Terminal selection method, apparatus, device, and storage medium for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning

Abstract

[Solution] Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a terminal selection method, apparatus, device, chip system and storage medium applicable to a communication system for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning, the method comprising the steps of transmitting a first terminal first request information, the first request information being used to request a core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign a second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal being associated with information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal being used to perform ranging or SL positioning on the first terminal. By performing the method of the present disclosure, accurate terminal selection for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning can be achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technologies, and particularly to a method, apparatus, device, and storage medium for terminal selection for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

Background Art

[0002] To support direct communication between terminals, a sidelink (SL) communication method has been introduced. One terminal can realize communication with a base station through the relay function of the other terminal instead of directly connecting to the base station. Ranging means determining the distance between two or more terminals or the direction from one terminal to another via the PC5 interface. The PC5 interface is a communication interface between terminals, for example, a short-distance direct communication interface between vehicles, people, and road infrastructure. Sidelink (SL) positioning means estimating the position of a terminal to be positioned based on sidelink (SL). For example, based on the information of one terminal (e.g., a located user equipment (located UE)), ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning can be performed on the terminal to be positioned, and the one terminal for reference can be, for example, an SL reference terminal whose position is known or can be known during ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to accurately select a terminal for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, apparatus, device, chip system, storage medium, computer program, and computer program product for terminal selection for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning, which are applicable to the field of communication technologies and can realize accurate selection of a terminal for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0005] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning, which is performed by a first terminal, and the method includes the step of transmitting first request information, which is used to request a core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign a second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal being associated with information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal being used to perform ranging or SL positioning on the first terminal.

[0006] According to a second aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning, which is performed by a core network device, the method comprising the step of receiving first request information, the first request information used to request the core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal being associated with information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal being used to perform ranging or SL positioning on the first terminal.

[0007] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning, which is performed by a third terminal, and the method includes the step of transmitting first request information, which is used to request a core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal being associated with information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal being used to perform ranging or SL positioning on the first terminal.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device having some or all of the functions of a first terminal that implements the method described in the first aspect, for example, the functions of the communication device may have the functions of some or all embodiments of the present disclosure, or they may have functions that implement any one embodiment of the present disclosure independently. The functions may be implemented in hardware, or by running corresponding software via hardware. The hardware or software may include one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0009] Selectively, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the structure of the communication device may include a transceiver module and a processing module, the processing module being configured to support the communication device in realizing the corresponding functions in the above-described manner. The transceiver module is used to support communication between the communication device and other devices. The communication device may further include a storage module, which is coupled to the transceiver module and the processing module and stores computer programs and data necessary for the communication device.

[0010] For example, the processing module may be a processor, the transmitting / receiving module may be a transceiver or a communication interface, and the storage module may be memory.

[0011] According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides another communication device having some or all of the functions of a core network device that implements the method described in the second aspect above, for example, the functions of the communication device may have the functions of some or all embodiments of the present disclosure, or they may have the functions that implement any one embodiment of the present disclosure on its own. The functions may be implemented in hardware or by running corresponding software via hardware. The hardware or software may include one or more units or modules that correspond to the above functions.

[0012] Selectively, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the structure of the communication device may include a transceiver module and a processing module, the processing module being configured to support the communication device in realizing the corresponding functions in the above-described manner. The transceiver module is used to support communication between the communication device and other devices. The communication device may further include a storage module, which is coupled to the transceiver module and the processing module and stores computer programs and data necessary for the communication device.

[0013] According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides another communication device having some or all of the functions of a third terminal that implements the method described in the third aspect above, for example, the functions of the communication device may have the functions of some or all embodiments of the present disclosure, or they may have functions that implement any one embodiment of the present disclosure on its own. The functions may be implemented in hardware, or by running corresponding software via hardware. The hardware or software may include one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0014] Selectively, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the structure of the communication device may include a transceiver module and a processing module, the processing module being configured to support the communication device in realizing the corresponding functions in the above-described manner. The transceiver module is used to support communication between the communication device and other devices. The communication device may further include a storage module, which is coupled to the transceiver module and the processing module and stores computer programs and data necessary for the communication device.

[0015] According to a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device including a processor which, when calling a computer program in memory, executes the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning of the first aspect described above.

[0016] According to the eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device including a processor which, when calling a computer program in memory, performs the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning according to the second aspect described above.

[0017] According to the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device including a processor which, when calling a computer program in memory, performs the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning according to the third aspect described above.

[0018] According to a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device comprising a processor and memory, the memory storing a computer program, the processor causing the communication device to execute the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning according to the first aspect by executing the computer program stored in the memory.

[0019] According to the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device comprising a processor and memory, the memory storing a computer program, the processor causing the communication device to execute the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning according to the second aspect by executing the computer program stored in the memory.

[0020] According to the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device comprising a processor and memory, the memory storing a computer program, the processor causing the communication device to execute the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning according to the third aspect by executing the computer program stored in the memory.

[0021] According to a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to receive and transmit code instructions to the processor, the processor executing the code instructions to cause the device to perform the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning of the first aspect described above.

[0022] According to a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to receive and transmit code instructions to the processor, the processor executing the code instructions to cause the device to perform the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning according to the second aspect described above.

[0023] According to the 15th aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to receive and transmit code instructions to the processor, the processor executing the code instructions to cause the device to perform the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning according to the third aspect described above.

[0024] According to the 16th aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication system comprising a communication device of the 4th aspect, a communication device of the 5th aspect and a communication device of the 6th aspect, or a communication device of the 7th aspect, a communication device of the 8th aspect and a communication device of the 9th aspect, or a communication device of the 10th aspect, a communication device of the 11th aspect and a communication device of the 12th aspect, or a communication device of the 13th aspect, a communication device of the 14th aspect and a communication device of the 15th aspect.

[0025] According to the 17th aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions used by the above-mentioned first terminal, core network device, and third terminal. When the instructions are executed, the first terminal, core network device, and third terminal are caused to execute the above-mentioned method for selecting a terminal for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0026] According to the 18th aspect, the present disclosure further provides a computer program product including a computer program. When it is executed by a computer, the computer is caused to execute the above-mentioned method for selecting a terminal for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0027] According to the 19th aspect, the present disclosure provides a chip system. The chip system includes at least one processor and an interface, and is used to support the first terminal to realize functions according to the first aspect, for example, to determine or process at least one of data and information related to the above method.

[0028] In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory, and the memory is used to store computer programs and data required by the first terminal. The chip system may be composed of a chip or may include a chip and other individual elements.

[0029] According to the 20th aspect, the present disclosure provides a chip system. The chip system includes at least one processor and an interface, and is used to support the core network device to realize functions according to the second aspect, for example, to determine or process at least one of data and information related to the above method.

[0030] In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory, and the memory is used to store computer programs and data required by the core network device. The chip system may be composed of a chip or may include a chip and other individual elements.

[0031] According to the 21st aspect, the present disclosure provides a chip system, which includes at least one processor and an interface, and is used to support a third terminal to realize functions according to the third aspect, for example, to determine or process at least one of data and information according to the above method.

[0032] In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory, which is used to store computer programs and data required by the third terminal. The chip system may be composed of a chip or may include a chip and other individual elements.

[0033] According to the 22nd aspect, the present disclosure provides a computer program, which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to execute the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning described above.

[0034] As described above, the terminal selection method, device, device, chip system, storage medium, computer program, and computer program product for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can achieve the following technical effects.

[0035] The candidate terminal may be a terminal associated with the information of the first terminal. The first terminal may select the second terminal from among at least one candidate terminal or request the core network device to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, so as to perform ranging or SL positioning on the first terminal based on the information of the second terminal, and an accurate selection of the terminal for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning can be realized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0036] In order to more clearly explain the technical solutions in the embodiments or background art of the present disclosure, the drawings required to be used in the embodiments or background art of the present disclosure will be described below. [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system provided by the embodiments of this disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a schematic flowchart of a terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning provided by embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3a] This is a schematic flowchart of a terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning provided by embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3b] This is a schematic flowchart of a terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning provided by embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a schematic flowchart of a terminal selection method for another ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning method provided by embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a schematic flowchart of a terminal selection method for another ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning method provided by embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This is a schematic flowchart of a terminal selection method for another ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning method provided by embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] This is a schematic flowchart of a terminal selection method for another ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning method provided by embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] This is a schematic flowchart of a terminal selection method for another ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning method provided by embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] This is a schematic flowchart of a terminal selection method for another ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning method provided by embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] This is a schematic flowchart of a terminal selection method for another ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning method provided by embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided by the embodiments of this disclosure. [Figure 12]This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided by the embodiments of this disclosure. [Figure 13] This is a schematic diagram of the chip of an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0037] Herein, exemplary embodiments are described, and these examples are shown in the drawings. Where the following description is associated with the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the embodiments of the present disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with some aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure described in detail in the appended claims.

[0038] The terms used in the embodiments of this disclosure are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this disclosure. Unless otherwise clearly indicated in the context, the singular forms “one kind” and “the” used in the embodiments of this disclosure and the appended claims also include the plural forms. The term “and / or” as used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more related and enumerated items.

[0039] In the embodiments of this disclosure, various types of information may be described using terms such as First, Second, Third, etc., but it should be understood that this information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish information of the same type from one another. For example, without departing from the scope of the embodiments of this disclosure, First Information may also be called Second Information, and similarly, Second Information may also be called First Information. Depending on the context, the term “in the case” as used herein may be interpreted as “when…” or “if…” or “in response to deciding.”

[0040] To better understand the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning disclosed in the embodiments of this disclosure, the communication system to which the embodiments of this disclosure apply will be described below.

[0041] Referring to Figure 1, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication system may include, but is not limited to, one network device and two terminals, the terminals being connected by an SL. Herein, the number and form of devices shown in Figure 1 are illustrative and not limiting to the embodiments of the present disclosure, and actual applications may include two or more network devices and two or more terminals. For example, the communication system shown in Figure 1 includes one network device 11 and two terminals 12 and 13, where terminal 12 and terminal 13 are connected by an SL.

[0042] In this disclosure, terminal 12 may be a transmitting terminal, and terminal 13 may be a receiving terminal, where terminal 13 may be one or more, and is not limited thereto. Alternatively, terminal 13 may be a transmitting terminal, and terminal 12 may be a receiving terminal, where terminal 12 may be one or more, and is not limited thereto.

[0043] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. For example, long-term evolution (LTE) systems, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems, 5G new radio (NR) systems, or other future new mobile communication systems. The side links in the embodiments of this disclosure may also be called side links or direct communication links.

[0044] In the embodiments of this disclosure, the network device 11 is a network-side entity for sending and receiving signals. For example, the network device 11 may be a core network device or an access network device. The core network device may be, for example, a location management function (LMF) network element, an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, and so on. The access network device may be, for example, an evolved nodeB (eNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation nodeB (gNB) in an NR system, a base station in other future mobile communication systems, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. The embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to the specific technologies and device forms employed by the network device.

[0045] In the embodiments of this disclosure, the terminal is a user-side entity for sending and receiving signals, such as a mobile phone. The terminal may also be called a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc. The terminal may be a car with communication capabilities, a smart car, a telematics device, a mobile phone, a wearable device, a tablet (Pad), a computer with wireless transmission and reception capabilities, 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 surgery, 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, etc. The embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to the specific technology and specific device form employed by the terminal.

[0046] Furthermore, the communication systems described in the embodiments of this disclosure are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure and do not limit the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will know that, as system architectures evolve and new service scenarios emerge, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this disclosure are similarly applicable to similar technical problems.

[0047] The terminal selection method and apparatus for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning provided by this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 2 is a schematic flowchart of the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning provided by an embodiment of this disclosure, the method being performed by a first terminal. The terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning in this embodiment is applicable to a first terminal, which may be, for example, a terminal being range-measuring or sidelink (SL)-positioned, and may be, but is not limited to, a mobile phone or a tablet with mobile communication capabilities, a smartwatch, a smart car, a telematics device, etc.

[0048] As shown in Figure 2, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0049] In S201, a first request information is transmitted, which is used to request the core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal being associated with the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal being used to perform ranging or SL positioning on the first terminal.

[0050] In some embodiments, the first terminal may be, for example, a terminal that performs ranging or side-link (SL) positioning.

[0051] In some embodiments, the second terminal is a terminal whose location is known or can be known and which can be used for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0052] In some embodiments, distance measurement or SL positioning can be performed on the first terminal based on information from a selected and determined second terminal, but this is not limited to such embodiments.

[0053] In some embodiments, the first request information is, but is not limited to, information for requesting a core network device to select a second terminal or assign a second terminal to the first terminal.

[0054] In some embodiments, the first request information may specifically be information associated with, for example, a network (NW) selecting a second terminal, i.e., embodiments of the present disclosure support, but are not limited to, the selection of one optimally located terminal by referring to information associated with the NW selecting a second terminal.

[0055] In some embodiments, when performing ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning on a first terminal, the first terminal may, but is not limited to, requesting the core network device to select and determine the optimal second terminal for it by transmitting first request information.

[0056] In some embodiments, the first terminal may be authorized to perform ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning, and a ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning policy or parameters may be assigned to the first terminal, thereby enabling the first terminal to determine one or more candidate terminals.

[0057] In some embodiments, the candidate terminal may be, but is not limited to, a candidate terminal whose location is known or can be known and which can be used for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0058] In some embodiments, one or more candidate terminals may be determined by the first terminal, but are not limited thereto.

[0059] In some embodiments, for example, if the first terminal is UE1 and the candidate terminals are UE2 and UE3, then UE1 can discover UE2 and UE3, but this is not limited to this.

[0060] In some embodiments, the first terminal is the target UE1, and the candidate terminals are the located terminals UE2 and UE3, but this is not limited to these embodiments.

[0061] In some embodiments, target UE1 decides to assist with SL positioning via the network to obtain its own position, and PC5 can discover candidate located terminals, such as UE2 and UE3.

[0062] In some embodiments, a first terminal may request a core network device to select one optimal candidate terminal for itself based on first request information, and this optimal candidate terminal may, but is not limited to, one selectable example of a second terminal.

[0063] In some embodiments, the first terminal may request the core network device to assign a single best candidate terminal for it based on the first request information, the best candidate terminal may be, but is not limited to, a single selectable example of a second terminal.

[0064] In some embodiments, the information of the first terminal may refer to information describing an area near the first terminal, and the information of the first terminal may be, for example, the area where the first terminal is located, or cell information providing services to the first terminal, and is not limited thereto.

[0065] In some embodiments, associating a candidate terminal with information of a first terminal means that the candidate terminal is determined based on information of the first terminal, for example, a candidate terminal is a terminal capable of participating in distance measurement or SL positioning within the area where the first terminal is located, but is not limited to this.

[0066] In some embodiments, if the core network device can identify at least one candidate terminal, the core network device can select a second terminal from among the at least one candidate terminal based on the first request information of the first terminal; if the core network device cannot identify a candidate terminal, it can assign the second terminal to the first terminal based on the first request information, but is not limited to this.

[0067] This means that the candidate terminal may be a terminal associated with the information of the first terminal, and the first terminal may be a terminal that performs ranging or SL positioning on the first terminal based on the information of the second terminal by selecting the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or by requesting the core network device to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, thereby enabling accurate selection of the terminal for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0068] The terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning according to the present disclosure includes, first request information, Quality of Service (QoS) required for positioning, terminal preference, a first candidate terminal list which is empty, a second candidate terminal list which includes information for at least one candidate terminal, first instruction information which instructs a core network device to select a second terminal, and second instruction information which instructs a core network device to assign a second terminal for a first terminal in order to further improve the flexibility and accuracy of terminal selection for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0069] In some embodiments, the first candidate terminal list may be empty, which may mean that the target terminal (a selectable example of a first terminal) did not find a candidate located terminal (a selectable example of a candidate terminal), in which case the network may be required to assign a located terminal to be used (a selectable example of a second terminal), where several terminals may, but are not limited to, be assigned by the network as a located terminal at that location.

[0070] In some embodiments, the second candidate terminal list may be information containing one or more candidate terminals, and the candidate terminal information may be, for example, an identifier for a candidate terminal, or any information indicating a corresponding candidate terminal, and is not limited thereto.

[0071] In some embodiments, the candidate terminal information includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: an identifier for the candidate terminal, and terminal capability information including at least the positioning capabilities supported by the candidate terminal.

[0072] In some embodiments, the candidate terminal identifier is used to identify the candidate terminal, but is not limited to this.

[0073] In some embodiments, terminal capability information is used to indicate information about the terminal capabilities possessed by a candidate terminal, but is not limited to this.

[0074] In some embodiments, terminal capability information includes, but is not limited to, positioning capabilities supported by the candidate terminal, and may include, of course, capabilities in any other possible form.

[0075] In some embodiments, the second candidate terminal list may be information containing one or more candidate terminals, and the candidate terminal information may further include, but is not limited to, terminal capability information such as positioning methods supported by the corresponding candidate terminals.

[0076] In some embodiments, the first candidate terminal list and / or the second candidate terminal list may, but are not limited to, new parameters or to reuse existing location-determined terminal information.

[0077] In some embodiments, the first instruction information may be used to instruct a core network device to select a second terminal, for example, the first instruction information may be used to instruct the first terminal to request a decision from a network-located terminal, but is not limited to this.

[0078] In some embodiments, the Quality of Service (QoS) required for positioning may be, for example, Required QoS for the location, i.e., QoS required for positioning and / or location, and is not limited thereto.

[0079] In some embodiments, the terminal preference may be used to describe the first terminal's preference for a located terminal, but is not limited to this.

[0080] In some embodiments, the terminal preference may be, for example, a user equipment (UE) preference (UE preference).

[0081] In some embodiments, the terminal preference may be, for example, UE1's preference may be UE2 or UE3, but is not limited to this.

[0082] In some embodiments, the terminal preference may be, for example, a terminal with an established connection, or a terminal belonging to the same cell, and is not limited to these.

[0083] In some embodiments, a preference criterion or preference condition may be defined in advance, and a terminal that satisfies the preference criterion or preference condition can be determined, but this is not limited to such a case.

[0084] Of course, terminal preferences may be, and are not limited to, any other possible form of preference.

[0085] In some embodiments, the first request information described above may include a first candidate terminal list, but if it does not include a second candidate terminal list, it may implicitly instruct the network to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, but is not limited to this.

[0086] In some embodiments, if the first request information described above does not include a first candidate terminal list but does include a second candidate terminal list, it may implicitly instruct the network to select the second terminal.

[0087] In some embodiments, the first request information may, but is not limited to, directly include the second instruction information in order to instruct the network to assign the second terminal to the first terminal based on the second instruction information.

[0088] In some embodiments, the first instruction information and the second instruction information described above may be different instruction information or the same instruction information, and are not limited thereto.

[0089] In some embodiments, if the first instruction information and the second instruction information are the same instruction information, the core network device can be instructed to select a second terminal and assign the second terminal to the first terminal based on the same instruction information, and a decision policy for the second terminal can be determined based on whether the candidate terminal list carried by the first instruction information is empty, for example, to decide whether to select the second terminal or assign the second terminal.

[0090] In some embodiments, the network can activate the role of a located terminal by updating the service authorization for the associated terminal, thereby assigning it as a second terminal, and this is not limited to such implementations.

[0091] In the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning of the present disclosure, if the first terminal has already determined at least one candidate terminal based on the first terminal's information, it can transmit first request information, thereby requesting the core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal based on the first request information, so that the core network device can accurately select the second terminal for the first terminal.

[0092] In some embodiments, if the first terminal can find a candidate located terminal (for example, one selectable candidate terminal), the information of the candidate located terminal can be set in a second candidate terminal list, and the second candidate terminal list can be included in the first request information and sent to the core network device, thereby instructing the core network device to select the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal.

[0093] In some embodiments, if the first terminal can find a candidate located terminal (an example of a single selectable candidate terminal), the first terminal can set the information of the candidate located terminal into a second candidate terminal list, and send the second candidate terminal list and first instruction information instructing the core network device to select the second terminal to the core network device in the first request information, thereby instructing the core network device to select the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal, and is not limited to this.

[0094] In the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning of the present disclosure, if the first terminal has not determined a candidate terminal based on the information of the first terminal, it may transmit first request information, thereby requesting the core network device to assign the second terminal to the first terminal based on the first request information, thereby enabling the core network device to accurately assign the second terminal to the first terminal.

[0095] In some embodiments, if the first terminal does not find a candidate located terminal (one candidate terminal is a selectable example), the information of the candidate located terminal can be set in a first candidate terminal list (empty), and the first candidate terminal list (empty) can be included in the first request information and sent to the core network device, thereby instructing the core network device to assign a second terminal.

[0096] In some embodiments, if the first terminal does not find a candidate located terminal (one selectable example of a candidate terminal), the information of the candidate located terminal can be set in a first candidate terminal list (empty), and the first request information can include the first candidate terminal list (empty) and second instruction information to instruct the core network device to assign a second terminal, thereby instructing the core network device to assign a second terminal, and this is not limited to the first request information.

[0097] Figure 3a is a schematic flowchart of a terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method being performed by a first terminal.

[0098] As shown in Figure 3a, the method may, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0099] In S301a, first request information is sent to the core network device, where the first request information is used to request the core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is associated with the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal is used to perform distance measurement or SL positioning on the first terminal.

[0100] This embodiment is applicable to, but is not limited to, scenarios in which a non-access layer (NAS) connection between the first terminal and the network is available.

[0101] In some embodiments, the scenario may, for example, include the availability of a NAS connection between the target terminal (UE1) and the network, but is not limited thereto.

[0102] In some embodiments, the first terminal may, but is not limited to, directly send the first request information to the core network device to select or assign the second terminal.

[0103] In some embodiments, the core network device may be, for example, an AMF network element and / or an LMF network element, but is not limited thereto.

[0104] In some embodiments, the first terminal may transmit one or more of the following to the AMF network element and / or LMF network element: quality of service (QoS) necessary for positioning, terminal preference, first candidate terminal list, second candidate terminal list, first instruction information, and second instruction information, thereby requesting the AMF network element and / or LMF network element to determine the optimal second terminal based on the aforementioned one or more pieces of information.

[0105] In some embodiments, the first request information may be carried in the MO-LR ranging / SL positioning service request message and sent to the core network device, so that the core network device can parse the MO-LR ranging / SL positioning service request message and obtain the first request information.

[0106] In some embodiments, MO-LR refers to a method in which the terminal being positioned initiates the positioning request (Mobile Originated Location Request), but is not limited to this.

[0107] This allows the first terminal to send first request information to the core network device, where the first request information is used to request the core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal being associated with the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal being for performing ranging or sidelink positioning on the first terminal, which can be effectively applied to scenarios where a NAS connection between the first terminal and the network is available and improves the flexibility and accuracy of terminal selection for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0108] Figure 3b is a schematic flowchart of a terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method being performed by a first terminal.

[0109] As shown in Figure 3b, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0110] In S301b, the first request information is sent to the third terminal, where the first request information is used to request the core network device to select the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is associated with the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal is used to perform ranging or SL positioning on the first terminal.

[0111] This embodiment can be applied to, and is not limited to, scenarios where a non-access layer (NAS) connection between the first terminal and the network is unavailable.

[0112] In some embodiments, the scenario is, for example, one in which a NAS connection between the target terminal (UE1) and the network is unavailable, and is not limited thereto.

[0113] In some embodiments, the first terminal may, but is not limited to, sending the first request information to the third terminal in order to request the third terminal to send the first request information to the core network device.

[0114] In the embodiments of this disclosure, the first request information is transmitted by a third terminal, and specifically, “transmission” may be, for example, direct transfer or reconfigured and transmitted.

[0115] In the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning of the present disclosure, the third terminal includes at least one of a candidate terminal (for which a non-access layer NAS connection is available between the candidate terminal and the core network device), a user equipment-to-network relay (UE) to network relay, thereby effectively improving the success rate of the transfer of the first request information.

[0116] In some embodiments, the third terminal may be one or more candidate terminals, and a non-access layer NAS connection between the third terminal and the core network device may be available, or the third terminal may be a UE to network relay, but is not limited thereto.

[0117] In some embodiments, the core network device is, for example, an AMF network element and / or an LMF network element, but is not limited thereto.

[0118] In some embodiments, the first terminal can send first request information to the third terminal, which can trigger the third terminal to send (directly forward or reconfigure and send) one or more of the following to the AMF network element and / or LMF network element: quality of service (QoS) necessary for positioning, terminal preference, first candidate terminal list, second candidate terminal list, first instruction information, and second instruction information, thereby requesting the AMF network element and / or LMF network element to determine the optimal second terminal based on the aforementioned one or more pieces of information.

[0119] In some embodiments, a NAS connection between the target terminal UE1 (a selectable example of a first terminal) and the network may not be available, and the interaction between the target terminal and the network may be completed by one of the located terminals (a selectable example of a third terminal) that has a UE to Network relay or NAS connection.

[0120] In some embodiments, the target terminal may first interact with the network via a Localized UE2 (which may be a selectable example of a third terminal), refer to the network's decision, and if UE2 is not selected as a Localized Terminal (e.g., UE2 is not selected as the optimal second terminal), perform ranging or SL positioning using the terminal selected as the optimal second terminal (e.g., Localized Terminal 3, Localized UE3).

[0121] In some embodiments, the messages transmitted between UE1 (an optional example of a first terminal) and UE2 (an optional example of a third terminal) may, for example, be a specific PC5 message requesting the network to assist with SL positioning, or an MO-LR message for a positioning service (LCS), or an improved MO-LR message for an enhanced LCS (eLCS).

[0122] This allows the first terminal to transmit the first request information to the third terminal so as to trigger the third terminal to transmit the first request information to the AMF network element and / or LMF network element, where the first request information is used to request the core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal being associated with the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal being for performing ranging or sidelink positioning on the first terminal, which can be effectively applied to scenarios where a NAS connection between the first terminal and the network is unavailable, improving the flexibility and accuracy of terminal selection for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0123] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a terminal selection method for another ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method being performed by a first terminal.

[0124] As shown in Figure 4, the method may, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0125] In S401, a first request information is transmitted, which is used to request the core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal being associated with the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal being used to perform ranging or SL positioning on the first terminal.

[0126] In S402, a first response information is received that is associated with the first request information, and the first response information is used to indicate the information of a second terminal selected by the core network device or the information of a second terminal assigned for the first terminal.

[0127] In some embodiments, the first response information may be generated in response to the first request information, but is not limited thereto.

[0128] In some embodiments, the first response information may, but is not limited to, information about a second terminal selected by the core network device or information about a second terminal assigned for the first terminal.

[0129] In some embodiments, the information of the second terminal may be, for example, information for identifying the second terminal, or it may be, but is not limited to, location information including the second terminal, distance measurement information (distance and / or direction) between the first terminal and the second terminal, etc.

[0130] In some embodiments, information about the second terminal may be determined by an AMF network element and / or an LMF network element, but is not limited thereto.

[0131] In some embodiments, the AMF network element and / or LMF network element may determine a selected or assigned second terminal and transmit information about the second terminal to the first terminal, but this is not limited to the above.

[0132] In some embodiments, information from the second terminal is used to perform distance measurement or SL positioning on the first terminal, but is not limited to this.

[0133] In some embodiments, the first response information can be carried in the MO-LR ranging / SL positioning service response message, and the MO-LR ranging / SL positioning service response message can be sent to the first terminal, thereby allowing the first terminal to parse the MO-LR ranging / SL positioning service response message and obtain the first response information, but this is not limited to these embodiments.

[0134] In some embodiments, MO-LR refers to a method in which the terminal being positioned initiates the positioning request (Mobile Originated Location Request), but is not limited to this.

[0135] This allows the first terminal to receive information about the second terminal selected by the core network device or information about the second terminal assigned to the first terminal, thereby enabling timely acquisition of information about the second terminal and performance of distance measurement or SL positioning.

[0136] The terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning described herein may include a first terminal receiving first response information transmitted from a core network device, is applicable to scenarios where a NAS connection between the first terminal and the network is available, and improves the flexibility and accuracy of terminal selection for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0137] In some embodiments, the first terminal may receive information of a second terminal transmitted by an AMF network element, and the information of the second terminal may be, but is not limited to, information selected or assigned by an LMF network element.

[0138] In some embodiments, the LMF network element can transmit a selected or assigned positioning UE (a selectable example of a second terminal) to UE1 (a selectable example of a first terminal) via the AMF network element, and is not limited to this.

[0139] In some embodiments, the first terminal may, but is not limited to, receive a selected or assigned positioning UE (a selectable example of a second terminal) transmitted from an LMF network element.

[0140] In some embodiments, the first terminal may receive first response information transmitted from the third terminal (either directly forwarded or reconstructed and transmitted), which can be effectively applied to scenarios where a NAS connection between the first terminal and the network is unavailable, improving the flexibility and accuracy of terminal selection for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0141] In the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning of the present disclosure, the third terminal includes at least one of a candidate terminal (for which a non-access layer NAS connection is available between the candidate terminal and the core network device), a user equipment-to-network relay (UE) to network relay, thereby effectively improving the success rate of the transfer of the first request information.

[0142] In some embodiments, the third terminal may be one or more candidate terminals, and a non-access layer NAS connection between the third terminal and the core network device may be available, or the third terminal may be a UE to network relay, but is not limited to these.

[0143] Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of a terminal selection method for another ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method being performed by a first terminal.

[0144] As shown in Figure 5, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0145] In S501, a first request information is transmitted, which is used to request the core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal being associated with the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal being used to perform ranging or SL positioning on the first terminal.

[0146] In S502, a second request information is received from the core network device, where the second request information is used to indicate information about a second terminal selected by the core network device or information about a second terminal assigned for the first terminal.

[0147] In some embodiments, the first terminal may, but is not limited to, directly receive second request information sent from the core network device to clarify information about a second terminal selected by the core network device or information about a second terminal assigned for the first terminal.

[0148] In some embodiments, a second terminal can be selected or assigned via a core network device, and after the core network device has selected or assigned the second terminal, information about the selected or assigned second terminal can be notified to the first terminal.

[0149] In some embodiments, the first terminal may, after clarifying that the second terminal has not been selected as a localized terminal, respond to a network trigger to determine the distance information (distance and / or direction) between UE1 (one selectable example of the first terminal) and the selected positioning UE (the second terminal) to perform ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0150] This allows the first terminal to clarify, based on the second request information transmitted from the core network device, the information of the second terminal selected by the core network device or the information of the second terminal assigned to the first terminal, thereby effectively improving the flexibility of specifying the information of the second terminal, which can be applied to personalized positioning scenarios and improves the flexibility and accuracy of terminal selection for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0151] In the following examples, please refer to the above examples for explanations of terms, methods, and steps that are the same as or correspond to those described above, and a detailed explanation will be omitted here.

[0152] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method being performed by a core network device.

[0153] As shown in Figure 6, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0154] In S601, a first request information is received, which is used to request the core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is associated with the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal is used to perform distance measurement or SL positioning on the first terminal.

[0155] In some embodiments, the first request information refers to, but is not limited to, information requesting the selection of a second terminal or the assignment of a second terminal to the first terminal.

[0156] In some embodiments, specifically, the first request information may be information associated with a second terminal selected by a network (NW), that is, embodiments of the present disclosure support selecting one optimally located terminal by referring to information associated with a second terminal selected by the NW.

[0157] In some embodiments, when performing ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning on a first terminal, the first terminal may transmit first request information, thereby allowing the core network device to receive the first request information and select and determine the optimal second terminal for the first terminal based on the first request information, and is not limited thereto.

[0158] In some embodiments, the first terminal may be permitted to perform ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning, and a ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning policy or parameters may be assigned to the first terminal to cause the first terminal to determine one or more candidate terminals.

[0159] In some embodiments, the core network device may, and is not limited to, designate one optimal candidate terminal as the second terminal, selected from one or more candidate terminals determined by the first terminal.

[0160] In some embodiments, candidate terminals may refer to, but are not limited to, candidate terminals whose location is known or can be known and which can be used for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0161] In some embodiments, one or more candidate terminals may be determined by the first terminal, but are not limited thereto.

[0162] In some embodiments, if a first terminal cannot find a candidate terminal, it can request the core network device to assign a second terminal, thereby allowing the core network device to assign the second terminal based on the first request information of the first terminal, and is not limited to this.

[0163] In some embodiments, the core network device may be, for example, an LMF network element, which may, or may, select a second terminal for a first terminal, or assign a second terminal to it.

[0164] In some embodiments, the LMF network element can transmit a selected or assigned positioning UE (a selectable example of a second terminal) to UE1 (a selectable example of a first terminal) via the AMF network element, and is not limited to this.

[0165] In some embodiments, the LMF network element can directly transmit a selected or assigned positioning UE (a selectable example of a second terminal) to UE1 (a selectable example of a first terminal).

[0166] In some embodiments, the core network device may be, for example, an AMF network element, which may select a second terminal for a first terminal or assign a second terminal to it, and is not limited thereto.

[0167] In some embodiments, the AMF network element can, and is not limited to, directly transmit a selected or assigned positioning UE (a selectable example of a second terminal) to UE1 (a selectable example of a first terminal).

[0168] As a result, in this embodiment, the core network device can receive first request information, which is used to request the core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal being associated with the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal being for performing ranging or SL positioning on the first terminal, thereby enabling accurate selection of the terminal for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0169] The terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning described herein allows a core network device to receive first request information transmitted from a first terminal, is applicable to scenarios where a NAS connection between the first terminal and the network is available, and improves the flexibility and accuracy of terminal selection for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0170] In some embodiments, if a NAS connection is available between the first terminal and the network, the first terminal may directly send the first request information to the core network device, thereby allowing the core network device to receive the first request information sent from the first terminal, and this is not limited to such embodiments.

[0171] The terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning described herein may include a core network device receiving first request information transmitted from a third terminal, and is applicable to scenarios where a NAS connection between the first terminal and the network is unavailable, improving the flexibility and accuracy of terminal selection for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0172] In some embodiments, the first terminal can transmit first request information to the third terminal so as to trigger the third terminal to transmit one or more of the following to the AMF network element and / or LMF network element: quality of service (QoS) necessary for positioning, terminal preference, first candidate terminal list, second candidate terminal list, first instruction information, and second instruction information, thereby requesting the AMF network element and / or LMF network element to determine the optimal second terminal based on the aforementioned one or more pieces of information.

[0173] In some embodiments, an AMF network element and / or an LMF network element may receive one or more of the following transmitted from a third terminal: quality of service (QoS) necessary for positioning, terminal preference, a first candidate terminal list, a second candidate terminal list, a first instruction information, and a second instruction information, thereby determining the optimal second terminal based on the aforementioned one or more pieces of information.

[0174] In the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning of the present disclosure, the third terminal includes at least one of a candidate terminal (for which a non-access layer NAS connection is available between the candidate terminal and the core network device), a user equipment-to-network relay (UE) to network relay, thereby effectively improving the success rate of the transfer of the first request information.

[0175] Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of a terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method being performed by a core network device.

[0176] As shown in Figure 7, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0177] In S701, a first request information is received, which is used to request the core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is associated with the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal is used to perform ranging or SL positioning on the first terminal.

[0178] In S702, based on the first request information, a second terminal is selected from at least one candidate terminal, or the second terminal is assigned to the first terminal based on the first request information.

[0179] In some embodiments, the core network device may, and may not be limited to, selecting a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assigning the second terminal to the first terminal, based on the information indicated by the first request information.

[0180] In some embodiments, the AMF network element and / or LMF network element may, and may not be limited to, selecting a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or assigning a second terminal to the first terminal, based on the information indicated by the first request information.

[0181] In some embodiments, the AMF network element and / or LMF network element may work in conjunction with a Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) to select or assign a second terminal.

[0182] In some embodiments, the first request information may specifically be information associated with a second terminal selected by a network (NW), that is, embodiments of the present disclosure support selecting one optimally located terminal by referring to information associated with a second terminal selected by the NW.

[0183] In some embodiments, the AMF network element and / or LMF network element determine the optimal localized terminal (a second terminal, one selectable example) for the network to support SL positioning based on candidate localized terminals (a second terminal, one selectable example) received at target UE1 (a first terminal, one selectable example), and based on the area of ​​interest, location information and correlation capability, terminal configuration information, terminal preferences, and / or QoS required for positioning. When making a terminal determination, the core network device may also consider other information available to the core network, such as the network connectivity status of the relevant terminals, and, if service requirements are met, select the connected terminal to reduce system overhead, and may make such selections.

[0184] In some embodiments, the network's determination of the optimal localized terminal to support SL positioning may, but is not limited to, selecting one optimal candidate terminal as the optimal localized terminal from one or more candidate terminals in combination with the contents of the first request information described above.

[0185] In some embodiments, the network determining the optimal localized terminal to support SL positioning may, but is not limited to, assigning one optimal candidate terminal as the optimal localized terminal for the first terminal by combining the contents of the first request information described above.

[0186] As a result, the core network device receives first request information, which is used to request the core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal being associated with the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal being used to perform ranging or SL positioning on the first terminal, and based on the first request information, the second terminal being selected from at least one candidate terminal or, based on the first request information, the second terminal being assigned to the first terminal, thereby enabling more accurate selection of a terminal for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0187] In the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning of the present disclosure, a core network device may transmit first response information associated with first request information, wherein the first response information is for indicating information of a second terminal selected by the core network device or information of a second terminal assigned for the first terminal, thereby enabling timely and effective indication of the selection or assignment of information of the second terminal.

[0188] In the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning of the present disclosure, a core network device can transmit first response information associated with first request information to a first terminal, and the method is applicable to scenarios in which a NAS connection between the first terminal and the network is available, improving the flexibility and accuracy of indicating information to a second terminal.

[0189] In some embodiments, the AMF network element can transfer information of a second terminal to a first terminal, and the information of the second terminal may, but is not limited to, be selected or assigned by the LMF network element.

[0190] In some embodiments, the LMF network element can transmit a selected or assigned positioning UE (a selectable example of a second terminal) to UE1 (a selectable example of a first terminal) via the AMF network element, and is not limited to this.

[0191] In some embodiments, the LMF network element can transmit a selected or assigned positioning UE (one selectable example being a second terminal) to the first terminal, and is not limited to this.

[0192] In some embodiments, the third terminal may send first response information to the first terminal, and the third terminal can receive the first response information determined and sent by the core network device, which can be effectively applied to scenarios where a NAS connection between the first terminal and the network is unavailable, and improves the flexibility and accuracy of the information directed to the second terminal.

[0193] In the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning of the present disclosure, the third terminal includes at least one of a candidate terminal (for which a non-access layer NAS connection is available between the candidate terminal and the core network device), a user equipment-to-network relay (UE) to network relay, thereby effectively improving the success rate of the transfer of the first response information.

[0194] In some embodiments, the third terminal may be one or more candidate terminals, and a non-access layer NAS connection between the third terminal and the core network device may be available, or the third terminal may be a UE to network relay, but is not limited to these.

[0195] In the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning of the present disclosure, a core network device can transmit second request information to a first terminal, where the second request information is for indicating information of a second terminal selected by the core network device or information of a second terminal assigned for the first terminal, thereby effectively improving the flexibility of indicating information of the second terminal, making it applicable to personalized positioning scenarios and improving the flexibility and accuracy of terminal selection for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0196] In some embodiments, the core network device may transmit second request information to a first terminal, and the first terminal may, after clarifying that the second terminal has not been selected as a localized terminal, respond to a network trigger to determine the distance information (distance and / or direction) between UE1 (one selectable example of the first terminal) and the selected positioning UE (second terminal) to perform ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0197] Figure 8 is a schematic flowchart of a terminal selection method for another ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method being performed by a third terminal.

[0198] As shown in Figure 8, the method may, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0199] In S801, a first request information is transmitted, which is used to request the core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal being associated with the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal being used to perform ranging or SL positioning on the first terminal.

[0200] In the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning of the present disclosure, the third terminal includes at least one of a candidate terminal (for which a non-access layer NAS connection is available between the candidate terminal and the core network device), a user equipment-to-network relay (UE) to network relay, thereby effectively improving the success rate of the transfer of the first request information.

[0201] In some embodiments, the third terminal may be one or more candidate terminals, and a non-access layer NAS connection between the third terminal and the core network device may be available, or the third terminal may be a UE to network relay, but is not limited to these.

[0202] In some embodiments, the third terminal may receive first request information transmitted from the first terminal and forward the first request information to the core network device, and may not be limited thereto.

[0203] In some embodiments, the third terminal may, but is not limited to, sending the MO-LR ranging / SL positioning service request message to the core network device, carrying the first request information into the MO-LR ranging / SL positioning service request message so that the core network device can parse the MO-LR ranging / SL positioning service request message and obtain the first request information.

[0204] In some embodiments, MO-LR refers to a method in which the terminal being positioned initiates the positioning request (Mobile Originated Location Request), but is not limited to this.

[0205] In some embodiments, the messages transmitted between UE1 (an optional example of a first terminal) and UE2 (an optional example of a third terminal) may, for example, be a specific PC5 message requesting the network to assist with SL positioning, or an MO-LR message used for a positioning service (LCS), or an improved MO-LR message for an enhanced LCS (eLCS).

[0206] In some embodiments, UE1 can carry the first request information in the above message and send it to UE2, and UE2 can carry the first request information in an MO-LR ranging / SL positioning service request message and send it to the core network device, but is not limited to these embodiments.

[0207] This allows the third terminal to transmit the first request information, which is used to request the core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal being associated with the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal being for performing ranging or sidelink positioning on the first terminal, thereby enabling accurate selection of the terminal for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0208] The terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning described herein allows a third terminal to receive first request information transmitted from a first terminal and transmit the received first request information to a core network device, which can be effectively applied to scenarios where a NAS connection between the first terminal and the network is unavailable, and improves the flexibility and accuracy of information selection or allocation by the second terminal.

[0209] In the terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning of the present disclosure, a third terminal may transmit to the first terminal first response information associated with first request information, wherein the first response information is for indicating information of a second terminal selected by a core network device or information of a second terminal assigned for the first terminal, and is applicable to scenarios where a NAS connection between the first terminal and the network is unavailable and improves the flexibility and accuracy of indicating information of the second terminal.

[0210] Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of a terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning provided by embodiments of the present disclosure, which illustrates, but is not limited to, the interaction between a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a core network device.

[0211] In this embodiment, the network supports, but is not limited to, a terminal (a selectable example being one first terminal) that has a sidelink (SL) positioning NAS connection available.

[0212] In this embodiment, a NAS connection is available between the target terminal (UE1 is a selectable example of a first terminal) and the network, and the interaction between the target terminal and the network is completed directly by the target terminal in the following process.

[0213] As shown in Figure 9, the method may, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0214] 0.Service authorization policy / parameter provisioning.

[0215] In some embodiments, this step may, but is not limited to, issuing a service authorization policy / parameter.

[0216] In some embodiments, this can be achieved by combining a Policy Control Function (PCF) with an AMF network element, and is not limited to this.

[0217] 1. Located at UE Discovery.

[0218] In some embodiments, a location-determined terminal is discovered, which is a selectable example of a candidate terminal.

[0219] In some embodiments, Target UE1 may discover Localized UE2 and Localized UE3, where Target UE1 is a selectable example of a first terminal, and Localized UE2 and Localized UE3 are selectable examples of a candidate terminal, but are not limited to this.

[0220] 2. MO-LR Ranging / SL positioning service request(Located UE candidates).

[0221] In some embodiments, Target UE1 may send an MO-LR ranging / SL positioning service request message to indicate a candidate Localized UE (one selectable example of a candidate terminal), and this is not limited to such instances.

[0222] 3. determine the Located UEs to be used.

[0223] In some embodiments, the AMF / LMF determines the location-determined terminal to be used (one selectable example being a second terminal), and is not limited to this.

[0224] 4. MO-LR Ranging / SL positioning service response(Selected Located UE).

[0225] In some embodiments, the AMF / LMF may send an MO-LR ranging / SL positioning service response message to indicate a selected localized terminal (one selectable example of a second terminal).

[0226] 5a. Located UEs positioning procedure.

[0227] In some embodiments, the positioning process is based on Localized UEs (User-Owned Devices).

[0228] In some embodiments, the location information of the selected localized terminal can be obtained by conventional mechanisms, but is not limited to these.

[0229] In some embodiments, the MT_LR process may be used, for example, but is not limited to this.

[0230] In some embodiments, this step may be performed immediately after determining the location of the terminal, but is not limited to this.

[0231] 6. Ranging / SL positioning procedure.

[0232] In some embodiments, a ranging / sidelink (SL) positioning process may be performed, but is not limited to this.

[0233] In some embodiments, Target UE1 may perform ranging / SL positioning together with the located terminals (Located UE2 and Located UE3), and may, for example, measure and calculate the results using the Long Term Evolutionary LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) or the Sidelink Positioning Protocol (SLPP).

[0234] 7. MO-LR Ranging / SL positioning service request(Located UEs, sidelink assistant info).

[0235] In some embodiments, Target UE1 may programmatically move and request the NW to assist with ranging / sidelink processing, which may include, but is not limited to, the ranging / sidelink positioning assistance data acquired in step 6 and associated localized terminal information (e.g., a Globally Unique Temporary UE Identity (GUTI) for 5G).

[0236] 5b. Located UEs positioning procedure.

[0237] In some embodiments, the positioning process for Localized UEs may be performed after receiving sidelink assistance information between UE1 and the Localized UEs.

[0238] 8. Target UE1 Location Determination.

[0239] In some embodiments, the location information of Target UE1 can be determined, and is not limited to this.

[0240] In some embodiments, the LMF determines the position of Target UE1 based on ranging / sidelink (sildelink, SL) positioning support data and location information of Localized UEs acquired by 5a or 5b, and is not limited to this.

[0241] 9. MO-LR Ranging / SL positioning service response (Target UE Location).

[0242] In some embodiments, the location information of Target UE1 is transmitted to Target UE1 based on the MO-LR ranging / SL positioning service response message, and this is not limited to these embodiments.

[0243] In step 2 or 4 above, the request to determine the interaction between the Target UE1 of the Localized UEs and the LMF may be, but is not limited to, carried out by an MO_LR process with specific parameters, or by a specific process that requests to determine the Localized UEs.

[0244] In some embodiments, the network may trigger Target UE1 by sending a request message after determining the localized UEs, thereby determining the distance information (distance and / or direction) between Target UE1 and the selected localized UEs, Target UE performs sildelink (SL) positioning of the localized UEs and responds to the network with relevant information, and after the core network determines the location of target UE1 based on the sildelink (SL) positioning support data and the location information of the localized UEs as in step 8 above, it transmits the location information of Target UE1 to the location of Target UE1 as a response to the request in step 2 above.

[0245] Figure 10 is a schematic flowchart of a terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning provided by embodiments of the present disclosure, which illustrates, but is not limited to, an interaction intent between a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a core network device.

[0246] In this embodiment, the network supports, but is not limited to, terminals for which sidelink (SL) positioning NAS connectivity is unavailable (one selectable example of a first terminal).

[0247] In this embodiment, a NAS connection between the target terminal (UE1 is a selectable example of a first terminal, e.g., Target UE1) and the network is unavailable, and the interaction between the target terminal and the network is completed by one of the UE-to-network relay or NAS-connected localized terminals (a selectable example of a third terminal). The target terminal first interacts with the network via Localized UE2 (a selectable example of a third terminal), refers to the network's determination result, and if Localized UE2 is not selected as a localized terminal, it may, if not limited to, perform ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning using Localized UE3.

[0248] As shown in Figure 10, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0249] 0.Service authorization policy / parameter provisioning.

[0250] 1. Located at UE Discovery.

[0251] 2. MO-LR Ranging / SL positioning service request(Located UE candidates).

[0252] In some embodiments, Target UE1 can send an MO-LR ranging / SL positioning service request message to Localized UE2, and Localized UE2 can send an MO-LR ranging / SL positioning service request message to the AMF / LMF, indicating a candidate Localized UE (one selectable example of a candidate terminal). Communication between Target UE1 and Localized UE2 is via the PC5 interface using a protocol that supports ranging / SL positioning services, and communication between Localized UE2 and the AMF is via the N1 interface using the NAS protocol.

[0253] 3. determine the Located UEs to be used.

[0254] 4. MO-LR Ranging / SL positioning service response(Selected Located UE).

[0255] In some embodiments, the AMF / LMF may send an MO-LR ranging / SL positioning service response message to the Localized UE2, and the Localized UE2 may send an MO-LR ranging / SL positioning service response message to the Target UE1, indicating a selected localized terminal (one example of a second terminal).

[0256] 5a. Located UEs positioning procedure.

[0257] 6. Ranging / SL positioning procedure.

[0258] 7. MO-LR Ranging / SL positioning service request(Located UEs, sidelink assistant info).

[0259] In some embodiments, Target UE1 may initiate the MO-LR process and request the NW to assist with ranging / sidelink processing, which may include, but is not limited to, ranging / sidelink positioning assistance data acquired in step 6 and associated localized terminal information (e.g., 5G GUTI).

[0260] In some embodiments, Target UE1 may send an MO-LR ranging / SL positioning service request message to Localized UE3, and Our UE3 may send an MO-LR ranging / SL positioning service request message to AMF / LMF (e.g., directly forwarded or reconstructed and sent) to instruct ranging / sidelink positioning support data.

[0261] 5b. Located UEs positioning procedure.

[0262] 8. Target UE1 Location Determination.

[0263] 9. MO-LR Ranging / SL positioning service response (Target UE Location).

[0264] In some embodiments, the AMF / LMF may send an MO-LR ranging / SL positioning service response message to the Localized UE3, and the Localized UE3 may send an MO-LR ranging / SL positioning service response message to the Target UE1, indicating the location of the Target UE1, and this is not limited to such embodiments.

[0265] In some embodiments, the network-initiated process of determining distance information (e.g., distance and / or direction) between the terminal and the Localized UEs may, but is not limited to, being transmitted to a localized terminal selected on behalf of Target UE1 during the interaction (e.g., Localized UE3).

[0266] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 110 shown in Figure 11 may include a transceiver module 1101 and a processing module 1102. The transceiver module 1101 may include a transmit module and / or a receive module, the transmit module may be used to implement a transmit function, the receive module may be used to implement a receive function, and the transceiver module 1101 can implement a transmit function and / or a receive function.

[0267] The communication device 110 may be a network device (such as the core network device in the method embodiment described above), a device within a network device, or a device used in combination with a network device. The communication device 110 may be a terminal (for example, the first terminal or third terminal in the method embodiment described above), a device within a terminal, or a device used in combination with a terminal.

[0268] The communication device 110 is located on the first terminal side and includes a transmit / receive module 1101 for transmitting first request information, which is used to request the core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal being associated with the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal being used to perform ranging or SL positioning on the first terminal.

[0269] In this embodiment, the candidate terminal may be a terminal associated with the information of the first terminal, and the first terminal may be a terminal that performs ranging or SL positioning on the first terminal based on the information of the second terminal by selecting the second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or by requesting the core network device to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, thereby enabling accurate selection of the terminal for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0270] The communication device 110 is located on the core network device side and includes a transmit / receive module 1101 for receiving first request information, which is used to request the core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal being associated with the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal being used to perform distance measurement or SL positioning on the first terminal.

[0271] In this embodiment, the core network device can receive first request information, which is used to request the core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal being associated with the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal being for performing ranging or SL positioning on the first terminal, thereby enabling accurate selection of the terminal for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0272] The communication device 110 is located on the third terminal side and includes a transmit / receive module 1101 for transmitting first request information, which is used to request the core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal being associated with the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal being used to perform ranging or SL positioning on the first terminal.

[0273] In this embodiment, the third terminal can transmit first request information, which is used to request the core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal being associated with the information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal being for performing ranging or SL positioning on the first terminal, thereby enabling accurate selection of the terminal for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning.

[0274] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 120 may be a network device (such as the core network device in the method embodiment described above), a terminal (such as the first or third terminal in the method embodiment described above), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the implementation of the above method by the network device, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the implementation of the above method by the terminal. The device may be used to implement the method described in the method embodiment described above, for specifics please refer to the description in the method embodiment described above.

[0275] The communication device 120 may include one or more processors 1201. The processors 1201 may be general-purpose processors or dedicated processors, etc. For example, they may be baseband processors or central processors. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processor may be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute computer programs, and process data of computer programs.

[0276] Selectively, the communication device 120 may include one or more memories 1202 in which the computer program 1204 is stored, and the processor 1201 may store the computer program 1203, and the processor 1201 executes the computer program 1204 and / or the computer program 1203 to cause the communication device 120 to execute the method described in the above embodiment.

[0277] Data may be selectively stored in the memory 1202. The communication device 120 and the memory 1202 may be installed separately or as a single unit.

[0278] Selectively, the communication device 120 may further include a transceiver 1205 and an antenna 1206. The transceiver 1205 may also be called a transceiver unit, transceiver, or transceiver circuit, and is used to implement a transceiver function. The transceiver 1205 may include a receiver and a transmitter, the receiver may also be called a receiving device or receiving circuit, and is used to implement a receiving function, and the transmitter may also be called a transmitting device or transmitting circuit, and is used to implement a transmitting function.

[0279] Selectively, the communication device 120 may further include one or more interface circuits 1207. The interface circuits 1207 receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor 1201. The processor 1201 executes the code instructions, causing the communication device 120 to perform the method described in the above embodiment.

[0280] In one implementation, the processor 1201 may include a transceiver for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated as a single unit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for reading and writing code / data, or the transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for transmitting or transmitting signals.

[0281] In one implementation, the processor 1201 may store a computer program 1203, which is executed on the processor 1201, thereby causing the communication device 120 to execute the method described in the above embodiment. The computer program 1203 may be fixed to the processor 1201, in which case the processor 1201 may be implemented by hardware.

[0282] In one embodiment, the communication device 120 may include a circuit that can implement the transmission, reception, or communication functions described in the method embodiment described above. The processor and transceiver described herein can be integrated into an integrated circuit (IC), analog IC, high-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), mixed-signal IC, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), printed circuit board (PCB), electronic device, etc. The processor and transceiver can be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), n-metal oxide semiconductor (nMOS), positive channel metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (Gas), etc.

[0283] The communication device described in the above embodiments may be a network device (such as the core network device in the previously described method embodiment) or a terminal device (such as the first terminal or third terminal in the previously described method embodiment), however, the scope of the communication device described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device is not limited by Figure 12. The communication device may be an independent device or part of a larger device. For example, the measuring device may be as follows. (1) Independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem, (2) A set having one or more ICs, wherein the IC set may optionally include a storage component for storing data, computer programs, etc. (3) ASIC, for example, modem, (4) A module that can be incorporated into other devices, (5) A receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc., (6) Others.

[0284] Regarding the case where the communication device may be a chip or a chip system, reference is made to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of a chip of an embodiment of the present disclosure. The chip shown in FIG. 13 includes a processor 1301 and an interface 1302. Here, the number of processors 1301 may be one or more, and the number of interfaces 1302 may be multiple.

[0285] Regarding the case where the chip is used to implement the functions of a terminal (such as the first terminal or the third terminal in the above-described method embodiments) in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor 1301 is used to implement the steps in FIGS. 2 to 5, FIGS. 8 to 10, etc.

[0286] Regarding the case where the chip is used to implement the functions of a network device (such as the core network device in the above-described method embodiments) in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor 1301 is used to implement the steps in FIGS. 6 to 7, FIGS. 9 to 10, etc.

[0287] Optionally, the chip further includes a memory 1303, and the memory 1303 is used to store necessary computer programs and data.

[0288] As those skilled in the art will see, the various illustrative logical blocks and steps enumerated in the embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. Whether such functionality is implemented by hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design requirements of the overall system. Those skilled in the art can implement the aforementioned functionality in various ways for each specific application, but such implementations should not be understood as exceeding the scope of protection of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0289] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a communication system which includes a communication device as a network device of the aforementioned embodiment (e.g., a core network device in the aforementioned method embodiment) and a communication device as a terminal of the aforementioned embodiment (e.g., a first terminal or a third terminal in the aforementioned method embodiment), or the system which includes a communication device as a network device of the aforementioned Figure 12 embodiment (e.g., a core network device in the aforementioned method embodiment) and a communication device as a terminal of the aforementioned Figure 12 embodiment (e.g., a first terminal or a third terminal in the aforementioned method embodiment).

[0290] This disclosure further provides a readable storage medium on which instructions are stored, which, when executed by a computer, realize the functionality of any one of the above-described method embodiments.

[0291] This disclosure further provides a computer program product that, when executed by a computer, implements the functionality of any one of the above-described method embodiments.

[0292] In the embodiments described above, all or part of them can be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of them can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When the computer programs are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the flows or functions described in the embodiments of this disclosure are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer programs can be stored on a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer programs can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, radio, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium may be any available media accessible to a computer, or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrations. The usable media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., high-density digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state drives (SSDs)).

[0293] As those skilled in the art will understand, the various numerical designations such as "First," "Second," etc., in this disclosure are classifications made for the sake of clarity and do not limit the scope of the embodiments of this disclosure, but rather represent priority.

[0294] In this disclosure, “at least one” may also be described as “one or more,” where “more” may be two, three, four or more, and is not limited to this disclosure. In embodiments of this disclosure, for a single technical feature, technical features in that type of technical feature are distinguished by “first,” “second,” “third,” “A,” “B,” “C,” and “D,” and there is no priority or size order among the technical features described by “first,” “second,” “third,” “A,” “B,” “C,” and “D.”

[0295] The correspondences shown in each table in this disclosure may be set in advance or defined in advance. The possible values ​​of the information in each table are merely examples and may be set to other values, and are not limited in this application. When setting the correspondence between information and each parameter, it is not necessary to set all the correspondences shown in each table. For example, in the tables of this application, the correspondences shown in some rows may not be set. Also, appropriate modifications and adjustments such as splitting and joining may be made to the above tables. The names of the parameters shown in the themes of each table above may also be called by other names that are understandable to the communication device, and the possible values ​​or representations of those parameters may also be other possible values ​​or representations that are understandable to the communication device. When the above tables are implemented, other data structures such as arrays, queues, containers, stacks, linked lists, pointers, linked lists, trees, graphs, structures, classes, heaps, hash tables may be used.

[0296] In this disclosure, pre-definitions may be understood as definition, pre-definition, memory, pre-storage, pre-agreement, pre-setting, curing, or pre-firing.

[0297] The embodiments described herein are not exhaustive and represent only examples of some embodiments, and do not specifically limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. To the extent that they do not contradict each other, each step in an embodiment can be carried out as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be combined in any way. For example, in an embodiment, a solution after some steps have been removed can be carried out as an independent embodiment, the order of the steps in an embodiment can be changed in any way, and the selectable implementations in an embodiment can be combined in any way, and the embodiments can be combined in any way. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be combined in any way, and one embodiment can be combined in any way with a selectable implementation of another embodiment.

[0298] In each embodiment of this disclosure, unless otherwise specified or logically defined, the terminology and / or descriptions between embodiments are consistent and mutually referential, and technical features in different embodiments can be combined based on their inherent logical relationships to form new embodiments.

[0299] The terms used in the embodiments of this disclosure are used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this disclosure.

[0300] In the embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form such as "one," "a kind," "the," "above," "the aforementioned," "this," etc. may represent "only one," "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when articles such as "a," "an," and "the" are used in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as singular or plural.

[0301] In the embodiments of this disclosure, “multiple” means two or more.

[0302] In some embodiments, terms such as "at least one of," "one or more," "a plurality of," and "multiple" may be used interchangeably.

[0303] In some embodiments, the following technical proposals may be included by descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, and B in the other case," or "A in response to one case, and B in response to the other case." In some embodiments, A (A is performed independently of B), in some embodiments, B (B is performed independently of A), in some embodiments, A and B are performed selectively (A and B are performed selectively), and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are performed). The same applies when there are more options such as A, B, C, etc.

[0304] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical options: In some embodiments, A (A is performed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is performed independently of A); and in some embodiments, A and B are performed selectively (A and B are performed selectively). The same applies when there are more options such as A, B, C, etc.

[0305] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of this disclosure are used solely to distinguish different subjects of description and do not restrict the position, order, priority, number, or content of the subjects of description. Descriptions of the subjects of description should be made by referring to the descriptions in the context of the claims or embodiments, and the use of prefixes does not impose unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the subject of description is a "field," the ordinal number before "field" in "first field" and "second field" does not restrict the position or order between "fields," "first" and "second" do not restrict whether the modified "fields" are in the same message, and do not restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the subject of description is a "level," the ordinal number before "level" in "first level" and "second level" does not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the quantity of subjects of description is not limited by ordinal numbers and may be one or more. For example, in the case of "first device," the number of "devices" may be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes may be the same or different. For example, if the object described is "device," then "the first device" and "the second device" may be the same device or different devices, and their types may be the same or different. Moreover, if the object described is "information," then "the first piece of information" and "the second piece of information" may be the same piece of information or different pieces of information, and their content may be the same or different.

[0306] In some embodiments, terms such as “contain A,” “equipped with A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carry A” may be understood as directly carrying A or as indirectly indicating A.

[0307] In some embodiments, terms such as "responding to," "responding to deciding," "in the case of," "when," "on the occasion of," "if," and "if" can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, terms such as "greater", "greater than or equal", "more than", "more", "more than or equal", "more than", "higher", "higher than or equal", "more than", "above", etc. can be used interchangeably, and terms such as "less", "less than or equal", "less than", "less", "less than or equal", "less than", "lower", "lower than or equal", "less than", "below", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0308] In some embodiments, terms such as "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", "subscriber station", "mobile unit", "subscriber unit", "wireless unit", "remote unit", "mobile device", "wireless device", "wireless communication device", "remote device", "mobile subscriber station", "access terminal", "mobile terminal", "wireless terminal", "remote terminal", "handset", "user agent", "mobile client", "client", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0309] In some embodiments, access network devices, core network devices, or network devices can be replaced with terminals. For example, the embodiments of this disclosure may be applied to structures that replace communication between access network devices, core network devices, or network devices and terminals with communication between multiple terminals (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X)). In this case, the terminal may be configured to have all or some of the functions of the access network device. Also, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may be replaced with a term corresponding to terminal-to-terminal communication (e.g., "sidelink"). For example, uplink channels and downlink channels can be replaced with sidelink channels, and uplinks and downlinks can be replaced with sidelinks.

[0310] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced with an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, core network device, or network device may be installed in a structure that has all or some of the functions of the terminal.

[0311] In some embodiments, determining may be understood as, but is not limited to, judgment, decision, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, search, inquiry, ascertaining, receiving, transmitting, input, output, accessing, resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, assuming, expecting, considering, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, assigning, etc.

[0312] As those skilled in the art will understand, the units and algorithmic steps described in each example disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or in a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or in software depends on the specific application of the proposed technology and the design constraints. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functions in different ways for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this disclosure.

[0313] For the convenience and simplification of the explanation, and so that those skilled in the art can clearly understand, the specific working processes of the systems, apparatus, and units described above are omitted here, and should be referred to by the corresponding processes in the embodiments of the methods described above.

[0314] The above describes only specific embodiments of the present application, and the scope of protection is not limited thereto. Any modification or substitution that a person skilled in the art could easily conceive of, as long as it does not deviate from the technical scope disclosed herein, should be included in the scope of protection. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application must be in accordance with the claims.

Claims

1. A terminal selection method for distance measurement or sidelink (SL) positioning performed by a first terminal, A step of transmitting first request information, the first request information being used to request a core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal being associated with information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal being used to perform ranging or SL positioning on the first terminal, A terminal selection method for distance measurement or side link (SL) positioning, characterized by the above.

2. The first request information is, QoS, the service quality required for positioning. Device preferences The first candidate terminal list is empty. A second list of candidate devices containing information on at least one candidate device, First instruction information for instructing the core network device to select a second terminal, and The information includes at least one of the following: second instruction information for instructing the core network device to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, The method according to feature 1.

3. The information of the aforementioned candidate terminals is as follows: Identifier of candidate terminal, and Includes at least one of the following: terminal capability information, including positioning capabilities supported by the candidate terminals, The method according to feature 2.

4. The step of transmitting the first request information is: If at least one candidate terminal has already been determined based on the information of the first terminal, the step of sending first request information to the core network device to request that it select a second terminal from the at least one candidate terminal, If the candidate terminal has not been determined based on the information of the first terminal, the step of sending first request information to the core network device to request the assignment of a second terminal to the first terminal, includes at least one of these steps. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the features described herein.

5. The step of sending the first request information is: The step of transmitting the first request information to the core network device, The procedure includes at least one of the following steps: transmitting the first request information to a third terminal. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A step of receiving first response information associated with the first request information, further comprising the step of the first response information indicating information of a second terminal selected by the core network device or information of a second terminal assigned for the first terminal, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by...

7. The step of receiving first response information associated with the first request information is: The step of receiving the first response information transmitted from the core network device, The process includes any one of the following steps: receiving the first response information transmitted from the third terminal, The method according to feature 6.

8. The third terminal is, A candidate terminal, wherein a non-access layer NAS connection between the candidate terminal and the core network device is available, User equipment – ​​Network relay UE to Network relay, including at least one of the above, The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by the features described herein.

9. A step of receiving a second request information transmitted from the core network device, further comprising the step of indicating that the second request information indicates information of a second terminal selected by the core network device or information of a second terminal assigned for the first terminal, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the features described herein.

10. A terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning performed by a core network device, A step of receiving first request information, wherein the first request information is used to request the core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is associated with information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal is used to perform distance measurement or SL positioning on the first terminal. A terminal selection method for distance measurement or side link (SL) positioning, characterized by the above.

11. The first request information is, QoS, the service quality required for positioning. Device preferences The first candidate terminal list is empty. A second list of candidate devices containing information on at least one candidate device, First instruction information for instructing the core network device to select a second terminal, and The information includes at least one of the following: second instruction information for instructing the core network device to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, The method according to the present invention, characterized by the present invention.

12. The information of the aforementioned candidate terminals is as follows: Identifier of candidate terminal, and Includes at least one of the following: terminal capability information, including positioning capabilities supported by the candidate terminals, The method according to 11, characterized by the features described above.

13. The step of receiving the first request information is: The step of receiving the first request information transmitted from the first terminal, The process includes any one of the following steps: receiving the first request information transmitted from a third terminal, The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by the features described herein.

14. The aforementioned method, A step of selecting the second terminal from the at least one candidate terminal based on the first request information, The process further includes any one of the following steps: assigning a second terminal to the first terminal based on the first request information; The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized by...

15. A step of transmitting first response information associated with the first request information, further comprising the step of the first response information indicating information of a second terminal selected by the core network device or information of a second terminal assigned for the first terminal, The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized by...

16. The step of transmitting first response information associated with the first request information is: The step of transmitting the first response information to the first terminal, The procedure includes any one of the following steps: transmitting the first response information to a third terminal. The method according to 12, characterized by the features described above.

17. The third terminal is, A candidate terminal, wherein a non-access layer NAS connection between the candidate terminal and the core network device is available, User equipment – ​​Network relay UE to Network relay, including at least one of the above, The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized by...

18. The step further includes transmitting to the first terminal a second request information to indicate information about a second terminal selected by the core network device or information about a second terminal assigned for the first terminal. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized by...

19. A terminal selection method for ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning performed by a third terminal, A step of transmitting first request information, wherein the first request information is used to request a core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is associated with information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal is used to perform distance measurement or SL positioning on the first terminal. A terminal selection method for distance measurement or side link (SL) positioning, characterized by the above.

20. The first request information is, QoS, the service quality required for positioning. Device preferences The first candidate terminal list is empty. A second list of candidate devices containing information on at least one candidate device, First instruction information for instructing the core network device to select a second terminal, and The information includes at least one of the following: second instruction information for instructing the core network device to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, The method according to feature 19.

21. The information of the aforementioned candidate terminals is as follows: Identifier of candidate terminal, Includes at least one of the following: terminal capability information, including positioning capabilities supported by the candidate terminals, The method according to the present invention, characterized by the present invention.

22. The process further includes the step of receiving the first request information transmitted from the first terminal, The above-mentioned which transmits the first request information, The process includes the step of transmitting the received first request information to the core network device, The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, characterized by...

23. A step of transmitting first response information associated with the first request information, further comprising the step of the first response information indicating information of a second terminal selected by the core network device or information of a second terminal assigned for the first terminal, The method according to any one of claims 19 to 22, characterized by...

24. The step further includes receiving the first response information transmitted from the core network device, Here, the step of transmitting first response information associated with the first request information is: The process further includes the step of transmitting the received first response information to the first terminal. The method according to the feature of 23.

25. The third terminal is, Candidate terminals for which a non-access layer NAS connection between the candidate terminal and the core network device is available, User equipment – ​​Network relay UE to Network relay, including at least one of the above, The method according to any one of claims 19 to 24, characterized by...

26. A communication device, A transmit / receive module for transmitting first request information, wherein the first request information is used to request a core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is associated with information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal is used to perform distance measurement or SL positioning on the first terminal, A communication device characterized by the following features.

27. A communication device, A transceiver module for receiving first request information, wherein the first request information is used to request the core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is associated with information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal is used to perform distance measurement or SL positioning on the first terminal, A communication device characterized by the following features.

28. A communication device, A transmit / receive module for transmitting first request information, wherein the first request information is used to request a core network device to select a second terminal from at least one candidate terminal or to assign the second terminal to the first terminal, the candidate terminal is associated with information of the first terminal, and the information of the second terminal is used to perform distance measurement or SL positioning on the first terminal, A communication device characterized by the following features.

29. A communication system comprising a first terminal, a core network device, and a third terminal, wherein the first terminal performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the core network device performs the method according to any one of claims 10 to 18, and the third terminal performs the method according to any one of claims 19 to 25. A communication system characterized by

30. A computer-readable storage medium in which an instruction is stored, wherein when the instruction is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25 is realized. A computer-readable storage medium characterized by the following features.

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