Positioning method and device

Abstract

The embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a positioning method and apparatus, which is executed by a terminal device, and includes: receiving preset first positioning-assistance information; determining whether the first positioning-assistance information is available; and using the first positioning-assistance information if the first positioning-assistance information is available. By implementing the embodiments of the present disclosure, the problem of inaccurate positioning of the terminal device due to using the first positioning-assistance information when the preset first positioning-assistance information is unavailable can be avoided, and an accurate location of the terminal device can be obtained.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular to a positioning method and apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, in the 5G (The 5th Generation, future 5th generation) NR (New Radio, New Air Interface) system, various positioning technologies are introduced to determine the location of terminal devices, some of which require providing positioning assistance information to terminal devices.

[0003] In a related technology, it is proposed that positioning assistance information is preset in a terminal device, and when positioning of the terminal device is required, the terminal device can directly use the preset positioning assistance information without transmitting the positioning assistance information to the terminal device.

[0004] However, since there is a time difference between the time when the preset positioning assistance information is preset and the time when the terminal device actually uses the preset positioning assistance information during positioning, how to enable the terminal device to actually use the preset positioning assistance information during positioning to achieve accurate positioning of the terminal device is a technical problem that needs to be solved as soon as possible. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The embodiment of the present disclosure provides a positioning method and an apparatus. The positioning method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure can avoid the problem that invalid pre-configured first positioning assistance information is used for positioning a terminal device, resulting in inaccurate positioning, and can obtain an accurate position of the terminal device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a positioning method performed by a terminal device, the positioning method including: receiving pre-configured first positioning assistance information; determining whether the first positioning assistance information is available; and, if the first positioning assistance information is available, using the first positioning assistance information.

[0007] In this technical solution, the terminal device receives preset first positioning assistance information, determines whether the first positioning assistance information is available, and if the first positioning assistance information is available, uses the first positioning assistance information to determine whether the first positioning assistance information is available when using the preset first positioning assistance information for actual positioning, and if the first positioning assistance information is available, can use the first positioning assistance information to position the terminal device. In this way, the problem of inaccurate positioning of the terminal device due to the use of the first positioning assistance information when the preset first positioning assistance information is unavailable can be avoided, and an accurate location of the terminal device can be obtained.

[0008] In some embodiments, the method further includes sending a positioning assistance information request message to a Location Management Function (LMF) device if the first positioning assistance information is unavailable.

[0009] In some embodiments, the method further includes, if the first positioning assistance information is unavailable, sending an error indication message to the LMF device indicating that the first positioning assistance information is unavailable.

[0010] In some embodiments, the method further includes, when the first positioning assistance information is unavailable, sending a location provision information message to the LMF device including error indication information indicating that the first positioning assistance information is unavailable.

[0011] In some embodiments, the unavailability of the first positioning assistance information includes the terminal device being unable to measure a positioning reference signal (PRS) based on the first positioning assistance information when a message is received that triggers use of the first positioning assistance information by the terminal device.

[0012] In some embodiments, the unavailability of the first positioning assistance information includes determining that the first positioning assistance information is invalid if the first positioning assistance information has timeliness.

[0013] In some embodiments, the method further includes sending a positioning assistance information request message to an LMF device if the first positioning assistance information is invalid.

[0014] In some embodiments, the step of determining whether the first positioning assistance information is available and using the first positioning assistance information if the first positioning assistance information is available includes the steps of: when a message triggering use of the first positioning assistance information by the terminal device is received, determining whether a network side device has transmitted second positioning assistance information required for applying a current positioning technology; when the network side device transmits the second positioning assistance information, determining whether the first positioning assistance information and the second positioning assistance information match; and using the first positioning assistance information or the second positioning assistance information if the first positioning assistance information and the second positioning assistance information match.

[0015] In some embodiments, the method further comprises using the second positioning assistance information if there is a mismatch between the first positioning assistance information and the second positioning assistance information.

[0016] In some embodiments, the method further includes sending a positioning assistance information request message to an LMF device if the first positioning assistance information and the second positioning assistance information are inconsistent.

[0017] In some embodiments, receiving the pre-configured first positioning assistance information includes receiving the first positioning assistance information sent from the LMF device via a Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP) message, or receiving the first positioning assistance information sent from a network side device and provided by the LMF device.

[0018] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, which realizes part or all of the functions of the terminal device in the method according to the first aspect. For example, the functions of the communication device may include the functions of some or all of the embodiments of the present disclosure, or may independently implement any one of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The functions may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions.

[0019] In some embodiments, the communications device may include a transceiver module configured to receive pre-configured first positioning assistance information, and a processing module configured to determine whether the first positioning assistance information is available and, if the first positioning assistance information is available, to use the first positioning assistance information.

[0020] In one implementation, the communication device may include a transceiver module and a processing module, the processing module configured to support the communication device to perform corresponding functions in the above method, the transceiver module configured to support communication between the communication device and other devices, and the communication device may further include a storage module coupled to the transceiver module and the processing module for storing computer programs and data required by the communication device.

[0021] As an example, the processing module may be a processor, the transceiver module may be a transceiver or a communication interface, and the storage module may be a memory.

[0022] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communications device, comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and wherein the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory, thereby causing the communications device to perform a method according to the first aspect.

[0023] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communications device comprising a processor and an interface circuit configured to receive and transmit code instructions to the processor, the processor being configured to execute the code instructions to cause the communications device to perform a method according to the first aspect.

[0024] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer readable storage medium for storing instructions for use by the terminal device, the instructions, when executed, causing the terminal device to perform a method according to the first aspect.

[0025] In a sixth aspect, the present disclosure provides a computer program product comprising a computer program which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method according to the first aspect above.

[0026] In a seventh aspect, the present disclosure provides a chip system, the chip system including at least one processor and an interface, configured to support a terminal device to realize the functions mentioned in the first aspect, for example, to determine or process at least one of data and information according to the above method. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing computer programs and data required for the terminal device. The chip system may be constituted by a chip or may include a chip and other individual devices.

[0027] In an eighth aspect, the present disclosure provides a computer program which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method according to the first aspect above. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] In order to more clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments or background art of the present disclosure, drawings that need to be used in the embodiments or background art of the present disclosure are described below. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an architecture diagram of a communication system provided by one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1 is a flowchart of a positioning method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart of yet another positioning method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a chip provided according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE DISCLOSURE

[0029] In order to better understand the positioning method disclosed in the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system to which the embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied will first be described below.

[0030] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to various communication systems, such as a global system for mobile communications (GSM) system, a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, a general packet radio service (GPRS), a long term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD), a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, and a future 5th generation (5G) system or new radio (NR).

[0031] The terminal device of the embodiments of the present disclosure may refer to a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user equipment, and may be a mobile phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a terminal in a future 5G network, or a terminal in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., but is not limited thereto in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] The network side device of the embodiment of the present disclosure may be for communicating with a terminal device, and the network side device may be a base transceiver station (BTS) in a global system for mobile communications (GSM) system or a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a base station (NodeB, NB) in a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, an evolved base station (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, or a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Or, the network side device may be a relay station, an access point, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, and a network side device (gNodeB, gNB) in a future 5G network or a network side device in a future evolved PLMN network, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminal device or the network side device includes a hardware layer, an operating system layer that operates on the hardware layer, and an application layer that operates on the operating system layer. The hardware layer includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and a memory (also called a main memory). The operating system may be any one or more computer operating systems that realize business processing by processes, such as a Linux operating system, a Unix operating system, an Android operating system, an iOS operating system, or a Windows operating system. The application layer includes applications such as a browser, an address book, a word processing software, and an instant messaging software. Furthermore, the embodiment of the present disclosure does not particularly limit the specific configuration of the execution body of the method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure, and it is sufficient that the execution body can communicate according to the method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure by executing a program in which the code of the method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is recorded. For example, the execution body of the method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure may be a terminal device or a network side device, or may be a functional module that can call and execute a program in the terminal device or the network side device.

[0034] Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a block diagram of a communication system 10 applicable to the present disclosure. 1, the communication system 10 includes a terminal device 101, a network side device 102, and a location management function device 103. Each of these will be described below.

[0035] 1. Terminal device (TD) 101: Simply called a terminal, it is a device equipped with a wireless transmission and reception function, and may include various handheld devices, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem equipped with a wireless communication function, various terminals, mobile stations (MS), terminals, user equipment (UE), soft terminals, etc. The terminals may be located indoors or outdoors, handheld or on land including on a vehicle, on water (such as a ship), or in the air (such as an aircraft, a balloon, and a satellite). For example, mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transmission and reception capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminals, augmented reality (AR) terminals, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self driving, wireless terminals in remote medical, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, etc.

[0036] 2. (Radio) network side device (radio access network, (R)AN) 102: A device that provides wireless communication functions to terminals, including, but not limited to, next-generation base stations in 5G (g nodeB, gNB), evolved node B (eNB), radio network controllers (radio network controllers, RNC), node B (node ​​B, NB), base station controllers (BSC), base transceiver stations (BTS), home base stations (e.g., home evolved nodeB, or home node B, HNB), baseband units (baseBand units, BBU), transmitting and receiving points (TRP), transmitting points (TP), etc.

[0037] 3. Location management function device 103: Also called a location management network element, it performs location management of the terminal device 101, for example, determining the location information of the UE. Specifically, the location management function device in the 5th generation (5G) wireless communication system may be a location management function (LMF) device, and the LMF device can determine the location information of the UE and provide the location information of the UE to the AMF according to the request of a core network entity (e.g., an access and mobility management function (AMF)), thereby providing location services (LCS). In implementation, the AMF can allocate at least one LMF to the UE to provide positioning services to the UE, and when the UE needs to obtain positioning information, it can request the location information from the LMF via the AMF. In future communications (e.g., 6G or other networks), the location management network element may still be an LMF network element or have other names, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0038] In addition, the functional device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be called a network element, or a function, or a functional entity. For example, the location management functional device may be called a location management function, or a location management functional entity, or a location management network element. The names of each functional device are not limited in the present disclosure, and a person skilled in the art can replace the names of the above functional devices with other names to perform the same functions, all of which are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0039] It should be understood that the above functional devices may be network elements in a hardware device, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0040] The communication system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is intended to more clearly explain the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art can understand that the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to similar technical problems with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios.

[0041] The positioning method and apparatus provided by the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Please refer to FIG. 2, which is a flowchart of a positioning method provided by one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the method is performed by a terminal device and includes, but is not limited to, the following steps S1 to S3.

[0042] At S1, a first preset positioning assistance information is received. In the 5G (The 5th Generation, future fifth generation) NR (New Radio, New Air Interface) system, various positioning technologies are introduced to determine the location of terminal devices.

[0043] Among these, in some positioning technologies, the terminal device receives pre-configured first positioning assistance information, and when the terminal device needs to be positioned, there is no need to receive the positioning assistance information, and the terminal device can directly use the pre-configured first positioning assistance information.

[0044] It should be understood that the terminal device can receive the pre-configured first positioning assistance information in various manners, for example, receiving the first positioning assistance information sent from the LMF device via a long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) message, or receiving the first positioning assistance information broadcast and transmitted by the network side device and provided by the LMF device.

[0045] At S2, it is determined whether first positioning assistance information is available. Here, the pre-configured first positioning assistance information includes an indication of timeliness and has timeliness, for example, is valid within a particular area or a particular period of time.

[0046] It should be understood that the first positioning assistance information of the terminal device is preset, for example, preset at time T1, and when positioning the terminal device, the terminal device uses the first positioning assistance information at time T2, and there is a time difference between time T1 and time T2, so that the preset first positioning assistance information may be already invalid when positioning the terminal device, resulting in inaccurate positioning of the terminal device.

[0047] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, whether the first positioning assistance information is available can be identified, specifically, by detecting whether the terminal device has exceeded a specific region of the timeliness of the first positioning assistance information, or by determining whether the usage time of the first positioning assistance information has exceeded a specific period of the timeliness of the first positioning assistance information, or by the terminal device being unable to measure a position reference signal (PRS) based on the first positioning assistance information, etc.

[0048] It should be noted that the above method is merely exemplary, and is intended to more clearly explain the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not limit the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure. Although the method of determining whether the first positioning assistance information is available is not enumerated here, those skilled in the art can understand that with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure can also be applied to similar technical problems.

[0049] At S3, if the first positioning assistance information is available, the first positioning assistance information is used. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is determined whether first positioning assistance information is available, and if the first positioning assistance information is available, the first positioning assistance information is used to ensure that the terminal device can be accurately positioned when the terminal device actually uses the preset first positioning assistance information, and an accurate location of the terminal device can be obtained.

[0050] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminal device receives the preset first positioning assistance information, determines whether the first positioning assistance information is available, and if the first positioning assistance information is available, uses the first positioning assistance information to perform positioning of the terminal device when using the preset first positioning assistance information during actual positioning. In this way, when the preset first positioning assistance information is unavailable, the problem of inaccurate positioning of the terminal device using the first positioning assistance information can be avoided, and an accurate position of the terminal device can be obtained.

[0051] In some embodiments, the positioning method provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure includes sending a positioning assistance information request message to a location management function (LMF) device when the first positioning assistance information is unavailable.

[0052] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first positioning assistance information is unavailable, a positioning assistance information request message is sent to a location management function (LMF) device. For example, a Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP) request assistance data is sent to request the LMF device to reset the positioning assistance information of the terminal device, so that the problem of the terminal device being inaccurately positioned using the reset positioning assistance information requested by the terminal device instead of using the preset first positioning assistance information when positioning the terminal device can be avoided.

[0053] In some embodiments, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the LMF device reconfigures the positioning assistance information to the terminal device by reconfiguring the positioning assistance information to the terminal device via a Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP) message, or by re-providing the positioning assistance information to the network side device and reconfiguring the positioning assistance information to the terminal device via a broadcast from the network side device, etc.

[0054] In some embodiments, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the first positioning assistance information is unavailable, an error indication message is sent to the LMF device indicating that the first positioning assistance information is unavailable.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, when the first positioning assistance information is unavailable, the terminal device sends an LPP error message (LPP error) to the LMF device, and since the error cause is a positioning assistance information error, the pre-configured first positioning assistance information is not used when positioning the terminal device, thereby avoiding the problem of inaccurate positioning of the terminal device.

[0056] In some embodiments, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the first positioning assistance information is unavailable, a location provisioning information message is sent to the LMF device, and the location provisioning information message includes error indication information indicating that the first positioning assistance information is unavailable.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, when the first positioning assistance information is unavailable, the terminal device sends a location provide information message to the LMF device, and the message includes error indication information indicating that the first positioning assistance information is unavailable, so that the pre-configured first positioning assistance information is not used when positioning the terminal device, thereby avoiding the problem of inaccurate positioning of the terminal device.

[0058] In some embodiments, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the unavailability of the first positioning assistance information includes the terminal device being unable to measure a positioning reference signal (PRS) based on the first positioning assistance information when a message is received that triggers use of the first positioning assistance information by the terminal device.

[0059] In an exemplary embodiment, when a terminal device receives a location information request message, the terminal device is unable to measure a positioning reference signal (PRS) based on the first positioning assistance information, which means that the pre-configured first positioning assistance information is unavailable.

[0060] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the terminal device cannot measure a positioning reference signal (PRS) based on the first positioning assistance information, the terminal device may determine that the first positioning assistance information is invalid and determine that the first positioning assistance information is unavailable. Based on this, the terminal device sends a positioning assistance information request message to the LMF device, or sends an error indication message to the LMF device indicating that the first positioning assistance message is unavailable, or sends a location provision information message including error indication information indicating that the first positioning assistance information is unavailable to the LMF device.

[0061] In some embodiments, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the unavailability of the first positioning-assistance information includes determining that the first positioning-assistance information is invalid if the first positioning-assistance information has timeliness.

[0062] Specifically, the first positioning assistance information may have timeliness in that it is valid in a particular area and / or for a particular period of time.

[0063] It should be understood that the preset first positioning assistance information is valid in a certain area, and the preset first positioning assistance information of different housing complexes may be different, and when the terminal device is located in a housing complex, the preset first positioning assistance information is valid, but when the terminal device moves from a housing complex to another housing complex, the first positioning assistance information may have already become invalid. The first positioning assistance information is valid within a certain period of time, and the preset first positioning assistance information may be preset to be valid within a certain period of time, and after the certain period of time has passed, the preset first positioning assistance information may have already become invalid.

[0064] When positioning the terminal device, if the terminal device does not exceed a certain area and / or if the terminal device does not exceed a certain period of time, the first positioning assistance information is used, which means that the preset first positioning assistance information is valid. In this case, the location of the terminal device can be accurately determined.

[0065] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first positioning assistance information has timeliness, the first positioning assistance information is determined to be invalid, and therefore the first positioning assistance information can be determined to be unavailable. Based on this, the terminal device sends a positioning assistance information request message to the LMF device, or sends an error indication message to the LMF device indicating that the first positioning assistance information is unavailable, or sends a location provision information message to the LMF device, the location provision information message including error indication information indicating that the first positioning assistance information is unavailable.

[0066] Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a flowchart of another positioning method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the method is performed by a terminal device, and includes, but is not limited to, the following steps S11 to S14.

[0067] At S11, a first preset positioning assistance information is received. Here, S11 has the same or similar technical effect as S1 in the above examples, and for the description of the specific embodiment of the S11 method, please refer to the description of the specific embodiment of S1 in the above examples, and the description will be omitted here.

[0068] In S12, if the first positioning assistance information has timeliness, determine whether the first positioning assistance information is invalid. Specifically, the first positioning assistance information may have timeliness in that it is valid in a particular area and / or for a particular period of time.

[0069] It should be understood that the preset first positioning assistance information is valid in a certain area, and the preset first positioning assistance information of different housing complexes may be different, and when the terminal device is located in a housing complex, the preset first positioning assistance information is valid, but when the terminal device moves from a housing complex to another housing complex, the first positioning assistance information may have already become invalid. The first positioning assistance information is valid within a certain period of time, and the preset first positioning assistance information may be preset to be valid within a certain period of time, and after the certain period of time has passed, the preset first positioning assistance information may have already become invalid.

[0070] When the timeliness of the first positioning assistance information means that the first positioning assistance information is valid in a specific area and / or a specific period of time, it is possible to determine whether the first positioning assistance information is invalid by detecting the location of the terminal device and / or the time of positioning the terminal device and the time of the preset first positioning assistance information.

[0071] In addition, the timeliness of the first positioning assistance information may not only be valid within a specific area and / or a specific period of time, but may also be valid when other conditions are met, and may be set as needed, and is not limited in this disclosure.

[0072] In S13, if the first positioning assistance information is not invalid, the first positioning assistance information is used.

[0073] Specifically, the first positioning assistance information being not invalid may mean that the use of the first positioning assistance information when positioning the terminal device does not exceed a certain area, and / or that the time difference between the time when the terminal device uses the first positioning assistance information and the time when the first positioning assistance information is pre-configured does not exceed a certain period.

[0074] On this basis, if the first positioning assistance information is not invalid, the first positioning assistance information can be directly used when positioning the terminal device, and the terminal device can be accurately positioned. In S14, if the first positioning assistance information is invalid, send a positioning assistance information request message to the LMF device.

[0075] Specifically, the first positioning assistance information being invalid may be that the use of the first positioning assistance information in positioning the terminal device exceeds a certain area, and / or that the time difference between the time when the terminal device uses the first positioning assistance information and the time when the first positioning assistance information is pre-configured exceeds a certain period.

[0076] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first positioning-assistance information has timeliness, the first positioning-assistance information is determined to be invalid, and therefore the first positioning-assistance information can be determined to be unavailable. Based on this, the terminal device sends a positioning-assistance information request message to the LMF device.

[0077] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when it is determined that the first positioning assistance information has timeliness, the first positioning assistance information is invalid, and the first positioning assistance information is unavailable, a positioning assistance information request message is sent to a location management function (LMF). For example, a Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP) request assistance data is sent to request the LMF device to reset the positioning assistance information of the terminal device, so that the problem of the terminal device being inaccurately positioned using the reset positioning assistance information requested by the terminal device rather than using the preset first positioning assistance information when positioning the terminal device can be avoided.

[0078] Here, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the LMF device can reconfigure the positioning assistance information to the terminal device by reconfiguring the positioning assistance information to the terminal device via a Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP) message, or by re-providing the positioning assistance information to the network side device and reconfiguring the positioning assistance information to the terminal device via a broadcast from the network side device, etc.

[0079] In an exemplary embodiment, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, when it is determined that the first positioning-assistance information has timeliness, the first positioning-assistance information is invalid, and the first positioning-assistance information is unavailable, the terminal device waits for the network side device to send an instruction to trigger the use of the preset first positioning-assistance information, and can execute corresponding steps when receiving the instruction to trigger the use of the preset first positioning-assistance information sent by the network side device. Specifically, please refer to the station in some of the above embodiments of the present disclosure, and the description will be omitted here.

[0080] Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a flowchart of yet another positioning method provided by one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the method is performed by a terminal device, and includes but is not limited to the following steps S111 to S114.

[0081] In S111, preset first positioning assistance information is received. Here, S111 has the same or similar technical effects as S1 and S11 in the above examples, and for the description of the specific embodiment of the S111 method, please refer to the description of the specific embodiment of S1 and S11 in the above examples, and the description will be omitted here.

[0082] In S112, when a message triggering the terminal device to use the first positioning assistance information is received, determine whether the network side device has sent second positioning assistance information required for applying the current positioning technology.

[0083] In an exemplary embodiment, when the terminal device receives a message triggering the use of the first positioning assistance information set by the network via an LPP message, for example, the terminal device receives a location information request message and determines whether the network side device has sent second positioning assistance information required for applying the current positioning technology, for example, whether the base station has broadcast an NR DL-TDOA / DL-AoD Assistance Data message, i.e., a posSibType6-1, posSibType6-2, or posSibType6-3 message.

[0084] In S113, if the network side device sends the second positioning assistance information, it determines whether the first positioning assistance information and the second positioning assistance information are consistent with each other.

[0085] When the base station sends the second positioning assistance information required for applying the current positioning technology, it is determined whether the first positioning assistance information and the second positioning assistance information are consistent.

[0086] If the first positioning assistance information and the second positioning assistance information are consistent, it means that the preset first positioning assistance information is applicable to the current positioning technology, and the terminal device can be accurately positioned and an accurate terminal device position can be obtained. However, if the first positioning assistance information and the second positioning assistance information are inconsistent, it means that the preset first positioning assistance information is not suitable for the current positioning technology, and accurate positioning may not be obtained using the first positioning assistance information.

[0087] In S114, if the first positioning assistance information and the second positioning assistance information match, the first positioning assistance information or the second positioning assistance information is used.

[0088] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first positioning assistance information and the second positioning assistance information are consistent, the first positioning assistance information or the second positioning assistance information can be directly used and applied to the current positioning technology, that is, the needs of the current positioning technology can be met, and the terminal device can be accurately positioned and the accurate location of the terminal device can be obtained.

[0089] Referring again to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the positioning method provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure further includes step S115 of using the second positioning assistance information when the first positioning assistance information and the second positioning assistance information are inconsistent.

[0090] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first positioning assistance information and the second positioning assistance information are inconsistent, the second positioning assistance information is used to apply to the current positioning technology, so as to meet the needs of the current positioning technology, to accurately position the terminal device, and to obtain the accurate location of the terminal device.

[0091] In some embodiments, if the first positioning-assistance information and the second positioning-assistance information are inconsistent, a positioning-assistance information request message is sent to the LMF device.

[0092] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first positioning assistance information and the second positioning assistance information are inconsistent, it is determined that the first positioning assistance information is unavailable, and a positioning assistance information request message is sent to a location management function (LMF) device. For example, by sending Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP) request assistance data, the LMF device requests the terminal device to reset the positioning assistance information, so that the problem of the terminal device being inaccurately positioned using the reset positioning assistance information requested by the terminal device rather than using the preset first positioning assistance information when positioning the terminal device can be avoided.

[0093] In some embodiments, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the LMF device may reconfigure the positioning assistance information to the terminal device via a Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP) message, or may re-provide the positioning assistance information to the network side device and reconfigure the positioning assistance information to the terminal device via a broadcast from the network side device, etc.

[0094] In some embodiments, receiving the pre-configured first positioning assistance information includes receiving the first positioning assistance information sent from the LMF device via a Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP) message, or receiving the first positioning assistance information sent from the network side device via a positioning system message and provided by the LMF device.

[0095] Here, with regard to the first positioning assistance information transmitted from the LMF device via a Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP) message, for example, the network side device may transparently transmit the first positioning assistance information transmitted from the LMF device to the terminal device, and the network side device may be a base station.

[0096] Receive first positioning assistance information transmitted from the network side device and provided by the LMF device, for example, the LMF device provides the positioning assistance information to the network side device, and the network side device transmits it to the terminal device in a broadcast manner, and the network side device may be a base station.

[0097] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the network side device transmits the second positioning assistance information required for applying the current positioning technology and the terminal device receives the preset first positioning assistance information, the first positioning assistance information and the second positioning assistance information will exist simultaneously. In this case, the transmission manner of the first positioning assistance information and the second positioning assistance information will not match. It should be understood that when the first positioning assistance information is transmitted by the LMF device through a Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP) message, the second positioning assistance information is transmitted by the network side device and provided by the LMF device, and when the first positioning assistance information is transmitted by the network side device and provided by the LMF device, the second positioning assistance information is transmitted by the LMF device through a Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP) message.

[0098] By implementing the embodiment of the present disclosure, when positioning a terminal device, it is possible to determine in advance whether the preset first positioning assistance information is available, and if the first positioning assistance information is available, the terminal device can be positioned using the first positioning assistance information. In this way, it is possible to avoid inaccurate positioning of the terminal device caused by the invalidity of the first positioning assistance information, and to obtain an accurate position of the terminal device.

[0099] In some embodiments, the terminal device receives pre-configured first positioning assistance information and can also receive second positioning assistance information sent by the network side device, which is necessary for applying the current positioning technology.

[0100] The first positioning assistance information may be transmitted from the LMF device to the terminal device via a long-term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) message, and the second positioning assistance information may be provided from the LMF device to the network side device and broadcasted from the network side device to the terminal device via a positioning system message. Alternatively, the first positioning assistance information may be provided from the LMF device to the network side device and broadcasted from the network side device to the terminal device, and the second positioning assistance information may be transmitted from the LMF device to the terminal device via a long-term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) message.

[0101] In an exemplary embodiment, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first pre-configured positioning assistance information received by the terminal device is sent from the LMF device to the terminal device through a Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP) message, hereinafter referred to as the LPP message, and the second positioning assistance information required for applying the current positioning technology sent by the network side device when positioning the terminal device received by the terminal device is provided from the LMF device to the network side device and broadcast and sent from the network side device to the terminal device through a positioning system message, hereinafter referred to as the system message. In this case, the terminal device has received the LPP message and the system message, so that the terminal device needs to determine whether the LPP message or the system message is used by judging the LPP message and the system message.

[0102] By determining whether the LPP message and the system message are consistent, it is determined whether the LPP message is available, and the terminal device decides whether to use the LPP message or the system message. Wherein, if the LPP message and the system message are consistent, the terminal device uses the LPP message or the system message. If the LPP message and the system message are inconsistent, the terminal device uses the system message. If the LPP message and the system message are inconsistent, a positioning assistance information request message is sent to the LMF device.

[0103] In an exemplary embodiment, the first pre-configured positioning assistance information received by the terminal device is provided by the LMF device to the network side device and broadcast and transmitted from the network side device to the terminal device through a positioning system message, hereinafter referred to as a system message, and the second positioning assistance information received by the terminal device and required for applying the current positioning technology transmitted by the network side device when positioning the terminal device is transmitted from the LMF device to the terminal device through a Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP) message, hereinafter referred to as an LPP message. In this case, the terminal device has received the LPP message and the system message, so that the terminal device needs to determine whether the LPP message or the system message is used by judging the LPP message and the system message.

[0104] By determining whether the system message and the LPP message are consistent, it is determined whether the system message is available, and the terminal device determines whether to use the system message or the LPP message. Here, if the system message and the LPP message are consistent, the terminal device uses the system message or the LPP message. If the system message and the LPP message are inconsistent, the terminal device uses the LPP message. If the system message and the LPP message are inconsistent, a positioning assistance information request message is sent to the LMF device.

[0105] In the above embodiments provided by the present disclosure, the method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure is described from the perspective of a terminal device. In order to realize each function in the method provided by the above embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal device may include a hardware configuration and a software module, and realizes the above functions in the form of a hardware configuration, a software module, or a hardware configuration + software module. Some of the above functions may be performed in the manner of a hardware configuration, a software module, or a hardware configuration + software module.

[0106] Please refer to FIG. 5, which is a block diagram of a communication device 100 provided according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 5 may include a transceiver module 101 and a processing module 102. The transceiver module 101 may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, where the transmitting module is configured to realize a transmitting function, and the receiving module is configured to realize a receiving function, and the transceiver module 101 may realize a transmitting function and / or a receiving function.

[0107] The communications apparatus 100 may be a terminal device (eg, a terminal device in the method embodiments described above), or may be an apparatus within a terminal device, or an apparatus usable in conjunction with a terminal device. The communication device 100 is a terminal device (e.g., a terminal device in the embodiment of the method described above), The transceiver module 101 is configured to receive preset first positioning assistance information; The processing module 102 is configured to determine whether the first positioning assistance information is available, and, if the first positioning assistance information is available, to use the first positioning assistance information.

[0108] Regarding the communication device in the above embodiment, the specific manner in which each module performs the operation is described in detail in the method embodiment, so it will not be described in detail here. The communication device provided in the above embodiment of the present disclosure achieves the same or similar advantageous effects as the paging method provided in some of the above embodiments, so it will not be described again here.

[0109] Please refer to Figure 6, which is a block diagram of another communication device 1000 provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 1000 may be a terminal device (for example, a terminal device in the above-mentioned method embodiment), or may be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the terminal device to realize the above-mentioned method. The device can be used to realize the method described in the above-mentioned method embodiment, and for details, please refer to the description of the above-mentioned method embodiment.

[0110] The communication device 1000 may include one or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be a general-purpose processor, a special-purpose processor, or the like. For example, it may be a baseband processor, a central processing unit, or the like. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (e.g., a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or CU, etc.), execute a computer program, and process data of the computer program.

[0111] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may include one or more memories 1002 capable of storing computer programs 1004, which may be executed by the memory 1002 to cause the communication device 1000 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, data may be stored in the memory 1002. The communication device 1000 and the memory 1002 may be provided separately or may be integrated.

[0112] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a transceiver 1005 and an antenna 1006. The transceiver 1005 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, etc., and is configured to realize a transceiver function. The transceiver 1005 includes a receiver and a transmitter, where the receiver may also be referred to as a receiver or a receiving circuit, etc., and is configured to realize a receiving function, and the transmitter may also be referred to as a transmitter or a transmitting circuit, etc., and is configured to realize a transmitting function.

[0113] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include one or more interface circuits 1007. The interface circuit 1007 is configured to receive and transmit code instructions to the processor 1001. The processor 1001 executes the code instructions to cause the communication device 1000 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0114] The communication device 1000 is a terminal device (e.g., a terminal device in the embodiment of the method described above), and the processor 1001 is configured to execute S2 and S3 of Fig. 2, S12 to S14 of Fig. 3, and S113 to S115 of Fig. 3. The transceiver 1005 is configured to execute S1 of Fig. 2, S11 of Fig. 3, and S111 and S112 of Fig. 4.

[0115] In one implementation, the processor 1001 may include a transceiver for implementing the receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, or an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing the receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used to read and write code / data, or the transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used to transmit or transfer signals.

[0116] In one implementation, the processor 1001 can store a computer program 1003, which, when executed on the processor 1001, can cause the communication device 1000 to execute the methods described in the above method embodiments. The computer program 1003 can be fixed in the processor 1001, in which case the processor 1001 can be realized by hardware.

[0117] In one implementation, the communication device 1000 may include circuitry that may implement the functions of transmitting, receiving, or communicating in the above-described method embodiments. The processors and transceivers described in this disclosure may be implemented on integrated circuits (ICs), analog ICs, radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), mixed signal (ICs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), printed circuit boards (PCBs), electronic devices, etc. The processors and transceivers may also be fabricated in a variety of IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), nMetal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS), pMetal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0118] The communication device described in the above embodiment may be a terminal device (e.g., the terminal device in the above-mentioned method embodiment), but the scope of the communication device described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the configuration of the communication device is not limited to FIG. 6. The communication device may be an independent device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) An independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system, or subsystem. (2) A collection having one or more integrated circuits, optionally including a storage component for storing data and computer programs. (3) ASICs such as modems. (4) A module that can be incorporated into other devices. (5) Receivers, terminal devices, intelligent terminal devices, mobile phones, wireless devices, handheld devices, mobile units, in-vehicle devices, network devices, cloud devices, artificial intelligence devices, etc. (6)Others.

[0119] For the case where the communication device is a chip or a chip system, please refer to FIG. 7, which is a block diagram of a chip provided according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 7, the chip 1100 includes a processor 1101 and an interface 1103. The number of the processors 1101 may be one or more, and the number of the interfaces 1103 may be multiple.

[0120] When the chip is configured to realize the functions of the terminal device in the embodiment of the present disclosure, an interface 1103 configured to receive and transmit code instructions to said processor; The processor 1101 is configured to execute code instructions to perform the positioning methods described in some embodiments above.

[0121] Optionally, the chip 1100 further includes a memory 1102 configured to store necessary computer programs and data.

[0122] Those skilled in the art can further understand that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be realized by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of the two. Whether such functions are realized by hardware or software depends on the specific application and overall system design requirements. Those skilled in the art can use various methods to realize the functions for each specific application, but such realization should not be understood as exceeding the protection scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0123] The present disclosure further provides a readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a computer, implement the functionality of any of the above method embodiments.

[0124] The present disclosure further provides a computer program product which, when executed by a computer, implements the functionality of any of the above method embodiments.

[0125] In the above embodiments, the whole or part may be realized by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When realized using software, the whole or part may be realized in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When the computer programs are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the flow or function described according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, radio, microwave) means. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a computer, or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc., in which one or more available media are integrated. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., high density digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid state disks (SSDs)).

[0126] Unless otherwise required by context, in the specification and claims, the term "comprise" and other forms such as the third person singular form "comprise" and the present participle form "comprise" are to be interpreted as open and inclusive, i.e., "including but not limited to." In the description of this specification, terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "exemplary embodiments," "examples," "specific examples," or "some examples" indicate that a particular feature, configuration, material, or characteristic referred to in the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. General references of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Also, a particular feature, configuration, material, or characteristic described may be included in any one or more embodiments or examples in any suitable manner.

[0127] Those skilled in the art will understand that the numerals such as first, second, etc. referred to in the present disclosure are for convenience of explanation and do not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and also indicate the order of precedence.

[0128] In the present disclosure, at least one can be described as one or more, and more can be two, three, four or more, and is not limited in the present disclosure. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, for one type of technical feature, the technical features in the type of technical feature are distinguished by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D", etc., and the technical features described by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D" have no order or size order.

[0129] Pre-configuration in this disclosure should be understood as definition, pre-definition, storage, pre-storage, pre-negotiation, pre-defined configuration, solidification, or pre-baking.

[0130] Those skilled in the art can understand that each example unit and algorithm step described in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein can be realized by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed by hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can realize the described functions using different methods for each specific application, but such realization should not be considered as going beyond the scope of the present disclosure.

[0131] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for convenience and brevity of description, the specific operation processes of the above-mentioned systems, devices and units can refer to the corresponding processes in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and will not be described again here.

[0132] The above are only specific embodiments of the present disclosure, and the scope of protection of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and a person skilled in the art can easily think of modifications and replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present disclosure, all of which are included in the scope of protection of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present disclosure should be defined by the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A positioning method performed by a terminal device, comprising: receiving a first preset positioning assistance information; determining whether the first positioning assistance information is available, and if the first positioning assistance information is available, using the first positioning assistance information; determining whether the first positioning assistance information is available and, if the first positioning assistance information is available, using the first positioning assistance information, determining whether a network side device has sent second positioning assistance information required for applying a current positioning technology when receiving a message triggering the terminal device to use the first positioning assistance information; when a network side device transmits the second positioning-assistance information, determining whether the first positioning-assistance information and the second positioning-assistance information are consistent; and using the first positioning-assistance information or the second positioning-assistance information if the first positioning-assistance information and the second positioning-assistance information match. A positioning method comprising:

2. if the first positioning assistance information is unavailable, sending a positioning assistance information request message to a Location Management Function (LMF) device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the positioning method is a method for determining a position of a vehicle.

3. If the first positioning assistance information is unavailable, further comprising: sending an error indication message to the LMF device, indicating that the first positioning assistance information is unavailable.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the positioning method is a method for determining a position of a vehicle.

4. If the first positioning assistance information is unavailable, sending a location provision information message to the LMF device, the location provision information message including error indication information indicating that the first positioning assistance information is unavailable.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the positioning method is a method for determining a position of a vehicle.

5. The unavailability of the first positioning assistance information may include When receiving a message triggering use of the first positioning assistance information by the terminal device, the terminal device is unable to measure a positioning reference signal (PRS) based on the first positioning assistance information.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the positioning method is a method for determining a position of a vehicle.

6. The unavailability of the first positioning assistance information may include determining that the first positioning-assistance information is invalid if the first positioning-assistance information has timeliness.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the positioning method is a method for determining a position of a vehicle.

7. If the first positioning assistance information is invalid, the method further includes sending a positioning assistance information request message to an LMF device.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the positioning method is a positioning method for detecting a position of a vehicle.

8. and if the first positioning-assistance information and the second positioning-assistance information are inconsistent, using the second positioning-assistance information.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the positioning method is a method for determining a position of a vehicle.

9. If the first positioning-assistance information and the second positioning-assistance information are inconsistent, sending a positioning-assistance information request message to an LMF device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the positioning method is a method for determining a position of a vehicle.

10. The step of receiving the preset first positioning assistance information includes: receiving first positioning assistance information sent from an LMF device via a Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP) message; or receiving first positioning assistance information sent from a network side device and provided by an LMF device; 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the positioning method is a method for determining a position of a vehicle.

11. A communication device a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, and the processor executing the computer program stored in the memory to cause the communication device to execute the positioning method according to any one of claims 1 to 10; A communication device comprising:

12. A computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions, comprising: When the instructions are executed, a positioning method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is realized. A computer-readable storage medium comprising:

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