positioning

Abstract

In an embodiment of the present disclosure relating to positioning, a first device receives, from a second device for a wireless access network, a priority configuration for transmission of a first RS for positioning the first device in a frequency hop. The priority configuration indicates a first priority for transmission of the first RS in the frequency hop and a second priority for one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS in a time opportunity associated with the frequency hop. The first device determines, based at least on the priority configuration, whether the first priority for transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority. If the first priority is higher than the second priority, the first device transmits the first RS in the frequency hop.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of telecommunications, and more particularly to devices, methods, apparatus, and computer-readable storage media for positioning. [Background technology]

[0002] New Radio (NR) systems provide positioning support. In the Release 18 NR Study Item Description (SID), positioning enhancements include positioning support for Reduced Capability (RedCap) devices, which include several receive radio frequency (RF) chains and have reduced bandwidth support and reduced complexity.

[0003] In the Release 17 NR work item, the maximum bandwidth considered for RedCap devices was 20 MHz for FR1, but it is 5 MHz for Release 18. The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) evaluates performance assuming 100 MHz for FR1, but performance may be worse in narrowband systems due to low sampling rates. Furthermore, 3GPP considers that RedCap devices may be equipped with only a single antenna as a baseline.

[0004] While RedCap devices may support NR positioning functionality, gaps exist in that core and performance requirements are not specified for the positioning-related measurements performed by RedCap devices, and no evaluation has been performed to determine how the reduced capabilities of RedCap devices affect the final location accuracy. It would be desirable to support positioning for reduced-capability (RedCap) terminal devices with reduced bandwidth and a reduced number of receive RF chains. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Generally, the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for positioning.

[0006] In a first aspect, a first device for a radio access network is provided. The first device includes at least one processor and at least one memory that stores instructions. When executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the first device to at least: receive, from a second device for the radio access network, a priority configuration for transmission of a first reference signal (RS) for positioning the first device in a frequency hop, the priority configuration indicating a first priority for transmission of the first RS in the frequency hop and a second priority for one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS in a time occasion associated with the frequency hop; determine, based on at least the priority configuration, whether the first priority for transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority; and cause transmission of the first RS in the frequency hop based on a determination that the first priority is higher than the second priority.

[0007] In a second aspect, a second device for a radio access network is provided. The second device includes at least one processor and at least one memory that stores instructions. When executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the second device to at least: determine a priority configuration for transmission of a first RS in a frequency hop, where the first RS is for positioning the first device for the radio access network, the priority configuration indicating a first priority of transmission of the first RS in the frequency hop and a second priority of transmission of a channel or signal other than the first RS; and transmit the priority configuration to the first device.

[0008] In a third aspect, a method is provided that may be performed by a first device for a radio access network, the method including: receiving, at the first device, from a second device for the radio access network, a priority configuration for transmission of a first reference signal (RS) for positioning the first device in a frequency hop, the priority configuration indicating a first priority for transmission of the first RS in the frequency hop and a second priority for one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS in a time opportunity associated with the frequency hop; determining, based on at least the priority configuration, whether the first priority for transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority; and transmitting the first RS in the frequency hop based on a determination that the first priority is higher than the second priority.

[0009] In a fourth aspect, a method is provided, which may be performed by a second device for a radio access network, the method including: determining, at the second device, a priority configuration for transmission of a first RS in a frequency hop, the first RS being for positioning the first device for the radio access network, the priority configuration indicating a first priority for transmission of the first RS in the frequency hop and a second priority for one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS in a time opportunity associated with the frequency hop; and transmitting the priority configuration to the first device.

[0010] In a fifth aspect, a first apparatus is provided, comprising: means, in a first device for a radio access network, for receiving, from a second device for the radio access network, a priority configuration for transmission of a first reference signal (RS) for positioning the first device in a frequency hop, the priority configuration indicating a first priority of transmission of the first RS in the frequency hop and a second priority of one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS in a time opportunity associated with the frequency hop; means for determining, based on at least the priority configuration, whether the first priority of transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority; and means for transmitting the first RS in the frequency hop based on a determination that the first priority is higher than the second priority.

[0011] In a sixth aspect, a second apparatus is provided, comprising: means for determining, in a second device for a radio access network, a priority configuration for transmission of a first RS in a frequency hop, the first RS being for positioning the first device for the radio access network, the priority configuration indicating a first priority for transmission of the first RS in the frequency hop and a second priority for one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS in a time opportunity associated with the frequency hop; and means for transmitting the priority configuration to the first device.

[0012] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to perform at least a method according to either the third or fourth aspect.

[0013] It should be understood that the summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily apparent through the following description.

[0014] Several exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary communication network in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of multi-Round Trip Time (RTT) positioning, according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 10A-10C are diagrams illustrating examples of frequency hopping for reference signals, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 10A-10C are diagrams illustrating examples of frequency hopping for reference signals, in accordance with some other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 10 is a signaling chart illustrating a process for positioning according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 10 is a signaling chart illustrating a process for positioning according to some other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of frequency hopping for a reference signal, in accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart of a method implemented in a first device, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart of a method implemented in a second device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an apparatus suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer-readable medium according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numbers represent the same or similar elements.

[0017] The principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are set forth merely for illustrative purposes, to aid those skilled in the art in understanding and implementing the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various ways other than those described below.

[0018] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0019] In this disclosure, references to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "exemplary embodiment," and the like indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not all embodiments necessarily include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an exemplary embodiment, it is within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

[0020] While the terms "first," "second," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, it should be understood that these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element, without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0021] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms "comprise," "comprising," "have," "having," "include," and / or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components, etc., but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0022] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementation (e.g., implementation using only analog and / or digital circuitry); (b) Combinations of hardware circuitry and software, such as (where applicable): (i) any combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware; (ii) any portion of a hardware processor with software (including digital signal processors, software, and memory that work together to cause a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions); (c) A hardware circuit and / or processor, such as a microprocessor or portion of a microprocessor, that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation but may not be present when software is not required for operation.

[0023] This definition of circuit applies to all uses of the term within this application, including any claims. As a further example, the term circuit, as used herein, also covers simply a hardware circuit or processor (or processors), or portions of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware implementations. The term circuit also covers, for example, and where applicable to certain claim elements, baseband or processor integrated circuits for mobile devices, or similar integrated circuits within servers, cellular network devices, or other computing or network devices.

[0024] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network conforming to any suitable communication standard, such as a fifth-generation (5G) system, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), or Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT). Furthermore, communications between terminal devices and network devices within a communication network may be conducted according to any suitable generation communication protocol, including, but not limited to, first-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth-generation (5G) New Radio (NR) communication protocols, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communication systems. Given the rapid development of communications, there will naturally be future types of communication technologies and systems in which the present disclosure may be embodied. The scope of the present disclosure should not be considered limited to only the systems described above.

[0025] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communication network through which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. Depending on the applied terminology and technology, a network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), e.g., a Node B (NodeB or NB), evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), NR Next Generation Node B (gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a Radio Header (RH), a Remote Radio Head (RRH), a repeater, a femto, a pico, or other low-power node. The RAN-split architecture includes a gNB-CU (a centralized unit hosting RRC, SDAP, and PDCP) that controls multiple gNB-DUs (distributed units hosting RLC, MAC, and PHY).

[0026] The term "terminal device" refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example and not limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), subscriber station (SS), portable subscriber station, mobile station (MS), or access terminal (AT). Terminal devices may include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, tablets, wearable terminal devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback equipment, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer premises equipment (CPE), Internet of Things (loT) devices, watches or other wearables, head-mounted displays (HMDs), vehicles, drones, medical devices and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in industrial and / or automated processing chain contexts), customer electronics devices, devices operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, and the like. In the following description, the terms "terminal device", "communication device", "terminal", "user equipment", and "UE" may be used interchangeably.

[0027] While the functions described herein may be performed in fixed and / or wireless network nodes in various exemplary embodiments, in other exemplary embodiments, the functions may be performed in a user equipment device (such as a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, desktop computer, or mobile or fixed IoT device). Such a user equipment device may be equipped with corresponding capabilities, for example, as described in connection with the fixed and / or wireless network nodes, where appropriate. The user equipment device may be user equipment and / or a control device, such as a chipset or processor, configured to control the user equipment when installed therein. Examples of such functions include a bootstrap server function and / or a home subscriber server, which may be implemented within the user equipment device by providing the user equipment device with software configured to cause the user equipment device to act from the perspective of these functions / nodes.

[0028] 1 illustrates an exemplary communication network 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. Network 100 may include a first device 110, second devices 120-1 and 120-2, and a third device 130, which may communicate with each other. Hereinafter, for brevity, second devices 120-1 and 120-2 may be referred to collectively as second device 120 or individually as second device 120.

[0029] In some embodiments, some of the first device 110, the second device 120, and the third device 130 may be implemented as terminal devices, and others may be implemented as network devices. In such embodiments, for example, the first device 110 may be implemented as a terminal device for a radio access network. For example, the first device 110 may be implemented as a Reduced Capability (RedCap) device. In such embodiments, the second device 120 may be implemented as a network device for the radio access network, and the third device 130 may be implemented as a network device for the radio access network or for the core network. For example, the second device 120 may be implemented as a gNB, and the third device 130 may be implemented as a Location Management Function (LMF) entity. The LMF entity may be implemented in the radio access network or in the core network.

[0030] In such an embodiment, the second device 120-1 may be serving the first device 110, and the second device 120-2 may not be serving the first device 110. In such an embodiment, the second device 120-1 may be referred to as a serving network device, and the second device 120-2 may be referred to as a neighbor network device.

[0031] Additionally, in such an embodiment, each of second devices 120-1 and 120-2 may be implemented as a transmit receive point (TRP).

[0032] In other embodiments, each of the first device 110, the second device 120, and the third device 130 may be implemented as a terminal device. In such embodiments, the first device 110, the second device 120, and the third device 130 may communicate with each other via a sidelink therebetween.

[0033] It should be understood that the number of network devices and terminal devices is for illustrative purposes only, without implying any limitation. Network 100 may include any suitable number of network devices and terminal devices adapted to implement embodiments of the present disclosure. Although not shown, it should be understood that one or more terminal devices may be served by second device 120. In addition, it should be understood that there may be more neighboring network devices near the terminal device.

[0034] Communications within communication network 100 may occur according to any suitable communication protocol, including, but not limited to, first generation (1G), second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), and fifth generation (5G) and the like cellular communication protocols, wireless local network communication protocols such as Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 and the like, and / or any other protocol now known or to be developed in the future. Further, the communications may utilize any suitable wireless communications technology, including, but not limited to, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM), Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM), and / or any other technology now known or to be developed in the future.

[0035] In some embodiments, multi-cell round trip time (multi-RTT) positioning of the first device 110 may be performed within the network 100.

[0036] 2 illustrates an example of multi-RTT positioning according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, for purposes of multi-RTT positioning, the second device 120-1 transmits a second reference signal (RS) to the first device 110 and records the time (represented by t0) at which it transmitted the second RS. Upon receiving the second RS from the second device 120-1, the first device 110 records the time (represented by t1) at which it received the second RS.

[0037] The first device 110 may transmit a first RS to the second device 120-1 and record the time (represented by t2) at which it transmitted the first RS. Upon receiving the first RS from the first device 110, the second device 120-1 may record the time (represented by t3) at which it received the first RS. The second device 120-1 may then determine a first time difference between t3 and t0, i.e., t3 - t0.

[0038] In some embodiments, first device 110 may determine a second time difference between t2 and t1 (ie, t2-t1) and transmit the second time difference to second device 120-1.

[0039] Upon receiving the second time difference (t2-t1), the third device 130 may determine a first RTT between the second device 120-1 and the first device 110 based on the first time difference and the second time difference. For example, the second device 120-1 may report the first time difference (t3-t0) to the third device, and the first device may report the second time difference (t2-t1). Based on the provided measurement information, the third device determines that the first RTT is the difference between the first time difference and the second time difference, i.e., (t3-t0)-(t2-t1).

[0040] Similarly, the third device 130 may determine a second RTT between the second device 120-2 and the first device 110.

[0041] In some embodiments, second device 120-1 and second device 120-2 may each transmit an Rx-Tx time difference measurement to third device 130. Alternatively, first device 110 and second device 120 may transmit their respective time differences directly to third device 130, which may determine their respective RTTs. Third device 130 may then determine the location of first device 110 based on the first RTT and second RTT.

[0042] Alternatively, the second device 120-2 may transmit the second RTT to the second device 120-1, and the second device 120-1 may determine the location of the first device 110 based on the first RTT and the second RTT.

[0043] In some embodiments, the first RS may include, but is not limited to, a sounding reference signal (SRS), and the second RS may include, but is not limited to, a positioning reference signal (PRS). The first RS may include a sidelink positioning reference signal. The sidelink positioning reference signal may include an RS transmitted from one UE to another UE for positioning purposes. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described by taking SRS and PRS as examples. However, other types of reference signals may be applied to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0044] Frequency bandwidth resources are an important factor for positioning accuracy for both downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) positioning, especially for TDOA (Time Difference Of Arrival) and Multi-RTT positioning technologies because they use timing measurements. To overcome performance degradation from narrow bandwidth resources, frequency hopping for at least one of the first RS and the second RS may be applied to increase the effective bandwidth for positioning while maintaining the instantaneous bandwidth within a maximum bandwidth, such as the RedCap maximum bandwidth. For example, the RedCap maximum bandwidth may be 20 MHz for FR1 and 100 MHz for FR2. In this manner, at least one of the first RS and the second RS may be transmitted each time with a narrow SRS bandwidth, enabling coherent processing across multiple frequency hops at the second device 120.

[0045] 3 illustrates an example 300 of frequency hopping for SRS in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In example 300, each of frequency hops 310, 320, and 330 consists of a single SRS resource. In this regard, frequency hops 310, 320, and 330 may be referred to as SRS resources 310, 320, and 330.

[0046] 3, the first device 110 transmits an SRS at each of successive frequency hops 310, 320, and 330. For example, the first device 110 transmits an SRS at each of transmission opportunities 312, 322, and 332. The first RS may include an SRS for positioning or an SRS for MIMO. Hereinafter, the transmission opportunity may also be referred to as a time opportunity. In other words, in example 300, the first RS may be a single SRS.

[0047] A single SRS frequency hop may be defined within a single UL BWP, for example, the bandwidth of a single UL BWP may be 20 MHz.

[0048] The first device 110 may transmit each of the three SRSs in a respective UL bandwidth part (BWP). That is, the three SRSs are transmitted over three different uplink BWPs. To transmit the three SRSs at different frequency hops, the first device 110 may need to perform BWP switching. Thus, there is a time gap for RF switching between transmission opportunity 312 and transmission opportunity 322, and there is a time gap for RF switching between transmission opportunity 322 and transmission opportunity 332.

[0049] The second device 120 receives the three SRSs at frequency hops 310, 320, and 330, stitches the three SRSs together, and performs coherent processing to extract a single positioning measurement from the wideband SRS 340.

[0050] However, in example 300, if first device 110 misses the opportunity to transmit SRS in frequency hop 320 but transmits SRS in each of frequency hops 310 and 330, second device 120 will not be able to perform coherent processing.

[0051] Based on Release 16 and Release 17 NR positioning, it is feasible for the first device 110 to drop an SRS transmission when there is a collision between a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) transmission and an SRS transmission. TS38.214 specifies that "For operation on the same carrier, if the SRS configured by the higher-level parameter SRS-PosResource collides with a scheduled PUSCH, the SRS shall be dropped in the symbol where the collision occurs."

[0052] In the case of SRS frequency hopping, missed opportunities to transmit SRS in a particular SRS frequency hop should be addressed.

[0053] 4 illustrates an example 400 of frequency hopping for SRS in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In example 400, all configured frequency hops 410, 420, and 430 consist of a single SRS resource 405. In this regard, each of frequency hops 410, 420, and 430 may be referred to as a portion of the single SRS resource 405 or a repetition of the single SRS resource 405.

[0054] In example 400, the SRS resource configuration may include a repetition number for inter-slot and / or intra-slot repetition. For example, the first device 110 may be configured with SRS resource 405, and the configured repetition number is three. In each of repetitions 410, 420, and 430 (i.e., in each transmission opportunity), the first device 110 transmits a portion of the SRS, although it may be up to the first device 110 as to which portion it should transmit. In other words, in example 400, the first RS may be a "piece" or "segment" of the SRS. It should be understood that from a receiver's perspective, all the pieces or segments of the SRS may be considered a single SRS after they are combined.

[0055] The difference between example 300 and example 400 is that in example 300, second device 120 configures which SRS frequency hops should be transmitted in each SRS transmission opportunity, so that second device 120 can avoid unnecessary frequency resource allocation. Example 400 requires reserving unnecessary frequency resources, but the configuration method may be simpler.

[0056] To solve the above and other potential problems, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for positioning. In this solution, a first device receives, from a second device for a radio access network, a priority configuration for transmission of a first RS for positioning the first device at a frequency hop. The priority configuration indicates a first priority for transmission of the first RS at the frequency hop and a second priority for one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS at a time opportunity associated with the frequency hop. The first device determines, based at least on the priority configuration, whether the first priority for transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority. If the first priority is higher than the second priority, the first device transmits the first RS at the frequency hop. In this manner, transmission of the first RS at a time opportunity can be ensured. Therefore, missing an opportunity to transmit the first RS at a specific frequency hop can be avoided.

[0057] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure according to a first aspect will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0058] 5 illustrates a signaling chart illustrating a process 500 for positioning according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For purposes of discussion, process 500 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. Process 500 may involve first device 110 and second device 120 in FIG. 1.

[0059] 5, the second device 120 determines 510 a priority configuration for transmission of the first RS for positioning the first device 110 at a frequency hop. The priority configuration indicates a first priority for transmission of the first RS at a frequency hop and a second priority for one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS at a time opportunity associated with the frequency hop.

[0060] In some embodiments, the one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS include a transmission of at least one of a PUSCH, a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), or a reference signal other than the first RS.

[0061] The second device 120 transmits 520 the priority configuration to the first device 110 .

[0062] Upon receiving the priority configuration from the second device 120, the first device 110 determines 530 whether the first priority of the transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority based on at least the priority configuration, and based on the determination that the first priority is higher than the second priority, the first device 110 transmits 540 the first RS in a frequency hop.

[0063] For example, the first device 110 may determine that the first priority is higher than the second priority by comparing the first priority with the second priority. In an example, the first device 110 refrains from (i.e., does not transmit) the first RS in the frequency hop based on determining that the first priority is lower than the second priority. In such a case, the first device 110 may transmit some other transmission, such as a PUSCH transmission, instead.

[0064] In the process 500, if the first priority of the transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority of one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS at the time opportunity associated with the frequency hop, the first device 110 transmits the first RS at the frequency hop 540. In this manner, the transmission of the first RS at the time opportunity can be ensured. Thus, missing the opportunity to transmit the first RS at a particular frequency hop can be avoided.

[0065] In some embodiments, the first RS may be a single SRS, as described with reference to Figure 3. Alternatively, the first RS may be a "fragment" or "segment" of an SRS, as described with reference to Figure 4.

[0066] In some embodiments, the second device 120 may not successfully receive the first RS or acquire positioning measurements for the first RS at a particular frequency hop. In such embodiments, the second device 120 may send a request 550 to the first device 110 for retransmission of the first RS using the dedicated frequency hop.

[0067] Upon receiving the request, the first device 110 may retransmit 560 the first RS to the second device 120 using dedicated frequency hops.

[0068] In some embodiments, the first RS may include, but is not limited to, an SRS. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described by taking an SRS as an example. However, other types of reference signals may be applied to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0069] In some embodiments, the second device 120 transmits configuration information associated with the first RS to the first device 110. The configuration information may indicate multiple consecutive frequency hops within the periodicity of the SRS resource for transmission of the SRS. Hereinafter, the number of multiple consecutive frequency hops within the periodicity of the SRS resource is denoted as M.

[0070] In some embodiments, the priority configuration may include a first number of consecutive frequency hops for transmission of the first RS. Hereinafter, the first number is denoted as K, where 1 <K≦Mである。

[0071] In some embodiments, the first number (K) is associated with a first positioning capability of the first device 110. For example, the first positioning capability may be a desired positioning capability. For example, the desired positioning capability may be a horizontal positioning accuracy of less than 1 meter. To achieve this positioning capability, at least four frequency hops may be required, with 20 MHz for each frequency hop. The first device may be configured with K=4.

[0072] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may determine that a first priority for transmission of the first RS in a first number (K) of consecutive frequency hops is higher than a second priority for transmission of other channels or signals. In other words, the first device 110 may place a higher priority on transmission of the first RS in the first number (K) of consecutive frequency hops. Until the first device 110 transmits the first RS from the first number (K) of consecutive frequency hops, the first device 110 does not drop any transmission of the first RS, even if there is a PUSCH scheduled on an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol configured with at least one resource for the first RS.

[0073] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may determine that a first priority of transmission of the first RS in a first number (K) of consecutive frequency hops is lower than a second priority. If transmission of the first RS is not performed in at least one of the first number (K) of consecutive frequency hops, the first device 110 may determine not to perform transmission of the first RS in the remaining consecutive frequency hops of the first number (K) of consecutive frequency hops.

[0074] In such an embodiment, while the first device 110 transmits the first RS, the first device 110 follows the legacy rule such that PUSCH transmission has higher priority than the transmission of the first RS. However, if the first device 110 determines that it cannot transmit the first RS in at least one of the first number (K) consecutive frequency hops, it drops the transmission of the remaining part of the first RS in the remaining frequency hops. Alternatively, the first device 110 may assume that the transmission of the first RS has lower priority for the remainder of the frequency hops, even if some of the remainder of the frequency hops do not include a PUSCH (or other high-priority channel and reference signal) on the same symbol.

[0075] In some embodiments, the priority configuration may include a second number of consecutive frequency hops for transmission of the first RS. Hereinafter, the second number is represented as L, where L is the number of hops in a given frequency range. <L<Kである。

[0076] In some embodiments, the second number (L) is associated with a second positioning performance of the first device 110. The second positioning performance is lower than the first positioning performance. For example, the second positioning performance may be a minimum positioning performance. For example, the minimum positioning performance may be a horizontal positioning accuracy of less than 3 m. To achieve this positioning performance, at least two frequency hops may be required, with each frequency hop being 20 MHz. The first device may be configured with K=2.

[0077] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may determine that a first priority of transmission of the first RS in a second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops is lower than a second priority. If transmission of the first RS is successful in the second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops, the first device 110 may determine that a first priority of transmission of the first RS in a fourth number of consecutive frequency hops is higher than a second priority.

[0078] In some embodiments, the priority configuration includes a first number and a second number, and a fourth number is equal to the difference between the first number (K) and the second number (L), i.e., K - L.

[0079] For example, assume that N represents the number of first RSs transmitted in consecutive frequency hops. When 1 < N <= L, the legacy priority rule is applied for the transmission of the first RS and PUSCH. That is, the transmission of the first RS has a lower priority than the PUSCH transmission. When L < N <= K, the transmission of the first RS has a higher priority than the PUSCH transmission.

[0080] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the fourth number is equal to the difference between the number of time opportunities (M) associated with the transmission of the first RS and the second number (L). For example, the number of time opportunities associated with the transmission of the first RS can be the number of consecutive frequency hops within the periodicity of the SRS resource.

[0081] In such embodiments, the first device 110 may follow the legacy priority rule while transmitting the first RS from the second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops. That is, the first device 110 transmits the first RS in L consecutive frequency hops in accordance with the legacy rule (i.e., PUSCH has a higher priority than the first RS). If the first device 110 successfully transmits the first RS in the second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops, the first device 110 places a higher priority on the transmission of the first RS for the remaining (K - L) frequency hops. Such embodiments can ensure the transmission of the first RS in the first number (K) of consecutive frequency hops to support the first positioning performance (such as the desired positioning performance).

[0082] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the first device 110 may determine that the first priority of transmitting the first RS in the second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops is higher than the second priority. If the transmission of the first RS is successfully performed in the second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops, the first device 110 may determine that the first priority of transmitting the first RS in the fourth number of consecutive frequency hops is lower than the second priority. The fourth number is equal to the difference between the first number (K) and the second number (L), i.e., K - L.

[0083] For example, assume that N represents the number of the first RS transmitted in consecutive frequency hops. If 1 < N <= L, the high priority is applied for transmitting the first RS, and the low priority is applied for PUSCH transmission. If L < N <= K, the lower priority is applied for transmitting the first RS, and the high priority is applied for PUSCH transmission.

[0084] In such embodiments, after the first device 110 successfully transmits the first RS in the second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops, the first device 110 reduces the priority of transmitting the first RS for the remaining (K - L) frequency hops. That is, such embodiments guarantee the transmission of the first RS in at least the second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops.

[0085] [[ID=!12]]As described above, in some embodiments, the multi-RTT positioning of the first device 110 may be performed within the network 100.

[0086] In embodiments where the multi-RTT positioning of the first device 110 is performed, the first device 110 may first receive the second RS from the second device 120 and then transmit the first RS to the second device 120, as shown in FIG. 2. In such embodiments, the first device 110 may determine the first priority of transmitting the first RS based on the reception and measurement of the second RS.

[0087] It should be noted that there seems to be a small error in the original text where "上に説明されたように" in line 12 is translated as "As described above" in the current translation, but in the original text, there is an exclamation mark (!) in front of the sentence which is not reflected in the translation. You may want to double-check this with the original source for accuracy.In some embodiments, the priority configuration may include a third number of consecutive frequency hops for reception of the second RS from the second device 120. Hereinafter, the third number is represented as Z, where Z>1.

[0088] In some embodiments, if the second RS is successfully received in a fifth number of consecutive frequency hops and positioning measurements of the second RS are successfully performed in the fifth number of consecutive frequency hops, the first device 110 may determine that the first priority of the transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority of the transmission of other channels or signals.

[0089] In some embodiments, the fifth number is received from the second device 120 .

[0090] In some embodiments, the positioning measurements may include at least one of: timing measurements, carrier phase measurements, Reference Signal Receiving Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Receiving Power per signal path (RSRPP), or Reference Signal Receiving Quality (RSRQ).

[0091] In some embodiments, the fifth number may be greater than the third number (Z). For example, the fifth number may be equal to the total number of consecutive frequency hops configured for receiving the second RS from the second device 120. In such an embodiment, if the first device 110 successfully receives all configured PRSs in the fifth number of frequency hops and if the first device 110 successfully measures positioning measurements from the PRSs from the frequency hops, the first device 110 places a high priority on transmitting the SRS in the frequency hops. Note that a high priority on transmitting the SRS in the frequency hops means that the first device 110 transmits the SRS in the frequency hops, although the PUSCH is scheduled on the symbols in which the SRS frequency hops are configured.

[0092] In other embodiments, the fifth number may be equal to the third number (Z). In such embodiments, once the first device 110 successfully receives the third number (Z) of PRSs at the frequency hops required to provide a particular level of performance and the first device 110 successfully measures positioning measurements from the third number (Z) of PRSs at the frequency hops, the first device 110 ignores the legacy behavior of higher priority for PUSCH transmissions and places higher priority on the transmission of SRS at the frequency hops. Note that higher priority for the transmission of SRS at the frequency hops means that the PUSCH is scheduled on the symbols where the SRS frequency hops are configured, but the first device 110 transmits the SRS at the frequency hops.

[0093] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may determine not to transmit the first RS in a frequency hop. In such embodiments, if the first device 110 determines that the second RS is not successfully received in at least one of the third number (Z) consecutive frequency hops and that positioning measurements of the second RS are not successfully performed in at least one of the third number (Z) consecutive frequency hops, the first device 110 may determine not to transmit the first RS in a frequency hop.

[0094] In such an embodiment, if the first device 110 does not successfully receive a PRS at a frequency hop required to provide a particular level of performance, and if the first device 110 does not successfully measure positioning measurements from the PRS at a frequency hop, the first device 110 drops the transmission of the SRS at the frequency hop. Additionally, the first device 110 may report to the third device 130 that it failed to acquire positioning measurements.

[0095] In an embodiment in which multi-RTT positioning of the first device 110 is performed, the first device 110 may first transmit a first RS to the second device 120 and then receive a second RS from the second device 120. In such an embodiment, the first device 110 may determine a third priority for measuring the second RS received from the second device 120.

[0096] In some embodiments, if the first RS is successfully transmitted in the sixth number of consecutive frequency hops, the first device 110 may determine that the third priority of measuring the second RS is higher than the fourth priority for receiving or processing channels or signals other than the second RS.

[0097] In some embodiments, the sixth number is received from the second device 120 .

[0098] In some embodiments, the at least one channel or at least one signal other than the second RS may include, but is not limited to, a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) or a reference signal other than a PRS.

[0099] In some embodiments, the sixth number may be greater than the first number (K). For example, the sixth number may be equal to the number (M) of consecutive frequency hops in the SRS resource periodicity. In such an embodiment, if the first device 110 successfully transmits all configured SRSs at M frequency hops, the first device 110 places a higher priority on measuring PRSs at frequency hops within the PRS processing window. That is, if the PRS measurement priority is configured as "low," the first device 110 places a higher priority on PRS measurements by ignoring the configured priority.

[0100] In some embodiments, the sixth number may be equal to the first number (K). In such embodiments, once the first device 110 successfully transmits the sixth number of SRSs at a frequency hop required to provide a particular level of performance, the first device 110 places a higher priority on measuring PRSs at the frequency hop. That is, if the priority of PRS measurements is configured as "low," the first device 110 places a higher priority on PRS measurements by ignoring the configured priority.

[0101] In some embodiments, if the first RS is not successfully transmitted in at least one of the seventh number of consecutive frequency hops, the first device 110 may determine that the third priority of measuring the second RS is lower than the fourth priority for receiving or processing channels or signals other than the second RS. In such embodiments, if the first device 110 does not successfully transmit an SRS in a frequency hop required to provide a particular level of performance, and if the first device 110 does not successfully measure positioning measurements from a PRS in a frequency hop, the first device 110 places a lower priority on PRS measurements within the PRS processing window.

[0102] 6 illustrates a signaling chart illustrating a process 600 for positioning according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Process 600 may be considered an exemplary implementation of process 500. For purposes of discussion, process 600 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. Process 600 may involve first device 110, second device 120, and third device 130 in FIG. 1.

[0103] In process 600, second device 120-1 may be serving first device 110, and second device 120-2 may not be serving first device 110. In such an embodiment, second device 120-1 may be referred to as a serving network device, and second device 120-2 may be referred to as a neighboring network device.

[0104] Actions 510, 520, 530, and 540 in process 600 are the same as those in process 500. Details of these actions are omitted for brevity.

[0105] Process 600 differs from process 500 in actions 610 , 615 , 620 , 625 , 630 , 635 , 640 , 645 , and 650 .

[0106] Specifically, the first device 110 transmits capability information to the second device 120-1 610. The capability information may indicate that the first device 110 is a normal UE or a RedCap UE.

[0107] Upon receiving the capability information, second device 120-1 may transmit 615 the capability information to third device 130. Alternatively, first device 110 may transmit the capability information directly to third device 130.

[0108] The second device 120-1 transmits 620 configuration information associated with the first RS to the first device 110. The configuration information may include at least one of: an identifier (ID) of a resource for transmission of the first RS, or an ID of a frequency hop for transmission of the first RS.

[0109] For example, the configuration information may indicate multiple SRS resources across multiple UL BWPs within the SRS resource periodicity, as shown in Figure 3. In another example, the configuration information may indicate multiple repetitions of a single SRS resource across multiple UL BWPs within the SRS resource periodicity, as shown in Figure 4.

[0110] The second device 120-1 transmits 625 configuration information associated with the first RS to the second device 120-2. The configuration information may include information regarding which frequency hop is used at each transmission opportunity for the first RS. This information helps the second device 120-2 (such as a neighboring gNB) measure the first RS at the frequency hop and perform aggregation operations.

[0111] The second device 120-1 transmits 630 the configuration information associated with the first RS to the third device 130.

[0112] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may transmit the first RS in a frequency hop at a different transmit opportunity than the configured transmit opportunity, as described with reference to FIG.

[0113] FIG. 7 illustrates an example 700 of frequency hopping for SRS, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0114] Example 700 is similar to example 400. Example 700 differs from example 400 in that, in example 700, the first device 110 transmits a first portion of the SRS at the frequency hop 410 at the first time opportunity 710, but the first device 110 fails to transmit a second portion of the SRS at the frequency hop 420 at the second time opportunity 720. The first device 110 then places a high priority on transmitting the second portion of the SRS. That is, as shown in FIG. 7 , although the third portion of the SRS is to be transmitted at the third time opportunity 730, if the first device 110 fails to transmit the second portion of the SRS at the frequency hop 420 at the second time opportunity 720, the first device 110 must attempt to transmit the second portion of the SRS at the frequency hop 430 or at the frequency hop 740 at the third time opportunity 730.

[0115] Returning to Figure 6, in an embodiment in which the first device 110 was transmitting the first RS in a frequency hop at a different transmit opportunity than the configured transmit opportunity, the first device 110 may transmit information regarding the resource used for transmission of the first RS to the second device 120-1 635. For example, the information regarding the resource may include at least one of: an SRS resource ID, a frequency hop ID associated with the SRS resource ID, or a transmission opportunity index associated with the SRS resource ID.

[0116] Then, as the second device 120-2 receives and measures the first SRS, the second device 120-1 may transmit 640 to the second device 120-2 information regarding the resources used for transmitting the first RS.

[0117] Upon receiving and measuring the first SRS, the second device 120-1 transmits 645 positioning measurements to the third device.

[0118] Similarly, upon receiving and measuring the first SRS, the second device 120-2 transmits 650 positioning measurements to the third device 130.

[0119] 8 shows a flowchart of an example method 800 performed at a first device, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For purposes of discussion, the method 800 will be described from the perspective of the first device 110 with respect to FIG.

[0120] In block 810, the first device receives, from a second device for a wireless access network, a priority configuration for transmission of a first RS for positioning the first device at a frequency hop, the priority configuration indicating a first priority for transmission of the first RS at the frequency hop and a second priority for one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS at a time opportunity associated with the frequency hop.

[0121] At block 820, the first device 110 determines whether the first priority of the transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority based at least on the priority configuration.

[0122] At block 830, based on determining that the first priority is higher than the second priority, the first device 110 transmits the first RS in the frequency hop.

[0123] In some embodiments, the one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS include a transmission of a PUSCH.

[0124] In some embodiments, the priority configuration includes at least one of: a first number (K) of consecutive frequency hops for transmission of the first RS, a second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops for transmission of the first RS, the second number being less than the first number, or a third number (Z) of consecutive frequency hops for reception of the second RS from the second device.

[0125] In some embodiments, the first number (K) is associated with a first positioning capability for the first device, and the second number (L) is associated with a second positioning capability for the first device that is lower than the first positioning capability.

[0126] In some embodiments, the method 800 further includes: receiving a request for retransmission of the first RS using a dedicated frequency hop from the second device; and retransmitting the first RS to the second device in the dedicated frequency hop.

[0127] In some embodiments, determining whether a first priority of a transmission of the first RS is higher than a second priority includes: determining that a first priority of a transmission of the first RS in a first number (K) consecutive frequency hops is higher than a second priority.

[0128] In some embodiments, determining whether the first priority of the transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority includes: determining that the first priority of the transmission of the first RS in a first number (K) consecutive frequency hops is lower than the second priority.

[0129] In some embodiments, following a determination that transmission of the first RS will not occur in at least one of the first number (K) consecutive frequency hops, the first device determines not to transmit the first RS in the remaining consecutive frequency hops of the first number (K) consecutive frequency hops.

[0130] In some embodiments, determining whether the first priority of the transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority includes: determining that the first priority of the transmission of the first RS in a second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops is lower than the second priority; and determining that the first priority of the transmission of the first RS in a fourth number (L) of consecutive frequency hops is higher than the second priority in accordance with determining that the transmission of the first RS is successfully performed in the second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops.

[0131] In some embodiments, determining whether the first priority of the transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority includes: determining that the first priority of the transmission of the first RS in a second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops is higher than the second priority; and, in accordance with determining that the transmission of the first RS is successfully performed in the second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops, determining that the first priority of the transmission of the first RS in a fourth number of consecutive frequency hops is lower than the second priority.

[0132] In some embodiments, the priority configuration includes a first number and a second number, and the fourth number is equal to the difference between the first number (K) and the second number (L).

[0133] In some embodiments, the fourth number is equal to the difference between the number of time opportunities associated with transmission of the first RS (M) and the second number (L).

[0134] In some embodiments, the method 800 further includes receiving a second RS from the second device.

[0135] In some embodiments, the first device determines, based on receiving and measuring the second RS, whether the first priority of the transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority.

[0136] In some embodiments, determining whether the first priority of the transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority includes: determining that the first priority of the transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority in accordance with determining that the second RS is successfully received in a fifth number of consecutive frequency hops and that positioning measurements of the second RS are successfully performed in the fifth number of consecutive frequency hops.

[0137] In some embodiments, the fifth number is received from the second device.

[0138] In some embodiments, the fifth number is greater than or equal to the third number (Z).

[0139] In some embodiments, the first device determines not to transmit the first RS in a frequency hop by determining that the second RS is not successfully received in at least one of a third number (Z) of consecutive frequency hops or that positioning measurements of the second RS are not successfully performed in at least one of a third number (Z) of consecutive frequency hops.

[0140] In some embodiments, the method 800 further includes determining a third priority for measurements of the second RS received from the second device.

[0141] In some embodiments, determining a third priority for measuring the second RS includes: determining, in accordance with determining that the first RS is successfully transmitted in the sixth number of consecutive frequency hops, that the third priority for measuring the second RS is higher than a fourth priority for receiving or processing at least one channel or at least one signal other than the second RS.

[0142] In some embodiments, the sixth number is received from the second device.

[0143] In some embodiments, the sixth number is greater than or equal to the first number (K).

[0144] In some embodiments, determining a third priority for measuring the second RS includes: determining, in accordance with a determination that the first RS is not successfully transmitted in at least one of the seventh number of consecutive frequency hops, that the third priority for measuring the second RS is lower than a fourth priority for receiving or processing at least one channel or at least one signal other than the second RS.

[0145] 9 shows a flowchart of an example method 900 implemented in a second device, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For purposes of discussion, the method 900 will be described from the perspective of the second device 120 with respect to FIG.

[0146] At block 910, the second device 120 determines a priority configuration for transmission of a first RS at a frequency hop, the first RS being for positioning the first device for a wireless access network, the priority configuration indicating a first priority for transmission of the first RS at a frequency hop and a second priority for one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS at a time opportunity associated with the frequency hop.

[0147] In block 920, the second device 120 transmits the priority configuration to the first device.

[0148] In some embodiments, the one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS include a transmission of a PUSCH.

[0149] In some embodiments, the priority configuration includes at least one of: a first number (K) of consecutive frequency hops for transmission of the first RS, a second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops for transmission of the first RS, the second number being less than the first number, or a third number (Z) of consecutive frequency hops for reception of the second RS from the second device.

[0150] In some embodiments, a first number (K) is associated with a first positioning capability for a first device, and a second number (L) is associated with a second positioning capability for the first device that is lower than the first positioning capability.

[0151] In some embodiments, the method 900 further includes: sending a request to the first device for retransmission of the first RS using a dedicated frequency hop; and receiving the first RS from the first device at the dedicated frequency hop.

[0152] In some embodiments, determining the priority configuration includes: causing a first priority of transmission of the first RS in a first number (K) of consecutive frequency hops to be determined to be higher than a second priority.

[0153] In some embodiments, determining the priority configuration includes: causing a first priority of transmission of the first RS in a first number (K) of consecutive frequency hops to be determined to be lower than a second priority; and, in accordance with a determination that transmission of the first RS will not occur in at least one of the first number (K) of consecutive frequency hops, causing transmission of the first RS to be determined not to occur in remaining consecutive frequency hops of the first number (K) of consecutive frequency hops.

[0154] In some embodiments, determining the priority configuration includes: causing a first priority of a transmission of the first RS in a second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops to be determined to be lower than the second priority; and, following a determination that the transmission of the first RS is successfully performed in the second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops, causing a first priority of a transmission of the first RS in a fourth number of consecutive frequency hops to be determined to be higher than the second priority.

[0155] In some embodiments, determining the priority configuration includes: causing a first priority of a transmission of the first RS in a second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops to be determined to be higher than the second priority; and, in accordance with a determination that the transmission of the first RS is successful in the second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops, causing a first priority of a transmission of the first RS in a fourth number of consecutive frequency hops to be determined to be lower than the second priority.

[0156] In some embodiments, the priority configuration includes a first number and a second number, and the fourth number is equal to the difference between the first number (K) and the second number (L).

[0157] In some embodiments, the fourth number is equal to the difference between the number of time opportunities associated with transmission of the first RS (M) and the second number (L).

[0158] In some embodiments, the method 900 further includes transmitting the second RS to the first device.

[0159] In some embodiments, determining the priority configuration includes: causing a first priority of a transmission of a first RS to be determined based on reception and measurements of a second RS.

[0160] In some embodiments, determining the priority configuration includes: causing a first priority of transmissions of the first RS to be determined to be higher than the second priority in accordance with a determination that the second RS is successfully received in a fifth number of consecutive frequency hops and positioning measurements of the second RS are successfully performed in the fifth number of consecutive frequency hops.

[0161] In some embodiments, the method 900 further includes transmitting the fifth number to the first device.

[0162] In some embodiments, the fifth number is greater than or equal to the third number (Z).

[0163] In some embodiments, the second RS is not successfully received in at least one of the third number (Z) consecutive frequency hops, or positioning measurements of the second RS are not successfully performed in at least one of the third number (Z) consecutive frequency hops. In such embodiments, it is determined that transmission of the first RS in the frequency hop will not occur.

[0164] In some embodiments, following a determination that the first RS is successfully transmitted in the sixth number of consecutive frequency hops, a third priority for measuring the second RS is determined by the first device to be higher than a fourth priority for receiving or processing at least one channel or at least one signal other than the second RS.

[0165] In some embodiments, the sixth number is greater than or equal to the first number (K).

[0166] In some embodiments, the method 900 further includes transmitting the sixth number to the first device.

[0167] In some embodiments, following a determination that the first RS is not successfully transmitted in the seventh number of consecutive frequency hops, a third priority for measuring the second RS is determined by the first device to be lower than a fourth priority for receiving or processing at least one channel or at least one signal other than the second RS.

[0168] In some exemplary embodiments, a first apparatus (e.g., first device 110) for a radio access network capable of performing any of method 800 may comprise means for performing each operation of method 800. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuit or a software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in first device 110. In some exemplary embodiments, the means may comprise a processor and a memory.

[0169] In some exemplary embodiments, the first apparatus comprises: means, in a first device for a radio access network, for receiving, from a second device for the radio access network, a priority configuration for transmission of a first RS for positioning the first device in a frequency hop, the priority configuration indicating a first priority for transmission of the first RS in the frequency hop and a second priority for one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS in a time opportunity associated with the frequency hop; means for determining, based on at least the priority configuration, whether the first priority for transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority; and means for transmitting the first RS in the frequency hop based on a determination that the first priority is higher than the second priority.

[0170] In some embodiments, the one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS include a transmission of a PUSCH.

[0171] In some embodiments, the priority configuration includes at least one of: a first number (K) of consecutive frequency hops for transmission of the first RS, a second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops for transmission of the first RS, the second number being less than the first number, or a third number (Z) of consecutive frequency hops for reception of the second RS from the second device.

[0172] In some embodiments, a first number (K) is associated with a first positioning capability for a first device, and a second number (L) is associated with a second positioning capability for the first device that is lower than the first positioning capability.

[0173] In some embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving a request for retransmission of the first RS using dedicated frequency hops from the second device; and means for retransmitting the first RS to the second device in the dedicated frequency hops.

[0174] In some embodiments, the means for determining whether a first priority of a transmission of the first RS is higher than a second priority comprises: means for determining that a first priority of a transmission of the first RS in a first number (K) consecutive frequency hops is higher than the second priority.

[0175] In some embodiments, the means for determining whether a first priority of a transmission of the first RS is higher than a second priority comprises: means for determining that a first priority of a transmission of the first RS in a first number (K) consecutive frequency hops is lower than the second priority.

[0176] In some embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for determining, in accordance with a determination that transmission of the first RS will not be performed in at least one of the first number (K) consecutive frequency hops, not to perform transmission of the first RS in remaining consecutive frequency hops of the first number (K) consecutive frequency hops.

[0177] In some embodiments, the means for determining whether the first priority of the transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority comprises: means for determining that the first priority of the transmission of the first RS in a second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops is lower than the second priority; and means for determining that the first priority of the transmission of the first RS in a fourth number (L) of consecutive frequency hops is higher than the second priority in accordance with determining that the transmission of the first RS is successfully performed in the second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops.

[0178] In some embodiments, the means for determining whether the first priority of the transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority comprises: means for determining that the first priority of the transmission of the first RS in a second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops is higher than the second priority; and means for determining that the first priority of the transmission of the first RS in a fourth number (L) of consecutive frequency hops is lower than the second priority in accordance with determining that the transmission of the first RS is successfully performed in the second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops.

[0179] In some embodiments, the priority configuration includes a first number and a second number, and the fourth number is equal to the difference between the first number (K) and the second number (L).

[0180] In some embodiments, the fourth number is equal to the difference between the number of time opportunities associated with transmission of the first RS (M) and the second number (L).

[0181] In some embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for receiving a second RS from the second device.

[0182] In some embodiments, the means for determining whether the first priority of the transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority comprises: means for determining whether the first priority of the transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority based on the reception and measurement of the second RS.

[0183] In some embodiments, the means for determining whether the first priority of transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority comprises: means for determining that the first priority of transmission of the first RS is higher than the second priority in accordance with a determination that the second RS is successfully received in a fifth number of consecutive frequency hops and positioning measurements of the second RS are successfully performed in the fifth number of consecutive frequency hops.

[0184] In some embodiments, the fifth number is received from the second device.

[0185] In some embodiments, the fifth number is greater than or equal to the third number (Z).

[0186] In some embodiments, the means for determining not to transmit the first RS in a frequency hop comprises means for determining that the second RS is not successfully received in at least one of the third number (Z) of consecutive frequency hops, or that positioning measurements of the second RS are not successfully performed in at least one of the third number (Z) of consecutive frequency hops.

[0187] In some embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for determining a third priority of measurements of the second RS received from the second device.

[0188] In some embodiments, the means for determining a third priority for measuring the second RS comprises: means for determining, according to a determination that the first RS is successfully transmitted in the sixth number of consecutive frequency hops, that the third priority for measuring the second RS is higher than a fourth priority for receiving or processing at least one channel or at least one signal other than the second RS.

[0189] In some embodiments, the sixth number is received from the second device.

[0190] In some embodiments, the sixth number is greater than or equal to the first number (K).

[0191] In some embodiments, the means for determining a third priority for measuring the second RS comprises: means for determining, according to a determination that the first RS does not transmit successfully in at least one of the seventh number of consecutive frequency hops, that the third priority for measuring the second RS is lower than a fourth priority for receiving or processing at least one channel or at least one signal other than the second RS.

[0192] In some exemplary embodiments, a second apparatus (e.g., second device 120) for a radio access network capable of performing any of method 900 may comprise means for performing each operation of method 900. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuit or a software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in second device 120. In some exemplary embodiments, the means may comprise a processor and a memory.

[0193] In some exemplary embodiments, the second apparatus comprises: means for determining, in a second device for a radio access network, a priority configuration for transmission of a first RS in a frequency hop, wherein the first RS is for positioning the first device for the radio access network, and the priority configuration indicates a first priority for transmission of the first RS in the frequency hop and a second priority for one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS in a time opportunity associated with the frequency hop; and means for transmitting the priority configuration to the first device.

[0194] In some embodiments, the one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS include a transmission of a PUSCH.

[0195] In some embodiments, the priority configuration includes at least one of: a first number (K) of consecutive frequency hops for transmission of the first RS, a second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops for transmission of the first RS, the second number being less than the first number, or a third number (Z) of consecutive frequency hops for reception of the second RS from the second device.

[0196] In some embodiments, a first number (K) is associated with a first positioning capability for a first device, and a second number (L) is associated with a second positioning capability for the first device that is lower than the first positioning capability.

[0197] In some embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting to the first device a request for retransmission of the first RS using a dedicated frequency hop; and means for receiving from the first device the first RS in the dedicated frequency hop.

[0198] In some embodiments, the means for determining the priority configuration comprises: means for causing a first priority of transmission of the first RS in a first number (K) of consecutive frequency hops to be determined to be higher than a second priority.

[0199] In some embodiments, the means for determining the priority configuration comprises: means for causing a first priority of transmission of a first RS in a first number (K) of consecutive frequency hops to be determined to be lower than a second priority; and means for causing, in accordance with a determination that transmission of the first RS will not occur in at least one of the first number (K) of consecutive frequency hops, to determine that transmission of the first RS will not occur in the remaining consecutive frequency hops of the first number (K) of consecutive frequency hops.

[0200] In some embodiments, the means for determining the priority configuration comprises: means for causing a first priority of a transmission of the first RS in a second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops to be determined to be lower than the second priority; and means for causing a first priority of a transmission of the first RS in a fourth number (L) of consecutive frequency hops to be determined to be higher than the second priority according to a determination that the transmission of the first RS is successful in the second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops.

[0201] In some embodiments, the means for determining the priority configuration comprises: means for causing a first priority of a transmission of a first RS in a second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops to be determined to be higher than a second priority; and means for causing a first priority of a transmission of the first RS in a fourth number (L) of consecutive frequency hops to be determined to be lower than the second priority according to a determination that the transmission of the first RS is successful in the second number (L) of consecutive frequency hops.

[0202] In some embodiments, the priority configuration includes a first number and a second number, and the fourth number is equal to the difference between the first number (K) and the second number (L).

[0203] In some embodiments, the fourth number is equal to the difference between the number of time opportunities associated with transmission of the first RS (M) and the second number (L).

[0204] In some embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for transmitting the second RS to the first device.

[0205] In some embodiments, the means for determining the priority configuration comprises: means for causing a first priority of a transmission of a first RS to be determined based on reception and measurement of a second RS.

[0206] In some embodiments, the means for determining the priority configuration comprises: means for causing a first priority of transmission of the first RS to be determined to be higher than the second priority according to a determination that the second RS is successfully received in a fifth number of consecutive frequency hops and positioning measurements of the second RS are successfully performed in the fifth number of consecutive frequency hops.

[0207] In some embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for transmitting the fifth number to the first device.

[0208] In some embodiments, the fifth number is greater than or equal to the third number (Z).

[0209] In some embodiments, the second RS is not successfully received in at least one of the third number (Z) consecutive frequency hops, or positioning measurements of the second RS are not successfully performed in at least one of the third number (Z) consecutive frequency hops, in such embodiments, it is determined that transmission of the first RS in the frequency hop will not occur.

[0210] In some embodiments, following a determination that the first RS is successfully transmitted in the sixth number of consecutive frequency hops, a third priority for measuring the second RS is determined by the first device to be higher than a fourth priority for receiving or processing at least one channel or at least one signal other than the second RS.

[0211] In some embodiments, the sixth number is greater than or equal to the first number (K).

[0212] In some embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for transmitting the sixth number to the first device.

[0213] In some embodiments, following a determination that the first RS is not successfully transmitted in the seventh number of consecutive frequency hops, a third priority for measuring the second RS is determined by the first device to be lower than a fourth priority for receiving or processing at least one channel or at least one signal other than the second RS.

[0214] 10 is a simplified block diagram of a device 1000 suitable for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 1000 may be provided to implement a communication device, such as the first device 110, the second device 120, or the third device 130 as shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the device 1000 includes one or more processors 1010, one or more memories 1020 coupled to the processors 1010, and one or more communication modules 1040 coupled to the processors 1010.

[0215] The communications module 1040 is for two-way communication. The communications module 1040 has one or more communications interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communications interfaces may represent any interface necessary for communication with other network elements. In some exemplary embodiments, the communications module 1040 may include at least one antenna.

[0216] The processor 1010 may be of any type suitable for a local technology network and may include, by way of non-limiting example, one or more of the following: a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. The device 1000 may have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips that are time-slaved to a clock that synchronizes the main processor.

[0217] The memory 1020 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memory include, but are not limited to, Read Only Memory (ROM) 1024, Electrically Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disks, compact disks (CDs), digital video disks (DVDs), optical disks, laser disks, and other magnetic and / or optical storage. Examples of volatile memory include, but are not limited to, Random Access Memory (RAM) 1022 and other volatile memory that does not persist through power-off periods.

[0218] The computer program 1030 includes computer-executable instructions that can be executed by the associated processor 1010. The program 1030 can be stored in a memory, for example, in the ROM 1024. The processor 1010 can perform any suitable actions and processes by loading the program 1030 into the RAM 1022.

[0219] An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented using a program 1030 such that the device 1000 may perform any process of the present disclosure, such as those discussed with reference to Figures 1 to 9. An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or a combination of software and hardware.

[0220] In some exemplary embodiments, the program 1030 may be tangibly contained in a computer-readable medium, which may be included in the device 1000 (such as the memory 1020) or other storage device accessible by the device 1000. The device 1000 may load the program 1030 from the computer-readable medium into RAM 1022 for execution. The computer-readable medium may include any type of tangible non-volatile storage, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, and the like. FIG. 11 shows an example of a computer-readable medium 1100, which may be in the form of a CD, DVD, or other optical storage disc. The computer-readable medium has the program 1030 stored thereon.

[0221] In general, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special-purpose circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. While various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other graphical representations, it should be understood that the blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in, by way of non-limiting example, hardware, software, firmware, special-purpose circuits or logic, general-purpose hardware or controller or other computing device, or some combination thereof.

[0222] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, that execute within a device on a target physical or virtual processor to perform any of the methods described above with reference to FIGS. 1 through 9. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or divided among program modules as desired in various embodiments. The machine-executable instructions for the program modules may be executed within local or distributed devices. In distributed devices, the program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0223] Program code for carrying out the methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus such that, when executed by the processor or controller, the program code implements the functions / acts specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams. The program code may execute entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0224] In the context of the present disclosure, computer program code or associated data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus, or processor to perform the various processes and operations as described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer-readable media, and the like.

[0225] The computer-readable medium may be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0226] While some embodiments may be implemented by / in an IAB node, it should be understood that the solutions, including the methods and apparatuses, proposed in this disclosure may also be applied to other communication systems where similar technical problems exist. Furthermore, while operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring such operations to be performed in the particular order or sequential order shown, or that all illustrated operations be performed to achieve desired results. In certain situations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, while details of several specific implementations are included in the above description, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination.

[0227] Although the present disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A first device for a radio access network, comprising: at least one processor; at least one memory for storing instructions; the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device to receiving, from a second device for a radio access network, a priority configuration for transmission of a first reference signal (RS) for positioning the first device in a frequency hop, the priority configuration indicating a first priority of transmission of the first RS in the frequency hop and a second priority of one or more transmissions other than transmission of the first RS in a time opportunity associated with the frequency hop; determining whether a first priority of transmission of the first RS is higher than a second priority based on at least the priority configuration; causing transmission of the first RS in the frequency hop based on determining that the first priority is higher than the second priority; First device.

2. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more transmissions other than the first RS transmission include a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) transmission.

3. The priority configuration is a first number of consecutive frequency hops for transmission of the first RS; a second number of consecutive frequency hops for transmission of the first RS, the second number being less than the first number; or a third number of consecutive frequency hops for reception of a second RS from a second device; The first device of claim 1 , comprising at least one of:

4. 4. The first device of claim 3, wherein the first number is associated with a first positioning performance for the first device, and the second number is associated with a second positioning performance for the first device that is lower than the first positioning performance.

5. The first device receiving a request for retransmission of the first RS using a dedicated frequency hop from a second device; Retransmitting the first RS to the second device in a dedicated frequency hop The first device of claim 3 further configured to:

6. by determining that a first priority of a transmission of a first RS in a first number of consecutive frequency hops is higher than a second priority; The first device of claim 3 , wherein the first device is caused to determine whether a first priority of transmission of the first RS is higher than a second priority.

7. by determining that a first priority of a transmission of a first RS in a first number of consecutive frequency hops is lower than a second priority; causing the first device to determine whether a first priority of transmission of the first RS is higher than a second priority; 4. The first device of claim 3, wherein, in accordance with a determination that transmission of the first RS will not be performed in at least one of the first number of consecutive frequency hops, the first device is caused to determine not to transmit the first RS in remaining consecutive frequency hops of the first number of consecutive frequency hops.

8. determining that a first priority of transmission of the first RS in a second number of consecutive frequency hops is lower than a second priority; and determining, in accordance with determining that transmission of the first RS is successful in the second number of consecutive frequency hops, that a first priority for transmission of the first RS in a fourth number of consecutive frequency hops is higher than a second priority. The first device of claim 3 , wherein the first device is caused to determine whether a first priority of transmission of the first RS is higher than a second priority.

9. determining that a first priority of transmission of the first RS in a second number of consecutive frequency hops is higher than a second priority; and determining, in accordance with determining that transmission of the first RS is successful in the second number of consecutive frequency hops, that a first priority of transmission of the first RS in a fourth number of consecutive frequency hops is lower than a second priority. The first device of claim 3 , wherein the first device is caused to determine whether a first priority of transmission of the first RS is higher than a second priority.

10. 10. The first device of claim 8 or 9, wherein the priority configuration includes a first number and a second number, and the fourth number is equal to the difference between the first number and the second number.

11. The first device of claim 8 or 9, wherein the fourth number is equal to the difference between the number of time opportunities associated with transmission of the first RS and the second number.

12. The first device is further caused to receive a second RS from the second device; 4. The first device of claim 3, wherein the first device is configured to determine, based on reception and measurement of the second RS, whether a first priority of transmission of the first RS is higher than a second priority.

13. by determining that a first priority of transmission of the first RS is higher than a second priority in accordance with determining that the second RS is successfully received in a fifth number of consecutive frequency hops and that positioning measurements of the second RS are successfully performed in the fifth number of consecutive frequency hops; The first device of claim 12 , wherein the first device is configured to determine whether a first priority of transmission of the first RS is higher than a second priority.

14. The first device of claim 13 , wherein the fifth number is received from the second device.

15. The first device of claim 13 , wherein the fifth number is greater than or equal to the third number.

16. by determining that the second RS is not successfully received in at least one of the third number of consecutive frequency hops or that a positioning measurement of the second RS is not successfully performed in at least one of the third number of consecutive frequency hops; The first device of claim 12 , wherein the first device is caused to determine not to transmit the first RS in the frequency hop.

17. The first device of claim 3 , wherein the first device is further caused to determine a third priority of measurements of the second RS received from the second device.

18. by determining, in accordance with determining that the first RS is successfully transmitted in a sixth number of consecutive frequency hops, that a third priority for measuring the second RS is higher than a fourth priority for receiving or processing at least one channel or at least one signal other than the second RS; The first device of claim 17 , wherein the first device is configured to determine a third priority for measuring the second RS.

19. 20. The first device of claim 18, wherein the sixth number is received from the second device.

20. 20. The first device of claim 18, wherein the sixth number is greater than or equal to the first number.

21. by determining, in accordance with a determination that the first RS is not successfully transmitted in at least one of the seventh number of consecutive frequency hops, that a third priority for measuring the second RS is lower than a fourth priority for receiving or processing at least one channel or at least one signal other than the second RS; The first device of claim 17 , wherein the first device is configured to determine a third priority for measuring the second RS.

22. a second device for a radio access network, at least one processor; at least one memory for storing instructions; wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second device to determining a priority configuration for transmission of a first reference signal (RS) at a frequency hop, the first RS for positioning a first device for a radio access network, the priority configuration indicating a first priority of transmission of the first RS at the frequency hop and a second priority of one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS at a time opportunity associated with the frequency hop; causing the priority configuration to be transmitted to the first device; Second device.

23. 23. The second device of claim 22, wherein the one or more transmissions other than the first RS transmission include a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) transmission.

24. The priority configuration is a first number of consecutive frequency hops for transmission of the first RS; a second number of consecutive frequency hops for transmission of the first RS, the second number being less than the first number; or a third number of consecutive frequency hops for reception of a second RS from a second device; 23. The second device of claim 22, comprising at least one of:

25. 25. The second device of claim 24, wherein the first number is associated with a first positioning performance for the first device, and the second number is associated with a second positioning performance for the first device that is lower than the first positioning performance.

26. The second device Sending a request to the first device for retransmission of the first RS using a dedicated frequency hop; Receive a first RS from a first device in a dedicated frequency hop.

25. The second device of claim 24, further configured to:

27. by causing a first priority of transmission of a first RS in a first number of consecutive frequency hops to be determined to be higher than a second priority; 25. The second device of claim 24, wherein the second device is caused to determine a priority configuration.

28. causing a first priority of transmission of a first RS in a first number of consecutive frequency hops to be determined to be lower than a second priority; and determining, in accordance with the determination that transmission of the first RS will not be performed in at least one of the first number of consecutive frequency hops, that transmission of the first RS will not be performed in remaining consecutive frequency hops of the first number of consecutive frequency hops; 25. The second device of claim 24, wherein the second device is caused to determine a priority configuration.

29. causing a first priority of transmission of the first RS in a second number of consecutive frequency hops to be determined to be lower than a second priority; and determining a first priority for transmission of the first RS in a fourth number of consecutive frequency hops to be higher than a second priority in accordance with determining that transmission of the first RS is successful in the second number of consecutive frequency hops.

25. The second device of claim 24, wherein the second device is caused to determine a priority configuration.

30. causing a first priority of transmission of the first RS in a second number of consecutive frequency hops to be determined to be higher than a second priority; and determining a first priority for transmission of the first RS in a fourth number of consecutive frequency hops to be lower than a second priority in accordance with determining that transmission of the first RS is successful in the second number of consecutive frequency hops.

25. The second device of claim 24, wherein the second device is caused to determine a priority configuration.

31. 31. The second device of claim 29 or 30, wherein the priority configuration includes a first number and a second number, and the fourth number is equal to the difference between the first number and the second number.

32. The second device of claim 29 or 30, wherein the fourth number is equal to the difference between the number of time opportunities associated with transmission of the first RS and the second number.

33. The second device is further caused to transmit a second RS to the first device; by causing a first priority of transmission of a first RS to be determined based on reception and measurement of a second RS; 25. The second device of claim 24, wherein the second device is caused to determine a priority configuration.

34. by determining a first priority of transmission of the first RS to be higher than a second priority according to determining that the second RS is successfully received in a fifth number of consecutive frequency hops and that positioning measurements of the second RS are successfully performed in the fifth number of consecutive frequency hops; 34. The second device of claim 33, wherein the second device is caused to determine a priority configuration.

35. 35. The second device of claim 34, wherein the second device is further caused to transmit the fifth number to the first device.

36. 35. The second device of claim 34, wherein the fifth number is greater than or equal to the third number.

37. the second RS is not successfully received in at least one of the third number of consecutive frequency hops or a positioning measurement of the second RS is not successfully performed in at least one of the third number of consecutive frequency hops; The second device of claim 33 , wherein it is determined that no transmission of the first RS in the frequency hop occurs.

38. 34. The second device of claim 33, wherein, according to determining that the first RS is successfully transmitted in a sixth number of consecutive frequency hops, a third priority for measuring the second RS is determined by the first device to be higher than a fourth priority for receiving or processing at least one channel or at least one signal other than the second RS.

39. 39. The second device of claim 38, wherein the sixth number is greater than or equal to the first number.

40. 40. The second device of claim 39, wherein the second device is further caused to transmit the sixth number to the first device.

41. 34. The second device of claim 33, wherein, according to a determination that the first RS is not successfully transmitted in seventh number of consecutive frequency hops, a third priority for measuring the second RS is determined by the first device to be lower than a fourth priority for receiving or processing at least one channel or at least one signal other than the second RS.

42. receiving, at a first device for a radio access network, from a second device for the radio access network, a priority configuration for transmission of a first reference signal (RS) for positioning the first device in a frequency hop, the priority configuration indicating a first priority of transmission of the first RS in the frequency hop and a second priority of one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS in a time opportunity associated with the frequency hop; determining whether a first priority of transmission of the first RS is higher than a second priority based on at least the priority configuration; transmitting the first RS in the frequency hop based on determining that the first priority is higher than the second priority; A method comprising:

43. determining, in a second device for a radio access network, a priority configuration for transmission of a first reference signal (RS) in a frequency hop, the first RS being for positioning the first device for the radio access network, the priority configuration indicating a first priority for transmission of the first RS in the frequency hop and a second priority for one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS in a time opportunity associated with the frequency hop; transmitting the priority configuration to the first device; A method comprising:

44. a first device for a radio access network, means for receiving, from a second device for the radio access network, a priority configuration for transmission of a first reference signal (RS) for positioning the first device in a frequency hop, the priority configuration indicating a first priority of transmission of the first RS in the frequency hop and a second priority of one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS in a time opportunity associated with the frequency hop; means for determining whether a first priority of transmission of the first RS is higher than a second priority based on at least the priority configuration; means for transmitting the first RS in a frequency hop based on a determination that the first priority is higher than the second priority; A first device comprising:

45. In a second device for a radio access network, means for determining a priority configuration for transmission of a first reference signal (RS) in a frequency hop, the first RS being for positioning the first device for the radio access network, the priority configuration indicating a first priority of transmission of the first RS in the frequency hop and a second priority of one or more transmissions other than the transmission of the first RS in a time opportunity associated with the frequency hop; means for transmitting the priority configuration to the first device; A second device comprising:

46. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing a computer program for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to claim 42 or 43.

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