Positioning method and device for NTN

Abstract

This application provides a positioning method and positioning apparatus for NTN. The method includes: a first device determines the location of the terminal device based on a measurement result of the uplink positioning reference signal based on an offset reported by the terminal device between the starting location of a subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located and the starting location of an uplink subframe that has the same frame number and the same subframe number as the subframe and is closest to the subframe, or based on an offset reported by the terminal device between the starting location of the subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located and the starting location of the uplink subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal sent by the terminal device is located. Thus, the accuracy of the location of the terminal device is improved.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and more particularly to a positioning method and a positioning device for a non-terrestrial network (NTN). [Background technology]

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202310201181.3, entitled "COMMUNICATION METHOD," filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on January 20, 2023, and to Chinese Patent Application No. 202310166640.9, entitled "POSITIONING METHOD AND POSITIONING APPARATUS FOR NTN," filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on February 16, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Satellite networks are a hot topic in global research today. Satellite communication technology is becoming increasingly mature. For example, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) is a network or network segment that implements communication by using radio frequencies on satellites, which can provide wider coverage. Furthermore, satellite base stations are not vulnerable to natural disasters or external forces.

[0004] The coverage of NTN cells in NTN is much larger than that of terrestrial network (TN) cells. The network needs to verify the location of the terminal to determine whether the terminal is camped on the appropriate core network. The propagation delay of NTN is much larger than that of TN cells. Existing solutions for measuring the location of terminal devices in TN scenarios cannot meet the requirements in NTN scenarios.

[0005] In the NTN scenario, a positioning method is urgently needed to implement the positioning or location verification of the terminal device. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application provides a positioning method and a positioning apparatus for NTN to position a terminal device in NTN or verify the location information of the terminal device, and meet the positioning requirements in NTN scenarios.

[0007] According to a first aspect, a positioning method for an NTN is provided. The method may be performed by a first device or by a chip or circuit disposed in the first device. This is not a limitation in the present application.

[0008] In this application, the first device may be a location management function (LMF) or a network device, which may be an access network device, a transmission and reception point (TRP), etc.

[0009] The method includes receiving a first message sent by a terminal device, the first message carrying a result of measuring a downlink positioning reference signal by the terminal device, the first message including an offset between a starting location of a first subframe and a starting location of a second subframe, the first subframe being a downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located, and the second subframe having the same frame number and the same subframe number as the first subframe and being an uplink subframe closest to the first subframe, or the second subframe being an uplink subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal sent by the terminal device is located; and determining location information of the terminal device based on the first message and the measurement result of the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0010] According to the above technical solution, in an NTN scenario, the first device determines the location of the terminal device with respect to the measurement result of the uplink positioning reference signal based on an offset reported by the terminal device between the starting location of the subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located and the starting location of an uplink subframe that has the same frame number and the same subframe number as the subframe and is closest to the subframe, or based on an offset reported by the terminal device between the starting location of the subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located and the starting location of the uplink subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal sent by the terminal device is located, thereby improving the accuracy of the location of the terminal device.

[0011] Regarding the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the first device receives a second message sent by the network device. The second message includes a measurement result of an uplink positioning reference signal. The second message includes an offset between a start location of a third subframe and a start location of a fourth subframe. The third subframe is an uplink subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal is located. The fourth subframe has the same frame number and subframe number as the third subframe and is a downlink subframe closest to the third subframe. Alternatively, the fourth subframe is a downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal sent by the network device is located.

[0012] In this technical solution, when the first device is a location management function, the first device receives measurement results of uplink positioning reference signals from the network device, thereby improving the flexibility of positioning capabilities.

[0013] According to a second aspect, a positioning method for an NTN is provided. The method can be implemented by a terminal device or by a chip or circuit disposed in the terminal device. This is not limited in the present application.

[0014] The method includes: a terminal device performs measurements on a downlink positioning reference signal of a network device; the terminal device sends a first message to a first device; the first message carries a result of the measurements; the first message includes an offset between a start location of a first subframe and a start location of a second subframe; the first subframe is a downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located; the second subframe has the same frame number and subframe number as the first subframe and is an uplink subframe closest to the first subframe; alternatively, the second subframe is an uplink subframe in which an uplink positioning reference signal sent by the terminal device is located; the first message is used by the first device to determine location information of the terminal device.

[0015] In this application, the first device may be a location management function (LMF) or may be a network device.

[0016] According to the above technical solution, in an NTN scenario, after performing measurements on the downlink positioning reference signal, the terminal device reports to the first device the offset between the starting location of the subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located and the starting location of the uplink subframe that has the same frame number and the same subframe number as the subframe and is closest to the subframe, or the offset reported by the terminal device between the starting location of the subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located and the starting location of the uplink subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal sent by the terminal device is located. After receiving the terminal device's report, the first device determines the location of the terminal device based on the measurement results of the uplink positioning reference signal. Thus, the accuracy of the terminal device's location is improved.

[0017] According to a third aspect, a positioning method for an NTN is provided. The method can be implemented by a network device, or by a chip or circuit located in the network device. This is not limited in the present application.

[0018] The method includes: a network device performs measurements on an uplink positioning reference signal of a terminal device; a network device sends a second message to a first device; the second message carries a result of the measurements; the second message includes an offset between a starting location of a third subframe and a starting location of a fourth subframe; the third subframe is an uplink subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal is located; the fourth subframe is a downlink subframe having the same frame number and subframe number as the third subframe and closest to the third subframe; alternatively, the fourth subframe is a downlink subframe in which a downlink positioning reference signal sent by the network device is located; the second message is used by the first device to determine location information of the terminal device.

[0019] According to the above technical solution, in an NTN scenario, after performing measurements on an uplink positioning reference signal, the network device reports the offset between the starting location of the subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal is located and the starting location of the downlink subframe that has the same frame number and the same subframe number as the subframe and is closest to the subframe, or reports the offset between the starting location of the subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal is located and the starting location of the downlink subframe in which the sent downlink positioning reference signal is located, so that the first device determines the location of the terminal device based on the measurement result of the uplink positioning reference signal, thereby improving the location accuracy of the terminal device.

[0020] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a positioning method for an NTN. The method may be performed by a first device or by a chip or circuit disposed in the first device. This is not a limitation in the present application.

[0021] The method includes: a first device receiving a third message sent by a terminal device, the third message carrying a result of measuring a downlink positioning reference signal by the terminal device, the third message including a difference between a propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal and a propagation delay of a reference downlink positioning reference signal; and determining location information of the terminal device based on the third message.

[0022] According to the above technical solution, in an NTN scenario, the first device determines the location of the terminal device based on the difference between the propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal and the propagation delay of the reference downlink positioning reference signal reported by the terminal device, thereby improving the location accuracy of the terminal device.

[0023] According to a fifth aspect, a positioning method for an NTN is provided. The method can be implemented by a terminal device or by a chip or circuit disposed in the terminal device. This is not limited in the present application.

[0024] The method includes: a terminal device performs measurements on a downlink positioning reference signal of a network device; the terminal device sends a third message to a first device; the third message carries a result of the measurements; the third message includes a difference between a propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal and a propagation delay of a reference downlink positioning reference signal; and the third message is used by the first device to determine location information of the terminal device.

[0025] According to the above technical solution, in the NTN scenario, the terminal device reports the difference between the propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal and the propagation delay of the reference downlink positioning reference signal, so that the first device determines the location of the terminal device, thereby improving the location accuracy of the terminal device.

[0026] With regard to the first to fifth aspects, in a possible implementation, the downlink positioning reference signal is a positioning reference signal PRS and the uplink positioning reference signal is a channel sounding reference signal SRS.

[0027] Regarding the first to fifth aspects, in a possible implementation, the terminal device determining a difference between a propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal and a propagation delay of a reference downlink positioning reference signal includes: the terminal device determines the propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal based on an absolute time when the network device sends the downlink positioning reference signal and an absolute time when the terminal device receives the downlink positioning reference signal.

[0028] According to the above technical solution, the terminal device may determine the propagation delay based on the absolute time when the downlink positioning reference signal is sent and the absolute time when the downlink positioning reference signal ends.

[0029] With regard to the first to fifth aspects, in a possible implementation, a terminal device receives configuration information for a downlink positioning reference signal, and the terminal device determines an absolute time at which the network device sends the downlink positioning reference signal based on the configuration information for the downlink positioning reference signal.

[0030] According to the above technical solution, the terminal device may determine the absolute time at which the downlink positioning reference signal is sent based on the configuration information of the downlink positioning reference signal.

[0031] Regarding the first to fifth aspects, in a possible implementation, a terminal device receives time sequence information of a network device, and the terminal device determines an absolute time at which the network device sends a downlink positioning reference signal based on the time sequence information of the network device and the setting information of the downlink positioning reference signal.

[0032] According to the above technical solution, the terminal device can determine the absolute time at which the downlink positioning reference signal is sent based on the setting time of the downlink positioning reference signal. This solution is applicable to handover scenarios. For example, the terminal device is handed over in a process in which the network device verifies the location of the terminal device or the network device positions the location of the terminal device, that is, the terminal device is handed over from one network device to another network device, or the terminal device is handed over for satellite handover or TRP handover.

[0033] Regarding the first to fifth aspects, in a possible implementation, the terminal device sends timestamp information to the first device, the timestamp information including any one of a system frame number and a subframe number of the reference network device that correspond to a start time of a subframe at which a downlink positioning reference signal is received, a system frame number and a subframe number of the reference network device that correspond to an instant at which the downlink positioning reference signal is received, and a system frame number and a subframe number of the reference network device that correspond to a subframe at which an uplink positioning reference signal is sent.

[0034] According to the above technical solution, after receiving the timestamp information, the first device can more quickly determine the location of the TRP corresponding to the system frame number and subframe number, or distinguish the measurement results reported by the terminal.

[0035] Regarding the first to fifth aspects, in a possible implementation, the terminal device receives a first request message from the first device, and the terminal device performs measurements on a downlink positioning reference signal based on the first request message.

[0036] According to the above technical solution, the first device may request the terminal device to perform measurements on the downlink positioning reference signal.

[0037] With regard to the first to fifth aspects, in a possible implementation, the first device includes a network device or a location management function.

[0038] According to the above technical solution, the function of the first device can be disposed on the network device or can be directly implemented by the location management function, thereby improving the flexibility and applicability of the positioning method.

[0039] According to a sixth aspect, a positioning method for an NTN is provided. The method can be implemented by a terminal device or by a chip or circuit disposed in the terminal device. This is not limited in the present application.

[0040] The method includes: a terminal device performs measurements on a downlink positioning reference signal of a network device; the terminal device sends a third message to a first device; the third message carries a result of the measurements; the third message includes an absolute time corresponding to a starting location of a fifth subframe or an absolute time at which the downlink positioning reference signal arrives; the fifth subframe is a downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located; and the third message is used by the first device to determine location information of the terminal device.

[0041] According to the above technical solution, after performing measurements on the downlink positioning reference signal, the terminal device directly reports to the first device the absolute time corresponding to the starting location of the downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located or the absolute time of arrival of the downlink positioning reference signal, so that the first device measures the location of the terminal device, thereby improving the accuracy of the location of the terminal device.

[0042] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a positioning method for an NTN. The method may be implemented by a terminal device or by a chip or circuit disposed in the terminal device. This is not limited in the present application.

[0043] The method includes: a terminal device performs measurements on a downlink positioning reference signal of a network device; the terminal device sends a third message to a first device; the third message carries a result of the measurements; the third message includes an offset between a starting location of a sixth subframe and a starting location of a seventh subframe, where the sixth subframe is a subframe in which the positioning reference signal of the first network device is located and the seventh subframe is a subframe in which the positioning reference signal of the reference network device is located; alternatively, the third message includes a difference between an absolute time at which the positioning reference information of the first network device arrives and an absolute time at which the positioning reference signal of the reference network device arrives; the third message is used by the first device to determine location information of the terminal device; the first network device is a serving network device of the terminal device.

[0044] According to the above technical solution, after performing measurements on the downlink positioning reference signal, the terminal device reports to the first device the offset between the start location of the subframe in which the positioning reference signal is located and the start location of the subframe in which the reference positioning reference signal is located, or reports to the first device the difference between the absolute arrival time of the subframe in which the positioning reference signal is located and the absolute arrival time of the subframe in which the reference positioning reference signal is located, so that the first device measures the location of the terminal device, thereby improving the accuracy of the location of the terminal device.

[0045] According to an eighth aspect, a positioning device for an NTN is provided. The positioning device may be a first device, or may be a chip or circuit disposed in the first device. This is not limited in the present application.

[0046] In this application, the first device may be a location management function (LMF) or may be a network device.

[0047] The apparatus includes: a transceiver unit configured to receive a first message sent by a terminal device, the first message carrying a result of measuring a downlink positioning reference signal by the terminal device, the first message including an offset between a starting location of a first subframe and a starting location of a second subframe, the first subframe being a downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located, and the second subframe having the same frame number and the same subframe number as the first subframe and being an uplink subframe closest to the first subframe, or the second subframe being an uplink subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal sent by the terminal device is located; and a processing unit configured to determine location information of the terminal device based on the first message and the measurement result of the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0048] According to the above technical solution, in an NTN scenario, the first device determines the location of the terminal device with respect to the measurement result of the uplink positioning reference signal based on an offset reported by the terminal device between the starting location of the subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located and the starting location of an uplink subframe that has the same frame number and the same subframe number as the subframe and is closest to the subframe, or based on an offset reported by the terminal device between the starting location of the subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located and the starting location of the uplink subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal sent by the terminal device is located, thereby improving the accuracy of the location of the terminal device.

[0049] Regarding the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a second message sent by the network device. The second message includes a measurement result of an uplink positioning reference signal. The second message includes an offset between a start location of a third subframe and a start location of a fourth subframe. The third subframe is an uplink subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal is located. The fourth subframe has the same frame number and subframe number as the third subframe and is a downlink subframe closest to the third subframe. Alternatively, the fourth subframe is a downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal sent by the network device is located.

[0050] In this technical solution, when the first device is a location management function, the first device receives measurement results of uplink positioning reference signals from the network device, thereby improving the flexibility of positioning capabilities.

[0051] According to a ninth aspect, there is provided a positioning device for an NTN. The device may be a terminal device, or a chip or circuit disposed in the terminal device. This is not limited in the present application.

[0052] The apparatus includes a processing unit configured to perform measurements on a downlink positioning reference signal of a network device and a transceiver unit configured to send a first message to the first device. The first message carries a result of the measurements. The first message includes an offset between a starting location of a first subframe and a starting location of a second subframe. The first subframe is a downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located. The second subframe is an uplink subframe having the same frame number and subframe number as the first subframe and closest to the first subframe. Alternatively, the second subframe is an uplink subframe in which an uplink positioning reference signal sent by the terminal device is located. The first message is used by the first device to determine location information of the terminal device.

[0053] In this application, the first device may be a location management function (LMF) or may be a network device.

[0054] According to the above technical solution, in an NTN scenario, after performing measurements on a downlink positioning reference signal, the terminal device reports the offset between the starting location of the subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located and the starting location of the uplink subframe that has the same frame number and the same subframe number as the subframe and is closest to the subframe, or reports the offset between the starting location of the subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located and the starting location of the uplink subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal sent by the terminal device is located, so that the first device determines the location of the terminal device based on the measurement result of the uplink positioning reference signal, thereby improving the location accuracy of the terminal device.

[0055] According to a tenth aspect, there is provided a positioning device for an NTN. The device may be a network device, or a chip or circuit disposed in a network device. This is not limited in this application.

[0056] The apparatus includes a processing unit configured to perform measurements on an uplink positioning reference signal of a terminal device and a transceiver unit configured to send a second message to the first device. The second message carries a result of the measurements. The second message includes an offset between a starting location of a third subframe and a starting location of a fourth subframe. The third subframe is an uplink subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal is located. The fourth subframe is a downlink subframe having the same frame number and subframe number as the third subframe and closest to the third subframe. Alternatively, the fourth subframe is a downlink subframe in which a downlink positioning reference signal sent by the network device is located. The second message is used by the first device to determine location information of the terminal device.

[0057] According to the above technical solution, in an NTN scenario, after performing measurements on an uplink positioning reference signal, the network device reports the offset between the starting location of the subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal is located and the starting location of the downlink subframe that has the same frame number and the same subframe number as the subframe and is closest to the subframe, or reports the offset between the starting location of the subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal is located and the starting location of the downlink subframe in which the sent downlink positioning reference signal is located, so that the first device determines the location of the terminal device based on the measurement result of the uplink positioning reference signal, thereby improving the location accuracy of the terminal device.

[0058] According to an eleventh aspect, there is provided a positioning device for an NTN. The device may be a first device or a chip or circuit disposed in the first device. This is not limited in the present application.

[0059] The apparatus includes a transceiver unit configured to receive a third message sent by a terminal device, the third message carrying a result of measuring a downlink positioning reference signal by the terminal device, the third message including a difference between a propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal and a propagation delay of a reference downlink positioning reference signal, and a processing unit configured to determine location information of the terminal device based on the third message.

[0060] According to the above technical solution, in an NTN scenario, the first device determines the location of the terminal device based on the difference between the propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal and the propagation delay of the reference downlink positioning reference signal reported by the terminal device, thereby improving the location accuracy of the terminal device.

[0061] According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided a positioning device for an NTN. The device may be a terminal device, or may be a chip or circuit disposed in the terminal device. This is not limited in the present application.

[0062] The apparatus includes a processing unit configured to perform measurements on a downlink positioning reference signal of a network device and a transceiver unit configured to send a third message to the first device. The third message carries a result of the measurements. The third message includes a difference between a propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal and a propagation delay of a reference downlink positioning reference signal. The third message is used by the first device to determine location information of the terminal device.

[0063] According to the above technical solution, in the NTN scenario, the terminal device reports the difference between the propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal and the propagation delay of the reference downlink positioning reference signal, so that the first device determines the location of the terminal device, thereby improving the location accuracy of the terminal device.

[0064] Regarding the eighth to twelfth aspects, in a possible implementation, the downlink positioning reference signal is a positioning reference signal PRS, and the uplink positioning reference signal is a channel sounding reference signal SRS.

[0065] With regard to the eighth to twelfth aspects, in a possible implementation, the processing unit is particularly configured to determine a propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal based on the absolute time at which the network device sends the downlink positioning reference signal and the absolute time at which the terminal device receives the downlink positioning reference signal.

[0066] According to the above technical solution, the terminal device may determine the propagation delay based on the absolute time when the downlink positioning reference signal is sent and the absolute time when the downlink positioning reference signal ends.

[0067] Regarding the eighth to twelfth aspects, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive configuration information of a downlink positioning reference signal, and the processing unit is further configured to determine, based on the configuration information of the downlink positioning reference signal, an absolute time at which the network device sends the downlink positioning reference signal.

[0068] According to the above technical solution, the terminal device may determine the absolute time at which the downlink positioning reference signal is sent based on the setting time of the downlink positioning reference signal.

[0069] Regarding the eighth to twelfth aspects, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive time sequence information of the network device, and the processing unit is further configured to determine an absolute time at which the network device sends the downlink positioning reference signal based on the time sequence information of the network device and the setting information of the downlink positioning reference signal.

[0070] According to the above technical solution, the terminal device can determine the absolute time at which the downlink positioning reference signal is sent based on the setting time of the downlink positioning reference signal. This solution is applicable to handover scenarios. For example, the terminal device is handed over in a process in which the network device verifies the location of the terminal or the network device positions the location of the terminal device, that is, the terminal device is handed over from one network device to another network device, or the terminal device is handed over for satellite handover or TRP handover.

[0071] With regard to the eighth to twelfth aspects, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send timestamp information to the first device, wherein the timestamp information includes any one of a system frame number and a subframe number of the reference network device that correspond to a start time of a subframe at which a downlink positioning reference signal is received, a system frame number and a subframe number of the reference network device that correspond to an instant at which the downlink positioning reference signal is received, and a system frame number and a subframe number of the reference network device that correspond to a subframe at which an uplink positioning reference signal is sent.

[0072] According to the above technical solution, after receiving the timestamp information, the first device can more quickly determine the location of the TRP corresponding to the system frame number and subframe number, or distinguish the measurement results reported by the terminal.

[0073] With respect to the eighth to twelfth aspects, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a first request message from the first device, and the processing unit is further configured to perform measurements on a downlink positioning reference signal based on the first request message.

[0074] According to the above technical solution, the first device may request the terminal device to perform measurements on the downlink positioning reference signal.

[0075] With regard to the eighth to twelfth aspects, in a possible implementation, the first device includes a network device or a location management function.

[0076] According to the above technical solution, the function of the first device can be disposed on the network device or can be directly implemented by the location management function, thereby improving the flexibility and applicability of the positioning method.

[0077] According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a positioning device for an NTN. The device may be a terminal device, or may be a chip or circuit disposed in the terminal device. This is not limited in the present application.

[0078] The apparatus includes a processing unit configured to perform measurements on a downlink positioning reference signal of a network device and a transceiver unit configured to send a third message to the first device. The third message carries a result of the measurements. The third message includes an absolute time corresponding to a start location of a fifth subframe or an absolute time of arrival of the downlink positioning reference signal. The fifth subframe is a downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located. The third message is used by the first device to determine location information of the terminal device.

[0079] According to the above technical solution, after performing measurements on the downlink positioning reference signal, the terminal device directly reports to the first device the absolute time corresponding to the starting location of the downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located or the absolute time of arrival of the downlink positioning reference signal, so that the first device measures the location of the terminal device, thereby improving the accuracy of the location of the terminal device.

[0080] According to a fourteenth aspect, there is provided a positioning device for an NTN. The device may be a terminal device, or may be a chip or circuit disposed in the terminal device. This is not limited in the present application.

[0081] The apparatus includes a processing unit configured to perform measurements on a downlink positioning reference signal of a network device and a transceiver unit configured to send a third message to a first device. The third message carries a result of the measurements. The third message includes an offset between a starting location of a sixth subframe and a starting location of a seventh subframe, where the sixth subframe is the subframe in which the positioning reference signal of the first network device is located and the seventh subframe is the subframe in which the positioning reference signal of the reference network device is located. Alternatively, the third message includes a difference between the absolute time at which the positioning reference information of the first network device arrives and the absolute time at which the positioning reference signal of the reference network device arrives. The third message is used by the first device to determine location information of the terminal device. The first network device is a serving network device for the terminal device.

[0082] According to the above technical solution, after performing measurements on the downlink positioning reference signal, the terminal device reports to the first device the offset between the start location of the subframe in which the positioning reference signal is located and the start location of the subframe in which the reference positioning reference signal is located, or reports to the first device the difference between the absolute arrival time of the subframe in which the positioning reference signal is located and the absolute arrival time of the subframe in which the reference positioning reference signal is located, so that the first device measures the location of the terminal device, thereby improving the accuracy of the location of the terminal device.

[0083] According to a fifteenth aspect, there is provided a positioning device for an NTN, the device being configured to implement the method according to the first aspect. In particular, the positioning device for an NTN may include units and / or modules, such as a processing unit and / or a communication unit, configured to implement the method according to any one of the implementations of the first to seventh aspects.

[0084] In one implementation, a positioning device for an NTN includes a communication unit and a processing unit. The communication unit may be a transceiver or an input / output interface. The processing unit may be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0085] In another implementation, the positioning device is a chip, chip system, or circuit in a network device. When the positioning device for the NTN is a chip, chip system, or circuit in a network device, the communication unit may be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, associated circuit, etc. on the chip, chip system, or circuit, and the processing unit may be at least one processor, processing circuit, logic circuit, etc.

[0086] According to a sixteenth aspect, a positioning device for an NTN is provided, including a processor and optionally a memory. The processor is configured to control a transceiver to transmit and receive signals. The memory is configured to store a computer program. The processor is configured to call and execute the computer program from the memory, such that the transmitting device performs a method according to any one of the possible implementations of the first to seventh aspects.

[0087] Optionally, there are one or more processors and one or more memories.

[0088] Optionally, the memory may be integrated into the processor, or the memory and processor may be separately located.

[0089] Optionally, the first device further includes a transceiver, which may in particular be a transmitter and a receiver.

[0090] According to a seventeenth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or code, the computer program or code being capable of executing a method according to any one of the possible implementations of the first to seventh aspects when executed on a computer.

[0091] According to an eighteenth aspect, a chip is provided, including at least one processor. The at least one processor is coupled to a memory. The memory is configured to store a computer program. The processor is configured to call the computer program from the memory and execute the computer program, so that a transmitting device equipped with the chip system performs a method according to any one of the possible implementations of the first to seventh aspects.

[0092] The chip may include an input circuit or interface configured to send information or data and an output circuit or interface configured to receive information or data.

[0093] According to a nineteenth aspect, there is provided a computer program product, the computer program product including computer program code, which, when executed by a transmitting device, performs a method according to any one of the possible implementations of the first to seventh aspects.

[0094] For the beneficial effects of the eighth to nineteenth aspects, please refer to the beneficial effects of the first to seventh aspects, and the details will not be described again. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0095] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a network architecture applicable to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram of an architecture of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram of an architecture of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram of an architecture of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram of an architecture of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram of an architecture of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram of a positioning procedure according to the present application; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a frame structure for reporting measurement results according to the present application. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram of yet another positioning procedure according to the present application. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram of yet another frame structure for reporting measurement results in accordance with the present application. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a positioning method for NTN applicable to one embodiment of the present application; [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a frame structure applicable to an embodiment of the present application and used to report measurement results. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a frame structure applicable to one embodiment of the present application and used to report measurement results when downlink and uplink frame timing are not aligned. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram of yet another frame structure applicable to an embodiment of the present application and used to report measurement results. [Figure 15] 1 is a schematic flowchart of yet another positioning method for NTN applicable to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 16] 2 is a diagram of transmission and reception times of a downlink positioning reference signal applicable to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is yet another diagram of transmission and reception times of a downlink positioning reference signal applicable to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram of yet another frame structure applicable to an embodiment of the present application and used to report measurement results. [Figure 19] 1 is a diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a communication architecture according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0096] The technical solutions of the present application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0097] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application may be applied to various communication systems, such as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, a Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE) system, an LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, an LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) system, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication system, a next-generation communication system (e.g., a 5th generation (5G) communication system), a converged system of multiple access systems, an evolved system, three major application scenarios of 5G mobile communication systems, including enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), and enhanced Machine Type Communication (eMTC), or new communication systems emerging in the future. The technical solutions provided in this application can be further applied to future communication systems, such as sixth generation mobile communication systems, which are not limited in this application.

[0098] The technical solutions provided in this application may further be applied to machine-type communication (MTC), long-term evolution-machine (LTE-M), device-to-device (D2D) networks, machine-to-machine (M2M) networks, internet of things (IoT) networks, or other networks. IoT networks may include, for example, the Internet of Vehicles. Communication modes in vehicular internet systems are collectively referred to as vehicle-to-X (V2X, where X may represent all). For example, V2X may include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, or vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication, etc.

[0099] The network device in the embodiment of the present application may also be referred to as a (radio) access network ((R)AN) device. The (R)AN can manage radio resources, provide access services to user equipment, and complete the transfer of data of user equipment between the user equipment and the core network. The (R)AN can also be understood as a base station in a network, which is deployed in the radio access network and provides wireless communication functions to mobile stations (MS).

[0100] For example, the access network device in the embodiments of the present application may be any communication device having a wireless transceiver function and configured to communicate with user equipment, including, but not limited to, an evolved NodeB (eNB), a radio network controller (RNC), a NodeB (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (Home evolved NodeB, HeNB, or Home NodeB, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), an access point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission point (TP), or a transmission and reception point (TRP), etc. Alternatively, the access network device may be a gNB or transmission point (TRP or TP) in a 5G system such as an NR system, or one antenna panel or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system, or a network node constituting a gNB or transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU) or a distributed unit (DU). It may be understood that all or part of the functions of the access network device in this application may alternatively be implemented using software functions running on hardware or by using virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0101] In some deployments, a gNB may include a central unit (CU) and a DU. The gNB may further include an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU implements some functions of the gNB, and the DU implements some functions of the gNB. For example, the CU is responsible for processing non-real-time protocols and services and implements functions of the radio resource control (RRC) layer and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer. The DU is responsible for processing physical layer protocols and real-time services and implements functions of the radio link control (RLC) layer, the media access control (MAC) layer, and the physical (PHY) layer. The AAU implements some physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing, and functions related to active antennas. RRC layer information is generated by the CU and finally encapsulated into or converted from PHY layer information in the PHY layer of the DU. Therefore, in this architecture, higher layer signaling, for example, RRC layer signaling, may also be considered as being sent by the DU or by the DU and the AAU. It may be understood that an access network device may be a device including one or more of a CU node, a DU node, or an AAU node. Furthermore, a CU may be classified as an access network device in an access network (radio access network, RAN), or a CU may be classified as an access network device in a core network (CN). This is not a limitation in the present application.

[0102] A terminal device in embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), terminal, access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user equipment. The terminal in the embodiments of the present application may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer (pad), a computer with wireless transceiver functionality, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication functionality, a computing device, another processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a terminal in a 5G network, a terminal in a future evolved network, or the like.

[0103] Wearable devices, sometimes referred to as wearable intelligent devices, are a general term for wearable devices such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothes, and shoes that have been developed by applying wearable technology to the intelligent design of everyday clothing. Wearable devices are portable devices that can be worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not only hardware devices, but also implement powerful functions through software support, data exchange, and cloud interaction. In a broad sense, wearable intelligent devices include full-featured, large-sized devices that can implement all or part of their functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smart watches or smart glasses, and devices that are dedicated to only one type of application function and require cooperation with another device such as a smartphone, such as various smart bands or smart jewelry for monitoring physical symptoms.

[0104] In an embodiment of the present application, a communication apparatus configured to implement the functions of a network device may be a network device, may be a network device having some functions of a base station, or may be an apparatus capable of supporting a network device to implement the functions, and the apparatus may be installed in a network device.

[0105] During actual network deployment, it is impossible for a terrestrial network to cover all areas, especially areas with a small number of people, such as deserts, oceans, or the Arctic and Antarctic. A non-terrestrial network (NTN) can cover a wide area and is easier to provide coverage in areas with a small number of people, making it suitable for deployment in areas with a small number of people. The embodiments of the present application are applicable to non-terrestrial network (NTN) communications. An NTN is a network or network segment that uses radio frequencies on a satellite (UAS platform). The following describes the technical solutions in the present application in detail by using a satellite communication system as an example.

[0106] In a satellite communication system, the network devices may include satellites.

[0107] Figure 1 is a diagram of a network architecture applicable to one embodiment of the present application. Terrestrial mobile terminals (UEs) access the network through 5G new radio. 5G access network devices are deployed on satellites and connected to terrestrial core networks through wireless links. Furthermore, there are wireless links between the satellites, which implement signaling exchange and user data transmission between the access network devices. The network elements and their interfaces in Figure 1 are described as follows:

[0108] The terminal device is a mobile device that supports 5G new radio, such as a mobile phone or a pad. The terminal device can access the satellite network through the air interface and initiate services such as calls or Internet access.

[0109] 5G access network devices mainly provide wireless access services, schedule radio resources for access terminals, provide reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols, etc., and are, for example, base stations.

[0110] The 5G core network provides services such as user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication, and charging. The 5G core network includes multiple functional units, which can be classified into control plane functional entities and data plane functional entities. The access and mobility management unit (AMF) is responsible for user access management, security authentication, and mobility management. The user plane unit (UPF) is responsible for managing user plane data transmission, traffic statistics collection, etc.

[0111] The ground station is responsible for transferring signaling and service data between the satellite access network device and the 5G core network.

[0112] 5G New Radio is the wireless link between the terminal and the access network device.

[0113] The Xn interface is an interface between 5G access network devices and access network devices, and is mainly used for signaling exchange such as handover.

[0114] The NG interface is an interface between a 5G access network device and a 5G core network, and is mainly used to exchange signaling such as the core network's NAS signaling and user service data.

[0115] 2 is a diagram of an architecture of a communication system applicable to one embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication system may include at least one network device, for example, the satellite device shown in FIG. 1. The communication system may further include at least one terminal device, for example, the terminal device shown in FIG. 1. The network device may communicate with the terminal device through a wireless link.

[0116] It should be understood that a network device in a wireless communication system may be any device having a wireless transceiver function, including, but not limited to, a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), etc., or may be, for example, one antenna panel or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system, or may be, for example, a satellite, etc.

[0117] It can be understood that FIG. 2 shows only one network device and one terminal device. In an example, the communication system is not limited and may include more terminal devices. For example, in a satellite communication network, a satellite may cover multiple terminal devices for communication. It is also not limited that each terminal device communicates with one network device. For example, after a satellite moves, a terminal device may reselect a satellite for access communication.

[0118] It can be understood that Fig. 2 is merely an example and does not constitute any limitation on the protection scope of the present application. The positioning method for NTN provided in the embodiments of the present application may further involve network elements or devices not shown in Fig. 2. Of course, the positioning method for NTN provided in the embodiments of the present application may alternatively include only some network elements shown in Fig. 2.

[0119] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a communication system architecture applicable to one embodiment of the present application. The name of the architecture shown in FIG. 3 is a RAN architecture with transparent satellite. As shown in FIG. 3, in a transparent transmission scenario, a satellite is used to implement frequency conversion and radio frequency amplification, equivalent to an analog radio frequency repeater. Therefore, the satellite replicates the NR-Uu radio interface signal from the feeder link (between the NTN gateway and the satellite) to the service link (between the satellite and the UE), and vice versa. The satellite radio interface (SRI) on the feeder link transmits the NR-Uu interface signal; that is, the satellite does not terminate the NR-Uu interface signal but replicates it. The NTN gateway supports all necessary functions for forwarding the NR-Uu interface signal. Different transmitting satellites can be connected to the same terrestrial gNB.

[0120] FIG. 4 is a diagram of another architecture of a communication system applicable to one embodiment of the present application. The name of the architecture shown in FIG. 4 is Regenerative satellite without ISL (inter-satellite link). In this architecture, the satellite acts as a base station to regenerate signals received from the ground. Specifically, NR-Uu air interface signals are transmitted on a service link between the UE and the satellite, and satellite air interface (SRI) signals are transmitted on a feeder link between the NTN gateway and the satellite. The SRI is the transmission link between the NTN gateway and the satellite. The NG interface signals are transmitted to the NTN gateway through the SRI and then forwarded by the NTN gateway to a terrestrial core network device. The process of transmitting the NG interface signals from the terrestrial core network device to the satellite base station is similar and will not be described in detail again here.

[0121] Figure 5 is a diagram of another architecture of a communication system applicable to one embodiment of the present application. The name of the architecture shown in Figure 4 is Regenerative satellite with ISL. In this scenario, the satellite also serves as a base station. The difference from the previous scenario is that an ISL exists in this scenario. The ISL is a transmission link between satellites. As shown in the above figure, a UE served by a base station on a satellite can access a 5G core network through the ISL. Base stations on different satellites can be connected to the same terrestrial 5G core network.

[0122] FIG. 6 is a diagram of another architecture of a communication system applicable to one embodiment of the present application. The architecture shown in FIG. 4 is called NG-RAN with a regenerative satellite based on gNB-DU. In this scenario, the CU and DU of a base station are separated. The satellite acts as the DU of the base station on the satellite. The satellite regenerates signals received from the ground. Specifically, NR-Uu air interface signals are transmitted over a service link between the UE and the satellite, and satellite air interface (SRI) signals are transmitted over a feeder link between the NTN gateway and the satellite. The satellite air interface is a transmission link and can transmit logical interface F1 signals according to the 3GPP standard. F1 protocol signals are transmitted over the satellite air interface. The satellite can provide an inter-satellite link (ISL) between satellites. The NTN gateway is a node at the transport network layer and supports all necessary transport protocols. DUs on different satellites can be connected to the same terrestrial CU.

[0123] It should be noted that the above RAN architecture is only an example for illustration purposes, and may further be used in another NTN architecture, or in 4G, 5G, or future wireless network architectures, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0124] When a terminal registers with a core network, the core network needs to determine whether the terminal should camp on the core network, i.e., whether to select an appropriate core network for the terminal. The core network needs to verify the location information of the terminal, i.e., the network verifies whether the terminal is located within a certain range based on the location of the terminal device determined by the network and the location reported by the terminal, thereby verifying the accuracy of the location information of the terminal.

[0125] In the existing NR standard protocol, the NTN can verify the location of the terminal by using positioning service procedures in the TN.

[0126] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, terms used in the embodiments of the present application will be explained in detail.

[0127] 1. Positioning technology for TN

[0128] A target terminal (Target UE) can be positioned by using a positioning technique, and thus a positioning initiator that initiates a positioning service obtains the location of the target terminal. The target UE receives or transmits a positioning reference signal. The target UE is positioned by using a positioning method supported in NR and LTE.

[0129] In this application, the positioning initiator includes an LCS (LoCation Services), a UE, or an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function). For example, an LCS requests a serving AMF of a target UE to position the target UE. The serving AMF determines to position the target UE, for example, the UE needs to be positioned due to an emergency call. The UE requests a positioning service from the serving AMF of the UE, for example, for positioning or transmitting assistance information.

[0130] In this application, the positioning method may include, but is not limited to, Multi-Round Trip Time (Multi-RTT) positioning, Downlink Time Difference Of Arrival (DL-TDOA) positioning, Uplink Time Difference Of Arrival (UL-TDOA) positioning, Downlink Angle-of-Departure (DL-AoD) positioning, Uplink Angle of Arrival (UL-AoA) positioning, NR Enhanced Cell ID (NR E CID) positioning, Motion sensor positioning, Terrestrial Beacon System (TBS) positioning, Bluetooth positioning, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) positioning, Barometric pressure sensor positioning, Enhanced Cell ID positioning, Observed Time Difference Of Arrival (OTA), This includes OTDOA (Internet of Things) positioning, network-assisted global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning, etc.

[0131] 2. Transmission Point (TP)

[0132] A transmission point is a cell, part of a cell, or a geographically co-located group of transmit antennas (e.g., an antenna array (having one or more antenna elements)) for a DL-PRS dedicated TP. A transmission point may include a base station (ng-eNB or gNB) antenna, a remote radio head, a remote antenna of a base station, an antenna of a DL-PRS dedicated TP, etc. A cell may include one or more transmission points. In the case of a homogeneous deployment, each transmission point may correspond to one cell.

[0133] 3. Reception Point (RP)

[0134] A reception point is a cell, a portion of a cell, or a geographically co-located group of receive antennas (e.g., an antenna array (having one or more antenna elements)) for a UL-SRS dedicated RP. A reception point may include a base station (ng-eNB or gNB) antenna, a remote radio head, a remote antenna of a base station, an antenna of a UL-SRS dedicated RP, etc. A cell may include one or more reception points. In the case of a homogeneous deployment, each reception point may correspond to one cell.

[0135] A transmission-reception point (TRP) is a geographically collocated group of antennas (e.g., an antenna array (having one or more antenna elements)) that supports TP and / or RP functions.

[0136] In an NTN scenario, the TRP may be deployed on a satellite, an unmanned aerial vehicle, an airship, a stratospheric platform, etc., or may be deployed on a base station, an NTN gateway, a ground station, etc. This is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0137] The following describes in detail the procedure of the positioning service in the TN.

[0138] In the positioning technology for TN, Multi-round trip time (Multi-RTT) positioning technology and Downlink Time Difference of Arrival (DL-TDOA) positioning technology are used as examples.

[0139] The following is a brief explanation of the principles of multi-RTT positioning.

[0140] In multi-RTT positioning, multiple TRPs (at least three TRPs are required) and the UE send reference signals to each other for measurement. The location management function (LMF) then calculates the Rx-Tx round trip time (RTT) between the UE and the multiple TRPs, and calculates the actual distances R1 / R2 / R3 between the UE and each TRP based on the electromagnetic wave transmission speed and the round trip time (RTT). In this case, the UE is clearly located at the intersection of three spheres, with the TRPs as the center and the access network devices R1, R2, and R3 as the radii. Since the locations of the access network devices to which the TRPs belong are known, location resolution can be directly implemented by using a set of three-dimensional equations.

[0141] 7 is a diagram of a positioning procedure. The diagram of the positioning procedure is applicable to multi-RTT positioning technology. The positioning procedure includes steps S701 to S713. The specific steps are as follows:

[0142] Step S701: The LMF (Location Management Function) at the center of positioning obtains TRP information required for multi-RTT positioning, such as time sequence information, TRP ID, and positioning reference signal setting information of the TRP served by the access network device.

[0143] Step S702: The LMF requests the positioning capability of the UE.

[0144] Step S703: The LMF sends an NR Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa) positioning information request message to the serving access network device to request UL information of the UE.

[0145] Step S704 includes: S704a and S704b: S704a: The serving access network device determines available resources for the UL-SRS; S704b: The serving access network device configures a UL-SRS resource set for the UE;

[0146] Step S705: The serving access network device provides UL-SRS configuration information to the LMF by using an NRPa positioning information response message. Whether the SRS configuration precedes the DL-PRS configuration depends on the implementation, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0147] Step S706 includes S706a, S706b, and S706c. S706a: In the case of semi-static or aperiodic SRS, the LMF may request activation of UE SRS transmission by sending an NRPPa positioning activation request message to the UE's serving access network device. S706b: The serving access network device activates UL-SRS transmission. S706c: The serving access network device sends an NRPPa location activation response message. The UE starts UL-SRS transmission based on the time domain behavior of the UL-SRS resource configuration.

[0148] Step S707: The LMF provides the serving access network device with the UL-SRS configuration by using an NRRPa measurement request message, where the message includes all the information necessary to allow the gNB / TRP to perform UL measurements.

[0149] Step S708: The LMF sends an LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) Provide Assistance Data message to the UE, where the message includes any assistance data required by the UE to perform the required DL-PRS measurements.

[0150] Step S709: The LMF sends an LPP location information request message to request measurement.

[0151] Step S710: S710a: The UE performs DL-PRS measurements for all access network devices given in the assistance data in S708. S710b: Each access network device configured in S707 measures the UE SRS transmission from the UE.

[0152] Step S711: The target device reports DL-PRS measurements for multi-RTT to the LMF by using an LPP Location Information message.

[0153] Step S712: Each access network device reports the UE SRS measurement to the LMF by using an NRPa measurement response message.

[0154] Step S713: The LMF sends an NRPPa positioning deactivation message to the serving access network device.

[0155] Step S714: The LMF determines the location information of the UE.

[0156] In step S711, the measurement result reported by the terminal device is the receive-transmit time difference (Rx-Tx time difference), defined in the standard protocol as TUE-RX-TUE-TX. TUE-RX is the timing of downlink subframe #i received by the UE from the transmission point (TP) and is defined by the first detection path in time. TUE-TX is the UE's transmit timing for uplink subframe #j that is closest in time to subframe #i received from the TP. Based on higher layer indications, multiple DL PRSs or CSI-RSs for resource tracking can be used to determine the start of the subframe of the first arrival path from the TP. For frequency range 1, the reference point for TUE-RX measurement shall be the UE's Rx antenna connector, and the reference point for TUE-TX measurement shall be the UE's Tx antenna connector. For frequency range 2, the reference point for TUE-RX measurement shall be the UE's Rx antenna, and the reference point for TUE-TX measurement shall be the UE's Tx antenna.

[0157] In step S712, the measurement result reported by the network device is the receive-transmit time difference (Rx-Tx time difference), defined in the standard protocol as TgNB-RX-TgNB-TX. TgNB-RX is the reception time sequence of the transmit / receive point (TRP) for uplink subframe #i containing the SRS associated with the UE and is defined by the first detection path in time. TgNB-TX is the transmission timing of the TRP for downlink subframe #j, where subframe #j is closest in time to subframe #i received from the UE. Multiple SRS resources can be used to determine the start of the subframe containing the SRS.

[0158] It should be noted that the coverage of a TN cell is small, typically a few thousand meters to a few tens of kilometers, and a propagation delay difference of 0.5 ms (corresponding to 150 km) is sufficient to meet the coverage requirements of a TN cell. However, the coverage of an NTN cell is wide, and the cell diameter may be hundreds or thousands of kilometers, the propagation delay difference between the center of the cell and the edge of the cell may be a few milliseconds, and the propagation delay difference between adjacent cells may be a few milliseconds or even greater than 10 milliseconds. Existing measurement result reporting mechanisms cannot meet the requirements in an NTN scenario.

[0159] It should be noted that in this application, the reception timing or transmission timing can be understood as the time sequence or start time of a subframe, or as the end time of a subframe. This is not limited in this embodiment of the application. In the following embodiment, the start time of a subframe is used as an example for explanation.

[0160] 8 is a diagram of a frame structure for reporting measurement results by a terminal device and a network device. (a) of FIG. 8 is Scenario 1. In Scenario 1, the access network device first sends a PRS. (b) of FIG. 8 is Scenario 2. In Scenario 2, the access network device first receives an SRS. Scenario 1 is used as an example.

[0161] According to existing TN technology, it is assumed that a terminal receives a downlink positioning reference signal PRS in downlink subframe #0, the uplink subframe closest to downlink subframe #0 is uplink subframe #4, the terminal device reports a timing difference X between downlink subframe #0 and uplink subframe #4 to the LMF, the access network device receives an uplink positioning reference signal SRS in uplink subframe #6, the downlink subframe closest to uplink subframe #6 is downlink subframe #6, and the access network device reports a timing difference Y between downlink subframe #6 and downlink subframe #6 to the LMF.

[0162] In this application, the two timing differences may be understood to be the offset between the starting location of the uplink subframe and the starting location of the downlink subframe.

[0163] As shown in Figure 8(a), the absolute value of the two timing differences (the time difference between the starting boundaries of the subframes) is less than 0.5 ms. However, in NTN scenarios, the actual propagation delay may be several milliseconds or even tens of milliseconds. With existing TN technology, the LMF cannot determine the location of a terminal based on the measurement results reported by the terminal.

[0164] The principle of FIG. 8(b) is the same, and the details will not be described again.

[0165] The following is a brief explanation of the principles of DL-TDOA positioning.

[0166] In DL-TDOA positioning, the TRP sends positioning reference signals (PRS) to the UE. The UE performs DL RSTD (Reference Signal Time Difference) measurements for the PRS delivered by each TRP and reports the DL RSTD measurement information. The LMF calculates the specific location of the UE based on the known locations of the TRPs and the RSTD measurement results.

[0167] 9 is a diagram of another positioning procedure. The diagram of the positioning procedure is applicable to DL-TDOA positioning technology. The positioning procedure includes steps S901 to S905. The specific steps are as follows:

[0168] Step S901: The LMF obtains TRP information required for DL-TDOA positioning, such as time sequence information, TRP ID, and positioning reference signal configuration information of the TRP served by the base station.

[0169] Step S902: The LMF requests the positioning capability of the UE.

[0170] Step S903: The LMF sends an LPP Provide Assistance Data message to the UE, where the message includes any assistance data required by the target device to perform the required DL-PRS measurements.

[0171] Step S904: The LMF sends an LPP Location Request message to request DL-TDOA measurement.

[0172] Step S905: The UE performs measurement and sends an LPP location provide message.

[0173] In step S905, the terminal reports DL RSTD in an LPP location provision message, where the downlink reference signal time difference (DL RSTD) is the downlink relative timing difference between transmission point (TP) j and reference TP i and is defined as TSubframeRxj - TSubframeRxi. TSubframeRxj is the start time of a subframe received by the UE from TP j. TSubframeRxi is the corresponding start time of a subframe received by the UE from TP i, where the subframe is closest in time to the subframe received from TP j. Multiple downlink PRS resources may be used to determine the start of the subframe of the TP. For frequency range 1, the reference point for DL ​​RSTD shall be the antenna connector of the UE. For frequency range 2, the reference point for DL ​​RSTD shall be the antenna of the UE.

[0174] In a TN scenario, the reference TRP and the adjacent TRP are two TRPs, and the terminal measures the subframe boundary difference between the reference TRP and the adjacent TRP. In a single-satellite scenario, there is only one TRP, and the terminal is connected to the base station or cell corresponding to the TRP. When the terminal receives the downlink positioning reference signal of the TRP, there is no other TRP for comparison, or the terminal compares the terminal's time with the subframe boundary of the downlink positioning reference signal. In this case, the subframe boundary difference is 0.

[0175] Furthermore, the coverage of a TN cell is small, typically ranging from a few thousand meters to a few tens of kilometers, and a propagation delay difference of 0.5 ms (corresponding to 150 km) is sufficient to meet the coverage requirements of a TN cell. However, the coverage of an NTN cell is wide, and the propagation delay difference between the center of the cell and the edge of the cell can be several milliseconds, and the propagation delay difference between adjacent cells can be several milliseconds or even longer than 10 milliseconds. Existing delay difference reporting mechanisms cannot meet the requirements in NTN scenarios. Note: The second drawback is in the case of a multi-satellite scenario, understood as a multi-TRP scenario.

[0176] FIG. 10 is a diagram of another frame structure for reporting measurements by a terminal device.

[0177] According to the prior art, the UE reports a boundary difference Z between the subframe containing the downlink positioning reference signal and the nearest subframe of the reference TRP, where the absolute value of the time difference is less than 0.5 ms. However, the actual propagation delay difference may be greater than 1 ms.

[0178] In conclusion, for the NTN scenario, the existing measurement solutions for terminal devices in the TN scenario cannot meet the requirements in the NTN scenario, and a measurement solution is urgently needed to implement positioning or location verification of terminal devices in the NTN scenario.

[0179] In view of this, one embodiment of the present application provides a positioning method for NTN in which a terminal is positioned by using a positioning service procedure in the TN or the location information of the terminal is verified in the NTN, thereby meeting the positioning requirements in NTN scenarios.

[0180] The solution of the present application is described in detail below.

[0181] 11 is a schematic flowchart of a positioning method for NTN according to the present application. The method 1100 is applicable to multi-RTT positioning technology.

[0182] In this embodiment, an example in which a network device and a terminal device are used as the implementation entities of the interaction diagram is used to illustrate the method. However, the implementation entities of the interaction diagram are not limited in this application. For example, the network device in FIG. 11 may alternatively be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports a method that can be implemented by the network device, or may be a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device. The terminal device in FIG. 11 may alternatively be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports a method that can be implemented by the terminal device, or may be a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal device.

[0183] Step S1110: The terminal device receives a first request message.

[0184] In this application, the first request message is used to request the terminal device to perform measurements on the downlink positioning reference signal.

[0185] In particular, the terminal device receives a first request message from a first device.

[0186] In the present application, the first device may be a location management function or may be a network device, for example, may be an access network device or may be a TRP.

[0187] In a possible implementation, as shown in S1110a, the terminal device receives a first request message from the network device, and in response, the network device sends the first request message to the terminal device.

[0188] In another possible implementation, as shown in S1110b, the terminal device receives a first request message from the location management function, and in response, the location management function sends the first request message to the terminal device.

[0189] For example, the first request message may be an LPP location request message.

[0190] For example, the location management function may be an LMF network element.

[0191] For example, the downlink positioning reference signal may be a PRS.

[0192] Step S1120: The network device receives a second request message.

[0193] In this application, the second request message is used to request the network device to perform measurements on the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0194] In particular, the network device receives a second request message from the location management function.

[0195] Step S1130: The terminal device and the network device respectively perform measurements on the positioning reference signals.

[0196] The terminal device performs measurements on the downlink positioning reference signal based on the first request message, as shown in S1130a.

[0197] The network device performs measurements on the uplink positioning reference signal based on the second request message, as shown in S1130b.

[0198] For example, the uplink positioning reference signal may be an SRS.

[0199] The terminal device performs measurements based on positioning reference signal configuration information provided by the network device or the location management function.

[0200] Step S1140: The terminal device and the network device respectively send the measurement results.

[0201] In a possible implementation, as shown in S1140a, the terminal device sends a first message to the first device, where the first message carries the result of measuring the downlink positioning reference signal by the terminal device.

[0202] Correspondingly, the first device receives a first message sent by the terminal device, where the first message carries a result of measuring the downlink positioning reference signal by the terminal device.

[0203] It should be understood that the first device may be a network device or may be a location management function.

[0204] It should be appreciated that a network device may be capable of location management functions.

[0205] In a possible implementation, as shown in S1140b, the network device sends a second message to the location management function, where the second message carries the results of measuring the uplink positioning reference signal by the network device.

[0206] In other words, when the first device is a location management function, the first device needs to receive a second message from the network device, where the second message carries the result of measuring the uplink positioning reference signal by the network device.

[0207] In other words, when the first device is a network device, the access network device determines location information of the terminal device based on the first message sent by the terminal device and the measurement result of the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0208] Step S1150: The first device determines location information of the terminal device based on the measurement result.

[0209] In a possible implementation, the first device is a network device, and the network device determines location information of the terminal device based on the first message reported by the terminal device and measurement results of the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0210] In a possible implementation, the first device is a location management function, and the location management function determines location information of the terminal device based on a first message reported by the terminal device and a second message reported by the network device.

[0211] The execution sequence of the above steps is not limited, for example, there is no sequence requirement for step S1110 and step S1120, and there is no sequence requirement for step S1130a and step S1130b.

[0212] In this application, the measurement results of the positioning reference signals reported by the terminal device and the network device (step S1140 above) can meet the requirements in the NTN scenario. The following describes in detail the measurement results reported in this application.

[0213] The following provides examples of measurements applicable to the method 1100 described above.

[0214] Example 1

[0215] In S1140a, the terminal device sends a first message to the first device.

[0216] In one possible implementation, the first message includes an offset between the start location of a first subframe and the start location of a second subframe, where the first subframe is a downlink subframe in which a downlink positioning reference signal is located, and the second subframe is an uplink subframe that has the same frame number and subframe number as the first subframe and is closest to the first subframe.

[0217] The offset between the starting location of the first subframe and the starting location of the second subframe may be the offset between the reception time of the first subframe (i.e., the subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located) and the transmission time of the second subframe (i.e., the uplink subframe that has the same frame number and the same subframe number as the first subframe and is closest to the first subframe).

[0218] The start location may be understood as a location corresponding to the time when a subframe starts to be received or transmitted, or in other words, a location corresponding to the start time for receiving or transmitting a subframe. In this application, the start location of a subframe may be understood with reference to the description. Details will not be described again below.

[0219] The offset between the start location of the first subframe and the start location of the second subframe can be understood as the time difference between the start time of the first subframe and the start time of the second subframe, or in other words, the difference between the start instant of the first subframe and the start instant of the second subframe. In this application, the offset can be understood with reference to the description. Details will not be described again below.

[0220] FIG. 12 is a diagram of a frame structure applicable to one embodiment of the present application used to report measurement results between terminal devices and network devices.

[0221] As shown in FIG. 12, the first subframe is downlink subframe #0 in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located, the second subframe is uplink subframe #0 which has the same frame number and subframe number as the first subframe and is closest to the first subframe, and the offset between the starting location of the first subframe and the starting location of the second subframe is A as shown in the figure.

[0222] It should be understood that the offset between the starting location of the first subframe and the starting location of the second subframe may also be understood as the timing advance of the terminal device.

[0223] In a possible implementation, the offset A may be expressed in terms of a frame, a subframe, or a subframe difference.

[0224] For example, as shown in FIG. 12, if the offset A between downlink subframe #0 and uplink subframe #0 in which the UE's downlink positioning reference signal is located is 4.4 ms, the frame is 0 ms, the subframe is 4 ms, and the subframe difference is 0.4 ms.

[0225] For example, if the difference between the start time of downlink subframe #0 where the UE's downlink positioning reference signal is located and the start time of uplink subframe #0 is 4.9 ms, the frame is 0 ms, the subframe is 4 ms, and the subframe difference is 0.9 ms, or the frame is 0 ms, the subframe is 5 ms, and the subframe difference is -0.1 ms. When the value of the frame is 0, the frame may be omitted. For example, when the field corresponding to the frame is default, the network considers the value corresponding to the frame to be 0.

[0226] In a possible implementation, if the TRP is deployed on a satellite, the UE reports the delay between the UE and the satellite, or if the TRP is deployed on a base station or earth station, the terminal reports the complete timing advance, where the complete timing advance includes the delay from the UE to the satellite and the timing advance value from the satellite to the base station or earth station.

[0227] In a possible implementation, if the TRP is deployed in a base station or ground station, the terminal may report the delay from the UE to the satellite.

[0228] In S1140b, the network device sends a second message to the first device.

[0229] In this application, the second message includes an offset between the start location of the third subframe and the start location of the fourth subframe. The third subframe is an uplink subframe in which an uplink positioning reference signal is located. The fourth subframe is a downlink subframe that has the same frame number and subframe number as the third subframe and is closest to the third subframe.

[0230] The offset between the starting location of the third subframe and the starting location of the fourth subframe may be the offset between the reception time of the third subframe (i.e., the subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal is located) and the transmission time of the fourth subframe (i.e., the downlink subframe that has the same frame number and the same subframe number as the third subframe and is closest to the third subframe).

[0231] As shown in FIG. 12, the third subframe is uplink subframe #6 in which the uplink positioning reference signal is located, the fourth subframe is downlink subframe #6 which has the same frame number and subframe number as the third subframe and is closest to the third subframe, and the offset between the starting location of the third subframe and the starting location of the fourth subframe is B as shown in the figure.

[0232] Offset B may be expressed in terms of frames, subframes, or subframe differences, and is expressed in the same manner as that of offset A. Details will not be described again here.

[0233] In a possible implementation, in an NTN scenario, there are cases where the downlink frame timing and uplink frame timing of an access network device are not aligned, and the difference between the downlink frame timing and the uplink frame timing can be represented by a first offset.

[0234] The unit of the first offset may be the amount of slots in a given subcarrier spacing.

[0235] For example, for a subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz, the unit of the first offset is one slot, i.e., 1 slot, i.e., 1 ms.

[0236] The offset reported by the base station / TRP between the subframe containing the corresponding uplink positioning reference signal and the nearest downlink subframe with the same frame number and the same subframe number may alternatively be represented by a first offset and a subframe difference.

[0237] In a possible implementation, the downlink and uplink frame timing are not aligned, and this embodiment of the present application provides an example of a measurement reporting mechanism in this case.

[0238] FIG. 13 is a diagram of a frame structure for reporting measurement results when the downlink frame timing and the uplink frame timing are not aligned. As shown in FIG. 13, assume that a network device receives an uplink positioning reference signal in uplink subframe #6, the closest downlink subframe with the same frame number and subframe number is downlink subframe #6, and the offset between uplink subframe #6 and downlink subframe #6 is 1.1 ms. The downlink frame timing and uplink frame timing of the network device are not aligned. If the first offset in the diagram is 1 ms, the 1.1 ms offset between uplink subframe #6 and downlink subframe #6 can be represented by a first offset of 1 ms and a subframe difference of 0.1 ms. The subframe difference of 0.1 ms can be calculated by subtracting 1 ms from 1.1 ms, or the 0.1 ms can be calculated by using the remainder of 1.1 ms.

[0239] Note that the subframe difference may represent a positive number or a negative number. In a possible scenario, assume that the offset reported by the network device between the subframe containing the corresponding uplink positioning reference signal and the nearest downlink subframe having the same frame number and the same subframe number is 0.9 ms, and the first offset is 1 ms. In this case, the subframe difference may be -0.1 ms.

[0240] In a possible implementation, the first offset and the subframe difference may be reported to the first device by using the same message, or may be reported to the first device by using different messages, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0241] 12 and 13 are illustrative examples only and do not constitute any limitation to this embodiment of the present application.

[0242] In S1140a and S1140b, the first message sent by the terminal device and the second message sent by the network device may further include timestamp information.

[0243] The timestamp information includes one of a system frame number and a subframe number belonging to the reference network device and corresponding to the start time of the subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is received, a system frame number and a subframe number belonging to the reference network device and corresponding to the moment in which the downlink positioning reference signal is received, and a system frame number and a subframe number belonging to the reference network device and corresponding to the subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal is sent.

[0244] In a possible implementation, the timestamp information may be information regarding the system frame number and the subframe number of the subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal PRS measured by the terminal device is located, information regarding the system frame number and the slot number of the slot in which the downlink positioning reference signal PRS measured by the terminal device is located, or information regarding the system frame number, the subframe number, and the slot number of the slot in which the downlink positioning reference signal PRS measured by the terminal device is located.

[0245] In a possible implementation, the timestamp information may be information regarding the system frame number and subframe number when the terminal device performs measurements on the downlink positioning reference signal, information regarding the system frame number and slot number when the terminal device performs measurements on the downlink positioning reference signal, or information regarding the system frame number, subframe number, and slot number when the terminal device performs measurements on the downlink positioning reference signal.

[0246] In a possible implementation, the timestamp information may be information regarding a system frame number and a subframe number through which the terminal device sends an uplink positioning reference signal, information regarding a system frame number and a slot number through which the terminal device sends an uplink positioning reference signal, or information regarding a system frame number, a subframe number, and a slot number through which the terminal device sends an uplink positioning reference signal.

[0247] It may be appreciated that the timestamp information may alternatively be one or a combination of the above three cases.

[0248] After receiving the timestamp information, the first device may more quickly determine the location of the TRP corresponding to the system frame number and subframe number, or may distinguish the measurement results reported by the terminal.

[0249] According to the above technical solution, in an NTN scenario, after performing measurements on a downlink positioning reference signal, the terminal device reports an offset between the starting location of a subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located and the starting location of an uplink subframe that has the same frame number and subframe number as the subframe and is closest to the subframe, and the first device determines the location of the terminal device with respect to the offset obtained by measuring the uplink positioning reference signal between the starting location of the subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal is located and the starting location of a downlink subframe that has the same frame number and subframe number as the subframe and is closest to the subframe, thereby improving the accuracy of the location of the terminal device.

[0250] Example 2

[0251] In S1140a, the terminal device sends a first message to the first device.

[0252] In one possible implementation, the first message includes an offset between the start location of a first subframe and the start location of a second subframe, the first subframe being a downlink subframe in which a downlink positioning reference signal is located, and the second subframe being an uplink subframe including an uplink positioning reference signal sent by the terminal device.

[0253] The offset between the starting location of the first subframe and the starting location of the second subframe may be the offset between the reception time of the first subframe (i.e., the downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located) and the transmission time of the second subframe (i.e., the uplink subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal is located).

[0254] FIG. 14 is a diagram of a frame structure applicable to one embodiment of the present application and used to report measurement results between a terminal device and a network device.

[0255] As shown in FIG. 14, the first subframe is downlink subframe #0 in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located, the second subframe is uplink subframe #6 containing the uplink positioning reference signal sent by the terminal device, and the offset between the starting location of the first subframe and the starting location of the second subframe is C as shown in the figure.

[0256] It should be understood that the offset between the starting location of the first subframe and the starting location of the second subframe may also be understood as the timing advance of the terminal device.

[0257] In a possible implementation, the offset C may be expressed in terms of frames, subframes, or subframe differences, and is expressed in the same manner as that of the offset A. Details will not be described again here.

[0258] In S1140b, the network device sends a second message to the first device.

[0259] In this application, the second message includes an offset between the start location of the third subframe and the start location of the fourth subframe, the third subframe being an uplink subframe in which an uplink positioning reference signal is located, and the fourth subframe being a downlink subframe including a downlink positioning reference signal sent by the network device.

[0260] The offset between the starting location of the third subframe and the starting location of the fourth subframe may be the offset between the reception time of the third subframe (i.e., the uplink subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal is located) and the transmission time of the fourth subframe (i.e., the downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located).

[0261] As shown in FIG. 14, the third subframe is uplink subframe #6 in which the uplink positioning reference signal is located, the fourth subframe is downlink subframe #0 containing the downlink positioning reference signal sent by the network device, and the offset between the starting location of the third subframe and the starting location of the fourth subframe is D as shown in the figure.

[0262] The offset D may be expressed in terms of frames, subframes, or subframe differences, and is expressed in the same manner as that of the offset A. Details will not be described again here.

[0263] FIG. 14 is merely an example for illustrative purposes and does not constitute any limitation to this embodiment of the present application.

[0264] In S1140a and S1140b, the first message sent by the terminal device and the second message sent by the network device may further include timestamp information.

[0265] For the specific content of the timestamp information, please refer to the detailed description of the method in Figure 12. The details will not be described again.

[0266] According to the above technical solution, in an NTN scenario, after performing a measurement on a downlink positioning reference signal, the terminal device reports an offset between the starting location of the subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located and the starting location of the uplink subframe in which the sent uplink positioning reference signal is located, and after performing a measurement on the uplink positioning reference signal, the network device reports an offset between the starting location of the subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal is located and the starting location of the downlink subframe in which the sent downlink positioning reference signal is located, so that the first device accurately determines the location of the terminal device, and thus the accuracy of the location of the terminal device is improved.

[0267] 15 is a schematic flow chart of yet another positioning method for NTN according to the present application. The method 1500 is applicable to DL-TDOA positioning technology.

[0268] In this embodiment, an example in which a network device and a terminal device are used as the implementation entities of the interaction diagram is used to illustrate the method. However, the implementation entities of the interaction diagram are not limited in this application. For example, the network device in FIG. 15 may alternatively be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports a method that can be implemented by the network device, or may be a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device. The terminal device in FIG. 15 may alternatively be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports a method that can be implemented by the terminal device, or may be a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal device.

[0269] Step S1510: The terminal device receives a first request message.

[0270] In this application, the first request message is used to request the terminal device to perform measurements on the downlink positioning reference signal.

[0271] In particular, the terminal device receives a first request message from a first device.

[0272] In this application, the first device may be a location management function or a network device.

[0273] In a possible implementation, as shown in S1510a, the terminal device receives a first request message from the network device, and in response, the network device sends the first request message to the terminal device.

[0274] In another possible implementation, as shown in S1510b, the terminal device receives a first request message from the location management function, and in response, the location management function sends the first request message to the terminal device.

[0275] For example, the first request message may be an LPP location request message.

[0276] For example, the location management function may be an LMF network element.

[0277] For example, the downlink positioning reference signal may be a PRS.

[0278] Step S1520: The terminal device performs measurement on the downlink positioning reference signal.

[0279] The terminal device performs measurements on the downlink positioning reference signal based on the first request message.

[0280] The terminal device performs measurements based on positioning reference signal configuration information provided by the network device or the location management function.

[0281] The measurement is a DL RSDT measurement. The specific measurement method is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0282] Step S1530: The terminal device sends the measurement result to the first device.

[0283] In a possible implementation, the terminal device sends a third message to the network device or the location management function, where the third message carries a result of measuring the downlink positioning reference signal by the terminal device.

[0284] Correspondingly, the first device receives a third message sent by the terminal device, where the third message carries a measurement result of measuring the downlink positioning reference signal by the terminal device.

[0285] Step S1540: The first device determines location information of the terminal device based on the measurement result.

[0286] In a possible implementation, the first device determines location information of the terminal device based on the third message reported by the terminal device.

[0287] In this application, the third message carries the measurement result of measuring the downlink positioning reference signal by the terminal device, and the measurement result of the positioning reference signal reported by the terminal device (step S1530 above) can meet the requirements in the NTN scenario. The following describes in detail the measurement result reported in this application.

[0288] The following provides examples of measurements applicable to the method 1500 described above.

[0289] Example 1

[0290] In S1530, the terminal device sends a third message to the first device.

[0291] In a possible implementation, the third message includes the difference between the propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal and the propagation delay of a reference downlink positioning reference signal.

[0292] The reference downlink positioning reference signal is one of the downlink positioning reference signals sent by the network device.

[0293] In a possible implementation, the terminal device determines the propagation delay difference of the downlink positioning reference signal based on the absolute time when the network device sends the downlink positioning reference signal and the absolute time when the terminal device receives the downlink positioning reference signal.

[0294] For example, the terminal device receives the configuration information of the downlink positioning reference signal, and determines the absolute time of the interval at which the network device sends the downlink positioning reference signal based on the configuration information of the downlink positioning reference signal.

[0295] For example, the terminal device may alternatively receive time sequence information of the network device and determine the absolute time at which the network device sends a downlink positioning reference signal based on the time sequence information and the setting information of the downlink positioning reference signal.

[0296] It should be understood that after receiving the downlink positioning reference signal, the terminal device may directly determine the absolute time at which the downlink positioning reference signal is received.

[0297] The following details two processes for determining the difference between the propagation delays.

[0298] The specific process of decision method 1 is as follows:

[0299] FIG. 16 is a diagram of transmission time and reception time of a downlink positioning reference signal applicable to one embodiment of the present application.

[0300] Step a: The terminal device determines the transmission time and reception time of the downlink positioning reference signal.

[0301] The terminal device determines the transmission time of the downlink positioning reference signal based on the configuration information of the downlink positioning reference signal. As shown in Figure 16, it is assumed that the transmission times of different access network devices or TRPs are subframe #0 of frame #0, subframe #0 of frame #200, and subframe #0 of frame #400. (Generally, a larger time interval of the downlink positioning reference signal indicates higher positioning accuracy. In the figure, it is assumed that the time interval of sending the downlink positioning reference signal is 2 seconds, the duration of one frame is 10 milliseconds, and the interval between 200 frames is 2 seconds, but the actual time interval may be greater than 2 seconds.) The absolute time corresponding to subframe #0 of frame #0 is T1, the absolute time corresponding to subframe #0 of frame #200 is T2, and the absolute time corresponding to subframe #0 of frame #400 is T3. It is assumed that the downlink positioning reference signal sent at moment T1 in the figure (i.e., the moment of subframe #0 of frame #0) is the reference downlink positioning reference signal.

[0302] After receiving the downlink positioning reference signal, the terminal may determine the absolute times corresponding to receiving the downlink positioning reference signal. Assume that the absolute times are t1, t2, and t3, which correspond to transmission times T1, T2, and T3, respectively.

[0303] Step b: The terminal device determines a difference between the propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal and the propagation delay of a reference downlink positioning reference signal.

[0304] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the time interval between the downlink positioning reference signal corresponding to subframe #0 of frame #0 and subframe #0 of frame #200 is 2s, and the terminal device can receive the downlink positioning reference signal at the moment of subframe #0 of frame #200 at moment t1+2s.

[0305] Since some network elements in an NTN scenario move, for example, satellites move, downlink positioning reference signals at different moments arrive at the terminal with different propagation delays. In the figure, if the time when the terminal device actually receives the downlink positioning reference signal corresponding to subframe #0 of frame #200 is t2, the difference in propagation delay between the downlink positioning reference signal corresponding to subframe #0 of frame #200 and subframe #0 of frame #0 is t2-(t1+2s). Similarly, the difference in propagation delay between the downlink positioning reference signal corresponding to subframe #0 of frame #400 and subframe #0 of frame #0 is t3-(t1+4s).

[0306] The value of the difference between the propagation delays may be expressed in terms of frame, subframe, or subframe difference, and is expressed in the same manner as that of offset A. Details will not be described again here.

[0307] FIG. 16 is merely an illustrative example and does not constitute any limitation to this embodiment of the present application.

[0308] The specific process of decision method 2 is as follows:

[0309] FIG. 17 is another diagram of transmission time and reception time of a downlink positioning reference signal applicable to an embodiment of the present application.

[0310] Step a: The terminal device determines the transmission time and reception time of the downlink positioning reference signal.

[0311] The terminal device may receive the time sequence information of the network device, and determine the absolute time at which the network device sends the downlink positioning reference signal based on the time sequence information and the setting information of the downlink positioning reference signal.

[0312] The time sequence information of the network device is used by the terminal device to calculate the corresponding absolute time at which the network device sends a downlink positioning reference signal, for example, time information corresponding to the start time of any subframe of any system frame. The time sequence information may be represented by an absolute time corresponding to the start time of slot #0 of SFN #0 of the network device. Alternatively, the time sequence information may be represented by an absolute time corresponding to the start time of subframe #0 of SFN #0 of the network device.

[0313] The network device may send the time sequence information to the terminal device by using the first request message, or may send the time sequence information separately.

[0314] As shown in Figure 17, it is assumed that the transmission times of different access network devices or TRPs are subframe #0 of frame #0, subframe #0 of frame #200, and subframe #0 of frame #400. (Generally, a larger time interval of the downlink positioning reference signal indicates higher positioning accuracy. In the figure, it is assumed that the time interval of sending the downlink positioning reference signal is 2 seconds, the duration of one frame is 10 milliseconds, and the interval between 200 frames is 2 seconds, but the actual time interval may be greater than 2 seconds.) The absolute time corresponding to subframe #0 of frame #0 is T1, the absolute time corresponding to subframe #0 of frame #200 is T2, and the absolute time corresponding to subframe #0 of frame #400 is T3. It is assumed that the downlink positioning reference signal sent at moment T1 in the figure (i.e., the moment of subframe #0 of frame #0) is the reference downlink positioning reference signal.

[0315] After receiving the downlink positioning reference signal, the terminal may determine the absolute times corresponding to receiving the downlink positioning reference signal. Assume that the absolute times are t1, t2, and t3, which correspond to transmission times T1, T2, and T3, respectively.

[0316] Step b: The terminal device determines a difference between the propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal and the propagation delay of a reference downlink positioning reference signal.

[0317] The terminal device determines that the propagation delays corresponding to the downlink positioning reference signals at different instants are t1-T1, t2-T2, and t3-T3. If the downlink positioning reference signal sent at instant T1 in the figure is the reference downlink positioning reference signal, the differences between the propagation delays reported by the terminal device are (t2-T2)-(t1-T1) and (t3-T3)-(t1-T1).

[0318] The value of the difference between the propagation delays may be expressed in terms of frame, subframe, or subframe difference, and is expressed in the same manner as that of offset A. Details will not be described again here.

[0319] In another possible implementation, the terminal device may directly report the propagation delays corresponding to the downlink positioning reference signals at different moments, for example, t1-T1, t2-T2, and t3-T3 in FIG.

[0320] FIG. 17 is merely an example for illustrative purposes and does not constitute any limitation to this embodiment of the present application.

[0321] The solution of this embodiment is also applicable to handover scenarios: the terminal device is handed over in a process in which the network device verifies the location of the terminal or the network device determines the location of the terminal device, i.e., the terminal device is handed over from one network device to another, or the terminal device is handed over for satellite handover or TRP handover.

[0322] The manner of determining the reference downlink positioning reference signal can be any one of the following manners, but is not limited to the following manners.

[0323] Method 1: The terminal device sets the propagation delay difference value of the downlink positioning reference signal sent at the first time (or a specific time) to 0 or to a default value in the reported measurement result (i.e., in the third message). In this case, the corresponding downlink positioning reference signal is the reference downlink positioning reference signal. Correspondingly, the LMF or the base station receives the measurement result reported by the terminal and determines that the downlink positioning reference signal is the reference downlink positioning reference signal based on the fact that the propagation delay difference value of the downlink positioning reference signal sent at the specific time is 0 or the propagation delay difference is the default.

[0324] Manner 2: The terminal device indicates a reference downlink positioning reference signal in the third message. Alternatively, the terminal device explicitly indicates in the third message that the result of measuring the downlink positioning reference signal at another time is to be compared with the measurement result of measuring the downlink positioning reference signal at a specific time. Alternatively, the terminal device explicitly indicates in the third message that the downlink positioning reference signal resource corresponding to the specific time is the reference downlink positioning reference signal resource.

[0325] Method 3: The terminal device and the LMF or network device agree to use the downlink positioning reference signal sent at the first time (or at a specific time, e.g., the last time) after the LMF or network device triggers the terminal to perform positioning measurements as the reference downlink positioning reference signal.

[0326] Method 4: The terminal device receives an indication message sent by the LMF or the network device, the indication message indicating a reference downlink positioning reference signal, for example, a specific downlink positioning reference signal resource is a reference downlink positioning reference signal resource, or a specific downlink positioning reference signal is a reference downlink positioning reference signal, or indicates that a measurement result reported by the terminal device should be compared with the measurement result of the specific downlink positioning reference signal.

[0327] Optionally, the third message may further include timestamp information.

[0328] For the specific content of the timestamp information, please refer to the detailed description of the method in Figure 12. The details will not be described again.

[0329] According to the above technical solution, in the NTN scenario, after performing measurements on the uplink positioning reference signal, the terminal device reports the difference between the propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal and the propagation delay of the reference downlink positioning reference signal, so that the first device accurately determines the location of the terminal device, thereby improving the location accuracy of the terminal device.

[0330] Example 2

[0331] In S1530, the terminal device sends a third message to the first device.

[0332] In a possible implementation, the third message includes an absolute time corresponding to the start location of the fifth subframe or the absolute time at which the downlink positioning reference signal arrives. The fifth subframe is the downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located.

[0333] In this application, absolute time may be represented by using UTC time format or by using a time relative to 00:00 on January 1, 1900.

[0334] Optionally, the third message may further include timestamp information.

[0335] For the specific content of the timestamp information, please refer to the detailed description of the method in Figure 12. The details will not be described again.

[0336] According to the above technical solution, in a single satellite scenario, the terminal device reports to the network device having the positioning management function the absolute time of the downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is received or the absolute time of the downlink positioning reference signal arrival, so that the network device determines the location information of the terminal device, thereby improving the location accuracy of the terminal device.

[0337] Example 3

[0338] In S1530, the terminal device sends a third message to the first device.

[0339] In a possible implementation, the third message includes an offset between a starting location of a sixth subframe and a starting location of a seventh subframe, the sixth subframe being a subframe in which a positioning reference signal of the first network device is located, and the seventh subframe being a subframe in which a positioning reference signal of the reference network device is located.

[0340] In a possible implementation, the third message includes the difference between the absolute time of arrival of the positioning reference signal of the first network device and the absolute time of arrival of the positioning reference signal of the reference network device.

[0341] The offset between the starting location of the sixth subframe and the starting location of the seventh subframe may be the offset between the transmission time of the sixth subframe (the downlink subframe in which the positioning reference signal of the first network device is located) and the seventh subframe (the downlink subframe in which the positioning reference signal of the reference network device is located).

[0342] The first network device can be understood as a base station or TRP of a neighboring cell, and the reference network device is a reference TRP or base station. The first network device and the reference network device are included in network devices that send downlink positioning reference signals.

[0343] FIG. 18 is a diagram of a frame structure applicable to one embodiment of the present application and used to report measurement results of a terminal device.

[0344] As shown in Figure 18, the sixth subframe is downlink subframe #0 in which the terminal device receives the downlink positioning reference signal sent by the reference network device, and the seventh subframe is downlink subframe #0 in which the terminal device receives the downlink positioning reference signal sent by the first network device, and the offset between the starting location of the sixth subframe and the starting location of the seventh subframe is M as shown in the figure. The difference between the absolute time when the positioning reference signal of the first network device arrives and the absolute time when the positioning reference signal of the reference network device arrives is N.

[0345] In a possible implementation, the offset M and difference N may be expressed in terms of frames, subframes, and subframe differences, and are expressed in the same manner as that of the offset A. Details will not be described again here.

[0346] Optionally, the third message may further include timestamp information.

[0347] For the specific content of the timestamp information, please refer to the detailed description of the method in Figure 12. The details will not be described again.

[0348] According to the above technical solution, in a multi-satellite scenario, the terminal device reports to the network device having the positioning management function the offset or difference between the downlink subframes in which the downlink positioning reference signals of the reference network device and the first network device are received, so that the network device determines the location information of the terminal device, thereby improving the location accuracy of the terminal device.

[0349] It should be understood that another possible implementation of this embodiment of the present application is similar to method 1100 or method 1500. For details, please refer to the description of method 1100 or method 1500. The details will not be described again here.

[0350] It should be understood that the sequence numbers of the above processes do not mean the execution sequence, and the execution sequence of the processes should be determined based on the functions and internal logic of the processes, and should not be construed as any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0351] The above mainly describes the solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application from the perspective of interactions between network elements. It can be understood that, to implement the above functions, each network element, such as a transmitter device or a receiver device, includes a corresponding hardware structure and / or software module for performing each function. Those skilled in the art may realize that the units and algorithm steps in the examples described with reference to the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented in the present application in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or hardware driven by computer software depends on the specific application and the design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to go beyond the scope of the present application.

[0352] In an embodiment of the present application, a transmitter device or a receiver device may be divided into functional modules based on the above-described exemplary method. For example, each functional module corresponding to each function may be obtained through division, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. It should be noted that in this embodiment of the present application, the module division is an example and is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. An example in which each functional module is obtained through division based on its corresponding function is used below for explanation.

[0353] The above describes in detail the method provided in the embodiments of the present application with reference to Figures 11 to 18. The following describes in detail the device provided in the embodiments of the present application with reference to Figures 19 and 20. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiment corresponds to the description of the method embodiment. Therefore, for the content not described in detail, please refer to the method embodiment. For the sake of brevity, the details will not be described again here.

[0354] FIG. 19 is a diagram of the structure of a communication device according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0355] The apparatus 1900 includes a transceiver unit 1910 and a processing unit 1920. The transceiver unit 1910 may be configured to implement corresponding communication functions. The processing unit 1920 may be configured to perform data processing.

[0356] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1910 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit, and includes a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit. The transceiver unit 1910 may be a transceiver (including a transmitter and / or a receiver), an input / output interface (including an input and / or output interface), a pin, a circuit, etc. The transceiver unit 1910 may be configured to perform the transmitting and / or receiving steps in the above method embodiments.

[0357] Optionally, the processing unit 1920 may be a processor (which may include one or more processors), a processing circuit having processor functionality, etc., and may be configured to perform steps other than transmitting and receiving in the above method embodiments.

[0358] Optionally, the device 1900 further includes a storage unit. The storage unit may be a memory, an internal storage unit (e.g., a register or a cache), an external storage unit (e.g., a read-only memory or a random-access memory), etc. The storage unit is configured to store instructions. The processing unit 1920 executes the instructions stored in the storage unit to enable the communications device to perform the above-described methods.

[0359] In design, the apparatus 1900 may be configured to perform the actions performed by the first device in each of the above method embodiments. For example, the apparatus 1900 may be configured to perform the actions performed by the first device in the above method 1100 or 1500. In this case, the apparatus 1900 may be a component of the first device. The transceiver unit 1910 is configured to perform operations related to transmission and reception on the first device side in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 1920 is configured to perform operations related to processing on the first device in the above method embodiments.

[0360] For example, the transceiver unit 1910 is configured to receive a first message sent by a terminal device. The first message carries a result of measuring a downlink positioning reference signal by the terminal device. The first message includes an offset between a starting location of a first subframe and a starting location of a second subframe. The first subframe is a downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located. The second subframe has the same frame number and subframe number as the first subframe and is an uplink subframe closest to the first subframe. Alternatively, the second subframe is an uplink subframe in which an uplink positioning reference signal sent by the terminal device is located. The processing unit 1920 is configured to determine location information of the terminal device based on the first message and the measurement result of the uplink positioning reference signal.

[0361] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1910 is further configured to receive a second message sent by the network device. The second message includes a measurement result of an uplink positioning reference signal. The second message includes an offset between a start location of a third subframe and a start location of a fourth subframe. The third subframe is an uplink subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal is located. The fourth subframe has the same frame number and subframe number as the third subframe and is a downlink subframe closest to the third subframe. Alternatively, the fourth subframe is a downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal sent by the network device is located.

[0362] In another example, the transceiver unit 1910 is configured to receive a third message sent by the terminal device. The third message carries a result of measuring a downlink positioning reference signal by the terminal device. The third message includes a difference between a propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal and a propagation delay of a reference downlink positioning reference signal. The processing unit 1920 is configured to determine location information of the terminal device based on the third message.

[0363] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 1910 and the processing unit 1920 may further perform other operations performed by the first device in any one of the method 1100 and the method 1500. Details will not be described again here.

[0364] In design, the apparatus 1900 may be configured to perform the actions performed by a terminal device in each of the above method embodiments. For example, the apparatus 1900 may be configured to perform the actions performed by a terminal device in the above method 1100 or 1500. In this case, the apparatus 1900 may be a component of a terminal device. The transceiver unit 1910 is configured to perform operations related to transmission and reception at the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 1920 is configured to perform operations related to processing at the terminal device in the above method embodiments.

[0365] For example, the transceiver unit 1910 is configured to perform measurements on a downlink positioning reference signal of the network device. The processing unit 1920 is configured to send a first message to the first device. The first message carries a result of the measurements. The first message includes an offset between a starting location of a first subframe and a starting location of a second subframe. The first subframe is a downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located. The second subframe has the same frame number and subframe number as the first subframe and is an uplink subframe closest to the first subframe. Alternatively, the second subframe is an uplink subframe in which an uplink positioning reference signal sent by the terminal device is located. The first message is used by the first device to determine location information of the terminal device.

[0366] For example, the processing unit 1920 is configured to perform measurements on a downlink positioning reference signal of the network device. The transceiver unit 1910 is configured to send a third message to the first device. The third message carries a result of the measurements. The third message includes a difference between a propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal and a propagation delay of a reference downlink positioning reference signal. The third message is used by the first device to determine location information of the terminal device.

[0367] For example, the processing unit 1920 is configured to perform measurements on a downlink positioning reference signal of the network device. The transceiver unit 1910 is configured to send a third message to the first device. The third message carries the results of the measurements. The third message includes an absolute time corresponding to the start location of a fifth subframe or an absolute time at which the downlink positioning reference signal arrives. The fifth subframe is a downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located. The third message is used by the first device to determine location information of the terminal device.

[0368] For example, the processing unit 1920 is configured to perform measurements on a downlink positioning reference signal of the network device. The transceiver unit 1910 is configured to send a third message to the first device. The third message carries a result of the measurements. The third message includes an offset between a starting location of a sixth subframe and a starting location of a seventh subframe, where the sixth subframe is the subframe in which the positioning reference signal of the first network device is located and the seventh subframe is the subframe in which the positioning reference signal of the reference network device is located. Alternatively, the third message includes a difference between the absolute time at which the positioning reference information of the first network device arrives and the absolute time at which the positioning reference signal of the reference network device arrives. The third message is used by the first device to determine location information of the terminal device. The first network device is a serving network device of the terminal device.

[0369] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 1910 and the processing unit 1920 may further perform other operations performed by the terminal device in any one of the method 1100 and the method 1500. Details will not be described again here.

[0370] In design, the apparatus 1900 may be configured to perform the actions performed by the network device in each of the above method embodiments. For example, the apparatus 1900 may be configured to perform the actions performed by the network device in the above method 1100 or 1500. In this case, the apparatus 1900 may be a component of the network device. The transceiver unit 1910 is configured to perform operations related to transmission and reception on the network device side in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 1920 is configured to perform operations related to processing on the network device side in the above method embodiments.

[0371] For example, the transceiver unit 1910 is configured to perform measurements on an uplink positioning reference signal of the terminal device. The processing unit 1920 is configured to send a second message to the first device. The second message carries the results of the measurements. The second message includes an offset between a starting location of a third subframe and a starting location of a fourth subframe. The third subframe is an uplink subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal is located. The fourth subframe has the same frame number and subframe number as the third subframe and is the closest downlink subframe to the third subframe. Alternatively, the fourth subframe is a downlink subframe in which a downlink positioning reference signal sent by the network device is located. The second message is used by the first device to determine location information of the terminal device.

[0372] It should be understood that the apparatus 1900 herein is implemented in the form of a functional unit. The term "unit" herein may refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (e.g., a shared processor, a dedicated processor, or a group processor) configured to execute one or more software or firmware programs, a memory, a merge logic circuit, and / or another appropriate component supporting the described functions. Those skilled in the art will understand that, in an optional example, the apparatus 1900 may be, in particular, a network device in the above embodiments and may be configured to perform each procedure and / or step corresponding to the network device in the above method embodiments. To avoid repetition, details will not be described again herein.

[0373] The apparatus 1900 in the above solution has a function of implementing corresponding steps performed by a device in the above method, or the apparatus 1900 in the above solution has a function of implementing corresponding steps performed by a network device in the above method. The functions can be implemented by hardware or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. For example, the transceiver unit may alternatively be a transceiver (e.g., the transmitting unit in the transceiver unit may alternatively be a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver unit may alternatively be a receiver), and the processing unit may alternatively be a processor, and may be another unit that separately performs the transmitting and receiving operations and related processing operations in the method embodiments.

[0374] Further, the transceiver unit 1910 may alternatively be a transceiver circuit (eg, the transceiver circuit may include a receiver circuit and a transmitter circuit), and the processing unit may be a processing circuit.

[0375] It should be noted that the apparatus in Figure 19 may be a network element or device in the above embodiments, or may be a chip or a chip system, for example, a system on chip (SoC). The transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processing unit may be a processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit integrated on a chip. This is not limited herein.

[0376] 20 is a diagram of a communication architecture according to one embodiment of the present application. The communication device 2000 shown in FIG. 20 includes a processor 2010, a memory 2020, and a transceiver 2030. The processor 2010 is coupled to the memory 2020 and configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 2020 to control the transceiver 2030 to send and / or receive signals.

[0377] It should be understood that the processor 2010 and the memory 2020 may be combined into one processing unit. The processor 2010 is configured to execute program code stored in the memory 2020 to implement the above-described functions. In a particular implementation, the memory 2020 may alternatively be integrated into the processor 2010 or may be independent of the processor 2010. It should be understood that the processor 2010 may alternatively correspond to each processing unit in the above-described communications device, and the transceiver 2030 may alternatively correspond to a receiving unit and a transmitting unit in the above-described communications device.

[0378] It should be further understood that the transceiver 2030 may include a receiver (or referred to as a receiver mechanism) and a transmitter (or referred to as a transmitter mechanism). The transceiver may further include an antenna, of which there may be one or more. The transceiver may alternatively be a communications interface or interface circuit.

[0379] In particular, the communication apparatus 2000 may correspond to a terminal device in the method 1100 or the method 1500 according to the embodiments of the present application. The communication apparatus 2000 may include a unit for the method performed by the first device in the method 1100 or the method 1500. It should be understood that the specific processes by which the units perform the above corresponding steps have been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be described in detail here for the sake of brevity.

[0380] When the communication device 2000 is a chip, the chip includes an interface unit and a processing unit. The interface unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processing unit may be a processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit integrated on the chip.

[0381] In the implementation process, the steps in the above method can be implemented by using integrated logic circuits of hardware in a processor or by using instructions in the form of software. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly performed and completed by a hardware processor, or can be performed and completed by using a combination of hardware and software modules in a processor. The software modules can be located in a storage medium that is mature in the art, such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable memory, or a register. The storage medium is located in the memory. The processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps in the above method in combination with the hardware of the processor. To avoid repetition, details will not be described again in this specification.

[0382] It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip and have signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, the steps in the above method embodiments may be implemented by using integrated logic circuitry in hardware in the processor or by using instructions in the form of software. The processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or another programmable logic device, a discrete-gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component. The methods, steps, and logical block diagrams in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented or performed. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be performed and completed directly by a hardware decoding processor, or may be performed and completed by using a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules may be located in a storage medium well-known in the art, such as a random-access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable memory, or a register. The storage medium is located in a memory. The processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps in the above method in combination with the processor's hardware.

[0383] The present application further provides a computer-readable medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of any one of the above method embodiments.

[0384] The present application further provides a computer program product, which, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of any one of the above method embodiments.

[0385] All or part of the above embodiments may be implemented by using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement the above embodiments, all or part of the above embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the procedures or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or another programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from a computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, radio, or microwave) method. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a computer or data storage device, e.g., a server or data center, that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disk drives, or magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., high-density digital video discs (DVDs)), semiconductor media (e.g., solid state disks (SSDs)), and the like.

[0386] In the embodiments of the present application, terms such as "example" or "for example" are intended to denote serving as an example, illustration, or explanation. Any embodiment or design manner described in the present application as an "example" should not be described as being preferred or having more advantages than another embodiment or design manner. Rather, the term "example" is intended to present a concept in a particular way.

[0387] It should be understood that the reference throughout this specification to an "embodiment" means that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic associated with this embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Thus, the embodiments throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0388] It should be understood that the sequence numbers of the above processes do not refer to the execution sequence in various embodiments of the present application. The execution sequence of the processes should be determined according to the function and internal logic of the processes and should not be construed as any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application. All node and message names in the present application are merely names set to facilitate the description in the present application and may be different in an actual network. The names of various nodes and messages should not be understood as being limited in the present application. On the contrary, any name having the same or similar function as the node or message function used in the present application is considered as a method or equivalent replacement in the present application and falls within the protection scope of the present application.

[0389] Furthermore, it should be understood that in this application, "when" and "if" mean that the UE or the base station performs the corresponding processing in an objective situation, and do not limit the time, and do not require that the UE or the base station necessarily perform the decision-making action during implementation, and do not imply any other limitation.

[0390] Furthermore, the terms "system" and "network" may be used interchangeably herein. The term "and / or" herein merely represents an association relationship to describe related objects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent the following three cases: only A exists, both A and B exist, or only B exists.

[0391] As used herein, the phrase "at least one of" refers to a combination of all or part of the listed items. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" can refer to the following six cases: when only A is present, when only B is present, when only C is present, when both A and B are present, when both B and C are present, and when all of A, B, and C are present. As used herein, "at least one" means one or more. "Multiple" means two or more.

[0392] In the embodiments of the present application, it should be understood that "B corresponding to A" indicates that B is associated with A, and B may be determined based on A. However, it should be further understood that determining B based on A does not mean that B is determined based only on A. B may alternatively be determined based on A and / or other information. Terms such as "include," "have," and variations thereof all mean "including but not limited to," unless specifically emphasized otherwise.

[0393] It can be understood that in various embodiments of the present application, the first, second, and various numbers are merely for distinction purposes for ease of explanation and do not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application, for example, different information is distinguished.

[0394] Those skilled in the art may realize that the units and algorithm steps may be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware, in combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein. Whether a function is implemented by hardware or software depends on the design constraints of a specific application and technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but the implementation should not be considered to go beyond the scope of this application.

[0395] For the sake of convenience and simplicity, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the detailed work processes of the above systems, devices and units, please refer to the corresponding processes in the above method embodiments, and the details will not be described again here.

[0396] In some embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely examples. For example, the division into units is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division schemes. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not implemented. Furthermore, the shown or described mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented by using some interfaces. Indirect couplings or communication connections between devices or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

[0397] The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and the parts shown as units may or may not be physical units, and may be located in one location or distributed over multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected based on actual requirements to achieve the objectives of the solutions of the embodiments.

[0398] Additionally, the functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, each of the units may exist physically alone, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0399] When a function is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the function may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution in the present application, or a portion contributing to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, may be implemented in the form of a software product. The software product is stored in a storage medium and includes some instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in the embodiments of the present application. The above storage medium includes any medium that can store program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk drive, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0400] The above description is merely a specific implementation of the present application and does not limit the scope of protection of the present application. Any modifications or replacements that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A positioning method for NTN, comprising: receiving a first message sent by a terminal device, the first message carrying a result of measuring a downlink positioning reference signal by the terminal device, the first message comprising an offset between a start location of a first subframe and a start location of a second subframe, the first subframe being a downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located, the second subframe having the same frame number and subframe number as the first subframe and being an uplink subframe closest to the first subframe, or the second subframe being an uplink subframe in which an uplink positioning reference signal sent by the terminal device is located; determining location information of the terminal device based on the first message and measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal; A method for providing

2. The method comprises: receiving a second message sent by a network device, the second message comprising the measurement result of the uplink positioning reference signal, the second message comprising an offset between a starting location of a third subframe and a starting location of a fourth subframe, the third subframe being an uplink subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal is located, the fourth subframe having the same frame number and the same subframe number as the third subframe and being a downlink subframe closest to the third subframe, or the fourth subframe being a downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal sent by the network device is located; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

3. A positioning method for NTN, comprising: performing measurements on a downlink positioning reference signal of a network device; sending a first message to a first device, the first message carrying a result of the measurement, the first message comprising an offset between a starting location of a first subframe and a starting location of a second subframe, the first subframe being a downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located, the second subframe having the same frame number and subframe number as the first subframe and being an uplink subframe closest to the first subframe, or the second subframe being an uplink subframe in which an uplink positioning reference signal sent by a terminal device is located, the first message being used by the first device to determine location information of the terminal device; A method for providing

4. A positioning method for NTN, comprising: performing measurements on an uplink positioning reference signal of a terminal device; sending a second message to a first device, the second message carrying a result of the measurement, the second message comprising an offset between a starting location of a third subframe and a starting location of a fourth subframe, the third subframe being an uplink subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal is located, the fourth subframe having the same frame number and subframe number as the third subframe and being the closest downlink subframe to the third subframe, or the fourth subframe being a downlink subframe in which a downlink positioning reference signal sent by a network device is located, the second message being used by the first device to determine location information of the terminal device; A method for providing

5. A positioning method for NTN, comprising: receiving a third message sent by a terminal device, the third message carrying a result of measuring a downlink positioning reference signal by the terminal device, the third message comprising a difference between a propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal and a propagation delay of a reference downlink positioning reference signal; determining location information of the terminal device based on the third message; A method for providing

6. A positioning method for NTN, comprising: performing measurements on a downlink positioning reference signal of a network device; sending a third message to a first device, the third message carrying a result of the measurement, the third message comprising a difference between a propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal and a propagation delay of a reference downlink positioning reference signal, the third message being used by the first device to determine location information of the terminal device; A method for providing

7. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the downlink positioning reference signal is a positioning reference signal (PRS) and the uplink positioning reference signal is a channel sounding reference signal (SRS).

8. The method comprises: determining a difference between the propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal and the propagation delay of the reference downlink positioning reference signal, determining the propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal based on an absolute time when the network device sends the downlink positioning reference signal and an absolute time when the terminal device receives the downlink positioning reference signal; The step of The method of claim 6 or 7, further comprising:

9. The method comprises: receiving configuration information of the downlink positioning reference signal; determining the absolute time at which the network device sends the downlink positioning reference signal based on the configuration information of the downlink positioning reference signal; The method of claim 8 further comprising:

10. The method comprises: receiving time sequence information of the network device; determining the absolute time at which the access network device sends the downlink positioning reference signal based on the time sequence information of the network device and configuration information of the downlink positioning reference signal; The method of claim 8 further comprising:

11. The method comprises: sending timestamp information to the first device, the timestamp information comprising one of a system frame number and a subframe number of a reference network device corresponding to a start time of a subframe at which the downlink positioning reference signal is received, a system frame number and a subframe number of the reference access network device corresponding to an instant at which the downlink positioning reference signal is received, and a system frame number and a subframe number of the reference network device corresponding to a subframe at which the uplink positioning reference signal is sent; The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising:

12. The method comprises: receiving a first request message from the first device; performing the measurements on the downlink positioning reference signal based on the first request message; The method of any one of claims 6 to 11, further comprising:

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first device comprises the network device or a location management function.

14. A positioning device for an NTN, comprising: a transceiver unit configured to receive a first message sent by a terminal device, the first message carrying a result of measuring a downlink positioning reference signal by the terminal device, the first message comprising an offset between a start location of a first subframe and a start location of a second subframe, the first subframe being a downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located, the second subframe having the same frame number and subframe number as the first subframe and being an uplink subframe closest to the first subframe, or the second subframe being an uplink subframe in which an uplink positioning reference signal sent by the terminal device is located; a processing unit configured to determine location information of the terminal device based on the first message and measurements of the uplink positioning reference signal; An apparatus comprising:

15. The transceiver unit receiving a second message sent by a network device, the second message comprising the measurement result of the uplink positioning reference signal, the second message comprising an offset between a starting location of a third subframe and a starting location of a fourth subframe, the third subframe being an uplink subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal is located, the fourth subframe having the same frame number and subframe number as the third subframe and being a downlink subframe closest to the third subframe, or the fourth subframe being a downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal sent by the network device is located; The apparatus of claim 14 , further configured to:

16. A positioning device for an NTN, comprising: a processing unit configured to perform measurements on a downlink positioning reference signal of the network device; a transceiver unit configured to send a first message to a first device, the first message carrying a result of the measurement, the first message comprising an offset between a starting location of a first subframe and a starting location of a second subframe, the first subframe being a downlink subframe in which the downlink positioning reference signal is located, the second subframe having the same frame number and subframe number as the first subframe and being an uplink subframe closest to the first subframe, or the second subframe being an uplink subframe in which an uplink positioning reference signal sent by a terminal device is located, the first message being used by the first device to determine location information of the terminal device; An apparatus comprising:

17. A positioning device for an NTN, comprising: a processing unit configured to perform measurements on an uplink positioning reference signal of a terminal device; a transceiver unit configured to send a second message to a first device, the second message carrying a result of the measurement, the second message comprising an offset between a starting location of a third subframe and a starting location of a fourth subframe, the third subframe being an uplink subframe in which the uplink positioning reference signal is located, the fourth subframe having the same frame number and subframe number as the third subframe and being the closest downlink subframe to the third subframe, or the fourth subframe being a downlink subframe in which a downlink positioning reference signal sent by a network device is located, the second message being used by the first device to determine location information of the terminal device; An apparatus comprising:

18. A positioning device for an NTN, comprising: a transceiver unit configured to receive a third message sent by a terminal device, the third message carrying a result of measuring a downlink positioning reference signal by the terminal device, the third message comprising a difference between a propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal and a propagation delay of a reference downlink positioning reference signal; a processing unit configured to determine location information of the terminal device based on the third message; and An apparatus comprising:

19. A positioning device for an NTN, comprising: a processing unit configured to perform measurements on a downlink positioning reference signal of the network device; a transceiver unit configured to send a third message to a first device, the third message carrying a result of the measurement, the third message comprising a difference between a propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal and a propagation delay of a reference downlink positioning reference signal, the third message being used by the first device to determine location information of the terminal device; An apparatus comprising:

20. 20. The apparatus of any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the downlink positioning reference signal is a positioning reference signal (PRS) and the uplink positioning reference signal is a channel sounding reference signal (SRS).

21. The processing unit determining a difference between the propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal and the propagation delay of the reference downlink positioning reference signal; determining the propagation delay of the downlink positioning reference signal based on an absolute time when the network device sends the downlink positioning reference signal and an absolute time when the terminal device receives the downlink positioning reference signal; Deciding to prepare 21. Apparatus according to claim 19 or 20, specifically adapted to:

22. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to receive configuration information of the downlink positioning reference signal, and wherein the processing unit is further configured to determine the absolute time at which the network device sends the downlink positioning reference signal based on the configuration information of the downlink positioning reference signal.

23. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to receive time sequence information of the access network device, and the processing unit is further configured to determine the absolute time at which the network device sends the downlink positioning reference signal based on the time sequence information of the network device and configuration information of the downlink positioning reference signal.

24. The transceiver unit sending, by the terminal device, timestamp information to the first device, the timestamp information comprising any one of a system frame number and a subframe number of a reference network device corresponding to a start time of a subframe at which the downlink positioning reference signal is received, a system frame number and a subframe number of the reference network device corresponding to an instant at which the downlink positioning reference signal is received, and a system frame number and a subframe number of the reference network device corresponding to a subframe at which the uplink positioning reference signal is sent.

24. The apparatus of any one of claims 14 to 23, further configured to:

25. 25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a first request message from the first device, and wherein the processing unit is further configured to perform the measurements on the downlink positioning reference signal based on the first request message.

26. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first device comprises the network device or a location management function network element.

27. 14. A communications device comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being configured to receive computer code or instructions and to transmit the computer code or instructions to the processor, such that when the processor executes the computer code or instructions, the method of any one of claims 1 to 13 is performed.

28. 14. A communications device comprising at least one processor, the at least one processor coupled to at least one memory, the at least one processor configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in the at least one memory to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 13.

29. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions that, when executed on a computer, perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 13.

30. A computer program product, which when run on a computer, enables the computer to carry out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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