Communication method and device

Abstract

A communication method and a communication apparatus are provided. The method includes a terminal device determining a time for measuring each of Q PRS frequency layers in Mode 2. The terminal device determines a second measurement time based on a maximum value of the time for measuring each of the Q PRS frequency layers, where Q is a positive integer. According to the method, the terminal device may determine the second measurement time based on the maximum value of the time for measuring each of the Q PRS frequency layers, thereby reducing a total measurement time of the terminal device for measuring the Q PRS frequency layers in Mode 2.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202210948292.6, entitled "COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS," filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on August 9, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to communications methods and apparatus. [Background technology]

[0003] The R17 standard defines that a terminal device may measure a frequency layer of a positioning reference signal (PRS), for example, in a positioning reference signal processing window (PPW) based on mode 2 of a measurement gap (MG). Mode 2 is associated with the capabilities {N2, T2} reported by the terminal device to the LMF, where N2 is the duration capability of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer, and T2 is the processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer. T2 can only be located within the length of the PPW. In this case, data reception of the terminal device is significantly affected, but the processing time of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer is reduced.

[0004] In the prior art, when there are multiple PRS frequency layers, currently, the related solutions do not describe how a terminal device determines the total measurement time for measuring at least one PRS frequency layer based on Mode 2. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that enables a terminal device to determine a total measurement time for measuring at least one PRS frequency layer based on Mode 2 when multiple PRS frequency layers exist.

[0006] According to a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The method may be performed by a terminal device or a chip used in the terminal device. Hereinafter, an example in which the method is performed by the terminal device will be used for explanation.

[0007] The method may include determining, by the terminal device, a time for measuring each of the Q PRS frequency layers in mode 2. The terminal device determines a second measurement time based on a maximum value of the time for measuring each of the Q PRS frequency layers, where Q is a positive integer.

[0008] Based on the aforementioned technical solution, the terminal device may determine a time for measuring each of the Q PRS frequency layers in Mode 2, and may determine a second measurement time based on the maximum value of the time for measuring each of the Q PRS frequency layers. According to this method, the total measurement time of the terminal device for measuring the Q PRS frequency layers in Mode 2 can be reduced.

[0009] It should be understood that determining the second measurement time based on the maximum time for the terminal device to measure each of the Q PRS frequency layers means that the total time for the terminal device to measure the Q PRS frequency layers does not exceed the second measurement time.

[0010] With regard to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes determining a time for the terminal device to measure each of the P PRS frequency layers in Mode 1. The terminal device determines the first measurement time based on a sum of the times for measuring all of the P PRS frequency layers, where P is a positive integer.

[0011] It should be understood that determining the first measurement time based on the total time for the terminal device to measure all of the P PRS frequency layers does not cause the total time for the terminal device to measure the P PRS frequency layers to exceed the first measurement time.

[0012] With regard to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method includes the terminal device determining a third measurement time based on the first measurement time and the second measurement time, wherein the third measurement time is a time for measuring P+Q PRS frequency layers.

[0013] It should be understood that when the terminal device determines the third measurement time based on the first measurement time and the second measurement time, the sum of the total time for the terminal device to measure the frequency layers of the Q PRSs and the total time for the terminal device to measure the frequency layers of the P PRSs does not exceed the third measurement time.

[0014] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the terminal device determining the third measurement time based on the first measurement time and the second measurement time includes the terminal device determining the third measurement time based on the first measurement time, the second measurement time, and a first margin, wherein the third measurement time is the sum of the first measurement time, the second measurement time, and the first margin.

[0015] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the time for measuring a second PRS frequency layer among the Q PRS frequency layers is determined based on a first time and / or a second time, where the first time is a sampling time for measuring the second PRS frequency layer and the second time is a measurement time for measuring the last sampling point of the second PRS frequency layer.

[0016] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the second time period includes a sampling time period and a processing time period.

[0017] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first time is the duration of the PRS resource, the duration of the PRS resource is within a first window, the length of the first window is the difference between the length of a second measurement time window of a second PRS frequency layer and T2, the starting position of the first window is the starting point of the length of the second measurement time window, and T2 is the processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer.

[0018] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first time is a duration of a PRS resource, the duration of the PRS resource is less than or equal to N2, the duration of the PRS resource is within a first window, the length of the first window is the difference between the length of a second measurement time window of a second PRS frequency layer and T2, the starting position of the first window is the starting point of the length of the second measurement time window, N2 is the duration capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer, and T2 is the processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer.

[0019] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first time is the minimum value between the duration of the PRS resource and N2, the duration of the PRS resource is within the first window, the length of the first window is the difference between the length of the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer and T2, the starting position of the first window is the starting point of the length of the second measurement time window, N2 is the duration capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer, and T2 is the processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer.

[0020] With respect to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, when all PRS resources of the second PRS frequency layer are within a second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer, the second time is the length of the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer.

[0021] With respect to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the second time is an available periodicity of the second PRS frequency layer when a PRS resource of the second PRS frequency layer is not within a second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer.

[0022] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes the terminal device reporting a second capability to a location management function (LMF), the second capability being associated with a second PRS frequency layer, and the terminal device determining, based on the second capability, that a measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is mode 2.

[0023] According to the aforementioned technical solution, the terminal device may determine that the measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is mode 2 based on the second capability reported to the LMF, so that the measurement behavior of the terminal device can be determined.

[0024] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the second capability is {N2, T2}, where N2 is the duration capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer, and T2 is the processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer.

[0025] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the second capability is {N, T} and {N2, T2}, where N and N2 are duration capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer, and T and T2 are processing time capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer. Determining by the terminal device that the measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is Mode 2 based on the second capability includes the terminal device receiving first indication information from the LMF, where the first indication information indicates that the measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is Mode 2.

[0026] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the second capability is {N, T} and {N2, T2}, where N and N2 are duration capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer, and T and T2 are processing time capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer. Determining by the terminal device that the measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is Mode 2 based on the second capability includes the terminal device receiving second indication information from the network device, where the second indication information indicates a length of a second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer. The terminal device determines that the measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is Mode 2 based on the length of the second measurement time window being equal to or greater than a first threshold.

[0027] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method includes a terminal device reporting a first capability to a location management function (LMF), the first capability being associated with a first PRS frequency layer, and the terminal device determining, based on the first capability, that a measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is mode 1.

[0028] According to the aforementioned technical solution, the terminal device may determine that the measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is mode 1 based on the first capability reported to the LMF, so that the measurement behavior of the terminal device can be determined.

[0029] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first capability is {N, T}, where N is the duration capability of the terminal device for measuring the first PRS frequency layer, and T is the processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the first PRS frequency layer.

[0030] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first capability is {N, T} and {N2, T2}, where N and N2 are duration capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the first PRS frequency layer, and T and T2 are processing time capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the first PRS frequency layer. Determining by the terminal device that the measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is Mode 1 based on the first capability includes the terminal device receiving first indication information from the LMF, where the first indication information indicates that the measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is Mode 1.

[0031] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first capability is {N, T} and {N2, T2}, where N and N2 are duration capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the first PRS frequency layer, and T and T2 are processing time capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the first PRS frequency layer. Determining by the terminal device that the measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is Mode 1 based on the first capability includes the terminal device receiving second indication information from the network device, where the second indication information indicates a length of a first measurement time window of the first PRS frequency layer. The terminal device determines that the measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is Mode 1 based on the length of the first measurement time window being less than a first threshold.

[0032] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes the terminal device sending third indication information to the network device, wherein the third indication information indicates that the length of the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer is greater than or equal to a second threshold, or the third indication information indicates a first recommended value, wherein the first recommended value is a time period within the length of the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer other than the duration of the PRS resource.

[0033] According to the aforementioned technical solution, the network device may determine the length of the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer based on the third indication information, and the network device may set the length of the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer for the terminal device based on the low-delay related information, so that the terminal device can perform measurement in mode 2 based on the requirements of the terminal device.

[0034] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes receiving, by the terminal device, fourth indication information from the network device, the fourth indication information indicating whether a second PPW is in an active state, the second PPW being associated with a second PRS frequency layer among the Q PRS frequency layers, and determining, by the terminal device, a second measurement time window for the second PRS frequency layer based on the fourth indication information.

[0035] A second PRS frequency layer may be configured by the LMF for the terminal device, and a second measurement time window (e.g., a second PPW or a second MG) may be configured by the network device for the terminal device.

[0036] According to the aforementioned technical solution, the terminal device may determine a second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer based on the fourth indication information, and may determine the measurement behavior of the terminal device, so as to ensure that the terminal device, the network device, and the LMF have a consistent understanding.

[0037] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, determining by the terminal device the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer based on the fourth instruction information includes determining by the terminal device that the second measurement time window is the second PPW when the fourth instruction information indicates that the second PPW is in an active state, or determining by the terminal device that the second measurement time window is the second MG when the fourth instruction information indicates that the second PPW is in an inactive state.

[0038] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes receiving, by the terminal device, fourth indication information from the network device, the fourth indication information indicating whether a first positioning reference signal processing window PPW is in an active state, the first PPW being associated with a first PRS frequency layer among the P PRS frequency layers, and determining a first measurement time window for the first PRS frequency layer based on the fourth indication information.

[0039] The first PRS frequency layer may be configured by the LMF for the terminal device, and the first measurement time window (e.g., the first PPW or the first MG) may be configured by the network device for the terminal device.

[0040] According to the aforementioned technical solution, the terminal device may determine a first measurement time window of the first PRS frequency layer based on the fourth indication information, and may determine the measurement behavior of the terminal device, so as to ensure that the terminal device, the network device, and the LMF have a consistent understanding.

[0041] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the terminal device determining the first measurement time window of the first PRS frequency layer based on the fourth instruction information includes the terminal device determining that the first measurement time window is the first PPW when the fourth instruction information indicates that the first PPW is in an active state, or the terminal device determining that the first measurement time window is the first measurement gap MG when the fourth instruction information indicates that the first PPW is in an inactive state.

[0042] According to a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The method may be performed by a terminal device or a chip used in the terminal device. Hereinafter, an example in which the method is performed by the terminal device will be used for explanation.

[0043] The method may include the terminal device determining a first time, the first time being a sampling time for measuring a PRS frequency tier in mode 2.

[0044] In other words, when measuring a PRS frequency layer in mode 2, the terminal device samples the PRS resource at the first time in the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer.

[0045] Based on the above technical solution, a sampling time for measuring the PRS frequency layer in mode 2 is specified, and sufficient processing time for measuring the PRS frequency layer can be reserved within the measurement time window, ensuring that the terminal device can complete the processing within the measurement time window, thereby further reducing the measurement delay.

[0046] Regarding the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first time is the duration of the PRS resource, the duration of the PRS resource is within a first window, the length of the first window is the difference between the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer and T2, the start position of the first window is the start point of the length of the measurement time window, and T2 is the processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer.

[0047] Regarding the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first time is the duration of the PRS resource, the duration of the PRS resource is less than or equal to N2, the duration of the PRS resource is within a first window, the length of the first window is the difference between the length of a measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer and T2, the starting position of the first window is the starting point of the length of the measurement time window, N2 is the duration capability of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer, and T2 is the processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer.

[0048] Regarding the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first time is the minimum value between the duration of the PRS resource and N2, the duration of the PRS resource is within the first window, the length of the first window is the difference between the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer and T2, the starting position of the first window is the starting point of the length of the measurement time window, N2 is the duration capability of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer, and T2 is the processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer.

[0049] According to a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The method may be performed by a terminal device or a chip used in the terminal device. Hereinafter, an example in which the method is performed by the terminal device will be used for explanation.

[0050] The method may include a terminal device reporting capabilities to a location management function (LMF), the capabilities being associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS) frequency layer, and the terminal device determining a measurement mode for the PRS frequency layer based on the capabilities.

[0051] According to the above technical solution, the terminal device may determine that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 1 or mode 2 based on the capabilities reported to the LMF, so that the measurement behavior of the terminal device can be determined.

[0052] Regarding the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the capability includes at least one of {N, T} or {N2, T2}, where N and N2 are duration capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer, and T and T2 are processing time capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer.

[0053] Regarding the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, determining the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer based on the capability of the terminal device includes determining that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 1 when the capability is {N, T}, or determining that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 2 when the capability is {N2, T2}.

[0054] Regarding the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the capabilities are {N, T} and {N2, T2}. The terminal device determining a measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer based on the capabilities includes the terminal device receiving first indication information from the LMF, where the first indication information indicates that the measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is mode 1 or mode 2. The terminal device determines that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 1 or mode 2 based on the first indication information.

[0055] It should be understood that when the terminal device determines based on the first indication information that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 2, the condition for the terminal device to correctly perform the measurement is that the length of the measurement time window set by the network device is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0056] According to the above technical solution, the terminal device may determine, based on the first indication information, that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 1 or mode 2, so as to determine the measurement behavior of the terminal device.

[0057] Regarding the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the capabilities are {N, T} and {N2, T2}. The terminal device determining a measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer based on the capabilities includes the terminal device receiving second indication information from the network device, the second indication information indicating a length of a measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer. The terminal device determines, based on the second indication information, that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is Mode 1 or Mode 2.

[0058] According to the above technical solution, the terminal device may determine, based on the second indication information, that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 1 or mode 2, so as to determine the measurement behavior of the terminal device.

[0059] Regarding the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, determining by the terminal device based on the second indication information that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 1 or mode 2 includes determining by the terminal device that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 2 when the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is greater than or equal to a first threshold, or determining by the terminal device that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 1 when the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is less than the first threshold.

[0060] Regarding the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes the terminal device sending third indication information to the network device, wherein the third indication information indicates that the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is greater than or equal to a second threshold, or the third indication information indicates a first recommended value, wherein the first recommended value is a time portion of the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer other than the duration of the PRS resource.

[0061] According to a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The method may be performed by a terminal device or a chip used in the terminal device. Hereinafter, an example in which the method is performed by the terminal device will be used for explanation.

[0062] The method may include receiving, by the terminal device, fourth indication information from the network device, the fourth indication information indicating whether a positioning reference signal processing window PPW is active, the PPW being associated with a positioning reference signal PRS frequency layer, and determining a measurement time window for the PRS frequency layer based on the fourth indication information.

[0063] The first PRS frequency layer may be configured by the LMF for the terminal device, and the measurement time window (e.g., PPW or MG) may be configured by the network device for the terminal device.

[0064] According to the aforementioned technical solution, the terminal device may determine a measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer based on the fourth indication information, and may determine the measurement behavior of the terminal device, so as to ensure that the terminal device, the network device, and the LMF have a consistent understanding.

[0065] Regarding the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the terminal device determining the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer based on the fourth instruction information includes: when the fourth instruction information indicates that the PPW is in an active state, the terminal device determining that the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is a PPW; or, when the fourth instruction information indicates that the PPW is in an inactive state, the terminal device determining that the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is a measurement gap MG.

[0066] Regarding the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, when the fourth indication information indicates that the PPW is in an inactive state, the PPW may not be associated with a PRS frequency layer, and the terminal device determines that the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is the measurement gap MG.

[0067] According to a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The method may be performed by a first device or a chip used in the first device. Hereinafter, an example in which the method is performed by the first device will be used for explanation.

[0068] The method may include the first device sending third indication information to the network device, the third indication information indicating that the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is greater than or equal to a second threshold, or the third indication information indicating a first recommended value, the first recommended value being a portion of the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer other than the duration of the PRS resource.

[0069] According to the aforementioned technical solution, the network device may determine the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer based on the third indication information, and the network device can set the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer for the terminal device based on the low-delay related information, so that the terminal device can perform measurement in mode 2 based on the requirements of the first device.

[0070] The first device may be a terminal device or a Location Management Function LMF.

[0071] According to a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The method may be performed by a network device or a chip used in the network device. For the purposes of explanation, the following uses an example in which the method is performed by the network device.

[0072] The method may include receiving, from the first device, a third indication, the third indication indicating that the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is equal to or greater than a second threshold, or the third indication indicating a first recommended value, the first recommended value being a portion of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer other than the duration of the PRS resource, and determining, by the network device, the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer based on the third indication.

[0073] According to the aforementioned technical solution, the network device may determine the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer based on the third indication information, and the network device can set the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer for the terminal device based on the low-delay related information, so that the terminal device can perform measurement in mode 2 based on the requirements of the first device.

[0074] The first device may be a terminal device or a Location Management Function LMF.

[0075] With regard to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the network device determining the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer based on the third instruction information includes, when the third instruction information indicates that the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the network device determining that the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is greater than or equal to the second threshold, or, when the third instruction information indicates a first recommended value, the network device determining that the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is the sum of the first recommended value and the duration of the PRS resource.

[0076] With regard to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the method further includes the network device sending second indication information to the terminal device, wherein the second indication information indicates a length of the measurement time window for the PRS frequency layer.

[0077] According to a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The method may be performed by a Location Management Function (LMF) or a chip used within the LMF. Hereinafter, an example in which the method is performed by the LMF will be used for explanation.

[0078] The method may include a location management function (LMF) receiving capabilities reported by a terminal device, the reported capabilities being {N, T} and {N2, T2}, the reported capabilities being associated with positioning reference signal (PRS) frequency layers, N and N2 being duration capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layers, and T and T2 being processing time capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layers. The LMF sends first indication information to the terminal device based on the reported capabilities, the first indication information indicating that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layers is mode 1 or mode 2.

[0079] According to the above technical solution, the terminal device may determine, based on the first indication information, that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 1 or mode 2, so as to determine the measurement behavior of the terminal device.

[0080] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a communication device configured to perform the method according to any one of the possible implementations of the first to seventh aspects. Specifically, the device may include units and / or modules, such as a processing unit and / or a communication unit, configured to perform the method according to any one of the possible implementations of the first to seventh aspects.

[0081] In one implementation, the apparatus is a terminal device, a network device, or a location management function (LMF). When the apparatus is a terminal device, a network device, or an LMF, the communication unit may be a transceiver or an input / output interface, and the processing unit may be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0082] In other implementations, the apparatus is a chip, chip system, or circuit used in a terminal device, network device, or LMF. When the apparatus is a chip, chip system, or circuit used in a terminal device, network device, or LMF, the communication unit may be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, associated circuit, etc. on the chip, chip system, or circuit, and the processing unit may be at least one processor, processing circuit, logic circuit, etc.

[0083] According to a ninth aspect, there is provided a communications device. The device includes at least one processor configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in a memory to perform the method of any one of the possible implementations of the first to seventh aspects. Optionally, the device further includes a memory configured to store the computer program or instructions. Optionally, the device further includes a communications interface, through which the processor reads the computer program or instructions stored in the memory.

[0084] In one implementation, the device is a terminal device, a network device, or a location management function (LMF).

[0085] In other implementations, the apparatus is a chip, chip system, or circuit used within a terminal device, a network device, or an LMF.

[0086] According to a tenth aspect, the application provides a processor configured to perform a method according to the previous aspect.

[0087] Transmitting, acquiring / receiving, and other operations related to a processor may be understood as outputting, receiving, or inputting, and other operations performed by a processor, or transmitting and receiving operations performed by a radio frequency circuit and an antenna, unless otherwise specified or unless the operations contradict the actual function or internal logic of the operations in the relevant description, which is not limited in this application.

[0088] According to an eleventh aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium storing program code for execution by a device, the program code being for performing a method according to any one of the possible implementations of the first to seventh aspects.

[0089] According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, enable the computer to perform any one of the possible implementations of the method of the first to seventh aspects.

[0090] According to a thirteenth aspect, the present application further provides a system including a terminal device, the terminal device being configured to perform the steps performed by the terminal device in the method of any one of the first to fifth aspects.

[0091] In some possible implementations, the system may further include a network device, which may be configured to perform the steps performed by the network device in the sixth aspect.

[0092] In some possible implementations, the system may further include a location management function LMF, which may be configured to perform the steps performed by the LMF in the fifth aspect or the seventh aspect.

[0093] In some possible implementations, the system may further include another device that interacts with one or more of the terminal device, network device, and LMF in the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0094] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram of a communication method 100 according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram of a scenario of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram of another communication method scenario according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram of a communication method 400 according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 5]5 is a diagram of a communication method 500 according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] 6 is a diagram of a communication method 600 according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7] 7 is a block diagram of a communication device 700 according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8] 8 is a block diagram of another communication device 800 according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] 9 is a diagram of a chip system 900 according to one embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0095] The technical solutions of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0096] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application may be applied to various communication systems, such as a 5th generation (5G) or new radio (NR) system, a long term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, or an LTE time division duplex (TDD) system. The technical solutions provided in this application may be further applied to future communication systems, such as a 6th generation mobile communication system. The technical solutions provided in this application may be further applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), internet of things (IoT) communication system, or another communication system.

[0097] The terminal device in the embodiment of the present invention may be a device that provides voice / data to a user, such as a handheld device or an in-vehicle device with wireless connectivity. Currently, some examples of terminals include a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a palmtop computer, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDAs), and the like. Examples of such devices include a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or another processing device connected to a wireless modem, a wearable device, a terminal device in a 5G network, and a terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN). This is not limited to the embodiments of the present application.

[0098] By way of example and not limitation, in embodiments of this application, the terminal device may alternatively be a wearable device. A wearable device, also referred to as a wearable intelligent device, is a collective term for wearable devices, such as eyeglasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes, that are intelligently designed and developed for everyday wear using wearable technology. A wearable device is a portable device that can be worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not only hardware devices but also implement powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. In a broad sense, wearable intelligent devices include large, multi-function devices, such as smart watches and smart glasses, that can implement full or partial functions without relying on a smartphone, as well as devices that focus only on one type of application function and must be used with other devices, such as smartphones, such as various smart bands or smart jewelry for monitoring physical signs.

[0099] Additionally, in the embodiments of this application, the terminal device may be a terminal device in an IoT system. IoT is an important part of the future development of information technology. The main technical feature of IoT is to use communication technology to connect things to a network and implement an intelligent network for interconnecting people and machines or things.

[0100] In an embodiment of this application, an apparatus configured to implement a function of a terminal device may be the terminal device or an apparatus capable of assisting the terminal device in implementing the function, such as a chip system or a chip. The apparatus may be installed within the terminal device. In an embodiment of this application, the chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and another separate device.

[0101] The network device in the embodiments of this application may be a device configured to communicate with a terminal device. The network device may be a base transceiver station (BTS) in a global system for mobile communications (GSM) or code division multiple access (CDMA), a Node B (NB) in a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, an evolved Node B (eNB) in LTE, or a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Alternatively, the network device may be a relay station, an access point, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a network device in a 5G network, or a network device in a future evolved PLMN network, or an antenna panel or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system. Alternatively, the network device may be a network node constituting a gNB or a transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU) or a distributed unit (DU), which is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0102] In some deployments, a gNB may include a central unit (CU) and a DU. The gNB may further include an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU implements some gNB functions, and the DU implements some gNB functions. For example, the CU is responsible for processing non-real-time protocols and services and implements radio resource control (RRC) layer and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer functions. The DU is responsible for processing physical layer protocols and real-time services and implements radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer, and physical (PHY) layer functions. The AAU implements some physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing, and active antenna-related functions. Information at the RRC layer is ultimately converted to or from information at the PHY layer. Therefore, in this architecture, higher layer signaling, such as RRC layer signaling, may also be considered to be transmitted by the DU or by the DU and AAU. It will be understood that a network device may be a device including one or more of a CU node, a DU node, and an AAU node. Additionally, a CU may be classified as a network device in an access network (radio access network, RAN) or a network device in a core network (CN). This is not a limitation in the present application.

[0103] In an embodiment of this application, a terminal device or network device includes a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on the hardware layer, and an application layer running on the operating system layer. The hardware layer includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and memory (also referred to as main memory). The operating system may be one or more types of computer operating systems that implement service processing through processes, such as the Linux operating system, UNIX operating system, Android operating system, iOS operating system, or Windows operating system. The application layer includes applications such as a browser, an address book, word processing software, and instant messaging software. Additionally, the specific structure of the entity that performs the method provided in the embodiment of this application is not particularly limited to the embodiment of this application, as long as a program recording the code of the method provided in the embodiment of this application is operated to perform communication according to the method provided in the embodiment of this application. For example, the entity that performs the method provided in the embodiment of this application may be a terminal device or a network device, or may be a functional module that can call and execute a program in the terminal device or network device.

[0104] The location management function (LMF) is responsible for supporting various types of location services related to terminal devices, including performing terminal device positioning and transmitting assistance data to terminal devices. The LMF may exchange signals with network devices, such as gNBs, and terminal devices. For example, information is exchanged between the LMF and gNBs using New Radio Positioning Protocol Annex (NRPPa) messages, such as positioning reference signal (PRS) or sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration information, cell timing, and cell location information. In another example, terminal device capability information, assistance information, and measurement information are transferred between the LMF and terminal devices using LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) messages.

[0105] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the terms used in this application will be briefly explained.

[0106] 1.PRS frequency layer The RRS frequency layer may be a set of PRS resource sets, and the PRS resource sets have common parameters that are configured using signaling, which may be the NR-DL-PRS-Positioning Frequency Layer.

[0107] 2. Mode Modes referred to in the embodiments of this application include Mode 1 and Mode 2. When the processing time of a terminal device for measuring a PRS frequency layer may be within or outside the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer, the corresponding mode is Mode 1. When the processing time of a terminal device for measuring a PRS frequency layer is within the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer, the corresponding mode is Mode 2.

[0108] 3. Measurement Time Window The measurement time window may be a measurement gap (MG), a positioning reference signal processing window (PPW), or another time window. This is not limited in this application. In the measurement time window, the terminal device may determine the measurement time of the PRS frequency layer based on different modes. The specific mode used by the terminal device to determine the measurement time of the PRS frequency layer in the measurement time window is not limited in the embodiments of this application. For example, in the MG, the terminal device may measure the measurement time of the PRS frequency layer in mode 1 or may measure the measurement time of the PRS frequency layer in mode 2. In another example, in the PPW, the terminal device may measure the measurement time of the PRS frequency layer in mode 1 or may measure the measurement time of the PRS frequency layer in mode 2. The PRS frequency layer may be configured by the LMF for the terminal device, and the PPW and MG may be configured by the network device for the terminal device.

[0109] In an embodiment of this application, when the measurement time window is a PPW, the length of the measurement time window is the length of the PPW, or when the measurement time window is an MG, the length of the measurement time window is a length other than 0.5 ms or 0.25 ms before and after the length of the MG.

[0110] 4.{N,T} {N,T} is the capability reported by the terminal device to the LMF and introduced in the R16 standard, where N is the duration capability of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer, T is the processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer, and {N,T} is associated with Mode 1 used when the terminal device determines the measurement time of the PRS frequency layer. T may be within the length of the measurement time window or may be outside the length of the measurement time window. When T is outside the length of the measurement time window, the impact on data reception of the terminal device is small, but the processing time of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer increases.

[0111] {N2,T2}, where {N2,T2} is the capability reported by the terminal device to the LMF and introduced in the R17 standard, N2 is the duration capability of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer, T2 is the processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer, and {N2,T2} is associated with Mode 2, which is used when the terminal device determines the measurement time of the PRS frequency layer. T2 is within the length of the measurement time window. In this case, data reception of the terminal device is significantly affected, but the processing time of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer is reduced. Therefore, the measurement of the PRS frequency layer by the terminal device based on Mode 2 is a low-latency measurement.

[0112] In the prior art, when there are multiple PRS frequency layers, currently, the related solutions do not describe how a terminal device determines the total measurement time for measuring at least one PRS frequency layer based on Mode 2.

[0113] In view of the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a communication method that enables a terminal device to determine a total measurement time for measuring at least one PRS frequency layer based on Mode 2. According to this method, the total measurement time of the terminal device for measuring at least one PRS frequency layer in Mode 2 can be reduced.

[0114] Hereinafter, the embodiments provided in this application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0115] 1 is a diagram of a communication method 100 according to one embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, the method 100 may include the following steps.

[0116] 110: Determine the time for the terminal device to measure each of the Q PRS frequency layers in mode 2.

[0117] Q is a positive integer.

[0118] Optionally, a time for the terminal device to measure a second PRS frequency tier of the Q PRS frequency tiers may be determined based on the first time and / or the second time.

[0119] The second PRS frequency tier is one of the Q PRS frequency tiers.

[0120] The first time is the sampling time for measuring the second PRS frequency tier.

[0121] The second time is the measurement time for measuring the last sampling point of the second PRS frequency tier.

[0122] For example, the time for a terminal device to measure the second PRS frequency layer in mode 2 satisfies equation (1):

number

number

[0123] T meas,i is the time of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS layer, and L available_PRS,i is the first time, T last,iis the second time, and M is a factor that amplifies the measurement time of the second PRS layer due to other factors, such as a beam sweep factor used when the terminal device performs millimeter-wave frequency measurements using multiple receive beams. The factor by which the second measurement time is amplified due to another factor is not limited in this application.

number

[0124] It should be understood that the terminal device may determine the time for measuring the second PRS frequency layer in mode 2 based on equations (1) and (2), or may determine the time for measuring a PRS frequency layer other than the second PRS frequency layer in mode 2 based on equations (1) and (2).

[0125] 120: The terminal device determines a second measurement time based on a maximum value of the time for measuring each of the Q PRS frequency layers.

[0126] For example, the terminal device determines that the second measurement time satisfies equation (3).

number

[0127] The i-th PRS frequency tier is one of the Q PRS frequency tiers, ie, the i-th PRS frequency tier may be the second PRS frequency tier.

[0128] Based on the aforementioned technical solution, the terminal device may determine a time for measuring each of the Q PRS frequency layers in Mode 2, and may determine a second measurement time based on the maximum value of the time for measuring each of the Q PRS frequency layers. According to this method, the total measurement time of the terminal device for measuring at least one PRS frequency layer in Mode 2 can be reduced.

[0129] Based on step 110, the terminal device may determine the first time in several possible ways:

[0130] In one possible manner, the first time is the duration of the PRS resource, the duration of the PRS resource is within a first window, the length of the first window is the difference between the length of the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer and T2, and the start position of the first window is the start point of the length of the second measurement time window.

[0131] T2 is the processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency tier.

[0132] As shown in Figure 2, the length of the first window is the difference between the length of the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency tier and T2, and the duration of the PRS resource within the first window. It will be understood that the duration of the PRS resource may be the entire length of the first window or a portion of the length of the first window.

[0133] It should be understood that the second measurement time window may occur periodically, and a second measurement time window in one period may be referred to as an instance of the second measurement time window, and a second measurement time window in multiple periods may be referred to as multiple instances of the second measurement time window. available_PRS,i or T PRS,i If there are multiple instances of the second measurement time window within T available_PRS,i or T PRS,i The duration of the PRS resource is within the first window of the multiple instances of the second measurement time window. In other words, the first time is within one T available_PRS,i or T PRS,i The first time is the duration of the PRS resources within the first window. When calculating the first time, only the PRS resources within the first window are considered. For example, when calculating the first time, only the first H ms of PRS resources within the second measurement time window are considered, where H is the difference between the length of the second measurement time window and T2.

[0134] In another possible scheme, the first time is the minimum between the duration of the PRS resource and N2, the duration of the PRS resource is within the first window, the length of the first window is the difference between the length of the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency tier and T2, and the start position of the first window is the start point of the length of the second measurement time window.

[0135] The first time period being the minimum value between the duration of the PRS resource and N2 may be understood as the first time period being the duration of the PRS resource, and the duration of the PRS resource being less than or equal to N2.

[0136] T2 is the processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency tier, and N2 is the duration capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency tier.

[0137] As shown in FIG. 2, the length of the first window is the difference between the length of the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer and T2, and the duration of the PRS resource is within the first window. It will be understood that the duration of the PRS resource may be the entire length of the first window or a portion of the length of the first window. In this case, the first time is the minimum value between the duration of the PRS resource and N2. For example, when the duration of the PRS resource is greater than N2, the first time is N2. In another example, when the duration of the PRS resource is less than N2, the first time is the duration of the PRS resource. In another example, when the duration of the PRS resource is equal to N2, the first time may be N2 or the duration of the PRS resource.

[0138] In another possible scheme, assuming the length of the second measurement time window is denoted as L, as shown in FIG. 3, the length of the second measurement time window L can be expressed as:

number

[0139] T2 is the processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency tier, and N2 is the duration capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency tier.

[0140] Based on the above technical solution, a sampling time for measuring the second PRS frequency layer in Mode 2 is specified, and sufficient processing time for measuring the second PRS frequency layer can be reserved within the second measurement time window, ensuring that the terminal device can complete the processing within the second measurement time window, thereby further reducing the measurement delay.

[0141] Based on step 110, the terminal device may determine the second time in several possible ways:

[0142] In one possible scheme, the second time is the length of the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer when all PRS resources of the second PRS frequency layer are within the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer.

[0143] It should be understood that there may be one or more PRS resources in the bandwidth range in which the second PRS frequency layer is located, which is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

[0144] For example, assume that there are six PRS resources in the bandwidth range in which the second PRS frequency layer is located, and when all six PRS resources are within the second measurement time window, the second time is the length of the second measurement time window.

[0145] In another possible scheme, the second time is an available period of the second PRS frequency layer when the PRS resource of the second PRS frequency layer is not within the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer.

[0146] For example, assume that there are six PRS resources in the bandwidth range in which the second PRS frequency tier is located. The second time is the available period of the second PRS frequency tier when two PRS resources are not within the second measurement time window.

[0147] Optionally, the terminal device may determine a time for measuring each of the P PRS frequency layers in mode 1.

[0148] For the calculation formula of the time for the terminal device to measure each of the P PRS frequency layers in mode 1, see Equation (1), Equation (2), and existing solutions. The details will not be described again here.

[0149] Optionally, the terminal device determines the first measurement time based on a sum of times for measuring all of the P PRS frequency layers, where P is a positive integer.

[0150] For example, the terminal device determines that the first measurement time satisfies equation (4).

number

[0151] The first PRS frequency layer may be one of the P PRS frequency layers, and the i-th PRS frequency layer may be one of the P PRS frequency layers, i.e., the i-th PRS frequency layer may be the first PRS frequency layer.

[0152] Optionally, the terminal device determines a third measurement time based on the first measurement time and the second measurement time.

[0153] The third measurement time is the time for measuring P+Q PRS frequency layers.

[0154] For example, the terminal device determines a third measurement time based on the first measurement time, the second measurement time, and the first margin, and the third measurement time is the sum of the first measurement time, the second measurement time, and the first margin.

[0155] The first margin may be a time for conversion between different frequency layers, and the first margin is a number equal to or greater than 0. For example, the first margin may be a time for conversion from a first frequency layer to a second frequency layer. In another example, the first margin may be a time for conversion from a second frequency layer to the first frequency layer. For example, the first margin may be max(T effect,i ) may also be used.

[0156] In the prior art, the measurement mode of a PRS frequency layer may be mode 1 or mode 2. However, currently related solutions do not explain how a terminal device determines whether the measurement mode of a PRS frequency layer is mode 1 or mode 2. For example, existing solutions do not explain how a terminal device determines whether the measurement mode of a first PRS frequency layer mentioned in method 100 is mode 1, or how a terminal device determines whether the measurement mode of a second PRS frequency layer is mode 2.

[0157] In view of the above technical problem, this application provides a communication method, which enables a terminal device to determine whether the measurement mode of a PRS frequency layer is Mode 1 or Mode 2, and to determine the measurement behavior of the terminal device.

[0158] 4 is a diagram of another communication method 400 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 4, the method 400 may include the following steps.

[0159] 410: A terminal device reports capabilities to an LMF, the capabilities being associated with a PRS frequency layer.

[0160] In response, the LMF receives the capabilities reported by the terminal device.

[0161] This capability may include at least one of {N, T} or {N2, T2}.

[0162] N and N2 are the duration capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer, and T and T2 are the processing time capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer.

[0163] For example, according to method 100, the terminal device may report a second capability to the LMF, where the second capability is associated with a second PRS frequency layer, and the second PRS frequency layer is one of the Q PRS frequency layers.

[0164] For example, according to method 100, a terminal device may report a first capability to an LMF, the first capability being associated with a first PRS frequency layer, the first PRS frequency layer being one of the P PRS frequency layers.

[0165] The capability reported by the terminal device to the LMF being associated with a PRS frequency layer may be understood as the terminal device reporting the capability to the LMF for a bandwidth range (e.g., a frequency band) in which the PRS frequency layer is located. For example, the terminal device reports a first capability to the LMF for a bandwidth range in which a first PRS frequency layer is located. In another example, the terminal device reports a second capability to the LMF for a bandwidth range in which a second PRS frequency layer is located.

[0166] 420: The terminal device determines the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer based on the capabilities reported to the LMF.

[0167] For example, according to method 100, the terminal device may determine that the measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is mode 1 based on the first capability reported to the LMF.

[0168] For example, the terminal device may determine that the measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is mode 2 based on the second capability notified to the LMF.

[0169] According to the aforementioned technical solution, the terminal device may determine whether the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 1 or mode 2 based on the capabilities reported to the LMF, so that the measurement behavior of the terminal device can be determined.

[0170] Based on step 420, the terminal device may determine the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer based on the capabilities reported to the LMF in several ways:

[0171] Method #A: When the capabilities reported by the terminal device to the LMF are {N, T}, the terminal device determines that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 1, or when the capabilities reported by the terminal device to the LMF are {N2, T2}, the terminal device determines that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 2.

[0172] For example, according to method 100, when the first capability reported by the terminal device to the LMF is {N, T}, the terminal device may determine that the measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is mode 1.

[0173] For example, according to method 100, when the second capability reported by the terminal device to the LMF is {N2, T2}, the terminal device may determine that the measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is mode 2.

[0174] Scheme #B: The capabilities reported by the terminal device to the LMF are {N, T} and {N2, T2}.

[0175] In response, the LMF receives capabilities reported by the terminal device, where the reported capabilities are {N, T} and {N2, T2}. The LMF sends first indication information to the terminal device based on the reported capabilities, where the first indication information indicates that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 1 or mode 2.

[0176] Correspondingly, the terminal device may receive first indication information from the LMF, and the terminal device may determine, based on the first indication information, that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 1 or mode 2.

[0177] For example, according to method 100, when the first capabilities reported by the terminal device to the LMF are {N, T} and {N2, T2}, the terminal device may receive first indication information from the LMF, where the first indication information indicates that the measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is mode 1.

[0178] For example, according to method 100, when the second capabilities reported by the terminal device to the LMF are {N, T} and {N2, T2}, the terminal device may receive first indication information from the LMF, where the first indication information indicates that the measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is mode 2.

[0179] Method #C: When the capabilities reported by the terminal device to the LMF are {N, T} and {N2, T2}, the terminal device receives second indication information from the network device, the second indication information indicating the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer. Based on the second indication information, the terminal device may determine that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is Mode 1 or Mode 2.

[0180] For example, when the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the terminal device determines that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 2, or when the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is less than the first threshold, the terminal device determines that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 1.

[0181] The first threshold may be T2+X1, where X1 is a number greater than or equal to 0, and X1 may be predefined in the protocol. For example, the protocol predefines that X1 may be the length of one slot. Alternatively, X1 may be N2 or another value. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0182] For example, according to method 100, when the first capabilities reported by the terminal device to the LMF are {N, T} and {N2, T2}, the terminal device may receive second indication information from the network device, where the second indication information indicates a length of a first measurement time window of the first PRS frequency layer, and the terminal device determines that the measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is Mode 1 based on when the length of the first measurement time window is less than a first threshold.

[0183] For example, according to method 100, when the second capabilities reported by the terminal device to the LMF are {N, T} and {N2, T2}, the terminal device may receive second indication information from the network device, where the second indication information indicates a length of a second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer, and the terminal device determines that the measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is Mode 2 based on when the length of the second measurement time window is equal to or greater than a first threshold.

[0184] It should be understood that according to method 100, when the terminal device reports both the first capability and the second capability to the LMF, the terminal device may determine that the measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is mode 1 and the measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is mode 2 in one or a different combination of methods #A to #C.

[0185] For example, when the first capability reported by the terminal device to the LMF is {N, T} and the second capability reported by the terminal device to the LMF is {N2, T2}, the terminal device may determine in method #A that the measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is mode 1, and the terminal device may determine in method #A that the measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is mode 2.

[0186] In another example, when the first capability reported by the terminal device to the LMF is {N,T} and the second capability reported by the terminal device to the LMF is {N,T} and {N2,T2}, the terminal device may determine that the measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is mode 1 in method #A, and the terminal device may determine that the measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is mode 2 in method #B or method #C.

[0187] For example, when the first capabilities reported by the terminal device to the LMF are {N, T} and {N2, T2} and the second capabilities reported by the terminal device to the LMF are {N2, T2}, the terminal device may determine that the measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is mode 1 in method #B or method #C, and the terminal device may determine that the measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is mode 2 in method #A.

[0188] In another example, when the first capabilities reported by the terminal device to the LMF are {N,T} and {N2,T2}, and the second capabilities reported by the terminal device to the LMF are {N,T} and {N2,T2}, the terminal device may determine that the measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is mode 1 in method #B or method #C, and the terminal device may determine that the measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is mode 2 in method #B or method #C.

[0189] In the prior art, a network device may set the length of a measurement time window of a PRS frequency layer for a terminal device. However, when the length of the measurement time window of a PRS frequency layer set by the network device for the terminal device is small, for example, when the length of the measurement time window of a PRS frequency layer set by the network device for the terminal device is less than a first threshold, the terminal device may not be able to determine that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is Mode 2.

[0190] For this reason, the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer set by the network device for the terminal device may not meet the conditions for low latency measurements, and the terminal device may therefore not be able to perform low latency measurements.

[0191] For example, according to method 400, in scheme #A, even if the capabilities reported by the terminal device to the LMF are {N2, T2}, the terminal device may not be able to correctly perform measurements in mode 2 when the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer set by the network device for the terminal device is small.

[0192] For example, according to method 400, in scheme #B, when the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer set by the network device for the terminal device is small, even if the first indication information transmitted to the terminal device by the LMF indicates that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 2, the terminal device may not be able to correctly perform measurement in mode 2. In other words, when the terminal device determines that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 2 based on the first indication information, the condition for the terminal device to correctly perform measurement is that the length of the measurement time window set by the network device for the terminal device is equal to or greater than a first threshold.

[0193] In view of the above technical problem, this application provides a communication method, in which a network device can set a measurement time window length of a PRS frequency layer for a terminal device based on low-delay-related information, so that the terminal device can perform measurements in Mode 2 based on an LMF or a requirement of the terminal device.

[0194] 5 is a diagram of another communication method 500 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5, the method 500 may include the following steps.

[0195] 510: The network device receives third indication information from the first device, and when the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is associated with mode 2, the third indication information indicates that the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is greater than or equal to a second threshold, or the third indication information indicates a first recommended value, and the first recommended value is a time period within the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer other than the duration of the PRS resource.

[0196] For example, according to method 100, the terminal device sends third indication information to the network device, where the third indication information indicates that the length of the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer is equal to or greater than a second threshold, or the third indication information indicates a first recommended value, where the first recommended value is a time period within the length of the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer other than the duration of the PRS resource.

[0197] For the method by which the network device obtains the duration of the PRS resource, refer to existing solutions. For example, the LMF may use an NRPPa message to send a MEASUREMENT PRECONFIGURATION REQUIRED message to the network device, which message contains relevant information about the duration of the PRS resource, allowing the network device to obtain the duration of the PRS resource. Optionally, the first recommended value may be included in the NRPPa message.

[0198] The first device is a terminal device or an LMF.

[0199] The second threshold may be T2 + X2, where X2 is a number equal to or greater than 0, and X2 may be predefined in the protocol, or may be N2 or another value. The second threshold may be the same as the first threshold or may be different from the first threshold. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0200] The first recommended value may be predefined in the protocol or may be any other value, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0201] The second threshold value and the third indication information may be transmitted to the network device using the same signaling from the same device, may be transmitted to the network device using different signaling from the same device, or may be transmitted to the network device using different signaling from different devices.

[0202] In one possible scheme, the second threshold value and the third indication information are transmitted to the network device using the same signaling from the same device. For example, the terminal device transmits the second threshold value and the third indication information to the network device using the first signaling. In another example, the LMF transmits the second threshold value and the third indication information to the network device using the second signaling.

[0203] In one possible scheme, the second threshold value and the third indication information are transmitted to the network device using different signaling from the same device. For example, the terminal device transmits the second threshold value to the network device using a first signaling and the third indication information to the network device using a second signaling. In another example, the LMF transmits the second threshold value to the network device using a third signaling and the third indication information to the network device using a fourth signaling.

[0204] In one possible scheme, the second threshold value and the third indication information are transmitted to the network device using different signaling from different devices. For example, the terminal device transmits the second threshold value to the network device using a first signaling, and the LMF transmits the third indication information to the network device using a second signaling. In another example, the LMF transmits the second threshold value to the network device using a third signaling, and the terminal device transmits the third indication information to the network device using a fourth signaling.

[0205] 520: The network device determines the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer based on the third indication information.

[0206] In a possible scheme, when the third indication indicates that the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is associated with mode 2, the network device determines that the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is greater than or equal to a second threshold.

[0207] For example, according to method 100, when the third indication information indicates that the measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is mode 2, the network device may determine that the length of the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer is greater than or equal to a second threshold.

[0208] Another possible scheme includes, when the third indication information indicates the first recommended value, the network device determining that the length of the measurement time window for the PRS frequency layer is the sum of the first recommended value and the duration of the PRS resource.

[0209] For example, according to method 100, when the third indication information indicates the first recommended value, the network device may determine that the length of the second measurement time window for the second PRS frequency tier is the sum of the first recommended value and the duration of the PRS resource.

[0210] According to the aforementioned technical solution, the network device may determine the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer based on the third indication information, and the network device may set the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer for the terminal device based on the low-delay related information, so that the terminal device can perform measurement in mode 2 based on the requirements of the LMF or the terminal device.

[0211] Optionally, the network device transmits second indication information to the terminal device, where the second indication information indicates a length of a measurement time window for the PRS frequency tier.

[0212] For example, according to method 100, the network device may transmit second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information indicating a length of a first measurement time window for a first PRS frequency tier, and the second indication information indicating a length of a second measurement time window for a second PRS frequency tier, and the length of the second measurement time window may be determined by the network device based on the third indication information.

[0213] For an explanation of the terminal device determining that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 1 or mode 2 based on the second indication information, please refer to the explanation in method 400. The details will not be described again here.

[0214] In the prior art, the measurement time window of a PRS frequency layer may be either a PPW or an MG. However, currently related solutions do not explain how a terminal device determines whether the measurement time window of a PRS frequency layer is a PPW or an MG. For example, existing solutions do not explain how a terminal device determines whether the first measurement time window of a first PRS frequency layer mentioned in method 100 is a PPW or an MG, and how a terminal device determines whether the second measurement time window of a second PRS frequency layer is a PPW or an MG.

[0215] In view of the above technical problem, this application provides a communication method, in which a terminal device can determine whether a measurement time window of a PRS frequency layer is PPW or MG, and can determine the measurement behavior of the terminal device, ensuring that the terminal device, the network device, and the LMF have a consistent understanding.

[0216] 6 is a diagram of another communication method 600 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 6, the method 600 may include the following steps.

[0217] 610: The terminal device receives fourth indication information from the network device, where the fourth indication information indicates whether a PPW is in an active state, and the PPW is associated with a PRS frequency layer.

[0218] The PRS frequency layer may be configured by the LMF for the terminal device, and the PPW and MG may be configured by the network device for the terminal device.

[0219] For example, according to method 100, the terminal device receives fourth indication information from the network device, the fourth indication information indicating whether a first PPW is in an active state, and the first PPW is associated with a first PRS frequency layer among the P PRS frequency layers.

[0220] A first PPW is understood to be associated with a first PRS frequency layer if the first PPW is configured within a first bandwidth part (BWP) of a first serving cell, the first BWP includes the first PRS frequency layer, and the first BWP and the first PRS frequency layer have the same subcarrier spacing.

[0221] For example, according to method 100, the terminal device receives fourth indication information from the network device, the fourth indication information indicating whether a second PPW is in an active state, and the second PPW is associated with a second PRS frequency layer among the Q PRS frequency layers.

[0222] A second PPW is understood to be associated with a second PRS frequency layer if the second PPW is configured within a second BWP of a second serving cell, the second BWP includes the second PRS frequency layer, and the second BWP and the second PRS frequency layer have the same subcarrier spacing.

[0223] 620: The terminal device determines a measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer based on the fourth indication information.

[0224] For example, according to the method 100, the terminal device determines a first measurement time window of a first PRS frequency layer based on the fourth indication information.

[0225] For example, according to the method 100, the terminal device determines a second measurement time window of a second PRS frequency layer based on the fourth indication information.

[0226] According to the aforementioned technical solution, the terminal device may determine a measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer based on the fourth indication information, and may determine the measurement behavior of the terminal device, so as to ensure that the terminal device, the network device, and the LMF have a consistent understanding.

[0227] In step 620, the terminal device may determine the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer based on the fourth indication information in the following two possible manners:

[0228] In a possible manner, when the fourth indication information indicates that the PPW is in an active state, the terminal device determines that the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is the PPW.

[0229] For example, when the fourth indication information indicates that the first PPW is in an active state, the terminal device determines that the first measurement time window of the first PRS frequency layer is the first PPW.

[0230] For example, when the fourth indication information indicates that the second PPW is in an active state, the terminal device determines that the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer is the second PPW.

[0231] In another possible manner, when the fourth indication information indicates that the PPW is in an inactive state, the terminal device determines that the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is the MG.

[0232] For example, when the fourth indication information indicates that the first PPW is in an inactive state, the terminal device determines that the first measurement time window of the first PRS frequency layer is the first MG.

[0233] For example, when the fourth indication information indicates that the second PPW is in an inactive state, the terminal device determines that the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer is the second MG.

[0234] It should be understood that the PPW and MG may coexist when the PRS frequency layers associated with the PPW and MG are different. For example, a first measurement time window of a first PRS frequency layer is a first PPW, and a second measurement time window of a second PRS frequency layer is a second MG. The first PPW and the second MG may coexist.

[0235] Optionally, when the PRS frequency layer does not have an associated PPW, the terminal device determines that the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is MG.

[0236] Optionally, when a PPW collides with a MG in the time domain, the terminal device does not measure the PRS frequency layer on the instance of the colliding PPW.

[0237] The PRS frequency layer associated with the PPW is different from the PRS frequency layer associated with the MG.

[0238] For example, if the PPW configured by the network device has a period of 80 ms and a time domain start position of 0, and the MG configured by the network device has a period of 160 ms and a time domain start position of 0, one PPW will compete with the MG in the time domain every 160 ms. In this case, the terminal device will not measure the PRS frequency layer on the instance of the colliding PPW.

[0239] For example, according to method 100, assuming that the measurement time window of each of the Q PRS frequency layers is a PPW and the measurement time window of each of the P PRS frequency layers is a MG, the terminal device may determine a time for measuring each of the Q PRS frequency layers in the PPW in Mode 2 and determine a second measurement time based on the maximum value of the time for measuring each of the Q PRS frequency layers, and the terminal device may determine a time for measuring each of the P PRS frequency layers in the MG in Mode 1 and determine a first measurement time based on the sum of the time for measuring all of the P PRS frequency layers. Based on this, the terminal device may determine a third measurement time based on the first measurement time and the second measurement time.

[0240] It should be understood that the measurement time window of each of the Q PRS frequency layers is a PPW, in other words, there are Q PPWs for the Q PRS frequency layers, and the same PPW may be present within the Q PPWs, or the Q PPWs may be different from each other. Additionally, the measurement time window of each of the P PRS frequency layers is a MG, in other words, there are P MGs for the P PRS frequency layers, and the same MG may be present within the P MGs, or the P MGs may be different from each other.

[0241] For example, according to method 100, assuming that the measurement time window of each of the Q PRS frequency layers is PPW2 and the measurement time window of each of the P PRS frequency layers is PPW1, the terminal device may determine a time for measuring each of the Q PRS frequency layers in PPW2 in Mode 2 and determine a second measurement time based on the maximum value of the time for measuring each of the Q PRS frequency layers, and the terminal device may determine a time for measuring each of the P PRS frequency layers in PPW1 in Mode 1 and determine a first measurement time based on the sum of the time for measuring all of the P PRS frequency layers. Based on this, the terminal device may determine a third measurement time based on the first measurement time and the second measurement time.

[0242] It should be understood that the measurement time window for each of the Q PRS frequency layers is a PPW2, in other words, there are Q PPW2s for the Q PRS frequency layers, and the same PPW may be present in the Q PPW2s, or the Q PPW2s may be different from each other. Additionally, the measurement time window for each of the P PRS frequency layers is a PPW1, in other words, there are P PPW1s for the P PRS frequency layers, and the same PPW may be present in the P PPW1s, or the P PPW1s may be different from each other.

[0243] For example, assuming that the measurement time window for each of the M PRS frequency layers is a PPW and the measurement time window for each of the N PRS frequency layers is an MG, the terminal device may determine a time for measuring each of the M PRS frequency layers in the PPW in Mode 1 and determine measurement time 1 based on the sum of the time for measuring all of the M PRS frequency layers, and the terminal device may further determine a time for measuring each of the N PRS frequency layers in an MG in Mode 1 and determine measurement time 2 based on the sum of the time for measuring all of the N PRS frequency layers. Based on this, the terminal device may determine measurement time 3 based on the sum of measurement time 1 and measurement time 2.

[0244] It should be understood that the measurement time window for each of the M PRS frequency layers is a PPW, i.e., there are M PPWs for the M PRS frequency layers, and the same PPW may be present within the Q PPWs, or the M PPWs may be different from each other. Additionally, the measurement time window for each of the N PRS frequency layers is a PPW, i.e., there are N PPWs for the N PRS frequency layers, and the same PPW may be present within the Q PPWs, or the N PPWs may be different from each other.

[0245] It should be understood that the examples in Figures 1 to 6 in the embodiments of this application are intended only to help those skilled in the art understand the embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application to the specific scenarios in the examples. Those skilled in the art can obviously make various equivalent modifications or changes based on the examples shown in Figures 1 to 6, and such modifications or changes also fall within the scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, "the terminal device reports its capabilities to the LMF" in Figure 4 may be replaced with "the terminal device transmits the capabilities of the terminal device to the LMF."

[0246] It will be further understood that some optional features in the embodiments of this application may be independent of other features in some scenarios and may be combined with other features in some scenarios, without limitation.

[0247] It will be further understood that the solutions in the embodiments of this application may be combined as appropriate for use, and the explanations or descriptions of terms in the embodiments may be cross-referenced or explained in the embodiments, without any limitation.

[0248] It will be further understood that the sequence numbers of various numerals in the embodiments of this application do not imply an execution sequence, but are merely for distinction to facilitate explanation, and therefore should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0249] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" is further understood to mean two or more. The term "and / or" is used to describe an association relationship between related objects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, "A and / or B" may refer to three cases: A alone, B alone, and both A and B are present, where A and B may be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between related objects. "Any one of" or similar expressions means any combination of these, including any combination of singular or plural. For example, at least one of a, b, or c may refer to a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c may be singular or plural.

[0250] It will be further understood that some information names such as first instruction information, second instruction information, etc. are involved in the embodiments of this application, and it should be understood that these names do not limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application.

[0251] It will be further understood that in the foregoing embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by a terminal device, a network device, or an LMF may alternatively be implemented by a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) of the terminal device, the network device, or the LMF.

[0252] Corresponding to the methods provided in the aforementioned method embodiments, an embodiment of this application further provides a corresponding apparatus. The apparatus includes corresponding modules configured to perform the aforementioned method embodiments. The modules may be software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. It will be understood that the technical features described in the method embodiments are also applicable to the following apparatus embodiments.

[0253] In the embodiments provided in this application, the methods provided in the embodiments of this application are described separately in terms of a network device, a terminal device, an LMF, and interactions between the network device, the terminal device, and the LMF. To implement the functions in the methods provided in the above-mentioned embodiments of this application, the network device, the terminal device, and the LMF may include hardware structures and / or software modules, and may implement the above-mentioned functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module. Whether the functions in the above-mentioned functions are performed using a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0254] A communication method according to an embodiment of this application is described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Hereinafter, a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application will be described in detail with reference to Figures 7 to 9.

[0255] 7 is a block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The device 700 includes a processor 720. The processing unit 720 may be configured to implement corresponding processing functions, for example, to determine the second measurement time.

[0256] Optionally, the apparatus 700 may further include a transceiver unit 710. The transceiver unit 710 may be configured to implement corresponding communication functions. The transceiver unit 710 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0257] Optionally, the apparatus 700 further includes a storage unit. The storage unit may be configured to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 720 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit to enable the apparatus to implement actions of the terminal device, the network device, or the LMF in the above-described method embodiments.

[0258] The apparatus 700 may be configured to perform actions performed by a terminal device, a network device, or an LMF in the aforementioned method embodiments. In this case, the apparatus 700 may be a terminal device or a component of a terminal device, a network device or a component of a network device, or an LMF or a component of an LMF. The transceiver unit 710 is configured to perform operations related to the transmission and reception of the terminal device, the network device, or the LMF in the aforementioned method embodiments. The processing unit 720 is configured to perform operations related to the processing of the terminal device, the network device, or the LMF in the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0259] In design, the apparatus 700 is configured to perform the actions performed by the terminal device in the method embodiments described above.

[0260] In a possible implementation, processing unit 720 is configured to determine a time for measuring each of the Q PRS frequency layers in mode 2. Processing unit 720 is further configured to determine a second measurement time based on a maximum value of the time for measuring each of the Q PRS frequency layers, where Q is a positive integer.

[0261] Optionally, processing unit 720 is further configured to determine a time for measuring each of the P PRS frequency layers in mode 1. Processing unit 720 is further configured to determine a first measurement time based on the sum of the times for measuring all of the P PRS frequency layers, where P is a positive integer.

[0262] Optionally, the processing unit 720 is further configured to determine a third measurement time based on the first measurement time and the second measurement time, where the third measurement time is a time for measuring P+Q PRS frequency layers.

[0263] Optionally, the processing unit 720 is further configured to determine a third measurement time based on the first measurement time, the second measurement time, and the first margin, where the third measurement time is the sum of the first measurement time, the second measurement time, and the first margin.

[0264] Optionally, a time for measuring a second PRS frequency layer of the Q PRS frequency layers is determined based on a first time and / or a second time, where the first time is a sampling time for measuring the second PRS frequency layer and the second time is a measurement time for measuring the last sampling point of the second PRS frequency layer.

[0265] Optionally, the second time period includes a sampling time and a processing time.

[0266] Optionally, the first time is a duration of a PRS resource, the duration of the PRS resource is within a first window, the length of the first window is a difference between the length of a second measurement time window of a second PRS frequency layer and T2, the start position of the first window is a start point of the length of the second measurement time window, and T2 is a processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer.

[0267] Optionally, the first time is a duration of a PRS resource, the duration of the PRS resource is less than or equal to N2, the duration of the PRS resource is within a first window, the length of the first window is a difference between the length of a second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer and T2, the starting position of the first window is a starting point of the length of the second measurement time window, N2 is a duration capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer, and T2 is a processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer.

[0268] Optionally, the first time is the minimum value between the duration of the PRS resource and N2, the duration of the PRS resource is within a first window, the length of the first window is the difference between the length of a second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer and T2, the starting position of the first window is the starting point of the length of the second measurement time window, N2 is the duration capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer, and T2 is the processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer.

[0269] Optionally, the second time is the length of the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer when all PRS resources of the second PRS frequency layer are within the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer.

[0270] Optionally, the second time is an available periodicity of the second PRS frequency tier when the PRS resource of the second PRS frequency tier is not within a second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency tier.

[0271] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is configured to report a second capability to the location management function LMF, the second capability being associated with a second PRS frequency layer, and the processing unit 720 is configured to determine, based on the second capability, that a measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is mode 2.

[0272] Optionally, the second capability is {N2, T2}, where N2 is the duration capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer, and T2 is the processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer.

[0273] Optionally, the second capability includes {N, T} and {N2, T2}, where N and N2 are duration capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer, and T and T2 are processing time capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer. The transceiver unit 710 is configured to receive first indication information from the LMF, where the first indication information indicates that the measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is Mode 2.

[0274] Optionally, the second capability includes {N, T} and {N2, T2}, where N and N2 are duration capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer, and T and T2 are processing time capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer. The transceiver unit 710 is configured to receive second indication information from the network device, the second indication information indicating a length of a second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer. The processing unit 720 is configured to determine, based on a case where the length of the second measurement time window is equal to or greater than a first threshold, that the measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is Mode 2.

[0275] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is configured to report a first capability to the location management function LMF, the first capability being associated with a first PRS frequency layer, and the processing unit 720 is configured to determine, based on the first capability, that a measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is mode 1.

[0276] Optionally, the first capability is {N, T}, where N is a duration capability of the terminal device for measuring the first PRS frequency layer, and T is a processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the first PRS frequency layer.

[0277] Optionally, the first capability includes {N, T} and {N2, T2}, where N and N2 are duration capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the first PRS frequency layer, and T and T2 are processing time capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the first PRS frequency layer. The transceiver unit 710 is configured to receive first indication information from the LMF, where the first indication information indicates that the measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is Mode 1.

[0278] Optionally, the first capability includes {N, T} and {N2, T2}, where N and N2 are duration capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the first PRS frequency layer, and T and T2 are processing time capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the first PRS frequency layer. The transceiver unit 710 is configured to receive second indication information from the network device, the second indication information indicating a length of a first measurement time window of the first PRS frequency layer. The processing unit 720 is configured to determine, based on a case where the length of the first measurement time window is less than a first threshold, that the measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is Mode 1.

[0279] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is configured to transmit third indication information to the network device, the third indication information indicating that the length of the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency tier is greater than or equal to a second threshold, or the third indication information indicating a first recommended value, the first recommended value being a time period within the length of the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency tier other than the duration of the PRS resource.

[0280] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is configured to receive a fourth indication from the network device, the fourth indication indicating whether a second PPW is in an active state, the second PPW being associated with a second PRS frequency tier among the Q PRS frequency tiers, and the processing unit 720 is configured to determine a second measurement time window for the second PRS frequency tier based on the fourth indication.

[0281] A second PRS frequency layer may be configured by the LMF for the terminal device, and a second measurement time window (e.g., a second PPW or a second MG) may be configured by the network device for the terminal device.

[0282] Optionally, when the fourth indication information indicates that the second PPW is in an active state, the processing unit 720 is configured to determine that the second measurement time window is the second PPW, or when the fourth indication information indicates that the second PPW is in an inactive state, the processing unit 720 is configured to determine that the second measurement time window is the second MG.

[0283] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is configured to receive a fourth indication from the network device, the fourth indication indicating whether a first positioning reference signal processing window PPW is active, the first PPW being associated with a first PRS frequency layer among the P PRS frequency layers. The processing unit 720 is configured to determine, based on the fourth indication, a first measurement time window for the first PRS frequency layer.

[0284] The first PRS frequency layer may be configured by the LMF for the terminal device, and the first measurement time window (e.g., the first PPW or the first MG) may be configured by the network device for the terminal device.

[0285] Optionally, when the fourth indication information indicates that the first PPW is in an active state, the processing unit 720 is configured to determine that the first measurement time window is the first PPW, or when the fourth indication information indicates that the first PPW is in an inactive state, the processing unit 720 is configured to determine that the first measurement time window is the first measurement gap MG.

[0286] In another possible implementation, the processing unit 720 is configured to determine a first time, where the first time is a sampling time for measuring a PRS frequency tier in mode 2.

[0287] Optionally, the first time is a duration of a PRS resource, the duration of the PRS resource is within a first window, the length of the first window is a difference between the length of a measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer and T2, the start position of the first window is a start point of the length of the measurement time window, and T2 is a processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer.

[0288] Optionally, the first time is a duration of a PRS resource, the duration of the PRS resource is less than or equal to N2, the duration of the PRS resource is within a first window, the length of the first window is a difference between the length of a measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer and T2, the starting position of the first window is a starting point of the length of the measurement time window, N2 is a duration capability of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer, and T2 is a processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer.

[0289] Optionally, the first time is the minimum value between the duration of the PRS resource and N2, the duration of the PRS resource is within a first window, the length of the first window is the difference between the length of a measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer and T2, the starting position of the first window is the starting point of the length of the measurement time window, N2 is the duration capability of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer, and T2 is the processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer.

[0290] In another possible implementation, the transceiver unit 710 is configured to report capabilities to the location management function (LMF), the capabilities being associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS) frequency layer, and the processing unit 720 is configured to determine a measurement mode for the PRS frequency layer based on the capabilities.

[0291] Optionally, the capability includes at least one of {N, T} or {N2, T2}, where N and N2 are duration capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer, and T and T2 are processing time capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layer.

[0292] Optionally, when the capability is {N,T}, the processing unit 720 is configured to determine that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 1, or when the capability is {N2,T2}, the processing unit 720 is configured to determine that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 2.

[0293] Optionally, the capabilities are {N, T} and {N2, T2}. The transceiver unit 710 is configured to receive first indication information from the LMF, where the first indication information indicates that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 1 or mode 2. The processing unit 720 is configured to determine, based on the first indication information, that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 1 or mode 2.

[0294] Optionally, the capabilities are {N, T} and {N2, T2}. The transceiver unit 710 is configured to receive second indication information from the network device, the second indication information indicating a length of a measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer. The processing unit 720 is configured to determine, based on the second indication information, that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is Mode 1 or Mode 2.

[0295] Optionally, the processing unit 720 is configured to determine that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 2 when the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is greater than or equal to a first threshold, or to determine that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 1 when the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is less than the first threshold.

[0296] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is configured to send third indication information to the network device, the third indication information indicating that the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is greater than or equal to a second threshold, or the third indication information indicating a first recommended value, the first recommended value being a time period within the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer other than the duration of the PRS resource.

[0297] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 710 is configured to receive a fourth indication from the network device, the fourth indication indicating whether a positioning reference signal processing window PPW is active, the PPW being associated with a positioning reference signal PRS frequency layer, and the processing unit 720 is configured to determine a measurement time window for the PRS frequency layer based on the fourth indication.

[0298] The PRS frequency layer may be configured by the LMF for the terminal device, and the measurement time window (e.g., PPW or MG) may be configured by the network device for the terminal device.

[0299] Optionally, when the fourth indication information indicates that the PPW is in an active state, the processing unit 720 is configured to determine that the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is the PPW, or when the fourth indication information indicates that the PPW is in an inactive state, the processing unit 720 is configured to determine that the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is the measurement gap MG.

[0300] In another possible implementation, the transceiver unit 710 is configured to send third indication information to the network device, the third indication information indicating that the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is greater than or equal to a second threshold, or the third indication information indicating a first recommended value, the first recommended value being a time within the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer other than the duration of the PRS resource.

[0301] The apparatus 700 may implement corresponding steps or procedures performed by a terminal device in the method embodiments in the embodiments of this application, and may include a unit configured to execute the method performed by the terminal device in any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 6.

[0302] In another design, apparatus 700 may be configured to perform the actions performed by the network device in the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0303] In another possible implementation, the transceiver unit 710 is configured to receive a third indication from the first device, the third indication indicating that the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is equal to or greater than a second threshold, or the third indication indicating a first recommended value, the first recommended value being a portion of the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer other than the duration of the PRS resource. The processing unit 720 is configured to determine the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer based on the third indication.

[0304] The first device may be a terminal device or a Location Management Function LMF.

[0305] Optionally, when the third indication information indicates that the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the processing unit 720 is configured to determine that the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is greater than or equal to the second threshold, or when the third indication information indicates the first recommended value, the processing unit 720 is configured to determine that the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is the sum of the first recommended value and the duration of the PRS resource.

[0306] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is configured to receive second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information indicating a length of a measurement time window of the PRS frequency tier.

[0307] The apparatus 700 may implement corresponding steps or procedures performed by the network device in the method embodiments in the embodiments of this application, and may include a unit configured to execute the method performed by the network device in any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 6.

[0308] In another design, apparatus 700 is configured to perform the actions performed by the LMF in the method embodiments described above.

[0309] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit 710 is configured to send third indication information to the network device, the third indication information indicating that the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is greater than or equal to a second threshold, or the third indication information indicating a first recommended value, the first recommended value being a time within the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer other than the duration of the PRS resource.

[0310] In another possible implementation, the transceiver unit 710 is configured to receive capabilities reported by a terminal device, the reported capabilities being {N, T} and {N2, T2}, the reported capabilities being associated with positioning reference signal PRS frequency layers, N and N2 being duration capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layers, and T and T2 being processing time capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layers. The transceiver unit 710 is configured to send first indication information to the terminal device based on the reported capabilities, the first indication information indicating that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layers is mode 1 or mode 2.

[0311] The apparatus 700 may implement the corresponding steps or procedures performed by the LMF in the method embodiments in the embodiments of this application, and may include a unit configured to execute the method performed by the LMF in any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 6.

[0312] It should be understood that the specific processes of performing the aforementioned steps by the units have been described in detail in the aforementioned method embodiments, and for the sake of simplicity, the details will not be described again here.

[0313] It should be further understood that the apparatus 700 herein is embodied in the form of a functional unit. The term "unit" herein may refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (e.g., a shared processor, a dedicated processor, or a group processor) configured to execute one or more software or firmware programs, a memory, a merge logic circuit, and / or another suitable component supporting the described functionality. In any example, those skilled in the art may understand that the apparatus 700 may specifically be a terminal device, a network device, or an LMF in the aforementioned embodiments, and may be configured to perform procedures and / or steps corresponding to the terminal device, the network device, or the LMF in the aforementioned method embodiments. To avoid repetition, the details will not be described again here.

[0314] The device 700 in the above solution has a function for implementing the corresponding steps performed by a terminal device, a network device, or an LMF in the above method. The function may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software may include one or more modules corresponding to the above function. For example, a transceiver unit may be replaced by a transceiver (e.g., a transmitting unit in the transceiver unit may be replaced by a transmitter, and a receiving unit in the transceiver unit may be replaced by a receiver), or another unit, such as a processing unit, may be replaced by a processor to separately perform the receiving operation, the transmitting operation, and the associated processing operation in the method embodiment.

[0315] Additionally, the transceiver unit 710 may alternatively be a transceiver circuit (eg, may include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing unit may be a processing circuit.

[0316] The apparatus in FIG. 7 may be the device in the above-described embodiments, or may be a chip or a chip system, such as a system-on-a-chip (SoC). The transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processing unit may be a processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit integrated on a chip. This is not a limitation in this specification.

[0317] As shown in Fig. 8, an embodiment of the present application provides another communication device 800. The device 800 includes a processor 810. The processor 810 is coupled to a memory 820. The memory 820 is configured to store computer programs or instructions and / or data. The processor 810 is configured to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 820 or read the data stored in the memory 820 to perform the method in the above-described method embodiments.

[0318] Optionally, there are one or more processors 810 .

[0319] Optionally, one or more memories 820 are present.

[0320] Optionally, memory 820 and processor 810 are integrated together or located separately.

[0321] 8, the apparatus 800 further includes a transceiver 830. The transceiver 830 is configured to receive and / or transmit signals. For example, the processor 810 is configured to control the transceiver 830 to receive and / or transmit signals.

[0322] In the solution, the apparatus 800 is configured to implement the operations performed by a terminal device, a network device, or an LMF in the embodiments of the aforementioned methods.

[0323] For example, the processor 810 is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 820 to implement relevant operations of the terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments, such as the method performed by the terminal device in any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 6.

[0324] It should be understood that the processor referred to in the embodiments of this application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processing (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or another programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, and the processor may be any conventional processor, etc.

[0325] It should be further understood that the memory referred to in the embodiments of this application may be volatile and / or nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM may be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, RAM includes multiple forms, such as static random access memory (static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchlink dynamic random access memory (synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM), and direct rambus random access memory (direct rambus RAM, DR RAM).

[0326] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA, or another programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) may be integrated into the processor.

[0327] It should be further noted that memory as described herein may include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0328] 9, one embodiment of the present application provides a chip system 900. The chip system 900 (which may also be referred to as a processing system) includes a logic circuit 910 and an input / output interface 920.

[0329] The logic circuit 910 may be a processing circuit within the chip system 900. The logic circuit 910 may be coupled to a storage unit and invoke instructions in the storage unit to enable the chip system 900 to implement the methods and functions in the embodiments of this application. The input / output interface 920 may be an input / output circuit within the chip system 900, which outputs information processed by the chip system 900 or inputs data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system 900 for processing.

[0330] As a solution, the chip system 900 is configured to implement the operations performed by a terminal device, a network device, or an LMF in the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0331] For example, logic circuitry 910 is configured to implement operations related to the processing performed by the terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments, such as operations related to the processing performed by the terminal device in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 1-6. Input / output interface 920 is configured to implement operations related to transmission and / or reception performed by the terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments, such as operations related to transmission and / or reception performed by the terminal device in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 1-6.

[0332] An embodiment of this application further provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions used to implement a method performed by a terminal device, a network device, or an LMF in accordance with an embodiment of the method.

[0333] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer is enabled to implement the method to be executed by the terminal device in the above-described method embodiments.

[0334] One embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product including instructions that, when executed by a computer, implement the method performed by the terminal device, network device, or LMF in the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0335] For the description of the relevant contents and beneficial effects of any one of the devices provided above, please refer to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and the details will not be described again here.

[0336] In some embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods may be implemented in other manners. For example, the described device embodiments are merely examples. For example, the division into units is merely a logical functional division, and other divisions may be used in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, and some features may be ignored or not implemented. Additionally, shown or discussed mutual couplings, direct couplings, or communication connections may be implemented through some interfaces. Indirect couplings or communication connections between devices or units may be implemented in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0337] All or a portion of the above-described embodiments may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement an embodiment, all or a portion of the embodiment may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the procedures or functions according to the embodiments of this application are generated, in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or another programmable device. For example, the computer may be a personal computer, a server, a network device, etc. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, radio, or microwave) transmission. A computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a computer, or a data storage device, such as a server or a data center, that includes one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a solid-state disk (SSD)). For example, the available medium may include, but is not limited to, any medium capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0338] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any variations or replacements that are easily understood by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall fall within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. 1. A communication method comprising: determining, by a terminal device, a time for measuring each of the Q PRS frequency layers in mode 2; determining, by the terminal device, a second measurement time based on the maximum value of the time for measuring each of the Q PRS frequency layers, where Q is a positive integer.

2. determining, by the terminal device, a time for measuring each of the P PRS frequency layers in Mode 1; 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining, by the terminal device, a first measurement time based on a sum of times for measuring all of the P PRS frequency layers, where P is a positive integer.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: determining, by the terminal device, a third measurement time based on the first measurement time and the second measurement time, the third measurement time being a time for measuring P+Q PRS frequency layers.

4. determining, by the terminal device, a third measurement time based on the first measurement time and the second measurement time, 4. The method of claim 3, comprising determining, by the terminal device, the third measurement time based on the first measurement time, the second measurement time, and a first margin, wherein the third measurement time is a sum of the first measurement time, the second measurement time, and the first margin.

5. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein a time for measuring a second PRS frequency layer among the Q PRS frequency layers is determined based on a first time and / or a second time, the first time being a sampling time for measuring the second PRS frequency layer, and the second time being a measurement time for measuring a last sampling point of the second PRS frequency layer.

6. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first time is a duration of a PRS resource, the duration of the PRS resource is within a first window, the length of the first window is a difference between a length of a second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer and T2, the start position of the first window is a start point of the length of the second measurement time window, and T2 is a processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer.

7. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first time is a duration of a PRS resource, the duration of the PRS resource is less than or equal to N2, the duration of the PRS resource is within a first window, the length of the first window is a difference between a length of a second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer and T2, the start position of the first window is a start point of the length of the second measurement time window, N2 is a duration capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer, and T2 is a processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer.

8. 8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the second time is the length of the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer when all PRS resources of the second PRS frequency layer are within the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer.

9. 8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the second time is an available periodicity of the second PRS frequency layer when a PRS resource of the second PRS frequency layer is not within the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer.

10. reporting, by the terminal device, a second capability to a Location Management Function (LMF), wherein the second capability is associated with the second PRS frequency layer; and 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining, by the terminal device, based on the second capability, that a measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is the mode 2.

11. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second capability is {N2, T2}, where N2 is the duration capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer, and T2 is the processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer.

12. the second capability includes {N, T} and {N2, T2}, where N and N2 are duration capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer, and T and T2 are processing time capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer; determining, by the terminal device, that a measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is the mode 2 based on the second capability; 11. The method of claim 10, comprising receiving, by the terminal device, first indication information from the LMF, the first indication information indicating that the measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is Mode 2.

13. the second capability includes {N, T} and {N2, T2}, where N and N2 are duration capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer, and T and T2 are processing time capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the second PRS frequency layer; determining, by the terminal device, that a measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is the mode 2 based on the second capability; receiving, by the terminal device, second indication information from a network device, the second indication information indicating the length of the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer; and determining, by the terminal device, that the measurement mode of the second PRS frequency layer is Mode 2 based on when the length of the second measurement time window is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

14. Reporting, by the terminal device, a first capability to a Location Management Function (LMF), wherein the first capability is associated with a first PRS frequency layer; and The method of any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising: determining, by the terminal device, based on the first capability, that a measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is mode 1.

15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first capability is {N, T}, where N is a duration capability of the terminal device for measuring the first PRS frequency layer, and T is a processing time capability of the terminal device for measuring the first PRS frequency layer.

16. the first capability includes {N, T} and {N2, T2}, where N and N2 are duration capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the first PRS frequency layer, and T and T2 are processing time capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the first PRS frequency layer; determining, by the terminal device, based on the first capability, that a measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is Mode 1; 15. The method of claim 14, comprising receiving, by the terminal device, first indication information from the LMF, the first indication information indicating that the measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is Mode 1.

17. the first capability includes {N, T} and {N2, T2}, where N and N2 are duration capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the first PRS frequency layer, and T and T2 are processing time capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the first PRS frequency layer; determining, by the terminal device, based on the first capability, that a measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is Mode 1; receiving, by the terminal device, second indication information from a network device, the second indication information indicating a length of a first measurement time window of a first PRS frequency layer; and determining, by the terminal device, that the measurement mode of the first PRS frequency layer is Mode 1 based on when the length of the first measurement time window is less than a first threshold.

18. sending, by the terminal device, third indication information to the network device; 18. The method of claim 1, further comprising: the third indication information indicating that the length of the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer is equal to or greater than a second threshold; or the third indication information indicating a first recommended value, the first recommended value being a portion of the length of the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer other than the duration of the PRS resource.

19. receiving, by the terminal device, fourth indication information from the network device, the fourth indication information indicating whether a second PPW is in an active state, and the second PPW is associated with the second PRS frequency layer among the Q PRS frequency layers; The method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, further comprising: determining, by the terminal device, the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer based on the fourth indication information.

20. determining, by the terminal device, the second measurement time window of the second PRS frequency layer based on the fourth indication information, 20. The method of claim 19, comprising: determining, by the terminal device, that the second measurement time window is the second PPW when the fourth indication information indicates that the second PPW is in the active state; or determining, by the terminal device, that the second measurement time window is a second MG when the fourth indication information indicates that the second PPW is in the inactive state.

21. receiving, by the terminal device, fourth indication information from the network device, the fourth indication information indicating whether a first positioning reference signal processing window PPW is in an active state, and the first PPW is associated with the first PRS frequency layer among the P PRS frequency layers; The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4 and 14 to 17, further comprising: determining, by the terminal device, the first measurement time window of the first PRS frequency layer based on the fourth indication information.

22. determining, by the terminal device, the first measurement time window of the first PRS frequency layer based on the fourth indication information, 22. The method of claim 21, comprising: determining, by the terminal device, that the first measurement time window is the first PPW when the fourth indication information indicates that the first PPW is in an active state; or determining, by the terminal device, that the first measurement time window is a first measurement gap MG when the fourth indication information indicates that the first PPW is in an inactive state.

23. 1. A communication method comprising: Reporting capabilities by a terminal device to a Location Management Function (LMF), wherein the capabilities are associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS) frequency layer; and determining, by the terminal device, a measurement mode for the PRS frequency layer based on the capability.

24. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the capabilities include at least one of {N, T} or {N2, T2}, where N and N2 are duration capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layers, and T and T2 are processing time capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layers.

25. determining, by the terminal device, a measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer based on the capability, determining, by the terminal device, when the capability is {N, T}, that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 1; or 25. The method of claim 24, comprising determining, by the terminal device, when the capability is {N2, T2}, that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 2.

26. The capabilities are {N, T} and {N2, T2}, determining, by the terminal device, a measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer based on the capability, receiving, by the terminal device, first indication information from the LMF, the first indication information indicating that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is Mode 1 or Mode 2; and determining, by the terminal device, based on the first indication, that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is Mode 1 or Mode 2.

27. The capabilities are {N, T} and {N2, T2}, and determining, by the terminal device, a measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer based on the capabilities, receiving, by the terminal device, second indication information from a network device, the second indication information indicating a length of a measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer; and determining, by the terminal device, based on the second indication, that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is Mode 1 or Mode 2.

28. determining, by the terminal device, based on the second indication information, that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is Mode 1 or Mode 2; determining, by the terminal device, that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 2 when the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is equal to or greater than a first threshold; Alternatively, the method of claim 27 includes determining, by the terminal device, that the measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is mode 1 when the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is less than a first threshold.

29. sending, by the terminal device, third indication information to the network device; 29. The method of claim 23, further comprising: the third indication information indicating that the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is equal to or greater than a second threshold; or the third indication information indicating a first recommended value, the first recommended value being a portion of the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer other than the duration of a PRS resource.

30. 1. A communication method comprising: receiving, by the terminal device, fourth indication information from a network device, the fourth indication information indicating whether a positioning reference signal processing window PPW is active, and the PPW is associated with a positioning reference signal PRS frequency layer; and determining, by the terminal device, a measurement time window for the PRS frequency layer based on the fourth indication information.

31. determining, by the terminal device, a measurement time window for the PRS frequency layer based on the fourth indication information, When the fourth indication information indicates that the PPW is in the active state, determining by the terminal device that the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is the PPW; or 31. The method of claim 30, comprising determining, by the terminal device, when the fourth indication information indicates that the PPW is in an inactive state, that the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is a measurement gap MG.

32. 1. A communication method comprising: A method comprising: transmitting, by a first device, third indication information to a network device, wherein the third indication information indicates that a length of a measurement time window of a PRS frequency layer is equal to or greater than a second threshold; or the third indication information indicates a first recommended value, wherein the first recommended value is a portion of the length of the measurement time window of a PRS frequency layer other than a duration of a PRS resource.

33. 1. A communication method comprising: receiving, by the network device, third indication information from the first device, the third indication information indicating that a length of a measurement time window of a PRS frequency layer is equal to or greater than a second threshold, or the third indication information indicating a first recommended value, the first recommended value being a portion of the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer other than a duration of a PRS resource; and determining, by the network device, the length of the measurement time window for the PRS frequency layer based on the third indication.

34. determining, by the network device, the length of the measurement time window for the PRS frequency layer based on the third indication information, determining, by the network device, that the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is greater than or equal to the second threshold when the third indication indicates that the length of the measurement time window of the PRS frequency layer is greater than or equal to the second threshold; Alternatively, the method of claim 33 includes, when the third indication information indicates the first recommended value, determining, by the network device, that the length of the measurement time window for the PRS frequency layer is the sum of the first recommended value and a duration of the PRS resource.

35. 35. The method of claim 33 or 34, comprising transmitting, by the network device, second indication information to a terminal device, the second indication information indicating the length of the measurement time window for the PRS frequency layer.

36. 1. A communication method comprising: receiving, by a location management function (LMF), capabilities reported by a terminal device, the reported capabilities being {N, T} and {N2, T2}, the reported capabilities being associated with positioning reference signal (PRS) frequency layers, N and N2 being duration capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layers, and T and T2 being processing time capabilities of the terminal device for measuring the PRS frequency layers; and sending, by the LMF, first indication information to the terminal device based on the reported capability, the first indication information indicating that a measurement mode of the PRS frequency layer is Mode 1 or Mode 2.

37. A communication device, 1. An apparatus including a processor configured to execute a computer program stored in a memory to enable the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 22, or to enable the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 23 to 29, or to enable the apparatus to perform the method of claim 30 or 31, or to enable the apparatus to perform the method of claim 32, or to enable the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 33 to 35, or to enable the apparatus to perform the method of claim 36.

38. 38. The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising the memory.

39. 1. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, the computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which, when running on a computer, enables the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 22, the method of any one of claims 23 to 29, the method of claim 30 or 31, the method of claim 32, the method of any one of claims 33 to 35, or the method of claim 36.

40. A computer program product comprising instructions for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 22, or comprising instructions for performing the method of any one of claims 23 to 29, or comprising instructions for performing the method of claim 30 or 31, or comprising instructions for performing the method of claim 32, or comprising instructions for performing the method of any one of claims 33 to 35, or comprising instructions for performing the method of claim 36.

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