Timing-Based Positioning Techniques

Abstract

Techniques for implementing a timing-based positioning method that includes measuring and / or reporting timing errors are described. Example techniques include determining, by a communication node, measurement information comprising a set of measurements and a set of timing delays, where the set of measurements includes a first set of time values ​​when positioning signals are transmitted or received by a processor of the communication node, and the set of timing delays includes a second set of time values, each of the second set of time values ​​being a difference between when the positioning signals are transmitted or received by the processor of the communication node and when the positioning signals are transmitted or received, respectively, by an antenna of the communication node; and transmitting, by the communication node, the set of measurements and the set of timing delays to a second communication node.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure is directed generally to digital wireless communications. [Background technology]

[0002] Mobile telecommunications technologies are moving the world towards an increasingly connected and networked society. Compared to existing wireless networks, next generation systems and wireless communication techniques will need to support a much broader range of use case characteristics and provide a more complex and sophisticated range of access requirements and flexibility.

[0003] Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a standard for wireless communications for mobile devices and data terminals developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®). LTE Advanced (LTE-A) is a wireless communications standard that extends the LTE standard. The fifth generation of wireless systems, known as 5G, advances the LTE and LTE-A wireless standards and is focused on supporting higher data rates, multiple connections, ultra-low latency, high reliability, and other emerging business needs. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] Techniques are disclosed for timing-based positioning methods that include measuring and / or reporting timing errors.

[0005] An example wireless communication method includes determining, by a communication node, measurement information comprising a set of measurement results and a set of timing delays, where the set of measurement results includes a first set of time values ​​when a positioning signal (which may also be known as a reference signal) was transmitted or received by a processor of the communication node, and the set of timing delays includes a second set of time values, each of which is a difference between when the positioning signal was transmitted or received by the processor of the communication node and when the positioning signal was transmitted or received, respectively, by an antenna of the communication node, and transmitting, by the communication node, the set of measurement results and the set of timing delays to a second communication node.

[0006] In some embodiments, the set of timing delays includes a sum of a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being the difference between when the first positioning signal is transmitted by a processor of the communication node and when the first positioning signal is transmitted by an antenna of the communication node, and the second portion being the difference between when the second positioning signal is received by the processor of the communication node and when the second positioning signal is received by a second antenna of the communication node. In some embodiments, the set of timing delays is determined during a duration during which signal transmission or reception is limited to transmission or reception of positioning signals.

[0007] In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving, by the communication node, configuration information from the second communication node of a duration, the configuration information comprising any one or more of a length, a periodicity, an offset, an activation or deactivation switch, and a timing advance. In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving, by the communication node, a list of associated transmission and reception points (TRPs) that transmit signals to or receive signals from the same communication node. In some embodiments, the method further includes reporting, by the communication node, to the second communication node, the list of associated transmission and reception points (TRPs) that transmit signals to or receive signals from the same communication node.

[0008] In some embodiments, the list of associated TRPs is received by the communication node in the assistance data transmitted by a location server in the core network. In some embodiments, the communication node performs communication with at least two associated TRPs from the list of associated TRPs by using the same physical transmission channel to transmit signals to or receive signals from the at least two associated TRPs. In some embodiments, the positioning signal includes a sounding reference signal (SRS), a positioning reference signal (PRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a phase tracking reference signal (PT-RS), or a tracking reference signal (TRS), and the set of timing delays is determined using the positioning signal. In some embodiments, the communication node includes a user equipment (UE), and the second communication node includes a location server, a base station, or a transmission and reception point (TRP) in the core network.

[0009] Another example wireless communication method includes determining, by a base station, measurement information comprising a set of measurement results and a set of timing delays, where the set of measurement results includes a first set of time values ​​when a positioning signal (which may also be known as a reference signal) was transmitted or received by a processor of the base station, and the set of timing delays includes a second set of time values, each of which is a difference between when the positioning signal was transmitted or received by the processor of the base station and when the positioning signal was transmitted or received, respectively, by an antenna of the base station, and transmitting, by the base station, the set of measurement results and the set of timing delays to a communication node.

[0010] In some embodiments, the set of timing delays includes a sum of a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being the difference between when the first positioning signal is transmitted by the base station processor and when the first positioning signal is transmitted by the base station antenna, and the second portion being the difference between when the second positioning signal is received by the base station processor and when the second positioning signal is received by the base station antenna. In some embodiments, the set of timing delays includes the difference between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion being the difference between when the first positioning signal is transmitted by the base station processor and when the first positioning signal is transmitted by the base station antenna, and the second portion being the difference between when the second positioning signal is transmitted by the second base station processor and when the second positioning signal is transmitted by the second base station antenna.

[0011] In some embodiments, the set of timing delays includes a difference between a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being the difference between when the first positioning signal is received by a processor of the base station and when the first positioning signal is received by an antenna of the base station, and the second portion being the difference between when the second positioning signal is received by a processor of the second base station and when the second positioning signal is received by an antenna of the second base station. In some embodiments, the set of timing delays is determined during a duration during which signal transmission or reception is limited to transmission or reception of positioning signals.

[0012] In some embodiments, the method further includes transmitting, by the base station, to the communication node, a list of associated transmission and reception points (TRPs) that transmit signals to or receive signals from the same communication node. In some embodiments, the list of associated TRPs is transmitted in assistance data transmitted by a location server in the core network. In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving, by the base station, from a communication node or a location server in the core network, a list of associated transmission and reception points (TRPs) that transmit signals to or receive signals from the same communication node. In some embodiments, the positioning signals include a sounding reference signal (SRS), a positioning reference signal (PRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a phase tracking reference signal (PT-RS), or a tracking reference signal (TRS), and the set of timing delays is determined using the positioning signals. In some embodiments, the communication node includes a user equipment (UE) or a location server in the core network.

[0013] In yet another exemplary aspect, the methods described above are embodied in the form of processor executable code and stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the code contained in the computer readable storage medium, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to implement the methods described in this patent document.

[0014] In yet another exemplary embodiment, a device configured or operable to perform the methods described above is disclosed.

[0015] These and other aspects and their implementations are described in more detail in the drawings, description, and claims. The present invention provides, for example, the following: (Item 1) 1. A wireless communication method, the method comprising: determining, by the communication node, measurement information comprising a set of measurement results and a set of timing delays; the set of measurements includes a first set of time values ​​when positioning signals were transmitted or received by a processor of the communication node; the set of timing delays includes a second set of time values, each of the second set of time values ​​being a difference between when a positioning signal is transmitted or received by the processor of the communication node and when the positioning signal is transmitted or received, respectively, by an antenna of the communication node; transmitting, by said communication node, said set of measurements and said set of timing delays to a second communication node; A wireless communication method comprising: (Item 2) the set of timing delays includes a sum of a first portion and a second portion; the first portion being the difference between when a first positioning signal was sent by the processor of the communication node and when the first positioning signal was transmitted by the antenna of the communication node; 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second portion is the difference between when a second positioning signal is received by the processor of the communication node and when the second positioning signal is received by a second antenna of the communication node. (Item 3) 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of timing delays is determined during a time duration during which signal transmission or reception is limited to transmission or reception of the positioning signal. (Item 4) 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising receiving, by the communication node, from the second communication node, configuration information of a duration, the configuration information comprising any one or more of a length, a periodicity, an offset, an activation or deactivation switch, and a timing advance. (Item 5) 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, by the communication node, a list of associated transmission and reception points (TRPs), the associated TRPs transmitting signals to or receiving signals from the same communication node. (Item 6) 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising reporting, by the communication node, to the second communication node, a list of associated transmission and reception points (TRPs), the associated TRPs transmitting signals to or receiving signals from the same communication node. (Item 7) 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the list of associated TRPs is received by the communication node in assistance data transmitted by a location server in a core network. (Item 8) 8. The method according to any of items 6 or 7, wherein the communication node performs communication with at least two associated TRPs from a list of associated TRPs by using the same physical transmission channel for transmitting signals to or receiving signals from the at least two associated TRPs. (Item 9) The positioning signal includes a sounding reference signal (SRS), a positioning reference signal (PRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a phase tracking reference signal (PT-RS), or a tracking reference signal (TRS); 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of timing delays is determined using the positioning signals. (Item 10) 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communication node includes a user equipment (UE) and the second communication node includes a location server, a base station, or a transmission and reception point (TRP) in a core network. (Item 11) 1. A wireless communication method, the method comprising: determining, by a base station, measurement information comprising a set of measurement results and a set of timing delays; the set of measurements includes a first set of time values ​​when positioning signals were transmitted or received by a processor at the base station; the set of timing delays includes a second set of time values, each of the second set of time values ​​being a difference between when a positioning signal is transmitted or received by the processor of the base station and when the positioning signal is transmitted or received, respectively, by an antenna of the base station; transmitting, by the base station, the set of measurements and the set of timing delays to a communication node; A wireless communication method comprising: (Item 12) the set of timing delays includes a sum of a first portion and a second portion; the first portion being a difference between when a first positioning signal was sent by the processor of the base station and when the first positioning signal was transmitted by the antenna of the base station; 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second portion is the difference between when a second positioning signal is received by the processor of the base station and when the second positioning signal is received by the antenna of the base station. (Item 13) the set of timing delays includes a difference between a first portion and a second portion; the first portion being a difference between when a first positioning signal was transmitted by the processor of the base station and when the first positioning signal was transmitted by the antenna of the base station; Item 12. The method of item 11, wherein the second portion is the difference between when a second positioning signal is transmitted by a processor of a second base station and when the second positioning signal is transmitted by an antenna of the second base station. (Item 14) the set of timing delays includes a difference between a first portion and a second portion; the first portion being a difference between when a first positioning signal is received by the processor of the base station and when the first positioning signal is received by the antenna of the base station; Item 12. The method of item 11, wherein the second portion is the difference between when a second positioning signal is received by a processor of a second base station and when the second positioning signal is received by an antenna of the second base station. (Item 15) 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the set of timing delays is determined during a time duration during which signal transmission or reception is limited to transmission or reception of the positioning signal. (Item 16) 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising transmitting, by the base station, a list of associated transmission and reception points (TRPs) to the communication node, the associated TRPs transmitting signals to or receiving signals from the same communication node. (Item 17) Item 17. The method according to item 16, wherein the list of associated TRPs is transmitted in assistance data transmitted by a location server in a core network. (Item 18) 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving, by the base station, a list of associated transmission and reception points (TRPs) from the communication node, the associated TRPs transmitting signals to or receiving signals from the same communication node. (Item 19) The positioning signal includes a sounding reference signal (SRS), a positioning reference signal (PRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a phase tracking reference signal (PT-RS), or a tracking reference signal (TRS); Item 12. The method of item 11, wherein the set of timing delays is determined using the positioning signals. (Item 20) Item 12. The method according to item 11, wherein the communication node includes a user equipment (UE) or a location server in a core network. (Item 21) An apparatus for wireless communication comprising a processor, the processor configured to implement the methods defined in one or more of items 1-20. (Item 22) A non-transitory computer readable program storage medium storing code that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to implement a method defined in one or more of items 1-20. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA) procedure for two transmission and reception points (TRPs) and a user equipment (UE). [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows the uplink TDOA (UL-TDOA) for two TRPs and a UE. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 illustrates a multi-round trip time (multi-RTT) procedure between a single TRP and a UE. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows an example of cross-calibration for at least two TRPs. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows an example block diagram of a hardware platform that may be part of a network node or user equipment. [Figure 6] 6-7 show two example flow charts for measuring and / or reporting timing errors. [Figure 7] 6-7 show two example flow charts for measuring and / or reporting timing errors. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] In New Radio (NR), positioning techniques can provide precise location information to UEs. In timing-based positioning methods, such as downlink (DL) or uplink (UL) time difference of arrival (TDOA) method and / or multiple round trip time (multiple RTT) method, there exists a timing delay or timing error between the baseband device and the antenna at both the transmission point / reception point (TRP) and the UE side, which perturbs or affects the measurement results in the timing-based positioning method, and which should be measured and / or offset so that better measurement accuracy can be obtained. This patent document provides some technical solutions (including measuring and reporting the timing error) for the timing-based positioning method when there is a timing delay.

[0018] The Rx / Tx timing delay between the baseband device and the RF chain may be incorporated into the timing measurement because the time point during which the duration to be measured for positioning, i.e., the propagation time, is blocked at both the antenna side of the TRP and the UE is recorded at the baseband device. The timing delay may also be a timing error, a transmission delay, a transmission error, a group delay, or a group error. The TRP may be a gNB or a base station. The RF chain may include an antenna or a physical transmission channel.

[0019] The example headings of various sections relating to the following embodiments are used to facilitate understanding of the disclosed subject matter and do not limit the scope of the claimed subject matter in any way. Thus, one or more features of one example section (or one embodiment) can be combined with one or more features of another example section (or another embodiment). Furthermore, although the term "5G" is used for clarity of description, the techniques disclosed herein are not limited to only 5G techniques and may be used in wireless systems implementing other protocols. (Embodiment 1)

[0020] The UE may perform self-calibration in the UL time gap, and the UL time gap (or UL gap) is a duration that may be configured by the gNB or the core network. The UL gap may be configured in a semi-static manner or in a dynamic manner. The configuration information is indicated by the gNB, the core network of the location server, or the network, and includes the length of the UL gap, the repetition periodicity of the UL gap, the time offset of the UL gap, the switching of the activation or deactivation of the UL gap, the timing advance of the UL gap, etc. The UL gap may also be a request of the UE. For example, if the UE wants to perform self-calibration, the UE sends a request to the gNB and asks for a UL gap. The positioning signal configured in the UL gap is used for the self-calibration of the UE. The positioning signal may be a positioning reference signal (PRS), a CSI-RS, a PT-RS, a tracking reference signal (TRS), or a sounding reference signal (SRS). In the UL gap, the UE may not transmit or receive signals except for performing self-calibration.

[0021] In some embodiments, the UE may perform self-calibration using a specific SRS during the UL time gap. The use of the positioning SRS is configured in RRC signaling. The self-calibration SRS may have a bandwidth wider than the active bandwidth portion (BWP). In some embodiments, the bandwidth of the self-calibration SRS may be the entire band. (Embodiment 2)

[0022] The DL-TDOA method with timing error Δ is illustrated in FIG. 1. T1-T3 are known time points measured at both TRP1 and UE baseband device sides, while Δ exists as an unknown Rx-Tx timing error at TRP1, TRP2, and UE sides. At the UE side, the baseband device may include a processor. Two instances of RF include antennas at the TRP side and UE side. Assuming that TRP1 and TRP2 are precisely synchronized, the time difference of the propagation time downlink reference signal between TRPi and the UE is

number

number

[0023] Equation (1) can be written as follows:

number

number

number

number

number

[0024] The UL-TDOA method with timing error Δ is illustrated in Figure 2. T1-T3 are known time points measured at both the baseband device side of TRP1 and the UE, but Δ exists as an unknown Rx-Tx timing error at the TRP1 and UE side. The time difference between the propagation time uplink reference signal between TRPi and the UE

number

number

[0025] Equation (3) can be written as follows:

number

number

number

[0026] When the TRPs can perform mutual calibration and a UE uses the same RF chain to receive or transmit positioning signals using different TRPs, the DL-TDOA / UL-TDOA scheme can cancel the Tx-Rx timing error and improve the measurement accuracy.

[0027] In DL / UP-TDOA, after implementation measurements, for network-based positioning, a TRP is the difference in Tx-Tx timing error in the UL-TDOA of the associated TRP.

number

number

number

number

number

number

[0028] In DL / UL-TDOA, the gNB can pre-compensate for the timing error by itself by transmitting the positioning signal slightly earlier or later to be aligned with the reference TRP. (Embodiment 3)

[0029] In DL-TDOA, associated TRPs are several TRPs that transmit signals to a single UE to measure DL propagation time for positioning; in UL-TDOA, associated TRPs are several TRPs that receive signals from a specific UE to measure UL propagation time for positioning. In some embodiments, associated TRPs that may perform mutual calibration may be indicated to the UE. In some embodiments, associated TRPs may also be TRPs that perform mutual calibration to measure or offset timing errors.

[0030] In DL-TDOA, a UE can receive positioning signals transmitted from an associated TRP using the same RF chain. In UL-TDOA, a UE can transmit positioning signals to an associated TRP using the same RF chain.

[0031] The location server may transmit assistance data to the UE (e.g., directly or via a base station or TRP) to assist the UE in performing positioning, indicate to the UE about TRP locations, etc. In some embodiments, the associated TRPs may be indicated to the UE by configuring a TRP identifier (ID) list in the assistance data, the list including the associated TRP IDs.

[0032] Alternatively, the UE may report whether the UE transmits or receives positioning signals using the same RF chain. In some embodiments, the UE may report the TRPs that the UE transmits / receives using the same RF chain. In some embodiments, the UE may report a TRP ID and / or different parameters that may identify the TRP. (Embodiment 4)

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a multi-RTT procedure between a single TRP (i.e., TRP1) and a UE. T1-T4 are known time points measured at the baseband device side of both TRP1 and the UE. Δ exists as an unknown Rx-Tx timing error at the TRP1 and UE sides. The dashed line between the RF (e.g., antenna) of TRP1 and the RF (e.g., antenna) of the UE indicates the actual propagation time in the air between the antenna side of the TRP and the UE. Propagation time

number

number

number

number

number

[0034] In the multi-RTT method, the UE and the TRP may have the capability of self-calibration. In some embodiments of the multi-RTT method, the gNB may

number

number

number

number

number

number

number

number

number

number

number

number

number

number

[0035] Alternatively, in network based positioning, at the UE side,

number

number

number

number

number

number

number

number

number

number

number

number

number

number

number

[0036] Cross calibration is an implementation method to measure the difference in transmission or reception timing delay between several TRPs. If the timing delay relationship can be obtained, the errors can be aligned with a reference TRP to cancel them in DL-TDOA or UL-TDOA positioning methods.

[0037] 4 shows an example of cross-calibration for at least two TRPs. Assuming, for example, two TRPs as depicted in FIG. 4, the cross-calibration procedure is as follows.

[0038] By performing self-transmission and self-reception of TRP1, the signal propagation time t1

number

[0039] Signal propagation time t2 between TRP1 and TRP2

number

[0040] By performing self-transmission and self-reception of TRP2, the signal propagation time t3

number

[0041] Signal propagation time t4 between TRP2 and TRP1

number

[0042] Follow the previous four steps:

number

number

[0043] It can be seen that the difference in timing delay is calculated in step 5. Furthermore, if TRP1 is the reference TRP, TRP2 can set its transmission timing delay to be aligned with the timing delay of TRP1, which helps to offset the timing delay built into the DL / UL-TDOA positioning method.

[0044] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a hardware platform 500 that may be part of a network node (e.g., a base station or TRP) or a communication node (e.g., a user equipment). The hardware platform 500 includes at least one processor 510 and a memory 505 storing instructions. When executed by the processor 510, the instructions configure the hardware platform 500 to perform the operations described in FIGS. 1-4 and 6-7 and various embodiments described in this patent document. The transmitter 515 transmits or transmits information or data to another node. For example, a network node transmitter can transmit a message to a communication node. The receiver 520 receives information or data transmitted or transmitted by another node. For example, a communication node can receive a message from a network node.

[0045] 6 shows an exemplary flow chart for measuring and / or reporting timing errors. Operation 602 includes determining, by the communication node, measurement information comprising a set of measurements and a set of timing delays, the set of measurements including a first set of time values ​​when a positioning signal (which may also be known as a reference signal) is transmitted or received by a processor of the communication node, and the set of timing delays including a second set of time values, each of which is a difference between when the positioning signal is transmitted or received by the processor of the communication node and when the positioning signal is transmitted or received, respectively, by an antenna of the communication node. Operation 604 includes transmitting, by the communication node, the set of measurements and the set of timing delays to a second communication node.

[0046] In some embodiments, the set of timing delays includes a sum of a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being the difference between when the first positioning signal is transmitted by a processor of the communication node and when the first positioning signal is transmitted by an antenna of the communication node, and the second portion being the difference between when the second positioning signal is received by the processor of the communication node and when the second positioning signal is received by a second antenna of the communication node. In some embodiments, the set of timing delays is determined during a duration during which transmission or reception of signals is limited to transmission or reception of positioning signals.

[0047] In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving, by the communication node, configuration information from the second communication node of a duration, the configuration information comprising any one or more of a length, a periodicity, an offset, an activation or deactivation switch, and a timing advance. In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving, by the communication node, a list of associated transmission and reception points (TRPs) that transmit signals to or receive signals from the same communication node. In some embodiments, the method further includes reporting, by the communication node, to the second communication node, the list of associated transmission and reception points (TRPs) that transmit signals to or receive signals from the same communication node.

[0048] In some embodiments, the list of associated TRPs is received by the communication node in the assistance data transmitted by a location server in the core network. In some embodiments, the communication node performs communication with at least two associated TRPs from the list of associated TRPs by using the same physical transmission channel to transmit signals to or receive signals from the at least two associated TRPs. In some embodiments, the positioning signal includes a sounding reference signal (SRS), a positioning reference signal (PRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a phase tracking reference signal (PT-RS), or a tracking reference signal (TRS), and the set of timing delays is determined using the positioning signal. In some embodiments, the communication node includes a user equipment (UE), and the second communication node includes a location server, a base station, or a transmission and reception point (TRP) in the core network.

[0049] 7 shows another exemplary flow chart for measuring and / or reporting timing errors. Operation 702 includes determining, by the base station, measurement information comprising a set of measurements and a set of timing delays, the set of measurements including a first set of time values ​​when a positioning signal (which may also be known as a reference signal) is transmitted or received by a processor of the base station, and the set of timing delays including a second set of time values, each of which is a difference between when the positioning signal is transmitted or received by the processor of the base station and when the positioning signal is transmitted or received, respectively, by an antenna of the base station. Operation 704 includes transmitting, by the base station, the set of measurements and the set of timing delays to the communication node.

[0050] In some embodiments, the set of timing delays includes a sum of a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being the difference between when the first positioning signal is transmitted by the base station processor and when the first positioning signal is transmitted by the base station antenna, and the second portion being the difference between when the second positioning signal is received by the base station processor and when the second positioning signal is received by the base station antenna. In some embodiments, the set of timing delays includes the difference between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion being the difference between when the first positioning signal is transmitted by the base station processor and when the first positioning signal is transmitted by the base station antenna, and the second portion being the difference between when the second positioning signal is transmitted by the second base station processor and when the second positioning signal is transmitted by the second base station antenna.

[0051] In some embodiments, the set of timing delays includes a difference between a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being the difference between when the first positioning signal is received by a processor of the base station and when the first positioning signal is received by an antenna of the base station, and the second portion being the difference between when the second positioning signal is received by a processor of the second base station and when the second positioning signal is received by an antenna of the second base station. In some embodiments, the set of timing delays is determined during a duration during which transmission or reception of signals is limited to transmission or reception of positioning signals.

[0052] In some embodiments, the method further includes transmitting, by the base station, to the communication node a list of associated transmission and reception points (TRPs) that transmit signals to or receive signals from the same communication node. In some embodiments, the list of associated TRPs is transmitted in assistance data transmitted by a location server in the core network. In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving, by the base station, from a communication node or a location server in the core network, a list of associated transmission and reception points (TRPs) that transmit signals to or receive signals from the same communication node. In some embodiments, the positioning signals include a sounding reference signal (SRS), a positioning reference signal (PRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a phase tracking reference signal (PT-RS), or a tracking reference signal (TRS), and the set of timing delays is determined using the positioning signals. In some embodiments, the communication node includes a user equipment (UE) or a location server in the core network.

[0053] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "an example of," and does not imply an ideal or preferred embodiment, unless otherwise stated.

[0054] Some of the embodiments described herein are described in the general context of a method or process, which in one embodiment may be implemented by a computer program product embodied in a computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions, such as program code, executed by a computer in a networked environment. The computer-readable medium may include removable and non-removable storage devices, including, but not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), and the like. Thus, the computer-readable medium may include non-transitory storage media. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer or processor-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent examples of program code for executing steps of the methods disclosed herein. A particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represents examples of corresponding operations for implementing the functions described in such steps or processes.

[0055] Some of the disclosed embodiments can be implemented as devices or modules using hardware circuits, software, or a combination thereof. For example, hardware circuit implementations can include separate analog and / or digital components integrated, for example, as part of a printed circuit board. Alternatively or additionally, the disclosed components or modules can be implemented as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and / or as field programmable gate array (FPGA) devices. Some implementations can additionally or alternatively include digital signal processors (DSPs), which are specialized microprocessors with architectures optimized for the operational needs of digital signal processing associated with the disclosed functionality of the present application. Similarly, various components or subcomponents within each module can be implemented in software, hardware, or firmware. Connectivity between modules and / or between components within a module can be provided using any one of the methods and mediums of connection known in the art, including, but not limited to, communication via the Internet, wired, or wireless networks using appropriate protocols.

[0056] Although this document contains many details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention as claimed or that may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features described herein in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented separately in multiple implementations or in any suitable subcombination. Furthermore, although features may be described above as operating in a combination and may be initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination may, in some cases, be excluded from the combination, and the claimed combination may also be subject to subcombinations or variations of the subcombination. Similarly, although operations are depicted in a particular order in the figures, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown, or in a sequential order, to achieve desired results, or that all of the illustrated operations be performed.

[0057] Only some implementations and examples have been described; other implementations, extensions, and variations may be made based on what is described and illustrated in this disclosure.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, the wireless communication method comprising: A communication node receives from a second communication node a list of associated transmission and reception points (TRPs) capable of performing mutual calibration with each other; The communication node determines measurement information comprising a set of measurement results and a set of timing delays, the set of measurement results including a first set of time values ​​when a positioning signal received or transmitted from the list of associated TRPs is transmitted or received by a processor of the communication node, and the set of timing delays including a second set of time values, each of the second set of time values ​​being a difference between when a positioning signal received or transmitted from the list of associated TRPs is transmitted or received by the processor of the communication node and when the positioning signal is transmitted or received, respectively, by an antenna of the communication node; said communication node transmitting said set of measurements and said set of timing delays to said second communication node; A wireless communication method comprising:

2. the set of timing delays includes a sum of a first portion and a second portion; the first portion being the difference between when a first positioning signal was transmitted by the antenna of the communication node and when the first positioning signal was sent by the processor of the communication node; 2. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the second portion is the difference between when a second positioning signal is received by the processor of the communication node and when the second positioning signal is received by the antenna of the communication node.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of timing delays is determined for a duration during which signal transmission or reception is limited to transmission or reception of the positioning signal.

4. The wireless communication method of claim 3, further comprising the communication node receiving duration configuration information from the second communication node, the configuration information comprising any one or more of length, periodicity, offset, activation or deactivation switching, and timing advance.

5. The wireless communication method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the list of associated TRPs includes receiving assistance data transmitted by a location server in a core network.

6. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the communication node performs communication with at least two associated TRPs by using a same physical transmission channel to transmit signals to or receive signals from at least two associated TRPs from the list of associated TRPs.

7. The positioning signal includes a sounding reference signal (SRS), a positioning reference signal (PRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a phase tracking reference signal (PT-RS), or a tracking reference signal (TRS); The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of timing delays is determined using the positioning signals.

8. 2. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, wherein the communication node comprises a user equipment (UE) and the second communication node comprises a location server, a base station or a transmission and reception point (TRP) in a core network.

9. A wireless communication method, the wireless communication method comprising: a base station determining measurement information comprising a set of measurement results and a set of timing delays, the set of measurement results including a first set of time values ​​when a positioning signal received or transmitted by a list of associated transmission and reception points (TRPs) capable of performing mutual calibration with each other is transmitted or received by a processor of the base station, and the set of timing delays including a second set of time values, each of the second set of time values ​​being a difference between a time when a positioning signal received or transmitted by a list of associated transmission and reception points (TRPs) capable of performing mutual calibration with each other is transmitted or received by the processor of the base station and a time when the positioning signal is transmitted or received, respectively, by an antenna of the base station; the base station transmitting the set of measurements and the set of timing delays to a communication node; A wireless communication method comprising:

10. the set of timing delays includes a sum of a first portion and a second portion; the first portion being a difference between when a first positioning signal was transmitted by the antenna of the base station and when the first positioning signal was sent by the processor of the base station; 10. The wireless communication method of claim 9, wherein the second portion is the difference between when a second positioning signal is received by the processor of the base station and when the second positioning signal is received by the antenna of the base station.

11. the set of timing delays includes a difference between a first portion and a second portion; the first portion being a difference between when a first positioning signal was transmitted by the processor of the base station and when the first positioning signal was transmitted by the antenna of the base station; 10. The wireless communication method of claim 9, wherein the second portion is the difference between when a second positioning signal is transmitted by a processor of a second base station and when the second positioning signal is transmitted by an antenna of the second base station.

12. the set of timing delays includes a difference between a first portion and a second portion; the first portion being a difference between when a first positioning signal is received by the processor of the base station and when the first positioning signal is received by the antenna of the base station; 10. The wireless communication method of claim 9, wherein the second portion is the difference between when a second positioning signal is received by a processor of a second base station and when the second positioning signal is received by an antenna of the second base station.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the set of timing delays is determined for a duration during which signal transmission or reception is limited to transmission or reception of the positioning signal.

14. The wireless communication method of claim 9 , wherein the list of associated TRPs is carried in assistance data transmitted by a location server in a core network.

15. The positioning signal includes a sounding reference signal (SRS), a positioning reference signal (PRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a phase tracking reference signal (PT-RS), or a tracking reference signal (TRS); The method of claim 9 , wherein the set of timing delays is determined using the positioning signals.

16. The wireless communication method according to claim 9 , wherein the communication node comprises a location server in a core network.

Images