Positioning reference signal muting pattern

Abstract

A method for generating a positioning reference signal muting pattern at a transmission / reception point (TRP) includes: obtaining one or more positioning reference signal criteria at the TRP; and generating a positioning reference signal muting pattern at the TRP, where the one or more positioning reference signal criteria relate to at least one of positioning reference signal transmission or positioning reference signal reception, such that the positioning reference signal muting pattern satisfies the one or more positioning reference signal criteria.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] Wireless communication systems have evolved through various generations, including first generation analog wireless telephone service (1G), second generation (2G) digital wireless telephone service (including intermediate 2.5G and 2.75G networks), third generation (3G) high-speed data, Internet-enabled wireless service, and fourth generation (4G) service (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) or WiMax), fifth generation (5G) service, and the like. Currently, there are many different types of wireless communication systems in use, including cellular and personal communication service (PCS) systems. Examples of known cellular systems include the Cellular Analog Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), and digital cellular systems based on code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), the Global System for Mobile access (GSM) variant of TDMA, and the like.

[0002]

[0002] The fifth generation (5G) mobile standard requires, among other improvements, higher data rates, a larger number of connections, and better coverage. The 5G standard by the Next Generation Mobile Network Alliance is designed to provide data rates of tens of megabits per second to each of tens of thousands of users, and 1 gigabit per second to a few dozen employees on one office floor. To support large-scale sensor deployments, hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections should be supported. Thus, the spectral efficiency of 5G mobile communications must be significantly enhanced compared to the current 4G standard. Furthermore, signaling efficiency must be enhanced and latency must be significantly reduced compared to the current standard.

[0003]

[0003] Obtaining the location of a mobile device accessing a wireless network can be useful for many applications, including, for example, emergency calling, personal navigation, asset tracking, locating friends or family, etc. Existing positioning methods include methods based on measuring radio signals transmitted from various devices or entities including satellites (SVs), as well as terrestrial radio sources in the wireless network, such as base stations and access points. It is anticipated that standardization of 5G wireless networks will include support for a variety of positioning methods, which may utilize reference signals transmitted by base stations in a manner similar to how LTE wireless networks currently utilize positioning reference signals (PRSs) and / or cell-specific reference signals (CRSs) for location determination. Summary of the Invention

[0004]

[0004] An exemplary method for generating a positioning reference signal muting pattern at a transmission / reception point (TRP) includes obtaining one or more positioning reference signal references at the TRP, where the one or more positioning reference signal references relate to at least one of positioning reference signal transmission or positioning reference signal reception, and generating a positioning reference signal muting pattern at the TRP such that the positioning reference signal muting pattern satisfies the one or more positioning reference signal references.

[0005]

[0005] Implementations of such a method may include one or more of the following features: The method includes randomizing a positioning reference signal muting pattern to generate a randomized pattern. The method includes determining whether the randomized pattern satisfies one or more positioning reference signal criteria. The method includes determining that the randomized pattern does not satisfy at least one of the one or more positioning reference signal criteria, and responding to determining that the randomized pattern does not satisfy at least one of the one or more positioning reference signal criteria by discarding the randomized pattern or modifying the randomized pattern to generate a modified pattern that satisfies the one or more positioning reference signal criteria.

[0006]

[0006] Also, or alternatively, embodiments of such a method may include one or more of the following features: The one or more positioning reference signal criteria include a positioning reference signal muting pattern that results in a probability of expected signal collision below a threshold probability, or a first threshold amount of unmuted positioning reference signals to enable receive antenna pattern training, or a second threshold amount of unmuted positioning reference signals to enable a third threshold level of signal integration, or a combination of two or more of these. The one or more positioning reference signal criteria specify muting pattern parameters indicative of characteristics of muting and unmuting exhibited by the positioning reference signal muting pattern. The muting pattern parameters specify an amount of muted transmissions. The muting pattern parameters specify an amount of consecutive muted transmissions. The muting pattern parameters specify an amount of consecutive unmuted transmissions. The muting pattern parameters specify a ratio of muted and unmuted transmissions. The muting pattern parameters specify a threshold for muted transmissions or a threshold for unmuted transmissions. The muting pattern parameter specifies a measurement interval in which there are at least two identical unmuted transmissions.

[0007]

[0007] Also, or alternatively, embodiments of such a method may include one or more of the following features: the one or more positioning reference signal criteria specify a muting pattern effect that the positioning reference signal muting pattern should have; generating the positioning reference signal muting pattern includes generating a first binary bit sequence and generating a second binary bit sequence that is a cyclic shift of the first binary bit sequence.

[0008]

[0008] An exemplary transmitting / receiving point (TRP) for generating a positioning reference signal muting pattern includes a memory and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to obtain one or more positioning reference signal references and generate a positioning reference signal muting pattern such that the positioning reference signal muting pattern satisfies the one or more positioning reference signal references for at least one of positioning reference signal transmission or positioning reference signal reception.

[0009]

[0009] Implementations of such a TRP may include one or more of the following features: The processor is configured to randomize the positioning reference signal muting pattern to generate a randomized pattern. The processor is configured to determine whether the randomized pattern satisfies one or more positioning reference signal criteria. The processor is configured to respond to the randomized pattern not satisfying at least one of the one or more positioning reference signal criteria by determining that the randomized pattern does not satisfy at least one of the one or more positioning reference signal criteria and discarding the randomized pattern or modifying the randomized pattern to generate a modified pattern that satisfies the one or more positioning reference signal criteria.

[0010]

[0010] Also or alternatively, such TRP embodiments may include one or more of the following features: The one or more positioning reference signal criteria include a positioning reference signal muting pattern that results in a probability of expected signal collision below a threshold probability, or a first threshold amount of unmuted positioning reference signals to enable pattern training of the receiving antennas, or a second threshold amount of unmuted positioning reference signals to enable a third threshold level of signal integration, or a combination of two or more of these. The one or more positioning reference signal criteria specify muting pattern parameters that indicate the muting and unmuting characteristics exhibited by the positioning reference signal muting pattern. The muting pattern parameters specify an amount of muted transmissions. The muting pattern parameters specify an amount of consecutive muted transmissions. The muting pattern parameters specify an amount of consecutive unmuted transmissions. The muting pattern parameters specify a ratio of muted and unmuted transmissions. The muting pattern parameters specify a threshold for muted transmissions or a threshold for unmuted transmissions. The muting pattern parameter specifies a measurement interval in which there are at least two identical unmuted transmissions.

[0011]

[0011] Also, or alternatively, embodiments of such a TRP may include one or more of the following features: The one or more positioning reference signal criteria specify a muting pattern effect that the positioning reference signal muting pattern should have. To generate the positioning reference signal muting pattern, the processor is configured to generate a first binary bit sequence and generate a second binary bit sequence that is a cyclic shift of the first binary bit sequence.

[0012]

[0012] An exemplary transmitting / receiving point (TRP) for generating a positioning reference signal muting pattern, the apparatus comprising: means for acquiring one or more positioning reference signal references; and means for generating a positioning reference signal muting pattern such that the positioning reference signal muting pattern satisfies the one or more positioning reference signal references, the one or more positioning reference signal references relating to at least one of positioning reference signal transmission or positioning reference signal reception.

[0013]

[0013] Implementations of such a TRP may include one or more of the following features: The means for generating a positioning reference signal muting pattern includes means for randomizing the positioning reference signal muting pattern to generate a randomized pattern. The means for generating a positioning reference signal muting pattern includes means for determining whether the randomized pattern satisfies one or more positioning reference signal criteria. The means for generating a positioning reference signal muting pattern includes means for determining that the randomized pattern does not satisfy at least one of the one or more positioning reference signal criteria, and means for responding to determining that the randomized pattern does not satisfy at least one of the one or more positioning reference signal criteria by discarding the randomized pattern or modifying the randomized pattern to generate a modified pattern that satisfies the one or more positioning reference signal criteria.

[0014]

[0014] Also or alternatively, such TRP embodiments may include one or more of the following features: The one or more positioning reference signal criteria include a positioning reference signal muting pattern that results in a probability of expected signal collision below a threshold probability, or a first threshold amount of unmuted positioning reference signals to enable pattern training of the receiving antennas, or a second threshold amount of unmuted positioning reference signals to enable a third threshold level of signal integration, or a combination of two or more of these. The one or more positioning reference signal criteria specify muting pattern parameters that indicate the muting and unmuting characteristics exhibited by the positioning reference signal muting pattern. The muting pattern parameters specify an amount of muted transmissions. The muting pattern parameters specify an amount of consecutive muted transmissions. The muting pattern parameters specify an amount of consecutive unmuted transmissions. The muting pattern parameters specify a ratio of muted and unmuted transmissions. The muting pattern parameters specify a threshold for muted transmissions or a threshold for unmuted transmissions. The muting pattern parameter specifies a measurement interval in which there are at least two identical unmuted transmissions.

[0015]

[0015] Also, or alternatively, embodiments of such a TRP may include one or more of the following features: the one or more positioning reference signal criteria specify a muting pattern effect that the positioning reference signal muting pattern should have; the means for generating the positioning reference signal muting pattern are for generating a first binary bit sequence and for generating a second binary bit sequence that is a cyclic shift of the first binary bit sequence.

[0016]

[0016] An exemplary non-transitory processor-readable storage medium includes processor-readable instructions configured to cause a processor at a transmitting / receiving point to obtain one or more criteria regarding at least one of positioning reference signal transmission or positioning reference signal reception, and to generate a positioning reference signal muting pattern such that the positioning reference signal muting pattern satisfies the one or more criteria.

[0017]

[0017] Implementations of such a storage medium may include one or more of the following features: The storage medium includes instructions configured to cause a processor to randomize a positioning reference signal muting pattern to generate a randomized pattern. The storage medium includes instructions configured to cause a processor to determine whether the randomized pattern satisfies one or more criteria. The storage medium includes instructions configured to cause a processor to determine that the randomized pattern does not satisfy at least one of the one or more criteria and respond to the randomized pattern not satisfying at least one of the one or more criteria by discarding the randomized pattern or modifying the randomized pattern to generate a modified pattern that satisfies the one or more criteria.

[0018]

[0018] Also, or alternatively, implementations of such a storage medium may include one or more of the following features: The one or more criteria include a positioning reference signal muting pattern that results in a probability of expected signal collision less than a threshold probability, or a first threshold amount of unmuted positioning reference signals to enable receive antenna pattern training, or a second threshold amount of unmuted positioning reference signals to enable a third threshold level of signal integration, or a combination of two or more of these. The one or more positioning reference signal criteria specify muting pattern parameters indicative of characteristics of muting and unmuting exhibited by the positioning reference signal muting pattern. The muting pattern parameters specify an amount of muted transmissions. The muting pattern parameters specify an amount of consecutive muted transmissions. The muting pattern parameters specify an amount of consecutive unmuted transmissions. The muting pattern parameters specify a ratio of muted and unmuted transmissions. The muting pattern parameters specify a threshold for muted transmissions or a threshold for unmuted transmissions. The muting pattern parameter specifies a measurement interval in which there are at least two identical unmuted transmissions.

[0019]

[0019] Also, or alternatively, implementations of such a storage medium may include one or more of the following features: the one or more positioning reference signal criteria specify a muting pattern effect that the positioning reference signal muting pattern should have, the instructions configured to cause the processor to generate the positioning reference signal muting pattern are configured to cause the processor to generate a first binary bit sequence and to generate a second binary bit sequence that is a cyclic shift of the first binary bit sequence. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a simplified diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system. [Diagram 2]

[0021] 2 is a block diagram of components of the exemplary user equipment shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3]

[0022] 2 is a block diagram of components of an exemplary transmit / receive point shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 4]

[0023] 2 is a block diagram of components of the exemplary server shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5]

[0024] 2 is a timing diagram of muted and unmuted positioning reference signals conveyed between components of a wireless communications system such as that shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 6]

[0025] 2 is a timing diagram of instance-to-instance muted and unmuted positioning reference signals conveyed between components of a wireless communications system such as that shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 7]

[0026] 2 is a timing diagram of muted and unmuted positioning reference signals in an instance conveyed between components of a wireless communications system such as that shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 8]

[0027] 2 is a diagram of communication and process flows for generating and implementing a positioning reference signal muting pattern between components of a wireless communication system such as that shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 9]

[0028] 1 is a block flow diagram of a method for generating and implementing a positioning reference signal muting pattern. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021]

[0029] Techniques for generating and implementing positioning reference signal muting patterns are discussed herein. For example, an apparatus, such as a server, obtains information regarding transmission and / or reception of positioning reference signals. The apparatus may obtain the information, for example, through measurement or programming. The information may include one or more criteria, such as parameters regarding muting or non-muting in the muting pattern and / or parameters of one or more effects of the muting pattern. The apparatus generates the muting pattern to satisfy the one or more criteria. The apparatus may randomize the muting pattern over time and provide the muting pattern (before and / or after randomization) to one or more appropriate base stations and / or one or more user equipments (UEs), for example, in response to the UE requesting location services from the apparatus. However, other configurations may be used.

[0022]

[0030] Items and / or techniques described herein may provide one or more of the following capabilities, as well as other capabilities not mentioned: Collisions of positioning reference signals may be reduced. Transmission and reception of positioning reference signals may be controlled to meet one or more performance criteria (e.g., transmission criteria, reception criteria, collision avoidance criteria, etc.). Repeated collisions between different positioning reference signals and / or other reference signals or data from different TRPs, periodic or semi-persistent signals, including but not limited to PSS / SSS / PBCH (SSB) from the same and / or different TRPs, and positioning reference signals may be avoided. Preemption of repeated positioning reference signals may be avoided. Other capabilities may be provided, and not every implementation according to the present disclosure must provide any, much less all, of the capabilities discussed.

[0023]

[0031] 1, an example wireless communication system 110 includes user equipment (UE) 112, UE 113, UE 114, base transceiver stations (BTS) 120, 121, 122, 123, a network 130, a core network 140, and an external client 150. The core network 140 (e.g., a 5G core network (5GC)) may include backend devices including, among others, an access and mobility management function (AMF) 141, a session management function (SMF) 142, a server 143, and a gateway mobile location center (GMLC) 144. The AMF 141, the SMF 142, the server 143, and the GMLC 144 are communicatively coupled to each other. The server 143 may be, for example, a location management function (LMF) that supports positioning of the UEs 112-114 (e.g., using techniques such as Assisted Global Navigation Satellite System (A-GNSS), OTDOA (Observed Time Difference of Arrival, e.g., downlink (DL) OTDOA and / or uplink (UL) OTDOA), Round Trip Time (RTT), multi-cell RTT, RTK (Real Time Kinematic), PPP (Precise Point Positioning), DGNSS (Differential GNSS), E-CID (Enhanced Cell ID), AoA (Angle of Arrival), AoD (Angle of Departure), etc.).

[0024]

[0032] The LMF may also be referred to as a location manager (LM), location function (LF), commercial LMF (CLMF), or value-added LMF (VLMF). The server 143 (e.g., LMF) and / or one or more other devices of the system 110 (e.g., one or more of the UEs 112-114) may be configured to determine the location of the UEs 112-114. The server 143 may communicate directly with the BTS 121 (e.g., gNB) and / or one or more other BTSs, or may be integrated with the BTS 121 and / or one or more other BTSs. The SMF 142 may serve as a first point of contact for a service control function (SCF) (not shown) to create, control, and delete media sessions. The server 143 (e.g., LMF) may be co-located with or integrated with a gNB or TRP (transmission / reception point), or may be located remotely from the gNB and / or TRP and configured to communicate directly or indirectly with the gNB and / or TRP.

[0025]

[0033] The AMF 141 may act as a control node, handling signaling between the UEs 112-114 and the core network 140 and providing QoS (Quality of Service) flow and session management. The AMF 141 may support mobility of the UEs 112-114, including cell changes and handovers, and may participate in supporting signaling connections to the UEs 112-114. The system 110 is wireless capable in that components of the system 110 may communicate with each other (at least sometimes using wireless connections) directly or indirectly, e.g., via the BTSs 120-123 and / or the network 130 (and / or one or more other devices, not shown, such as one or more other base transceiver stations). In indirect communication, the communication may be altered during transmission from one entity to another, e.g., to change header information of data packets, change format, etc. The illustrated UEs 112-114 are smartphones, tablet computers, and vehicle-based devices, but these are merely examples, as the UEs 112-114 are not required to be any of these configurations and other configurations of UEs may be used. The illustrated UEs 112, 113 are mobile wireless communication devices, including mobile phones (including smartphones) and tablet computers (although they may communicate wirelessly and via wired connections). The illustrated UE 114 is a vehicle-based mobile wireless communication device (although the UE 114 may communicate wirelessly and via wired connections). Other UEs may include wearable devices (e.g., smart watches, smart jewelry, smart glasses or headsets, etc.). Still other UEs, whether currently existing or developed in the future, may be used. Additionally, other wireless devices (whether mobile or not) may be implemented within the system 110 and may communicate with each other and / or with the UEs 112-114, the BTSs 120-123, the network 130, the core network 140, and / or the external clients 150.For example, such other devices may include Internet of Things (IoT) devices, medical devices, home entertainment and / or automation devices, etc. The core network 140 may communicate with external clients 150 (e.g., computer systems), for example, to enable the external clients 150 to request and / or receive (e.g., via the GMLC 144) location information regarding the UEs 112-114.

[0026]

[0034] The UEs 112-114 or other devices may operate in various networks and / or for various purposes and / or using various technologies (e.g., 5G, WiFi® communications, multiple frequencies of WiFi® communications, satellite positioning, one or more types of communications (e.g., Global System for Mobiles (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), V2X (e.g., Vehicle to Pedestrian (V2P), Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I), Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V)), etc.), IEEE 802.11b, ... The V2X communication may be configured to communicate using a wireless LAN (WAN) or a wireless network (e.g., 802.11p). The V2X communication may be cellular (Cellular-V2X (C-V2X)) and / or WiFi (e.g., Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC)). The system 110 may support operation on multiple carriers (waveform signals of different frequencies). The multi-carrier transmitter may transmit modulated signals simultaneously on multiple carriers. Each modulated signal may be a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) signal, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) signal, an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) signal, a Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) signal, etc. Each modulated signal may be transmitted on a different carrier and may carry pilot, overhead information, data, etc.

[0027]

[0035] The BTSs 120-123 may wirelessly communicate with the UEs 112-114 in the system 110 via one or more antennas. The BTSs may also be referred to as base stations, access points, gNode B (gNB), access node (AN), Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), etc. For example, each of the BTSs 120, 121 may be a gNB or a transmission point gNB, the BTS 122 may be a macrocell (e.g., a high-power cellular base station) and / or a small cell (e.g., a low-power cellular base station), and the BTS 123 may be an access point (e.g., a short-range base station configured to communicate using a short-range technology such as WiFi, WiFi-Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth, Bluetooth-low energy (BLE), Zigbee, etc.). One or more of the BTSs 120-123 may be configured to communicate with the UEs 112-114 via multiple carriers. Each of the BTSs 120, 121 may provide communication coverage for a respective geographic region, e.g., a cell. Each cell may be partitioned into multiple sectors as a function of the base station antenna.

[0028]

[0036] Each of the BTSs 120-123 comprises one or more transmit / receive points (TRPs). For example, each sector in a cell of the BTS may comprise a TRP, but the multiple TRPs may share one or more components (e.g., may share a processor but have separate antennas). The system 110 may include only macro TRPs, or the system 110 may have different types of TRPs, such as macro TRPs, pico TRPs, and / or femto TRPs. A macro TRP may cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and may allow unrestricted access by terminals subscribing to the service. A pico TRP may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a pico cell) and may allow unrestricted access by terminals subscribing to the service. A femto TRP or home TRP may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a femto cell) and may allow restricted access by terminals having an association with a femto cell (e.g., terminals for home users).

[0029]

[0037] The UEs 112-114 may be referred to as terminals, access terminals (ATs), mobile stations, mobile devices, subscriber units, etc. The UEs 112-114 may include various devices as enumerated above, and / or other devices. The UEs 112-114 may be configured to indirectly connect to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links. The D2D P2P links may be supported using any suitable D2D radio access technology (RAT), such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct® (WiFi-D), Bluetooth, etc. One or more of the groups of UEs 112-114 utilizing D2D communication may be within a geographic coverage area of ​​a TRP, such as one or more of the BTSs 120-123. Other UEs in such groups may be outside such geographic coverage areas or may not otherwise be able to receive transmissions from a base station. A group of UEs 112-114 communicating via D2D communication may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system in which each UE may transmit to other UEs in the group. The TRP of the BTSs 120-123 may assist in scheduling resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication may be conducted between UEs without the involvement of a TRP.

[0030]

[0038] 2, UE 200 is an example of one of UEs 112-114 and comprises a computing platform including a processor 210, a memory 211 including software (SW) 212, one or more sensors 213, a transceiver interface 214 for a transceiver 215, a user interface 216, a satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver 217, a camera 218, and a positioning device (PD) 219. Processor 210, memory 211, sensor 213, transceiver interface 214, user interface 216, SPS receiver 217, camera 218, and PD 219 may be communicatively coupled to each other by bus 220 (e.g., which may be configured for optical and / or electrical communication). One or more of the depicted devices (e.g., one or more of camera 218, PD 219, and / or sensor 213, etc.) may be omitted from UE 200. The processor 210 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The processor 210 may comprise multiple processors, including a general purpose / application processor 230, a digital signal processor (DSP) 231, a modem processor 232, a video processor 233, and / or a sensor processor 234. One or more of the processors 230-234 may comprise multiple devices (e.g., multiple processors). For example, the sensor processor 234 may comprise a processor, e.g., for radar, ultrasonic, and / or lidar, etc. The modem processor 232 may support dual SIM / dual connectivity (or even more SIMs). For example, one SIM (Subscriber Identity Module or Subscriber Identity Module) may be used by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and another SIM may be used by an end user of the UE 200 for connectivity. The memory 211 is a non-transitory storage medium that may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, disk memory, and / or read-only memory (ROM), etc.The memory 211 stores software 212, which may be computer-readable computer-executable software code including instructions that, when executed, are configured to cause the processor 210 to perform various functions described herein. Alternatively, the software 212 may not be directly executable by the processor 210, but may be configured to cause the processor 210 to perform functions when compiled and executed. The description may refer only to the processor 210 performing a function, but this includes other implementations, such as when the processor 210 executes software and / or firmware. The description may refer to the processor 210 performing a function as shorthand for one or more of the processors 230-234 performing that function. The description may refer to the UE 200 performing a function as shorthand for one or more suitable components of the UE 200 performing that function. The processor 210 may include a memory with stored instructions in addition to and / or instead of the memory 211. The functionality of the processor 210 is discussed more fully below.

[0031]

[0039] The configuration of UE 200 shown in FIG. 2 is an example of the present invention, including the claims, and is not intended to limit the present invention, and other configurations may be used. For example, an exemplary configuration of a UE includes one or more of processors 230-234 of processor 210, memory 211, and wireless transceiver 240. Other exemplary configurations include one or more of processors 230-234 of processor 210, memory 211, wireless transceiver 240, and one or more of sensor 213, user interface 216, SPS receiver 217, camera 218, PD 219, and / or wired transceiver 250.

[0032]

[0040] The UE 200 may comprise a modem processor 232 that may be capable of performing baseband processing of signals received and downconverted by the transceiver 215 and / or the SPS receiver 217. The modem processor 232 may perform baseband processing of signals to be upconverted for transmission by the transceiver 215. Additionally or alternatively, the baseband processing may be performed by the processor 230 and / or the DSP 231. However, other configurations may be used to perform the baseband processing.

[0033]

[0041] The UE 200 may include sensors 213, which may include one or more of various types of sensors, such as, for example, one or more inertial sensors, one or more magnetometers, one or more environmental sensors, one or more optical sensors, one or more weight sensors, and / or one or more radio frequency (RF) sensors. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) may comprise, for example, one or more accelerometers (e.g., collectively responsive to acceleration of the UE 200 in three dimensions) and / or one or more gyroscopes. The sensors 213 may include one or more magnetometers for determining an orientation (e.g., relative to magnetic north and / or true north), which may be used for any of a variety of purposes, for example, to support one or more compass applications. The environmental sensors may comprise, for example, one or more temperature sensors, one or more barometric pressure sensors, one or more ambient light sensors, one or more camera imagers, and / or one or more microphones, etc. The sensors 213 may generate analog and / or digital signals whose indications may be stored in memory 211 and processed by the DSP 231 and / or processor 230 to support one or more applications, such as, for example, applications directed to positioning and / or navigation operations.

[0034]

[0042] The sensor 100 may be used in relative position measurement, relative position determination, motion determination, etc. The information detected by the sensor 100 may be used for motion detection, relative displacement, dead reckoning, sensor-based position determination, and / or sensor-assisted position determination. The sensor 100 may be useful to determine whether the UE 200 is fixed (stationary) or moving, and / or to report some useful information regarding the mobility of the UE 200 to the server 143. For example, based on the information acquired / measured by the sensor, the UE 200 may notify / report to the server 143 that the UE 200 has detected motion or that the UE 200 has moved, and report the relative displacement / distance (e.g., via dead reckoning, or sensor-based position determination, or sensor-assisted position determination enabled by the sensor 100). In another example, the sensor / IMU may be used to determine the angle and / or orientation, etc. of other devices with respect to the UE 200 for relative positioning information.

[0035]

[0043] The IMU may be configured to provide measurements on the direction of motion and / or the speed of motion of the UE 200, which may be used in relative position determination. For example, one or more accelerometers and / or one or more gyroscopes of the IMU may detect the linear acceleration and rotational velocity of the UE 200, respectively. The linear acceleration and rotational velocity measurements of the UE 200 may be integrated over time to determine the instantaneous direction and displacement of the UE 200's motion. The instantaneous direction of motion and displacement may be integrated to track the position of the UE 200. For example, a reference position of the UE 200 may be determined, for example, using the SPS receiver 217 (and / or by some other means) for a certain instant, and measurements from the accelerometers and gyroscopes obtained after this instant may be used in dead reckoning to determine a current value of the UE 200 based on the motion (direction and distance) of the UE 200 relative to the reference position.

[0036]

[0044] The magnetometer can determine the strength of the magnetic field in different directions, which may be used to determine an orientation of the UE 200. For example, the orientation may be used to provide a digital compass for the UE 200. The magnetometer may be a two-dimensional magnetometer configured to detect and provide an indication of the strength of the magnetic field in two orthogonal dimensions. Alternatively, the magnetometer may be a three-dimensional magnetometer configured to detect and provide an indication of the strength of the magnetic field in three orthogonal dimensions. The magnetometer may provide a means for sensing the magnetic field and providing an indication of the magnetic field, for example, to the processor 210.

[0037]

[0045] The transceiver 215 may include a wireless transceiver 240 and a wired transceiver 250 configured to communicate with other devices over wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, the wireless transceiver 240 may include a transmitter 242 and a receiver 244 coupled to one or more antennas 246 for transmitting (e.g., on one or more uplink channels) and / or receiving (e.g., on one or more downlink channels) wireless signals 248 and converting the wireless signals 248 to and from wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals. Thus, the transmitter 242 may include multiple transmitters, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components, and / or the receiver 244 may include multiple receivers, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 240 may be configured to communicate signals (e.g., with the TRP and / or one or more other devices) according to various radio access technologies (RATs), such as 5G New Radio (NR), Global System for Mobiles (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc. New Radio may use mmWave and / or sub-6 GHz frequencies. The wired transceiver 250 may include a transmitter 252 and a receiver 254 configured for wired communication with the network 130, for example, to transmit communications to and receive communications from the UE 200.The transmitter 252 may include multiple transmitters, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components, and / or the receiver 254 may include multiple receivers, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components. The wired transceiver 250 may be configured for optical and / or electrical communication, for example. The transceiver 215 may be communicatively coupled to the transceiver interface 214, for example, by an optical and / or electrical connection. The transceiver interface 214 may be at least partially integrated with the transceiver 215.

[0038]

[0046] The user interface 216 may comprise one or more of several devices, such as, for example, a speaker, a microphone, a display device, a vibrating device, a keyboard, a touch screen, etc. The user interface 216 may include more than one of any of these devices. The user interface 216 may be configured to allow a user to interact with one or more applications hosted by the UE 200. For example, the user interface 216 may store instructions of analog and / or digital signals in the memory 211 to be processed by the DSP 231 and / or the general purpose processor 230 in response to an action from the user. Similarly, the applications hosted on the UE 200 may store instructions of analog and / or digital signals in the memory 211 to present output signals to the user. The user interface 216 may include audio input / output (I / O) devices, including, for example, a speaker, a microphone, digital-to-analog circuitry, analog-to-digital circuitry, amplifiers, and / or gain control circuits (including more than one of any of these devices). Other configurations of audio I / O devices may be used. Additionally, or alternatively, the user interface 216 may include one or more touch sensors that respond to touch and / or pressure, for example, on a keyboard and / or touch screen of the user interface 216.

[0039]

[0047] The SPS receiver 217 (e.g., a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver) may be capable of receiving and acquiring the SPS signals 260 via the SPS antenna 262. The antenna 262 is configured to convert the wireless signals 260 into wired signals, e.g., electrical or optical signals, and may be integrated with the antenna 246. The SPS receiver 217 may be configured to process, in whole or in part, the collected SPS signals 260 to estimate the location of the UE 200. For example, the SPS receiver 217 may be configured to determine the location of the UE 200 by trilateration using the SPS signals 260. The general-purpose processor 230, the memory 211, the DSP 231, and / or one or more dedicated processors (not shown) may be utilized with the SPS receiver 217 to process, in whole or in part, the acquired SPS signals and / or to calculate an estimated location of the UE 200. The memory 211 may store indications (e.g., measurements) of the SPS signals 260 and / or other signals (e.g., signals obtained from the wireless transceiver 240) for use in performing positioning operations. The general purpose processor 230, the DSP 231, and / or one or more special purpose processors, and / or the memory 211 may provide or support a position location engine for use in processing the measurements to estimate the position of the UE 200.

[0040]

[0048] The UE 200 may include a camera 218 for capturing still or video images. The camera 218 may comprise, for example, an imaging sensor (e.g., a charge-coupled device or CMOS imager), a lens, analog-to-digital circuitry, a frame buffer, etc. Additional processing, conditioning, encoding, and / or compression of signals representing the captured images may be performed by the general-purpose processor 230 and / or the DSP 231. Also, or alternatively, a video processor 233 may perform conditioning, encoding, compression, and / or manipulation of signals representing the captured images. The video processor 233 may decode / restore stored image data for presentation on a display device (not shown), for example, of the user interface 216.

[0041]

[0049] The PD 219 may be configured to determine the location of the UE 200, the movement of the UE 200, and / or the relative location of the UE 200, and / or time. For example, the PD 219 may be in communication with and / or include some or all of the SPS receiver 217. The PD 219 may operate in conjunction with the processor 210 and memory 211 to perform at least a portion of one or more positioning methods as appropriate, although the description herein may only refer to the PD 219 being configured to perform in accordance with a positioning method or performing in accordance with a positioning method. Also, or alternatively, the PD 219 may be configured to determine the location of the UE 200 using ground-based signals (e.g., at least some of the signals 248) for trilateration, to assist in the acquisition and use of SPS signals 260, or both. The PD 219 may be configured to use one or more other techniques to determine the location of the UE 200 (e.g., relying on the UE's self-reported location (e.g., as part of the UE's location beacon)) or may use a combination of techniques (e.g., SPS and terrestrial positioning signals) to determine the location of the UE 200. The PD 219 may include one or more of the sensors 213 (e.g., gyroscopes, accelerometers, magnetometers, etc.) that sense the orientation and / or movement of the UE 200 and may provide an indication of the PD 219 that the processor 210 (e.g., processor 230 and / or DSP 231) is configured to use to determine the movement (e.g., velocity vector and / or acceleration vector) of the UE 200. The PD 219 may be configured to provide an indication of the uncertainty and / or error of the determined location and / or movement.

[0042]

[0050] 3, an example of a TRP 300 of a BTS 120-123 comprises a computing platform including a processor 310, a memory 311 including software (SW) 312, and a transceiver 315. The processor 310, the memory 311, and the transceiver 315 may be communicatively coupled to each other by a bus 320 (which may be configured for optical and / or electrical communication, for example). One or more of the depicted devices (e.g., wireless interfaces) may be omitted from the TRP 300. The processor 310 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The processor 310 may comprise multiple processors (e.g., including a general purpose / application processor, a DSP, a modem processor, a video processor, and / or a sensor processor, as shown in FIG. 4). The memory 311 is a non-transitory storage medium that may include a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a disk memory, and / or a read only memory (ROM), etc. The memory 311 stores software 312, which may be computer-readable computer-executable software code including instructions that, when executed, are configured to cause the processor 310 to perform various functions described herein. Alternatively, the software 312 may not be directly executable by the processor 310, but may be configured to cause the processor 310 to perform a function when compiled and executed. This description may refer only to the processor 310 performing a function, but this includes other implementations, such as when the processor 310 executes software and / or firmware. This description may refer to the processor 310 performing a function as an abbreviation for one or more of the processors included in the processor 310 performing the function. This description may refer to the TRP 300 performing a function as an abbreviation for one or more suitable components of the TRP 300 (and thus one of the BTSs 120-123) performing the function.The processor 310 may include memory with stored instructions in addition to and / or in place of the memory 311. The functionality of the processor 310 is discussed more fully below.

[0043]

[0051] The transceiver 315 may include a wireless transceiver 340 and a wired transceiver 350 configured to communicate with other devices over wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, the wireless transceiver 340 may include a transmitter 342 and a receiver 344 coupled to one or more antennas 346 for transmitting (e.g., on one or more uplink channels) and / or receiving (e.g., on one or more downlink channels) wireless signals 348 and converting the wireless signals 348 to and from wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals. Thus, the transmitter 342 may include multiple transmitters, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components, and / or the receiver 344 may include multiple receivers, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 340 may be configured to communicate signals (e.g., with the UE 200, with one or more other UEs, and / or with one or more other devices) according to various radio access technologies (RATs), such as 5G New Radio (NR), Global System for Mobiles (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc. The wired transceiver 350 may include a transmitter 352 and a receiver 354 configured for wired communication, e.g., with the network 130, e.g., to transmit communications to the server 143 and receive communications from the UE 200.The transmitter 352 may include multiple transmitters, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components, and / or the receiver 354 may include multiple receivers, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components. The wired transceiver 350 may be configured for optical and / or electrical communications, for example.

[0044]

[0052] 3 is an example of the present invention, including the claims, and is not intended to limit the present invention, and other configurations may be used. For example, the description herein discusses the TRP 300 being configured to perform or performing certain functions, but one or more of these functions may be performed by the server 143 and / or the UE 200 (i.e., the server 143 and / or the UE 200 may be configured to perform one or more of these functions).

[0045]

[0053] 4, server 400, an example of server 143, comprises a computing platform including a processor 410, a memory 411 including software (SW) 412, and a transceiver 415. The processor 410, memory 411, and transceiver 415 may be communicatively coupled to each other by a bus 420 (which may be configured for optical and / or electrical communication, for example). One or more of the depicted devices (e.g., wireless interface) may be omitted from server 400. Processor 410 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. Processor 410 may comprise multiple processors (including, for example, a general purpose / application processor, a DSP, a modem processor, a video processor, and / or a sensor processor, as shown in FIG. 4). Memory 411 is a non-transitory storage medium that may include a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a disk memory, and / or a read only memory (ROM), etc. The memory 411 stores software 412, which may be computer-readable computer-executable software code including instructions that, when executed, are configured to cause the processor 410 to perform various functions described herein. Alternatively, the software 412 may not be directly executable by the processor 410, but may be configured to cause the processor 410 to perform functions when compiled and executed. The description may refer only to the processor 410 performing a function, but this includes other implementations, such as when the processor 410 executes software and / or firmware. The description may refer to the processor 410 performing a function as an abbreviation for one or more of the processors included in the processor 410 performing the function. The description may refer to the server 400 performing a function as an abbreviation for one or more suitable components of the server 400 performing the function. The processor 410 may include a memory with instructions stored therein in addition to and / or instead of the memory 411.The functionality of the processor 410 is discussed more fully below.

[0046]

[0054] The transceiver 415 may include a wireless transceiver 440 and a wired transceiver 450 configured to communicate with other devices over wireless and wired connections, respectively. For example, the wireless transceiver 440 may include a transmitter 442 and a receiver 444 coupled to one or more antennas 446 for transmitting (e.g., on one or more uplink channels) and / or receiving (e.g., on one or more downlink channels) wireless signals 448 and converting the wireless signals 448 to and from wired (e.g., electrical and / or optical) signals. Thus, the transmitter 442 may include multiple transmitters, which may be separate or combined / integrated components, and / or the receiver 444 may include multiple receivers, which may be separate or combined / integrated components. The wireless transceiver 440 may be configured to communicate signals (e.g., with the UE 200, with one or more other UEs, and / or with one or more other devices) according to various radio access technologies (RATs), such as 5G New Radio (NR), Global System for Mobiles (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Direct (LTE-D), 3GPP LTE-V2X (PC5), IEEE 802.11 (including IEEE 802.11p), WiFi, WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc. The wired transceiver 450 may include a transmitter 452 and a receiver 454 configured for wired communication, e.g., with the network 130, e.g., to transmit communications to the TRP 300 and receive communications from the UE 200.The transmitter 452 may include multiple transmitters, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components, and / or the receiver 454 may include multiple receivers, which may be separate components or combined / integrated components. The wired transceiver 450 may be configured for optical and / or electrical communications, for example.

[0047]

[0055] The configuration of the server 400 shown in FIG. 4 is an example of the present invention, including the claims, and is not a limitation of the present invention, and other configurations may be used. For example, the wireless transceiver 440 may be omitted. Also, or alternatively, the description herein discusses the server 400 being configured to perform or performing certain functions, but one or more of these functions may be performed by the TRP 300 and / or the UE 200 (i.e., the TRP 300 and / or the UE 200 may be configured to perform one or more of these functions).

[0048]

[0056] Positioning Technique

[0057] One or more of a number of different positioning techniques (also referred to as positioning methods) may be used to determine the location of an entity such as one of the UEs 112-114. For example, known location determination techniques include RTT, multi-RTT, OTDOA (also referred to as TDOA, including UL-TDOA and DL-TDOA), Enhanced Cell Identity (E-CID), DL-AoD, UL-AoA, etc. RTT uses the time it takes a signal to travel from one entity to another and back to determine the distance between two entities. This distance, as well as the known location of a first one of the entities and the angle (e.g., azimuth) between the two entities, may be used to determine the location of a second one of the entities. In multi-RTT (also referred to as multi-cell RTT), multiple distances from one entity (e.g., UE) to another entity (e.g., TRP) and the known locations of the other entities may be used to determine the location of the one entity. In TDOA techniques, the difference in travel time between one entity and another may be used to determine a relative distance from the other entity, which may be used in combination with the known location of the other entity to determine the location of the one entity. The angle of arrival and / or the angle of departure may be used to help determine the location of the entity. For example, the angle of arrival or the angle of departure of a signal may be used in combination with the distance between the devices (determined using the signals, e.g., the travel time of the signal, the received power of the signal, etc.) and the known location of one of the devices to determine the location of the other device. The angle of arrival or the angle of departure may be an azimuth angle relative to a reference direction such as true north. The angle of arrival or the angle of departure may be a zenith angle relative to directly above the one entity (i.e., relative to a direction radially outward from the center of the Earth).E-CID uses the serving cell's identity, timing advance (i.e., the difference between receive and transmit times at the UE), estimated timing and power of detected neighboring cell signals, and possibly the angle of arrival (e.g., of signals at the UE from the base station, or vice versa) to determine the location of the UE. In TDOA, the difference in the time of arrival at a receiving device of signals from different sources, along with the known location of the sources and known offsets in the transmit times from the sources, are used to determine the location of the receiving device.

[0049]

[0058] In positioning techniques using PRS (positioning reference signal) signals (e.g., TDOA and RTT), PRS signals transmitted by multiple TRPs are measured and the signal arrival time, known transmission time, and known location of the TRPs are used to determine the distance from the UE to the TRP. For example, RSTD (reference signal time difference) may be determined for PRS signals received from multiple TRPs and used in TDOA techniques to determine the location (position) of the UE. PRS signals are usually transmitted using the same power, and PRS signals with the same signal characteristics (e.g., the same frequency shift) may interfere with each other, so that a PRS signal from a more distant TRP may be buried in a PRS signal from a closer TRP, and so that a signal from a more distant TRP may not be detected. PRS muting may be used to help reduce interference by muting some PRS signals (reducing the power of the PRS signal, e.g., to 0, and thus not transmitting the PRS signal). In this way, a weaker PRS signal (at the UE) may be more easily detected by the UE without the weaker PRS signal interfering with a stronger PRS signal.

[0050]

[0059] Positioning reference signals (PRS) include downlink PRS (DL PRS) and uplink PRS (UL PRS), which may be called SRS (Sounding Reference Signal) for positioning. PRS may comprise a PRS resource or PRS resource set of a frequency layer. A DL PRS positioning frequency layer (or simply a frequency layer) is a collection of DL PRS resource sets from one or more TRPs with common parameters constituted by higher layer parameters DL-PRS-PositioningFrequencyLayer, DL-PRS-ResourceSet, and DL-PRS-Resource. Each frequency layer has a DL PRS subcarrier spacing (SCS) for the DL PRS resource set and DL PRS resource in the frequency layer. Each frequency layer has a DL PRS cyclic prefix (CP) for the DL PRS resource set and DL PRS resource in the frequency layer. Also, the DL PRS Point A parameter defines the frequency of the reference resource block (and the lowest subcarrier of the resource block), and the DL PRS resources belong to the same DL PRS resource set with the same Point A, and all DL PRS resource sets belong to the same frequency tier with the same Point A. The frequency tiers also have the same DL PRS bandwidth, the same starting PRB (and center frequency), and the same value of comb size.

[0051]

[0060] The TRP may be configured to transmit DL PRS per schedule, e.g., by instructions received from a server and / or by software in the TRP. According to the schedule, the TRP may transmit DL PRS intermittently, e.g., periodically at intervals coinciding with the first transmission. The TRP may be configured to transmit one or more PRS resource sets. A resource set is a collection of PRS resources across one TRP, where the resources have the same periodicity across slots, a common muting pattern configuration (if any), and the same repetition factor. Each of the PRS resource sets comprises multiple PRS resources, each PRS resource comprising multiple resource elements (REs) that may span multiple physical resource blocks (PRBs) in N (one or more) consecutive symbols in a slot. In an OFDM symbol, the PRS resources occupy consecutive PRBs. Each PRS resource is configured with an RE offset, a slot offset, a symbol offset in the slot, and the number of consecutive symbols that the PRS resource may occupy in the slot. The RE offset defines the starting RE offset of the first symbol in the DL PRS resource in frequency. The relative RE offsets of the remaining symbols in the DL PRS resource are defined based on the initial offset. The slot offset is the starting slot of the DL PRS resource with respect to the corresponding resource set slot offset. The symbol offset determines the starting symbol of the DL PRS resource in the starting slot. The transmitted RE may be repeated across slots, with each transmission being called a repetition, so that there may be multiple repetitions in the PRS resource. The DL PRS resources in a DL PRS resource set are associated with the same TRP, and each DL PRS resource has a DL PRS resource ID. The DL PRS resource ID in a DL PRS resource set is associated with a single beam transmitted from a single TRP (but a TRP may transmit one or multiple beams).

[0052]

[0061] The PRS resources may also be defined by quasi-co-location and start PRB parameters. The quasi-co-location (QCL) parameter may define any quasi-co-location information of DL PRS resources with other reference signals. The DL PRS may be configured to be QCL type D with DL PRS or SS / PBCH (synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel) blocks from a serving or non-serving cell. The DL PRS may be configured to be QCL type C with SS / PBCH blocks from a serving or non-serving cell. The start PRB parameter defines the start PRB index of the DL PRS resources with respect to reference point A. The start PRB index has a granularity of one PRB and may have a minimum value of 0 and a maximum value of 2176 PRBs.

[0053]

[0062] A PRS resource set is a collection of PRS resources with the same periodicity, the same muting pattern configuration (if any), and the same repetition factor across slots. Each time at which all repetitions of all PRS resources of a PRS resource set are configured to be transmitted is called an "instance." Thus, an "instance" of a PRS resource set is a specified number of repetitions for each PRS resource, and a specified number of PRS resources in a PRS resource set, such that an instance is complete when a specified number of repetitions have been transmitted for each of the specified number of PRS resources. An instance may also be referred to as an "opportunity." A DL PRS configuration, including a DL PRS transmission schedule, may be provided to a UE to assist (or even enable) the UE to measure the DL PRS.

[0054]

[0063] RTT positioning is an active positioning technique in that the RTT uses positioning signals transmitted by the TRP to the UE and by the UE (participating in the RTT positioning) to the TRP. The TRP may transmit DL-PRS signals that are received by the UE, and the UE may transmit SRS (Sounding Reference Signal) signals that are received by multiple TRPs. In 5G multi-RTT, coordinated positioning may be used, and the UE transmits a single UL-SRS for positioning that is received by multiple TRPs, rather than transmitting a separate UL-SRS for each TRP. A TRP participating in multi-RTT typically looks for UEs currently camped on that TRP (served UEs, the TRP is the serving TRP) and also looks for UEs camped on neighboring TRPs (neighboring UEs). The neighboring TRPs may be TRPs of a single BTS (e.g., gNB), or may be TRPs of one BTS and TRPs of separate BTSs. In RTT positioning, including multi-RTT positioning, the DL-PRS signal and the UL-SRS signal in the PRS / SRS signal pair used to determine the RTT (and thus the distance between the UE and the TRP) may be close in time to each other, so that errors due to UE movement and / or UE clock drift and / or TRP clock drift are within acceptable limits. For example, the signals in the PRS / SRS signal pair may be transmitted from the TRP and the UE within about 10 ms of each other, respectively. It has been found that when the SRS signal is transmitted by the UE and the PRS and SRS signals are carried close in time to each other, particularly when multiple UEs attempt to position simultaneously, radio frequency (RF) signal congestion (e.g., causing excessive noise, etc.) may occur and / or computation congestion may occur at the TRP attempting to measure multiple UEs simultaneously.

[0055]

[0064] RTT positioning may be UE-based or UE-assisted. In UE-based RTT, the UE 200 determines the RTT and the corresponding distance to each of the TRP 300, and determines the location of the UE 200 based on the distance to the TRP 300 and the known location of the TRP 300. In UE-assisted RTT, the UE 200 measures the positioning signal, provides the measurement result information to the TRP 300, and the TRP 300 determines the RTT and the distance. The TRP 300 provides the distance to a location server, e.g., server 400, and the server determines the location of the UE 200, e.g., based on the distance to the different TRP 300. The RTT and / or the distance may be determined by the TRP 300 receiving the signal from the UE 200, by this TRP 300 in combination with one or more other devices, e.g., one or more other TRPs 300 and / or server 400, or by one or more devices other than the TRP 300 receiving the signal from the UE 200.

[0056]

[0065] Various positioning techniques are supported in 5G NR. NR native positioning methods supported in 5G NR include DL-only, UL-only, and DL+UL positioning methods. Downlink-based positioning methods include DL-TDOA and DL-AoD. Uplink-based positioning methods include UL-TDOA and UL-AoA. Combined DL+UL-based positioning methods include RTT with one base station and RTT with multiple base stations (multi-RTT).

[0057]

[0066] PRS Muting Pattern

[0067] The TRP 300 may be configured to transmit a downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) according to a schedule, e.g., by instructions received from the server 400 and / or software 312. According to the schedule, the TRP 300 may transmit DL-PRS signals intermittently, e.g., periodically at intervals coinciding with an initial transmission. The TRP 300 may be configured to transmit DL-PRS signals at known times in a repeating sequence of resource sets. Each of the resource sets comprises a number of resources, each resource being a beam transmitted by the TRP 300. Each beam transmits a DL-PRS signal and may repeat the transmission, each transmission being referred to as a repetition, such that there may be multiple repetitions of the transmitted signal for resources within an instance. An "instance" is a specified number of repetitions for each resource and a specified number of resources in a resource set, such that an instance is complete when a specified number of repetitions have been transmitted for each of the specified number of resources. An instance may also be referred to as an "opportunity." Additionally, each repetition may comprise one or more symbols of one or more slots of information transmitted by the TRP 300.

[0058]

[0068] The terms bitmap and muting pattern are used interchangeably herein because a PRS muting pattern may be represented by a bitmap (i.e., a string of bits) that indicates when a PRS should be muted and when a PRS should not be muted. For example, a bit value of "1" may indicate that the corresponding PRS signal should not be muted and a bit value of "0" may indicate that the corresponding PRS signal should be muted. The muting pattern may be inter-instance, where each bit in the bitmap indicates whether to mute all PRS repetitions in a corresponding configurable number of instances, or the muting pattern may be intra-instance, where each bit in the bitmap indicates whether to mute the corresponding PRS repetition in an instance. Thus, in an inter-instance muting example where the bitmap is 1010, the 0th and 2nd instances are not muted and the 1st and 3rd instances are muted. With the same bitmap 1010 but with intra-instance muting, the 0th and 2nd repetitions in each instance are not muted and the 1st and 3rd repetitions in each instance are muted.

[0059]

[0069] Referring to FIG. 5, to help reduce interference between PRS signals, different muting patterns may be applied to different, e.g., neighboring, TRPs 300. In this example, the boxes represent signal transmissions by the TRPs, portions of the boxes are for PRS signals, and a PRS muting bitmap of 1010 is applied to TRP1 and TRP2, and a PRS muting bitmap of 0101 is applied to TRP3 and TRP4. Thus, in this example, PRS transmissions 511, 513 from TRP1 are not muted, and PRS transmissions 512, 514 are muted (as shown by the dashed lines). Similarly, PRS transmissions 521, 523 from TRP2 are not muted, and PRS transmissions 522, 524 are muted. Additionally, PRS transmissions 531, 533, 541, 543 from TRP3, TRP4, respectively, are muted, and PRS transmissions 532, 534, 542, 544 are not muted. Each PRS transmission may be a particular repetition of a resource within an instance (eg, the first transmission in a batch of four repetitions).

[0060]

[0070] Numerous muting patterns may be used in combination with various scenarios of repetition amount, symbols per repetition, and TRP per repetition. Referring also to FIG. 6, an example of a 2-bit PRS muting pattern between instances is shown for a scenario of comb-2 transmission, two symbols per repetition, and two repetitions per instance. The amount of instances, e.g., consecutive instances, corresponding to each bit in the bitmap may be configurable. In this example, the amount of instances per bit is one instance to help simplify the example. comb-2 indicates that in each repetition, different TRPs are frequency division multiplexed to transmit PRS signals using different subcarriers, so that PRS signals from different TRPs transmitted simultaneously are orthogonal in frequency to help prevent collisions between PRS signals. Furthermore, TRPs may switch subcarriers for different symbols within a repetition to help fill holes in the frequency domain to help remove aliases in the time domain, which is called staggering. For example, repetition 610 with PRS signals transmitted from TRP1 and TRP2 includes symbol 612 and symbol 614. At symbol 612, TRP1 may transmit its PRS signal using odd-numbered subcarriers and TRP2 may transmit its PRS signal using even-numbered subcarriers. At symbol 614, TRP1 may transmit its PRS signal using even-numbered subcarriers and TRP2 may transmit its PRS signal using odd-numbered subcarriers. In this example, two repetitions per instance are transmitted in consecutive slots (slot 0 and slot 1), although this is not required.

[0061]

[0071] The muting pattern shown in FIG. 6 comprises a two-bit muting bitmap for each pair of TRPs. In this example, a value of "1" in the bitmap corresponds to transmitting the PRS signal without muting (i.e., not muted), and a value of "0" in the bitmap corresponds to muting the PRS signal (i.e., the PRS signal transmission is muted). Muted PRS signals are shown in FIG. 6 with dotted lines, and unmuted (unmuted) PRS signals are shown with solid lines. In this example, the pair of TRP1 and TRP2 has a bitmap muting pattern of "10", and the pair of TRP3 and TRP4 has a bitmap muting pattern of "01". Although only one instance corresponding to each bit in each bitmap is shown, more than one instance may correspond to a bit in the bitmap, and the amount of instances corresponding to the bits is configurable (e.g., by control information from the server 400). Thus, a bit in the bitmap may correspond to a configurable number of (consecutive) instances of a DL-PRS resource set in the periodic transmission of the DL-PRS resource set. With indicated inter-instance muting, all DL-PRS resources within a DL-PRS resource set instance are muted for the DL-PRS resource set instance that is indicated as muted by the bitmap.

[0062]

[0072] In the illustrated bitmap, TRPs TRP1 and TRP2 transmit PRS signals in both iterations (iterations 610 and 616) without muting during the first instance, and PRS signals are muted during the second instance, and TRPs TRP3 and TRP4 transmit PRS signals in both iterations (iterations 618, 620) with PRS signals muted during the first instance and without muting during the second instance. The start of the first instance and the start of the second instance are separated in time by a period 622, the value of which depends on parameters such as the amount of iterations and the number of resources per instance. The value of the period 622 may be, for example, about 160 ms. The UE 200 measures the PRS signals during the first instance and the second instance to receive PRS signals from all four TRPs TRP1, TRP2, TRP3, TRP4. UE 200 may use measurement results of iterations 610, 616 and at least iteration 618 (spanning a time window 624 equal to period 622 plus the time of iteration 618) to acquire PRS signals from all four TRPs TRP1, TRP2, TRP3, and TRP4.

[0063]

[0073] Also referring to FIG. 7, an example of an intra-instance 2-bit PRS muting pattern is shown for a scenario of comb-2 transmission, 2 symbols per repetition, and 2 repetitions per instance. Similar to the inter-instance example shown in FIG. 6, there are 4 TRPs transmitting respective comb-2 PRS signals with a length of 2 symbols for each repetition. Each TRP is given a 2-bit muting bitmap, with each bit corresponding to a respective repetition in a respective instance. In this scenario, the PRS signals from TRP1 and TRP2 are not muted during the first repetition 712 during the first instance, and are muted during the second repetition 714 during the first instance. Conversely, the PRS signals from TRP3 and TRP4 are muted during the first repetition 716 during the first instance, and are not muted during the second repetition 718 during the first instance. For the second instance, a similar pattern is followed as for the first instance. In this scenario, the UE 200 may measure PRS signals from all four of the TRPs in the time window 720 spanning the first instance.

[0064]

[0074] The scenarios shown in Figures 6 and 7 are only examples, and many other scenarios may be used. For example, other size bitmaps may be used, e.g., 4 bits, 8 bits, 16 bits, 32 bits, etc. Thus, in an intra-instance scenario similar to Figure 7, but with a 4-bit bitmap, each bit may correspond to each of the four repetitions in the instance. As another example, each of the four bits may correspond to each of the four repetitions across two instances, with portions of the muting patterns in different instances possibly being different (e.g., muting the first repetition in the first instance and the second repetition in the second instance, not muting the second repetition in the first instance and the first repetition in the second instance). In an intra-instance PRS muting scenario, multiple muting patterns of intra-instance repetitions may be used for different TRPs or sets of TRPs. As another example, more than four TRPs may be transmitting PRS signals.

[0065]

[0075] PRS Muting Pattern Generation

[0076] The server 400 may be configured to generate (e.g., determine and create) and implement PRS muting patterns for multiple TRPs. The server 400 may generate the PRS muting patterns in various manners. For example, the server 400 may select one or more predefined bitmap patterns. As another example, the server 400 may randomly generate values ​​for the muting patterns. One or more other techniques may be used to generate the muting patterns, and two or more techniques may be combined to generate the muting patterns (e.g., start with a stored predefined bitmap and then vary, e.g., randomize, the bitmap). One or more criteria may be used to guide the production of the bitmap and / or to determine whether the bitmap is acceptable, e.g., produces one or more desired effects (e.g., results).

[0066]

[0077] The server 400 may generate a PRS muting pattern by concatenating multiple bitmaps. For example, the server 400 may add a bitmap to another bitmap to extend the PRS muting pattern. The server 400 may select a predefined starting bitmap that has a balanced muting and non-muting indications. For example, the starting bitmap may have muting and non-muting indications that are each within a range of 40% to 60% of the sum of the muting and non-muting indications, i.e., 40% or more muting indications and 60% or less muting indications, and 40% or more non-muting indications and 60% or less non-muting indications. As other examples, the muting range of the starting bitmap may be between 30% and 50%, or between 45% and 55%, or another range. The percentage of muting indications is equal to 100% minus the percentage of non-muting indications, and vice versa. As an example, the server 400 may start with a 4-bit bitmap with two muting and two non-muting instructions, then add another bitmap, such as a randomly generated 16-bit bitmap that meets specified criteria, and then add one or more other bitmaps as appropriate. As another example, the server 400 may perform a logical or mathematical operation on a first bitmap to generate a second bitmap that the server 400 appends to the first bitmap. The server 400 may perform another logical or mathematical operation on the first bitmap, or perform the same or a different logical or mathematical operation on the second bitmap, to generate a third bitmap that the server 400 appends to the second bitmap. As another example, the server 400 may perform another operation on the bitmap, such as a cyclic shift, such that one sequence is a cyclic shift of another sequence.For example, server 400 may perform a cyclic right shift operation (e.g., to change a bitmap of 1101001 to 1110100) and / or a cyclic left shift operation (e.g., to change 1101001 to 1010011) on one bitmap to generate another bitmap. As another example, server 400 may use multiple bitmaps to form another bitmap. For example, server 400 may use a bitmap of a scenario (scenario 1) shown in Figure 6 to modify a bitmap of a scenario (scenario 2) shown in Figure 7, e.g., inverting a bitmap value in scenario 2 if the corresponding bitmap value in scenario 1 is 1 and not inverting a value in scenario 2 if the corresponding bitmap value in scenario 1 is 0. For example, if the bitmap value of scenario 1 for TRP1 and TRP2 is 1 (first instance in FIG. 6), then the bitmap value of the corresponding instance in scenario 2 is inverted (changing the first instance pattern from 10 to 01), and if the bitmap value of scenario 1 for TRP1 and TRP2 is 0 (second instance in FIG. 6), then the bitmap value of the corresponding instance in scenario 2 is not inverted (keeping the FIG. 7 pattern of 10 in the second instance). In that example, a new pattern of 0110 is generated.

[0067]

[0078] The bitmaps generated by the server 400 are repeated by the appropriate TRPs. The server 400 typically provides a completed bitmap to each TRP 300. The server 400 may continue to add bitmaps indefinitely, but typically stops at some finite length and provides this completed bitmap to the TRP 300. However, the server 400 may modify the bitmaps over time, for example, by sending new bitmaps or instructions to the TRPs 300 to change existing bitmaps.

[0068]

[0079] To generate a PRS muting pattern, the server 400 may consider one or more of various criteria (e.g., key performance indicators (KPIs)) for the transmission and / or reception of positioning reference signals that the PRS muting pattern should satisfy. The criteria may include one or more parameters indicating one or more characteristics (e.g., ratios, thresholds, etc.) of muting and non-muting exhibited by the pattern and / or one or more effects of the muting pattern (e.g., one or more results of implementing the pattern, such as collisions, interference, etc.). For example, the server 400 may try to have multiple PRS signals transmitted close together in time such that the PRS signals can be measured at approximately the same time over a measurement interval. The DL-PRS configuration parameters available in 3GPP 37.355 are very flexible, and the server 400 can choose virtually any configuration. However, in a practical deployment, the server 400 may apply one or more constraints. The server 400 may attempt to keep the measurement interval short to help reduce the effects of UE movement over the measurement interval, UE clock changes over the measurement interval, and / or TRP clock changes over the measurement interval. An example parameter may be a threshold amount of unmuted transmissions or a threshold amount of consecutive unmuted transmissions. Numerous other examples of parameters or other criteria are discussed herein. Some criteria are discussed with respect to one or more objectives, but the criteria are not limited to achieving the stated objectives, may not achieve the stated objectives, and / or may achieve one or more other objectives.

[0069]

[0080] As another example, the server 400 may attempt to maintain a balance between muting and not muting the PRS signal (e.g., a balance of 1s and 0s in a bitmap) to help ensure measurement of the PRS signal without excessive delay (e.g., due to waiting for the next transmission). The server 400 may provide criteria that the muting pattern (e.g., a randomly generated pattern) has a certain amount of bits with a certain value (e.g., 8 bits of a 16-bit bitmap must be 1s, or 5 bits of an 8-bit bitmap must be 0s, e.g., 1 indicates to transmit and 0 indicates to mute transmission), or a threshold amount of bits with a certain value (e.g., at least 3 bits of an 8-bit bitmap must be 1s), or a threshold percentage or ratio (e.g., at least 33% of the bits must be 1s, or at least 3 / 8 of the bits must be 1s (i.e., the ratio of 1s to 0s must be 3 / 5 or greater)), or a ratio of bits of a certain value to bits of other values. For example, the server 400 may provide one or more muting pattern parameters indicating a balance between unmuted and muted transmissions, e.g., to help ensure a balanced muting pattern. The server 400 may specify a range of muted transmissions or a range of unmuted transmissions, such as, for example, a range of muted transmissions of 40% to 60% of the sum of muted and unmuted transmissions, or a range of muted transmissions of 45% to 55%, or other range. The percentage of unmuted transmissions is equal to 100% minus the percentage of unmuted transmissions, or vice versa. As another example, the server 400 may specify a ratio of muted transmissions to unmuted transmissions (e.g., 1:1, or 2:3, etc.), or vice versa.

[0070]

[0081] The server 400 may consider the desire to train the receive antenna pattern and / or to aid in signal integration in generating the PRS muting pattern. The server 400 may have a criterion that the bitmap has a certain number of bits of the same value, e.g., indicating unmuted PRS signals, which may aid or enable training of one or more receive patterns and / or aid in integration of PRS signals, e.g., weakly received PRS signals. For example, the criterion may be that the muting pattern has a certain threshold amount of indications of unmuted positioning reference signals to enable receive antenna pattern training. As another example, the criterion may be that the muting pattern has a certain threshold amount of indications of unmuted positioning reference signals to enable a threshold level of signal integration (e.g., a threshold level of total power). As another example, the criterion may be a maximum distance (e.g., a maximum number of slots) between on-bits (indications of not muting transmissions). The UE 200 may observe unmuted signals over multiple slots using the same antenna pattern and integrate the received signals, e.g., to aid in reception of PRS signals with poor SNR (signal-to-noise ratio). The UE 200 may observe the unmuted signal over different slots using different antenna patterns to determine which antenna pattern produced the strongest received signal. This information may be used to train one or more antenna patterns, for example, to improve reception of the PRS signal.

[0071]

[0082] As another example, a criterion for a muting pattern may be that a location in a bitmap has a value (e.g., bit 7 in a 16-bit bitmap must be "1"). The server 400 may discard any generated bitmap that does not have the value at the location in the bitmap. Of the times a bitmap is generated using the criterion that a location contains a value, a constraint may be placed on the location having the value at a specified frequency (e.g., the location has the value at a specified percentage (e.g., 80%), or at a threshold percentage (e.g., less than or equal to 90% or at least 10%), or in a percentage range (e.g., between 30% and 75%)). The bitmap constraint may be on a specified frequency of opportunities for the bitmap to be applied to TRP transmissions, e.g., location X has a value of 1 at 70-80% of the opportunities for the muting pattern to be applied, and location X has a value of 0 at 20-30% of the opportunities.

[0072]

[0083] Also, or alternatively, the server 400 may attempt to manage the timing of the PRS signals to reduce collisions. The server 400 may attempt to manage the timing of the PRS signals to reduce collisions with other signals, such as periodic signals that are repeatedly transmitted in the same time frame (e.g., slot number, symbol number). The server 400 may attempt to reduce collisions for PRS signals in symbols / slots that may be less suitable for DL-PRS measurements. Because some signals, such as SSB (PSS / SSS / PBCH) (synchronization signal block primary synchronization signal / secondary synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel), may dominate DL-PRS signals in collisions, the server 400 may attempt to avoid scheduling PRS signals during time frames in which SSB (PSS / SSS / PBCH) signals are transmitted. Some high priority signals may be given a higher transmission priority than DL-PRS signals, and if a high priority signal repeatedly coincides with the transmission time of another signal, such as a DL-PRS signal, the DL-PRS signal may not be transmitted (and therefore not received and / or processed) as frequently as desired. The techniques discussed herein (e.g., varying muting patterns over time, ensuring that muting patterns meet performance criteria, randomizing muting patterns over time, etc.) may help reduce collisions and / or preemptions of DL-PRS signal transmissions.

[0073]

[0084] The server 400 may consider the expected mobility of one or more UEs within the coverage area of ​​the TRP 300 relative to the PRS muting pattern. The server 400 may obtain information about the propagation environment, e.g., measurement results and / or an indication of the measurement results (e.g., a summary thereof or conclusions therefrom), to determine the expected mobility. The server 400 (e.g., memory 411) may be programmed with the mobility information for the TRP (e.g., a TRP 300 located near a highway is assigned an environment with high expected mobility, while a TRP located near a sports stadium is assigned an environment with relatively low expected mobility). The server 400 may be configured to weight different key performance indicators (KPIs) differently for different use cases. For example, the server 400 may favor, e.g., weight more, improved orthogonality (e.g., no PRS signals with the same frequency characteristics, e.g., the same subcarriers) with a long measurement interval when little or no UE movement is expected, and favor short measurement intervals and / or orthogonality within an instance when large UE movement is expected. Thus, server 400 may, for example, prefer inter-instance PRS muting for low mobility applications and intra-instance PRS muting for high mobility applications. Server 400 may ignore or otherwise not use bitmaps intended for high mobility environments, where the measurement interval to be used spans a threshold length of time. Similarly, if orthogonality is preferred, server 400 may ignore or otherwise not use bitmaps that result in a probability of collision exceeding a threshold probability (e.g., an expected frequency of collisions exceeding a threshold frequency).

[0074]

[0085] The server 400 may generate a bitmap for achieving at least a desired SNR. The server 400 may use information provided by one or more UEs 200 and / or one or more TRPs 300 and / or stored in memory 411 to determine the effect on SNR of different PRS muting patterns and approve patterns that result in an SNR above a threshold level.

[0075]

[0086] Further criteria may be considered in addition to and / or instead of the criteria discussed herein.

[0076]

[0087] The server 400 is configured to obtain information related to one or more criteria of the muting pattern. For example, the server 400 may obtain the related information by receiving measurement result information (e.g., raw and / or processed measurement results) from one or more UEs 200, one or more TRPs 300, and / or from making measurements. As another example, the server 400 may obtain the related information by being programmed with or otherwise storing information related to one or more criteria (e.g., whether the TRP 300 is a high mobility area or a low mobility area (i.e., whether the mobility of UEs in the coverage area of ​​the TRP 300 is expected to be high or low)). The server 400 may use the obtained information to determine one or more of the criteria (e.g., characteristics of the muting pattern and / or performance of the use of the muting pattern).

[0077]

[0088] The server 400 may ensure compliance with the PRS muting pattern criteria in a number of ways. The server 400 may apply one or more criteria for the PRS muting pattern as input to an algorithm for generating the bitmap. Additionally or alternatively, the server 400 may analyze the generated bitmap for one or more criteria, and for bitmaps that do not meet the criteria, either discard the bitmap or modify the bitmap to meet the criteria before having the TRP 300 implement the bitmap. Additionally or alternatively, the server 400 may analyze the expected results of using the bitmap (e.g., collisions, interference, etc.) to determine whether to use, modify, or discard the bitmap.

[0078]

[0089] 8, signaling and processing flow 800 illustrates communication between UE 200, server 400, and three TRPs 300-1, 300-2, 300-3, and processing by server 400 to generate a PRS muting pattern. Signaling and processing flow 800 includes the messages and steps shown, which are by way of example only and not by way of limitation. Flow 800 may be altered, for example, by having messages and / or steps added, removed, reordered, combined, performed simultaneously, and / or by having one or more messages and / or steps split into multiple messages and / or steps.

[0079]

[0090] The TRPs 300-1, 300-2, 300-3 may provide one or more messages 811, 812, 813 to the server 400 that may affect the generation of one or more PRS muting patterns. For example, one or more of the messages 811, 812, 813 may indicate a level of UE mobility within the coverage area of ​​each of the TRPs 300-1, 300-2, 300-3. Also, or alternatively, one or more of the messages 811, 812, 813 may indicate a request for assistance in training the receiving antenna pattern of each of the TRPs 300-1, 300-2, 300-3.

[0080]

[0091] At stage 814, the server 400 generates a PRS muting pattern, e.g., a bitmap, with appropriate characteristics according to the specified criteria. The criteria may be one or more criteria, such as one or more parameters regarding muting or unmuting in the muting pattern and / or one or more effects of the muting pattern, such as those discussed above with respect to indicating performance, assisting antenna pattern training, balancing muting and unmuting, having one or more specified slots with specified values, helping to ensure orthogonality (e.g., lowering the probability of collision with another signal below a threshold probability), assisting positioning in a highly mobile environment, etc. The one or more criteria may be used to influence how the bitmap is generated (e.g., specifying to a random number generator (e.g., implemented by the processor 410) that only values ​​of 1 or 0 should be generated, and a specified amount of 1's of the total amount of bits). Also, or alternatively, the server 400 may generate the bitmap and then determine whether the one or more criteria are met by the bitmap. The server 400 may discard bitmaps that do not meet one or more criteria, or may modify the bitmaps so that the modified bitmaps meet one or more criteria.

[0081]

[0092] The server 400 provides each of the TRPs 300-1, 300-2, 300-3 with an appropriate PRS muting pattern. The server 400 sends a bitmap for each PRS muting pattern in messages 815, 816, 817 to the TRPs 300-1, 300-2, 300-3. Each of the TRPs 300-1, 300-2, 300-3 uses its respective PRS muting pattern to determine when to transmit a PRS signal (unmuted PRS signal) and when not to transmit a PRS signal (muted PRS signal). The TRPs 300-1, 300-2, 300-3 may repeat their respective muting patterns until instructed otherwise, for example by the server 400.

[0082]

[0093] In stage 818, the server 400 may randomize the PRS muting patterns for the TRPs 300-1, 300-2, 300-3. Randomizing the muting patterns over time helps prevent repeated collisions that may result from using the same muting patterns in the presence of repeating periodic signals. The flow 800 may return to stage 814 for the server 400 to check the randomized muting patterns against desired criteria to help ensure that desired characteristics of the muting patterns are met, e.g., to help ensure that desired qualities (e.g., SNR, orthogonality, antenna training capability, etc.) are achieved. However, the randomization may, at least sometimes, void one or more criteria. For example, if a designated bit is set to a designated value, but the randomized muting pattern (bitmap) has different values ​​in designated spots, the randomized bitmap may be used without changing the values ​​of the designated bits. The randomized bitmap may be transmitted to the TRPs 300-1, 300-2, 300-3 in messages 815-817.

[0083]

[0094] The UE 200 may request location services from the server 400 in message 819. The message 819 may be sent directly to the server 400 as shown, or indirectly to the server 400 via one or more of the TRPs 300-1, 300-2, 300-3. Although the request 819 is shown as occurring after stage 818 of randomizing one or more muting patterns, the UE 200 may send the request 819 at any time.

[0084]

[0095] The server 400 may respond to the location service request 819 from the UE 200 by sending an appropriate muting pattern to the UE 200 in a message 820. The server 400 sends the muting patterns for TRPs 300-1, 300-2, 300-3 that are close to the UE 200 (e.g., the serving TRP and neighboring TRPs, or TRPs within a certain radius from the location estimate of the UE 200, etc.). The UE 200 may use the muting patterns to conserve energy, for example, by avoiding wasting power searching for signals during time frames during which the signals are not transmitted and / or by narrowing the search window to a window of time indicated in the PRS muting pattern during which the corresponding PRS signal is transmitted unmuted.

[0085]

[0096] operation

[0097] With reference to FIG. 9 and further with reference to FIGS. 1-8, a method 900 of generating a positioning reference signal muting pattern includes the steps shown. However, the process 900 is exemplary only and not limiting. The method 900 may be altered, for example, by having steps added, removed, reordered, combined, performed simultaneously, and / or a single step split into multiple steps. For example, one or more steps may occur before the steps shown in FIG. 9, and / or one or more steps may occur after them. For example, the muting pattern may be provided to the TRP 300 and may be used to determine when to transmit a PRS signal. Still other examples are possible, including other features discussed below.

[0086]

[0098] In stage 911, the method 900 includes obtaining one or more positioning reference signal references, the one or more positioning reference signal references relating to at least one of positioning reference signal transmission or positioning reference signal reception. The positioning reference signal may be a positioning reference signal transmitted wirelessly from a ground-based TRP 300 of a location determination system for a mobile device, for example, part of a wireless communication system. The one or more positioning reference signal references relate to (e.g., related to, affecting, or intended to affect) the transmission or reception or both of the positioning reference signal. The one or more positioning reference signal references may relate, for example, to desired and / or undesired times of transmission of PRS signals by the TRP 300, an amount of transmission of PRS signals by the TRP 300 (e.g., continuous, per unit time, etc.), balancing between transmitting and not transmitting PRS signals, etc. The one or more positioning reference signal criteria may relate, for example, to desired and / or undesired times of reception of PRS signals, avoidance of collisions and / or preemption, the ability to integrate PRS signals, the ability to train the receive antenna pattern, etc. The one or more positioning reference signal criteria may include a threshold number of consecutive muted positioning reference signal transmissions, as this may affect response time, for example, through a time-to-fix or time-to-first-fix parameter. For example, the criterion may be a threshold maximum number of consecutive muted transmissions (e.g., to help ensure that the signal is received within a threshold length of time, for example, at a threshold frequency). The one or more criteria may include a threshold number of consecutive unmuted positioning reference signal transmissions, as this may affect response time, for example, through a time-to-fix or time-to-first-fix parameter. For example, the criterion may be a threshold minimum number of consecutive unmuted transmissions (e.g., to help ensure that the signal can be received and decoded). The one or more positioning reference signal criteria may include a positioning reference signal muting pattern that results in a probability of expected signal collision less than a threshold probability.For example, the processor 410 (or the processor 310) may be capable of analyzing the muting pattern (and possibly other information, e.g., other muting patterns) to predict whether the use of the muting pattern will result in a probability of expected signal collision less than a threshold (acceptable) probability. The one or more positioning reference signal criteria specify muting pattern parameters indicative of the muting and unmuting characteristics exhibited by the muting pattern. The muting pattern parameters may specify an amount of muted transmissions (e.g., an amount of consecutive muted transmissions), or an amount of unmuted transmissions, or a ratio of muted to unmuted transmissions, or a threshold for muted transmissions, or a threshold for unmuted transmissions, or a measurement interval within which at least two identical unmuted transmissions are present, etc. The one or more positioning reference signal criteria may include a threshold amount of unmuted positioning reference signals to enable receive antenna pattern training. For example, the processor 410 (or the processor 310) may be configured to determine whether the muting pattern has a sufficient number of indications of unmuted positioning reference signals such that use of the muting pattern is expected (e.g., based on historical information and / or simulations) to result in sufficient (possibly continuous) PRS signal transmissions to the UE 200 receiving the PRS signal transmissions to train one or more receive antenna patterns of the UE 200. The one or more positioning reference signal criteria may include an amount of unmuted positioning reference signals to enable a threshold level of signal integration. For example, the processor 410 (or the processor 310) may be configured to determine whether the muting pattern has a sufficient number of indications of unmuted positioning reference signals such that use of the muting pattern is expected (e.g., based on historical information and / or simulations) to result in sufficient PRS signal transmissions to the UE 200 receiving the PRS signal transmissions to integrate the received transmissions into an amount of combined energy that exceeds a threshold amount of energy.The one or more positioning signal criteria specify the muting pattern effect that the muting pattern should have. The one or more positioning reference signal criteria may include one or more other criteria, whether or not discussed herein. The processor 410, possibly in combination with the memory 411 (e.g., software 412) and possibly in combination with the transceiver 415 (e.g., wireless receiver 444 and / or wired receiver 454), may comprise means for obtaining the one or more positioning reference signal criteria. For example, the memory 411 may be programmed with the one or more positioning signal criteria and / or the processor 410 may receive information from the TRP 300 and / or the UE 200 (via the TRP 300) from which the processor 410 can determine one or more of the one or more positioning reference signal criteria. Also or alternatively, the processor 310, possibly in combination with the memory 311 (e.g., software 312), and possibly in combination with the transceiver 315 (e.g., wireless receiver 344 and / or wired receiver 354), may comprise means for obtaining one or more positioning reference signal references. For example, the processor 310 may receive one or more positioning signal references from the server 400 and / or receive information from the UE 200 and / or the server 400 from which the processor 310 can determine one or more of the one or more positioning reference signal references.

[0087]

[0099] At stage 912, the method 900 includes generating a positioning reference signal muting pattern such that the positioning reference signal muting pattern satisfies one or more positioning reference signal criteria. The one or more positioning reference signal criteria may be, for example, the muting pattern itself or an expected result of the use of the muting pattern, for example, by the TRP 300 to transmit the PRS signal and / or by the UE 200 to receive and measure the PRS signal. The processor 410, possibly in combination with the memory 411 (e.g., software 412), may comprise means for generating the positioning reference signal muting pattern. Similarly, the processor 310, possibly in combination with the memory 311 (e.g., software 312), may comprise means for generating the positioning reference signal muting pattern. For example, the processor 410 (or processor 310) may select a bitmap, generate a bitmap that applies any suitable criteria (e.g., the ratio of ones and zeros in a binary bitmap), append to an existing bitmap, etc., and analyze the bitmap to determine whether one or more other criteria (if any) are met (e.g., criteria related to expected performance (e.g., PRS signal reception) when the bitmap is used (e.g., by the TRP 300 to determine when to transmit a PRS signal)).

[0088]

[0100] The method 900 may include one or more of the following features. For example, the method 900 may include randomizing a positioning reference signal muting pattern to generate a randomized pattern. Randomizing the pattern may help reduce repeated collisions and / or preemptions of the positioning reference signal. A number of techniques may be used to randomize the muting pattern, for example, right-shifting the muting pattern, left-shifting the muting pattern, using a random number generator or pseudo-random number generator to generate one or more values ​​for one or more bit positions in a bitmap, etc. The method 900 may include determining whether the randomized pattern satisfies one or more positioning reference signal criteria. The processor 410 (or the processor 310), possibly in combination with the memory 411 (or the memory 311), may comprise means for randomizing the positioning reference signal muting pattern and means for determining whether the randomized pattern satisfies one or more positioning reference signal criteria. The method 900 may include determining that the randomized pattern does not satisfy at least one of the one or more positioning reference signal criteria, and in response, discarding the randomized pattern or modifying the randomized pattern to generate a modified pattern that satisfies the one or more positioning reference signal criteria. For example, the processor 410 (or the processor 310) may delete, discard, or otherwise not use the randomized muting pattern that does not satisfy one or more of the one or more positioning reference signal criteria. As another example, the processor 410 (or the processor 310) may randomize the randomized pattern to generate a re-randomized pattern, check the re-randomized pattern for whether it satisfies one or more positioning reference signal criteria, use the re-randomized pattern if the one or more positioning reference signal criteria are satisfied, discard, or otherwise further modify the re-randomized pattern.

[0089]

[0101] Also or alternatively, the method 900 may include one or more of the following features: Generating the positioning reference signal muting pattern may comprise generating a first binary bit sequence and generating a second binary bit sequence that is a cyclic shift of the first bit sequence.

[0090]

[0102] Other considerations

[0103] Other examples and implementations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software and computers, the functions described above may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof. Features implementing the functions may also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that parts of the functions are implemented in different physical locations. For example, one or more functions discussed above as residing in server 400 (e.g., for determining and implementing PRS muting patterns), or one or more parts thereof, may be performed outside server 400, such as by TRP 300.

[0091]

[0104] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and / or "including" specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0092]

[0105] Also, as used herein, "or" used in a list of items ending in "at least one of" or "one or more of" indicates a disjunctive list, such as a list of "at least one of A, B, or C," or a list of "one or more of A, B, or C" meaning A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C), or combinations with more than one feature (e.g., AA, AAB, ABBC, etc.).

[0093]

[0106] Considerable variation may be made according to specific requirements. For example, customized hardware might also be used and / or particular elements might be implemented in hardware, software (including portable software such as applets) executed by a processor, or both. Further, connection to other computing devices, such as network input / output devices, might be utilized.

[0094]

[0107] The methods, systems, and devices discussed above are examples. Various configurations may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For example, features described with respect to some configurations may be combined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elements of the configurations may be combined in a similar manner. Also, technology evolves, and many of the elements are examples and do not limit the scope of the disclosure or claims.

[0095]

[0108] A wireless communication system is a communication system in which communications are carried wirelessly, i.e., by electromagnetic and / or sound waves propagating through space rather than by wired or other physical connections. A wireless communication network may not have all communications transmitted wirelessly, but is configured such that at least some communications are transmitted wirelessly. Furthermore, the term "wireless communication device" or similar terms does not require that the function of the device is solely or even primarily for communication, or that the device is a mobile device, but indicates that the device includes wireless communication capabilities (one-way or two-way), e.g., at least one radio for wireless communication (each radio being part of a transmitter, receiver, or transceiver).

[0096]

[0109] In the description, specific details are given to obtain a thorough understanding of the example configurations (including implementations). However, the configurations may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques are shown without unnecessary details to avoid obscuring the configurations. This description only provides an example configuration and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claims. Rather, the preceding configuration description provides a description for implementing the described techniques. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0097]

[0110] As used herein, the terms "processor-readable medium," "machine-readable medium," and "computer-readable medium" refer to any medium that participates in providing data that causes a machine to operate in a specific manner. When using a computing platform, various processor-readable media may participate in providing instructions / code to a processor for execution and / or may be used to store and / or carry such instructions / code (e.g., as a signal). In many implementations, the processor-readable medium is a physical and / or tangible storage medium. Such media may take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical and / or magnetic disks. Volatile media include, but are not limited to, dynamic memory.

[0098]

[0111] Although several example configurations have been described, various modifications, alternative configurations, and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the above elements may be components of a larger system, and other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of the present invention. Also, some operations may take place before, during, or after the above elements are considered. Thus, the above description does not limit the scope of the claims.

[0099]

[0112] A statement that a value exceeds (or is greater than or exceeds) a first threshold is equivalent to a statement that the value meets or exceeds a second threshold that is slightly greater than the first threshold, e.g., the second threshold is a value that is higher than the first threshold at the resolution of the computing system. A statement that a value is less than (or is within or below) a first threshold is equivalent to a statement that the value is less than or equal to a second threshold that is slightly lower than the first threshold, e.g., the second threshold is a value that is lower than the first threshold at the resolution of the computing system. The invention as described in the claims of the original application is set forth below. [C1] A method for generating a positioning reference signal muting pattern at a transmission / reception point (TRP), comprising: In the TRP, obtaining one or more positioning reference signal references, the one or more positioning reference signal references relating to at least one of positioning reference signal transmission or positioning reference signal reception; generating, at the TRP, the positioning reference signal muting pattern such that the positioning reference signal muting pattern satisfies the one or more positioning reference signal criteria. [C2] The method of C1, further comprising randomizing the positioning reference signal muting pattern to generate a randomized pattern. [C3] The method of C2, further comprising determining whether the randomized pattern satisfies the one or more positioning reference signal criteria. [C4] determining that the randomized pattern does not satisfy at least one of the one or more positioning reference signal criteria; and and responding to determining that the randomized pattern does not satisfy at least one of the one or more positioning reference signal criteria by discarding the randomized pattern or modifying the randomized pattern to generate a modified pattern that satisfies the one or more positioning reference signal criteria. [C5] the one or more positioning reference signal references: the positioning reference signal muting pattern results in an expected signal collision probability less than a threshold probability; or a first threshold amount of unmuted positioning reference signals to enable receive antenna pattern training; or a second threshold amount of unmuted positioning reference signals to allow for a third threshold level of signal integration; or The method according to C1, comprising a combination of two or more of these. [C6] The method of C1, wherein the one or more positioning reference signal references specify muting pattern parameters indicative of muting and non-muting characteristics exhibited by the positioning reference signal muting pattern. [C7] The method of C6, wherein the muting pattern parameters specify an amount of muted transmission. [C8] The method of C7, wherein the muting pattern parameters specify an amount of consecutive muted transmissions. [C9] The method of claim 6, wherein the muting pattern parameter specifies an amount of consecutive unmuted transmissions. [C10] The method of C6, wherein the muting pattern parameters specify a ratio of muted to unmuted transmissions. [C11] The method of C6, wherein the muting pattern parameters specify a threshold for a muted transmission or a threshold for an unmuted transmission. [C12] The method of C6, wherein the muting pattern parameters specify a measurement interval in which there are at least two identical unmuted transmissions. [C13] The method of C1, wherein the one or more positioning reference signal references specify a muting pattern effect that the positioning reference signal muting pattern should have. [C14] The method of C1, wherein generating the positioning reference signal muting pattern comprises generating a first binary bit sequence, and generating a second binary bit sequence that is a cyclic shift of the first binary bit sequence. [C15] A transmission / reception point (TRP) for generating a positioning reference signal muting pattern, the apparatus comprising: Memory, a processor communicatively coupled to the memory, the processor comprising: Obtaining one or more positioning reference signal references, the one or more positioning reference signal references relating to at least one of a positioning reference signal transmission or a positioning reference signal reception; generating the positioning reference signal muting pattern such that the positioning reference signal muting pattern satisfies the one or more positioning reference signal criteria; The transmit / receive points are configured as follows: [C16] The TRP of C15, wherein the processor is configured to randomize the positioning reference signal muting pattern to generate a randomized pattern. [C17] The TRP of C16, wherein the processor is configured to determine whether the randomized pattern satisfies the one or more positioning reference signal criteria. [C18] The processor, determining that the randomized pattern does not satisfy at least one of the one or more positioning reference signal criteria; The TRP of C17 is configured to respond to the randomized pattern failing to satisfy at least one of the one or more positioning reference signal criteria by discarding the randomized pattern or modifying the randomized pattern to generate a modified pattern that satisfies the one or more positioning reference signal criteria. [C19] The one or more positioning reference signal references, the positioning reference signal muting pattern results in an expected signal collision probability less than a threshold probability; or a first threshold amount of unmuted positioning reference signals to enable receive antenna pattern training; or a second threshold amount of unmuted positioning reference signals to allow for a third threshold level of signal integration; or The device according to C15, comprising a combination of two or more thereof. [C20] The TRP according to C15, wherein the one or more positioning reference signal references specify muting pattern parameters indicating muting and non-muting characteristics exhibited by the positioning reference signal muting pattern. [C21] The TRP according to C20, wherein the muting pattern parameters specify an amount of muted transmission. [C22] The TRP according to C21, wherein the muting pattern parameter specifies an amount of consecutive muted transmissions. [C23] The TRP according to C20, wherein the muting pattern parameter specifies an amount of consecutive unmuted transmissions. [C24] The TRP of C20, wherein the muting pattern parameter specifies a ratio of muted and unmuted transmissions. [C25] The TRP of C20, wherein the muting pattern parameters specify a threshold for muted transmissions or a threshold for unmuted transmissions. [C26] The TRP of C20, wherein the muting pattern parameters specify a measurement interval in which there are at least two identical unmuted transmissions. [C27] The TRP according to C15, wherein the one or more positioning reference signal references specify a muting pattern effect that the positioning reference signal muting pattern should have. [C28] The TRP of C15, wherein to generate the positioning reference signal muting pattern, the processor is configured to generate a first binary bit sequence and generate a second binary bit sequence that is a cyclic shift of the first binary bit sequence. [C29] A transmission / reception point (TRP) for generating a positioning reference signal muting pattern, comprising: means for obtaining one or more positioning reference signal references, the one or more positioning reference signal references relating to at least one of positioning reference signal transmission or positioning reference signal reception; and means for generating said positioning reference signal muting pattern such that said positioning reference signal muting pattern satisfies said one or more positioning reference signal criteria. [C30] The TRP of C29, wherein the means for generating the positioning reference signal muting pattern comprises means for randomizing the positioning reference signal muting pattern to generate a randomized pattern. [C31] The TRP of C30, wherein the means for generating the positioning reference signal muting pattern comprises means for determining whether the randomized pattern satisfies the one or more positioning reference signal criteria. [C32] The means for generating the positioning reference signal muting pattern comprises: means for determining that the randomized pattern does not satisfy at least one of the one or more positioning reference signal criteria; and means for responding to determining that the randomized pattern does not satisfy at least one of the one or more positioning reference signal criteria by discarding the randomized pattern or modifying the randomized pattern to generate a modified pattern that satisfies the one or more positioning reference signal criteria. [C33] The one or more positioning reference signal references, the positioning reference signal muting pattern results in an expected signal collision probability less than a threshold probability; or a first threshold amount of unmuted positioning reference signals to enable receive antenna pattern training; or a second threshold amount of unmuted positioning reference signals to allow for a third threshold level of signal integration; or The TRP of C29, comprising a combination of two or more thereof. [C34] The TRP of C29, wherein the one or more positioning reference signal references specify muting pattern parameters indicating muting and non-muting characteristics exhibited by the positioning reference signal muting pattern. [C35] The TRP according to C34, wherein the muting pattern parameters specify an amount of muted transmission. [C36] The TRP according to C35, wherein the muting pattern parameter specifies an amount of consecutive muted transmissions. [C37] The TRP according to C34, wherein the muting pattern parameter specifies an amount of consecutive unmuted transmissions. [C38] The TRP according to C34, wherein the muting pattern parameter specifies a ratio of muted and unmuted transmissions. [C39] The TRP of C34, wherein the muting pattern parameters specify a threshold for muted transmissions or a threshold for unmuted transmissions. [C40] The TRP according to C34, wherein the muting pattern parameters specify a measurement interval in which there are at least two identical unmuted transmissions. [C41] The TRP of C29, wherein the one or more positioning reference signal references specify a muting pattern effect that the positioning reference signal muting pattern should have. [C42] The TRP of C29, wherein the means for generating the positioning reference signal muting pattern is for generating a first binary bit sequence and generating a second binary bit sequence that is a cyclic shift of the first binary bit sequence. [C43] To the processor at the sending / receiving point, obtaining one or more criteria related to at least one of positioning reference signal transmission or positioning reference signal reception; generating a positioning reference signal muting pattern such that the positioning reference signal muting pattern satisfies the one or more criteria; 23. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to: [C44] The storage medium of C43, further comprising instructions configured to cause the processor to randomize the positioning reference signal muting pattern to generate a randomized pattern. [C45] The storage medium of C44, further comprising instructions configured to cause the processor to determine whether the randomized pattern satisfies the one or more criteria. [C46] The processor, determining that the randomized pattern does not satisfy at least one of the one or more criteria; Responding to the randomized pattern failing to meet at least one of the one or more criteria by discarding the randomized pattern or modifying the randomized pattern to generate a modified pattern that meets the one or more criteria. The storage medium of C45, further comprising instructions configured to: [C47] The said criterion or criteria: the positioning reference signal muting pattern results in an expected signal collision probability less than a threshold probability; or a first threshold amount of unmuted positioning reference signals to enable receive antenna pattern training; or a second threshold amount of unmuted positioning reference signals to allow for a third threshold level of signal integration; or A storage medium as described in C43, comprising a combination of two or more of these. [C48] The storage medium of C43, wherein the one or more positioning reference signal references specify muting pattern parameters indicative of muting and non-muting characteristics exhibited by the positioning reference signal muting pattern. [C49] The storage medium of C48, wherein the muting pattern parameters specify an amount of muted transmission. [C50] The storage medium of C49, wherein the muting pattern parameters specify an amount of consecutive muted transmissions. [C51] The storage medium of C48, wherein the muting pattern parameter specifies an amount of consecutive unmuted transmissions. [C52] The storage medium of C48, wherein the muting pattern parameters specify a ratio of muted and unmuted transmissions. [C53] The storage medium of C48, wherein the muting pattern parameters specify a threshold for a muted transmission or a threshold for an unmuted transmission. [C54] The storage medium of C48, wherein the muting pattern parameters specify a measurement interval in which there are at least two identical unmuted transmissions. [C55] The storage medium of C43, wherein the one or more positioning reference signal references specify a muting pattern effect that the positioning reference signal muting pattern should have. [C56] The storage medium of C43, wherein the instructions configured to cause the processor to generate the positioning reference signal muting pattern are configured to cause the processor to generate a first binary bit sequence and generate a second binary bit sequence that is a cyclic shift of the first binary bit sequence.

Claims

1. A method for generating a positioning reference signal muting pattern at a transmission / reception point (TRP), comprising: Obtaining one or more positioning reference signal references in the TRP, the one or more positioning reference signal references relating to at least one of positioning reference signal transmission or positioning reference signal reception, the one or more positioning reference signal references specifying muting pattern parameters indicative of muting and non-muting characteristics indicated by the positioning reference signal muting pattern. generating a positioning reference signal muting pattern in the TRP such that the positioning reference signal muting pattern satisfies the one or more positioning reference signal criteria; A method comprising:

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising randomizing the positioning reference signal muting pattern to generate a randomized pattern.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising determining whether the randomized pattern satisfies the one or more positioning reference signal criteria.

4. determining that the randomized pattern does not satisfy at least one of the one or more positioning reference signal criteria; and responding to determining that the randomized pattern does not satisfy at least one of the one or more positioning reference signal criteria by discarding the randomized pattern or modifying the randomized pattern to generate a modified pattern that satisfies the one or more positioning reference signal criteria.

5. The one or more positioning reference signal references are: the positioning reference signal muting pattern results in an expected signal collision probability less than a threshold probability; or a first threshold amount of unmuted positioning reference signals to enable receive antenna pattern training; or a second threshold amount of unmuted positioning reference signals to allow a total output of a third threshold level; or The method of claim 1 comprising a combination of two or more of these.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the muting pattern parameters specify an amount of muted transmissions.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the muting pattern parameter specifies an amount of consecutive muted transmissions.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the muting pattern parameter specifies an amount of consecutive unmuted transmissions.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the muting pattern parameters specify a ratio of muted to unmuted transmissions.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the muting pattern parameters specify a threshold for muted transmissions or a threshold for unmuted transmissions.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the muting pattern parameters specify a measurement interval in which there are at least two identical unmuted transmissions.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more positioning reference signal references further specify a muting pattern effect that the positioning reference signal muting pattern should have.

13. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the positioning reference signal muting pattern comprises generating a first binary bit sequence and generating a second binary bit sequence that is a cyclic shift of the first binary bit sequence.

14. A transmission / reception point (TRP) for generating a positioning reference signal muting pattern, means for obtaining one or more positioning reference signal references, the one or more positioning reference signal references relating to at least one of positioning reference signal transmission or positioning reference signal reception, the one or more positioning reference signal references specifying muting pattern parameters indicative of muting and non-muting characteristics exhibited by the positioning reference signal muting pattern; means for generating the positioning reference signal muting pattern such that the positioning reference signal muting pattern satisfies the one or more positioning reference signal criteria; A transmitting / receiving point comprising:

15. A non-transitory processor readable storage medium comprising processor readable instructions configured to cause a processor at a transmitting / receiving point to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 13.

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