Systems and methods for carrier aggregation based positioning

Abstract

A system and method for carrier aggregation-based positioning are presented. A user equipment (UE) may receive configuration information regarding transmission of multiple reference signals for positioning across multiple component carriers from a network. The UE may receive a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) from the network indicating aggregation of the multiple reference signals. The UE may transmit the multiple reference signals across one or more of the aggregated component carriers to the network.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Technical Field FIELD This disclosure relates generally to wireless communications, including, but not limited to, systems and methods for carrier aggregation-based positioning. [Background technology]

[0002] background The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®), a standards organization, is currently defining a new air interface called 5G New Radio (5G NR) and the Next Generation Packet Core Network (NG-CN or NGC). 5G NR will have three main components: the 5G Access Network (5G-AN), the 5G Core Network (5GC), and the User Equipment (UE). To facilitate the enablement of different data services and requirements, the elements of the 5GC, also known as network functions, have been simplified; some of them are software-based and some are hardware-based, so they can be adapted as needed. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] overview The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are directed to solving problems associated with one or more of the problems presented in the prior art, as well as providing additional features that will become readily apparent from a review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In accordance with various embodiments, exemplary systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are disclosed herein. It will be understood, however, that these embodiments are presented by way of example, and not limitation, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art reading this disclosure that various modifications can be made to the disclosed embodiments while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0004] At least one aspect is directed to the following system, method, apparatus, or computer-readable medium: A user equipment (UE) may receive configuration information regarding transmission of multiple reference signals for positioning across multiple component carriers from a network. The UE may receive a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) indicating aggregation of the multiple reference signals from the network. The UE may transmit the multiple reference signals across one or more of the aggregated component carriers to the network. The MAC CE may include an "R" field. When the R field is set to "1", the multiple reference signals on multiple activated SRS resources across the multiple component carriers can be configured to be transmitted simultaneously.

[0005] In some embodiments, the MAC CE may include an "R" field. When the R field is set to "1", multiple reference signals on multiple activated SRS resources across a subset of multiple component carriers may be configured to be aggregated.

[0006] In some embodiments, the MAC CE may include an "R" field. When the R field is set to "1", multiple reference signals on multiple activated SRS resources across multiple component carriers may be configured to be aggregated.

[0007] In some embodiments, the MAC CE may include an "R" field. When the R field is set to "1", multiple reference signals on multiple activated SRS resource sets across multiple subsets of component carriers may be configured to be transmitted simultaneously. The spatial relationship of each of the subsets of component carriers may also be indicated by the MAC CE.

[0008] In some embodiments, the MAC CE may include an "R" field and a "SUL" field. The R field and the SUL field may be configured to indicate which of multiple component carriers carrying the SRS are configured to be transmitted simultaneously. The MAC CE may include an "R" field and a "SUL" field. The R field may be configured to indicate whether to aggregate one or more component carriers. The SUL field may be configured to indicate the number of one or more aggregated component carriers.

[0009] In some embodiments, the MAC CE may include a "Positioning SRS Resource Set ID" field. All spatial relationships of multiple reference signals may be indicated by the Positioning SRS Resource Set ID field. The MAC CE may include a "Resource IDi" field. When the first bit of Resource IDi is set to "1", multiple component carriers may be configured to be transmitted simultaneously.

[0010] In some embodiments, the MAC CE may include an "SRS Resource Set ID" field and a "Path Loss Reference RS ID" field. A first component carrier among the plurality of component carriers indicated by the SRS Resource Set ID field and a second component carrier among the plurality of component carriers indicated by the Path Loss Reference RS ID field may be configured to be aggregated. The MAC CE may include an "R" field, an "SRS Resource Cell ID" field, and / or a "Serving Cell ID" field. i When the R field in the first octet is set to '1', the first component carrier among the multiple component carriers associated with the cell ID field of the SRS resource and the serving cell ID i A second component carrier of the plurality of component carriers associated with the field may be configured to be aggregated.

[0011] In some embodiments, the MAC CE may include a first "R" field on the first octet and a second "R" field on the second octet. The first and second R fields may be configured to indicate one or more aggregated component carriers. The MAC CE may include five "R" fields that begin the octet and three "C" fields that end the octet. i Each of the five R fields can be set as "0" due to reserved bits. i Each of the fields may be set as '1' to indicate the corresponding component carrier among the component carriers to be aggregated.

[0012] In some embodiments, the MAC CE may include an "R" field, an "A / D" field, and / or a "Serving Cell ID" field. When the R field is set to "1" and the A / D field is set to "1", the component carrier indicated by the Serving Cell ID field may be configured to be aggregated. The configuration information may indicate that when a measurement gap (MG) is configured for a first one of the component carriers while MG is not configured for other one of the component carriers, MG may be configured to apply to one or more aggregated component carriers.

[0013] In some embodiments, the configuration information may indicate that only one PPW is enabled, while other PPWs are not enabled. Each of the one or more aggregated component carriers can be configured with a respective PPW. The configuration information may indicate that if only one PPW is configured for a PFL, while other PFLs are not configured with PPWs, the configured PPW can be applied to all aggregated PFLs. Each of the one or more aggregated component carriers may have a first identification for data transmission and a second identification for positioning.

[0014] In some embodiments, the configuration information may indicate a TEG for a primary component carrier (PCC) or a primary serving cell that applies to one or more aggregated component carriers. The configuration information may indicate a carrier aggregation-specific TEG that applies to one or more aggregated component carriers. The configuration information may include a UE capability report that indicates a TEG that applies across one or more aggregated component carriers. The configuration information may indicate a PEG with a minimum phase error that applies across all one or more aggregated component carriers. The configuration information may include a UE capability report that indicates a PEG that applies across all one or more aggregated component carriers.

[0015] In some embodiments, the configuration information may indicate that when multiple PFLs, each with one MG, are aggregated, the MG on a first one of the PFLs can be applied, while the MG on the other PFLs is not valid. The configuration information may indicate that when one PPW is activated for a PFL, while the other PPWs on each PFL are not activated, the activated PPW can be applied to all aggregated PFLs.

[0016] In some embodiments, the configuration information may indicate that if one PPW is activated for a PFL while other PPWs on each PFL are not activated, the activated PPW can be shared by other PFLs that are being aggregated.

[0017] In some embodiments, a wireless communication node may determine configuration information regarding transmission of multiple reference signals for positioning across multiple component carriers. The wireless communication node may measure the multiple reference signals. The wireless communication node may report measurement results regarding the multiple reference signals across one or more of the multiple component carriers that are aggregated. The wireless communication node may transmit a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) with one or more "R" fields indicating aggregation of the multiple reference signals. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] Various exemplary embodiments of the present solution are described in detail below with reference to the following figures or drawings. The drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and merely depict exemplary embodiments of the present solution to facilitate the reader's understanding of the present solution. Therefore, the drawings should not be considered as limiting the breadth, scope, or applicability of the present solution. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of explanation, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a cellular communication network in which the techniques disclosed herein may be implemented, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example base station and a user equipment device, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.

[0021] [Figure 3]FIG. 3 illustrates an example implementation of carrier aggregation-based positioning according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates an example implementation of carrier aggregation-based positioning according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 illustrates an example implementation of a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource (set) using a medium access control (MAC) control element (MAC CE) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates an example simulation of carrier aggregation-based positioning according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates an example implementation of a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource (set) using a medium access control (MAC) control element (MAC CE) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates an example implementation of a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource (set) using a medium access control (MAC) control element (MAC CE) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates an example implementation of a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource (set) using a medium access control (MAC) control element (MAC CE) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] [Figure 10]FIG. 10 illustrates an example implementation of a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (MAC CE) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] [Figure 11] FIG. 11 illustrates an example implementation of a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (MAC CE) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] [Figure 12] FIG. 12 illustrates an example implementation of a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (MAC CE) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] [Figure 13] FIG. 13 illustrates an example implementation of positioning reference signal (PRS) resources (sets) using a medium access control (MAC) control element (MAC CE), according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] [Figure 14] FIG. 14 illustrates an example implementation of a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (MAC CE) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0033] [Figure 15] FIG. 15 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method for carrier aggregation-based positioning, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Detailed Description 1. Mobile communication technology and environment 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication network and / or system 100 in which the techniques disclosed herein may be implemented, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the following description, the wireless communication network 100 may be any wireless network, such as a cellular network or a narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) network, and is referred to herein as “network 100.” Such exemplary network 100 includes a base station 102 (hereinafter “BS 102,” also referred to as a wireless communication node) and a user equipment device 104 (hereinafter “UE 104,” also referred to as a wireless communication device) that can communicate with each other via a communication link 110 (e.g., a wireless communication channel), and a cluster of cells 126, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140 that overlap a geographic region 101. In FIG. 1, the BS 102 and the UE 104 are contained within the respective geographic boundaries of the cell 126. Each of the other cells 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140 may include at least one base station operating in its assigned bandwidth to provide adequate radio coverage to its intended users.

[0035] For example, the BS 102 may operate in a channel transmission bandwidth allocated to provide adequate coverage to the UE 104. The BS 102 and the UE 104 may communicate via a downlink radio frame 118 and an uplink radio frame 124, respectively. Each radio frame 118 / 124 may be further divided into subframes 120 / 127, which may include data symbols 122 / 128. In this disclosure, the BS 102 and the UE 104 are generally described herein as non-limiting examples of "communication nodes" capable of implementing the methods disclosed herein. Such communication nodes may be capable of wireless and / or wired communication in accordance with various embodiments of the present solution.

[0036] 2 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system 200 for transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals (e.g., OFDM / OFDMA signals) in accordance with some embodiments of the present solution. System 200 may include components and elements configured to support known or conventional operational features that need not be described in detail herein. In one exemplary embodiment, system 200 may be used to communicate (e.g., transmit and receive) data symbols in a wireless communication environment, such as wireless communication environment 100 of FIG. 1, as described above.

[0037] The system 200 generally includes a base station 202 (hereinafter “BS 202”) and a user equipment device 204 (hereinafter “UE 204”). The BS 202 includes a BS (base station) transceiver module 210, a BS antenna 212, a BS processor module 214, a BS memory module 216, and a network communication module 218, each of which is coupled and interconnected as needed via a data communication bus 220. The UE 204 includes a UE (user equipment) transceiver module 230, a UE antenna 232, a UE memory module 234, and a UE processor module 236, each of which is coupled and interconnected as needed via a data communication bus 240. The BS 202 communicates with the UE 204 over a communication channel 250, which may be any wireless channel or other medium suitable for the transmission of data as described herein.

[0038] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, system 200 may further include any number of modules other than those shown in FIG. 2 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various exemplary blocks, modules, circuits, and processing logic described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented in hardware, computer-readable software, firmware, or any practical combination thereof. To clearly illustrate this compatibility and suitability of hardware, firmware, and software, the various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are described generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, or software may depend on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those familiar with the concepts described herein may implement such functionality in a manner suitable for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0039] According to some embodiments, the UE transceiver 230 may also be referred to herein as an “uplink” transceiver 230 that includes a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and an RF receiver, each with circuitry coupled to an antenna 232. Alternatively, a duplexing switch (not shown) may couple the uplink transmitter or receiver to the uplink antenna in a time-duplexed manner. Similarly, according to some embodiments, the BS transceiver 210 may also be referred to herein as a “downlink” transceiver 210 that includes an RF transmitter and an RF receiver, each with circuitry coupled to an antenna 212. Alternatively, a downlink duplexing switch may couple the downlink transmitter or receiver to the downlink antenna 212 in a time-duplexed manner. The operation of the two transceiver modules 210 and 230 may be coordinated in time such that the downlink transmitter is coupled to the downlink antenna 212 while the uplink receiver circuitry is coupled to the uplink antenna 232 for receiving transmissions over the wireless transmission link 250. Conversely, the operation of the two transceivers 210 and 230 may be coordinated in time such that the uplink transmitter is coupled to the uplink antenna 232 at the same time that the downlink receiver is coupled to the downlink antenna 212 for receiving transmissions over the wireless transmission link 250. In some embodiments, there is strict time synchronization with a minimum guard time between changes in duplex direction.

[0040] The UE transceiver 230 and the base station transceiver 210 are configured to communicate via a wireless data communication link 250 and cooperate with appropriately configured RF antenna arrangements 212 / 232 capable of supporting a particular wireless communication protocol and modulation scheme. In some exemplary embodiments, the UE transceiver 210 and the base station transceiver 210 are configured to support industry standards such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and the emerging 5G standard. However, it will be understood that the present disclosure is not necessarily limited in application to a particular standard and associated protocol. Rather, the UE transceiver 230 and the base station transceiver 210 may be configured to support alternative or additional wireless data communication protocols, including future standards or variants thereof.

[0041] According to various embodiments, the BS 202 may be, for example, an evolved node B (eNB), a serving eNB, a target eNB, a femto station, or a pico station. In some embodiments, the UE 204 may be embodied in various types of user devices, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet, a laptop computer, a wearable computing device, etc. The processor modules 214 and 236 may be implemented or realized using a general-purpose processor, an associative memory, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array, any suitable programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. As such, a processor may be realized as a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a state machine, etc. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a digital signal processor core, or any other such configuration.

[0042] Furthermore, the steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in firmware, in a software module executed by processor modules 214 and 236, respectively, or in any practical combination thereof. Memory modules 216 and 234 may be realized as RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. In this regard, memory modules 216 and 234 may be coupled to processor modules 210 and 230, respectively, such that processor modules 210 and 230 can read information from and write information to memory modules 216 and 234, respectively. Memory modules 216 and 234 may also be integrated into respective processor modules 210 and 230. In some embodiments, memory modules 216 and 234 may each include a cache memory for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions executed by processor modules 210 and 230, respectively. Memory modules 216 and 234 may also each include non-volatile memory for storing instructions executed by processor modules 210 and 230, respectively.

[0043] The network communications module 218 generally represents the hardware, software, firmware, processing logic, and / or other components of the base station 202 that enable bidirectional communications between the base station transceiver 210 and other network components and communications nodes configured to communicate with the base station 202. For example, the network communications module 218 may be configured to support Internet or WiMAX traffic. In a typical deployment, without limitation, the network communications module 218 provides an 802.3 Ethernet interface to enable the base station transceiver 210 to communicate with conventional Ethernet-based computer networks. As such, the network communications module 218 may include a physical interface for connecting to a computer network (e.g., a mobile switching center (MSC)). As used herein with respect to a specified operation or function, the terms “configured for,” “configured to,” and conjugations thereof refer to a device, component, circuit, structure, machine, signal, etc. that is physically constructed, programmed, formatted, and / or arranged to perform the specified operation or function.

[0044] The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model (referred to herein as the "Open Systems Interconnection Model") is a conceptual and logical layout that defines network communications used by open systems (e.g., wireless communication devices, wireless communication nodes) to interconnect and communicate with other systems. The model is divided into seven subcomponents or layers, each of which represents a conceptual collection of services provided to its upper and lower layers. The OSI model also defines logical networks and effectively describes computer packet transfers through the use of different layer protocols. The OSI model is also sometimes referred to as the seven-layer OSI model or seven-layer model. In some embodiments, Layer 1 may be the physical layer. In some embodiments, Layer 2 may be the medium access control (MAC) layer. In some embodiments, Layer 3 may be the radio link control (RLC) layer. In some embodiments, Layer 4 may be the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer. In some embodiments, Layer 5 may be the radio resource control (RRC) layer. In some embodiments, layer 6 may be a non-access stratum (NAS) layer or an Internet Protocol (IP) layer, and layer 7 is some other layer.

[0045] To enable those skilled in the art to make and use the present solution, various exemplary embodiments of the present solution are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, various changes or modifications can be made to the examples described herein without departing from the scope of the present solution. Therefore, the present solution is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and applications described and illustrated herein. Furthermore, any specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed herein is merely an example approach. The specific order or hierarchy of steps in any disclosed method or process can be rearranged based on design preferences while remaining within the scope of the present solution. Therefore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the methods and techniques disclosed herein present various steps or operations in a sample order, and the present solution is not limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented, unless otherwise specified.

[0046] 2. System and method for carrier aggregation based positioning Demand for positioning is increasing. For example, in parking lots (especially underground parking lots), it may not be easy to find a car (especially during peak hours). A fifth-generation mobile communication system (e.g., 5G, New Radio Access Technology, or 5G-NR) may provide a method for positioning on the radio side (e.g., positioning reference signals (PRSs) from base stations (e.g., gNBs)) and / or sounding reference signals (SRSs from user equipment (UE)). However, the PRS / SRS may be bandwidth-limited (e.g., it may only be transmitted within a carrier, e.g., within 100 MHz). Positioning accuracy may be proportional to the bandwidth of the reference signal being measured. If the bandwidth of the PRS / SRS could be expanded, the positioning accuracy could be improved. The present disclosure relates to expanding the bandwidth of the PRS / SRS (e.g., using carrier aggregation (CA)).

[0047] The present disclosure relates to wireless communication regarding how to perform positioning over a wide bandwidth. In the downlink (DL) as shown in FIG. 3, positioning reference signals (PRS) can be transmitted by one or more gNBs. To achieve "good" positioning accuracy, multiple gNBs can be involved (e.g., three base stations). A UE may measure at least one PRS. The UE may report the measurement result(s) to a network (e.g., a core network (CN) or a location management function (LMF) in a 5G CN (5GC)). The network element may include at least one of a gNB, a CN, or a UE.

[0048] In the uplink (UL) as shown in Figure 4, a sounding reference signal (SRS) may be transmitted by the UE. One or more gNBs (e.g., multiple gNBs) may measure the SRS. One or more gNBs may report the measurement result(s) to the network (e.g., LMF).

[0049] Both PRS and SRS for positioning purposes may be transmitted within a carrier, thus limiting the positioning accuracy.

[0050] In data transmission, aggregation of multiple component carriers (CCs) (e.g., carrier aggregation (CA)) can be introduced to achieve high bandwidth. CA can be aggregation within a frequency band (intra-band CA) or between frequency bands (inter-band CA). The CA principle can also be applied to PRS and SRS for positioning purposes. The present disclosure can provide a method for higher positioning accuracy after CA.

[0051] Example implementation 1: This implementation example takes UL-SRS as an example for explanation. This principle can also be applied to DL-PRS. A network (e.g., gNB) can configure one (or multiple) SRS resources (sets) for UE positioning on one carrier (or multiple carriers). When two (or more) SRSs from different carriers are transmitted simultaneously, this case may be CA of SRSs for positioning. However, this case has not occurred so far.

[0052] A network (e.g., gNB) can activate / deactivate one (or more) SRS resources (sets) using a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE, MAC CE), as shown in Figure 5. The horizontal direction can be an 8-bit octet. The vertical direction can be a bit field for different functions. "A / D" may indicate whether to activate or deactivate the indicated semi-static (SP) positioning SRS resource set. "Cell ID of positioning SRS resource set" may be the identity of the serving cell of the positioning SRS resource. "BWP ID of positioning SRS resource set" may be the UL bandwidth portion (BWP) ID as a codepoint indicator on the downlink control information (DCI). "R" may represent a reserved bit (e.g., set as "0"). "S" may indicate whether there is a field spatial relationship of resource ID i to positioning SRS resource i in the positioning SRS resource set. "C" may indicate whether there are octets containing the resource serving cell ID(s) field and the resource BWP ID(s) field in the field spatial relationship of resource IDi. "SUL" may indicate whether the MAC CE applies to a normal UL (NUL) carrier configuration or a complementary UL (SUL) carrier configuration. "Positioning SRS resource set ID" may indicate the SP positioning SRS resource set. The field "spatial relationship of resource IDi" may represent the spatial relationship of resource IDi.

[0053] A higher layer (e.g., Location Management Function (LMF), gNB, Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, or RRC of the gNB) may configure multiple carriers / cells / serving cells to the UE for PRS reception (or SRS transmission). A carrier / cell / serving cell may have multiple PRS / SRS resources (or resource sets). In some embodiments, a higher layer may configure an association between carriers that can be aggregated. If desired, the carrier for SRS / PRS (i.e., positioning) may be different from the carrier for communication (i.e., the carrier used for the physical shared channel carrying data). If desired, a carrier (or cell) may have two IDs: one for data transmission (e.g., serving cell ID, carrier ID, physical cell identity (PCI)) and one for positioning (e.g., for SRS / PRS transmission / reception). Optionally, the same carrier (or cell) can have two IDs, i.e., an ID for data transmission and an ID for positioning, even if these two associated signal(s) / channel(s) are transmitted simultaneously. Optionally, the IDs can be physical layer IDs (e.g., PCI for data transmission and physical ID for positioning). Optionally, these IDs can be configured by a higher layer (e.g., RRC of a gNB configured as PCI+offset, where PCI can be the PCI for data transmission and offset can be an integer such as 1010).

[0054] If the field “R” is set to a non-reserved bit (e.g., set as “1”), multiple carriers may be transmitted simultaneously (e.g., CA or bandwidth aggregation). If the field “R” is set to “1”, multiple SRSs on multiple carriers may be transmitted simultaneously (e.g., CA of SRS). Optionally, if the field “R” is set to “1”, multiple SRSs on multiple SRS resources across multiple carriers may be transmitted simultaneously. Optionally, if the field “R” is set to “1”, multiple SRSs on multiple SRS resource sets across multiple carriers may be transmitted simultaneously. Optionally, if the field “R” is set to “1”, multiple SRSs on multiple activated / deactivated SRS resource sets across multiple carriers may be transmitted simultaneously. Optionally, if the field “R” is set to “1”, multiple SRSs on multiple activated / deactivated SRS resource sets across multiple carriers may be activated simultaneously.

[0055] In some embodiments, if a UE is configured with multiple (e.g., three) carriers and the field "R" is set to "1," multiple SRSs on multiple activated SRS resource sets across all carriers (e.g., all three carriers) may be transmitted simultaneously. Optionally, if a UE is configured with multiple (e.g., three) carriers and the field "R" is set to "1," multiple SRSs on multiple activated SRS resource sets across a subset of carriers (e.g., carriers #1 and #2, or carriers #2 and #3, or carriers #1 and #3) may be transmitted simultaneously. In some embodiments, the network (e.g., gNB) may configure several carrier sets to be aggregated (e.g., carrier set {carrier #1, #2}, {carrier #2, #3}, etc., via higher layer signaling). An indication may indicate which sets should be aggregated (e.g., higher layer signaling, MAC CE with the "R" field set to "1," or downlink control information).

[0056] In some embodiments, if the field "R" is set to "1", multiple SRSs on multiple activated SRS resource sets across multiple carriers, the carriers having the spatial relationship indicated in this MAC CE, may be transmitted simultaneously. A carrier may be a cell or a serving cell. A cell or a serving cell may be a carrier. Optionally, if the field "R" is set to "1", multiple SRSs on multiple activated SRS resource sets across multiple carriers, the carriers having the same spatial relationship indicated in this MAC CE, may be transmitted simultaneously.

[0057] The field "SUL" can serve the same function as the field "R". For example, if a UE is configured with multiple (e.g., three) carriers and the field "SUL" is set to "1", multiple SRSs on multiple activated SRS resource sets across a subset of carriers (e.g., carriers #1 and #2, or carriers #2 and #3, or carriers #1 and #3) can be transmitted simultaneously. If necessary, the combination of the field "R" and the field "SUL" can serve more functions than the function of the field "R", as shown in the table below. The combination of the field "R" and the field "SUL" can indicate which carriers carrying the SRSs can be transmitted simultaneously.

[0058] [Table 1-1] [Table 1-2]

[0059] SRS / PRS aggregation may be the same as SRS / PRS CA, carrier aggregation, or SRS / PRS carrier aggregation. In some embodiments, several fields "R" may be present in the field "Spatial Relation of Resource IDi." These fields "R" may be used to indicate which carriers carrying SRS may be transmitted simultaneously. Optionally, field "R" (and / or other fields, e.g., "SUL") may indicate that the carrier indicated by the field "Cell ID of Positioning SRS Resource Set" may not be carrier aggregated, while other carriers may be aggregated (e.g., because this carrier may be too busy). For example, for a UE configured with three in-band contiguous carriers (carrier #1 indicated by the field "Cell ID of Positioning SRS Resource Set"), carrier #2 and carrier #3 may be aggregated. SRS on carrier #2 and carrier #3 may be transmitted simultaneously (e.g., SRS CA).

[0060] In some embodiments, the field "R" may indicate whether the SRS (carriers carrying the SRS) are aggregated, while the field "SUL" may indicate the number of aggregated carriers (e.g., "0" if the first two carriers are aggregated, or "1" if all carriers are aggregated). Optionally, after carrier aggregation (e.g., field "R" is set to "1"), the spatial relationship of all SRSs on the SRS resource (set) may follow the spatial relationship of the SRS indicated by the "Positioning SRS Resource Set ID" field. Optionally, the UE may be configured with multiple PFLs / carriers for PRS / SRS. Optionally, only one PPW may be configured for these PFLs / carriers (e.g., on the first PFL, or the PFL with cell ID=0). Optionally, only one PPW may be configured for a PFL / carrier, while other (one or more) PFLs / carriers may not be configured with a PPW, and this PPW may apply to all these PFLs / carriers. Optionally, only one PPW may be configured for a PFL / carrier, while the other(s) PFL / carrier(s) may not be configured with a PPW, in which case this PPW may be applied to all of these PFL / carriers when they are aggregated. Optionally, only one PPW may be configured for a PFL / carrier, while the other(s) PFL / carrier(s) may not be configured with a PPW, in which case this PPW may be applied to all of these PFL / carriers when they are transmitted. Optionally, this PPW may be applied to all of these PFL / carriers when they are aggregated. Optionally, this PPW may be applied to all of these PFL / carriers when they are transmitted simultaneously.

[0061] In some embodiments, the MAC CE can indicate which PFLs / carriers / cells are associated to be aggregated. Optionally, the MAC CE can indicate which PFLs / carriers / cells are associated to be transmitted simultaneously.

[0062] The UE may transmit the SRS on multiple carriers as indicated in the MAC CE above. One or more gNBs may receive the SRS from the UE using multiple carriers. The gNBs may measure positioning-related information (e.g., timing-related information). The gNBs may report the measurement results to the network (e.g., LMF). The network (e.g., LMF) may calculate the position of the UE.

[0063] In this way, SRS carrier aggregation can be indicated without additional signaling overhead, while the spatial relationship of SRS resources can still be maintained. With SRS carrier aggregation, the positioning accuracy can be improved from 0.386 m @ CDF = 90% to 0.195 m @ CDF = 90%, as shown in Figure 6. The simulation setting is carrier frequency = 3.5 GHz, CC1 = CC2 = 100 MHz, an indoor factory with sparse clutter, and high base station height (InF-SH).

[0064] Example implementation 2: This implementation example takes UL-SRS as an example for illustration, but the principle can also be applied to DL-PRS.

[0065] The network (e.g., gNB) can indicate the spatial relationship of the SRS resource(s) using the MAC CE, as shown in Figure 7. The "resource serving cell IDi" field can indicate the identity of the serving cell in which the resources used for the spatial relationship derivation of SRS resource i are located. The "resource IDi" field can contain the identifier of the resource used for the spatial relationship derivation of SRS resource i.

[0066] In some embodiments, when the field "R" is set to "1", multiple carriers for SRS may be transmitted simultaneously (e.g., CA). Optionally, when the field "R" is set to "1", the carriers indicated by the field "Resource Serving Cell IDi" (Note: a carrier can be a cell, and a cell can be a carrier) may be transmitted simultaneously. Optionally, when the field "R" is set to "1", the SRS on the carriers indicated by the field "Resource Serving Cell IDi" may be transmitted simultaneously. Optionally, when the field "R" is set to "1", the SRS on the SRS resource (set) on the carriers indicated by the field "Resource Serving Cell IDi" may be transmitted simultaneously.

[0067] In some embodiments, the first bit (or the leftmost bit) of the "Resource IDi" field can be used to indicate CA of the SRS. Optionally, the first two bits (or the leftmost two bits) of the "Resource IDi" field can be used to indicate CA of the SRS. Optionally, when the first bit of the "Resource IDi" field is set to "1", multiple carriers for the SRS can be transmitted simultaneously (e.g., CA).

[0068] In some embodiments, the first two bits of the "Resource IDi" field can be used to indicate that multiple carriers for SRS can be transmitted simultaneously as in Table 2.

[0069] [Table 2]

[0070] In this way, SRS carrier aggregation can be indicated without additional signaling overhead, while the spatial relationship of the SRS resources can still be maintained.

[0071] Example implementation 3: This implementation example takes UL-SRS as an example for illustration, but the principle can also be applied to DL-PRS.

[0072] The network (e.g., gNB) can indicate an SRS path loss reference RS (resource) ID using a MAC CE, as shown in FIG. 8. The "Path Loss Reference RS ID" field can indicate a path loss reference RS ID. The SRS indicated by the "SRS Resource Set ID" can be aggregated with the SRS on the carrier (or cell) indicated by the "Path Loss Reference RS ID" field. If necessary, the SRS indicated by the "SRS Resource Set ID" can be aggregated with the SRS on the carrier (or cell) associated with the "Path Loss Reference RS ID" field. If necessary, the SRS indicated by the "SRS Resource Set ID" and the SRS on the carrier (or cell) associated with the "Path Loss Reference RS ID" field can be transmitted simultaneously.

[0073] In some embodiments, for the SRSs (resources) indicated by this MAC CE to be aggregated, the SRSs (resources) may apply the same path loss criterion (e.g., as the same path loss criterion indicated by "SRS Resource Set ID"). In this way, SRS carrier aggregation can be indicated without additional signaling overhead, while the spatial relationship of the SRS resources can still be maintained.

[0074] Example implementation 4: This implementation example takes UL-SRS as an example for illustration, but the principle can also be applied to DL-PRS.

[0075] The network (e.g., gNB) can indicate the SRS spatial relationship (with RS resource ID on a cell / carrier) using MAC CE as shown in Figure 9. The "Resource Serving Cell IDi" field can indicate the identity of the serving cell where the resources used to derive the spatial relationship of SRS resource IDi are located. The cell (or carrier) associated with "SRS Resource Cell ID" and the cell (or carrier) associated with "Resource Serving Cell IDi" can be aggregated. If necessary, the SRS on the cell (or carrier) associated with "SRS Resource Cell ID" and the SRS on the cell (or carrier) associated with "Resource Serving Cell IDi" can be aggregated.

[0076] Optionally, if the field "R" in the first octet (Oct1) is set to "1", the SRS on the cell (or carrier) associated with the "SRS Resource Cell ID" and the SRS on the cell (or carrier) associated with the "Resource Serving Cell ID" can be aggregated. Optionally, if the field "R" in the second octet (Oct2) is set to "1", the SRS on the cell (or carrier) associated with the "SRS Resource Cell ID" and the SRS on the cell (or carrier) associated with the "Resource Serving Cell ID" can be aggregated (e.g., these SRSs can be transmitted simultaneously). Optionally, for the SRSs (resources) indicated by this MAC CE to be aggregated, the same spatial relationship (e.g., the same as the spatial relationship indicated by "Resource ID 0") can be applied. If necessary, the field "R" on the first octet (Oct1) and the field "R" on the second octet (Oct2) can indicate that a subset of cells (or carriers) can be aggregated as in Table 3.

[0077] [Table 3]

[0078] In this way, SRS carrier aggregation can be indicated without additional signaling overhead, while the spatial relationship of the SRS resources can still be maintained.

[0079] Example implementation 5: This implementation can be applied to the UL-SRS and / or the DL-PRS.

[0080] A network (e.g., gNB) can indicate simultaneous SRS / PRS transmission using MAC CE as shown in Figure 10. The field "R" can represent a reserved bit (e.g., set as "0"). The fields "C0", "C1", and "C2" can represent the first, second, and third carriers (or cells, or serving cells), respectively.

[0081] If field "C0" (or "C1" or "C2") is set to "1", this carrier may be aggregated. Otherwise, this carrier may not be aggregated. Optionally, if field "C0" (or "C1" or "C2") is set as "1", SRS (or PRS) on this carrier may be aggregated. Optionally, if field "C0" (or "C1" or "C2") is set as "1", SRS (or PRS) resource (set) on this carrier may be activated and SRS (or PRS) on this carrier can be aggregated. SRS / PRS on the carrier indicated by field "C0" (or "C1" or "C2") may be transmitted simultaneously.

[0082] In some embodiments, the network (e.g., gNB) may indicate simultaneous SRS / PRS transmission using MAC CE as RRRRRC2C1R, or RRRRC3C2C1C0, or RRRC4C3C2C1C0, or RRRC4C3C2C1R, or RRC5C4C3C2C1C0, or RRC5C4C3C2C1R, RC6C5C4C3C2C1C0, or RC6C5C4C3C2C1R, where C0 may be aggregated (or transmitted simultaneously).

[0083] In some embodiments, the network (e.g., gNB) can indicate simultaneous SRS / PRS transmission using a MAC CE, as shown in Figure 11. This MAC CE can support aggregation of eight carriers for positioning.

[0084] The network (e.g., gNB) can indicate simultaneous SRS / PRS transmission using a MAC CE as C7C6C5C4C3C2C1R. In this configuration, carrier C0 can be aggregated. This MAC CE can support aggregation of eight carriers for positioning. Optionally, the network (e.g., gNB) can indicate simultaneous SRS / PRS transmission using a MAC CE as shown in FIG. 12. This MAC CE can support aggregation of 16 carriers for positioning.

[0085] If necessary, one or more fields can be replaced with an "R" field. For example, field "C0" can be replaced with an "R" field (reserved bit, set as "0"). As another example, field "C 14 " and "C 15 " can be replaced by the "R" field. Optionally, the MAC CE can indicate the association between carriers that can be aggregated. Optionally, the field "R" can indicate which carriers / cells can be aggregated.

[0086] In this way, SRS / PRS carrier aggregation can be implemented with great flexibility (more than two carriers), and therefore the positioning accuracy can be improved.

[0087] Example 6: This implementation example takes DL-PRS as an example for illustration, but the same principle can also be applied to UL-SRS.

[0088] A network (e.g., gNB) can indicate which PRS Processing Window (PPW) on a serving cell / carrier is to be activated / deactivated using a MAC CE, as shown in Figure 13. The field "numEntry" may indicate the number of entries (of "Serving Cell ID" + "PPW ID" + "A / D" in octets). The "Serving Cell ID" field may indicate the PPW for which the serving cell can be activated / deactivated. The "PPW ID" field may indicate which PPW can be activated / deactivated (e.g., by setting the field "A / D" as "1" for activation).

[0089] The gNB can configure multiple (temporally) non-overlapping PPWs (e.g., four PPWs). If the first "R" field (or the second "R" field, or the sixth "R" field, or any other "R" field) is set to "1", the PRSs can be aggregated. Optionally, if the first "R" field is set to "1", the PRSs indicated by the field "Serving Cell ID" can be aggregated. Optionally, if the first "R" field is set to "1" and the field "A / D" is set to "1", the PRSs indicated by the field "Serving Cell ID" can be aggregated.

[0090] In some embodiments, a PPW may be configured for one carrier (e.g., the first serving cell indicated by the "Serving Cell ID" field), but no PPW exists (e.g., is not configured) for one or more other carriers. In this situation, this PPW may apply to all aggregated carriers (or cells). Optionally, aggregated carriers may be indicated by one or more "R" fields, as in the previous example. These carriers may share the same PPW. Optionally, in this situation, PPW association between carriers (cells) may be provided (e.g., indicated by one or more "R" fields on this MAC CE).

[0091] In some embodiments, for aggregated carriers (or cells), one PPW (only) can be applied to these carriers (e.g., the PPW of the first carrier is selected, or this MAC CE, or the PPW indicated by the "R" field of this MAC CE is selected). Optionally, for aggregated carriers (or cells) for a PRS, one PPW (only) can be valid (e.g., the first PPW, the PPW with PPW ID=0), while other PPWs may not be valid. This can be indicated by the "R" field. Optionally, for aggregated carriers (or cells) for a PRS, one PPW (only) can be valid (e.g., the first PPW, the PPW with PPW ID=0), while other PPWs, even if configured, may not be valid.

[0092] In some embodiments, when multiple PFLs / carriers / cells / serving cells are aggregated and each PFL / carrier / cell / serving cell is configured with a PPW, if one PPW is activated for the PFL / carrier / cell / serving cell (e.g., indicated by field "A / D" having a "1" or field "R" having a "1"), while other PPWs on the respective PFL / carrier / cell / serving cell are not activated (e.g., indicated by field "A / D" having a "0" or field "R" having a "0"), the activated PPW can be applied to all aggregated PFLs / carriers / cells / serving cells. In some embodiments, when multiple PFLs / carriers / cells / serving cells are aggregated and each PFL / carrier / cell / serving cell is configured with a PPW, if one PPW is activated for a PFL / carrier / cell / serving cell while other PPWs on the respective PFL / carrier / cell / serving cell are not activated, the activated PPW can be shared by the other aggregated PFLs / carriers / cells / serving cells.

[0093] In some embodiments, when multiple PFLs / carriers are aggregated, a carrier aggregation-specific PPW is applied to all aggregated carriers. Within this PPW, all PFLs / carriers configured for the UE can be measured. If desired, within this PPW, all PFLs / carriers configured for the UE can be measured simultaneously. If desired, within this PPW, all PFLs / carriers aggregated for the UE can be measured. If desired, within this PPW, all PFLs / carriers aggregated for the UE can be measured simultaneously.

[0094] The carrier aggregation-specific PPW may include at least one of the following: PPW ID, number of aggregated PFLs / carriers / cells / serving cells (e.g., 3 carriers), list of aggregated PFLs / carriers / cells / serving cell IDs, PPW offset (e.g., relative to system frame number 0, SFN#0, slot#0), PPW length (e.g., 20 slots), PPW repetition period (e.g., 40 ms), PPW type (e.g., intra-band, inter-band), priority of other DL signals / channels, or priority of PRS (e.g., which signal can be processed first and which signal can be dropped in case of conflict). In this way, SRS carrier aggregation can be indicated without additional signaling overhead, while the spatial relationship of SRS resources can still be maintained.

[0095] Example 7: When a UE performs positioning-related measurements (e.g., time difference of arrival, TDOA), the UE may use a timing error group (TEG). A TEG may be a group of one antenna / multiple antennas. In some embodiments, a TEG may have one antenna. Different TEGs may have different one antenna / multiple antennas. The TEGs may include an Rx TEG for receiving, a Tx TEG for transmitting, and / or an Rx-Tx TEG for receiving and transmitting.

[0096] When two or more carriers are aggregated, the same TEG can be applied to all these aggregated carriers. Optionally, the UE (or gNB, or TRP) can be requested by the network (e.g., LMF) to apply the same TEG when measuring on all aggregated carriers (or across aggregated carriers). Optionally, a TEG with the smallest timing error can be selected / applied to all aggregated carriers. Optionally, a TEG can be selected / applied to all (one or more) carriers for which a TEG is indicated by the network (e.g., gNB). Optionally, a TEG can be selected / applied to all (one or more) carriers for which a TEG is indicated by the network using a TEG ID (e.g., Rx TEG ID for reception / measurement, Tx TEG ID for transmission). Optionally, a TEG can be indicated by the network (e.g., gNB) for all aggregated carriers. Optionally, a TEG with the smallest timing error can be indicated by the network (e.g., gNB) for all aggregated carriers.

[0097] In some embodiments, for each carrier / cell, the UE can select an Rx TEG for PRS measurements, where each Rx TEG may be different. If desired, for each carrier / cell, the UE can select a Tx TEG for SRS transmission, where each Tx TEG may be different.

[0098] In some embodiments, the TEG of the carrier / cell with the lowest frequency may be applied to all aggregated carriers. Optionally, the TEG of the carrier / cell with the lowest frequency may be applied to the entire aggregated carrier. Optionally, for PRS reception, the Rx TEG of the carrier / cell with the lowest frequency may be applied to all aggregated carriers. Optionally, for SRS transmission, the Tx TEG of the carrier / cell with the highest frequency may be applied to all aggregated carriers, where the frequency may be determined by the Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (ARFCN).

[0099] In some embodiments, the TEG of the carrier / cell with the widest bandwidth may be applied to all aggregated carriers. Optionally, the TEG of the carrier / cell with the narrowest bandwidth may be applied to all aggregated carriers. Optionally, the TEG of the carrier / cell at the center of the aggregated carriers may be applied to all aggregated carriers. Optionally, the TEG of the primary component carrier / cell (PCC, primary serving cell) may be applied to all aggregated carriers. Optionally, the TEG (e.g., carrier aggregation-specific TEG) of the first carrier / cell (e.g., the carrier with carrier ID=0 or the carrier with the lowest carrier ID) may be applied to all aggregated carriers. Optionally, a TEG (e.g., carrier aggregation-specific TEG) of the aggregated carriers (e.g., carrier aggregation-specific TEG) may be defined (and applied), and the timing error may be measured across the aggregated carriers of this TEG. Optionally, the carrier aggregation-specific TEG may be applied to all aggregated carriers.

[0100] In some embodiments, the TEG with the closest timing error can be selected / applied to the aggregated carrier / cell. For example, if three carriers are aggregated, the timing errors of the TEGs of these three carriers can be 0.15ns, 0.11ns, and 0.18ns (the closest / most central / most focused value is 0.15ns). The TEG with the timing error of 0.15ns (the closest one) can be selected / applied to the aggregated carrier / cell.

[0101] When the UE (or gNB, or TRP) reports measurement results for an aggregated carrier(s), the UE may add an Rx TEG ID. In some embodiments, the UE may report its capabilities for a TEG with carrier aggregation (e.g., a TEG ID with timing error across the aggregated carriers). Optionally, the UE may report its capabilities for a TEG with carrier aggregation across all aggregated carriers (e.g., a TEG ID with timing error across the aggregated carriers). Optionally, the UE may report its capabilities for the number of carriers it can measure on the aggregated PRS (e.g., two carriers). Optionally, the UE may report its capabilities for the number of carriers it can transmit on the aggregated SRS. Optionally, the UE may report its capabilities for the total bandwidth of the aggregated PRS / SRS (e.g., 100 + 100 + 100 = 300 MHz, 3 consecutive 100 MHz). In some embodiments, the UE may report its capabilities for measurement periods with carrier aggregation (eg, the number of PRS symbols it can process in a period).

[0102] In this way, PRS / SRS using carrier aggregation can be measured / transmitted with minimum timing error by selecting / indicating appropriate TEG, thus ensuring positioning accuracy with minimum error.

[0103] Example 8: When a UE performs positioning-related measurements (e.g., time difference of arrival, TDOA), the UE may use a phase error group (PEG). A PEG may be a group of one antenna / multiple antennas. In some embodiments, a PEG may have one antenna. Different PEGs may have different one antenna / multiple antennas. PEGs may include an Rx PEG for receiving, a Tx PEG for transmitting, and / or an Rx-Tx PEG for receiving and transmitting.

[0104] When two or more carriers are aggregated, the same PEG can be applied to all of these aggregated carriers. If necessary, the UE (or gNB, or TRP) can be requested by the network (e.g., LMF) to apply the same PEG when measuring on all aggregated carriers.

[0105] In some embodiments, the PEG with the smallest phase error can be selected / applied for all aggregated carriers. Optionally, a PEG can be selected / applied for all (one or more) carriers for which the PEG is indicated by the network (e.g., gNB). Optionally, a PEG can be selected / applied for all (one or more) carriers for which the PEG is indicated by the network using a PEG ID (e.g., Rx PEG ID for receiving / measuring, Tx PEG ID for transmitting). Optionally, a PEG can be indicated by the network (e.g., gNB) for all aggregated carriers. Optionally, a PEG with the smallest phase error can be indicated by the network (e.g., gNB) for all aggregated carriers.

[0106] If desired, for each carrier / cell, the UE can select an Rx PEG for PRS measurements, and each Rx PEG can be different. If desired, for each carrier / cell, the UE can select a Tx PEG for SRS transmission, and each Tx PEG can be different. If desired, for each carrier / cell, the gNB (or TRP) can select a Tx PEG for PRS transmission, and each Tx PEG can be different.

[0107] Optionally, the PEG of the carrier / cell with the lowest frequency may be applied to the entire aggregated carrier. Optionally, the PEG of the carrier / cell with the lowest frequency may be applied to all aggregated carriers. Optionally, in the case of PRS reception, the Rx PEG of the carrier / cell with the lowest frequency may be applied to all aggregated carriers. Optionally, in the case of SRS transmission, the Tx PEG of the carrier / cell with the highest frequency may be applied to all aggregated carriers, where the frequency may be determined by the ARFCN. Optionally, the PEG of the carrier / cell with the widest bandwidth may be applied to all aggregated carriers. Optionally, the PEG of the carrier / cell with the narrowest bandwidth may be applied to all aggregated carriers. Optionally, the PEG of the carrier / cell at the center of the aggregated carriers may be applied to all aggregated carriers. Optionally, the PEG of the PCC (or primary serving cell) may be applied to all aggregated carriers.

[0108] Optionally, the PEG (e.g., carrier aggregation-specific PEG) of the first carrier / cell (e.g., the carrier with carrier ID=0 or the carrier with the lowest carrier ID) can be applied to all aggregated carriers. Optionally, a PEG (e.g., carrier aggregation-specific PEG) for an aggregated carrier can be defined (and applied), and this phase error is measured across the aggregated carriers of this PEG. Optionally, the carrier aggregation-specific PEG can be applied to all aggregated carriers.

[0109] In some embodiments, the PEG with the closest phase error may be selected / applied to the aggregated carrier / cell. For example, if three carriers are aggregated, the phase errors of the PEGs for these three carriers may be 0.14 rad, 0.12 rad, and 0.19 rad (the closest / most central / most focused value is 0.14 rad). The PEG with the phase error of 0.14 rad (the closest one) may be selected / applied to the aggregated carrier / cell. When the UE (or gNB, or TRP) reports measurement(s) for the aggregated carrier(s), the UE may add the Rx PEG ID.

[0110] In some embodiments, the UE can report its capabilities regarding the PEG with carrier aggregation (e.g., PEG ID with phase error across aggregated carriers). In this way, the PRS / SRS with carrier aggregation can be measured / transmitted with minimum phase error by proper PEG selection / indication. Therefore, positioning accuracy can be ensured with minimum error.

[0111] Example 9: This implementation example takes DL-PRS as an example for illustration, but the same principle can also be applied to UL-SRS.

[0112] The network (e.g., gNB) can indicate which PRS measurement gaps (MGs) on the serving cell / carrier are activated / deactivated using a MAC CE, as shown in Figure 14. Furthermore, the UE can send a MAC CE of this format to request a measurement gap (MG). The field "Positioning MG ID" can indicate the identity of a pre-configured positioning measurement gap.

[0113] If the first "R" field (or the second "R" field, or the third "R" field) is set to "1", the PRS may be aggregated. Optionally, the "R" field may indicate the carrier aggregation of the PRS as shown in the following tables (Tables 4 and 5).

[0114] [Table 4-1] [Table 4-2]

[0115] [Table 5]

[0116] In some embodiments, if the "R" field is set to "1" and the "A / D" field is set to "1", the PRS may be aggregated. Optionally, if the "R" field is set to "1", the PRS associated with the "Positioning MG ID" field may be aggregated. Optionally, if the "R" field is set to "1" and the "A / D" field is set to "1", the PRS associated with the "Positioning MG ID" field may be aggregated. Optionally, the codepoint may indicate which carriers carrying the PRS may be transmitted simultaneously.

[0117] In some embodiments, a UE may be configured with multiple PFLs / carriers for PRS / SRS. Optionally, only one MG may be configured for these PFLs / carriers (e.g., on the first PFL, or on the PFL with cell ID=0). Optionally, only one MG may be configured for a PFL / carrier, while the other(s) PFL / carriers may not be configured with an MG, in which case this MG may apply to all these PFLs / carriers. Optionally, only one MG may be configured for a PFL / carrier, while the other(s) PFL / carriers may not be configured with an MG, in which case this MG may apply to all these PFLs / carriers when they are aggregated. Optionally, only one MG may be configured for a PFL / carrier, while the other(s) PFLs / carriers may not be configured with an MG, in which case this MG may apply to all these PFLs / carriers when they are transmitted. If desired, this MG can be applied to all of these PFLs / carriers when they are aggregated.If desired, this MG can be applied to all of these PFLs / carriers when they are transmitted simultaneously.

[0118] In some embodiments, when these multiple PFL / carriers are aggregated, with one MG on each PFL / carrier, the MG on the first PFL / carrier may be applied (e.g., valid), while the MG on the other(s) PFL / carriers may not be valid (e.g., not applied).

[0119] In some embodiments, when multiple PFLs / carriers / cells / serving cells are aggregated and each PFL / carrier / cell / serving cell is configured with an MG, if one MG is activated for the PFL / carrier / cell / serving cell (e.g., indicated by field "A / D" having a "1" or field "R" having a "1"), while other MGs on the respective PFLs / carriers / cells / serving cells are not activated (e.g., indicated by field "A / D" having a "0" or field "R" having a "0"), the activated MG can apply to all aggregated PFLs / carriers / cells / serving cells.

[0120] In some embodiments, when multiple PFLs / carriers / cells / serving cells are aggregated and each PFL / carrier / cell / serving cell is configured with an MG, if one MG is activated for the PFL / carrier / cell / serving cell while other MGs on each PFL / carrier / cell / serving cell are not activated, the activated MG can be shared by the other aggregated PFLs / carriers / cells / serving cells.

[0121] When multiple PFLs / carriers are aggregated, a carrier aggregation-specific MG can be applied to all aggregated carriers. Within this MG, all PFLs / carriers configured for the UE can be measured. If necessary, within this MG, all PFLs / carriers configured for the UE can be measured simultaneously. If necessary, within this MG, all PFLs / carriers aggregated for the UE can be measured. If necessary, within this MG, all PFLs / carriers aggregated for the UE can be measured simultaneously.

[0122] In some embodiments, the carrier aggregation specific MG may include at least one of the following: MG ID, number of aggregated PFLs / carriers / cells / serving cells (e.g., 3 carriers), list of aggregated PFLs / carriers / cells / serving cell IDs, MG offset (e.g., relative to system frame number 0, SFN#0, slot#0), MG length (e.g., 10 slots), MG repetition period (e.g., 20 ms), MG type (e.g., intra-band, inter-band), or priority of other DL signals / channels or priority of PRS (e.g., which signal is processed first).

[0123] In this way, PRS carrier aggregation can be indicated without additional signaling overhead, while measurement gaps for the PRS can still be maintained.

[0124] It should be understood that one or more features from the above implementation examples are not limited to a particular implementation example and can be combined in any manner (e.g., in any priority and / or order, simultaneously or otherwise).

[0125] FIG. 15 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 1500 for carrier aggregation-based positioning. Method 1500 may be implemented using any one or more of the components and devices detailed herein in conjunction with FIGS. 1-14. In summary, method 1500 may be performed by a wireless communication device (e.g., a UE) in some embodiments. Depending on the embodiment, additional, fewer, or different operations may be performed in method 1500. At least one aspect of these operations is directed to a system, method, apparatus, or computer-readable medium.

[0126] A user equipment (UE) may receive configuration information regarding transmission of multiple reference signals for positioning across multiple component carriers from a network. The UE may receive a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) indicating aggregation of multiple reference signals from the network. The UE may transmit the multiple reference signals across one or more of the aggregated component carriers to the network. The MAC CE may include an "R" field. When the R field is set to "1", the multiple reference signals on multiple activated SRS resources across the multiple component carriers may be configured to be transmitted simultaneously.

[0127] In some embodiments, the MAC CE may include an "R" field. When the R field is set to "1", multiple reference signals on multiple activated SRS resources across a subset of multiple component carriers may be configured to be aggregated.

[0128] In some embodiments, the MAC CE may include an "R" field. When the R field is set to "1", multiple reference signals on multiple activated SRS resources across multiple component carriers may be configured to be aggregated.

[0129] In some embodiments, the MAC CE may include an "R" field. When the R field is set to "1", multiple reference signals on multiple activated SRS resource sets across multiple subsets of component carriers may be configured to be transmitted simultaneously. The spatial relationship of each of the subsets of component carriers may also be indicated by the MAC CE.

[0130] In some embodiments, the MAC CE may include an "R" field and a "SUL" field. The R field and the SUL field may be configured to indicate which of multiple component carriers carrying the SRS are configured to be transmitted simultaneously. The MAC CE may include an "R" field and a "SUL" field. The R field may be configured to indicate whether to aggregate one or more component carriers. The SUL field may be configured to indicate the number of one or more aggregated component carriers.

[0131] In some embodiments, the MAC CE may include a "Positioning SRS Resource Set ID" field. All spatial relationships of multiple reference signals may be indicated by the Positioning SRS Resource Set ID field. The MAC CE may include a "Resource IDi" field. When the first bit of Resource IDi is set to "1", multiple component carriers may be configured to be transmitted simultaneously.

[0132] In some embodiments, the MAC CE may include an "SRS Resource Set ID" field and a "Path Loss Reference RS ID" field. A first component carrier among the plurality of component carriers indicated by the SRS Resource Set ID field and a second component carrier among the plurality of component carriers indicated by the Path Loss Reference RS ID field may be configured to be aggregated. The MAC CE may include an "R" field, an "SRS Resource Cell ID" field, and / or a "Serving Cell ID" field. i When the R field in the first octet is set to '1', the first component carrier among the multiple component carriers associated with the cell ID field of the SRS resource and the serving cell ID i A second component carrier of the plurality of component carriers associated with the field may be configured to be aggregated.

[0133] In some embodiments, the MAC CE may include a first "R" field on the first octet and a second "R" field on the second octet. The first and second R fields may be configured to indicate one or more aggregated component carriers. The MAC CE may include five "R" fields that begin the octet and three "C" fields that end the octet. i Each of the five R fields can be set as "0" due to reserved bits. i Each of the fields may be set as '1' to indicate the corresponding component carrier among the component carriers to be aggregated.

[0134] In some embodiments, the MAC CE may include an "R" field, an "A / D" field, and / or a "Serving Cell ID" field. When the R field is set to "1" and the A / D field is set to "1", the component carrier indicated by the Serving Cell ID field may be configured to be aggregated. The configuration information may indicate that when a measurement gap (MG) is configured for a first one of the component carriers while MG is not configured for other one of the component carriers, MG may be configured to apply to one or more aggregated component carriers.

[0135] In some embodiments, the configuration information may indicate that only one PPW is enabled, while other PPWs are not enabled. Each of the one or more aggregated component carriers can be configured with a respective PPW. The configuration information may indicate that if only one PPW is configured for a PFL, while other PFLs are not configured with PPWs, the configured PPW can be applied to all aggregated PFLs. Each of the one or more aggregated component carriers may have a first identification for data transmission and a second identification for positioning.

[0136] In some embodiments, the configuration information may indicate a TEG for a primary component carrier (PCC) or a primary serving cell that applies to one or more aggregated component carriers. The configuration information may indicate a carrier aggregation-specific TEG that applies to one or more aggregated component carriers. The configuration information may include a UE capability report that indicates a TEG that applies across one or more aggregated component carriers. The configuration information may indicate a PEG with a minimum phase error that applies across all one or more aggregated component carriers. The configuration information may include a UE capability report that indicates a PEG that applies across all one or more aggregated component carriers.

[0137] In some embodiments, the configuration information may indicate that when multiple PFLs, each with one MG, are aggregated, the MG on a first one of the PFLs can be applied, while the MG on the other PFLs is not valid. The configuration information may indicate that when one PPW is activated for a PFL, while the other PPWs on each PFL are not activated, the activated PPW can be applied to all aggregated PFLs.

[0138] In some embodiments, the configuration information may indicate that when multiple PFLs, each with one MG, are aggregated, the MG on a first one of the PFLs can be shared by the other aggregated PFLs, while the MGs on the other PFLs may not be valid. The configuration information may indicate that when one PPW is activated for a PFL, while other PPWs on each PFL are not activated, the activated PPW can be shared by the other aggregated PFLs.

[0139] In some embodiments, a wireless communication node may determine configuration information regarding transmission of multiple reference signals for positioning across multiple component carriers. The wireless communication node may measure the multiple reference signals. The wireless communication node may report measurement results regarding the multiple reference signals across one or more of the multiple component carriers that are aggregated. The wireless communication node may transmit a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) with one or more "R" fields indicating aggregation of the multiple reference signals.

[0140] While various embodiments of the present solution have been described above, it should be understood that they are presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. Similarly, various diagrams may depict example architectures or configurations, which are provided to enable those skilled in the art to understand example features and functionality of the present solution. However, such skilled artisans will understand that the present solution is not limited to the example architectures or configurations shown, but can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Moreover, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, one or more features of one embodiment can be combined with one or more features of another embodiment described herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the example embodiments described above.

[0141] It is also understood that any reference herein to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc., does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. Rather, these designations may be used herein as a convenient means of distinguishing between two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, reference to a first element and a second element does not imply that only two elements can be used or that the first element must precede the second element in any way.

[0142] Additionally, those skilled in the art will understand that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, and symbols that may be referred to in the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0143] Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that any of the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, processors, means, circuits, methods, and functions described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware (e.g., digital implementations, analog implementations, or a combination of the two), firmware, various forms of programs or design code incorporating instructions (which may be referred to herein for convenience as “software” or “software modules”), or any combination of these technologies. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware, firmware, and software, the various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, or software, or a combination of these technologies, depends on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in various ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions do not cause a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0144] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that the various example logic blocks, modules, devices, components, and circuits described herein can be implemented in or by an integrated circuit (IC), which can include a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, or any combination thereof. The logic blocks, modules, and circuits can further include an antenna and / or transceiver for communicating with various components within a network or device. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor can be any conventional processor, controller, or state machine. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suitable configuration for performing the functions described herein.

[0145] If implemented in software, the functions can be stored as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Thus, the steps of a method or algorithm disclosed herein can be implemented as software stored on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that can enable transfer of a computer program or code from one place to another. A storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

[0146] As used herein, the term "module" refers to software, firmware, hardware, and any combination of these elements for performing the associated functions described herein. Additionally, while for purposes of explanation, various modules are described as individual modules, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that two or more modules may be combined to form a single module that performs the associated functions according to embodiments of the present solution.

[0147] Additionally, memory or other storage, as well as communication components, may be used in embodiments of the solution. It will be appreciated that, for clarity, the above description describes embodiments of the solution with reference to different functional units and processors. However, it will be apparent that any suitable distribution of functionality between different functional units, processing logic elements, or domains may be used without detracting from the solution. For example, functionality illustrated as being performed by separate processing logic elements or controllers may be performed by the same processing logic element or controller. Thus, references to specific functional units do not indicate a strict logical or physical structure or organization, but merely to suitable means for providing the described functionality.

[0148] Various modifications to the embodiments described in this disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the novel features and principles disclosed herein as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method for positioning, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment (UE) from a network, configuration information regarding transmission of a plurality of reference signals for positioning across a plurality of component carriers; receiving, by the UE, from the network, a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) indicating an aggregation of the plurality of reference signals; transmitting, by the UE to the network, the plurality of reference signals over one or more of the plurality of aggregated component carriers; A wireless communication method comprising:

2. 2. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the MAC CE includes an “R” field, and when the R field is set to “1”, the multiple reference signals on multiple activated SRS resources across the multiple component carriers are configured to be transmitted simultaneously.

3. 2. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the MAC CE includes an 'R' field, and when the R field is set to '1', the multiple reference signals on multiple activated SRS resources across a subset of the multiple component carriers are configured to be aggregated.

4. 2. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the MAC CE includes an 'R' field, and when the R field is set to '1', the multiple reference signals on multiple activated SRS resources across all of the multiple component carriers are configured to be aggregated.

5. 2. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the MAC CE includes an "R" field, and when the R field is set to "1", the multiple reference signals on multiple activated SRS resource sets across subsets of the multiple component carriers are configured to be transmitted simultaneously, and a spatial relationship of each of the subsets of component carriers is also indicated by the MAC CE.

6. 2. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the MAC CE includes an "R" field and a "SUL" field, the R field and the SUL field being configured to indicate which of the plurality of component carriers carrying SRS are configured to be simultaneously transmitted.

7. 2. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, wherein the MAC CE includes an "R" field and a "SUL" field, the R field being configured to indicate whether the one or more component carriers are aggregated, and the SUL field being configured to indicate a number of the one or more aggregated component carriers.

8. The wireless communication method of claim 1 , wherein the MAC CE includes a “Positioning SRS Resource Set ID” field, and a spatial relationship of all of the plurality of reference signals is indicated by the Positioning SRS Resource Set ID field.

9. The MAC CE uses "Resource ID ｉ " field, and the resource ID ｉ The wireless communication method according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of component carriers are configured to be transmitted simultaneously when a first bit of the ?

10. 2. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, wherein the MAC CE includes an "SRS Resource Set ID" field and a "Path Loss Reference RS ID" field, and a first component carrier among the plurality of component carriers indicated by the SRS Resource Set ID field and a second component carrier among the plurality of component carriers indicated by the Path Loss Reference RS ID field are configured to be aggregated.

11. The MAC CE includes an 'R' field, a 'Cell ID of SRS resource' field, and a 'Serving cell ID' field. ｉ " field, and when the R field on the first octet is set to '1', a first component carrier among the plurality of component carriers associated with a cell ID field of the SRS resource, and the serving cell ID ｉ The wireless communication method of claim 1 , wherein a second component carrier of the plurality of component carriers associated with a field is configured to be aggregated.

12. 2. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the MAC CE includes a first "R" field on a first octet and a second "R" field on a second octet, the first R field and the second R field being configured to indicate the one or more aggregated component carriers.

13. The MAC CE has five "R" fields that start an octet and three "C" fields that end the octet. ｉ " fields, each of the five R fields being set as "0" due to reserved bits, and the three C ｉ The wireless communication method of claim 1 , wherein each of the fields is set as “1” to indicate a corresponding one of the component carriers to be aggregated.

14. 2. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the MAC CE includes an “R” field, an “A / D” field, and a “Serving Cell ID” field, and when the R field is set to “1” and the A / D field is set to “1”, the component carrier indicated by the Serving Cell ID field is configured to be aggregated.

15. 2. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the configuration information indicates that a measurement gap (MG) is configured to be applied to the one or more aggregated component carriers when the MG is configured for a first component carrier among the component carriers while the MG is not configured for other component carriers among the component carriers.

16. 2. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, wherein the configuration information indicates that only one PPW is enabled while other PPWs are not enabled, and each of the one or more aggregated component carriers is configured with a respective PPW.

17. 2. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the configuration information indicates that when only one PPW is configured for a PFL, while other PFLs are not configured with a PPW, the configured PPW applies to all aggregated PFLs.

18. The wireless communication method of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more aggregated component carriers has a first identification for data transmission and a second identification for positioning.

19. The wireless communication method of claim 1 , wherein the configuration information indicates a TEG for a primary component carrier (PCC) or a primary serving cell that applies to the one or more aggregated component carriers.

20. The wireless communication method according to claim 1 , wherein the configuration information indicates a carrier aggregation-specific TEG to be applied to the one or more aggregated component carriers.

21. The wireless communication method according to claim 1 , wherein the configuration information includes a UE capability report indicating a TEG to be applied across the one or more aggregated component carriers.

22. The wireless communication method according to claim 1 , wherein the configuration information indicates a PEG with a minimum phase error to be applied to all of the one or more aggregated component carriers.

23. The wireless communication method of claim 1 , wherein the configuration information includes a UE capability report indicating a PEG to be applied to all of the one or more aggregated component carriers.

24. 2. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the configuration information indicates that when multiple PFLs, each having one MG, are aggregated, the MG on a first PFL among the PFLs is applied, while the MG on the other PFLs is not valid.

25. 2. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the configuration information indicates that when one PPW is activated for a PFL while other PPWs on each PFL are not activated, the activated PPW applies to all aggregated PFLs.

26. 2. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the configuration information indicates that when one MG is activated for a PFL while other MGs on each PFL are not activated, the activated MG applies to all aggregated PFLs.

27. 1. A wireless communication method, comprising: determining, by a wireless communication node, configuration information regarding transmission of a plurality of reference signals for positioning over a plurality of component carriers; measuring, by the wireless communication node, the plurality of reference signals; reporting, by the wireless communication node, measurements on the plurality of reference signals across one or more of the plurality of aggregated component carriers; A wireless communication method comprising:

28. transmitting, by the wireless communication node, a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) having one or more "R" fields indicating an aggregation of the plurality of reference signals; 28. The wireless communication method of claim 27, further comprising:

29. 29. A wireless communications device comprising a processor and a memory, the processor configured to read code from the memory to perform a method according to any of claims 1 to 28.

30. 29. A computer program product having stored thereon a computer readable program medium code which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 28.

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