Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) Node Positioning

Abstract

An integrated access backhaul (IAB) node whose location is unknown may use a mobile terminated (MT) function to transmit reference signals to or receive reference signals from multiple base stations in one or more positioning sessions for positioning the IAB node. Additionally or alternatively, a distributed unit (DU) function may be used to transmit reference signals to or receive reference signals from multiple nodes, e.g., user equipment (UE) or MT functions of downstream IAB nodes. Positioning results from the reference signals may be transmitted to a location server, which may determine the location of the IAB node. The location server may further receive an indication of the mobility of the IAB node, which may be used for positioning the UE, e.g., by excluding information about mobile IAB nodes during positioning.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 923,319, entitled "BASE STATION POSITIONING," filed October 18, 2019, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 923,395, entitled "INTEGRATED ACCESS BACKHAUL (IAB) NODE POSITIONING," filed October 18, 2019, and U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 17 / 070,214, entitled "INTEGRATED ACCESS BACKHAUL (IAB) NODE POSITIONING," filed October 14, 2020, all of which are assigned to the assignee hereof and are expressly incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0002] FIELD The following relates generally to wireless communications, and more specifically to techniques for supporting location services for user equipment (UE) in wireless networks. [Background technology]

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcasts, and the like. These systems may be capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems, sometimes referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ technologies such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), or Discrete Fourier Transform Spread Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple access communication system may include several base stations or network access nodes, each simultaneously supporting communication for multiple communication devices, also known as user equipment (UE).

[0004] In some wireless communication systems, a positioning engine, e.g., in the UE or external to the UE, such as a Location Measurement Function (PMF), Location Management Function (LMF), or Location Management Component (LMC) in an NR network, or a location server including a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (SLP) or Enhanced Serving Mobile Location Center (eSMLC) in LTE, may use radio access network information to determine the location or position of a supported UE. This information may be associated with a UE-based or UE-assisted positioning technique, e.g., in which downlink (DL) reference signal transmissions from one or more base stations may be measured by the UE, or uplink reference signal transmissions from the UE may be measured by one or more base stations, and the resulting measurement results are used by the UE or a location server to determine the location of the UE. These methods may support various location services (e.g., navigation systems, emergency communications) and may augment one or more additional location systems (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) technology) supported by the wireless communication device. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The positioning procedures used to determine the location of the UE using radio access network information assume that the location of the supporting base station is known to the positioning engine. The base station's location may be measured, for example, offline, using, for example, GPS technology or a geographical survey, and may be programmed, for example stored, in the positioning engine or provided to the UE by a location server in positioning assistance data. However, there are base stations whose location may be unknown. For example, a completely fixed base station may not have a GPS receiver or a geographical survey, or the results of the geographical survey may not be accurate. Mobile base stations, for example, home routers, may be moved from time to time, making the previously known location invalid. A completely mobile base station, for example, a mobile integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node on a taxi or train, may not have a positioning capability or may not have updated its latest location fix. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An integrated access backhaul (IAB) node whose location is unknown may use a mobile terminated (MT) function to transmit reference signals to or receive reference signals from multiple base stations in one or more positioning sessions for positioning of the IAB node. Additionally or alternatively, a distributed unit (DU) function may be used to transmit reference signals to or receive reference signals from multiple nodes, e.g., user equipment (UE) or MT functions of downstream IAB nodes. Positioning results from the reference signals may be transmitted to a location server, which may determine the location of the IAB node. The location server may further receive an indication of mobility of the IAB node, which may be used for positioning of the UE, e.g., by excluding information about mobile IAB nodes during positioning.

[0007] In one implementation, a method on an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node for positioning of an IAB node, where the IAB node has a mobile termination (MT) function and a distributed unit (DU) function, includes transmitting or receiving messages for one or more positioning sessions to determine a location of the IAB node, and transmitting or receiving reference signals for positioning of the IAB node to or from multiple nodes in a wireless network in the one or more positioning sessions.

[0008] In one implementation, an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node in a wireless network configured to perform positioning of an IAB node, the IAB node comprising a mobile termination (MT) function and a distributed unit (DU) function, includes an external interface configured to communicate with other nodes in the wireless network, at least one memory, and at least one processor coupled to the external interface and the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to transmit or receive messages for one or more positioning sessions to determine a location of the IAB node, and to transmit reference signals for positioning of the IAB node to or receive from multiple nodes in the wireless network in the one or more positioning sessions.

[0009] In one implementation, an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node in a wireless network configured to perform positioning of an IAB node, the IAB node comprising a mobile terminated (MT) function and a distributed unit (DU) function, includes means for transmitting or receiving messages for one or more positioning sessions to determine a location of the IAB node, and means for transmitting reference signals for positioning of the IAB node to or from multiple nodes in the wireless network in the one or more positioning sessions.

[0010] In one implementation, a non-transitory storage medium has program code stored thereon, the program code operable to configure at least one processor in an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node in a wireless network to perform positioning of the IAB node, the IAB node having a mobile termination (MT) function and a distributed unit (DU) function, and the non-transitory storage medium includes program code for transmitting or receiving messages for one or more positioning sessions to determine a location of the IAB node, and program code for transmitting reference signals for positioning of the IAB node to or from multiple nodes in the wireless network in the one or more positioning sessions.

[0011] In one implementation, a method for positioning of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node whose location in a wireless network is unknown, performed by a location server, where the IAB node has a mobile termination (MT) function and a distributed unit (DU) function, includes the steps of receiving location information from the IAB node, where the location information comprises positioning results from reference signals received by the IAB node for positioning from a plurality of nodes in the wireless network, and determining a location of the IAB node using the received location information.

[0012] In one implementation, a location server configured to perform positioning of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node whose location in a wireless network is unknown, the IAB node comprising a mobile termination (MT) function and a distributed unit (DU) function, the location server includes an external interface configured to communicate with other nodes in the wireless network, at least one memory, and at least one processor coupled to the external interface and the at least one memory, the at least one processor configured to receive location information from the IAB node, the location information comprising positioning results from reference signals received by the IAB node for positioning from a plurality of nodes in the wireless network, and to determine a location of the IAB node using the received location information.

[0013] In one implementation, a location server is configured to perform positioning of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node whose location in a wireless network is unknown, the IAB node having a mobile termination (MT) function and a distributed unit (DU) function, and the location server includes means for receiving location information from the IAB node, the location information comprising positioning results from reference signals received by the IAB node for positioning from a plurality of nodes in the wireless network, and means for determining a location of the IAB node using the received location information.

[0014] In one implementation, a non-transitory storage medium has program code stored thereon, the program code operable to configure at least one processor in a location server to perform positioning of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node whose location in a wireless network is unknown, the IAB node comprising a mobile termination (MT) function and a distributed unit (DU) function, the non-transitory storage medium including: program code for receiving location information from the IAB node, the location information comprising positioning results from reference signals received by the IAB node for positioning from a plurality of nodes in the wireless network; and program code for determining a location of the IAB node using the received location information.

[0015] In one implementation, a method for positioning a user equipment (UE) performed by a location server includes receiving an indication of mobility of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node from an IAB node and using the indication of mobility of the IAB node for positioning the UE.

[0016] In one implementation, a location server configured to perform positioning of a user equipment (UE) includes an external interface configured to communicate with other nodes in a wireless network, at least one memory, and at least one processor coupled to the external interface and the at least one memory, where the at least one processor is configured to receive an indication of mobility of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node from an IAB node and use the indication of mobility of the IAB node for positioning of the UE.

[0017] In one implementation, a location server is configured to perform positioning of a user equipment (UE), the location server including means for receiving an indication of mobility of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node from an IAB node and means for using the indication of mobility of the IAB node for positioning of the UE.

[0018] In one implementation, a non-transitory storage medium has program code stored thereon, the program code operable to configure at least one processor in a location server to perform positioning of a user equipment (UE), the non-transitory storage medium including program code for receiving an indication of mobility of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node from an IAB node, and program code for using the indication of mobility of the IAB node for positioning of the UE.

[0019] In one implementation, a method for positioning a user equipment (UE) performed by the UE includes receiving positioning assistance data from a location server, the positioning assistance data including an indication of integrated access backhaul (IAB) node mobility, and performing positioning from a plurality of base stations, where the indication of the IAB node mobility is used during the positioning.

[0020] In one implementation, a user equipment (UE) configured to perform UE positioning includes a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with base stations in a wireless network, at least one memory, and at least one processor coupled to the wireless transceiver and the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive positioning assistance data from a location server including an indication of mobility of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node and perform positioning from a plurality of base stations, wherein the indication of mobility of the IAB node is used during the positioning.

[0021] In one implementation, a user equipment (UE) is configured to perform positioning of the UE, the UE including means for receiving positioning assistance data from a location server including an indication of integrated access backhaul (IAB) node mobility and means for performing positioning from a plurality of base stations, the indication of the IAB node mobility being used during the positioning.

[0022] In one implementation, a non-transitory storage medium has program code stored thereon, the program code operable to configure at least one processor in a user equipment (UE) to perform positioning of the UE, the non-transitory storage medium including program code for receiving positioning assistance data from a location server, the positioning assistance data including an indication of mobility of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node, and program code for performing positioning from a plurality of base stations, the indication of mobility of the IAB node being used during the positioning.

[0023] In one implementation, a method for positioning a base station whose location is unknown, performed by a location server in a wireless network, includes engaging in multiple positioning sessions to estimate a location of one or more user equipments (UEs), where the base station participates in at least one of the multiple positioning sessions, at least one of the multiple positioning sessions including one or more other base stations whose locations are known; receiving location measurement results associated with the base station and one or more UEs in each of the multiple positioning sessions; and determining an estimated location of the base station using the location measurement results associated with the base station and one or more UEs.

[0024] In one implementation, a location server configured for positioning a base station whose location in a wireless network is unknown includes an external interface configured to communicate with other nodes in the wireless network, at least one memory, and at least one processor coupled to the external interface and the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to engage in multiple positioning sessions to estimate a location of one or more user equipments (UEs), wherein the base station participates in at least one of the multiple positioning sessions, at least one of the multiple positioning sessions including one or more other base stations whose locations are known, receive location measurement results associated with the base station and the one or more UEs in each of the multiple positioning sessions, and determine an estimated location of the base station using the location measurement results associated with the base station and the one or more UEs.

[0025] In one implementation, a location server configured for positioning of a base station whose location in a wireless network is unknown includes means for engaging in multiple positioning sessions to estimate a location of one or more user equipment (UE), where the base station participates in at least one of the multiple positioning sessions, at least one of the multiple positioning sessions including one or more other base stations whose locations are known, means for receiving location measurement results associated with the base station and one or more UEs in each of the multiple positioning sessions, and means for determining an estimated location of the base station using the location measurement results associated with the base station and one or more UEs.

[0026] In one implementation, a non-transitory storage medium has program code stored thereon, the program code being operable to configure at least one processor in a location server to perform positioning of a base station whose location in a wireless network is unknown, the program code including: program code for engaging in multiple positioning sessions to estimate a location of one or more user equipment (UE), wherein the base station participates in at least one of the multiple positioning sessions, at least one of the multiple positioning sessions including one or more other base stations whose locations are known; program code for receiving location measurement results associated with the base station and the one or more UEs in each of the multiple positioning sessions; and program code for determining an estimated location of the base station using the location measurement results associated with the base station and the one or more UEs.

[0027] In one implementation, a network entity configured for positioning of a node whose location in a wireless network is unknown includes an external interface configured to communicate with other nodes in the wireless network, at least one memory, and at least one processor coupled to the external interface and the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to send a command to a user equipment (UE) instructing the UE to perform positioning with the node, the node comprising one of a base station or another UE.

[0028] In one implementation, a network entity configured for positioning of a node whose location in a wireless network is unknown includes means for transmitting a command to a user equipment (UE) instructing the UE to perform positioning with the node, the node comprising one of a base station or another UE.

[0029] In one implementation, a non-transitory storage medium has program code stored thereon, the program code operable to configure at least one processor in a network entity configured for positioning of a node whose location in a wireless network is unknown, the program code including program code for sending a command to a user equipment (UE) instructing the UE to perform positioning with the node, the node comprising one of a base station or another UE.

[0030] In one implementation, a method for positioning of a node whose location is unknown in a wireless network performed by a user equipment (UE) includes the steps of receiving a command from a network entity in the wireless network, the command instructing the UE to perform positioning with the node, the node comprising one of a base station or another UE, and performing location measurements with the node.

[0031] In one implementation, a user equipment (UE) configured for positioning of a node whose location in a wireless network is unknown includes an external interface configured to communicate with other nodes in the wireless network, at least one memory, and at least one processor coupled to the external interface and the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor receives a command from a network entity in the wireless network, the command instructing the UE to perform positioning with the node, the node comprising one of a base station or another UE, and is configured to perform location measurements with the node.

[0032] In one implementation, a user equipment (UE) configured for positioning of a node whose location in a wireless network is unknown includes means for receiving a command from a network entity in the wireless network, the command instructing the UE to perform positioning with the node, the node comprising one of a base station or another UE, and means for performing location measurements with the node.

[0033] In one implementation, a non-transitory storage medium has program code stored thereon, the program code being operable to configure at least one processor in a user equipment (UE) configured for positioning of a node whose location in a wireless network is unknown, the program code including: program code for receiving a command from a network entity in the wireless network instructing the UE to perform positioning with the node, the node comprising one of a base station or another UE; and program code for performing location measurements with the node.

[0034] In one implementation, a method for positioning of a base station whose location in a wireless network is unknown performed by a base station includes receiving a request for a capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine the location of the base station and, in response to the request, indicating a capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine the location of the base station.

[0035] In one implementation, a base station configured to position a base station whose location in a wireless network is unknown includes an external interface configured to communicate with other nodes in the wireless network, at least one memory, and at least one processor coupled to the external interface and the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive a request for capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine a location of the base station and, in response to the request, indicate capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine a location of the base station.

[0036] In one implementation, a base station configured to position a base station whose location in a wireless network is unknown includes means for receiving a request for capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine a location of the base station and means for indicating, in response to the request, a capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine a location of the base station.

[0037] In one implementation, a non-transitory storage medium has program code stored thereon, the program code operable to configure at least one processor in a base station configured to position a base station whose location in a wireless network is unknown, the program code including: receiving a request for capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine a location of the base station; and, in response to the request, indicating capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine a location of the base station. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system supporting one or more aspects of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified environment and an example technique for determining a location of a node. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified environment and another example technique for determining a location of a node. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified environment and an exemplary technique for determining a location of a base station. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) architecture in standalone mode, showing IAB functions and interfaces. [Figure 6A] FIG. 2 illustrates various modes of standalone and non-standalone operation of the IAB. [Figure 6B] FIG. 2 illustrates various modes of standalone and non-standalone operation of the IAB. [Figure 6C] FIG. 2 illustrates various modes of standalone and non-standalone operation of the IAB. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 illustrates an IAB architecture capable of determining the location of an IAB node. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified exemplary procedure for determining the location of an IAB node. [Figure 9]FIG. 1 illustrates another simplified exemplary procedure for determining the location of an IAB node. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 illustrates another simplified exemplary procedure for determining the location of an IAB node. [Figure 11] 11 illustrates a methodology 1100 that includes messages that may be used to determine a UE's location using an indication of IAB node mobility. [Figure 12] 1 is a process flow illustrating a method for locating an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node whose location is unknown in a wireless network performed by an IAB node. [Figure 13A] 1 is another process flow illustrating a method performed by an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node for positioning an IAB node whose location is unknown in a wireless network. [Figure 13B] 1 is another process flow illustrating a method performed by an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node for positioning an IAB node whose location is unknown in a wireless network. [Figure 14] 1 is a process flow illustrating a method for positioning an Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) node whose location is unknown in a wireless network performed by a location server. [Figure 15] 1 is a process flow illustrating a method for positioning a user equipment (UE). [Figure 16] 1 is a process flow illustrating a method for positioning a user equipment (UE). [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a hardware implementation of an IAB node capable of positioning as discussed herein. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a hardware implementation of a location server capable of positioning as discussed herein. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware implementation of a UE capable of positioning as discussed herein. [Figure 20]FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified exemplary procedure for determining a base station location. [Figure 21] FIG. 1 illustrates another simplified exemplary procedure for determining a base station location. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 illustrates a procedure involving messages that may be used to determine the location of a base station. [Diagram 23] 4 is a process flow illustrating a method for positioning a base station whose location is unknown performed by a location server. [Figure 24] 1 is a process flow illustrating a method for positioning a node whose location is unknown in a wireless network performed by a network entity. [Diagram 25] 1 is a process flow illustrating a method performed by a user equipment (UE) for positioning a node whose location is unknown in a wireless network. [Figure 26] 4 is a process flow illustrating a method performed by a base station for positioning a base station whose location in a wireless network is unknown. [Figure 27] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware implementation of a location server capable of positioning as discussed herein. [Figure 28] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware implementation of a UE capable of positioning as discussed herein. [Figure 29] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware implementation of a base station capable of positioning as discussed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] In position determination, positioning procedures such as observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA), round trip time (RTT), angle of arrival (AoA), angle of departure (AoD), etc. may be used to determine the location of a user equipment (UE). The positioning procedures rely on positioning results of DL or UL reference signals performed by the UE and / or base station to determine the distance between the UE and a base station, the difference in distance from the UE to two or more base stations, the angle with one or more base stations, etc. Based on knowledge of the location of the base station, the positioning results may be used to determine the location of the UE.

[0040] However, some base stations may not have known locations. For example, some base stations may be mobile and may have moved since their location was last determined. In addition, some base stations may not have the capability to determine their own location, for example, they may not have a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver. Although a site survey may be used to map the locations of base stations, some base stations may not have been included in the site survey, or if they were included, the site survey may be inaccurate and the resulting location may not be reliable. Base stations with unknown locations are not useful for determining the location of a UE.

[0041] One type of base station being considered for wireless communication systems, e.g., 5G NR networks using next generation node-based (referred to as gNB) base stations, is an IAB node that uses a wireless backhaul connection to another base station (gNB) that has a wired connection to the core network, i.e., another base station called an integrated access backhaul (IAB) donor. In high frequency deployments, e.g., millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies, a large number of IAB node deployments can help offset the severe path loss and penetration loss due to high frequency spectrum and reduce the difficulty of providing wired (e.g., fiber-based) backhaul for such dense deployments of base stations. Moreover, some IAB nodes may be mobile, e.g., located in vehicles such as taxis or trains.

[0042] Therefore, techniques and procedures that may be associated with determining the location of a mobile base station, such as a mobile IAB node, may be desirable so that positioning of a UE may be performed using reference signals from the IAB node.

[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 100 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system 100 includes a base station 105, a UE 115, and one or more core networks shown as an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) 160 and a Fifth Generation Core (5GC) 190. Although two core networks are shown, the wireless communication system may use only one core network, e.g., the 5GC 190. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, or a New Radio (NR) network. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support enhanced broadband communications, ultra-reliable (e.g., mission-critical) communications, low latency communications, or communications with low-cost and low-complexity devices.

[0044] The base station 105 may communicate wirelessly with the UE 115 via one or more base station antennas. The base station 105 described herein may include or be referred to by one skilled in the art as a transceiver base station, a radio base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB), a next generation NodeB or giga-NodeB (any of which may be referred to as a gNB), a Home NodeB, a Home eNodeB, or some other suitable terminology. The wireless communication system 100 may include different types of base stations 105 (e.g., macro cell base stations or small cell base stations). The UE 115 described herein may be capable of communicating with various types of base stations 105 and network equipment, including macro eNBs, small cell eNBs, gNBs, relay base stations, etc.

[0045] A base station may also be referred to as a gNB, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), access point, base transceiver station, radio base station, radio transceiver, transceiver function, basic service set (BSS), extended service set (ESS), transmit / receive point (TRP), or some other suitable terminology. The base station 105 provides an access point to the EPC 160 or 5GC 190 for the UEs 115. Examples of the UEs 115 include mobile phones, smartphones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), satellite radios, global positioning systems, multimedia devices, video devices, digital audio players (such as MP3 players), cameras, gaming consoles, tablets, smart devices, wearable devices, vehicles, electric meters, gas pumps, large or small cooking appliances, health management devices, implants, sensors / actuators, displays, or any other similarly functional devices. Some of the UEs 115 may be referred to as IoT devices (e.g., parking meters, gas pumps, toasters, vehicles, heart monitors, etc.). Some of the UEs 115 may be referred to as IIoT devices, such as sensors, instruments, and other devices networked together in industrial applications. The UEs 115 may also be referred to as stations, mobile stations, subscriber stations, mobile units, subscriber units, wireless units, remote units, mobile devices, wireless devices, wireless communication devices, remote devices, mobile subscriber stations, access terminals, mobile terminals, wireless terminals, remote terminals, handsets, user agents, mobile clients, clients, or some other suitable terminology.

[0046] The location of the base station 105 may be known, for example, by measuring offline, using a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) such as GPS, or by geolocation. The known location of the base station 105 may be stored in a location server, such as the LMF 196 in 164 / 196 of the 5GC 190, for positioning of the UE 115. However, the location of some base stations 105 may not be known. For example, some base stations 105 may not have positioning capabilities. For example, some base stations 105 may not have a GNSS receiver or positioning capabilities. Completely stationary base stations 105 may not be geolocated or the geolocation may be inaccurate. Mobile base stations 105, such as home routers, may be moved from time to time and may not update their location. Completely mobile base stations 105, such as mobile integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes, for example on vehicles, may not have positioning capabilities or may not update their current location. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a base station 105' on a vehicle 104 may be a mobile IAB node, while the base station 105 with which the IAB node 105' communicates via a backhaul link 134' is an IAB donor.

[0047] Each base station 105 may be associated with a particular geographic coverage area 110 in which communication with various UEs 115 is supported. Each base station 105 may provide communication coverage for the respective geographic coverage area 110 via a communication link 125, where the communication link 125 between the base station 105 and the UE 115 may utilize one or more carriers. The communication link 125 shown in the wireless communication system 100 may include an uplink transmission from the UE 115 to the base station 105 or a downlink transmission from the base station 105 to the UE 115. A downlink transmission may be referred to as a forward link transmission, while an uplink transmission may be referred to as a reverse link transmission.

[0048] A geographic coverage area 110 for a base station 105 may be divided into sectors that make up a portion of the geographic coverage area 110, and each sector may be associated with a cell. For example, each base station 105 may provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a small cell, a hot spot, or other type of cell, or various combinations thereof. In some examples, the base station 105 may be mobile and thus provide communication coverage to a moving geographic coverage area 110. In some examples, different geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, and overlapping geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may be supported by the same base station 105 or by different base stations 105. The wireless communication system 100 may include a heterogeneous LTE / LTE-A / LTE-A Pro network or NR network, for example, in which different types of base stations 105 provide coverage to various geographic coverage areas 110.

[0049] The term "cell" refers to a logical communication entity used for communication with a base station 105 (e.g., on a carrier) and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., physical cell identifier (PCID), virtual cell identifier (VCID)) to distinguish neighboring cells operating over the same or different carriers. In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., machine type communication (MTC), narrowband Internet-of-Things (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), or others) that may provide access for different types of devices. In some examples, the term "cell" may refer to a portion of a geographic coverage area 110 (e.g., a sector) over which a logical entity operates.

[0050] The UEs 115 may be distributed throughout the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 may be fixed or mobile. The UEs 115 may also be referred to as mobile devices, wireless devices, remote devices, handheld devices, or subscriber devices, or some other suitable terminology, and a "device" may also be referred to as a unit, station, terminal, or client. The UEs 115 may also be personal electronic devices, such as a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. In some examples, the UEs 115 may also refer to a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or an MTC device, which may be implemented in various items, such as an appliance, a vehicle, a meter, etc.

[0051] Some UEs 115, such as MTC or IoT devices, may be low-cost or low-complexity devices and may provide automated communication between machines (e.g., via machine-to-machine (M2M) communication). M2M communication or MTC may refer to data communication technologies that allow devices to communicate with each other or with the base station 105 without human intervention. In some examples, M2M communication or MTC may include communication from devices that incorporate sensors or meters to measure or capture information and relay that information to a central server or application program that can utilize the information or present the information to a human interacting with the program or application. Some UEs 115 may be designed to collect information or enable automated behavior of machines. Examples of applications for MTC devices include smart metering, inventory monitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, healthcare monitoring, wildlife monitoring, weather and geological event monitoring, fleet management and tracking, remote security sensing, physical access control, and transaction-based business billing.

[0052] Some UEs 115 may be configured to utilize operating modes that reduce power consumption, such as half-duplex communication (e.g., a mode that supports one-way communication via transmit or receive, but not transmit and receive simultaneously). In some examples, half-duplex communication may be performed at a reduced peak rate. Other power conservation techniques for the UE 115 include entering a power-saving "deep sleep" mode or operating over a limited bandwidth (e.g., pursuant to narrowband communication) when not engaged in active communication. In some examples, the UE 115 may be designed to support important functions (e.g., mission-critical functions), and the wireless communication system 100 may be configured to provide ultra-reliable communication for these functions.

[0053] In some examples, the UE 115 may also be able to communicate directly with other UEs 115 (e.g., using peer-to-peer (P2P) or device-to-device (D2D) protocols). One or more of the groups of UEs 115 utilizing D2D communication may be within the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 105. Other UEs 115 in such a group may be outside the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 105 or may not otherwise be able to receive transmissions from the base station 105. In some examples, a group of UEs 115 communicating via D2D communication may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system in which each UE 115 transmits to all other UEs 115 in the group. In some examples, the base station 105 facilitates scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication is performed between UEs 115 without the involvement of the base station 105.

[0054] The base stations 105 may communicate with each other and the EPC 160 and / or the 5GC 190. For example, the base stations 105 may interface with their respective core networks through backhaul links (e.g., via an S1, N2, N3, or other interface). For example, the eNB base station 105 may interface with the EPC 160 via the backhaul link 132, while the gNB base station 105 may interface with the 5GC 190 via the backhaul link 184. The base stations 105 may communicate with each other via the backhaul links 134 (e.g., via an X2, Xn, or other interface), either directly (e.g., directly between the base stations 105) or indirectly (e.g., via a core network or an intermediate base station). As illustrated by the backhaul link 134 to the mobile base station 105′, the backhaul link 134 may be wired or wireless.

[0055] The core network 160 / 190 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions.

[0056] The EPC 160 may include, for example, a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 162, an Enhanced Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC) 164, a Serving Gateway 166, a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 168, a Home Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (H-SLP) 170, and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway 172. The MME 162 may be in communication with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 is a control node that handles signaling between the UE 115 and the EPC 160. In general, the MME 162 is responsible for bearer and connection management. The E-SMLC 164 may support UE position determination, for example, using a 3GPP control plane (CP) location solution. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are forwarded through the Serving Gateway 166, which itself is connected to the PDN Gateway 172. The PDN Gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation as well as other functions. The PDN Gateway 172 is connected to IP Services 176. The IP Services 176 may include Internet, Intranet, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), PS streaming services, and / or other IP services. The GMLC 168 may provide access to location to the UE on behalf of external clients 169, which may be within, for example, or the IP Services 176. The H-SLP 170 may support the SUPL User Plane (UP) location solution defined by the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) and may support location services for the UE based on the UE's subscriber information stored in the H-SLP 170.

[0057] The 5GC 190 may include an H-SLP 191, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 192, a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 193, a Session Management Function (SMF) 194, a User Plane Function (UPF) 195, and a Location Management Function (LMF) 196. The AMF 192 may be in communication with a Unified Data Management (UDM) 197. The AMF 192 is a control node that handles signaling between the UE 115 and the 5GC 190, which may communicate with the LMF 196 for positioning functions, which may support position determination of the UE. In some implementations, the LMF 196 may be co-located with the base station 105 in the NG-RAN and may be referred to as a Location Management Component (LMC). The GMLC 193 may be used to enable external clients 199 outside or within the IP service 198 to receive location information about the UE. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets may be forwarded through the UPF 195. The UPF 195 provides IP address allocation for the UE as well as other functions. The UPF 195 is connected to IP services 198. The H-SLP 191 may be similarly connected to IP services 198. The IP services 198 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), PS streaming services, and / or other IP services.

[0058] At least some of the network devices, such as the base stations 105, may include subcomponents, such as access network entities, which may be examples of access node controllers (ANCs). Each access network entity may communicate with the UE 115 through some other access network transmission entity, which may be referred to as a radio head, a smart radio head, or a transmit / receive point (TRP). In some configurations, various functions of each access network entity or base station 105 may be distributed across various network devices (e.g., radio heads and access network controllers) or may be integrated into a single network device (e.g., the base station 105).

[0059] The wireless communication system 100 may operate using one or more frequency bands, typically in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). The 300 MHz to 3 GHz region is commonly known as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band, since the wavelengths span lengths of approximately 1 decimeter to 1 meter. UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features. However, these waves may penetrate structures sufficiently for a macrocell to serve UEs 115 located indoors. Transmission of UHF waves may be associated with smaller antennas and shorter distances (e.g., less than 100 km) compared to transmissions using lower frequencies and longer waves in the short wave (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portions of the spectrum below 300 MHz.

[0060] The wireless communication system 100 may also operate in the very high frequency (SHF) region, also known as the centimeter band, using the frequency band from 3 GHz to 30 GHz. The SHF region includes bands such as the 5 GHz Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band that may be used opportunistically by devices that may be able to tolerate interference from other users.

[0061] The wireless communications system 100 may also operate in the extremely high frequency (EHF) region of the spectrum (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz), also known as the millimeter band. In some examples, the wireless communications system 100 may support millimeter wave (mmW) communications between the UE 115 and the base stations 105, and the EHF antennas of the respective devices may be smaller and more closely spaced than the UHF antennas. In some examples, this may facilitate the use of antenna arrays in the UE 115.

[0062] In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may utilize both licensed and unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may utilize License Assisted Access (LAA), LTE Unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology in an unlicensed band, such as the 5 GHz ISM band. When operating in an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, wireless devices, such as the base station 105 and the UE 115, may utilize a Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedure to ensure that the frequency channel is clear before transmitting data. In some examples, operation in the unlicensed spectrum may be based on a carrier aggregation configuration in conjunction with component carriers operating in the licensed band (e.g., LAA). Operation in the unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmission, uplink transmission, peer-to-peer transmission, or a combination thereof. Duplexing in the unlicensed spectrum may be based on Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD), Time Division Duplexing (TDD), or a combination of both.

[0063] In some examples, the base station 105 or the UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas, which may be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication, or beamforming. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may use a transmission scheme between a transmitting device (e.g., the base station 105) and a receiving device (e.g., the UE 115), where the transmitting device is equipped with multiple antennas and the receiving device is equipped with one or more antennas. MIMO communication may take advantage of multipath signal propagation to increase spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers, which may be referred to as spatial multiplexing. Multiple signals may be transmitted by a transmitting device, for example, via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Similarly, multiple signals may be received by a receiving device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Each of the multiple signals may be referred to as a separate spatial stream and may carry bits associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams. Different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports used for channel measurements and channel reporting. MIMO techniques include Single-User MIMO (SU-MIMO), in which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to the same receiving device, and Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO), in which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to multiple devices.

[0064] Beamforming, which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception, is a signal processing technique that may be used at a transmitting or receiving device (e.g., base station 105 or UE 115) to shape or steer an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam or a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming may be achieved by combining signals communicated through antenna elements of an antenna array such that signals propagating at a particular orientation relative to the antenna array are subject to constructive interference and other signals are subject to destructive interference. Adjustment of signals communicated through antenna elements may include a transmitting or receiving device applying amplitude and phase offsets to signals carried through each of the antenna elements associated with the device. The adjustments associated with each of the antenna elements may be defined by a beamforming weight set associated with a particular orientation (e.g., relative to the antenna array of the transmitting or receiving device or to some other orientation).

[0065] In one example, the base station 105 may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays to perform beamforming operations for directional communication with the UE 115. For example, some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be transmitted by the base station 105 multiple times in different directions, which may include the signals being transmitted according to different beamforming weight sets associated with different directions of transmission. The transmissions in different beam directions may be used (e.g., by the base station 105 or a receiving device such as the UE 115) to identify beam directions for subsequent transmissions or receptions by the base station 105.

[0066] Some signals, such as data signals associated with a particular receiving device, may be transmitted by the base station 105 in a single beam direction (e.g., a direction associated with a receiving device, such as the UE 115). In some examples, a beam direction associated with a transmission along a single beam direction may be determined based on signals transmitted in different beam directions. For example, the UE 115 may receive one or more of the signals transmitted by the base station 105 in different directions, and the UE 115 may report to the base station 105 an indication of the signal it received with the best signal quality, or with an otherwise acceptable signal quality. Although these techniques are described with reference to signals transmitted by the base station 105 in one or more directions, the UE 115 may utilize similar techniques for transmitting a signal multiple times in different directions (e.g., to identify a beam direction for subsequent transmission or reception by the UE 115) or for transmitting a signal in a single direction (e.g., to transmit data to a receiving device).

[0067] A receiving device (e.g., UE 115, which may be an example of a mmW receiving device) may attempt multiple receive beams when receiving various signals from the base station 105, such as synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals. For example, the receiving device may attempt multiple receive directions, any of which may be referred to as "listening" along different receive beams or receive directions, by receiving via different antenna subarrays, by processing signals received according to different antenna subarrays, by receiving according to different receive beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of the antenna array, or by processing signals received according to different receive beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of the antenna array. In some examples, the receiving device may use a single receive beam to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). The single receive beam may be aligned to a beam direction determined based on listening along different receive beam directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have the highest signal strength, the highest signal-to-noise ratio, or otherwise acceptable signal quality based on listening along multiple beam directions).

[0068] In some examples, the antennas of the base station 105 or the UE 115 may be located in one or more antenna arrays that may support MIMO operations or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be collocated in an antenna assembly such as an antenna tower. In some examples, the antennas or antenna arrays associated with the base station 105 may be located in various geographic locations. The base station 105 may have an antenna array with several rows and columns of antenna ports that the base station 105 may use to support beamforming of communications with the UE 115. Similarly, the UE 115 may have one or more antenna arrays that may support various MIMO or beamforming operations.

[0069] In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may be a packet-based network that operates according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, communication at the bearer or Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer may be IP-based. The Radio Link Control (RLC) layer may perform packet segmentation and reassembly to communicate over logical channels. The Medium Access Control (MAC) layer may perform priority handling and multiplexing of logical channels into transport channels. The MAC layer may also use Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) to perform retransmissions at the MAC layer to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer may establish, configure, and maintain an RRC connection between the UE 115 and the base station 105 or core network 160 / 190, which supports radio bearers for user plane data. In the physical layer, transport channels may be mapped to physical channels.

[0070] In some examples, the UE 115 and the base station 105 may support retransmission of data to increase the likelihood that the data is successfully received. HARQ feedback is one technique that increases the likelihood that data is correctly received on the communication link 125. HARQ may include a combination of error detection (e.g., using a cyclic redundancy check (CRC)), forward error correction (FEC), and retransmission (e.g., automatic repeat request (ARQ)). HARQ may improve throughput at the MAC layer in poor radio conditions (e.g., signal-to-noise conditions). In some examples, a wireless device may support same-slot HARQ feedback, in which the device may provide HARQ feedback in a particular slot for data received in a previous symbol in that slot. In other cases, the device may provide HARQ feedback in a subsequent slot or according to some other time interval.

[0071] A time interval in LTE or NR is, for example, T s The communication resource time intervals may be organized according to radio frames, each having a time length of 10 milliseconds (ms), where the frame time length is T f =307,200T s A radio frame may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) ranging from 0 to 1023. Each frame may include 10 subframes numbered from 0 to 9, and each subframe may have a time length of 1 ms. A subframe may be further divided into two slots, each having a time length of 0.5 ms, and each slot may include six or seven modulation symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of a cyclic prefix prepended to each symbol period). Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol time length may include 2048 sampling time lengths. In some examples, a subframe may be the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In other cases, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 may be shorter than a subframe or may be dynamically selected (e.g., in a burst of shortened TTI (sTTI) or in a selected component carrier using sTTI).

[0072] In some wireless communication systems, a slot may be further divided into multiple minislots that include one or more symbols. In some instances, a symbol or a minislot of a minislot may be the smallest unit of scheduling. Each symbol may vary in time length depending, for example, on the subcarrier spacing or the frequency band of operation. Additionally, some wireless communication systems may implement slot aggregation, in which multiple slots or minislots are aggregated together and used for communication between the UE 115 and the base station 105.

[0073] The term "carrier" refers to a set of radio frequency spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure for supporting communications over the communication link 125. For example, a carrier of the communication link 125 may include a portion of a radio frequency spectrum band that operates according to a physical layer channel for a given radio access technology. Each physical layer channel may carry user data, control information, or other signaling. A carrier may be associated with a predefined frequency channel (e.g., an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (EARFCN)) and may be arranged according to a channel raster for discovery by the UE 115. A carrier may be downlink or uplink (e.g., in FDD mode) or may be configured to carry downlink and uplink communications (e.g., in TDD mode). In some examples, a signal waveform transmitted over a carrier may be composed of multiple subcarriers (e.g., using a multi-carrier modulation (MCM) technique, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)).

[0074] The organizational structure of carriers may differ for different radio access technologies (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). For example, communications over a carrier may be organized according to TTIs or slots, each of which may include user data as well as control information or signaling to support decoding of the user data. A carrier may also include dedicated acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals or system information, etc.) and control signaling that coordinates operations on the carrier. In some examples (e.g., in a carrier aggregation configuration), a carrier may also have acquisition signaling or control signaling that coordinates operations on other carriers.

[0075] The physical channels may be multiplexed on the carriers according to various techniques. The physical control channel and the physical data channel may be multiplexed on the downlink carriers, for example, using a time division multiplexing (TDM), a frequency division multiplexing (FDM), or a hybrid TDM-FDM technique. In some examples, the control information transmitted in the physical control channel may be distributed among different control regions in a cascaded manner (e.g., between a common control region or common search space and one or more UE-specific control regions or UE-specific search spaces).

[0076] A carrier may be associated with a particular bandwidth of the radio frequency spectrum, and in some examples, the carrier bandwidth may be referred to as the carrier or the “system bandwidth” of the wireless communication system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be one of several determined bandwidths (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, or 80 MHz) for a carrier of a particular radio access technology. In some examples, each served UE 115 may be configured to operate over a portion or all of the carrier bandwidth. In other examples, some UEs 115 may be configured for operation using a narrowband protocol type associated with a defined portion or range (e.g., a set of subcarriers or RBs) within the carrier (e.g., an “in-band” deployment of a narrowband protocol type).

[0077] In a system utilizing MCM techniques, a resource element may consist of one symbol time length (e.g., the time length of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, where the symbol time length and the subcarrier spacing are inversely proportional. The number of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme). Thus, the more resource elements the UE 115 receives and the higher the order of the modulation scheme, the higher the data rate of the UE 115. In a MIMO system, wireless communication resources may refer to a combination of radio frequency spectrum resources, time resources, and spatial resources (e.g., spatial layers), where the use of multiple spatial layers may further increase the data rate for communication with the UE 115.

[0078] A device (e.g., a base station 105 or a UE 115) of the wireless communication system 100 may have a hardware configuration that supports communication over a particular carrier bandwidth or may be configurable to support communication over one of a set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may include a base station 105 or UE 115 that supports simultaneous communication over carriers associated with more than one different carrier bandwidth.

[0079] The wireless communications system 100 may support communication with the UE 115 over multiple cells or carriers, a feature sometimes referred to as carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. The UE 115 may be configured with multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers according to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation may be used with both FDD and TDD component carriers.

[0080] In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may utilize an enhanced component carrier (eCC). An eCC may be characterized by one or more features including a wider carrier or frequency channel bandwidth, a shorter symbol time length, a shorter TTI time length, or a modified control channel configuration. In some examples, an eCC may be associated with a carrier aggregation configuration or a dual connectivity configuration (e.g., when multiple serving cells have suboptimal or non-ideal backhaul links). An eCC may also be configured for use in unlicensed or shared spectrum (e.g., where two or more operators are permitted to use the spectrum). An eCC characterized by a wide carrier bandwidth may include one or more segments that may be utilized by a UE 115 that is not capable of monitoring the entire carrier bandwidth or is otherwise configured to use limited carrier bandwidth (e.g., to conserve power).

[0081] In some examples, an eCC may utilize a different symbol time length than other component carriers, which may include the use of a shortened symbol time length compared to the symbol time length of other component carriers. The shorter symbol time length may be associated with an increased spacing between adjacent subcarriers. A device, such as a UE 115 or a base station 105, utilizing an eCC may transmit a wideband signal (e.g., with a frequency channel or carrier bandwidth of 20, 40, 60, 80 MHz, etc.) with a reduced symbol time length (e.g., 16.67 microseconds). A TTI in an eCC may consist of one or more symbol periods. In some examples, the TTI length (i.e., the number of symbol periods in a TTI) may be variable.

[0082] The wireless communication system 100 may be an NR system that may use any combination of licensed, shared, and unlicensed spectrum bands, among others. Flexibility in eCC symbol duration and subcarrier spacing may enable the use of eCC across multiple spectrums. In some examples, NR shared spectrum may increase spectrum utilization and spectral efficiency, especially through dynamic vertical sharing (e.g., across the frequency domain) and horizontal sharing (e.g., across the time domain) of resources.

[0083] As described herein, the wireless communication system 100 may be an NR system and may support communication between one or more base stations 105 and supported UEs 115 using communication links 125. The UEs 115 may be distributed throughout the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 may be fixed or mobile. The wireless communication system 100 may support forwarding capabilities, including transmission of reference signals based on the need at the base station 105 or UE 115, minimizing always-on transmissions. As part of the communication, each of the base station 105 and UE 115 may support reference signal transmission for operations including channel estimation, beam management and scheduling, and wireless device positioning within one or more coverage areas 110.

[0084] For example, the base station 105 may transmit one or more downlink reference signals for NR communications, including a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) transmission. Each CSI-RS transmission may be configured for a particular UE 115 to estimate the channel and report channel quality information. The reported channel quality information may be used for scheduling or link adaptation at the base station 105, or as part of a mobility or beam management procedure for directional transmissions associated with enhanced channel resources.

[0085] The base station 105 may configure a CSI-RS transmission on one or more CSI-RS resources of the channel. A CSI-RS resource may start at any OFDM symbol of a slot and occupy one or more symbols depending on the configured number of ports. For example, a CSI-RS resource may span one symbol of a slot and include one port for transmission. The one or more CSI-RS resources may span a number of CSI-RS resource sets configured according to the CSI-RS resource configuration of the base station 105. The structure of one or more CSI-RS resources, CSI-RS resource sets, and CSI-RS resource configuration within a CSI-RS transmission may be referred to as a multi-level resource configuration. For example, the multi-level CSI-RS resource configuration of the base station 105 may include up to 16 CSI-RS resource sets, and each CSI-RS resource set may include up to 64 CSI-RS resources. In some examples, the base station 105 may support a configured number of distinct CSI-RS resources (e.g., 128) via one or more CSI-RS resource sets.

[0086] In some examples, the base station 105 may provide an indication (e.g., tag "Repetition=ON") associated with a CSI-RS transmission directed to the UE 115. This indication may define whether the UE 115 may assume that included CSI-RS resources in a reference signal (e.g., non-zero power (NZP) CSI-RS transmissions) are associated with the same downlink spatial domain transmit filter and correspond to a single transmit beam at the base station 105. This indication may be configured according to a higher layer signaling parameter (e.g., reportQuantity) associated with all reporting settings tied to the CSI-RS resource set. For example, the base station 105 may configure the reportQuantity parameter to a set indication (e.g., "cri-RSRP", "none", etc.) indicating a single transmit beam.

[0087] Upon reception, the UE 115 may identify a configured set indication associated with the received higher layer signaling parameters. In some examples (such as "cri-RSRP" reporting), the UE 115 may determine CSI parameters for one or more CSI-RS resources and report the measurement results according to the improved reporting configuration. For example, the UE 115 may determine CSI parameters (e.g., RSRP values) for one or more channel resources. The UE 115 may then condition the reporting according to a configured channel resource indicator (CRI) value, where, as an example, the CRI value corresponds to an index of a resource entry associated with one or more CSI-RS resources in a corresponding CSI-RS resource set for the channel measurement.

[0088] In some examples, the base station 105 may transmit one or more additional downlink reference signals for communications including positioning reference signal (PRS) transmissions. The PRS transmissions may be configured for a particular UE 115 to measure and report one or more reporting parameters (e.g., reporting quantities) associated with positioning and location information. The base station 105 may use the reported information as part of a UE-assisted positioning technique. The PRS transmissions and reporting parameter feedback may support various location services (e.g., navigation systems, emergency communications). In some examples, the reporting parameters augment one or more additional location systems (such as Global Positioning System (GPS) technology) supported by the UE 115.

[0089] The base station 105 may configure a PRS transmission on one or more PRS resources of the channel. The PRS resource may span resource elements of multiple physical resource blocks (PRBs) in one or more OFDM symbols of the slot depending on the configured number of ports. For example, a PRS resource may span one symbol of the slot and include one port for transmission. In any OFDM symbol, the PRS resource may occupy consecutive PRBs. In some examples, the PRS transmission may be mapped to consecutive OFDM symbols of the slot. In other examples, the PRS transmission may be mapped to interspersed OFDM symbols of the slot. In addition, the PRS transmission may support frequency hopping within the PRB of the channel.

[0090] One or more PRS resources may span a number of PRS resource sets according to a PRS resource configuration of the base station 105. The structure of one or more PRS resources, PRS resource sets, and PRS resource configurations within a PRS transmission may be referred to as a multi-level resource configuration. For example, the multi-level PRS resource configuration of the base station 105 may include multiple PRS resource sets, and each PRS resource set may include a set of PRS resources (e.g., a set of four PRS resources).

[0091] The UE 115 may receive a PRS transmission over one or more PRS resources of the slot. The UE 115 may determine reporting parameters for at least some, if not each, of the PRS resources included in the transmission. The reporting parameters for each PRS resource (which may include a reporting amount) may include one or more of a time of arrival (TOA), a reference signal time difference (RSTD), a reference signal received power (RSRP), an angle, a PRS identification number, a receive-to-transmit difference (UE Rx-Tx), a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or a reference signal received quality (RSRQ).

[0092] The wireless communication system 100 may be or include a multi-carrier beamformed wireless communication, such as a mmW wireless communication system. Aspects of the wireless communication system 100 may include the use of PRS transmissions by the base station 105 or Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) transmissions by the UE 115 for UE position determination. In downlink-based UE position determination, a location server 164 / 196, e.g., the LMF 196 in an NR network or the E-SMLC 164 in LTE (sometimes referred to as location server 164 / 196), may be used to provide PRS assistance data (AD) to the UE 115. In UE-assisted positioning, the location server may receive measurement reports from the UE 115 indicating location measurements of one or more base stations 105, from which the location server can determine a location estimate for the UE 115, e.g., using OTDOA or other desired techniques.

[0093] A location estimate of a node may be determined by the location server 164 / 196 using measurements obtained from reference signals, e.g., PRS signals from one or more base stations, SRS signals from the UE, or both PRS and SRS signals. For example, downlink (DL) based positioning methods may include DL Time Difference of Arrival (DL-TDOA), DL Angle of Origination (DL AoD), Enhanced Cell ID (ECID), uplink (UL) based positioning methods may include UL Time Difference of Arrival (UL-TDOA), UL Angle of Arrival (UL AoA), UL Relative Time of Arrival (UL-RTOA), and DL and UL based positioning methods include Round Trip Time (RTT) with one or more neighboring base stations, e.g., multi-RTT.

[0094] Additionally, RAT-independent techniques may be used to estimate the location of the UE 115. For example, the communication system 100 may further utilize information from a space vehicle (SV) (not shown) for a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, or Beidou, or some other local or regional satellite positioning system (SPS) such as IRNSS, EGNOS, or WAAS. The location-related measurements obtained by the UE 115 may include measurements of signals received from the SV and / or may include measurements of signals received from terrestrial transmitters fixed at known locations (e.g., base stations 105, etc.). The UE 115 or a location server 164 / 196 to which the UE 115 may transmit measurements may then obtain a position estimate for the UE 115 based on these location-related measurements using any one of several positioning methods, such as, for example, GNSS, Assisted GNSS (A-GNSS), Advanced Forward Link Trilateration (AFLT), Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA), WLAN (also called WiFi) positioning, or Enhanced Cell ID (ECID), or a combination thereof. In some of these techniques (e.g., A-GNSS, AFLT, and OTDOA), pseudoranges or timing differences may be measured at the UE 115 to three or more terrestrial transmitters (e.g., base stations 105) fixed at known positions, or to four or more SVs whose orbit data are precisely known, or a combination thereof, based at least in part on pilots, positioning reference signals (PRS), or other positioning-related signals transmitted by the transmitters or satellites and received at the UE 115.

[0095] An "RF signal" comprises an electromagnetic wave that carries information through space between a transmitter and a receiver. As used herein, a transmitter may transmit a single "RF signal" or multiple "RF signals" to a receiver. However, a receiver may receive multiple "RF signals" corresponding to each transmitted RF signal due to the propagation characteristics of RF signals through multipath channels. The same transmitted RF signal on different paths between a transmitter and a receiver may be referred to as a "multipath" RF signal.

[0096] The term “location estimate” is used herein to refer to an estimate of the location of an entity, e.g., a base station 105 or a UE 115, which may be geographic (e.g., may comprise latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude) or urban (e.g., may comprise an address, a building designation, or a precise point or area in or near a building or address, e.g., a particular entrance to a building, a particular room or suite in a building, or a landmark such as a town square). A location estimate may also be referred to as a “location,” “position,” “fix,” “location fix,” “location fix,” “location estimate,” “fix estimate,” or some other terminology. Means of obtaining a location estimate may be generally referred to as “positioning,” “locating,” or “position fixing.” A particular solution for obtaining a location estimate may be referred to as a “position solution.” A particular method for obtaining a location estimate as part of a location solution may be referred to as a “position method” or a “positioning method.”

[0097] FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified environment 200 and example techniques for determining a location of a node, e.g., a UE 115. The UE 115 may wirelessly communicate with multiple base stations 105-1, 105-2, 105-3 (which may be collectively referred to as base stations 105) using radio frequency (RF) signals and standardized protocols for modulation of the RF signals and exchange of information packets. By extracting different types of information from the exchanged signals and utilizing the layout of the network (i.e., network geometry), the location of the UE 115 may be determined in a predefined reference coordinate system. As shown in FIG. 2, the location (x,y) of the UE 115 may be specified using a two-dimensional coordinate system. However, aspects disclosed herein are not so limited and may be applicable to determining location using a three-dimensional coordinate system if additional dimensions are desired. Additionally, although three base stations are shown in FIG. 2, aspects may utilize additional base stations or other UEs.

[0098] To determine the location (x,y) of the UE 115, the UE 115 or the location server 164 / 196 may need to know the network geometry. The network geometry may include the location of each of the base stations 105 in a reference coordinate system ((xk,yk), where k=1,2,3). The network geometry may be stored by the location server 164 / 196 or provided to the UE 115 in any manner, such as, for example, providing this information in a beacon signal, providing this information using an external dedicated server on an external network, providing this information using a uniform resource identifier, etc.

[0099] The distance (dk, where k=1,2,3) between the UE 115 and each of the base stations 105-k may be determined, for example, by the UE 115, the base station 105, or a combination thereof. As described in more detail below, there are several different approaches to estimating these distances (dk) by utilizing different characteristics of the RF signals exchanged between the UE 115 and the base stations 105-1, 105-2, 105-3. Such characteristics may include receive and transmit times (Rx-Tx), signal round-trip times (RTT), and / or signal strengths (RSSI), as discussed below.

[0100] In other aspects, the distance (dk) may be determined or refined in part using other sources of information not associated with the base station 105. For example, other positioning systems such as GPS may be used to provide a rough estimate of dk (note that GPS may likely have insufficient signal strength in the expected operating environment (indoors, urban, etc.) to provide a stable and accurate estimate of dk. However, the GPS signal may be combined with other information to aid in the location determination process). There may be other relative positioning devices (e.g., on-board accelerometers) in the UE 115 that may be used as a basis to provide a rough estimate of relative location and / or orientation.

[0101] Once each distance dk is determined, the location of UE 115 may then be determined using various known geometric techniques, such as, for example, trilateration. From Figure 2, it can be seen that the location of UE 115 ideally lies at the common intersection of all of the circles 202, 204, and 206 drawn using dotted lines. Each circle is defined by a radius dk and a center (xk, yk), where k = 1, 2, 3. In practice, the intersection of these circles may not be at a single point due to noise and other errors in the networking system.

[0102] Determining the distance between the UE 115 and each base station 105 may involve utilizing time information of the RF signals. In an aspect, determining the Rx-Tx or RTT of signals exchanged between the UE 115 and any base station may be performed and converted to a distance (dk). The Rx-Tx technique determines the time between the time of transmission of a signal and the time of reception of the signal. The RTT technique may measure the time between transmitting a signaling message and receiving a response. These methods may utilize calibration to remove any processing delays. In some environments, it may be assumed that the processing delays of the UE 115 and the base station 105 are the same. However, such an assumption may not be correct in practice.

[0103] 3 illustrates a simplified environment 300 similar to FIG. 2 and another exemplary technique for determining the location of a node, e.g., a UE 115. In FIG. 3, the UE 115 measures the time of arrival (TOA) of a reference signal from each of the base stations 105 relative to an internal time reference of the UE 115. Between each pair of base stations 105, the UE 115 measures a reference signal time difference (RSTD), which is the relative timing difference of the TOA between the pair of base stations, e.g., a reference base station 105 (e.g., base station 105-1) and a measured base station (e.g., base station 105-2), which is determined as the minimum time difference between two subframe boundaries received from the two base stations. For example, the RSTD may be measured as the difference between the TOA of the reference signal from the reference base station 105 and the TOA of the corresponding reference signal from the measured base station 105.

[0104] Then, the determination of the location of the UE 115 may be based on the following observations. As is well known in the art, the OTDOA location may be based on three quantities: Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), Real Time Difference (RTD), and Geometric Time Difference (GTD). TDOA may be the time interval observed by the UE 115 between the reception of DL reference signals (RS) from each of two different base stations 105, and may correspond to the RSTD measurement result. If the DL RS from the base station 105-1 in FIG. 3 is received by the UE 115 at time t1 and the corresponding DL RS from the base station 105-2 is received by the UE 115 at time t2, the TDOA value is (t2-t1) (or the negative value of this). RTD may refer to the difference in relative synchronization in the network between the two base stations. If the base station 105-1 transmits a DL RS at time t3 and the base station 105-2 transmits a corresponding DL RS at time t4, the RTD between them is (t4-t3). If the base stations transmit at exactly the same time, they are synchronized and RTD is 0. GTD is the time difference between receipt of a DL RS from each of two different base stations due to geometric arrangement. If the propagation path between base station 105-1 and UE 115 has a length d1 and the propagation path between base station 105-2 and UE 115 has a length d2, then GTD is ((d2-d1) / c), where c is the speed of the radio waves. The relationship between these three quantities is as follows: TDOA = RTD + GTD (Equation 1)

[0105] GTD is a useful quantity for location purposes (e.g., using OTDOA) since it contains information about the location of the UE 115. If only the TDOA value is known (e.g., measured RSTD), it is usually not possible to calculate the location of the UE 115 using an unsynchronized network, since the RTD value must also be known. However, if the RTD value is also available, the UE 115 (for UE-based OTDOA) or the base station 105-1 or the location server 164 / 196 (for UE-assisted OTDOA) can determine the location of the UE 115 using TDOA (or RSTD) measurements for at least two pairs of base stations, and typically more pairs of base stations. This is shown in FIG. 3. The determination of the GTD between the base stations 105-1 and 105-2 in FIG. 3 can determine the location of the UE 115 on the hyperbola 302 shown in FIG. 3. A similar determination of the GTD between base stations 105-1 and 105-3 in Figure 3 (via measurements of RSTD or TDOA between base stations 105-1 and 105-3 by UE 115) may similarly determine the location of UE 115 on hyperbola 304 shown in Figure 3. And the intersection of the two hyperbolae at point 306 in Figure 3 may determine the location of UE 115 (although typically more hyperbolae would be obtained from RSTD measurements for more base station pairs to disambiguate the location of UE 115 and reduce error).

[0106] In a synchronous network, RTD is typically zero (or close to zero). In an asynchronous network, RTD may be determined using measurements of TDOA (RSTD) and RTT. If the RTT between the UE 115 and each of the base stations 105-1 and 105-2 is determined (e.g., as described below in connection with FIG. 4), and the UE 115 additionally measures the TDOA (e.g., RSTD) between the two base stations, then RTD may be determined as follows: RTD = TDOA - GTD (Equation 2)

[0107] This gives the following: RTD = TDOA - (RTT2 - RTT1) / 2 (Equation 3)

[0108] Here, RTT1 is the RTT between UE 115 and base station 105-1, and RTT2 is the RTT between UE 115 and base station 105-2.

[0109] The UE 115, base station 105-1, or LMF 152 may use Equation 3 to determine timing information in the form of RTD for a pair of base stations 105 based on measurements of RSTD between the pair of base stations and measurements of RTT for each base station 105.

[0110] Therefore, in the UE-based OTDOA positioning method, the UE 115 needs to measure RSTD for multiple pairs of base stations, and the location of each base station is required, which the UE 115 may receive in the assistance data from (or broadcast by) the serving base station 105-1, or in the assistance data from a location server, such as the LMF 152. The UE 115 may additionally need to determine the RTD for each pair of base stations, which may be determined as described above according to Equation 3 using the RSTD and RTT measurements. The UE 115 may receive the RTT for each base station 105 from a location server, e.g., the LMF 152, or from the base station 105-1, or may calculate the RTT based on the Rx-Tx measurements for each base station provided by the network (e.g., provided by the base station 105-1).

[0111] 2 and 3 show two examples of positioning methods. It should be understood that other known positioning methods, such as AoA or AoD, can be used to determine the location of the node as well. Furthermore, although FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are described with respect to a UE-based positioning method, it should be understood that a UE-assisted based positioning can be used as well, for example, where the positioning result is provided to a location server, such as the location server 164 / 196 in FIG. 1, to estimate the location of the UE. Moreover, although FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 describe determining the location of the UE 115, it should be understood that a similar method can be used to determine the location of the base station 105 when the location of the base station 105 is unknown.

[0112] FIG. 4 illustrates a simplified environment 400 similar to FIG. 2 and an exemplary technique used to determine the location of a node such as a base station 105. FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 2, but instead of determining the location of a UE 115, the location of a base station 105-4, which may be an IAB node, for example, is determined. The base station 105-4 may wirelessly communicate with multiple base stations 105-1, 105-3, and the UE 115 using radio frequency (RF) signals and standardized protocols for modulation of the RF signals and exchange of information packets. By extracting different types of information from the exchanged signals and by utilizing the layout of the network (i.e., network geometry), the base station 105-4, or a location engine such as the location server 164 / 196 shown in FIG. 1 or a location engine in the UE 115, may determine the location of the base station 105-4 in a predefined reference coordinate system. As shown in FIG. 4, the base station 105-4 may specify its location (x,y) using a two-dimensional coordinate system. However, the embodiments disclosed herein are not so limited and may be applicable to determining location using a three-dimensional coordinate system if additional dimensions are desired. In addition, although base station 105-4 communicates with two base stations 105-1 and 105-3 and one UE 115 in FIG. 4, embodiments may utilize additional or fewer base stations or additional or fewer UEs.

[0113] 2, the base station 105-4 may determine its location (x,y) using the known location (x1,y1) of the base station 105-1, the known location (x3,y3) of the base station 105-3, and the known location (x0,y0) of the UE 115. The base station 105-4 may determine distances d4, d5, and d6 to the base stations 105-1 and 105-3 and the UE 115, respectively. These distances may be determined by utilizing various characteristics of the RF signals exchanged between the base station 105-4 and other nodes, e.g., the base stations 105-1, 105-3, and the UE 115, such as Rx-Tx, RTT, RSSI, etc.

[0114] Once each distance is determined, the base station 105-4, the location server 164 / 196, or the UE 115 can then solve for the location (x,y) of the base station 105-4 using various known geometric techniques, such as, for example, trilateration. From FIG. 4, it can be seen that the location of the base station 105-4 is ideally at the common intersection of all of the circles 402, 404, and 406 drawn using dotted lines. Each circle 402, 404, and 406 is defined by a radius of distances d4, d5, and d6, and a center (x1,y1), (x3,y3), and (x0,y0), respectively. In practice, the intersection of these circles may not be at a single point due to noise and other errors in the networking system.

[0115] As an example, the location of the UE 115(x0,y0) may be determined prior to determining the location of the base station 105-4, e.g., as shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3. In another implementation, the location of the UE 115(x0,y0) and the location of the base station 105-4 may be determined within the same positioning session, e.g., using additional information from the base station 105-2 at location (x2,y2).

[0116] Determining the distance between the base station 105-4 and other nodes, e.g., base stations 105-1, 105-3, and the UE 115, may involve utilizing time information of the RF signals. In an aspect, determining the Rx-Tx or RTT of signals exchanged between the UE 115 and any base station may be performed and converted to distance. The Rx-Tx technique determines the time between the time of transmission of a signal and the time of reception of the signal. The RTT technique may measure the time between sending a signaling message and receiving a response. These methods may utilize calibration to remove any processing delays. In some environments, it may be assumed that the processing delays of the UE 115 and the base station 105 are the same. However, such an assumption may not be correct in practice.

[0117] Similarly, the location of the base station 105-4 may be determined using the technique shown in FIG. 3, or using other known positioning techniques, such as angle-based methods (e.g., AoA, AoD) or hybrid angle-based and timing-based (RTT, TDOA) methods.

[0118] 5 shows an example of an IAB architecture 500 in a standalone mode, showing the IAB functions and interfaces. The IAB in general is described in 3GPP® Technical Report (RT) 38.874, for example. The IAB may use known functions and interfaces defined for access, such as Mobile Termination (MT), gNB-Distributed Unit (gNB-DU), and gNB Central Unit (gNB-CU), and the corresponding interfaces NR Uu (between MT and gNB), F1, NG, X2, and N4 are used as a baseline for the IAB architecture.

[0119] FIG. 5 shows one IAB donor 510, multiple IAB nodes 520, and multiple UEs 530. The IAB donor 510 may be treated as a single logical node with a set of functions, such as a distributed unit (DU) 512, a central unit (CU)-control plane (CU-CP) 514, a CU-user plane (CU-UP) 516, and other possible functions 518. The IAB donor 510 may be divided according to these functions, which may or may not all be co-located. The IAB donor 510 interfaces with a core network (CN) 502, which may be a 5GC 190 or an EPC 160. The DU 512 interfaces with a CU-CP 514, a CU-CP 516, or other functions 518 using a wired IP link.

[0120] Each IAB node 520 includes an MT 522 and a DU 524. The IAB nodes 520 do not interface directly with the CN 502, but rather interface with either an IAB donor 510, a parent IAB node 520, a child IAB node 520, or a UE 530. The MT functions in the IAB nodes 520 are similar to the MT components found in a UE. The MT 522 in an IAB node terminates a backhaul Uu interface, e.g., the radio interface layer of a wireless backhaul link, towards a single DU 512 in the IAB donor 510, or with a single DU 524 of the parent IAB node 520, as illustrated, for example, by a child IAB node 520-1 interfacing with a parent IAB node 520-2. For example, as illustrated by parent IAB node 520-2 interfacing with child IAB node 520-1, the DU 524 terminates the radio interface layer with a UE 530, e.g., a wireless access link, or with an MT 522 of the child IAB node 520, e.g., a wireless backhaul link.

[0121] An IAB node may operate in standalone or non-standalone operation. For example, a UE may connect to an IAB node and choose a different operating mode than the IAB node, or may connect to a different type of core network than the IAB node is connected to.

[0122] 6A illustrates, by way of example, the operation of the IAB 620 in standalone operation with a Next Generation Core (NGC) 602, such as 5GC 190. The IAB donor gNB 610 connects to the NGC 602 using an NG interface, and the DU function of the IAB donor gNB 610 connects to the MT function of the IAB node 620 using a wireless backhaul link NR Uu. The DU function of the IAB node 620 connects to the UE 630 using a wireless access link NR Uu.

[0123] 6B illustrates, by way of example, the UE 630 in non-standalone operation with an EPC 604, such as Evolved Packet Core (EPC) 160, while the IAB node 620 operates in standalone mode with an NGC 602, such as 5GC 190. As shown, the eNB 640 communicates with the EPC 604 using an S1 interface and with the UE 630 using an LTE Uu interface. The eNB 640 and the IAB donor gNB 610 may communicate over an X2 interface.

[0124] 6C illustrates, by way of example, a UE 630 and an IAB node 620 in non-standalone operation with an EPC 604, such as EPC 160. As shown, the IAB donor gNB communicates with the EPC 604 using an S1-U interface and with the eNB 640 using an X2 interface. The IAB node 620 may communicate with the eNB 640 and the IAB donor gNB 610.

[0125] IAB nodes may be used for UE positioning if the location of the IAB nodes is known. However, there may be various types of IAB nodes that may vary in terms of known location or mobility. For example, some IAB nodes may be fixed, e.g., completely fixed, and may have a known location similar to a conventional non-IAB base station.

[0126] Other IAB nodes may be fixed, e.g., completely fixed, but may have an unknown location. For example, an IAB node may be attached to an object such as a street light, but may not have a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver attached. The location of such an IAB node may be determined "offline," e.g., using an external GNSS receiver and programmed into the IAB node, or the location may be determined using a positioning method.

[0127] Some IAB nodes may be mobile and may also require positioning, for example using a GNSS receiver or other positioning methods. The location of such an IAB node may be known temporarily, but may change due to the mobility of the IAB node. For example, an IAB node may have "limited mobility", such as a home router that is moved but moves infrequently. The location of such an IAB node may need to be updated from time to time, for example when the IAB is moved. Another example of limited mobility may be an IAB node mounted in an elevator, where the IAB moves frequently but has a limited range of movement. In addition, an IAB node may be "fully mobile", such as an IAB node mounted in a vehicle, such as a taxi or a high-speed train. Such an IAB node may require frequent updates of its location.

[0128] During a positioning session, from the UE's perspective, the IAB operations may be transparent to the positioning operations. For example, a DU in an IAB node appears to the UE as the same non-IAB gNB. The positioning protocol, e.g., LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP), is between the UE and a location server, e.g., the LMF, and may be transparent to the IAB operations. In UE-based positioning, the assistance data may include the location of the IAB-DU node in the same manner as for a non-IAB base station.

[0129] From the perspective of the DU in the IAB node, a positioning protocol with a location server, e.g., NR Position Protocol (NRPPa), is extended to the DU. The positioning protocol, e.g., NRPPa, from the perspective of the location server, may terminate at the CU and be extended substantially to each DU. For example, the CU may relay packets to and from the appropriate DU over the F1-AP interface, either in a containerized format or via a new F1-AP message that replicates all information fields in the NRPPa packet.

[0130] Thus, the positioning of the UE may be independent of IAB operations, however, as discussed above, IAB nodes, whether completely stationary or mobile, may require positioning in order to be utilized in positioning the UE.

[0131] As discussed above in Figure 5, currently, the MT 522 in the IAB node 520 may be used to communicate with a single DU unit, for example, at the IAB donor 510 or a parent IAB node. However, one reference point is not suitable for positioning. For example, positioning procedures such as trilateration or other techniques usually require multiple reference points, for example, three or more.

[0132] Thus, in one implementation, the MT functionality of an IAB node may be used for positioning by engaging in one or more positioning sessions and transmitting or receiving reference signals to or from multiple other base stations. The reference signals may be, for example, at least one of DL PRS, UL PRS, SRS, synchronization signal block (SSB) signals, channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS), or a combination. The other base stations may be non-IAB base stations or other IAB-DUs. For example, ancestors, descendants, or other nodes of the same IAB donor DU or CU, or nodes of different IAB donor DUs or CUs may be used.

[0133] As an example, in one implementation with multiple parent IAB-DUs, the transmission or reception of reference signals used for positioning may involve the parent IAB-DUs, i.e., DUs from other IAB nodes or DUs from one or more IAB donors. Single or separate capabilities may be reported for the maximum number of possible parent IAB-DUs and for the maximum number of IAB-DUs that can perform positioning as part of a positioning session. If the location of the parent IAB-DU is known, the location of the IAB node may be determined using known positioning procedures. On the other hand, if the location of one or more of the parent IAB-DUs is not known, the location of the parent IAB-DU may be determined together with the location of the IAB node. For example, an iterative approach may be used to determine the location of the parent IAB-DU prior to the location of the IAB node and then determine the location of the IAB node using the now known location of the parent IAB-DU. In a joint approach, the location of the parent IAB-DU and the location of the IAB node may be solved simultaneously.

[0134] In another implementation, the DU function in the IAB node may be used in determining the location of the IAB node instead of or in addition to using the MT function. The DU in the IAB node may be in communication with multiple other nodes whose locations are known, e.g., more accurately than the DU function of the IAB node. By way of example, the nodes that may be used may be one or more UEs, or the MT function of other downstream IAB nodes. The DU function of the IAB node may perform location measurements with the other nodes, e.g., one or more of TDOA, RTT, AoA, AoD, and signal strength positioning, and the location of the DU function may then be determined. The location measurements may be, for example, part of a positioning session for those nodes (i.e., the location of the other nodes is being determined) or may be separate measurements triggered by RRC / MAC-CE / DCI commands. For example, a positioning session for the other nodes may be initiated to obtain a positioning result for the IAB node. It should be noted that the positioning session for one of the other nodes may be a session between a positioning server, such as an LMF or eSMLC, and the node. In the approaches described above, such a session need not exist between the IAB node itself and the LMF, but to obtain useful measurements for the IAB node using positioning sessions in other nodes, the IAB node must join or participate in those positioning sessions, e.g., by transmitting PRS that those other nodes measure or by receiving PRS that those other nodes transmit. To facilitate these operations, a base station-to-positioning node session (such as LPPa between the LTE eNB and eSMLC, or NR-PPa between the NR gNB and the LMF) may be initiated between the IAB node and the LMF to configure the IAB node to be compatible with other nodes whose positioning sessions are used to extract measurements involving the IAB node.

[0135] Using a DU function rather than an MT function in an IAB node for positioning may be advantageous, for example, when the MT and DU for an IAB node are not co-located. For example, one MT function may serve multiple non-co-located DUs. Since the DU of an IAB node is used for UE positioning, i.e., the DU of an IAB node becomes a base station for the UE, and the location offset from the MT to the DU may not be known, determining the location of the DU function of the IAB node rather than the MT function may be more useful for determining future UE positioning.

[0136] Even if the MT and DU of an IAB node are co-located, using measurements from both the MT and DU may improve performance and potentially eliminate or reduce the need for PRS monitoring from or transmissions to additional nodes other than those with which the IAB node is already communicating for data traffic.

[0137] Additionally, in another implementation, the IAB node may provide an indication of mobility, for example, to other nodes, for example, a location server, a base station (e.g., other IAB nodes or IAB donors), or a UE. For example, the IAB node may indicate one or more of a mobility type, or a location or uncertainty type, or a current location or uncertainty, or a combination thereof. The IAB node may indicate, for example, whether it is completely fixed, sometimes mobile, or completely mobile, etc. This indication may be provided, for example, to the CU via F1-AP, to a location server such as an LMF via NR-PPa, or to the UE via RRC / MAC-CE / DCI. Such an indication provided by the IAB node may be used by the location server in preparing assistance data for the UE. For example, if the IAB node is mobile, for example, sometimes mobile, or completely mobile, the location server may exclude the IAB node from the positioning assistance data. Moreover, in a UE-assisted positioning procedure, the location server may exclude from the location determination any positioning results associated with an IAB node indicated as being mobile. The UE may choose not to perform positioning with IAB nodes that are indicated as mobile unless explicitly commanded to do so. Moreover, in a UE-based positioning procedure, the UE may exclude from the location determination any positioning results associated with IAB nodes that are indicated as mobile.

[0138] 7 illustrates an IAB architecture 700 for determining the location of an IAB node 720-1. As shown, in one implementation, the MT functionality of the IAB node 720-1 may engage in a positioning session with multiple other base stations, shown as IAB DUs in the IAB donor 710-1 and IAB DUs in the parent IAB node 720-2, via wireless backhaul links, as well as a location server, for example, in or connected to the core network (CN) 702. In some implementations, as indicated by the dotted arrows, the MT functionality of the IAB node 720-1 may engage in a positioning session with a second IAB donor 710-2. The IAB node 720-1 may be limited to engaging with one IAB DU at a time, in which case the positioning sessions with the DUs of the IAB donor 710-1 and the DUs of the IAB node 720-2 and / or the IAB donor 710-2 may be separated in time. In addition, the MT functionality of the IAB node 720-1 may engage in positioning sessions with non-IAB nodes, such as gNBs or eNBs, as shown, for example, in FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C. The positioning sessions with IAB DUs may include transmitting and / or receiving reference signals, such as at least one of DL PRS, UL PRS, SRS, SSB, CSI-RSI, or a combination thereof. The positioning performed by the IAB node 720-1 may include, for example, one or more of Rx-Tx, TDOA, RTT, AoA, AoD, signal strength, etc. If the MT functionality of the IAB node 720-1 is limited to engaging with one IAB DU at a time, the positioning performed by the IAB node 720-1 may include, for example, one or more of RTT, AoA, AoD, signal strength, etc. TDOA measurements involve timing differences to / from two separate nodes, and TDOA may not be appropriate in this case.

[0139] Additionally or alternatively, the location of the IAB node 720-1 may be determined using the DU functionality of the IAB node 720-1. For example, as shown, the DU functionality of the IAB node 720-1 may engage in a positioning session with the MT functionality of the child IAB node 720-3 over a wireless backhaul link and may engage in a positioning session with the UEs 740-1 and 740-2 over a wireless access link. If the DU functionality and MT functionality of the IAB node 720-1 are not in the same location, it may be useful to use the DU functionality in the IAB node 720-1 rather than the MT functionality for positioning. The positioning session used with the DU functionality of the IAB node 720-1 may include transmitting and / or receiving reference signals, such as at least one of the DL PRS, UL PRS, SRS, SSB, CSI-RS, or a combination thereof. The positioning results may include one or more of Rx-Tx, TDOA, RTT, AoA, AoD, signal strength, and the like.

[0140] FIG. 8 illustrates a simplified exemplary procedure 800 for determining a location of an IAB node 820-1. As shown, in a first stage 801, the MT functions of the IAB node 820-1 and the location server 164 / 196 may engage in a positioning session, indicated by arrow 802, e.g., through an IAB donor 810. The MT functions of the IAB node 820-1 may engage with multiple other base stations in one or more positioning sessions. For example, the MT functions of the IAB node 820-1 may engage in positioning sessions with multiple IAB DU or non-IAB base stations (not shown). As shown, in the positioning session 802, positioning is performed using a reference signal between the MT functions of the IAB node 820-1 and the DU functions of the IAB node 820-2, indicated by arrow 803. Additional positioning is performed with the IAB-DU, either within the same positioning session or in additional positioning sessions. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, in the second stage 804, the MT function of the IAB node 820-1 and the location server 164 / 196 may engage in a new positioning session, indicated by arrow 805, for example, through the IAB donor 810. The positioning is performed using reference signals between the MT function of the IAB node 820-1 and the DU function of the IAB donor 810, indicated by arrows 806 and 807. If desired, the IAB node 820-1 may engage in positioning sessions with multiple IAB DUs or non-IAB base stations (not shown), including separate IAB donors. The reference signals may be, for example, DL reference signals, UL reference signals, or DL ​​and UL reference signals, and may be PRS, SRS, SSB, CSI-RSI, or combinations thereof. The positioning results may include one or more of Rx-Tx, TDOA, RTT, AoA, AoD, signal strength, etc. The positioning results may be provided by the IAB node 820-1 to the location server 164 / 196. In some implementations, the IAB node 820-2 and / or the IAB donor 810 may provide the positioning results to the location server 164 / 196. The location server 164 / 196 may receive the positioning results and, in block 809, determine the location of the IAB node 820-1.

[0141] FIG. 9 illustrates another simplified exemplary procedure 900 for determining a location of an IAB node 920-1. As shown, in a first stage 901, the MT functions of the IAB node 920-1 and the location server 164 / 196 may be involved in a positioning session, indicated by arrow 902, which may be forwarded by the IAB donor 910. The DU function of the IAB node 920-1 may be involved in multiple other nodes, including a base station (e.g., a child IAB node 920-2), and UEs 930-1 and 930-2, in one or more positioning sessions. As shown, in the positioning session 902, positioning is performed using reference signals between the DU function of the IAB node 920-1 and the MT function of the IAB node 920-2, indicated by arrow 903. Additional positioning is performed with the same (e.g., at different times) or different nodes, within the same positioning session or in additional positioning sessions. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, in the second stage 904, the MT function of the IAB node 920-1 and the location server 164 / 196 may engage in a new positioning session, indicated by arrow 905, for example through the IAB donor 910. The positioning is performed using reference signals between the DU function of the IAB node 920-1 and the UEs 930-1 and 930-2, indicated by arrows 906 and 908. The reference signals may be, for example, DL reference signals, UL reference signals, or DL ​​and UL reference signals, and may be PRS, SRS, SSB, CSI-RSI, or combinations thereof. The positioning results may include one or more of Rx-Tx, TDOA, RTT, AoA, AoD, signal strength, etc. The positioning results may be provided by the IAB node 920-1 to the location server 164 / 196. In some implementations, the IAB node 920-2 and / or UE 930-1 and / or 930-2 may provide the positioning results to the location server 164 / 196. The location server 164 / 196 may receive the positioning results and, in block 909, determine the location of the IAB node 920-1.

[0142] FIG. 10 illustrates another simplified exemplary procedure 1000 for determining a location of an IAB node 1020-1. As shown, the MT functions of the IAB node 1020-1 and the location server 164 / 196 may be involved in a positioning session, indicated by arrow 1002, for example, through the IAB donor 1010. The MT functions of the IAB node 1020-1 may be involved in a positioning session with the DU functions of the IAB donor 1010, indicated by arrow 1004, and the DU functions of the IAB node 1020-1 may be involved in a positioning session with the MT functions of the child IAB node 1020-2 and with the UE 1030. The reference signals may be, for example, DL reference signals, UL reference signals, or DL ​​and UL reference signals, and may be PRS, SRS, SSB, CSI-RSI, or a combination thereof. The positioning results may include one or more of Rx-Tx, TDOA, RTT, AoA, AoD, signal strength, etc. The positioning results may be provided by the IAB node 1020-1 to the location server 164 / 196. In some implementations, the IAB donor 1010, the IAB node 1020-2, and / or the UE 115 may provide the positioning results to the location server 164 / 196. The location server 164 / 196 may receive the positioning results and, in block 1009, determine the location of the IAB node 1020-1.

[0143] FIG. 11 shows a methodology 1100 including messages that may be used to determine the location of a UE using an indication of mobility of an IAB node 1120.

[0144] In stage 1, the location server 164 / 196 may send a capability request message to the IAB node 1020 to be positioned via an intervening network entity, such as an AMF (not shown) and an IAB donor, which may be one of the base stations 1102-1, 1102-2, or 1102-3, for example, to request the capabilities of the IAB node 1020. The capability request message may indicate the type of capability required. For example, the query may be for the positioning capabilities of the IAB node 1020 to transmit or receive reference signals to or from one or more parent IAB-DUs, non-IAB nodes, or other IAB nodes.

[0145] In stage 2, the IAB node 1020 returns a capability provision message to the location server 164 / 196 with the positioning capabilities of the IAB node 1020, e.g., capabilities to transmit or receive reference signals to one or more parent IAB-DUs, non-IAB nodes, or other IAB nodes. The IAB node 1020 may also provide an indication of mobility, e.g., whether the IAB node 1020 is completely fixed, sometimes mobile, completely mobile, etc.

[0146] In stage 3, the location server 164 / 196 may generate positioning assistance data (AD). The assistance data may include assistance data for the IAB node 1120 and base stations 1102-1, 1102-2, and 1102-3, which may include IAB nodes, including parent or child IAB nodes or IAB donors, or non-IAB nodes. The assistance data may include, for example, the locations of the base stations 1102-1, 1102-2, and 1102-3, which may be used by the UE 1130, for example, in a UE-based positioning procedure. The assistance data may further include, for example, an indication of mobility for any of the IAB node 1020 and base stations 1102-1, 1102-2, and 1102-3, if known.

[0147] In stage 4, the location server 164 / 196 provides assistance data to the UE 115 .

[0148] In stage 5, the location server 164 / 196 sends a location information request message to the UE 115 to request the desired location information, e.g., a positioning result. This message may include, for example, a type of positioning, a desired accuracy, a response time, etc. Moreover, this message may include a command to perform a positioning procedure with the IAB node 1020, and the command may indicate whether the positioning is mandatory. The command may indicate that the UE 1130 should initiate a positioning session to determine the location of the UE, and that the positioning result of the IAB node 1020 should be obtained or that the positioning session is for the IAB node 1020. Depending on the reported capabilities of the IAB node 1120 to transmit or receive reference signals to one or more parent IAB-DUs, non-IAB nodes, or other IAB nodes, the location server 164 / 196 may send additional location information request messages to the IAB node 1120 or other UEs, as well as to base stations to determine the location of the IAB node 1020.

[0149] In stage 6a, the UE 1130 performs the requested positioning using reference signal transmissions from the base stations 1102-1, 1102-2, and 1102-3 and the IAB node 1120. For example, the positioning result may be one or more of TOA, RSTD, or Rx-Tx, AoA, AoD, signal strength, etc. It should be understood that the UE 1130 may further perform positioning with additional nodes, e.g., other UEs and base stations, some of which may have known locations and some of which may not. The UE 1130 may use the mobility of the IAB node 1120 in the process of performing the positioning, e.g., by excluding positioning with the IAB node 1120 if the IAB node 1120 is indicated as mobile in the assistance data received in stage 5.

[0150] In stage 6b, the base stations 1102-1, 1102-2, and 1102-3, and the IAB node 1120 perform the requested positioning using the reference signal transmission from the UE 1130. For example, the positioning result may be one or more of TOA, RSTD, or Rx-Tx, AoA, AoD, signal strength, etc. It should be understood that the base stations 1102-1, 1102-2, and 1102-3, and the IAB node 1120 may further perform positioning with additional nodes, e.g., additional UEs, and between base stations or with other base stations, some of which may have known locations and some of which may have unknown locations.

[0151] It should be understood that one or both of steps 6a and 6b may be performed, for example for RTT positioning both steps 6a and 6b are performed.

[0152] In stage 7, the base stations 1102-1, 1102-2, and 1102-3, and / or the IAB node 1120 may provide the location information obtained in stage 6b to the location server 164 / 196. The location information may be, for example, a desired positioning result. As indicated by the dotted arrows in stage 7, the base stations 1102-1, 1102-2, and 1102-3, and the IAB node 1120 may provide the location information obtained in stage 6b to the UE 1130 instead of the location server 164 / 196, for example, in a UE-based positioning procedure.

[0153] In optional step 8, e.g., for a UE-based positioning procedure, the UE 1130 may determine a location of the IAB node 1020, e.g., using location measurements from step 6a and the assistance data received in step 4, as well as location information received from a base station in step 7, if performed therein. The UE 1130 may additionally determine the location of the UE 1130 together with the location of the IAB node 1020, e.g., in an iterative or joint manner. The UE 1130 may use the mobility of the IAB node 1120 in the process of determining the location of the UE 1130, e.g., by excluding positioning with the IAB node 1120 if the IAB node 1120 is indicated as mobile in the assistance data received in step 5.

[0154] In step 9, the UE 1130 provides location information to the location server 164 / 196. The location information may be, for example, the positioning result obtained in step 6a, or the location of the IAB node 1020 and / or the UE 1130 determined in step 8, or both.

[0155] In stage 10, the location server 164 / 196 may determine or confirm the location of the IAB node 1020, e.g., using the position information received in one or both of stages 7 and 9. The location server 164 / 196 may determine the location of the UE 1130 along with the location of the IAB node 1020, e.g., in an iterative or joint manner. The location server may use the mobility of the IAB node 1120 in the process of determining the location of the UE, e.g., by excluding positioning results with the IAB node 1120, if the IAB node 1120 is indicated as being mobile, e.g., in stage 2.

[0156] FIG. 12 illustrates a process flow 1200 illustrating a method for positioning an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node whose location in a wireless network is unknown, performed by an IAB node. The IAB node may be an IAB node as described in FIG. 5-FIG. 11. The IAB node includes a mobile terminated (MT) function and a distributed unit (DU) function. The process flow 1200 may begin at block 1202, where the IAB node transmits or receives messages for one or more positioning sessions to determine the location of the IAB node, as shown, for example, in steps 802 and 805 of FIG. 8, step 1002 of FIG. 10, and steps 1, 2, 5, and 7 of FIG. 11. In block 1204, the IAB node transmits or receives reference signals for positioning to or from multiple nodes in the wireless network in one or more positioning sessions, as shown, for example, by steps 803, 806, and 807 of FIG. 8, steps 1004, 1006, and 1008 of FIG. 10, and steps 6a and 6b of FIG. 11.

[0157] In some implementations, the reference signal is transmitted or received using MT functionality, and the multiple nodes comprise multiple base stations, as illustrated, for example, by steps 803, 806, and 807 of Figure 8 and step 1004 of Figure 10. In some implementations, the IAB node may further transmit or receive reference signals for positioning with DU functionality to or from multiple nodes in the wireless network, and the multiple nodes comprise MT functionality of user equipment (UE) or downstream IAB nodes, as illustrated, for example, by steps 1006 and 1008 of Figure 10.

[0158] In some implementations, the multiple nodes may be non-IAB nodes or other IAB nodes. For example, the multiple nodes may be ancestors, descendants, or other nodes of the same donor IAB DU or donor IAB central unit (CU), or nodes of different donor IAB DUs or different donor IAB CUs.

[0159] In some implementations, the multiple nodes may be multiple parent IAB-DUs. An IAB node may be involved in multiple positioning sessions, and the MT function transmits or receives a reference signal for positioning to or from one parent IAB-DU in each positioning session, as discussed with reference to, for example, Figures 7 and 8. The positioning results may be, for example, one or more of the receive and transmit time (Rx-Tx), round trip time (RTT), angle of arrival (AoA), angle of departure (AoD), and signal strength with each parent IAB-DU.

[0160] In one implementation, an IAB node may be involved in one positioning session, in which the MT function transmits or receives reference signals for positioning to or from multiple parent IAB-DUs, as discussed with reference to, for example, Figures 7 and 8. The positioning results may be, for example, one or more of receive and transmit time (Rx-Tx), time difference of arrival (TDOA), round trip time (RTT), angle of arrival (AoA), angle of departure (AoD), and signal strength positioning results with multiple parent IAB-DUs.

[0161] In one implementation, the reference signal for positioning may be at least one of a downlink positioning reference signal (PRS), an uplink PRS, a sounding reference signal (SRS), a synchronization signal block (SSB) signal, and a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), or a combination thereof.

[0162] In one implementation, for example as shown in steps 1006 and 1008 of FIG. 10, the reference signal is transmitted or received using a DU function of an IAB node, and the multiple nodes include a user equipment (UE) or an MT function of a downstream IAB node.

[0163] In one implementation, for example as shown in stage 2 of FIG. 11, messages transmitted or received in one or more positioning sessions comprise messages to indicate an ability to transmit or receive reference signals to one or more parent IAB-DUs, non-IAB nodes, or other IAB nodes.

[0164] In one implementation, for example, as discussed with respect to steps 803, 806, 807, and 809 of FIG. 8 and steps 1004 and 1009 of FIG. 10, the IAB node may additionally perform positioning based on reference signals received from one or more nodes in the wireless network, and messages transmitted in one or more positioning sessions may comprise location information based on the positioning results to a location server for positioning of the IAB node.

[0165] FIG. 13A illustrates a process flow 1300 illustrating a method for positioning an IAB node whose location in a wireless network is unknown, performed by an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node. The IAB node may be an IAB node as described in FIG. 5-FIG. 11. The IAB node includes a mobile terminated (MT) function and a distributed unit (DU) function. The process flow 1300 may start at block 1302, in which the IAB node transmits or receives messages for one or more positioning sessions to determine the location of the IAB node, as shown, for example, in steps 802 and 805 of FIG. 8 and step 1002 of FIG. 10. In block 1304, the MT function of the IAB node transmits or receives reference signals for positioning of the IAB node to or from multiple base stations in one or more positioning sessions, as shown, for example, by steps 803, 806, and 807 of FIG. 8 and step 1004 of FIG. 10.

[0166] In some implementations, the multiple base stations may be non-IAB nodes or other IAB nodes. For example, the multiple base stations may be ancestors, descendants, or other nodes of the same donor IAB DU or donor IAB central unit (CU), or nodes of different donor IAB DUs or different donor IAB CUs.

[0167] In some implementations, the multiple base stations may be multiple parent IAB-DUs. An IAB node may be involved in multiple positioning sessions, and the MT function transmits or receives a reference signal for positioning to or from one parent IAB-DU in each positioning session, as discussed with reference to, for example, Figures 7 and 8. The positioning results may be, for example, one or more of the receive and transmit time (Rx-Tx), round trip time (RTT), angle of arrival (AoA), angle of departure (AoD), and signal strength with each parent IAB-DU.

[0168] In one implementation, an IAB node may be involved in one positioning session, in which the MT function transmits or receives reference signals for positioning to or from multiple parent IAB-DUs, as discussed with reference to, for example, Figures 7 and 8. The positioning results may be, for example, one or more of receive and transmit time (Rx-Tx), time difference of arrival (TDOA), round trip time (RTT), angle of arrival (AoA), angle of departure (AoD), and signal strength positioning results with multiple parent IAB-DUs.

[0169] In one implementation, the reference signal for positioning may be at least one of a downlink positioning reference signal (PRS), an uplink PRS, a sounding reference signal (SRS), a synchronization signal block (SSB) signal, and a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), or a combination thereof.

[0170] In one implementation, the MT function of the IAB node may additionally transmit or receive reference signals for positioning with the DU function of the IAB node to or from multiple nodes in the wireless network, the multiple nodes comprising user equipment (UE) or MT functions of downstream IAB nodes, for example, as shown in steps 1006 and 1008 of FIG. 10.

[0171] In one implementation, for example as shown in stage 2 of FIG. 11, an IAB node may indicate the capability to transmit or receive reference signals to one or more parent IAB-DUs, non-IAB nodes, or other IAB nodes.

[0172] In one implementation, for example, as discussed with respect to steps 803, 806, 807, and 809 of FIG. 8 and steps 1004 and 1009 of FIG. 10, the IAB node may additionally perform positioning based on reference signals received from one or more nodes and transmit position information based on the positioning results to a location server for determining the location of the IAB node.

[0173] FIG. 13B illustrates a process flow 1350 illustrating a method for positioning an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node whose location in a wireless network is unknown, performed by an IAB node. The IAB node may be an IAB node as described in FIG. 5-FIG. 11. The IAB node includes a mobile terminated (MT) function and a distributed unit (DU) function. The process flow 1350 may begin at block 1352, where the IAB node transmits or receives messages for one or more positioning sessions to determine the location of the IAB node, e.g., as shown in steps 902 and 905 of FIG. 9 and step 1002 of FIG. 10. In block 1354, for example, as shown by steps 906 and 908 of FIG. 9 and steps 1006 and 1008 of FIG. 10, the IAB node transmits or receives reference signals for positioning to or from multiple nodes in the wireless network in one or more positioning sessions using a DU function, the multiple nodes having MT functions of user equipment (UE) or downstream IAB nodes.

[0174] In one implementation, the IAB node performs one or more of receive and transmit time (Rx-Tx), time difference of arrival (TDOA), round trip time (RTT), angle of arrival (AoA), angle of departure (AoD), and signal strength positioning results with multiple nodes.

[0175] In one implementation, the MT and DU functions of the IAB nodes are not co-located and other nodes in the wireless network use the DU function to direct their location.

[0176] FIG. 14 illustrates a process flow 1400 illustrating a method for positioning an Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) node whose location in a wireless network is unknown, performed by a location server, such as location server 164 / 196. The IAB node may be an IAB node as described in FIG. 5-FIG. 11. The IAB node includes a mobile terminated (MT) function and a distributed unit (DU) function. The process flow 1400 may begin at block 1402, where the location server receives location information from the IAB node, as discussed, for example, in step 809 of FIG. 8, step 909 of FIG. 9, and step 1009 of FIG. 10, the location information comprising positioning results from reference signals received by the IAB node for positioning from multiple nodes in the wireless network. At block 1404, the location server uses the received location information to determine the location of the IAB node, as discussed, for example, in step 809 of FIG. 8, step 909 of FIG. 9, and step 1009 of FIG. 10.

[0177] In one implementation, for example as shown by steps 803, 806, and 807 of FIG. 8 and step 1004 of FIG. 10, the reference signal is received by an MT function in an IAB node, and the multiple nodes are base stations comprising one or more of a parent IAB-DU, a non-IAB node, or other IAB nodes.

[0178] In one implementation, for example as shown in steps 906 and 908 of FIG. 9 and steps 1006 and 1008 of FIG. 10, the reference signal is received by a DU function in an IAB node, and multiple nodes include MT functions of user equipment (UE) or downstream IAB nodes.

[0179] 15 illustrates a process flow 1500 illustrating a method for positioning a user equipment (UE), e.g., UE 1130, performed by a location server, such as location server 164 / 196. Process flow 1500 may begin at block 1502, where the location server receives an indication of mobility of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node from an IAB node, e.g., as discussed in stage 2 of FIG. 11. At block 1504, the location server uses the indication of mobility of the IAB node for positioning the UE, e.g., as discussed in stages 3, 4, and 10 of FIG. 11.

[0180] In one implementation, the indication of mobility may comprise fully mobile, fully stationary, or occasionally mobile.

[0181] In one implementation, for example as discussed in stage 3 of FIG. 11 , the IAB node mobility indication for UE positioning is used by generating positioning assistance data for the UE excluding the IAB node when the IAB node mobility indication indicates that the IAB node is mobile.

[0182] In one implementation, for example, as discussed in steps 9 and 10 of FIG. 11, an indication of the mobility of an IAB node for UE positioning is used by receiving positioning results generated using the IAB node and excluding positioning results generated using the IAB node for UE positioning when the indication of the mobility of the IAB node indicates that the IAB node is mobile.

[0183] 16 illustrates a process flow 1600 illustrating a method performed by a user equipment (UE) for positioning a UE, e.g., the UE 1130. The process flow 1600 may begin at block 1602, where the UE receives positioning assistance data from a location server, including an indication of integrated access backhaul (IAB) node mobility, e.g., as discussed in steps 3 and 4 of FIG. 11. At block 1604, the UE performs positioning from multiple base stations, e.g., as discussed in step 6a of FIG. 11, and the indication of IAB node mobility is used during positioning.

[0184] In one implementation, for example, as discussed in step 6a of FIG. 11 , performing positioning from multiple base stations may include excluding using an IAB node to generate positioning results when an indication of the mobility of the IAB node indicates that the IAB node is mobile.

[0185] FIG. 17 illustrates a schematic diagram of a hardware implementation of an IAB node 1700, which may be a gNB and may be configured to have similar functionality as shown or described with respect to the IAB node described in, for example, FIGS. 5-13. The IAB node 1700 may include an external interface, which may include a communication module 1710a used for MT functionality, which may be referred to herein as MT communication module 1710a, and a communication module 1710b used for DU functionality, which may be referred to herein as DU communication module 1710b, collectively referred to as communication modules 1710a, 1710b, as well as a network interface 1720. The IAB node 1700 may include more than two communication modules 1710. As described in FIGS. 5-13, the communication module 1710 is electrically coupled to one or more antennas 1716a,b for wirelessly communicating with non-IAB devices and IAB devices, such as IAB DUs in an IAB donor, or other IAB nodes, or IAB MTs in a child IAB node. The communications modules 1710a and 1710b may include respective transmitters 1712a and 1712b, and respective receivers 1714a and 1714b, for transmitting signals (e.g., downlink messages and signals, which may be aligned in frames and may include positioning reference signals and / or assistance data, the amounts of which may be controlled / varied as described herein) and, optionally, for transmitting signals (e.g., for nodes configured to receive and process uplink communications). In embodiments in which the implemented node includes both a transmitter and a receiver, the communications module 1710 comprising the transmitter and receiver may be referred to as a transceiver 1710. The IAB node 1700 may also include a network interface 1720 for communicating with other network nodes (e.g., sending and receiving queries and responses), such as IAB donors, other IAB nodes, and UEs.For example, each network element may be configured to communicate with an IAB donor or an IAB node, or other appropriate device of the network (e.g., via wireless backhaul communications), to facilitate communications with one or more core network nodes. Additionally and / or alternatively, communications with other network nodes may also be performed using the communications modules 1710a,b and / or respective antennas 1716a,b.

[0186] The IAB node 1700 may, in some embodiments, include at least one processor 1730 (also referred to as a controller) and memory 1740 to manage communications (e.g., transmission and reception of messages) with other nodes, generate communication signals (including generating communication frames, signals, and / or messages with adjustable amounts of resources allocated to location-related information such as PRS transmissions and assistance data transmissions), and provide other related functionality, including functionality for implementing various processes and methods described herein. The one or more processors 1730 and memory 1740 may be coupled together with a bus 1706. The one or more processors 1730 and other components of the IAB node 1700 may likewise be coupled together with the bus 1706, a separate bus, or may be directly connected together or coupled using a combination of the foregoing. The memory 1740 may include executable code or software instructions that, when executed by one or more processors 1730, cause the one or more processors 1730 to operate as a special purpose computer programmed to execute the procedures and techniques disclosed herein (e.g., process flows 1200, 1300, and 1350, etc.).

[0187] 17, memory 1740 includes one or more components or modules that perform the methods described herein when implemented by one or more processors 1730. Although the components or modules are illustrated as software in memory 1740 executable by one or more processors 1730, it should be understood that the components or modules may be dedicated hardware either within the processor or external to the processor.

[0188] As shown, the memory 1740 may include an MT functionality module 1742 that configures the one or more processors 1730 to perform MT functions as discussed herein, for example, via the MT communication module 1710a. The memory 1740 may further include a DU functionality module 1744 that configures the one or more processors 1730 to perform DU functions as discussed herein, for example, via the DU communication module 1710b. The MT functionality and the DU functionality, for example, the MT communication module 1710a and the DU communication module 1710b, among others, may not be in the same location.

[0189] The memory 1740 may include a positioning session module 1746 that configures the one or more processors 1730 to engage in one or more positioning sessions, via the MT communication module 1710a and / or the DU communication module 1710b, to determine the location of the IAB node 1700.

[0190] The memory 1740 may include a reference signal module 1748 that configures the one or more processors 1730 to transmit or receive a reference signal for positioning via the communication module 1710. For example, the reference signal module 1748 may configure the one or more processors 1730 to transmit or receive a reference signal to multiple base stations via the MT communication module 1710a. The multiple base stations may be, for example, non-IAB nodes or other IAB nodes. For example, the base stations may be descendants of the same donor IAB DU or donor IAB central unit (CU), or other nodes, or nodes of different donor IAB DUs or different donor IAB CUs. In one implementation, the base station may be multiple parent IAB-DUs, for example, among IAB nodes or IAB donors. Additionally or alternatively, the reference signal module 1748 may configure the one or more processors 1730 to transmit or receive a reference signal to multiple nodes, for example, UEs or downstream IAB nodes, via the DU communication module 1710b. The reference signal may be, for example, DL PRS, UL PRS, SRS, SSB, CSI-RS, etc., or a combination thereof.

[0191] The memory 1740 may include a positioning module 1750 that configures the one or more processors 1730 to perform positioning using the transmitted or received reference signals. If only a single node, e.g., a single parent IAB-DU, is in each positioning session (and multiple positioning sessions are used), the positioning result may include, e.g., Rx-Tx, RTT, AoA, AoD, and signal strength. If multiple nodes are included in a positioning session, the positioning result may include, e.g., Rx-Tx, TDOA, RTT, AoA, AoD, and signal strength.

[0192] The memory 1740 may include a capabilities module 1752 that configures the one or more processors 1730 to prepare and transmit to the location server via the MT communication module 1710a a capabilities message indicating the IAB node's capability to transmit or receive reference signals to one or more parent IAB-DUs, non-IAB nodes, or other IAB nodes.

[0193] The memory 1740 may further include a mobility module 1754 that configures the one or more processors 1730 to prepare and send to the location server via the MT communication module 1710a a message indicating the mobility of the IAB node, e.g., whether the IAB node is completely fixed, sometimes mobile, or completely mobile.

[0194] The memory 1740 may further include a location information module 1756 to transmit location information, such as positioning results for determining the location of the IAB node, to a location server via the MT communication module 1710a.

[0195] The methods described herein may be implemented by various means depending on the application. For example, these methods may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. In the case of hardware implementation, one or more processors may be implemented in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or combinations thereof.

[0196] For implementations involving firmware and / or software, the methods may be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, etc.) performing the distinct functions described herein. Any machine-readable medium tangibly embodying instructions may be used in implementing the methods described herein. For example, software code may be stored in memory and executed by one or more processor units, causing the processor units to operate as special-purpose computers programmed to execute the algorithms disclosed herein. The memory may be implemented within the processor unit or external to the processor unit. The term "memory" as used herein refers to any type of long-term memory, short-term memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or other memory, and should not be limited to any particular type or number of memories, or the type of medium on which the memory is stored.

[0197] If implemented in firmware and / or software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Examples include computer-readable media encoded with data structures and computer-readable media encoded with a computer program. Computer-readable media include physical computer storage media. Storage media may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, semiconductor storage, or other storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. As used herein, disk and disc include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically and discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

[0198] In addition to being stored in a computer-readable storage medium, the instructions and / or data may be provided as signals on a transmission medium included in a communication device. For example, the communication device may include a transceiver having signals representing the instructions and data. The instructions and data are stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as memory 1740, and configured to operate one or more processors as a special-purpose computer that is programmed to perform the procedures and techniques disclosed herein. That is, the communication device includes a transmission medium with signals indicating information for performing the disclosed functions. The first time, the transmission medium included in the communication device may include a first portion of information for performing the disclosed functions, and the second time, the transmission medium included in the communication device may include a second portion of information for performing the disclosed functions.

[0199] In one implementation, an IAB node such as IAB node 1700 whose location in a wireless network is unknown includes mobile terminated (MT) and distributed unit (DU) functions, such as one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1740, such as an MT function module 1742 and a DU function module 1744, respectively. The IAB node may include means for sending or receiving messages for one or more positioning sessions to determine the location of the IAB node, which may be, for example, an external interface including a communication module 1710 and a network interface 1720, and one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1740, such as a positioning session module 1746. Means for transmitting or receiving reference signals for positioning to or from multiple nodes in a wireless network in one or more positioning sessions may be, for example, an external interface including a communications module 1710 and a network interface 1720, as well as one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for executing executable code or software instructions in memory 1740, such as a reference signal module 1748.

[0200] In one implementation, the reference signal is transmitted or received using MT functionality, and the multiple nodes may comprise multiple base stations. The IAB node may further include means for transmitting or receiving reference signals for positioning with DU functionality to or from multiple nodes in the wireless network, the multiple nodes comprising MT functionality of user equipment (UE) or downstream IAB nodes, which may be, for example, an external interface including a communication module 1710, and one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1740, such as a reference signal module 1748.

[0201] In one implementation, the IAB node may further include means for performing one or more of receive and transmit time (Rx-Tx), round trip time (RTT), angle of arrival (AoA), angle of departure (AoD), and signal strength positioning with each parent IAB-DU, which may be, for example, an external interface including a communication module 1710 and one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for executing executable code or software instructions in a memory 1740, such as a positioning module 1750.

[0202] In one implementation, the IAB node may further include means for performing one or more of Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), Receive and Transmit Time (Rx-Tx), Round Trip Time (RTT), Angle of Arrival (AoA), Angle of Departure (AoD), and signal strength positioning with multiple parent IAB-DUs, which may be, for example, an external interface including a communications module 1710, and one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for executing executable code or software instructions in a memory 1740, such as a positioning module 1750.

[0203] In one implementation, an IAB node such as IAB node 1700 whose location in a wireless network is unknown includes mobile termination (MT) and distributed unit (DU) functions, such as one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1740, such as MT function module 1742 and DU function module 1744, respectively. The IAB node may include means for engaging in one or more positioning sessions to determine the location of the IAB node, which may be, for example, an external interface including a communication module 1710 and a network interface 1720, and one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1740, such as a positioning session module 1746. Means for transmitting or receiving reference signals for positioning to or from multiple base stations using MT functions may be, for example, an external interface including a communication module 1710 and a network interface 1720, and one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1740, such as a reference signal module 1748.

[0204] In one implementation, the IAB node may further include means for performing one or more of receive and transmit time (Rx-Tx), round trip time (RTT), angle of arrival (AoA), angle of departure (AoD), and signal strength positioning with each parent IAB-DU, which may be, for example, an external interface including a communication module 1710 and one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for executing executable code or software instructions in a memory 1740, such as a positioning module 1750.

[0205] In one implementation, the IAB node may further include means for performing one or more of Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), Receive and Transmit Time (Rx-Tx), Round Trip Time (RTT), Angle of Arrival (AoA), Angle of Departure (AoD), and signal strength positioning with multiple parent IAB-DUs, which may be, for example, an external interface including a communications module 1710, and one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for executing executable code or software instructions in a memory 1740, such as a positioning module 1750.

[0206] In one implementation, the IAB node may further include means for performing positioning based on reference signals transmitted to or received from multiple nodes, which may be, for example, one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for executing executable code or software instructions in memory 1740, such as a positioning module 1750.

[0207] In one implementation, an IAB node such as IAB node 1700 whose location in a wireless network is unknown includes mobile terminated (MT) and distributed unit (DU) functions, such as one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1740, such as an MT function module 1742 and a DU function module 1744, respectively. The IAB node may include means for sending or receiving messages for one or more positioning sessions to determine the location of the IAB node, which may be, for example, an external interface including a communication module 1710 and a network interface 1720, and one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1740, such as a positioning session module 1746. The means for transmitting or receiving reference signals for positioning to or from multiple base stations using MT functionality may be, for example, an external interface including a communications module 1710 and a network interface 1720, as well as one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for executing executable code or software instructions in memory 1740, such as a reference signal module 1748.

[0208] In one implementation, the IAB node may further include means for performing one or more of receive and transmit time (Rx-Tx), round trip time (RTT), angle of arrival (AoA), angle of departure (AoD), and signal strength positioning with each parent IAB-DU, which may be, for example, an external interface including a communication module 1710 and one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for executing executable code or software instructions in a memory 1740, such as a positioning module 1750.

[0209] In one implementation, the IAB node may further include means for performing one or more of Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), Receive and Transmit Time (Rx-Tx), Round Trip Time (RTT), Angle of Arrival (AoA), Angle of Departure (AoD), and signal strength positioning with multiple parent IAB-DUs, which may be, for example, an external interface including a communications module 1710, and one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for executing executable code or software instructions in a memory 1740, such as a positioning module 1750.

[0210] In one implementation, the IAB node may further include means for transmitting or receiving reference signals for positioning with a DU function to or from multiple nodes in the wireless network, the multiple nodes comprising user equipment (UE) or MT functions of downstream IAB nodes, which may be, for example, an external interface including a communications module 1710 and one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1740, such as a reference signal module 1748.

[0211] In one implementation, the IAB node may further include means for performing positioning based on reference signals transmitted to or received from multiple base stations, which may be, for example, one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for executing executable code or software instructions in memory 1740, such as a positioning module 1750.

[0212] In one implementation, an IAB node such as IAB node 1700 whose location in a wireless network is unknown includes mobile terminated (MT) and distributed unit (DU) functions, such as one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1740, such as an MT function module 1742 and a DU function module 1744, respectively. The IAB node may include means for transmitting or receiving messages for one or more positioning sessions to determine the location of the IAB node, which may be, for example, an external interface including a communication module 1710 and a network interface 1720, and one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1740, such as a positioning session module 1746. The means for transmitting or receiving reference signals for positioning to or from multiple nodes in a wireless network using DU functionality, where the multiple nodes have MT functionality of user equipment (UE) or downstream IAB nodes, may be, for example, an external interface including a communications module 1710 and a network interface 1720, and one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for executing executable code or software instructions in memory 1740, such as a reference signal module 1748.

[0213] In one implementation, the IAB node may further include means for performing one or more of receive and transmit time (Rx-Tx), round trip time (RTT), angle of arrival (AoA), angle of departure (AoD), and signal strength positioning with the node, which may be, for example, an external interface including a communications module 1710, and one or more processors 1730 with dedicated hardware for executing executable code or software instructions in memory 1740, such as a positioning module 1750.

[0214] FIG. 18 illustrates an example of a hardware implementation of a location server 1800, such as the location servers 164 / 196 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 8-FIG. 11, which may be a Location Management Function (LMF) in an NR network or a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (SLP) or an Enhanced Serving Mobile Location Center (eSMLC) in LTE. The location server 1800 includes hardware components, such as an external interface 1802, which may be a wired or wireless interface that may connect to an IAB node, for example, through an IAB donor, and to a base station 105 and a UE 115, for example, through an intermediate network entity. The location server 1800 includes one or more processors 1804 and a memory 1810, which may be coupled together with a bus 1806. The memory 1810 may include executable code or software instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors 1804, cause the one or more processors 1804 to operate as a special purpose computer programmed to perform the procedures and techniques disclosed herein.

[0215] 18, memory 1810 includes one or more components or modules that perform the methods described herein when implemented by one or more processors 1804. Although the components or modules are illustrated as software in memory 1810 executable by one or more processors 1804, it should be understood that the components or modules may be dedicated hardware either within the processor 1804 or external to the processor.

[0216] As shown, the memory 1810 may include a positioning session module 1812 that configures the one or more processors 1804 to engage in a positioning session over the external interface 1802, for example with an IAB node via an IAB donor or with a UE, to determine a location of the IAB node or UE.

[0217] The location information module 1814 configures one or more processors to receive location information from the base station and / or one or more UEs 115 via the external interface 1802, e.g., from an IAB node via an IAB donor. The location information may be, e.g., positioning results from reference signals received by an MT function and / or a DU function of the IAB node for positioning from multiple nodes in a wireless network. The positioning results may be downlink or uplink measurement results between the UE and the base station, sidelink measurement results between UEs, and measurement results between base stations. The positioning results may be, e.g., one or more of a time difference of arrival (TDOA), a round trip time (RTT), an angle of arrival (AoA), an angle of departure (AoD), and a signal strength. Additionally or alternatively, the location information may include an estimated location determined by the UE, e.g., in a UE-based positioning procedure.

[0218] The memory 1810 may include a location determination module 1816 that configures the one or more processors 1804 to determine a location estimate for the IAB node using the received location information. A location estimate for the UE may also be determined. The location estimate may be determined by excluding UE positioning results generated by the mobile IAB node.

[0219] The memory 1810 may further include a capabilities module 1818 that configures the one or more processors 1804 to send and receive capability information for the IAB node via the external interface 1802. The capability information may indicate, for example, an IAB node capability to send or receive reference signals to or from one or more parent IAB-DUs, non-IAB nodes, or other IAB nodes.

[0220] The memory 1810 may further include a mobility module 1820 that may configure the one or more processors 1804 to receive an indication of mobility of the IAB node, e.g., whether the IAB node is fully mobile, fully fixed, or sometimes mobile, from the IAB node via the external interface 1802. The indication of mobility may be used for positioning of the UE, e.g., by generating positioning assistance data for the UE that excludes the mobile IAB node or by excluding UE positioning results generated by the mobile IAB node (e.g., received in location information) from a location determination.

[0221] The memory 1810 may include an assistance data module 1822 that configures the one or more processors 1804 to generate assistance data and forward the assistance data to the UE. The assistance data may include, for example, locations of base stations including IAB nodes and IAB donors. The assistance data may provide an indication of mobility of the IAB nodes, for example, received via the mobility module 1820. The assistance data may exclude IAB nodes that indicate they are mobile, for example, fully mobile or occasionally mobile.

[0222] The methods described herein may be implemented by various means depending on the application. For example, these methods may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. In the case of hardware implementation, one or more processors may be implemented in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or combinations thereof.

[0223] For implementations involving firmware and / or software, the methods may be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, etc.) performing the distinct functions described herein. Any machine-readable medium tangibly embodying instructions may be used in implementing the methods described herein. For example, software code may be stored in a memory (e.g., memory 1810) and executed by one or more processor units (e.g., processor 1804) to operate the processor units as special purpose computers programmed to perform the techniques and procedures disclosed herein. The memory may be implemented within the processor unit or external to the processor unit. The term "memory" as used herein refers to any type of long-term memory, short-term memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or other memory, and should not be limited to any particular type or number of memories, or the type of medium on which the memory is stored.

[0224] If implemented in firmware and / or software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Examples include computer-readable media encoded with data structures and computer-readable media encoded with a computer program. Computer-readable media include physical computer storage media. Storage media may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, semiconductor storage, or other storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. As used herein, disk and disc include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically and discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

[0225] In addition to being stored in a computer-readable storage medium, the instructions and / or data may be provided as signals on a transmission medium included in a communication device. For example, the communication device may include a transceiver having signals representing the instructions and data. The instructions and data are stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as the memory 1810, and configured to operate one or more processors (e.g., the processor 1804) as a special-purpose computer that is programmed to perform the techniques and procedures disclosed herein. That is, the communication device includes a transmission medium with signals indicating information for performing the disclosed functions. The first time, the transmission medium included in the communication device may include a first portion of information for performing the disclosed functions, and the second time, the transmission medium included in the communication device may include a second portion of information for performing the disclosed functions.

[0226] In one implementation, a location server, such as location server 1800, may be configured to perform positioning of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node whose location in a wireless network is unknown, the IAB node including a mobile terminated (MT) function and a distributed unit (DU) function. The location server may include means for receiving location information from an IAB node, the location information comprising positioning results from reference signals received by the IAB node for positioning from a plurality of nodes in the wireless network, which may be, for example, an external interface 1802 and one or more processors 1804 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1810, such as a location information module 1814. Means for determining a location of the IAB node using the received location information may be, for example, one or more processors 1804 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1810, such as a location determination module 1816.

[0227] In one implementation, a location server, such as location server 1800, may be configured to perform positioning of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node whose location in a wireless network is unknown, the IAB node including a mobile termination (MT) function and a distributed unit (DU) function. The location server may include means for receiving an indication of the mobility of the integrated access backhaul (IAB) node from the IAB node, which may be, for example, an external interface 1802 and one or more processors 1804 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1810, such as a mobility module 1820. Means for using the indication of the mobility of the IAB node for positioning of a UE may be, for example, one or more processors 1804 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1810, such as a location determination module 1816 or an assistance data module 1822.

[0228] In one implementation, the location server may further include means, which may be one or more processors 1804 with dedicated hardware for executing executable code or software instructions in memory 1810, such as, for example, an assistance data module 1822, for generating positioning assistance data for UEs other than the IAB node when the indication of mobility of the IAB node indicates that the IAB node is mobile.

[0229] In one implementation, the location server may further include means for receiving positioning results generated using the IAB node, which may be, for example, the external interface 1802 and one or more processors 1804 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1810, such as a location information module 1814. Means for excluding positioning results generated using the IAB node, for positioning of the UE, when an indication of IAB node mobility indicates that the IAB node is mobile, may be, for example, one or more processors 1804 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1810, such as a location determination module 1816.

[0230] FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a hardware implementation of a UE 1900, such as the UE 115. The UE 1900 may include a wireless transceiver 1902 to wirelessly communicate with a base station, e.g., an IAB node. The UE 1900 may also include an additional transceiver, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiver 1906, as well as an SPS receiver 1908 to receive and measure signals from an SPS SV. The UE 1900 may further include one or more sensors 1910, such as a camera, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an electronic compass, a magnetometer, a barometer, etc. The UE 1900 may further include a user interface 1912, which may include, for example, a display, a keypad, or other input device, such as a virtual keypad on a display, through which a user may interface with the UE 1900. The UE 1900 may further include one or more processors 1904 and a memory 1920, which may be coupled together with a bus 1916. The one or more processors 1904 and other components of the UE 1900 may likewise be coupled together to a bus 1916, a separate bus, or directly connected together, or coupled using a combination of the foregoing. The memory 1920 may include executable code or software instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors 1904, cause the one or more processors to operate as a special purpose computer programmed to execute algorithms disclosed herein.

[0231] 19, memory 1920 may include one or more components or modules that may be implemented by one or more processors 1904 for performing the methods described herein. Although the components or modules are illustrated as software in memory 1920 executable by one or more processors 1904, it should be understood that the components or modules may be dedicated hardware either within the one or more processors 1904 or external to those processors.

[0232] As shown, the memory 1920 may include a positioning session module 1922 that configures the one or more processors 1904 to engage in a positioning session via the wireless transceiver 1902, for example, to determine a location of the UE 1900.

[0233] The memory 1920 may include an assistance data module 1924 that configures the one or more processors 1904 to receive assistance data from a location server, e.g., location server 164 / 196. The assistance data may include, e.g., locations of base stations including IAB nodes and / or IAB donors. The assistance data may provide an indication of mobility of IAB nodes. The assistance data may exclude IAB nodes that indicate they are mobile, e.g., fully mobile or occasionally mobile.

[0234] The memory 1920 may include a positioning module 1926 that configures the one or more processors 1904 to perform positioning with multiple base stations, and an indication of the mobility of the IAB node received in the assistance data may be used during the positioning. For example, the positioning module 1926 may configure the one or more processors 1904 to receive downlink signals from a base station via the wireless transceiver 1902 and / or perform positioning, or to transmit uplink reference signals to the base station to perform positioning. The positioning results may include, for example, one or more of a time difference of arrival (TDOA), a round trip time (RTT), an angle of arrival (AoA), an angle of departure (AoD), and a signal strength.

[0235] The memory 1920 may include a location determination module 1928 that configures the one or more processors 1904 to use information from the positioning results and the assistance data to determine a location estimate for the UE, e.g., in a UE-based positioning procedure. The location determination may use an indication of mobility of the IAB node, e.g., by excluding the location determination from the positioning results generated by the mobile IAB node.

[0236] The memory 1920 may include a location information module 1930 that configures the one or more processors 1904 to transmit location information of the UE to a location server via the wireless transceiver 1902. The location information may be, for example, a positioning result obtained using the positioning module 1926 and / or a location estimate obtained using the location determination module 1928.

[0237] The methods described herein may be implemented by various means depending on the application. For example, these methods may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. In the case of a hardware implementation, the one or more processors 1904 may be implemented in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or combinations thereof.

[0238] For implementations of the UE 1900 with firmware and / or software, the methods may be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, etc.) performing the distinct functions described herein. Any machine-readable medium tangibly embodying instructions may be used in implementing the methods described herein. For example, software code may be stored in a memory (e.g., memory 1920) and executed by one or more processors 1904 to operate the one or more processors 1904 as a special purpose computer programmed to perform the techniques disclosed herein. The memory may be implemented within the one or more processors 1904 or external to the one or more processors 1904. The term "memory" as used herein refers to any type of long-term memory, short-term memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or other memory, and should not be limited to any particular type or number of memories or the type of medium on which the memory is stored.

[0239] When implemented in firmware and / or software, the functions performed by the UE 1900 may be stored as one or more instructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as the memory 1920. Examples of storage media include computer-readable media encoded with data structures and computer-readable media encoded with a computer program. Computer-readable media include physical computer storage media. Storage media may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, semiconductor storage, or other storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. As used herein, disk and disc include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically and discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

[0240] Instructions and / or data for the UE 1900 may be provided as signals on a transmission medium included in a communication device in addition to being stored in a computer-readable storage medium. For example, a communication device comprising some or all of the UE 1900 may include a transceiver having signals indicative of the instructions and data. The instructions and data are stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a memory 1920, and configured to operate one or more processors 1904 as a special-purpose computer programmed to perform the techniques disclosed herein. That is, the communication device includes a transmission medium with signals indicative of information for performing the disclosed functions. The first time, the transmission medium included in the communication device may include a first portion of information for performing the disclosed functions, and the second time, the transmission medium included in the communication device may include a second portion of information for performing the disclosed functions.

[0241] In one implementation, a UE, such as a UE 1900 configured to perform UE positioning, may include means for receiving positioning assistance data from a location server, including an indication of integrated access backhaul (IAB) node mobility, which may be, for example, a wireless transceiver 1902 and one or more processors 1904 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1920, such as an assistance data module 1924. Means for performing positioning from multiple base stations, where the indication of IAB node mobility is used during positioning, may be, for example, one or more processors 1904 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 1920, such as a location determination module 1928.

[0242] In one implementation, the UE may further include means, which may be one or more processors 1904 with dedicated hardware for executing executable code or software instructions in memory 1920, such as a location determination module 1928, for excluding from generating positioning results using the IAB node when an indication of the mobility of the IAB node indicates that the IAB node is mobile.

[0243] FIG. 20 illustrates a simplified exemplary procedure 2000 for determining a location of a base station 105-4. As shown, in a first stage 2010, the location server 101 and the UE 115-1 may be involved in a positioning session, indicated by an arrow 2012. In the positioning session, positioning results between the UE 115-1 and the base stations 105-1, 105-2, 105-3, and the base station 105-4 are obtained using a reference signal 2014. Although the reference signal 2014 is shown as a DL reference signal, a UL reference signal or a DL and UL reference signal may be used. Moreover, the location measurement results may be, for example, TDOA, AoA, AoD, RTT, or signal strength, etc. As shown, the UE 115-1 obtains a positioning result with the base station 105-4 even though the location of the base station 105-4 is unknown. For example, in some implementations, the UE 115-1 may receive a command message to perform positioning with the base station 105-4, for example, from the location server 101 or the base station 105-4. The location server 101 may receive the positioning result, for example, from the UE 115-1, and in block 2016, determine the location of the UE 115-1.

[0244] In a second stage 2020, the location server 101 and the UE 115-2 may be involved in a positioning session, indicated by an arrow 2022. In the positioning session, positioning results between the UE 115-2 and the base stations 105-1, 105-2, 105-3, and the base station 105-4 are obtained using a reference signal 2024. Although the reference signal 2024 is indicated as a DL reference signal, a UL reference signal or a DL and UL reference signal may be used. Moreover, the location measurement results may be, for example, TDOA, AoA, AoD, RTT, or signal strength, etc. As shown, the UE 115-2 obtains a positioning result with the base station 105-4 even though the location of the base station 105-4 is unknown. For example, in some implementations, the UE 115-2 may receive a command message to perform positioning with the base station 105-4, for example, from the location server 101 or the base station 105-4. The location server 101 may receive positioning results from, for example, the UE 115-2 and, in block 2026, determines the location of the UE 115-2.

[0245] In a third stage 2030, the location of the base station 105-4 may be determined. The location server 101 and the base station 105-4 may be involved in a positioning session, as shown by the arrow 2032. In some implementations, the location server 101 may be involved in a positioning session with another node, for example, UE-2, to determine the location of the base station 105-4, as shown by the dotted arrow 2033. For example, the UE 115-2 may receive a command message to perform positioning with the base station 105-4, for example, from the location server 101 or the base station 105-4. In the positioning session, the positioning results between the base station 105-4 and the UEs 115-1 and 115-2 are obtained using the reference signal 2034. Although the reference signal 2034 is shown as a DL reference signal, a UL reference signal or a DL and UL reference signal may be used. Moreover, the location measurement results may be, for example, TDOA, AoA, AoD, RTT, or signal strength, etc. In some implementations, the positioning results between the base station 105-4 and the UE 115-1 from the first stage 2010 and the positioning results between the base station 105-4 and the UE 115-2 from the second stage 2020 may be used, thereby eliminating the need for new positioning results with the UEs 115-1 and 115-2 in the third stage 2030. With the locations of the UEs 115-1 and 115-2 and the base station 105-1 known and with the positioning results with the UEs 115-1 and 115-2 and the base station 105-1, the location server 101 can determine the location of the base station 105-4 in block 2036. In a UE-based positioning process, in block 2037, the UE 115-2 can determine the location of the base station 105-4 based on the known locations of the UEs 115-1 and 115-2 and the base station 105-1 and the positioning results with the UEs 115-1 and 115-2 and the base station 105-1.

[0246] FIG. 21 illustrates another simplified exemplary procedure 2100 for determining a location of a base station 105-4. As shown, in a first stage 2110, the location server 101 and the UE 115-1 may be involved in a positioning session, indicated by an arrow 2112. In the positioning session, positioning results between the UE 115-1 and the base stations 105-1, 105-2, and 105-4 are obtained using a reference signal 2114. Although the reference signal 2114 is indicated as a DL reference signal, a UL reference signal or a DL and UL reference signal may be used. Moreover, the location measurement results may be, for example, TDOA, AoA, AoD, RTT, or signal strength, etc. In some implementations, the UE 115-1 may receive a command message to perform positioning with the base station 105-4, for example, from the location server 101 or the base station 105-4. The location of the UE 115-1 may not be determined in the positioning session 2110.

[0247] In a second stage 2120, the location server 101 and the UE 115-2 may be involved in a positioning session, indicated by an arrow 2122. In the positioning session, positioning results between the UE 115-2 and the base stations 105-2, 105-3, and 105-4 are obtained using reference signals 2124. Although the reference signals 2124 are indicated as DL reference signals, UL reference signals or DL ​​and UL reference signals may be used. Moreover, the location measurement results may be, for example, TDOA, AoA, AoD, RTT, or signal strength, etc. In some implementations, the UE 115-2 may receive a command message to perform positioning with the base station 105-4, for example, from the location server 101 or the base station 105-4. The location of the UE 115-2 may not be determined in the positioning session 2120.

[0248] In a third stage 2130, the location server 101 and the UE 115-3 may be engaged in a positioning session, indicated by arrow 2132. In the positioning session, positioning results between the UE 115-3 and the UEs 115-1 and 115-2 are obtained using sidelink reference signals 2124. The location of the UE 115-3 may not be determined in the positioning session 2130.

[0249] From the three positioning sessions shown in steps 2110, 2120, and 2130, the location server 101 has eight positioning results, and there are four unknown locations, for example, for the base station 105-4 and the UEs 115-1, 115-2, and 115-3. Assuming only an xy plane (two coordinates for each location), there are 4*2=8 unknowns. There are eight unknowns and eight equations, which can be solved by the location server 101. Thus, in block 2140, the location server 101 can jointly determine the locations of the base station 105-4 and the UEs 115-1, 115-2, and 115-3.

[0250] As shown, the positioning session in stage 2130 did not include positioning with base station 105-4, but may still be used to determine the location of base station 105-4. Similar procedures can be used to determine the locations of multiple base stations rather than multiple UEs, if desired.

[0251] FIG. 22 illustrates a procedure 2200 including messages that may be used to determine the location of a base station, such as base station 105-4.

[0252] In stage 1, the location server 101 sends a capability request message to the base station 105-4 to be positioned via an intervening network entity, such as, for example, an AMF (not shown) to request the capabilities of the base station 105-4. The capability request message may indicate the type of capabilities required. For example, the query may be about the positioning capabilities of the base station 105-4, such as whether the base station has full UE capabilities, such as whether an LPP session is possible, or has limited capabilities, such as whether it is possible to measure channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) or PRS from the UE or other base stations.

[0253] In stage 2, the base station 105-4 returns a capability provision message with the positioning capabilities of the base station 105-4 to the location server 101. The base station 105-4 may also provide an indication of mobility, e.g., whether the base station 105-4 is completely fixed, sometimes mobile, or completely mobile.

[0254] In stage 3, the location server 101 may generate positioning assistance data (AD). The assistance data may include assistance data for the base station 105-5 as well as the other base stations 105-1, 105-2, and 105-3. The assistance data may include, for example, the positions of the base stations 105-1, 105-2, and 105-3, which may be used by the UE 115, for example, in a UE-based positioning procedure. The assistance data may further include, for example, an indication of mobility with respect to the base station 105-4 as well as any of the base stations 105-1, 105-2, and 105-3, if known. The assistance data may additionally include assistance data for performing positioning with another UE (not shown), for example, a sidelink. The assistance data for another UE may not include an identity of the UE, for example, a UE-ID, may not include a measurement timestamp of the UE, or the measurement timestamp may be quantized, for example, current, recent, or old.

[0255] In stage 4 , the location server 101 provides assistance data to the UE 115 .

[0256] In stage 5, the location server 101 sends a location information request message to the UE 115 to request the desired location information, e.g., a positioning result. The message may include, for example, a type of positioning, a desired accuracy, a response time, etc. Moreover, the message may include a command to perform positioning with the base station 105-4, and the command may indicate whether the positioning is mandatory. The command may indicate that the UE 115 should initiate a positioning session to determine the location of the UE, and that the positioning result of the base station 105-4 should be obtained or that the positioning session is for the base station 105-4. It should be understood that if the base station 105-4 indicated in the capability provision message in stage 2 that the base station 105-4 had full UE functionality, e.g., an LPP session was possible, the location server 101 may send a location information request message to the base station 105-4 on behalf of the UE 115. The location server 101 may send additional location information request messages to other UEs, as well as base stations to determine the location of the base station 105-4.

[0257] In stage 6a, the UE 115 performs the requested positioning using reference signal transmissions from the base stations 105-1, 105-2, 105-3, and 105-4. For example, the positioning result may be one or more of TOA, RSTD, or Rx-Tx, AoA, AoD, signal strength, etc. It should be understood that the UE 115 may further perform positioning with additional nodes, e.g., other UEs and base stations, some of which may have known locations and some of which may have unknown locations.

[0258] In stage 6b, the base stations 105-1, 105-2, 105-3, and 105-4 perform the requested positioning using the reference signal transmission from the UE 115. For example, the positioning result may be one or more of TOA, RSTD, or Rx-Tx, AoA, AoD, signal strength, etc. It should be understood that the base stations 105-1, 105-2, 105-3, and 105-4 may further perform positioning with additional nodes, e.g., additional UEs, and between base stations or with other base stations, some of which may have known locations and some of which may have unknown locations.

[0259] It should be understood that one or both of steps 6a and 6b may be performed, for example, for RTT positioning, both steps 6a and 6b are performed.

[0260] In step 7, the base stations 105-1, 105-2, 105-3, and 105-4 may provide the location information obtained in step 6b to the location server 101. The location information may be, for example, a desired positioning result. As indicated by the dotted arrows in step 7, the base stations 105-1, 105-2, 105-3, and 105-4 may provide the location information obtained in step 6b to the UE 115 instead of the location server 101, for example in a UE-based positioning procedure.

[0261] In optional step 8, e.g. for a UE-based positioning procedure, the UE 115 may determine the location of the base station 105-4, e.g. using the location measurements from step 6a and the assistance data received in step 4, as well as the location information received from the base station in step 7, if performed therein. The UE 115 may additionally determine the location of the UE 115 together with the location of the base station 105-4, e.g. in an iterative or joint manner.

[0262] In step 9, the UE 115 provides location information to the location server 101. The location information may be, for example, the positioning result obtained in step 6a, or the location of 105-4 and / or the UE 115 determined in step 8, or both.

[0263] In step 10, the location server 101 may determine or confirm the location of the base station 105-4, e.g., using the position information received in one or both of steps 7 and 9. The location server 101 may determine the location of the UE 115 along with the location of the base station 105-4, e.g., in an iterative or joint manner.

[0264] FIG. 23 illustrates a process flow 2300 that illustrates a method for positioning a base station whose location is unknown performed by a location server, such as location server 101, in a wireless network.

[0265] Process flow 2300 may begin at block 2302 where a location server engages in multiple positioning sessions to estimate the location of one or more user equipments (UEs), e.g., as shown in steps 2010, 2020, and 2030 of Figure 20, steps 2110, 2120, and 2130 of Figure 21, and discussed in step 5 of Figure 22, a base station participates in at least one of the multiple positioning sessions, at least one of the multiple positioning sessions including one or more other base stations whose locations are known. For example, the location server may be involved in a positioning session by sending or receiving messages for the positioning session. At block 2304, the location server receives location measurements associated with the base station and one or more UEs in each of a plurality of positioning sessions, e.g., as shown in steps 2010, 2020, and 2030 of Figure 20, steps 2110, 2120, and 2130 of Figure 21, and discussed in steps 7 and 9 of Figure 22. At block 2306, the location server determines an estimated location of the base station using the location measurements associated with the base station and one or more UEs, e.g., as shown in step 2036 of Figure 20, step 2140 of Figure 21, and step 10 of Figure 22.

[0266] In some implementations, the multiple positioning sessions include multiple nodes in a wireless network whose location is unknown, each node being one of a UE or a base station, and the location server may determine an estimated location of each node in the multiple nodes, e.g., as shown in steps 2016, 2026, and 2036 of FIG. 20, as well as step 2140 of FIG. 21, and step 10 of FIG. 22.

[0267] In some implementations, for example as shown in steps 2016, 2026, and 2036 of FIG. 20 and step 10 of FIG. 22, an estimated location of at least one node among the multiple nodes is determined prior to determining an estimated location of the base station, and determining the estimated location of the base station further uses the estimated location of the at least one node among the multiple nodes.

[0268] In some implementations, for example as shown in steps 2010, 2020, and 2030 of FIG. 20, the location server may determine an estimated location of at least one node among the plurality of nodes by iteratively identifying subsets of location measurements involving nodes whose locations are known and determining an estimated location of the individual node using the identified subset of location measurements, where the individual node with the estimated location is included in the subset of location measurements for determining the estimated location of the other nodes. The location server may determine an uncertainty value for each estimated location based on the uncertainties of the location measurements, where identifying the subset of location measurements comprises minimizing an overall uncertainty value for each subset of location measurements.

[0269] In some implementations, for example as shown in step 2140 of FIG. 21 and step 10 of FIG. 22, the estimated location of each node in the plurality of nodes and the estimated location of the base station are determined simultaneously.

[0270] In some implementations, for example as shown in steps 2016, 2026, and 2036 of Figure 20, and step 2140 of Figure 21, and step 10 of Figure 22, the estimated location of each node among the multiple nodes and the estimated location of the base station are determined using pairwise location measurements between the nodes, including downlink or uplink measurements between the UE and the base station, sidelink measurements between UEs, and measurements between base stations. The measurements between base stations comprise measurements made by the base station or by another UE function co-located with the base station.

[0271] In some implementations, the estimated location of a node among the multiple nodes and the estimated location of the base station are determined using one or more of a Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), a Round Trip Time (RTT), an Angle of Arrival (AoA), an Angle of Departure (AoD), and a signal strength.

[0272] Figure 24 shows a process flow 2400 illustrating a method for positioning a node whose location in a wireless network is unknown performed by a network entity. At block 2402, the network entity transmits a command to a user equipment (UE) instructing the UE to perform positioning of the node, the node comprising one of a base station or another UE, as discussed, for example, in steps 2010, 2020, 2030 of Figure 20, steps 2110, 2120, and 2130 of Figure 21, and step 5 of Figure 22.

[0273] In some implementations, the network entity may be one of a location server, a node whose location is unknown, a base station, or another UE.

[0274] In some implementations, the command instructing the UE to perform positioning is mandatory, for example as discussed in step 5 of FIG.

[0275] In some implementations, the command instructing the UE to perform positioning specifies a type of positioning, e.g., as discussed in step 5 of Figure 22. For example, the type of positioning comprises one or more of Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), Round Trip Time (RTT), Angle of Arrival (AoA), Angle of Departure (AoD), and signal strength.

[0276] In some implementations, for example as discussed in step 5 of FIG. 22, the command instructing the UE to perform positioning comprises a command to initiate a positioning session for the UE including a node whose location is unknown.

[0277] FIG. 25 illustrates a process flow 2500 illustrating a method for positioning a node whose location is unknown in a wireless network performed by a user equipment (UE). In block 2502, the UE receives a command from a network entity in the wireless network, the command instructing the UE to perform positioning of the node, the node comprising one of a base station or another UE, as discussed, for example, in steps 2010, 2020, and 2030 of FIG. 20, steps 2110, 2120, and 2130 of FIG. 21, and step 5 of FIG. 22. In block 2504, the UE performs location measurements with the node, as discussed, for example, in steps 2010, 2020, and 2030 of FIG. 20, steps 2110, 2120, and 2130 of FIG. 21, and steps 6a and 6b of FIG. 22.

[0278] In some implementations, the network entity may be one of a location server, a node whose location is unknown, a base station, or another UE.

[0279] In some implementations, the command instructing the UE to perform positioning is mandatory, for example as discussed in step 5 of FIG.

[0280] In some implementations, the command instructing the UE to perform positioning specifies a type of positioning, e.g., as discussed in step 5 of Figure 22. For example, the type of positioning comprises one or more of Downlink Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), Round Trip Time (RTT), Angle of Arrival (AoA), and Angle of Departure (AoD).

[0281] In some implementations, for example as discussed in steps 2010, 2020, and 2030 of FIG. 20, steps 2110, 2120, and 2130 of FIG. 21, and steps 6a and 6b of FIG. 22, the UE may perform location measurements with the node by transmitting a reference signal to the node or receiving a reference signal from the node.

[0282] In some implementations, for example as discussed in step 5 of FIG. 22, the command instructing the UE to perform positioning comprises a command to initiate a positioning session for the UE including a node whose location is unknown.

[0283] In some implementations, the UE may transmit location measurement results to a location server, for example as discussed in steps 2010, 2020, and 2030 of FIG. 20, steps 2110, 2120, and 2130 of FIG. 21, and step 9 of FIG. 22.

[0284] In some implementations, the UE may receive assistance data for performing positioning with a node, e.g., as discussed in stages 3 and 4 of Figure 22. In some implementations, the node may be another UE and the UE-ID is not included in the assistance data, e.g., as discussed in stage 3 of Figure 22. Additionally, the assistance data may not include a measurement timestamp for another UE, or the measurement timestamp is quantized, e.g., as discussed in stage 3 of Figure 22.

[0285] Figure 26 illustrates a process flow 2600 illustrating a method for positioning a base station whose location in a wireless network is unknown performed by the base station. At block 2602, the base station receives a request for the capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine the location of the base station, e.g., as discussed in step 1 of Figure 22. At block 2604, the base station responds to the request by indicating the capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine the location of the base station, e.g., as discussed in step 2 of Figure 22.

[0286] In some implementations, for example as discussed in stage 2 of FIG. 22, the request for capability relates to capability to perform user equipment (UE) functions including positioning procedures, and responding to the request indicates capability to enter into a protocol session from the UE to a positioning server or limited UE functional capability comprising performing a positioning procedure, performing a positioning protocol, or both.

[0287] In some implementations, for example as discussed in step 5 of FIG. 22, the base station may indicate a capability of the UE function to enter into a protocol session from the UE to a positioning server, and the UE function may engage in positioning sessions with multiple network entities whose locations are known to determine the location of the base station.

[0288] In some implementations, the base station may indicate a capability of the UE capabilities to enter a UE-to-positioning server protocol session, and the base station may further enter a positioning session using the UE-to-positioning server protocol and simultaneously enter a positioning session using the base station-to-positioning server protocol.

[0289] In some implementations, for example, as discussed in stages 2010, 2020, and 2030 of FIG. 20, stages 2110, 2120, and 2130 of FIG. 21, and stages 6a and 6b of FIG. 22, the base station may indicate limited UE functionality capability comprising performing positioning procedures, performing a positioning protocol, or both, and the UE may perform positioning with one or more network entities whose locations are known to determine the location of the base station.

[0290] In some implementations, the request for capabilities is received from a UE, another base station, or a location server, for example as discussed in stage 1 of FIG.

[0291] In some implementations, for example, as discussed in stage 2 of Figure 22, the base station and / or its associated UE functionality may transmit a message that provides an indication of the mobility of the base station. The indication of the mobility of the base station comprises fully mobile, fully fixed, or sometimes mobile.

[0292] FIG. 27 illustrates an example of a hardware implementation of a location server 2700, such as the location server 101 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 20-22, which may be a Location Management Function (LMF) in an NR network or a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (SLP) or an Enhanced Serving Mobile Location Center (eSMLC) in LTE. The location server 2700 includes hardware components, such as an external interface 2702, which may be a wired or wireless interface that may connect to the base station 105 and the UE 115, for example, via an intermediate network entity. The location server 2700 includes one or more processors 2704 and a memory 2710, which may be coupled together with a bus 2706. The memory 2710 may include executable code or software instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors 2704, cause the one or more processors 2704 to operate as a special purpose computer programmed to perform the procedures and techniques disclosed herein.

[0293] 27, the memory 2710 includes one or more components or modules that perform the methods described herein when implemented by the one or more processors 2704. Although the components or modules are illustrated as software in the memory 2710 executable by the one or more processors 2704, it should be understood that the components or modules may be dedicated hardware either within the processor 2704 or external to the processor.

[0294] As shown, the memory 2710 may include a positioning session unit 2712 that configures the one or more processors 2704 to engage in a positioning session over the external interface 2702 with one or more UEs, e.g., to determine the location of a base station and one or more UEs whose location is unknown. The positioning session unit 2712 may configure the one or more processors 2704 to engage in a direct positioning session with the base station, e.g., if the base station is capable of entering into a UE-to-positioning server protocol session, such as LPP.

[0295] The location information unit 2714 configures one or more processors to receive location information from one or more UEs 115 and / or base stations 105 via the external interface 2702. The location information may be, for example, a positioning result. The positioning result may be a downlink or uplink measurement result between the UE and the base station, a sidelink measurement result between the UE, and a measurement result between the base stations. The positioning result may be, for example, one or more of a time difference of arrival (TDOA), a round trip time (RTT), an angle of arrival (AoA), an angle of departure (AoD), and a signal strength. Additionally or alternatively, the location information may include an estimated location determined by the UE, for example in a UE-based positioning procedure.

[0296] The memory 2710 may include a location determination unit 2716 that configures the one or more processors 2704 to determine a location estimate for a base station using the received location information. Location estimates for one or more UEs, as well as additional base stations, may also be determined using the received location information.

[0297] The location determination unit 2716 may include an iterative unit 2718 that configures the one or more processors 2704 to determine a location estimate using an iterative approach. For example, an estimated location for one or more nodes, e.g., a UE or other base station, may be determined prior to and used in estimating the location of the base station. The one or more processors 2704 may, for example, iteratively identify a subset of location measurements involving nodes whose locations are known and determine an estimated location of an individual node using the identified subset of location measurements, where the individual node with the estimated location is included in the subset of location measurements for determining the estimated location of the other node. The location determination unit 2716 may include an uncertainty unit 2720 that configures the one or more processors 2704 to determine an uncertainty value for each estimated location based on the uncertainty of the location measurements. The uncertainty value may be used by the one or more processors 2704 when identifying the subset of location measurements to minimize an overall uncertainty value for each subset of location measurements.

[0298] The location determination unit 2716 may include a joint unit 2722 that configures the one or more processors 2704 to determine a location estimate using a joint approach. The one or more processors 2704 may estimate a location of each node among multiple nodes, such as one or more UEs and one or more other base stations, and simultaneously estimate the location of base stations whose locations are unknown.

[0299] The memory 2710 may further include a positioning command unit 2724 that configures the one or more processors 2704 to generate and send to the UE via the external interface 2702 a command message instructing the UE to perform positioning with a node whose location is unknown, e.g., one of a base station or another UE. The command message may, for example, indicate that positioning is mandatory. The command message may, for example, indicate a type of positioning to be performed, e.g., one or more of time difference of arrival (TDOA), round trip time (RTT), angle of arrival (AoA), angle of departure (AoD), and signal strength. The command message may indicate that the UE should start a positioning session of the UE and that positioning results for the node should be included.

[0300] The memory 2710 may further include a capability request unit 2726 that configures the one or more processors 2704 to generate and send to the base station via the external interface 2702 a request for capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine a location of the base station. For example, the request for capability may be for capability to enter a protocol procedure or perform a positioning procedure from the UE to a positioning server, capability to perform positioning and / or a protocol, or both.

[0301] The memory 2710 may further include a capability response unit 2728 that configures the one or more processors 2704 to receive from the base station via the external interface 2702 a capability response indicating a capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine a location of the base station, e.g., a capability to enter a protocol procedure from the UE to a positioning server or to perform a positioning procedure, a capability to perform positioning and / or a protocol.

[0302] The memory 2710 may further include a mobility unit 2730 that may configure the one or more processors 2704 to receive from the base station via the external interface 2702 an indication of the mobility of the base station, for example whether the base station is fully mobile, fully fixed, or sometimes mobile.

[0303] The memory 2710 may include an assistance data unit 2732 that configures the one or more processors 2704 to generate assistance data and forward the assistance data to the UE. The assistance data may include, for example, the location of the base station, a previous estimated location of the UE, information for performing positioning with a base station whose location is unknown. The assistance data may provide an indication of the mobility of the base station, for example received via the mobility unit 2730. The assistance data may exclude base stations that indicate being mobile, for example fully mobile or sometimes mobile. If the node to be measured is another UE, the assistance data may exclude an identifier of the other UE, for example UE-ID. Furthermore, the assistance data may exclude a measurement timestamp for another UE, or the measurement timestamp may be quantized and indicated with a general descriptive term, for example "current", "recent", or "old".

[0304] The methods described herein may be implemented by various means depending on the application. For example, these methods may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. In the case of hardware implementation, one or more processors may be implemented in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or combinations thereof.

[0305] For implementations involving firmware and / or software, the methods may be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, etc.) performing the distinct functions described herein. Any machine-readable medium tangibly embodying instructions may be used in implementing the methods described herein. For example, software code may be stored in a memory (e.g., memory 2710) and executed by one or more processor units (e.g., processor 2704) to operate the processor units as special purpose computers programmed to perform the techniques and procedures disclosed herein. The memory may be implemented within the processor unit or external to the processor unit. The term "memory" as used herein refers to any type of long-term memory, short-term memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or other memory, and should not be limited to any particular type or number of memories, or the type of medium on which the memory is stored.

[0306] If implemented in firmware and / or software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Examples include computer-readable media encoded with data structures and computer-readable media encoded with a computer program. Computer-readable media include physical computer storage media. Storage media may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, semiconductor storage, or other storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. As used herein, disk and disc include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically and discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

[0307] In addition to being stored in a computer-readable storage medium, the instructions and / or data may be provided as signals on a transmission medium included in a communication device. For example, the communication device may include a transceiver having signals representing the instructions and data. The instructions and data are stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as memory 2710, and configured to operate one or more processors (e.g., processor 2704) as a special-purpose computer that is programmed to perform the techniques and procedures disclosed herein. That is, the communication device includes a transmission medium with signals indicating information for performing the disclosed functions. The first time, the transmission medium included in the communication device may include a first portion of information for performing the disclosed functions, and the second time, the transmission medium included in the communication device may include a second portion of information for performing the disclosed functions.

[0308] A location server such as location server 2700 may include means for participating in multiple positioning sessions to estimate a location of one or more user equipment (UE), where a base station participates in at least one of the multiple positioning sessions including one or more other base stations whose location is known, which may be, for example, an external interface 2702 and one or more processors 2704 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 2710, such as a positioning session module 2712. Means for receiving positioning results associated with the base station and one or more UEs in each of the multiple positioning sessions may be, for example, an external interface 2702 and one or more processors 2704 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 2710, such as a location information module 2714. Means for determining an estimated location of the base station using the positioning results associated with the base station and one or more UEs may be, for example, one or more processors 2704 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 2710, such as a location determination module 2716.

[0309] A location server such as location server 2700 may include means for sending a command to a user equipment (UE) instructing the UE to perform positioning with a node, which may comprise one of a base station or another UE, which may be, for example, an external interface 2702 and one or more processors 2704 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 2710, such as a positioning command module 2724.

[0310] FIG. 28 illustrates an example of a hardware implementation of a UE 2800, such as the UE 115. The UE 2800 may include a wireless transceiver 2802 to wirelessly communicate with a base station, e.g., the base station 105. The UE 2800 may also include an additional transceiver, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiver 2806, as well as an SPS receiver 2808 for receiving and measuring signals from an SPS SV. The UE 2800 may further include one or more sensors 2810, such as a camera, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an electronic compass, a magnetometer, a barometer, etc. The UE 2800 may further include a user interface 2812, which may include, for example, a display, a keypad, or other input device, such as a virtual keypad on a display, through which a user may interface with the UE 2800. The UE 2800 may further include one or more processors 2804 and a memory 2820, which may be coupled together with a bus 2816. The one or more processors 2804 and other components of the UE 2800 may likewise be coupled together to a bus 2816, a separate bus, or directly connected together, or coupled using a combination of the foregoing. The memory 2820 may include executable code or software instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors 2804, cause the one or more processors to operate as a special purpose computer programmed to execute algorithms disclosed herein.

[0311] 28, the memory 2820 may include one or more components or modules that may be implemented by the one or more processors 2804 for performing the methods described herein. Although the components or modules are illustrated as software in the memory 2820 executable by the one or more processors 2804, it should be understood that the components or modules may be dedicated hardware either within the one or more processors 2804 or external to those processors.

[0312] As shown, the memory 2820 may include a positioning command sending unit 2822 that configures one or more processors 2804 to generate and send to another UE via the wireless transceiver 2802 a command message instructing the other UE to perform positioning with a node whose location is unknown, e.g., one of a base station or another UE. The command message may indicate, for example, that positioning is mandatory. The command message may indicate, for example, a type of positioning to be performed, e.g., one or more of time difference of arrival (TDOA), round trip time (RTT), angle of arrival (AoA), angle of departure (AoD), and signal strength. The command message may indicate that the UE should start a positioning session of the UE and that the positioning results for the node should be included.

[0313] The memory 2820 may further include a positioning command receiving unit 2824 that configures the one or more processors 2804 to receive and process a command message from a network entity via the wireless transceiver 2802 instructing the UE to perform positioning with a node whose location is unknown, e.g., one of a base station or another UE. The network entity may be, e.g., a location server, a base station, another UE, or a node whose location is unknown. The command message may indicate, for example, that positioning is mandatory. The command message may indicate, for example, a type of positioning to be performed, e.g., one or more of a time difference of arrival (TDOA), a round trip time (RTT), an angle of arrival (AoA), an angle of departure (AoD), and a signal strength. The command message may indicate that the UE should start a positioning session of the UE and that positioning results for the node should be included.

[0314] The memory 2820 may include a positioning session unit 2826 that configures the one or more processors 2804 to participate in a positioning session via the wireless transceiver 2802, e.g., to determine locations of nodes whose locations are unknown. The positioning session unit 2826 may configure the one or more processors 2804 to participate in a positioning session to determine locations of UEs with nodes whose locations are unknown.

[0315] The memory 2820 may include an assistance data unit 2828 that configures the one or more processors 2804 to receive assistance data from a location server, e.g., location server 101. The assistance data may include, e.g., the location of the base station, a previous estimated location of the UE, information for performing positioning with a node whose location is unknown. The assistance data may provide an indication of the mobility of the base station. The assistance data may exclude base stations that indicate that they are mobile, e.g., fully mobile or sometimes mobile. If the node to be measured is another UE, the assistance data may exclude an identifier of the other UE, e.g., UE-ID. Furthermore, the assistance data may exclude a measurement timestamp for another UE, or the measurement timestamp may be quantized and indicated with a general descriptive term, e.g., "current," "recent," or "old."

[0316] The memory 2820 may include a positioning unit 2830 that configures the one or more processors 2804 to perform positioning with the node whose location is unknown as well as other nodes, such as base stations or UEs. For example, the positioning unit 2830 may configure the one or more processors 2804 to receive downlink or sidelink reference signals from the node whose location is unknown via the wireless transceiver 2802 and transmit uplink or sidelink reference signals to the node to perform positioning. The positioning results may include, for example, one or more of a time difference of arrival (TDOA), a round trip time (RTT), an angle of arrival (AoA), an angle of departure (AoD), and a signal strength.

[0317] The memory 2820 may include a location determination unit 2832 that configures the one or more processors 2804 to determine a location estimate for a node whose location is unknown, e.g., in a UE-based positioning procedure, using information from the positioning results and assistance data, as well as any additional location information received, e.g., from the node or other UEs or base stations. The location estimates may be for the node, as well as the UE, as well as other UEs and base stations.

[0318] The location determination unit 2832 may include an iterative unit 2834 that configures the one or more processors 2804 to determine a location estimate using an iterative approach. For example, an estimated location for one or more nodes, e.g., a UE or other base station, may be determined prior to and used in estimating the node's location. The one or more processors 2804 may, for example, iteratively identify a subset of location measurements involving nodes whose locations are known and determine an estimated location of an individual node using the identified subset of location measurements, where the individual node with the estimated location is included in the subset of location measurements for determining the estimated location of the other node. The location determination unit 2832 may include an uncertainty unit 2836 that configures the one or more processors 2804 to determine an uncertainty value for each estimated location based on the uncertainty of the location measurements. The uncertainty value may be used by the one or more processors 2804 when identifying the subset of location measurements to minimize an overall uncertainty value for each subset of location measurements.

[0319] The location determination unit 2832 may include a joint unit 2838 that configures the one or more processors 2804 to determine a location estimate using a joint approach. The one or more processors 2804 may estimate a location of each node among multiple nodes, such as one or more UEs and one or more other base stations, and simultaneously estimate the location of base stations whose locations are unknown.

[0320] The location information unit 2840 configures the one or more processors 2804 to transmit location information of the node, as well as the UE or any other node, to a location server via the wireless transceiver 2802. The location information may be, for example, a positioning result obtained using the positioning unit 2830 and / or a location estimate obtained using the location determination unit 2832.

[0321] The methods described herein may be implemented by various means depending on the application. For example, these methods may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. In the case of a hardware implementation, the one or more processors 2804 may be implemented in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or combinations thereof.

[0322] For UE 2800 implementations involving firmware and / or software, the methods may be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, etc.) performing the distinct functions described herein. Any machine-readable medium tangibly embodying instructions may be used in implementing the methods described herein. For example, software code may be stored in a memory (e.g., memory 2820) and executed by one or more processors 2804 to operate the one or more processors 2804 as a special purpose computer programmed to perform the techniques disclosed herein. The memory may be implemented within the one or more processors 2804 or external to the one or more processors 2804. The term "memory" as used herein refers to any type of long-term memory, short-term memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or other memory, and should not be limited to any particular type or number of memories or the type of medium on which the memory is stored.

[0323] When implemented in firmware and / or software, the functions performed by the UE 2800 may be stored as one or more instructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as the memory 2820. Examples of storage media include computer-readable media encoded with data structures and computer-readable media encoded with a computer program. Computer-readable media include physical computer storage media. Storage media may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, semiconductor storage, or other storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. As used herein, disk and disc include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically and discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

[0324] Instructions and / or data for the UE 2800 may be provided as signals on a transmission medium included in a communication device in addition to being stored in a computer-readable storage medium. For example, a communication device comprising some or all of the UE 2800 may include a transceiver having signals indicative of the instructions and data. The instructions and data are stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a memory 2820, and configured to operate one or more processors 2804 as a special-purpose computer programmed to perform the techniques disclosed herein. That is, the communication device includes a transmission medium with signals indicative of information for performing the disclosed functions. The first time, the transmission medium included in the communication device may include a first portion of information for performing the disclosed functions, and the second time, the transmission medium included in the communication device may include a second portion of information for performing the disclosed functions.

[0325] A UE, such as user equipment (UE) 2800, may include means for receiving a command from a network entity in a wireless network instructing the UE to perform positioning with a node, the node comprising one of a base station or another UE, which may be, for example, an external interface (wireless transceiver) 2802 and one or more processors 2804 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 2810, such as a positioning command receiving module 2824. The means for performing positioning with a node may be, for example, an external interface (wireless transceiver) 2802 and one or more processors 2804 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 2810, such as a positioning module 2830.

[0326] A UE, such as user equipment (UE) 2800, may include means for sending a command to the UE instructing the UE to perform positioning with a node, which may comprise one of a base station or another UE, which may be, for example, an external interface (wireless transceiver) 2802 and one or more processors 2804 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 2810, such as a positioning command transmission module 2822.

[0327] 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation of a base station 2900, such as base station 105. The base station 2900 includes hardware components, such as an external interface 2902, which may be a wired and / or wireless interface capable of connecting to a location server, such as location server 101, and wirelessly connecting to a UE 115. The base station 2900 includes one or more processors 2904 and a memory 2910, which may be coupled together with a bus 2906. The memory 2910 may include executable code or software instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors 2904, cause the one or more processors 2904 to operate as a special purpose computer programmed to perform the procedures and techniques disclosed herein.

[0328] 29, memory 2910 includes one or more components or modules that perform the methods described herein when implemented by one or more processors 2904. Although the components or modules are illustrated as software in memory 2910 executable by one or more processors 2904, it should be understood that the components or modules may be dedicated hardware either within the processor or external to the processor.

[0329] As shown, the memory 2910 may include a positioning command unit 2912 that configures the one or more processors 2904 to generate and send to the UE via the external interface 2902 a command message instructing the UE to perform positioning with a node whose location is unknown, e.g., one of a base station or another UE. The command message may indicate, for example, that a positioning is required. The command message may indicate, for example, a type of positioning to be performed, e.g., one or more of a time difference of arrival (TDOA), a round trip time (RTT), an angle of arrival (AoA), an angle of departure (AoD), and a signal strength. The command message may indicate that the UE should initiate a positioning session for the UE and that positioning results for the node should be included.

[0330] The memory 2910 may further include a capability request unit 2914 that configures the one or more processors 2904 to receive from a location server via the external interface 2902 a request for capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine a location of the base station. For example, the request for capability may be for capability to enter a protocol procedure or perform a positioning procedure from the UE to the positioning server, capability to perform positioning and / or a protocol, or both.

[0331] The memory 2910 may further include a capability response unit 2916 that configures the one or more processors 2904 to transmit a capability response to the location server via the external interface 2902 indicating a capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine a location of the base station, e.g., a capability to enter a protocol procedure from the UE to the positioning server or to perform a positioning procedure, a capability to perform positioning and / or a protocol.

[0332] The memory 2910 may further include a mobility unit 2918 or similar unit that may configure the one or more processors 2904 to transmit an indication of the mobility of the base station, for example whether the base station is fully mobile, fully fixed, or sometimes mobile, to a location server via the external interface 2902.

[0333] The memory 2910 may further include a positioning session unit 2920 that configures the one or more processors 2904 to engage in a positioning session over the external interface 2902, for example with one or more UEs, one or more other base stations, a location server, or a combination thereof. For example, a base station may engage in positioning sessions with multiple network entities whose locations are known to determine the location of the base station. The base station may enter into a positioning session using a UE-to-positioning server protocol, such as LPP, and may simultaneously enter into a positioning session using a base station-to-positioning server protocol, such as NRPPa. The base station may perform positioning with one or more network entities whose locations are known to determine the location of the base station. The positioning results may include, for example, one or more of a Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), a Round Trip Time (RTT), an Angle of Arrival (AoA), an Angle of Departure (AoD), and a signal strength.

[0334] The memory 2910 may further include a location information unit 2922 that configures the one or more processors 2904 to transmit location information to a location server or a UE via the external interface 2902. The location information may be, for example, a positioning result determined during a positioning session.

[0335] The methods described herein may be implemented by various means depending on the application. For example, these methods may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. In the case of hardware implementation, one or more processors may be implemented in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or combinations thereof.

[0336] For implementations involving firmware and / or software, the methods may be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, etc.) performing the distinct functions described herein. Any machine-readable medium tangibly embodying instructions may be used in implementing the methods described herein. For example, software code may be stored in memory and executed by one or more processor units, causing the processor units to operate as special-purpose computers programmed to execute the algorithms disclosed herein. The memory may be implemented within the processor unit or external to the processor unit. The term "memory" as used herein refers to any type of long-term memory, short-term memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or other memory, and should not be limited to any particular type or number of memories, or the type of medium on which the memory is stored.

[0337] If implemented in firmware and / or software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Examples include computer-readable media encoded with data structures and computer-readable media encoded with a computer program. Computer-readable media include physical computer storage media. Storage media may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, semiconductor storage, or other storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. As used herein, disk and disc include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically and discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

[0338] The instructions and / or data may be provided as signals on a transmission medium included in a communication device in addition to being stored in a computer-readable storage medium. For example, the communication device may include a transceiver having signals representing the instructions and data. The instructions and data are stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as memory 2910, and configured to operate one or more processors as a special-purpose computer programmed to perform the procedures and techniques disclosed herein. That is, the communication device includes a transmission medium with signals indicating information for performing the disclosed functions. The first time, the transmission medium included in the communication device may include a first portion of information for performing the disclosed functions, and the second time, the transmission medium included in the communication device may include a second portion of information for performing the disclosed functions.

[0339] A base station such as base station 2900 may include means for receiving a request for a capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine a location of the base station, which may be, for example, the external interface 2902 and one or more processors 2904 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 2910, such as a capability request module 2914. Means for responding to a request indicating a capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine a location of the base station may be, for example, the external interface 2902 and one or more processors 2904 with dedicated hardware for implementing executable code or software instructions in memory 2910, such as a capability response module 2916.

[0340] A base station such as base station 2900 may include means for sending a command to a user equipment (UE) instructing the UE to perform positioning with a node, which may comprise one of a base station or another UE, which may be, for example, an external interface 2902 and one or more processors 2904 with dedicated hardware for executing executable code or software instructions in memory 2910, such as a positioning command module 2912.

[0341] Throughout this specification, references to "one example," "example," "some examples," or "exemplary implementations" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described with respect to a feature and / or example may be included in at least one feature and / or example of the claimed subject matter. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one example," "example," "some examples," or "in some implementations" or other similar phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same features, examples, and / or limitations. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or more examples and / or characteristics.

[0342] Some portions of the detailed description contained herein are presented in terms of algorithms or symbolic representations of operations on binary digital signals stored in a memory of a specific apparatus or dedicated computing device or platform. In the context of this particular specification, the term specific apparatus or the like includes a general-purpose computer that is programmed to perform certain operations pursuant to instructions from program software. Algorithmic descriptions or symbolic representations are examples of techniques used by those skilled in the signal processing or related arts to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is herein, and generally, considered to be a self-consistent sequence of operations or similar signal processing that produces a desired result. In this context, operations or processing involve physical manipulations of physical quantities. Typically, although not necessarily, such quantities may take the form of electrical or magnetic signals that can be stored, transferred, combined, compared, or otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, primarily for reasons of common usage, to refer to such signals as bits, data, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, numeric values, or the like. It should be understood, however, that all of these or similar terms should be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels. Unless otherwise indicated, and as will be apparent from the description herein, it should be appreciated that throughout this specification, descriptions utilizing terms such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," and the like refer to the actions or processes of a particular apparatus, such as a special purpose computer, a special purpose computing apparatus, or a similar special purpose electronic computing device. Thus, in the context of this specification, a special purpose computer or a similar special purpose electronic computing device is capable of manipulating or transforming signals that are generally represented as physical electronic or magnetic quantities in the memory, registers, or other information storage, transmission, or display devices of the special purpose computer or similar special purpose electronic computing device.

[0343] In the above detailed description, numerous specific details have been set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods and apparatuses known to those skilled in the art have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the claimed subject matter.

[0344] The terms "and", "or" and "and / or" as used herein may include various meanings that are expected to depend at least in part on the context in which such terms are used. In general, when "or" is used to link a list such as A, B or C, it shall mean A, B and C, which are used herein in an inclusive sense, as well as A, B or C, which are used herein in an exclusive sense. In addition, the term "one or more" as used herein may be used to describe any feature, structure or characteristic in the singular, or may be used to describe a plurality or some other combination of features, structures or characteristics. However, it should be noted that this is merely an illustrative example, and claimed subject matter is not limited to this example.

[0345] While what are presently believed to be exemplary features have been shown and described, it would be understood by those skilled in the art that various other modifications could be made and equivalents substituted without departing from the claimed subject matter. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation to the teachings of the claimed subject matter without departing from the central concept described herein.

[0346] In one implementation form (1), a method for positioning of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node whose location in a wireless network is unknown, performed by a location server, the IAB node having a mobile termination (MT) function and a distributed unit (DU) function, the method comprises the steps of receiving location information from the IAB node, the location information comprising positioning results from reference signals received by the IAB node for positioning from a plurality of nodes in the wireless network, and determining a location of the IAB node using the received location information.

[0347] There may be several implementation forms (2) of the method (1) described above, in which the reference signal is received by an MT function in an IAB node, and the multiple nodes are base stations comprising one or more of a parent IAB-DU, a non-IAB node, or other IAB nodes.

[0348] There may be several implementation forms (3) of the method (1) described above, in which the reference signal is received by a DU function in an IAB node, and the multiple nodes include MT functions of user equipment (UE) or downstream IAB nodes.

[0349] In one implementation form (4), a location server configured to perform positioning of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node whose location in a wireless network is unknown, the IAB node comprising a mobile termination (MT) function and a distributed unit (DU) function, the location server comprising an external interface configured to communicate with other nodes in the wireless network, at least one memory, and at least one processor coupled to the external interface and the at least one memory, the at least one processor configured to receive location information from the IAB node, the location information comprising positioning results from reference signals received by the IAB node for positioning from a plurality of nodes in the wireless network, and to determine a location of the IAB node using the received location information.

[0350] There may be several implementations (5) of the location server (4) described above, where the reference signal is received by an MT function in an IAB node, and the multiple nodes are base stations comprising one or more of a parent IAB-DU, a non-IAB node, or other IAB nodes.

[0351] There may be several implementations (6) of the location server (4) described above, where the reference signal is received by a DU function in an IAB node, and multiple nodes include MT functions of user equipment (UE) or downstream IAB nodes.

[0352] In one implementation (7), a location server is configured to perform positioning of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node whose location in a wireless network is unknown, the IAB node having a mobile termination (MT) function and a distributed unit (DU) function, and the location server comprises means for receiving location information from the IAB node, the location information comprising positioning results from reference signals received by the IAB node for positioning from a plurality of nodes in the wireless network, and means for determining a location of the IAB node using the received location information.

[0353] There may be several implementations (8) of the location server (7) described above, where the reference signal is received by an MT function in the IAB node, and the multiple nodes are base stations comprising one or more of a parent IAB-DU, a non-IAB node, or other IAB nodes.

[0354] There may be several implementations (9) of the location server (7) described above, where the reference signal is received by a DU function in an IAB node, and multiple nodes include MT functions of user equipment (UE) or downstream IAB nodes.

[0355] In one implementation (10), a non-transitory storage medium has program code stored thereon, the program code operable to configure at least one processor in a location server to perform positioning of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node whose location in a wireless network is unknown, the IAB node comprising a mobile termination (MT) function and a distributed unit (DU) function, the non-transitory storage medium comprising: program code for receiving location information from the IAB node, the location information comprising positioning results from reference signals received by the IAB node for positioning from a plurality of nodes in the wireless network; and program code for determining a location of the IAB node using the received location information.

[0356] There may be several implementations (11) of the non-transitory storage medium (10) described above, where the reference signal is received by an MT function in an IAB node, and the multiple nodes are base stations comprising one or more of a parent IAB-DU, a non-IAB node, or other IAB nodes.

[0357] There may be several implementations (12) of the non-transitory storage medium (10) described above, where the reference signal is received by a DU function in an IAB node, and the multiple nodes include MT functions of user equipment (UE) or downstream IAB nodes.

[0358] In one implementation (13), a method for positioning a user equipment (UE) performed by a location server comprises receiving an indication of mobility of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node from an IAB node and using the indication of mobility of the IAB node for positioning the UE.

[0359] There may be several implementations (14) of the method (13) described above, where mobility may comprise fully mobile, fully stationary, or occasionally mobile.

[0360] There may be several implementations (15) of the method (13) described above, where using the indication of mobility of the IAB node for positioning of the UE comprises generating positioning assistance data for the UE excluding the IAB node when the indication of mobility of the IAB node indicates that the IAB node is mobile.

[0361] There may be several implementations (16) of the method (13) described above, where using an indication of the mobility of the IAB node for positioning of the UE comprises receiving a positioning result generated using the IAB node, and excluding the positioning result generated using the IAB node for positioning of the UE when the indication of the mobility of the IAB node indicates that the IAB node is mobile.

[0362] In one implementation (17), a location server configured to perform positioning of a user equipment (UE) comprises an external interface configured to communicate with other nodes in a wireless network, at least one memory, and at least one processor coupled to the external interface and the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive an indication of mobility of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node from an IAB node and use the indication of mobility of the IAB node for positioning of the UE.

[0363] There may be several implementations (18) of the location server (17) described above, with mobility indications comprising fully mobile, fully fixed, or occasionally mobile.

[0364] There may be several implementations (19) of the location server (17) described above, where the at least one processor is configured to use the indication of mobility of the IAB node for positioning of the UE by being configured to generate positioning assistance data for the UE excluding the IAB node when the indication of mobility of the IAB node indicates that the IAB node is mobile.

[0365] There may be several implementations (20) of the location server (17) described above, where at least one processor is configured to receive positioning results generated using the IAB node, and use the indication of mobility of the IAB node for positioning of the UE by being configured to exclude positioning results generated using the IAB node for positioning of the UE when the indication of mobility of the IAB node indicates that the IAB node is mobile.

[0366] In one implementation (21), a location server is configured to perform positioning of a user equipment (UE), the location server comprising means for receiving an indication of mobility of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node from an IAB node, and means for using the indication of mobility of the IAB node for positioning of the UE.

[0367] There may be several implementations (22) of the location server (21) described above, with mobility exhibiting features including fully mobile, fully fixed, or occasionally mobile.

[0368] There may be several implementations (23) of the location server (21) described above, where the means for using the indication of mobility of the IAB node for positioning of the UE comprises means for generating positioning assistance data for the UE excluding the IAB node when the indication of mobility of the IAB node indicates that the IAB node is mobile.

[0369] There may be several implementations (24) of the location server (21) described above, where the means for using the indication of mobility of the IAB node for positioning of the UE comprises means for receiving positioning results generated using the IAB node, and means for excluding positioning results generated using the IAB node for positioning of the UE when the indication of mobility of the IAB node indicates that the IAB node is mobile.

[0370] In one implementation (25), a non-transitory storage medium has program code stored thereon, the program code operable to configure at least one processor in a location server to perform positioning of a user equipment (UE), the non-transitory storage medium comprising: program code for receiving an indication of mobility of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node from an IAB node; and program code for using the indication of mobility of the IAB node for positioning of the UE.

[0371] There may be several implementations (26) of the non-transitory storage medium (25) described above, with those exhibiting mobility including fully mobile, fully stationary, or occasionally mobile.

[0372] There may be several implementations (27) of the non-transitory storage medium (25) described above, where the program code for using an indication of IAB node mobility for positioning of the UE comprises program code for generating positioning assistance data for the UE excluding the IAB node when the indication of IAB node mobility indicates that the IAB node is mobile.

[0373] There may be several implementations (28) of the non-transitory storage medium (25) described above, where the program code for using an indication of mobility of an IAB node for positioning of a UE comprises program code for receiving positioning results generated using the IAB node, and program code for excluding positioning results generated using the IAB node for positioning of the UE when the indication of mobility of the IAB node indicates that the IAB node is mobile.

[0374] In one implementation (29), a method for positioning a user equipment (UE) performed by a UE includes receiving positioning assistance data from a location server including an indication of integrated access backhaul (IAB) node mobility, and performing positioning results from a plurality of base stations, where the indication of the IAB node mobility is used during the positioning.

[0375] There may be several implementations (30) of the method (29) described above, where performing positioning from a plurality of base stations comprises excluding generating positioning results using an IAB node when an indication of mobility of the IAB node indicates that the IAB node is mobile.

[0376] In one implementation (31), a user equipment (UE) configured to perform positioning of the UE comprises a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with base stations in a wireless network, at least one memory, and at least one processor coupled to the wireless transceiver and the at least one memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive positioning assistance data from a location server including an indication of mobility of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node and perform positioning from a plurality of base stations, wherein the indication of mobility of the IAB node is used during the positioning.

[0377] There may be several implementations (32) of the UE (31) described above, where the at least one processor is configured to perform positioning from multiple base stations by being configured to exclude generating positioning results using the IAB node when an indication of mobility of the IAB node indicates that the IAB node is mobile.

[0378] In one implementation (33), a user equipment (UE) is configured to perform positioning of the UE, the UE comprising: means for receiving positioning assistance data from a location server including an indication of integrated access backhaul (IAB) node mobility; and means for performing positioning from a plurality of base stations, the indication of the IAB node mobility being used during the positioning.

[0379] There may be some implementation (34) of the UE (33) described above, where the means for performing positioning from multiple base stations excludes generating positioning results using an IAB node when the indication of mobility of the IAB node indicates that the IAB node is mobile.

[0380] In one implementation (35), a non-transitory storage medium has program code stored thereon, the program code operable to configure at least one processor in a user equipment (UE) to perform positioning of the UE, the non-transitory storage medium comprising: program code for receiving positioning assistance data from a location server, the positioning assistance data including an indication of mobility of an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node; and program code for performing the positioning from a plurality of base stations, the indication of mobility of the IAB node being used during the positioning.

[0381] There may be several implementations (36) of the non-transitory storage medium (35) described above, where the program code for performing positioning from multiple base stations excludes generating positioning results using an IAB node when an indication of mobility of the IAB node indicates that the IAB node is mobile.

[0382] In one implementation (37), a method for positioning a base station whose location is unknown, performed by a location server in a wireless network, comprises the steps of engaging in multiple positioning sessions to estimate a location of one or more user equipments (UEs), where the base station participates in at least one of the multiple positioning sessions, at least one of the multiple positioning sessions including one or more other base stations whose locations are known; receiving positioning results associated with the base station and the one or more UEs in each of the multiple positioning sessions; and determining an estimated location of the base station using the positioning results associated with the base station and the one or more UEs.

[0383] There may be several implementations (38) of the method (37) described above, where the multiple positioning sessions include multiple nodes in the wireless network whose locations are unknown, each node being one of a UE or a base station, and the method further includes determining an estimated location of each node in the multiple nodes.

[0384] There may be several implementations (39) of the method (38) described above, where an estimated location of at least one node among the plurality of nodes is determined prior to determining an estimated location of the base station, and determining the estimated location of the base station further uses the estimated location of the at least one node among the plurality of nodes.

[0385] There may be several implementations (40) of the method (38) described above, where determining an estimated location of at least one node among the plurality of nodes comprises iteratively identifying a subset of location measurements involving nodes whose locations are known, and determining an estimated location of the individual node using the identified subset of location measurements, where the individual node with an estimated location is included in the subset of positioning results for determining the estimated location of the other nodes.

[0386] There may be several implementations (41) of the method (40) described above, further comprising determining an uncertainty value for each estimated location based on the uncertainty of the positioning results, and identifying the subsets of location measurements comprises minimizing an overall uncertainty value for each subset of location measurements.

[0387] There may be several implementations (42) of the method (38) described above, where an estimated location of each node in the plurality of nodes and an estimated location of the base station are determined simultaneously.

[0388] There may be several implementations (43) of the method (38) described above, in which an estimated location of each node among the plurality of nodes and an estimated location of the base station are determined using pair-wise location measurements between the nodes, including downlink or uplink measurements between the UE and the base station, sidelink measurements between UEs, and measurements between base stations.

[0389] There may be several implementations (44) of the method (43) described above, where the measurements between base stations comprise measurements made by the base station or measurements made by another UE function co-located with the base station.

[0390] There may be several implementations (45) of the method (38) described above, where an estimated location of a node among a plurality of nodes and an estimated location of a base station are determined using one or more of a time difference of arrival (TDOA), a round trip time (RTT), an angle of arrival (AoA), an angle of departure (AoD), and a signal strength.

[0391] In one implementation (46), a location server configured for positioning a base station whose location in a wireless network is unknown comprises an external interface configured to communicate with other nodes in the wireless network, at least one memory, and at least one processor coupled to the external interface and the at least one memory, the at least one processor being configured to engage in multiple positioning sessions to estimate locations of one or more user equipment (UE), the base station participating in at least one of the multiple positioning sessions including one or more other base stations whose locations are known, receive positioning results associated with the base station and the one or more UEs in each of the multiple positioning sessions, and determine an estimated location of the base station using the positioning results associated with the base station and the one or more UEs.

[0392] There may be several implementations (47) of the location server (46) described above, where the multiple positioning sessions include multiple nodes in the wireless network whose locations are unknown, each node being one of a UE or a base station, and the method further includes determining an estimated location of each node in the multiple nodes.

[0393] There may be several implementations (48) of the location server (47) described above, where an estimated location of at least one node among the plurality of nodes is determined prior to determining the estimated location of the base station, and determining the estimated location of the base station further uses the estimated location of the at least one node among the plurality of nodes.

[0394] There may be several implementations (49) of the location server (47) described above, where at least one processor is configured to determine an estimated location of at least one node among the plurality of nodes by iteratively identifying a subset of location measurements involving nodes whose locations are known, and determining an estimated location of the individual node using the identified subset of location measurements, where the individual node with an estimated location is included in the subset of positioning results for determining the estimated locations of the other nodes.

[0395] There may be some implementation (50) of the location server (49) described above, where the at least one processor is further configured to determine an uncertainty value for each estimated location based on the uncertainties of the positioning results, and identifying the subsets of the location measurements comprises minimizing an overall uncertainty value for each subset of the location measurements.

[0396] There may be several implementations (51) of the location server (47) described above, where the estimated location of each node in the plurality of nodes and the estimated location of the base station are determined simultaneously.

[0397] There may be several implementations (52) of the location server (47) described above, where the estimated location of each node among the plurality of nodes and the estimated location of the base station are determined using pairwise location measurements between the nodes, including downlink or uplink measurements between the UE and the base station, sidelink measurements between UEs, and measurements between base stations.

[0398] There may be several implementations (53) of the location server (52) described above, where the measurements between base stations comprise measurements made by the base station or measurements made by another UE function co-located with the base station.

[0399] There may be several implementations (54) of the location server (47) described above, where the estimated location of a node among a plurality of nodes and the estimated location of a base station are determined using one or more of the time difference of arrival (TDOA), round trip time (RTT), angle of arrival (AoA), angle of departure (AoD), and signal strength.

[0400] In one implementation (55), a location server configured for positioning of a base station whose location in a wireless network is unknown comprises means for engaging in multiple positioning sessions to estimate a location of one or more user equipment (UE), where the base station participates in at least one of the multiple positioning sessions, at least one of the multiple positioning sessions including one or more other base stations whose locations are known, means for receiving positioning results associated with the base station and one or more UEs in each of the multiple positioning sessions, and means for determining an estimated location of the base station using the positioning results associated with the base station and one or more UEs.

[0401] In one implementation (56), a non-transitory storage medium has program code stored thereon, the program code being operable to configure at least one processor in a location server to perform positioning of a base station whose location in a wireless network is unknown, the program code comprising: program code for engaging in multiple positioning sessions to estimate a location of one or more user equipment (UE), wherein the base station participates in at least one of the multiple positioning sessions, at least one of the multiple positioning sessions including one or more other base stations whose locations are known; program code for receiving positioning results associated with the base station and the one or more UEs in each of the multiple positioning sessions; and program code for determining an estimated location of the base station using the positioning results associated with the base station and the one or more UEs.

[0402] In one implementation (57), a method for positioning of a node whose location in a wireless network is unknown performed by a network entity comprises transmitting a command to a user equipment (UE) instructing the UE to perform positioning with the node, the node comprising one of a base station or another UE.

[0403] There may be several implementations (58) of the method (57) described above, where the network entity comprises one of a location server, a node whose location is unknown, a base station, or another UE.

[0404] There may be several implementations (59) of the method (57) described above, where a command to instruct the UE to perform positioning is mandatory.

[0405] There may be several implementations (60) of the method (57) described above, where the command instructing the UE to perform positioning specifies the type of positioning.

[0406] There may be several implementations (61) of the method (60) described above, where the type of positioning comprises one or more of Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), Round Trip Time (RTT), Angle of Arrival (AoA), Angle of Departure (AoD), and signal strength.

[0407] There may be several implementations (62) of the method (57) described above, where the command to instruct the UE to perform positioning comprises a command to initiate a positioning session for the UE including a node whose location is unknown.

[0408] In one implementation (63), a network entity configured for positioning of a node whose location in a wireless network is unknown comprises an external interface configured to communicate with other nodes in the wireless network, at least one memory, and at least one processor coupled to the external interface and the at least one memory, the at least one processor configured to send a command to a user equipment (UE) instructing the UE to perform positioning with the node, the node comprising one of a base station or another UE.

[0409] There may be several implementations (64) of the network entity (63) described above, where the network entity comprises one of a location server, a node whose location is unknown, a base station, or another UE.

[0410] There may be several implementations (65) of the network entity (63) described above, where a command to instruct the UE to perform positioning is essential.

[0411] There may be several implementations (66) of the network entity (63) described above, where the command instructing the UE to perform positioning specifies the type of positioning.

[0412] There may be several implementations (67) of the network entity (66) described above, where the type of positioning comprises one or more of Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), Round Trip Time (RTT), Angle of Arrival (AoA), Angle of Departure (AoD), and signal strength.

[0413] There may be several implementations (68) of the network entity (63) described above, where the command to instruct the UE to perform positioning comprises a command to initiate a positioning session for the UE including a node whose location is unknown.

[0414] In one implementation (69), a network entity configured for positioning of a node whose location in a wireless network is unknown comprises means for transmitting a command to a user equipment (UE) instructing the UE to perform positioning with the node, the node comprising one of a base station or another UE.

[0415] In one implementation (70), a non-transitory storage medium has program code stored thereon, the program code operable to configure at least one processor in a network entity configured for positioning of a node whose location in a wireless network is unknown, the program code comprising: a user equipment (UE) for transmitting a command to the UE instructing the UE to perform positioning with the node, the node comprising one of a base station or another UE.

[0416] In one implementation (71), a method for positioning of a node whose location is unknown in a wireless network performed by a user equipment (UE) comprises the steps of receiving a command from a network entity in the wireless network, the command instructing the UE to perform positioning with the node, the node comprising one of a base station or another UE, and performing location measurements with the node.

[0417] There may be several implementations (72) of the method (71) described above, where the network entity comprises one of a location server, a node whose location is unknown, a base station, or another UE.

[0418] There may be several implementations (73) of the method (71) described above, where a command to instruct the UE to perform positioning is mandatory.

[0419] There may be several implementations (74) of the method (71) described above, where the command instructing the UE to perform positioning specifies the type of positioning.

[0420] There may be several implementations (75) of the method (74) described above, where the type of positioning comprises one or more of Downlink Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), Round Trip Time (RTT), Angle of Arrival (AoA), and Angle of Departure (AoD).

[0421] There may be several implementations (76) of the method (71) described above, where performing positioning with the node comprises transmitting a reference signal to the node or receiving a reference signal from the node.

[0422] There may be several implementations (77) of the method (71) described above, where the command to instruct the UE to perform positioning comprises a command to initiate a positioning session for the UE including a node whose location is unknown.

[0423] There may be some implementations (78) of the method (71) described above further comprising the step of transmitting the positioning result to a location server.

[0424] There may be some implementations (79) of the method (71) described above further comprising the step of receiving assistance data for performing positioning with the node.

[0425] There may be some implementations (80) of the method (79) described above, where the node is another UE and the UE-ID is not included in the assistance data.

[0426] There may be several implementations (81) of the method (79) described above, where the node is another UE and the assistance data does not include a measurement timestamp for the other UE, or the measurement timestamp is quantized.

[0427] In one implementation (82), a user equipment (UE) configured for positioning of a node whose location in a wireless network is unknown comprises an external interface configured to communicate with other nodes in the wireless network, at least one memory, and at least one processor coupled to the external interface and the at least one memory, the at least one processor configured to receive commands from a network entity in the wireless network, the commands instructing the UE to perform positioning with the node, the node comprising one of a base station or another UE, and to perform location measurements with the node.

[0428] There may be several implementations (83) of the UE (82) described above, where the network entity comprises one of a location server, a node whose location is unknown, a base station, or another UE.

[0429] There may be several implementations (84) of the UE (82) described above, where a command to instruct the UE to perform positioning is mandatory.

[0430] There may be several implementations (85) of the UE (82) described above, where the command instructing the UE to perform positioning specifies the type of positioning.

[0431] There may be several implementations (86) of the UE (85) described above, where the type of positioning comprises one or more of Downlink Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), Round Trip Time (RTT), Angle of Arrival (AoA), and Angle of Departure (AoD).

[0432] There may be several implementations (87) of the UE (82) described above, in which at least one processor is configured to perform positioning with the node by being configured to transmit a reference signal to the node or receive a reference signal from the node.

[0433] There may be several implementations (88) of the UE (82) described above, where the command to instruct the UE to perform positioning comprises a command to initiate a positioning session for the UE including a node whose location is unknown.

[0434] There may be some implementation (89) of the UE (82) described above, where the at least one processor is further configured to transmit the positioning result to the location server.

[0435] There may be some implementation (90) of the UE (82) described above, where the at least one processor is further configured to receive assistance data for performing positioning with the node.

[0436] There may be some implementations (91) of the UE (90) described above, where the node is another UE and the UE-ID is not included in the assistance data.

[0437] There may be some implementations (92) of the UE (90) described above, where the node is another UE, and the assistance data does not include a measurement timestamp for the other UE, or the measurement timestamp is quantized.

[0438] In one implementation (93), a user equipment (UE) configured for positioning of a node whose location in a wireless network is unknown comprises: means for receiving a command from a network entity in the wireless network, the command instructing the UE to perform positioning with the node, the node comprising one of a base station or another UE; and means for performing location measurements with the node.

[0439] In one implementation (94), a non-transitory storage medium has program code stored thereon, the program code operable to configure at least one processor in a user equipment (UE) configured for positioning of a node whose location is unknown in a wireless network, the program code comprising: program code for receiving a command from a network entity in the wireless network instructing the UE to perform positioning with the node, the node comprising one of a base station or another UE; and program code for performing location measurements with the node.

[0440] In one implementation (95), a method for positioning of a base station whose location in a wireless network is unknown performed by a base station comprises receiving a request for a capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine a location of the base station and, in response to the request, indicating a capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine a location of the base station.

[0441] There may be several implementations (96) of the method (95) described above, where the request for capability is for capability to enter into a protocol session from the UE to a positioning server, and responding to the request indicates capability to enter into a protocol session from the UE to a positioning server, or capability of limited UE functionality comprising performing positioning procedures, performing positioning protocols, or both.

[0442] There may be several implementations (97) of the method (96) described above, where responding to the request indicates an ability to enter into a protocol session from the UE to a positioning server, and the method further comprises engaging in a positioning session with a plurality of network entities whose locations are known to determine the location of the base station.

[0443] There may be several implementations (98) of the method (96) described above, where responding to the request indicates an ability to enter a UE-to-positioning server protocol session, and the method further comprises entering a positioning session using a UE-to-positioning server protocol and simultaneously entering a positioning session using a base station-to-positioning server protocol.

[0444] There may be several implementations (99) of the method (96) described above, where responding to the request indicates a capability of the limited UE functionality comprising performing a positioning procedure, executing a positioning protocol, or both, and the method further comprises performing positioning with one or more network entities whose locations are known to determine the location of the base station.

[0445] There may be several implementations (100) of the method (95) described above, where the request for capabilities is received from the UE, another base station, or a location server.

[0446] There may be some implementations (101) of the method (95) described above further comprising the step of transmitting a message providing an indication of the mobility of the base station.

[0447] There may be several implementations (102) of the method (101) described above, where the indication of the mobility of the base station comprises fully mobile, fully fixed, or sometimes mobile.

[0448] In one implementation (103), a base station configured to position a base station whose location in a wireless network is unknown comprises an external interface configured to communicate with other nodes in the wireless network, at least one memory, and at least one processor coupled to the external interface and the at least one memory, the at least one processor configured to receive a request for capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine a location of the base station, and in response to the request, indicate capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine a location of the base station.

[0449] There may be several implementations (104) of the base station (103) described above, where the request for capability is for capability to enter into a protocol session from the UE to a positioning server, and responding to the request indicates capability to enter into a protocol session from the UE to a positioning server, or capability of limited UE functionality comprising performing positioning procedures, performing positioning protocols, or both.

[0450] There may be several implementations (105) of the base station (104) described above, where responding to the request indicates an ability to enter into a protocol session from the UE to the positioning server, and where the at least one processor is further configured to engage in positioning sessions with multiple network entities whose locations are known to determine the location of the base station.

[0451] There may be some implementation (106) of the base station (104) described above, where responding to the request indicates an ability to enter a UE-to-positioning server protocol session, and where the at least one processor is further configured to enter a positioning session using the UE-to-positioning server protocol and to simultaneously enter a positioning session using the base station-to-positioning server protocol.

[0452] There may be some implementations (107) of the base station (104) described above, where responding to the request indicates a limited UE functionality capability comprising performing a positioning procedure, executing a positioning protocol, or both, and the at least one processor is further configured to perform positioning with one or more network entities whose locations are known to determine the location of the base station.

[0453] There may be several implementations (108) of the base station (103) described above, where the request for capabilities is received from a UE, another base station, or a location server.

[0454] There may be some implementation (109) of the base station (103) described above, where the at least one processor is further configured to transmit a message providing an indication of the mobility of the base station.

[0455] There may be several implementations (110) of the base station (109) described above, where the mobility of the base station comprises fully mobile, fully fixed, or occasionally mobile.

[0456] In one implementation (111), a base station configured for positioning a base station whose location in a wireless network is unknown comprises means for receiving a request for capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine a location of the base station, and means for indicating capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine a location of the base station in response to the request.

[0457] In one implementation (112), a non-transitory storage medium has program code stored thereon, the program code operable to configure at least one processor in a base station configured to position a base station whose location in a wireless network is unknown, the program code comprising: program code for receiving a request for capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine a location of the base station; and program code for indicating, in response to the request, capability to perform a positioning procedure to determine a location of the base station.

[0458] It is intended therefore that the claimed subject matter not be limited to the particular examples disclosed, but that such claimed subject matter may include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0459] 105 Base station 110 Geographic Coverage Areas 115 UE 125 Communication Links 132 backhaul links 134 backhaul links 160 EPC 162 MME 164 E-SMLC 166 Serving Gateway 168 GMLC 169 External Clients 170 H-SLPS 172 PDN Gateway 174 HSS 176 IP Services 190 5GCN 191 H-SLP 192 AMF 193 GMLC 194 SMF 195 UPF 196 LMF 197 UDM 198 IP Services 199 External Clients 502CN 510 IAB Donors 512DU 514 CU-CP 516 CU-CP 518 Other Features 520 IAB nodes 522 MT 524DU 530UE 602 NGC 604 EPC 610 IAB donor gNB 620 IAB nodes 630UE 640 eNB 702CN 710 IAB donors 720 IAB nodes 740 UE 810 IAB donors 820 IAB nodes 910 IAB Donors 920 IAB nodes 930UE 1010 IAB donors 1020 IAB nodes 1030 UE 1102 base station 1120 IAB Node 1130 UE 1700 IAB nodes 1710 Communication Module 1712 Transmitter 1714 Receiver 1716 Antenna 1720 Network Interface 1730 Processor 1740 Memory 1742 MT Function Module 1744 DU Function Module 1746 Positioning Session Unit 1748 Reference Signal Unit 1750 Positioning Result Unit 1752 Capacity Units 1754 Mobile Unit 1756 Location Information Unit 1800 Location Server 1802 External Interface 1804 Processor 1806 Bus 1810 Memory 1812 Positioning Session Unit 1814 Location Information Unit 1816 Location Determination Unit 1818 Ability Units 1820 Mobile Unit 1822 AD Unit 1900 User Equipment 1902 Wireless Transceiver 1904 Processor 1906 WLAN Transceiver 1908 SPS Receiver 1910 Sensor 1912 User Interface 1916 Bus 1920 Memory 1922 Positioning Session Module 1926 Positioning Module 1928 Location Determination Module 1930 Location Module 2700 Location Server 2702 External Interface 2704 Processor 2706 Bus 2710 Memory 2712 Positioning Session Unit 2714 Location Information Unit 2716 Location Determination Unit 2718 Repeating Unit 2720 ​​Uncertainty Units 2722 Joint Unit 2724 Positioning Command Unit 2726 Capacity Requirement Unit 2728 Capability Response Unit 2730 Mobility Unit 2732 AD Unit 2800 User Equipment 2802 Wireless Transceiver 2804 processor 2806 WLAN Transceiver 2808 SPS Receiver 2810 Sensor 2812 User Interface 2816 Bus 2820 Memory 2822 Positioning command transmission unit 2824 Positioning command receiving unit 2826 Positioning Session Unit 2830 Positioning Unit 2832 Location Determination Unit 2834 repeating units 2836 Uncertainty Units 2838 Joint Unit 2840 Location Information Unit 2900 base station 2902 External Interface 2904 Processor 2906 Bus 2910 Memory 2912 Positioning Command Unit 2914 Ability Requirement Unit 2916 Capability Response Unit 2918 Mobile Unit 2920 Positioning Session Unit 2922 Location Information Unit

Claims

1. 1. A method performed by an Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) node for positioning of the IAB node, the IAB node comprising a Mobile Termination (MT) function and a Distributed Unit (DU) function, the method comprising: sending or receiving messages for one or more positioning sessions to determine a location of the IAB node; and transmitting a reference signal for positioning of the IAB node to or receiving from the DU function of another node of a plurality of nodes in a wireless network in the one or more positioning sessions, wherein the other node of the plurality of nodes is a parent IAB node.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reference signals are transmitted or received using the MT functionality, and the plurality of nodes comprises a plurality of base stations.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising transmitting or receiving reference signals for positioning with the DU function to or from a plurality of nodes in the wireless network, the plurality of nodes comprising MT functions of user equipment (UE) or downstream IAB nodes.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nodes comprises non-IAB nodes or other IAB nodes.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of nodes comprises ancestors, descendants, or other nodes of the same donor IAB DU or donor IAB central unit (CU), or nodes of different donor IAB DUs or different donor IAB CUs.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of nodes comprises a plurality of parent IAB-DUs.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the IAB node is involved in multiple positioning sessions, and the MT function transmits or receives reference signals for positioning to or from one parent IAB-DU in each positioning session.

8. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising performing one or more of receive and transmit time (Rx-Tx), round trip time (RTT), angle of arrival (AoA), angle of departure (AoD), and signal strength positioning results with each parent IAB-DU.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the IAB node is involved in one positioning session, and the MT function transmits reference signals for positioning to or receives reference signals from the multiple parent IAB-DUs in the one positioning session.

10. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising performing one or more of a Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), a Time of Receive and Transmit (Rx-Tx), a Round Trip Time (RTT), an Angle of Arrival (AoA), an Angle of Departure (AoD), and a signal strength positioning result with the multiple parent IAB-DUs.

11. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reference signal for positioning comprises at least one of a downlink positioning reference signal (PRS), an uplink PRS, a sounding reference signal (SRS), a synchronization signal block (SSB) signal, and a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), or a combination thereof.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reference signal is transmitted or received using the DU functionality, and the plurality of nodes comprises MT functionality of a user equipment (UE) or a downstream IAB node.

13. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein messages transmitted or received in the one or more positioning sessions comprise messages for indicating a capability to transmit or receive reference signals to one or more parent IAB-DUs, non-IAB nodes, or other IAB nodes.

14. An integrated access backhaul (IAB) node in a wireless network configured to perform positioning of the IAB node, the IAB node comprising a mobile termination (MT) function and a distributed unit (DU) function, the IAB node comprising: means for transmitting or receiving messages for one or more positioning sessions to determine a location of said IAB node; and means for transmitting a reference signal for positioning of the IAB node to or receiving from the DU function of another node among a plurality of nodes in the wireless network in the one or more positioning sessions, wherein the other node among the plurality of nodes is a parent IAB node.

15. 1. A non-transitory storage medium having program code stored thereon, the program code being operable to configure at least one processor in an Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) node in a wireless network to perform positioning of the IAB node, the IAB node comprising a Mobile Termination (MT) function and a Distributed Unit (DU) function, the non-transitory storage medium comprising: program code for transmitting or receiving messages for one or more positioning sessions to determine a location of the IAB node; and program code for transmitting a reference signal for positioning of the IAB node to or receiving from the DU function of another node of a plurality of nodes in the wireless network in the one or more positioning sessions, wherein the other node of the plurality of nodes is a parent IAB node.

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