Communication methods and communication devices

Abstract

Embodiments of this application provide a communication method and a communication device. The communication method includes a first terminal acquiring information about one or more location-specific UE candidates, and the first terminal determining from one or more location-specific UE candidates, based on the information about the one or more location-specific UE candidates, which will be used to assist in positioning the first terminal. Thus, the location-specific UE used to assist in positioning can be more appropriately selected based on various information about the location-specific UE candidates.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of wireless communication technology, and more specifically, to communication methods and communication devices.

Background Art

[0002] This application claims the priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 202310384506.6, titled "COMMUNICATION METHOD AND COMMUNICATION APPARATUS", filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on April 6, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0003] With the rapid development of mobile communication, numerous application scenarios such as the internet of vehicles, autonomous driving, and unmanned aerial vehicles have raised higher requirements for positioning capabilities. Therefore, it is necessary to improve network positioning technology to enhance positioning accuracy. Currently, to provide services that present location-related information desired by users, location service (LCS) technology is usually used to determine the actual geographical location of terminal devices (user equipment, UE) through cooperation between wireless terminals and wireless networks. For example, the network may adopt an approach that combines sidelink positioning and Uu positioning. The target UE and the located UE (assistive UE, also known as the positioning location-determined UE) perform sidelink positioning, and the target UE is positioned based on the absolute position of the located UE. In the above terminal positioning method, how to appropriately select the located UE is crucial for improving the accuracy of positioning the target UE.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method for appropriately selecting a located UE for assisted positioning based on various information about located UE candidates.

[0005] According to a first embodiment, a communication method is provided. The method may be carried out by a first terminal or by a component of the first terminal (e.g., a chip or circuit), but is not limited to this. For simplicity of explanation, the following example will use a case in which the method is carried out by a first terminal.

[0006] The method may include a first terminal acquiring information about one or more candidate location UEs, and the first terminal determining from one or more candidate location UEs based on the information about the candidate location UEs which will be used to assist in positioning the first terminal, wherein the information about the candidate location UEs includes at least one of location information, mobility status, line-of-sight information, the serving network identifier of the candidate location UE, side-link positioning capability information, duration of the ranging reference signal, information indicating whether side-link positioning calculations are supported, and the accuracy of the candidate location UE, wherein the location information indicates the location of the candidate location UE, the line-of-sight information includes information indicating line-of-sight or non-line-of-sight propagation between the first terminal and the candidate location UE, and the side-link positioning capability information indicates a side-link positioning method supported by the candidate location UE.

[0007] In the above-described strategy, the first terminal can more appropriately select a location-locating UE to be used to assist in positioning based on various acquired information about the location-locating UE candidate.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the first terminal determining a location UE to be used to assist in positioning the first terminal from one or more location UE candidates based on information about one or more location UE candidates includes the first terminal determining a location UE from one or more location UE candidates based on location information, or the first terminal determining a location UE from one or more location UE candidates based on mobility status, or the first terminal determining a location UE from one or more location UE candidates based on line-of-sight information.

[0009] In the above-described strategy, the first terminal can specifically determine a location-specific UE based on the location information, mobility status, and line-of-sight information of candidate location-specific UEs in order to more appropriately select a location-specific UE, thereby better satisfying the accuracy of the positioning target UE.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the method further comprises the first terminal obtaining first information, and the first terminal determining from one or more location UE candidates to be used to assist in positioning the first terminal based on information about one or more location UE candidates, and the first terminal determining from one or more location UE candidates based on information about one or more location UE candidates and the first information, wherein the first information comprises the number of location UEs required and / or public land mobile network PLMN identifiers, the PLMN identifier being a serving network identifier corresponding to a location UE permitted to be used by the first terminal.

[0011] In the above-described strategy, the first terminal can more appropriately select a location UE under the control or assistance of the network based on various acquired information about the location UE candidate, as well as information such as the number of location UEs required from the network and the PLMN identifier.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the method further comprises a first terminal receiving second information from a location management network element, the second information comprising at least one of a target area, the number of location-specific UEs required, the accuracy requirements for the location of the location-specific UEs, and location-specific UE selection indication information, and the first terminal determining which location-specific UE to be used to assist in positioning the first terminal from one or more location-specific UE candidates based on the information about one or more location-specific UE candidates and the second information.

[0013] In the above-described strategy, the first terminal can more appropriately select a location-based UE under the control or assistance of the network based on various acquired information about the location-based UE candidate, as well as information from location management network elements such as the target area, the required number of location-based UEs, the accuracy requirements for the location of the location-based UEs, and location-based UE selection indication information.

[0014] In one possible implementation, when the second information is location UE selection indication information, the first terminal determining which location UE to use to assist in positioning the first terminal from among one or more location UE candidates based on information about one or more location UE candidates includes the first terminal determining a location UE from among one or more location UE candidates based on information about one or more location UE candidates when the location UE selection indication information indicates that the first terminal has selected a location UE.

[0015] The indication that the first terminal selects its location UE may also mean that the first terminal selects a terminal whose terminal type is a location UE, and it should be understood that the location UE is used to assist in positioning. For example, the location UE selection indication indicates that the first terminal selects a location UE that will be used to assist in positioning the first terminal. Alternatively, the location UE selection indication indicates that the first terminal selects a location UE that will be used to assist in positioning the first terminal.

[0016] In the above-described strategy, when the first terminal receives only location-specific UE selection indication information from the location management network element, the first terminal determines the location-specific UE based on various acquired information about the location-specific UE candidate, thereby enhancing the management and control over the network's selection of the location-specific UE.

[0017] In one possible implementation, when the second information includes location UE selection indication information and at least one of a target area, the number of location UEs required, and the accuracy requirement of the location of the location UEs, the first terminal determining which location UE to be used to assist in positioning the first terminal from one or more location UE candidates based on information about one or more location UE candidates includes, when location UE selection indication information indicates that the first terminal has selected a location UE, the first terminal determining that location UE from one or more location UE candidates based on information about one or more location UE candidates and the second information.

[0018] In the above-described strategy, when the first terminal receives location-specific UE selection indication information and information such as the target area from location management network elements, the first terminal can determine the location-specific UE based on various acquired information about the location-specific UE candidate and information such as the target area, thereby enhancing the management and control of the network's selection of the location-specific UE.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the method further includes the first terminal transmitting identification information of the location-determining UE to a location management network element.

[0020] In the above-described strategy, after determining the location-determining UE, the first terminal transmits the location-determining UE's identification information to the location management network element. The location management network element then learns the location-determining UE that assists in positioning, and subsequently calculates the position of the first terminal based on the location of the location-determining UE.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the method further comprises a first terminal receiving identification information of a plurality of terminals from a location management network element, and the first terminal obtaining information about one or more location-specific UE candidates, which comprises the first terminal obtaining information about one or more location-specific UE candidates based on the identification information of the plurality of terminals, and the plurality of terminals comprises one or more location-specific UE candidates.

[0022] In the above-described strategy, the first terminal can obtain information about potential location UEs among multiple terminals based on identifiers of multiple terminals from a location management network element, or in other words, the first terminal determines the potential location UEs among multiple terminals. In this way, the range over which the first terminal determines potential location UEs is narrowed, and the overhead of the first terminal can be reduced.

[0023] In a possible implementation, for the first terminal to obtain information about one or more positioning UE candidates, it includes the first terminal sending a discovery message, where the discovery message is used to discover the positioning UE candidates, the first terminal receiving one or more response messages from one or more positioning UE candidates, and the first terminal obtaining information about one or more positioning UE candidates based on the one or more response messages.

[0024] In the above approach, the first terminal actively sends a discovery message to obtain information about the positioning UE candidates, thereby increasing the diversity for the first terminal to obtain information about the positioning UE candidates.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the discovery message includes the identification information of multiple terminals, the multiple terminals include one or more positioning UE candidates, and the response message includes information about the positioning UE candidates.

[0026] In the above approach, since the first terminal includes the identification information of multiple terminals in the discovery message, the positioning UE candidate determines whether to return a response message to the first terminal based on the identification information of the multiple terminals.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the discovery message includes the terminal type and / or the PLMN identifier, and the terminal type is a positioning UE.

[0028] In the above approach, since the first terminal includes the terminal type and / or the PLMN identifier in the discovery message, the positioning UE candidate determines whether to return a response message to the first terminal based on the terminal type and / or the PLMN identifier.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the response message includes information about the positioning UE candidate.

[0030] In one possible implementation, for the first terminal to obtain information about one or more location-specific UE candidates is for the first terminal to receive one or more notification messages from the one or more location-specific UE candidates, where the notification messages are used to broadcast that the location-specific UE candidates are capable of serving as location-specific UEs, and for the first terminal to obtain information about the one or more location-specific UE candidates based on the one or more notification messages.

[0031] In the above approach, the first terminal can obtain information about the location-specific UE candidates based on notification messages actively sent (e.g., periodically sent) by the location-specific UE candidates, thereby increasing the diversity for the first terminal to obtain information about the location-specific UE candidates.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the notification message includes information about the location-specific UE candidate.

[0033] According to a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be implemented by a location-specific UE candidate or by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) of the location-specific UE candidate. This is not limiting. For simplicity of explanation, in the following, an example where the method is implemented by a location-specific UE candidate will be used for illustration.

[0034] The method may include a candidate location UE deciding that it is approved to be a location UE for auxiliary positioning, and the candidate location UE transmitting information about the candidate location UE, which is used for the selection of a location UE, and the information about the candidate location UE includes at least one of location information, mobility status, line-of-sight information, the serving network identifier of the candidate location UE, side-link positioning capability information, duration of the ranging reference signal, information indicating whether side-link positioning calculations are supported, and the accuracy of the candidate location UE, wherein the location information indicates the location of the candidate location UE, the line-of-sight information includes information indicating line-of-sight or non-line-of-sight propagation between the first terminal and the candidate location UE, and the side-link positioning capability information indicates the side-link positioning method supported by the candidate location UE.

[0035] In the above-described strategy, when it is decided that a location-identifying UE candidate is approved as a location-identifying UE, the location-identifying UE candidate can transmit various information about the location-identifying UE candidate to the first terminal, so that the first terminal can more appropriately select a location-identifying UE to use to assist in positioning based on the various information about the location-identifying UE candidate.

[0036] In one possible implementation, a localized UE candidate transmitting information about itself includes the localized UE candidate transmitting information when it is stationary, stable, or in a non-moving state, or when the accuracy of its position is greater than a first threshold.

[0037] In the above-described strategy, when a location-determining UE candidate is stationary or its location is accurate, the location-determining UE candidate transmits information about itself to the first terminal. In this case, the location-determining UE candidate helps improve the accuracy of positioning the first terminal.

[0038] In one possible implementation, a localization candidate transmitting information about the localization candidate includes the localization candidate receiving a discovery message from a first terminal, the discovery message being used to discover the localization candidate, and the localization candidate sending a response message to the first terminal based on the discovery message, the response message containing information about the localization candidate.

[0039] In the above-described strategy, the location-identifying UE candidate decides whether to respond to the first terminal based on the discovery message from the first terminal, and uses the response message to send information about the location-identifying UE candidate, thereby increasing the diversity of strategies by which the location-identifying UE candidate sends information about itself.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the discovery message includes the identification information of multiple terminals, and the location UE candidate sending a response message to a first terminal based on the discovery message includes the location UE candidate sending a response message to the first terminal when the location UE candidate determines that the identification information of multiple terminals includes the location UE candidate.

[0041] In the above-described strategy, a location-identifying UE candidate can decide whether to respond to a first terminal based on the identification information of multiple terminals carried in the discovery message, in order to reduce the range of location-identifying UE candidates, and can send information about the location-identifying UE candidate using a response message, thereby increasing the diversity of strategies by which location-identifying UE candidates can send information about themselves.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the discovery message includes the terminal type and / or PLMN identifier, where the terminal type is a localized UE.

[0043] In the above-described strategy, a location-identifying UE candidate can decide whether to respond to the first terminal based on the terminal type and / or PLMN identifier carried in the discovery message in order to transmit information about the location-identifying UE candidate, thereby increasing the diversity of strategies for the location-identifying UE candidate to transmit information about the location-identifying UE candidate.

[0044] In one possible implementation, a location-identifying UE candidate transmitting information about itself includes the location-identifying UE candidate sending an announcement message to a first terminal, which is used to broadcast that the location-identifying UE candidate is capable of acting as a location-identifying UE, and the announcement message includes information about itself.

[0045] In the above-described strategy, a location-identifying UE candidate can proactively send notification messages (for example, periodically) to transmit information about itself, thereby increasing the diversity of strategies by which a location-identifying UE candidate transmits information about itself.

[0046] According to a third embodiment, a communication method is provided. The method may be implemented by a location management network element or by a component of the location management network element (e.g., a chip or circuit), but is not limited to this. For simplicity of explanation, the following example will use a method implemented by a location management network element.

[0047] The method may include a location management network element determining that a location-locating UE is required for positioning a first terminal, and the location-locating UE is configured to assist in positioning the first terminal, and the location management network element transmitting second information to the first terminal, the second information being used by the first terminal to determine the location-locating UE, and the second information including at least one of a target area, the number of location-locating UEs required, the accuracy requirements for the location of the location-locating UEs, and location-locating UE selection indication information.

[0048] In the above-described strategy, when it is determined that a location-determining UE is required for positioning of the first terminal, the location management network element can transmit information such as the target area and the number of location-determining UEs required to the first terminal, so that the first terminal can more appropriately select the location-determining UEs to be used to assist in positioning under the control or assistance of the network, based on the various pieces of information.

[0049] In one possible implementation, when location UE selection indication information indicates that a first terminal selects a location UE, the method further includes a location management network element receiving identification information of the location UE from the first terminal.

[0050] In the above-described strategy, after determining the location-determining UE, the first terminal transmits the location-determining UE's identification information to the location management network element. The location management network element then learns the location-determining UE that assists in positioning, and subsequently calculates the position of the first terminal based on the location of the location-determining UE.

[0051] In one possible implementation, the method further comprises a location management network element transmitting identification information of a plurality of terminals to a first terminal, the identifiers of the plurality of terminals being used by the first terminal to obtain information about one or more location-specific UE candidates, and the plurality of terminals including one or more location-specific UE candidates.

[0052] In the above-described approach, the location management network element transmits identifiers of multiple terminals to the first terminal, so that the first terminal obtains information about the location-identifying UE candidates among the multiple terminals, or in other words, the first terminal determines the location-identifying UE candidates among the multiple terminals. In this way, the range over which the first terminal determines the location-identifying UE candidates is narrowed, and the overhead of the first terminal can be reduced.

[0053] In one possible implementation, the method further includes a location management network element determining identification information for multiple terminals based on the location information of multiple terminals and the location information of a first terminal, or a location management network element determining identification information for multiple terminals based on the sidelink positioning capability of a first terminal and the sidelink positioning capability of multiple terminals.

[0054] In one possible implementation, the method further includes a location management network element transmitting a first request information to a positioning location UE management network element, the first request information being used to request the acquisition of identification information of a plurality of terminals, the first request information including location information of a target area or a first terminal, and the location management network element receiving the identification information of a plurality of terminals from the positioning location UE management network element; or a location management network element transmitting a second request information to an NWDAF, the second request information being used to request the acquisition of identification information of a plurality of terminals, the second request information including location information of a target area or a first terminal, and the location management network element receiving the identification information of a plurality of terminals from the NWDAF.

[0055] In one possible implementation, the method further includes a location management network element determining second information.

[0056] In one possible implementation, when the second information includes a target area, the location management network element determining the second information includes the location management network element determining the target area based on the location information of a base station corresponding to the cell being measured, or the location management network element determining the location of a first terminal based on the location information of a base station corresponding to the cell being measured and positioning measurement data, and determining the target area based on the location of the first terminal, or the location management network element obtaining the target area from a network data analysis function (NWDAF).

[0057] In one possible implementation, when the second information includes the number of location-specific UEs required, the location management network element determining the second information includes the location management network element determining the number of location-specific UEs required based on the accuracy requirements of the first terminal's location or the contract information of the first terminal, or the location management network element determining the number of location-specific UEs required based on the accuracy requirements of the first terminal's location and the correspondence between the accuracy requirements of the first terminal's location and the number of location-specific UEs.

[0058] In one possible implementation, when the second information includes a requirement for the accuracy of the location of the localizing UE, the location management network element determining the second information includes the location management network element determining the requirement for the accuracy of the location of the localizing UE based on the requirement for the accuracy of the positioning of the first terminal.

[0059] According to a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be implemented by a control network element or by a component of the control network element (e.g., a chip or circuit), but is not limited to this. For simplicity of explanation, the following example will use a method implemented by a control network element.

[0060] The method may include a location management network element acquiring information about one or more candidate location UEs, and the location management network element determining from one or more candidate location UEs to be used to assist in positioning a first terminal, wherein the information about a candidate location UE includes at least one of location information, mobility status, line-of-sight information, the serving network identifier of the candidate location UE, side-link positioning capability information, duration of the ranging reference signal, information indicating whether side-link positioning calculations are supported, and the accuracy of the candidate location UE, wherein the location information indicates the location of the candidate location UE, the line-of-sight information includes information indicating line-of-sight or non-line-of-sight propagation between the first terminal and the candidate location UE, and the side-link positioning capability information indicates the side-link positioning method supported by the candidate location UE.

[0061] In the above-described strategy, the location management network element can more appropriately select the location-specific UE to be used to assist in positioning based on various acquired information about the location-specific UE candidate.

[0062] In one possible implementation, the acquisition of information about one or more location-specific UE candidates by a location management network element includes the receiving of information about one or more location-specific UE candidates from a first terminal.

[0063] In one possible implementation, before the location management network element obtains information about one or more location-determining UE candidates, the method further includes the location management network element determining that terminal assistance is required for positioning of a first terminal, and the location management network element transmitting location-determining UE selection indication information to the first terminal, the location-determining UE selection indication information indicating that the location management network element selects a location-determining UE.

[0064] The indication that a location management network element selects a location-specific UE may also mean that the location-specific UE selection indication indicates that the location management network element selects a terminal whose terminal type is a location-specific UE, and that the location-specific UE is used to assist in positioning. For example, the location-specific UE selection indication indicates that the location management network element selects a location-specific UE to be used to assist in positioning a first terminal. Alternatively, the location-specific UE selection indication indicates that the location management network element selects a location-specific UE to be used to assist in positioning a first terminal.

[0065] In the above-described strategy, when it is determined that terminal assistance is needed for the positioning of the first terminal, the location management network element, based on location-determining UE selection indication information, indicates to the first terminal that it should select a location-determining UE, and prompts the first terminal to discover a candidate location-determining UE.

[0066] In one possible implementation, the method further comprises a location management network element determining second information, and the location management network element determining a location UE to be used to assist in locating a first terminal from one or more location UE candidates based on information about one or more location UE candidates, and the location management network element determining a location UE from one or more location UE candidates based on information about one or more location UE candidates and the second information, wherein the second information includes at least one of a target area, the number of location UEs required, the accuracy requirements for the location of the location UEs, and location UE selection indication information.

[0067] In the above-described strategy, the location management network element can more appropriately select location UEs based on various acquired information about potential location UEs, as well as various other information such as the determined target area and the determined number of location UEs required.

[0068] In one possible implementation, the determination of a localized UE by a location management network element from one or more localized UE candidates based on information about one or more localized UE candidates and second information includes the location management network element determining a localized UE based on location information and location information of a first terminal, or the location management network element determining a localized UE based on mobility status, or the location management network element determining a localized UE based on line-of-sight information, or the location management network element knowing a localized UE from NWDAF, or the location management network element determining a localized UE based on the serving network identifier of a first terminal and the serving network identifier of a localized UE candidate, or the location management network element determining a localized UE based on sidelink positioning capability information and sidelink positioning capability information of a first terminal, or the location management network element determining a localized UE based on the duration of a ranging reference signal and the duration of a ranging reference signal of a first terminal, or the location management network element determining a first localized UE based on information indicating whether sidelink positioning calculation is supported.

[0069] In one possible implementation, when the second information includes a target area, the location management network element determining the second information includes the location management network element determining the target area based on the location information of a base station corresponding to the cell being measured, or the location management network element determining the location of a first terminal based on the location information of a base station corresponding to the cell being measured and positioning measurement data, and determining the target area based on the location of the first terminal, or the location management network element obtaining the target area from a network data analysis function (NWDAF).

[0070] In one possible implementation, when the second information includes the number of location-specific UEs required, the location management network element determining the second information includes the location management network element determining the number of location-specific UEs required based on the accuracy requirements of the first terminal's location or the contract information of the first terminal, or the location management network element determining the number of location-specific UEs required based on the accuracy requirements of the first terminal's location and the correspondence between the accuracy requirements of the first terminal's location and the number of location-specific UEs.

[0071] In one possible implementation, when the second information includes a requirement for the accuracy of the location of the localizing UE, the location management network element determining the second information includes the location management network element determining the requirement for the accuracy of the location of the localizing UE based on the requirement for the accuracy of the positioning of the first terminal.

[0072] In one possible implementation, the method further includes a location management network element receiving positioning contract information for a candidate localizing UE from an integrated data management network element, and the location management network element determining a localizing UE from one or more localizing UE candidates based on information about one or more localizing UE candidates to be used to assist in positioning a first terminal, or the location management network element determining a localizing UE from one or more localizing UE candidates based on information about one or more localizing UE candidates and positioning contract information for the localizing UE candidates.

[0073] In one possible implementation, the method further includes a location management network element transmitting identification information of a location-specific UE to a first terminal.

[0074] In the above-described strategy, after determining the location-determining UE, the location management network element transmits the location-determining UE's identification information to the first terminal, so that the first terminal knows the location-determining UE that assists in positioning, and then calculates the position of the first terminal based on the location of the location-determining UE.

[0075] According to a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be carried out by a first terminal or by a component of the first terminal (e.g., a chip or circuit), but is not limited to this. For simplicity of explanation, the following example will be used to illustrate the method carried out by a first terminal.

[0076] The method may include: a first terminal receiving location-specific UE selection indication information from a location management network element, the location-specific UE selection indication information indicating that the location management network element has selected a particular location-specific UE, and that location-specific UE is used to assist in positioning the first terminal; the first terminal obtaining information about one or more location-specific UE candidates; and the first terminal transmitting information about one or more location-specific UE candidates to the location management network element based on the location-specific UE selection indication information, wherein the information about the location-specific UE candidates includes at least one of location information, mobility status, line-of-sight information, the serving network identifier of the location-specific UE candidate, side-link positioning capability information, duration of the ranging reference signal, information indicating whether side-link positioning calculation is supported, and the accuracy of the location-specific UE candidate's position, wherein the location information indicates the location of the location-specific UE candidate, the line-of-sight information indicates line-of-sight or non-line-of-sight propagation between the first terminal and the location-specific UE candidate, and the side-link positioning capability information indicates a side-link positioning method supported by the location-specific UE candidate.

[0077] In the above-described strategy, when the first terminal receives indication information from a location management network element, the first terminal can discover a location-identifying UE candidate and transmit the acquired information about the location-identifying UE candidate to the location management network element. As a result, the location management network element can more appropriately select a location-identifying UE based on various information about the location-identifying UE candidate.

[0078] In one possible implementation, the acquisition of information about one or more location-specific UE candidates by a first terminal includes the first terminal sending a discovery message which is used to discover the location-specific UE candidates, the first terminal receiving one or more response messages from the one or more location-specific UE candidates, and the first terminal acquiring information about one or more location-specific UE candidates based on one or more response messages.

[0079] In the above-described strategy, the first terminal obtains information about potential location-specific UEs by proactively sending discovery messages, thereby increasing the diversity of information available to the first terminal regarding potential location-specific UEs.

[0080] In one possible implementation, the discovery message includes the terminal type and / or PLMN identifier, where the terminal type is a localized UE.

[0081] In one possible implementation, the response message contains information about the candidate for the localized UE.

[0082] In one possible implementation, the acquisition of information about one or more location-specific UE candidates by a first terminal includes the first terminal receiving one or more notification messages from one or more location-specific UE candidates, the notification messages being used to broadcast that the location-specific UE candidates are capable of acting as location-specific UEs, and the first terminal acquiring information about one or more location-specific UE candidates based on one or more notification messages.

[0083] In the above-described strategy, the first terminal can obtain information about the location-identifying UE candidate based on notification messages actively transmitted by the location-identifying UE candidate (for example, periodically transmitted), thereby increasing the variety of information available to the first terminal regarding the location-identifying UE candidate.

[0084] In one possible implementation, the notification message includes information about the potential location-based UE candidate.

[0085] According to a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes a unit configured to carry out the method described in the first aspect. The communication device may be a first terminal, or may be implemented by a chip or circuit disposed in the first terminal. This is not limited to the present application.

[0086] Communication equipment, The system includes a processing unit configured to acquire information about one or more candidate location UEs, the processing unit further configured to determine from the one or more candidate location UEs, based on the information about the candidate location UEs, which will be used to assist in positioning a first terminal, wherein the information about the candidate location UEs includes at least one of location information, mobility status, line-of-sight information, the serving network identifier of the candidate location UE, side-link positioning capability information, duration of the ranging reference signal, information indicating whether side-link positioning calculations are supported, and the accuracy of the candidate location UE, the location information indicates the location of the candidate location UE, the line-of-sight information includes information indicating line-of-sight or non-line-of-sight propagation between the first terminal and the candidate location UE, and the side-link positioning capability information indicates the side-link positioning method supported by the candidate location UE.

[0087] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine a localized UE from one or more localized UE candidates based on location information, or the processing unit is further configured to determine a localized UE from one or more localized UE candidates based on mobility status, or the processing unit is further configured to determine a localized UE from one or more localized UE candidates based on line-of-sight information.

[0088] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is configured to further acquire first information, the processing unit is further configured to determine a localized UE from one or more localized UE candidates based on the first information and information about one or more localized UE candidates, the first information including the number of localized UEs required and / or a public land mobile network PLMN identifier, the PLMN identifier being a serving network identifier corresponding to a localized UE permitted to be used by the first terminal.

[0089] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is configured to receive second information from a location management network element, the second information including at least one of a target area, the number of location-specific UEs required, the accuracy requirements for the location of the location-specific UEs, and location-specific UE selection indication information, and the processing unit is further configured to determine a location-specific UE from one or more location-specific UE candidates based on the information about one or more location-specific UE candidates and the second information.

[0090] In one possible implementation, when the second information is location-specific UE selection indication information, and the location-specific UE selection indication information indicates that the first terminal selects a location-specific UE, the processing unit is further configured to determine the location-specific UE from one or more location-specific UE candidates based on information about one or more location-specific UE candidates.

[0091] In one possible implementation, the second information includes localization UE selection indication information and at least one of the target area, the number of localization UEs required, and the accuracy requirement of the localization UE's location, and when the localization UE selection indication information indicates that the first terminal selects a localization UE, the processing unit is further configured to determine a localization UE from one or more localization UE candidates based on information about one or more localization UE candidates and the second information.

[0092] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit the identification information of the localized UE to a location management network element.

[0093] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive identification information of multiple terminals from a location management network element, and the processing unit is further configured to obtain information about one or more location-based UE candidates based on the identification information of the multiple terminals, where the multiple terminals include one or more location-based UE candidates.

[0094] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send discovery messages, which are used to discover localized UE candidates; the transceiver unit is further configured to receive one or more response messages from one or more localized UE candidates; and the processing unit is further configured to obtain information about one or more localized UE candidates based on one or more response messages.

[0095] In one possible implementation, the discovery message includes identification information for multiple terminals, each terminal includes one or more potential location UEs, and the response message includes information about the potential location UEs.

[0096] In one possible implementation, the discovery message includes the terminal type and / or PLMN identifier, where the terminal type is a localized UE.

[0097] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive one or more notification messages from one or more localization UE candidates, the notification messages being used to broadcast that the localization UE candidates are capable of acting as localization UEs, and the processing unit is further configured to obtain information about one or more localization UE candidates based on one or more notification messages.

[0098] In one possible implementation, the notification message includes information about the potential location-based UE candidate.

[0099] For a description of the relevant aspects and beneficial effects of the communication device provided in the sixth embodiment, please refer to the method described in the first embodiment. Further details will not be provided here.

[0100] According to a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes a unit configured to carry out the method described in the second aspect. The communication device may be a candidate location UE, or may be implemented by a chip or circuit disposed on a candidate location UE. This is not limited to the present application.

[0101] Communication equipment, The system includes a processing unit configured to determine whether a candidate localization UE is approved as a localization UE for auxiliary positioning, and a transceiver unit configured to transmit information about the candidate localization UE, the information about the candidate localization UE is used for the selection of the localization UE, and the information about the candidate localization UE includes at least one of location information, mobility status, line-of-sight information, the serving network identifier of the candidate localization UE, side-link positioning capability information, duration of the ranging reference signal, information indicating whether side-link positioning calculation is supported, and the accuracy of the candidate localization UE's location, the location information indicates the location of the candidate localization UE, the line-of-sight information includes information indicating line-of-sight or non-line-of-sight propagation between the first terminal and the candidate localization UE, and the side-link positioning capability information indicates the side-link positioning method supported by the candidate localization UE.

[0102] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is configured to transmit information about a localized UE candidate when the localized UE candidate is stationary, stable, or non-moving, or when the accuracy of the localized UE candidate's position is greater than a first threshold.

[0103] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive discovery messages from a first terminal, which are used to discover a candidate location UE, and the processing unit is further configured to send a response message to the first terminal based on the discovery message.

[0104] In one possible implementation, when a location UE candidate determines that the identification information of multiple terminals includes the location UE candidate, the transceiver unit is further configured to send a response message to the first terminal, the response message containing information about the location UE candidate.

[0105] In one possible implementation, the discovery message includes the terminal type and / or PLMN identifier, where the terminal type is a localized UE.

[0106] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send an announcement message to a first terminal, which is used to broadcast that a candidate location UE is capable of acting as a location UE, and the announcement message contains information about the candidate location UE.

[0107] For a description of the relevant aspects and beneficial effects of the communication device provided in the seventh embodiment, please refer to the method described in the second embodiment. Further details will not be provided here.

[0108] According to the eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes a unit configured to carry out the method described in the third aspect. The communication device may be a location management network element, or a chip or circuit disposed on a location management network element. This is not limited to the present application.

[0109] Communication equipment, A processing unit configured to determine that a localization UE is required for positioning a first terminal, and further configured to assist the localization UE in positioning the first terminal; and a transceiver unit configured to transmit second information to the first terminal, wherein the second information is used by the first terminal to determine the localization UE, and the second information includes at least one of a target area, the number of localization UEs required, the accuracy requirements for the location of the localization UEs, and localization UE selection indication information.

[0110] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive identification information of a localized UE from a first terminal.

[0111] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit identification information of multiple terminals to a first terminal, the identifiers of the multiple terminals are used by the first terminal to obtain information about one or more location-specific UE candidates, and the multiple terminals include one or more location-specific UE candidates.

[0112] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine identification information for multiple terminals based on the location information of multiple terminals and the location information of a first terminal, or the processing unit is further configured to determine identification information for multiple terminals based on the sidelink positioning capability of the first terminal and the sidelink positioning capability of multiple terminals.

[0113] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a first request information to a positioning location UE management network element, the first request information is used to request the acquisition of identification information of multiple terminals, the first request information includes location information of a target area or a first terminal, and the location management network element receives the identification information of multiple terminals from the positioning location UE management network element, or the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a second request information to an NWDAF, the second request information is used to request the acquisition of identification information of multiple terminals, the second request information includes location information of a target area or a first terminal, and the location management network element receives the identification information of multiple terminals from the NWDAF.

[0114] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is configured to determine a second piece of information.

[0115] In one possible implementation, when the second information includes a target area, the processing unit is further configured to determine the target area based on the location information of the base station corresponding to the cell being measured, or the processing unit is further configured to determine the location of the first terminal based on the location information of the base station corresponding to the cell being measured and positioning measurement data, and to determine the target area based on the location of the first terminal, or the transceiver unit is further configured to obtain the target area from the network data analysis function NWDAF.

[0116] In one possible implementation, when the second information includes the number of location-specific UEs required, the processing unit is further configured to determine the number of location-specific UEs required based on the accuracy requirements of the location of the first terminal or the contract information of the first terminal, or the processing unit is further configured to determine the number of location-specific UEs required based on the accuracy requirements of the location of the first terminal and the correspondence between the accuracy requirements of the location of the first terminal and the number of location-specific UEs.

[0117] In one possible implementation, when the second information includes a requirement for the accuracy of the positioning UE's location, the processing unit is further configured to determine the requirement for the accuracy of the positioning UE's location based on the requirement for the accuracy of the positioning of the first terminal.

[0118] For a description of the relevant aspects and beneficial effects of the communication device provided in the eighth embodiment, please refer to the method described in the third embodiment. Further details will not be provided here.

[0119] According to the ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes a unit configured to carry out the method described in the fourth aspect. The communication device may be a location management network element, or a chip or circuit disposed on a location management network element. This is not limited to the present application.

[0120] Communication equipment, The system includes a processing unit configured to acquire information about one or more candidate location UEs, the processing unit further configured to determine from the one or more candidate location UEs, based on the information about the candidate location UEs, which will be used to assist in positioning a first terminal, wherein the information about the candidate location UEs includes at least one of location information, mobility status, line-of-sight information, the serving network identifier of the candidate location UE, side-link positioning capability information, duration of the ranging reference signal, information indicating whether side-link positioning calculations are supported, and the accuracy of the candidate location UE, the location information indicates the location of the candidate location UE, the line-of-sight information includes information indicating line-of-sight or non-line-of-sight propagation between the first terminal and the candidate location UE, and the side-link positioning capability information indicates the side-link positioning method supported by the candidate location UE.

[0121] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive information about one or more potential location UEs from the first terminal.

[0122] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine that terminal assistance is required for positioning of the first terminal, and the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit location UE selection indication information to the first terminal, the location UE selection indication information indicating that a location management network element selects a location UE.

[0123] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine a second piece of information, and the processing unit is further configured to determine a localized UE from one or more localized UE candidates based on information about one or more localized UE candidates and the second piece of information, the second piece of information including at least one of a target area, the number of localized UEs required, the accuracy requirements of the localized UE's location, and localized UE selection indication information.

[0124] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine a localized UE based on location information and location information of a first terminal, or the processing unit is further configured to determine a localized UE based on mobility status, or the processing unit is further configured to determine a localized UE based on line-of-sight information, or the processing unit is further configured to know a localized UE from NWDAF, or the processing unit is further configured to determine a localized UE based on the serving network identifier of a first terminal and the serving network identifier of a candidate localized UE, or the processing unit is further configured to determine a localized UE based on side-link positioning capability information and side-link positioning capability information of a first terminal, or the processing unit is further configured to determine a localized UE based on the duration of a distance measurement reference signal and the duration of a distance measurement reference signal of a first terminal, or the processing unit is further configured to determine a first localized UE based on information indicating whether side-link positioning calculation is supported.

[0125] In one possible implementation, when the second information includes a target area, the processing unit is further configured to determine the target area based on the location information of the base station corresponding to the cell being measured, or the processing unit is further configured to determine the location of the first terminal based on the location information of the base station corresponding to the cell being measured and positioning measurement data, and to determine the target area based on the location of the first terminal, or the transceiver unit is further configured to obtain the target area from the network data analysis function NWDAF.

[0126] In one possible implementation, when the second information includes the number of location-specific UEs required, the processing unit is further configured to determine the number of location-specific UEs required based on the accuracy requirements of the location of the first terminal or the contract information of the first terminal, or the processing unit is further configured to determine the number of location-specific UEs required based on the accuracy requirements of the location of the first terminal and the correspondence between the accuracy requirements of the location of the first terminal and the number of location-specific UEs.

[0127] In one possible implementation, when the second information includes a requirement for the accuracy of the positioning UE's location, the processing unit is further configured to determine the requirement for the accuracy of the positioning UE's location based on the requirement for the accuracy of the positioning of the first terminal.

[0128] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive positioning contract information for localized UE candidates from an integrated data management network element, and the processing unit is further configured to determine a localized UE from one or more localized UE candidates based on information about one or more localized UE candidates and the positioning contract information for the localized UE candidates.

[0129] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit identification information of the localization UE to the first terminal.

[0130] For a description of the relevant aspects and beneficial effects of the communication device provided in the ninth embodiment, please refer to the method described in the fourth embodiment. Further details will not be provided here.

[0131] According to a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes a unit configured to carry out the method described in the fifth aspect. The communication device may be a first terminal, or may be implemented by a chip or circuit disposed in the first terminal. This is not limited to the present application.

[0132] Communication equipment, A transceiver unit configured to receive localized UE selection indication information from a location management network element, wherein the localized UE selection indication information indicates that the location management network element has selected a localized UE, and the transceiver unit is used to assist the localized UE in positioning a first terminal; and a processing unit configured to acquire information about one or more localized UE candidates, the transceiver unit further configured to transmit information about one or more localized UE candidates to the location management network element based on the localized UE selection indication information, the information about the localized UE candidates includes at least one of location information, mobility status, line-of-sight information, serving network identifier of the localized UE candidate, side-link positioning capability information, duration of the ranging reference signal, information indicating whether side-link positioning calculation is supported, and accuracy of the location of the localized UE candidate, wherein the location information indicates the location of the localized UE candidate, the line-of-sight information includes information indicating line-of-sight or non-line-of-sight propagation between the first terminal and the localized UE candidate, and the side-link positioning capability information indicates a side-link positioning method supported by the localized UE candidate.

[0133] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send discovery messages, which are used to discover localized UE candidates; the transceiver unit is further configured to receive one or more response messages from one or more localized UE candidates; and the processing unit is further configured to obtain information about one or more localized UE candidates based on one or more response messages.

[0134] In one possible implementation, the discovery message includes the terminal type and / or PLMN identifier, where the terminal type is a localized UE.

[0135] In one possible implementation, the response message contains information about the candidate for the localized UE.

[0136] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive one or more notification messages from one or more localization UE candidates, the notification messages being used to broadcast that the localization UE candidates are capable of acting as localization UEs, and the processing unit is further configured to obtain information about one or more localization UE candidates based on one or more notification messages.

[0137] In one possible implementation, the notification message includes information about the potential location-based UE candidate.

[0138] For a description of the relevant aspects and beneficial effects of the communication device provided in the tenth embodiment, please refer to the method described in the fifth embodiment. Further details will not be provided here.

[0139] According to the eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes a memory configured to store a program and at least one processor configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in the memory in order to carry out a method in any one of the possible implementations of the first to fifth aspects.

[0140] In one implementation, the device is the first terminal.

[0141] In another implementation, the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit used in the first terminal.

[0142] According to a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a processor configured to carry out the method provided in the above-described aspects.

[0143] Unless otherwise specified, or unless such operations relating to the processor, such as transmit and acquire / receive, are not inconsistent with the actual function or internal logic of the operations in the relevant description, operations may be understood as processor operations such as outputs, receivers, and inputs, or as transmit and receive operations performed by radio frequency circuits and antennas. This is not limited to the present application.

[0144] According to the 13th aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores program code to be executed by a device, the program code for carrying out a method in any one of the possible implementations of the first to fifth aspects.

[0145] According to the fourteenth aspect, a computer program product including instructions is provided. When the computer program product is executed on a computer, the computer is configured to implement a method in any one of the possible implementations of the first to fifth aspects.

[0146] According to the 15th aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes a processor and a communication interface. The processor reads instructions stored in memory through the communication interface to perform a method in any one of the possible implementations of the first to fifth aspects.

[0147] Optionally, in a given implementation, the chip further includes memory. The memory stores computer programs or instructions. The processor is configured to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory. When a computer program or instruction is executed, the processor is configured to implement a method in any one of the possible implementations of the first through fifth embodiments.

[0148] According to the 16th embodiment, a communication system is provided that includes one or more of the above-described first terminal, location-identifying UE candidates, and location management network elements. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0149] [Figure 1] This is a diagram of a network architecture to which the embodiments of this application can be applied. [Figure 2] This is a diagram of another network architecture to which the embodiments of this application can be applied. [Figure 3] This is a schematic flowchart of the communication method 300 according to the embodiment of this application. [Figure 4] This is a schematic flowchart of the communication method 400 according to the embodiment of this application. [Figure 5] This is a schematic flowchart of the communication method 500 according to the embodiment of this application. [Figure 6] This is a schematic flowchart of the communication method 600 according to the embodiment of this application. [Figure 7] This is a schematic flowchart of the communication method 700 according to the embodiment of this application. [Figure 8] This is a block diagram of a communication device 800 according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] This is a block diagram of another communication device 900 according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10] This is a diagram of a chip system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0150] The technical measures of the embodiments in this application will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0151] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as 5th generation (5G) or new radio (NR) systems, long-term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, and LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems. The technical solutions provided in this application can be further applied to future communication systems, such as 6th generation mobile communication systems. The technical solutions provided in this application can be further applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems, or other communication systems.

[0152] First, we will briefly describe the network architecture to which this application is applicable.

[0153] In one example, Figure 1 is a diagram of the network architecture.

[0154] As shown in Figure 1, the 5th generation system (5GS) is used as an example of the network architecture. The network architecture may include three parts: the UE (User Environment), the data network (DN), and the operator network. The operator network may include one or more of the following network elements: (radio) access network (R)AN (Radio Access Network) devices, user plane function (UPF) network elements, authentication server function (AUSF) network elements, unified data repository (UDR) network elements, access and mobility management function (AMF) network elements, SMF (Small Field Function) network elements, network exposure function (NEF) network elements, network repository function (NRF) network elements, policy control function (PCF) network elements, unified data management (UDM) network elements, and application function (AF) network elements. In the carrier network described above, the portion other than the RAN portion may be called the core network portion. In this application, user equipment, (wireless) access network device, UPF network element, AUSF network element, UDR network element, AMF network element, SMF network element, NEF network element, NRF network element, PCF network element, UDM network element, and AF network element are abbreviated as UE, (R)AN device, UPF, AUSF, UDR, AMF, SMF, NEF, NRF, PCF, UDM, and AF, respectively.

[0155] Below, we will briefly explain each network element related to Figure 1.

[0156] 1.UE

[0157] UE: UE may also be called terminal device, access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile console, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user equipment.

[0158] The terminal device may be a device that provides voice / data to the user, such as a handheld device or an in-vehicle device with wireless connectivity. Currently, some examples of terminals include mobile phones, tablet computers, notebook computers, palmtop computers, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phone sets, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices, other processing devices connected to wireless modems, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks, and future advanced public land mobile communication networks (public land This refers to a terminal device in a mobile network (PLMN). This is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0159] As an example, and not an limitation, in the embodiments of this application, a terminal device may be a wearable device instead. Wearable devices, also known as wearable intelligent devices, are a comprehensive term for wearable devices, such as eyeglasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes, that are intelligently designed and developed for everyday wear by using wearable technology. Wearable devices are portable devices that can be worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not merely hardware devices but also implement powerful functionality with software support, data exchange, and cloud interaction. In a broad sense, wearable intelligent devices include high-performance, large devices that can implement all or part of their functionality without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses, and devices that are dedicated to only one type of application function and must work in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bands or smart jewelry for monitoring physiological signs.

[0160] In addition, the terminal device in the embodiment of this application may alternatively be a terminal device in an IoT system. IoT is an important part of the future development of information technology. The main technical feature of IoT is that it connects things to a network by using communication technology, thereby enabling an intelligent network for the interconnection of people and machines and for the connection of things to things.

[0161] It should be noted that terminal devices and access network devices can communicate with each other using air interface technology (e.g., NR technology or LTE technology). Terminal devices can also communicate with each other using air interface technology (e.g., NR technology or LTE technology).

[0162] In embodiments of this application, the device configured to implement the functions of a terminal device may be a terminal device, or a device that can assist the terminal device in implementing its functions, such as a chip system or a chip. The device may be installed on the terminal device. In embodiments of this application, the chip system may include a chip, or it may include a chip and other separate components.

[0163] The specific technologies used by the UE and the specific device forms of the UE are not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0164] 2. (R)AN devices

[0165] A (RAN) device may provide access to a communications network for authorized users in a specific area, and may specifically include wireless network devices in a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) network, or access points in a non-3GPP network. For simplicity, an AN device will be used as a representative example below.

[0166] AN devices can use different wireless access technologies. Currently, there are two types of wireless access technologies: 3GPP access technologies (for example, wireless access technologies used in 3rd generation (3G), 4th generation (4G), or 5G systems) and non-3GPP access technologies. 3GPP access technologies are access technologies that conform to 3GPP standards. For example, access network devices in 5G systems are called next-generation node base stations (gNBs) or RAN devices. Non-3GPP access technologies may include air interface technologies represented by access points (APs) in wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), or code division multiple access (CDMA). AN devices can enable interconnection and collaboration between terminal devices and the 3GPP core network by using non-3GPP technologies.

[0167] AN devices can perform functions such as wireless resource management, quality of service (QoS) management, data compression, and encryption on the interface side. AN devices provide access services for terminal devices to complete the transfer of control signals and user data between terminal devices and the core network.

[0168] For example, an AN device may include, but is not limited to, a macro base station, a micro base station (also called a small cell), a radio network controller (RNC), a node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (e.g., a home-evolved node B, or home node B, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), an AP in a Wi-Fi system, a base station (BS) in WiMAX, a radio relay node, a radio backhaul node, a transmission point (TP), or a transmission and reception point (TRP); or a gNB or transmission point (TRP or TP) in a 5G (e.g., NR) system; or one antenna panel or group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system; or a network node consisting of a gNB or transmission point, e.g., a distributed unit (DU); or a base station in a next-generation 6G communication system.

[0169] The specific technologies used by the AN device and the specific device forms of the AN device are not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0170] 3. User Plane Functional Network Elements

[0171] User plane functional network elements primarily provide user plane functions such as forwarding and processing user packets, connecting to data networks, session anchoring, and enforcing quality of service (QoS) policies. For example, a user plane functional network element may receive user plane data from a data network and transmit it to terminal devices via an AN device. Alternatively, a user plane functional network element may receive user plane data from terminal devices via an AN device and forward it to the network.

[0172] In 5G communication systems, the user plane functional network element may be a UPF. In future communication systems, the user plane functional network element may still be a UPF, or may have a different name. This is not limited to the present application.

[0173] 4. Data Network

[0174] Data networks are primarily used for carrier networks that provide data services to UEs (Unified Users), such as the Internet, third-party service networks, or IP multimedia service (IMS) networks.

[0175] In 5G communication systems, data network elements may be DNs. In future communication systems, data networks may still be DNs, or they may have other names. This is not limited to this application.

[0176] 5. Authentication service function network element

[0177] The authentication service function network element is primarily used for user authentication and similar purposes.

[0178] In 5G communication systems, the authentication service function network element may be AUSF. In future communication systems, the authentication service function network element may still be AUSF, or may have a different name. This is not limited to the present application.

[0179] 6. Integrated Data Repository Network Elements

[0180] The integrated data repository network element primarily provides the ability to store contract data, policy data, and capability disclosure-related data.

[0181] In 5G communication systems, the integrated data repository network element may be a UDR. In future communication systems, the integrated data repository network element may still be a UDR, or may have a different name. This is not limited to the present application.

[0182] 7. Access Management Network Elements

[0183] Access management network elements are primarily used for functions such as access control, mobility management, and connection and disconnection. Access management network elements can also act as anchors for connections between N1 signaling (simply called N1 signaling, signaling for the N1 interface) and N2 signaling (simply called N2 signaling, signaling for the N2 interface) and can provide routing for N1 / N2 session management (SM) messages for session management network elements. Access management network elements can also maintain and manage UE state information.

[0184] In 5G communication systems, the access management network element may be an AMF. In future communication systems, the access management network element may still be an AMF, or it may have a different name. This is not limited to the present application.

[0185] 8. Session Management Function Network Element

[0186] The session management function network element is primarily responsible for session management (such as session establishment, modification, and release), Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management, and UPF selection and control.

[0187] In 5G communication systems, the session management function network element may be an SMF. In future communication systems, the session management function network element may still be an SMF, or it may have a different name. This is not limited to the present application.

[0188] 9. Network Capabilities Public Network Elements

[0189] Network capability exposure network elements are primarily configured for managing network data and exposing it to external applications. Network capability exposure network elements provide corresponding security assurances to ensure the security of external applications accessing the 3GPP network, and can provide functions such as quality of service (QoS) customization capabilities, mobility status event subscriptions, and AF request distribution for external applications.

[0190] In 5G communication systems, network-exposed network elements may be NEFs. In future communication systems, network-capable network elements may still be NEFs or may have a different name. This is not limited to this application.

[0191] 10. Network Repository Functionality Network Elements

[0192] The network repository function network element is primarily configured for storing network function entities, descriptive information about the services provided by the network function entities, and so on.

[0193] In 5G communication systems, the network repository function network element may be an NRF. In future communication systems, the network repository function network element may still be an NRF, or it may have a different name. This is not limited to the present application.

[0194] 11. Policy control function network element

[0195] Policy control function network elements are primarily configured to provide an integrated policy framework for governing network behavior, and to provide policy rule information to control plane function network elements (e.g., AMF or SMF).

[0196] In 5G communication systems, policy control function network elements may be PCFs. In future communication systems, policy control function network elements may still be PCFs or may have different names. This is not limited to this application.

[0197] 12. Integrated Data Management Network Elements

[0198] The integrated data management network element is primarily configured for UE contract data management, including the storage and management of UE identification information and UE access authorization. The data management network element may further be configured for the generation of 3GPP authentication credentials for the UE. The integrated data management network element may further be configured for the registration and management of network elements currently serving the UE (for example, the AMF represented by AMF ID 1 is the UE's current serving AMF).

[0199] In 5G communication systems, the integrated data management network element may be a UDM. In future communication systems, the integrated data management network element may still be a UDM, or may have a different name. This is not limited to the present application.

[0200] 13. Application Functionality Network Elements

[0201] Application network elements are primarily configured to provide services for 3GPP networks, such as interacting with policy control network elements to implement policy control.

[0202] In 5G communication systems, application functional network elements may be AFs. In future communication systems, application functional network elements may still be AFs, or may have a different name. This is not limited to this application.

[0203] Figure 2 shows a diagram of another network architecture to which the embodiments of this application can be applied.

[0204] As shown in Figure 2, the network architecture may include, but is not limited to, (R)AN devices, access and mobility management function network elements, network publishing function network elements, application function network elements, location management function (LMF) network elements, integrated data management network elements, gateway mobile location center (GMLC) network elements, location retrieval function (LRF) network elements, and UEs.

[0205] Below, we will briefly explain some of the network elements shown in Figure 2.

[0206] 1. Location management network elements

[0207] The position management network element is primarily configured to manage all resources used for UE positioning, calculate the final positioning result and accuracy, transmit various UE positioning signaling to the AMF via the NL1 interface, consult with the UE regarding positioning capabilities, transmit auxiliary data, and request positioning by using the Long-Term Evolution Presentation Protocol (LPP), and exchange RAN positioning information with the RAN by using the New Radio Positioning Protocol (NRPPa).

[0208] In 5G communication systems, the location management network element may be an LMF. In future communication systems, the location management network element may still be an LMF, or it may have a different name. This is not limited to the present application.

[0209] 2. Gateway Mobile Location Center Network Element

[0210] The gateway mobile location center network element transmits location requests to the AMF via the NL2 interface and returns the final positioning result to the positioning center.

[0211] In 5G communication systems, the gateway mobile location center network element may be a GMLC. In future communication systems, the gateway mobile location center network element may still be a GMLC or may have a different name. This is not limited to the present application.

[0212] 3. Location Search Function Network Element

[0213] The location search function network element may be configured with or separately from the GMLC and is responsible for searching or verifying location information, and providing routing and related information for UEs that have initiated an emergency session.

[0214] In 5G communication systems, the location search function network element may be an LRF. In future communication systems, the location search function network element may still be an LRF, or may have a different name. This is not limited to the present application.

[0215] Please note that for network elements such as the (R)AN device, access and mobility management function network elements, network publishing function network elements, and application function network elements in Figure 2, please refer to the explanation in Figure 1. Further details will not be explained here.

[0216] In the network architectures shown in Figures 1 and 2, network elements can communicate with each other through interfaces. These interfaces may be point-to-point interfaces or service-based interfaces; this is not limited to this application. It should be further understood that the names of the interfaces between network elements in Figure 1 or 2 are merely examples. In a particular implementation, the interface names may be different; this is not limited to this application. In addition, the names of messages (or signaling) transmitted between the aforementioned network elements are also merely examples and do not impose any constraints on the functionality of the messages.

[0217] The network architectures shown in Figures 1 and 2 are merely illustrative examples, and it should be understood that the network architectures to which the embodiments of this application are applicable are not limited thereto. The embodiments of this application are applicable to any network architecture capable of implementing the functions of the network elements described above.

[0218] The functional or network elements shown in Figures 1 and 2, such as AMF, SMF, UPF, PCF, UDM, AUSF, UDR, NEF, NRF, and AF, may also be understood as network elements configured to implement different functions, and may, for example, be combined into network slices as needed. These network elements may be independent devices, or integrated into the same device to implement different functions, or network elements within a hardware device, or software functions running on dedicated hardware, or instantiated virtualization functions on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The specific forms of network elements are not limited in this application.

[0219] It should be further understood that the names mentioned above are defined solely to distinguish different functions and should not be any constraints on this application. This application does not rule out the possibility of using other names in 6G networks and other future networks. For example, in a 6G network, some or all of the network elements mentioned above may still use the terminology used in 5G, or they may use different names.

[0220] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, terms or technologies used herein are briefly explained.

[0221] 1. Location Services (LCS)

[0222] The 5G network positioning service architecture consists of four parts: terminal devices, radio access network (RAN), core network, and positioning app. The core network includes network elements such as AMF, UDM, GMLC, and LMF. GMLC and LRF can be deployed together or independently. GMLC communicates with AMF via the NL2 interface, and LMF communicates with AMF via the NL1 interface. The positioning app is an external application that triggers positioning functionality, i.e., an LCS client.

[0223] Depending on the different location request initiators, protocol-standard positioning services can be classified into three types: mobile originating location requests (MO-LR), mobile terminating location requests (MT-LR), and network-induced location requests (NI-LR).

[0224] 2. Relative positioning between devices

[0225] The relative positions between terminals can be determined through relative positioning. This method requires that the terminals have sidelink positioning capabilities. Relative positioning can be used to determine the relative distance and / or relative angle between terminals. Specifically, the relative distance may be obtained through ranging, and the relative angle may be obtained through angle measurement.

[0226] For example, the method for measuring distance between terminals is as follows: The initiating terminal (terminal A) transmits an initial distance measurement signal, and the responding terminal (terminal B), after receiving the initial distance measurement signal, transmits a feedback distance measurement signal used for feedback to the initiating terminal. Upon receiving the feedback distance measurement signal, the initiating terminal calculates the relative distance between the two terminals based on the time difference between the transmission of the initial distance measurement signal and the reception of the feedback distance measurement signal. Specifically, the distance measurement method includes single-sided round trip time and double-sided round trip time.

[0227] For example, methods for measuring angles between terminals include the angle of arrival (AoA) method and the angle of departure (AoD) method. The angle of arrival refers to the angle between the direction in which the terminal's receiver receives a signal and the reference direction. The relative angle of terminal B with respect to terminal A may be determined based on the angle of arrival at which the signal transmitted by terminal B arrives at terminal A. The angle of departure refers to the angle between the direction in which the terminal's transmitter transmits a signal and the reference direction. The relative angle of terminal B with respect to terminal A may be determined based on the angle of departure at which the signal transmitted by terminal A leaves terminal A.

[0228] In this specification, the term "and / or" simply describes the relationship of association between related objects, and it can be understood that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may indicate cases where only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists. In addition, the letter " / " in this specification generally indicates an "or" relationship between related objects.

[0229] The above is a brief explanation of the terminology used in this application, and further details will not be described again in the following embodiments. Hereafter, the communication methods provided in embodiments of this application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments provided in this application may be applied to the network architectures shown in Figures 1 and 2, but are not limited thereto.

[0230] Based on the network architecture shown in Figures 1 and 2, for terminal device positioning, the actual geographical location of the terminal device is determined through cooperation between the wireless terminal and the wireless network to provide a service that presents location-related information desired by the user. For example, a combined approach of sidelink positioning and Uu positioning may be employed, where the target UE and location UE (auxiliary UE / location UE) perform sidelink positioning, and the target UE is positioned based on the absolute position of the location UE. It can be understood that the location UE is used to assist in positioning the target UE. When a location UE is required for positioning the target UE, how appropriately the location UE is selected is important in improving the accuracy of positioning the target UE.

[0231] This application provides a communication method that better satisfies the requirements for accuracy in positioning a target UE by appropriately selecting a location-determining UE.

[0232] Figure 3 is a diagram of a communication method 300 according to one embodiment of the present application. The method 300 may include the following steps:

[0233] S310: The first terminal obtains information about one or more location-identifying UE candidates.

[0234] Information about potential location-based UE candidates is available. The information includes at least one of the following: location information, mobility status, line-of-sight information, serving network identifier of the localization UE candidate, sidelink positioning capability information, duration of the ranging reference signal, information indicating whether sidelink positioning calculations are supported, and the accuracy of the localization UE candidate's location.

[0235] Specifically, the location information indicates the position of the candidate for location-specific UE. For example, the location information is the absolute position of the candidate for location-specific UE.

[0236] Mobility status can refer to the state in which a candidate for location identification of a UE is stationary, moving, moving at high speed, stable, or unstable.

[0237] The serving network identifier for a localized UE candidate is the identifier of the current serving network of the localized UE candidate.

[0238] Line-of-sight information includes information indicating line-of-sight (LOS) or non-line-of-sight (NLOS) propagation between a first terminal and a candidate location-specific UE. Line-of-sight propagation means that the direct path between the first terminal and the candidate location-specific UE is not obstructed by obstacles, while non-line-of-sight propagation means that the direct path between the first terminal and the candidate location-specific UE is obstructed by obstacles, and the radio waves can only reach the receiving end after being reflected and diffracted. In this case, measured data, such as arrival time, time difference, and angle of incidence, cannot accurately reflect the actual distance between the two terminals.

[0239] Sidelink positioning capability information indicates the sidelink positioning methods supported by the candidate location UE. For example, the sidelink positioning methods supported by the candidate location UE may be distance measurement methods or angle measurement methods.

[0240] The duration of the distance measurement reference signal is the period during which the candidate location device transmits the distance measurement reference signal.

[0241] Information indicating that sidelink positioning calculations are supported may be understood as sidelink positioning calculations being supported by a candidate location UE, and / or sidelink positioning calculations being supported by a candidate location UE approved by the network, or as a candidate location UE being available as a sidelink positioning server UE.

[0242] The accuracy of the location of a localized UE candidate is the degree of agreement between the acquired location of the localized UE candidate and its actual location. A higher degree of agreement indicates higher location accuracy.

[0243] It should be understood in this application that a location-specific UE may also be called a positioning location-specific UE. This is not limited to this application.

[0244] Specifically, the first terminal may acquire information about one or more location-identifying UE candidates in the following ways:

[0245] Method 1: A first terminal sends a discovery message used to find a location-identifying UE candidate and receives one or more response message messages from one or more location-identifying UE candidates. Furthermore, the first terminal obtains information about one or more location-identifying UE candidates based on one or more response messages. Method 300 may further include S311 to S313.

[0246] S311: The first terminal sends a discovery message.

[0247] In response, the location-determining UE candidate receives a discovery message from the first terminal.

[0248] Discovery messages are used to find potential location-specific UE candidates. For example, a discovery message could be a solicitation message.

[0249] In one possible implementation, the discovery message includes one or more of the terminal types of multiple terminals, a serving network (serving PLMN) identifier, and identification information.

[0250] Specifically, the terminal type is a location-specific UE, the PLMN identifier is a serving network identifier corresponding to a location-specific UE permitted to be used by the first terminal, and multiple terminals include one or more candidate location-specific UEs.

[0251] S312: The location-locating UE candidate sends a response message to the first terminal based on the discovery message.

[0252] In response, the first terminal receives a response message from one or more location-identifying UE candidates, and the response message is used to respond to the discovery message.

[0253] In one possible implementation, when it is determined that a location UE candidate is authorized to be a location UE for auxiliary positioning (for example, knowing that a location UE candidate is authorized to be a location UE based on policy information from the PCF), the location UE candidate sends a response message to the first terminal.

[0254] For example, when it is determined that the terminal type in the discovery message is a localized UE, or when it is determined that the serving network (serving PLMN) identifier of the localized UE candidate is the same as the PLMN identifier, or when it is determined that the identifiers of multiple terminals in the discovery message include the identifier of the localized UE candidate, the localized UE candidate sends a response message to the first terminal.

[0255] In one possible implementation, when a location-determining UE candidate is stationary, stable, or non-moving, or when the accuracy of the location-determining UE candidate's position is higher than a first threshold, the location-determining UE candidate sends a response message to the first terminal, the response message containing information about the location-determining UE candidate. In this case, it should be understood that when the location-determining UE candidate is stationary or when the location-determining UE candidate's position is accurate, the effect of assisting in the positioning of the first terminal is better and the accuracy is higher.

[0256] S313: The first terminal obtains information about one or more location-specific UE candidates based on one or more response messages.

[0257] In one possible implementation, the response message includes information about the location candidate. Specifically, after determining the information about the location candidate, the location candidate includes information about the location candidate in the response message. When the information about the location candidate includes line-of-sight information, the location candidate may determine the line-of-sight information based on the characteristics of the signal carrying the discovery message. For example, if a high-intensity signal or a signal on a major path is among the signals carrying the discovery message, line-of-sight propagation is determined. Otherwise, non-line-of-sight propagation is determined. When the information about the location candidate includes the accuracy of the location candidate's position, the location candidate may initiate a location request to the network and obtain location information and location accuracy from the network.

[0258] In a possible implementation, when information about a candidate location UE includes line-of-sight information, the first terminal may determine the line-of-sight information based on the characteristics of the signal carrying the response message. For example, if a high-intensity signal or a primary path signal is present in the signal carrying the response message, line-of-sight propagation is determined. Otherwise, non-line-of-sight propagation is determined.

[0259] Method 2: A first terminal receives an announcement message from one or more location-identifying UE candidates, the announcement message is used to broadcast that the location-identifying UE candidates are capable of acting as location-identifying UEs, and the first terminal obtains information about one or more location-identifying UE candidates based on the announcement message. Method 300 may further include S314 and S315.

[0260] S314: A candidate for location tracking UE sends a notification message.

[0261] In response, the first terminal receives a notification message from the location-locating UE candidate.

[0262] In one possible implementation, when it is determined that a location UE candidate is authorized to be a location UE for auxiliary positioning (for example, knowing that a location UE candidate is authorized to be a location UE based on policy information from the PCF), the location UE candidate sends a response message to the first terminal.

[0263] In one possible implementation, a location-locating UE candidate sends a notification message when it is stationary, stable, or not moving, or when the accuracy of the location-locating UE candidate's position is higher than a first threshold.

[0264] The notification message is used to broadcast that a candidate for location-based UE is capable of fulfilling the role of a location-based UE.

[0265] For example, a potential location-based UE periodically sends notification messages in broadcast format.

[0266] Since potential location-based UEs periodically send notification messages, it should be understood that the efficiency of discovering potential location-based UEs by the first terminal can be improved.

[0267] S315: The first terminal obtains information about one or more potential location UEs based on one or more notification messages.

[0268] In one possible implementation, the notification message includes information about the location-targeting UE candidate. Specifically, after determining the information about the location-targeting UE candidate, the location-targeting UE candidate includes information about itself in the notification message.

[0269] Please note that when a notification message includes information about a potential location-identified UE, this information does not include line-of-sight information.

[0270] In one possible implementation, when information about a candidate location UE includes line-of-sight information, the first terminal may determine the line-of-sight information based on the characteristics of the signal carrying the announcement message. For example, if a high-intensity signal or a signal on a major path is among the signals carrying the announcement message, line-of-sight propagation is determined. Otherwise, non-line-of-sight propagation is determined.

[0271] Method 3: A first terminal receives identification information of multiple terminals from a location management network element, and the first terminal sends a discovery message, which includes the identification information of multiple terminals. After a location identification UE candidate receives the discovery message, if it determines that the identification information of multiple terminals includes the identification information of the location identification UE candidate, the location identification UE candidate sends a response message to the first terminal, which carries information about the location identification UE candidate. Method 300 may further include S316 to S318.

[0272] S316: The location management network element transmits identification information of multiple terminals to the first terminal.

[0273] In response, the first terminal receives identification information for multiple terminals from the location management network element.

[0274] In one possible implementation, after determining that a location-determining UE is necessary for positioning a first terminal, the location management network element determines the identification information of multiple terminals and transmits the identification information of multiple terminals to the first terminal.

[0275] For example, the location management network element determines identification information for multiple terminals based on the location information of multiple terminals and the location information of a first terminal, or the location management network element determines identification information for multiple terminals based on the sidelink positioning capability of a first terminal and the sidelink positioning capability of multiple terminals, or the location management network element obtains identification information for multiple terminals from a positioning location measurement UE management network element or NWDAF.

[0276] S317: The first terminal sends a discovery message.

[0277] In response, the location-determining UE candidate receives a discovery message from the first terminal.

[0278] Discovery messages are used to find potential location-specific Unidentified Events (UEs).

[0279] In one possible implementation, the first terminal sends a discovery message, which contains the identification information of multiple terminals.

[0280] In one possible implementation, the first terminal sends multiple discovery messages, each discovery message containing the identification information of one of the multiple terminals.

[0281] It should be noted that the above-described method by which the first terminal sends a discovery message is merely an example and is not limited to this application.

[0282] S318: The location-locating UE candidate sends a response message to the first terminal based on the discovery message.

[0283] In response, the first terminal receives a response message from one or more location-identifying UE candidates.

[0284] In a possible implementation, when the location-specific UE candidate determines that the identification information of multiple terminals includes the identification information of the location-specific UE candidate, the location-specific UE candidate transmits a response message to the first terminal.

[0285] S319: The first terminal obtains information about one or more location-specific UE candidates based on one or more response messages.

[0286] In a possible implementation, the response message includes information about the location-specific UE candidate.

[0287] It should be noted that the method by which the first terminal obtains information about one or more location-specific UE candidates is merely an example and is not limited in this application.

[0288] Furthermore, the first terminal obtains information about the location-specific UE candidate and determines the location-specific UE based on the information about the location-specific UE candidate. Method 300 may further include step S320.

[0289] S320: The first terminal determines, from one or more location-specific UE candidates based on the information about the one or more location-specific UE candidates, the location-specific UE to be used to assist in positioning the first terminal. In a possible implementation, the first terminal determines the location-specific UE from one or more location-specific UE candidates based on the location information, mobility status, or line-of-sight information in the obtained information about the location-specific UE candidate.

[0290] For example, when the first terminal determines the location-specific UE based on the location information of the location-specific UE candidate, the selected location-specific UE needs to be distributed around the first terminal to avoid having multiple selected location-specific UE candidates in the same direction or the same area.

[0291] For example, when the first terminal determines a location UE based on the mobility status of the location UE candidate, the first terminal preferably selects a location UE candidate that is stationary as the location UE.

[0292] For example, when the first terminal determines a location-specific UE based on line-of-sight information of a location-specific UE candidate, the first terminal preferably selects a location-specific UE candidate that has line-of-sight measurement values ​​with respect to the first terminal as the location-specific UE.

[0293] For example, when the first terminal determines a localized UE based on the serving network identifier of the localized UE candidate, the first terminal selects the localized UE candidate that has the same serving network identifier as the first terminal's serving network identifier.

[0294] In one possible implementation, the first terminal obtains first information from the PCF, or pre-configures the first information locally, and determines a localized UE from one or more localized UE candidates based on the information about one or more localized UE candidates and the first information.

[0295] The first piece of information includes the number of required localization UEs and / or PLMN identifiers. For example, the first terminal obtains the first piece of information from the PCF, or the first terminal pre-configures the first piece of information locally.

[0296] For example, the first terminal determines a location UE based on the number of required location UE candidates in the first information and the acquired information about one or more location UE candidates. When the number of required location UE candidates included in the first information is 10, and the first terminal acquires information about approximately 15 location UE candidates in S422 or S424, the first terminal determines 10 location UE candidates from the 15 location UE candidates randomly, or based on the location information, mobility status, or line-of-sight information of the location UE candidates.

[0297] For example, when the first terminal determines a localized UE based on the PLMN identifier in the first information and the serving network identifier of the localized UE candidate in the acquired information about the localized UE candidate, and when the serving network identifier of the localized UE candidate is the same as the PLMN identifier in the first information, the first terminal determines that the localized UE candidate is a localized UE.

[0298] In one possible implementation, the first terminal receives second information from a location management network element and, based on the information about one or more location-specific UE candidates and the second information, determines a location-specific UE from one or more location-specific UE candidates.

[0299] The second piece of information includes at least one of the following: the target area, the number of localized UEs required, the accuracy requirements for the localized UE locations, and localized UE selection indication information.

[0300] For example, when the second piece of information is location-specific UE selection indication information, and the location-specific UE selection indication information indicates that the first terminal will select a location-specific UE, the first terminal will determine a location-specific UE from one or more location-specific UE candidates based on the information about one or more location-specific UE candidates.

[0301] For example, when the second information includes location-specific UE selection indication information and at least one of the target area, the number of location-specific UEs required, and the accuracy requirement of the location of the location-specific UEs, and when the location-specific UE selection indication information indicates that the first terminal will select a location-specific UE, the first terminal will determine a location-specific UE from one or more location-specific UE candidates based on the information about one or more location-specific UE candidates and the second information.

[0302] For example, if the second piece of information includes a target area and the information about the location-identifying UE candidate includes location information, the first terminal determines the location-identifying UE based on the target area and the location information of the location-identifying UE candidate, and the location of the determined location-identifying UE is within the target area.

[0303] For example, when the second piece of information includes the accuracy requirement for the location of the localized UE, and the information about the localized UE candidate includes the accuracy of the location of the localized UE candidate, the first terminal determines the localized UE based on the accuracy requirement for the localized UE and the accuracy of the location of the localized UE candidate, and the accuracy of the determined localized UE satisfies the accuracy requirement for the localized UE.

[0304] The indication that the first terminal selects its location UE may also mean that the location UE selection indication indicates that the first terminal selects a terminal whose terminal type is a location UE, and that the location UE is used to assist in positioning. For example, the location UE selection indication indicates that the first terminal selects a location UE that will be used to assist in positioning the first terminal.

[0305] In one possible implementation, after obtaining information about one or more location-identifying UE candidates in method 3 in S310, the first terminal determines one or more location-identifying UE candidates as location-identifying UEs.

[0306] In the above-described strategy, the first terminal can more appropriately select a location-locating UE to be used to assist in positioning based on various information about the location-locating UE candidate.

[0307] Optionally, with respect to the second information transmitted to the first terminal by the location management network element in S320, the location management network element further needs to determine the specific content of the second information, and method 300 may further include S330.

[0308] S330: The location management network element determines the second information.

[0309] In a possible implementation, when the second information includes a target area, the location management network element determines the target area based on the location information of the base station corresponding to the measured cell, or the location management network element determines the location of the first terminal based on the location information of the base station corresponding to the measured cell and the positioning measurement data, determines the target area based on the location of the first terminal, or the location management network element obtains the target area from the NWDAF.

[0310] In a possible implementation, when the second information includes the number of location-specific UEs required, the location management network element determines the number of location-specific UEs required based on the accuracy requirement of the location of the first terminal or the contract information of the first terminal, or the location management network element determines the number of location-specific UEs required based on the accuracy requirement of the location of the first terminal and the correspondence between the accuracy requirement of the location of the first terminal and the number of location-specific UEs.

[0311] In a possible implementation, when the second information includes the accuracy requirement of the location of the location-specific UE, the location management network element determines the accuracy requirement of the location of the location-specific UE based on the accuracy requirement of the positioning of the first terminal.

[0312] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a communication method 400 according to an embodiment of the present application. The method 400 may include the following steps.

[0313] S410: The first terminal obtains the first information.

[0314] Specifically, the first information includes the number of location-specific UEs required and / or the PLMN identifier.

[0315] The required number of location UEs is the number of location UEs used to assist positioning and corresponding to the ranging service, and the PLMN identifier is the serving network identifier corresponding to the location UEs permitted to be used by the first terminal.

[0316] In one possible implementation, the required number of location UEs includes the range-measuring quality of service (ranging QoS) corresponding to the ranging service (e.g., ranging accuracy), and the correspondence between the required number of location UEs and the range-measuring quality of service.

[0317] It should be understood that a higher required range measurement accuracy will result in a greater number of localizing UEs (Unidentified Underground Equipment) participating in the positioning process.

[0318] Optionally, the first information may further include information indicating whether the first terminal is authorized to use a location-based UE.

[0319] In one possible implementation, the first piece of information may be included in the ranging policy information.

[0320] For example, the first terminal receives distance measurement policy information from the PCF, and the distance measurement policy information includes the first information.

[0321] For example, the first terminal configures the ranging policy information locally, and the ranging policy information includes the first information.

[0322] Furthermore, the first terminal needs to discover a localizing UE that can be used to assist in positioning and obtain information about the localizing UE that can be used to assist in positioning.

[0323] Specifically, the first terminal acquires information about potential location-specific UE candidates, and the first terminal discovers potential location-specific UE candidates according to different methods, specifically in the following two cases:

[0324] Case 1: The first terminal actively discovers a potential location-based UE candidate and obtains information about the location-based UE candidate.

[0325] Case 2: A location-identifying UE candidate actively broadcasts information about itself, and the first terminal discovers the location-identifying UE candidate based on the information reported by the location-identifying UE candidate and obtains information about it.

[0326] The first terminal is a target UE that needs to be positioned and can be used to assist in positioning. A location-finding UE discovered by the first terminal is called a location-finding UE candidate. Note that a location-finding UE candidate is a terminal that can be used to assist in positioning, or the type of location-finding UE candidate is a location-finding UE. It should be understood in this application that there may be one or more location-finding UE candidates discovered by the first terminal. For simplicity of explanation, the following example will use the discovery of one location-finding UE candidate by the first terminal. For a scheme in which the first terminal discovers multiple location-finding UE candidates, please refer to the explanation of discovering one location-finding UE candidate.

[0327] Regarding Case 1: When the first terminal actively discovers a candidate location UE and obtains information about the candidate location UE, method 400 further includes S420 to S422.

[0328] S420: The first terminal sends a discovery message.

[0329] In response, the location-determining UE candidate receives a discovery message from the first terminal.

[0330] Discovery messages are used to find potential location-specific Unidentified Events (UEs).

[0331] Specifically, the discovery message includes the device type, and the device type is a location-based UE.

[0332] It should be understood that the terminal type being a location-based UE means that the first terminal needs to discover a device of that type, or in other words, that the first terminal needs to discover a device that is capable of acting as a location-based UE, or that has the functionality or characteristics of a location-based UE.

[0333] In one possible implementation, the discovery message further includes a PLMN identifier. The PLMN identifier is either the serving network (serving PLMN) identifier of the first terminal, or a PLMN identifier included in the first information obtained by the first terminal in S410 (a serving network identifier corresponding to a location-determining UE that is permitted to be used by the first terminal).

[0334] It should be understood that the first terminal sends a discovery message, i.e., S420 is performed, only when the first information acquired by the first terminal in S410 includes information indicating that the use of a localization UE is authorized.

[0335] S421: The location-locating UE candidate sends a response message to the first terminal based on the discovery message.

[0336] In response, the first terminal receives a response message from the location-determining UE candidate.

[0337] Specifically, when a candidate location UE is approved to be used as a location UE to assist in positioning (for example, approved by the PCF), the location UE candidate sends a response message to the first terminal based on the discovery message.

[0338] For example, the PCF sends ranging policy information to a location-identifying UE candidate, which includes information indicating whether the location-identifying UE candidate is authorized to be a location-identifying UE. When it is indicated that the location-identifying UE candidate is authorized to be a location-identifying UE, the location-identifying UE candidate sends a response message to the first terminal based on the discovery message.

[0339] In one possible implementation, after a location-identifying UE candidate receives a discovery message, the location-identifying UE determines that the location-identifying UE candidate satisfies the terminal type included in the discovery message (or the terminal type of the location-identifying UE candidate is a location-identifying UE), and when the location-identifying UE candidate is confirmed to be a location-identifying UE, the location-identifying UE candidate sends a response message to the first terminal.

[0340] In one possible implementation, if the discovery message received by the location-identifying UE candidate includes a PLMN identifier, and the location-identifying UE candidate's serving network identifier is the same as the PLMN identifier, and it is determined that the location-identifying UE candidate is authorized to be a location-identifying UE, the location-identifying UE candidate sends a response message to the first terminal.

[0341] In one possible implementation, the response message includes information about the candidate location UE. Specifically, the information about the candidate location UE is: The information includes at least one of the following: location information, mobility status, line-of-sight information, serving network identifier of the localization UE candidate, sidelink positioning capability information, duration of the ranging reference signal, information indicating whether sidelink positioning calculations are supported, and the accuracy of the localization UE candidate's location.

[0342] For information regarding the location-identified UE candidate, please refer to the relevant explanation in S310. To avoid repetition, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0343] In one possible implementation, when a location-determining UE candidate is stationary, stable, or non-moving, or when the accuracy of the location-determining UE candidate's position is higher than a first threshold, the location-determining UE candidate sends a response message to the first terminal. In this case, it should be understood that when the location-determining UE candidate is stationary or when the location-determining UE candidate's position is accurate, the effect of assisting in positioning the first terminal is better and the accuracy is higher.

[0344] S422: The first terminal obtains information about the location-locating UE candidate based on the response message.

[0345] In one possible implementation, the response message includes information about the location candidate. Specifically, after determining the information about the location candidate, the location candidate includes information about the location candidate in the response message. When the information about the location candidate includes line-of-sight information, the location candidate may determine the line-of-sight information based on the characteristics of the signal carrying the discovery message. For example, if a high-intensity signal or a signal on a major path is among the signals carrying the discovery message, line-of-sight propagation is determined. Otherwise, non-line-of-sight propagation is determined. When the information about the location candidate includes the accuracy of the location candidate's position, the location candidate may initiate a location request to the network and obtain location information and location accuracy from the network.

[0346] In a possible implementation, when information about a candidate location UE includes line-of-sight information, the first terminal may determine the line-of-sight information based on the characteristics of the signal carrying the response message. For example, if a high-intensity signal or a primary path signal is present in the signal carrying the response message, line-of-sight propagation is determined. Otherwise, non-line-of-sight propagation is determined.

[0347] Regarding Case 2: When a location-identifying UE candidate actively broadcasts information about itself, and a first terminal discovers the location-identifying UE candidate based on the information reported by the location-identifying UE candidate, method 400 further includes S423 and S424.

[0348] S423: A potential location-based UE sends a notification message.

[0349] In response, the first terminal receives a notification message from the location-locating UE candidate.

[0350] Specifically, when a location-locating UE candidate is approved to be used to assist in positioning (for example, approved by a PCF), the location-locating UE candidate sends a notification message to the first terminal.

[0351] For example, PCF sends ranging policy information to a location-identifying UE candidate. The ranging policy information includes information indicating whether the location-identifying UE candidate is authorized to be a location-identifying UE. When it is indicated that the location-identifying UE candidate is authorized to be a location-identifying UE, the location-identifying UE candidate sends a response message to the first terminal based on the discovery message.

[0352] In one possible implementation, the notification message includes information about the location-identifying UE candidate. For a description of the information about the location-identifying UE candidate, please refer to the relevant description of the information about the location-identifying UE candidate in S310. To avoid repetition, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0353] For example, a potential location-based UE periodically sends notification messages in broadcast format.

[0354] Since potential location-based UEs periodically send notification messages, it should be understood that the efficiency of discovering potential location-based UEs by the first terminal can be improved.

[0355] S424: The first terminal obtains information about potential location-determining UE candidates based on the notification message.

[0356] In one possible implementation, the notification message includes information about the location-targeting UE candidate. Specifically, after determining the information about the location-targeting UE candidate, the location-targeting UE candidate includes information about itself in the notification message.

[0357] Please note that when a notification message includes information about a potential location-identified UE, this information does not include line-of-sight information.

[0358] In one possible implementation, when information about a candidate location UE includes line-of-sight information, the first terminal may determine the line-of-sight information based on the characteristics of the signal carrying the announcement message. If a high-intensity signal or a signal on the main path is present in the signal carrying the announcement message, line-of-sight propagation is determined. Otherwise, non-line-of-sight propagation is determined.

[0359] It should be noted that the method by which the first terminal acquires information about a location-specific UE candidate is merely an example and is not limited to this application.

[0360] Furthermore, after obtaining information about the location-identifying UE candidates, the first terminal determines the location-identifying UE based on the information about the location-identifying UE candidates. Method 400 may further include S430.

[0361] S430: The first terminal determines, based on information about one or more location-specific UE candidates, a location-specific UE to be used to assist in positioning the first terminal from among the one or more location-specific UE candidates.

[0362] In one possible implementation, the first terminal determines a location UE based on information about one or more location UE candidates.

[0363] For example, if the information about a location-specific UE candidate acquired by the first terminal includes location information, the first terminal determines the location-specific UE based on the location information in the information about the location-specific UE candidate.

[0364] When the first terminal determines a location UE based on the location information of a candidate location UE, it should be understood that the selected location UEs need to be distributed around the first terminal in order to avoid having multiple selected location UEs in the same direction or area.

[0365] For example, if a calculation algorithm is configured locally for a first terminal, and the location of the first terminal and the location information of a candidate location UE are used as input to the algorithm, then the location of the first terminal is located inside a polygon enclosed by the determined location UE, or the determined location UE maximizes the sum of the distance differences, or the first terminal determines a candidate location UE to be used to assist in positioning based on the location information of the first terminal (e.g., the GPS location of the first terminal) and the location information of the candidate location UE.

[0366] For example, when the information about a location-specific UE candidate acquired by the first terminal includes a mobility status, the first terminal determines the location-specific UE based on the mobility status of the location-specific UE candidate.

[0367] For example, the first terminal preferably selects a stationary location-finding UE candidate as the location-finding UE.

[0368] For example, when information about a location-identifying UE candidate acquired by the first terminal includes line-of-sight information, the first terminal determines the location-identifying UE based on the line-of-sight information of the location-identifying UE candidate.

[0369] For example, the first terminal preferably selects a location-specific UE candidate that has line-of-sight measurement values ​​with respect to the first terminal as the location-specific UE.

[0370] For example, when information about a location-determining UE candidate acquired by the first terminal includes side-link positioning capability information, the first terminal determines the location-determining UE based on whether the side-link positioning method supported by the first terminal is the same as the side-link positioning method supported by the location-determining UE candidate.

[0371] For example, if there is at least one identical sidelink positioning method among the sidelink positioning methods supported by the first terminal and the sidelink positioning methods supported by the localization UE candidate, the first terminal will determine that the localization UE candidate is a localization UE, or if they are all different, the localization UE candidate cannot be selected as a localization UE.

[0372] For example, when information about a candidate location UE acquired by a first terminal includes a period during which it transmits a distance measurement reference signal, the first terminal determines the location UE based on the first terminal's sidelink positioning period and the period during which the candidate location UE transmits a distance measurement reference signal.

[0373] For example, if the sidelink positioning period of the first terminal is less than the period during which the localization UE candidate transmits the distance measurement reference signal, the localization UE candidate cannot satisfy the sidelink positioning requirements of the first terminal, and therefore cannot be selected as the localization UE candidate.

[0374] For example, if the information about a location-finding UE candidate acquired by the first terminal includes information indicating whether side-link positioning calculations are supported, the first terminal determines the location-finding UE based on whether the location-finding UE candidate supports side-link positioning calculations.

[0375] For example, if the first terminal does not support sidelink positioning calculations, the first terminal may preferably select a location UE candidate that supports sidelink positioning calculations as the location UE, and then transmit sidelink positioning measurement data to the location UE candidate in order to perform sidelink positioning calculations, or if the first terminal does not support sidelink positioning calculations, the first terminal may select at least one location UE candidate that supports sidelink positioning calculations as the location UE.

[0376] For example, if the information about a location-specific UE candidate acquired by the first terminal includes the accuracy of the location of the location-specific UE candidate, the first terminal determines the location-specific UE based on the accuracy of the location-specific UE candidate's location.

[0377] For example, the first terminal preferably selects a location-locating UE candidate with high location accuracy as the location-locating UE in order to satisfy the accuracy of obtaining the location of the first terminal.

[0378] For example, when information about a location-specific UE candidate obtained by a first terminal includes the serving network identifier of the location-specific UE candidate, the first terminal determines the location-specific UE based on the serving network identifier of the location-specific UE candidate.

[0379] For example, the first terminal selects a candidate location UE that has the same serving network identifier as the first terminal's serving network identifier.

[0380] In one possible implementation, the first terminal determines the location UE based on information about one or more location UE candidates and the first information obtained in S410.

[0381] For example, if the first information obtained by the first terminal includes the number of required location UE candidates, the first terminal determines the location UE based on the number of required location UE candidates.

[0382] For example, if the number of required location-specific UE candidates included in the first information is 10, and the first terminal obtains information on approximately 15 location-specific UE candidates in S422 or S424, the first terminal will randomly, or based on the location information, mobility status, or line-of-sight information of the location-specific UE candidates, select 10 location-specific UE candidates from the 15 candidates.

[0383] For example, the first terminal determines the location UE based on the number of required location UE candidates in the first information, and one or more of the location information, mobility status, and line-of-sight information in the information about the location UE candidates.

[0384] For example, when the first information obtained by the first terminal includes a PLMN identifier, the first terminal determines the location UE based on whether the serving network identifier of the location UE candidate is the same as the PLMN identifier in the first information.

[0385] For example, if the serving network identifier of a location-identifying UE candidate is the same as the PLMN identifier in the first piece of information, the first terminal determines that the location-identifying UE candidate is a location-identifying UE.

[0386] It should be noted that the method by which the first terminal determines a localized UE from one or more localized UE candidates based on information about one or more localized UE candidates is merely an example and is not limited to this application.

[0387] S440: The first terminal performs distance measurement with at least one location-determining UE in order to determine the location of the first terminal.

[0388] Specifically, the first terminal determines its own location based on the distance between the first terminal and at least one location-determining UE and the location of the at least one location-determining UE.

[0389] In the above-described strategy, the first terminal more appropriately selects location UEs to be used to assist in positioning under the control or assistance of the network, based on various relevant information about location UE candidates, as well as information such as the required number of location UEs and PLMN identifiers from the network, thereby improving the accuracy of positioning the first terminal.

[0390] Figure 5 is a diagram of a communication method 500 according to one embodiment of the present application. The method 500 may include the following steps:

[0391] S510: The first terminal obtains information about one or more location-identifying UE candidates.

[0392] Information about potential location-based UE candidates is available. The information includes at least one of the following: location information, mobility status, line-of-sight information, serving network identifier of the localization UE candidate, sidelink positioning capability information, duration of the ranging reference signal, information indicating whether sidelink positioning calculations are supported, and the accuracy of the localization UE candidate's location.

[0393] For information regarding the location-identified UE candidate, please refer to the relevant explanation in S310. To avoid repetition, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0394] Specifically, the first terminal can obtain information about potential location-based UEs using several of the following methods.

[0395] Method 1: The LMF determines that a location-determining UE is required for positioning of the first terminal, prompts the first terminal to find a location-determining UE candidate, and obtains information about the location-determining UE candidate. Method 500 may further include S511 to S513.

[0396] S511:LMF obtains the initial location information of the first terminal.

[0397] Specifically, the LMF determines the initial position information of the first terminal according to conventional techniques (for example, MO-LR or MT-LR).

[0398] For example, the LMF obtains positioning measurement data for the first terminal, including the cell identifier ID and the time difference for the first terminal to receive the reference signals from all cells, or information about the round-trip signal time for each cell. The first terminal receives the positioning reference signal from each cell and then places the time information of the reference signal into the positioning measurement data. The LMF calculates the position of the first terminal based on the position of the base station corresponding to the cell identifier ID and the information about the time difference for the first terminal to receive the reference signals from all cells.

[0399] S512:LMF determines that a location-determining UE is required for positioning the first terminal.

[0400] The location-determining UE is configured to assist in positioning the first terminal.

[0401] It should be understood that the LMF's decision that a location-determining UE is required for the positioning of the first terminal can be understood as the LMF deciding to place the first terminal in a terminal-assisted positioning method.

[0402] In one possible implementation, the LMF obtains location estimation accuracy and, based on the difference in location estimation accuracy, determines whether a location-determining UE is required for positioning the first terminal.

[0403] For example, if the number of cells being measured is insufficient (e.g., the first terminal receives positioning reference signals from only two cells), the difference in accuracy of the position estimation is large, and it is not possible to satisfy the positioning accuracy requirement for the first terminal. The LMF determines that a localization UE is required for positioning the first terminal. The LMF determines the accuracy of the position estimation based on the position measurement data of the first terminal, or the LMF transmits the position measurement data of the first terminal to the network data analytics function (NWDAF), which determines the accuracy of the position estimation based on the position measurement data of the first terminal, and after determining the accuracy of the position estimation, transmits the determined accuracy of the position estimation to the LMF. After obtaining the accuracy of the position estimation, the LMF determines, based on the difference in accuracy of the position estimation, that a localization UE is required for positioning the first terminal.

[0404] Optionally, in S513, the LMF determines the second piece of information.

[0405] It should be understood that after the LMF determines that a localization UE is required for positioning the first terminal, the LMF then determines second information to be used to select the localization UE.

[0406] The second piece of information includes at least one of the following: target area, location UE selection indication information (auxiliary UE selection indication), number of located UEs required, location accuracy requirements for the located UEs, and identification information for multiple terminals.

[0407] The target area is used by the first terminal to select a localized UE within the target area.

[0408] The location-based UE selection indication information indicates that the first terminal selects a location-based UE.

[0409] The indication that the first terminal selects its location UE may also mean that the location UE selection indication indicates that the first terminal selects a terminal whose terminal type is a location UE, and that the location UE is used to assist in positioning. For example, the location UE selection indication indicates that the first terminal selects a location UE that will be used to assist in positioning the first terminal.

[0410] In one possible implementation, the LMF determines the target area based on the location of the base station corresponding to the cell being measured, or based on the location of a first terminal calculated based on positioning measurement data.

[0411] For example, LMF determines the target area based on the location of the base station corresponding to the cell being measured, and the target area is a circular area centered on the location of the base station corresponding to the cell being measured, with a specified radius. In another example, the target area is determined based on the location of a first terminal, and the target area is a circular area centered on the location of the first terminal, with a specified radius.

[0412] In one possible implementation, the LMF transmits positioning measurement data of a first terminal to the NWDAF, which determines a target area based on the positioning measurement data of the first terminal and transmits the target area to the LMF. For example, the NWDAF determines the target area based on the location of the base station corresponding to the cell being measured, or the NWDAF determines the target area based on the location of the first terminal relative to the LMF. The method by which the NWDAF determines the target area is the same as the method by which the LMF determines the target area.

[0413] In one possible implementation, the LMF determines location UE selection indication information based on the capabilities of the first terminal and the capabilities of the LMF, and the location UE selection indication information indicates that the first terminal selects a location UE.

[0414] For example, if the LMF's capabilities do not support the selection of a localized UE, or if the capabilities of the first terminal support the selection of a localized UE, the LMF decides that the first terminal will select a localized UE, that is, the LMF decides that the localized UE selection indication information indicates that the first terminal will select a localized UE.

[0415] In one possible implementation, the LMF determines the required number of location-specific UEs based on the positioning accuracy requirements, the contract information of the first terminal, etc. The contract information of the first terminal includes the required number of location-specific UEs, or the contract information of the first terminal includes the correspondence between the positioning accuracy requirements and the required number of location-specific UEs. Specifically, the LMF determines the required number of location-specific UEs based on the positioning accuracy requirements of the first terminal and the correspondence between the positioning accuracy requirements of the first terminal and the number of location-specific UEs. The correspondence between the positioning accuracy requirements and the number of location-specific UEs is pre-configured in the LMF.

[0416] For example, the correspondence between positioning accuracy requirements and the number of location-specific UEs required is pre-configured in the LMF. Higher positioning accuracy requirements for the first terminal indicate a greater number of location-specific UEs required. Alternatively, a larger number of location-specific UEs may be required for the first terminal if the contract information for the first terminal indicates a higher priority or importance level for the first terminal.

[0417] In one possible implementation, the LMF determines the accuracy requirement for the positioning UE based on the accuracy requirement for the positioning of the first terminal.

[0418] For example, the correspondence between the accuracy requirements for terminal positioning and the accuracy requirements for the location-determining UE is pre-configured in the LMF. In another example, the accuracy requirements for the location-determining UE are higher than the accuracy requirements for the first terminal positioning.

[0419] In one possible implementation, the LMF determines the identification information of multiple terminals based on the location information of multiple terminals and the location information of a first terminal, or the LMF determines the identification information of multiple terminals based on the sidelink positioning capability of the first terminal and the sidelink positioning capability of multiple terminals.

[0420] For example, the LMF selects multiple terminals located around a first terminal (for example, distributed within a circular area of ​​the first terminal) based on the location information of multiple terminals and the location information of a first terminal, which are locally pre-configured or stored. In another example, the LMF locally pre-configures or stores the sidelink positioning capabilities of multiple terminals. If there is at least one identical sidelink positioning method among the sidelink positioning methods supported by the first terminal and the sidelink positioning methods supported by the terminals, the LMF determines that the terminal is one of the multiple terminals.

[0421] In one possible implementation, the LMF sends request information to a Positioning Location UE Management Network Element (GMLC, NRF, or UDM) or NWDAF to request the acquisition of identification information for multiple terminals, and the request information includes the location information of the target area or the first terminal. After determining the identification information for the multiple terminals, the Positioning Location UE Management Network Element or NWDAF sends the identification information to the LMF. The Positioning Location UE Management Network Element or NWDAF stores the terminal location information and determines the identification information for the multiple terminals based on the target area and terminal location information, and the multiple terminals are located within the target area.

[0422] Optionally, in S514, the LMF transmits the second piece of information to the first terminal.

[0423] In response, the first terminal receives the second piece of information from the LMF.

[0424] In one possible implementation, the LMF sends a first message to a first terminal, which is used to prompt the first terminal to discover a localized UE. Optionally, the first message contains second information.

[0425] S515: The first terminal obtains information about the location-determining UE candidate.

[0426] In one possible implementation, the first terminal receives a first message from the LMF which is used to prompt the first terminal to discover a localized UE, and the first terminal discovers a localized UE candidate based on the first message in order to obtain information about the localized UE candidate.

[0427] In one possible implementation, when second information received by a first terminal from the LMF includes a localized UE selection indicator, and the localized UE selection indicator indicates that the first terminal will select a localized UE, the first terminal discovers localized UE candidates in order to obtain information about the localized UE candidates.

[0428] In one possible implementation, the system assumes by default that a first terminal selects a location-based UE, and the first terminal discovers a candidate location-based UE in order to obtain information about the candidate location-based UE.

[0429] Please note that for the specific method by which the first terminal obtains information about the location-identifying UE candidate, please refer to the explanations in S420 to S422, S423, and S424. To avoid repetition, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0430] Method 2: The first terminal determines that a location-determining UE is required for the first terminal's positioning, the first terminal finds a candidate location-determining UE, and obtains information about the candidate location-determining UE. Method 500 may further include S516 and S517.

[0431] S516: The first terminal determines that a location-determining UE is required for the first terminal's positioning.

[0432] For example, the first terminal determines that the number of cells to be measured is insufficient and further determines that a localization UE is required for the positioning of the first terminal. It should be understood that when the number of cells to be measured is insufficient, the position of the first terminal obtained based on the limited cell measurement information cannot satisfy the accuracy of positioning. Therefore, a localization UE is required for the positioning of the first terminal.

[0433] S517: The first terminal obtains information about the location-determining UE candidate.

[0434] It should be understood that after the first terminal determines that a location-determining UE is required for the first terminal's positioning, the first terminal further discovers a candidate location-determining UE and obtains information about the candidate location-determining UE.

[0435] Please note that for the specific method by which the first terminal obtains information about the location-identifying UE candidate, please refer to the explanations in S420 to S422, S423, and S424. To avoid repetition, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0436] Furthermore, after obtaining information about the location-determining UE candidates, the first terminal determines the location-determining UE based on the information about the location-determining UE candidates.

[0437] S520: The first terminal determines, based on information about one or more location-specific UE candidates, a location-specific UE to be used to assist in positioning the first terminal from among the one or more location-specific UE candidates.

[0438] In one possible implementation, the first terminal determines the location UE based on information about the location UE candidate acquired in S510.

[0439] In one possible implementation, when the first terminal receives second information from the LMF in S515, if the second information includes a location-specific UE selection indicator and the location-specific UE selection indicator indicates that the first terminal will select a location-specific UE, the first terminal determines the location-specific UE based on the information about the location-specific UE candidates obtained in S510.

[0440] Regarding the method by which the first terminal determines the location-specific UE based on the acquired information about the location-specific UE candidate, please refer to the relevant explanation in S430. To avoid repetition, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0441] In one possible implementation, when the first terminal receives second information from the LMF in S515, if the second information includes at least one of the target area, the number of location UEs required, and the accuracy requirement of the location of the location UEs, the first terminal determines the location UE based on the second information and information about the candidate location UEs.

[0442] For example, if the second piece of information includes a target area and the information about the location-identifying UE candidate includes location information, the first terminal determines the location-identifying UE based on the target area and the location information of the location-identifying UE candidate, and the location of the determined location-identifying UE is within the target area.

[0443] For example, when the second piece of information includes the required number of location-specific UEs, the first terminal determines the location-specific UEs based on the required number of location-specific UEs and the information about the location-specific UE candidates, and the number of location-specific UEs determined does not exceed the required number of location-specific UEs. For example, the first terminal first determines the location-specific UEs based on the information about the location-specific UE candidates. If the number of location-specific UEs determined is greater than the number of location-specific UEs required, the first terminal must select location-specific UEs from the determined location-specific UEs that correspond to the number of location-specific UEs required.

[0444] For example, when the second piece of information includes the accuracy requirement for the location of the localized UE, and the information about the localized UE candidate includes the accuracy of the location of the localized UE candidate, the first terminal determines the localized UE based on the accuracy requirement for the localized UE and the accuracy of the location of the localized UE candidate, and the accuracy of the determined localized UE satisfies the accuracy requirement for the localized UE.

[0445] Optionally, in S530, the first terminal transmits location identification information of the UE to the LMF.

[0446] In response, the LMF receives identification information of the location-determining UE from the first terminal.

[0447] Specifically, after determining the location UE, the first terminal transmits the location UE identification information to the LMF, so the LMF knows the location UE to be used to assist in positioning the first terminal.

[0448] S540: The first terminal performs distance measurement with at least one location-determining UE in order to determine the location of the first terminal.

[0449] Specifically, the first terminal determines its own location based on the distance between the first terminal and at least one location-determining UE and the location of the at least one location-determining UE.

[0450] In the above-described measures, the first terminal better selects a location UE to be used to assist in positioning under the control or assistance of the network, based on various relevant information provided by the LMF, such as the target area, the number of location UEs required, the accuracy requirements for the location UEs, location UE selection indication information, and information about location UE candidates, thereby improving the accuracy of positioning the first terminal.

[0451] Figure 6 is a diagram of a communication method 600 according to one embodiment of the present application. The method 600 may include the following steps:

[0452] S610:LMF acquires the initial location information of the first terminal.

[0453] Specifically, the LMF determines the initial position information of the first terminal according to conventional techniques (for example, MO-LR or MT-LR).

[0454] It should be understood that the method by which the LMF acquires the initial location information of the first terminal in S610 should be referred to the relevant explanation in S511. Further details will not be explained here.

[0455] S620:LMF determines that a location-determining UE is required for positioning the first terminal.

[0456] The method by which the LMF determines that a location-determining UE is necessary for positioning the first terminal in S620 should be understood by referring to the relevant explanation in S512. Further details will not be explained here.

[0457] S630:LMF obtains identifiers for multiple devices.

[0458] Optionally, the LMF decides, based on the capabilities of the first terminal and the capabilities of the LMF, that it needs to obtain identifiers for multiple terminals.

[0459] Multiple terminal identifiers are used by the first terminal to obtain information about one or more potential location-specific UE candidates.

[0460] In one possible implementation, the LMF determines the identification information of multiple terminals based on the location information of multiple terminals and the location information of a first terminal that is locally pre-configured or stored.

[0461] For example, LMF determines multiple terminals based on the location information of multiple terminals and the location of cells to be measured, which are locally pre-configured or stored. Therefore, to avoid multiple terminals being in the same direction or area, multiple terminals and cells to be measured are located separately around the first terminal.

[0462] In one possible implementation, the LMF determines the identification information of multiple terminals based on the sidelink positioning capability of the first terminal and the sidelink positioning capability of the multiple terminals.

[0463] In another example, if there is at least one identical sidelink positioning method among the sidelink positioning methods supported by the first terminal and the sidelink positioning methods supported by the terminal, the LMF will determine that the terminal is one of several terminals, or if they are all different, the terminal cannot be selected.

[0464] It should be understood that the LMF can acquire the sidelink positioning capability of a first terminal from the first terminal, and can acquire the sidelink positioning capability of multiple terminals from the LMF's local storage or from the positioning location UE management network element.

[0465] In one possible implementation, the LMF transmits first request information to a positioning location UE management network element (e.g., GMLC, NRF, or UDM) to request the acquisition of identifiers for multiple terminals, and the first request information includes a target area. The positioning location UE management network element determines identifiers for the multiple terminals based on the request information and the stored location information of the multiple terminals and notifies the LMF of the identifiers. The positioning location UE management network element stores the location information of the terminals and determines identification information for the multiple terminals based on the target area and the location information of the terminals, and the multiple terminals are located within the target area.

[0466] Regarding the method by which the LMF acquires the target area, it should be understood that one should refer to the relevant explanation of acquiring the target area in S513. To avoid repetition, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0467] In one possible implementation, the LMF sends a second request to the NWDAF, which is used to request the acquisition of identifiers for multiple terminals, and the second request includes positioning measurement data of the first terminal acquired in S610 or S511. The NWDAF determines the identifiers for the multiple terminals based on the positioning measurement data of the first terminal and the stored location information of the multiple terminals (or the location information of the multiple terminals acquired from the positioning location identification UE management network element or the LMF), and notifies the LMF of the identifiers.

[0468] In the process by which the LMF obtains identifiers for multiple terminals in S630, it should be understood that the LMF or the positioning location UE management network element needs to obtain location information for multiple terminals. Specifically, terminals transmit location UE indication information and terminal location information to the LMF via the AMF. When the LMF receives location UE indication information, after the LMF obtains the terminal location information, the LMF either stores the terminal location information or transmits the terminal location information to the positioning location UE management network element.

[0469] S640:LMF transmits identification information for multiple terminals to the first terminal.

[0470] In response, the first terminal receives identification information for multiple terminals from the LMF.

[0471] Multiple terminals may be understood as terminals that can be used as location UEs recommended by the LMF to a first terminal and used to assist in positioning the first terminal, or the identification information of multiple terminals may include the identification information of one or more candidate location UEs, or the identification information of one or more candidate location UEs may be candidate location UEs corresponding to the identification information of multiple terminals.

[0472] S650: The first terminal sends a discovery message.

[0473] In response, the location-determining UE candidate receives a discovery message from the first terminal.

[0474] Discovery messages are used to find potential location-specific Unidentified Events (UEs).

[0475] In one possible implementation, the first terminal sends a discovery message, which contains the identification information of multiple terminals.

[0476] In one possible implementation, the first terminal sends multiple discovery messages, each discovery message containing the identification information of one of the multiple terminals.

[0477] It should be noted that the above-described method by which the first terminal sends a discovery message is merely an example and is not limited to this application.

[0478] S660: The location-determining UE candidate sends a response message to the first terminal based on the identification information of multiple terminals.

[0479] In response, the first terminal receives a response message from the location-determining UE candidate.

[0480] In one possible implementation, after receiving a discovery message from a first terminal, the location UE candidate decides whether to send a response message to the first terminal based on whether the location UE candidate's identification information is one of the identification information of multiple terminals, or whether the identification information of multiple terminals includes identification information about the location UE candidate.

[0481] For example, if the location-locating UE candidate determines that the identification information of multiple terminals includes identification information about the location-locating UE candidate, the location-locating UE candidate sends a response message to the first terminal. Alternatively, if the identification information of multiple terminals does not include identification information about the location-locating UE candidate, the location-locating UE candidate does not send a response message to the first terminal.

[0482] In one possible implementation, the response message contains information about the candidate for the localized UE.

[0483] For information regarding the location-identified UE candidate, please refer to the relevant explanation in S310. To avoid repetition, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0484] Optionally, in S670, the first terminal determines the location UE based on the response message.

[0485] Specifically, after receiving a response message from a location-determining UE candidate, the first terminal determines that the location-determining UE candidate is a location-determining UE that will be used to assist in positioning the first terminal.

[0486] Optionally, in S680, the first terminal transmits indication information to the LMF.

[0487] In response, the LMF receives indication information from the first terminal.

[0488] The indication information may show identification information for a localized UE, or it may indicate that a localized UE was not found or could not be determined.

[0489] Optionally, in S690, the first terminal performs distance measurement with at least one location-determining UE in order to determine the position of the first terminal.

[0490] In one possible implementation, the first terminal determines its own location based on the location information of the location-determining UE candidate in the response message received in S660.

[0491] In one possible implementation, when the first terminal performs S670, that is, after the first terminal receives a response message from the location-determining UE candidate in S660, the first terminal determines that the location-determining UE candidate is a location-determining UE used to assist in positioning the first terminal, and further determines the position of the first terminal based on the location information of the location-determining UE.

[0492] In the above-described strategy, the LMF determines and notifies the first terminal of several terminals that may be used to assist in positioning the first terminal, so that the first terminal can more appropriately select a location UE from among the several terminals. This can improve the accuracy of positioning the first terminal and further reduce the overhead of the first terminal.

[0493] Figure 7 shows a communication method 700 according to one embodiment of the present application. The method 700 may include the following steps:

[0494] S710:LMF obtains information about one or more potential location-specific UE candidates.

[0495] Information about potential location-based UE candidates is available. The information includes at least one of the following: location information, mobility status, line-of-sight information, serving network identifier of the localization UE candidate, sidelink positioning capability information, duration of the ranging reference signal, information indicating whether sidelink positioning calculations are supported, and the accuracy of the localization UE candidate's location.

[0496] For information regarding the location-identified UE candidate, please refer to the relevant explanation in S310. To avoid repetition, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0497] Specifically, LMF can obtain information about potential UE locations using the following methods:

[0498] Method 1: The LMF determines that a location-determining UE is required for the positioning of the first terminal, prompts the first terminal to find a candidate location-determining UE, and receives information about the candidate location-determining UE from the first terminal. Method 700 may further include S711 to S713.

[0499] S711:LMF obtains the initial location information of the first terminal.

[0500] Specifically, the LMF determines the initial position information of the first terminal according to conventional techniques (for example, MO-LR or MT-LR).

[0501] Regarding the method by which the LMF acquires the initial location information of the first terminal in S711, please refer to the relevant explanation in S511. Further details will not be explained here.

[0502] S712:LMF determines that a location-determining UE is required for positioning the first terminal.

[0503] Regarding the method by which the LMF determines in S712 that a location-determining UE is necessary for positioning the first terminal, please refer to the relevant explanation in S512. Details will not be explained again here.

[0504] Optionally, in S713, the LMF determines the second piece of information.

[0505] Specifically, after the LMF determines that a location-determining UE is required for positioning the first terminal, the LMF determines second information to be used to select the location-determining UE.

[0506] The second piece of information includes at least one of the following: target area, location UE selection indication information, required number of location UEs, location accuracy requirements for the location UEs, and identification information for multiple terminals.

[0507] The localized UE selection indication information shows that the LMF will select a localized UE.

[0508] The indication that the LMF selects a location UE may also mean that the LMF selects a terminal whose terminal type is a location UE, and it should be understood that the location UE will be used to assist in positioning. For example, the location UE selection indication indicates that the LMF selects a location UE that will be used to assist in positioning a first terminal.

[0509] In one possible implementation, the LMF determines location selection indication information based on the capabilities of the first terminal and the capabilities of the LMF, and the location UE selection indication information indicates that the LMF will select a location UE or that the network will select a location UE. For example, if the capabilities of the LMF support location UE selection, or if the capabilities of the first terminal do not support location UE selection, the LMF decides that the LMF will select a location UE or that the network will select a location UE, i.e., the LMF decides that the location UE selection indication information indicates that the LMF will select a location UE or that the network will select a location UE.

[0510] Regarding the process by which the LMF determines the second piece of information, please refer to the specific process by which the LMF determines the second piece of information in S513. To avoid repetition, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0511] Optionally, in S714, the LMF transmits the second piece of information to the first terminal.

[0512] In response, the first terminal receives the second piece of information from the LMF.

[0513] Regarding the process by which the LMF transmits the second piece of information to the first terminal, please refer to the specific process by which the LMF transmits the second piece of information in S514. To avoid repetition, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0514] S715: The first terminal obtains information about potential location-based UE candidates.

[0515] In one possible implementation, the first terminal receives a first message from the LMF which is used to prompt the first terminal to discover a localized UE, and the first terminal discovers a localized UE candidate based on the first message in order to obtain information about the localized UE candidate.

[0516] In one possible implementation, when second information received by a first terminal from the LMF includes a localized UE selection indicator, and the localized UE selection indicator indicates that the LMF will select a localized UE, the first terminal discovers localized UE candidates to obtain information about the localized UE candidates, and then sends information about the localized UE candidates to the LMF, so that the LMF selects a localized UE.

[0517] Please note that for the specific method by which the first terminal obtains information about the location-identifying UE candidate, please refer to the explanations in S420 to S422, S423, and S424. To avoid repetition, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0518] S716: The first terminal transmits information about the location-determining UE candidate to the LMF.

[0519] In response, the LMF receives information about the location-determining UE from the first terminal.

[0520] In one possible implementation, when second information received by a first terminal from the LMF includes a localized UE selection indicator, and the localized UE selection indicator indicates that the LMF will select a localized UE, the first terminal transmits the acquired information about the localized UE candidate to the LMF.

[0521] Method 2: The first terminal determines that a location-determining UE is required for the first terminal's positioning, and after the first terminal finds a candidate location-determining UE, transmits information about the candidate location-determining UE to the LMF. Method 700 may further include S717 to S719.

[0522] S717: The first terminal determines that a location-determining UE is required for the first terminal's positioning.

[0523] For example, the first terminal determines that the number of cells to be measured is insufficient and further determines that a localization UE is required for the first terminal's positioning.

[0524] S718: The first terminal obtains information about the location-determining UE candidate.

[0525] It should be understood that after the first terminal determines that a location-determining UE is required for the first terminal's positioning, the first terminal further discovers a candidate location-determining UE.

[0526] Please note that for the specific method by which the first terminal obtains information about the location-identifying UE candidate, please refer to the explanations in S420 to S422, S423, and S424. To avoid repetition, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0527] S719: The first terminal transmits information about the location-determining UE candidate to the LMF.

[0528] In response, the LMF receives information about the location-determining UE from the first terminal.

[0529] Optionally, in S720, the LMF determines the second piece of information.

[0530] When the LMF receives information about a candidate location UE from the first terminal at S710, it should be understood that the LMF needs to determine second information to be used to select the location UE.

[0531] The second piece of information includes at least one of the following: the target area, the number of localized UEs required, the accuracy requirements for the localized UE locations, and localized UE selection indication information.

[0532] Please note that for the specific method by which the LMF determines the second piece of information in S720, refer to the relevant explanation in S513. To avoid repetition, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0533] Furthermore, after obtaining information about the candidate location UE, the LMF knows that the location UE needs to be determined, and method 700 may further include S730.

[0534] S730: The LMF determines, based on information about one or more potential location UEs, which location UEs will be used to assist in positioning the first terminal from among the one or more potential location UEs.

[0535] In one possible implementation, the LMF determines the localized UE based on information about the localized UE candidate obtained in S710.

[0536] For example, LMF determines the location of a UE based on the location information of the candidate UE.

[0537] For example, since LMF determines a localized UE based on the location information of a candidate localized UE and the location of the cell being measured, the localized UE and the cell being measured are located separately around the first terminal to avoid localized UEs being in the same direction or area.

[0538] For example, LMF determines the location of a potential location-targeted UE based on its location information and target area, so the location-targeted UE is located within the target area.

[0539] For example, LMF determines the location of a UE based on the mobility status of the location-targeting UE candidate.

[0540] For example, LMF preferably selects a stationary location-specific UE candidate as the location-specific UE.

[0541] For example, LMF determines the location of a potential UE based on line-of-sight information of the location of the UE candidate.

[0542] For example, the LMF preferably selects a candidate location UE that has line-of-sight measurements with respect to a first terminal as the location UE.

[0543] For example, LMF determines the location of a UE based on the positioning contract information of the location-specific UE candidate.

[0544] For example, LMF preferably selects an approved localization UE candidate as the localization UE.

[0545] It should be understood that the LMF may obtain positioning contract information for a candidate location-specific UE from the UDM to know whether the candidate location-specific UE is approved as a location-specific UE, or the LMF may request from the UDM whether the candidate location-specific UE is approved as a location-specific UE. This is not limited to the present application.

[0546] For example, the LMF transmits to the NWDAF positioning measurement data of the first terminal acquired at S711 and information about the location identification UE candidate received at S710. The NWDAF then determines the location identification UE based on the above information and notifies the LMF of the determined location identification UE.

[0547] For example, if the information about a candidate location UE further includes the serving network identifier of the candidate location UE, the LMF determines the location UE based on whether the serving network identifier of the candidate location UE is the same as the PLMN identifier permitted by the first terminal.

[0548] For example, if the serving network identifier of a location-identifying UE candidate is the same as the PLMN identifier permitted by the first terminal, the location-identifying UE candidate is determined to be a location-identifying UE; however, if the two are different, the location-identifying UE candidate cannot be selected as a location-identifying UE.

[0549] It should be understood that the PLMN identifier authorized by the first terminal indicates which PLMN location UE candidate is authorized to be used by the first terminal to assist in positioning.

[0550] For example, if the information about a candidate location UE further includes the candidate location UE's sidelink positioning capability information and the first terminal's sidelink positioning capability information, the LMF will determine the location UE based on the candidate location UE's sidelink positioning capability information and the first terminal's sidelink positioning capability information.

[0551] For example, if there is at least one identical sidelink positioning method among the sidelink positioning methods supported by the first terminal and the sidelink positioning methods supported by the localization UE candidate, the LMF will determine that the localization UE candidate is a localization UE. Alternatively, if all of them are different, the localization UE candidate cannot be selected as a localization UE.

[0552] For example, if the information about a potential location UE further includes the period during which the potential location UE transmits a distance measurement reference signal, the LMF determines the location UE based on the sidelink positioning period of the first terminal and the period during which the potential location UE transmits a distance measurement reference signal.

[0553] For example, if the sidelink positioning period of the first terminal is less than the period during which the localization UE candidate transmits the distance measurement reference signal, the localization UE candidate cannot satisfy the sidelink positioning requirements of the first terminal, and therefore cannot be selected as the localization UE candidate.

[0554] For example, if the information about a candidate location UE further includes information indicating whether side-link positioning calculations are supported, the LMF will determine the location UE based on whether the candidate location UE supports side-link positioning calculations.

[0555] For example, if the first terminal does not support sidelink positioning calculations, the LMF may preferably select a candidate localization UE that supports sidelink positioning calculations as the localization UE, and then transmit sidelink positioning measurement data to the localization UE candidate in order to perform sidelink positioning calculations. Alternatively, if the first terminal does not support sidelink positioning calculations, the LMF may select at least one candidate localization UE that supports sidelink positioning calculations as the localization UE.

[0556] Note that when the first terminal supports side-link positioning calculations, the first terminal will perform side-link positioning calculations by default.

[0557] In one possible implementation, the LMF determines the localized UE based on information about one or more localized UE candidates and second information.

[0558] In one possible implementation, when the second piece of information includes at least one of the target area, the number of localized UEs required, and the accuracy requirement of the localized UEs' locations, the LMF determines the localized UEs based on the second piece of information and information about the candidate localized UEs.

[0559] For example, if the second piece of information includes a target area and the information about the candidate location-specific UE includes location information, the LMF will determine the location-specific UE based on the target area and the location information of the candidate location-specific UE, and the location of the determined location-specific UE will be within the target area.

[0560] For example, if the second piece of information includes the number of location-specific UEs required, the LMF determines the location-specific UEs based on the number of required UEs and the information about the candidate location-specific UEs. The number of location-specific UEs determined will not exceed the number of required UEs. Specifically, the LMF first determines the location-specific UEs based on the information about the candidate location-specific UEs. If the number of location-specific UEs determined is greater than the number of required UEs, the LMF must select location-specific UEs from the determined UEs that correspond to the number of required UEs.

[0561] For example, if the second piece of information includes the accuracy requirement for the location of the localized UE, and the information about the localized UE candidate includes the accuracy of the location of the localized UE candidate, the LMF will determine the localized UE based on the accuracy requirement for the localized UE and the accuracy of the location of the localized UE candidate, and the accuracy of the determined localized UE will satisfy the accuracy requirement for the localized UE.

[0562] It should be noted that the method by which the LMF determines a localized UE from one or more localized UE candidates based on information about one or more localized UE candidates is merely an example and is not limited to this application.

[0563] Optionally, in S740, the LMF transmits location identification information of the first terminal.

[0564] In response, the first terminal receives location identification information for the UE from the LMF.

[0565] Specifically, after determining the location UE, the LMF transmits the location UE's identification information to the first terminal, so the first terminal knows which location UE will be used for distance measurement.

[0566] Optionally, in S750, the first terminal performs distance measurement with at least one location-determining UE in order to determine the position of the first terminal.

[0567] Specifically, the first terminal determines its own location based on the distance between the first terminal and at least one location-determining UE and the location of the at least one location-determining UE.

[0568] In the above-described strategy, the LMF can more appropriately select the location UE to be used to assist in positioning based on various relevant information transmitted by the first terminal regarding the location UE candidate, thereby improving the accuracy of positioning the first terminal.

[0569] It should be understood that the examples in Figures 3 to 7 in the embodiments of this application are intended solely to help those skilled in the art understand the embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application to the specific scenarios of the examples. Those skilled in the art will obviously be able to make various equivalent modifications or changes based on the examples in Figures 3 to 7, and such modifications or changes are also within the scope of this embodiment of this application.

[0570] It can be further understood that some optional features in embodiments of this application may be independent of other features in some scenarios, or may be combined with other features in some scenarios. This is not limited to this.

[0571] The measures in the embodiments of this application may be appropriately combined for use, and it can be further understood that the definitions or descriptions of terms in the embodiments may be referenced or explained by each other in the embodiments. This is not limited to this.

[0572] It can be further understood that the various numerical sequence numbers in the embodiments of this application do not signify an order of execution, but are merely for distinction to simplify the explanation, and therefore should not impose any constraints on the process of carrying out the embodiments of this application.

[0573] It can be further understood that the names of some of the messages in the embodiments of this application, for example, the first information or the second information, do not limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application.

[0574] In embodiments of the methods described above, the methods and operations implemented by the first terminal may be implemented by components of the first terminal (e.g., chips or circuits), the methods and operations implemented by a candidate location UE may be implemented by components of the candidate location UE (e.g., chips or circuits), and the methods and operations implemented by a location management network element may be implemented by components of the location management network element (e.g., chips or circuits). This is not limited to these. In correspondence with the methods provided in embodiments of the methods described above, embodiments of this application further provide corresponding devices. The devices include corresponding modules configured to carry out embodiments of the methods described above. The modules may be software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. It may be understood that the technical features described in embodiments of the methods are also applicable to the following embodiments of devices.

[0575] It should be understood that the first terminal, location-identifying UE candidate, and location management network element may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments described above. These steps and operations are merely examples. In embodiments of this application, other operations or various variations of operations may be further performed. In addition, the steps may be performed in a different order than those presented in the embodiments described above, and not all operations of the embodiments described above may be performed.

[0576] The above describes in detail the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application with reference to Figures 3 to 7. Below, the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail with reference to Figures 8 to 10. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, for details not described in detail, please refer to the method embodiments described above. For brevity, some details of the content will not be described again here.

[0577] Figure 8 is a block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The device 800 includes a transceiver unit 810, which may be configured to implement corresponding communication functions. The transceiver unit 810 may also be called a communication interface or communication unit.

[0578] Optionally, the device 800 may further include a processing unit 820, which may be configured to perform data processing.

[0579] Optionally, the device 800 further includes a storage unit. The storage unit may be configured to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 820 can read instructions and / or data from the storage unit so that the device can perform the actions of different terminal devices in the embodiments of the method described above, for example, the actions of a first terminal, or a location-identifying UE candidate, or a location management network element.

[0580] Device 800 may be configured to perform actions performed by the first terminal, location-identifying UE candidate, or location management network element in the embodiments of the method described above. In this case, device 800 may be the first terminal, location-identifying UE candidate, or location management network element, or a component of the first terminal, a component of the location-identifying UE candidate, or a component of the location management network element. Transceiver unit 810 is configured to perform reception and transmission-related operations of the first terminal, location-identifying UE candidate, or location management network element in the embodiments of the method described above. Processing unit 820 is configured to perform processing-related operations of the first terminal, location-identifying UE candidate, or location management network element in the embodiments of the method described above.

[0581] It should be further understood that the apparatus 800 described herein is embodied in the form of a functional unit. The term “unit” as used herein may mean an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor configured to run one or more software or firmware programs (e.g., a shared processor, a dedicated processor, or a group processor), memory, an integrated logic circuit, and / or another suitable component that supports the described function. In one optional example, the apparatus 800 may specifically be the first terminal, location UE candidate, or location management network element in the embodiments described above, and may be configured to perform the procedures and / or steps corresponding to the first terminal, location UE candidate, or location management network element in the embodiments of the method described above, or the apparatus 800 may specifically be the first terminal, location UE candidate, or location management network element in the embodiments described above, and may be configured to perform the procedures and / or steps corresponding to the first terminal, location UE candidate, or location management network element in the embodiments of the method described above. For the sake of avoiding repetition, further details are not described here.

[0582] The device 800 in the above-described strategy has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the first terminal, location-identifying UE candidate, or location management network element in the above-described method, or the device 800 in the above-described strategy has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the first terminal, location-identifying UE candidate, or location management network element in the above-described method. This function may be implemented by hardware, or by hardware running the corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above function. For example, a transceiver unit may be replaced by a transceiver (for example, a transmitting unit in a transceiver unit may be replaced by a transmitter, and a receiving unit in a transceiver unit may be replaced by a receiver), and another unit, such as a processing unit, may be replaced by a processor to perform the receive-transmit operation and the associated processing operation separately in an embodiment of the method.

[0583] In addition, the transceiver unit 810 may be a transceiver circuit (for example, including a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing unit may be a processing circuit.

[0584] It should be noted that the apparatus in Figure 8 may be a network element or device in the embodiments described above, or it may be a chip or chip system, such as a system on a chip (SoC). The transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processing unit is a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit on a chip. This is not limited to the foregoing.

[0585] As shown in Figure 9, an embodiment of the present application provides another communication device 900. The device 900 includes a processor 910. The processor 910 is coupled to a memory 920, which is configured to store computer programs or instructions and / or data, and the processor 910 is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 920 or to read data stored in the memory 920 in order to carry out the method in the embodiment of the method described above.

[0586] Optionally, there may be one or more processors 910.

[0587] Optionally, there is one or more memory units of 920.

[0588] Optionally, the memory 920 and processor 910 may be integrated or disposed separately.

[0589] Optionally, the device 900 further includes a transceiver 930, as shown in Figure 9. The transceiver 930 is configured to receive and / or transmit signals. For example, the processor 910 is configured to control the transceiver 930 to receive and / or transmit signals.

[0590] In one configuration, the device 900 is configured to perform an operation performed by the first terminal, location-identifying UE candidate, or location management network element in the embodiment of the method described above.

[0591] For example, the processor 910 is configured to execute a computer program or instruction stored in the memory 920 in order to implement the first terminal in the embodiments of the above-described method, for example, the relevant operation of the first terminal in any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 7, or the method of the first terminal in any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 7.

[0592] The processor referred to in the embodiments of this application may be a central processing unit (CPU), and further may be another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or another programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, and so on. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc.

[0593] It should be further understood that the memories referred to in the embodiments of this application may be volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM may be used as an external cache. As an example, rather than an exhaustive list, RAM includes multiple forms such as static random access memory (static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchlink dynamic random access memory (synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM), and direct rambus random access memory (direct rambus RAM, DR RAM).

[0594] Note that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, memory (storage modules) may be integrated into the processor.

[0595] It should be further noted that the memories described herein are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0596] As shown in Figure 10, embodiments of the present application provide a chip system 1000. The chip system 1000 (or may be called a processing system) includes a logic circuit 1010 and an input / output interface 1020.

[0597] The logic circuit 1010 may be a processing circuit within the chip system 1000. The logic circuit 1010 is coupled to and connected to a memory unit and can call instructions in the memory unit to cause the chip system 1000 to implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application. The input / output interface 1020 may also be an input / output circuit within the chip system 1000, which outputs information to be processed by the chip system 1000, or inputs data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system 1000 for processing.

[0598] In one approach, the chip system 1000 is configured to implement the operations performed by the first terminal, location-identifying UE candidate, or location management network element in the embodiment of the method described above.

[0599] For example, the logic circuit 1010 is configured to implement processing-related operations performed by the first terminal in the embodiments of the method described above, for example, processing-related operations performed by the first terminal in any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 7. The input / output interface 1020 is configured to implement transmission and / or reception-related operations performed by the first terminal in the embodiments of the method described above, for example, transmission and / or reception-related operations performed by the first terminal in any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 7.

[0600] Embodiments of this application further provide a computer-readable storage medium that stores computer instructions used to implement the method carried out by a first terminal, a location-identifying UE candidate, or a location management network element in embodiments of the method described above.

[0601] For example, when a computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the method executed by the first terminal, location-identifying UE candidate, or location management network element in the embodiments of the method described above.

[0602] Embodiments of this application further provide a computer program product including instructions. When the instructions are executed by a computer, the method implemented by the first terminal, location-identifying UE candidate, or location management network element in the embodiments of the method described above is implemented.

[0603] For a description of the relevant aspects and beneficial effects of any of the devices provided above, please refer to the corresponding embodiments of the methods provided above. Further details are not provided here.

[0604] In some embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the embodiments of the described apparatus are merely examples. For example, the division into units is merely a logical functional division, and other divisions may be used in actual implementations. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not implemented. In addition, the mutual coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection shown or discussed may be implemented through some interfaces. Indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

[0605] All or part of the embodiments described above may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement an embodiment, all or part of the embodiment may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When a computer program instruction is loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the procedure or function according to the embodiments of this application is generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. For example, the computer may be a personal computer, a server, a network device, etc. Computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, radio, or microwave) method. Computer-readable storage media can be any available medium accessible by a computer, or a data storage device, such as a server or data center integrating one or more available media. Available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, or magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state drives), etc. For example, available media can include, but are not limited to, any medium capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, removable hard disks, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0606] The above description is merely a specific implementation of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modification or substitution that is readily conceivable by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the art disclosed herein shall fall within the scope of protection of this application. Accordingly, the scope of protection of this application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. The first terminal obtains information about one or more location-specific UE candidates, The first terminal determines, based on the information regarding the one or more location-specific UE candidates, a location-specific UE to be used to assist in positioning the first terminal. Equipped with, The information regarding the location-specific UE candidate is as follows: The system comprises at least one of the following: location information, mobility status, line-of-sight information, serving network identifier of the location-identifying UE candidate, side-link positioning capability information, duration of the ranging reference signal, information indicating whether side-link positioning calculation is supported, and the accuracy of the location of the location-identifying UE candidate. A communication method wherein the location information indicates the location of the location-identified UE candidate, the line-of-sight information includes information indicating line-of-sight propagation or non-line-of-sight propagation between the first terminal and the location-identified UE candidate, and the side-link positioning capability information indicates a side-link positioning method supported by the location-identified UE candidate.

2. The aforementioned method, The first terminal further comprises the step of acquiring first information, The step of the first terminal determining, based on the information about the one or more location-specific UE candidates, the location-specific UE used to assist in positioning the first terminal, is: The first terminal comprises the step of determining the location-specific UE from the one or more location-specific UE candidates based on the information about the one or more location-specific UE candidates and the first information, The method according to claim 1, wherein the first information comprises the number of required location UEs and / or a public land mobile network (PLMN) identifier, the PLMN identifier being a serving network identifier corresponding to a location UE permitted to be used by the first terminal.

3. The aforementioned method, The first terminal further comprises the step of receiving second information from a location management network element, The second information comprises at least one of the following: a target area, the required number of localized UEs, the accuracy requirements for the location of the localized UEs, and localized UE selection indication information. The step of the first terminal determining, based on the information about the one or more location-specific UE candidates, the location-specific UE used to assist in positioning the first terminal, is: The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of determining the location-specific UE from the one or more location-specific UE candidates based on the information and the second information regarding the one or more location-specific UE candidates using the first terminal.

4. When the second information is the location-specific UE selection indication information, the step of the first terminal determining the location-specific UE to be used to assist in positioning the first terminal from the one or more location-specific UE candidates based on the information about the one or more location-specific UE candidates is: The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of, when the location-specific UE selection indication information indicates that the first terminal selects a location-specific UE, the first terminal determines the location-specific UE from the one or more location-specific UE candidates based on the information regarding the one or more location-specific UE candidates.

5. The aforementioned method, The first terminal further comprises the step of receiving identification information of multiple terminals from the location management network element, The step of obtaining the information about one or more location-specific UE candidates using the first terminal is: The first terminal provides the information about one or more location-specific UE candidates based on the identification information of the plurality of terminals, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of terminals comprises one or more location-identifying UE candidates.

6. The step of obtaining the information about one or more location-specific UE candidates using the first terminal is: The first terminal sends a discovery message, the discovery message being used to discover the location-identified UE candidate, The first terminal receives one or more response messages from one or more location-identifying UE candidates, The first terminal obtains the information about the one or more location-specific UE candidates based on the one or more response messages. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising:

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the discovery message comprises the identification information of the plurality of terminals, the plurality of terminals comprises one or more location-identifying UE candidates, and the response message comprises the information regarding the location-identifying UE candidates.

8. The step of obtaining the information about one or more location-specific UE candidates using the first terminal is: The first terminal receives one or more notification messages from the one or more location-identifying UE candidates, wherein the notification messages are used to broadcast that the location-identifying UE candidates are capable of fulfilling the role of a location-identifying UE. The first terminal obtains the information about the one or more location-specific UE candidates based on the one or more notification messages. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising:

9. The steps include determining whether a candidate for location-specific UE is approved as a location-specific UE for auxiliary positioning, The steps include: transmitting information about the location-identified UE candidate using the location-identified UE candidate; Equipped with, The information regarding the candidate location-specific UE is used for selecting the location-specific UE. The information regarding the location-specific UE candidate is as follows: The system comprises at least one of the following: location information, mobility status, line-of-sight information, serving network identifier of the location-identifying UE candidate, side-link positioning capability information, duration of the ranging reference signal, information indicating whether side-link positioning calculation is supported, and the accuracy of the location of the location-identifying UE candidate. A communication method wherein the location information indicates the location of the location-identified UE candidate, the line-of-sight information includes information indicating line-of-sight propagation or non-line-of-sight propagation between the first terminal and the location-identified UE candidate, and the side-link positioning capability information indicates a side-link positioning method supported by the location-identified UE candidate.

10. The step of transmitting the information about the location-identified UE candidate by the location-identified UE candidate is: When the location-identifying UE candidate is in a stationary, stable, or non-moving state, the location-identifying UE candidate transmits the information about the location-identifying UE candidate, or When the accuracy of the position of the location-identifying UE candidate is higher than a first threshold, the location-identifying UE candidate transmits the information about the location-identifying UE candidate. The method according to claim 9, comprising:

11. The step of transmitting the information about the location-identified UE candidate by the location-identified UE candidate is: The steps include: receiving a discovery message from the first terminal by the location-identified UE candidate, wherein the discovery message is used to discover the location-identified UE candidate; A step of sending a response message to the first terminal based on the discovery message using the location-identifying UE candidate, wherein the response message comprises the information about the location-identifying UE candidate. The method according to claim 9 or 10, comprising:

12. The aforementioned discovery message includes identification information for multiple terminals, The step of sending the response message to the first terminal based on the discovery message using the location-identified UE candidate is: The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of transmitting the response message to the first terminal by the location identification UE candidate when the location identification UE candidate determines that the identification information of the plurality of terminals includes the location identification UE candidate.

13. The step of transmitting the information about the location-identified UE candidate by the location-identified UE candidate is: The step of sending a notification message to the first terminal using the location-identified UE candidate, The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the notification message is used to broadcast that the location-identifying UE candidate is capable of fulfilling the role of the location-identifying UE, and the notification message comprises the information relating to the location-identifying UE candidate.

14. A step in which a location management network element determines that a location-determining UE is required for positioning a first terminal, wherein the location-determining UE is configured to assist in positioning the first terminal; A step of transmitting second information to the first terminal by the location management network element, wherein the second information is used by the first terminal to determine the location identification UE. Equipped with, A communication method comprising, the second information, at least one of a target area, the required number of localization UEs, the accuracy requirement of the location of the localization UEs, and localization UE selection indication information.

15. The aforementioned method, The location management network element further comprises the step of transmitting identification information of multiple terminals to the first terminal, The method according to claim 14, wherein the identifiers of the plurality of terminals are used by the first terminal to obtain information about one or more location-specific UE candidates, and the plurality of terminals comprises the one or more location-specific UE candidates.

16. The aforementioned method, The location management network element determines the identification information of the plurality of terminals based on the location information of the plurality of terminals and the location information of the first terminal, or The position management network element determines the identification information of the plurality of terminals based on the side-link positioning capability of the first terminal and the side-link positioning capability of the plurality of terminals. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:

17. The aforementioned method, The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, further comprising the step of determining the second information using the location management network element.

18. When the second information includes the target area, the step of determining the second information by the location management network element is: The location management network element determines the target area based on the location information of the base station corresponding to the cell being measured, or, The location management network element determines the location of the first terminal based on the location information and positioning measurement data of the base station corresponding to the cell being measured, and determines the target area based on the location of the first terminal, or, The step of acquiring the target area from the network data analysis function NWDAF using the aforementioned location management network element. The method according to claim 17, comprising:

19. When the second information comprises the number of location-identifying UEs required, the step of determining the second information by the location management network element is: The location management network element determines the required number of location-specific UEs based on the accuracy requirements of the location of the first terminal or the contract information of the first terminal, or The step of determining the required number of location-identifying UEs based on the location management network element, the accuracy requirement of the location of the first terminal, and the correspondence between the accuracy requirement of the location of the first terminal and the number of location-identifying UEs. The method according to claim 17, comprising:

20. When the second information satisfies the requirements for the accuracy of the location of the location-identifying UE, the step of determining the second information by the location management network element is: The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of determining the accuracy requirement of the position of the location-identifying UE based on the accuracy requirement of the positioning of the first terminal using the location management network element.

21. A communication device, A communication device comprising a processor configured to execute a computer program stored in memory in order to carry out the method described in any one of claims 1 to 20.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instruction, and when the computer program or instruction is executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20 is carried out.

23. A computer program product comprising instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed on a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20 is performed.

24. A chip system comprising a processor configured to call a computer program or instruction from memory and execute the computer program or instruction, such that a communication device on which the chip system is installed implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

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