User equipment positioning method and device

Abstract

This application provides a method and apparatus for positioning a user equipment. The method includes the steps of: a first network element sending a first positioning request message to a second network element to instruct the second network element to position the first user equipment UE via the second UE. Then, the first UE or the second UE may calculate relative location information between the first UE and the second UE, whereby the second network element calculates the location information of the first UE based on the relative location information between the second UE and the first UE, and sends the location information of the first UE to the first network element by a first positioning request response message. In this way, the first UE may be positioned via the second UE. This improves the accuracy of the positioning of the UE.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Support for positioning services has been introduced in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), and the positioning services have become an important value-added service in wireless communication networks.

[0003] At present, when a target user equipment (UE) is located, the target UE generally collects information such as its own signal strength and the signal strength of surrounding base stations, and then transmits the collected information to a core network, and the core network calculates the location information of the target UE based on the information collected by the target UE. When the target UE is located indoors, the signal strength collected by the target UE may be weak due to building obstruction or network dead angle, so the calculated location information of the target UE is not accurate enough. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a user equipment positioning method and apparatus to improve the positioning accuracy of the UE.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the application provides a method for positioning a user equipment, the method including a step of a first network element sending a first positioning request message to a second network element. The first positioning request message instructs the second network element to position a first user equipment (UE) via a second UE. The first network element receives a first positioning request response message sent by the second network element. The first positioning request response message includes first location information of the first UE.

[0006] According to the above technical solution, the second network element can locate the target UE through another UE, and obtain the relative position between the other UE and the target UE through the other UE to obtain the location information of the target UE. Compared with the prior art method in which the target UE measures the signal strength of the surrounding base stations, this method allows more accurate measurement data to be collected. Therefore, the positioning accuracy of the target UE is higher.

[0007] In an embodiment of this application, It should be noted that the "other UE" may also be referred to as an "auxiliary UE," an "assisting UE," or a "second UE," as those skilled in the art would understand that these two terms have the same meaning.

[0008] In one possible design, the first positioning request message includes at least one of an identity of the first UE, an identity of the second UE, or positioning accuracy information.

[0009] According to the above technical solution, the first positioning request message sent by the first network element to the second network element may include the identification information of the first UE, the identification information of the second UE, or the positioning accuracy information. In this way, the second network element may position the first UE based on the identification information of the second UE.

[0010] In one possible design, before the first network element sends the first positioning request message to the second network element, the method further includes the first network element sending a second positioning request message to the second network element. The second positioning request message instructs the second network element to position the first UE. The first network element receives a second positioning request response message sent by the second network element. The second positioning request response message includes second position indication information of the first UE. The second position indication information indicates that the second location accuracy information of the first UE does not satisfy the positioning accuracy information or indicates the second location information of the first UE.

[0011] According to the above technical solution, the first network element can know whether the approximate location of the target UE or the location information of the target UE calculated by the second network element meets the accuracy requirement based on the positioning request response message fed back by the second network element.

[0012] In one possible design, the first network element sending the first positioning request message to the second network element includes:

[0013] The first network element sends the first positioning request message to the second network element based on the second location indication information of the first UE.

[0014] According to the above technical solution, the first network element may send a first positioning request message to the second network element when the location information of the target UE calculated by the second network element does not meet the accuracy requirement, or determine whether the location information of the target UE calculated by the second network element meets the accuracy requirement according to the location information of the target UE and the accuracy requirement in the positioning request message, and send a first positioning request message to the second network element when the location information does not meet the accuracy requirement, so that the second network element positions the target UE based on other UEs, thus improving the positioning accuracy of the target UE.

[0015] According to a second aspect, the application provides a method for positioning a user equipment, the method including: a second network element receiving a first positioning request message sent by a first network element; the first positioning request message instructs the second network element to position a first user equipment (UE) via a second UE; the second network element positions the first UE via the second UE, and sends a first positioning request response message to the first network element; the first positioning request response message includes location information of the first UE.

[0016] According to the above technical solution, the second network element may position the target UE based on the first positioning request message sent by the first network element, and calculate the location information of the target UE through the auxiliary UE, thereby improving the positioning accuracy of the target UE.

[0017] In one possible design, the first positioning request message includes at least one of an identity of the first UE, an identity of the second UE, or positioning accuracy information.

[0018] According to the above technical solution, the second network element may position the target UE based on the identification information of the target UE, the identification information of the auxiliary UE, and the positioning accuracy information sent by the first network element, so as to improve the positioning accuracy of the target UE.

[0019] In one possible design, the second network element positioning the first UE via the second UE includes the second network element sending a third positioning request message to the second UE. The third positioning request message instructs the second UE to determine relative location information between the second UE and the first UE. The third positioning request message includes the identification information of the first UE. The second network element receives the relative location information sent by the second UE and determines location information of the second UE based on the identification information of the second UE. The second network element determines the location information of the first UE based on the relative location information and the location information of the second UE.

[0020] According to the above technical solution, the second network element sends a positioning request message to the auxiliary UE, so that the auxiliary UE calculates the relative position between the target UE and the auxiliary UE, and then the second network element calculates the position information of the target UE based on the relative position and the position information of the auxiliary UE.

[0021] In one possible design, prior to the step of sending, by the second network element, a third positioning request message to the second UE, the method further includes a step of obtaining, by the second network element, the identification information of the second UE.

[0022] In this embodiment of the application, the second network element may obtain the identification information of the second UE through the following several manners:

[0023] Method 1: A method of obtaining identification information of a second UE from a third network element (e.g., AMF, etc.).

[0024] Method 2: A method of obtaining the identification information of the second UE from the first network element.

[0025] Method 3: A method of acquiring identification information of the second UE based on registration information of the second UE.

[0026] Through the above multiple schemes, the second network element may obtain the identification information of the auxiliary UE, and further send a positioning request message to the auxiliary UE, so that the auxiliary UE can calculate the relative position between the auxiliary UE and the target UE.

[0027] In one possible design, the second network element positioning the first UE via the second UE includes:

[0028] The second network element sends a fourth positioning request message to the first UE. The fourth positioning request message instructs the first UE to determine relative location information between the first UE and the second UE. The fourth positioning request message includes the identification information of the second UE. The second network element receives the relative location information sent by the first UE and determines location information of the second UE based on the identification information of the second UE. The second network element determines the location information of the first UE based on the relative location information and the location information of the second UE.

[0029] According to the above technical solution, the target UE may calculate a relative location between the target UE and the auxiliary UE based on the positioning request message, and then send the relative location to the core network, and the core network calculates location information of the target UE based on the relative location and the location information of the auxiliary UE.

[0030] According to a third aspect, the present application provides a method for positioning a user equipment, the method including the steps of: a second UE sending a first registration request message to a second network element. message The second UE receives a third positioning request message sent by the second network element, the third positioning request message including an identification information of the second UE and a capability information of the second UE. The second UE receives a third positioning request message sent by the second network element. The third positioning request message instructs the second UE to determine relative location information between the second UE and the first UE. The third positioning request message includes the identification information of the first UE.

[0031] According to the above technical solution, the auxiliary UE may report the identity information and capability information, etc., of the auxiliary UE in the registration process, in this way, other network elements can obtain the relevant information of the auxiliary UE, and further use the auxiliary UE to position the target UE, thereby improving the positioning accuracy of the target UE.

[0032] In one possible design, the method further includes the second UE sending relative location information between the second UE and the first UE to the second network element.

[0033] According to the above technical solution, after calculating the relative location information between the auxiliary UE and the target UE, the auxiliary UE may send the relative location information to the second network element, so that the second network element calculates the location information of the target UE.

[0034] In one possible design, the method further includes the second UE sending a fifth positioning request message to the first UE. The fifth positioning request message includes a positioning algorithm. The fifth positioning request message instructs the first UE to obtain measurement data based on the positioning algorithm. The second UE receives the measurement data sent by the first UE.

[0035] According to the above technical solution, the auxiliary UE may send a positioning request message to the target UE, so that the target UE obtains the measurement data required for positioning location information, and then the auxiliary UE may calculate the relative location information between the auxiliary UE and the target UE based on the measurement data fed back by the target UE.

[0036] According to a fourth aspect, the application provides a positioning device for a user equipment. The positioning device for the user equipment has a function of implementing a first network element in the method examples of the first aspect. The function may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. In one possible design, the positioning device for the user equipment includes a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting unit is configured to transmit a first positioning request message to a second network element. The first positioning request message instructs the second network element to position the first user equipment UE via a second UE. The receiving unit is configured to receive a first positioning request response message transmitted by the second network element. The first positioning request response message includes first location information of the first UE. These units may perform corresponding functions in the method examples of the first aspect. For details, reference should be made to the detailed descriptions in the method examples. The details will not be repeated here.

[0037] According to a fifth aspect, the application provides a positioning device for a user equipment. The positioning device for the user equipment has a function of implementing a second network element in the method examples of the second aspect. The function may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. In one possible design, the positioning device for the user equipment includes a receiving unit configured to receive a first positioning request message sent by a first network element, the first positioning request message instructing the second network element to position the first user equipment UE via a second UE, a positioning unit configured to position the first UE via the second UE, and a transmitting unit configured to transmit a first positioning request response message to the first network element, the first positioning request response message including location information of the first UE. These units may perform corresponding functions in the method examples of the second aspect. For details, please refer to the detailed descriptions in the examples of those methods, and the details will not be described repeatedly in this specification.

[0038] According to a sixth aspect, a user equipment positioning device is provided. The user equipment positioning device may be the first network element in the above method embodiments, or may be a chip disposed in the first network element. The device includes a receiver, a transmitter, and at least one processor. The receiver is configured to perform a message receiving operation performed by the user equipment positioning device in the method according to the first aspect or any one of the implementations of the first aspect. The transmitter is configured to perform a message sending operation performed by the user equipment positioning device in the method according to the first aspect or any one of the implementations of the first aspect.

[0039] According to a seventh aspect, a user equipment positioning device is provided. The user equipment positioning device may be the second network element in the above method embodiments, or may be a chip disposed in the second network element. The user equipment positioning device includes a receiver, a transmitter, and at least one processor. The receiver is configured to perform a message receiving operation performed by the user equipment positioning device in the method according to the first aspect or any one of the implementations of the first aspect. The transmitter is configured to perform a message sending operation performed by the user equipment positioning device in the method according to the first aspect or any one of the implementations of the first aspect. The at least one processor calls instructions to perform a message processing operation performed by the user equipment positioning device in the method according to the second aspect or any one of the implementations of the second aspect.

[0040] According to an eighth aspect, a positioning device of a user equipment is provided. The positioning device of the user equipment has a function of implementing the second UE in the examples of the methods in the third aspect. The function may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. In one possible design, the positioning device of the user equipment includes a transmission unit, and the transmission unit is configured to send a first registration request message to a second network element, the first registration request including an identification information of the second UE and a capability information of the second UE, and receive a third positioning request message sent by the second network element, the third positioning request message instructing the second UE to determine relative location information between the second UE and the first UE, the third positioning request message including the identification information of the first UE.

[0041] According to a ninth aspect, there is provided a computer program product, the computer program product comprising computer program code which, when executed, performs the method performed by the first network element in the above aspect.

[0042] According to a tenth aspect, there is provided a computer program product, the computer program product comprising computer program code which, when executed, performs the method performed by the second network element in the above aspect.

[0043] According to an eleventh aspect, there is provided a computer program product, the computer program product comprising computer program code which, when executed, performs the method performed by the second UE in the above aspect.

[0044] According to a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a chip system. The chip system includes at least one processor and a transceiver. The processor executes instructions to perform a method according to any one of the first or second aspects. The chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and other individual components.

[0045] According to a thirteenth aspect, the application further provides a user equipment positioning system, the user equipment positioning system including a user equipment positioning device according to any one of the fourth aspects and a user equipment positioning device according to any one of the fifth aspects, or including a user equipment positioning device according to any one of the sixth aspects and a user equipment positioning device according to any one of the seventh aspects.

[0046] According to a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium storing a computer program which, when executed, implements the method performed by the first network element in the above aspect.

[0047] According to a fifteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium storing a computer program which, when executed, implements the method performed by the second network element in the above aspect.

[0048] According to a sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, the computer program, when executed, implementing the method performed by the second UE in the above aspect.

[0049] It should be understood that the beneficial effects achieved by the technical solutions of the fourth aspect to the sixteenth aspect and the corresponding possible implementations in the multiple embodiments of this application should refer to the above technical effects in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, and the corresponding multiple possible implementations, and the details will not be described repeatedly in this specification. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0050] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 1B] 2 is a flowchart of a user equipment UE positioning method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 3]2 is a flowchart of a user equipment UE positioning method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 4A] 2 is a flowchart of a user equipment UE positioning method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 4B] 2 is a flowchart of a user equipment UE positioning method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the positional relationship of UEs according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 6A] 2 is a flowchart of a user equipment UE positioning method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 6B] 2 is a flowchart of a user equipment UE positioning method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 7A] 2 is a flowchart of a user equipment UE positioning method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 7B] 2 is a flowchart of a user equipment UE positioning method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 8A] 2 is a flowchart of a user equipment UE positioning method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 8B] 2 is a flowchart of a user equipment UE positioning method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram of a logical configuration of a positioning device of a user equipment (UE) according to one embodiment of this application; [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a positioning device of a user equipment UE according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic diagram of a logical configuration of a positioning device of a user equipment (UE) according to one embodiment of this application; [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a positioning device of a user equipment UE according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 13]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a positioning system for a user equipment UE according to an embodiment of this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0051] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the following description will further describe the embodiments of the present application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0052] First, it should be noted that the terms "system" and "network" may be used interchangeably in the embodiments of this application, and that "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. The term "and / or" describes a relationship between multiple related objects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may indicate the multiple cases of when only A is present, when both A and B are present, and when only B is present, and A and B may be singular or plural. The symbol " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between multiple related objects. "At least one of the following items (parts)" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of singular items (parts) or multiple items (parts). For example, at least one of a, b, or c may indicate a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c, and a, b, and c may be singular or plural. Additionally, unless otherwise specified, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of this application are intended to distinguish between multiple objects, but are not intended to limit the order, chronology, priority, or importance of the multiple objects.

[0053] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture according to an embodiment of this application. The 5G network architecture shown in Figure 1A may include a (radio) access network (R)AN) network element, a user equipment (UE), a user plane function (UPF) network element, a data network (DN), an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a session management function (SMF) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, a unified data management (UDM) network element, a location management function (LMF) network element, and a gateway mobile location center (GMLC), etc.

[0054] The following description briefly describes the functionality of the network elements in this application.

[0055] An (R)AN is a device that provides wireless communication capabilities to a terminal device. To connect to a carrier's network, a terminal device may first connect to an (R)AN and then connect to a service node of the carrier's network through the (R)AN. The (R)AN devices in this application include, but are not limited to, next-generation base stations in 5G (gNodeB, gNB), evolved NodeB (eNB), radio network controllers (RNC), NodeB (NodeB, NB), base station controllers (BSC), base transceiver stations (BTS), home base stations (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home NodeB, HNB), baseband units (BBU), transmission reception points (TRP), transmission points (TP), and mobile switching centers. An (R)AN device in this application also includes non-3GPP access devices, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN) access network or a fixed network access network.

[0056] The terminal device, which may also be referred to as UE, is a device having a wireless transceiver function, and may be located on land, such as an indoor device or an outdoor device, a handheld device, or a vehicle-mounted device, may be located on water (e.g., on a ship), or may be located in the air (e.g., on an aircraft, a balloon, or a satellite). The terminal device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer having a wireless transmission and reception function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, or a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc.

[0057] The terminal device may establish a connection to the carrier's network through an interface (e.g., N1, etc.) provided by the carrier's network, and use services such as data and / or voice provided by the carrier's network. The terminal device may further access a DN through the carrier's network, and use a carrier service deployed in the DN and / or a service provided by a third party. The third party may be a service provider other than the carrier's network and the terminal device, and may provide other services such as data and / or voice to the terminal device. The specific expression form of the third party may be specifically determined based on an actual application scenario, and is not limited in this specification.

[0058] The UPF network element is a gateway provided by a carrier for communication between the carrier's network and the DN. The UPF network element includes user plane related functions such as data packet routing and transmission, packet detection, service usage reporting, Quality of Service (QoS) processing, lawful interception, uplink packet detection, and downlink data packet storage.

[0059] A DN may also be referred to as a packet data network (PDN), which is a network located outside a carrier's network. A carrier's network may access multiple DNs and deploy multiple services on those DNs to provide services such as data and / or voice to terminal devices. For example, a DN may be a private network of a smart factory, a sensor installed in a workplace of the smart factory may be a terminal device, a control server of the sensor may be located in the DN, and the control server may provide services to the sensor. The sensor may communicate with the control server to obtain instructions from the control server, and based on those instructions, transmit collected sensor data to the control server, etc. As another example, a DN may be an internal network of a company, a mobile phone or computer of an employee of the company may be a terminal device, and the employee's mobile phone or computer may access information and data resources, etc. in the internal network of the company.

[0060] The AMF network element is a control plane network element provided by an operator network, and is responsible for access control and mobility management for terminal devices to access the operator network, including functions such as mobility situation management, temporary user identifier allocation, user authentication and authorization, user location update, user registration to the network, and user handover.

[0061] The SMF network element is a control plane network element provided by the carrier's network and is responsible for managing protocol data unit (PDU) sessions of terminal devices. A PDU session is a channel used to transmit PDUs, and a terminal device needs to transmit PDUs to a DN through a PDU session. The SMF network element is responsible for the establishment, maintenance, and deletion of PDU sessions. The SMF network element includes session-related functions such as session management (e.g., session establishment, modification, and release, including tunnel maintenance between the UPF and the AN), selection and control of UPF network elements, Service and Session Continuity (SSC) mode selection, and roaming.

[0062] The PCF network element is a control plane function provided by a carrier and is configured to provide policies for network elements in the network, in one implementation the policies may include access control policies, mobility management policies, charging related policies, QoS related policies, authorization related policies, etc.

[0063] The UDM network element is a control plane network element provided by a telecommunications operator, and is responsible for storing information such as a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI), credentials, security context, and subscriber subscription data in the telecommunications operator's network. The information stored in the UDM network element may be used for authentication and authorization when a terminal device accesses the telecommunications operator's network. A subscriber in the telecommunications operator's network may specifically be a user who uses a service provided by the telecommunications operator's network, such as a user who uses a SIM card of China Telecommunications Corporation or a user who uses a SIM card of China Mobile Corporation. The subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) of the subscriber may be a SIM card number, etc. The subscriber's authentication information and security context are stored in a small file, such as a SIM card encryption key or information related to SIM card encryption, and are used for authentication and / or authorization. The security context may be a cookie or a token, etc., stored in a local terminal (e.g., a mobile phone) of the user. The subscriber's subscription data may be, for example, the traffic package of the SIM card or the supporting services of the SIM card, such as the network used. It should be noted that the permanent identifier, the authentication information, the security context, the cookie, and the token are equivalent to information related to authentication and authorization, and are not limited or distinguished from each other to facilitate the description in this application document of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the security context is used as an example for the description in the embodiments of this application. However, the embodiments of this application are also applicable to authentication and / or authorization information described in other ways.

[0064] The LMF network element is mainly configured to manage positioning requests of the positioning service and allocate positioning resources.

[0065] The GMLC network element is primarily configured to receive and process positioning requests from positioning clients and application functions, select an appropriate AMF for positioning services, and return position results to the positioning clients and application functions.

[0066] Of course, it can be understood that the network architecture shown in Figure 1A may further include other network elements, such as, for example, an Application Function (AF) network element. The AF network element mainly provides application layer services and assists in interacting with the 5G core network to provide services such as services that affect data routing decisions or policy control functions, or some third-party services provided to the network side.

[0067] It should be noted that in the network architecture shown in Figure 1A, N1, N2, N3, N4, N6, etc. are interface sequence numbers. For the meaning of the interface sequence numbers, refer to the meaning defined by the 3GPP standard protocol. This is not limited in this specification.

[0068] It should be noted that this application may also be applied to the 4th generation (4G) network architecture. For example, a mobility management entity (MME) in 4G provides the functionality of an access and mobility management function network element in this application. An MME and a serving gateway (SGW) in 4G provide the functionality of a session management function network element in this application. A packet data network gateway (PDN gateway, PGW) in 4G provides the functionality of a core network UPF in this application. A data analysis network element in 4G provides the functionality of a data analysis network element in this application. In addition, the type and number of network elements shown in FIG. 1A are used only as an example and do not constitute limitations on this application.

[0069] In future communication systems such as 6G communication systems, network elements or devices may still use the names of network elements or devices in 4G communication systems or 5G communication systems, or may have other names. The functions of the network elements or devices may be completed by an independent network element, or may be completed jointly by multiple network elements. This is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0070] In an actual deployment, multiple network elements may be collocated. For example, an access and mobility management function network element may be collocated with a session management function network element, and a session management function network element may be collocated with a user plane function network element. When two network elements are collocated, the interaction between the two network elements provided by the embodiments of this application may be an internal operation of the collocated network elements or may be omitted.

[0071] 1B is a flowchart of a user equipment UE positioning method according to an embodiment of this application. Please refer to FIG. 1B. The method includes the following steps:

[0072] S101. An external AF sends a positioning request message to a GMLC or NEF.

[0073] The positioning request message may include the identification information or the positioning accuracy information of the target UE. The positioning request message may be used to request to position the target UE. In response, the GMLC or the NEF receives the positioning request message sent by the external AF.

[0074] Of course, it can be understood that the external AF may alternatively be a positioning client, or may be referred to as a location service (LCS) client, etc. This is not a limitation in this application.

[0075] S102. GMLC sends a positioning request message to the AMF.

[0076] S103. The AMF determines the LMF based on the positioning request message.

[0077] In this application, the AMF may select an LMF for the positioning request message based on the positioning accuracy information and delay information, etc. in the positioning request message. For example, different LMFs have different positioning capabilities (e.g., supporting low-latency positioning or not supporting low-latency positioning). The AMF may query a local configuration for available LMFs, or query a network server for available LMFs, and then determine an LMF to serve for the current positioning request based on the capabilities of the LMFs and the delay requirements in the positioning request message.

[0078] S104. The AMF sends a positioning request message to the LMF.

[0079] In response, the LMF receives a positioning request message sent by the AMF, and the LMF may select a positioning method, such as observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA), global navigation satellite system (GNSS), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), or Bluetooth (BT), based on the received positioning request message.

[0080] The GNSS may include a global positioning system (GPS), a global navigation satellite system (GLONASS), a BeiDou navigation satellite system (BDS), a quasi-zenith satellite system (QZSS), and / or a satellite based augmentation system (SBAS).

[0081] In addition, when selecting a positioning method, the LMF may select one or more positioning methods, which is not limited in this application.

[0082] S102 to S104 may also be referred to as GMLC sending a first positioning request message to the LMF.

[0083] S105. The LMF obtains the measurement data reported by the target UE, and calculates location information of the target UE based on the measurement data reported by the target UE.

[0084] In one possible implementation, after the LMF selects a positioning method, the LMF may send a notification message to the target UE, which may notify the target UE to collect corresponding measurement data based on the positioning method selected by the LMF.

[0085] Correspondingly, after receiving the notification message sent by the LMF, the target UE may collect measurement data based on the notification message, and then report the collected measurement data to the LMF, so that the LMF calculates location information of the target UE based on the measurement data.

[0086] S106. The LMF feeds back the location information of the target UE to the external AF.

[0087] After calculating the location information of the target UE, the LMF may feed back the calculated location information of the target UE to the external AF.

[0088] In the positioning method according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1B, once the target UE enters indoors, the measurement signals collected by the target UE when locating the target UE may be weak due to problems such as building obstruction or dead angle of network coverage, etc. That is, the measurement data collected by the target UE from surrounding base stations may be inaccurate. In this case, the accuracy of the location information of the target UE calculated by the LMF may be low.

[0089] In consideration of this, an embodiment of this application provides a new UE positioning method, in which other UEs that are not blocked by buildings are used together with the target UE to assist in the positioning of the target UE, so that the location information of the target UE can be calculated using the location information of the other UEs, which can improve the accuracy of the calculated location information of the target UE.

[0090] The following description will explain in detail a method for positioning a user equipment UE according to one embodiment of this application.

[0091] Before describing the method in this application, we first further describe the application scenario in this application to facilitate understanding of the solution.

[0092] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of this application. Please refer to FIG. 2. The application scenario may include multiple UEs and multiple base stations. In FIG. 2, an example in which there are three base stations and four UEs is used for illustration. It is assumed that the dashed box shown in the figure represents the range of an indoor factory, and UE1 is a target UE, i.e., a UE to be positioned, UE2 is a UE at a fixed location, and UE3 and UE4 are other UEs in the factory.

[0093] For example, UE2 may be a fixed mechanical arm in a factory or a fixed forklift in a mobile range, etc., and the radar device used for communication may be installed in UE2. UE3 and UE4 may be fixed terminals or mobile terminals, which is not limited in this application.

[0094] In the scenario shown in Figure 2 in this application, measurement signals may be transmitted and received between UE1 and UE2 via a radar device, and UE1 may obtain measurement data from base station 1, base station 2, and base station 3. At that time, UE1 or UE2 calculates a relative position between UE2 and UE1 by using the position of UE2 and the measurement data obtained by UE1. Furthermore, the core network (LMF or AMF) calculates the position of UE1 by using the relative position and the position of UE2. In this way, UE2 is used to position UE1, improving the accuracy of UE positioning.

[0095] For ease of explanation, in the following description, the UE to be positioned is denoted as a "target UE" or a "first UE", and another fixed terminal device used together with the target UE and not blocked by a building is denoted as an assisting UE or a "second UE". It can be understood that the first UE may be understood to be UE1 in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, and the assisting UE may be understood to be UE2 in the embodiment shown in Figure 2.

[0096] 3 is a flowchart of a user equipment UE positioning method according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 3, the method may include the following steps:

[0097] S301. A first network element sends a first positioning request message to a second network element.

[0098] The first positioning request message instructs the second network element to position the first UE via the second UE.

[0099] S302. A second network element positions the first UE via the second UE to obtain location information of the first UE.

[0100] Correspondingly, the second network element receives a first positioning request message sent by the first network element, and based on the first positioning request message, positions the first UE by using the second UE to obtain location information of the first UE.

[0101] S303. The second network element sends a first positioning request response message to the first network element.

[0102] The first positioning request response message includes location information of the first UE.

[0103] In the positioning method in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the first network element may send a positioning request message to the second network element to instruct the second network element to position the target UE via the auxiliary UE. Compared with the conventional technology in which the second network element directly positions the target UE, this method can provide higher accuracy of the location information of the target UE, i.e., improve the positioning accuracy of the target UE.

[0104] The following description details the steps in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 with reference to several specific embodiments.

[0105] In the embodiments of this application, an example in which the first network element is a GMLC and the second network element is an LMF or an AMF is used for explanation.

[0106] The following description first uses an example in which the first network element is a GMLC and the second network element is an LMF for explanation. Figures 4A and 4B are flowcharts of a user equipment UE positioning method according to an embodiment of this application. Please refer to Figures 4A and 4B. The method includes the following steps:

[0107] S401. An external AF sends a first positioning request message to a core network to position location information of a target UE.

[0108] Specifically, step S401 may include steps S101 to S105 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1B. Therefore, for the specific implementation process of this step, please refer to the relevant description in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1B. The details will not be described repeatedly in this specification.

[0109] S402. The LMF sends the first location indication information of the first UE to the GMLC. In response, the GMLC receives the first location indication information of the first UE sent by the LMF.

[0110] It can be understood that the location information of the target UE obtained in S401 is the location indication information of the target UE calculated by the LMF according to the solution in the prior art, and for ease of explanation, the information may be denoted as "first location indication information".

[0111] The first location indication information may indicate the first location information of the first UE, or may indicate that the first location accuracy information of the first UE does not satisfy the positioning accuracy information.

[0112] It should be noted that in S402, the LMF sends the first location indication information of the first UE to the AMF, and the AMF forwards the first location indication information of the first UE to the GMLC.

[0113] S403. The GMLC sends a second positioning request message to the LMF. In response, the LMF receives the second positioning request message sent by the GMLC.

[0114] The second positioning request message in this specification instructs the LMF to position the first UE through the second UE. In other words, when positioning the first UE, the LMF may use the second UE to perform auxiliary positioning.

[0115] Specifically, the second positioning request message may include at least one of identification information of the first UE, identification information of the second UE, and positioning accuracy information. The positioning accuracy information may indicate an accuracy range of the location information of the first UE. The identification information of the second UE may be an identifier of the second UE, or may be the location information of the second UE, etc.

[0116] In one possible implementation, the GMLC may send a second positioning request message to the LMF via the AMF. In other words, step S403 includes the GMLC sending a second positioning request message to the AMF, and the AMF may forward the second positioning request message to the LMF.

[0117] In this embodiment of the present application, the GMLC may send a second positioning request message to the LMF based on the first position indication information in step S402. Specifically, this may include the following cases:

[0118] Case 1: The GMLC determines that the accuracy of the first location information of the target UE does not satisfy the positioning accuracy information.

[0119] After the GMLC receives the first location information of the first UE sent by the LMF, the GMLC may determine whether the accuracy of the first location information reaches a preset accuracy range based on the positioning accuracy information in the first positioning request message. If the accuracy of the first location information is not within the preset accuracy range, it indicates that the accuracy of the first location information is low. If the accuracy of the first location information is within the preset accuracy range, it indicates that the accuracy of the first location information is high.

[0120] It can be understood that the positioning accuracy information included in the second positioning request message is a preset accuracy range.

[0121] Case 2: The LMF determines that the accuracy of the first location information of the target UE does not satisfy the positioning accuracy information.

[0122] After the LMF calculates the first location information of the target UE, the LMF may determine whether the accuracy of the first location information of the target UE reaches a preset accuracy range based on the positioning accuracy information included in the first positioning request message. If the accuracy of the first location information is not within the preset accuracy range, the accuracy of the first location information calculated by the LMF indicates that the accuracy of the first location information is low. If the accuracy of the first location information is within the preset accuracy range, the accuracy of the first location information calculated by the LMF indicates that the accuracy of the first location information is high.

[0123] When the LMF determines that the accuracy of the first location information of the target UE is low, the first location indication information may include information indicating that the accuracy information of the first location information does not meet the positioning accuracy. After receiving the first location indication information, the GMLC may send a second positioning request message to the LMF.

[0124] By S403, the first network element sends the first positioning request message in S301 to the second network element.

[0125] S404. The LMF obtains identification information of the second UE, and determines a positioning algorithm.

[0126] In the embodiment of this application, the LMF may obtain the identity information of the second UE through several manners, the details of which are as follows:

[0127] In the first scheme, the LMF may obtain identification information of the second UE from the AMF.

[0128] In this manner, the AMF selects a second UE, and then the LMF obtains identification information of the second UE from the AMF. Specifically, the AMF may select the second UE based on first location information of the target UE, such as, for example, selecting a second UE that is close to the target UE.

[0129] In the second scheme, the LMF may obtain the identification information of the second UE from the GMLC.

[0130] In a third scheme, the LMF may obtain identification information of the second UE based on registration information of the second UE.

[0131] It should be noted that if the second positioning request message in S403 includes the identification information of the second UE, the LMF may obtain the identification information of the second UE from the GMLC, or if the second positioning request message does not include the identification information of the second UE, the LMF may obtain the identification information of the second UE or the registration information of the second UE from the AMF.

[0132] It can be understood that when the GMLC first sends a second positioning request message to the AMF, and the AMF forwards the second positioning request message to the LMF, the AMF may include the identification information of the second UE in the second positioning request message when forwarding the message. In this way, the LMF can obtain the identification information of the second UE from the AMF.

[0133] The registration information of the second UE may include the location information, capability information, and identification information of the second UE, etc. For example, the second UE may report the terminal type of the second UE and the relative positioning coverage range of the second UE (e.g., the terminal type of the second UE is a terminal that supports relative positioning calculation), and indicate that the second UE has a positioning calculation function in the registration process. The registration information may also be referred to as subscription data, and may be stored in a UDM, a user data repository (UDR), or other database. The capability information of the second UE may be understood to be that the second UE supports relative positioning calculation and has a positioning calculation function.

[0134] In one possible implementation, the second UE may send a registration request message to the second network element and receive a third positioning request message sent by the second network element. The first registration request may include an identification information of the second UE and a capability information of the second UE. The third positioning request message instructs the second UE to determine relative location information between the second UE and the first UE. The third positioning request message includes the identification information of the first UE.

[0135] For example, the second UE sends a registration request message (such as the first registration request message) to the LMF or AMF. For the implementation of the specific functions of the third positioning request message, please refer to the detailed description in the following embodiments. Details will not be described in this specification.

[0136] For example, the LMF may select a second UE that is close to the first UE based on the location information reported by the second UE during the registration process and the location information of the first UE calculated by the LMF in step S402.

[0137] In another example, the LMF may select a fixed device in the vicinity of the first UE as the second UE. Information about the second UE may be configured in the LMF.

[0138] In some of the embodiments, the LMF may determine the positioning algorithm in several ways:

[0139] Method 1: Determine the positioning algorithm based on UE capability. For example, if the UE capability supports Wi-Fi positioning but does not support Bluetooth positioning, the LMF may select the Wi-Fi positioning algorithm.

[0140] Method 2: Determine the positioning algorithm based on the positioning accuracy. For example, assume that the UE supports all the positioning methods, but has a high requirement for positioning accuracy. In this case, the LMF may select a positioning algorithm that can obtain high-precision location information.

[0141] Of course, it can be understood that the LMF may alternatively determine the positioning algorithm in other manners. For example, the LMF may alternatively determine the positioning algorithm based on delay requirements, or may determine the positioning algorithm based on positioning accuracy and delay requirements. This is not limited in this application.

[0142] S405. The LMF sends a third positioning request message to the second UE.

[0143] The third positioning request message in this specification instructs the second UE to determine relative location information between the second UE and the first UE. The third positioning request message may include an identification information of the first UE.

[0144] Optionally, the third positioning request message may further include the positioning algorithm determined by the LMF in step S404.

[0145] Correspondingly, the second UE may receive a third positioning request message sent by the AMF, and send a positioning request message to the first UE based on the identification information of the first UE included in the third positioning request message.

[0146] S406. The second UE transmits a fourth positioning request message to the first UE, and in response, the first UE receives the fourth positioning request message transmitted by the second UE.

[0147] The fourth positioning request message may include the positioning algorithm that the LMF determines in step S404. The fourth positioning request message may instruct the first UE to collect measurement data based on the positioning algorithm, i.e., different positioning algorithms require different measurement data.

[0148] It is assumed that a downlink positioning method such as OTDOA is selected as the algorithm. In this case, the measurement data collected by the first UE may be a positioning reference signal (PRS) transmitted by the second UE. Of course, the first UE may collect multiple PRS signals in a specified time, and then calculate the average value of the multiple PRS signals, etc. This is not limited in this application.

[0149] It should be noted that when selecting the Uplink Time Difference of Arrival (UTDOA), GNSS, or a combination of multiple algorithms as the algorithm, the data that needs to be measured may alternatively be the strength of the radio signal transmitted by the second UE.

[0150] Optionally, the data that needs to be measured may further include the transmission angle and transmission power of the wireless signal, etc. This is not limited in this application.

[0151] S407. The first UE feeds back measurement data to the second UE.

[0152] After receiving the fourth positioning request message sent by the second UE, the first UE may collect corresponding measurement data based on the positioning algorithm included in the fourth positioning request message, and then feed back the measurement data to the second UE.

[0153] S408. The second UE determines a relative position between the second UE and the first UE based on the measurement data fed back by the first UE. information Calculate.

[0154] Its relative position information may include a relative distance between the second UE and the first UE and a relative angle between the first UE and the second UE.

[0155] For example, if the measurement data collected by the first UE is the signal strength transmitted by the second UE, after collecting the signal strength, the first UE may report the collected measurement data to the second UE. Correspondingly, after receiving the measurement data, the second UE may calculate the relative position between the second UE and the first UE based on the measurement data.

[0156] In this embodiment of the application, a correspondence relationship between signal strength and the distance between two UEs may be defined, and then the distance between the two UEs is determined based on the collected signal strength. For example, assume that the correspondence relationship between signal strength and the distance between two UEs is as follows:

[0157] For example, when the signal strength is 3 [db], the signal strength indicates that the distance between the two UEs is 10 [m], and when the signal strength is 5 [db], the signal strength indicates that the distance between the two UEs is 20 [m].

[0158] S409. The second UE sends relative location information between the second UE and the first UE to the LMF.

[0159] S4010. The LMF calculates location information of the first UE based on the relative location information and the location information of the second UE.

[0160] In one possible implementation, the LMF may receive the relative position information of the second UE in S409. information and may calculate location information of the first UE based on the location information of the second UE.

[0161] The location information of the second UE may be determined based on the identification information of the second UE. From the above steps, it can be known that the LMF may obtain the identification information of the second UE in step S404, and further send a positioning request message to the second UE. Therefore, the LMF may determine the location information of the second UE based on the identification information of the second UE in S409.

[0162] The correspondence relationship between the identification information of a UE and the location information of the UE is such that when the identification information is 1, the location information of the UE is (A1, B1), and when the identification information is 2, the location information of the UE is (A2, B2). Assume that the identification information of the second UE in S409 is 2, and the location information of the second UE is (A2, B2).

[0163] For example, see Figure 5. Suppose the first UE is UE1, the second UE is UE2, the relative distance between UE1 and UE2 calculated by LMF is L, the relative angle between UE1 and UE2 is α, and the location information of UE2 is (x2, y2). In this case, based on the above known information, the location information of UE1 can be obtained by calculation.

[0164] The second network element locates the first UE by using the second UE through S404 to S4010 to obtain location information of the first UE.

[0165] S4011. The LMF sends a positioning request response message to the external AF.

[0166] The positioning request response message includes the location information of the first UE in S4010. For ease of description, the location information of the first UE determined through the second UE may be referred to as "second location information." In other words, the LMF may send the second location information of the first UE to the external AF.

[0167] In S4011, the LMF may send a positioning request response message (i.e., a response message to the second positioning request message initiated by the GMLC) to the GMLC, and then the GMLC may forward the positioning request response message to the external AF.

[0168] It can be seen that compared to the first location information, the second location information is more accurate and more precise.

[0169] In S408, the second UE may alternatively send the AMF a relative position between the second UE and the first UE. information In S409, the AMF may transmit the relative position information and may calculate location information of the first UE based on the location information of the second UE.

[0170] In the positioning method in the embodiment shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the GMLC may send a positioning request message to the LMF to instruct the LMF to position the target UE via the auxiliary UE, and then the LMF may send a request message to the target UE to instruct the target UE to calculate a relative position between the target UE and the auxiliary UE, so that the target UE sends the relative position to the LMF, and the LMF calculates the position information of the target UE. According to the above method, the core network (LMF) can obtain high-precision position information of the target UE by using the relative position information calculated by the auxiliary UE, and improve the positioning accuracy of the target UE.

[0171] 6A and 6B are flowcharts of a user equipment UE positioning method according to an embodiment of this application. Please refer to Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B. The method includes the following steps:

[0172] S601. An external AF sends a first positioning request message to a core network to position location information of a target UE.

[0173] Specifically, step S601 may include steps S101 to S105 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1B. Therefore, for the specific implementation process of this step, please refer to the related description in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1B. The details will not be described repeatedly in this specification.

[0174] S602. The LMF sends the first location indication information of the first UE to the GMLC. In response, the GMLC receives the first location indication information of the first UE sent by the LMF.

[0175] It can be understood that the location information of the target UE obtained in step S601 is the location indication information of the target UE calculated by the LMF according to the solution in the prior art, and for ease of description, the location information may be denoted as "first location indication information".

[0176] It should be noted that in S602, the LMF may send first location indication information to the AMF, and the AMF forwards the first location indication information of the first UE to the GMLC.

[0177] S603. The GMLC sends a second positioning request message to the LMF.

[0178] S604. The LMF obtains the identity information of the second UE and determines a positioning algorithm.

[0179] It can be understood that for step S602, step S603, and step S604, reference should be made to the description of step S402, step S403, and step S404 in the embodiment shown in Figure 4A and Figure 4B. Details will not be described repeatedly in this specification.

[0180] S605. The LMF sends a fifth positioning request message to the first UE.

[0181] The fifth positioning request message instructs the first UE to calculate relative location information between the first UE and the second UE.

[0182] In some of the embodiments, the fifth positioning request message may include the identification information of the second UE. In other words, after performing step S604, the LMF may notify the first UE of the identifier of the selected UE (i.e., the identification information of the second UE), so that the first UE can find the corresponding UE based on the identifier of the UE.

[0183] Optionally, the fifth positioning request message may further include the positioning algorithm determined by the LMF in step S604.

[0184] S606. The first UE sends a sixth positioning request message to the second UE, and in response, the second UE receives the sixth positioning request message sent by the first UE.

[0185] Optionally, the sixth positioning request message includes the positioning algorithm determined by the LMF in step S604. The sixth positioning request message instructs the second UE to collect corresponding measurement data based on the determined positioning algorithm.

[0186] S607. The second UE feeds back measurement data to the first UE.

[0187] After receiving the sixth positioning request message, the second UE may collect measurement data corresponding to a positioning algorithm, and then feed back the measurement data to the first UE, so that the first UE can obtain a relative position between the first UE and the second UE. information Calculate.

[0188] S608. The first UE determines a relative position between the first UE and the second UE based on the measurement data fed back by the second UE. information Calculate.

[0189] For example, if the measurement data collected by the second UE is the signal strength of the second UE and the signal strength of the surrounding base stations, after collecting the signal strength of the second UE and the signal strength of the surrounding base stations, the second UE may report the collected measurement data to the first UE. Correspondingly, after receiving the measurement data, the first UE may calculate the relative position between the first UE and the second UE based on the measurement data.

[0190] In this embodiment of the application, the distance between two UEs corresponding to the measurement data (i.e., signal strength) may be determined based on a preset correspondence between the signal strength and the distance between two UEs. For details, please refer to the specific description of step S408 in the embodiment shown in Figure 4A and Figure 4B. The details will not be described repeatedly in this specification.

[0191] S609. The first UE notifies the LMF of the first UE Second UE Transmits relative position information between the

[0192] S6010. The LMF calculates location information of the first UE based on the relative location information and the location information of the second UE.

[0193] The second network element locates the first UE by using the second UE through S604 to S6010 to obtain location information of the first UE.

[0194] S6011. The LMF sends a positioning request response message to the external AF.

[0195] It should be noted that the LMF may send a positioning request response message (i.e., a response message to the second positioning request message initiated by the GMLC) to the GMLC, which then forwards the positioning request response message to the external AF.

[0196] For step S6010 and step S6011, please refer to the description of step S4010 and step S4011 in the embodiment shown in Figures 4A and 4B, and the details will not be described repeatedly in this specification.

[0197] In the positioning method in the embodiment shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the GMLC may send a positioning request message to the LMF to instruct the LMF to position the target UE via the auxiliary UE, and then the LMF may send a request message to the target UE to instruct the target UE to calculate the relative position between the target UE and the auxiliary UE, so that the target UE sends the relative position to the LMF, and the LMF calculates the position information of the target UE. According to the above method, the target UE may obtain the relative position between the target UE and the auxiliary UE by calculating using the accurate position of the auxiliary UE, so that the position information of the target UE calculated by the LMF is more accurate.

[0198] The following description uses an example in which the first network element is a GMLC and the second network element is an AMF for explanation purposes.

[0199] 7A and 7B are flowcharts of yet another user equipment UE positioning method according to an embodiment of this application. Please refer to Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B. The method may include the following steps:

[0200] S701. An external AF sends a first positioning request message to a core network to position location information of a target UE.

[0201] Specifically, step S701 may include steps S101 to S105 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1B. Therefore, for the specific implementation process of this step, please refer to the related description in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1B. The details will not be described repeatedly in this specification. S702. The LMF sends the first location indication information of the first UE to the GMLC. In response, the GMLC receives the first location indication information of the first UE sent by the LMF.

[0202] It should be noted that the LMF may send the first location indication information of the first UE to the AMF, and the AMF forwards the first location indication information of the first UE to the GMLC.

[0203] S703. The GMLC sends a second positioning request message to the AMF.

[0204] S704. The AMF selects a second UE and determines a positioning algorithm.

[0205] S705. The AMF sends a third positioning request message to the second UE.

[0206] In one possible implementation, the AMF may send a third positioning request message to the second UE. The third positioning request message may include an identification information of the first UE and an identification information of the second UE. The third positioning request message may instruct the second UE to determine relative location information between the second UE and the first UE.

[0207] S706. The second UE transmits a fourth positioning request message to the first UE, and in response, the first UE receives the fourth positioning request message transmitted by the second UE.

[0208] The fourth positioning request message may instruct the first UE to collect measurement data based on the positioning algorithm.

[0209] S707. The first UE feeds back measurement data to the second UE.

[0210] S708. The second UE calculates relative location information between the second UE and the first UE based on the measurement data fed back by the first UE.

[0211] S709. The second UE sends relative location information between the second UE and the first UE to the AMF.

[0212] S7010. The AMF calculates location information of the first UE based on the relative location information and the location information of the second UE.

[0213] S7011. The AMF sends a positioning request response message to the external AF.

[0214] In step S7011, the AMF may send a positioning request response message (i.e., a response message to the second positioning request message initiated by the GMLC) to the GMLC, and then the GMLC forwards the positioning request response message to the external AF.

[0215] It should be noted that the AMF in the embodiment shown in Figures 7A and 7B executes the method executed by the LMF in the embodiment shown in Figures 4A and 4B. For steps S701 to S703 and S706 to S7011 in the embodiment shown in Figures 7A and 7B, please refer to the description of steps S401 to S403 and S406 to S4011 in the embodiment shown in Figures 4A and 4B. Details will not be described repeatedly in this specification.

[0216] The difference between the embodiment shown in Figures 7A and 7B and the embodiment shown in Figures 4A and 4B includes that in the embodiment shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the LMF determines the second UE, and then the LMF sends a third positioning request message to the second UE, whereas in the embodiment shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the AMF determines the second UE, and then the AMF sends a third positioning request message to the second UE. For a specific implementation of step S704 in the embodiment shown in Figures 7A and 7B, please refer to step S404 in the embodiment shown in Figures 4A and 4B. Details will not be described repeatedly in this specification.

[0217] It can be understood that after step S704 is executed, the AMF may alternatively forward the selected second UE and the determined positioning algorithm to the LMF, and the LMF sends a third positioning request message to the second UE. Alternatively, after step S703, the AMF may forward the second positioning request message sent by the GMLC to the LMF, and the LMF determines the identity of the second UE. In S705, the LMF sends the third positioning request message to the second UE.

[0218] In the positioning method in the embodiment shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the GMLC may send a positioning request message to the AMF to instruct the AMF to position the target UE via the auxiliary UE, and then the AMF may send a request message to the auxiliary UE to instruct the AMF to calculate a relative position between the auxiliary UE and the target UE, so that the auxiliary UE sends the relative position to the AMF, and the AMF calculates the position information of the target UE. According to the above method, the AMF may calculate the position information of the target UE based on the position information of the auxiliary UE and the relative position calculated by the auxiliary UE. The method of calculating the position information of the target UE via the auxiliary UE can avoid the problem that the calculated position information of the target UE is inaccurate due to problems such as building obstruction and network dead angle, and can improve the positioning accuracy of the target UE.

[0219] 8A and 8B are flowcharts of yet another user equipment UE positioning method according to an embodiment of this application. Please refer to Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B. The method may include the following steps:

[0220] S801. An external AF sends a first positioning request message to a core network to position location information of a target UE.

[0221] S802. The LMF sends the first location indication information of the first UE to the GMLC. In response, the GMLC receives the first location indication information of the first UE sent by the LMF.

[0222] In step S802, the LMF may send first location indication information of the first UE to the AMF, and then the AMF sends the first location indication information of the first UE to the GMLC.

[0223] S803. The GMLC sends a second positioning request message to the AMF.

[0224] S804. The AMF selects a second UE and determines a positioning algorithm.

[0225] S805. The AMF sends a fifth positioning request message to the first UE.

[0226] In one possible implementation, the AMF may send a fifth positioning request message to the first UE. The fifth positioning request message may include an identification information of the first UE and an identification information of the second UE. The fifth positioning request message may include an identification information of the first UE and an identification information of the second UE. Second UE The first UE may be instructed to determine relative location information between the first UE and the second UE.

[0227] S806. The first UE sends a sixth positioning request message to the second UE, and in response, the second UE receives the sixth positioning request message sent by the first UE.

[0228] The sixth positioning request message may instruct the second UE to collect corresponding measurement data based on the positioning algorithm.

[0229] S807. The second UE feeds back measurement data to the first UE.

[0230] S808. The first UE calculates relative location information between the first UE and the second UE based on the measurement data fed back by the second UE.

[0231] S809. The first UE sends relative location information between the first UE and the second UE to the AMF.

[0232] S8010. The AMF calculates location information of the first UE based on the relative location information and the location information of the second UE.

[0233] S8011. The AMF sends a positioning request response message to the external AF.

[0234] In step S8011, the AMF may first send a positioning request response message (i.e., a response message to the second positioning request message initiated by the GMLC) to the GMLC, and then the GMLC forwards the positioning request response message to the external AF.

[0235] It should be noted that the AMF in the embodiment shown in Figures 8A and 8B executes the method executed by the LMF in the embodiment shown in Figures 6A and 6B. For steps S801 to S803 and S806 to S8011 in the embodiment shown in Figures 8A and 8B, reference should be made to the description of steps S601 to S603 and S606 to S6011 in the embodiment shown in Figures 6A and 6B. Details will not be described repeatedly in this specification. The difference between the embodiment shown in Figures 8A and 8B and the embodiment shown in Figures 6A and 6B is that in the embodiment shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the LMF determines the second UE, and then the LMF sends a third positioning request message to the second UE, while in the embodiment shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the AMF determines the second UE, and then the AMF sends a third positioning request message to the first UE. For a specific implementation of step S804 in the embodiment shown in Figures 8A and 8B, please refer to step S604 in the embodiment shown in Figures 6A and 6B. Details will not be described repeatedly in this specification.

[0236] Of course, it can be understood that after step S804 is executed, the AMF may alternatively forward the selected second UE and the determined positioning algorithm to the LMF, and the LMF sends a third positioning request message to the second UE. Alternatively, after step S803, the AMF may forward the second positioning request message sent by the GMLC to the LMF, and the LMF determines the identity information of the second UE. In S805, the LMF sends the third positioning request message to the second UE.

[0237] In the positioning method in the embodiment shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the GMLC may send a positioning request message to the AMF to instruct the AMF to position the target UE via the auxiliary UE, and then the AMF may send a request message to the target UE to instruct the target UE to calculate a relative position between the target UE and the auxiliary UE, whereby the target UE sends the relative position to the AMF and the AMF calculates the location information of the target UE.

[0238] The above description mainly describes the solution provided by this application in terms of the interaction between multiple network elements. It can be understood that to implement the above functions, each network element includes a corresponding hardware configuration and / or software module for performing each function. Those skilled in the art should easily recognize that the units and algorithm steps in the present invention may be implemented by hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software in connection with the examples described in the multiple embodiments disclosed in this specification. Whether a function is performed by hardware or by hardware driven by computer software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the multiple technical solutions. Those skilled in the art may use multiple different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but the implementation should not be interpreted as going beyond the scope of the present invention.

[0239] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the following description describes an apparatus configured to implement the above method in the embodiments of this application. Therefore, all of the above contents can be used in the following embodiments. Repeated contents will not be described repeatedly.

[0240] Based on the same concept as the concept of the above method embodiments, an embodiment of this application provides a user equipment positioning device. When using an integrated unit, FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a logical configuration of the user equipment positioning device. The user equipment positioning device may be implemented by a first network element (such as GMLC). Please refer to FIG. 9. The user equipment positioning device 900 includes a sending unit 901 and a receiving unit 902. In an example, the device 900 is configured to implement the function of the first network element according to the above manner. For example, the device may be the first network element, or may be a device in the first network element, such as a chip system.

[0241] The sending unit 901 is configured to send a first positioning request message to a second network element. The first positioning request message instructs the second network element to position the first user equipment UE via the second UE. The receiving unit 902 is configured to receive a first positioning request response message sent by the second network element. The first positioning request response message includes first location information of the first UE.

[0242] In one possible implementation, the first positioning request message includes at least one of an identification information of the first UE, an identification information of the second UE, or positioning accuracy information.

[0243] In one possible implementation, the sending unit 901 is further configured to send a second positioning request message to the second network element. The second positioning request message instructs the second network element to position the first UE. The receiving unit 902 is further configured to receive a second positioning request response message sent by the second network element. The second positioning request response message includes second location indication information of the first UE. The second location indication information indicates that the second location accuracy information of the first UE does not satisfy the positioning accuracy information or indicates the second location information of the first UE.

[0244] In one possible implementation, the sending unit 901 is configured to send the first positioning request message to the second network element, in particular by sending the first positioning request message to the second network element based on the second location indication information of the first UE.

[0245] When using a hardware form for implementation, in this embodiment of this application, the sending unit 901 may be a communication interface, a transmitter, or a transceiver circuit, etc. The receiving unit 902 may be a communication interface, a receiver, or a transceiver circuit, etc. The communication interface is a general term and may include one or more interfaces.

[0246] When the sending unit 901 is a transmitter and the receiving unit 902 is a receiver, the user equipment positioning device 900 in this embodiment of the application may be shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, an embodiment of the application provides a user equipment positioning device 1000. For example, the positioning device may be a first network element. The user equipment positioning device 1000 may include a transmitter 1001, a receiver 1002, a processor 1003, and a memory 1004. The memory 1004 stores instructions or programs. The processor 1003 is configured to execute the instructions or programs stored in the memory 1004. The transmitter 1001 is configured to perform the operations performed by the sending unit 901 in the above embodiment. The receiver 1002 is configured to perform the operations performed by the receiving unit 902 in the above embodiment.

[0247] It should be understood that the user equipment positioning device 900 or the user equipment positioning device 1000 according to the embodiments of this application may correspond to the first network element in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, and may correspond to the GMLC network element in the embodiments shown in Figures 4A and 4B, 6A and 6B, 7A and 7B, and 8A and 8B. In addition, the operation and / or function of the modules in the user equipment positioning device 900 or the user equipment positioning device 1000 are used individually to implement the corresponding procedures in the embodiments shown in Figures 3, 4A and 4B, 6A and 6B, 7A and 7B, and 8A and 8B. For the sake of brevity, the details are not repeated in this specification.

[0248] As shown in Fig. 11, an embodiment of this application further provides a schematic diagram of a logical configuration of a positioning device of a user equipment. Please refer to Fig. 11. The positioning device 1100 of the user equipment includes a receiving unit 1101, a positioning unit 1102, and a sending unit 1103. As an example, the device 1100 is configured to implement the function of the second network element in the above method. For example, the device may be an LMF, or may be a device such as a chip system in an LMF.

[0249] The receiving unit 1101 is configured to receive a first positioning request message sent by a first network element. The first positioning request message instructs the second network element to position the first user equipment UE via the second UE. The positioning unit 1102 is configured to position the first UE. The sending unit 1103 is configured to send a first positioning request response message to the first network element. The first positioning request response message includes location information of the first UE.

[0250] In one possible implementation, the first positioning request message includes at least one of an identification information of the first UE, an identification information of the second UE, or positioning accuracy information.

[0251] In one possible implementation, the positioning unit 1102 is configured to position the first UE via the second UE in the following manner: sending a third positioning request message to the second UE, the third positioning request message instructing the second UE to determine relative location information between the second UE and the first UE, the third positioning request message including the identification information of the first UE, receiving the relative location information sent by the second UE, and determining location information of the second UE based on the identification information of the second UE, and determining location information of the first UE based on the relative location information and the location information of the second UE.

[0252] In one possible implementation, the apparatus further includes an obtaining unit 1104. The obtaining unit 1104 is configured to obtain identification information of the second UE.

[0253] The acquiring unit 1104 is particularly configured to acquire the identification information of the second UE by the following manner: acquiring the identification information of the second UE from a third network element, acquiring the identification information of the second UE from the first network element, or acquiring the identification information of the second UE based on the registration information of the second UE.

[0254] In one possible implementation, the positioning unit 1102 is configured to position the first UE via the second UE in the following manner: sending a fourth positioning request message to the first UE, the fourth positioning request message instructing the first UE to determine relative location information between the first UE and the second UE, the fourth positioning request message including the identification information of the second UE; receiving the relative location information sent by the first UE; and determining location information of the second UE based on the identification information of the second UE; and determining the location information of the first UE based on the relative location information and the location information of the second UE.

[0255] When using a hardware form for implementation, in this embodiment of the application, the receiving unit 1101 may be a communication interface, a receiver, or a transceiver circuit, etc. The sending unit 1103 may be a communication interface, a transmitter, or a transceiver circuit, etc. The communication interface is a general term and may include one or more interfaces.

[0256] When the receiving unit 1101 is a receiver and the transmitting unit 1103 is a transmitter, the user equipment positioning device 1100 in this embodiment of the application may be shown in FIG. 12. As shown in FIG. 12, an embodiment of the application provides a user equipment positioning device 1200. For example, the positioning device may be a second network element. The user equipment positioning device 1200 may include a receiver 1201, a transmitter 1202, a processor 1203, and a memory 1204. The memory 1204 stores instructions or programs. The processor 1203 is configured to execute the instructions or programs stored in the memory 1204. The receiver 1201 is configured to perform the operations performed by the receiving unit 1101 in the above embodiment. The transmitter 1202 is configured to perform the operations performed by the transmitting unit 1103 in the above embodiment.

[0257] It should be understood that the user equipment positioning device 1100 or the user equipment positioning device 1200 according to the embodiments of this application may correspond to the second network element in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, and may correspond to the LMF network element in the embodiment shown in Figures 4A and 4B, and 6A and 6B, or the AMF network element in the embodiment shown in Figures 7A and 7B, and 8A and 8B. In addition, the operation and / or function of the module in the user equipment positioning device 1100 or the user equipment positioning device 1200 implements the corresponding procedure in the embodiment shown in Figures 3, 4A and 4B, 6A and 6B, 7A and 7B, and 8A and 8B, respectively. For the sake of brevity, the details are not repeated in this specification.

[0258] It should be understood that the processor referred to in the embodiments of this application may be a central processing unit (CPU), and the processor may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc.

[0259] It can further be understood that the memory referred to in the embodiments of this application may be volatile or non-volatile memory, or may include volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM) used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many types of RAM may be used, such as static random access memory (static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM), and direct rambus random access memory (direct rambus RAM, DR RAM).

[0260] It should be noted that when the processor is a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) is integrated into the processor.

[0261] It should be noted that memory as described herein is intended to include, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0262] 13 is a schematic diagram of a user equipment positioning system 1300 according to an embodiment of the present application. The system 1300 may include a user equipment positioning device 1301 and a user equipment positioning device 1302. For example, the user equipment positioning device 1301 may be configured to send a first positioning request message to the user equipment positioning device 1302. The first positioning request message instructs the user equipment positioning device 1302 to position the first user equipment UE via the second UE. The user equipment positioning device 1302 is configured to receive a first positioning request message sent by the user equipment positioning device 1301, the first positioning request message instructing the user equipment positioning device 1302 to position the first user equipment UE via the second UE, position the first UE, and then send a first positioning request response message to the user equipment positioning device 1301, where the first positioning request response message includes location information of the first UE.

[0263] It can be understood that when using the system for a user equipment positioning method, for the specific implementation process of the system and the corresponding beneficial effects of the system, reference should be made to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments, and the details will not be repeatedly described in this specification.

[0264] Based on the same concept as the above method embodiment, an embodiment of this application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, enables the computer to perform the operations performed by the first network element or the second network element in any one of the above method embodiments and multiple possible implementations of the method embodiments.

[0265] Based on the same concept as the above method embodiment, this application further provides a computer program product, which when called and executed by a computer, enables the computer to implement the operations performed by the first network element or the second network element in any one of the above method embodiments and multiple possible implementations of the method embodiments.

[0266] Based on the same concept as the concept of the above method embodiment, this application further provides a chip or chip system. The chip may include a processor. The chip may further include a memory (or storage module) and / or a transceiver (or communication module), or the chip is coupled to the memory (or storage module) and / or the transceiver (or communication module). The transceiver (or communication module) may be configured to assist the chip to perform wired communication and / or wireless communication, and the memory (or storage module) may be configured to store a program. The processor invokes the program to implement the operations performed by the first network element or the second network element in any one of the above method embodiments and multiple possible implementations of the method embodiments. The chip system may include the chip, or may include other individual components such as the memory (or storage module) and / or the transceiver (or communication module) and the chip.

[0267] It should be understood that the sequence numbers of the above processes do not mean the execution order in the multiple embodiments of this application. The execution order of these processes should be determined based on the functions and internal logic of these processes, and should not be construed as any limitation on the implementation process of the multiple embodiments of this application.

[0268] Those skilled in the art can recognize that in connection with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the units and algorithm steps may be implemented by electronic hardware or by a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether a function is performed by a hardware method or a software method depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but the implementation should not be interpreted as going beyond the scope of this application.

[0269] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for convenient and simple description, the detailed operation processes of the above systems, devices, and units should refer to the corresponding processes in the above method embodiments, and the details will not be described repeatedly in this specification.

[0270] It should be understood that in some of the embodiments provided by this application, the disclosed system, device, and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above device embodiment is merely an example. For example, the division of units is merely a logical division of functions, and may be other divisions in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, and some of the functions may be ignored or not performed. In addition, the shown or described mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented by some interfaces. Indirect couplings or communication connections between multiple devices or multiple units may be implemented by electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0271] The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separated, and the parts shown as multiple units may or may not be multiple physical units, located in one location or distributed across multiple network units, some or all of which may be selected based on actual requirements to achieve the objectives of the solution of the embodiment.

[0272] In addition, multiple functional units in multiple embodiments of this application may be integrated into a single processing unit, and each of the multiple units may exist physically alone, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit.

[0273] When functions are implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the functions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions of this application may be essentially implemented in the form of a software product, or a part of the technical solutions may be implemented in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes some instructions, which instruct a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or some of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of this application. The storage medium includes any medium, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, that is capable of storing program code.

[0274] The above description is merely a specific implementation of this application, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application. Any variations or replacements that a person skilled in the art can easily think of within the technical scope disclosed in the embodiments of this application shall fall within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for determining a position of a user equipment, comprising: sending a first positioning request message by a gateway mobile location center to a location management function, the first positioning request message instructing the location management function to position a first user equipment (UE) via a second UE, the first positioning request message including an identification information of the first UE and an identification information of the second UE; receiving, by the gateway mobile location center, a first positioning request response message from the location management function, the first positioning request response message including first location information of the first UE, the first location information of the first UE being determined based on location information of the second UE and relative location information between the first UE and the second UE; method.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first positioning request message further includes positioning accuracy information.

3. Before the step of sending a first positioning request message by a gateway mobile location center to a location management function, the method further comprises: sending, by the gateway mobile location center, a second positioning request message to the location management function, the second positioning request message instructing the location management function to position the first UE; 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: receiving, by the gateway mobile position center, a second positioning request response message sent by the location management function, the second positioning request response message including second location indication information of the first UE, the second location indication information indicating that the second location accuracy information of the first UE does not satisfy the positioning accuracy information or indicating the second location information of the first UE.

4. The step of transmitting a first positioning request message to a location management function by a gateway mobile location center comprises:

4. The method of claim 3, comprising the step of: sending, by the gateway mobile location center, the first positioning request message to the location management function based on the second location indication information of the first UE.

5. A method for determining a position of a user equipment, comprising: receiving, by a location management function, a first positioning request message sent by a gateway mobile location center, the first positioning request message instructing the location management function to position a first user equipment (UE) via a second UE, the first positioning request message including an identification information of the first UE and an identification information of the second UE; positioning the first UE via the second UE by the location management function, and sending a first positioning request response message to the gateway mobile location center, the first positioning request response message including location information of the first UE; The step of positioning the first UE via the second UE by the location management function includes: sending, by the location management function, a fourth positioning request message to the first UE, the fourth positioning request message instructing the first UE to determine relative location information between the first UE and the second UE, the fourth positioning request message including the identification information of the second UE; receiving, by the location management function, the relative location information from the first UE and determining location information of the second UE based on the identification information of the second UE; determining, by the location management function, the location information of the first UE based on the relative location information and the location information of the second UE; Including, method.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the first positioning request message further includes positioning accuracy information.

7. The method of claim 5 or 6, wherein the fourth positioning request message further includes a positioning algorithm.

8. A positioning device for a user equipment, comprising: a transmitting unit configured to transmit a first positioning request message to a location management function, the first positioning request message instructing the location management function to position a first user equipment (UE) via a second UE, the first positioning request message including an identification information of the first UE and an identification information of the second UE; a receiving unit configured to receive a first positioning request response message from the location management function, the first positioning request response message including first location information of the first UE, the first location information of the first UE being determined based on location information of the second UE and relative location information between the first UE and the second UE; Device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the first positioning request message further includes positioning accuracy information.

10. The sending unit is further configured to send a second positioning request message to the location management function, the second positioning request message instructing the location management function to position the first UE; 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the receiving unit is further configured to receive a second positioning request response message sent by the location management function, the second positioning request response message including second location indication information of the first UE, and the second location indication information indicates that the second location accuracy information of the first UE does not satisfy the positioning accuracy information or indicates the second location information of the first UE.

11. The sending unit in particular 11. The apparatus of claim 10, configured to send the first positioning request message to the Location Management Function based on the second location indication information of the first UE.

12. A positioning device for a user equipment, comprising: A receiving unit configured to receive a first positioning request message sent by a gateway mobile position center, the first positioning request message instructing a location management function to position a first user equipment (UE) via a second UE, the first positioning request message including an identification information of the first UE and an identification information of the second UE; a positioning unit configured to position the first UE via the second UE; a transmitting unit configured to transmit a first positioning request response message to the gateway mobile position center, the first positioning request response message including location information of the first UE; The positioning unit is Send a fourth positioning request message to the first UE, the fourth positioning request message instructing the first UE to determine relative location information between the first UE and the second UE, the fourth positioning request message including the identification information of the second UE. Receive the relative location information transmitted by the first UE, and determine location information of the second UE based on the identification information of the second UE; and determining the location information of the first UE based on the relative location information and the location information of the second UE; It is configured as follows: Device.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the first positioning request message further includes positioning accuracy information.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 or 13, wherein the fourth positioning request message further includes a positioning algorithm.

15. 5. A user equipment positioning device comprising a processor and a memory, the memory configured to store one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising computer-executable instructions, and wherein, when the user equipment positioning device is in operation, the processor executes the one or more programs stored in the memory to enable the user equipment positioning device to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

16. 8. A user equipment positioning device comprising a processor and a memory, the memory configured to store one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising computer-executable instructions, and wherein, when the user equipment positioning device is operating, the processor executes the one or more programs stored in the memory to enable the user equipment positioning device to perform a method according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

17. A positioning system for a user equipment, the positioning system for the user equipment comprising an apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11 and an apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

18. 5. A computer readable storage medium storing a computer program which, when executed, implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 4.

19. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, the computer-readable storage medium implementing a method according to any one of claims 5 to 7 when the computer program is executed.

20. A computer program comprising a plurality of computer instructions which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to carry out a method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

21. A computer program comprising a plurality of computer instructions which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to carry out a method according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

22. A method for determining a position of a user equipment, comprising: sending a first positioning request message by a gateway mobile location center to a location management function, the first positioning request message instructing the location management function to position a first user equipment (UE) via a second UE, the first positioning request message including an identification information of the first UE and an identification information of the second UE; receiving, by the location management function, the first positioning request message; positioning the first UE via the second UE by the location management function, and sending a first positioning request response message to the gateway mobile position center, the first positioning request response message including location information of the first UE; receiving, by the gateway mobile location center, the first positioning request response message; The step of positioning the first UE via the second UE by the location management function includes: sending, by the location management function, a fourth positioning request message to the first UE, the fourth positioning request message instructing the first UE to determine relative location information between the first UE and the second UE; receiving, by the location management function, the relative location information from the first UE and determining location information of the second UE based on the identification information of the second UE; determining, by the location management function, the location information of the first UE based on the relative location information and the location information of the second UE; Including, method.

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