 800 indicating a type of the UE 700 (e.g., indicating that the UE 700 is a reduced capability (redcap) UE, indicating that the UE 700 is a particular type of redcap UE, and / or indicating a model number of the UE 700, etc.), and the network entity 800 may be configured to determine to schedule and / or transmit Com2 PRS resources in a PRS transmission pattern with at least one repetition based on the indication of the type of the UE 700. For example, the memory 830 may store a lookup table 1900 having a UE type field 1910 and a repetition number field 1920 of the UE type and repetition amount for the Com2 transmission pattern, and the PRS unit 850 may be configured to find the UE type, determine the corresponding PRS transmission pattern (repetition amount), and schedule and / or transmit PRS resources with the corresponding PRS transmission pattern. The network entity 800 may determine the repetition amount based on an indication of the UE type. For example, the repetition amount may be specified for the UE type. As another example, a range of allowable (e.g., supported) repetition amounts (e.g., between 2 and 5) may be specified for the UE type, and the PRS unit 850 may select from the range of allowable repetition amounts (e.g., select the smallest allowable repetition amount).

[0107]

[0137] The network entity 800 may be implicitly requested for a Com 2 PRS transmission pattern with one or more repetitions without the UE 700 sending a request to the network entity 800. For example, the network entity 800 may be configured to respond to the UE 700 requesting location information (e.g., PRS measurements and / or processed PRS measurements (e.g., pseudoranges, position estimates) from the UE 700 and the UE 700 not providing the location information or not providing the location information with a desired accuracy) by the network entity 800 scheduling and / or transmitting Com 2 PRS resources with one or more repetitions. The network entity may determine the number of repetitions to schedule and / or transmit based on one or more of various factors, such as the UE type, other signals to be scheduled / transmitted, the likelihood of collisions, the urgency of the location information, etc.

[0108]

[0138] The UE 700, e.g., the PRS measurement unit 750, may be configured to process a PRS including a Com2 PRS resource with one or more repetitions by dividing the PRS into multiple symmetric transmission sub-patterns and processing multiple sub-patterns of the PRS. For example, the PRS measurement unit 750 may divide the transmission pattern 1700 into a first sub-pattern of symbols 2-4 and a second sub-pattern of symbols 3-5. As another example, the PRS measurement unit 750 may divide the transmission schedule 614 into symmetric sub-patterns of three or five symbols, e.g., two or more sub-patterns of symbols 2-4, 3-5, 4-6, 5-7, and / or one or more sub-patterns of symbols 2-6, 3-7. As another example, the PRS measurement unit 750 may divide the transmission schedule 606 into symmetric sub-patterns of 3, 5, 7 or 9 symbols, for example, two or more sub-patterns of symbols 2-4, 3-5, 4-6, 5-7, 6-8, 7-9, 8-10, 9-11, 10-12, 11-13, and / or one or more sub-patterns of symbols 2-6, 3-7, 4-8, 5-9, 6-10, 7-11, 8-12, 9-13, and / or one or more sub-patterns of symbols 2-8, 3-9, 4-10, 5-11, 6-12, 7-13, and / or one or more sub-patterns of symbols 2-10, 3-11, 4-12, 5-13, and / or one or more sub-patterns of symbols 2-12, 3-13. In any of these examples, the PRS measurement unit 750 may process two or more selected sub-patterns of the available sub-patterns by processing each of the selected sub-patterns discussed above, combining each paired side symbol with the same resource element sounding pattern to generate one or more combined symbols, combining the combined symbol(s) with a central symbol to determine a destaggered symbol, using the destaggered symbols to determine location information (e.g., a PRS measurement such as ToA) from which further location information may be determined, and combining the determined location information (e.g., averaging the determined ToAs).

[0109]

[0139] 1-19, and with further reference to FIG 20, a timing diagram illustrates a signaling and process flow 2000 for scheduling and using an enhanced positioning reference signal to determine which positions include a step in which location information is indicated. The signaling and process flow 2000 is an example, and the signaling and process flow 2000 may be modified, for example, by adding one or more steps, deleting one or more steps, and / or reordering one or more of the steps illustrated.

[0110]

[0140] In stage 2010, the UE 700 transmits a PRS request 2012 to the network entity 800. The PRS request 2012 may be an explicit request for an extended PRS configuration. For example, the PRS request 2012 may request a Com2 PRS with a symmetric PRS transmission pattern or at least one repeating transmission pattern. The PRS request 2012 may include an explicit request, such as the explicit request 1400 or the explicit request 1800. As another example, the PRS request 2012 may include an implicit request, such as the implicit request 1500.

[0111]

[0141] In step 2020, the network entity 800 determines a PRS configuration for the extended PRS and transmits the PRS configuration and the PRS to the UE 700. For example, in sub-step 2022, the network entity 800 determines the PRS configuration. For example, the server 400 and the TRP 300 may negotiate to determine the PRS configuration based on the PRS request 2012 (e.g., to realize explicitly or implicitly requested parameters, or to select parameters (e.g., from a lookup table such as lookup table 1600 or lookup table 1900) from possible parameters explicitly or implicitly indicated by the PRS request 2012 and realize the selected parameters), or the server 400 or the TRP 300 may independently determine the PRS configuration. The network entity 800 transmits the PRS configuration 2024 determined in sub-step 2022 to the UE 700 (e.g., the TRP 300 transmits the PRS configuration 2024 directly to the UE 700 or the network entity 800 transmits the PRS configuration 2024 to the UE 700 via the TRP 300). The network entity 800 (e.g., the TRP 300) transmits the PRS 2026 to the UE 700 according to the PRS configuration 2024. The PRS configuration 2024 and / or the PRS 2026 may constitute an implicit request for the UE 700 to measure the PRS 2026 or may include an explicit request for the UE 700 to measure the PRS 2026 and report location information (e.g., one or more PRS measurements and / or one or more processed PRS measurements).

[0112]

[0142] In stage 2030, the UE 700 measures the PRS 2026. For example, the PRS measurement unit 750 combines one or more pairs of symbols with the same resource element sounding pattern to determine one or more combined symbols, combines the combined symbol(s) with a center symbol to determine a destaggered symbol, and determines a PRS measurement value (e.g., ToA) from the destaggered symbols. Depending on the PRS transmission pattern (e.g., if the PRS transmission pattern is a Com2 transmission pattern with at least one repetition), the PRS measurement unit 750 can determine multiple destaggered symbols and multiple PRS measurements that the PRS measurement unit 750 can combine (e.g., average).

[0113]

[0143] In step 2040, the UE 700, e.g., the PRS measurement unit 750, determines location information. The location information may be the measurements determined in step 2030 (hence step 2030 and step 2040 may be one step). Alternatively, the UE 700 may determine further location information based on the PRS measurements, e.g., pseudo-ranges, a position estimate for the UE 700, etc. The UE 700 may transmit location information 2042 (e.g., PRS measurements and / or processed PRS measurements (e.g., pseudo-ranges and / or position estimates)) to the network entity 800. The UE 700 may transmit the location information 2042 with an indication of accuracy (e.g., measurement accuracy, position estimate accuracy). The UE 700 may not transmit the location information 2042 unless the location information meets one or more criteria, such as a threshold accuracy. Instead of determining and transmitting location information to the network entity 800, the UE 700 may transmit raw measurement information to the network entity 800, which may determine the measurement information (e.g., combine symbols with the same resource element sounding pattern, determine the destaggered symbol(s), and determine the measurement(s) and (if multiple measurements corresponding to multiple destaggered symbols are determined) the combined measurement). In this case, the UE 700 may request an extended PRS (e.g., a symmetric PRS transmission pattern with at least one repetition or Com2 PRS) and provide the raw measurement information to the network entity 800 without the UE 700 determining one or more measurement values ​​by combining one or more symbols of the same resource element sounding pattern.

[0114]

[0144] In step 2050, the network entity 800 determines whether to re-determine the PRS configuration. For example, if the location information 2042 includes an indication of accuracy and the accuracy is below a desired accuracy (e.g., below a threshold accuracy), the signaling and process flow 2000 may return to sub-step 2022 for the network entity to re-determine the PRS configuration 2024 (e.g., to add one or more repetitions to a Com 2 PRS transmission pattern with at least one repetition, or to change the Com number of a symmetric PRS transmission pattern). As another example, if location information 2042 is not received in response to an explicit or implicit request for location information 2042 (e.g., within a threshold amount of time after transmission of PRS 2026), the signaling and process flow 2000 may return to sub-step 2022 for the network entity to re-determine the PRS configuration 2024.

[0115]

[0145] At stage 2060, the network entity 800 may determine the location information. For example, the network entity 800 may use some or all of the location information 2042 to determine a location estimate for the UE 700.

[0116]

[0146] With further reference to Figures 1-20, and with reference to Figure 21, a positioning reference signal measurement method 2100 includes the steps shown. However, the method 2100 is by way of example and not of limitation. The method 2100 may be modified, for example, by adding, deleting, reordering, combining, performing simultaneously steps, and / or dividing a single step into multiple steps.

[0117]

[0147] At step 2110, the method 2100 includes receiving an OFDM PRS from a network entity at the user equipment, the OFDM PRS including a first set of first OFDM symbols including a first central symbol and at least a pair of first side symbols that are contiguous and symmetrically arranged with respect to the first central symbol and have the same resource element sounding pattern. For example, the UE 700 receives the PRS 2026 at step 2020. The PRS may be a symmetric PRS having a symmetric transmission pattern, such as, for example, any of the transmission schedules 1100, 1200, 1300, or another symmetric transmission schedule. As another example, the PRS may be a Com2 PRS with at least one repetition, such as any of the transmission schedules 606, 614, 1700, or another transmission schedule. The processor 710 may include means for receiving the OFDM PRS in combination with the transceiver 720 (e.g., the wireless receiver 244 and the antenna 246), possibly in combination with the memory 730.

[0118]

[0148] At step 2120, the method 2100 includes combining the first side symbols in each of the at least one pair of first side symbols to generate at least one first combined symbol. For example, at step 2030, the PRS measurement unit 750 combines (e.g., averages) pairs of symbols of the PRS 2026 in the time domain, where the symbols in each pair have the same resource element sounding pattern (transmission pattern) and are positioned symmetrically in time with respect to a central symbol about which the transmission pattern of the PRS is symmetric. Each symbol in a pair of symbols may be one symbol away from the central symbol (e.g. side symbols 1121, 1122 for central symbol 1110, or side symbols 1221, 1222 for central symbol 1210, or symbols 2 and 4 for symbol 3 in Figure 17, or symbols 3 and 5 for symbol 4 in Figure 17), two symbols away from the central symbol (e.g. side symbols 1231, 1232 for central symbol 1210), etc., with the number of symbols away from the central symbol being the same for both symbols in the pair. By combining pairs of side symbols symmetrically positioned about the central symbol, the combined symbol(s) and the central symbol have the same or nearly the same frequency offset and therefore have a zero or nearly zero relative frequency offset, which reduces or eliminates the effect of residual frequency offset on the position information determined from the PRS 2026. The processor 710, optionally in combination with the memory 730, may include means for combining the first side symbols.

[0119]

[0149] At step 2130, the method 2100 includes determining a measurement value of the OFDM PRS based on at least one first combined symbol and the first central symbol. For example, at step 2030, the PRS measurement unit 750 determines a PRS measurement value, e.g., a ToA, using the combined pair(s) of side symbols and the respective central symbol(s). By determining the PRS measurement value from the combined pair(s) of side symbols and the central symbol, the effect of residual frequency offset may be reduced or eliminated, thereby improving the accuracy of the location information determined from the PRS 2026 relative to determining the location information without combining the side symbol pairs. The processor 710 may include means for determining a measurement value of the OFDM PRS, possibly in combination with the memory 730.

[0120]

[0150] Implementations of the method 2100 may include one or more of the following features. In an example implementation, the method 2100 further includes transmitting a request from the user equipment to a network entity for the OFDM PRS to be of a symmetric transmission pattern. For example, the UE 700 transmits the explicit request 1400 or the explicit request 1800 or the implicit request 1500 to the network entity 800. This can help ensure accurate measurement of the PRS by the UE 700 while potentially limiting overhead between the UE 700 and the network entity 800 to request the PRS for enhanced processing that helps ensure accurate measurement. The request may indicate an odd integer amount of symbols that the PRS 2026 should include in a slot. The processor 710, possibly in combination with the memory 730 and in combination with the transceiver 720 (e.g., the wireless transmitter 242 and the antenna 246), may include means for transmitting the request for the OFDM PRS to be of a symmetric transmission pattern. In a further example implementation, the request includes an indication of a comb number threshold of the OFDM PRS. For example, the explicit request 1400 may include a comb number threshold field 1430. This may help ensure accurate measurement of the PRS by the UE 700 while allowing the network entity to select the comb number in some cases, for example, to help avoid collision of the PRS with one or more other signals. In another further example implementation, the request includes an indication of the type of user equipment. For example, the UE 700 may send an implicit request 1500 to the network entity 800. This may save overhead traffic between the UE 700 and the network entity 800 while allowing enhanced PRS scheduling / transmission and / or processing to improve positioning accuracy.

[0121]

[0151] Also or alternatively, implementations of the method 2100 may include one or more of the following features. In an example implementation, the method 2100 further includes sending a request from the user equipment to a network entity for the OFDM PRS to include Com 2, 2 symbol resources with at least one consecutive repetition. For example, the UE 700 sends an explicit request 1800 or an implicit request 1500 to the network entity 800. For example, an indication of the UE 700 being a reduced capability UE may implicitly request Com 2 PRS resources with one or more repetitions. This can help ensure accurate measurement of the PRS by the UE 700 while potentially limiting overhead between the UE 700 and the network entity 800 to request the PRS for extended processing that helps ensure accurate measurement. The processor 710, possibly in combination with the memory 730, in combination with the transceiver 720 (e.g., the wireless transmitter 242 and the antenna 246), may include means for transmitting a request for the OFDM PRS to include a Com 2, 2 symbol resource with at least one consecutive repetition. In a further example implementation, the request includes an indication of a threshold amount of at least one consecutive repetition. For example, the explicit request 1800 may include a repetition number threshold. This may help ensure accurate measurement of the PRS by the UE 700, possibly allowing the network entity to select a repetition number to help avoid collision of the PRS with one or more other signals and / or to use resource elements to transmit other signals. In another further example implementation, the request includes an indication of a type of user equipment. For example, the implicit request 1500 may include an indication of a type of UE 700, which the network entity 800 may use to determine to use a Com 2, 2 symbol PRS resource with one or more repetitions and may be used to determine one or more repetition amounts. This may help ensure accurate measurement of the PRS by the UE 700, potentially while limiting overhead between the UE 700 and the network entity 800.

[0122]

[0152] Also or alternatively, implementations of method 2100 may include one or more of the following features: In an example implementation, the OFDM PRS includes a Comb 2, 2 symbol resource with at least one consecutive repetition, such that the OFDM PRS includes a first OFDM symbol of a first set and at least one second OFDM symbol of a second set that is contiguous to the first OFDM symbol of the first set, at least one of the first OFDM symbols is different from the second OFDM symbol, and each second OFDM symbol of the at least one second set includes a second central symbol and at least one pair of second side symbols that are symmetrically positioned in time with respect to the second central symbol and have an identical resource element sounding pattern, and measurements of the OFDM PRS include a Comb 2, 2 symbol resource with at least one consecutive repetition, such that the ... The first measurement value of the PRS, the positioning reference signal measurement method further includes combining the second side symbols in each of the at least one pair of second side symbols to generate at least one second combination symbol for each of the at least one second set of second OFDM symbols, and determining at least one second measurement value of the OFDM PRS based on the at least one second combination symbol and the second central symbol of each of the at least one second set of second OFDM symbols. For example, the PRS measurement unit 750 may select and process multiple symmetric sets of symbols of the Comb 2, 2 symbol PRS with one or more repetitions. These sets may include various amounts (e.g., 3, 5, or 7) of symbols depending on the amount of repetition (including, for example, two or more repetitions), and the PRS measurement unit 750 may select all or less than all available symmetric sets to process to reduce / remove the effect of residual frequency offset as discussed herein. This can help reduce / remove the residual frequency offset effect and improve measurement accuracy. A number of combination symbols may be determined and used along with the central symbol to determine the destaggered symbols. More than two destaggered symbols, as well as three or more corresponding measurements, may be determined.The processor 710, optionally in combination with the memory 730, may include means for combining the second side symbols and means for determining at least one second measurement value of the OFDM PRS. In a further example implementation, the method 2100 further includes combining the first measurement value of the OFDM PRS and the at least one second measurement value of the OFDM PRS to determine a composite measurement value of the OFDM PRS. For example, two (or more) measurements (e.g., ToA) may be averaged, which may improve accuracy of the ToA. The processor 710, optionally in combination with the memory 730, may include means for combining the first measurement value of the OFDM PRS and the at least one second measurement value of the OFDM PRS.

[0123]

[0153] With further reference to Figures 1 to 20, and referring to Figure 22, a positioning reference signal scheduling method 2200 includes the steps shown. However, the method 2200 is an example and is not limiting. The method 2200 may be modified, for example, by adding a step or by dividing the steps shown into multiple steps.

[0124]

[0154] In step 2210, the method 2200 includes, in response to an inability indication indicating an inability of the first user equipment to determine location information with at least a threshold accuracy based on measurements of a PRS of Com 4 or a higher Com, or based on any Com 2 PRS without repetition, scheduling at the network entity a transmission of a first PRS of Com 2 with at least one repetition, or scheduling at the network entity a transmission of a second PRS having a sounding tone that is symmetrical with respect to intermediate symbols of the second PRS, or a combination thereof. For example, the network entity 800 (e.g., the TRP 300 and the server 400) may determine (e.g., negotiate) a Com 2 PRS transmission pattern with one or more repetitions if the UE 700 is unable to determine location information (e.g., PRS measurements, pseudoranges, position estimates) with a desired level of accuracy if the PRS is Com 4 or higher, or if the PRS is Com 2 without any repetitions, in sub-step 2022. Also or alternatively, the network entity 800 (e.g., the TRP 300 and the server 400) may determine (e.g., negotiate) a symmetric PRS transmission pattern in sub-stage 2022, or the network entity 800 (e.g., the TRP 300) may transmit the symmetric PRS transmission pattern as a PRS configuration 2024. A symmetric PRS may have an odd integer amount of symbols with sounding resource elements, and the symbols may be contiguous or non-contiguous. The processor 810 (e.g., processor 310 and / or processor 410), possibly in combination with memory 830 (e.g., memory 311 and / or memory 411), possibly in combination with the transceiver 820 (e.g., transceiver 315 (e.g., wireless transmitter 342 and / or wireless receiver 344, and antenna 346) and / or transceiver 415 (e.g., wired transmitter 452 and / or wired receiver 454)), may include means for scheduling transmission of the first PRS and / or means for scheduling transmission of the second PRS.

[0125]

[0155] Implementations of the method 2200 may include one or more of the following features. In an example implementation, the method 2200 includes scheduling transmission of the second PRS based on receiving a request at the network entity for the second PRS from the second user equipment. For example, the PRS unit 850 may schedule a symmetric PRS in response to an explicit request 1400 or an implicit request 1500. In a further example implementation, scheduling transmission of the second PRS includes scheduling transmission of the second PRS such that the second PRS consists of 2N-1 consecutive symbols in a slot, where N is a com number indicated in the request. In another further example implementation, the request includes one or more explicit indications of one or more parameters of the second PRS or an implicit indication of one or more parameters of the second PRS. For example, the request may be an explicit request 1400 and may indicate a com number or a com number threshold (or another parameter, e.g., a number of symbols). As another example, the requirement may be an implicit requirement 1500 and may correspond, for example, to one or more parameters in lookup table 1600 or another lookup table, or another relationship between the implicit requirement and the parameter(s).

[0126]

[0156] Also or alternatively, implementations of method 2200 may include one or more of the following features: In an example implementation, method 2200 includes scheduling transmission of a first PRS, and the inability indication indicates a type of the first user equipment to implicitly indicate an inability of the first user equipment to determine location information with at least a threshold accuracy based on a Com4 or higher PRS or based on a Com2 PRS without repetition, and method 2200 further includes determining at a network entity a repetition amount of at least one repetition based on the type of the first user equipment. For example, UE 700 may send implicit request 1500 that implicitly indicates that UE 700 cannot provide location information with sufficient accuracy (e.g., based on a lookup table of UE type and location information accuracy) based on something other than Com2 PRS with one or more repetitions, and network entity 800 may determine the repetition amount based on UE type, for example, using lookup table 1900 or another relationship between UE type and repetition amount. The network entity 800 may also use one or more other criteria, for example, to use the fewest symbols that enable the UE 700 to provide sufficient location information accuracy. The processor 810, possibly in combination with the memory 820, may include means for determining an amount of repetitions. In another example implementation, the method 2200 includes scheduling transmission of the first PRS with an amount of at least one repetition that corresponds to an explicit amount indication in the inability indication. For example, the network entity 800 may schedule the Com2 PRS with the same amount of repetitions as indicated in the number of repetitions field 1820 of the explicit request 1800.

[0127]

[0157] Further features of implementations of method 2200 may be used. For example, network entity 800 may respond to an implicit indication of the UE's inability to measure a previously transmitted PRS with at least a desired level of accuracy by scheduling a symmetric PRS or a Com2 PRS with one or more repetitions. For example, in stage 2050, network entity 800 may determine that location information 2042 is insufficiently accurate or that requested location information has not been provided by UE 700. In response, network entity 800 may determine to transmit a symmetric PRS or a Com2 PRS with one or more repetitions.

[0128]

[0158] Example implementation

[0159] Implementation examples are provided in the numbered clauses below.

[0129]

[0160] Article 1. A transceiver; Memory, a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the transceiver; A user equipment comprising: receiving an OFDM PRS (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing positioning reference signal) from a network entity via a transceiver, the OFDM PRS including a first set of first OFDM symbols including a first central symbol and at least one pair of first side symbols that are consecutive and symmetrically arranged with respect to the first central symbol and have the same resource element sounding pattern; combining first side symbols in each of the at least one pair of first side symbols to generate at least one first combined symbol; The user equipment is configured to determine a measurement value of the OFDM PRS based on the at least one first combined symbol and the first center symbol.

[0130]

[0161] Clause 2. The user equipment of clause 1, wherein the processor is configured to transmit, via the transceiver, a request to the network entity requesting that the OFDM PRS be comprised of a symmetric transmission pattern.

[0131]

[0162] Clause 3. The user equipment of clause 2, wherein the request includes an indication of a threshold value of a com number of the OFDM PRS.

[0132]

[0163] Clause 4. The user equipment of clause 2, wherein the request includes an indication of a type of user equipment.

[0133]

[0164] Clause 5. The user equipment of clause 1, wherein the processor is configured to transmit, via the transceiver, a request to the network entity for the OFDM PRS to include a Com 2, 2 symbol resource with at least one consecutive repetition.

[0134]

[0165] Clause 6. The user equipment of clause 5, wherein the request includes an indication of a threshold amount of at least one successive iteration.

[0135]

[0166] Clause 7. The user equipment of clause 5, wherein the request includes an indication of a type of user equipment.

[0136]

[0167] Clause 8. The OFDM PRS includes a first OFDM symbol of a first set and at least one second OFDM symbol of a second set that is consecutive to the first OFDM symbol of the first set, and at least one of the first OFDM symbols is different from the second OFDM symbol, and the second OFDM symbol of each of the at least one second set of second OFDM symbols includes a second central symbol and at least one pair of second side symbols that are symmetrically positioned in time with respect to the second central symbol and have an identical resource element sounding pattern, the OFDM PRS includes a comb 2,2 symbol resource with at least one consecutive repetition, the measurement of the OFDM PRS is a first measurement of the OFDM PRS, and the processor performs the following steps for each of the at least one second set of second OFDM symbols: combining second side symbols in each of the at least one pair of second side symbols to generate at least one second combined symbol; The user equipment of clause 1, configured to determine at least one second measurement value of the OFDM PRS based on the at least one second combination symbol and a second central symbol of each of the at least one second set of second OFDM symbols.

[0137]

[0168] Clause 9. The user equipment of clause 8, wherein the processor is configured to combine the first measurement of the OFDM PRS and the at least one second measurement of the OFDM PRS to determine a composite measurement of the OFDM PRS.

[0138]

[0169] Clause 10. Receiving an OFDM PRS (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing positioning reference signal) from a network entity at a user equipment, the OFDM PRS including a first set of first OFDM symbols including a first central symbol and at least one pair of first side symbols that are consecutive and symmetrically arranged with respect to the first central symbol and have the same resource element sounding pattern; combining a first side symbol in each of the at least one pair of first side symbols to generate at least one first combined symbol; determining a measurement value of the OFDM PRS based on the at least one first combined symbol and the first central symbol; A positioning reference signal measurement method comprising:

[0139]

[0170] Clause 11. The positioning reference signal measurement method of clause 10, further comprising transmitting a request from the user equipment to the network entity for the OFDM PRS to be of a symmetric transmission pattern.

[0140]

[0171] Clause 12. The positioning reference signal measurement method of clause 11, wherein the request includes an indication of a threshold value for the comb number of the OFDM PRS.

[0141]

[0172] Clause 13. A positioning reference signal measurement method according to clause 11, wherein the request includes an indication of a type of user equipment.

[0142]

[0173] Clause 14. The positioning reference signal measurement method of clause 10, further comprising transmitting a request from the user equipment to the network entity for the OFDM PRS to include a Com2, 2 symbol resource with at least one consecutive repetition.

[0143]

[0174] Clause 15. The positioning reference signal measurement method of clause 14, wherein the request includes an indication of a threshold amount of at least one successive iteration.

[0144]

[0175] Clause 16. A positioning reference signal measurement method according to clause 14, wherein the request includes an indication of a type of user equipment.

[0145]

[0176] Clause 17. The OFDM PRS includes a first OFDM symbol of a first set and at least one second OFDM symbol of a second set that is consecutive to the first OFDM symbol of the first set, and at least one of the first OFDM symbols is different from the second OFDM symbol, and the second OFDM symbol of each of the at least one second set of second OFDM symbols includes a second central symbol and at least one pair of second side symbols that are symmetrically arranged in time with respect to the second central symbol and have the same resource element sounding pattern, the OFDM PRS includes a comb 2, 2 symbol resource with at least one consecutive repetition, the measurement value of the OFDM PRS is a first measurement value of the OFDM PRS, and the positioning reference signal measurement method includes, for each of the at least one second set of second OFDM symbols, combining the second side symbols in each of the at least one pair of second side symbols to generate at least one second combined symbol; 11. The positioning reference signal measurement method of clause 10, further comprising: determining at least one second measurement value of the OFDM PRS based on the at least one second combined symbol and a second central symbol of each of the at least one second set of second OFDM symbols.

[0146]

[0177] Clause 18. The positioning reference signal measurement method of clause 17, further comprising combining the first measurement of the OFDM PRS and at least one second measurement of the OFDM PRS to determine a composite measurement of the OFDM PRS.

[0147]

[0178] Clause 19. Means for receiving from a network entity an OFDM PRS (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing positioning reference signal), the first set of first OFDM symbols including a first central symbol and at least one pair of first side symbols that are consecutive and symmetrically arranged with respect to the first central symbol and have the same resource element sounding pattern; means for combining first side symbols in each of the at least one pair of first side symbols to generate at least one first combined symbol; means for determining a measurement value of the OFDM PRS based on the at least one first combined symbol and the first central symbol; a user device.

[0148]

[0179] Clause 20. The user equipment of clause 19, further comprising means for transmitting to a network entity a request that the OFDM PRS be of a symmetric transmission pattern.

[0149]

[0180] Clause 21. The user equipment of clause 20, wherein the request includes an indication of a threshold value of a com number of the OFDM PRS.

[0150]

[0181] Clause 22. The user equipment of clause 20, wherein the request includes an indication of a type of user equipment.

[0151]

[0182] Clause 23. The user equipment of clause 19, further comprising means for transmitting a request to a network entity for the OFDM PRS to include a Com2,2 symbol resource with at least one consecutive repetition.

[0152]

[0183] Clause 24. The user equipment of clause 23, wherein the request includes an indication of a threshold amount of at least one successive iteration.

[0153]

[0184] Clause 25. A user equipment according to clause 23, wherein the request includes an indication of a type of user equipment.

[0154]

[0185] Clause 26. The OFDM PRS includes a first OFDM symbol of a first set and at least one second OFDM symbol of a second set that is consecutive to the first OFDM symbol of the first set, and at least one of the first OFDM symbols is different from the second OFDM symbol, and each second OFDM symbol of the at least one second set includes a second central symbol and at least one pair of second side symbols that are symmetrically arranged in time with respect to the second central symbol and have an identical resource element sounding pattern, the OFDM PRS includes a com2,2 symbol resource with at least one consecutive repetition, the measurement of the OFDM PRS is a first measurement of the OFDM PRS, and the user equipment: means for combining second side symbols in each of the at least one pair of second side symbols to generate at least one second combined symbol for each of the at least one second set of second OFDM symbols; and means for determining, for each of the at least one second set of second OFDM symbols, at least one second measurement value of the OFDM PRS based on the at least one second combination symbol and a second central symbol of each of the at least one second set of second OFDM symbols.

[0155]

[0186] Clause 27. The user equipment of clause 26, further comprising means for combining the first measurement value of the OFDM PRS and the at least one second measurement value of the OFDM PRS to determine a composite measurement value of the OFDM PRS.

[0156]

[0187] Clause 28. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium containing processor-readable instructions, the processor-readable instructions being capable of causing a processor of a user equipment to: receiving from a network entity an OFDM PRS (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing positioning reference signal), the first set of first OFDM symbols including a first central symbol and at least one pair of first side symbols that are contiguous and symmetrically arranged with respect to the first central symbol and have the same resource element sounding pattern; combining a first side symbol in each of the at least one pair of first side symbols to generate at least one first combined symbol; A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium for determining a measurement value of an OFDM PRS based on at least one first combined symbol and a first central symbol.

[0157]

[0188] Clause 29. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of clause 28, further comprising processor-readable instructions for causing a processor to transmit a request to a network entity requesting that the OFDM PRS be comprised of a symmetric transmission pattern.

[0158]

[0189] Clause 30. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of clause 29, wherein the request includes an indication of a threshold comb number for the OFDM PRS.

[0159]

[0190] Clause 31. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of clause 29, wherein the request includes an indication of a type of user equipment.

[0160]

[0191] Clause 32. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of clause 28, further comprising processor-readable instructions for causing a processor to transmit a request to a network entity for the OFDM PRS to include a Com2,2 symbol resource with at least one consecutive repetition.

[0161]

[0192] Clause 33. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of clause 32, wherein the request includes an indication of a threshold amount of at least one successive iteration.

[0162]

[0193] Clause 34. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of clause 32, wherein the request includes an indication of a type of user equipment.

[0163]

[0194] Clause 35. The OFDM PRS includes a first OFDM symbol of a first set and at least one second OFDM symbol of a second set that is consecutive to the first OFDM symbol of the first set, and at least one of the first OFDM symbols is different from the second OFDM symbol, and each second OFDM symbol of the at least one second set includes a second central symbol and at least one pair of second side symbols that are symmetrically arranged in time with respect to the second central symbol and have an identical resource element sounding pattern, the OFDM PRS includes a comb 2, 2 symbol resource with at least one consecutive repetition, the measurement value of the OFDM PRS is a first measurement value of the OFDM PRS, and a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium is provided, processor-readable instructions to cause a processor to combine the second side symbols in each of the at least one pair of second side symbols to generate at least one second combined symbol for each of the at least one second set of second OFDM symbols; and processor readable instructions to cause a processor to determine, for each of the at least one second set of second OFDM symbols, at least one second measurement value of the OFDM PRS based on the at least one second combination symbol and a second central symbol of each of the at least one second set of second OFDM symbols.

[0164]

[0195] Clause 36. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of clause 35, further comprising processor-readable instructions that cause a processor to combine the first measurement of the OFDM PRS and at least one second measurement of the OFDM PRS to determine a composite measurement of the OFDM PRS.

[0165]

[0196] Article 37. A transceiver; Memory, a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the transceiver; A network entity comprising: The processor: in response to an inability indication indicating an inability of the first user equipment to determine location information with at least a threshold accuracy based on measurements of a PRS of Com 4 or a higher Com, or based on any Com 2 PRS without repetitions, schedule transmission of a first PRS (positioning reference signal) of Com 2 with at least one repetition; or scheduling transmission of a second PRS having sounding tones that are symmetric with respect to intermediate symbols of the second PRS; or A network entity configured to perform these combinations.

[0166]

[0197] Clause 38. The network entity of clause 37, wherein the processor is configured to schedule transmission of the second PRS based on receiving a request for the second PRS from the second user equipment via the transceiver.

[0167]

[0198] Clause 39. The network entity of clause 38, wherein the processor is configured to schedule transmission of the second PRS such that the second PRS consists of 2N-1 consecutive symbols within a slot, where N is a com number indicated in the request.

[0168]

[0199] Clause 40. The network entity of clause 38, wherein the request includes one or more explicit indications of one or more parameters of the second PRS or an implicit indication of one or more parameters of the second PRS.

[0169]

[0200] Clause 41. The network entity of clause 37, wherein the processor is configured to schedule transmission of the first PRS, and the inability indication indicates a type of the first user equipment to implicitly indicate an inability of the first user equipment to determine location information with at least a threshold accuracy based on the Com4 or higher PRS, or based on the Com2 PRS without the repetitions, and the processor is configured to determine a repetition amount of the at least one repetition based on the type of the first user equipment.

[0170]

[0201] Clause 42. The network entity of clause 37, wherein the processor is configured to schedule transmission of the first PRS in an amount of at least one repetition corresponding to an explicit amount indication in the disablement indication.

[0171]

[0202] Clause 43. In response to an inability indication indicating the inability of the first user equipment to determine location information with at least a threshold accuracy based on measurements of a PRS of Com 4 or a higher Com, or based on any Com 2 PRS without repetitions, scheduling in the network entity the transmission of a first PRS (positioning reference signal) of Com 2 with at least one repetition, or Scheduling, at a network entity, the transmission of a second PRS having sounding tones that are symmetric with respect to intermediate symbols of the second PRS; or Combinations of these A positioning reference signal scheduling method comprising:

[0172]

[0203] Clause 44. The positioning reference signal scheduling method of clause 43, comprising scheduling transmission of the second PRS based on receiving at the network entity a request for the second PRS from a second user equipment.

[0173]

[0204] Clause 45. The positioning reference signal scheduling method of clause 44, wherein scheduling transmission of the second PRS includes scheduling transmission of the second PRS such that the second PRS consists of 2N-1 consecutive symbols within a slot, where N is a com number indicated in the request.

[0174]

[0205] Clause 46. The positioning reference signal scheduling method of clause 44, wherein the request includes one or more explicit indications of one or more parameters of the second PRS or an implicit indication of one or more parameters of the second PRS.

[0175]

[0206] Clause 47. The positioning reference signal scheduling method of clause 43, comprising scheduling transmission of the first PRS, wherein the inability indication indicates a type of the first user equipment to implicitly indicate an inability of the first user equipment to determine location information with at least a threshold accuracy based on a Com4 or higher PRS, or based on a Com2 PRS without repetitions, and the positioning reference signal scheduling method further comprises determining, at the network entity, a repetition amount of the at least one repetition based on the type of the first user equipment.

[0176]

[0207] Clause 48. The positioning reference signal scheduling method of clause 43, comprising scheduling transmission of the first PRS with an amount of at least one repetition corresponding to an explicit amount indication in the disablement indication.

[0177]

[0208] Article 49. A transceiver; means for scheduling, via the transceiver, the transmission of a first PRS (positioning reference signal) of Com 2 with at least one repetition in response to an inability indication indicating an inability of the first user equipment to determine location information with at least a threshold accuracy based on measurements of a PRS of Com 4 or a higher Com, or based on any Com 2 PRS without repetition; or means for scheduling, via the transceiver, the transmission of a second PRS having sounding tones that are symmetrical with respect to intermediate symbols of the second PRS; or Combinations of these A network entity that includes

[0178]

[0209] Clause 50. The network entity of clause 49, including means for scheduling transmission of the second PRS, wherein the means for scheduling transmission of the second PRS includes means for scheduling transmission of the second PRS based on receiving a request for the second PRS from a second user equipment via the transceiver.

[0179]

[0210] Clause 51. The network entity of clause 50, wherein the means for scheduling transmission of the second PRS includes means for scheduling transmission of the second PRS such that the second PRS consists of 2N-1 consecutive symbols within a slot, where N is a com number indicated in the request.

[0180]

[0211] Clause 52. The network entity of clause 50, wherein the request includes one or more explicit indications of one or more parameters of the second PRS or an implicit indication of one or more parameters of the second PRS.

[0181]

[0212] Clause 53. The network entity of clause 49, including means for scheduling transmission of the first PRS, wherein the inability indication indicates a type of the first user equipment to implicitly indicate an inability of the first user equipment to determine location information with at least a threshold accuracy based on a Com4 or higher PRS, or based on a Com2 PRS without repetitions, and further including means for the network entity to determine a repetition amount of the at least one repetition based on the type of the first user equipment.

[0182]

[0213] Clause 54. The network entity of clause 49, comprising means for scheduling transmission of the first PRS, wherein the means for scheduling transmission of the first PRS comprises means for scheduling transmission of the first PRS in an amount of at least one repetition corresponding to an explicit amount indication in the disabling indication.

[0183]

[0214] Clause 55. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium containing processor-readable instructions, the processor-readable instructions configured to cause a processor of a network entity to: or in response to an inability indication indicating an inability of the first user equipment to determine location information with at least a threshold accuracy based on measurements of a PRS of Com 4 or a higher Com, or based on any Com 2 PRS without repetitions, schedule transmission of a first PRS (positioning reference signal) of Com 2 with at least one repetition; or scheduling transmission of a second PRS having sounding tones that are symmetrical with respect to intermediate symbols of the second PRS; or Combinations of these A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium that causes

[0184]

[0215] Clause 56. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of clause 55, comprising processor-readable instructions that cause a processor to schedule transmission of a second PRS, the processor-readable instructions that cause the processor to schedule transmission of the second PRS based on receiving a request for the second PRS from a second user equipment.

[0185]

[0216] Clause 57. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of clause 56, wherein the processor-readable instructions for causing the processor to schedule transmission of the second PRS include processor-readable instructions for causing the processor to schedule transmission of the second PRS such that the second PRS consists of 2N-1 consecutive symbols in a slot, where N is a com number indicated in the request.

[0186]

[0217] Clause 58. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of clause 56, wherein the request includes one or more explicit indications of one or more parameters of the second PRS or an implicit indication of one or more parameters of the second PRS.

[0187]

[0218] Clause 59. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of clause 55, including processor-readable instructions that cause a processor to schedule transmission of the first PRS, the inability indication indicating a type of the first user equipment implicitly indicating an inability of the first user equipment to determine location information with at least a threshold accuracy based on a Com 4 or higher PRS, or based on a Com 2 PRS without repetitions, and the non-transitory processor-readable storage medium further including processor-readable instructions that cause a processor to determine an amount of repetitions for the at least one repetition based on a type of the first user equipment.

[0188]

[0219] Clause 60. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of clause 55, comprising processor-readable instructions for causing a processor to schedule transmission of the first PRS, the processor-readable instructions for causing the processor to schedule transmission of the first PRS in an amount of at least one iteration that corresponds to an explicit amount indication in the disablement indication.

[0189]

[0220] Other considerations

[0221] Other examples and implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software and computers, the functions described above may be performed using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof. Features that perform the functions may also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that portions of the functions are performed in different physical locations.

[0190]

[0222] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and / or "comprising" specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0191]

[0223] Also, as used herein, "or" in a list of items (sometimes beginning with "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates a disjunctive list, such as a list of "at least one of A, B, or C," or a list of "one or more of A, B, or C," or a list of "A or B or C" meaning A, or B, or C, or AB (A and B), or AC (A and C), or BC (B and C), or ABC (i.e., A and B and C), or a combination of two or more features (e.g., AA, AAB, ABBC, etc.). Thus, a statement that an item, e.g., a processor, is configured to perform a function for at least one of A or B, or that an item is configured to perform function A or function B means that the item may be configured to perform the function for A, or may be configured to perform the function for B, or may be configured to perform the function for A and B. For example, the phrases "a processor configured to measure at least one of A or B" or "a processor configured to measure A or measure B" mean that the processor may be configured to measure A (and may or may not be configured to measure B), or may be configured to measure B (and may or may not be configured to measure A), or may be configured to measure A and measure B (and may be configured to select whether to measure A or B, or to select both A and B). Similarly, a reference to a means for measuring at least one of A or B includes a means for measuring A (which may or may not be capable of measuring B), or a means for measuring B (which may or may not be configured to measure A), or a means for measuring A and B (which may be capable of selecting whether to measure A or B, or to select both A and B).As another example, a statement that an item, e.g., a processor, is configured to at least one of perform a function X or perform a function Y means that the item may be configured to perform function X, or may be configured to perform function Y, or may be configured to perform function X and perform function Y. For example, the phrase "a processor configured to at least one of measure X or measure Y" means that the processor may be configured to measure X (and may or may not be configured to measure Y), or may be configured to measure Y (and may or may not be configured to measure X), or may be configured to measure X and measure Y (and may be configured to select whether to measure X or Y, or to select to measure both X and Y).

[0192]

[0224] As used in this specification, unless otherwise specified, a statement that a function or action is "based on" an item or condition means that the function or action is based on the stated item or condition, and may be based on one or more items and / or conditions in addition to the stated item or condition.

[0193]

[0225] Substantial variations may be made according to specific requirements. For example, customized hardware may also be used and / or particular elements may be implemented in hardware, in software executed by a processor (including portable software such as applets), or both. Additionally, connections to other computing devices, such as network input / output devices, may be employed. Functional or otherwise components shown in the figures and / or discussed herein as being connected to or in communication with each other are communicatively coupled unless otherwise noted. That is, components may be directly or indirectly connected to enable communication therebetween.

[0194]

[0226] The systems and devices discussed above are examples. Various configurations may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components, as appropriate. For example, features described with respect to a particular configuration may be combined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elements of the configurations may be combined as well. Also, technology evolves, and thus many of the elements are examples and do not limit the scope of the disclosure or claims.

[0195]

[0227] A wireless communication system is a communication system in which communications are conveyed wirelessly, i.e., by electromagnetic and / or sound waves propagating through atmospheric space rather than through wires or other physical connections. A wireless communication network is configured to have at least some, but not all, communications transmitted wirelessly. Furthermore, the term "wireless communication device" or similar terms does not require that the functionality of the device is exclusively or uniformly primarily for communication or that the device is a mobile device, but indicates that the device includes wireless communication capabilities (one-way or two-way), e.g., includes at least one radio for wireless communication (each radio being part of a transmitter, receiver, or transceiver).

[0196]

[0228] Specific details are given in the description to provide a thorough understanding of example configurations (including implementations). However, the configurations may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures and techniques are shown without unnecessary detail to avoid obscuring the configurations. This description provides example configurations and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configurations of the claims. Rather, the foregoing description of the configurations provides an illustration of implementing the described techniques. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements.

[0197]

[0229] As used herein, the terms "processor-readable medium," "machine-readable medium," and "computer-readable medium" refer to any medium that participates in providing data that causes a machine to operate in a specific manner. When using a computing platform, various processor-readable media may be involved in providing instructions / code to the processor(s) for execution and / or may be used to store and / or carry such instructions / code (e.g., signals). In many implementations, the processor-readable medium is a physical and / or tangible storage medium. Such media may take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical and / or magnetic disks. Volatile media include, but are not limited to, dynamic memory.

[0198]

[0230] Although several example configurations have been described, various modifications, alternative configurations, and equivalents may be used. For example, the above elements may be components of a larger system, where other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of the present disclosure. Also, some operations may be performed before, during, or after the above elements are considered. Thus, the above description does not limit the scope of the claims.

[0199]

[0231] A statement that a value exceeds (i.e., is greater than or exceeds) a first threshold is equivalent to a statement that the value meets or exceeds a second threshold that is slightly greater than the first threshold, e.g., the second threshold is a value higher than the first threshold at the resolution of the computing system. A statement that a value is less than (i.e., is within or below) a first threshold is equivalent to a statement that the value is less than or equal to a second threshold that is slightly lower than the first threshold, e.g., the second threshold is a value lower than the first threshold at the resolution of the computing system.

Claims

1. A transceiver; Memory and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the transceiver; 1. A user equipment comprising: transmitting a request to a network entity via said transceiver for an OFDM PRS (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing Positioning Reference Signal) to be of a symmetric transmission pattern; receiving the OFDM PRS from a network entity via the transceiver in the symmetric transmission pattern comprising a first set of first OFDM symbols that are contiguous and include a first central symbol and at least one pair of first side symbols that are symmetrically positioned about the first central symbol and have the same resource element sounding pattern; combining the first side symbols in each of the at least one pair of first side symbols to generate at least one first combined symbol; A user equipment configured to determine a measurement value of the OFDM PRS based on the at least one first combined symbol and the first central symbol.

2. The user equipment of claim 1 , wherein the request includes an indication of a threshold comb number for the OFDM PRS.

3. The user equipment of claim 1 , wherein the request includes an indication of a type of the user equipment.

4. 2. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to transmit a request to the network entity via the transceiver for the OFDM PRS to include a Com 2, 2 symbol resource with at least one consecutive repetition.

5. The user equipment of claim 4 , wherein the request includes an indication of a threshold amount of the at least one successive iteration.

6. The user equipment of claim 4 , wherein the request includes an indication of a type of the user equipment.

7. the OFDM PRS comprises a Com2, 2 symbol resource with at least one consecutive repetition, such that the OFDM PRS comprises a first OFDM symbol of the first set and at least one second OFDM symbol of a second set contiguous to the first OFDM symbol of the first set, at least one of the first OFDM symbols being different from the second OFDM symbol, and the second OFDM symbol of each of the at least one second set second OFDM symbol comprises a second central symbol and at least one pair of second side symbols arranged symmetrically in time with respect to the second central symbol and having an identical resource element sounding pattern, the measurement of the OFDM PRS is a first measurement of the OFDM PRS, and the processor performs, for each of the at least one second set second OFDM symbol: combining the second side symbols in each of the at least one pair of second side symbols to generate at least one second combined symbol; 2. The user equipment of claim 1, configured to determine at least one second measurement value of the OFDM PRS based on the at least one second combination symbol and the second central symbol of each of the at least one second set of second OFDM symbols.

8. 8. The user equipment of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to combine the first measurement of the OFDM PRS and the at least one second measurement of the OFDM PRS to determine a composite measurement of the OFDM PRS.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: transmitting a request from a user equipment to a network entity requesting that an OFDM PRS (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing positioning reference signal) be of a symmetric transmission pattern; receiving, at a user equipment from a network entity, the OFDM PRS in a symmetric transmission pattern comprising a first set of first OFDM symbols that are contiguous and comprise a first central symbol and at least one pair of first side symbols that are symmetrically positioned about the first central symbol and have the same resource element sounding pattern; combining the first side symbols in each of the at least one pair of first side symbols to generate at least one first combined symbol; determining a measurement value of the OFDM PRS based on the at least one first combination symbol and the first central symbol; A positioning reference signal measurement method, comprising:

10. A transceiver; Memory and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the transceiver; A network entity comprising: the processor: a network entity configured to schedule transmission of a second PRS having sounding tones that are symmetric with respect to an intermediate symbol of the second PRS based on receiving a request for the second PRS from a second user equipment via the transceiver;

11. 11. The network entity of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to schedule transmission of the second PRS such that the second PRS consists of 2N-1 consecutive symbols within a slot, where N is a com number indicated in the request.

12. 11. The network entity of claim 10, wherein the request includes one or more explicit indications of one or more parameters of the second PRS or an implicit indication of the one or more parameters of the second PRS.

13. Scheduling, at a network entity, transmission of a second PRS having sounding tones that are symmetrical with respect to intermediate symbols of the second PRS based on receiving, at the network entity, a request for the second PRS from a second user equipment. A positioning reference signal scheduling method, comprising:

14. 14. The positioning reference signal scheduling method of claim 13, wherein scheduling transmission of the second PRS includes scheduling transmission of the second PRS such that the second PRS consists of 2N-1 consecutive symbols within a slot, where N is a comb number indicated in the request.

15. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the request includes one or more explicit indications of one or more parameters of the second PRS or an implicit indication of the one or more parameters of the second PRS.

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